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Alphabet (GOOGL - Get Report) is reportedly working on a mobile-messaging service, which could be aimed at market taking share from messaging-dominating companies such as Facebook's (FB - Get Report) WhatsApp and Messenger service, as well as others Snapchat and Tencent's (TCEHY) WeChat.
The former Google has entered new arenas before, only to be met with more resistance than it probably hoped for. The company's foray into social media, with its Google+ platform, was no match for the likes of Facebook, Twitter (TWTR - Get Report) and even LinkedIn (LNKD - Get Report) .
However, Alphabet is looking to create more than just a messaging service for its users -- this time it is looking to tap into its artificial intelligence technology. The company plans to use chatbots, which can provide answers for users who type questions into the messaging service. Of course, users will still be able to message friends, too, not just the chatbots.
The company has been working on the service for more than a year, but a launch date and even a name are still unknown.
Shares of Alphabet closed flat Wednesday at $768.51.
Yeah, yeah, yeah! Beatles fans around the world are singing that now because the Fab Four are available for streaming. Although true fans have found many different ways to listen to the band over the years, music lovers in general should be happy about the news.
The Beatles will be available on most major streaming platforms such as Apple's (AAPL - Get Report) Apple Music, Alphabet's Google Play, Spotify and Amazon (AMZN) Prime, among others. Service will begin on Christmas Eve.
Perhaps most notably not on the list is Pandora (P) , but this can be explained. The music streaming service does not do direct deals with artists for on-demand listening. However, but the Beatles' music can be found streaming on its radio service.
Most investors have heard about Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo's futuristic plans to have packages and items delivered to customers via drones. And while the idea sound pretty cool, most of us are aware that for now, Amazon will need to stick to traditional shipping methods.
However, thanks to increased volume and higher costs, Amazon is starting to look into alternative methods -- which could put a direct squeeze on UPS (UPS) , which relies on Amazon as its biggest customer. Aside from using its own delivery drivers, Amazon is looking into leasing cargo jets.
Shipping costs continue to rise for Amazon, ballooning to 11.7% of revenue in the most recent quarter, up from 10.4% just one year ago. Although UPS and Amazon have worked together for years, Amazon has shown that it's willing to do whatever it takes to win.
Bezos & Company has never sought to be mediocre. Instead, the company has continued its rapid expansion, growing from an e-commerce site to now offering video and audio entertainment via Amazon Prime, as well a cloud storage solutions company with its Amazon Web Services business, among other ventures.
So investors shouldn't be too surprised the company is looking at building out its own logistics and delivery network -- with or without drones.
For his part, TheStreet's Jim Cramer, co-manager of the Action Alerts PLUS portfolio, said the news makes him somewhat concerned about shares of UPS, adding, "a spat with Amazon is not what you want right here."
Shares of Amazon ended Wednesday's session at $663.54, virtually flat.
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