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Airbnb New App
(Airbnb)

Airbnb unveils major overhaul with new Services category

The home-share giant is also revamping local experiences and its app.

5/13/25 1:53PM

Airbnb just unveiled its most sweeping revamp since its launch, rolling out on-demand services, curated local experiences, and a redesigned app tying it all together.

Starting today, users can book everything from massages to in-home dinners all within Airbnb’s new Services platform, which includes 10 categories across 260 cities.

Airbnb FTB
Private farm-to-table dining in Barcelona (Airbnb)

Airbnb is also relaunching Experiences, its platform for activities led by locals, which aims to elevate those activities while also adding Airbnb Originals like anime cosplay with Megan Thee Stallion or glam camp with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.

“People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space,” Brian Chesky, cofounder and CEO of Airbnb, said. “Now, we’re giving you the best of both worlds — amazing homes with services that make them even more special.”

Airbnb New App
(Airbnb)

Both offerings are stitched together in a rebuilt Airbnb app. For hosts, the app now includes streamlined listing tools and calendar integration.

The revamp comes as Airbnb looks to stay ahead in a shifting travel space. Though the company recently saw a rebound in nights booked for Q1, management has warned of cooling demand in some markets. Still, optimism is high, with Airbnb’s stock up more than 4% year to date.

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Amazon is testing adding GM electric vans to its EV delivery fleet dominated by Rivian

Rivian may have some competition in its electric delivery van division: Bloomberg reports that Amazon is testing a small number of GM’s BrightDrop vans for its fleet.

According to Amazon, the test currently only includes a dozen of the vehicles. Amazon’s fleet also contains EVs from Ford, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz.

GM debuted BrightDrop in 2021, but the vehicles have struggled to sell and piled up on GM lots due to high prices and steep competition. GM began offering up to 40% rebates on the vehicles this year.

The test comes as Rivian struggles through tariffs and the end of EV tax credits. Earlier this year, it lowered its annual delivery outlook by about 13%. As of June, Amazon said it has more than 25,000 Rivian vans across the US. Earlier this week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is still on track to deliver 100,000 vans to Amazon by 2030 and is “thinking about what comes beyond” that initial target.

GM has sold 1,592 BrightDrop vans through the first half of the year, more than the full-year total it sold in 2024.

GM debuted BrightDrop in 2021, but the vehicles have struggled to sell and piled up on GM lots due to high prices and steep competition. GM began offering up to 40% rebates on the vehicles this year.

The test comes as Rivian struggles through tariffs and the end of EV tax credits. Earlier this year, it lowered its annual delivery outlook by about 13%. As of June, Amazon said it has more than 25,000 Rivian vans across the US. Earlier this week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is still on track to deliver 100,000 vans to Amazon by 2030 and is “thinking about what comes beyond” that initial target.

GM has sold 1,592 BrightDrop vans through the first half of the year, more than the full-year total it sold in 2024.

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Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing an Ellison-backed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid, sending shares soaring

Paramount Skydance is preparing a majority cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, The Wall Street Journal reported, sending shares of both companies surging. The Journal’s sources say the deal is backed by the Ellison family, led by David Ellison.

WBD shares were up 30% on the report, while Paramount Skydance jumped 8%.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

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