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You can do a lot with Android Auto, but what you can't do is install a web browser—at least not with the default, out-of-the-box configuration. It is actually possible to get a window on to the web with a little bit of tweaking, and the help of the open source AA Browser built especially for Android Auto. Getting a web browser up on your car dashboard may not seem like much of an improvement over browsing on your phone screen, but it also enables another feature on your vehicle's display: video playback. Through AA Browser you can get at pretty much any streaming site you want and load up some video. Some serious safety warnings are required here, though. You should only load up videos on your car's Android Auto screen when you're parked, stationary, and not going anywhere. Watching anything on the move—whether it's on your phone or on your vehicle dashboard—not only risks your life, it risks the lives of everyone else on the road with you. In fact, AA Browser will disable itself while your vehicle is moving, but it's worth giving out the warning in any case, for this and any other app. With that out of the way, here's how you can load up a web browser on Android Auto, and make your parked-up time inside your car more entertaining. Browser setup and installationLike Android as a whole, Android Auto has a developer mode that gives you access to a selection of extra settings. From Settings on Android, tap Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto (Pixels) or just Connected devices > Android Auto (Galaxy phones). Scroll down to the bottom of the screen, tap Version, then tap Version and permission info seven times. You should then see a pop-up asking you if you're sure you want to enable developer settings for Android Auto, so tap OK to confirm. You then need to open up the AAAD (Android Auto Apps Downloader) app APK in your phone's browser, tapping through the security warnings about running non-Play Store apps on your device if they show up. AAAD will give you access to the AA Browser. Credit: Lifehacker AAAD gives you access to a selection of Android Auto apps that haven't been specifically approved by Google, including AA Browser. Tap through the various introduction screens, give the app the permissions that it needs to install other apps, and then find AA Browser in the list of available apps. Tap Install and then tap through the confirmation pop-ups to get the app on your phone. You'll be asked if you want to open AA Browser straight away: You can use it as a normal web browser on your phone, though there's not really much to look at. It's designed to be used primarily on your Android Auto screen, and it should now show up as an available app when your phone is connected to your vehicle. Using AA Browser in your carProvided you're safely stopped in your vehicle, you can launch AA Browser from the main apps list on the Android Auto interface (you may also get a prompt to launch it the first time you connect, after installing the app). You get taken to the Google Search homepage to begin with, and from there you can go anywhere you like. As with any other Android Auto app, if you tap inside an input field, you'll see a keyboard pop up on screen that you can use to enter web addresses and login credentials, and you can use the touchscreen to navigate around. To get to the URL address bar, tap anywhere on screen, then tap the blue arrow in the lower left corner. Entering and editing URLs in AA Browser. Credit: Lifehacker The next screen also gives you options for going back through your browser history and accessing your bookmarks—a handy way of making sure you can jump back to the sites you need without having to tap our their URLs every time. There's also the option to request the desktop versions of sites rather than the mobile versions. While certain sites don't seem to like the AA Browser, most of the pages I've visited work fine on Android Auto. To quit the browser, you can either tap the Exit button in the top right corner (if it's visible), or swipe up or down from the top or bottom edges of the Android Auto screen to go back to your other apps. View the full article

Delivery company Instacart will pay $60 million in customer refunds under a settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission over alleged deceptive practices. The FTC said Thursday that Instacart has been falsely advertising free deliveries. The San Francisco-based company isn’t clearly disclosing service fees, which add as much as 15% to an order and must be paid for customers to receive their groceries, the FTC said. Instacart has also failed to clearly disclose that customers who enroll in a free trial for its Instacart+ program will be charged membership fees at the end of the trial. The FTC said hundreds of thousands of customers have been charged but have received no benefits from memberships or refunds. Instacart+ offers members free deliveries on most orders for $99 per year. The FTC said Instacart also advertises a “100% satisfaction guarantee,” but customers who experience late deliveries or unprofessional service are typically only offered a small credit that can be used toward a future order and not a refund. “The FTC is focused on monitoring online delivery services to ensure that competitors are transparently competing on price and delivery terms,” said Christopher Mufarrige, the director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Instacart denied the FTC’s allegations of wrongdoing Thursday but said it reached a settlement in order to move forward and focus on its business. “Instacart is proud to offer a transparent, affordable and consumer-friendly service. We provide straightforward marketing, transparent pricing and fees, clear terms, easy cancellation and generous refund policies – all in full compliance with the law and exceeding industry norms,” the company said in a statement. Instacart shares fell nearly 2% in after-hours trading Thursday. The settlement comes as Instacart is facing separate questions about its pricing practices. Earlier this month, a report by Consumer Reports and two progressive advocacy groups — Groundwork Collaborative and More Perfect Union — found that Instacart charged different prices for the same grocery items even though online shoppers were filling their Instacart baskets at the same time and at the same stores. The report suggested that Instacart may be using artificial intelligence tools to drive up costs for consumers. The FTC said Thursday that it wouldn’t comment on whether it will open a separate investigation into Instacart’s pricing policies, following longstanding policy. “But, like so many Americans, we are disturbed by what we have read in the press about Instacart’s alleged pricing policies,” FTC spokesperson Joe Simonson said in a statement. Instacart said Thursday that the FTC requested information on its pricing tools and the pricing practice of the retailers it works with as part of the investigation that led to the settlement. It noted that the settlement didn’t contain any allegations about its pricing practices. In its own blog post Thursday, Instacart stressed that it isn’t a retailer and doesn’t control base prices listed on its website. It said retailers often test prices in order to see how sensitive consumers are when prices go up or down, and that’s what was happening in Consumer Reports’ case. Instacart also said the company and its retailers don’t use information about shoppers’ income, zip code or shopping history to set prices. Instacart said it encourages retailers to charge the same amount on its website as they charge for in-store shoppers. Some retailers, including Lowe’s, Ulta Beauty and Best Buy, already do that, Instacart said, but many others don’t. This story clarifies an earlier version, which suggested the FTC opened a new investigation to examine Instacart’s pricing practices. They were examined as part of the current investigation. —Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Business Writer View the full article

Before food influencers were deep-frying Chipotle burritos, putting an entire serving of mac and cheese on their Chick-fil-A sandwich, and making McDonald’s hash browns into ice cream sandwiches, there was another food-hack-slash-Frankenfood that ruled the internet: the quesarito. This week, Taco Bell brought it back to its official menu. The quesarito is exactly what its name implies: a fully loaded burrito that, instead of being wrapped in a regular tortilla, has been lovingly sealed inside a giant quesadilla. It’s the epitome of fast-food gluttony, and as of December 18, it’s back in Taco Bell stores for a limited time for $6.70 (and a relatively modest 570 calories). The quesarito feels like the glaringly modern invention of view-farming TikTok food scientists, but it’s actually been around for more than a decade—and before it ever hit Taco Bell’s official menu, it started as a humble secret menu item at Chipotle. In honor of the quesarito’s fleeting return, here’s a look back at the history of one of the weirdest—and most forward-thinking—fast-food creations to ever grace our palates. The hunt for a quesarito It was December 2013, and Fast Company editor Mark Wilson was going to get his hands on a quesarito, come hell or high water. That year, the concept of a “secret menu” was already popular at joints like In-N-Out and Starbucks, but company executives weren’t exactly embracing the idea. There was a bit of a “wink-wink” culture surrounding these off-menu creations, led by intrepid fast-food lovers: the internet could create a name for them, determined customers could order them, but CEOs would steadfastly deny their existence. That was the case with the quesarito, which, according to its dedicated Wiki page, is a concept that dates back to as early as 2011. While the very first coining of the term “quesarito” is unclear, we do know that it started as a menu hack at Chipotle. In one viral Reddit thread from 2012, a former Chipotle employee left a comment about the quesarito in which it was described as a full-blown Chipotle burrito wrapped inside a quesadilla, or, as Wilson put it in a feature story at the time, “a 1,540-calorie fallen angel.” But when Wilson tried to order the quesarito at a Chipotle, he was swiftly denied—and when he talked to Chipotle’s then-communications director, Chris Arnold, about the experience, Arnold denied the existence of a secret menu at all. Taco Bell eats Chipotle’s lunch Chipotle never did acknowledge the quesarito as a true part of its menu. But where it faltered, Taco Bell picked up the slack. After some initial testing in 2013, the beloved fast-food chain introduced the quesarito as an official menu item in 2014, complete with seasoned beef, rice, Chipotle sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, all wrapped up in a grilled quesadilla loaded with melted cheeses and nacho cheese sauce. The item immediately received press after Taco Bell’s ad campaign to launch it accidentally interrupted the live draft of basketball star Nikola Jokić; but it soon became iconic in its own right. Taco Bell didn’t respond to Fast Company’s request for specific sales data, but, according to a press release, the quesarito was “an instant sensation.” Despite its popularity, the quesarito was slowly phased out of the limelight and onto Taco Bell’s back burners, becoming an app exclusive in 2020 and getting cut from the menu entirely in 2023. Per Taco Bell’s recent press release, “After it left the menu, the demand only intensified, sparking tributes, fan petitions and countless pleas for its return.” A quick search for “quesarito” on TikTok confirms that the glorified cheese bomb has a genuine fanbase. “Taco Bell brought back my favorite item of all time!” popular FoodToker Steph Pappas says in a new video on the rerelease. “I have been doing food videos for a long, long time, and this was always my go-to.” A fast-food harbinger of micro-trends to come The quesarito feels exactly like the kind of item that’s primed to go viral on today’s TikTok algorithm. That might be because, compared to 2013, the “secret menu” is a lot less secret these days. Internet menu hack culture got a major boost from the micro-trend economy on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels—meaning that, every few days, a new popular food combination picks up steam and starts to feel unavoidable. Brands are picking up on this, too: Starbucks launched an official secret menu this summer; followed by Taco Bell, which debuted a feature called “Fan Style” that let users build their own menu items; and, most recently, Chipotle, which just unveiled an Ozempic-optimized, protein-packed menu inspired by TikTok hacks. Before all of this brand maneuvering, there was a humble, elusive creation that captured the cultural zeitgeist’s attention. Welcome back, quesarito—you were always ahead of your time. View the full article

