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In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, where artificial intelligence is reshaping consumer interactions, small business owners face both exciting opportunities and daunting challenges. Stripe, the renowned financial services company, recently launched the Agentic Commerce Suite, a solution designed to help businesses navigate this new frontier of sales through AI agents. This offering not only simplifies integration but also positions small businesses to engage with customers in innovative ways. The Agentic Commerce Suite emerges at a crucial moment, as companies like Coach, Kate Spade, and Anthropologie prepare to embrace a future dominated by AI-driven interactions. With the rise of agentic commerce, which allows AI to assist in purchasing decisions, leveraging AI agents is becoming a vital strategy as consumer preferences shift. A key benefit of Stripe’s new suite is its low-code functionality that facilitates seamless integration across various AI platforms. Small business owners often grapple with the complexities of onboarding onto multiple platforms; each AI agent typically has its own requirements. However, Agentic Commerce Suite allows businesses to connect with various agents through a single integration, eliminating the fragmentation that usually hampers efficiency. Moreover, the Suite incorporates Shared Payment Tokens that allow AI agents to securely transmit buyer payment information to businesses. This not only accelerates the checkout process—it also enhances security, ensuring sensitive information remains protected. Quotes from industry leaders illustrate the potential impact of this solution. Amit Sagiv and Volodymyr Tsukur from Wix explain, “By integrating Stripe’s Agentic Commerce Suite, we’re providing merchants a simple, seamless way to tap into agentic commerce as it emerges, unlocking new opportunities to reach customers, drive conversion, and fuel sustainable growth.” This sentiment is echoed by Rafe Colburn of Etsy, who emphasizes that the Suite enhances the discoverability of sellers’ unique products, enabling them to thrive across platforms. The implications for small business owners are substantial. The transition toward agentic commerce signifies a shift in how consumers engage with products—moving from traditional browsing to a more interactive, personalized shopping experience. Businesses that integrate AI-driven solutions effectively stand to benefit from improved customer engagement, increased sales conversions, and competitive advantage in an increasingly digital marketplace. However, while the Agentic Commerce Suite presents promising advantages, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Dependency on AI technologies means that businesses must stay abreast of changes within these platforms. The initial integration may require dedicated resources, including time and possibly additional staffing, to ensure a smooth transition. Moreover, while maximizing opportunities through agentic commerce, businesses must maintain robust customer relationships amid machine-driven interactions. The authenticity and personal touch that small businesses often pride themselves on could be overshadowed if not carefully managed. As Stripe continues to build the economic infrastructure for AI-enabled commerce, small business owners have the chance to capitalize on this transformative moment. With the Agentic Commerce Suite, they are equipped to traverse the complexities of AI integration while unlocking fresh avenues for growth. For those looking to explore this further, more information can be found on Stripe’s blog here. As the digital marketplace continues to evolve, staying ahead of trends will be key for small businesses intent on thriving in an increasingly automated world. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Stripe Launches Agentic Commerce Suite to Simplify AI-Driven Sales" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Last month, Believer Meats was basking in acclaim. The startup had just secured final U.S. government approval for what it billed as Earth’s largest cultivated-meat facility, a $125 million complex near Raleigh, North Carolina. Boosters hailed the plant’s role in strengthening U.S. competitiveness in the race to grow meat from cells—a sector long dominated by Israel. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) called it “a major economic win for the state and region.” Believer Meats CEO Gustavo Burger said he was thrilled about the facility’s opening, calling it a “major milestone” that would redefine the future of food. “Boom,” he wrote on LinkedIn, announcing that the company was set to begin commercial production of its flagship lab-grown chicken. “Here’s to the next chapter!” That chapter lasted roughly two weeks. Today, the 200,000-square-foot facility’s fancy bioreactors and centrifuges sit quiet. In an all-hands meeting over Microsoft Teams on December 1, a tearful Burger informed staff that Believer was ceasing operations and laying everybody off. “The worst day of my career,” he told employees, according to people on the call who spoke with me under anonymity so as not to harm their future work prospects. A major financial backer had pulled out, leaving management scurrying to secure a last-ditch loan, which was also denied. The startup, valued at $600 million in 2021, would be closing shop before putting a single lab-grown chicken strip into a consumer’s hand. It had just posted an ad for a new plant manager. It is a stunning collapse for one of the sector’s most promising players. Founded by Hebrew University biomedical engineer Yaakov Nahmias, Believer rose on the promise of being the first company to turn cell-based meat into a low-cost commodity. By 2021, it had raised $347 million from giants like Archer Daniels Midland and Tyson Foods. After opening what it called the world’s first commercial cultured-meat factory in Rehovot, close to Tel Aviv, the company began scouting U.S. sites for a far larger facility. Additional money came from the prominent food investment firm S2G Ventures; Neto Group, one of Israel’s largest food conglomerates; and Bits x Bites, a Chinese foodtech accelerator. In 2024, Jeff Bezos donated $30 million to help Believer create the North Carolina State University Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein. This past summer, Believer became the fifth cultured-meat startup to secure a “no questions” safety letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, putting it alongside Upside Foods, cell-based salmon maker Wildtype, Mission Barns (whose pork meatballs just became the first cultured meat sold in U.S. grocery stores), and Eat Just (which five years ago sold the world’s first cultured chicken, in Singapore). In September, Believer announced that it had completed the plant’s construction. The facility boasted a bioreactor that it said would revolutionize animal biomass in the same way Ford’s assembly line revolutionized automobiles. For phase one of operations, the plant would be able to produce 21 million pounds of chicken per year, at a cost of $8.50 to $10 a pound. “Hundreds of thousands of people could potentially try it,” Believer’s chief product and growth officer Heather Hudson said, “making it more accessible not just for a certain demographic, but for most people.” Capacity was designed to double, eventually, to 42 million pounds, and Believer claimed that a price point of under $7 per pound was in view. Believer Meats comes to an end The alternative meat protein industry has long operated in a Silicon Valley–style reality distortion field, one that ignores the stubborn physics of the real world. Eat Just founder Josh Tetrick, who built the eggless mayonnaise brand Just Mayo, told Better Meat Co. founder Paul Shapiro, for his 2018 bestselling book Clean Meat, that Eat Just—Just Mayo’s parent company—would be “the world’s largest meat company” by the year 2030. A think tank predicted that demand for cow products would fall by 70% by that same year. Believer had made bold statements of its own, particularly about its own success with reducing costs, the biggest hurdle standing in lab-made meat’s way. In 2021, Nahmias noted that Believer was cultivating chicken breast for $7.70 per pound, down from $18 six months earlier—a price decrease that seemed to validate the sector’s meteoric hype. It was a massive improvement from 2013, when a team of scientists led by Mark Post, founder of Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Mosa Meat, served the first cultured burger through the help of an eye-popping $330,000 investment from Google’s Sergey Brin. At the time, Nahmias called Brin’s $330,000 hamburger “probably the silliest idea I’ve ever heard.” Last month, Nahmias’s lab published a study in Nature Food outlining a new method for dividing cow cells that doesn’t require gene-editing. Estimating that beef produced this way would cost in the range of $7 to $10 per pound, Nahmias declared it “a true ‘eureka’ moment,” overturning decades of assumptions about bovine cell biology. Believer ran out of cash two weeks later. According to insiders, the company is currently seeking a buyer or some alternative structure that would allow the business to continue in some form. It’s unclear if any top level executives remain. But some people in senior management, like chief product and growth officer Heather Hudson, reportedly left Believer just weeks before the layoffs. Believer employees were not offered severance. Worse, the final pay period passed without them receiving paychecks. By law, employers laying off their workforce with a headcount of at least 100 must either warn employees 60 days in advance, or pay them for 60 additional days. Interview requests I sent in early December to the Believer communications department and to CEO Gustavo Burger have gone unreturned, including queries about the company’s actual headcount at the time of its collapse. Believer had said that the North Carolina facility would employ 100 people, and additional team members worked from its Chicago headquarters. The company’s LinkedIn page listed the workforce as being between 50 and 200. Big tours and taste tests Built by Gray Construction—a firm that has handled warehouses for Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar, and Walmart—Believer’s North Carolina facility had been in its windup phase, called “commissioning” in industry-speak. Former employees tell me that the target date for shipping the first finished chicken products to Believer’s co-packer had been tentatively set for early spring. The initial customers were going to be wholesale restaurant partners. But the plant reportedly ran into operational issues. Former employees describe glycol leaks, improperly welded pipes, and cooling problems that delayed the timeline by weeks at a time. Believer reportedly hired an outside contractor to fix issues more quickly. Two sources told me that construction delays were a significant obstacle to progress. In November, Believer held a town hall meeting during which attendees say executives hinted at financial trouble. A funding round deemed “mission-critical” was underway, they explained; much suddenly seemed to hinge on its success. Former workers say that in recent months, big tours and taste tests had been organized for well-dressed groups of prospective financial suitors. On December 1, Burger told the staff via Teams that the company was kaput. The evening, an outsider who’d been rooting for the company’s success reached out to me to share that Believer had closed the plant. A few days later, Gray filed a legal complaint demanding $34 million for the outstanding debt that Believer owes for the facility. The brutal efficiency of the bird In the meantime, the faucet that practically gushed money has slowed to a drip. According to the alt-protein trade group Good Food Institute, funding to cultivated-meat companies has shrunk from $1.38 billion in 2021 to just $139 million in 2024. Upside Foods suffered two rounds of layoffs in 2024, and a third major restructuring in March. A decade after also encountering labeling disputes, regulatory setbacks, and other problems with Just Mayo, Eat Just switched the chicken it’s selling in Singapore to a 3% cultivated chicken, 97% plant-based protein hybrid product, and meanwhile got sued for more than $100 million by bioreactor partner ABEC for unpaid bills. ABEC alleges that Eat Just was “woefully undercapitalized from the beginning.” Even cultured meat’s most vocal cheerleader, Paul Shapiro, has staked his company Better Meat Co.’s future not on lab-grown cells, but on a “complete protein” made from mycelium. Then there is Meati, which by 2025 had secured $400 million in funding and was selling its alt-steaks in 7,000 stores nationwide. It was reportedly headed toward bankruptcy by last spring (after a protracted IP dispute, incidentally, with Better Meat Co.). Yasir Abdul—an infomercial entrepreneur who made his fortune selling belts, car dash cams, shoe insoles, and Drain Buddy hair catchers on late-night TV—took control of the company in a fire sale. In a press release, he asserted that “when startups and founders build a brand, they have tunnel vision,” but Meati would tap into new growth by harnessing the power of direct-to-consumer sales: “As Seen On TV products are available in all major retailers across the world.” And yet cultured-animal players are hardly the only names struggling in alt-meat. Beyond Meat once traded at $230 a share after its 2019 IPO, with a market cap of $14 billion. This summer, CEO Ethan Brown told me that the company was reorienting the brand to highlight vegetables as pure, clean ingredients instead of existing as a sort of not-meat—to the point of dropping “Meat” from the name. But after reporting a $100 million loss for the third quarter of 2025, Beyond’s stock price slid to less than $1 a share. In June, Impossible Foods CEO Peter McGuinness warned his company was mulling a burger that was half real beef. For the past decade, the percentage of Americans identifying as vegetarian and vegan largely hasn’t changed. Yet during this same period, spending on plant-based foods doubled, from less than $4 billion in the mid-2010s to more than $8 billion today. The gap is explained by meat eaters behaving like vegans part-time. But this group is less ethically bound to the diet. Externalities like taste, price, and cultural trends can push these consumers back to more conventional meat options. In fact, amid continued inflation, sales of plant-based foods fell in 2024. Cultured meat, in particular, is crashing into the brutal efficiency of the bird. Chicken is the most common meat to try to cultivate, and the modern broiler chicken is the cheapest form of animal muscle meat. Disruptors like Believer are asking consumers to pay $8 per pound for a product that tastes and looks different, while a rotisserie chicken at Costco costs $4.99. Meanwhile, mainstream consumers are pursuing “natural” products more than ever. Food has landed in the crosshairs of a growing cultural pushback against artificial slop. Products that veer into an Uncanny Valley of food are therefore at a special risk. Impossible Foods CEO McGuinness captured this well at the recent World Economy Summit in October. He acknowledged that the industry’s high-concept pitch was becoming a losing proposition and recast the sector’s origins as a tactical error. “People don’t want to eat tech food or climate food—they just want to eat delicious, nutritious food,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to get back to.” View the full article

