On this week's episode, our hosts discover Ikea's new line of products - pregnancy tests. Also, GoPro is more like "oh no".
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Kodak announces its own cryptocurrency and watches stock price skyrocket [Verge - story by Shannon Liao]
2. Viacom snaps up influencer platform Whosay as it looks to bulk up branded content offering [The Drum - story by Rebecca Stewart]
3. Ikea Releases Ad That Doubles As A Pregnancy Test and Reveals Crib Discount [Independent - Story by Chelsea Ritschel]
4. GoPro cuts 200-300 jobs, largely impacting its drone division [Techcrunch - story by Matt Burns & Brian Heater]
5. Hot Topic: Hot Topic: News Feed FYI: Bringing People Together [Facebook Blog - Post by Adam Mosseri]
Honorable Mention
Stranger Things' David Harbour just made these yearbook pictures [Twitter Moments]
DISHonorable Mention
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, (spoiler) we somehow end up discussing our favorite fruits. Also, "Bright" really wasn't that bad and is "a lot better than Suicide Squad."
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Iran blocks encrypted messaging apps amid nationwide protests [Verge - story by Russell Brandom]
2. Exclusive: Spotify files for its IPO [Axios - story by Dan Primack]
3. Netflix’s ‘Bright’ reached 11M viewers in its first three days, according to Nielsen [Techcrunch - story by Anthony Ha]
4. Facebook Just Created More Ad Inventory - Through Instagram [AdAge - story by George Slefo]
5. (Hot Topic) Logan Paul
Honorable Mention
DISHonorable Mention
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris look back at 2017 and poorly attempt to predict the future. We assume it's poorly because we haven't seen the future yet - so they could in-fact be prophets. Also, that dude who scheduled six dates in one night returns to the show - find out why!
Note: This episode was recorded on Thursday, December 28th
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Apple Is Developing an EKG Heart Monitor for Its Smartwatch [Bloomberg - story by Alex Webb]
2. Twitter's Adding More Notification Types to Boost Awareness and Engagement [Social Media Today - story by Andrew Hutchinson]
3. Library of Congress Reins in Twitter Archives Project [Washington Times - story by Andrew Blake]
4. 10 Ways Tech Will Shape Your Life (for better or worse) [Washington Post - story by Geoffrey A. Fowler]
5. (Hot Topic) Amir and Chris' Top Social, Marketing and Technology Stories and Trends
Honorable Mention(s)
Bye Black bars [The Verge]
DISHonorable Mention of the Year
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, it's basically a holiday episode. Only, no holiday music - because of music rights and stuff. Or time. You decide the reason. Also, the truth is out there.
Note: This episode was recorded on Thursday, December 21st.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. HQ Trivia’s founders are facing fundraising roadblocks after investors learned of alleged bad behavior [Recode - story by Kurt Wagner]
2. Forrester: YouTube is most popular social site for 12- to 17-year-olds [Social Media Today - story by David Kirkpatrick]
3. Apple confirms iPhones with older batteries will take hits in performance [The Verge - story by Tom Warren and Nick Statt]
4. Magic Leap finally unveils augmented reality goggles, says it’s shipping next year [The Verge - story by Adi Robertson]
5. (Hot Topic) Eric Schmidt to become technical advisor to Alphabet [ABC Blog]
Honorable Mention(s)
Instagram Testing Photos Posts to Multiple Accounts [Matt Navarra]
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Amazon and Google have less beef. It's kind of like a sequel in the way The Last Jedi is a sequel to The Force Awakens. Also, we don't spoil The Last Jedi - in case that was some sort of a concern of yours.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Apple's iMac Pro arrives December 14, starting at $4,999 [TechCrunch - story by Brian Heater]
2. Storify Is Shutting Down [The Verge - story by Shannon Liao]
3. Feds reportedly spent 22 million on Mysterious UFO Program [CNET - story by Steven Musil]
4. Amazon to start selling Apple TV and Google Chromecast [CNET - story by Ben Fox Rubin]
5. (Hot Topic) Here are the films and TV shows Disney would get from Fox [Polygon - story by Samit Sarkar]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Amazon and Google have some beef. Also, it's pretty clear beef if on Zonozi's mind.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Apple's App of the Year Makes Sense If You've Been Paying Attention to the News [Slate]
2. Early Data Shows Tweets Are A Hit With Users [Buzzfeed]
3. Google is pulling YouTube off the FireTV and Echo Show as feud with Amazon grows [The Verge]
4. Hilton rolling out mobile-controlled hotel rooms in 2018 [ZDNet]
5. (Hot Topic) Sprout Social Acquires Simply Measured
Honorable Mention(s)
Instagram Adds Story Highlights and Archives [Instagram Blog]
DISHonorable Mention(s)
A iPhone case that helps you capture engagement reaction on video [featured on The Verge's Instagram]
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature). Special thanks to listener Chris Bryant for sharing this week.
