The cost of the smart home is going up
…But now Google is seeing dollar signs in the prospect of selling AI-driven subscriptions in the smart home. And it’s not alone. At Google I/O this week, Google announced…
Search
Netflix may have finally figured out games
…haven for premium-priced smartphone games. * And then there’s Microsoft and its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which has also been going through changes, including a recent price cut (yes, a…
Writers are fleeing the Substack Tax
…There’s also Kit, a newsletter platform that offers a tiered pricing model similar to Beehiiv, costing $116 per month with 10,000 subscribers on its “Creator” plan. The pricing on Substack…
These great digital gifts will arrive just in time for Mother’s Day
…It’s a pricey subscription, however, with a three-month plan going for an eye-watering $298.95. You can explore other subscription types, too, from BBQ to New York City staples…
Microsoft’s new Xbox chief starts making her mark
…Sources at Xbox tell me Sharma has been looking closely at Game Pass pricing recently, with a view to offering a wider range of pricing models. Sharma admitted that “Game Pass has…
It’s slushy season, and Ninja’s frozen drink machine is nearly half off
…headset, especially on PC where you can easily change its sound and LED settings with a browser-based app. Its $199.99 price has been holding steady for a while, but Newegg…
Inside Microsoft’s wave of executive departures
…It’s rare to see subscription prices drop, but Microsoft’s giant Game Pass Ultimate price hike has clearly hit renewals enough to force the company to respond. * Microsoft Teams is trying…
The new Halide camera app launches with film looks and an upgraded photo editor
…Halide Mark III is available now through the App Store for a one-time purchase price of $59.99, or as part of a $19.99/year subscription, but it’s a…
Xbox and PlayStation have to prove they’re worth their new price tags
…Yes, it has had to contend with price hikes like everyone, both for its hardware and its Game Pass subscription service. (Though that recently got a rare price cut.) But the main…
You’re about to feel the AI money squeeze
…As Gartner’s Sommer puts it, pricing models may change significantly down the line, but right now, there’s a “narrow space on the treadmill” between short- and long-term goals. …