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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Resistance bands are portable, convenient, and definitely have their uses. It’s no wonder they’re popular—but why are "booty bands" the focus of so many butt-centered workouts? Let me explain what's going on here, and where these bands can actually help your workout routine. What exactly are booty bands? A "booty band" is a nickname for a type of resistance band that is a short loop, usually a few inches wide, and either made of rubber or a thick elasticized fabric. (The fabric ones are more comfortable to use.) The length makes them perfect for exercises that call for a band around your legs. This includes a lot of hip exercises that, yes, can build up your butt muscles. I have a fabric set similar to this one. I don't really do "booty" workouts, but I find this type of band useful for the hip warmups that I sometimes do before squats or Olympic lifts. When I was rehabbing a knee injury I remember a lot of this type of exercise at my physical therapy appointments. So they're definitely useful for more than just booty-building. By the way, there is a company called Booty Bands, but the term “booty bands” has also been applied to the general category of resistance bands that can go around your knees or thighs. There is no shortage of workouts that incorporate the use of these bands into squats and kickbacks and glute bridges, all while promising you major booty gains. As with many popular workouts, though, the promises are overblown. Resistance bands come with general pros and consBefore we delve into booty-focused bands in particular, it’s worth taking a look at the pros and cons of all resistance bands. I compared them with dumbbells here, and as you may recall, the takeaways included: Resistance bands can provide more total “weight” than small dumbbells. Resistance bands wear out over time. Resistance bands change in how challenging they are depending on how much you stretch them. If your home gym items need to be small and cheap, you can get a lot further with resistance bands than with dumbbells. That's because it's easy to find upper-body exercises you can do with smaller dumbbells, but you have to go a good bit heavier to find challenging lower-body workouts. Your main options are resistance band exercises, and single-leg bodyweight exercises (without a resistance band) like lunges and split squats. Easy exercises don’t do you any favorsIf you are trying to build a butt, you’re trying to build muscle. And the most efficient way to build muscle is to lift heavy—not a million reps of light work (although that can work, if you are very patient). So how do you know if you’re working hard or “heavy” enough? As I’ve mentioned before, you want to be doing smallish numbers of reps (12 or less, most of the time) that are hard enough that the last few reps feel truly challenging. If you’ve been using the same band or weight for a while, try a more challenging one from time to time to find out if you’re stronger than you think. If you are, it’s time to move up. I mention this here because the banded portion of a “booty” workout is usually fairly easy and light. If you’re doing banded exercises and they fit my definition of heavy and they feel genuinely challenging to you, then they may well be doing what they promise. Stick with the bands for now. But bands may not be enough for your whole workout. For many of us, actual heavy weights will be necessary to give your butt (or any body part) an appropriate workout. Champion deadlifters need a lot of strength in their butt, but you won’t see powerlifters eschewing the barbell to focus on banded YouTube workouts, you know? They will often use bands in addition to the barbell, though. Bands are great for warmups and accessoriesPut all of this together, and it’s clear that bands make the most sense as a side dish to your workout—or an appetizer, or a dessert. To build muscle, the main course should still probably be a heavier workout with weights, if you can swing that. If not, you need to make sure your banded exercises are heavy enough. If you bring your bands to the gym, you can do banded kickbacks as part of your warmup, or as a high-rep finisher after leg day. You can use them for “activation” exercises, which is more or less a newfangled word for warmup. And then you can move on to your squats, deadlifts, weighted lunges, or hip thrusts. Which brings me to another point about using booty bands at the gym: if you’re doing squats with a band around your knees, the squats are doing the real work, with the band offering—to continue our food metaphor—perhaps a small garnish. View the full article

Even before this year’s Spotify Wrapped dropped, I had a hunch what mine would reveal. Lo and behold, one of my most-listened-to songs was an obscure 2004 track titled “Rusty Chevrolet” by the Irish band Shanneyganock. I heard it first thanks to my son, whose friend had been singing it on the swings at school. My son found it utterly hilarious, and it’s been playing in our house nonstop ever since. Like parents all over the world, I rue how my son’s musical tastes have hijacked my listening history. But I’m also tickled to learn that our household is probably one of the few even listening to it. Spotify Wrapped is an annual campaign by the popular streaming music platform. Since 2015, the streaming service has been repackaging user data–specifically, the listening history of Spotify’s users over the past year–into attractive, personalized slideshows featuring, among other data points, your top five songs, your total listening time, and even your “listening personality.” (Are you a “Replayer,” a “Maverick” or a “Vampire”?) As a consumer behavior researcher, I’ve thought about why these lists get so much attention each year. I suspect that the success of Spotify Wrapped may have