A 911 call about a man resembling “the CEO shooter.” Body-camera footage of police arresting Luigi Mangione and pulling items from his backpack, including a gun that prosecutors say matches the one used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and a notebook they have described as a “manifesto.” Notes about a “survival kit” and “intel checkin,” and testimony about alleged statements behind bars. A three-week pretrial hearing on Mangione’s fight to exclude evidence from his New York murder case ended Thursday after revealing new details about his December 2024 arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, steps prosecutors say he took to elude authorities for five days, and what he may have revealed about himself after he was taken into custody. Mangione watched from the defense table as Manhattan prosecutors called 17 witnesses, many of them police officers and other personnel involved in his arrest. Mangione’s lawyers called none. Judge Gregory Carro said he won’t rule until May 18, “but that could change.” Mangione, 27, an Ivy League graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. The pretrial hearing was in the state case, but his lawyers are trying to exclude evidence from both. Neither trial has been scheduled. Here are some of the things we learned from the hearing: Body cameras give a close-up look at Mangione’s arrest The public got an extensive, even exhaustive view of how police in Altoona, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) west of Manhattan, conducted Mangione’s arrest and searched his backpack after he was spotted eating breakfast at McDonald’s. While there were quirky moments and asides — about holiday music, a hoagie and more — the point of the hearing was to help the judge assess whether Mangione voluntarily spoke to police and whether the officers were justified in searching his property before getting a warrant. For the first time, body-worn camera video of Mangione’s arrest was played in court and some excerpts were made public. Taken from multiple officers’ cameras, the footage put ears and eyes on critical interactions that played out against the incongruously cheerful sound of “Jingle Bell Rock” and other Christmas tunes on the restaurant’s sound system. Officers on the witness stand were quizzed about what they said and did as Mangione went from noshing on a hash brown to being led away in handcuffs, as well as what they perceived, where they were standing and how they handled evidence after bringing him to a police station. Mangione’s lawyers argue that neither the results of the search nor statements he made to police should be mentioned at his trial. Prosecutors disagree. Carro didn’t hint at his conclusion. He invited both sides to submit written arguments and said he planned to study the body-camera video before issuing a decision. Differing views of Mangione’s statements and bag search Mangione’s lawyers noted that one officer said “we’ll probably need a search warrant” for the backpack, but his colleagues had already rifled through it and later searched the bag again before getting a warrant. Prosecutors emphasized an Altoona police policy, which they said is rooted in Pennsylvania law, that calls for searching the property of anyone who is being arrested. The two sides also amplified some contrasting signals, in officers’ words and actions, about their level of concern about whether the backpack contained something dangerous that could justify a warrantless search. The officer searching the bag, Christy Wasser, testified that she was checking for a bomb. But Mangione’s lawyers pointed out that police didn’t clear the restaurant of customers — some even walked to a bathroom a few feet away — and that Wasser stopped her initial search almost immediately after finding a loaded gun magazine wrapped in a pair of underwear. The find appeared to confirm officers’ suspicions that Mangione was the man wanted for Thompson’s killing. “It’s him, dude. It’s him, 100%,” Officer Stephen Fox said on video, punctuating the remark with expletives as Wasser held up the magazine. What happened before Mangione was read his rights Mangione’s statements to police prior to his arrest matter mainly because, as shown on body-worn camera video, he initially gave officers a fake name, Mark Rosario. He eventually acknowledged the ruse and gave his real name after police checked his phony New Jersey driver’s license against a computer database. The fake name promptly gave Altoona police a reason to arrest him and hold him for New York City police. “If he had provided us with his actual name, he would not have committed a crime,” Fox testified. An NYPD lieutenant testified that the Rosario name matched one the suspected shooter used to purchase a bus ticket to New York and gave at a Manhattan hostel. Mangione told police early on he didn’t want to talk, but officers engaged him for almost 20 minutes before getting him to admit to lying about his name. After that, a supervisor urged Fox to inform Mangione of his right to remain silent. An important factor in whether suspects have to be read those rights — known as a Miranda warning — is whether they are in police custody. Prosecutors elicited testimony from officers suggesting Mangione could have believed he was free to leave when he gave the false name. But one of the first officers to encounter Mangione testified that he “was not free to leave until I identified who he was,” though Mangione wasn’t told so. Defense lawyers also underscored that body camera video showed multiple officers standing between him and the restaurant door. 911 caller: Customers concerned ‘he looks like the CEO shooter’ For the first time, the public heard the 911 call that drew police to the Altoona McDonald’s. “I have a customer here that some other customers were suspicious of that he looks like the CEO shooter from New York,” the restaurant’s manager told a dispatcher. Still, the manager, whose name wasn’t released, initially told the dispatcher: “It’s not really an emergency.” The manager said Mangione was wearing a medical mask and a beanie pulled down on his forehead, leaving only his eyes and eyebrows visible. She said she searched online for a photo of the suspect for comparison. A hoagie reward and getting ‘the ball rolling’ with the NYPD At first, Altoona police officers were skeptical that Thompson’s killer might be in their city of about 44,000 people. Joseph Detwiler, the first officer to arrive at McDonald’s, sarcastically responded “10-4” when a dispatcher asked him to check on the manager’s 911 call, a police supervisor testified. The supervisor, Lt. Tom Hanelly Jr., testified that he texted Detwiler a reminder to take the call seriously and offered to buy the officer his favorite hoagie — a large turkey from local sandwich shop Luigetta’s — if he nabbed “the New York City shooter.” Though, Hanelly acknowledged on the witness stand, “it seemed preposterous on its face.” Hanelly said he searched for a direct line “to get the ball rolling” with NYPD investigators but ended up calling New York City’s 911 center. “We’re acting off a tip from a local business here. We might have the shooter,” Hanelly said in a recording played in court. Hanelly said an NYPD detective called him back about 45 minutes later. Mangione in court: Pumping his fist and scribbling notes Mangione stayed active throughout the hearing, taking notes, reading documents, conferring with his lawyers and occasionally looking back toward his two dozen or so supporters in the courtroom gallery. He watched intently as prosecutors played a surveillance video of the killing and viewed footage of his interactions with Altoona police. He pressed a finger to his lips and a thumb to his chin as he watched footage of two police officers approaching him at the McDonald’s. He gripped a pen in his right hand, making a fist at times, as prosecutors played the 911 call. Mangione was brought to court each morning from a federal jail in Brooklyn, wearing gray or dark blue suits instead of jail garb. His hands were uncuffed throughout the proceedings. One day, he pumped his fist for photographers. Another day, he shooed away a photographer he felt had gotten too close to him. A backpack full of ‘goodies,’ including to-do lists and travel plans Along with the gun and notebook, police officers said Mangione’s backpack was stuffed with food, electronics and notes including to-do lists, a hand-drawn map and tactics for surviving on the lam — items Altoona Police Sgt. Eric Heuston described as “goodies” that might link the suspect to the killing. “Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight,” said one note. “Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows,” said another. One note said to check for “red eyes” from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio, or Cincinnati (“get off early,” it reads). The map showed lines linking those cities and noted other possible destinations, including Detroit and St. Louis. Other items found on Mangione or in his bag included a pocketknife, driver’s license, passport, credit cards, AirPods, a protein bar, travel toothpaste and flash drives, police said. Heuston testified that he read portions of the notebook to NYPD detectives by phone and suggested that the finds “made it more likely than not that he was the shooter.” Mangione talked behind bars, prison officers say Before he was moved to New York City, Mangione was held under close watch in a Pennsylvania state prison. Correctional officer Matthew Henry testified that Mangione volunteered that he had a backpack with a 3D-printed pistol and foreign currency when he was arrested. Correctional officer Tomas Rivers testified that Mangione asked him whether the news media was focused on him as a person or on the crime of Thompson’s killing. He said Mangione expressed that he wanted to make a public statement. Rivers said Mangione also talked about his travels to Asia, including witnessing a gang fight in Thailand, and discussed differences between private and nationalized health care. Rivers said Mangione was under special supervision partly because the prison superintendent had said he “did not want an Epstein-style situation,” referring to Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide at a Manhattan federal jail in 2019. —Michael R. Sisak and Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press 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 Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) is currently selling for $132, down from $179.99, and price trackers confirm this is the lowest it has ever dropped. Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) $132.00 at Amazon $179.99 Save $47.99 Get Deal Get Deal $132.00 at Amazon $179.99 Save $47.99 This is Google’s newest wired doorbell, and it’s clearly designed for people who already use Google Home. The hardware looks familiar if you’ve seen the battery-powered Nest Doorbell. It keeps the same slim, vertical shape but is a bit shorter, measuring about 5.1 inches tall. It’s rated IP65 for weather resistance and feels well-built, but this is a wired-only model. You’ll need existing doorbell wiring and a compatible transformer. Google includes the chime connector, mounting hardware, and a wedge mount, but there’s no getting around the fact that installation assumes your home is already set up for a wired doorbell. Video quality is where this model makes its case. The camera records 2K HDR video at a 1:1 aspect ratio, which gives you a full head-to-toe view of your doorstep. That makes it easier to see packages on the ground and faces near the door in one frame. Daytime footage looks sharp and well-balanced, and night video holds detail using infrared LEDs, with color video kicking in when there’s enough ambient light. Motion alerts are quick, and the 166-degree field of view feels wide without heavy distortion, notes PCMag in its “excellent” review of this doorbell. It connects over dual-band wifi and Bluetooth, and it supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control. Two-way audio works reliably for quick conversations, though there’s no mechanical pan or tilt. The software experience is very Google. The doorbell lives inside the Google Home app, where you get a clean live view, event clips, and clear controls. Gemini-powered features are the highlight. Event descriptions explain what triggered a recording, and video search lets you find things like package deliveries or familiar faces without scrubbing through footage. The downside is storage. Everything is cloud-based, and without a subscription, you only get short preview clips. The Standard plan costs $10 a month or $100 a year, while the Advanced plan doubles that. There’s no local storage option at all. It also skips Apple HomeKit and IFTTT support, so smart homes outside Google’s orbit might find it limiting. But for those already using Google Home and willing to pay for cloud features, this price drop makes the third-gen wired Nest Doorbell a strong pick for smarter doorstep monitoring. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Meta Quest 3 512GB Mixed Reality VR Headset with Controllers — (List Price $499.99 With Code "QUEST50") Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

With the last weekend before Christmas upon us, the holiday travel period has begun. This year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) says a record number of Americans will be making journeys—122.4 million of them in total. While millions of those journeys will be made by plane or other forms of public transportation, the overwhelming majority—109.5 million—will be made by car. If you’re one of those making your Christmas trip by car, here are the best and worst times to hit the road over the holiday travel period, which AAA defines as running from December 20 to January 1. Best times to hit the roads The 2025 holiday period spans 13 days this year, running from Saturday, December 20, 2025, to Thursday, January 1, 2026. The good news is that for four of those days—Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day—road traffic is expected to be minimal. Unfortunately, on the other nine days, traffic could become quite congested as people take to the roads to get to or come back from their holiday destinations. However, even on busy days, there are specific times of day when congestion is expected to be lighter. Here are the best times, according to information compiled by AAA from transportation data and insights provider INRIX: Saturday, December 20: After 9:00 PM Sunday, December 21: Before 11:00 AM Monday, December 22: Before 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 23: Before 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 24: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, December 25: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Friday, December 26: Before 11:00 AM Saturday, December 27: Before 11:00 AM Sunday, December 28: Before 11:00 AM Monday, December 29: Before 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 30: Before 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 31: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, January 1: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Worst times to hit the roads Now for the bad news: INRIX’s data shows that on most days during the travel period, roads are likely to be congested for most of the 24 hours. Some of the busiest days are expected to be this weekend, as people set off on their holiday journeys, and December 26, when they begin returning. Here are the worst times to be on the road during the holiday travel period, according to AAA and INRIX: Saturday, December 20: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sunday, December 21: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Monday, December 22: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 23: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 24: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, December 25: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Friday, December 26: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday, December 27: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday, December 28: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Monday, December 29: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 30: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 31: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Thursday, January 1: Minimal Traffic Impact Expected A record 122.4 million people will travel this holiday period A staggering 122.4 million people in America are expected to travel over the 13-day holiday period. That’s a record, according to AAA. To put that number in perspective, it’t 2.2% more than the 119.7 million travelers last year, and 2.8% more than the 119.3 million who traveled in 2019, the year before the pandemic. When looking at automobile travel by itself, 109.5 million are expected to make the journey by car this year, a 2% increase from the 107.4 million car journeys last year and a 1.4% increase from the 108 million auto journeys in 2019. But cars aren’t the only mode people will be traveling by. AAA says air passengers will hit 8.03 million this holiday period. That’s up 2.3% from the 7.85 million who took to the skies last year, and 12% more than the 7.33 million who made car journeys in the 2019 holiday period. Finally, AAA says 4.9 million Americans are expected to make this year’s holiday journeys by bus, train, or cruise. That’s up 9% from the 4.49 million who did so in 2024, and up a whopping 24.9% from the 3.89 million who made similar journeys in the 2019 holiday period. View the full article

