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The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, may be visible in more than a dozen U.S. states Tuesday, December 9, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA). A full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to reach Earth early to midday on Tuesday, potentially causing periods of “strong” G3 geomagnetic storms (on a scale of G1 to G5). The aurora borealis is the result of a geomagnetic storm that occurs when a coronal mass ejection (CME), an eruption of solar material, reaches Earth and causes swaths of purple, blue, and green in the night sky. This year’s increased solar activity (and thus, more frequent northern lights activity) is likely the result of an 11-year sun cycle peak. Here’s what to know about how to see the spectacular view. Where will the northern lights be visible? The aurora “may be visible over a number of northern U.S. states and lower Midwest to Oregon” on Tuesday, per the NOAA’s alert. According to the NOAA’s map, a total of 15 states are in the line of view for the aurora tonight. Those states include: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Maine. When is the best time to see the aurora borealis? For the best viewing, the NOAA recommends facing north, in a spot away from light pollution, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. You can track the aurora on the NOAA’s website, where the agency is providing updates and visibility in real time, with a 30-minute aurora forecast. View the full article

Smartphone display issues are nothing new. Most of us have dropped our phones the wrong way one time or another, and had to deal with the pain (and cost) of getting them fixed. But when your smartphone's screen starts acting up for no particular reason, it's pretty frustrating—especially if the manufacturer still holds you accountable for the repair fees. If that sounds like your experience with your Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold, there's good news: Google is now launching an Extended Repair Program for the Pixel 9 Pro line. According to Google's announcement on Monday, the company has identified a "limited number" of Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units that might exhibit display issues that impact the user's experience with the device. Should your Pixel 9 Pro's display show these symptoms, Google will fix the display at no cost to you. What it takes for your Pixel 9 Pro to qualifyThat doesn't mean any and all display issues on your Pixel 9 Pro device qualify here. Google has identified two specific problems that this Extended Repair Program actually covers. The first is a vertical line present on the display. The line has to run from the bottom of the screen to the top, so partial lines won't quality. The second is display flicker. If you notice your Pixel 9 Pro's display quickly getting brighter and darker, as if someone was flicking a switch back and forth, you qualify for the repair program. The Pixel 9 Fold is another story altogether. Like the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, Google is offering a free repair program for the 9 Pro Fold. However, unlike the other devices, there are no specific issues identified here. The problems may be display-related, but since the company won't specify, you could bring your 9 Pro Fold in for just about anything that's going wrong with it—as long as you didn't cause the issue yourself. In addition, Google won't actually fix your foldable, but will instead replace it entirely. The company is also being strict regarding the quality of the display outside of these issues across all Pixel 9 Pro devices. If your Pixel's display or cover-glass is cracked, that may disqualify you from the free repair. If Google finds liquid damage in your device, same story. In any of these cases, the company will still fix the display issues mentioned above, but they might charge you for it. How to get your Pixel 9 Pro fixedAffected Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold units qualify for repair as of Dec. 8, and coverage will last for three years after the original purchase date of the device. You will need to have your device inspected at a Google walk-in center, Google-authorized center, or an online repair store before the company can confirm eligibility. You can get started on your claim from Google's official repair site. This is good news for any Pixel 9 Pro users who have these specific issues—or any issues at all for Pixel 9 Pro Fold users. It joins a host of other Extended Repair Programs for Pixel devices, including the Pixel 4a battery program, the Pixel 6a battery program, the Pixel 7a repair program, and the Pixel 8 repair program, View the full article

When it comes to major U.S. industries, three tends to be the magic number. Historically, auto manufacturing was long dominated by Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors—the so-called “Big Three,” which at one point controlled over 60% of the U.S. auto market. A dominant trio shows up elsewhere, too, in everything from the U.S. defense market—think Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrup Grumman—to cellphone service providers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon). The same goes for the U.S. airline industry, in which American, Delta, and United fly higher than the rest. The rule of three also applies to what Americans watch; the glory days of television were dominated by three giants: ABC, CBS, and NBC. Now, in the digital age, we are rapidly moving to a “Big Three” dominating streaming services: Netflix, Amazon, and Disney. The latest step in that process is Netflix’s plan to acquire Warner Bros. for $72 billion. If approved, the move would solidify Netflix as the dominant streaming platform. When streams converge Starting life as a mail DVD subscription service, Netflix moved into streaming movies and TV shows in 2007, becoming a first-mover into the sphere. Being an early adopter as viewing went from cable and legacy to online and streaming gave Netflix an advantage in also developing support technology and using subscriber data to create new content. The subsequent impact was that Netflix became a market leader, with quarterly profits now far exceeding its competitors, which often report losses. Today, even without the Warner Bros. acquisition, Netflix has a dominant global base of over 300 million subscribers. Amazon Prime comes second with roughly 220 million subscribers, and Disney—which includes both Disney+ and Hulu—is third, with roughly 196 million subscribers. This means that between them, these three companies already control over 60% of the streaming market. Netflix’s lead would only be reinforced by the proposed deal with Warner Bros., as it would add ownership of Warner subsidiary HBO Max, which is currently the fourth-biggest streamer in the U.S. with a combined 128 million subscribers. While some of them will overlap, Netflix is likely to still gain subscribers and better retain them with a broader selection of content. Netflix’s move to acquire Warner Bros. also follows prior entertainment industry consolidation, driven by a desire to control content to retain streaming service subscribers. In 2019, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox for $71.3 billion. Three years later, Amazon acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.5 billion. Should the Netflix deal go through, it would continue this trend of streaming consolidation. It would also leave a clear gap at the top between the emerging Big Three and other services, such as Paramount+ with 79 million subscribers and Apple TV+, which has around 45 million. Paramount on Dec. 8, 2025, announced a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. in a proposed $108.4 billion deal that would, unlike the Netflix plan, include Warner Bros. subsidiary Discovery+. Why industries come in threes But why do industries converge to a handful of companies? As an expert on mergers, I know the answer comes down to market forces relating to competition, which tends to drive consolidation of an industry into three to five firms. From a customer perspective, there is a need for multiple options. Having more than one option avoids monopolistic practices that can see prices fixed at a higher rate. Competition between more than one big player is also a strong incentive for additional innovation to improve a product or service. For these reasons, governments—in the U.S. and over 100 other countries—have antitrust laws and practices to avoid any industry displaying limited competition. However, as industries become more stable, growth tends to slow, and remaining businesses are forced to compete over a largely fixed market. This can separate companies into industry leaders and laggards. While leaders enjoy greater stability and predictable profits, laggards struggle to remain profitable. Lagging companies often combine to increase their market share and reduce costs. The result is that consolidating industries quite often land on three main players as a source of stability—one or two risks falling into the pitfalls of monopolies and duopolies, while many more than three to five can struggle to be profitable in mature industries. What’s ahead for the laggards The long-term viability of companies outside the “Big Three” streamers is in doubt, as the main players get bigger and smaller companies are unable to offer as much content. A temporary solution for smaller streamers to gain subscribers is to offer teaser rates that later increase for people who forget to cancel until companies take more permanent steps. But lagging services will also face increased pressure to exit streaming by licensing content to the leading streaming services, cease operations, or sell their services and content. Additionally, companies outside the Big Three could be tempted to acquire smaller services in an attempt to maintain market share. There are already rumors that Paramount, which is a competing bidder for Warner Bros., may seek to acquire Starz or create a joint venture with Universal, which owns Peacock. Apple shows no immediate plan of discontinuing Apple TV+, but that may be due to the company’s high profitability and an overall cash flow that limits pressures to end its streaming service. Still, if the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal completes, it will likely increase the valuation of other lagging streaming services due to increased scarcity of valuable content and subscribers. This is due to competitive limits that restrict the Big Three from getting bigger, making the combination of smaller streaming services more valuable. This is reinforced by shareholders expecting similar or greater premiums from prior deals, driving the need to pay higher prices for the fewer remaining available assets. The cost to consumers So what does this all mean for consumers? I believe that in general, consumers will largely not be impacted when it comes to the overall cost of entertainment, as inflationary pressures for food and housing limit available income for streaming services. But where they access content will continue to shift away from cable television and movie theaters. Greater stability in the streaming industry through consolidation into a Big Three model only confirms the decline in traditional cable. Netflix’s rationale in acquiring Warner Bros. is likely to enable it to offer streaming at a lower price than the combined price of separate subscriptions, but more than Netflix alone. This could be achieved through additional subscription tiers for Netflix subscribers wanting to add HBO Max content. Beyond competition with other members of the “Big Three,” another reason why Netflix is unlikely to raise prices significantly is that it will likely commit to not doing so in order to get the merger approved. Netflix’s goal is to ensure it remains consumer’s first choice for streaming TV and films. So while streaming is fast becoming a Big Three industry, Netflix’s plan is to remain at the top of the triangle. This article was updated on Dec. 8, 2025, to take in news of Paramount’s hostile bid. David R. King is a Higdon professor of management at Florida State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

If you’re looking to explore unique handmade goods this season, you won’t want to miss the top ten craft sales. These events showcase a range of sustainable and eco-friendly products, from lively local markets to interactive booths that offer customization. You’ll find bold statement pieces made from natural fibers and have the chance to engage with fellow artisans. As you prepare for these gatherings, consider how they cultivate community support and highlight quality craftsmanship. What else can you expect at these events? Key Takeaways Explore local craft fairs featuring handmade, eco-friendly products that emphasize slow fashion and sustainability. Look for events showcasing bold statement pieces, such as colorful granny squares and oversized scarves. Attend interactive craft shows with engaging booths offering try-on sections and customization options for a unique experience. Research community-driven markets where crafters collaborate and share their insights to enhance your crafting network. Seek out craft sales with memorable displays that highlight quality, durable items made from natural or recycled materials. Embracing Slow Fashion and Sustainability As you explore the domain of craft sales this season, you’ll likely notice a significant shift in the direction of slow fashion and sustainability, driven by consumers’ growing preference for handmade and eco-friendly products. Crafting websites and DIY craft sites are buzzing with ideas that emphasize the use of natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen. These materials, alongside recycled and upcycled items, attract environmentally conscious customers looking for unique, high-quality pieces. Expect to see chunky colorful granny squares and oversized scarves as popular statement items. By participating in crafts sales focused on sustainable products, you not only support artisans but also promote community collaboration, helping to nurture a sustainable crafting environment that benefits everyone involved. Exploring Bold Statement Pieces Bold statement pieces have emerged as a defining trend in the craft sales environment, enchanting both makers and consumers with their distinctive designs and lively colors. Items like chunky colorful granny squares and oversized scarves are particularly popular, drawing attention with their unique appeal. Utilizing chunky yarn not only speeds up production but also boosts profit potential, making these pieces highly desirable. Unique color combinations can enhance your brand identity, helping your products stand out. Engaging displays featuring these bold statement pieces encourage customer interaction, improving the shopping experience at craft shows. Furthermore, when considering craft party supplies, you might wonder, when does Hobby Lobby have yarn sales, and does yarn go on sale at Hobby Lobby? These questions can help you maximize your crafting efforts. Interactive Booths for Enhanced Customer Engagement Interactive booths can boost customer engagement by featuring try-on sections that allow you to experience products firsthand. Furthermore, themed photo opportunities can encourage you to share your experience on social media, boosting visibility for the booth. Engaging Try-On Sections Creating an engaging try-on section in your booth can greatly improve customer interaction and elevate sales. A full-length mirror allows customers to visualize how your crochet pieces will look on them, increasing purchase likelihood. Consider offering customization options, such as a selection of buttons for booties, which amplifies engagement and encourages personalization. This interactive display can considerably boost foot traffic, especially during events like the Hobby Lobby fabric sale schedule or the Hobby Lobby floral sale schedule. A well-organized try-on area creates memorable experiences, prompting customers to share their finds on social media, which promotes your brand. Incorporating this fun element into your booth sets you apart from competitors and nurtures customer loyalty during the Hobby Lobby spring shop sale schedule. Themed Photo Opportunities When customers encounter themed photo opportunities in your booth, they’re more likely to engage with your products and share their experiences online. Setting up attractive backdrops, like a pumpkin patch, can markedly boost your brand’s visibility through social media shares. Incorporating interactive booths, such as a try-on section with a full-length mirror, allows customers to connect directly with your products, enhancing their shopping experience and increasing purchase likelihood. Moreover, offering customization options, like unique buttons for booties, adds a personal touch that deepens customer engagement. Engaging displays that invite interaction create memorable experiences, encouraging repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth. This approach is particularly effective at larger craft shows, where high foot traffic can amplify customer engagement and drive sales. Craft Show Preparation Essentials Preparing for a craft show requires careful planning and attention to detail, as successful participation can greatly impact your sales. Start by researching current trends and consumer preferences to create high-quality, sustainable products. Focus on crafting unique displays that catch the eye, incorporating interactive elements to engage customers. For larger shows, set up customization options or photo areas to maximize interaction. Allow ample time for setup, guaranteeing your booth is visually appealing and organized for efficient customer flow. Continuously evaluate product performance during the event to adapt your offerings accordingly. Crucial Item Purpose Tips Trend Research Identify popular products Use social media insights Unique Displays Attract attention and improve experience Use bright colors and lighting Interactive Elements Engage customers for better sales Include customization options Setup Time Guarantee efficient customer flow Arrive early to organize Community Engagement and Support in Crafting Engaging with fellow crafters can greatly improve your success at craft shows. By sharing trends and ideas, you not only build collaborative connections but additionally create a supportive network that nurtures growth and innovation. This community approach encourages the exchange of valuable insights, making the crafting experience more rewarding for everyone involved. Building Collaborative Connections Building a collaborative network within the crafting community greatly improves your ability to succeed at craft shows. When you engage with fellow crafters, you promote collaboration and idea-sharing, which can lead to increased sales. Regular discussions or feedback sessions allow you to share insights and strategies that may boost your craft show performance. Utilizing social media platforms helps you connect with other makers, increasing your visibility and creating opportunities for partnerships and joint promotions. A supportive atmosphere encourages you to tackle challenges together, share valuable resources, and celebrate each other’s successes. By nurturing these connections, you not only strengthen your own business but likewise contribute to a thriving crafting community that benefits everyone involved. Sharing Trends and Ideas Crafting communities thrive when members actively share trends and ideas, creating a dynamic environment that fuels innovation. By building a supportive crochet business community, you improve collaboration and inspire creativity. Regularly sharing content about increasing sales at craft shows not just cultivates community but encourages learning from each other’s experiences. Engaging with fellow makers on social media platforms can lead to valuable connections and collaborative opportunities that benefit everyone involved. Hosting a waitlist