Together with
The fidget factor. Remember when you were younger and were always told to sit still or stop moving? Well, it turns out fidgeting may actually be good for you. A recent study found these impulsive ticks can be surprisingly beneficial — from maintaining a healthy weight to managing stress to possibly even living longer. Who would’ve thought after all this time, the only New Year’s resolution we ever needed was to anxiously tap our foot a little more?
In other news… Chrome launches AI article summaries, the Women’s World Cup scores big with Gen Z, and TikTok “house hackers” are on the rise.
Top Trends
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe
TECHNOLOGY
Google takes the reading out of reading
Google Chrome’s AI can summarize whole articles for you
The Future. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), an AI-driven program that already summarizes user search results, can now do the same thing for entire articles. While some find the feature slow and clunky, it could soon make search unimaginable without it.
Giving the gist
Google began the rollout of SGE’s new feature this past Tuesday.
On mobile, the feature will provide a list of bulleted “key points” after users click an icon at the bottom of the screen.
The upgraded SGE will debut on the Google app for iOS and Android before rolling out to the desktop Chrome browser.
Currently, the feature only works on free articles and can’t pass website paywalls.
AI vs. A eye
Some early users complain the feature is slow, clunky, and unnecessary, and actually makes search take longer than doing it the old way.
The tech is likely to improve with time, but Google is unlikely to change course even if it doesn’t. CEO Sundar Pichai recently said these new improvements will, sooner or later, “just be how search works.”
    |
SPORTS
Social media is their digital stadium
Gen Z gets a kick out of the Women’s World Cup
The Future. As digital natives, Gen Zers are engaging with sports content like the FIFA Women’s World Cup in a significantly different way than previous generations. Their interest goes beyond the sporting event itself, as they seek meaningful connections with individual athletes, teams, and brands. By embracing authenticity, building community, and promoting social responsibility, brands could leave a lasting impact on the world of women’s soccer for generations to come.
Emotional connection > mere consumption
AdAge breaks down how Gen Z’s preferences differ from traditional sports fans.
43% of young people aged 16 to 24 interact with sports content on YouTube and 31% on Instagram, while only 30% do on traditional TV. Social media offers uniquely compelling storytelling like BTS moments and player interviews.
74% of young people aged 18 to 34 express interest in watching games outside their homes, compared to 57% of those aged 35 and older. Zoomers prioritize community and belonging, so creating shared experiences is key to connecting with this generation.
The more socially conscious, the better
Because Gen Z admires players for their personal stories and philanthropic efforts as much as their on-field talent, brands can get closer to Gen Z by aligning with their values.
True stories, relatable feelings, and social impact initiatives that encourage positive change make the Women’s World Cup more than just a sporting event. All these combined make it a transcendent experience representing a generation’s ideals. Score.
| |
Enhance > endanger
Degradable plastic is not great for the environment! And Matter knows that. So, they make all sorts of stuff with plant-based biopolymer and fiber as an alternative — things like trash bags, food storage containers, tableware, plates, and bowls.
All of their products:
Return valuable nutrients to the soil
Reuse crop waste
Are certified compostable
We’re in love. Oh! And did we mention that creating Matter products uses a lot less energy than conventional manufacturing? Let that sink in for a moment.
Now, check out Matter and start replacing your traditional plastic items with better ones!
HOUSING
Just who are the house hackers hacking?
TikTokers rebrand landlords as “house hackers”
The Future. ICYMI, there’s a new financial TikTok craze in town: “house hacking.” And it’s the practice of buying a house or multi-unit building and sharing the living space with tenants who pay the mortgage for you. While the trend can be lucrative (or even ruinous) for the hacker, it may still be a little misleading to the tenants… whether they’re aware of it or not.
“Living for free”
The new trend allegedly allows middle-class people to bootstrap their way into owning property.
House hackers can utilize government-backed loans with smaller down payments offered only to people living in the property they’re buying.
Still, hackers take on a lot of debt, and there’s no guarantee they’ll find tenants.
House hackers don’t always tell their tenants they own the building, sometimes pretending to be a roommate instead.
Landlord says what?
Some argue house hackers are just landlords rebranding themselves with a less polarizing name — hoping to be seen as trendy, self-made entrepreneurs rather than exploitative landlords.
Whether the term or the trend sticks is hard to say. Many house hackers bought their properties during the pandemic (right before prices shot up), so if the market takes a dive, they could, too.
| |
Morning better
Meet your newest morning read: The Hustle.
The Hustle covers the most exciting and impactful tech, startup, and business news stories. There’s something for everyone (as long as you’re innovative AF, and we know you are).
Oh, and it only takes five minutes to read. That means they skip the fluff and get straight to the good stuff. Plus, it’s free!
Sign up here and make your mornings better.
Highlights
The best curated daily stories from around the web
Media, Music, & Entertainment
Margot Robbie, the star and producer behind the hit movie Barbie, could earn roughly $50 million in salary and box office bonuses, according to sources close to her deal. Read More → variety
Barbie, despite becoming a cultural phenomenon in the US, is banned in Vietnam, Kuwait, Algeria, and Lebanon for inciting conservative backlash and geopolitical anger. Read More → axios
Super Mario Bros. Movie has grossed $100 million (13.74 billion yen) in Japan, becoming Universal’s top film ever in that market. Read More → deadline
Fashion & E-Commerce
Harrods, owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, saw profits hit $217.9 million and sales increase 52% as tourism returned to London after the pandemic. Read More → bof
Target’s stock is surging despite its quarterly sales falling for the first time in six years — probably because the company reported $835 million in net earnings for Q2. Read More → fastcompany
Hennessy is celebrating hip-hop’s and Nas’ 50th birthdays in a new campaign featuring a limited-edition bottle co-created by the rapper. Read More → adweek
Tech, Web3, & AI
Security researchers have found if someone plugs a device into a USB port on the Deckmate 2 (the most widely used automated shuffling machine in casinos today), it could alter the shuffler’s code to fully hijack the machine and invisibly tamper with its shuffling. Read More → wired
Analysts from Bernstein Research have been posting monthly updates on tech layoffs for nearly a year, but they retired the data series this week, declaring “The Tech Job Recession is Over” in an email to clients. Read More → insider
Funding for current unicorn companies dwindled to $2.2 billion in July 2023, compared to $6.6 billion the previous year, showing less investment in private high-growth companies. Read More → crunchbase
Creator Economy
Jack Harlow’s PHOCUS, a mental acuity beverage brand, is expanding its partnership with The Vitamin Shoppe by exclusively releasing a new pineapple flavor. Read More → fb101
X is luring content creators back to the platform with ad revenue payouts that can be secured once verified users have at least 500 followers with three million impressions in the last three months. Read More → digiday
Macy’s female-focused brand, “On 34th,” is launching a new campaign featuring 56 influencers (a tenfold increase from Macy’s previous influencer marketing) to draw new shoppers. Read More → adage
Jobby Lobby
Explore a weekly curated list of the latest and greatest job opportunities in business, tech, and entertainment. For more listings, check out the complete job board.
Software Engineer, Android
Meta
New York, NY
Content Creator
CO/LAB
Los Angeles, CA
Project Manager
Booz Allen Hamilton
Miami, FL
Marketing Events Manager
Dentsu
London, UK
Like what you see? Subscribe Now or Partner With Us
Keep the editorial team going! Buy the team a coffee! ☕️
Today’s email was written by Luke Perrotta and Kait Cunniff.
Edited by Nick Comney.
Published by Darline Salazar.