In today’s competitive market, effective customer loyalty software solutions can greatly improve your business’s retention strategies. These platforms, like Open Loyalty and Smile.io, offer customizable rewards programs that cater to various customer preferences. By featuring omnichannel support and AI-driven personalization, they help create engaging experiences. Comprehending the key features and advantages of these solutions can guide you in choosing the right fit for your needs. Consider the implications for your business as we explore the details further. Key Takeaways Open Loyalty offers flexible API-first design, gamification features, and scalability options suitable for various business needs. Smile.io provides a user-friendly points-based loyalty program with quick integration and customizable tiers for enhanced customer retention. Effective loyalty programs can increase customer retention and spending by 10-20% through tailored rewards and personalized experiences. Leading loyalty platforms emphasize omnichannel support and AI-driven personalization to improve customer engagement across multiple touchpoints. Hybrid loyalty systems balance initial and ongoing costs, allowing businesses to customize solutions while leveraging existing technology. Importance of Customer Loyalty Programs When you consider the costs associated with acquiring new customers, it becomes clear why customer loyalty programs are essential for businesses. Acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing one. By implementing effective loyalty programs, you can greatly boost customer retention and spending. This is where the best customer loyalty software comes into play, facilitating the creation of rewards programs that not just keep customers engaged but also transform them into brand advocates. Comprehending how to create a rewards program customized to your audience can improve overall customer lifetime value (CLTV). Companies leveraging the best loyalty program software often see revenue increases of 10-20%, showcasing the tangible benefits of prioritizing customer loyalty. Key Features of Leading Loyalty Platforms Top loyalty platforms come equipped with a variety of key features aimed to improve customer engagement and retention. When considering how to create a rewards program for customers, you’ll find that leading solutions offer: Omnichannel Support: Engage customers seamlessly across web, mobile, and in-store platforms. AI-Driven Personalization: Tailor experiences based on individual behaviors and preferences, enhancing effectiveness. Flexible Reward Rules: Design customized loyalty programs using points, tiers, and referral systems that align with your brand. The best loyalty software furthermore incorporates gamification mechanics, like achievements and leaderboards, which motivate customer participation. With real-time analytics and integration capabilities, you can scale effectively as you gain insights into customer behavior and program performance, making your rewards company more competitive in the marketplace. Hybrid Approaches to Loyalty Systems When considering hybrid approaches to loyalty systems, you’ll want to weigh the benefits of custom solutions against off-the-shelf options. API-first platforms provide a flexible foundation that allows you to create customized customer experiences during still utilizing existing technology. It’s essential to assess the total cost of ownership, as this will help you understand both initial investments and ongoing operational expenses. Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf In evaluating loyalty systems, businesses often find that a hybrid approach, which combines custom-built solutions with off-the-shelf software, offers significant advantages. This method allows you to benefit from the best of both worlds, ensuring flexibility during leveraging established solutions. Consider the following benefits of a hybrid approach: Tailored Features: Custom systems can align closely with your brand’s specific goals and customer needs. Quick Implementation: Off-the-shelf solutions provide a faster setup, allowing you to launch loyalty programs without delays. Cost Efficiency: Lower upfront costs with off-the-shelf options can be appealing, but remember to assess the total cost of ownership for long-term sustainability. API-First Advantages API-first platforms provide significant advantages for businesses seeking to improve their loyalty systems through a hybrid approach. They offer flexibility, enabling you to build custom loyalty features that meet your specific needs without being limited by standard solutions. With extensive integration capabilities, like Open Loyalty’s 250+ API endpoints, you can easily connect your existing systems, such as CRM and POS, facilitating a seamless experience. This hybrid model allows your loyalty programs to evolve as your business grows, ensuring scalability and responsiveness to market changes. Additionally, customizable rules engines empower you to design personalized reward structures that resonate with your customers, enhancing their engagement and retention, in the end leading to a more effective loyalty strategy. Total Cost Considerations Reflecting on the total cost of ownership (TCO) for loyalty systems is crucial, as it encompasses not just initial setup expenses but furthermore ongoing maintenance and integration costs. A hybrid approach can help you balance these costs effectively. Here are key factors to reflect on: Initial Costs: Custom-built solutions may require higher upfront investments compared to off-the-shelf options. Ongoing Maintenance: Assess the costs associated with regular updates and system upkeep, which can vary greatly. Integration Expenses: Evaluate how well the solution integrates with your existing systems, as poor integration can lead to increased costs down the road. Overview of Open Loyalty Open Loyalty stands out as a versatile loyalty platform that empowers businesses to customize their customer engagement strategies effectively. Its headless, API-first design allows for exceptional flexibility, enabling you to create custom rules and omnichannel experiences. With over 250 API endpoints, integration with existing systems is seamless, facilitating rapid development of loyalty programs. You can choose between SaaS and on-premise deployment options, making it adaptable to your specific business needs. Furthermore, built-in gamification features, like achievements and leaderboards, improve customer engagement. Open Loyalty’s global reach is evidenced by its use in over 100 companies across 45+ countries, showcasing its effectiveness in various markets. Feature Description Benefit API-first design Flexible integration Customization of loyalty programs SaaS and on-premise options Deployment flexibility Scales with your business Gamification features Achievements and leaderboards Increased customer engagement Global reach Over 100 companies in 45+ countries Proven adaptability Custom rules Customized customer experiences Improved satisfaction and loyalty Key Features of Open Loyalty The key features of Open Loyalty make it a robust solution for businesses looking to improve their customer engagement strategies. Its flexible program logic allows you to customize loyalty points, tiers, and rewards adapted to your unique needs. Furthermore, the platform incorporates built-in gamification elements that keep customers motivated and engaged, including: Achievements and badges that recognize customer milestones Leaderboards that promote a sense of competition among users Real-time transaction processing for seamless interactions With over 250 API endpoints, Open Loyalty guarantees extensive integration capabilities, connecting smoothly with your existing systems. It likewise provides valuable analytics and insights to help you track metrics like retention and redemption rates, enabling you to make informed, data-driven decisions for optimizing your loyalty programs. Overview of Smile.io Smile.io is an effective loyalty solution customized for small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses, seamlessly integrating with platforms like Shopify and Wix. With its points-based rewards system, referral programs, and customizable VIP tiers, it helps you turn one-time buyers into loyal customers. As we explore Smile.io, we’ll look at its key features, target audience insights, and weigh the pros and cons of using this platform. Key Features Overview When looking for a loyalty solution that’s easy to implement, Smile.io stands out as a plug-and-play option customized for small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses. It offers a standard points-based loyalty program that rewards your customers for various actions, helping to boost retention. Key features include: Quick integration with platforms like Shopify and Wix, so you can set up in no time. Customizable tier structures that incentivize repeat business, encouraging customers to engage more with your brand. User-friendly dashboard for basic branding and experience customization, making it accessible even for non-technical users. While it has a knowledge base and community support, be aware that advanced features may be limited on the free plan compared to paid tiers. Target Audience Insights Targeting small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses, Smile.io provides a practical solution for those looking to improve customer loyalty without a steep learning curve. This platform integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Wix, offering a plug-and-play experience. With features that reward customers through points, referrals, and VIP tiers, it focuses on converting one-time shoppers into repeat customers. Furthermore, Smile.io offers a free plan, making it accessible for many SMBs, though this version has limited customization options. Users appreciate the quick setup and user-friendly interface, which requires minimal technical expertise to launch effective loyalty programs. On the other hand, for larger enterprises seeking advanced features, Smile.io may lack the depth and customization options needed for complex loyalty designs. Pros and Cons For small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses looking for a straightforward loyalty solution, Smile.io presents several advantages alongside certain drawbacks. Its user-friendly interface and quick setup process make it accessible, especially if you’re using platforms like Shopify or Wix. Nevertheless, you might face limitations, especially if you opt for the free plan, which offers restricted customization options. Pros: Seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms. Focuses on converting one-time shoppers into repeat customers. Positive feedback on its loyalty strategies. Cons: Limited features on the free plan may hinder complex program designs. Reliance on third-party integrations can complicate setup. Advanced features for deeper analytics may not meet larger enterprises’ needs. Key Features of Smile.io Smile.io offers a range of key features intended to improve customer loyalty for small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses. It provides a plug-and-play solution that integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify and Wix. The standard points-based rewards system enables you to set up tier structures and referral campaigns easily, incentivizing repeat purchases. You can as well customize branding options through the dashboard to align the user experience with your brand identity. Furthermore, Smile.io includes a knowledge base and community forum for support, helping you navigate setup and troubleshoot issues. With a free plan available, you can start your loyalty program with minimal upfront investment, even though advanced features may require a paid plan. Feature Description Benefit Points-Based Rewards Set up tier structures and referral campaigns Incentivizes repeat purchases Custom Branding Customize user experience through the dashboard Aligns with brand identity Support Resources Access to knowledge base and community forum Quick troubleshooting Target Audience for Smile.io Small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses seeking to improve customer engagement and nurture loyalty will find Smile.io to be an ideal solution. This platform is designed for retailers using popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Wix, making it simple to implement loyalty programs. Brands that need quick setup and user-friendly interfaces will appreciate its features, including: Points systems to reward customer purchases Referral programs to encourage word-of-mouth marketing VIP tiers to recognize and incentivize loyal customers Smile.io is perfect for businesses aiming to convert one-time shoppers into loyal patrons through a gamified loyalty system, offering customizable rewards without the challenges associated with advanced customization options. It’s a straightforward choice for enhancing customer retention. Smile.io Pros and Cons When considering Smile.io for your e-commerce business, you’ll appreciate its quick setup process, which requires minimal technical knowledge. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the free plan offers limited customization options, which may not meet the needs of more complex operations. Fortunately, Smile.io integrates smoothly with popular platforms like Shopify and Wix, making it accessible for enhancing customer engagement. Quick Setup Process For e-commerce businesses looking to implement a loyalty program quickly, the setup process with Smile.io is especially efficient. This plug-and-play solution is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, requiring minimal technical expertise. You can integrate it seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify and Wix, adding loyalty programs in just a few clicks. Users appreciate the quick setup owing to preconfigured options that allow you to start rewarding customers almost immediately. Key benefits include: User-friendly interface for easy navigation and program management. Free plan availability, making it cost-effective for businesses starting out. Minimal learning curve, enabling store owners to focus on customer engagement. Limited Customization Options While Smile.io’s quick setup process is a significant draw for many e-commerce businesses, it’s important to contemplate the limitations regarding customization options, particularly for those seeking to create a loyalty program that aligns closely with their brand identity. The platform primarily caters to small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on simplicity rather than extensive customization. You might find the available options constraining, particularly when implementing advanced loyalty strategies. Larger enterprises may struggle with these limitations, as deeper customization often doesn’t meet their complex requirements. This can lead to the need for additional tools for desired customization and analytics. Pros Cons Quick setup Limited customization User-friendly interface Basic features only Suitable for small businesses Not ideal for larger enterprises Focus on simplicity May require additional tools Integration With Platforms Integrating Smile.io with popular e-commerce platforms, like Shopify and Wix, allows you to improve your customer loyalty programs with minimal effort. This integration offers several advantages for your online store: Quick installation: Add loyalty widgets effortlessly to boost customer engagement. Customization options: Tailor branding and user experience through the dashboard for a consistent identity. Support for referral campaigns: Leverage basic referral and social rewards to incentivize customer interactions. While Smile.io’s user-friendly interface and rapid setup are beneficial, it does have some drawbacks. Particularly, its limited direct support can hinder your integration experience compared to more thorough loyalty platforms. Areas for Improvement in Open Loyalty As Open Loyalty continues to evolve, there are several areas for improvement that users have identified, which could augment the overall experience on the platform. While Open Loyalty is actively developing new features, users have noted a learning curve that can hinder their ability to fully utilize its capabilities. More intuitive resources, such as tutorials or streamlined user interfaces, could greatly improve user experience. Furthermore, even though the platform is responsive to client feedback, some users still feel that certain features require refinement for better usability. Continuous updates show the commitment to meet changing needs, yet addressing these specific pain points could promote greater satisfaction and engagement among users, ensuring that they can maximize the potential of Open Loyalty effectively. Loyalty Software Industry Landscape and Trends in 2026 The loyalty software industry is on the brink of significant transformation as it heads toward 2026, reflecting a rapid evolution driven by changing consumer expectations and technological advancements. You’ll notice several key trends shaping this terrain: AI-driven personalization is becoming prevalent, with over 60% of businesses using advanced analytics to improve customer engagement. Omnichannel loyalty solutions are crucial, as 75% of consumers demand seamless experiences across online and offline platforms. Gamification is still a significant trend, boosting engagement in loyalty programs by up to 30%. As businesses seek more flexibility, demand for API-first and customizable platforms is rising, allowing them to adapt loyalty strategies to meet unique customer behaviors and demographics effectively. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Some Good Customer Loyalty Programs? When considering good customer loyalty programs, look for ones that improve engagement and retention. Programs like Starbucks Rewards incentivize regular purchases with points redeemable for free items. Sephora‘s Beauty Insider offers tiered rewards based on spending, encouraging customers to buy more. Furthermore, programs such as Dunkin’ Donuts DD Perks provide discounts and rewards for frequent visits. These strategies not just cultivate loyalty but likewise increase overall customer spending and satisfaction. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 4 C’s of customer loyalty are Cost, Convenience, Communication, and Consistency. Cost relates to the perceived value customers gain from loyalty programs, guaranteeing rewards are attractive. Convenience emphasizes a seamless experience in signing up and redeeming rewards. Communication involves maintaining open channels to keep customers informed about promotions and personalized offers. Finally, Consistency ensures you deliver reliable experiences and rewards, building trust and reinforcing loyalty over time. What Company Has the Best Loyalty Program? Determining the best loyalty program often depends on what you value. For instance, Starbucks rewards you with stars for purchases, offering personalized bonuses that improve engagement. Sephora segments customers into tiers, providing exclusive rewards based on spending. Amazon Prime thrives with free shipping and discounts, achieving a high retention rate. Meanwhile, Hilton Honors allows you to earn points for hotel stays and redeem them flexibly, contributing to strong brand loyalty among its members. What Are the 3 R’s of Customer Loyalty? The 3 R’s of customer loyalty are Recognition, Reward, and Relationship. Recognition means acknowledging customers’ preferences, which helps you personalize their experiences. Reward systems, like points or discounts, incentivize repeat purchases, encouraging customers to spend more. Finally, nurturing a strong Relationship through consistent communication and engagement can lead to greater satisfaction and loyalty. Conclusion In conclusion, investing in customer loyalty software solutions like Open Loyalty and Smile.io can greatly improve your business’s customer engagement and retention strategies. By offering personalized rewards programs, integrating seamlessly with existing technologies, and utilizing features such as AI-driven insights and gamification, these platforms help drive customer lifetime value. As the loyalty software environment continues to evolve, staying informed about trends and key features will enable you to choose the right solution for your business needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Best Customer Loyalty Software Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s competitive market, effective customer loyalty software solutions can greatly improve your business’s retention strategies. These platforms, like Open Loyalty and Smile.io, offer customizable rewards programs that cater to various customer preferences. By featuring omnichannel support and AI-driven personalization, they help create engaging experiences. Comprehending the key features and advantages of these solutions can guide you in choosing the right fit for your needs. Consider the implications for your business as we explore the details further. Key Takeaways Open Loyalty offers flexible API-first design, gamification features, and scalability options suitable for various business needs. Smile.io provides a user-friendly points-based loyalty program with quick integration and customizable tiers for enhanced customer retention. Effective loyalty programs can increase customer retention and spending by 10-20% through tailored rewards and personalized experiences. Leading loyalty platforms emphasize omnichannel support and AI-driven personalization to improve customer engagement across multiple touchpoints. Hybrid loyalty systems balance initial and ongoing costs, allowing businesses to customize solutions while leveraging existing technology. Importance of Customer Loyalty Programs When you consider the costs associated with acquiring new customers, it becomes clear why customer loyalty programs are essential for businesses. Acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing one. By implementing effective loyalty programs, you can greatly boost customer retention and spending. This is where the best customer loyalty software comes into play, facilitating the creation of rewards programs that not just keep customers engaged but also transform them into brand advocates. Comprehending how to create a rewards program customized to your audience can improve overall customer lifetime value (CLTV). Companies leveraging the best loyalty program software often see revenue increases of 10-20%, showcasing the tangible benefits of prioritizing customer loyalty. Key Features of Leading Loyalty Platforms Top loyalty platforms come equipped with a variety of key features aimed to improve customer engagement and retention. When considering how to create a rewards program for customers, you’ll find that leading solutions offer: Omnichannel Support: Engage customers seamlessly across web, mobile, and in-store platforms. AI-Driven Personalization: Tailor experiences based on individual behaviors and preferences, enhancing effectiveness. Flexible Reward Rules: Design customized loyalty programs using points, tiers, and referral systems that align with your brand. The best loyalty software furthermore incorporates gamification mechanics, like achievements and leaderboards, which motivate customer participation. With real-time analytics and integration capabilities, you can scale effectively as you gain insights into customer behavior and program performance, making your rewards company more competitive in the marketplace. Hybrid Approaches to Loyalty Systems When considering hybrid approaches to loyalty systems, you’ll want to weigh the benefits of custom solutions against off-the-shelf options. API-first platforms provide a flexible foundation that allows you to create customized customer experiences during still utilizing existing technology. It’s essential to assess the total cost of ownership, as this will help you understand both initial investments and ongoing operational expenses. Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf In evaluating loyalty systems, businesses often find that a hybrid approach, which combines custom-built solutions with off-the-shelf software, offers significant advantages. This method allows you to benefit from the best of both worlds, ensuring flexibility during leveraging established solutions. Consider the following benefits of a hybrid approach: Tailored Features: Custom systems can align closely with your brand’s specific goals and customer needs. Quick Implementation: Off-the-shelf solutions provide a faster setup, allowing you to launch loyalty programs without delays. Cost Efficiency: Lower upfront costs with off-the-shelf options can be appealing, but remember to assess the total cost of ownership for long-term sustainability. API-First Advantages API-first platforms provide significant advantages for businesses seeking to improve their loyalty systems through a hybrid approach. They offer flexibility, enabling you to build custom loyalty features that meet your specific needs without being limited by standard solutions. With extensive integration capabilities, like Open Loyalty’s 250+ API endpoints, you can easily connect your existing systems, such as CRM and POS, facilitating a seamless experience. This hybrid model allows your loyalty programs to evolve as your business grows, ensuring scalability and responsiveness to market changes. Additionally, customizable rules engines empower you to design personalized reward structures that resonate with your customers, enhancing their engagement and retention, in the end leading to a more effective loyalty strategy. Total Cost Considerations Reflecting on the total cost of ownership (TCO) for loyalty systems is crucial, as it encompasses not just initial setup expenses but furthermore ongoing maintenance and integration costs. A hybrid approach can help you balance these costs effectively. Here are key factors to reflect on: Initial Costs: Custom-built solutions may require higher upfront investments compared to off-the-shelf options. Ongoing Maintenance: Assess the costs associated with regular updates and system upkeep, which can vary greatly. Integration Expenses: Evaluate how well the solution integrates with your existing systems, as poor integration can lead to increased costs down the road. Overview of Open Loyalty Open Loyalty stands out as a versatile loyalty platform that empowers businesses to customize their customer engagement strategies effectively. Its headless, API-first design allows for exceptional flexibility, enabling you to create custom rules and omnichannel experiences. With over 250 API endpoints, integration with existing systems is seamless, facilitating rapid development of loyalty programs. You can choose between SaaS and on-premise deployment options, making it adaptable to your specific business needs. Furthermore, built-in gamification features, like achievements and leaderboards, improve customer engagement. Open Loyalty’s global reach is evidenced by its use in over 100 companies across 45+ countries, showcasing its effectiveness in various markets. Feature Description Benefit API-first design Flexible integration Customization of loyalty programs SaaS and on-premise options Deployment flexibility Scales with your business Gamification features Achievements and leaderboards Increased customer engagement Global reach Over 100 companies in 45+ countries Proven adaptability Custom rules Customized customer experiences Improved satisfaction and loyalty Key Features of Open Loyalty The key features of Open Loyalty make it a robust solution for businesses looking to improve their customer engagement strategies. Its flexible program logic allows you to customize loyalty points, tiers, and rewards adapted to your unique needs. Furthermore, the platform incorporates built-in gamification elements that keep customers motivated and engaged, including: Achievements and badges that recognize customer milestones Leaderboards that promote a sense of competition among users Real-time transaction processing for seamless interactions With over 250 API endpoints, Open Loyalty guarantees extensive integration capabilities, connecting smoothly with your existing systems. It likewise provides valuable analytics and insights to help you track metrics like retention and redemption rates, enabling you to make informed, data-driven decisions for optimizing your loyalty programs. Overview of Smile.io Smile.io is an effective loyalty solution customized for small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses, seamlessly integrating with platforms like Shopify and Wix. With its points-based rewards system, referral programs, and customizable VIP tiers, it helps you turn one-time buyers into loyal customers. As we explore Smile.io, we’ll look at its key features, target audience insights, and weigh the pros and cons of using this platform. Key Features Overview When looking for a loyalty solution that’s easy to implement, Smile.io stands out as a plug-and-play option customized for small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses. It offers a standard points-based loyalty program that rewards your customers for various actions, helping to boost retention. Key features include: Quick integration with platforms like Shopify and Wix, so you can set up in no time. Customizable tier structures that incentivize repeat business, encouraging customers to engage more with your brand. User-friendly dashboard for basic branding and experience customization, making it accessible even for non-technical users. While it has a knowledge base and community support, be aware that advanced features may be limited on the free plan compared to paid tiers. Target Audience Insights Targeting small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses, Smile.io provides a practical solution for those looking to improve customer loyalty without a steep learning curve. This platform integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Wix, offering a plug-and-play experience. With features that reward customers through points, referrals, and VIP tiers, it focuses on converting one-time shoppers into repeat customers. Furthermore, Smile.io offers a free plan, making it accessible for many SMBs, though this version has limited customization options. Users appreciate the quick setup and user-friendly interface, which requires minimal technical expertise to launch effective loyalty programs. On the other hand, for larger enterprises seeking advanced features, Smile.io may lack the depth and customization options needed for complex loyalty designs. Pros and Cons For small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses looking for a straightforward loyalty solution, Smile.io presents several advantages alongside certain drawbacks. Its user-friendly interface and quick setup process make it accessible, especially if you’re using platforms like Shopify or Wix. Nevertheless, you might face limitations, especially if you opt for the free plan, which offers restricted customization options. Pros: Seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms. Focuses on converting one-time shoppers into repeat customers. Positive feedback on its loyalty strategies. Cons: Limited features on the free plan may hinder complex program designs. Reliance on third-party integrations can complicate setup. Advanced features for deeper analytics may not meet larger enterprises’ needs. Key Features of Smile.io Smile.io offers a range of key features intended to improve customer loyalty for small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses. It provides a plug-and-play solution that integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify and Wix. The standard points-based rewards system enables you to set up tier structures and referral campaigns easily, incentivizing repeat purchases. You can as well customize branding options through the dashboard to align the user experience with your brand identity. Furthermore, Smile.io includes a knowledge base and community forum for support, helping you navigate setup and troubleshoot issues. With a free plan available, you can start your loyalty program with minimal upfront investment, even though advanced features may require a paid plan. Feature Description Benefit Points-Based Rewards Set up tier structures and referral campaigns Incentivizes repeat purchases Custom Branding Customize user experience through the dashboard Aligns with brand identity Support Resources Access to knowledge base and community forum Quick troubleshooting Target Audience for Smile.io Small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses seeking to improve customer engagement and nurture loyalty will find Smile.io to be an ideal solution. This platform is designed for retailers using popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Wix, making it simple to implement loyalty programs. Brands that need quick setup and user-friendly interfaces will appreciate its features, including: Points systems to reward customer purchases Referral programs to encourage word-of-mouth marketing VIP tiers to recognize and incentivize loyal customers Smile.io is perfect for businesses aiming to convert one-time shoppers into loyal patrons through a gamified loyalty system, offering customizable rewards without the challenges associated with advanced customization options. It’s a straightforward choice for enhancing customer retention. Smile.io Pros and Cons When considering Smile.io for your e-commerce business, you’ll appreciate its quick setup process, which requires minimal technical knowledge. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the free plan offers limited customization options, which may not meet the needs of more complex operations. Fortunately, Smile.io integrates smoothly with popular platforms like Shopify and Wix, making it accessible for enhancing customer engagement. Quick Setup Process For e-commerce businesses looking to implement a loyalty program quickly, the setup process with Smile.io is especially efficient. This plug-and-play solution is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, requiring minimal technical expertise. You can integrate it seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify and Wix, adding loyalty programs in just a few clicks. Users appreciate the quick setup owing to preconfigured options that allow you to start rewarding customers almost immediately. Key benefits include: User-friendly interface for easy navigation and program management. Free plan availability, making it cost-effective for businesses starting out. Minimal learning curve, enabling store owners to focus on customer engagement. Limited Customization Options While Smile.io’s quick setup process is a significant draw for many e-commerce businesses, it’s important to contemplate the limitations regarding customization options, particularly for those seeking to create a loyalty program that aligns closely with their brand identity. The platform primarily caters to small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on simplicity rather than extensive customization. You might find the available options constraining, particularly when implementing advanced loyalty strategies. Larger enterprises may struggle with these limitations, as deeper customization often doesn’t meet their complex requirements. This can lead to the need for additional tools for desired customization and analytics. Pros Cons Quick setup Limited customization User-friendly interface Basic features only Suitable for small businesses Not ideal for larger enterprises Focus on simplicity May require additional tools Integration With Platforms Integrating Smile.io with popular e-commerce platforms, like Shopify and Wix, allows you to improve your customer loyalty programs with minimal effort. This integration offers several advantages for your online store: Quick installation: Add loyalty widgets effortlessly to boost customer engagement. Customization options: Tailor branding and user experience through the dashboard for a consistent identity. Support for referral campaigns: Leverage basic referral and social rewards to incentivize customer interactions. While Smile.io’s user-friendly interface and rapid setup are beneficial, it does have some drawbacks. Particularly, its limited direct support can hinder your integration experience compared to more thorough loyalty platforms. Areas for Improvement in Open Loyalty As Open Loyalty continues to evolve, there are several areas for improvement that users have identified, which could augment the overall experience on the platform. While Open Loyalty is actively developing new features, users have noted a learning curve that can hinder their ability to fully utilize its capabilities. More intuitive resources, such as tutorials or streamlined user interfaces, could greatly improve user experience. Furthermore, even though the platform is responsive to client feedback, some users still feel that certain features require refinement for better usability. Continuous updates show the commitment to meet changing needs, yet addressing these specific pain points could promote greater satisfaction and engagement among users, ensuring that they can maximize the potential of Open Loyalty effectively. Loyalty Software Industry Landscape and Trends in 2026 The loyalty software industry is on the brink of significant transformation as it heads toward 2026, reflecting a rapid evolution driven by changing consumer expectations and technological advancements. You’ll notice several key trends shaping this terrain: AI-driven personalization is becoming prevalent, with over 60% of businesses using advanced analytics to improve customer engagement. Omnichannel loyalty solutions are crucial, as 75% of consumers demand seamless experiences across online and offline platforms. Gamification is still a significant trend, boosting engagement in loyalty programs by up to 30%. As businesses seek more flexibility, demand for API-first and customizable platforms is rising, allowing them to adapt loyalty strategies to meet unique customer behaviors and demographics effectively. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Some Good Customer Loyalty Programs? When considering good customer loyalty programs, look for ones that improve engagement and retention. Programs like Starbucks Rewards incentivize regular purchases with points redeemable for free items. Sephora‘s Beauty Insider offers tiered rewards based on spending, encouraging customers to buy more. Furthermore, programs such as Dunkin’ Donuts DD Perks provide discounts and rewards for frequent visits. These strategies not just cultivate loyalty but likewise increase overall customer spending and satisfaction. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 4 C’s of customer loyalty are Cost, Convenience, Communication, and Consistency. Cost relates to the perceived value customers gain from loyalty programs, guaranteeing rewards are attractive. Convenience emphasizes a seamless experience in signing up and redeeming rewards. Communication involves maintaining open channels to keep customers informed about promotions and personalized offers. Finally, Consistency ensures you deliver reliable experiences and rewards, building trust and reinforcing loyalty over time. What Company Has the Best Loyalty Program? Determining the best loyalty program often depends on what you value. For instance, Starbucks rewards you with stars for purchases, offering personalized bonuses that improve engagement. Sephora segments customers into tiers, providing exclusive rewards based on spending. Amazon Prime thrives with free shipping and discounts, achieving a high retention rate. Meanwhile, Hilton Honors allows you to earn points for hotel stays and redeem them flexibly, contributing to strong brand loyalty among its members. What Are the 3 R’s of Customer Loyalty? The 3 R’s of customer loyalty are Recognition, Reward, and Relationship. Recognition means acknowledging customers’ preferences, which helps you personalize their experiences. Reward systems, like points or discounts, incentivize repeat purchases, encouraging customers to spend more. Finally, nurturing a strong Relationship through consistent communication and engagement can lead to greater satisfaction and loyalty. Conclusion In conclusion, investing in customer loyalty software solutions like Open Loyalty and Smile.io can greatly improve your business’s customer engagement and retention strategies. By offering personalized rewards programs, integrating seamlessly with existing technologies, and utilizing features such as AI-driven insights and gamification, these platforms help drive customer lifetime value. As the loyalty software environment continues to evolve, staying informed about trends and key features will enable you to choose the right solution for your business needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Best Customer Loyalty Software Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Leader says Russia wants its most hardline demands to form the basis for any peace talks View the full article