AirDrop is one of Apple's best features. I use it on a daily basis to share files between my various Apple devices, but it really shines when I'm sharing stuff with other people, or vice versa. It can be tricky to find a quick solution to send larger files. Emails have too low a file size limit, chat apps can compress files, and cloud storage can fill up fast, but AirDrop is simple, built-in, and reliable. It even works with Android now, albeit just the Pixel 10. If AirDrop has one flaw, it's that it's not particularly easy to use with strangers. Apple has changed how this side of AirDrop works over the years. For the longest time, you had two AirDrop settings: "Contacts Only," which only lets your saved contacts find your device for AirDropping files, and "Everyone," which leaves your AirDrop open to anyone with an iPhone to send you stuff. This was convenient when you needed to share files with strangers, but inconvenient if you left it on: Anyone with an iPhone could see your iPhone and send you anything—like, say, a bomb threat while on an airplane. Not good. Then, Apple changed this latter functionality to "Everyone for 10 Minutes." Ever since, if you want to open up your AirDrop to people outside your contacts, you have to manually enable this toggle, which will only stay open for, well, 10 minutes. After that, it switches back to "Contacts Only." That's an improvement in security, but not in convenience. If you're ever in a situation where you need to AirDrop something to someone relatively frequently but you don't want to add their contact to your iPhone, you'll be switching back to "Everyone for 10 Minutes" every 10 minutes. iOS 26.2, Apple's newest iPhone update at the time of this writing, introduces a solution—AirDrop codes. This feature forces anyone not saved in your contacts who wants to share something with you via AirDrop to ask for a one-time code first. Once you share that code, that user is temporarily saved on your iPhone for 30 days, allowing you to AirDrop repeatedly without issue. After those 30 days are up, the user leaves your iPhone, and you don't need to worry about pruning your Contacts app down the line. (This same functionality also applies to AirDrop on iPadOS 26.2 and macOS 26.2.) How to AirDrop with strangers using AirDrop codesHere's how this new AirDrop experience works with strangers going forward. Let's say you're at a conference and you meet someone who wants to send you some relevant materials via AirDrop. You set your AirDrop settings to "Everyone for 10 Minutes," they see your contact, and attempt to send you the file. On your end, you see the request, with a "Continue" option: Once you tap it, you'll see the AirDrop code on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can tell the code to the sender, who can enter it on their device. If successful, the file will be shared like any other AirDrop interaction. As stated above, this allows you to AirDrop with this contact for 30 days without needing to bother with another AirDrop code. But if you're done sharing with the stranger for good, you can remove their temporary contact early. Head to the Contacts app, hit the back button in the top left if applicable to head to Lists, then choose Other Known. Here, you'll see any temporary contacts generated from previous AirDrop sessions, which you can delete ahead of that 30 day deadline. Otherwise, your device will take care of it once that timeframe has elapsed. View the full article

Welcome to exhausted America 2025: Most adults are more than a little fine with doling out cash as gifts, and many plan to be asleep before midnight on New Year’s Eve, according to a new AP-NORC poll. About 6 in 10 Americans say cash or gift cards are “very” acceptable as holiday presents, but they’re much less likely to say that about a gift that was purchased secondhand or re-gifted, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. “Cash is OK for the grandkids I guess,” said Nancy Wyant, 73, in rural central Iowa. “But I’m a gift giver.” Come New Year’s Eve, she’ll be fast asleep before 2026 rolls around. “At our age, we don’t do anything,” the retired bus driver said with a laugh of herself and her live-in partner. “He’s set in his ways.” They’ll be joined by the 44% of Americans who say they won’t stay up to greet 2026, according to the poll. About half of U.S. adults age 45 or older won’t make it to midnight, compared with around one-third of adults under age 45. Consider 23-year-old Otis Phillips in Seattle, an outlier for his age. He, too, will turn in early. “It’s one of the holidays that doesn’t really feel special to me,” said the master’s student. Most say cash makes an acceptable holiday gift Cash is a safer gift for younger adults. The poll found about two-thirds of Americans under 45 say cash is a “very” acceptable holiday gift, compared with 55% of adults age 45 or older. “Everything’s too expensive nowadays. And I don’t want to go buy a gift for somebody and then it turns out they don’t like it. So cash,” said Gabriel Antonucci, 26, a ski resort cook in Alaska, about an hour outside of Anchorage. Most people at least grudgingly accept various gift types, with about 9 in 10 saying cash or gift cards are at least “somewhat” acceptable and about 6 in 10 saying the same for secondhand gifts and re-gifted items. Teresa Pedroza, a 55-year-old mom of two adult sons in central Florida, is mostly not on board. “I don’t like it when kids say they want cash, or I should get teenagers gift cards,” she said. “It kind of takes some of the charm away from gift giving.” But she acknowledged reaching for cards a time or two out of convenience. About three-quarters of adults under age 45 say secondhand gifts are at least “somewhat” acceptable, compared with about 6 in 10 adults age 45 or older. About 4 in 10 adults age 45 or older say secondhand gifts are “somewhat” or “very” unacceptable. Many keep holiday decor up beyond the new year It’s not just your pesky neighbors who leave their holiday decorations up into January. About one-third of U.S. adults say they’ll leave them up after New Year’s Day. It’s more common for people to leave their decorations up after the holiday season than to put them up early, according to the poll. About 2 in 10 Americans say they put up holiday decorations before Thanksgiving. “I just had my husband bring down the bins. If we weren’t expecting company, I wouldn’t even bother to decorate, honestly. I’m tired of doing that,” said Pedroza, the Florida mom of two. Many will celebrate Christmas Day with sports About one-quarter of U.S. adults say they’re planning to watch sports on Christmas Day, while only 5% will head for a movie theater. Men are much likelier than women to say they’ll watch sports on Christmas, and older Americans are much more likely than younger Americans to tune in. About 2 in 10 adults under age 45 say they plan to watch sports on Christmas, compared with about 3 in 10 adults age 45 or older. Phillips does plan to break out his red sweater with the green Christmas tree that one of his grandmothers knitted for him a couple of years ago. “She made all kinds of things for me growing up,” he said. “This is by far my favorite.” Phillips has it in rotation for his part-time job as a grocery checkout clerk. He’s the outlier once again. Women are much likelier than men to say they’ll wear a holiday sweater or accessories. Gifts for pets and Elf on the Shelf About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they will give a gift to their pet this year. In Iowa, Wyant’s nearly 3-year-old boxer-Great Dane mix named Indy is among them. “She’s a very spoiled dog,” Wyant said. “She’s got too many toys, so she’s getting treats this year. She loves her treats.” And the red felt elf that parents move around the house every night as a Santa spy to see which kids have been naughty or nice? Only about 1 in 10 U.S. adults say they’ll do Elf on the Shelf. “Noooo,” Pedroza said when asked if she’d ever done the elf for her kids. “My younger son was very well-behaved. I didn’t have to use any kind of tactics.” ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,146 adults was conducted Dec. 4-8 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4 percentage points. —Leanne Italie and Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, Associated Press View the full article