for course updates keeps excitement high and encourages participation. Moreover, promoting a collaborative atmosphere by inviting feedback on trends strengthens your network of support, eventually benefiting your business and helping you stay ahead in the constantly changing crafting arena. Showcasing Unique and Timeless Designs In today’s competitive craft market, showcasing unique and timeless designs can considerably improve your sales potential. Bold crochet pieces, featuring chunky colorful granny squares and oversized scarves, are trending, making them ideal statement items for craft shows. By using lively colors and unique combinations, you can elevate your brand identity and attract more attention at sales events. Timeless designs, such as minimalist wearables, likewise cater to the increasing consumer preference for sustainable fashion. Incorporating recycled or upcycled materials, like thrifted yarn, appeals to eco-conscious shoppers. Moreover, engaging displays that highlight these unique and timeless designs create memorable experiences, encouraging customers to make purchases and share their finds on social media, in the end boosting your visibility and sales. The Importance of Quality and Eco-Friendly Products Quality and eco-friendly products have become increasingly important in today’s craft market, aligning with consumer preferences for sustainable shopping habits. As a savvy shopper, you’ll notice the rising demand for handmade items crafted from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen. Recycled and upcycled materials, such as thrifted yarn, are likewise gaining traction, promoting eco-conscious choices. Many consumers now favor timeless, high-quality pieces over fast fashion, emphasizing durability. Engaging displays at craft shows can improve your experience, showcasing unique crochet pieces, like chunky colorful granny squares, that highlight quality craftsmanship. Eco-Friendly Materials Benefits Natural Fibers Sustainable production Recycled Materials Reduces waste Timeless Designs Long-lasting quality Creating Memorable Craft Show Experiences As you prepare for a craft show, consider how engaging displays and interactive elements can greatly improve the customer experience. Creating try-on sections or customization options invites customers to interact with your products, boosting sales. A cute photo area with themed backdrops encourages social media sharing, promoting your brand and drawing more visitors to your booth. Utilize bold, unique crochet designs and vivid colors to make your products stand out in a crowded space. Offering high-quality, sustainable items, such as those made from natural fibers or recycled materials, resonates with current consumer interests. Finally, research customer preferences and trends to craft memorable experiences that not only engage attendees but also encourage repeat purchases at future events. Trends in Handmade Goods for the Season This season, handmade goods are seeing a notable shift in consumer preferences, particularly toward sustainable and eco-friendly products. Customers are increasingly favoring options like natural fiber yarns, including cotton, wool, and linen. In addition, bold crochet pieces with chunky, colorful granny squares and oversized scarves are trending, making them popular choices at craft shows. To improve the shopping experience, consider creating interactive booths with try-on sections or customization options, which can greatly boost sales. As you prepare for craft shows, focus on crafting high-quality, timeless pieces that reflect these trends as well as emphasizing sustainability and unique designs. Staying informed about current trends will help you create products that resonate with consumers and stand out in the market. Building Connections Within the Crafting Community Building connections within the crafting community opens up numerous networking opportunities for you as a crafter. By collaborating on projects or sharing innovative ideas, you not only improve your skills but additionally contribute to a lively atmosphere that nurtures creativity. Whether through local events or online platforms, engaging with fellow makers can lead to valuable partnerships that boost your craft business. Networking Opportunities for Crafters Networking opportunities abound for crafters looking to strengthen their connections within the crafting community. Engaging in interactive booths at craft shows not only attracts customers but also nurtures relationships with fellow crafters and vendors. Participating in local craft fairs and markets can help you network with other artisans, share ideas, and explore future collaborations. Building a presence on social media platforms is another effective way to connect with other makers, facilitating the exchange of best practices. Joining local crafting groups or online forums offers invaluable resources for support and inspiration. Regularly attending crafting events and workshops keeps you informed about industry trends as well as allowing you to meet like-minded individuals who share a passion for handmade goods. Collaborative Projects and Ideas Engaging in collaborative projects can greatly improve your connections within the crafting community, especially when you involve others who share your interests. Building a supportive crochet business community promotes collaboration, inspiring creativity among crafters. You can connect with fellow makers on social media platforms, exchanging experiences and trends, nurturing camaraderie and support. Organizing group challenges or themed events encourages participation, helping crafters with similar interests gain visibility. Furthermore, offering workshops aimed at boosting confidence and sales at craft shows allows community members to learn from one another. Actively inviting feedback and sharing insights on trends can spark dialogue, leading to innovative ideas and improved product offerings. By engaging with others, you’ll cultivate valuable relationships that benefit everyone involved. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Hottest Selling Craft Right Now? The hottest selling craft right now is handmade, eco-friendly products, particularly those made from natural fibers like cotton and wool. These items appeal to consumers’ growing demand for sustainability. Bold crochet pieces, such as chunky granny squares and oversized scarves, are likewise trending because of their lively designs. Furthermore, products made from recycled materials are gaining popularity, as people increasingly seek items that reflect their environmental values and prioritize durability over fast fashion. What Is the Highest Selling Craft Item? The highest selling craft items typically include handmade jewelry, which often sells for $20 to $200, depending on its uniqueness and materials. Home décor items, such as macramé wall hangings and hand-poured candles, likewise attract buyers looking for personalized touches. Seasonal crafts, like holiday ornaments, see significant sales spikes during festive periods. Moreover, eco-friendly products are gaining traction, appealing to consumers focused on sustainability, making them increasingly popular in the crafting market. What Sells the Best at Craft Markets? At craft markets, handmade and eco-friendly products typically sell best. Items made from natural fibers, like cotton and wool, alongside unique statement pieces such as chunky scarves, attract attention. Vendors who create interactive booths, allowing customers to engage with products or customize items, improve sales. Unique displays and memorable shopping experiences encourage attendees to share on social media, further boosting visibility and interest in the products offered at these markets. What Sells Best at Handmade Markets? At handmade markets, products that emphasize quality and sustainability consistently sell best. Items made from natural fibers, like cotton or wool, attract eco-conscious consumers. Unique statement pieces, such as chunky crochet items or oversized scarves, can draw attention. Moreover, interactive booths that offer customization options improve customer engagement, leading to increased sales. Timeless items, including reusable market bags and zero waste sets, align with current trends and resonate well with attendees seeking sustainable choices. Conclusion Visiting these ten must-visit craft sales this season offers a unique opportunity to explore sustainable fashion and support local artisans. You’ll find a variety of handmade products, from bold statement pieces to eco-friendly crafts. Engage with interactive booths for personalized experiences and connect with others who share your passion. By participating in these events, you not only enrich your comprehension of craftsmanship but additionally contribute to a thriving community dedicated to quality and sustainability in handmade goods. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Must-Visit Crafts Sales This Season" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to explore unique handmade goods this season, you won’t want to miss the top ten craft sales. These events showcase a range of sustainable and eco-friendly products, from lively local markets to interactive booths that offer customization. You’ll find bold statement pieces made from natural fibers and have the chance to engage with fellow artisans. As you prepare for these gatherings, consider how they cultivate community support and highlight quality craftsmanship. What else can you expect at these events? Key Takeaways Explore local craft fairs featuring handmade, eco-friendly products that emphasize slow fashion and sustainability. Look for events showcasing bold statement pieces, such as colorful granny squares and oversized scarves. Attend interactive craft shows with engaging booths offering try-on sections and customization options for a unique experience. Research community-driven markets where crafters collaborate and share their insights to enhance your crafting network. Seek out craft sales with memorable displays that highlight quality, durable items made from natural or recycled materials. Embracing Slow Fashion and Sustainability As you explore the domain of craft sales this season, you’ll likely notice a significant shift in the direction of slow fashion and sustainability, driven by consumers’ growing preference for handmade and eco-friendly products. Crafting websites and DIY craft sites are buzzing with ideas that emphasize the use of natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen. These materials, alongside recycled and upcycled items, attract environmentally conscious customers looking for unique, high-quality pieces. Expect to see chunky colorful granny squares and oversized scarves as popular statement items. By participating in crafts sales focused on sustainable products, you not only support artisans but also promote community collaboration, helping to nurture a sustainable crafting environment that benefits everyone involved. Exploring Bold Statement Pieces Bold statement pieces have emerged as a defining trend in the craft sales environment, enchanting both makers and consumers with their distinctive designs and lively colors. Items like chunky colorful granny squares and oversized scarves are particularly popular, drawing attention with their unique appeal. Utilizing chunky yarn not only speeds up production but also boosts profit potential, making these pieces highly desirable. Unique color combinations can enhance your brand identity, helping your products stand out. Engaging displays featuring these bold statement pieces encourage customer interaction, improving the shopping experience at craft shows. Furthermore, when considering craft party supplies, you might wonder, when does Hobby Lobby have yarn sales, and does yarn go on sale at Hobby Lobby? These questions can help you maximize your crafting efforts. Interactive Booths for Enhanced Customer Engagement Interactive booths can boost customer engagement by featuring try-on sections that allow you to experience products firsthand. Furthermore, themed photo opportunities can encourage you to share your experience on social media, boosting visibility for the booth. Engaging Try-On Sections Creating an engaging try-on section in your booth can greatly improve customer interaction and elevate sales. A full-length mirror allows customers to visualize how your crochet pieces will look on them, increasing purchase likelihood. Consider offering customization options, such as a selection of buttons for booties, which amplifies engagement and encourages personalization. This interactive display can considerably boost foot traffic, especially during events like the Hobby Lobby fabric sale schedule or the Hobby Lobby floral sale schedule. A well-organized try-on area creates memorable experiences, prompting customers to share their finds on social media, which promotes your brand. Incorporating this fun element into your booth sets you apart from competitors and nurtures customer loyalty during the Hobby Lobby spring shop sale schedule. Themed Photo Opportunities When customers encounter themed photo opportunities in your booth, they’re more likely to engage with your products and share their experiences online. Setting up attractive backdrops, like a pumpkin patch, can markedly boost your brand’s visibility through social media shares. Incorporating interactive booths, such as a try-on section with a full-length mirror, allows customers to connect directly with your products, enhancing their shopping experience and increasing purchase likelihood. Moreover, offering customization options, like unique buttons for booties, adds a personal touch that deepens customer engagement. Engaging displays that invite interaction create memorable experiences, encouraging repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth. This approach is particularly effective at larger craft shows, where high foot traffic can amplify customer engagement and drive sales. Craft Show Preparation Essentials Preparing for a craft show requires careful planning and attention to detail, as successful participation can greatly impact your sales. Start by researching current trends and consumer preferences to create high-quality, sustainable products. Focus on crafting unique displays that catch the eye, incorporating interactive elements to engage customers. For larger shows, set up customization options or photo areas to maximize interaction. Allow ample time for setup, guaranteeing your booth is visually appealing and organized for efficient customer flow. Continuously evaluate product performance during the event to adapt your offerings accordingly. Crucial Item Purpose Tips Trend Research Identify popular products Use social media insights Unique Displays Attract attention and improve experience Use bright colors and lighting Interactive Elements Engage customers for better sales Include customization options Setup Time Guarantee efficient customer flow Arrive early to organize Community Engagement and Support in Crafting Engaging with fellow crafters can greatly improve your success at craft shows. By sharing trends and ideas, you not only build collaborative connections but additionally create a supportive network that nurtures growth and innovation. This community approach encourages the exchange of valuable insights, making the crafting experience more rewarding for everyone involved. Building Collaborative Connections Building a collaborative network within the crafting community greatly improves your ability to succeed at craft shows. When you engage with fellow crafters, you promote collaboration and idea-sharing, which can lead to increased sales. Regular discussions or feedback sessions allow you to share insights and strategies that may boost your craft show performance. Utilizing social media platforms helps you connect with other makers, increasing your visibility and creating opportunities for partnerships and joint promotions. A supportive atmosphere encourages you to tackle challenges together, share valuable resources, and celebrate each other’s successes. By nurturing these connections, you not only strengthen your own business but likewise contribute to a thriving crafting community that benefits everyone involved. Sharing Trends and Ideas Crafting communities thrive when members actively share trends and ideas, creating a dynamic environment that fuels innovation. By building a supportive crochet business community, you improve collaboration and inspire creativity. Regularly sharing content about increasing sales at craft shows not just cultivates community but encourages learning from each other’s experiences. Engaging with fellow makers on social media platforms can lead to valuable connections and collaborative opportunities that benefit everyone involved. Hosting a waitlist for course updates keeps excitement high and encourages participation. Moreover, promoting a collaborative atmosphere by inviting feedback on trends strengthens your network of support, eventually benefiting your business and helping you stay ahead in the constantly changing crafting arena. Showcasing Unique and Timeless Designs In today’s competitive craft market, showcasing unique and timeless designs can considerably improve your sales potential. Bold crochet pieces, featuring chunky colorful granny squares and oversized scarves, are trending, making them ideal statement items for craft shows. By using lively colors and unique combinations, you can elevate your brand identity and attract more attention at sales events. Timeless designs, such as minimalist wearables, likewise cater to the increasing consumer preference for sustainable fashion. Incorporating recycled or upcycled materials, like thrifted yarn, appeals to eco-conscious shoppers. Moreover, engaging displays that highlight these unique and timeless designs create memorable experiences, encouraging customers to make purchases and share their finds on social media, in the end boosting your visibility and sales. The Importance of Quality and Eco-Friendly Products Quality and eco-friendly products have become increasingly important in today’s craft market, aligning with consumer preferences for sustainable shopping habits. As a savvy shopper, you’ll notice the rising demand for handmade items crafted from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen. Recycled and upcycled materials, such as thrifted yarn, are likewise gaining traction, promoting eco-conscious choices. Many consumers now favor timeless, high-quality pieces over fast fashion, emphasizing durability. Engaging displays at craft shows can improve your experience, showcasing unique crochet pieces, like chunky colorful granny squares, that highlight quality craftsmanship. Eco-Friendly Materials Benefits Natural Fibers Sustainable production Recycled Materials Reduces waste Timeless Designs Long-lasting quality Creating Memorable Craft Show Experiences As you prepare for a craft show, consider how engaging displays and interactive elements can greatly improve the customer experience. Creating try-on sections or customization options invites customers to interact with your products, boosting sales. A cute photo area with themed backdrops encourages social media sharing, promoting your brand and drawing more visitors to your booth. Utilize bold, unique crochet designs and vivid colors to make your products stand out in a crowded space. Offering high-quality, sustainable items, such as those made from natural fibers or recycled materials, resonates with current consumer interests. Finally, research customer preferences and trends to craft memorable experiences that not only engage attendees but also encourage repeat purchases at future events. Trends in Handmade Goods for the Season This season, handmade goods are seeing a notable shift in consumer preferences, particularly toward sustainable and eco-friendly products. Customers are increasingly favoring options like natural fiber yarns, including cotton, wool, and linen. In addition, bold crochet pieces with chunky, colorful granny squares and oversized scarves are trending, making them popular choices at craft shows. To improve the shopping experience, consider creating interactive booths with try-on sections or customization options, which can greatly boost sales. As you prepare for craft shows, focus on crafting high-quality, timeless pieces that reflect these trends as well as emphasizing sustainability and unique designs. Staying informed about current trends will help you create products that resonate with consumers and stand out in the market. Building Connections Within the Crafting Community Building connections within the crafting community opens up numerous networking opportunities for you as a crafter. By collaborating on projects or sharing innovative ideas, you not only improve your skills but additionally contribute to a lively atmosphere that nurtures creativity. Whether through local events or online platforms, engaging with fellow makers can lead to valuable partnerships that boost your craft business. Networking Opportunities for Crafters Networking opportunities abound for crafters looking to strengthen their connections within the crafting community. Engaging in interactive booths at craft shows not only attracts customers but also nurtures relationships with fellow crafters and vendors. Participating in local craft fairs and markets can help you network with other artisans, share ideas, and explore future collaborations. Building a presence on social media platforms is another effective way to connect with other makers, facilitating the exchange of best practices. Joining local crafting groups or online forums offers invaluable resources for support and inspiration. Regularly attending crafting events and workshops keeps you informed about industry trends as well as allowing you to meet like-minded individuals who share a passion for handmade goods. Collaborative Projects and Ideas Engaging in collaborative projects can greatly improve your connections within the crafting community, especially when you involve others who share your interests. Building a supportive crochet business community promotes collaboration, inspiring creativity among crafters. You can connect with fellow makers on social media platforms, exchanging experiences and trends, nurturing camaraderie and support. Organizing group challenges or themed events encourages participation, helping crafters with similar interests gain visibility. Furthermore, offering workshops aimed at boosting confidence and sales at craft shows allows community members to learn from one another. Actively inviting feedback and sharing insights on trends can spark dialogue, leading to innovative ideas and improved product offerings. By engaging with others, you’ll cultivate valuable relationships that benefit everyone involved. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Hottest Selling Craft Right Now? The hottest selling craft right now is handmade, eco-friendly products, particularly those made from natural fibers like cotton and wool. These items appeal to consumers’ growing demand for sustainability. Bold crochet pieces, such as chunky granny squares and oversized scarves, are likewise trending because of their lively designs. Furthermore, products made from recycled materials are gaining popularity, as people increasingly seek items that reflect their environmental values and prioritize durability over fast fashion. What Is the Highest Selling Craft Item? The highest selling craft items typically include handmade jewelry, which often sells for $20 to $200, depending on its uniqueness and materials. Home décor items, such as macramé wall hangings and hand-poured candles, likewise attract buyers looking for personalized touches. Seasonal crafts, like holiday ornaments, see significant sales spikes during festive periods. Moreover, eco-friendly products are gaining traction, appealing to consumers focused on sustainability, making them increasingly popular in the crafting market. What Sells the Best at Craft Markets? At craft markets, handmade and eco-friendly products typically sell best. Items made from natural fibers, like cotton and wool, alongside unique statement pieces such as chunky scarves, attract attention. Vendors who create interactive booths, allowing customers to engage with products or customize items, improve sales. Unique displays and memorable shopping experiences encourage attendees to share on social media, further boosting visibility and interest in the products offered at these markets. What Sells Best at Handmade Markets? At handmade markets, products that emphasize quality and sustainability consistently sell best. Items made from natural fibers, like cotton or wool, attract eco-conscious consumers. Unique statement pieces, such as chunky crochet items or oversized scarves, can draw attention. Moreover, interactive booths that offer customization options improve customer engagement, leading to increased sales. Timeless items, including reusable market bags and zero waste sets, align with current trends and resonate well with attendees seeking sustainable choices. Conclusion Visiting these ten must-visit craft sales this season offers a unique opportunity to explore sustainable fashion and support local artisans. You’ll find a variety of handmade products, from bold statement pieces to eco-friendly crafts. Engage with interactive booths for personalized experiences and connect with others who share your passion. By participating in these events, you not only enrich your comprehension of craftsmanship but additionally contribute to a thriving community dedicated to quality and sustainability in handmade goods. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Must-Visit Crafts Sales This Season" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Garmin has released an end-of-year summary of users’ stats, Spotify Wrapped-style. But it’s only available to people who pay for Garmin Connect+, the new paid subscription that Garmin has offered since March of this year. I’ll show you what’s inside the Year in Review, and give you my thoughts on how the subscription service has weathered its first almost-year. Spoiler: The more things Garmin adds, the less they seem to know what they're doing. What’s in the Year in Review? Credit: Beth Skwarecki/Garmin Garmin’s Year in Review feature shows you a bunch of cute visuals of your activity throughout the year. For each metric, there is usually a summary or a total, followed by a graph showing that metric for each calendar month (January through December) with the “best” month for that metric highlighted. Sometimes a particular workout was called out for that metric, such as your longest run. The metrics included: Total steps Sleep score average Body Battery average daily high Number of activities, and your most common types Total activity time Total activity distance Total activity ascent Total activity calories (put in terms of “slices of chocolate cake” for some reason) Badges earned Personal records earned There are shareable cards for each, so it’s certainly fulfilling the function of a yearly recap, but it’s a bit boring to page through. I’m not sure why I’m supposed to care about my average Body Battery, and it’s not exactly a revelation that I did more gym workouts than bike rides. Perhaps this will get more polished in future years. Your Year in Review says more about Garmin than about youMore companies than ever are offering an annual summary this year, and it seems like each of them is having a little identity crisis. Is the summary meant to provide free marketing when you share the screenshots with your friends? Engage you more deeply with the algorithm, to encourage you to consume more content? Or is it just a reward for being a loyal customer? Garmin, by making theirs a premium feature, doesn’t seem to be prioritizing any of the above. I see two things going on here: They're competing with Strava, and grappling with what it means to exist as a hardware company in a subscription-based world. The Strava part is easiest to understand. Strava offers a premium subscription, and the main draw is that it comes with mapping tools and training analytics. People may gripe about having to pay to see their spot on a leaderboard or build a running route, but this model fundamentally works because people like and want those features. Strava’s “Year in Sport” is a premium feature as well, but people don’t subscribe just to get Year in Sport. It’s a little perk, not the whole point. Comparing Garmin’s recap to Strava’s, Strava’s feels more cohesive. There are fewer cards in the carousel, and they’re more relevant to things I care about. I get my activities and distance in the same card, find out how long I’ve kept my weekly streak (over a year!), see the days I was active, get reminded of one highlight run (definitely a memorable one), see my PRs for all the major distances, and get a shout-out on the one QOM and couple of Local Legend titles I earned. It’s easier for Strava to do this well because their platform is tailored to people with specific goals: to run or bike more and faster. Garmin tries harder to be everything to everybody. And then there’s the question of what Garmin is doing here. It’s always been a hardware company, starting out with GPS devices (back when “GPS device” was a standalone product category) and eventually becoming a maker of sports watches as well as gadgets like bike computers and boat navigation systems. The company seems to be having trouble finding its place in today's subscription-based world. I appreciate that it isn't removing features from existing products, but that makes me wonder what the point of Connect+ is supposed to be. Garmin’s Connect+ subscription doesn’t seem to be the paywall people are afraid of (or the cash cow Garmin is probably hoping for)Garmin has always been a hardware company at heart, but that model has been harder and harder to fit with the modern wearables market. Now that we all have smartphones, many of the features we expect from a Garmin watch are really features of a phone app. So to keep selling watches in different pricing tiers, Garmin ties specific features to the hardware you’ve bought. You’ll only get a “training status” in the app if you’ve paired a training status-capable watch, for example. (The Forerunner 265 counts, but not the 165.) I have to imagine Garmin execs wish they could start over, make just a few physical devices, and sell software features as subscription tiers. Everything in 2025 seems to be sold on a subscription basis or with some features paywalled behind a premium tier. So of course Garmin tried to move into that space. Garmin has long sold subscriptions for some devices, but those were always specific things like satellite messaging or high-definition marine charts, where the purpose and the cost made sense. Garmin Connect+, which launched this year, is basically a subscription for software features of the phone app, not a device. That’s good for Garmin users—no actual features of the watches get paywalled this way. Whatever features your Forerunner 265 had when you bought it, you get to keep those. New watches don’t seem to be missing any features (yet)—if anything, new releases like the Forerunner 570 and the Venu 4 seem to be adding features to justify their higher prices. But that leaves the Connect+ subscription without anything vital to offer. I’ve gone through and listed all the features you get, and I think the only one that’s really worthwhile is mirroring data to your phone, which both Apple and Coros will give you for free. The rest are all “huh?” features, like unlocking special badges or gaining access to an AI feature that is surely the least useful of all fitness apps’ AI features (and that’s really saying something). Garmin seems to be hoping that people will upgrade to the subscription because of its cool amazing attractive features, while carefully avoiding putting anything useful or essential in the subscription. That doesn’t seem to be a tightrope they can actually walk, unless they come up with new app features that don’t fit into their hardware models, but are actually useful and interesting. Features worth paying for are expensive to build, which explains why Garmin Trails is a dud so far—it’s just an empty shell of a service that users are supposed to fill with data, eventually, I guess. Year in Review must have been easy to build, but it doesn’t give us anything worth paying for. Garmin has been advertising the Year in Review to non-subscribers, suggesting that we pay for a subscription to access it. I just don’t think it’s working, Garmin. View the full article

Layoffs have hit American workers hard in 2025, particularly in the government and tech sectors. Already this year, well over a million jobs have been lost due to layoffs—and unfortunately, it doesn’t look like a cessation of job cuts is on the horizon. Reports say that beverage and snack giant PepsiCo is the latest major American company getting ready to announce layoffs. Here’s what you need to know. What’s happened? On Monday, PepsiCo (Nasdaq: PEP) issued a memorandum about its intention to enhance shareholder value in 2026. In the memo, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said that the planned initiatives were to accelerate “organic revenue growth, deliver record productivity savings and improve core operating margin, starting in 2026.” The initiatives include using a targeted approach on affordable price tiers for its products in various channels in order to stimulate sales growth, reducing operational costs, and using automation and digitalization “to advance and accelerate our global productivity initiatives,” according to the company. These initiatives are widely seen as a response to demands from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which took around a $4 billion stake in the company earlier this year. Elliott Investment Management is known for aggressively pursuing cost reduction and operational efficiencies in the companies in which it invests. But the above initiatives are allegedly not the only changes PepsiCo is preparing for. The company is reportedly also set to announce job layoffs. PepsiCo reportedly will cut jobs in the U.S. and Canada Besides the operational changes announced in its memo, PepsiCo is also reportedly set to eliminate jobs, according to multiple reports. Fast Company has reached out to PepsiCo for comment on the reported layoffs. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the company instructed employees in some of its major North American offices to work from home this week. Those offices include locations in PepsiCo’s headquarters in Purchase, New York, as well as its offices in Chicago and Plano. Companies have increasingly required employees to work from home during weeks when layoffs are announced. Such mandates often make it easier on the company conducting the layoffs, as they soften the emotional toll the layoffs have on affected employees and those left behind. Layoffs can severely hurt employee morale, and so companies want to lessen the impact on the remaining workforce—and their productivity—in any way they can. At the time of this writing, no new layoffs have officially been announced by PepsiCo. However, as Bloomberg noted, recently, PepsiCo executives have spoken about “right-sizing the workforce.” (“Right-sizing” is a phrase companies have begun using in recent years to refer to layoffs.) In November, PepsiCo announced 500 layoffs after deciding to close two Frito-Lay facilities in Orlando, Florida, according to FoodDive. How has PepsiCo stock reacted to the news? PepsiCo’s stock price seems to have shrugged off the company’s announcements about its plans to enhance shareholder value. Yesterday, PEP shares got a modest boost of less than 2%. And today in early morning trading, PEP shares are currently down about half a percent. Since the year began, PEP shares have lost about 4.5% of their value. Over the past twelve months, PepsiCo’s stock price is down about 8.9%. In October, PepsiCo reported its latest Q3 2025 results, which saw the company announce net revenue of $23.9 billion, an increase of about 2.6% year-over-year. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. We’ve reached the end of television. Since the invention of the technology in the 1920s, TV screens have gradually grown larger, pictures clearer, and sets cheaper, until now: For all intents and purposes, we’re at the end of the road. This "nothing special" 65-inch Samsung unit, is, for most people, as good as a TV ever needs to be. It displays an image more highly detailed than most viewers can perceive from a couch-length viewing distance, its screen is as big as the average American living room can handle, and it costs less than $500. For 100 years, manufacturers and consumers have been chasing screen size and image clarity, so what happens now that the dog has caught the mail truck, and just about everyone has a TV that’s essentially perfect? A brief history of big-screen TVsTelevision has come a long way. If we traveled back in time to 1986 with the equivalent of $500 to buy a TV, we would only be able to afford the cheapest set from that year's Sears catalog. For $159.99, the same relative cost as a 65-inch Samsung today, you could snag a set featuring a 13-inch, 4:3 screen with an equivalent resolution of around 480i. (CRT televisions don't have pixels, but their screens displayed roughly 330–480 lines of usable detail depending on the signal.) By comparison, the Samsung has a 65-inch, 16:9 screen with a 3840×2160 resolution. Those CRTs originally displayed images by firing electrons at a phosphorescent screen inside a vacuum-sealed glass tube. The cathode ray tube (hence CRT) had to be deep enough for the electron beams to accelerate, with glass thick enough safely contain them. The result: heavy, deep, fragile machines that couldn’t practically support screens much larger than 40 inches without being prohibitively expensive and heavy. The 1981 Sony KV-3000R, a 30-inch model that cost $10,000 ($36,500 in today’s money) and weighed over 500 pounds, was at the top of the big CRT consumer market. It was technically possible to go bigger—Trinitron created a 45-inch CRT in 1989 that sold in Japan for $40,000—but these were not the kind of screens you'd find in anyone's living room. The projection TVs that followed were able to achieve their unheard-of screen sizes by using internal projectors and mirrors to project the cathode ray image onto a translucent screen, but this came with significant drawbacks. The sets were massive and could weigh up to 500 pounds, and the projected image was blurrier and dimmer than a typical CRT’s already "standard definition" image. Viewing angles were limited—you basically had to sit directly in front of it to see anything clearly—and projector bulbs had a limited lifespan and were expensive to replace. The limitations and cost of rear projection TVs didn’t dissuade people from adopting the technology, especially as they came down in price. By the 1990s, improvements in rear-projection optics, CRT projectors, and production efficiency made big-screen, rear projection TVs into a status symbol, resulting in 50-, 60-, and even 70-inch behemoths appearing in suburban living rooms. They were still heavy, fuzzy, and crazy expensive—a 61-inch Magnavox rear-projection television cost $2,999.99 in 1993—but everything changed in the late 90s with the release of the first plasma TVs. The flat screen revolutionPlasma and LCD TVs weren’t just better ways of displaying images, but worked on entirely differently principles altogether. In a plasma TV, each pixel is a tiny gas-filled cell that emits ultraviolet light when charged with electricity, which then excites phosphors on the display to create visible colors that resolve into an episode of Friends. LCD TVs use liquid crystals to control the passage of light sourced from a backlight behind. Each pixel contains a liquid crystal layer that can twist or block light, allowing precise control over color and brightness and thus a much more detailed look at Rachel’s hair. Both technologies supported