Today in the Connected Economy: Amazon ‘Amps’ up Social Audio

Today in the connected economy, Amazon unveils Amp, a social mobile audio app designed to compete with Clubhouse, while TrueCar launches TrueCar+, a car buying platform. Plus, ACI Worldwide becomes the first vendor to let people pay their taxes over Venmo.

Amazon Takes on Clubhouse with Social Audio Mobile App Amp

On the second anniversary of Clubhouse, Amazon.com has unveiled Amp, a competing social audio mobile app on which users can create their radio shows, be DJs and play songs from Amazon Music. “Radio has always been about music and culture,” Amazon Vice President John Ciancutti wrote in a company blog post. “But imagine if you were inventing the medium today. You’d combine what people love about radio, spontaneous talk, new music discovery, diverse personalities and broad programming, with all that’s made possible by today’s technology.”

TrueCar Launches Online Car-Buying Platform TrueCar+

Online car retailer TrueCar has unveiled its online car-buying platform, TrueCar+, which lets users shop, confirm and complete their car purchases with a dealer and arrange financing and delivery from anywhere. “TrueCar enables consumers to connect to a dealer directly, and TrueCar+ takes this one step further as it will enable consumers to finalize deal terms with a dealer online and give them the options to complete their purchase however is best suited to their life,” said TrueCar President and CEO Mike Darrow.

ACI Launches PayPal, Venmo Mobile Payment Options for IRS Filers

Real-time payments software provider ACI Worldwide is offering PayPal and Venmo payments to federal taxpayers. The company will be the first vendor to offer Venmo as an option for taxpayers filing their federal returns. ACI said 90% of IRS electronic payments made through its platform are completed online or through a mobile browser. In addition, IRS payments through mobile rose by 85% between 2021 to 2022.

Flywire, Tribal Group Form Education Payment Partnership

Global payments platform Flywire has launched a strategic partnership with education technology firm Tribal Group. The collaboration will involve U.K.-based Tribal Group integrating Flywire’s digital education platform with its student information system to make simplified payments for students and administrators in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC) markets.

Synchrony Car Care Opens Cards to Let Consumer Charge EV Refills

Consumer financial services firm Synchrony has announced that customers will be able to use its Car Care credit card to pay for refills at electric vehicle charging stations. The addition of electric vehicle charging to its list of features will add to the utility of Car Care, which lets consumers pay for nearly all their vehicle’s needs, including parts and service, gas, tires and oil changes, along with parking, car washes, public transportation, car rentals, rideshare, tolls and insurance.

Orange, Masmovil Plan Merger, Launch of Spanish Telecom Division

French telecom carrier Orange and Masmovil Ibercom are working to consolidate the telecom market in Spain through a $21.3 billion merger. If the merger happens, the combined company would be a 50-50 joint venture, co-controlled by Orange and Masmovil. Masmovil has debt of about 6 billion euros (or roughly $6.5 billion), meaning it will have to make a cash payment to Orange to balance the merger. Also included in the proposed merger: a right to trigger an initial public offering (IPO) “under certain conditions” and a path-to-control right for Orange.