When you’re looking to create impressive video montages without spending a dime, you’ll find several free software options at your disposal. Each tool offers unique features customized for different skill levels. For instance, Adobe Premiere Rush provides quick editing capabilities, whereas DaVinci Resolve caters to advanced users with robust tools. As you explore these options, you’ll discover how each can improve your creative projects effectively. But which one will best suit your needs? Key Takeaways Look for software with drag-and-drop functionality to simplify arranging elements in your montage effortlessly. Ensure the platform supports 4K video to produce high-quality, professional-looking projects. Choose options with built-in effects and transitions to enhance creativity without needing additional plugins. Select tools offering free plans with no watermarks for 4K downloads, maximizing project visibility. Explore software with extensive online tutorials to help beginners quickly learn and apply editing techniques. Adobe Premiere Rush: Quick and Effective Editing If you’re looking for a video editing solution that balances speed with effectiveness, Adobe Premiere Rush might be just what you need. It’s among the best free software for video editing for YouTube, combining a user-friendly interface with robust features. You can easily drag and drop your clips, and the automatic assembly feature speeds up the editing process considerably. The free version supports exports at 1080p and 60fps, ensuring your videos look professional. Although it’s limited to single-track editing and lacks advanced tools like chroma keying, it still offers a solid foundation for creating polished content quickly. For beginners or anyone searching for good free software, Adobe Premiere Rush is an excellent choice for efficient video production. Clipchamp: Versatile Web-Based Editor Clipchamp is a user-friendly web-based video editor that you can access from any device using Chrome or Edge. With its multi-track editing capabilities, you can easily layer videos, audio, and images to create intricate montages. Furthermore, the platform offers a variety of free templates and assets, allowing you to improve your projects without starting from scratch. User-Friendly Interface When you’re looking for a video editing tool that’s easy to navigate, Clipchamp stands out with its user-friendly interface. This versatile web-based editor is among the top free software for creating engaging montages. Here’s what makes it a great choice: Seamless Access: Works flawlessly on Chrome and Edge, so you can edit anywhere. Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Import and arrange clips effortlessly, saving you time. Free Templates and Assets: Begin your projects with a variety of ready-made options. Smooth Performance: It runs well with compatible internet speeds and devices. These features make Clipchamp one of the good apps to edit, ensuring a straightforward editing experience for users at any skill level. Multi-Track Editing Capabilities For those looking to create more intricate video montages, multi-track editing capabilities are a significant advantage offered by Clipchamp. This affordable editing software allows you to layer multiple video and audio tracks, enabling complex montages that improve storytelling. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the arrangement, trimming, and manipulation of clips across various tracks simultaneously, making it accessible for beginners and experienced editors alike. Nevertheless, keep in mind that Clipchamp’s performance can depend on your internet speed, potentially influencing the responsiveness of real-time multi-track editing. With the free version, you’ll still be able to export your projects in 1080p resolution, ensuring high-quality outputs without watermarks, which is a valuable feature for any creative project. Free Templates and Assets During the creation of a video montage, having access to free templates and assets can greatly streamline the editing process. Clipchamp offers a wealth of options that cater to your creative needs, making it one of the best video editing software for music videos. Here are some key features: Free Templates: Choose from various pre-designed templates to kickstart your project. Stock Footage: Access a library of stock videos to improve your montage without any extra cost. Transitions and Overlays: Utilize different transitions and overlays to create seamless effects between clips. High-Quality Exports: Export your final video in 1080p resolution, ensuring your content looks professional on any platform. With these free templates and assets, your editing experience will be both efficient and enjoyable. Imovie: User-Friendly Experience for Mac Users iMovie offers an intuitive and user-friendly experience for Mac users, making it an excellent choice for those looking to create video montages without a steep learning curve. As one of the best free movie editing software options, iMovie features a straightforward interface with drag-and-drop functionality, which is perfect for beginners. You can easily access footage stored in iCloud, streamlining your editing process. The software in addition includes advanced editing tools like chroma keying and video stabilization, allowing you to improve your projects effectively. With the ability to export videos in up to 4K resolution, you’ll achieve high-quality results. Plus, iMovie supports direct sharing to social media platforms, making it convenient to publish your completed montages. Kdenlive: Comprehensive Open-Source Solution Kdenlive stands out as a thorough open-source video editing solution that caters to both novices and seasoned editors alike. It’s a top contender among the best free video montage software options owing to its robust features. Here are four key aspects that make Kdenlive exceptional: Multi-track Editing: Work with multiple video and audio tracks simultaneously for complex projects. Built-in Effects: Access a variety of effects and transitions, eliminating the need for third-party plugins. GPU Rendering: Enjoy improved performance during editing and rendering, even though this feature is still experimental. User-Friendly Interface: Benefit from extensive online tutorials and community support, making it approachable for beginners. With these features, Kdenlive competes well with pro video editing programs, offering versatility and creativity. DaVinci Resolve: Powerful Tools for Advanced Editing DaVinci Resolve is a standout choice among video editing software, particularly for those seeking advanced tools and capabilities. Known as one of the best video grading software options, it offers exceptional color correction and grading tools that help you achieve cinematic quality. The software supports multi-user collaboration, enabling teams to work on projects together in real-time. With its free version, you get robust features without watermarks or project duration limits, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. Furthermore, DaVinci Resolve includes over 100 GPU-accelerated effects and extensive audio post-production capabilities. Its HDR support allows you to work with high-resolution formats, meeting the demands of modern filmmaking, solidifying its reputation as top rated movie editing software. CapCut: Feature-Rich Interface for All Skill Levels In relation to user-friendly video editing, CapCut stands out as a versatile, free multi-platform app that caters to creators at all skill levels. This app is especially popular among those searching for the top iPad video editing apps or good music video editing software. Here are some key features that make CapCut a great choice: Intuitive interface for easy navigation. One-tap aspect ratio adjustments for social media optimization. Regularly updated templates and effects to stay trendy. Robust editing tools like auto-captioning and text-to-speech. Completely free with no watermarks, CapCut enables influencers and content creators to produce engaging short-form videos effortlessly, whether they’re on mobile or desktop. Adobe Express: Simple Drag-and-Drop Editing For those seeking an easy-to-use video editing software, Adobe Express offers a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes video montage creation straightforward for users of all skill levels. You can easily import and arrange clips, images, and audio tracks, streamlining your editing experience. Adobe Express also provides various pre-designed templates and assets, improving your montages without extensive design skills. With support for 4K video downloads without watermarks, it’s one of the best video software for music videos. Furthermore, built-in tools for text overlay and motion effects allow you to create engaging montages quickly. Feature Benefit Note Drag-and-Drop Easy arrangement of elements User-friendly interface 4K Video Support High-quality outputs No watermarks in free plan Pre-designed Assets Improve creativity No design skills needed Text Overlay Add context and engagement Customizable options Motion Effects Dynamic presentations Quick implementation Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free Editing Software for Montages? When you’re looking for the best free editing software for montages, consider options like DaVinci Resolve for its professional features, including color grading and effects. HitFilm Express is great for dynamic montages, offering an extensive effects library. OpenShot allows unlimited layers for complex edits, whereas Shotcut supports various formats and is user-friendly. Finally, Blender combines 3D capabilities with video editing, making it perfect for creative projects requiring unique visual elements. Which Is the Best Video Editor for Free? When you’re looking for the best free video editor, consider DaVinci Resolve for its professional features, including advanced color correction and no export watermark. HitFilm Express offers visual effects alongside editing capabilities, making it versatile. Lightworks provides robust tools but limits exports to 720p. For beginners, OpenShot is user-friendly and supports unlimited layers. Finally, Shotcut allows for various video formats and customization, catering to a wide range of editing preferences without any cost. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often turn to YouTube for free video editing tools to create their content. Popular choices include DaVinci Resolve, known for its professional-grade features without watermarks, and HitFilm Express, which offers over 400 visual effects and helpful tutorials. iMovie appeals to Apple users for its straightforward interface, whereas Kdenlive provides advanced options for open-source enthusiasts. Clipchamp is favored for its web-based platform, allowing easy editing and direct exporting to YouTube from any device. What Is the Free Video Compilation App? A free video compilation app allows you to merge various video clips, images, and audio into one cohesive montage without spending any money. These apps typically feature user-friendly interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality, making them accessible for beginners. Many offer templates, transitions, and effects to improve your project. Nonetheless, be aware that some may impose limitations like watermarks or export quality restrictions, which can affect the final output of your video. Conclusion In conclusion, choosing the right free video montage software can greatly improve your creative projects. Each of the options discussed—Adobe Premiere Rush, Clipchamp, iMovie, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, and Adobe Express—offers unique features customized to different skill levels and editing needs. By evaluating your specific requirements and preferences, you can select the software that best fits your workflow, allowing you to produce high-quality video montages without incurring costs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Best Free Video Montage Software Options for Creative Projects" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When you’re looking to create impressive video montages without spending a dime, you’ll find several free software options at your disposal. Each tool offers unique features customized for different skill levels. For instance, Adobe Premiere Rush provides quick editing capabilities, whereas DaVinci Resolve caters to advanced users with robust tools. As you explore these options, you’ll discover how each can improve your creative projects effectively. But which one will best suit your needs? Key Takeaways Look for software with drag-and-drop functionality to simplify arranging elements in your montage effortlessly. Ensure the platform supports 4K video to produce high-quality, professional-looking projects. Choose options with built-in effects and transitions to enhance creativity without needing additional plugins. Select tools offering free plans with no watermarks for 4K downloads, maximizing project visibility. Explore software with extensive online tutorials to help beginners quickly learn and apply editing techniques. Adobe Premiere Rush: Quick and Effective Editing If you’re looking for a video editing solution that balances speed with effectiveness, Adobe Premiere Rush might be just what you need. It’s among the best free software for video editing for YouTube, combining a user-friendly interface with robust features. You can easily drag and drop your clips, and the automatic assembly feature speeds up the editing process considerably. The free version supports exports at 1080p and 60fps, ensuring your videos look professional. Although it’s limited to single-track editing and lacks advanced tools like chroma keying, it still offers a solid foundation for creating polished content quickly. For beginners or anyone searching for good free software, Adobe Premiere Rush is an excellent choice for efficient video production. Clipchamp: Versatile Web-Based Editor Clipchamp is a user-friendly web-based video editor that you can access from any device using Chrome or Edge. With its multi-track editing capabilities, you can easily layer videos, audio, and images to create intricate montages. Furthermore, the platform offers a variety of free templates and assets, allowing you to improve your projects without starting from scratch. User-Friendly Interface When you’re looking for a video editing tool that’s easy to navigate, Clipchamp stands out with its user-friendly interface. This versatile web-based editor is among the top free software for creating engaging montages. Here’s what makes it a great choice: Seamless Access: Works flawlessly on Chrome and Edge, so you can edit anywhere. Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Import and arrange clips effortlessly, saving you time. Free Templates and Assets: Begin your projects with a variety of ready-made options. Smooth Performance: It runs well with compatible internet speeds and devices. These features make Clipchamp one of the good apps to edit, ensuring a straightforward editing experience for users at any skill level. Multi-Track Editing Capabilities For those looking to create more intricate video montages, multi-track editing capabilities are a significant advantage offered by Clipchamp. This affordable editing software allows you to layer multiple video and audio tracks, enabling complex montages that improve storytelling. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the arrangement, trimming, and manipulation of clips across various tracks simultaneously, making it accessible for beginners and experienced editors alike. Nevertheless, keep in mind that Clipchamp’s performance can depend on your internet speed, potentially influencing the responsiveness of real-time multi-track editing. With the free version, you’ll still be able to export your projects in 1080p resolution, ensuring high-quality outputs without watermarks, which is a valuable feature for any creative project. Free Templates and Assets During the creation of a video montage, having access to free templates and assets can greatly streamline the editing process. Clipchamp offers a wealth of options that cater to your creative needs, making it one of the best video editing software for music videos. Here are some key features: Free Templates: Choose from various pre-designed templates to kickstart your project. Stock Footage: Access a library of stock videos to improve your montage without any extra cost. Transitions and Overlays: Utilize different transitions and overlays to create seamless effects between clips. High-Quality Exports: Export your final video in 1080p resolution, ensuring your content looks professional on any platform. With these free templates and assets, your editing experience will be both efficient and enjoyable. Imovie: User-Friendly Experience for Mac Users iMovie offers an intuitive and user-friendly experience for Mac users, making it an excellent choice for those looking to create video montages without a steep learning curve. As one of the best free movie editing software options, iMovie features a straightforward interface with drag-and-drop functionality, which is perfect for beginners. You can easily access footage stored in iCloud, streamlining your editing process. The software in addition includes advanced editing tools like chroma keying and video stabilization, allowing you to improve your projects effectively. With the ability to export videos in up to 4K resolution, you’ll achieve high-quality results. Plus, iMovie supports direct sharing to social media platforms, making it convenient to publish your completed montages. Kdenlive: Comprehensive Open-Source Solution Kdenlive stands out as a thorough open-source video editing solution that caters to both novices and seasoned editors alike. It’s a top contender among the best free video montage software options owing to its robust features. Here are four key aspects that make Kdenlive exceptional: Multi-track Editing: Work with multiple video and audio tracks simultaneously for complex projects. Built-in Effects: Access a variety of effects and transitions, eliminating the need for third-party plugins. GPU Rendering: Enjoy improved performance during editing and rendering, even though this feature is still experimental. User-Friendly Interface: Benefit from extensive online tutorials and community support, making it approachable for beginners. With these features, Kdenlive competes well with pro video editing programs, offering versatility and creativity. DaVinci Resolve: Powerful Tools for Advanced Editing DaVinci Resolve is a standout choice among video editing software, particularly for those seeking advanced tools and capabilities. Known as one of the best video grading software options, it offers exceptional color correction and grading tools that help you achieve cinematic quality. The software supports multi-user collaboration, enabling teams to work on projects together in real-time. With its free version, you get robust features without watermarks or project duration limits, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. Furthermore, DaVinci Resolve includes over 100 GPU-accelerated effects and extensive audio post-production capabilities. Its HDR support allows you to work with high-resolution formats, meeting the demands of modern filmmaking, solidifying its reputation as top rated movie editing software. CapCut: Feature-Rich Interface for All Skill Levels In relation to user-friendly video editing, CapCut stands out as a versatile, free multi-platform app that caters to creators at all skill levels. This app is especially popular among those searching for the top iPad video editing apps or good music video editing software. Here are some key features that make CapCut a great choice: Intuitive interface for easy navigation. One-tap aspect ratio adjustments for social media optimization. Regularly updated templates and effects to stay trendy. Robust editing tools like auto-captioning and text-to-speech. Completely free with no watermarks, CapCut enables influencers and content creators to produce engaging short-form videos effortlessly, whether they’re on mobile or desktop. Adobe Express: Simple Drag-and-Drop Editing For those seeking an easy-to-use video editing software, Adobe Express offers a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes video montage creation straightforward for users of all skill levels. You can easily import and arrange clips, images, and audio tracks, streamlining your editing experience. Adobe Express also provides various pre-designed templates and assets, improving your montages without extensive design skills. With support for 4K video downloads without watermarks, it’s one of the best video software for music videos. Furthermore, built-in tools for text overlay and motion effects allow you to create engaging montages quickly. Feature Benefit Note Drag-and-Drop Easy arrangement of elements User-friendly interface 4K Video Support High-quality outputs No watermarks in free plan Pre-designed Assets Improve creativity No design skills needed Text Overlay Add context and engagement Customizable options Motion Effects Dynamic presentations Quick implementation Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free Editing Software for Montages? When you’re looking for the best free editing software for montages, consider options like DaVinci Resolve for its professional features, including color grading and effects. HitFilm Express is great for dynamic montages, offering an extensive effects library. OpenShot allows unlimited layers for complex edits, whereas Shotcut supports various formats and is user-friendly. Finally, Blender combines 3D capabilities with video editing, making it perfect for creative projects requiring unique visual elements. Which Is the Best Video Editor for Free? When you’re looking for the best free video editor, consider DaVinci Resolve for its professional features, including advanced color correction and no export watermark. HitFilm Express offers visual effects alongside editing capabilities, making it versatile. Lightworks provides robust tools but limits exports to 720p. For beginners, OpenShot is user-friendly and supports unlimited layers. Finally, Shotcut allows for various video formats and customization, catering to a wide range of editing preferences without any cost. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often turn to YouTube for free video editing tools to create their content. Popular choices include DaVinci Resolve, known for its professional-grade features without watermarks, and HitFilm Express, which offers over 400 visual effects and helpful tutorials. iMovie appeals to Apple users for its straightforward interface, whereas Kdenlive provides advanced options for open-source enthusiasts. Clipchamp is favored for its web-based platform, allowing easy editing and direct exporting to YouTube from any device. What Is the Free Video Compilation App? A free video compilation app allows you to merge various video clips, images, and audio into one cohesive montage without spending any money. These apps typically feature user-friendly interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality, making them accessible for beginners. Many offer templates, transitions, and effects to improve your project. Nonetheless, be aware that some may impose limitations like watermarks or export quality restrictions, which can affect the final output of your video. Conclusion In conclusion, choosing the right free video montage software can greatly improve your creative projects. Each of the options discussed—Adobe Premiere Rush, Clipchamp, iMovie, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, and Adobe Express—offers unique features customized to different skill levels and editing needs. By evaluating your specific requirements and preferences, you can select the software that best fits your workflow, allowing you to produce high-quality video montages without incurring costs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Best Free Video Montage Software Options for Creative Projects" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Hollywood studio wants Larry Ellison to offer an airtight personal guarantee, like the Tesla boss did with TwitterView the full article

