While we felt that the Kindle Colorsoft was by and large a solid first stab at a color ereader by Amazon, there has been a problem with the device. After several buyers pointed out that a yellow band was discoloring the bottom of the display, the same issue occurred on our review unit. Now, the company says it's remedying the problem.
A small number of customers have reported a yellow band along the bottom of the display," an Amazon spokesperson told Engadget in a statement. "We take the quality of our products seriously customers who notice this can reach out to our customer service team for a replacement or refund, and were making the appropriate adjustments to ensure that new devices will not experience this issue moving forward.
For the time being, Amazon has delayed shipments of the ereader while it juggles replacement units and new orders, as The Verge first reported. If you already have a Colorsoft, you can keep using it (as long as you can live with the discoloration) until the company sends a replacement.
The issue was significant enough that we removed the score from our review until Amazon resolved it. In any case, it's good to see that the company is acting fairly swiftly to take care of the matter.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/amazon-will-fix-the-kindle-colorsofts-yellow-display-discoloration-190143346.html?src=rss
Hori is bringing its officially licensed Steam controller to the good ole US of A. The company listed the gamepad on Amazon, with an availability date of December 16. Preorders are open right now and the controller costs $60.
This Steam-focused gamepad was originally released back in October, but only in Japan. It boasts a big button to pull up the Steam menu and touch sensors on the joysticks for motion controls. It also ships with mappable back buttons. The gamepad connects to a computer, or a Steam Deck, via Bluetooth. To that end, it ships with a USB-A Bluetooth receiver.
Hori says the Steam controller will work for around 12 hours on a full charge, though it can operate while charging via USB cable. The controller menu in Steam also allows for making adjustments, like changing stick sensitivity and gyro controls.
There are a couple of slight omissions. The controller has no rumble functionality, nor does it boast a trackpad or a headphone jack. If you can get over those issues, this looks like a mighty fine way to work through that ever-growing Steam collection. Hori makes good stuff.
As for Valve, it discontinued its own Steam controller back in 2019. That gamepad was notable because it could be configured in a myriad of different ways to suit unique gameplay styles.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/horis-officially-licensed-steam-controller-comes-to-the-us-on-december-16-184221663.html?src=rss
A man allegedly behind a series of corporate cyberattacks is reportedly in custody in Canada. Bloomberg reported on Monday that the suspect, 26-year-old Alexander Connor Moucka, was apprehended by authorities on a provisional arrest warrant on October 30, following a request from the US. The hacks targeted corporate customers of Snowflake, a cloud data partner of AT&T, Live Nation and others.
The hacks targeted over 100 organizations, leading to millions of users personal data theft. In addition to AT&T and Ticketmaster, that list included Lending Tree, Advance Auto Parts and Neiman Marcus. AT&T declined to comment for this story. We also contacted Live Nation but havent heard back. (Well update this story if we do.)
Krebs on Security reported on Tuesday that Moucka is named in multiple sealed indictments from US prosecutors and federal law enforcement agencies. The suspect allegedly nabbed stolen credentials from cybercriminal forums (and similar places), betting that customers had reused the same credentials elsewhere. He is said to have then used those logins to access the accounts of Snowflakes corporate clients and extort them, threatening to sell the data on criminal forums if they didnt pay. AT&T reportedly paid the hacker a $370,000 ransom to delete the records.
Krebs says the online handles Moucka used corresponded to those of a prolific cybercriminal sitting at the intersection of Western, English-speaking cybercriminals and extremist groups that harass and extort minors into harming themselves or others. The report claims Moucka was part of a hacking group called UNC5537 that also included an elusive American, John Erin Binns, currently in Turkey. Binns was behind a 2021 T-Mobile hack that affected at least 76.6 million customers.
Snowflake pointed fingers at its corporate clients for failing to set up multi-factor authentication. We have a broader challenge in the security community and enterprises that a lot of people arent nailing the basics, Snowflakes Chief Information Security Officer Brad Jones told Bloomberg. But Snowflakes apparent failure to require two-factor security sits on equal ground with its customers decisions not to set it up especially with millions of customers information on the line.
Why did AT&T and other companies entrust Snowflake with so much customer data? The wireless carrier hasnt said. Snowflake offers cloud-based data analysis services. In July, AT&T said that nearly all of its customers were affected by the hack, suggesting that almost all of its subscribers were potentially having their data analyzed by a cloud partner of its wireless carrier. A total of 110 million AT&T customers were said to be affected.
