Social media news

• AI doesn’t reward scale. That changes everything for multicultural agencies

  27-08-2026 13:30 via marketingdive.com
  
  For agencies that have always had to do more with less, the level playing field is finally here, according to IW Group’s Nita Song.
  
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• Axe vies for more mature brand positioning while nodding to Y2K roots

  02-09-2026 16:48 via marketingdive.com
  
  New ads for the Unilever brand show men briefly turning back into their teen selves, popped collars and all, as Axe states, “You got better. So did we.”
  
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• Athletic Brewing appoints new CMO amid marketing push

  02-09-2026 15:42 via marketingdive.com
  
  The appointment comes as the brand continues to invest heavily in sports sponsorships and is doubling down on its national media spend.
  
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• LinkedIn increases push against inauthentic activity

  02-09-2026 01:19 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  Although the platform’s active user count in the EU has remained flat, its work to address AI slop has intensified, according to its latest DSA reports.
  
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• X continues to lose EU users

  02-09-2026 01:13 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  The platform’s user base has once again declined, according to its latest EU Digital Services Act disclosures.
  
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• Snapchat introduces Harry Potter-themed activations

  01-09-2026 23:26 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  New Lenses, wallpapers, icons and Snap Mirrors are designed to tie into the HBO series debuting later this year.
  
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• Google rolls out new AI image and video tools

  01-09-2026 23:23 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  Pics offers advanced image generation, while the company’s latest Gemini-powered agentic feature provides analysis of video content.
  
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• OpenAI Astra: All about the quantum math-solving model with critical hacking skills

  01-09-2026 23:08 via mashable.com
  
  Do you understand quantum parallel repetition? What about quantum complexity, lattice cryptography, or extremal combinatorics?The new OpenAI model Astra knows all about them.On Aug. 1, OpenAI confirmed the existence of Astra, calling it "our next major model." And on Sept. 1, OpenAI confirmed in a blog post that Astra has reached a "critical" cyber threat level, but that it will also be "available soon." For safety reasons, the company plans to restrict its most advanced cybersecurity capabiliti
  
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• Dysons $499 squirting AI camera toothbrush proves smart tech has officially gone too far

  01-09-2026 22:52 via mashable.com
  
  Dyson just unveiled its latest product: the Dyson CameraJet™, an AI-powered electric toothbrush and water flosser with onboard cameras, priced at $499.99. The smart, app-connected toothbrush-slash-endoscope launches on Sept. 8, but you can pre-order the beauty tech device right now.The product, with its lightsaber-like hilt and clunky design, sounds to me like an April Fool's Day joke, and I don't know who this is for. The people aren't exactly crying out for $500 toothbushes right now. Dy
  
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• Anthropic launches Fable 5.1 as AI security worries mount

  01-09-2026 22:28 via mashable.com
  
  Anthropic released Claude Fable 5.1 and a more restricted sibling, Claude Mythos 5.1, this week, positioning the pair as its most capable models yet for coding and knowledge work. Notably, the announcement arrives just weeks after fresh reports of AI agents behaving badly in security tests.The two models are technically identical, Anthropic says in its blog post, but come with different guardrails. Fable 5.1 is broadly available, while Mythos 5.1 is reserved for vetted partners working in cybers
  
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• What is NVIDIAs DLSS 5 and why is it so controversial?

  01-09-2026 21:19 via mashable.com
  
  If you've spent any time on gaming social media this week, you'll see a lot of comparison screenshots of video games. The most common ones you'll see are split-screen comparisons between an OG shot of the game and one that's slightly more detailed, with a promise that this will be the "future" of gaming.This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
  That's DLSS 5, NVIDIA's latest and most ambitious version of its AI upscaling technology, officially launching Sept.
  
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• Reddit launches 15-second video views ad goal

  01-09-2026 21:18 via socialmediatoday.com
  
  The new option complements the app’s existing 6-second views goal and the app is letting brands run split tests while the feature is in beta.
  
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• About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone

  01-09-2026 20:11 via pewresearch.org
  
  Seven-in-ten adults under 30 say they spend too much time on their smartphone, as do about two-thirds of those ages 30 to 49.
  
