This week, Amazon announced they are shuttering eight of their Amazon Go stores to cut costs, and Snapchat is allowing users to restore their Snapstreaks. Also, Sony may have to reconsider how much they pay for game exclusivity, and YouTube plans to expand some new features. To round it out this week’s Five on Friday, Ring wants to convert regular customers into subscribers, but it feels more like a bait-and-switch.

Amazon shutters cashierless stores

Amazon is cutting costs, and next on the chopping block are their cashierless stores: Amazon Go. The company previously announced they would scale back their retail offerings. Amazon launched Go stores to allow customers to go in, select their items, and pay online without having to use a cashier. Stores were set up with cameras and sensors to determine what items were chosen, what the customer left the store with, and they were charged accordingly.

“Like any physical retailer, we periodically assess our portfolio of stores and make optimization decisions along the way. We remain committed to the Amazon Go format, operate more than 20 Amazon Go stores across the U.S., and will continue to learn which locations and features resonate most with customers as we keep evolving our Amazon Go stores,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement.

A total of eight stores will be closing: two stores in New York City, two in Seattle, and four in San Francisco. The stores will remain open until April 1, Engadget reported. They will keep more than 20 Go stores in operation, as well as their Amazon Fresh stores.

Shuttering eight stores is an interesting decision, when they are continuing to open more Go stores. Two stores in Washington state just opened – one south of Tacoma, and the other north of Bellevue, Geekwire shared. This move was to bring Amazon goods closer to the suburbs and cater to customers there. Reports have shared that Fresh may not be as successful as Amazon wants it to be, with seven locations across the country sitting empty, according to The Information. Amazon also recently closed a Seattle location of Fresh.

Amazon has previously shuttered 68 brick-and-mortar stores to focus more on their grocery and fashion product lines, and none of these efforts seem to have made a long-term payoff for the company. In addition to closing stores, Amazon is also pausing construction on phase 2 of their second headquarters (HQ2) in Arlington, Virginia.

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Snapchat lets subscribers “pause” streaks

Snapchat’s “Snapstreaks” are important to a lot of users, but the company has made a realization: some Snappers want flexibility, and don’t have access to their Snapchat to update their streaks. To maintain a Snapstreak, two users have to consecutively send each other at least one Snapchat per day, and are then granted an emoji with a number to represent how long their streak is. However, if one day is missed, the streak is gone.

“A lost Snapstreak doesn’t mean your friendship has gone cold, so starting today, we’re making it easier to take a break with a new feature we’re testing to let you reignite the spark and restore one Streak for free with just one tap,” Snap said in an announcement.

The addition of the Streak Restore tool allows for one free restoration, but a user can purchase more if they desire. This feature is accessible to both paid and unpaid users of Snapchat, TechCrunch shared. Each additional Restore will cost 99 cents, and those can be added directly from the Snapchat app.

Snap also teased their intention to roll out an option for Snapchat+ users to freeze their streaks, eliminating the need for Restores. This will be different than a restore, because this will extend the streak longer without the need for an additional purchase. Depending on how many Restores a person is utilizing, it may be cheaper to upgrade to Snap’s subscription option and could help convert users into paying customers.

The freezing of Snapstreaks will be the newest addition to Snapchat+ perks, coming after the arrival of an AI chatbot. The chatbot is advertised more closely as a friend in the app itself, and is utilizing a version of OpenAI’s GPT technology, customized just for Snapchat.

Sony Heats Up, May Have to Say How Much They Pay for Exclusivity

Microsoft has asked Sony to speak up, and they want to know how much Sony pays for exclusivity in their gaming rights. In new legal struggles, Sony might have to share just how much they pay.

Sony has previously tried to call Microsoft out on their anticompetitive behavior, but now fingers are pointing at them too. Microsoft has sent subpoenas to force Sony to show records, as well as internal documents and emails from Sony’s PlayStation sect, The Verge shares. Microsoft has previously claimed that Sony pays for “blocking rights” to ensure titles stay exclusive.

The request for information goes back as far as January 1, 2019. The initial request for documents asked to go back as far as January 1, 2012, but Sony claimed emails that far back would not add additional value to the case. They also noted that their systems do not allow for search by company type, only by name. Microsoft will be given access to contract for licensing agreements, and have to do all of the searching themselves, Games Industry reported.

“The nature and extent of SIE’s content-licensing agreements are relevant to the Complaint’s allegations of exclusivity arrangements between video game console developers and video game developers and publishers,” the judge overseeing the case said.

With access to what could be proof of blocking fees could help Microsoft with their case in getting their Activision-Blizzard deal getting approved. The tech giant has shared many times that they don’t think their deal would harm competition, because companies like Nintendo and Sony know how to adapt, Game Developer shared.

Microsoft also asked for access to performance reviews of employees as well as evaluation reports. They were not granted access. The FTC sided with Sony, stating that this information probe was an “unjustified invasion of employee privacy.” The FTC trial will not start until August 2. Microsoft’s current focus is about their meeting with The European Commission on April 25.

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YouTube rolling out new features

Neal Mohan is taking the reins at YouTube, and he’s already making major waves. He stepped into the role last month and wants to put creators first with his leadership. His first move includes AI features, as well as further support for creators.

“Creators will be able to expand their storytelling and raise their production value, from virtually swapping outfits to creating a fantastical film setting through AI’s generative capabilities. We’re taking the time to develop these features with thoughtful guardrails,” Mohan said in a statement.

Mohan promised these features will roll out to creators in the coming months, as well as protections to ensure the technology is being utilized responsibly and safely. Features being teased include the utilization of AI to swap outfits, or to create a different setting to film in, Android Headlines reported. They are also taking measures to ensure the AI doesn’t violate copyright laws.

In addition, other moves that Mohan is making include better support of creators and the work they do, as well as listening to them. Feedback is something they want to continue to look at, and it’s how they help to develop new products. YouTube is pursuing a project that will let creators reach audiences that speak other languages via the use of the language tracks. YouTube is also working to improve captions and allow caption translation in 16 different languages.

In the letter from Mohan, he said he wanted to find a way to give creators more ways to make money. The platform hopes to provide more opportunities for creators outside of ads by further expanding their subscriptions business as well as investing more heavily in their shopping infrastructure. Their subscriptions business continues to grow, with a 20% increase from 2021.

Ring limits features, requires subscription

Ring device owners may have to start subscribing soon. In a change that will affect new customers March 29, all new users will have to pay for basic features of the video doorbell and camera, and some changes for their alarm system.

The first feature to go includes both Home and Away modes. These features allow for their video doorbell or cameras to detect motion. Ring is shifting these features to be paywalled by their Ring Protect Plans, which will allow users to arm and disarm their alarm system, use Modes, get notifications or control it via their Alexa device, The Verge shared.

Having multiple cameras will cost device owners more. The Basic plan of Ring Protect costs $3.99 per month, and only covers one doorbell or camera. If you have two cameras or Ring devices, you must spring for the Plus plan, which costs $10 per month.

The only device that seems to have an exception is the Alarm. In Ring’s FAQ, they shared that existing and future doorbells and Cameras will require a Ring Protect Plan subscription to access Modes. However, if an Alarm is purchased before March 29, a user still gets to keep all of their same features.

“If you owned an Alarm before this date, your current device will keep these in-app features. If you did not own an Alarm, these features will now require a subscription,” Ring said in a statement. “If you owned an Alarm before this date, your current device will keep these in-app features. If you did not own an Alarm, these features will now require a subscription.”

Ring shared on their website that existing users with an Alarm already would continue to have the same in-app features with or without a subscription for the expected life of the device.

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