Warner Bros. is telling shareholders of the company that it believes a $72 billion buyout offer from Netflix is superior, and to reject a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance. Paramount went hostile with its bid last week, asking shareholders to reject the deal with Netflix favored by the board of Warner Bros. Paramount is offering $30 per Warner share, or $77.9 billion, to Netflix’s $27.75 per share. A Warner Bros. merger with either company would alter the landscape in Hollywood and will face intense scrutiny from U.S. regulators as it would impact movie making, consumer streaming platforms, and, in Paramount’s case, a major source of news for millions of people. The competing offers set the stage for combining some of the most beloved entertainment properties. Netflix’s vast library includes “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game,” while the much smaller Paramount owns its Hollywood studio and major TV networks like CBS and MTV. Both covet Warner, which owns Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, and the Harry Potter franchise. “Whichever media company, if any, ultimately secures (Warner), controls the calculus of the streaming wars and so much more,” said Mike Proulx, vice president and research director at research firm Forrester. Both offers will face regulatory scrutiny, an issue President Donald The President has already weighed in on. Here’s what to know about the three players and what the bids mean for the entertainment industry. A look at the offers CEO David Zaslav has been seeking offers for Warner Bros. Discovery since at least October, when he said the company might be open to selling all or parts of its business. Paramount said Monday it had submitted six proposals to Warner over a 12 week period before its offer was rejected in favor of Netflix. So Paramount decided to go straight to Warner shareholders with a bid it says is worth about $79.9 billion, or $30 per share in cash. Paramount, unlike Netflix, is also offering to buy the cable assets of Warner, and asking shareholders of the company to reject the Netflix bid. Paramount CEO Larry Ellison said the offer is worth about $18 billion more in cash than the competing cash-and-stock bid from Netflix. The Paramount deal includes help from investors such as The President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and funds controlled by the governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to a regulatory filing. Netflix is offering a combination of cash and stock valued at $27.75 per Warner share. Its offer values Warner at $72 billion, excluding debt, but it is not bidding on Warner-owned networks such as CNN and Discovery. Before Paramount’s bid, the Netflix deal was expected to close in the next 12 to 18 months, after Warner completes its previously announced separation of its cable operations. Competing bids make an eventual deal more likely Matthew Dolgin, senior equity analyst at research firm Morningstar, said there are still many unknowns, including whether Netflix will now sweeten its bid. But, he said, a competing offer makes it more likely that Warner will eventually be acquired. “With Paramount now also being involved formally with an offer to shareholders, it’s even more likely to us that Warner gets acquired, because it’s no longer a single decision that may or may not hinge on regulatory approval,” he said. Shareholders have until Jan. 8, 2026, to vote on Paramount’s tender offer. Donald The President weighed in earlier Another wild card could be President The President. He already weighed in on the deal, saying that the Netflix offer to buy Warner “could be a problem” because of the size of the potential size of the audience. The Republican president said he will be involved in the decision about whether the federal government should approve the deal. Paramount’s CEO is the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, an ally of The President. Federal regulators under The President approved Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance in July. Regulatory scrutiny awaits either deal On the Netflix offer, state or federal regulators could be most concerned about the massive size of a combined Netflix and Warner subscription service, said Morningstar’s Dolgin. Netflix is already the world’s largest streaming service. That’s less of a concern with the Paramount deal, because its streaming service is smaller and has as smaller international footprint than Netflix. But regulators may raise red flags over the combination of the Paramount and Warner film and television studios, because relatively few of those remain, Dolgin said. A pattern of media acquisitions As streaming platforms have matured, more media companies are seeking growth through acquisitions. Warner Bros. Discovery itself was created in 2022 when U.S. telecom giant AT&T Inc. spun off and then combined its WarnerMedia operations with Discovery Inc. In 2021, Amazon said it would buy MGM, the movie and TV studio behind James Bond, “Legally Blonde” and “Shark Tank.” Disney bought Fox’s entertainment service in 2019. “Technology always faces this pattern of startups, lots of different players, legacy companies getting in on the action, and then ultimately lots of consolidation,” said Forrester’s Proulx. “And this is the state that we’re in right now in the streaming wars saga, and in 2026 we’ll see continued consolidation.” —Mae Anderson, AP business writer View the full article