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris break down what's up with this whole "Bitcoin" thing. Also, it's supersized. An extra 10 minutes just because we like you - or we had a lot to say - you decide.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Apple's had a shockingly bad week of software problems [The Verge]
2. YouTube is launching its own take on Stories with a new video format called ‘Reels’ [TechCrunch]
3. Denver to Boulder in eight minutes? Colorado will get first test track for a Hyperloop-inspired transportation system [Denver Post]
4. How Snapchat is separating social from media [Axios]
5. (Hot Topic) All You Need to Know About Bitcoin's Rise, From $0.01 to $11,000 [Bloomberg]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
The feds want Martin Shkreli’s one-of-a-kind Wu Tang album [The Verge]
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature). Special thanks to listener Chris Bryant for sharing this week.
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris confess their Black Friday purchases. Also, our hosts debate the intention behind a recent McDonald's tweet.
Where do you stand? Also, what did you buy on Black Friday this year? Let us know using #FiveFavorites on Twitter.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Twitter testing a feature that shows how many are ‘talking about’ tweets [TechCrunch]
2. Facebook Confirms Testing of Snapchat Style Streaks Feature [CNet]
3. 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' Gets 4K Mention on iTunes, Suggesting Disney's 4K Holdout May Be Ending [MacRumors]
4. People driving while playing Pokémon Go caused millions in damages in 148 days [The Verge]
5. (Hot Topic) Black Friday racks up $5.03B in online sales, $2B on mobile alone [TechCrunch]
Honorable Mention(s)
LinkedIn's CEO surprised an employee with a selfie at her desk while she was away on vacation [Business Insider UK)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
See Five Favorites Tweet of the Week - we promise it will make sense.
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature). Special thanks to listener Chris Bryant for sharing this week.
On this week's episode, we got deals. LOTS OF DEALZ. Also, Paris Hilton claims she invented the selfie. We have strong feelings on such a claim.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Twitter’s new premium APIs give developers access to more tweets, higher rate limits [VentureBeat]
2. Twitter Confirms it’s Testing a tweetstorm feature [TechCrunch]
3. Black Friday 2017 Tech Deals [The Verge]
4. Microsoft Rolls Out LinkedIn Integrations in Outlook [TechCrunch]
5. (Hot Topic) Tesla News Galore
Honorable Mention(s)
We Used the App That Reveals What Women Look Like Without Their Makeup on the Man Who Created It [LinkedIn Blog]
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Paris Hilton Claims to have invented the selfie [Twitter Moments]
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature). Special thanks to listener Chris Bryant for sharing this week.
On this week's episode, Amir admits he's never watched, Harry Potter. Also, Sean Parker is at it (again).
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Sean Parker unloads on Facebook: “God only knows what it's doing to our children's brains” [Axios]
2. The Magic of Harry Potter is Coming to a Neighborhood Near You [NianticLabs]
3. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is redesigning Snapchat because it’s too hard to use [Recode]
4. Disney Lays Down the Law for Theaters on “Star Wars - The Last Jedi” [WSJ]
5. (Hot Topic) China’s Toutiao is buying Musical.ly in a deal worth $800M-$1B [TechCrunch]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Amir is operating on shoddy wifi. Also, the episode went up a day late. It's the internet's fault. It was supposed to go on time. We don't make excuses here though. It's late. Want to fight about it? We don't - we're peaceful co-hosts. Hopefully, if you've even read this far, you've forgiven us by now.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Apple fires iPhone X engineer after daughter’s hands-on video goes viral [The Verge]
2. Q&A: The Stranger Things Kids on Their Social, Streaming and Gaming Obsessions [AdWeek]
3. YouTube’s cable cutter option rolls out to XBox One and other smart TVs [The Next Web]
4. Daydream’s Chromecast support leaves Oculus VR in the dust [Venturebeat]
5. (Hot Topic) The X Box One X - Everything You Need To Know [Gamespot]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Microsoft Engineer forced to install Chrome mid presentation [The Next Web]
