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Chinese carmaker’s absence from the US, once seen as a weakness, has turned into an assetView the full article

UPS announced two new ground shipping products recently, expanding its end-to-end logistics offerings with the launch of UPS Ground Saver and UPS Ground with Freight Pricing. The company says these options are designed to meet the diverse needs of both residential and commercial shippers, delivering flexibility, control, and value in a changing logistics environment. “UPS is on a mission to transform our customer experience by offering an end-to-end portfolio which provides delivery, returns and pickup services seven-days-a-week,” said UPS Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer Matt Guffey. “Ground Saver and Ground with Freight Pricing represent the first of many product enhancements UPS will roll out in 2025.” UPS Ground Saver The UPS Ground Saver service targets less urgent residential deliveries and leverages the UPS Smart Logistics Network to provide cost-effective shipping without compromising reliability. According to the company, Ground Saver offers delivery speeds comparable to UPS Ground plus one to two additional days, making it a suitable option for direct-to-consumer businesses shipping lower-value merchandise. The service also features enhanced consumer control through UPS My Choice, allowing recipients to upgrade their shipments to UPS Ground. Additional features include detailed product visibility and delivery photo confirmation. UPS Ground with Freight Pricing For heavier shipments, UPS has introduced Ground with Freight Pricing. This option is tailored for commercial customers shipping packages over 150 lbs. that don’t require a full pallet. The service aims to provide small package reliability with cost benefits typically associated with less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. Key advantages of UPS Ground with Freight Pricing include predictable cost savings over traditional LTL carriers, no added fees for lift-gate or inside delivery, and comprehensive nationwide coverage. Guffey noted, “UPS is the only major U.S. small package carrier that offers parcel service at LTL pricing, which is a true differentiator.” The company sees significant opportunity in this segment, citing a projection from IBIS World that pegs the LTL market size at nearly $94.5 billion by 2025. The ability to service this market with small package infrastructure positions UPS for continued growth. Looking Ahead UPS plans to introduce additional enhancements to its premium portfolio throughout 2025. These updates will focus on increasing customer control, visibility, and choice, reinforcing the company’s strategy of delivering tailored solutions for a broad range of shipping needs. The launch of Ground Saver and Ground with Freight Pricing reflects UPS’s commitment to evolve alongside the logistics market, with a focus on efficiency, customer experience, and reliability. Image: UPS This article, "UPS Expands Ground Shipping Portfolio with New Saver and Freight Options" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

UPS announced two new ground shipping products recently, expanding its end-to-end logistics offerings with the launch of UPS Ground Saver and UPS Ground with Freight Pricing. The company says these options are designed to meet the diverse needs of both residential and commercial shippers, delivering flexibility, control, and value in a changing logistics environment. “UPS is on a mission to transform our customer experience by offering an end-to-end portfolio which provides delivery, returns and pickup services seven-days-a-week,” said UPS Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer Matt Guffey. “Ground Saver and Ground with Freight Pricing represent the first of many product enhancements UPS will roll out in 2025.” UPS Ground Saver The UPS Ground Saver service targets less urgent residential deliveries and leverages the UPS Smart Logistics Network to provide cost-effective shipping without compromising reliability. According to the company, Ground Saver offers delivery speeds comparable to UPS Ground plus one to two additional days, making it a suitable option for direct-to-consumer businesses shipping lower-value merchandise. The service also features enhanced consumer control through UPS My Choice, allowing recipients to upgrade their shipments to UPS Ground. Additional features include detailed product visibility and delivery photo confirmation. UPS Ground with Freight Pricing For heavier shipments, UPS has introduced Ground with Freight Pricing. This option is tailored for commercial customers shipping packages over 150 lbs. that don’t require a full pallet. The service aims to provide small package reliability with cost benefits typically associated with less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. Key advantages of UPS Ground with Freight Pricing include predictable cost savings over traditional LTL carriers, no added fees for lift-gate or inside delivery, and comprehensive nationwide coverage. Guffey noted, “UPS is the only major U.S. small package carrier that offers parcel service at LTL pricing, which is a true differentiator.” The company sees significant opportunity in this segment, citing a projection from IBIS World that pegs the LTL market size at nearly $94.5 billion by 2025. The ability to service this market with small package infrastructure positions UPS for continued growth. Looking Ahead UPS plans to introduce additional enhancements to its premium portfolio throughout 2025. These updates will focus on increasing customer control, visibility, and choice, reinforcing the company’s strategy of delivering tailored solutions for a broad range of shipping needs. The launch of Ground Saver and Ground with Freight Pricing reflects UPS’s commitment to evolve alongside the logistics market, with a focus on efficiency, customer experience, and reliability. Image: UPS This article, "UPS Expands Ground Shipping Portfolio with New Saver and Freight Options" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

European Banking Authority says variable pay for some staff has risen to more than €1mn View the full article

No matter how much Google has tried over the past couple of years, it's never managed to make Android updates as seamless as iOS updates. On the iPhone, every compatible iPhone across the globe gets the same updates, at the same time. On Android, it's anyone's guess. Google releases the latest and greatest Android updates for Developers and its Pixel devices, and then Android smartphone manufactures get started with developing their own versions. For instance, because Samsung's version of Android 15 is different from what OnePlus is doing, that can sometimes mean key features don't show up on your phone until quite a ways down the line. To mitigate this to some extent, Google has decided to take matters into its own hands, pushing out some security, privacy, and device tracking features to all Android devices at once, using a little known framework called Google Play system updates. And yes, it's confusing. It's not just about the Google Play Store or services, and it's something that you might never come across on your own. Google doesn't send notifications about it, nor is it a part of the regular Software Update screen. So what is it, where is it, and why is it so important? Why are Google Play system updates so important? Credit: Khamosh Pathak As I mentioned above, unless you're on a Pixel, any regular Android update comes straight from your phone's manufacturer, and not Google itself. This is usually where you get big Android updates, like how Samsung phones got updated to Android 15 with the One UI 7 update. But the Google Play System updates are different. It all started in 2019 with Project Mainline, where Google started to split some of the key components of the OS. With this project, Google can enhance Android's security and privacy features without going through the regular channels. This is why, in the past, Google has been able to push features like Android Theft Detection, Remote Lock, and Offline Lock to all Android phones running Android 10 and above overnight. Something like this just isn't possible with regular Android updates. While these are small features, they're not all that Play System updates give you. Google Play System updates are also responsible for Google Play Protect, the framework that scans and reports malicious apps on the Play Store, plus they add new features to the Google Play Store and Google Wallet. Unlike a regular Android update, which might show up at any time, Google Play system updates show up every month without fail. You can check out Google's website to see what's new each month. It's important to make sure you're getting these. Alongside their new features, they also introduce important security updates and bug fixes to the entire Google Play Services platform. Why don't you ever see Google Play system updates?These updates are critical. But sometimes months can go by before you actually have the newest one. That's because Google doesn't promote these updates in any fashion. There are no notifications for them, and they aren't even automatically installed when you perform a regular Android OS update. Weirdly, they are only automatically installed when you reboot your smartphone. And give how smartphones are used these days, that can be months apart. How to check for Google Play system updates Credit: Khamosh Pathak I can't say if Google will eventually change its ways and make Play system updates more prominent. But for now, there's only one way to check for them, and that is to manually install them in the Security updates section in the Settings app. Different phones have different menus, so I'll use Pixels as an example for how to find this page. If you're using a Google Pixel phone, go to Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates. You'll see two sections, Security update and Google Play system update. Tap the latter option to download and install the update. The update will be installed after your device reboots. On any other smartphone, search is going to be your friend. In the Settings app, search for "Play system update," which should help get you where you need to go. View the full article