Few brands have been more associated with the fast-fashion boom of the last two decades than Zara, the flagship apparel chain owned by Spanish clothing giant Inditex SA. It may surprise some consumers to learn, then, that Zara has in fact reduced its global footprint over the last few years since the pandemic. The brand’s decline in physical storefronts has been moderate but meaningful, from a third-quarter peak of around 2,139 stores in 2019 to just under 1,800 stores five years later, according to earnings statements from Inditex. That’s a reduction of 16%. Now, thanks to new accounting metrics from the company, we’ve learned that Zara’s physical footprint is even smaller than we thought. Earlier this year, Inditex began breaking out store count numbers for Lefties, its discount chain. Lefties is small but growing. According to earnings data posted earlier this month, the chain had 213 global locations as of the third quarter of 2025, up from 203 locations from the same period last year. What’s more, Lefties stores had previously been counted as Zara stores in Inditex earnings reports, a spokesperson confirmed with Fast Company. That means Zara’s reported store count is now lower than it had been in earlier filings: Under the new metrics, it had just 1,528 stores as of October 31. Amaya Guillermo, who heads corporate communications for Zara USA, says the decline reflects a shift toward Inditex’s “optimization plan,” which which began several years ago. “Under this strategy, smaller stores have been absorbed into larger, upgraded locations,” Guillermo said. “Creating distinctive retail spaces allows us to enhance the customer experience by incorporating the latest in-store technologies, including assisted checkouts, among many other features.” Guillermo further points out that while Inditex has fewer stores, its commercial space grew by 2% as of 2024, with sales up almost 5.9% that same year. Inditex’s stock price reflects the appeal of its more-with-less strategy among investors. Madrid-listed shares of the group have more than doubled over the last five years. Where have Zara locations closed? Inditex breaks down Zara location counts by country in its annual reports each year. Comparing 2024 figures to 2017 reveals some interesting trends. The brand’s store count has declined in many of its core European markets, including its home country of Spain, where it reported 256 stores in 2024 compared to 306 in 2017. It has also seen declines in France, Germany, Italy, and elsewhere in Europe. Perhaps the most dramatic decline has been China, where Inditex reported just 73 Zara stores in 2024, compared to 183 in 2017. Zara’s store count has also grown in some markets over that same period, including the United States, where it reported 98 stores as of last year versus 87 in 2017. According to Guillermo, the United States remains a key market for Zara, with recent openings at the Las Vegas Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and in Charlotte, North Carolina. Could Lefties be the new Zara? Lefties is not new, but Inditex clearly sees the fast-growing chain as vital to a future. The brand began in the 1990s as an outlet for Zara “leftovers”—hence the name—but it has become more popular and more important to Inditex’s portfolio as consumers have grown increasingly price conscious. With Gen Z shoppers flocking to ultra-cheap online platforms like Shein, Lefties has been called Inditex’s “secret weapon.” While store counts for Lefties are now broken out separately, sales are still reported as part of Zara’s overall sales. As of now, the Lefties chain operates in 18 countries, mostly in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle-East. Expect that number to grow in the years ahead. View the full article