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Chris is preparing for a party with Mickey Mouse. It's possible Bezos visited his home while he was away. Also, Super Mario Odyssey is getting some super reviews.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Trump to Open Skies to More Drone Testing [NYT]
2. Designing 'Super Mario Odyssey': Nintendo re-invents a gaming icon [CNN]
3. New York To Replace Metrocard with Modern Way to Pay Transit Fares [NYT]
4. Twitter stock surges more than 18 percent as it nears first profitable quarter [CNBC]
5. (Hot Topic) Amazon Key Is Bigger Than Package Delivery [Gizmodo]
Honorable Mention(s)
Instagram - two person live streams [Product Hunt]
DISHonorable Mention(s)
US Air Force Tweets Santa Isn't Real [Gizmodo]
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Amir prepares to beat all odds in order to get a new iPhone (and he tells you how you can too). Also, we got food puns.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. How to preorder an iPhone X the right way [Cult of Mac]
2. AMC is launching its own VR app with a 360-degree scene from The Walking Dead [The Verge]
3. The BBC is turning to AI to improve its programming [Engadget]
4. How big is Twitter Moments? [Balaji S. Srinivasan]
5. (Hot Topic) Service Industries and Creative Social
Honorable Mention(s)
Snap is selling a dancing hot dog costume on Amazon [TechCrunch]
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, we discuss our favorite Mario Kart 64 characters. Also, seriously, Porgs. Love them. Hate them. You gotta have an opinion on them! And if you don't know what a Porg is, well, we can't be friends.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Alphabet is training law enforcement on how to handle self-driving car crashes [Recode]
2. Twitter Users Will Soon Be Able To Bookmark Tweets and Save Them For Later [Adweek]
3. Nintendo could be working on a Game Boy Classic Mini [Mobile Syrup]
4 Apple Leak Reveals Massive New iPhone Cancellation [Forbes]
5. (Hot Topic) Snapchat Is Twice as Popular as Instagram When It Comes to Teens’ Favorite Social Apps [Adweek]
Honorable Mention(s)
Beware of Apple ID Prompts in Third Party Apps [Cult of Mac]
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's (very special) second episode, we cover all the new announcements Google's latest Pixel/IO event! We're talking all things Pixel 2, Google Home Mini (and Max) and more! Also, Amir is really excited about AI. We're talking more than he is about drones normally.
This is not your standard episode of Five Favorites!
Topics Discussed:
1. Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
2. Home Mini and Max
3. Pixelbook
4. Pixel Buds
5. Google Clip
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, we say goodbye to our friend AOL Instant Messenger. Also, our hosts remember their old instant messenger names.
What was/were yours?
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Selfie Factories: The Rise of the Made-for-Instagram Museum [Wired]
2. 5G isn't just faster - it will open a whole new world [Venturebeat]
3. Netflix is Raising its Prices [@Mashable]
4 An MLB Team is using the iPhone's NFC Feature for Contactless Stadium Entry [TechCrunch]
5. One Last Away Message [AOL Instant Messenger Tumblr]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, we highly recommend you turn off your Alexa device prior to the hot topic. Also, Chris is excited that a Jedi liked his tweet this week.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Twitter to Test Doubling Tweet Length to 280 Characters [NYTimes]
2. ELON MUSK'S ROCKET TRAVEL PLAN IS DEF POSSIBLE, DEF BANANAS [Wired]
3. Instagram Now Has 500 Million Daily Active Users, 800 Million Users per Month [Variety]
4. Walmart partners with smart lock maker August to test in-home delivery of packages and groceries [TechCrunch]
5. Hot Topic: Amazon Echo Event Recap
*includes information from The Verge and Android Central
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Google makes a (few) appearances prior to its October 4th event. Also, Chris has a new addition to announce!
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Nest’s home security system costs $499 and comes with magnetic door sensors [The Verge]
2. Meet The Really Cheap Google Home Mini and the really expensive Chromebook Pixel 3 [ARS Technica]
3. Bose adds Google Assistant to top noise-canceling headphone [CNet]
4. Apple Watch Series 3 has LTE problems: How to cancel your preorder [VentureBeat]
5. Hot Topic: Why Google is spending $1.1 billion to ‘acqhire’ 2,000 HTC engineers [Recode]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's (very special) second episode, we cover all the new announcements from Apple's latest Keynote event including the new Apple X (that's ten, not an X). Don't try to tell someone in an Apple Store otherwise.
This is not your standard episode of Five Favorites!