Most email apps have strong opinions about what your inbox should look like. Notion Mail is the opposite. The new offshoot from productivity app Notion is all about flexibility. It lets you slice and dice your emails however you want: group them by date, create dedicated sections for specific contacts, add notes, or even turn your inbox into a list of action items. There’s also an AI labeling feature that can automatically sort things like package updates or health-related messages. It can feel overwhelming at first—but so can Notion itself. That hasn’t stopped the productivity platform from amassing 100 million users, with use cases ranging from simple note-taking to complex database management. Notion Mail is trying to bring that same level of adaptability to your inbox—and the more effort you put in, the more useful it gets. Notion Mail is available now for Gmail and Google Workspace users on the web and as a Mac app. An iOS app is coming soon, and support for more email providers is on the way. Roll your own inboxNotion Mail’s most interesting feature is the ability to customize what your default inbox view looks like, both in terms of how it’s organized and which emails you’ll see. For instance, I like having some visual separation between recent and older emails. By clicking the “Edit View” button and selecting “Groups,” you can choose a “Date” view that sorts emails into clusters for today, yesterday, last week, last month, and earlier. Notion Mail’s “Groups” feature has some other neat ways to partition your inbox, as well. You can have emails from specific people or domains appear at the top, separate read emails from unread ones, or group by label. Within the same “Edit View” menu, you can also set up filters to hide or show certain types of messages. This lets you filter out things like Gmail’s Promotions and Updates categories, certain keywords, or specific addresses. Where things get really interesting, though, is the “Properties” you can apply to each email. Some of these are standard things like the sender’s name or labels, but Notion also lets you append types of data, such as notes and status indicators. You can then use these properties to sort your inbox. By adding statuses like “in progress” or “pending” to your emails and then grouping them by status, for instance, you can turn your inbox into a kind of project management system. These views aren’t limited to your main inbox. Notion Mail’s left sidebar lets you create additional views, each with their own custom properties and groupings. That means you can keep a traditional inbox as your default, while also setting up a project management–style view for messages from colleagues. Like the main Notion app, Notion Mail includes several templates to help you get started, and it’ll eventually let users create and share their own. Occasionally iffy AI filteringNotion Mail’s other big feature involves using AI to organize your emails. With the “Auto Label” feature, you can enter the type of emails you’re looking for, and Notion will try to fetch messages that match. While Gmail’s own filtering rules can already label incoming messages automatically, Notion’s AI can make inferences that a normal keyword search wouldn’t pick up. An Auto Label rule for “medical/doctor,” for instance, might capture health-related emails even if those words didn’t appear in the message. This opens up some potentially clever use cases. I set up a rule for anything related to package arrivals, for instance, giving me a quick way to see the status of all my deliveries. I also made a “Suggest emails to delete” rule, then used Notion’s Unsubscribe button to remove myself from a bunch of mailing lists. The downside to this approach is that it can miss things. When I set up a “Florida 2025 trip” Auto Label, it tagged a bunch of unrelated emails and excluded a few relevant ones. You can help the labeling by tagging or untagging specific messages, but in some cases you’re just better off labeling emails manually. AI labeling is also how Notion plans to make money from its mail product. While Notion Mail is free, a $10 per month AI add-on is required to label more than a few hundred emails or so. That upgrade also adds AI composition features, and provides access to AI features in Notion proper. Tying it all togetherAfter a few days of using Notion Mail, I can see how it might dig its hooks in. It’s been a while since I’ve used Notion for everyday notetaking—I switched to Obsidian, an offline-first alternative, a couple years back—but I still remember how it won me over. I started off using it for simple note-taking, but before long had developed a branching system of subpages for different projects, and was using templates to organize some of my product reviews. The more time I spent tweaking my notetaking setup, the more personally invested in it I felt. Notion Mail has a pretty similar learning curve. My first step was to set up a basic inbox view with just a few personalized tweaks, but I’ve started to experiment with alternative views and can see how they might be better at organizing all the info that’s trapped inside Gmail. And I know that if I keep sinking more time into it, the harder it’ll get to use anything else. View the full article

Mid-tier firm MHA floats on London’s Aim as shake-up of sector gathers steamView the full article

Nvidia announced Monday that it will produce its artificial intelligence supercomputers in the United States for the first time. The tech giant said it has commissioned more than one million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test its specialized Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texas—part of an investment the company said will produce up to half a trillion dollars of AI infrastructure in the next four years. “The engines of the world’s AI infrastructure are being built in the United States for the first time,” Nvidia founder Jensen Huang said in a statement. “Adding American manufacturing helps us better meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chain and boosts our resiliency.” Nvidia’s announcement comes as the The President administration has said that tariff exemptions on electronics like smartphones and laptops are only a temporary reprieve until officials develop a new tariff approach specific to the semiconductor industry. White House officials, including President Donald The President himself, spent Sunday downplaying the significance of exemptions that lessen but won’t eliminate the effect of U.S. tariffs on imports of popular consumer devices and their key components. “They’re exempt from the reciprocal tariffs but they’re included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC’s This Week on Sunday. Nvidia said in a post on its website that it has started Blackwell production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. chip plants in Phoenix. The Santa Clara, California-based chip company is also building supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas—with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas. Nvidia’s AI supercomputers will serve as the engines for AI factories, “a new type of data center created for the sole purpose of processing artificial intelligence,” the company said, adding that manufacturing in the U.S. will create “hundreds of thousands of jobs and drive trillions of dollars in economic security over the coming decades.” Mass production at both plants is expected to ramp up in the next 12–15 months, Nvidia said. The company also plans on partnering with Taiwan-based company SPIL and Amkor for “packaging and testing operations” in Arizona. In a statement Monday, the White House called Nvidia’s move “the The President Effect in action.” The President “has made U.S.-based chips manufacturing a priority as part of his relentless pursuit of an American manufacturing renaissance, and it’s paying off—with trillions of dollars in new investments secured in the tech sector alone,” the White House said. Earlier this year, The President announced a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, was tasked with building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. —Sarah Parvini, AP Technology Writer View the full article

Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is sitting right in front of you. If your problem is that you need a webcam, you can try using your Android phone for the job instead of buying a dedicated device. This is especially useful if you have a spare Android phone lying around and you need it for video calls on your PC or Mac. You can also use your primary Android phone as a webcam, but its utility will be limited since you'll have to keep unplugging it, remembering to put it into do not disturb, or turning on airplane mode to ensure that your video call isn't interrupted. Here are all the ways you can use your Android phone as a webcam. Use the webcam mode on your Android phoneAs long as you have a phone running Android 14 or newer, you can use the built-in webcam mode on it. This is as easy as using a USB cable to connect your phone to a computer and enabling webcam mode. Here's what you need to do: Unlock your Android phone and use a USB cable that supports data transfer to connect it to your PC or Mac. The moment your phone is connected, you'll see a USB mode notification that will tells you the phone is currently charging. Tap this alert and select Webcam. This puts your phone in webcam mode and displays a notification with additional info. Tap the notification to see the viewfinder and adjust the frame to your liking. On your PC or Mac, open any video calling app, and under camera options, you'll see Android Device or Android Webcam as an available camera. Select this to have your phone serve as your webcam. Be sure to disable all notifications on your phone or put it in airplane mode in order to avoid interruptions. If someone calls your phone when it's being used as a webcam, your video call will be paused, and it'll only resume once the phone call has been disconnected. Using third-party apps to turn your Android phone into a webcam Credit: Camo The built-in method works great on Pixel devices and other phones running stock Android, but it may not always work correctly if your phone has a heavily customized Android variant. It's also not an option for people who use phones with older versions of Android, which is a good enough reason to turn to third-party apps to get the job done. The good old DroidCam (free, ad-supported) or its paid variant, DroidCamX ($5), are both quite handy for this job. Install the client on your PC or Linux computer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app on both devices. The advantage here is that you can connect over wifi and a USB cable, whereas the built-in method is wired only. The free version has ads and limitations that don't let you rotate or flip the camera, but otherwise, it's good enough for most people. There are no watermarks or other usage-related limitations in the free version. Camo is an extremely feature rich alternative for using your Android phone as a webcam. You can use this app with both Windows and Mac, which may appeal to a larger audience, since DroidCam lacks a Mac app. The app is free to use for up to 720p video, which is honestly good enough for video calls, but if you need up to 4K video for your webcam, you can subscribe to the pro tier ($50/year). This app supports both wifi and USB connectivity, but the developers recommend USB for initial setup and better performance, including lower latency. The setup is quite straightforward—just install the app on your phone and on Mac or Windows, connect your Android phone to your computer via USB, and follow the on-screen instructions. The advantage of using Camo is that it's not just a bridging app that connects your phone to the PC. It also works with dedicated webcams and features video effects such as Portrait mode (to blur the background) and lighting effects. It also lets you adjust the resolution, frame rate, and focus point in your videos. For more, read Camo's official guide to adjusting video settings. View the full article