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• The UPS Store enlists first brand character to support franchisees

  01-09-2026 18:57 via marketingdive.com
  
  Blu, a friendly woman wearing a blue UPS polo, is one piece of a multiyear campaign that spans digital, TV, social and print channels.
  
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• Track NASAs Roman Space Telescope on its long cruise to deep space

  01-09-2026 18:38 via mashable.com
  
  As the new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope heads for deep space, the public can follow its three‑month trip in near-real time with NASA's online tracker.The spacecraft launched on Sunday, Aug. 30, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. It's now cruising on its own toward its final orbit about 1 million miles away from Earth. Roman is flying to a point called the second sun–Earth Lagrange Point, or L2, a gravitational parking spot beyond the moon's orbit
  
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• Labor Day Apple deals are here: We found the best discounts on iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, and more

  01-09-2026 18:28 via mashable.com
  
  The best Apple Labor Day deals at a glance:Best iPad dealApple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB)$649(save $100)Get DealBest iPhone dealApple iPhone Air (256GB, unlocked)$849.99(save $150)Get DealBest AirPods dealApple AirPods Max 2$449(save $100)Get DealBest Apple accessory dealApple AirTags (2nd gen, 4-pack)$79.99(save $19.01)Get DealBest MacBook dealApple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD)$2,699(save $300)Get Deal
  It's no secret that tech prices are getting out of control, than
  
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• Best Buys Labor Day 2026 Sale is live: Shop deals on Apple, headphones, laptops, and more

  01-09-2026 18:27 via mashable.com
  
  The best Best Buy Labor Day deals at a glanceBest Apple Deal2025 Apple MacBook Air M5$1,699(Save $100)Get DealBest Amazon Device DealAmazon Fire TV Stick HD 2nd Gen$17.99(Save $22)Get DealBest Laptop DealLenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 2K Touchscreen Laptop$749.99(Save $370)Get DealBest Headphone DealBose QuietComfort Headphones$229(Save $130)Get Deal
  The last long weekend of summer is here, and so is the impulse to squeeze in one more cookout and one more round of shopping with some great discounts befor
  
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• How a creepy Cat in the Hat meme escalated into school threats

  01-09-2026 18:16 via mashable.com
  
  Of all the characters you might expect to trigger school closures and police investigations, the Cat in the Hat probably would not be high on the list. Yet a creepy internet reinvention of the Dr. Seuss character is now causing very real disruptions across the United States.Over the past several weeks, AI-generated and manipulated images have purported to show a life-sized version of the Cat lurking outside homes, staring through windows, and roaming dark streets. The videos often borrow the uns
  
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• Hurdle hints and answers for September 1, 2026

  01-09-2026 18:08 via mashable.com
  
  If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine. There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from pr
  
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• Redditors say Anthropics expensive Claude plans offer far less usage than advertised

  01-09-2026 18:03 via mashable.com
  
  A popular Reddit post in r/Anthropic titled "More Drama" has drawn significant attention this week, amplifying claims that Anthropic has been misleading customers about how much usage they actually get with its higher-priced Claude subscription plans.The post shares a viral X thread, which argues that Anthropic advertises its $200-per-month plan as offering "20x" the usage of its base Pro tier, and its $100-per-month plan as offering "5x." In practice, according to the thread, actual usage only
  
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• Sony expands its ULT line with 3 new tower speakers built for massive bass

  01-09-2026 18:00 via mashable.com
  
  Sony first introduced its ULT line in 2024 as an answer for major bass lovers. We've included both ULT Field and ULT Tower speakers in our guides to the best Bluetooth speakers and the best party speakers. And now, Sony is expanding the party with three new additions: ULT Tower Max, ULT Tower 7, and ULT Tower 5.Take your party from loud to loudest.Credit: Sony
  All three are party speakers with loud, room-filling sound. They were designed with DJs in mind, with XLR, RCA, USB-A, and USB-C connecti
  
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• Apple reveals ‘shocking evidence’ in OpenAI trade secrets lawsuit

