Streaming was supposed to be ad-free, but now ads are sneaking into paid plans, and free ones are packed with them. What happened? Plus, is Facebook listening through your phone? I’ll cover that, how tech is making us lonelier, and the latest AI threat.
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Kim has been telling her audience for years to ditch Facebook, and for good reason. Since its inception, Facebook has been plagued with privacy problems. The same goes for Twitter, Instagram and all the other major social platforms.
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A whole new world: Starting in September, Disney+ is cracking down on password sharing outside your household. Rumor has it you can add paid sharing, but no word on the cost yet. Oh, and the price for Disney+ will increase in October; the ad-supported tier will go from $8 per month to $10 monthly, and the ad-free version will rise from $14 to $16 a month. Yup, Mickey needs the money.
$18
New monthly price for Netflix’s ad-free Standard plan. Oh, goodie, another $3 price hike. The ad tier is now $8 (up from $7), and Premium is $25 (from $23). Account sharing went up a buck to $9. In the final quarter of 2024, Netflix pulled in $10 billion, and its revenue shot up 16%.
Guy Kawasaki on being remarkable
Guy Kawasaki, host of the “Remarkable People” podcast, has a new book, “Think Remarkable,” that you’ve got to check out. Plus, there’s a new AI danger lurking at work, the death of ad-free streaming, and why you’re still getting scam calls. Feeling lonely? Everyone’s connected, yet isolation is at record levels.
Time to pay up: Netflix is phasing out its cheapest ad-free plan. If you’re on it, you’ll get a notification saying your last day to watch is July 13 unless you upgrade. Options: $6.99 ad-supported, $15.49 ad-free or $22.99 ad-free 4K premium.
Why we're lonely because of tech
Everyone’s connected, yet isolation is at record levels. Have an opinion on Elon Musk? Here’s why judgment pours out for him, both good and bad. Plus, a new AI danger at work, the death of ad-free streaming, and why you’re still getting scam calls.