Connected Economy

Connected Economy
Twitter Rebrands as X in Move Toward Becoming ‘Everything App’
April 11, 2023

Twitter is no more, at least on paper. The social media platform has apparently merged with a shell company called X, the same name as CEO Elon Musk’s long-envisioned “everything app.” Musk appeared to acknowledge the change Tuesday (April 11) by tweeting the letter X.  A court document filed...

Connected Economy
CE 100 Index Loses 2.2% as Short Sellers Target C3.ai and Airbnb 
April 10, 2023

Short sellers — who profit when stocks decline — held sway this past week. The CE 100 Stock Index slipped 2.2% as only one pillar gained ground in a holiday-shortened week.   The Move segment, work pillar and Enablers group were all down a respective 4.7%,...

Connected Economy
Stripe Confident in Web Economy Despite ‘Significant’ Slowing
April 05, 2023

Stripe’s businesses processed more than $817 billion in 2022, the payments company said Wednesday (April 5). In the company’s annual user letter, co-founders and brothers Patrick Collison and John Collison noted that this figure was up 26% from the previous year. “This is a significant...

Connected Economy
Nearly Half of US Consumers Use Digital for Travel, Healthcare and Smart Home Tech Activities
April 04, 2023

The connected economy expands with each new activity consumers perform via digital means, and those are increasing, as the average consumer now engages in 28 digital activities monthly, compared to 24 one year ago. This and more are detailed in “The ConnectedEconomy™ Monthly Report: The...

Connected Economy
CE 100 Index Surges 4.9% as Ocado Leads Shopping Names Higher  
April 03, 2023

The CE 100 Stock Index notched a 4.9% rally in a week that saw all pillars gain ground. And with the last week of March firmly in the rearview mirror, the Index stands 15.7% higher year to date, wrapping up a first quarter that showed...

Connected Economy
GM Picks Google Over Apple for Connected EV Projects
April 02, 2023

General Motors has enlisted Google to help build infotainment systems for electric vehicles. The automaker will stop using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems beginning with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Reuters reported Friday (March 31). The decision is a blow to Apple, and another example...

Connected Economy
Albertsons Goes After Consumers’ Health Benefits Spending with New Partnerships
March 31, 2023

Albertsons Companies has set its sight on an untapped pool of funds — consumers’ health benefits. The grocery giant, which has more than 2,200 stores across the United States under a number of well-known banners, announced Friday (March 31) two new partnerships, one with global fintech giant FIS and one...

Connected Economy
Amazon-AMC Rumor Underscores Evolution of the Connected Economy
March 31, 2023

Whether Amazon buys AMC — or not — may be beside the point. The mere fact that the eCommerce giant has been rumored to be mulling buying multiplex real estate speaks volumes to the connected economy’s evolution, and the ways lines are blurring between online...

Connected Economy
Paycheck-to-Paycheck Population May Surge as SNAP Benefits End and Student Loans Payments Resume
March 28, 2023

Depending on the month, the roster of those of us living paycheck to paycheck is up a bit or down a bit. But through the past several years, as tracked by PYMNTS and LendingClub, there’s one constant: Most individuals and households in the U.S. struggle...