  01-09-2026 17:53 via mashable.com
  
  Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI and two of its former employees over alleged stolen trade secrets is heating up.In a new filing, Apple says it has found "shocking evidence" and is asking the court for expedited discovery. Apple claims the limited information it found after a former employee's work laptop was returned to the company shows that "its trade secrets are being used and evidence is being destroyed.”Apple filed a lawsuit in July against OpenAI, its hardware company, io Products, an
  
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• Roku just announced two new OLED TVs that ditch the premium price tag of OLED

  01-09-2026 17:29 via mashable.com
  
  Some of us are trying to spend less time staring at screens. We're Bricking our phones to work on jigsaw puzzles, spend time outside, or read. But there's nothing wrong with sitting down in front of the TV for a movie night with family. Or consider the educational gains that come from watching a Sir David Attenborough documentary. A TV can still fit into a digital detox lifestyle, and for those who want an OLED model with excellent contrast, there's good news.Roku just announced two new budget T
  
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• Get a free pair of glasses when you shop WNBA star Olivia Miles collection at GlassesUSA.com

  01-09-2026 17:06 via mashable.com
  
  TL:DR: Shop WNBA All-Star Olivia Miles exclusive capsule collection with GlassesUSA.com and get a free pair of glasses with code BOGOFREE.The only thing more iconic than Minnesota Lynx star Olivia Miles's rookie season is her look. Both on and off the court, Miles wears bold glasses that have become her signature look. Fans of the 2026 second overall draft pick have even taken to showing up to games sporting her sports-goggles. So it's no surprise that the WNBA All-Star has collaborated with Gla
  
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• Tim Cook’s farewell memo to Apple employees reportedly leaks online

  01-09-2026 17:01 via mashable.com
  
  As of Tuesday morning, Apple has a new CEO — John Ternus, former Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is the new big boss. And it only took a matter of hours for the old CEO's internal farewell message to leak onto the wider internet.Ternus officially took over as CEO on Sept. 1, with Tim Cook vacating the position he took over from Steve Jobs. Cook, as outgoing executives are wont to do, sent a long-ish farewell memo to Apple employees, and 9to5Mac obtained it for our
  
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• Level up your listening with $160 off the Bose QuietComfort Headphones

  01-09-2026 16:59 via mashable.com
  
  SAVE $160: As of Sep. 1, get the Bose QuietComfort Headphones for $199 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $359. That's a discount of 45%. Opens in a new windowCredit: AmazonBose QuietComfort Headphones$199 at Amazon $359 Save $160 Get DealLooking for a new pair of headphones? As far as comfort and quality goes, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are a fantastic option. Not only do they feel great for long-term wear, but they offer excellent audio as well. And right now, you can get a p
  
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• Waymo is launching its robotaxi in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa

  01-09-2026 16:01 via mashable.com
  
  Waymo is expanding again, and this time it's adding a new U.S. state – Colorado – to the list of places where it offers its driverless taxis. On Tuesday, Waymo announced it is launching in three new U.S. cities: Denver, Colorado, San Diego, California, and Tampa, Florida. The service will roll out to users over time. Credit: Waymo
  The expansion, which will roll out to users gradually, brings the number of cities where Waymo operates to 14. It will start with "dozens" of vehicles, gra
  
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• How Hershey’s Katseye campaign takes on Gen Z’s desire for indulgence

  01-09-2026 16:00 via marketingdive.com
  
  As the confectionery maker invests in brands to build on recent growth, its flagship label teamed with a chart-topping pop group to support a new product.
  
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• What the ‘American dream’ means to U.S. Latinos, in their own words

  01-09-2026 15:55 via pewresearch.org
  
  The phrase “the American dream” has long been used to describe hopes associated with life in the United States. Over time, it has come to encompass many ideals, including economic mobility, homeownership, political freedoms and equality. A Pew Research Center survey finds that U.S. Latinos are divided on whether they can achieve the American dream. […]
  
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• Latinos Are Split on Whether the American Dream Is Achievable

  01-09-2026 15:55 via pewresearch.org
  
  Far more Latinos say their standard of living is better than their parents’ (57%), rather than worse (23%). More also say their children’s standard of living will be better than their own (53%) as opposed to worse (14%).
  
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