PlayStation may be building tap-to-pay directly into their controllers. Sony has filed a patent for “video game controller-driven information transfer”—essentially a controller that would allow users to tap their phone or credit card to send info to the console. The biggest use of the tech would, of course, be payments: players could in theory just tap their controller to buy games or items in games, rather than entering their info by keyboard or scanning a QR. This could help unlock even more digital spending, with YPulse’s Fintech data showing 70% of 13-39-year-olds use a mobile wallet on their phone to pay for things. But the new controller tech could also be used to import an entire PlayStation account easily into a new console. While it’s too early to report that tap-to-pay controllers will definitely end up in gamers’ hands, there’s little doubt that upcoming consoles from the big gaming brands will be filled with new tricks. (IGN)
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Google Photos is turning the Clueless fantasy into an everyday reality for Gen Z and Millennials. The app’s AI-powered closet, inspired by Cher’s iconic virtual wardrobe from the 1995 film, is now fully available on iOS and Android in the U.S., Brazil, and India after first launching on Android in June. The tool scans a user’s photos to catalog the outfits they’ve actually worn, letting them filter by category (e.g. tops, bottoms, jewelry, etc.) and mix-and-match pieces into new looks—no rich-Beverly-Hills-teenager status required. Google says the wardrobe data isn’t shared with any third parties like retailers, addressing a top concern among privacy-conscious young users adopting AI tools. This rollout comes alongside other Google Photos updates, including AI Remix templates and retro-inspired “Moods” filters like 2000s digicam, tapping into the same Y2K nostalgia YPulse has been tracking heavily. (TechCrunch)
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Credit Karma targets Gen Z’s financial stress with their latest campaign. A new Accredited Debt Relief study found 45% of Gen Z respondents said their debt increased over the past year, while 60% said they’re often or always stressed about their finances. Credit Karma is hoping to meet that anxiety with a more emotional message about the confidence that can come with feeling financially in control. As part of their new “On Top of Your Money. On Top of Your World” campaign, the brand is rolling out five new ads. In the hero spot, a commuter rides a city bus while stressing over everyday expenses. But when the bus hits a speed bump, he gets the idea of using Credit Karma to help cover the costs—suddenly, the stress turns into relief, and he breaks into an impromptu dance with other passengers. (ADWEEK)
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Millennials put the “fun” in “funflation.” Recently, older Millennials have spent more on hobbies than other generations, even though they’re the generation with the least amount of free time. Bank of America (BofA) data shows hobby spending climbed 7.9% year-over-year in August, more than double the transactional growth, a reversal from the year before. BofA defines hobby spending as money customers spend at arts and crafts stores, hobby shops, outdoor recreation providers, and retailers that specialize in hobbies (think: hiking, skiing, scuba diving, etc.). Older Millennials spend $210 on a three-month rolling average, while Boomers and Gen X spend $200, younger Millennials spend $150, and Gen Z spends less than $100. Besides spending on hobbies for themselves, older Millennials are likely spending on their kids’ hobbies as well. Meanwhile, Gen Z hobby spending is slowing down—not necessarily because they’re doing less, but because their hobbies are less expensive, like arts and crafts and video games. The data also suggests that with higher fuel costs, young consumers are shifting away from travel towards hobbies they can afford more easily. (TheStreet)
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