Few brands have been more associated with the fast-fashion boom of the last two decades than Zara, the flagship apparel chain owned by Spanish clothing giant Inditex SA. It may surprise some consumers to learn, then, that Zara has in fact reduced its global footprint over the last few years since the pandemic. The brand’s decline in physical storefronts has been moderate but meaningful, from a third-quarter peak of around 2,139 stores in 2019 to just under 1,800 stores five years later, according to earnings statements from Inditex. That’s a reduction of 16%. Now, thanks to new accounting metrics from the company, we’ve learned that Zara’s physical footprint is even smaller than we thought. Earlier this year, Inditex began breaking out store count numbers for Lefties, its discount chain. Lefties is small but growing. According to earnings data posted earlier this month, the chain had 213 global locations as of the third quarter of 2025, up from 203 locations from the same period last year. What’s more, Lefties stores had previously been counted as Zara stores in Inditex earnings reports, a spokesperson confirmed with Fast Company. That means Zara’s reported store count is now lower than it had been in earlier filings: Under the new metrics, it had just 1,528 stores as of October 31. Amaya Guillermo, who heads corporate communications for Zara USA, says the decline reflects a shift toward Inditex’s “optimization plan,” which began several years ago. “Under this strategy, smaller stores have been absorbed into larger, upgraded locations,” Guillermo said. “Creating distinctive retail spaces allows us to enhance the customer experience by incorporating the latest in-store technologies, including assisted checkouts, among many other features.” Guillermo further points out that while Inditex has fewer stores, its commercial space grew by 2% as of 2024, with sales up almost 5.9% that same year. Inditex’s stock price reflects the appeal of its more-with-less strategy among investors. Madrid-listed shares of the group have more than doubled over the last five years. Where have Zara locations closed? Inditex breaks down Zara location counts by country in its annual reports each year. Comparing 2024 figures to 2017 reveals some interesting trends. The brand’s store count has declined in many of its core European markets, including its home country of Spain, where it reported 256 stores in 2024 compared to 306 in 2017. It has also seen declines in France, Germany, Italy, and elsewhere in Europe. Perhaps the most dramatic decline has been China, where Inditex reported just 73 Zara stores in 2024, compared to 183 in 2017. Zara’s store count has also grown in some markets over that same period, including the United States, where it reported 98 stores as of last year versus 87 in 2017. According to Guillermo, the United States remains a key market for Zara, with recent openings at the Las Vegas Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and in Charlotte, North Carolina. Could Lefties be the new Zara? Lefties is not new, but Inditex clearly sees the fast-growing chain as vital to a future. The brand began in the 1990s as an outlet for Zara “leftovers”—hence the name—but it has become more popular and more important to Inditex’s portfolio as consumers have grown increasingly price conscious. With Gen Z shoppers flocking to ultra-cheap online platforms like Shein, Lefties has been called Inditex’s “secret weapon.” While store counts for Lefties are now broken out separately, sales are still reported as part of Zara’s overall sales. As of now, the Lefties chain operates in 18 countries, mostly in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Expect that number to grow in the years ahead. View the full article

TikTok has signed agreements with three major investors — Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX — to form a new TikTok U.S. joint venture, ensuring the popular social video platform can continue operating in the United States. The deal is expected to close on Jan. 22, according to an internal memo seen by The Associated Press. In the communication, CEO Shou Zi Chew confirmed to employees that ByteDance and TikTok signed the binding agreements with the consortium. “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued dedication and tireless work. Your efforts keep us operating at the highest level and will ensure that TikTok continues to grow and thrive in the U.S. and around the world,” Chew wrote in the memo to employees. “With these agreements in place, our focus must stay where it’s always been—firmly on delivering for our users, creators, businesses and the global TikTok community.” Half of the new TikTok U.S. joint venture will be owned by a group of investors — among them Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment firm MGX, who will each hold a 15% share. 19.9% of the new app will be held by ByteDance itself, and another 30.1% will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, according to the memo. The memo did not say who the other investors are and both TikTok and the White House declined to comment. The U.S. venture will have a new, seven-member majority-American board of directors, the memo said. It will also be subject to terms that “protect Americans’ data and U.S. national security.” U.S. user data will be stored locally in a system run by Oracle. The memo said U.S. users will continue “enjoying the same experience as today” and advertisers will continue to serve global audiences with no impact from the deal. TikTok’s algorithm — the secret sauce that powers its addictive video feed — will be retrained on U.S. user data to “ensure the content feed is free from outside manipulation,” the memo said. The U.S. venture will also oversee content moderation and policies within the country. American officials have previously warned that ByteDance’s algorithm is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect. The algorithm has been a central issue in the security debate over TikTok. China previously maintained the algorithm must remain under Chinese control by law. But the U.S. regulation passed with bipartisan support said any divestment of TikTok must mean the platform cuts ties — specifically the algorithm — with ByteDance. The deal marks the end of years of uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the United States. After wide bipartisan majorities in Congress passed — and President Joe Biden signed — a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if it did not find a new owner in the place of China’s ByteDance, the platform was set to go dark on the law’s January 2025 deadline. For a several hours, it did. But on his first day in office, President Donald The President signed an executive order to keep it running while his administration tries to reach an agreement for the sale of the company. Three more executive orders followed, as The President, without a clear legal basis, continued to extend the deadline for a TikTok deal. The second was in April, when White House officials believed they were nearing a deal to spin off TikTok into a new company with U.S. ownership that fell apart after China backed out following The President’s tariff announcement. The third came in June, then another in September, which The President said would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States in a way that meets national security concerns. TikTok has more than 170 million users in the U.S. About 43% of U.S. adults under the age of 30 say they regularly get news from TikTok, higher than any other social media app including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, according to a Pew Research Center report published this fall. Shares of Oracle jumped $9.07, or 5%, to $189.10 in after-hours trading. —Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer View the full article

The educator and broadcaster on the search for life beyond Earth, what we might gain from mining on the Moon — and how to divert a killer asteroidView the full article

Thank you once again for reading Fast Company’s Plugged In. A quick programming note: We will be taking the next two Fridays off. Happy holidays to all, and I look forward to resurfacing in your inbox next year. For any number of reasons, 2025 has hardly been my favorite year. But if I were to make a list of things that went well, my relationship with AI would be on it. This was the year I went from being an AI dabbler to a daily user. And while some of that usage still amounts to messing around—hello, Sora!—even more involves tasks that make me more productive. More importantly, it brings me better results, a goal I hold dear. (Sadly, not every AI enthusiast agrees.) Here, then, is a look at how I’m using AI as 2025 winds down. I covered some of this ground in a September Plugged In. But since I wrote that, the technology has become even more core to my workflow, and my AI A-team has shifted pretty dramatically to Google products for the first time. So a year-end update seemed worthwhile. First, I’ve finally figured out how to use chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Google’s Gemini as research tools. I remain wary of accepting anything they say as the truth, since AI still has a devious knack for hallucinating fantasies that sound like fact. But it’s dawned on me that I don’t need to take AI at its word. Starting a research quest with a detailed AI prompt is often more effective than trying to boil it down into keywords of the sort I would have typed into a search engine in the past. And every self-respecting chatbot now provides citations for its work, at least when I ask for them. They lead to web pages written by actual humans, which are far easier to assess than wordage extruded by an LLM. After spending most of 2025 weaving between ChatGPT and Claude as my chatbot of choice, I was (mostly) wowed by the new Gemini 3 Pro-powered version of Gemini that debuted in November. It’s become my default bot. But the frenzied pace of competition in the category argues against long-term loyalty: I need to spend more time with the new GPT-5.2 version of ChatGPT, which arrived last week. More than any garden-variety chatbot, I have found Google’s NotebookLM utterly essential this year. Instead of trying to be an expert on human knowledge in its entirety, it just digests files you feed to it. Then it lets you ask questions about them and responds with startlingly useful summaries and citations. They frequently lead to insights I wouldn’t have managed if left to my own devices, and have never mischaracterized anything or otherwise led me astray. For me, NotebookLM is most valuable as I spelunk through transcripts of the interviews that provide raw ingredients for articles I write. (In the case of our five-part oral history of YouTube, there were dozens of them, about 168,000 words in total.) For you, the source material might be internal documents, white papers, or something else relating to whatever you’re working on. Either way, this free tool, like most of history’s best software, is a bicycle for the mind. (Disclaimer: I’m not talking about NotebookLM’s best-known feature—podcast-like “audio overview” synthetic conversations based on your sources, which are an astounding magic trick but have never left me feeling smarter about a topic.) Finally on the AI good news front, there’s vibe coding—coming up with ideas for apps and having AI do nearly all the work of turning them into functioning software. When 2025 started, it didn’t even exist as a thing, at least under that name. Now I can’t imagine working without it. That started back in April, when I used a vibe coding tool called Replit to build the note-taking app of my dreams. The project required dozens of hours of effort and hundreds of dollars in usage fees. But eight months later, I use the app I created every day, and it still makes me unreasonably happy. Lately, I have been vibe coding with Google’s AI Studio, which is powered by Gemini 3 Pro. So far, the results have been less quirky and buggy than Replit’s sometimes are, making whipping up my own apps even more irresistible. Case in point: Last month, I bought a ScanSnap document scanner and soon discovered that its cloud service gave the resulting PDFs incomprehensible names. With Gemini’s help, I constructed a smart PDF-naming utility. It reads the files and renames them with clearer descriptions than I’d write myself. Problem solved, in about 20 minutes. Too much AI in all the wrong places For all the ways AI speeded my work in 2025, it’s been far from an unalloyed blessing. Notably, all the tools I praise above are newish and AI-first. When existing products are retooled to emphasize AI, the technology often feels bolted on. It’s not just that it isn’t dependably helpful; sometimes, it’s an obstacle to progress. For example, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Gmail, and Outlook would all be delighted to compose text for me, a feature that has become as prominent an element of their user interfaces as the 58-year-old blinking cursor. I have no interest in turning that job over to them. And yet I can’t ignore the various icons, widgets, and promos dedicated to these tools, which stare me in the face every time I sit down with these products. It’s an ongoing mental tax levied for alleged benefits I’d prefer to avoid. In other cases, it’s obvious that AI features have been rushed to market without sufficient quality control, as if the bragging rights for having shipped them were all that mattered. I have learned to tamp down my expectations, or even assume that new functionality will perform as advertised at all. In August, for instance. I discovered that ChatGPT’s new Agent feature couldn’t perform some of the tasks in its own list of things I should try. It was also incapable of reliably determining the current date. A month later, I was intrigued enough by Perplexity’s Email Assistant to briefly spring for a $200-per-month Perplexity Max account. I never got it up and running, in part because Perplexity’s own explanation of its new tool was notably short on, you know, explanation. I might have felt less lost if it had just included a screenshot or two. Whether or not there’s an AI bubble, the industry responsible for the technology is still in the process of confronting its legacy of overpromising and underdelivering. But with the good stuff getting really good, anything that fails to live up to its own hype—or simply meet reasonable standards of utility—will only look more ridiculous. May the momentum recently seen in AI productivity’s best products continue in 2026 and beyond. You’ve been reading Plugged In, Fast Company’s weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to you—or if you’re reading it on fastcompany.com—you can check out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Friday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me at hmccracken@fastcompany.com with your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. I’m also on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads, and you can follow Plugged In on Flipboard. More top tech stories from Fast Company These sites and apps will help you assemble the perfect holiday reading list Even in the AI era, bookstores and online reading communities still rely heavily on human expertise and personal recommendations. Read More → The Warner Bros.-Netflix merger could doom Hollywood film workers For media moguls, maximizing shareholder value is the only metric that counts. Read More → With Apple’s help, storytellers are figuring out Vision Pro The headset opens up immersive new opportunities for dramas, documentaries, music videos, and beyond. Some filmmakers and developers are diving right in. Read More → Robinhood knows you want to trade on everything Prediction markets boomed in 2025. Now Robinhood wants to cash in. Read More → This guy’s obscure PhD project is the only thing standing between humanity and AI image chaos A virtual watermark that’s nearly impossible to remove. Read More → Deepfakes are no longer just a disinformation problem. They are your next supply chain risk Most companies are woefully unprepared, and the traditional cybersecurity playbook isn’t enough. Read More → View the full article