Japanese regulators on Tuesday accused U.S. tech giant Google of violating anti-monopoly laws, echoing similar moves in the U.S. and Europe. Google Japan said in a statement that it found the action “regrettable.” It said it has invested in Japan significantly to promote innovation as a technology leader. The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s “cease and desist order” says Google must stop the preinstallation of the Google search engine in Android smartphones, which it said in effect shuts out competition. It’s unclear if Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., based in Mountain View in the Silicon Valley, will take legal action to fight the order. In the U.S., a judge ruled last year that Google’s ubiquitous search engine illegally exploited its dominance to squash competition. Google has denied the allegations, arguing that it’s immensely popular because people like what it offers. The appeals process is likely to take years. Japanese regulators began their investigation into Google in 2023. They said they consulted with overseas authorities dealing with similar cases. European regulators have also slammed what they see as Google’s monopolistic dominance. Tuesday’s move marks the first time the Japan Fair Trade Commission has taken such an action against a major global technology company. —Associated Press View the full article

If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, then you also have access to the Good Lock app from the Galaxy Store or the Play Store. This free app provides a host of extra ways to tweak and customize your handset, above and beyond what you get in One UI, and it covers everything from 3D wallpapers to advanced camera settings. There's a lot to explore in Good Lock, and you can pick and choose from its various modules (mini-apps) as needed. Samsung recently shared the three modules that have been most popular with users since Good Lock first launched back in April 2016, and they're good starting points for anyone new to the app or wanting to explore it further. When you open up Good Lock on your Galaxy phone, you'll see all the various modules listed under the Plugins tab—tap any of the filters at the top of the list to narrow down your search. When you've found something you want to use, tap the download button (the downward arrow) next to it on the right. Sound Assistant Tweaking the volume slider in Sound Assistant. Credit: Lifehacker Sound Assistant gives you access to a host of different tweaks for the sound settings on your device. For example, you can change how the volume slider looks, change how much the volume increases and decreases by every time you press either of the volume buttons, set specific volume levels for specific apps, and have alerts (for notifications and alarms) only sound through headphones rather than the phone speaker. Tap the top Customize volume panel option inside Sound Assistant to do just that. You're able to change the layout, lighting effects, and colors used in the panel as you see fit. If you then go back to the previous screen, you can drag across the Change step volume slider to set volume increments to anything from 1 to 10. The ability to set different volume levels for individual apps means that you can, say, keep your white noise app to a murmur while your podcast app is at full volume. Tap Individual app volumes to get started, then the + (plus) button to add an app. You then get a 0-100 percent slider for each of the apps you've selected. Theme Park Theme Park lets you play around with icon shapes and colors. Credit: Lifehacker The Theme Park module enables you to let loose when it comes to customizing the visual interface of your phone. You can edit the colors of your keyboard, the Quick Settings pane, and the volume panel, as well as change the shape and color of icons, and set up a gallery of wallpapers. You can switch between different theme options with a tap. Choose Create New and follow the instructions on screen to pick out an image to use for your phone wallpaper, which you can crop as needed. You then get suggestions for color schemes based on the wallpaper you've picked, which you can override. To save your new theme, tap the downward arrow (top right) and give it a name. The other tabs inside the module work in a similar way. It can take a little while to get a grip on everything in Theme Park, but most of it works intuitively, and if you invest some time and effort into your theme building, you can create something that looks quite different from the default One UI interface. One Hand Operation+ Setting up options in One Hand Operation+. Credit: Lifehacker The third module showcased by Samsung is One Hand Operation+. As the name suggest, this enables you to control more actions on your phone with a single thumb, whether you're right or left-handed, so it's easier to operate One UI and your apps if you only have one hand free. Once you've switched on the module, you get two "handles" at either side of the screen you can configure. You're able to assign different gestures to different actions via these handles. So a quick swipe in from the right, for example, will take you back to the home screen. You can have just one handle on either the left or the right, or use both of them. You can also change the size and touch sensitivity of the handles to make sure they work well for you, and there are additional settings to exempt specific apps from using the handles, and to disable the one-handed interface when certain conditions are met (such as you're watching a movie in landscape mode). Other modules You can tweak the lock screen clock and widgets with LockStar. Credit: Lifehacker Those are the three Good Lock modules that have proved popular with users down the years, but there are plenty of other ones to try. One I particularly like is LockStar, which gives you additional options for customizing how the lock screen looks: You can change the lock screen layout, switch between clock styles, and more. Home Up is also well worth a look. It lets you build a freeform home screen layout with the widgets and app icons of your choosing, and you can add stickers, tweak the gesture controls for navigating around, and even adjust animation speeds and smoothness. You also get more control over the share panel and the recent apps view in One UI. If you make a lot of use of the Camera app on your Galaxy phone, give Camera Assistant a look as well. The extra options it adds include zoom shortcuts, HDR handling, picture softening, switching between different camera lenses, and photo resolutions. View the full article

Recent wildfire updates include the Federal Housing Authority's waiving of quality-control reviews and the upheaval of the state's commercial real estate space. View the full article

Former President Joe Biden returns to the national stage Tuesday to elevate liberal concerns that President Donald The President’s agenda is threatening the health of Social Security. The 82-year-old Democrat has largely avoided speaking publicly since leaving the White House in January. That’s even as The President frequently blames Biden for many of the nation’s problems, often attacking his predecessor by name. Biden is expected to fight back in an early evening speech to the national conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled in Chicago. While Biden has made a handful of public appearances in recent weeks, Tuesday’s high-profile address focuses on a critical issue for tens of millions of Americans that could define next year’s midterm elections. “As bipartisan leaders have long agreed, Americans who retire after paying into Social Security their whole lives deserve the vital support and caring services they receive,” said Rachel Buck, executive director of the ACRD. “We are thrilled the president will be joining us to discuss how we can work together for a stable and successful future for Social Security.” The President almost immediately began slashing the government workforce upon his return to the White House, including thousands of employees at the Social Security Administration. Along with a planned layoff of 7,000 workers and controversial plans to impose tighter identity-proofing measures for recipients, the SSA has been sued over a decision to allow Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to access individuals’ Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information. Musk, the world’s richest man and one of The President’s most influential advisers, has called Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” At the same time, Social Security recipients have complained about long call wait times as the agency’s “my Social Security” benefits portal has seen an increase in outages. Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, including disabled seniors and low-income adults and children, also reported receiving a notice that said they were “not receiving benefits.” The agency said the notice was a mistake. And the White House has vowed that it would not cut Social Security benefits, saying any changes are intended to reduce waste and fraud. Biden will be joined in Chicago by a bipartisan group of former elected officials, including former Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley. “Social Security is a sacred promise between generations,” O’Malley said. “We are deeply grateful to the President for joining us at ACRD to discuss how we can keep that promise for all Americans.” Biden is not expected to make frequent public appearances as he transitions into his post-presidency. He still maintains an office in Washington, but has returned to Delaware as his regular home base. The President has revoked his security clearances. While Biden may be in position to help his party with fundraising and messaging, he left the White House with weak approval ratings. Biden also faces blame from some progressives who argue he shouldn’t have sought a second term. Biden ended his reelection bid after his disastrous debate performance against The President and made way for then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to The President in the fall. Just 39% of Americans had a favorable opinion of Biden in January, according to a Gallup poll taken shortly after The President’s inauguration. Views of the Democratic former president were essentially unchanged from a Gallup poll taken shortly after the November election. They broadly track with the steadily low favorability ratings that Biden experienced throughout the second half of his presidential term. Peoples reported from New York. Associated Press writer Linley Sanders contributed to this report. —Steve Peoples and Fatima Hussein, Associated Press View the full article

