Zone’s Florence Buswell handpicks and shares the five best news stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
Happy Holidays from all of us at Zone! Before we head off for the festive break, we’ve rounded up five of the biggest stories in tech, digital and experience this week — so grab a mince pie and get comfy.
1. Messi scores most-liked Instagram post
Leading Argentina to World Cup victory and being named best player, Lionel Messi has another trophy to add to the cabinet. A photo gallery of the footballer and his fellow team players celebrating Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win has become the most-liked Instagram post ever.
The photos racked up more than 68 million likes, surpassing the previous record holder — a simple picture of an egg with over 57 million likes and counting.
2. Christmas turkeys Zapp to the rescue
For those that leave the Christmas food shop at the very last minute, Zapp is here to save the day. The Q-commerce company has launched London’s first 24/7 emergency Christmas turkey delivery service.
Zapp is stocking whole Christmas turkeys for £149.99 from organic farm producer Daylesford, available for swift home delivery up to, and including, Christmas Day. Other festive food items available to buy on Zapp include gravy, pigs in blankets, brussels sprouts, parsnips, Yorkshire puddings, and more.
3. Elon Musk voted out as Twitter boss
Elon Musk, the current CEO of Twitter, has confirmed he will step down as soon as he finds someone ‘foolish enough to take the job’. The decision to give up his position follows the results of a Twitter poll he launched, asking users on the platform whether he should remove himself as the head of Twitter.
More than 17 million people voted, with 57.5% saying the billionaire entrepreneur should leave and 42.5% saying he should stay. Musk’s run at Twitter has been marred by controversy, and it remains to be seen how long it will take to find his replacement.
4. John Lewis ease pressure for Xmas shoppers
Another company cashing in on last-minute Christmas shoppers is fan favourite John Lewis. Next-day home deliveries are now available until 4pm on 22 December, and customers will also be able to use Click and Collect up to midday on 23 December.
Pippa Wicks, Executive Director at John Lewis, said: ‘Our teams are working flat out to guarantee customers’ deliveries before Christmas.’ Purchase orders will be available to collect from more than 360 John Lewis and Waitrose branches on Christmas Eve.
5. Driverless delivery vans are underway
Self-driving vans could be operating on the UK streets sooner than expected. Supermarkrts Ocado and Asda are currently trialling driverless vans in secret locations around London, predicted to be commonplace within the next decade.
By partnering with technology company Wayve, the grocery giants are exploring the potential to use autonomous vehicles to improve road safety and revolutionise customers’ grocery deliveries. ‘The technology is ready’, according to Kaity Fischer, Wayve’s Director of Partnerships and Business Development, and awaiting UK legislation.