Fortunately, AT&T said the breach didnt contain the contents of calls or texts. However, it included the phone numbers each account interacted with and a tally of each customers calls, texts, and call durations. It also contained cell site identification numbers. Cybersecurity expert Javvad Malik told Engadget this summer that the latter could potentially allow for the triangulation of users locations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/canadian-police-arrest-alleged-hacker-behind-cyberattacks-that-compromised-nearly-all-att-accounts-181838471.html?src=rss
The effectiveness of marketing strategies hinges on one fundamental concept: customer-centricity. For experienced advertisers and marketers, embracing this approach isn't just beneficial; it's imperative for driving engagement and ensuring brand success.
The modern consumer demands more than just a product or service; instead, they value experiences that resonate with their personal values and needs. To achieve this, brands must learn to speak their audience's language and leverage cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to maintain engagement and build loyalty.
This article will explore the importance of understanding your audience's language, key strategies for customer acquisition, and the significance of staying on top of digital marketing trends to maintain a competitive edge.
The Importance of Speaking Your Customer's Language
Understanding and aligning with your audience's language is pivotal in improving engagement and building trust.
Tailoring your messaging to reflect your audience's needs and preferences enhances the effectiveness of your communications. However, you still need to be careful, as you alienate many people within your audience when you don't speak their language.
Let's use industry-specific buzzwords or jargon as an example. Your audience won't connect with your content if it's filled with technical terms they don't use or understand. But they're more likely to understand, resonate, and engage with your content if you use the language your customers use.
This is the difference between saying "online business" instead of "eCommerce company" because that's the terminology your customers are familiar with. Or, describe "a conversion" as "a purchase" -- some customers may not realize what you mean if you were to say the former.
Understanding the literal language, cultural nuances, and emotional tone that resonate with your audience prompts a deeper connection, allowing brands to establish trust and credibility.
Key Strategies for Successful Customer Acquisition
To successfully speak your audience's language, you must first target the right audience. This, in conjunction with optimizing acquisition strategies, is a critical component for long-term success in customer acquisition.
By defining your target audience, you can allocate resources more effectively and tailor strategies that yield positive results. Leveraging buyer personas can provide insights into your ideal customers' demographics, preferences, and habits, enabling you to fine-tune your approach to attracting customers.
In addition, data analytics is increasingly becoming the backbone of getting customers consistently. Harnessing the power of data gives you valuable insights into your target audience. Analytics tools allow for the segmentation of customer data, revealing trends and behaviors that inform acquisition strategies.
Reliable tactics for driving customer acquisition involve a combination of both inbound and outbound marketing strategies. For example, promoting your brand on social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and word-of-mouth advertising are essential for attracting leads organically. However, old-school methods such as email marketing still hold significant value.
Additionally, incorporating feedback loops -- where customer insights help refine future marketing efforts -- can further enhance acquisition strategies. By continually analyzing and adapting to customer feedback, brands can become more agile in their approach, ensuring that they remain relevant in an ever-changing marketplace.
Your best bet is to blend these tactics to maximize reach and effectiveness.
Harnessing Digital Marketing Trends to Stay Ahead
In a landscape characterized by constant change, staying updated on digital marketing trends is essential for understanding your audience long-term and acquiring customers, but more importantly for maintaining competitiveness.
The latest digital marketing trends, including artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven marketing, and personalized content delivery, can significantly enhance campaign performance. For instance, AI technologies can analyze consumer behavior patterns to deliver highly relevant and timely content, improving the chances of conversion. AI also helps you create personalized content and offers tailored to individual customer needs, leading to stronger customer relationships and a stand-out brand.
Some additional digital marketing trends that can significantly enhance your marketing efforts include:
Influencer marketing: Influencers can help you tap into niche audiences and build credibility with your target market.
Video content: Short-form video content has become an effective way to engage audiences, thanks to platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Transparency and authenticity: Being more transparent and authentic by sharing user-generated content and behind-the-scenes footage helps build trust with customers.
Employing innovative digital marketing tactics and tools boosts campaign effectiveness and fosters a culture of experimentation and creativity within marketing teams.
Continuous learning is not just a suggestion; it is a necessity for marketers who wish to leverage new technologies and strategies effectively.