Key Takeaways Decentralization Empowers Creators: Web3 shifts control from centralized platforms to individual creators, allowing for direct engagement with audiences and enhanced profit margins through reduced reliance on intermediaries. Blockchain Technology Provides Transparency: Utilizing blockchain ensures secure transactions and protection of intellectual property, fostering trust and encouraging deeper audience engagement. Innovative Revenue Models with NFTs: Non-Fungible Tokens offer unique monetization opportunities for creators, allowing them to sell exclusive content and experiences, thus enhancing customer loyalty. Efficiency through Smart Contracts: Smart contracts automate transaction processes, improving cash flow management and freeing creators to focus on growth and marketing strategies. Networking and Collaboration: Engaging with the Web3 ecosystem opens doors for collaboration with fellow creators and potential investors, expanding growth opportunities in the creator economy. Adapting to Challenges: Awareness of technical barriers, regulatory concerns, and market volatility is crucial for navigating the Web3 landscape successfully while maintaining a sustainable business model. The digital landscape is evolving, and Web3 is at the forefront of this transformation. By shifting the power dynamics from centralized platforms to individual creators, Web3 is unlocking new possibilities for monetization and engagement. This decentralized approach allows you to take control of your content, connect directly with your audience, and build sustainable income streams. As the creator economy continues to grow, understanding how Web3 impacts your opportunities is crucial. You’ll discover how blockchain technology, NFTs, and decentralized applications are reshaping the way creators interact with their fans and monetize their work. Embracing these changes can empower you to thrive in a landscape where creativity and innovation reign supreme. Overview of Web3 Web3 signifies a radical shift in how you interact online, moving from centralized platforms to a decentralized web. This empowerment allows you to control your content and engage directly with your target audience. In this new paradigm, creators like you can establish sustainable income streams through innovative business models. Blockchain technology underpins Web3, offering transparency and security. It facilitates the use of digital currencies and smart contracts, making transactions more efficient. As you explore these options, you’ll discover how decentralized applications (dApps) can enhance your customer acquisition strategies. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) present unique opportunities for monetization. NFTs allow you to offer exclusive content or experiences to your audience, adding value while protecting your intellectual property. Leveraging NFTs can differentiate your branding and reinforce loyalty among your supporters. Engaging with the Web3 ecosystem encourages collaboration and networking. You can connect with fellow creators and potential investors, expanding your growth strategy. Understanding how to navigate this landscape can amplify your small business’s reach and impact, positioning you for long-term success in the creator economy. Key Features of Web3 Web3 presents distinct features that reshape how you engage with your audience and monetize your work. Understanding these elements can enhance your journey as a small business owner or entrepreneur. Decentralization Decentralization removes the reliance on central authorities, enabling you to manage your intellectual property directly. You can distribute your content without intermediaries, such as publishers or record labels. This shift keeps revenue from going to third parties, increasing your profit margin. By building a direct connection with your target audience, you cultivate a loyal customer base that values your unique offerings. Blockchain Technology Blockchain technology is integral to Web3, serving as a secure and transparent ledger for transactions. This technology allows you to issue tokens that represent ownership stakes in your creative work. As a small business, you retain a larger portion of your earnings while ensuring that your digital assets are protected. Blockchain builds trust with your audience by providing them with undeniable proof of ownership, encouraging deeper engagement and repeat purchases. Smart Contracts Smart contracts simplify transactions by automating agreement execution once predetermined conditions are met. You can utilize these contracts to streamline operations, minimize legal complications, and ensure prompt payment. Smart contracts enhance your cash flow management by eliminating delays associated with traditional payment methods. This efficiency allows you to focus more on product development, marketing, and scaling your business, further driving your growth strategy. The Creator Economy Explained The creator economy enables you to monetize your passion through digital content creation. It provides a platform for content creators, influencers, and artists to thrive, offering diverse opportunities within various activities like social media influencing, blogging, videography, and NFT sales. Definition and Importance The creator economy refers to the economic landscape where individuals earn income from their creative outputs and engage directly with their audiences. This economic shift has transformed how over 50 million independent creators operate, allowing them to cultivate communities and monetize content without traditional gatekeepers. You can manage your intellectual property, set your own pricing, and develop unique business models that cater to your target audience. This sector empowers entrepreneurship by democratizing access to content creation tools and distribution channels. Creators from various backgrounds can express their expertise and passions on a global scale, enhancing their branding and fostering loyal customer relationships. By understanding this economy’s dynamics, you find innovative ways to turn your business idea into a thriving venture. Growth Factors Several growth factors fuel the expansion of the creator economy. Key among them is the rise of Web3 technologies, which shift power from centralized platforms to individual creators. Decentralization grants you greater control over your content, revenue, and audience engagement. Blockchain technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing transparency and security. Utilizing smart contracts allows you to automate transactions, improving cash flow management and freeing you to focus on scaling your operations. NFTs offer unique monetization opportunities, enabling you to sell exclusive content, which improves customer engagement. Networking within the creator economy opens doors to collaborations and partnerships, providing access to resources like mentorship and funding options. By leveraging these growth factors, you position yourself for long-term success in a rapidly evolving business landscape. How Web3 is Transforming the Creator Economy Web3 significantly impacts the creator economy by enabling greater ownership, innovative revenue streams, and enhanced empowerment for creators. Ownership and Control Web3 delivers decentralized ownership, empowering you to retain control of your intellectual property. With blockchain technology, you manage your content directly, eliminating the need for intermediaries. By issuing tokens that represent ownership stakes in your work, you secure a larger share of your earnings. This shift ensures that you maintain authority over how your content is distributed and monetized. New Revenue Streams Web3 fosters new revenue opportunities through innovative business models. As an entrepreneur, you can utilize Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to offer exclusive content or experiences, attracting a dedicated audience. Crowdfunding through decentralized platforms allows you to access funding options directly from your community. Engaging with these new streams enhances your revenue potential while building a loyal customer base. Empowering Creators Web3 equips you with tools to communicate directly with your audience and promote your brand effectively. Decentralized applications (dApps) enable seamless interactions and transactions, enhancing customer acquisition strategies. Automating processes through smart contracts simplifies operations, giving you more time to focus on growth strategies and customer service. By integrating digital marketing techniques, you position yourself for success in the evolving creator economy. Challenges and Limitations Web3 presents opportunities for the creator economy, yet it also faces significant challenges that impact small businesses and entrepreneurs. Technical Barriers You encounter technical barriers when navigating Web3. Scalability issues arise as current blockchain technologies often struggle with increased demand. High transaction fees and slow processing times can hinder your ability to effectively monetize content and manage operations. User experience also poses a challenge. Complexities in blockchain and decentralized applications (dApps) may deter both you and your target audience from fully engaging with these platforms. Security concerns further complicate the landscape, as decentralized systems remain vulnerable to various threats. Regulatory Concerns Regulatory concerns play a crucial role in the adoption of Web3 for small businesses. You face the challenge of keeping abreast of evolving regulations surrounding blockchain technologies and digital currencies. The legal structure of your business may need adjustments to accommodate these shifts. Proper understanding of licensing, permits, and compliance requirements is essential. Engaging legal advice can help ensure your business aligns with regulations, protecting your interests as you venture into the Web3 space. Market Volatility Market volatility impacts your efforts to leverage Web3 platforms. Prices of digital assets can fluctuate dramatically, leading to uncertainty when planning your financial strategies. This volatility may complicate cash flow management, budgeting, and ultimately affect your profit margins. As a small business owner, you must incorporate risk assessment strategies into your growth plans. Monitoring market trends and developing a robust business model that includes potential contingencies will help protect your venture in this fast-paced environment. Conclusion Embracing Web3 can unlock new possibilities for your creative journey. The shift toward decentralization empowers you to take control of your content and revenue streams while fostering direct connections with your audience. As you navigate this evolving landscape, leveraging blockchain technology and innovative monetization strategies can enhance your brand and build loyalty among supporters. While challenges exist, such as technical barriers and market volatility, staying informed and adaptable will position you for success. By embracing the tools and opportunities that Web3 offers, you can thrive in the creator economy and pave the way for a sustainable future. It’s time to harness the power of Web3 and elevate your creative endeavors to new heights. Frequently Asked Questions What is Web3? Web3, or Web 3.0, refers to the next generation of the internet focused on decentralization, empowering individual creators, and utilizing blockchain technology. It aims to shift control from centralized platforms to users, enabling them to manage their own content and engage directly with their audiences. How does Web3 impact creators? Web3 significantly empowers creators by allowing them to have complete control over their intellectual property and earnings. With decentralized platforms, they can monetize their work through innovative models like NFTs and smart contracts, enhancing their ability to connect with fans while retaining more revenue. What are NFTs, and how do they relate to Web3? NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital assets that represent ownership of specific content on the blockchain. In the Web3 ecosystem, NFTs provide creators with new monetization opportunities by allowing them to sell exclusive content or collaborations directly to their audience. What are decentralized applications (dApps)? Decentralized applications, or dApps, are software applications that run on a blockchain network rather than being hosted on centralized servers. dApps enhance user privacy, security, and transparency, making them ideal for creators looking to manage transactions and operations without intermediaries. What challenges does Web3 pose for small businesses? Web3 presents challenges including scalability issues, high transaction fees, and complex user experiences. Small businesses must also navigate regulatory concerns and market volatility, which can affect financial planning and cash flow management in this evolving landscape. How can creators succeed in the Web3 ecosystem? Creators can succeed in Web3 by leveraging decentralized platforms, building strong communities, and adapting innovative revenue models like NFTs and smart contracts. Networking within the creator economy and continuously engaging with their audience are also crucial for long-term success. Why is the creator economy important? The creator economy empowers over 50 million independent creators to monetize their passions, cultivate their communities, and produce content without traditional gatekeepers. This shift allows for diverse income streams and reinforces the value creators bring to the digital landscape. Image Via Envato This article, "Empowering Creators: The Impact of Web3 on the Creator Economy" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Decentralization Empowers Creators: Web3 shifts control from centralized platforms to individual creators, allowing for direct engagement with audiences and enhanced profit margins through reduced reliance on intermediaries. Blockchain Technology Provides Transparency: Utilizing blockchain ensures secure transactions and protection of intellectual property, fostering trust and encouraging deeper audience engagement. Innovative Revenue Models with NFTs: Non-Fungible Tokens offer unique monetization opportunities for creators, allowing them to sell exclusive content and experiences, thus enhancing customer loyalty. Efficiency through Smart Contracts: Smart contracts automate transaction processes, improving cash flow management and freeing creators to focus on growth and marketing strategies. Networking and Collaboration: Engaging with the Web3 ecosystem opens doors for collaboration with fellow creators and potential investors, expanding growth opportunities in the creator economy. Adapting to Challenges: Awareness of technical barriers, regulatory concerns, and market volatility is crucial for navigating the Web3 landscape successfully while maintaining a sustainable business model. The digital landscape is evolving, and Web3 is at the forefront of this transformation. By shifting the power dynamics from centralized platforms to individual creators, Web3 is unlocking new possibilities for monetization and engagement. This decentralized approach allows you to take control of your content, connect directly with your audience, and build sustainable income streams. As the creator economy continues to grow, understanding how Web3 impacts your opportunities is crucial. You’ll discover how blockchain technology, NFTs, and decentralized applications are reshaping the way creators interact with their fans and monetize their work. Embracing these changes can empower you to thrive in a landscape where creativity and innovation reign supreme. Overview of Web3 Web3 signifies a radical shift in how you interact online, moving from centralized platforms to a decentralized web. This empowerment allows you to control your content and engage directly with your target audience. In this new paradigm, creators like you can establish sustainable income streams through innovative business models. Blockchain technology underpins Web3, offering transparency and security. It facilitates the use of digital currencies and smart contracts, making transactions more efficient. As you explore these options, you’ll discover how decentralized applications (dApps) can enhance your customer acquisition strategies. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) present unique opportunities for monetization. NFTs allow you to offer exclusive content or experiences to your audience, adding value while protecting your intellectual property. Leveraging NFTs can differentiate your branding and reinforce loyalty among your supporters. Engaging with the Web3 ecosystem encourages collaboration and networking. You can connect with fellow creators and potential investors, expanding your growth strategy. Understanding how to navigate this landscape can amplify your small business’s reach and impact, positioning you for long-term success in the creator economy. Key Features of Web3 Web3 presents distinct features that reshape how you engage with your audience and monetize your work. Understanding these elements can enhance your journey as a small business owner or entrepreneur. Decentralization Decentralization removes the reliance on central authorities, enabling you to manage your intellectual property directly. You can distribute your content without intermediaries, such as publishers or record labels. This shift keeps revenue from going to third parties, increasing your profit margin. By building a direct connection with your target audience, you cultivate a loyal customer base that values your unique offerings. Blockchain Technology Blockchain technology is integral to Web3, serving as a secure and transparent ledger for transactions. This technology allows you to issue tokens that represent ownership stakes in your creative work. As a small business, you retain a larger portion of your earnings while ensuring that your digital assets are protected. Blockchain builds trust with your audience by providing them with undeniable proof of ownership, encouraging deeper engagement and repeat purchases. Smart Contracts Smart contracts simplify transactions by automating agreement execution once predetermined conditions are met. You can utilize these contracts to streamline operations, minimize legal complications, and ensure prompt payment. Smart contracts enhance your cash flow management by eliminating delays associated with traditional payment methods. This efficiency allows you to focus more on product development, marketing, and scaling your business, further driving your growth strategy. The Creator Economy Explained The creator economy enables you to monetize your passion through digital content creation. It provides a platform for content creators, influencers, and artists to thrive, offering diverse opportunities within various activities like social media influencing, blogging, videography, and NFT sales. Definition and Importance The creator economy refers to the economic landscape where individuals earn income from their creative outputs and engage directly with their audiences. This economic shift has transformed how over 50 million independent creators operate, allowing them to cultivate communities and monetize content without traditional gatekeepers. You can manage your intellectual property, set your own pricing, and develop unique business models that cater to your target audience. This sector empowers entrepreneurship by democratizing access to content creation tools and distribution channels. Creators from various backgrounds can express their expertise and passions on a global scale, enhancing their branding and fostering loyal customer relationships. By understanding this economy’s dynamics, you find innovative ways to turn your business idea into a thriving venture. Growth Factors Several growth factors fuel the expansion of the creator economy. Key among them is the rise of Web3 technologies, which shift power from centralized platforms to individual creators. Decentralization grants you greater control over your content, revenue, and audience engagement. Blockchain technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing transparency and security. Utilizing smart contracts allows you to automate transactions, improving cash flow management and freeing you to focus on scaling your operations. NFTs offer unique monetization opportunities, enabling you to sell exclusive content, which improves customer engagement. Networking within the creator economy opens doors to collaborations and partnerships, providing access to resources like mentorship and funding options. By leveraging these growth factors, you position yourself for long-term success in a rapidly evolving business landscape. How Web3 is Transforming the Creator Economy Web3 significantly impacts the creator economy by enabling greater ownership, innovative revenue streams, and enhanced empowerment for creators. Ownership and Control Web3 delivers decentralized ownership, empowering you to retain control of your intellectual property. With blockchain technology, you manage your content directly, eliminating the need for intermediaries. By issuing tokens that represent ownership stakes in your work, you secure a larger share of your earnings. This shift ensures that you maintain authority over how your content is distributed and monetized. New Revenue Streams Web3 fosters new revenue opportunities through innovative business models. As an entrepreneur, you can utilize Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to offer exclusive content or experiences, attracting a dedicated audience. Crowdfunding through decentralized platforms allows you to access funding options directly from your community. Engaging with these new streams enhances your revenue potential while building a loyal customer base. Empowering Creators Web3 equips you with tools to communicate directly with your audience and promote your brand effectively. Decentralized applications (dApps) enable seamless interactions and transactions, enhancing customer acquisition strategies. Automating processes through smart contracts simplifies operations, giving you more time to focus on growth strategies and customer service. By integrating digital marketing techniques, you position yourself for success in the evolving creator economy. Challenges and Limitations Web3 presents opportunities for the creator economy, yet it also faces significant challenges that impact small businesses and entrepreneurs. Technical Barriers You encounter technical barriers when navigating Web3. Scalability issues arise as current blockchain technologies often struggle with increased demand. High transaction fees and slow processing times can hinder your ability to effectively monetize content and manage operations. User experience also poses a challenge. Complexities in blockchain and decentralized applications (dApps) may deter both you and your target audience from fully engaging with these platforms. Security concerns further complicate the landscape, as decentralized systems remain vulnerable to various threats. Regulatory Concerns Regulatory concerns play a crucial role in the adoption of Web3 for small businesses. You face the challenge of keeping abreast of evolving regulations surrounding blockchain technologies and digital currencies. The legal structure of your business may need adjustments to accommodate these shifts. Proper understanding of licensing, permits, and compliance requirements is essential. Engaging legal advice can help ensure your business aligns with regulations, protecting your interests as you venture into the Web3 space. Market Volatility Market volatility impacts your efforts to leverage Web3 platforms. Prices of digital assets can fluctuate dramatically, leading to uncertainty when planning your financial strategies. This volatility may complicate cash flow management, budgeting, and ultimately affect your profit margins. As a small business owner, you must incorporate risk assessment strategies into your growth plans. Monitoring market trends and developing a robust business model that includes potential contingencies will help protect your venture in this fast-paced environment. Conclusion Embracing Web3 can unlock new possibilities for your creative journey. The shift toward decentralization empowers you to take control of your content and revenue streams while fostering direct connections with your audience. As you navigate this evolving landscape, leveraging blockchain technology and innovative monetization strategies can enhance your brand and build loyalty among supporters. While challenges exist, such as technical barriers and market volatility, staying informed and adaptable will position you for success. By embracing the tools and opportunities that Web3 offers, you can thrive in the creator economy and pave the way for a sustainable future. It’s time to harness the power of Web3 and elevate your creative endeavors to new heights. Frequently Asked Questions What is Web3? Web3, or Web 3.0, refers to the next generation of the internet focused on decentralization, empowering individual creators, and utilizing blockchain technology. It aims to shift control from centralized platforms to users, enabling them to manage their own content and engage directly with their audiences. How does Web3 impact creators? Web3 significantly empowers creators by allowing them to have complete control over their intellectual property and earnings. With decentralized platforms, they can monetize their work through innovative models like NFTs and smart contracts, enhancing their ability to connect with fans while retaining more revenue. What are NFTs, and how do they relate to Web3? NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital assets that represent ownership of specific content on the blockchain. In the Web3 ecosystem, NFTs provide creators with new monetization opportunities by allowing them to sell exclusive content or collaborations directly to their audience. What are decentralized applications (dApps)? Decentralized applications, or dApps, are software applications that run on a blockchain network rather than being hosted on centralized servers. dApps enhance user privacy, security, and transparency, making them ideal for creators looking to manage transactions and operations without intermediaries. What challenges does Web3 pose for small businesses? Web3 presents challenges including scalability issues, high transaction fees, and complex user experiences. Small businesses must also navigate regulatory concerns and market volatility, which can affect financial planning and cash flow management in this evolving landscape. How can creators succeed in the Web3 ecosystem? Creators can succeed in Web3 by leveraging decentralized platforms, building strong communities, and adapting innovative revenue models like NFTs and smart contracts. Networking within the creator economy and continuously engaging with their audience are also crucial for long-term success. Why is the creator economy important? The creator economy empowers over 50 million independent creators to monetize their passions, cultivate their communities, and produce content without traditional gatekeepers. This shift allows for diverse income streams and reinforces the value creators bring to the digital landscape. Image Via Envato This article, "Empowering Creators: The Impact of Web3 on the Creator Economy" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Notifications on the Mac show up in the top-right corner as a rule. This is fine most of the time, but on large displays you might not notice what's happening in the top-right corner if you're reading a document on the left side of the screen. Wouldn't the notifications be better in the middle, the way they show up on the iPhone and iPad? PingPlace is a free Mac application that will move your notifications to other corners or even the top center of your screen. The application lives in the menu bar and lets you choose between the four corners of the display along with the top and bottom middle. Setting the application up is easy: Just download it, drag it to your Applications folder, then launch. You will be asked to enable accessibility permissions for the application, which is common for this sort of customization app. After that, you can choose where you want your notifications to show up by clicking the menu bar icon. Credit: Justin Pot This worked for me, though not without a few oddities. When I set notifications to the center, for example, the widget area also moved to the center. Some people might actually prefer this, granted, but I like having my widgets area on the right side of the screen. The application, by default, does not start when your Mac does—you can change this by checking the "Launch at Login" button in the settings. And that's about it in terms of options. This isn't the only application that makes working with notifications easier—there's also an app that dismisses notifications using a keyboard shortcut. Hopefully a future version of macOS will make apps like this unnecessary. View the full article

