⚡️ X reveals brand-new features

PLUS: TikTok goes ad-free

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

What do Elon Musk and Paris Hilton have in common?

They both love to go shopping… on X (formerly Twitter). Let’s dig in…

In today’s tech rundown:

  • 🛍️ Musk, Hilton shake up X with livestream shopping

  • 🚚 Cybertruck delivery event delayed again

  • ⚡️ TikTok teases ad-free premium experience

  • 🛠️ 8 New products

  • 📰 7 quick stories

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

X (FORMERLY TWITTER)

Image source: X @lindayaX

The Rundown: Hot on the heels of Elon Musk's acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), X makes moves in the e-commerce game with the announcement of their first livestream shopping event featuring Paris Hilton.

The details:

  • Before its acquisition, X had been delving into e-commerce with the 2022 launch of mobile storefronts and merchant product teasers.

  • This shift towards livestream shopping was prepped during Twitter's time but Musk's latest approach seems more creator-focused.

  • Livestream functionality hit a roadblock as Musk's own test crashed, casting doubts on how it will cope under Paris Hilton's 16.6M followers.

The relevance: Musk's takeover is giving X a fresh spin, putting creators and innovative shopping at the heart of its path. Balancing the demands for a live interactive experience against system robustness will be a tall order. Is X up to the task? Only time will tell.

TESLA

Image source: Tesla

The Rundown: Tesla disappoints by postponing the highly-anticipated Cybertruck delivery event, previously hinted for Q3 2023 by CEO Elon Musk. The delay is a continuation in the saga of its release, which was originally slated for 2021.

Key points:

  • Elon Musk's announcement in the April earnings call raised hopes for a Q3 delivery event, but the quarter concluded with no such event.

  • The Cybertruck has amassed close to 2 million reservations, with each enthusiast placing a roughly $100 refundable deposit.

  • Recent sightings of the Cybertruck on public roads and Tesla employees receiving launch apparel indicate a delivery soon.

  • The unique and unconventional design has been cited as a reason for the extensive development period.

Why it matters: The continuous delays strain Tesla’s existing vehicle lineup. This puts a spotlight on Tesla's ability to meet deadlines and deliver on promises, impacting public and investor perception.

Plus, we can’t wait to get our hands on a Cybertruck — hurry up, Elon!

TIKTOK

Image source: TikTok

The Rundown: TikTok reportedly tests a $4.99 monthly subscription for an ad-free version of its platform as it explores new monetization strategies.

Details:

  • Screenshots reveal TikTok prompting users to choose between the regular ad-filled version or an ad-free one for $4.99 a month.

  • The move forms part of TikTok's attempts to diversify its income streams, amid the expansion of its in-app marketplace – TikTok Shop.

  • Exploring ad-free tiers mirrors similar strategies by other social platforms like Twitter and Meta.

Our thoughts: As the airwaves get more jammed with ads, it seems platforms are keen to offer users a breather... for a price. TikTok's foray into this space could be a major game changer, but juggling user satisfaction and revenue needs is a tricky dance.

NEW PRODUCTS

🔍 Buska- Master your brand's online narrative! Receive immediate alerts for mentions across the web and every social media platform (link)

🧠 Agave Health App- Your virtual ADHD clinic! Personalized coaching and support, all in one app (link)

🤝 Moments- A personal CRM for maintaining both friendly and professional relationships (link)

📝 Copy AI- Generate content, such as blog headlines, emails, and social media posts using AI (link)

🔥 Jasper- An AI copywriter assistant that can generate any kind of marketing copy (link)

Magic Studio- Create amazing product photos in minutes (link)

🎵 Mubert- Soundtrack for your content made by AI (link)

🎥 Munch- Extract the most engaging and impactful clips from your long-form videos (link)

Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.

SNIPPETS

HP plans to manufacture Chromebooks in India, near Chennai, marking a significant win for Prime Minister Modi's technology initiative.

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman have won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their pioneering mRNA research, enabling the swift development of effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Vertex Technology Acquisition Corp (VTAC) is set to acquire live streaming platform 17LIVE Inc for up to $676 million, a first-of-its-kind deal in Singapore since the introduction of SPAC listings in 2021.

Zillow has won a lawsuit, with a jury rejecting Real Estate Exchange (REX)'s claims that the company deceptively displayed non-MLS listings on its website.

Coinbase has secured a license from Singapore's central bank to offer digital payment token services in the city-state, reinforcing its presence in a key Asian crypto hub.

MrBeast's snack brand, Feastables, has inked a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to feature its logo on the team’s jerseys and other merchandise for the 2023-2024 season, showcasing a pioneering partnership between creator-brands and the NBA.

Samsung is launching a mobile cloud gaming service on Galaxy phones to open new revenue streams amid declining smartphone sales and ad revenues.

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THAT’S A WRAP

If you have anything interesting to share, please reach out to us by sending us a DM on Twitter: @rowancheung & @therundowntech

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