Pricing is one of the most powerful growth levers a business has, yet it is still one of the most overlooked. While teams spend months refining product and brand, pricing decisions are too often rushed, emotionally charged, or guided by instinct rather than insight. Under the pressure of rising costs and competitive pressures, many leadership teams resort to the fastest fix: promotions to meet short-term targets or price increases to plug a margin leak. The companies that consistently outperform take a different approach. They treat pricing as a strategic, evidence-led discipline. They ground pricing in how customers perceive value and make decisions to deliver growth that lasts. Take two companies facing the same rising costs. One applies a uniform 10% price increase to protect margin. It works briefly, until customers notice and push back. Sales slip and the business reacts with discounts that instantly undo the uplift they were counting on. The other takes a more thoughtful approach. They identify where value is strongest, redesign how options are packaged and presented, and adjust prices selectively. A year later, revenue and gross margin are up, and customer trust remains intact. This is what happens when pricing becomes a strategic capability rather than a quick fix. Here are six levers business leaders can use to make pricing a sustainable engine of growth. 1. Position: Where do you sit in the market? Positioning shapes how customers view your product or service when compared to the alternatives. That may be another version of your offer, a competitor offer, or a completely different option that your customers believe can get the job done. Where you sit among those options shapes what customers are willing to pay. Is your offer seen as premium or budget? A “want to have” or a “need to have”? Make your positioning clear by finding out why customers choose you over the alternatives, and what role price plays in that decision. 2. Perception: How do customers assess value? Perception is how customers judge the value of your product or service. It’s how your solution meets their needs, solves a problem, or brings a moment of ease or delight. That perception forms before they buy through brand cues, third-party reviews and how clearly the benefits are communicated, and it continues to evolve based on how well the product performs in use. The mistake teams make is assuming customers see the value as clearly as they do. Instead, listen carefully to your customers to understand what they value most, and what they are willing to pay for that value. Use these insights to refine how you communicate value at every stage of the purchase journey. 3. Packaging: What choices are you offering? Packaging is the structure behind the choices you offer to customers: what’s included, how different features are bundled together, and how customers compare options. For example, streaming services use “good–better–best” packaging, with tiers ranging from a basic with ads plan up to a premium option. Give customers too many choices, and it’s overwhelming. Give them too few, and it becomes a question of “should I buy?” rather than “which should I buy?” Guide customers toward better decisions by making options intuitive, with clear trade-offs and visible benefits as they move to more premium options. 4. Presentation: How is your offer presented? Presentation is how your prices are visually communicated. Customers rely on subtle cues such as color, size, language, and layout to interpret value and compare choices. Each of these cues implicitly shapes how the price feels and can nudge customers toward one choice over another. Test and refine how pricing information is framed and displayed to build confidence and improve conversion. Experiment to measure which changes drive the best outcomes. 5. Price: Are you charging the right amount? Price is the number customers see, but it should not be the starting point for pricing decisions. When companies skip straight to the number, they end up debating numbers, not value. The price needs to align with everything that comes before it: positioning, perception, packaging, and presentation. When customers see a price that mirrors the value they feel, it strengthens trust, confidence, and conversion. Think about your price point. Is it aligned with your value, your position in the market, and the choices on offer? 6. Promotion: When and how should you discount? Promotion is the lever you pull to spark a specific behavior: trial, urgency, repeat purchase, or upsell. The challenge is that discounts are often used to chase short-term targets, which risks eroding margins and teaches customers to wait for a deal. Discounts and promotions work best when they are intentional and anchored in a clear pricing strategy. Use promotions to drive specific customer behaviors without undermining value or long-term profitability. Shift the question from “How much should we discount to hit this month’s number?” to “What behavior are we trying to drive, and is a discount the right lever to do it?” Under pressure, leaders face a choice: rely on reactive decisions or treat pricing as a strategic capability. By pulling a broader set of levers and grounding decisions in real customer value, you turn pricing into a tool that can shape demand, signal value, and lead to sustainable growth. View the full article

My work across decades has spanned sectors, geographies, and cultures, focusing on exploration, discovery, and innovation. My husband and I have defined our work across business, nonprofit, and philanthropy simply: “We invest in people and ideas that can change the world.” I spend much of my time exploring and sharing exciting developments that hold great promise. This work has taken me from building the Internet revolution, to working in villages and cities across the globe and America’s 50 states, to the boardroom of the National Geographic Society, where I just completed a decade of service as Chairman of the Board. It has been a true privilege to lead these efforts, and we have made a real impact in many ways. But this work can be difficult—my years of engagement in brain cancer research highlighted what an unknown frontier the brain represents. The work can also be complex—like rolling out initiatives across diverse geographies and communities, but it continues to energize and engage me. At nearly every turn, technology has been central to our quest to “find a better way,” and it has played an important part in every one of the success stories in our portfolio. But here, as we close out 2025, the reality is stark: while technology can still bring hope and promise on many fronts, the underbelly of its excessive use has become painfully clear. Americans now spend over seven hours a day looking at screens. Meanwhile, rates of anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness have skyrocketed, particularly among young people. Our brains are being rewired in ways none of us asked for, and the health and wellness of the population more broadly are seriously at risk. And sadly, the promise of technology to bring communities together that animated so many of us in our early tech careers has instead led to rising divisions between people and places. What can be done? So, what can be done here to address this worrisome trend? Well, it turns out a solution that might hold great promise was hiding plainly in sight: indeed, the answer doesn’t lie in abandoning technology, but rather in the simple act of logging off and getting out in nature. That’s right. It turns out nature is a powerful medicine. Recent research validates what many of us intuitively know: a Stanford meta-analysis of 449 studies found that nature exposure significantly improves mental health outcomes, including mood, stress, and anxiety. Perhaps most encouraging, researchers found that just 20 minutes in a park—even without exercising—people reported feeling better, while repeated nature exposure of as little as 10 minutes yields measurable benefits for those with mental illness. But the benefits extend far beyond individual wellness. These aren’t marginal improvements—they’re prescription-strength results from the most accessible medicine on Earth. The barrier to entry is often just putting on a pair of sneakers or hopping on a bike. The beauty of outdoor engagement is its democratic accessibility. Unlike expensive gym memberships or specialized equipment, stepping outside costs nothing and requires no particular skill. So whether you walk around the block, walk for 20 minutes in your neighborhood, or find a way to hike in a city, state, or national park, walking delivers measurable health benefits. A fork in the road We stand at an inflection point. We can continue accepting digital isolation and declining physical and mental health as inevitable byproducts of technological progress, or we can recognize that the human experience began outdoors, in communities, solving problems together—and that our health depends on experiences no app can replicate. This isn’t about returning to some romanticized past. It’s about balance. It’s about making outdoor, screen-free time as routine as checking email. It’s as simple as taking a walk, encountering neighbors or nature at a park or in your community. Where getting outdoors is the default, not the exception. The screen will always be there when you return. But the opportunity to rebuild America’s health and social cohesion by getting outdoors requires intention. We need individuals choosing strolling over scrolling, employers encouraging outdoor breaks as part of a productive workday, healthcare providers prescribing park time, and local leaders who prioritize walkable communities that enable us to meet and greet each other and Mother Nature. The question isn’t whether you have time for outdoor connection—it’s whether you can afford not to make time for the wellness program hiding in plain sight. View the full article

When it came to using frozen Russian assets as leverage, the EU blinkedView the full article

AI is forcing every leader into a choice they can’t dodge: do you believe your people are fundamentally creative and motivated, or lazy and in need of control? Most leaders won’t want to answer that honestly, but their AI strategy already has. The AI mandates. AI-blamed layoffs. So-called AI-enabled “bossware.” The truth is in the tools: many leaders prefer “synthetic” employees they can control, and will treat human beings much the same way until they can be replaced. Sound hyperbolic? Just look at recent headlines. Klarna’s CEO famously bragged about AI replacing his staff after the company fired or lost 22% of its workforce a year earlier (this blew up in his face, of course). Duolingo effectively announced a hiring freeze with the introduction of AI. Elijah Clark, a CEO who advises other CEOs on AI, quipped to Gizmodo, “AI doesn’t go on strike. It doesn’t ask for a pay raise” as he expressed excitement about laying off employees in favor of AI. A 2024 review found that more than two-thirds, 68 percent, of U.S. workers report experiencing at least one form of electronic monitoring on the job. There are actual billboards running that say, “Stop hiring humans,” while a new survey found that 37% of employers would prefer hiring a robot or AI over a recent college graduate. It isn’t just that AI is replacing workers (it is), it’s that AI is reinforcing our dimmest view of workers in the process. Generation X Douglas McGregor was a social psychologist and MIT Sloan professor who, in 1960, argued that leaders don’t just manage from goals and objectives; they manage from hidden assumptions about human nature. He called one cluster of assumptions Theory X: the belief that people dislike work, avoid responsibility, and need tight control and incentives to perform. The contrasting Theory Y assumed that, given the right conditions, people will seek responsibility, exercise self-direction, and bring far more creativity and judgment than most organizations ever tap. When leaders push AI in ways that amplify surveillance, shrink autonomy, or quietly replace judgment with automation, they aren’t just “modernizing,” they’re hard-coding Theory X into the operating system of work. Here’s the thing about Theory X/Y: McGregor wasn’t arguing which was right, whether employees were fundamentally lazy or capable, but that managerial beliefs become self-fulfilling. How you think about your employees determines how they’ll act. Bossware, productivity scoring, keystroke tracking, sentiment analysis of employee chats, all of it sends the same signal: we assume you won’t do the right thing unless we’re watching. These tools teach people that initiative is risky, creativity is irrelevant, and trust is conditional. And once those assumptions are embedded in tools, dashboards, and performance reviews, they stop being a management preference and start being the default culture. It doesn’t matter that not every CEO or leader sees employees this way, enough vocal Theory X proponents will shape the narrative for everyone else. Ultimately, the more that human beings are placed in head-to-head competition with AI, the more that the workforce will respond with fear, mistrust, loafing, and even cheating. Y Not A Theory Y AI tool starts from the premise that people want to do good work when the system around them makes that possible. Unfortunately, the market isn’t offering a lot of Theory Y AI right now. We need more tools here, more competition, more billboards blaring an alternative worldview. Imagine a tool, for example, that spots duplicated efforts early. Or one that learns from and simplifies decision-making and governance over time. That helps teams compare options, highlights trade-offs, and develops their strategic thinking muscles. That could create shared situational awareness by showing how changes in one team affect others in real time. Instead of secret dashboards used to police performance, Y-style tools could give workers ownership of their data and use it for growth, not punishment. They could make invisible contributions visible—mentorship, relationship-building, problem-prevention—so the whole texture of teamwork gets its due. In short, they could expand autonomy with guardrails, rather than constrict it with algorithms. Asking the Wrong Question The real question isn’t how much productivity we can squeeze out by replacing people with AI or treating them like imperfect machines. It’s how much potential we’ve never tapped because the modern workplace was built on bureaucracy, compliance, and risk-avoidance. For decades, we’ve constrained the very things that make humans extraordinary—creativity, judgment, curiosity, connection, the spark that happens when people riff on each other’s ideas. Those capacities have never been fully measured, let alone optimized, because most organizations designed them out of daily work. AI could help us reverse that. Not by automating humans out, but by clearing away the sludge that has buried human capability for a century: redundant approvals, performative documentation, meetings that exist because the calendar said so, processes created for a world that no longer exists. The opportunity isn’t a marginal gain from policing employees harder—it’s the exponential upside from finally unleashing the talent you hired in the first place. The leaders who will win the next decade aren’t the ones who solely bet on synthetic workers, but the ones who use AI to build the first truly human organizations—places where people can think, make, collaborate, and surprise you again. View the full article

Over the past several years, the art of the rebrand has increasingly become a spectacle sport. From cultural institutions like the Philadelphia Art Museum, which reportedly fired its CEO over a poorly received rebrand this year, to the furniture brand La-Z-Boy, which was widely praised for its modern revamp, the internet’s attention economy has meant that almost no notable rebrand is safe from social media’s deluge of hot takes. In 2025, that was more true than ever. Brands that rolled out a new look this year were scrutinized for everything from their font and color choices to the potential ideological implications of their visual pivots. In September, after the design firm Pentagram received major flack for its official branding of the city of Austin, partner DJ Stout told Fast Company, “It’s because of social media. Back when I first started about 40 years ago, nobody even knew what an identity system was.” To close out the year, Fast Company asked seven design experts to choose one rebrand that—for better or worse—will be remembered as the most influential of 2025, shaping both design and discourse in the months ahead. Here’s what they told us: Cracker Barrel’s “woke” rebrand In a testament to the major impact of Cracker Barrel’s rebrand, two of the seven designers we contacted identified the brand as their top pick. News of Cracker Barrel’s rebrand initially emerged in mid-October, when the company unveiled a new color palette, typography, and plans to revamp its restaurant interiors. But what really stood out to fans was the brand’s new logo, which removed the former rendering of an older man leaning on a barrel, known as “Uncle Herschel” or “the Old Timer,” in place of a more modernized look. “In the hope of presenting a more contemporary image to the world and attracting younger and more affluent customers, they eroded the brand’s identity and character (literally: goodbye Uncle Herschel),” says Matt Boffey, chief strategy officer at Design Bridge and Partners in the UK and Europe. Online, right-wing commentators framed the swap as a radical, “woke” move, with everyone from conservative activist Robby Starbuck to President The President himself weighing in with increasingly negative takes. The backlash was so severe that Cracker Barrel lost nearly $100 million in market value in the following days (though it later rebounded). It publicly walked back the rebrand, reinstating Uncle Herschel and assuring customers that it would no longer move forward with restaurant renovations. According to Stout of Pentagram, the unwanted attention around Cracker Barrel’s rebrand actually had ripple effects for the reception of his team’s City of Austin identity, which was unveiled around the same time and similarly became the target of criticism for what he calls the “logo mob.” “To be fair, I think the Cracker Barrel identity rebrand was nicely done and a much needed evolution,” Stout says. “The effort was unfairly judged by merely comparing the ‘before and after’ versions of a single element (the logo) of the comprehensive identity system, which is the typical online parlor game of rebrand criticism these days. The complete identity system is smart and exactly what I would have done–which is why I may need to think seriously about retiring.” Stout adds that, in his opinion, the worst part of the whole fiasco was the fact that Cracker Barrel chose to revert to their “dated, out-of-touch” identity. “That spineless decision by the parent company didn’t acknowledge the months of thoughtful deliberation and work that went into the development of their new identity system—and it threw their design partner under the bus,” Stout says. “This knee-jerk reaction and the online mob mentality it has stoked is a concerning trend and detrimental to my industry moving forward.” Walmart takes a trip into the archives Undoubtedly the largest company to rebrand this year was Walmart. The brand got its first update in two decades, courtesy of the design firm Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR), which gave it a subtle facelift that amplifies its blue and yellow color palette and sprinkles in some callbacks to the company’s ‘60s and ‘70s archives. “My favorite part is how that custom typeface is put to work,” says Delta Murphy, an associate partner at Pentagram’s Austin outpost. “It nods to their past while still giving them room to grow, and that kind of balance is incredibly hard to pull off. I’m not sure I’d call it a trend as much as a principle of design I appreciate, but I get excited when rebrands tie into meaningful heritage and push into modernity, especially through typography.” Murphy adds that the Walmart rebrand actually hit a similar note as Cracker Barrel’s new identity—the difference being that Cracker Barrel “got tangled up in politics and internet outrage,” which stalled the roll-out before it could ever get off the ground. “If I had one wish for the future of graphic design and branding, I’d wish for more curious conversation and a lot less cynicism,” she says. Cash App is not your mom’s banking app One undersung branding hero of 2025 is Cash App, according to Kimia Fariborz, senior designer at the global creative agency Further. In March, Cash App introduced a new set of brand guidelines that brought playful motion elements and expressive graphics to the brand, making it feel more like an artsy, design-centric brand than a baking app. These broadened guidelines, Fariborz says, helped pave the way for Cash App to roll out new features throughout the year that represent how the modern customer is actually banking, like through bitcoin payment options and an AI assistant named Moneybot. “What I appreciated most is that Cash App embraces its reality instead of posturing as a traditional bank,” Fariborz says. “It recognizes the unconventional ways people use it and builds a tone that reflects that world. That honesty gives the brand permission to be vibrant and layered in a category that often defaults to seriousness.” Grammarly gets a new name Nearly two decades after its founding in 2009, Grammarly traded its brand name in October in favor of “Superhuman,” the name of a younger, less well-known AI company that it recently acquired. The swap came alongside a massive brand overhaul designed to signal Grammarly’s shift into a new era focusing on agentic AI. David Placek, CEO and cofounder of the firm Lexicon Branding, believes the change is bound to pay off. He notes that we’ve seen other companies reverting back to a component of their old name or debuting a new iteration—like MSNBC to MS NOW and Gannett to USA Today—but Superhuman’s naming shift was by far the boldest. “I expect this to be influential because Grammarly is extremely widely used today, but their name has always held them back a bit,” Placek says. “I think it’s a great call to action for companies to reflect on whether their brand name is stunting their growth and if so, to rebrand.” Apple TV loses the “+” If Superhuman represents a major brand name swap done right, then Apple TV+’s new identity as Apple TV, which was revealed in October, is an example of a small identity tweak that actually makes sense. When streaming first emerged as a new way to consume content, the “Plus” symbol became a ubiquitous way to let consumers know what kind of service a brand was offering. Today, though, streamers like Disney+ and Apple TV+ are recognizable without the extra punctuation tacked on—so, Apple made the decision to simplify things by taking it out altogether. A month later, the company also unveiled a new Apple TV branding system created using practical effects. Matt Sia, executive creative director at the design firm Pearlfisher, says the update will have an impact on branding moving forward because it demonstrates a future-facing truth: when categories become cluttered, clarity becomes the differentiator. “Instead of proliferating sub-brands and product names, adding bells, whistles (or ‘+’s), Apple pulled everything into one coherent idea,” Sia says. He believes that consolidation will spark a wave of simplification across the industry, as others begin to question how they can reduce noise in their own positioning. “Apple crafted an identity that feels more visceral and immediate. It doesn’t rely solely on software animation to convey emotion, but ensuring the logo, typography, and graphic system hold expressive power on their own,” Sia says. “Filming in an entirely practical way without relying on CGI sends a message that human touch and crafting experiences, using process and materials, still hold value.” Gap gets its groove back This year, one iconic American company didn’t rebrand in the traditional sense, but it did manage to completely turn its brand perception around: Gap, the apparel purveyor that, mere months ago, may have seemed like an outdated relic, but is now the fashion darling of Gen Zers everywhere. “Gap’s brand resurgence into the cultural lexicon this year wasn’t a story of refreshing identity but one of reclaiming ethos,” says Alexa DePasquale, head of strategy at the design agency CBX. “The brand focused less on overhauling aesthetics and more on doing things in the world that doubled down on the core equities that once made it so iconic: essential silhouettes, American optimism, and visual language engrained in memory.” Stand-out moves from Gap this year include aligning with Zac Posen, partnering with designer Sandy Liang, and bringing back the y2k jean through a collaboration with the pop group Katseye. All of these moves have resurrected the brand from the back of your childhood closet to the front of the cultural zeitgeist. “Brands are recognizing that distinctiveness matters far more than novelty, and Gap’s confident return to what only it can do proves why it is a staple,” DePasquale says. “I’m loving the clarity that comes from the brand’s conviction to buck trends. More legacy brands will realize the power that comes from moving forward without abandoning the DNA that once made them inevitable.” View the full article