Engaging in professional development -- such as attending workshops or enrolling in digital marketing classes -- can equip marketers with the latest skills and knowledge needed to excel. For instance, you can learn modern data analytics skills and how to create high-quality visual and video content that engages today's audiences.
Moreover, staying informed about emerging platforms and technologies ensures that brands can adapt their strategies swiftly, capitalizing on new opportunities before competitors do. Adopt a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptation, as this is what can help foster resilience and ensure sustained marketing success.
Conclusion
Blending customer-centric messaging with modern digital strategies paves the way for long-term marketing success. You can build stronger relationships by understanding and speaking your audience's language.
Implementing targeted acquisition strategies and staying current with digital marketing trends will further empower your brand to thrive in a competitive environment. The road to effective customer acquisition and retention is paved with insights, agility, and an unwavering commitment to meeting customer needs.
As you navigate this landscape, remember that at the heart of successful marketing lies a simple truth: when you speak your customers' language, you not only gain their attention but also their loyalty.
In the highly competitive world of e-commerce, building a recognizable and trustworthy brand is crucial for success. With an overwhelming number of online stores vying for attention, businesses need innovative strategies to stand out. Guest posting is a highly effective approach that has proven its worth over time. This method involves contributing content to other websites in your niche, and it offers tremendous potential for boosting your brand's visibility, authority, and reach.
This article will explore how guest posting can significantly boost your e-commerce brand and why it should be part of your digital marketing strategy. Along the way, we'll discuss how certain niches, like sports, can use targeted guest posting strategies by leveraging opportunities
Increased Brand Visibility and Reach
Guest posting allows you to tap into an established audience, giving your brand instant exposure to a broader group of potential customers. When you contribute high-quality, relevant content to authoritative websites within your niche, you position your brand in front of readers who may have yet to encounter your e-commerce store.
Writing informative and engaging content related to your products or expertise in sports can subtly introduce readers to your brand while providing them with valuable information.
The more exposure you get through guest posts, the more likely readers will recognize your brand, which can increase traffic and conversions for your e-commerce store. This awareness is crucial in building a brand that resonates with its target audience.
Improved SEO and Domain Authority
Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for the success of any e-commerce website. One of the most significant benefits of guest posting is its ability to strengthen your SEO efforts by building backlinks to your site. Backlinks, or links from external websites to your e-commerce site, are one of Google's ranking factors. When you guest post on authoritative websites, those backlinks signal to search engines that your website is credible and relevant.
For instance, if you write a guest post for a sports website that offers guest post opportunities, including a link to your store, it can enhance your SEO profile. The more high-quality backlinks you obtain, the higher your website is likely to rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). Improved search rankings lead to greater organic traffic, giving your e-commerce brand more chances to convert visitors into customers.
Moreover, guest posting helps to diversify your backlink profile, reducing the risk of penalties from search engines. Building links through various reputable sites increases your domain authority, further boosting your site's ability to rank.
Establishing Authority and Trust
One of the most powerful ways guest posting can boost your e-commerce brand is by establishing you as an authority in your niche. When you regularly publish insightful and valuable content on well-regarded websites, your audience begins to see you as an expert.
This authority doesn't just lead to respect among your peers; it also fosters trust with potential customers. People are more likely to buy from brands they perceive as knowledgeable and trustworthy. You showcase your expertise non-promotionally by contributing guest posts on topics related to your e-commerce products or services. This builds credibility, making your audience more inclined to choose your products over a competitor's.
For example, if your e-commerce store focuses on selling sports equipment, writing educational pieces for sports websites about training tips, product reviews, or sports science can help you establish yourself as a go-to source of information in the industry.
Building Relationships and Networking
Guest posting is not only about reaching new customers; it also helps you build relationships within your industry. Contributing to blogs, websites, and platforms in your niche fosters partnerships with other content creators, influencers, and business owners. These relationships can open up further collaboration opportunities, such as co-promotions, joint ventures, or influencer partnerships.
Additionally, networking with editors and blog owners creates a positive reputation within your industry. This can lead to more guest post invitations, cross-promotions, and potential media coverage, boosting your brand's visibility.
In the sports niche, for instance, contributing to a website blog section can help you connect with fellow sports enthusiasts, coaches, or influencers. These relationships may result in opportunities to feature your e-commerce products in their content, guest appearances on podcasts, or sponsorships in sports-related events.