far brighter and more defined images than rear projection TVs all without weighing 400 pounds, making big screen, high-definition displays obtainable for average consumers. Both LCD and plasma TVs had advantages and drawbacks—plasmas had faster response times (how quickly a pixel can adjust) and darker blacks than LCDs, but LCD TVs lasted longer (around 50,000 hours vs 30,000 hours), used less power, work better in brighter rooms, and weren't as prone to "burn in" as older plasma and CRT monitors. Ultimately, LCD won out, and plasma TVs became a thing of the past by 2014. In 2004, Sony introduced the first LED TVs. Where older LCD TVs use cold cathode fluorescent lamps for back lighting, LEDs use light-emitting diodes as backlighting. They're much more energy efficient and produce a brighter image, more accurate colors, and greater contrast than either LCD or Plasma displays. LED and other technical improvements also solved problems like narrow viewing angles, motion blur, and uneven backlighting that plagued earlier generations of flat screens. Flat panel displays were expensive at first, but prices fell rapidly. A 42-inch plasma cost around $20,000 in 1997, but cost less than $1,000 a decade later. As prices fell, resolution rose, from 720p (1,280 pixels wide by 720 pixels tall) to 1080p (1,920 pixels wide by 1,080 pixels long) to 4K (3,840 pixels wide by 2,160 pixels long), making it feasible for anyone to mount a giant TV on their living room wall and enjoy a level of realism and image quality previously only available in movie theaters. Fine tuning your television: All about backlightingAs screen size and resolution improved, so too did the qualitative aspects of TV images—contrast, color accuracy, and brightness. Older LCD TVs use fluorescent lamps to shine light through liquid crystals, but the crystals can't block all of the light, so no pixel is ever truly black. That's why you can tell whether an older LCD TV is on, even if there is no picture. LED displays are built with local dimming—backlights that can light up or dim zones of the screen as needed. The result is less light leaking through the pixels, and thus darker blacks. Mini-LED displays have many more backlighting "zones," sometimes thousands, further refining the darkness. QLED displays slide a film of "quantum dots" between the LED lights and the LCD front that dilate to improve color saturation and brightness. Organic light-emitting diode TVs (OLED) take it even further. Many OLED televisions don't have a backlight at all. Instead, each pixel in the display contains an organic material that lights up individually when electricity is applied. So when a pixel is black, it's off, which means it's totally black. OLED televisions aren't perfect—they tend to be less bright than LED or mini-LED displays—and the emerging technology of microLED TVs promises to solve that problem, but current six-figure price tags make them prohibitively expensive. We may have achieved peak televisionThe difference between a color image and a black-and-white one were immediately obvious when the first color TVs hit the market in the 1950s, as was the difference between high-definition and standard definition in late 1990s, but the distinction between an OLED and a QLED display are fine enough to be almost indistinguishable to the average consumer. I'm sure some people are passionately devoted to OLED over mini-LED, or feel you haven't really experienced Breaking Bad if you haven't seen it on a $100,000 microLED TV, but for the rest of us, midrange TVs are so close to "as good as they can possibly be" that granular technological improvements are meaningless. Now, no technology is perfect for everyone. CRT TVs, for instance, are better than the best LED TVs for old school gaming, and a 4K TV might not be detailed enough for some technical uses, but if you're just talking about the needs and desires of standard, living-room-dwelling watchers, current TV technology is all but perfect. Here are some reasons why: The limits of visionA standard 65-inch 4K television delivers a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, a density high enough to create an image that is pixel-invisible to a typical viewer sitting at reasonable distance from a television. You can buy an 8K TV (7,680 pixels wide by 4,320 pixels tall), but those extra pixels won’t make the picture look clearer or more highly defined in a practical way; they’ll only add more detail than you can physically see from your couch. For reasonable viewing, even 4K screens are overkill. Then, there's the question of size. TVs always could get bigger, but there’s a point where it doesn’t add value to the experience of watching. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has determined that the best screen viewing experience for most people is achieved when sitting at a distance where your display screen is taking up 30 degrees of your vision. That’s about 8.5 feet away for a 65-inch TV, more than adequate for most living rooms, and even if it isn’t, commercially available televisions go up to 115-inches, which is big enough for all but a cathedral-sized rec room. The limits of light, color, and comfortContrast, the difference in brightness between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites that a screen can display, helps determine how vivid and detailed an image looks. OLED TVs don't have contrast ratios, because the contrast is infinite. Each pixel in an OLED TV is its own light source, so when a pixel is told to be black, it is literally off, and it doesn’t get blacker than that. In terms of color, modern OLED TVs can reproduce 98 to 100% of the colors used in movies and TV shows, so what you see on screen is all the color there is in source material. While other display types don't have OLED's infinite contrast ratio, they get pretty close: Some mini-LED TVs have a contrast ratio as high as 10,000,000:1. TVs are also brighter than ever. Displays designed for use outside are bright enough to be watchable in full sunlight, and their peak HDR brightness of 1,400 or so nits is far brighter than then the 250 nits of typical screen viewed indoors, which is already more than bright enough to be comfortable for your living room. The limits of contentAs far as what we watch on TV, if you define perfect TV as “the ability to watch anything I want, whenever I want,” we’re practically there. Viewers used to have a scarcity problem; you'd watch whatever happened to be on one of three channels and you'd like it. Now, our problem now is abundance. We’re overwhelmed with content to watch—there are millions of instantly available things to stream on your TV, from shows to movies to YouTube videos. While programming spread over thousands of channels and across dozens of pay and free streaming services is messy, almost every film or TV show ever produced is available somewhere, although it might take a little work (and monthly subscription fees) to find it. What’s next for TV? Consumer demand for bigger-screened televisions with higher quality displays has essentially driven the industry for the last 80 years, so what happens now that the race is almost over and we can all watch whatever we want on an all but-perfect TV? A marketing person might answer that TV makers will create reasons for people to want new TVs by expanding what TV actually is. You can see this happening with things Samsung’s The Wall or Sony’s Crystal LED—systems that let you cover an entire wall with seamless TV panels (if you have a spare $100,000 sitting around). But do people really want a TV wall enough to buy one, assuming they become more affordable? Some people would, sure, but a wall screen wouldn’t really make sitting on the couch watching TV better for most of us. A more down-to-earth potential future for TVs is represented by Samsung’s Frame, a “a lifestyle TV” designed to turn your screen into a gallery of digital art when you’re not watching Netflix. It’s cool, but if it doesn’t improve the experience of watching Pluribus, I’m not rushing out to replace my TV. When “big TV” tries to create a desire for TVs that do something other than just work like TVs, the results haven’t always worked. Back 2010, perhaps sensing the need for a “gotta have it” feature, the industry rolled out the first 3D TVs. Despite years of hyping the technology as the next big thing, consumers didn’t bite, and by 2017, 3D TV was a dead technology. It was cool, but not cool enough to justify buying a new TV when people just wanted to watch Game of Thrones. Another example: the “screenless screen” represented by AR/VR devices like the Apple VisionPro or Meta Quest 3. It’s too early to say for sure, but these much-hyped devices seem to be meeting with lukewarm consumer response as well. The one way your TV isn’t perfectDon’t get too smug about your perfect TV, though, as it's probably going to break soon. The profitability of the TV industry requires a lot of people buy new TVs every few years, so your 65-inch Samsung isn't designed to last as long as the clunky CRTs of yore. Older sets were fairly simple machines that could last for decades (if Elvis didn't shoot them), but modern flat-panels are packed with LEDs that dim and LCDs that flicker out. Maybe more importantly, almost all new TVs are smart TVs, which introduces new ways of adding obsolescence—manufacturers could stop updating your TV's operating system and streaming services could drop support too. Even if the display still works, you might find navigating your TV to be such a slow, cumbersome, and useless experience that you'll go out and pick up a new one, far earlier than you otherwise would. There's also the matter of privacy: These TVs are constantly watching what we do, and collect our data when connected to the internet. It's part of why TVs don't cost as much up front: You are subsidizing the price with your data. Disconnecting these TVs from the internet helps, but many streaming devices aren't much better, so you need to choose wisely. Choosing the right one, however, can expand the life of an old, otherwise functioning TV—until the hardware gives out, of course. The TVs we have today are brilliant, cheap, and enormous, but they’re also designed for a world where replacing your screen every five-seven years is normal, even if a “better” set doesn’t necessarily exist. View the full article

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If you’re considering a franchise opportunity, comprehension of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital. This legal document lays out fundamental information about the franchise, including the franchisor’s background, fees, and obligations. It’s designed to help you make informed decisions, with a mandatory 14-day review period to assess everything carefully. Knowing what’s in the FDD can greatly impact your franchise path, but many potential franchisees overlook its importance. What should you look for in this document? Key Takeaways The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a legal requirement for franchisors, detailing essential franchise information for potential franchisees. It contains 23 mandated items, including fees, obligations, and franchisor’s history, promoting transparency in franchise opportunities. The FDD must be provided at least 14 days before signing agreements, allowing franchisees to review terms thoroughly. Regular updates and compliance with state-specific regulations are essential for maintaining the FDD’s validity and legal standing. Legal professionals ensure the FDD meets requirements, simplifies language, and clarifies rights and responsibilities, minimizing misunderstandings and disputes. Understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) When you’re considering investing in a franchise, comprehending the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital. This legal document must be provided to you at least 14 days before you sign any agreements or pay fees, ensuring you make informed decisions. The FDD contains 23 key items, detailing the franchisor’s background, initial and ongoing fees, and franchisee obligations, which are important for evaluating franchise opportunities. In states like Minnesota, franchise registration is necessary, whereas in Wisconsin, the FDD must comply with local regulations. These FDD franchise documents must be updated annually and include audited financial statements. They promote transparency and trust, serving as a foundational tool that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both franchisors and franchisees. Key Components of the FDD The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) consists of several key components that potential franchisees must understand to make informed investment decisions. It includes 23 mandated items, covering crucial information about the franchise. Key elements are initial and ongoing fees (Items 5 and 6), estimated initial investment (Item 7), and a summary of franchisee obligations (Item 9) in a clear format. The FDD further details the franchisor’s management experience (Item 2) and any pertinent litigation or bankruptcy history (Items 3 and 4). In addition, it outlines support provided to franchisees, including training and advertising (Item 11). Financial performance representations (Item 19) may be included to help you gauge potential earnings, especially under regulations like Wisconsin franchise registration and California FDD requirements. Legal Requirements for Issuing an FDD When you’re looking to issue an FDD, timing and registration are key legal requirements you must follow. You need to provide the FDD to prospective franchisees at least 14 days before they sign any agreements or pay fees, ensuring they’ve ample time to review the necessary information. Furthermore, if you’re operating in certain states, such as New York, you must register your FDD with local authorities before making offers or sales, highlighting the importance of compliance with state-specific regulations. Timing of Disclosure Comprehending the timing of disclosure is important for both franchisors and prospective franchisees. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be provided at least 14 days before signing a franchise agreement or making any payment. This lead time allows for thorough review. Key points to remember include: The FDD issuance date indicates when it’s deemed complete and compliant. In registration states, the FDD must be filed with a state examiner before franchise offerings. Some states may modify the standard 14-day disclosure period, so it’s important to know local regulations. Timely disclosure is critical for compliance with federal regulations. Missing these requirements can result in significant legal consequences for the franchisor, emphasizing the need for diligence in the process. Registration Requirements Overview Comprehending the legal requirements for issuing a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is essential for franchisors to navigate the complex environment of franchise regulation. You must issue the FDD at least 14 days before any signed agreement or payment to allow potential franchisees sufficient review time. In states with franchise registration laws, you’ll need to register the FDD with a state examiner prior to offering or selling franchises. The Amended Rule mandates that the FDD includes 23 specific disclosure items required by federal and state laws. Furthermore, FDD registration must be renewed annually within 120 days after your fiscal year-end, and any material changes must be updated immediately. Significantly, New York requires FDD registration regardless of where your franchisees are located. The 14-Day Disclosure Timeline When you’re considering a franchise opportunity, comprehension of the 14-day disclosure timeline is essential. This period starts as soon as you sign the receipt page of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and guarantees you have enough time to thoroughly review the information before making any commitments. Adhering to this timeline isn’t just a best practice; it’s a legal requirement that protects both you and the franchisor from rushed decisions. Disclosure Timing Requirements Comprehending the significance of disclosure timing is critical for anyone contemplating a franchise opportunity. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be provided at least 14 days before you sign any agreements or exchange money. This waiting period guarantees you have ample time to review the information and make informed decisions. Key points to reflect on: The 14-day timeline prevents rushed commitments, nurturing better decision-making. The disclosure process begins once you sign the FDD receipt page, a fundamental step in compliance. Some states may have different regulations, so be aware of local laws that could affect the timeline. Timely disclosure is crucial for compliance with federal regulations, as failing to meet this requirement can lead to legal issues for the franchisor. Importance of Review Period The 14-day review period is essential for potential franchisees, as it provides a critical window to thoroughly examine the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before making any commitments. This timeframe guarantees you have ample opportunity to digest important details about fees, obligations, and potential risks associated with the franchise opportunity. The waiting period encourages informed decision-making, preventing hasty choices that could lead to regrets. Additionally, you can consult with legal and financial advisors during this time, allowing for a clearer comprehension of your investment. It’s important to highlight that failure to comply with the 14-day requirement can result in legal repercussions for franchisors, including potential claims for damages from franchisees. Always prioritize this review period for your own protection. Importance of Transparency in the FDD Transparency in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) plays a crucial role in guiding potential franchisees as they navigate their investment decisions. By providing clear and detailed information, the FDD helps you understand the franchise opportunity better. Here are a few key aspects of transparency in the FDD: It includes 23 specific disclosure items, such as the franchisor’s litigation and bankruptcy history, allowing you to assess risks. The legally mandated 14-day review period gives you ample time to digest the terms before committing. Detailed financial performance representations help you gauge potential profitability, enhancing informed decision-making. How the FDD Supports Franchisee Decision-Making Comprehending how the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) supports your decision-making is vital when considering a franchise investment. The FDD provides fundamental information about the franchisor’s business, including fees, financial performance, and your obligations as a franchisee. This document consists of 23 standardized items, ensuring transparency in the franchise relationship. By requiring disclosure at least 14 days before any agreement or payment, you gain sufficient time to review the terms carefully. The FDD not only details your rights and responsibilities but additionally helps you assess the potential profitability and feasibility of the opportunity. With insights into initial and ongoing fees and litigation history, the FDD empowers you to make informed investment decisions during minimizing misunderstandings with the franchisor. Updates and Maintenance of the FDD When you’re considering a franchise, keeping the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) updated is critical for ensuring both compliance and clarity in your business relationship. You need to adhere to specific timelines and requirements: Update the FDD annually within 120 days of your fiscal year-end to maintain compliance. If there are material changes to your franchise or business model, update it quarterly or immediately if misleading information is present. Renew your FDD registration annually to avoid expiration, submitting renewal applications