Topics Discussed:
1. New Apple Park HQ
2. Apple Watch 3 Series GPS + Cellular
3. Apple TV 4K
4. Apple iPhone 8 Apple + iPhone 8 Plus
5. Apple iPhone X
6. AirPower Wireless Charging Mat
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, we are equally amused and disturbed by what people search after viewing the latest Super Mario video game trailer. Also, there's no Apple here - stay tuned later today for a special Five Favorites Apple Keynote episode!
This week's Five Favorites:
1. GoPro Hero 6 Black leaks again, will shoot 240 fps slow motion at 1080p [The Verge]
2. Google’s Next Pixel Smartphones Arrive October 4th [Engadget]
3. Nike and the NBA unveil connected jerseys… and they’re super cool [TechCrunch]
4. SHOCK DATA: Thousands React to Mario’s Nipples in Super Mario Odyssey Promotion [Brandwatch] (thanks to Five Favorite's listener, Jeff Higgins, for the heads-up)
5. Hot Topic: Google and Alphabet Poised To Invest $1 Billion In Lyft [Gas2]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, your hosts kick-off the new season of Five Favorites! Also, Chris debates whether Apple's new facial unlock will be able to tell if it's him with and without makeup.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. New iPhone names are reportedly iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus [CNet]
2. Settlers of Catan is ready for virtual reality [VentureBeat]
3. Even more US adults now getting news from social media, says Pew [TechCrunch]
4. Drones Play Increasing Role in Harvey Recovery Efforts [Wall Street Journal]
5. Hot Topic: [CNet]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
A bunch of pranksters (as per Lilitz Borough Police Department)
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, we celebrate one year of the Five Favorites podcast. Also, Zonozi gets ready to tie the knot! If you aren't driving - bust out a drink for this one - and let's celebrate.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. YouTube gets a new logo, Material Design on desktop, and more mobile app features [VentureBeat]
2. Instagram Posts With Multiple Photos Can now be Portrait or Landscape [AdWeek]
3. Here’s everything we learned from Uber’s first all-staff meeting with its new CEO today [Recode]
4. Google ARCore Brings Augmented Reality to Android [VRScout]
5. Hot Topic: Microsoft and Amazon partner to integrate Alexa and Cortana digital assistants [The Verge]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Our favorite picks of the first season
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, we anticipate our one-year anniversary episode next week. Also, we get a bit passionate about the state of influencer marketing. Just a little bit, though (that's what she said).
This week's Five Favorites:
1. We might know the iPhone 8 keynote date [Cult Of Mac]
2. SNES Classic pre-orders are skipping Toys R Us [SlashGear]
3. Introducing Linkedin Video [LinkedIn]
4. Android O is now officially Android Oreo [The Verge]
5. Hot Topic: Samsung Galaxy Note Announces Features, Price and Release Date [The Verge]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
"My Eyes Hurt" search on Google following eclipse [The Next Web]
Five Favorites' Tweet(s) of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Martin Lieberman plays the role of Amir Zonozi for a week. Also, neither one of us has a clue what we're doing for the eclipse.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. New Feature Lets You Make Voice Calls On Your Google Home [Google]
2. Applebee’s tried to be cool, failed, and now it’s moving on with its life [QZ]
3. NASA will stream 360 degree video of eclipse [Business Insider]
4. Google Brings Q/A to Google Maps [TechCrunch]
5. Hot Topic: Apple sets $1 billion budget for original TV shows [Engadget]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Five Favorites' Tweet of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature).
On this week's episode, Chris has an apology. Also, Snap is in trouble...again.
This week's Five Favorites:
1. Yet another video claims to offer a look at the iPhone 8’s design in black [9to5Mac]
2. Facebook’s willingness to copy rivals’ apps seen as hurting innovation [Washington Post]
3. Another record low for Snap after 14% drop post-earnings [TechCrunch]
4. BuzzFeed is launching a live news show on Twitter [Axios]
5. SoundCloud Gets 170 Million Lifeline [Arstechnica]
Honorable Mention(s)
DISHonorable Mention(s)
Guy Who Scheduled 6 Dates In One Night Was Kicked Out of Another Bar for Allegedly Hitting On All The Women [Washingtonian]
Five Favorites' Tweet of The Week
Use the hashtag #FiveFavorites to share YOUR favorite stories each and every week - and YOU may be included on the show (including our new tweet of the week feature). Tune into Honorable Mentions on WhyISocial.com for all the links we didn't discuss.
Links not included in show notes - including additional mentions - will be included in the Honorable Mentions blog post.