Targeted Traffic and Qualified Leads
Unlike paid advertising, which can bring in untargeted or uninterested visitors, guest posting tends to attract more qualified leads. Since guest posts are typically hosted on niche-specific websites, you'll reach an audience already interested in your offer. If your e-commerce store sells fitness apparel or sports gear, this audience will likely click through to your website, explore your products, and purchase.
The key to generating qualified leads through guest posting is to offer valuable, actionable content while subtly promoting your brand. Instead of aggressively advertising your products, focus on providing solutions, tips, and information that align with your audience's interests. This will naturally lead interested readers to your website, where they can explore your offerings further.
Enhancing Content Marketing Strategy
Guest posting is a natural extension of your content marketing efforts. In today's digital landscape, businesses must consistently produce high-quality content to engage audiences and keep them returning. By diversifying your content distribution through guest posts, you're expanding your content marketing reach and driving more traffic to your e-commerce website. For instance, if your e-commerce store focuses on the sports industry,
Publishing sports guest post on sports websites that accept can help you distribute your content to an audience already passionate about your products. At the same time, you're adding new layers to your content marketing strategy, such as blog posts, articles, and tutorials, which provide long-term value to your audience.
Conclusion
Guest posting is a powerful and cost-effective strategy for growing your e-commerce brand. From increasing visibility and improving SEO to establishing authority and attracting qualified leads, the benefits of guest posting are undeniable. By contributing valuable content to reputable websites, particularly those within your niche, you can position your brand as a trusted authority while driving traffic and boosting sales
Looking to watch something really bittersweet? The co-creator of the absolutely incredible sci-fi cartoon Scavengers Reign dropped a trailer for the second season, just after Netflix decided it would not fund a renewal. Its a full minute of new footage, complete with bloodthirsty plants, bat-monkey hybrid creatures and all kinds of psychedelic sci-fi madness.
The teaser was produced in-house, using the production companys own money. Co-creator Joe Bennett wrote on Instagram that this is not the end. There is more story to be told, we are ready to make another season. However, he also added that as of right now, Scavengers Reign is not being renewed for a second season.
The show has had a rocky road, premiering on Max a couple of years back before being canceled. The critically-acclaimed first season eventually ended up on Netflix, where it attracted new viewers. The so-called Netflix bump made fans excited for a renewal, but that wasnt in the cards. Theres still a chance that buzz generated from this trailer could entice another streamer to invest in the show. Apple TV+ sure has a lot of sci-fi shows, so why not add one more? Someone get Tim Cook on the horn.
If youve never watched Scavengers Reign, its on Netflix right now. This is one of the best sci-fi shows ever made, animated or not. Its seriously so, so good. If you have any interest in classic sci-fi or gorgeous animation, thisll be your jam. Its been called a Moebius comic brought to life and a gorgeous, hypnotic space trip.
The show follows a group of survivors spread across an alien planet after a wreck. They encounter some of the trippiest things ever conceived as they struggle to stay alive and find rescue. Its like a 1950s sci-fi novel come to life but, well, mixed with an acid trip.
The voice cast includes Alia Shawkat, from Arrested Development and Search Party, and Wunmi Mosaku from Loki, among others. There are 12 episodes in the first season, which makes for a nice binge or two. Just saying.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/heres-a-cool-trailer-for-scavengers-reign-season-two-which-will-likely-never-happen-171637717.html?src=rss
Amazon has started making deliveries via drone in parts of Phoenix, according to reporting by TechCrunch. We knew this was coming and now its here. Customers in the West Valley Phoenix Metro area should now have access to a selection of products that will arrive at doorsteps via the friendly skies. These include household, office, health and beauty supplies, among others.
Phoenix residents will be able to click on a drone delivery icon before checking out. The company promises that items will be delivered within an hour. This is due to the improved specs of the companys latest drone, the MK30, which was recently approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly beyond the visual line of sight.
There are some caveats. Products must be five pounds or less to be eligible, though Amazon says that around 50,000 items are already available for drone deliveries. Also, the drones will only make deliveries during daylight hours and favorable weather conditions. Currently we do not offer drone delivery at night, during heavy winds, or during heavy rain, the company wrote in a blog post.