a lot to do with how the flashy, shareable graphics are connected to a couple of fundamental–and somewhat contradictory–human needs. Individuality and belonging In 1991, social psychologist Marilynn Brewer introduced what she coined “optimal distinctiveness theory.” She argued that most people are torn between two human needs. On the one hand, there’s the need for “validation and similarity to others.” On the other hand, people want to express their “uniqueness and individuation.” Thus, most of us are constantly striving for a balance between feeling connected to others while also maintaining a sense of our own distinct individuality. At Thanksgiving, for example, your need for connection is likely more than satisfied. In that moment, you’re surrounded by family and friends who share a lot in common with you. In fact, it can feel so fulfilled that you may start craving the opposite: a way to assert your individuality. Maybe you choose to wear something that really reflects your personality, or you tell stories about interesting experiences you’ve had in the past year. In contrast, you may feel relatively isolated when you move to a new town and feel a stronger need for connection. You may wear the styles and brands you see your neighbors and co-workers wearing, pop into popular cafes and restaurants, or invite people over to your home in an effort to make new friends. Have it your way When people buy things, they often make choices as a way to satisfy their needs for connection and individuality. Brands recognize this and usually try to entice consumers with at least one of these two elements. It’s partly why Coca-Cola started releasing bottles featuring popular names on the labels as part of its “Share a Coke” campaign. The soft drink remains the same, but grabbing a Coke with your name on it can cultivate a sense of connection with everyone else who has it. And it’s why Apple offers custom, personalized engravings for products such as its AirPods and iPads. Spotify Wrapped works because it nails the balance between competing needs: the desire to belong and the desire to stand out. Seeing the overlap between your lists and those of your friends fosters a sense of connection, and seeing the differences is a signal of your (or your kids’!) unique musical taste. It gives me a way to say, “Sure, I’ve been listening to ‘Soda Pop’ nonstop like everyone else. But I’m probably the only one playing ‘Rusty Chevrolet’ on repeat.” The Wrapped campaign is also smart marketing. Spotify turns listeners’ unique, personal listening data into striking visuals that are tailor-made for posting to social media accounts. It’s no wonder, then, that the Wrapped feature has led to impressive engagement: On TikTok, the hashtag #SpotifyWrapped garnered 73.7 billion views in 2023. The annual campaign has earned numerous honors, including a Cannes Lion and several Webby Awards, otherwise known as the “Oscars of the Internet.” It’s been so successful that it’s inspired a wave of copycats: Apple Music, Reddit, Uber, and Duolingo now release similarly personalized “year-in-reviews.” None, however, has managed to achieve the same level of cultural impact as Spotify Wrapped. So what’s on your list? And will you brag, hide or laugh at what it says about you? Ishani Banerji is a clinical assistant professor of marketing at Clemson University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

In an age where productivity often collides with the chaos of daily commuting, a new tool from Android aims to transform travel into an opportunity for efficiency. With the recent introduction of Gemini, small business owners can now harness the power of technology to make the most of their drive time, turning what was once unproductive time on the road into actionable tasks. Gemini integrates seamlessly with Gmail and promises to help users manage emails while on the go. This development could prove particularly beneficial for small business owners who often juggle numerous responsibilities. Instead of arriving at the office with a backlog of unread messages, entrepreneurs can now stay informed about pressing issues as they navigate the roads. Picture this scenario: you’re on your way to a meeting, and you recall that you booked a hotel for the night but can’t quite remember the address. With Gemini, you can simply ask your device, “Can you check my email for the hotel address and navigate me there?” This kind of functionality alleviates the stress of trying to remember or find information while on the move, making the morning commute less about scrambling and more about organized efficiency. Moreover, the tool goes beyond just finding the basics in email. It assists users in staying on top of their inboxes by summarizing unread emails, allowing small business owners to prioritize their attention. This proactive approach to email management can help busy entrepreneurs tackle the most crucial tasks of the day right from their car. The expanded capabilities of Gemini don’t stop at email. Small business owners can also manage their calendars and to-do lists through Google Calendar, Google Tasks, and Google Keep, among other applications. Whether responding to a meeting invitation or jotting down a spontaneous idea, Gemini supports users in maintaining momentum without sacrificing safety. For many small business owners, multitasking is second nature. The conversational engagement facilitated by Gemini’s features makes it easier to manage various tasks seamlessly. Capturing important notes while en route or coordinating schedules can enhance productivity, transforming commuting into a valuable part of the workday. However, as with any new technology, there are potential challenges that small business owners should consider. One significant challenge is the distraction that can arise even from hands-free features. Although Gemini aims to optimize driving