well in advance. Role of Legal Professionals in FDD Preparation Legal professionals play a significant role in the preparation of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), guaranteeing that it meets all legal requirements and accurately reflects the franchisor’s business model. They assist in drafting the FDD in plain English, making it accessible and clear for potential franchisees. By helping to avoid over-disclosure, they make certain that only necessary information is included, streamlining the registration process. Franchise attorneys additionally provide critical guidance on updating the FDD regularly, reflecting any material changes and guaranteeing compliance with annual renewal requirements. Moreover, they navigate the intricacies of franchise agreements, clearly communicating the rights and responsibilities of both franchisors and franchisees, which is fundamental for a successful franchise relationship. Common Misunderstandings About the FDD What do you really know about the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)? Many misconceptions surround the FDD, which is more than just a formality; it’s a significant legal document detailing rights and obligations for both franchisors and franchisees. Here are some common misunderstandings: Not all FDDs are identical; each one is unique to its franchise brand, covering specific structures, fees, and operational details. Professional assistance is often necessary; even seasoned business owners can miss critical details that affect their investments. The FDD plays a key role in preventing disputes, establishing clear expectations between the parties involved. Thoroughly reviewing the FDD is important for clarity and fairness, as overlooking it can lead to misunderstandings and financial risks down the line. Evaluating Franchise Opportunities Using the FDD Evaluating franchise opportunities using the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital for making informed investment decisions, as it provides a thorough overview of what you can expect from a franchise. The FDD includes 23 key items that cover fundamental aspects like fees, litigation history, and obligations. You’ll receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing any agreements, giving you ample time to review. Important sections like Item 7, which outlines the estimated initial investment, and Item 19, detailing financial performance, are critical for comprehending your financial commitments. The support and training provided by the franchisor, found in Item 11, can likewise greatly affect your success. Key Item Description Estimated Initial Investment Overview of startup costs (Item 7) Ongoing Fees Details of recurring payments (Item 6) Financial Performance Insights on sales potential (Item 19) Support and Training Level of assistance from the franchisor (Item 11) Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Franchise Disclosure Document FDD and Why Is It Important? A Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a vital legal document that provides you with important information about a franchise opportunity. It includes details such as the franchisor’s history, fees, and obligations. The FDD helps you understand your rights and responsibilities before signing any agreements or making payments. What Is an FDD Document? An FDD, or Franchise Disclosure Document, is a legal document that provides vital information about a franchise opportunity. It includes 23 specific items detailing the franchisor’s business history, fees, and franchisee obligations. You’ll receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing any agreements or paying fees, allowing you to make informed decisions. It’s fundamental for comprehending your rights and responsibilities, along with the risks involved in the franchise investment. How Is an FDD Used in Franchising? In franchising, the FDD serves as a critical tool for potential franchisees. It outlines important details about the franchisor, including fees, obligations, and financial performance expectations. You’ll receive this document at least 14 days before signing any agreements, allowing you to make informed decisions. By reviewing the FDD, you can better understand the franchise relationship, ensuring transparency and minimizing disputes. It’s updated annually and whenever significant changes occur, keeping you informed. What Special Paperwork Is Necessary to Start a Franchise? To start a franchise, you’ll need key paperwork, primarily the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and a Franchise Agreement (FA). The FDD outlines vital information like fees and obligations, guaranteeing transparency. You’ll additionally need to check state regulations, as some require the FDD to be registered before selling franchises. Regular updates to the FDD are mandatory, keeping information current. Ascertain you understand these documents fully before proceeding with any agreements or payments. Conclusion In conclusion, comprehending the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital for anyone considering a franchise opportunity. The FDD provides fundamental details, including fees, obligations, and legal requirements, ensuring transparency in the franchise relationship. By taking the time to review this document during the mandated 14-day period, you can make an informed decision about potential risks and benefits. Consulting legal professionals can further improve your comprehension, helping you navigate the intricacies of franchise ownership effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Are FDD Franchise Documents and Their Importance?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re considering a franchise opportunity, comprehension of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital. This legal document lays out fundamental information about the franchise, including the franchisor’s background, fees, and obligations. It’s designed to help you make informed decisions, with a mandatory 14-day review period to assess everything carefully. Knowing what’s in the FDD can greatly impact your franchise path, but many potential franchisees overlook its importance. What should you look for in this document? Key Takeaways The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a legal requirement for franchisors, detailing essential franchise information for potential franchisees. It contains 23 mandated items, including fees, obligations, and franchisor’s history, promoting transparency in franchise opportunities. The FDD must be provided at least 14 days before signing agreements, allowing franchisees to review terms thoroughly. Regular updates and compliance with state-specific regulations are essential for maintaining the FDD’s validity and legal standing. Legal professionals ensure the FDD meets requirements, simplifies language, and clarifies rights and responsibilities, minimizing misunderstandings and disputes. Understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) When you’re considering investing in a franchise, comprehending the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital. This legal document must be provided to you at least 14 days before you sign any agreements or pay fees, ensuring you make informed decisions. The FDD contains 23 key items, detailing the franchisor’s background, initial and ongoing fees, and franchisee obligations, which are important for evaluating franchise opportunities. In states like Minnesota, franchise registration is necessary, whereas in Wisconsin, the FDD must comply with local regulations. These FDD franchise documents must be updated annually and include audited financial statements. They promote transparency and trust, serving as a foundational tool that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both franchisors and franchisees. Key Components of the FDD The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) consists of several key components that potential franchisees must understand to make informed investment decisions. It includes 23 mandated items, covering crucial information about the franchise. Key elements are initial and ongoing fees (Items 5 and 6), estimated initial investment (Item 7), and a summary of franchisee obligations (Item 9) in a clear format. The FDD further details the franchisor’s management experience (Item 2) and any pertinent litigation or bankruptcy history (Items 3 and 4). In addition, it outlines support provided to franchisees, including training and advertising (Item 11). Financial performance representations (Item 19) may be included to help you gauge potential earnings, especially under regulations like Wisconsin franchise registration and California FDD requirements. Legal Requirements for Issuing an FDD When you’re looking to issue an FDD, timing and registration are key legal requirements you must follow. You need to provide the FDD to prospective franchisees at least 14 days before they sign any agreements or pay fees, ensuring they’ve ample time to review the necessary information. Furthermore, if you’re operating in certain states, such as New York, you must register your FDD with local authorities before making offers or sales, highlighting the importance of compliance with state-specific regulations. Timing of Disclosure Comprehending the timing of disclosure is important for both franchisors and prospective franchisees. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be provided at least 14 days before signing a franchise agreement or making any payment. This lead time allows for thorough review. Key points to remember include: The FDD issuance date indicates when it’s deemed complete and compliant. In registration states, the FDD must be filed with a state examiner before franchise offerings. Some states may modify the standard 14-day disclosure period, so it’s important to know local regulations. Timely disclosure is critical for compliance with federal regulations. Missing these requirements can result in significant legal consequences for the franchisor, emphasizing the need for diligence in the process. Registration Requirements Overview Comprehending the legal requirements for issuing a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is essential for franchisors to navigate the complex environment of franchise regulation. You must issue the FDD at least 14 days before any signed agreement or payment to allow potential franchisees sufficient review time. In states with franchise registration laws, you’ll need to register the FDD with a state examiner prior to offering or selling franchises. The Amended Rule mandates that the FDD includes 23 specific disclosure items required by federal and state laws. Furthermore, FDD registration must be renewed annually within 120 days after your fiscal year-end, and any material changes must be updated immediately. Significantly, New York requires FDD registration regardless of where your franchisees are located. The 14-Day Disclosure Timeline When you’re considering a franchise opportunity, comprehension of the 14-day disclosure timeline is essential. This period starts as soon as you sign the receipt page of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and guarantees you have enough time to thoroughly review the information before making any commitments. Adhering to this timeline isn’t just a best practice; it’s a legal requirement that protects both you and the franchisor from rushed decisions. Disclosure Timing Requirements Comprehending the significance of disclosure timing is critical for anyone contemplating a franchise opportunity. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must be provided at least 14 days before you sign any agreements or exchange money. This waiting period guarantees you have ample time to review the information and make informed decisions. Key points to reflect on: The 14-day timeline prevents rushed commitments, nurturing better decision-making. The disclosure process begins once you sign the FDD receipt page, a fundamental step in compliance. Some states may have different regulations, so be aware of local laws that could affect the timeline. Timely disclosure is crucial for compliance with federal regulations, as failing to meet this requirement can lead to legal issues for the franchisor. Importance of Review Period The 14-day review period is essential for potential franchisees, as it provides a critical window to thoroughly examine the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before making any commitments. This timeframe guarantees you have ample opportunity to digest important details about fees, obligations, and potential risks associated with the franchise opportunity. The waiting period encourages informed decision-making, preventing hasty choices that could lead to regrets. Additionally, you can consult with legal and financial advisors during this time, allowing for a clearer comprehension of your investment. It’s important to highlight that failure to comply with the 14-day requirement can result in legal repercussions for franchisors, including potential claims for damages from franchisees. Always prioritize this review period for your own protection. Importance of Transparency in the FDD Transparency in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) plays a crucial role in guiding potential franchisees as they navigate their investment decisions. By providing clear and detailed information, the FDD helps you understand the franchise opportunity better. Here are a few key aspects of transparency in the FDD: It includes 23 specific disclosure items, such as the franchisor’s litigation and bankruptcy history, allowing you to assess risks. The legally mandated 14-day review period gives you ample time to digest the terms before committing. Detailed financial performance representations help you gauge potential profitability, enhancing informed decision-making. How the FDD Supports Franchisee Decision-Making Comprehending how the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) supports your decision-making is vital when considering a franchise investment. The FDD provides fundamental information about the franchisor’s business, including fees, financial performance, and your obligations as a franchisee. This document consists of 23 standardized items, ensuring transparency in the franchise relationship. By requiring disclosure at least 14 days before any agreement or payment, you gain sufficient time to review the terms carefully. The FDD not only details your rights and responsibilities but additionally helps you assess the potential profitability and feasibility of the opportunity. With insights into initial and ongoing fees and litigation history, the FDD empowers you to make informed investment decisions during minimizing misunderstandings with the franchisor. Updates and Maintenance of the FDD When you’re considering a franchise, keeping the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) updated is critical for ensuring both compliance and clarity in your business relationship. You need to adhere to specific timelines and requirements: Update the FDD annually within 120 days of your fiscal year-end to maintain compliance. If there are material changes to your franchise or business model, update it quarterly or immediately if misleading information is present. Renew your FDD registration annually to avoid expiration, submitting renewal applications well in advance. Role of Legal Professionals in FDD Preparation Legal professionals play a significant role in the preparation of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), guaranteeing that it meets all legal requirements and accurately reflects the franchisor’s business model. They assist in drafting the FDD in plain English, making it accessible and clear for potential franchisees. By helping to avoid over-disclosure, they make certain that only necessary information is included, streamlining the registration process. Franchise attorneys additionally provide critical guidance on updating the FDD regularly, reflecting any material changes and guaranteeing compliance with annual renewal requirements. Moreover, they navigate the intricacies of franchise agreements, clearly communicating the rights and responsibilities of both franchisors and franchisees, which is fundamental for a successful franchise relationship. Common Misunderstandings About the FDD What do you really know about the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)? Many misconceptions surround the FDD, which is more than just a formality; it’s a significant legal document detailing rights and obligations for both franchisors and franchisees. Here are some common misunderstandings: Not all FDDs are identical; each one is unique to its franchise brand, covering specific structures, fees, and operational details. Professional assistance is often necessary; even seasoned business owners can miss critical details that affect their investments. The FDD plays a key role in preventing disputes, establishing clear expectations between the parties involved. Thoroughly reviewing the FDD is important for clarity and fairness, as overlooking it can lead to misunderstandings and financial risks down the line. Evaluating Franchise Opportunities Using the FDD Evaluating franchise opportunities using the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital for making informed investment decisions, as it provides a thorough overview of what you can expect from a franchise. The FDD includes 23 key items that cover fundamental aspects like fees, litigation history, and obligations. You’ll receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing any agreements, giving you ample time to review. Important sections like Item 7, which outlines the estimated initial investment, and Item 19, detailing financial performance, are critical for comprehending your financial commitments. The support and training provided by the franchisor, found in Item 11, can likewise greatly affect your success. Key Item Description Estimated Initial Investment Overview of startup costs (Item 7) Ongoing Fees Details of recurring payments (Item 6) Financial Performance Insights on sales potential (Item 19) Support and Training Level of assistance from the franchisor (Item 11) Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Franchise Disclosure Document FDD and Why Is It Important? A Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a vital legal document that provides you with important information about a franchise opportunity. It includes details such as the franchisor’s history, fees, and obligations. The FDD helps you understand your rights and responsibilities before signing any agreements or making payments. What Is an FDD Document? An FDD, or Franchise Disclosure Document, is a legal document that provides vital information about a franchise opportunity. It includes 23 specific items detailing the franchisor’s business history, fees, and franchisee obligations. You’ll receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing any agreements or paying fees, allowing you to make informed decisions. It’s fundamental for comprehending your rights and responsibilities, along with the risks involved in the franchise investment. How Is an FDD Used in Franchising? In franchising, the FDD serves as a critical tool for potential franchisees. It outlines important details about the franchisor, including fees, obligations, and financial performance expectations. You’ll receive this document at least 14 days before signing any agreements, allowing you to make informed decisions. By reviewing the FDD, you can better understand the franchise relationship, ensuring transparency and minimizing disputes. It’s updated annually and whenever significant changes occur, keeping you informed. What Special Paperwork Is Necessary to Start a Franchise? To start a franchise, you’ll need key paperwork, primarily the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and a Franchise Agreement (FA). The FDD outlines vital information like fees and obligations, guaranteeing transparency. You’ll additionally need to check state regulations, as some require the FDD to be registered before selling franchises. Regular updates to the FDD are mandatory, keeping information current. Ascertain you understand these documents fully before proceeding with any agreements or payments. Conclusion In conclusion, comprehending the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is vital for anyone considering a franchise opportunity. The FDD provides fundamental details, including fees, obligations, and legal requirements, ensuring transparency in the franchise relationship. By taking the time to review this document during the mandated 14-day period, you can make an informed decision about potential risks and benefits. Consulting legal professionals can further improve your comprehension, helping you navigate the intricacies of franchise ownership effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Are FDD Franchise Documents and Their Importance?