Another PayPal phishing scam is circulating, this time with email notifications about recurring or automatic payments. The messages originate from a legitimate PayPal address, allowing them to evade some security filters and leave recipients worried that their accounts have been compromised—perhaps just enough to ignore the obvious red flags and call or email scammers back. I personally have been targeted by this scam with at least five separate emails, though all have gone straight to my spam folder. Here's how scammers are exploiting PayPal settings to land in your inbox. How the PayPal scam worksIf you're targeted by this campaign, you may receive an email with the subject line "Your automatic payment status has changed" or "Recurring Payment Reactivated." The layout imitates a real PayPal notification and includes a message about a high-dollar payment being "successfully processed" along with a customer service email and phone number to contact PayPal support. The email is full of red flags: It is addressed to a random name (or, in one of the messages I received, "Hello Update Invoice"), has poor spelling and wonky formatting, and simply doesn't make sense. You can easily spot oddities like bold text and Unicode characters, which BleepingComputer notes is a trick used to bypass spam filters and keyword detection. Credit: Emily Long Where the trick lies is in the sender field, as the email comes from service[at]paypal[dot]com, a legitimate PayPal address, and paypal.com is in the signed-by field. As Malwarebytes Labs describes, this is likely an abuse of PayPal's subscription billing feature. If a merchant pauses a customer subscription, the user will receive an automatic email from PayPal notifying them that their payment is no longer active. Scammers are likely setting up fake subscriber accounts using Google Workspace mailing lists, so automatic emails being generated are sent to everyone on those lists. If you look at the "To:" field, you'll see that the message isn't actually addressed to your email. Exploiting these types of loopholes to make phishing emails seem legit is a common tactic, and I've covered several similar PayPal phishing campaigns already this year. According to a statement provided to BleepingComputer, PayPal is working on mitigating this specific flaw. Ignore PayPal payment notificationsIf one of these PayPal messages lands in your inbox, don't engage with it. Scammers frequently use emails, texts, and calls about account security and financial transactions to scare you into action, and the impersonation of trusted institutions is often pretty convincing. If you are concerned about activity on your PayPal account, go directly to the app or website and log in to view alerts and check transactions. Do not use contact information or click any links in the original notification, as this increases the chances of compromising your information or downloading malware to your device. View the full article

Warner’s recommendation to reject Ellison offer adds twist to takeover saga that could reshape HollywoodView the full article

Legislation commits to minimum troop numbers on the continent and continued assistance to Ukraine View the full article

The bill's signing comes weeks after one of the most notorious NTRAP providers agreed to legal settlements in two states, nullifying existing contracts. View the full article