The Seattle-based company, which had made home loans for more than a century, announced it was quitting the mortgage business in January. It booked nearly 400 small business loans in the first quarter and expects that total to grow as its team gains traction. View the full article

Despite a court order, a reporter and photographer from the Associated Press were barred from an Oval Office news conference on Monday with President Donald The President and his counterpart from El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. Last week’s federal court decision forbidding the The President administration from punishing the AP for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico was to take effect Monday. The administration is appealing the decision and arguing with the news outlet over whether it needs to change anything until those appeals are exhausted. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit set a Thursday hearing on The President’s request that any changes be delayed while case is reviewed. The AP is fighting for more access as soon as possible. Later Monday, two AP photographers were admitted to an event honoring Ohio State’s championship football team on the more spacious South Lawn. A text reporter was turned away. Since mid-February, AP reporters and photographers have been blocked from attending events in the Oval Office, where President Donald The President frequently addresses journalists, and on Air Force One. The AP has seen sporadic access elsewhere, and regularly covers White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s briefings. Leavitt is one of three administration officials named in the AP’s lawsuit. The dispute stems from AP’s decision not to follow the president’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico, although AP style does cite The President’s wish that it be called the Gulf of America. The AP argued—and U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden agreed last week—that the government cannot punish the news organization for exercising its right to free speech. McFadden on Friday had rejected The President’s request for more delay in implementing the ruling; now the president is asking an appeals court for the same thing. “We expect the White House to restore AP’s participation in the (White House press) pool as of today, as provided in the injunction order,” AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton said Monday. The extent of AP’s future access remains uncertain, even with the court decision. Until being blocked by The President, AP has traditionally always had a reporter and photographer among the small group of journalists invited into the Oval Office. McFadden did not order that to be restored, only that no news organization should be shut out because the president objects to its news decisions—under a principle called “viewpoint discrimination.” “No other news organization in the United States receives the level of guaranteed access previously bestowed upon the AP,” the administration argued in court papers over the weekend. “The AP may have grown accustomed to its favored status, but the Constitution does not require that such status endure in perpetuity.” David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social —David Bauder, AP Media Writer View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is currently going for $219.99 on Amazon—down from its original $299—and it walks the line pretty well for a midrange fitness smartwatch. Garmin Vivoactive 5 $219.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $299.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $219.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $299.99 Save $80.00 You get a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display, all-day comfort, and solid health features that feel useful instead of gimmicky. It’s the fifth generation of the Vivoactive line, and this time around, Garmin has added nap tracking, a better “Body Battery” score that shows how drained or rested you are, and even a wheelchair mode for more inclusive activity tracking. You still get standard metrics like heart rate, SpO2, and sleep monitoring, and the watch runs great whether you're out walking, lifting weights, or just trying to hit your step goal. (In a head-to-head comparison with the Pixel 3, our own health editor Beth Skwarecki named the Vivoactive 5 the better fitness watch.) Now, there are some trade-offs. Garmin dropped the stainless steel bezel from the Vivoactive 4, so this one has a lighter, more casual aluminum build. They also cut the barometric altimeter and on-screen workout animations, which might be a letdown for folks who rely on elevation data or follow exercises directly from their watch. That said, it still tracks over 30 workouts, offers guided meditations, and provides detailed recovery insights. The touchscreen is crisp and colorful, with a raise-to-wake option that works well enough. Gorilla Glass 3 adds some protection, and it’s got 5ATM water resistance—meaning pool swims are fine, just don’t take it scuba diving. The smartwatch features of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 are solid, too. It handles notifications from both Android and iPhone, though only Android users can reply from the watch. You can also use Garmin Pay, stream music from Spotify, and share your live location from the watch. As for battery life, Garmin claims 11 days, but real-world usage with a couple of GPS workouts each week puts it closer to eight, notes this PCMag review—still way better than most full-screen smartwatches. If you're considering alternatives, Garmin’s Venu Sq 2 delivers a similar blend of features and health tracking tools, and it’s currently priced lower at $177 (marked down from $249.99). View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Last week, Zillow announced a new policy that bans home listings from appearing on the platform if they were first listed for sale in private networks more than 24 hours before appearing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). That’s an attempt by Zillow to keep more inventory on the “public” housing market. “If a listing is online, it should be online everywhere. . . . If a listing is marketed to any home shoppers, it should be marketed to all home shoppers,” wrote Zillow. The announcement comes as some brokerages, most infamously Compass, are pushing for more “private exclusives”—a strategy that allows sellers to market their properties privately within the brokerage’s network before or instead of listing them on public platforms like the MLS. Over the past year, Compass has seen its inventory of “private exclusives” climb from just over 2,000 to nearly 10,000 active “off-market” homes for sale. Zillow seemingly fears that the private listing market could soon gain momentum, so it’s using its massive influence—and the fact that it’s the go-to source for so many high-intent buyers—to try and throw cold water on private listings before they absorb too large of a market share. On Saturday evening, CoStar CEO Andy Florance took a shot at the announcement, writing on LinkedIn that Zillow’s policy hurts home sellers. “This week Zillow Executive Errol Samuelson announced that homes not listed on the MLS within 24 hours of public marketing—won’t be published on Zillow ‘for the life of the listing.’ Simply put, if your listing is not on Zillow within 24 hours, Zillow will retaliate against you and your homeowner by turning off your ability to list on Zillow. It is an incredible move of audacity and a pure power play of epic proportion,” wrote Florance. CoStar, which owns Homes.com, is in the midst of a feisty battle that has been called the “portal wars” with Zillow and Realtor.com. According to RISMedia, there is one loophole to Zillow’s ban: if the home seller fires their agent. “A seller who parts ways with their agent after using a private listing service and subsequently re-lists with a new agent or broker would be eligible again to have their property on Zillow,” a Zillow spokesperson told RISMedia last week. View the full article