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Apple’s various apps and utilities are finally starting to talk to each other, and it’s great news for iPhone users. Last year, Apple added the ability to sync Reminders with Calendar, which added time-based reminders directly into your Calendar view—a feature I now regularly use. Now, with iOS 26.2, Apple is finally integrating Reminders with the Alarms app; you'll be able to set an accompanying alarm for any reminder. If, like me, you tend to be forgetful—if you need a reminder for your reminder—this will be a handy feature. The alarm will sound, taking up your entire screen until you dismiss it. And yes, you can snooze it. How to add an alarm to any reminder on your iPhoneTo get started, open the Reminder app, navigate to a task list, and either create a new reminder, or edit it. When you’re adding a date and time, you’ll see a new Urgent toggle. When you enable the Urgent mode, it will turn on an alarm that will go off when the reminder is due. The alarm will trigger even when your iPhone is in silent mode or in a Do Not Disturb Focus mode, so be careful when setting it up. Credit: Khamosh Pathak When you enable this for the first time, you’ll get a connection request for integrating Reminders with Alarms. Here, tap Allow. If you don’t see this popup, or if you’ve dismissed it before, go to Settings > Apps > Reminders, and in the "Allow Reminders to Access" section, enable the Alarms toggle. When the reminder is due, you’ll see a full-screen reminder interface, with the reminder up top, and an option to slide to stop (using Apple’s new sliding interface for dismissing alarms, which you can disable if you want). You’ll also see a big blue Snooze button. This will snooze the reminder for nine minutes. Whether you hit the Snooze button or you use the slider to stop the alarm, Apple will add the Reminder to the top of the notifications list, as a Live Activity. You’ll see the reminder, with the snooze duration (if enabled), and the task. To actually complete the task, you’ll have to check it off from the Live Activity or the Reminders app. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Unlike in the new alarm feature, there’s no way to edit the Snooze duration for reminders, or to disable the slider. If you don’t like the Snooze feature or the two-tap approach to completing reminders, you can switch it out for a Complete button instead. Go to Settings > Apps > Reminders and in the "Urgent Reminders" section, enable the Complete from Alarm feature. Now, when the alarm goes off, you’ll see two buttons instead: Slide to Stop and Complete. When you tap Complete, the alarm will disappear, and the task will be marked as Complete. View the full article

In an era where effective communication can make or break a business relationship, the latest updates from Android promise to equip small business owners with innovative tools that enhance connectivity and efficiency. The December 2025 feature rollout introduces a range of capabilities designed to elevate user experience and collaboration—offering a myriad of potential benefits for small enterprises aiming to enhance their communication strategies. Key features include emotion recognition in speech captions, new emoji combinations, and a way to signal urgent calls. These upgrades serve not only to streamline communication but also to foster a more engaging digital interaction, which is vital for establishing rapport with clients and team members. One standout feature is the emotion detection technology integrated into captions. This advancement enables users to capture the emotional tone behind spoken words, an essential tool for understanding context during virtual meetings. For small business owners, particularly those in service-oriented industries, this capability allows for more empathetic engagement with clients. “Emotion adds depth to communication, providing a better understanding of client needs and concerns,” notes a representative from Android. Small business owners can leverage this technology to create a more personalized customer experience, further solidifying client trust and loyalty. Additionally, the addition of new emoji combos offers creative ways to express sentiments in messages. With emojis playing a pivotal role in modern communication, small businesses can enhance their social media interactions and marketing campaigns. Engaging visual language can resonate more effectively with customers, making brands appear more relatable and approachable. Whether it’s through promotional messages, customer service interactions, or team communications, these new emoji combinations offer a fun and engaging way to connect with audiences. Urgent call notifications also present a significant leap in communication efficiency. When small business owners face time-sensitive situations, being able to indicate the urgency of a call can save valuable time and streamline decision-making processes. This feature minimizes confusion and allows for quicker responses from employees and team members, which can be critical in fast-paced business environments. Despite these exciting features, small business owners should remain aware of potential challenges that could arise from adopting these new technologies. As with any new integration, employees may require training to effectively utilize these capabilities. Ensuring that the team is well-versed in the new tools can mitigate frustrations and enhance productivity. Additionally, privacy concerns surrounding emotion detection technology must be addressed. Businesses should establish clear guidelines on how this information can be used and shared, maintaining transparency with clients and employees alike. Moreover, while the emphasis on emojis fosters creativity in communication, it carries a risk of misunderstanding or misinterpretation, especially in professional contexts. Small business owners should be mindful of their audience when incorporating this more casual form of communication to ensure that it aligns with their brand identity and values. The December 2025 Android updates represent a significant advancement in communication technology that can empower small businesses to better engage with their clients and streamline their operations. By incorporating these features, small business owners can enhance their communication efforts, leading to a more efficient workflow and stronger relationships with clients and employees. For more detailed insights about these features, business owners can visit the original press release here. The future of business communication is evolving, and those who adapt to these technologies may find themselves ahead of the curve in fostering dynamic connections in an increasingly digital marketplace. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Android Unveils Features to Enhance Communication and Connect Emotionally" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era where effective communication can make or break a business relationship, the latest updates from Android promise to equip small business owners with innovative tools that enhance connectivity and efficiency. The December 2025 feature rollout introduces a range of capabilities designed to elevate user experience and collaboration—offering a myriad of potential benefits for small enterprises aiming to enhance their communication strategies. Key features include emotion recognition in speech captions, new emoji combinations, and a way to signal urgent calls. These upgrades serve not only to streamline communication but also to foster a more engaging digital interaction, which is vital for establishing rapport with clients and team members. One standout feature is the emotion detection technology integrated into captions. This advancement enables users to capture the emotional tone behind spoken words, an essential tool for understanding context during virtual meetings. For small business owners, particularly those in service-oriented industries, this capability allows for more empathetic engagement with clients. “Emotion adds depth to communication, providing a better understanding of client needs and concerns,” notes a representative from Android. Small business owners can leverage this technology to create a more personalized customer experience, further solidifying client trust and loyalty. Additionally, the addition of new emoji combos offers creative ways to express sentiments in messages. With emojis playing a pivotal role in modern communication, small businesses can enhance their social media interactions and marketing campaigns. Engaging visual language can resonate more effectively with customers, making brands appear more relatable and approachable. Whether it’s through promotional messages, customer service interactions, or team communications, these new emoji combinations offer a fun and engaging way to connect with audiences. Urgent call notifications also present a significant leap in communication efficiency. When small business owners face time-sensitive situations, being able to indicate the urgency of a call can save valuable time and streamline decision-making processes. This feature minimizes confusion and allows for quicker responses from employees and team members, which can be critical in fast-paced business environments. Despite these exciting features, small business owners should remain aware of potential challenges that could arise from adopting these new technologies. As with any new integration, employees may require training to effectively utilize these capabilities. Ensuring that the team is well-versed in the new tools can mitigate frustrations and enhance productivity. Additionally, privacy concerns surrounding emotion detection technology must be addressed. Businesses should establish clear guidelines on how this information can be used and shared, maintaining transparency with clients and employees alike. Moreover, while the emphasis on emojis fosters creativity in communication, it carries a risk of misunderstanding or misinterpretation, especially in professional contexts. Small business owners should be mindful of their audience when incorporating this more casual form of communication to ensure that it aligns with their brand identity and values. The December 2025 Android updates represent a significant advancement in communication technology that can empower small businesses to better engage with their clients and streamline their operations. By incorporating these features, small business owners can enhance their communication efforts, leading to a more efficient workflow and stronger relationships with clients and employees. For more detailed insights about these features, business owners can visit the original press release here. The future of business communication is evolving, and those who adapt to these technologies may find themselves ahead of the curve in fostering dynamic connections in an increasingly digital marketplace. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Android Unveils Features to Enhance Communication and Connect Emotionally" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Given that the growth of demand for AI is so unpredictable, there can be no doubt investor behaviour is speculativeView the full article

The latest Apple Watch costs $429. A basic Peloton Bike is $1,395, plus a $49.99 monthly subscription. Throw in a WHOOP membership at $149 annually, maybe an Oura Ring for another $349, and suddenly you're looking at thousands of dollars to participate in what's become the standard way many Americans approach their health. For some, that price tag is steep. For others, it's a non-starter. I'm no stranger to the appeal of the latest, greatest wearables and smart health devices. But as all this wellness technology become the norm, what does this mean for people who don't strap a smartwatch onto their wrists? If comprehensive health data—and the insights it provides—becomes a luxury good, the existing digital health divide will only get worse. The digital health divideThe issue starts well before anyone considers buying a fitness tracker. Digital equity in healthcare is already a fundamental access issue. "In many ways, access to healthcare means access to technology," says Amy Gonzales, an associate professor in UC Santa Barbara's Department of Communication. "Especially since [the COVID-19 pandemic], the healthcare industry relies heavily on technology for their services. Text reminders about your appointment, scanning a QR code to check in, needing an e-health account to see your test results, or some providers only being available via telehealth, and so on." The basic infrastructure of modern healthcare—patient portals, appointment scheduling apps, prescription management systems—demands a level of digital literacy and access that not everyone can meet. Seniors may struggle with smartphone interfaces. Low-income families might rely on limited mobile data or shared devices. People with certain disabilities may find standard health apps difficult or impossible to navigate. And the problem compounds: Gonzales notes the populations most likely to face barriers with technology are often the same groups who may need that healthcare the most. Fitness trackers are becoming the norm—for someAgainst this backdrop of baseline digital inequity, fitness trackers and wearables have gotten more and more popular. These aren't essential medical devices in the traditional sense—nobody's life support depends on their Fitbit—but they've become cultural markers of health optimization. More concerning, they're increasingly becoming tools that provide genuinely useful health information that simply isn't available to people without the resources to buy in. Heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, stress levels, and more: We're living in a time of unprecedented insight into what our bodies are doing, if you can afford it. IN some circles, these devices have become simply how health-conscious people approach their wellbeing. Studies have shown that wearables can help detect abnormal heart rhythms, encourage increased physical activity, and provide early warning signs of illness. Some insurance companies offer discounts for users who share their fitness tracking data. Employers incorporate wearables into wellness programs. While this is promising for those who can afford it, others get left behind. "The digital divide is even more problematic with 'bonus devices,' or health 'accoutrements,' like smart wearables," says Gonzales. If at-risk health populations are already at-risk for digital access, it tracks that this access gap is only getting wider. The problem with ubquitous fitness tech The creation of a two-tiered information system is perhaps the most insidious aspect of fitness tech inequality. A person with an Apple Watch receives detailed daily reports about their cardiovascular health, activity levels, and sleep quality. They get alerts when their heart rate becomes irregular, or they can share comprehensive data with their physician that provides context for symptoms and conditions. Someone without these devices? They're left with subjective assessments and whatever gets captured during periodic doctor visits. "If you don't have the same resources to track your blood pressure, blood pressure, or physical activity," says Gonzales, "you are certainly being left behind on useful healthcare." Consider two people with similar cardiovascular risk factors. The one with a wearable device might receive an alert and seek immediate treatment, potentially preventing a stroke. The other person might not notice symptoms until a serious cardiac event occurs. Both deserved that potentially life-saving alert, but only one could afford the device that provided it. As more people in higher-income brackets adopt these technologies and share data with healthcare providers, medical understanding itself may become skewed toward populations who can afford comprehensive self-monitoring. If research studies increasingly incorporate wearable data, but if that data predominantly comes from affluent, educated users, the resulting insights may not apply equally across all demographics. Another perspectiveAccess isn't the only lens through which to view this fitness tech. "There's this implicit assumption that wearables are inherently good," says Gonzales. "What about privacy risks?" After all, if you think you own all your health data, think again. Think of the history of the healthcare industry's relationship with marginalized communities. The Tuskegee syphilis study, forced sterilizations, and ongoing disparities in pain management and maternal mortality have created a pretty understandable skepticism toward giving up data, to say the least. "Given the history of experimentation and exploitation of certain low-income populations, there's a natural distrust in these sub-groups," Gonzales says. "Maybe these demographics intentionally avoid third parties collecting their data." So, the same communities that might benefit most from health monitoring technology may also have the most legitimate reasons to be wary of it. As I've previously covered, data privacy protections remain inconsistent, and the long-term implications of sharing detailed biometric data with corporations are still unclear. For populations that have historically been surveilled, exploited, or discriminated against, choosing not to participate in constant data collection might be a rational decision, rather than simply a matter of access. There's something to be said for health approaches that don't involve third-party corporations accumulating detailed records of your body's functions. Finding solutionsNaturally, budget options for fitness tech do exist, and these options can help some people access these technologies. But even "affordable" options still cost money that many families simply don't have for what remains, technically speaking, optional equipment. When you're choosing between a $50 fitness tracker and groceries, the choice isn't really a choice at all. All of this is to say that the fitness tech inequality problem can't be solved by individual purchasing decisions or corporate discount programs. It's embedded in broader questions about healthcare access, digital equity, and what we consider essential versus optional in maintaining health. Glucose monitors, fertility trackers, or blood pressure cuffs could more easily qualify as medical equipment, where an Oura ring is still a luxury good. Addressing the gap requires reimagining what counts as necessary healthcare technology. Otherwise, we could be approaching a future where your ability to detect health problems early, track chronic conditions, and optimize your fitness depends on whether you can afford a monthly subscription. The bottom lineHealthcare has become digitized, creating new opportunities for monitoring and intervention, but also new mechanisms for inequality. As fitness technology continues advancing, offering more sophisticated monitoring and more actionable insights, that fundamental inequality will only get worse. Because at the intersection of healthcare and technology, "the people who struggle with one are often the same people who need the other," Gonzales says. The Apple Watch on your wrist may feel like a personal choice, a small investment in your personal wellness. But scale that up across millions of people and billions of data points, and individual choices become structural inequalities. Technology that was supposed to democratize health information may instead be creating new hierarchies of who gets to know what about their own bodies. And those who need that knowledge most may be the least likely to access it. View the full article