China is exploiting partnerships with U.S. researchers funded by the Department of Energy to provide the Chinese military with access to sensitive nuclear technology and other innovations with economic and national security applications, according to a congressional report published Wednesday. The authors of the report say the U.S. must do more to protect high-tech research and ensure that the results of taxpayer-funded work don’t end up benefiting Beijing. They recommended several changes to better protect scientific research in the U.S., including new policies for the Department of Energy to use when deciding whether to fund work that involves Chinese partnerships. The investigation is part of a congressional push to raise a firewall blocking U.S. research from boosting China’s military buildup when the two countries are locked in a tech and arms rivalry that will shape the future global order. Investigators from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce identified more than 4,300 academic papers published between June 2023 and June of this year that involved collaborations between DOE-funded scientists and Chinese researchers. About half of the papers involved Chinese researchers affiliated with China’s military or industrial base. Particularly concerning, investigators found that federal funds went to research collaborations with Chinese state-owned laboratories and universities that work directly for China’s military, including some listed in a Pentagon database of Chinese military companies with operations in the U.S. The report also detailed collaborations between U.S. researchers and groups blamed for cyberattacks as well as human rights abuses in China. The Energy Department routinely funds advanced research into nuclear energy and the development and disposal of nuclear weaponry, along with a long list of other high-tech fields like quantum computing, materials science and physics. It doles out hundreds of millions of dollars each year for research. The department oversees 17 national laboratories that have led the development in many technologies. The report followed a number of congressional investigations into federally funded research involving Chinese scientists and researchers. Last year, a report released by Republicans found that partnerships between U.S. and Chinese universities over the past decade had allowed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to help Beijing develop critical technology that could help strengthen its military. Another investigation this year revealed that the Pentagon in a recent two-year period funded hundreds of projects in collaboration with Chinese entities linked to China’s defense industry. The Energy Department has failed for decades to take steps to ensure the research it funds doesn’t benefit China, the report’s authors found. They made several recommendations to tighten the rules, including a new standardized approach to assessing the national security risks of research, as well as requirements that the department share information about research ties with China with other U.S. government agencies to make it easier to spot problems. “These longstanding policy failures and inaction have left taxpayer-funded research vulnerable to exploitation by China’s defense research and industrial base and state-directed technology transfer activities,” the authors concluded. The Department of Energy did not immediately respond to questions about the report and its recommendations. A message seeking comment was left with the Chinese Embassy in Washington. Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the select committee, said in a statement that the “investigation reveals a deeply alarming problem: The Department of Energy failed to ensure the security of its research and it put American taxpayers on the hook for funding the military rise of our nation’s foremost adversary.” Moolenaar this year introduced legislation aimed at preventing research funding in science and technology and defense from going to collaborations or partnerships with “foreign adversary-controlled” entities that pose a national security risk. The legislation cleared the House but failed to advance to become part of the annual sweeping defense policy bill. It was met with strong opposition from scientists and researchers, who argued that the measures were too broad and could chill collaboration and undermine America’s competitive edge in science and technology. In an October letter, a group of more than 750 faculty members and senior staffers from American universities told congressional leaders overseeing the armed services that the U.S. is in a global competition for talent. They called for “very careful and targeted measures for risk management” to address security concerns. —David Klepper and Didi Tang, Associated Press View the full article

Software giant suffers renewed declines after backer Blue Owl pulls out of $10bn projectView the full article

Mortgage activity fell 3.8% from one week prior for the week ending Dec. 12, led by a 4% drop in refinance applications, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. View the full article

In a move set to transform online shopping for small businesses, Google has unveiled an innovative virtual try-on tool that eliminates some of the common pain points experienced by shoppers. Gone are the days of awkward dressing room selfies and bad lighting; now, U.S. shoppers can upload a simple selfie to virtually try on clothing from billions of product listings. This new feature is powered by the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, dubbed “Nano Banana,” which can generate a full-body digital version of users. For small business owners, this capability offers an exciting array of benefits, making it easier to connect customers with products in a more personal and engaging way. By simply uploading their selfie at g.co/shop/tryon, users can select their clothing size, and Google’s advanced technology will create several studio-quality images. Shoppers can then choose their preferred image to serve as their default try-on avatar. “Now if you don’t have a full body photo of yourself, you can use a selfie,” Google announced in their press release. This development opens up a wealth of opportunities for small businesses in the fashion and retail sectors. Having an intuitive and visually appealing shopping experience can significantly enhance customer engagement. Local businesses can benefit from this tool by showcasing their products in a more relatable manner—potentially increasing customer satisfaction and boosting conversion rates. Moreover, the use of a full-body photo isn’t mandatory. Google’s tool allows users to explore clothing options on models of various body types, enhancing inclusivity and enabling customers to visualize how garments will look on them. However, there are challenges that small business owners should keep in mind while exploring this technology. Implementing new tools often comes with a learning curve, and businesses will need to invest time and resources into understanding how to effectively incorporate this virtual try-on feature into their existing platforms. They may need to adapt their marketing strategies to highlight this new capability and encourage user participation. The necessity for proper digital marketing also cannot be overlooked. Simply adding a virtual try-on option is not enough; businesses will need to inform their customers about how to use it effectively. This will likely involve social media campaigns, email newsletters, and possibly even virtual demonstrations. There is also the question of data privacy. As users upload personal images, customers may have concerns regarding how their data is stored and used. Small business owners will need to ensure transparency and assure their customers that their data will be handled securely. As retail continues to evolve towards more digital, user-centered approaches, tools like Google’s virtual try-on feature provide small business owners with essential resources to better engage their customers. Adopting this technology not only boosts the shopping experience but also positions businesses as forward-thinking players in a competitive market. With Google’s tool, small businesses can make strides in enhancing customer interaction, showcasing their products in an imaginative way, and navigating the complexities of modern retailing. Time will tell how deeply this innovation will impact small businesses, but it is clear that embracing such technology could lead to significant advantages in customer engagement and sales. For more details, visit Google’s official announcement. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Gemini Launches Selfie-Powered Virtual Try-On for Shoppers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a move set to transform online shopping for small businesses, Google has unveiled an innovative virtual try-on tool that eliminates some of the common pain points experienced by shoppers. Gone are the days of awkward dressing room selfies and bad lighting; now, U.S. shoppers can upload a simple selfie to virtually try on clothing from billions of product listings. This new feature is powered by the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, dubbed “Nano Banana,” which can generate a full-body digital version of users. For small business owners, this capability offers an exciting array of benefits, making it easier to connect customers with products in a more personal and engaging way. By simply uploading their selfie at g.co/shop/tryon, users can select their clothing size, and Google’s advanced technology will create several studio-quality images. Shoppers can then choose their preferred image to serve as their default try-on avatar. “Now if you don’t have a full body photo of yourself, you can use a selfie,” Google announced in their press release. This development opens up a wealth of opportunities for small businesses in the fashion and retail sectors. Having an intuitive and visually appealing shopping experience can significantly enhance customer engagement. Local businesses can benefit from this tool by showcasing their products in a more relatable manner—potentially increasing customer satisfaction and boosting conversion rates. Moreover, the use of a full-body photo isn’t mandatory. Google’s tool allows users to explore clothing options on models of various body types, enhancing inclusivity and enabling customers to visualize how garments will look on them. However, there are challenges that small business owners should keep in mind while exploring this technology. Implementing new tools often comes with a learning curve, and businesses will need to invest time and resources into understanding how to effectively incorporate this virtual try-on feature into their existing platforms. They may need to adapt their marketing strategies to highlight this new capability and encourage user participation. The necessity for proper digital marketing also cannot be overlooked. Simply adding a virtual try-on option is not enough; businesses will need to inform their customers about how to use it effectively. This will likely involve social media campaigns, email newsletters, and possibly even virtual demonstrations. There is also the question of data privacy. As users upload personal images, customers may have concerns regarding how their data is stored and used. Small business owners will need to ensure transparency and assure their customers that their data will be handled securely. As retail continues to evolve towards more digital, user-centered approaches, tools like Google’s virtual try-on feature provide small business owners with essential resources to better engage their customers. Adopting this technology not only boosts the shopping experience but also positions businesses as forward-thinking players in a competitive market. With Google’s tool, small businesses can make strides in enhancing customer interaction, showcasing their products in an imaginative way, and navigating the complexities of modern retailing. Time will tell how deeply this innovation will impact small businesses, but it is clear that embracing such technology could lead to significant advantages in customer engagement and sales. For more details, visit Google’s official announcement. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Gemini Launches Selfie-Powered Virtual Try-On for Shoppers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Data bolsters expectations that Bank of England will cut interest rates on ThursdayView the full article

CMA considers whether to ask court to ban pair after firm was fined for NHS drug pricingView the full article