Every year the world gets a little more digital—and every year we still find surprise, delight, and meaning in the physical and the material. Like books or movies, the objects we obsessed over tell a story about the year gone by. So to continue a tradition that goes back several years now, here’s my look at the objects that tell the story of 2025: the joys, the absurdities, and the difficult-to-explain. 1. “Gold” Oval Office Decor To call the second The President administration a new gilded age is less a critique than a straightforward descriptor. Most notably, the president has transformed the look of the Oval Office into a barrage of gold, from gilded statues and vases to accent pieces that Internet sleuths said were actually just painted decor from Home Depot. (The President denied this.) While mocked as tacky by many observers, the look is of a piece with a continuing embrace of brazen material opulence, from a $1 million “gold card” visa and a massive new ballroom where the East Wing used to be, to accepting a $400 jet from the Qatari government and a newly invented “peace prize” from FIFA that involved a trophy—an “oddly gruesome” object according to The New Yorker, but a shiny one, too. 2. The Wirkin Bag Walmart doesn’t usually find itself in the same conversation as luxury brands. But the discount behemoth’s $78 bag that echoed the design of the Hermès’ iconic $10,000-and-up Birkin was dubbed “the Wirkin” on social media. It quickly became a sensation—and an emblem of “dupe” culture, in which lower prices handily The President authenticity. That may threaten the value of some high-end brands, but actual Birkins remain coveted: The original, made for actress Jane Birkin, sold at auction for $10.9 million this year. 3. Starbucks Bearista Tumblers Starbucks’ attempted turnaround journey included rough patches like closing hundreds of locations and laying off employees. But the coffee giant proved it can still generate excitement—maybe more excitement than it wanted. Customers lined up at 3 a.m. to score limited-run, bear-shaped glass tumblers for $30 a pop, and sometimes getting into scuffles when there weren’t enough. But the “Bearista” cups promptly became a meme, even inspiring good-natured copycat tributes from the likes of Aldi and Walmart. Recently, Starbucks has brought the object back (on a limited basis of course) as a prize for members of its rewards program. 4. Vera C. Rubin Observatory Telescope In a year when science seemed under assault, the world’s largest telescope debuted with “jaw-dropping” views of space, including millions of galaxies and thousands of never-before-seen asteroids in our solar system. Decades in the works, the observatory is at the summit of a Chilean mountain, its telescope equipped with the biggest space camera ever built, with an unprecedented three-billion pixel sensor array. The result, from the start, has been stunning images. 5. Inflatable Frog Costumes Video of Seth Todd, a protester outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, being chemical-sprayed by law enforcement went viral, one assumes, largely because he was wearing an inflatable frog costume. The absurdity was, after all, the point. The outfit’s success at making heavy-handed tactics look both bullying and clueless is why inflatable costumes—sharks, chickens, etc.—became a popular form of protest-wear. It’s an example of “tactical frivolity” as a form of resistance that defangs accusations of violent opposition. As one observer put it: It’s hard to be violent in a frog suit. 6. Wicked x Swiffer If you were looking to exemplify dubious movie-product collabs, you would have a hard time dreaming up something to top the special edition pink Wicked Swiffer. The hit Wicked movies, building on the acclaimed Broadway musical, have spawned scores of products and brand collabs, as is standard practice for blockbuster IP. But there’s something about the Swiffer sweeping its way into the spotlight of a witchy story that’s irresistibly ridiculous—picture a witch zooming away on a sponge mop instead of a broom. 7. Oasis Bucket Hat In 2025, one locus of 1990s appreciation was the lucrative reunion tour of millennial-favorite Britpop throwback rockers Oasis, making bucket hats one of the year’s Vogue-approved accessories. The floppy Gilligan-style bucket hat was part of the Gallagher brothers’ style, and apparently still is: Singer Liam clarified from the stage, “it’s a bucket hat,” to anyone mistaking his headgear for a beanie. “You’re just in a sea of bucket hats,” one concertgoer who paid $42 for an Oasis-branded hat told The Wall Street Journal, calling the effect “hilarious.” 8. L.A.B. Putter Golf is not a sport known for sudden change or progressive innovation. All the more remarkable that one of 2025’s most significant golf moments involved a weird-looking club J.J. Spaun used to sink a 64-foot putt that clinched the U.S. Open. Lie Angle Balance putters are designed to minimize torque, positioning the shaft directly into the instrument’s center of gravity, behind the head. This ends up looking like some sort of exotic barbecue tool, but their use has grown steadily on the tour and off, and this year was a breakthrough. Sales of the putter, starting at $400, are expected to triple, and a private equity fund backed by LVMH reportedly bought a majority stake in L.A.B. for $200 million. 9. AI data centers While tech pundits seem to think a desirable AI wearable is imminent (and no, the Friend ragebait ads for a product that scarcely exists don’t count), the most significant manifestation of AI mania are the data centers the technology requires. Microsoft’s Fairwater AI data center in Wisconsin has three main buildings totaling about 1.2 million square feet, its data storage systems five football fields long. Meta’s Louisiana AI campus, announced in 2025, involves over four million square feet of buildings, an industrial district of server halls, power yards, and cooling infrastructure. OpenAI’s Stargate similarly immense data center in Abilene, Texas, in progress, may ultimately require 1.2 gigawatts of power. 10. “Dust”-Free Cheetos and Doritos With skepticism of processed foods becoming a rare point of bipartisan agreement, PepsiCo is among those adding more natural, health-conscious offerings to its lineup. The most startling experiment: versions of Cheetos and Doritos without their signature orange colors—and that weird, messy, but nonetheless iconic, “dust.” The new line, dubbed Simply NKD, isn’t actually any healthier, it just doesn’t scream “industrial foodstuff” anymore. It’s a start? 11. The Button After years of swiping, tapping, and pinching, physical controls have started to show signs of a comeback. The touchscreen era has been particularly evident in auto design—and so is the recent pushback. “The data shows us physical buttons are better,” Mercedes-Benz’s chief software officer declared this year in the course of unveiling a more button-centric design strategy. Hyundai and Volkswagen are making similar moves toward bringing back buttons and knobs. The industry won’t likely swipe left on touch screens altogether, but it’s acknowledging the attraction of physical controls—at least until the robocars take over. 12. Labubu Those toothy, furry creatures hanging from everyone’s handbag weren’t a fever dream. The Labubu is very real, and the biggest collectible craze in recent memory. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart in mystery “blind boxes,” the willfully ugly plush dolls became status symbols after K-pop star Lisa from BLACKPINK was spotted with one late last year. By 2025, celebrities from Rihanna to Kim Kardashian were clipping Labubus to their designer bags, turning the $22 accessory into a very lucrative fad. Pop Mart reported $1.9 billion in revenue for the first half of 2025—up over 200%—with Labubu accounting for a third of sales; an oversized version of the creature even joined the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. One theory of the Labubu’s appeal: the “blind box” sales strategy as an antidote to an overly algorithmic world. As one marketing professor put it: “It’s fun, it’s uncertain, and it’s social.” At least until the next trend comes along. View the full article

You can now read every article that has ever appeared in The New Yorker—from as early as February 1925—with the click of a button. For the publication’s centennial anniversary, its editorial team has spent months painstakingly scanning, digitizing, and organizing every single issue it’s ever published, or more than half a million individual pages. Each issue is artfully arranged in a chronological display under a purpose-built archive section of the website; but the content has also been incorporated into The New Yorker’s search algorithm so that readers can come across it organically. As the future of magazine journalism remains uncertain, a look back through this carefully archived material demonstrates the importance of preserving print media for the future. Digitizing a century-old archive The process of digitizing The New Yorker’s full catalog actually started back in 2005. That year, explains Nicholas Henriquez, the publication’s director of editorial infrastructure, Random House published The Complete New Yorker, a book that came with DVD-ROMs (now retro tech) containing scanned pages from all the pre-digital issues. Then, in early 2024, Henriquez’s team started to convert those scans into digital text. To start, this meant consulting with The New Yorker library, where the magazine’s physical archives are stored, to re-scan several hundreds of pages that required another pass for a number of reasons—including damage, a poor initial scan, or a corrupted file. “Some of the older issues, from the first five years or so, were basically untouched,” Henriquez says. “I had to use a letter opener to open the pages to scan some of them.” After the team had a complete collection of files, they then began the painstaking process of formatting and styling them for the web. There were the predictable challenges of making old magazine articles work online. Each needed a workable headline, description, and image. Bylines in particular were tricky, Henriquez says, as many early writers would use pseudonyms or humorous one-off pen names—or, in some cases, fail to sign their name at all. “That’s part of the value of having, as The New Yorker does, a team of technologists who are part of the editorial staff: We can build these databases and apps and scripts, and we can also look at something in that database like ‘Ogden de Sade’ and know, okay, that’s Ogden Nash, and it’s funny, and we should figure out a nice way to keep that joke online,” Henriquez says. “There were many instances where our technological approach was informed by this deep understanding of the magazine’s history and its cultural context.” Unearthing a treasure trove of early journalism Over the course of this process, Henriquez unearthed stories that he never could have expected. He came across a short, unsigned book review from 1935 of a memoir by a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, and says he had to “triple-check that we didn’t have bad data somewhere, because that review was published in March of 1935, just two years after Hitler became chancellor. I didn’t realize those stories were out there that early, much less being translated into English and published in America.” On a lighter note, he also found a piece about going to the Newark airport at the dawn of commercial aviation in 1933, and a 1947 article that’s one of the first examples of TV criticism ever published by The New Yorker. Along the way, he says, he rediscovered what makes magazine writing special. “In a newspaper, most stories have the same framing: ‘This happened,’” Henriquez explains. “But a magazine article can do something different: It can be told in a different tense or in a different way—‘This could happen,’ ‘This happened to this person.’” Examples of this distinct genre of analysis include a 1969 article, a few months before the moon landing, that lays out how it will happen, step-by-step; or a pre-Sputnik piece about American scientists trying to launch the first satellite; or a 1961 feature on the rollout of desegregation, as witnessed by author Katharine T. Kinkead and a group of Black college students driving around Durham, North Carolina. Henriquez says: “These kinds of things, I think, make magazine journalism essential and unique.” View the full article

Foreign Office was hacked in October, ministers have revealedView the full article