time, it is crucial that users remain aware of their surroundings and prioritize safety over multitasking. The line between driving and productivity can blur, especially when engaging with digital tools while on the road. Moreover, as Gemini expands its support to third-party applications, business owners may face uncertainties regarding compatibility and feature functionality. Ensuring that all essential tools integrate well with Gemini may require some trial and error, which could be a time-consuming endeavor for those already managing the demands of a growing business. In this context, communication and training become essential. Owners should be prepared to invest time into learning how to use Gemini effectively, as well as training potential employees or team members on its functionalities. This could enhance overall team efficiency but represents an initial pinch-point in terms of time and resources. The onset of AI tools like Gemini heralds a new chapter in business productivity. With the opportunity to combine commutes with essential tasks, small business owners can make better use of their time. The promise of accessibility and organization is enticing, encouraging entrepreneurs to rethink how they approach their daily routines. For more details on this development, you can refer to the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gemini Transforms Commutes: Access Gmail and Stay Productive While Driving" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an age where productivity often collides with the chaos of daily commuting, a new tool from Android aims to transform travel into an opportunity for efficiency. With the recent introduction of Gemini, small business owners can now harness the power of technology to make the most of their drive time, turning what was once unproductive time on the road into actionable tasks. Gemini integrates seamlessly with Gmail and promises to help users manage emails while on the go. This development could prove particularly beneficial for small business owners who often juggle numerous responsibilities. Instead of arriving at the office with a backlog of unread messages, entrepreneurs can now stay informed about pressing issues as they navigate the roads. Picture this scenario: you’re on your way to a meeting, and you recall that you booked a hotel for the night but can’t quite remember the address. With Gemini, you can simply ask your device, “Can you check my email for the hotel address and navigate me there?” This kind of functionality alleviates the stress of trying to remember or find information while on the move, making the morning commute less about scrambling and more about organized efficiency. Moreover, the tool goes beyond just finding the basics in email. It assists users in staying on top of their inboxes by summarizing unread emails, allowing small business owners to prioritize their attention. This proactive approach to email management can help busy entrepreneurs tackle the most crucial tasks of the day right from their car. The expanded capabilities of Gemini don’t stop at email. Small business owners can also manage their calendars and to-do lists through Google Calendar, Google Tasks, and Google Keep, among other applications. Whether responding to a meeting invitation or jotting down a spontaneous idea, Gemini supports users in maintaining momentum without sacrificing safety. For many small business owners, multitasking is second nature. The conversational engagement facilitated by Gemini’s features makes it easier to manage various tasks seamlessly. Capturing important notes while en route or coordinating schedules can enhance productivity, transforming commuting into a valuable part of the workday. However, as with any new technology, there are potential challenges that small business owners should consider. One significant challenge is the distraction that can arise even from hands-free features. Although Gemini aims to optimize driving time, it is crucial that users remain aware of their surroundings and prioritize safety over multitasking. The line between driving and productivity can blur, especially when engaging with digital tools while on the road. Moreover, as Gemini expands its support to third-party applications, business owners may face uncertainties regarding compatibility and feature functionality. Ensuring that all essential tools integrate well with Gemini may require some trial and error, which could be a time-consuming endeavor for those already managing the demands of a growing business. In this context, communication and training become essential. Owners should be prepared to invest time into learning how to use Gemini effectively, as well as training potential employees or team members on its functionalities. This could enhance overall team efficiency but represents an initial pinch-point in terms of time and resources. The onset of AI tools like Gemini heralds a new chapter in business productivity. With the opportunity to combine commutes with essential tasks, small business owners can make better use of their time. The promise of accessibility and organization is enticing, encouraging entrepreneurs to rethink how they approach their daily routines. For more details on this development, you can refer to the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gemini Transforms Commutes: Access Gmail and Stay Productive While Driving" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

At issue is the CFPB's weekly publication of Average Prime Offer Rate tables, a key benchmark enabling the smooth operation of the $13 trillion residential mortgage market. View the full article