There are fewer and fewer hardware differences between iPhones and Androids as the years go on, but back in the day, that was far from the case. At one point, many major Android devices came with dedicated LEDs that would shine whenever you received a notification. It was a passive way to know whether you had something on your phone to attend to, without having to actually wake up the display and risk getting unnecessarily sucked into your device. iPhones have never had this specific feature, but Apple included a workaround for anyone interested in a similar experience. For years, you've been able to dive into Accessibility settings to turn your iPhone's LED flash into a notification light. Any time you received a text, app notification, or call, your camera flash would go off, ensuring you didn't miss an important update. This can be helpful both those who are hard of hearing, and who wouldn't be able to rely on audible alerts, or anyone who keeps their phone on silent, but would like a visual cue that they have a new notification. For the first time in years, Apple is updating its flash alerts feature. With iOS 26.2, which the company released on Friday, you now have the option to have your iPhone's display itself flash for new alerts. You can choose to make the display the only light that flashes, or to use the feature in tandem with the LED flash, which I think makes the most sense for people who like this option. That way, it won't matter whether your iPhone is face up or face down: You'll always see a light flash for new alerts one way or another. Display flash doesn't work like you might expect, especially if you've used LED flashes before. I thought my iPhone would flash a bright light on and off again a few times, mimicking how LED flash alerts works. Instead, when you get a new notification, the screen instantly increases the brightness for a few seconds, before lowering it again. It works—you're bound to notice your display jump in brightness if it isn't already maxed out—but it doesn't quite grab your attention as well as the LED flash. How to set up Flash for Alerts on iPhoneTo start, open the Settings app on your iPhone, then head to Accessibility. Scroll down to Hearing, then choose Audio & Visual. Scroll to the bottom of this page, then tap Flash for Alerts. If you're running an older version of iOS, you'll only have the option to enable "LED Flash." However, those running iOS 26.2 and newer will also see an option for "Screen." Choose that option if you want the display to flash for new alerts, or "Both" to have both lights enabled. You'll also find two choices that affect when these flash alerts go off, no matter which of the above options you pick. First, you can choose whether your iPhone will use flash alerts while locked. If you disable this option, you'll only see these light alerts when your iPhone is unlocked. Second, you can choose whether to use flash alerts in Silent Mode. I'd keep that setting enabled, since it seems most useful when your iPhone has no other way to alert you to new notifications. It's also important to note that using an Apple Watch can complicate this feature a bit, at least in my experience. While giving this option a test, I had trouble getting alerts to come through on my locked phone without first going to my watch. If you have an Apple Watch, and its notifications mirror your iPhone's, you'll get the most out of this feature when your iPhone is unlocked. View the full article

Valuations rest on the incorrect assumption that frontier model creators have built massive, durable moatsView the full article

A private equity firm owned by President Donald The President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is no longer backing Paramount’s hostile acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the firm confirmed Tuesday. Days after Warner agreed to be bought by Netflix in early December, Paramount launched a rival bid that seeks to bypass Warner’s management and appeal directly to its shareholders with more money. Paramount is offering $30 per Warner share to Netflix’s $27.75. Warner, one of the “big five” Hollywood studios, owns Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, the DC Comics universe and the Harry Potter franchise. Experts say its acquisition could supercharge the winning company and reshape the streaming wars, either by catapulting Netflix further ahead of top competitors or by cementing a new power player in Paramount. Paramount, which is significantly smaller than Netflix, said its decision to circumvent Warner’s top managers came after they “never engaged meaningfully” with several earlier offers by the company. Paramount made the details of its new offer public and gave Warner shareholders an option to tender their shares — selling them directly at a set price — in support of its bid. The company is offering to buy Warner’s entire portfolio, including cable networks like CNN that Netflix excluded from its bid. In its appeal to shareholders, Paramount argued its offer may be more likely to pass regulatory scrutiny from the The President administration. The president has said the Warner and Netflix deal “could be a problem” due to the size of the combined market share. Kushner’s decision to pull his firm’s financial backing takes away a possible Paramount advantage to win over The President. The amount Kushner’s Affinity Partners was contributing to the offer was not disclosed in Paramount’s latest SEC filings. “With two strong competitors vying to secure the future of this unique American asset, Affinity has decided no longer to pursue the opportunity,” the firm said in a statement. “The dynamics of the investment have changed significantly since we initially became involved in October. We continue to believe there is a strong strategic rationale for Paramount’s offer.” Paramount’s bid is still backed by wealth funds run by three governments in the Persian Gulf, widely reported as Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Paramount, which owns which owns CBS, MTV and the streaming service Paramount+, is newly headed by David Ellison, the son of a major The President donor. But The President has recently criticized the Ellisons for his treatment by CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” “If they are friends, I’d hate to see my enemies!” The President said Tuesday on Truth Social. Warner is reviewing Paramount’s offer and is expected to tell shareholders soon whether it’s a better deal than selling to Netflix. —Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press View the full article

Want to know how much you spent on Uber Eats this past year? If the answer is no, bad luck. Just days after Saturday Night Live dropped a satirical skit about an “Uber Eats wrapped,” Uber brought the feature to life with a year-end recap. Around this time each year, platforms from Spotify to YouTube start rolling out personalized recaps, breaking down how users spent their time over the past 12 months. The next logical step? A full accounting of every Uber trip taken and every guilt-ridden Uber Eats order placed this year. On Monday, the company launched its new year-in-review feature called “YOUBER,” which compiles users’ activity across both Uber and Uber Eats. The recap shows where you went, how often you splurged on Uber Comfort, and just how frequently you returned to the same takeout spot. If you rank in the top 1% of a restaurant’s customers, YOUBER will let you know, whether or not that realization fills you with pride or shame. In the SNL sketch, one character learns he’s eaten more chicken nuggets than 99% of users worldwide. Another is assigned an “Uber Eats age”—a riff on Spotify’s “listening age”—only to be told his is “Dead.” “Better than mine,” his wife replies. “52 and fat.” The parody recap also shows users the compromising and unflattering ways they appeared to the delivery driver while grabbing their food from their doorway. Finally, the app shows personalized messages from customers’ most frequented restaurants, and calculates the total spent on deliveries—in this case, $24,000. Uber’s real version is slightly less brutal. The YOUBER feature—currently available only in the U.S.—can be accessed via a banner in the app and presents users with a card of their stats. That includes total rides, top order, most-used ride type, Uber rating, and one of 14 assigned “Uber Personality Profiles,” such as “Do-Gooder” for Uber Electric loyalists, “Rise & Shiner” for early-morning riders, or “Delivery Darling” for users who “live for deliveries of all kinds.” Of course, all shareable on social media if you’re brave enough. Alongside individual recaps, Uber also shared global highlights from its 2025 data. The longest ride of the year stretched nearly 700 miles from Austin, Texas, to Pensacola, Florida, taking around 11 hours. Meanwhile, Uber Eats’ largest order of the year was a Chinese food delivery containing more than 180 items. View the full article

The proposed $85 billion merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads has lost the support of two unions that represent more than half their workers over concerns it will jeopardize safety and jobs, raise shipping rates and consumer prices, and cause significant disruptions. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division are among the most prominent critics of the deal to create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. When they officially announce their decision Wednesday, they will join the American Chemistry Council, an assortment of agricultural groups, and competing railroad BNSF in raising concerns the merger would hurt competition. The deal has the support of the nation’s largest rail union, which represents conductors and hundreds of individual shippers, and President Donald The President has said the deal sounds good to him. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board will weigh the opinions of all stakeholders to determine whether the merger is in the public interest once the railroads file their formal application, which is expected later this week. Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena has argued that creating a railroad that stretches from coast to coast would be good for the economy because without the need for a hand-off between railroads in the middle of the country rail shipments would move faster, meaning it could better compete against trucking. But after months of meetings with Vena and other executives, the presidents of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division unions—both affiliated with the Teamsters—said they have serious doubts about the potential benefits, and warned the promises Vena made to preserve jobs aren’t detailed enough to be reliable. The unions say there’s nothing to keep the companies from transferring jobs hundreds of miles away or to prevent the sale of some UP lines to short-line railroads that pay less. Union Pacific said in a statement that “every employee with a union job at the time of the merger will continue to have one. We’ve formalized this jobs-for-life agreement with five unions.” Vena has acknowledged that the number of employees at the combined railroad could still shrink through attrition, if workers leave on their own. Rail unions worry about safety and shippers “This proposed monopoly will end up costing businesses more and those costs will be passed on to consumers,” Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Mark Wallace said. “We believe this transcontinental railroad will make shipping by rail less attractive as the merged carrier passes off rail lines that serve small towns, factories and farms to short line railroads while running miles-long slow-moving trains on the main line. For rail customers it will be a choice between ’Hell or the highway.’ ” The unions say they are worried that safety could deteriorate after a merger, because Union Pacific hasn’t made the same improvements Norfolk Southern has in the two and a half years since the disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Vena and Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George have said they are optimistic the merger will be approved because they believe it will be good for the country, their customers and rail workers. Shareholders of both railroads overwhelmingly support it. Deal faces stringent review The Surface Transportation Board will review the deal under a tough new standard it adopted in 2001 after a series of disastrous rail mergers in the 1990s that led to shipment delays of weeks or even months. These untested rules require any merger of the six largest railroads to be in the public interest and show that it will enhance competition. When the Surface Transportation Board approved the first major rail merger in more than two decades two years ago, it used a less stringent standard allowing Canadian Pacific’s $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern. Transportation expert and DePaul University Professor Joe Schwieterman said many people have questioned the Union Pacific merger because of its scope and the likelihood that it could trigger another merger, resulting in only two American railroads. Everyone will examine the merger application closely, Schwieterman said. Currently, Norfolk Southern and CSX serve the eastern U.S. while Union Pacific and BNSF serve the west, and the two major Canadian rails compete where they can with their tracks crossing Canada and extending into the United States and Mexico. A merged Union Pacific would likely control more than 40% of the nation’s freight. “This merger is like nothing we’ve seen before. It’s creating a railroad of such enormous scope that it’s somewhat of a paradigm shift,” Schwieterman said. Competitors question the benefits BNSF’s Chief of Staff Zak Andersen said his railroad, which is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, is convinced this merger would be bad for competition and lead to higher rates and fewer options for shippers. “No customer is asking for this. This is strictly a Wall Street play for shareholders,” Andersen said. Earlier this fall, Buffett and CPKC’s CEO both said they weren’t interested in any kind of rail merger right now. Instead, they believe the railroads should continue to find ways to cooperate to deliver shipments more quickly, which can be done without all the complications of a merger. Still, CSX decided to replace its CEO this fall with an executive who has a background leading companies through major mergers. —Josh Funk, AP transportation writer View the full article