Spotify has a knack for mining your listening data into something fun and shareable rather than weird and creepy for its annual “Wrapped” feature. This year, it outdid itself. The 2025 edition of Spotify Wrapped goes beyond just summarizing what you listened to with charts and infographics. This year, Spotify is also assigning each user a “Listening Age,” which is based on the release years of their favorite tracks compared to others in the same age group. The feature quickly went viral, as users recoiled at their seemingly geriatric (or juvenile) musical tastes. At the risk of reading too much into something that’s ultimately good fun, Wrapped’s expanding purview is a reminder of how the things you listen to can speak to who you are as a person, which could end up being valuable data. Your Listening Age is mostly a silly diversion, but it could also be a kind of flex as Spotify expands its targeted advertising ambitions. Heading into 2026, Spotify is under pressure from shareholders to boost ad revenue. While 63% of monthly active users are on Spotify’s free, ad-supported plan, they only made up about 10% of revenues last quarter. Analysts such as Rich Greenfield have criticized Spotify for disappointing ad revenue growth, and the company launched a programmatic ad exchange earlier this year to scale up its ad placements. The shift toward programmatic advertising, in which ads are bought and sold through automated systems, will entail granular targeting of users based on what Spotify knows about them. Spotify has long boasted to advertisers about being able to target ads based on users’ listening behaviors and interests, and says its programmatic ads will let advertisers “reach users based on moods, mindsets and moments.” This doesn’t exactly come across in Spotify’s user-level data. If you download a copy of it, you’ll find an “Inferences” section in which Spotify tries to guess some things about you, based on both your usage of the service and on data from advertisers, but some users have puzzled over how wildly inaccurate this data can be. For instance, it categorized one user as both Democrat and Republican, and another as simultaneously getting engaged and divorced. But this year’s Spotify Wrapped shows that there’s another level of analysis going on, one that might be a little more nuanced than just your likes and interests. As Spotify notes, your Listening Age is based not simply on when your most-played songs came out, but how those tastes compare to other people who are your actual age. It’s reminiscent of Wrapped 2023’s “Sound Town” feature, in which each user was given a city with which their musical tastes lined up. Users are starting to realize that this kind of analysis has value outside of Spotify. In February, a small group of them formed a collective called “Unwrapped” to pool and monetize their data. As reported by Ars Technica, roughly 10,000 users voted to sell aggregate artist preference data to an AI company for cryptocurrency worth about $5 per user. The group also hoped to tap into their data in other ways, for instance to identify emotional patterns in their listening habits. Spotify objected to users selling their own data via its APIs and warned Unwrapped’s developers to knock it off. The site now shows a message saying “This Service is No Longer Available.” Users who want to run their own analyses on Spotify’s data must manually download a copy of it instead. Should Spotify’s power of inference bother you at all? In the grand scheme of things, probably not. People are already pouring their hearts out to generative AI assistants that are likely to switch on their own hyper-targeted advertising businesses in the years ahead. The upshot is that the ads you see could be as much tied to your psychological state as they are to your interests or demographics. Spotify’s ability to target ads based on your mood might soon seem quaint by comparison. But don’t be surprised if future Wrapped features push things just a little further, beyond just how old you seem or what city you vibe with, but how excited, annoyed, anxious, carefree, or spontaneous you’ve been. As long as Spotify can package that psychology in a fun way, it’ll surely go viral again. View the full article

In a world assailed by extreme weather, homeowners and purchasers need to know their property's vulnerability to wildfire or flooding. Ratings like those Zillow took down are a big improvement on often outdated federal flood maps and state wildfire maps. View the full article

In the English countryside, a new project has emerged from the landscape—quite literally. Rammed Earth House, a residential estate by London-based Tuckey Design Studio, combines renovated brick buildings with new rammed earth structures, harnessing the clay soil of the very land it sits on. “The material is already under your feet, and it doesn’t come with all the carbon baggage that other [building] materials come with,” says studio founder Jonathan Tuckey. As a building technique, rammed earth—which combines clay soil with aggregate such as gravel into tightly compressed layers—traces back thousands of years. It was widely used in ancient China, but appears globally throughout history, including in the U.S. After the industrial revolution, and the innovations of steel, concrete, glass, and mass-produced bricks, the traditional method fell out of favor. Now, however, an increasing number of architects are looking to the material as a sustainable, place-rooted way to build amid a climate crisis that calls for dramatically reduced carbon emissions. “It has this carbon credit locked into it—that’s a major head start against any other material,” says Tuckey. Because rammed earth doesn’t require high-temperature firing processes like bricks or concrete, and can use material from the building site itself (without need for transportation), its associated carbon emissions tend to be much lower. It can also harness material that might otherwise go to waste. At Rammed Earth House, the client wanted some run-down buildings on site to be demolished—but rather than this rubble being wasted, Tuckey Design Studio used it as the aggregate for the rammed earth, recycling the old buildings into the new. “It’s an entirely circular material,” says Tuckey of rammed earth. “If you ever wanted to demolish it, it would just go back into the ground. If you wanted to repair it, you can just pick up the clay from the ground and bash it in simply—it will be restored immediately.” Architects also praise rammed earth’s high thermal mass—insulative properties that regulate a building’s indoor temperature. For U.S practice Lake Flato Architects, this was particularly helpful for a home in west Texas, Marfa Ranch. In the desert environment, temperatures vary greatly; using rammed earth meant the dwelling “could be comfortable on the hottest days of the year, and also on the coldest,” says practice partner Bob Harris. The material also connected the building to its landscape, using locally sourced earth. “It felt really natural for us to build of that material,” says Harris. The same was true for global practice Snøhetta, which is using rammed earth for the upcoming Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota’s Badlands, integrating large internal walls made from the material. “We were looking to create a building that is of the place,” explains Aaron Dorf, director and architect at Snøhetta. The surrounding landscape is “defined by layers and layers of earth that you see—it’s profoundly beautiful.” The material has a natural, textured and warm-hued appearance that can enhance an interior. “It’s a much more tactile public-facing material,” says Dorf. Tuckey describes it as looking like “some precious travertine stone.” The expertise problem The material does come with challenges, however—and resilience, labor, time, and location are primary issues. “When you decide to use rammed earth, you come quite quickly to a fork in the road as to which route you’re going to go down, and they are fundamentally different materials,” says Tuckey. These two versions, “stabilized” and “unstabilized” rammed earth, demand different features and have variable ecological credentials. Stabilized rammed earth has cement in the mix to make the material more robust and resilient, especially to water. Some sustainability experts have criticized this as having a similar negative ecological impact to concrete, which also uses cement (the carbon emissions from cement come during the heating of limestone to high temperatures). Lake Flato and Snøhetta used stabilized rammed earth for durability, but the architects insist the proportion of cement used is very low. At Marfa Ranch, cement makes up approximately 6% of the material, explains Harris, which can be compared to an average of 10% to 15% in concrete. Unstabilized rammed earth does not include any cement, thus eliminating those associated carbon emissions and becoming a circular material, but it subsequently requires techniques to prevent erosion when exposed to the elements. Tuckey explains that using a base and topper of more waterproof material—in the case of Rammed Earth House, he used bricks—protects the rammed earth walls from water damage. Meanwhile, to protect from rain, he placed slim horizontal lines of trass lime rock that project away from the external surface, allowing rainwater to fall off. “As long as you understand how the material is used, the challenges fall away,” Tuckey says. But it is this in-depth knowledge of building with rammed earth that can be hard to find. “It has become a lost form of construction,” says Tuckey, who collaborated with Martin Rauch, a rammed earth expert from Austria. “Expertise is a challenge,” agrees Lake Flato partner Andrew Herdeg, who oversaw the practice’s Horizon House project in Nevada, which also used rammed earth. There, the architects brought in a consultant from northern California. The process can be a slow one, too—especially for those new to the technique. The earth is compressed down within tightly confined formwork (wooden supporting structures that are removed at the end of the process); ramming it by hand is a “grueling process,” says Herdeg—though it is possible to use pneumatic tampers. “It’s very labour intensive,” agrees Harris. “It takes quite a long time to construct [the] walls.” Because of that labour, he adds, “it can be costly.” The architects estimate that compared to concrete, there is a roughly 12% cost uplift when building with rammed earth. Built for the right climate Perhaps most important is to use rammed earth in the locations and climates that make most sense. “We wouldn’t want to drive earth around the country, just to use it for the sake of it,” says Tuckey, explaining that it’s best if the clay soil needed is found locally. Lake Flato advocates it as “a dry climate response,” says Herdeg; best in a context where there’s low humidity and high diurnal swings. “It really excels in those environments.” Snøhetta’s Dorf echoes the sentiment: “You have to build it in the right location. And I think forcing it into the wrong climate isn’t going to work very well.” Still, the architects seem to believe that when those right conditions align and the challenges are navigated, rammed earth has a positive impact across multiple aspects. “We think of our work as a tool to connect people to place, to context, to the natural environment,” says Herdeg. For him, rammed earth can reflect “a literal mission of building responsibly,” but also a philosophical mission, encouraging others to care about that responsibility. Lake Flato is currently planning an extension to Horizon House, and though contractors advocate poured concrete, Herdeg is keen to continue using rammed earth. “The reality is you can do just a coloured concrete wall and it looks quite similar to rammed earth and costs significantly less,” he says. “But at the end of the day, the carbon footprint of the concrete is significantly higher—and you don’t get that real material texture.” Meanwhile, many are looking to intersect new technologies and engineering with the ancient building method to make it more practical or affordable to use. Tuckey cites one company that produces prefabricated timber frames infilled with rammed earth, and engineers in Australia recently developed modular blocks of rammed earth in cardboard cylinders. Inspired by using the material for Rammed Earth House, Tuckey’s studio is now working on a project of terraced houses using prefabricated rammed earth blocks. The aim is to establish a factory near to the site in Gloucestershire, in southwest England, to make the prefabricated elements, using local construction waste as the aggregate in the rammed earth mixture. “I think it’s about a reawakening,” Tuckey says of the new era of rammed earth architecture, and of moving away from more carbon-intensive building materials. His hope is that “when you look at a pile of brand-new bricks, you look at them not just with dollar signs in your mind, but also carbon signs.” View the full article

After Joey Zwillinger stepped down as CEO of Allbirds in March 2024, he took three months off—mainly because his wife Liz said she’d divorce him if he jumped into another venture. He had run the sustainable shoe company for 10 years while the couple raised their three young children. “It took a real toll on the family,” Liz says. (“I would say it developed character in our family,” Zwillinger counters.) Before long, he was itching to start a new project, an ambition he shyly expressed to his wife. “It was really hard to want to sign up for something like that all over again,” Liz says. But this time, he cofounded the venture with Liz. It’s also a bold pivot from a sustainable shoe company to an entirely different industry: women’s hormone health supplements. At a time when health and wellness is big business, it might also be a smart pivot. But it’s an undeniably different world, navigating health regulations and making bold investment choices when such bets didn’t go so well at Allbirds. Revenue and share prices dipped drastically starting in 2022, and have hardly recovered. Launching December 9, Biologica is a set of new supplements for women’s health, naturally flavored and powdered to fizz into water. Each single sachet, or separately sealed daily dose to be mixed with eight ounces of water, targets different body functions with ingredients including electrolytes, multivitamins, botanicals, and probiotics. Crucially to the value proposition, there are three products for different life stages: younger reproductive years, perimenopause, and post-menopause. While some share ingredients like Vitamin C and potassium, for different stages you may have dosages of broccoli extract (for detoxification and liver function), pomegranate extract (for skin hydration), or saffron (for mood balance and sleep quality). The idea came from Liz’s own struggles; she would take different supplements daily for various issues, leading to seven separate pills plus extra vitamins, which became “a super onerous supplement routine that didn’t feel like it was sustainable,” she says. That was a common issue the couple found in their initial focus groups. Women could only find a one-size-fits-all pill or gummy that promised to do everything. Or, as in Liz’s case, various targeted supplements, which became unsustainable as the cost of living rose. They also found that women of different ages had different concerns. So they set out to create a company with only one product per customer—but narrowed to their hormonal age. They believe that’s their major selling point. MAHA movement and ‘changing winds’ The health and wellness sector is “absolutely” an attractive space for founders now, says Matthew Oster, head of health, beauty, and hygiene insights at Euromonitor International. He says lines are now blurrier than ever between pharma and food and beverage. A trend toward natural and food-based remedies has been “churning in the background culturally over the last 10 or 15 years,” he says, and increasingly linked with medical distrust—and has now become branded as RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. “So at the same time that these companies are recognizing that consumers want healthier products,” he says, “there’s this whole movement codifying that.” Supplements, whether fortified fibers, proteins, or biotics, are no longer just a “hippie, natural, crunchy thing,” Oster says. “It’s a dead-right-in-the-middle mainstream proposition.” But in the age of TikTokification, “this wellness market is rife with changing winds, on a dime,” Oster says. “Some of these ingredients trends last months as opposed to years.” Longevity is often hard to forecast: CBD was an example of a fleeting fad, but other trends, like protein, are only getting bigger. Women’s health might be a better bet, especially around life stages. “No one really even talked about perimenopause a few years ago from a product formulation perspective,” Oster says. “In a short amount of time, we had a proliferation of products in that space.” There are others on the market, but “not a tremendous amount,” Oster says. Perelel is a supplements company that has seen strong growth since August 2024, where you can “shop by stage,” from “trying to conceive,” through “perimenopause.” Health & Her is a British company with capsule products for different life stages, which launched in the U.S. this summer with CVS. Now, he says, it’s just about seeing which products will stick, and which will fizzle out. The failure rate may be high, but at least it’s a relatively short lead time to get to market versus digital health or pharma products (the Zwillingers have gone from ideation to rollout in a year and a half), and a relatively minimal financial commitment (they raised a $7 million seed round). “This is a low bet from an investment cost,” Oster says, “that if you lose your shirt, you lose your shirt.” Learning lessons from Allbirds’ fall But it’s still a risk to navigate a new industry when Zwillinger’s previous venture took an unexpected plunge after its initial success. In the late 2010s, Allbirds was a phenomenon. Its minimalist running sneakers, made from merino wool and a foam sole of sugar cane, were named the “world’s most comfortable shoes” by Time in 2017. They became almost the official dress code of Silicon Valley, part of the “tech bro starter pack” meme (along with the Patagonia zipper vest, Yeti bottle, and Lime scooter). They were like a cultural snapshot of the era; even Obama was spotted wearing them. But in March 2024, Zwillinger resigned and handed over the CEO reins after repeated cycles of declining revenue. Even by 2022, The Wall Street Journal assessed, the tech bros had moved on. The media’s Allbirds postmortems blamed overly ambitious expansion beyond their core bestsellers, and too rashly opening numerous brick-and-mortar stores. Today, revenue is still declining, and half its stores are closed. Zwillinger, still an active board member, says when COVID-19 hit during the company’s peak—eclipsing $200 million in revenue—he and his cofounder, Tim Brown, responded too dramatically to shifting consumer trends, including pivoting too hard from lifestyle to running and hiking. “We were too immature of a company to parse out what was signal and what was noise,” he says, “and we made some really big bets based on that.” They were forced to discount the product to move the inventory. Allbirds was also known for its eco-friendliness: it’s a certified B Corp, with a core polymer material that’s carbon-negative. Zwillinger says he’s learned you can’t build