China has ordered its airlines not to take any further deliveries of Boeing jets in response to the U.S. decision to impose 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of Boeing—which looks at China as one of its biggest growth markets and where rival Airbus holds a dominant position—were down 3% in premarket trading. Beijing has also asked that Chinese carriers halt purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from U.S. companies, the Bloomberg report said. China’s move to halt purchases of aircraft-related components is expected to raise maintenance costs for the jets flying in the country. The U.S. and China have been embroiled in a tariff war triggered by U.S. President Donald The President’s trade policies. China last week hiked levies on U.S. imports to 125% in retaliation against U.S. tariffs. The Chinese government is considering ways to provide assistance to airlines that lease Boeing jets and are facing higher costs, Bloomberg News reported. Boeing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. A 125% duty would significantly raise the cost of Boeing jets bound for Chinese carriers, making them a financial burden and potentially prompting airlines to consider alternatives like Airbus and domestic player COMAC. China’s top three airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—have plans to take delivery of 45, 53 and 81 Boeing planes, respectively, between 2025–2027. The escalating tit-for-tat tariffs between the world’s two biggest economies risk bringing goods trade between the world’s two largest economies to a standstill, according to analysts. That trade was valued at over $650 billion in 2024. The President, who said on Friday that he was comfortable with the tariffs on China, also suggested that a deal with Beijing could be on the horizon, but no agreement has been reached yet. —Shivansh Tiwary and Harshita Meenaktshi, Reuters View the full article

One of the best performing stocks on the market yesterday was Webull Corporation (Nasdaq: BULL), which saw its shares surge nearly 375% in a single trading session to end the day at $62.90. The stock price surge in BULL occurred on its second trading day after the stock-trading platform merged with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to go public. But in premarket trading today, BULL shares are down a significant amount—about 15% as of the time of this writing. Here’s what to know about the stock and what could be next for Webull shares. What is Webull? Webull Corporation is the owner of the Webull trading platform. The online platform allows users to buy and sell stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other financial assets. As CNBC notes, Webull was founded in 2016 by Wang Anquan, a former manager at Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Xiaomi. Its U.S. operations were established a year later, and those are headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. But while the U.S. trading platform launched in May 2018, the company didn’t really start to gain traction until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. During that period, many Americans turned to digital trading platforms to buy and sell stocks. Users can do so via the Webull app and website. In the company’s prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Webull Corporation said that its Webull app has been downloaded more than 50 million times and that it has 23.3 million registered users globally. It describes its customers as “generally working professionals in their 30’s with some prior experience in investing.” Webull’s primary competitors are other online trading platforms like Robinhood, E-trade, and Charles Schwab. What is a SPAC? Webull didn’t go public via a standard initial public offering (IPO). Instead, the company used a vehicle known as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, to go public. Where a traditional IPO sees shares in a company sold directly to the public, companies that go public via the SPAC model merge with an already publicly traded company—the SPAC—and thus become a publicly traded company themselves via the merger. SPACs were all the rage during the pandemic years, with major companies using them to go public, including transportation and food delivery company Grab and office space company WeWork. However, SPACs started to fall from favor as the pandemic years progressed, with some on Wall Street considering the vehicles a joke. To go public, Webull Corporation merged with a SPAC called SK Growth Opportunities Corp. last week. Webull shares surged yesterday, but are falling today Kicking off its first full week of trading yesterday, BULL shares surged on the Nasdaq. The company’s stock price jumped $49.65 per share—an increase of 374.72%. That share price surge saw Webull’s market cap climb to over $29 billion. However, today, BULL shares are down significantly. The company’s stock price is currently trading about 15% lower in premarket as of the time of this writing. What’s the reason for the steep fall? Nothing concrete, but it’s not uncommon for a stock that surged one day—especially a newly public stock—to see a bit of a pullback the next day. After surging nearly 375% yesterday, some investors may be deciding to sell some shares today to help lock in those gains. But it also should be noted that history hasn’t been kind to many companies that have gone public via SPACs. SPAC minefield? Several notable companies that went public via SPAC mergers during the COVID-era boom have now gone bust. These include companies ranging from genomics firm 23andMe, EV car maker Nikola, and restaurant chain BurgerFi—all of which have filed for bankruptcy. On a general level—and not specific to any one company—SPACs tend to harbor more inherent risk, according to a 2024 report from the Michigan Journal of Economics. The report noted that SPACs, in general, may afford companies “latitude in projections and reporting” when compared to the more scrutinized IPO route. This latitude is one of the reasons SPACs have fallen out of favor in recent years, as investors have tended to shift away from riskier endeavors. As noted by CNBC, in the SPAC heyday of 2021, 613 companies went public via SPACs, but so far in 2025, just 23 have. Where does Webull go from here? Where Webull Corporation and its stock go from here is anyone’s guess. It’s impossible to foresee the future of any individual company. Today’s drop-off may not necessarily be a cause for concern considering how much the stock soared yesterday. In its prospectus, Webull noted that while its revenues were $389 million in 2022 and $390 million in 2023, they were only $305.6 million in 2023 and $282.5 million for the nine months in 2024. The company also noted that while it had a net income of $50.1 million in 2022 and $5.8 million in 2023, it had a net loss of $33.8 million for the first nine months of 2024 (compared to a net income of $19.4 million for the first nine months of 2023). However, Webull also believes that it is positioned to take advantage of generational opportunities that are arising in the United States. Global trading volume of the world’s top 30 stock exchanges has more than doubled since 2012, it points out. But that doubling has historically benefited institutional investors the most. Yet that may soon change. Webull notes that now “retail investors, especially millennial and Gen-Z investors, represent a growing segment of the market and are set to benefit from income growth and generational wealth transfer in the coming years.” The phenomenon that Webull is referring here to goes by the moniker the Great Wealth Transfer—a transfer of wealth from the baby boom generation to their offspring as boomers pass away. “Americans in the ‘baby boomer’ generation are expected to pass tens of trillion of dollars to their children over the next several decades,” Webull notes in its prospectus. That wealth isn’t expected to sit ideal, either. It is likely that many of its recipients will reinvest that wealth—something that could create a lot of business for a company like Webull. View the full article