Defining a product line involves grouping related products under a single brand to meet specific customer needs. These products often share similar features, functions, or target audiences. For example, a skincare company might have a line of moisturizers that vary by skin type or texture. Comprehending what constitutes a product line is essential for effective marketing strategies and customer engagement. Let’s explore how these lines function and their impact on business success. Key Takeaways A product line consists of closely related products marketed under a single brand, targeting specific customer markets. Products within a line share similar functions or target demographics but vary in attributes like size, color, and performance. The depth of a product line indicates the number of variations available, enhancing customer choice and market segmentation. Product line extensions leverage established brand recognition to boost sales and cater to diverse customer needs. Companies use market research and analysis to define product lines, optimizing their offerings based on consumer behavior and trends. What Is a Product Line? A product line is fundamentally a collection of closely related products that a company markets under a single brand. Product lines are a part of a product strategy designed to target specific customer markets with similar functionality and characteristics. For instance, a Coca-Cola brand might offer various flavors, whereas an Nike shoe company may provide different styles. The relationship between a product line and product mix is crucial, as a product line refers to a specific category within the broader product mix. Companies manage their product lines by making strategic decisions about expansion, modification, or discontinuation based on market trends. A well-defined product line improves brand recognition and nurtures customer loyalty, ensuring you find options that meet your preferences. Characteristics of Product Lines Product lines possess distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other categories within a company’s product mix. Comprehending these traits helps you effectively manage your offerings. Key characteristics include: A collection of related products marketed under a single brand. Shared functions or target demographics among products. Variations in attributes like size, color, model, capacity, and performance. The depth of the product line, indicating the number of variations available. Strategic pricing that aligns with other products in the line to attract various market segments. These elements work together to improve customer loyalty and guarantee brand recognition, while simultaneously providing a range of options to meet different consumer preferences. Balancing these characteristics is essential for maintaining a strong product line. How Product Lines Work Comprehending how product lines work is key to effective marketing and management. You’ll find that product lines consist of related items that share similar features, allowing for better brand cohesion and customer loyalty. Product Line Characteristics In the domain of marketing, a well-defined product line plays a fundamental role in meeting consumer needs and preferences. A product line groups related products under one brand, targeting similar demographics and sharing attributes like functionality and quality. Key characteristics of product lines include: Differentiation: Varieties in price, size, model, and performance cater to diverse consumer preferences. Filling Gaps: Companies add variations to existing lines, addressing customer demand and enhancing satisfaction. Data Analysis: Effective management involves analyzing sales data and market trends to optimize the product mix. Extensions: Introducing new flavors or models leverages brand recognition, reducing risk. Loyalty Building: Product line extensions nurture customer loyalty as they broaden market reach. Understanding these characteristics can help you navigate marketing strategies effectively. Product Line Management Managing a product line effectively requires a sharp awareness of market dynamics and consumer preferences. As a product line manager, you’ll oversee a collection of related products, ensuring they align with overall company objectives. You’ll analyze market trends and consumer behavior to make informed decisions about product expansions, modifications, or removals. It’s crucial to assess each product’s contribution margin to determine its viability and overall impact on profitability. By maintaining consistent branding across all offerings, you’ll improve brand loyalty and customer retention. Offering a diverse range of products that meet consumer needs can eventually lead to increased sales and a stronger market presence. This strategic approach to product line management is fundamental for long-term success. The Importance of Product Line Extensions When you consider product line extensions, you’re tapping into the strength of brand recognition, which can considerably lower the risks involved in launching new products. These extensions allow you to cater to diverse customer needs, in the end broadening your market share and attracting a wider audience. Brand Recognition Benefits Product line extensions greatly benefit from established brand recognition, as they create a sense of trust and familiarity among consumers. This recognition simplifies the process of launching new products and helps reduce marketing costs. Here are some key benefits: Consumers are more likely to trust products from familiar brands. Loyalty from existing customers can drive sales, with up to 30% of new product sales coming from them. Brand extensions can boost new product introduction success rates by 20%. They fulfill diverse customer needs, enhancing overall satisfaction. Familiarity often leads to increased customer retention, as consumers feel comfortable exploring new offerings under a trusted brand. Leveraging brand recognition is crucial for maximizing product line extension success. Market Share Expansion Increasing market share through product line extensions is a strategic approach that can greatly benefit your business. By introducing new products that meet existing customer needs, you leverage brand recognition to attract new consumers. When customers trust your brand, they’re more likely to try your new offerings, boosting their loyalty. Adding variations or complementary products not only reduces market risk but also satisfies diverse customer preferences, giving you a competitive edge. Studies show that successful product line extensions can lead to a 25% increase in overall sales, as they expand consumer options and strengthen brand presence. Ultimately, an effective product line extension strategy improves market share and profitability by tapping into underserved market segments aligned with your brand promise. Examples of Product Lines Defining product lines is essential for businesses aiming to meet diverse consumer needs, and various companies showcase this concept effectively through their offerings. Here are some notable examples: Procter & Gamble (P&G): Offers product lines in baby care, feminine care, and oral care. Nestlé: Features brands like Milo, Kit Kat, and Nan, providing a variety of food and beverage options. Coca-Cola: Boasts over 500 brands, each serving as a unique product line for different markets. Microsoft: Develops high-end product lines such as Microsoft Office, Energy BI, Xbox, and Windows Operating Systems. Nike: Creates specialized product lines for sports, including footwear, clothing, and equipment customized for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. These examples illustrate how product lines cater to specific consumer preferences. Product Line vs. Product Mix Though comprehending the differences between a product line and a product mix might seem straightforward, grasping these concepts is crucial for effective business strategy. A product line refers to a specific group of related products offered by your company, whereas a product mix encompasses all product lines and individual products you sell. The width of your product mix indicates how many distinct product lines you have, and the length refers to the total number of products within those lines. Furthermore, product line depth measures the variety within a specific line, while consistency assesses how closely related your product lines are. Strategies for Creating a Product Line Creating a successful product line requires a strategic approach that begins with comprehension of your target audience. To effectively develop your product line, consider these key strategies: Define your target user and conduct thorough market research to understand their needs. Develop a go-to-market strategy to detail how you’ll introduce your products to the market. Validate your product ideas through testing and gather feedback to ascertain they meet customer expectations. Plan pre-launch activities, including marketing campaigns that generate excitement and awareness. Continuously monitor performance post-launch, gathering insights to inform future developments and potential line extensions. Frequently Asked Questions How to Define a Product Line? To define a product line, start by identifying a group of related products that share common characteristics but differ in variations like size or color. Analyze customer needs and preferences through market research to guarantee your products meet specific demands. Consider how these products align with your brand identity. For example, if you sell athletic shoes, your product line may include running, basketball, and casual styles, each customized for different consumers. Which Statement Best Defines a Product Line? A product line best defines a group of related products marketed under a single brand name. These products share similar characteristics, such as functionality and price range, which helps target specific customer demographics. For example, a skincare brand might offer a product line that includes cleansers, moisturizers, and serums customized for oily skin. This approach streamlines marketing efforts, improves brand recognition, and allows companies to manage consumer preferences effectively within that category. What Is an Example of a Product Line Company? An example of a product line company is Procter & Gamble (P&G). They offer various product lines, including baby care, feminine care, and oral care. Each line features a specific range of products designed to meet different consumer needs. For instance, within their baby care line, you’ll find diapers, wipes, and lotions. This strategy allows P&G to cater to distinct market segments, enhancing their reach and customer satisfaction effectively. What Is an Example of a Product Line Structure? A clear example of a product line structure is Apple’s iPhone range. Within this line, you’ll find several models, such as the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Each model offers different features, sizes, and prices, catering to various consumer preferences. This segmentation allows Apple to target distinct demographics effectively, enhancing brand loyalty and recognition as well as providing customers with customized options that meet their needs and expectations. Conclusion Defining a product line is vital for effectively targeting customer needs and preferences. By grouping related products under one brand, companies can improve market reach and build customer loyalty. Comprehending the characteristics and mechanics of product lines allows businesses to create effective extensions that meet diverse market demands. In the end, a well-defined product line contributes to clearer branding and improved sales performance, making it a significant aspect of any successful marketing strategy. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How to Define a Product Line and What It Refers To" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article