More than 20% of Americans will be diagnosed with mental illness in their lifetimes. They will, that is, experience conditions that influence the way they think, feel, and act—and that may initially seem incompatible with the demands of work. Our new research suggests that what people living with chronic mental illnesses need most to succeed at work is for their managers to be flexible and trust them. This includes the freedom to adjust their schedules and workloads to make their jobs more compatible with their efforts to manage and treat their symptoms. For that to happen, managers need to trust that these workers are committed to their jobs and their employers. We’re management professors who reviewed hundreds of blog and Reddit posts and conducted in-depth interviews with 59 people. And those are the most significant findings from our peer-reviewed study, published in the October 2025 issue of the Academy of Management Journal. Scouring Reddit posts and conducting interviews We gathered our data from three sources: anonymous blog posts from 171 people, Reddit posts from 781 people, and in-depth interviews with 59 workers employed in a variety of jobs across multiple industries. All these people worked while dealing with chronic mental illness, such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. The blog posts were maintained by a nonprofit concerned with the experiences of individuals living with mental illness. We focused on posts tagged “work.” To identify relevant data on Reddit, we searched using a combination of the word “work” with several terms associated with mental illness. Additionally, we restricted our data collection to unsolicited narratives published prior to mid-March 2020 to avoid overlap with the employment changes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because this data was gathered from the internet, we couldn’t obtain details about participants’ gender, age, profession, or education. We also recruited people to interview through social media postings, advertising in a public university’s alumni listserv, and contacting an organization that focuses on men’s mental health. We also made requests of those we’d already interviewed to see whether they had recommendations for other people to possibly interview. The interviews took place in 2020 and 2021. Speaking with people from all walks of working life About 37% of the people we interviewed identified as women, and their average age was 41.5 years. Approximately 80% of them identified as Caucasian, 3.5% Black, 3.5% Hispanic, and less than 2% identified as either Indian, Korean American, mixed race, or Middle Eastern and North African. About 3.5% chose not to answer. They held a variety of jobs, including lawyer, professor, touring musician, consultant, teacher, real estate manager, chief technology officer, salesperson, restaurant server, travel agency manager, graphic designer, tester for manufacturing plant, chemical engineer, and bus driver. Several worked in tech fields. When the employees who we studied were trusted and given flexibility, they became better able to do their jobs while also attending to their well-being. Employees who had lived with their condition for years used what we call “personalized disengagement and engagement strategies” to manage their symptoms. That refers to the fact that people with mental illness respond best to different coping strategies depending on their own preferences and symptoms, instead of using generic techniques they learned from self-help resources or peers. Examples of personalized disengagement strategies ranged from leaving workspaces to meditate to taking a walk to finding a quiet space to cry. Engagement strategies included immersing more deeply into work and having conversations with co-workers. These coping strategies will sound familiar to most people, including those without any chronic mental health conditions. But workplaces don’t always give employees, regardless of their disability status, the flexibility and self-determination necessary to enact their strategies. In fact, a recent survey by Mind Share Partners found that nearly half of employees didn’t even feel like they could disconnect from their jobs after working hours or while on vacation. Many employees also told us that they benefited from trust and flexibility in the period after they were diagnosed, when they needed to explore different therapies and treatment techniques. When managers allow for flexibility, trust workers to do what they need to do to address their symptoms, and convey their compassion, employees with chronic mental illness are more likely to keep their jobs and get their work done. Affecting most employers Mental illnesses became more prevalent in the aftermath of COVID-19, especially among adolescents and young adults. So, if you’re an employer, chances are that our research is relevant to your workforce. Depression, a common mental illness, had an estimated cost of US$1 trillion annually in lost productivity in 2019, the World Health Organization has estimated. People with anxiety and mood disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, may periodically have symptoms that interfere with their ability to do their jobs. And while doing those jobs, they risk being stigmatized by co-workers who may know little about mental illness or be judgmental about people with those chronic conditions. That adds further stress beyond what others would experience at work. Employee assistance programs could be falling short In response, many employers offer benefits to help employees cope with mental and emotional problems, such as employee assistance programs, mental-wellness app subscriptions, and stigma-reduction efforts. These one-size-fits-all initiatives can help improve functioning for those with occasional or short-term emotional problems, and they can help improve leaders’ ability to respond to employees’ distress, which is crucial. But as a whole, they are not enough to solve the problem. Employee assistance programs, which nearly all big companies offer, have not proved systematically helpful to workers in achieving their goals. One study found that they reduced employees’ absences but did not reduce their work-related distress. Another study even found that workers who used these programs became more inclined to leave their jobs. Not missing out on peak performers Contrary to stereotypes, people with chronic anxiety and depression, such as those we studied, are generally as capable of success in the workplace as anyone else in the right context. Extremely high performers, such as the late actor Carrie Fisher and the Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, are two such examples of people with a mental illness who were top achievers in their field. If you were a manager, wouldn’t you want people of this caliber working for you? If so, then it’s important to create the right conditions, which many employers fail to do despite their best efforts. Needing more mental health support Companies will face increasing pressure to support those with mental illness and other mental health challenges. Monster’s 2024 State of the Graduate Report found that Gen Z employees (people born between 1996 and 2010 and are currently in their teens and 20s) are increasingly prioritizing support for mental health at work, with 92% of 18- to 24-year-olds surveyed wanting a job where they are comfortable discussing their mental health at work. This trend suggests that employers wishing to attract top entry-level talent will need to effectively support mental health, highlighting the importance of continuing to research this issue. Sherry Thatcher is a Regal Distinguished Professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee. Emily Rosado-Solomon is an assistant professor of management at Babson College. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

“Mad Max mode” may sound like something out of a video game, but it is a real-life setting for cars currently plying America’s streets. And it poses genuine danger. In an homage to the main character from George Miller’s dystopian 1979 film and its sequels, originally portrayed by current The President supporter Mel Gibson, Tesla created Mad Max mode as an option for vehicles equipped with its “Full-Self Driving” (FSD) system. The Mad Max icon is a mustachioed smiley face wearing a cowboy hat, bearing less of a resemblance to the film’s titular vigilante than to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal. (Warner Bros., which released the films, has not filed suit.) Despite its name, FSD does not enable the car to drive itself. Rather, it is an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), capable of changing lanes, making turns, and adjusting speed as long as a human driver remains alert and ready to take over. Other automakers, such as Ford and GM, also offer ADAS systems. Mad Max mode is starkly different from other FSD settings like “Sloth” and “Chill.” Teslas using it will roll through stop signs and blast past other vehicles on the road. One driver posted a YouTube video showing his Mad Max-enabled Tesla hitting 82 mph while whizzing by a 65 mph speed limit sign. A social media user wryly suggested that Mad Max “should just immediately write you a ticket when you turn it on.” Tesla made Mad Max mode available briefly in 2018 and then reintroduced it in October. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration quickly announced a safety investigation; the agency declined to give an update on its status. Musk’s company is not the only one programming its vehicles to treat traffic laws as suggestions rather than requirements. Waymo’s robotaxis (which, unlike ADAS such as Tesla FSD, do not require anyone in the front seat) have been spotted in San Francisco blocking bike lanes and edging into crosswalks where children are walking. In a recent Wall Street Journal story titled “Waymo’s Self-Driving Cars Are Suddenly Behaving Like New York Cabbies,” a Waymo senior director of product management confirmed that the company has programmed its cars to be more aggressive. He said that recent adjustments are making its robotaxis “confidently assertive.” Welcome to our brave new computer-powered future, where companies will determine which road rules are obeyed and which are ignored. We might not like what they decide. Mad Max, unleashed Traffic laws occupy a curious niche in the U.S., where most drivers break them regularly and without consequences. “There is this built-in acknowledgment that going 5 miles per hour over the limit is okay,” says Reilly Brennan, a partner at Trucks Venture Capital, a transportation-focused investment firm. “In other parts of our life, that wouldn’t be acceptable, like going 5% over in accounting or when a doctor performs some kind of task.” Indeed, many otherwise law-abiding drivers occasionally change lanes without using a turn signal or double park while grabbing coffee, knowing that these behaviors are technically illegal, but believing they are unlikely to result in a crash or fine. Driving more than 25 mph over the speed limit is a different story. Most people avoid doing so unless, say, rushing a child to the hospital, given the risk of getting into a crash or receiving a pricey ticket. But unlike humans, robotaxis and ADAS can violate traffic laws regardless of situational context. “You’ve taken away the agency of the person to decide whether it’s reasonable to break the law at that time,” says Phil Koopman, professor emeritus of computer science at Carnegie Mellon, who has studied autonomous driving extensively. Furthermore, companies like Tesla and Waymo may be shielded from the consequences of both minor and major traffic violations. The driver of a Tesla running FSD, for instance, is expected to remain alert and ready to take over, and the company claims that the driver—not Tesla—is liable for mishaps or collisions. “You have a company deciding to break the law, but the driver is being held responsible and suffering the consequences,” Koopman says. Last August, a Florida jury rejected Tesla’s attempts to pin crash responsibility on drivers alone, awarding $243 million to the family of a person struck and killed by a Tesla running Autopilot, the company’s less advanced ADAS. Tesla is appealing. Producers of fully autonomous software shoulder more responsibility for their vehicles’ actions than car companies offering ADAS. Still, accountability isn’t a given for them, either. State law in California and Georgia currently does not allow police to ticket vehicles without a driver, though California will close that loophole next year. (A Waymo spokesperson said the company supported California’s change). Everyone’s a road warrior now Without liability for traffic law violations, companies may program their vehicles to take more risks. Tesla likely launched Mad Max mode to appeal to the company’s hardcore customers, says author and podcaster Edward Niedermeyer, who has written a book about the company’s history and is currently writing a follow-up. “Tesla has a baseline incentive to release all kinds of weird, quirky, unique software updates that cost them almost nothing and fuel their online fan base,” he says. “Mad Max mode is an example of that, and it happens to also reflect the company’s casual attitude toward public safety.” Waymo’s robotaxis do not behave nearly as aggressively as Teslas running Mad Max. But the company faces an incentive to turn its assertiveness dial up a bit, if only to match the expectations of its paying passengers, who have become accustomed to violating traffic laws when they themselves sit behind the wheel. Driving “like your grandmother”—as writer Malcolm Gladwell described his Waymo passenger experience in 2021—isn’t exactly a juicy marketing line. “Consumers think that these systems should drive the way they drive,” Brennan says. Some circumstances clearly call for rule-breaking, such as moving across a double yellow line to navigate around a moving van that is being unloaded. “What we’ve learned through more than a hundred million real-world miles is that appropriate assertiveness is crucial for safety and traffic flow,” says a Waymo spokesperson. But other situations are trickier, such as dropping someone off in a crosswalk or bike lane when no parking spot is available. These behaviors may be common practice among human drivers, but they can endanger other road users and certainly inconvenience them. Last year, Waymo received 589 tickets for illegal parking in San Francisco. But the public may have limited patience for computer-powered cars that bend traffic rules or cause collisions. Researchers have found that people are more tolerant of risk in activities they can control (like driving) than those they cannot (like robotaxis). Case in point: A recent outcry erupted in San Francisco after Waymo vehicles ran over a cat and dog. Of course, countless American pets are killed by human drivers, including the estimated 100,000 dogs who die annually after being placed in truck beds. These tensions will not dissipate anytime soon, given how furiously makers of ADAS and autonomous vehicles are working to win over customers. Brennan envisions a future where riders might choose from varying levels of robotaxi assertiveness. “Right now, there is just one Waymo setting,” he says. But in a few years, there may be “three or four settings, and one of them is almost exactly like the way that you want to drive.” For that to happen, humans will have to grow accustomed to self-driven cars zooming past speed limits and playing chicken with pedestrians in crosswalks. Companies are designing their autonomous systems to reflect how humans drive, for better and for worse. View the full article

Nostalgia has been one of the dominant themes of 2025, from AI-generated scenes of the good ol’ days to the resurgence of analog hobbies. Retro, a friends-only photo journal, recently launched a new feature which taps into this mindset, turning your camera roll into a personal time machine. The Rewind feature, launched this week, resurfaces camera roll memories from this time last year. These are private to you unless you choose to share with others. “People are taking more photos than ever but they’re actually doing less with them. It’s almost as if those photos go into the ether,” Nathan Sharp, cofounder and CEO of Retro, tells Fast Company. “We built Retro to change that. Our mission is to bring friends closer and help you appreciate the important moments in life. The Rewind feature does that by surfacing forgotten photos and making it easy to share memories with the people who matter most,” Sharp adds. On the app, Rewind can be launched from the end of the row of shared photos, or from the middle tab in the bottom navigation bar on the app. Users have the option to share or send the photos to a friend, or hide those they’d rather not see. There’s also a “dice” icon, which takes users to a random memory when tapped. The idea of dusting off old photo albums is nothing new. Facebook’s “On This Day” feature performs a similar function, while Apple Photos has been known to make emotional slideshows of ephemera in its camera roll or surprise you with long-forgotten photos of an ex. “It’s not the solo nostalgia you get from apps built to store or manage photos. It’s also not the same as social platforms that prioritize links and news over friends’ content,” says Sharp. “That’s the difference: we’re building for genuine connection with real friends, not algorithms, likes, or audience growth.” Sharp, who previously spent over six years at Meta, founded the photo-sharing startup with Ryan Olson, Retro’s CTO, in 2022. Now with roughly a million users, Retro just hit #1 in photo apps in 12 countries, is the #1 overall app in six countries (including Germany, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland) above Instagram and ChatGPT, and is climbing fast in the U.S. It was also selected as a finalist for Apple’s 2025 Cultural Impact Award. The app’s main function is sharing unfiltered photos of what’s happening during your week with a private group of friends, or in shared albums. No public likes, algorithm-induced doomscrolling, or pressure to curate an aesthetic “photo dump”. A wider pushback against performativity and, in turn, surveillance culture, has internet users turning to online spaces and apps that exist beyond influencer culture, social clout and e-commerce. Here, the internet is restored to its original purpose: facilitating moments of authentic connection both ad-free and slop-free. “Gen Z is actively looking for an alternative to algorithmic feeds dominated by influencers and brands,” says Sharp. “We see social moving toward digital sanctuaries where connection is easy and authentic, not performative. That’s what we’re building.” View the full article