Top negotiators met in Washington on Monday to discuss how to remove so-called reciprocal tariffsView the full article

Banks have gained from surge in volumes amid market gyrationsView the full article

Your kitchen should have the right tools. Welcome to A Guide to Gearing Up Your Kitchen, a series where I help you outfit the space with all the small appliances you need (and ditch the ones you don’t). The air fryer has blessed us all with quick convection heating at affordable prices, and the unparalleled reheating of leftover fried food. What more could a girl ask for? Compared to a microwave or stand mixer, it’s an appliance I haven’t lived with for very long, but I can’t imagine living without it now. Whether it’s your first time using an air fryer or your 500th, you’ll love these fool-proof dishes. Here are some of my favorite air fryer recipes to date. Charred pork belly bites Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann All you need is a small to medium cut of pork belly and a handful of ingredients to make these crisp, buttery-rich meat morsels. The high heat and strong convection winds create a subtle blistering effect on the surface of these pork belly bites, making them even more irresistible. The trick is a crisping assist from a small dose of cornstarch added to the seasoning marinade. Check out the recipe for pork belly bites here. Easy mushroom chips Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Air fryers bring speed, ease, and efficiency to our kitchens and there is no recipe that honors this cooking appliance more than these mushroom chips. It's a two-ingredient recipe that requires hardly any preparation and you are rewarded with a savory, crunchy snack. These mushroom chips can be eaten on their own or as a crunchy topping for soups, salads, or casseroles. They're also naturally gluten-free and vegan. Effortless veg Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I'd give you separate instructions for every freakishly delicious vegetable that's every come out of my air fryer, but then you'd be reading forever. Luckily, the air frying method is similar regardless of the plant, and all you need to do is check on the cooking progress to make sure your side dish doesn't overcook. The method usually looks like this: Rub the vegetable with a light layer of oil and a three-finger-pinch of salt. Chuck them in a 375°F to 400°F air fryer for five to 20 minutes. Read here for the specifics on popular veggies like squash, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Cheese in a blanket Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Pigs aren't the only thing that deserved to be wrapped in a cozy carb comforter. For a vegetarian option, or just because cheese is great, use salty, stretchy, fry cheese as the center of your snack. Many higher protein cheeses have the helpful quality of being melt resistant. They soften but they never liquify. Get the full recipe here. Air-fried meatloaf Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Maybe it's just me, but I rarely see or hear much about meatloaf these days. The vintage recipe of seasoning ground meat and shaping it into a sliceable log fell out of fashion years ago. Maybe because it takes too long to cook in the conventional oven—or maybe because logged meat isn't so sophisticated? Well that's fine, it fits right in with these air fryer recipes. In just 15 minutes you can have a fully cooked meatloaf for four. Try this simple recipe and welcome meatloaf back to your dinner rotation. Air-fried pierogies Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann There are few things more satisfying than a soft pasta pocket full of potatoes, meat, or vegetables. But a crispy-shelled pasta pocket might be just the thing. These air-fried pierogies are easy, thanks to the frozen food section in the grocery store, but make sure you follow my tips here so you end up with a light and shattering shell. Meatball shots Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Prepackaged supermarket meatballs make quick and easy work of these cheese-filled meat bites. I enjoy them particularly as a Super Bowl snack, but let's be honest: Sometimes there are no sports on but a savory craving hits nonetheless. These are the three-ingredient snack for you. Simply hollow out the center of a meatball and fill it before crisping up the edges in your air fryer. Read here for the full recipe. Stuffed mushrooms Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Stuffed mushrooms are easily in my top three favorite snacks. They're satisfying, bursting with umami and extremely quick to make in the air fryer. My recipe uses sausage, spices, and a bit of cream cheese to bind it all together but you can easily replace the meat with a different filling of your choice. Once they're in the air fryer, they only take about 10 minutes to cook—a fraction of the time they would take in the conventional oven. Scotch eggs Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Scotch eggs are like breakfast baseballs. A hard-boiled egg is encased in a thick shell of sausage, breaded, and deep fried. This air fryer recipe breaks with tradition, but only just. Instead of using a deep fryer to cook the protein ball, a light spritz of oil and the wild winds of the air fryer take care of the cooking. The outside crisps up while the sausage remains juicy and the egg doesn’t overcook. Try the recipe as soon as possible. Juicy air fryer steak bitesOne of my favorite snacks when I’m eating a high-protein diet (and when I can afford it) is a bowl of steak bites. The air fryer makes quick work of these “popcorn” steak nibbles but beware, the average recipe will have you overcooking them in minutes. Follow my recipe instead and use the freezer to keep your expensive snack juicy and flavorful. Credit: from my point of view / Shutterstock.com Potato-crusted chicken fingersWhen you’re after a crisp crust on your chicken fingers, starch is your best friend. It turns out, dried potato flakes are loaded with the stuff. They’re easy to work with, and can even make for a delicious gluten-free “breading.” All you need are a few ingredients to make this recipe, and you’ll have an irresistible batch of potato-crusted chicken fingers of your own. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Bacon-wrapped banana bitesI always suggest this recipe to folks open to giving new combinations a chance. If you’re OK with salty peanut butter on a slice of banana, you’re probably just one flavor adventure away from enjoying these bacon-wrapped banana bites. The recipe couldn’t be easier and the payoff is sensational. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Stuffed shishito pepper poppersThe air fryer makes perfectly blistered roasted veggies in a fraction of the time the conventional oven takes, and that means you can have these shishito pepper poppers ready in less than 10 minutes. Since you can eat the seeds and ribs in a shishito, there’s not much more preparation you have to do than split them and swipe a bit of cheese mixture inside. Credit: Claire Lower, Ian Moore Frico gratin potato squaresFrico is when low-moisture cheeses cook to a literal crisp, and it’s one of the most divine cheese experiences you can have. Eat frico as a snack, or cover your leftover gratin potatoes in Parmesan frico with this simple recipe. It’s an easy way to transform leftovers, and give them a new texture and a second life (that might actually be better than the first one). Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Mac and cheese bitesRemember how I said cooked cheese becomes crispy? Well, leftover mac and cheese did all the frico-prep for you. All you have to do is slice it up and stick it in the air fryer. Make bite-sized squares or long mac and cheese sticks for an easy afternoon snack. A quick blast in the convection oven will frico the edges to crunchy cheese glory. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann A simple banana dessertPart of what draws me to cooking in the air fryer is that it invites simplicity. You can’t stick a spatula in there while it’s cooking and stir things around, there’s no adding a splash of this or that halfway through, or covering it with a lid to simmer. It’s an appliance where the heat talks, and whatever you put inside either flourishes in the hot winds, or fails. A banana absolutely thrives. You know bacon-wrapped bananas do well in the air fryer, but don’t forget about dessert. This recipe tells you the best way to air fry a skin-on banana with just a few sweet toppings. Credit: Claire Lower View the full article