This is happening just a few months after Amazon ended its drone-based delivery program, Prime Air, in California. The company still makes drone deliveries in Texas and it's planning a major expansion into Europe.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/amazon-begins-drone-delivers-to-phoenix-provided-the-weather-is-favorable-162241367.html?src=rss
Black Friday may still be weeks away, but if you were hoping to score a deal on Samsungs Music Frame, theres no need to wait until Thanksgiving. Both Amazon and Samsung are currently selling the speaker for under $250. At $150 off its regular price, thats an all-time low for the Music Frame, which will usually set you back $400. Considering Samsung only released the device earlier this year, this is a great opportunity to pick up one (or even two) for your home theater.
If youre unfamiliar with the Music Frame, think of it as the speaker equivalent to Samsungs popular Frame TV. Like its television counterpart, the Music Frame doubles as a piece of home decor. And while theres no display that will automatically cycle through digital artwork, you can manually insert prints and photos. Moreover, while its certainly possible to pair two Music Frames with a Frame TV, its not limited to home theater use. The Music Frame works just fine as a standalone Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker. You can even use it as a smart home hub. Its possible to mount the Music Frame on a wall or on a table, with the help of a built-in stand, if you prefer.
As for sound quality, Engadget senior reporter and resident audio geek Billy Steele was surprised by how good the Music Frame sounded when he got to demo it at CES earlier this year. I was shocked by how robust and clear the overall sound quality is coming from the speaker, he wrote at the time. Highs and mids are adequately represented with great detail, while the bass is more restrained. If youre curious, the Music Frame features two rear-facing woofers complemented by a set of two tweeters and two mid-range drivers, all four of which fire from the front of the speaker. It also offers Dolby Atmos support, and Samsung has included its SpaceFit tech, which assists with room calibration.
All told, the Music Frame is a great option for those looking for a speaker that will disappear into their home decor, but its high price can make it unappealing, especially if you want a stereo pair. At $150 off, however, its much easier to recommend, even if youre on a budget.
Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/the-samsung-music-frame-speaker-is-150-off-ahead-of-black-friday-160759732.html?src=rss
There's no such thing as having too much local storage. Whether it's for backups or extra space for all your stuff, an external SSD is always useful to have on hand. Samsung's portable SSDs are a go-to for many folks, and a recent model with ample storage for most people is on sale for nearly half off in an early Black Friday deal.
The 4TB T9 Portable SSD has dropped to $300. That's a $250 discount and the deal brings the external storage device almost to a record low price.
According to Samsung, the T9 is around twice as fast as the T7 (our current pick for the best external SSD for PS5). The company claims that it can transfer a 4GB video in nearly two seconds or a 90-minute 4K video (of 21GB) in 12 seconds. The two-lane USB interface offers data transfer rates of up to 20 Gbps, while the SSD has sequential read and write speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s.
That means it shouldn't take long at all to transfer games and other files to and from your PS5's internal storage when need be (the console can run PS4 games from an external drive, but not PS5 titles). It'll be a useful option for moving your files between different computers as well. Alternatively, you might use it to store your 4K movie collection.
Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-4tb-samsung-t9-portable-ssd-is-nearly-half-off-in-this-early-black-friday-deal-153043895.html?src=rss
MacRumors noticed an unusual feature in the second iOS 18.2 developer beta, showing that Apple may let users upgrade to a paid ChatGPT plan as part of Apple Intelligence. While Siri doesnt need to use ChatGPT for all its tasks, some users enjoy using the integration for power tasks and more.
MacRumors
In the image above, you can see that under advanced capabilities, theres a daily limit section that shows under limit. This means users can only use the latest advanced ChatGPT functions several times a day. This checks out because ChatGPT-4o free access using any platform is limited and resets every 24 hours. If you've used up your daily limit, Siri will swap to a free version of ChatGPT, which boasts fewer advanced tools. For example, DALL-E 3 image creation is only limited to two daily.
If you tap on the upgrade to ChatGPT Plus button, youll be redirected in-app to a subscription purchase screen. ChatGPT Plus costs $20 a month. Therefore, while Apple itself isnt implementing a subscription model, it looks like youll need to pay for unlimited premium ChatGPT access.
We also covered an upgrade to Apples Find My function today. Like this new ChatGPT integration, its part of the iOS 18.2 developer beta. Both should eventually launch with the finished version of iOS 18.2, which is rumored to arrive in early December.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-might-add-chatgpt-subscription-option-to-ios-182-152125214.html?src=rss
