TheFutureParty
A Community-based Media Company
OpenAI is acquiring hardware firm io — created by legendary iPhone and iPod designer Jony Ive — in a $6.5 billion deal. The Big Picture: For the past couple of years, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive have been toying around with ideas for a hardware device that can define the AI era — like […]
Blue-chip brands and marketing agencies like Microsoft, Hinge, and Day One Agency are rolling out premium print publications to highlight unique stories or share novel insights on their respective industries. Why It Hits: In an ironic twist, print presents an attractive opportunity to avoid the saturation of digital marketing and provide a product that feels […]
Airbnb is rolling out its biggest redesign ever to transform from a property-rental platform to a hub for experiences and services that could be found at any given location — all organized or operated by local talents or experts. The Big Picture: Airbnb, faced with a worldwide vibe shift on short-term rentals, wants to be […]
Steuart and Tom Walton, two grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton, are converting the company’s old HQ in Bentonville, Arkansas, into a flexible, STEM-focused university. Why It Hits: The concept of a college education appears to be undergoing an existential crisis, as entry-level jobs seem harder than ever to come by post-graduation, and the rising costs of […]
OpenAI has reversed its plan to reorganize the AI firm to divorce its non-profit board from its for-profit arm. Why It Hits: OpenAI has been touting its for-profit plan for a while now in an effort to ramp up fundraising, compete with the growing number of rivals, and make a lot of investors very, very […]
Even though the White House is partly trying to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the US with its tariff and trade policies, those jobs — especially ones that are repetitive or dangerous — may actually be mostly taken over by new AI-powered, autonomous robots. The Big Picture: Nearly every American corporation says manufacturing in […]
Hydro Flask, one of the most popular beverage bottle brands on the market, is bucking trends by releasing a micro version of its insulated bottle… and has been selling out all year. Why It Hits: 2024 was the year of the Stanley Cup, as people felt they needed to carry almost a full day’s worth […]
Nike announced that it’s partnering with world-record Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon on an ambitious attempt to help her become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes. Why It Hits: Despite being the world’s largest sportswear brand, Nike has been sagging under declining sales and waning cultural relevance as competition has heated […]
Tokyo is in the spotlight for redefining the downtown district to include multiple distinct, mixed-use business areas that cater to the full spectrum of people who work there — making it feel more like a college campus than a typical downtown. The Big Picture: COVID majorly derailed downtown development, as remote work took hold and […]
Walmart has introduced a generative AI tool that can help the retailer determine fashion trends and pivot its manufacturing in record time. Why It Hits: Temu and Shein became wildly popular because of their ability to pump out trending clothing faster than anyone else and at a bargain-bin price point (although that’s changing). But with […]