a business around sustainability alone. “[Consumers] want to make sure that the innovation actually does something that meets their needs,” he says. In a way, navigating health in the new business is similar to navigating sustainability. Once competing with some rivals that were greenwashing, they now face some wellness brands that make unsubstantiated claims. Companies “feel free to say whatever to make a sale,” Zwillinger says. “It’s a little scary starting a business in a space like that.” There’s enough leniency from the FDA for some bold claims, and a lack of budget for the agency to do much even when there’s blatant overstepping. You can’t say a supplement cures or prevents a disease, but you can make a claim about the role of an ingredient, like “calcium builds strong bones.” But some of the gray areas can lead to a “freewheeling, cowboy approach to what they claim,” Zwillinger says. That’s concerning to many medical experts, who have publicly noted their skepticism around supplements, some recommending not to spend money on something that most people can obtain from a healthy diet alone. An independent panel of national experts in 2022 reviewed 84 supplements studies and concluded there was “insufficient evidence” of their efficacy. The Zwillingers say they have tried to do things right via focus groups, clinical research, and a 1,000-woman study; they have a medical advisory board with two ob-gyns and a breast cancer surgeon specialist (as well as a more Eastern-focused herbalist). Oster says it’s good to get everything right with the science. But in this social media era, it might not even be science that drives sales for some consumers. “Vibes and feelings are pretty influential,” he says. DTC as the initial test Still, from a business strategy perspective, the reliance on data has been helpful, allowing them to be less subjective, and not cater to their own tastes, as Zwillinger and Brown did at Allbirds. “In this situation, I have zero lived experience and no subjectivity,” he says. “Looking back, everyone should do that with every business they run—take themselves out of it.” Consumer trends have also changed dramatically, as pandemic patterns faded and social media proliferated. Allbirds, along with fellow unicorns Warby Parker and Casper, was a direct-to-consumer (DTC) pioneer. Though assessments that “DTC is dead” are highly exaggerated, Oster says, companies have to get social media marketing right, as people now just buy directly from those platforms. “TikTok Shop has really taken over from a supplements perspective,” Oster says. Zwillinger knows they will ultimately have to be “predominantly retail-oriented to be successful,” but they have to start with DTC, probably for a year or two (products will be ready to ship to consumers December 9). “I have learned deeply and with some scars,” he says, that you need a robust and popular product before entering wholesale relationships. The DTC launch will be a way to test the product, and iron out issues. Those could be things like flavors, which they’ve formulated without sugar. Or the price, which is $59 a month, for 30 sachets in a tin, to finance some expensive ingredients like saffron. Or, the branding of the product, which they’ve tried to give a premium feel, with elegant-looking tins to be displayed on a counter or desk, not shoved away in the pantry, and to speak to a sophisticated customer base. But of course, all remains to be seen as it rolls out. “We think we’re brilliant, [that] we’ve done everything right,” Zwillinger says. “But when we start selling, we’re going to find out we were idiots about lots of things.” View the full article

I recently put together a list of the best small portable gaming handhelds for people who are tired of how big the Nintendo Switch 2 and handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck are. In an era of gaming devices that often feel like laptops with grips and buttons added to them, these retro gaming handhelds (as I call them) can be a great solution for people who miss the days of the PSP and Nintendo DS. But since they come from smaller companies, and run either Linux or Android, actually getting games on these devices is not quite so straightforward. After all, it's not like the people making these handhelds are publishing cartridges for them. While that's true, there are plenty of ways to play games both new and old on these devices, even if they were originally made for other consoles. And despite a reputation to the contrary, if you do them right, they're all legal. Retro gaming handhelds and emulation Credit: Libetro Emulation is a common use for retro gaming handhelds, to the point where some people just call them emulators. It isn’t the only thing you can do with these devices, but it’s definitely a popular way to put games on them, especially the weaker ones. Through emulation, your system can mimic older devices like the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, and PlayStation 1, to play games originally released for those platforms. This works by using your modern device’s more powerful hardware to run software that virtually recreates all the processes of old consoles, making older games think they’re running on the real thing. This is in comparison to games that “run natively,” meaning they’re running on the system they were built for. Emulators developed by fans are well-known, but even large companies like Nintendo use emulation. In fact, the games you play on Nintendo Switch Online are technically all emulated. This can come with downsides. You might run into minor inaccuracies in sound or graphics, but typically, the more powerful your device’s chip and the weaker the system you’re emulating, the less common these will be. You could also experience input lag, although I’ve never once been able to actually feel it across most of the devices I’ve used to emulate. (I say this as someone who has beaten all three of the original Ninja Gaiden games using emulation.) And there are upsides to emulation, too. Games can be upscaled to push out higher resolutions than ever intended natively, which can make for homebrew HD remasters if played on a nice enough screen. And most emulation programs support save states, which let you save your progress anywhere, anytime, separate from a specific game’s built-in save system. Save states can be a lifesaver for especially difficult games, or while playing on the go. The biggest hurdle, then, is setup. Some devices come with emulators built in, although you'll probably want to configure them to your specifications, and if you're on a Linux-based handheld, possibly run them alongside a custom, third-party firmware (more on that later). Specifics will vary from device to device, so for help, I suggest YouTuber Russ Crandall's guides on emulation. Crandall runs the channel Retro Game Corps, and has been a big help in my own emulation journey. He's also exhaustively catalogued the steps you'll need to go through for various handhelds. Truth be told, though, you'll probably be using similar programs across your handhelds. RetroArch is popular for emulating older systems, while newer ones require specific apps like Dolphin (for GameCube and Wii) or PPSSPP (for PSP). After you've set these up once, doing it for other handhelds is kind of like riding a bike. The biggest difficulty you’ll probably encounter will be providing ROM files for your emulators, which leads me to the elephant in the room. How legal is emulation?Emulation is convenient, and a great way to experience games that haven’t been re-released for modern consoles. But it also has a bit of a reputation for being shady. For comment, I reached out to YouTube Bob Wulff of Wulff Den, another mainstay in guides and reviews for retro gaming handhelds. Ultimately, Wulff thinks this reputation is undeserved. “I don’t like this stigma that Emulation [equals] Piracy,” he told me. “There are plenty of ways to acquire your ROMs legally.” And therein lies the rub. When people think that emulation is illegal, they’re usually conflating emulator programs with pirated game files, or ROMs. The process of writing original software to mimic a console’s function is actually perfectly legal, to the point where Apple now allows emulators on the App Store, but distributing copyrighted software to run on those emulators is where you get into legal issues. That’s why handheld companies like Anbernic have a bit of a bad reputation for including ROMs with their devices, as I highlight in my list of the best retro gaming handhelds. But theoretically, if you legally own a game, U.S. law allows you to make your own backup of it, which you could then play on an emulator without issue. Unless you’re downloading your games off pirate sites or buying SD cards with pirated ROMs pre-loaded onto them, playing games using an emulator shouldn't be any different in the eyes of the law than playing games on original hardware. As for how you can actually get your own legal backups of games you own, there are a number of devices that will read your cartridges and back up their ROM files for you, as well as PC programs that will do the same thing for disc-based games. Also note that you can emulate on phones and PCs, too, although there is a certain magic in emulating using a small handheld with controls built-in. You can also play Android and PC games Credit: PCMag But as much as some fans like to call retro gaming handhelds “emulators” and leave it at that, these devices can do more than mimic old consoles. The hardware for these devices is usually versatile enough to support playing modern games natively, streaming games from the cloud, or in some cases, even playing games originally meant for PC. You can play new games on these handhelds, too. Let's start with Android and cloud gaming, as they're among the simplest ways to get games on these devices. Android gamesThis is the obvious one. If your retro gaming handheld runs Android, then it stands to reason that it can run Android apps. This means that in addition to emulation, you can play phone games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. Your device's built-in controller will work with the game like any standard phone controller, and you’ll be able to play just as well as anyone on a phone could. Android-based gaming handhelds also come with touchscreens, so you shouldn’t run into problems if your game needs one. The only catch is that some devices with a square-ish aspect ratio might use a lot of letterboxing to actually show anything other than retro games on-screen, which could make for a tiny image (they'll be great for old, 4:3 games, though). Otherwise, know that the Play Store is your oyster. Cloud gamingIf your retro gaming handheld has Android installed on it, then you can also use it to stream games from the cloud. That means you could connect it to either your own home console, your PC, or a subscription service to play games that your device isn’t able to run on its own, or that you don’t want to install to it. The only issues you’ll face will be potential input lag and video compression, plus the need for a constant internet connection. But given that Sony sells a whole handheld built entirely around Remote Play, it’s great to have it as an option on these devices, while knowing that they can also play games on their own power, too. It’s an especially great choice for turn-based games, or other titles that don’t require twitchy, fast-paced inputs. How to play PC games on Linux and Android handhelds Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt This is a more recent innovation, but there are currently two ways to play PC games on your retro gaming handheld without relying on the cloud. One runs them natively, and one uses technology similar to the Steam Deck’s. PortmasterThe first method is for retro gaming handhelds that run Linux. These are usually the cheaper devices, the type you’ll get from companies like Anbernic or Miyoo. The version of Linux on these isn’t the same as on handhelds like the Steam Deck, so don’t expect to just be able to log into your Steam account with these and go off to the races. But thanks to the fan-made program Portmaster, you can still play some of your Steam games on these handhelds. Portmaster connects you with fan-made ports of PC games built to run natively on your retro gaming handheld. Some of these are freeware, and some will need you to plug in files from your own Steam installs to avoid violating copyright. But both types of games can be up-and-running in just a few steps, and like with emulation, Crandall has a guide to help get you started on your particular device. The big caveat here is that, to get Portmaster, you'll probably need to install a third-party firmware, also fan-made, to your device, rather than using what comes with it out of the box. I use muOS, but if you want something with a different style, there are other options, depending on your device. Since there's so much variation, I haven't personally tested all options, but Crandall again has you covered. You’ll also mostly be stuck with retro and lightweight games using this method, but there's an upside to that, too. I’ve already used it to help get through the indie darlings in my Steam back catalog, like Undertale. GameHub, GameHub Lite, and GameNativeThe second method is for devices that run Android. Much like the Steam Deck uses real-time compatibility layers to convert Windows games to run on its version of Linux, there are now Android apps that can help you run your Steam games on either your phone or your retro gaming handheld. The three popular ones are called GameHub, GameHub Lite, and GameNative. These programs add extra configuration and user friendliness on top of an existing app called WinLator, a compatibility layer that allows Windows programs to run on Android. You can log right into your Steam account using these apps, then download your games and play them on your Android handheld, complete with cloud saves. You’ll still be limited in what you can play, based on what’s had the most compatibility work put into it, but it’s great for lightweight games, older AAA games, and if your handheld is powerful enough (think the AYN Odin 3), even more recent AAA games from the PS4 era. “These Windows containers are really exciting,” Crandall told me when I reached out for comment. “I don’t think they are anywhere close to replacing a PC, but it’s exciting to get a lightweight PC game running nicely on a smaller handheld.” The problems with playing Steam games on AndroidThat said, there are a few concerns with using these apps. While Gamenative is open source, and GameHub Lite is an independent fork of GameHub that tries to fix its issues, GameHub will likely be the easiest app for most people to use, as it has the simplest interface and the most compatibility updates for various games. Unfortunately, it comes with a number of privacy concerns. Gamehub is made by controller company GameSir, which has made reputable products in the past, but it does want you to log into a GameSir account to use it, and some users might be uncomfortable linking their Steam data to that. It also includes, in Crandall’s words, “some fairly intrusive telemetry permissions.” However, both Crandall and Wulff are ultimately positive enough on GameHub. “It’s frankly no more nosy than any of the various social media apps we already have on our phones,” Crandall told me, also saying that if you’re uncomfortable logging in with a GameSir account, you can use “a Steam login token via QR code,” which should be more secure. Wulff, meanwhile, said “I don’t personally think there are any potential security issues with GameHub,” citing GameSir’s reputation and saying “I also just don’t think our Steam data is worth a damn.” The future of PC games on AndroidI see where both creators are coming from, but I have been a bit more cautious on this front. Still, it’s an enticing option if you’re willing to try it out, and it actually points to things to come. Recently, Valve announced its Steam Frame VR headset, which runs on the same type of framework that Android phones do. With that, retro gaming handheld enthusiasts are hopeful Valve will soon release an official way to play Steam games on these devices (and phones). That's something the company recently hinted at in an interview with The Verge, saying it has been quietly bankrolling much of the development on the compatibility layers that apps like WinLator and its derivatives use. On that note, if you’re brave, you could also just play your PC games on these devices using WinLator itself, or other alternatives like Pluvia. However, these have been too complex for me to fiddle with, and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone but the most hardcore tinkerers. I think I’m with Crandall in saying that “I’d much rather have a proper Steam-derived solution.” Fingers-crossed. 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Michael Burry, the money manager made famous in The Big Short, believes a re-listing of the US housing-finance giants is "nearly upon us." View the full article

If you’re searching for a new snack that’s heavy on flavor but manages to skip the unhealthy additives, you’re in luck. There’s a new one called Ragerz from Good Eat’n, NBA star Chris Paul’s snack brand, in partnership with the WNBA’s Paige Bueckers. And it sounds like a slam dunk. For starters, the snack—which is a bit like a healthier take on Takis—is focused on delivering a fierce flavor without the junk. It comes in Chili Lime and Sweet Chili Crunch flavors that, Bueckers tells Fast Company, do not miss the mark (hoop?). The snack “isn’t asking people to give up flavor to feel better about what they’re eating,” she says, adding that with Ragerz, “you can have both.” Chris Paul agrees, and says that now is the right time for better snacking options. “Families want snacks that taste amazing but don’t come with all the artificial colors and additives,” he tells Fast Company. “You’re seeing that shift in retail data: U.S. snacking is a $46 billion industry, most of it controlled by one big company that’s now experiencing decline.” According to Paul, Good Eat’n snacks have only organic ingredients and no artificial flavors, or dyes like Red 40. “People want bold flavors, but they also want to feel good about what’s in the bag,” Paul says. “Ragerz hits that sweet spot: big flavor, organic corn, no artificial colors, and ingredient integrity.” The taste certainly sounds epic. However, the brand is shooting for more than a new crunchy and delicious snack. Good Eat’n’s mission, fighting childhood hunger, is what seems to matter most to the brand. Good Eat’n says it is donating a portion of all Ragerz sales to charity, as well as partnering with the Paige Bueckers Foundation, which works to create opportunities and promote justice in sports and elsewhere, to donate Ragerz and other Good Eat’n snacks to Feed the Children. “[Being] able to support Feed the Children and their resources centers inside of schools in the Dallas School District means a lot,” Bueckers explains. “I’m trying to find ways to engage and support the Dallas community, which has shown me so much love in my first season there.” For the Dallas Wings point guard, the partnership is a big responsibility, and it’s one she takes seriously, calling it an opportunity to learn “how to be a leader from Chris.” Bueckers says that, in addition to Paul’s success on the court, he has been able to “break barriers and do amazing things off the court,” adding that “for him to want to invest in me and in women’s sport makes it a special moment.” The partnership marks the first time that a WNBA star has taken an equity stake in a food brand founded by an NBA player, which isn’t lost on Bueckers, who says that “being the first at something means there will be a second and a third.” According to the company, Good Eat’n snacks are available nationwide at Walmart, and Ragerz are now available for pre-order at GoodEatn.com. The snack will be available at H-E-B stores across Texas, as well as via DoorDash in Texas and Gopuff nationwide. View the full article