The U.S. stock market is drifting near its record levels on Wednesday following mixed reactions to profit reports from Macy’s, Marvell Technologies, and other companies. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% and pulled within 0.7% of its all-time high set in late October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 174 points, or 0.6%, as of 11:50 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was virtually unchanged. Marvell rose 4.1% after the supplier of semiconductor products delivered a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Matt Murphy credited strong demand for its data center products, while also announcing a $3.25 billion purchase of Celestial AI to bolster its artificial-intelligence infrastructure business. American Eagle Outfitters was another winner and rallied 16.1% after the retailer reported a better profit than expected. Its CEO, Jay Schottenstein, said it also saw a strong start to the holiday shopping season with an acceleration in demand across its brands during the Thanksgiving weekend. Outside of earnings reports, Capricor Therapeutics surged 352% after the biotech company reported encouraging results for its potential therapy for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On the losing end of Wall Street were relatively few companies, including one out of every three stocks in the S&P 500 index. But among them were some of the market’s most influential stocks, which kept indexes in check. Microsoft fell 2% and was the heaviest weight on the S&P 500. Nvidia slipped just 0.4%, but because it’s the most valuable stock on Wall Street, it was another one of the heaviest weights dragging on the index. Macy’s fell 1% despite reporting a profit for the latest quarter that was much better than the loss that analysts were expecting. Its stock may be feeling the pressure of high expectations after it came into the day with a rally of 34.1% for the year so far, more than double the S&P 500’s rise. CrowdStrike slipped 0.5% despite topping analysts’ expectations for profit. It too came into the day with a big gain for the year so far, raising the stakes, at 51%. In the bond market, Treasury yields eased after a report suggested U.S. employers outside of the government may have cut more jobs in November than they added. The data from ADP was much weaker than economists expected, but it has not had a perfect track record predicting what the more comprehensive jobs report from the U.S. government will say each month. Wednesday’s data may be discouraging for people looking for jobs, but it also keeps alive expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate next week. If the Fed does, that would be the third such cut this year in hopes of bolstering the slowing job market. A report later in the morning on activity for U.S. services business was more encouraging. It said growth was stronger last month than expected for businesses in the retail, finance, insurance, and other industries. Perhaps just as important was that the Institute for Supply Management’s survey also said prices were increasing at their slowest rate since April. That could help the Fed because fears of high inflation are the main argument against cutting interest rates. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.07% from 4.09% late Tuesday. Easing bond yields can boost prices for all kinds of investments, and bitcoin climbed again to top $92,000 following its scary downward run in recent weeks. It briefly plunged below $81,000 last month. In stock markets abroad, indexes were close to flat in Europe following a mixed finish in Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.1% on gains for technology stocks like Tokyo Electron, which jumped 4.7%. SoftBank Group Corp. leaped 6.4% following reports that its founder, Masayoshi Son, regretted having to sell shares in computer chipmaker Nvidia to help pay for other investments. Chinese indexes sank following the release of data showing weaker factory activity. Stocks fell 1.3% in Hong Kong and 0.5% in Shanghai. –Stan Choe, AP business writer AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. View the full article

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again expanded its warning on certain brands of imported cookware, this time adding nine additional products that may leach significant levels of lead into food. That list of cookware has grown significantly since the FDA issued its original alert, which was updated twice, after tests found certain brass and aluminum cookware (known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium) could be leaching lead into food when used for cooking or food storage, making it unsafe to eat. The FDA investigation remains ongoing, and the agency said it will be adding additional products to the list as needed. Here’s what you need to know. Is lead dangerous to health? Yes. Lead is toxic for humans, and even low levels can cause serious health problems. Children, women of childbearing age, and those who are breastfeeding could be at higher risk after eating food from cookware that leaches lead. Babies and kids are more susceptible to lead toxicity due to their smaller size, metabolism, and rapidly developing bodies, according to the FDA. Which cookware is listed in the FDA’s expanded warning? As Fast Company previously reported, the FDA’s original recall warning on August 13 was issued for Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd., an Indian aluminum cookware company that sells Tiger White brand cookware. In September, three additional products were added to the list, including Silver Horse cookware distributed by Patel Brothers, and JK Vallabhdas products distributed by the Indian supermarket chain Indiaco. Since then, the FDA has added nine additional products to the list. Those product details are as follows: Brand and product name: Sonex Aluminum, Pot, an ISO 9001:2000 5 certified company Retailer: Alanwar Food Corp. (Balady Foods) 7128 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY Manufacturer: Sonex Cookware 60-61 / A, Small Ind. Estate #2 Gujranwala, Pakistan Recall status: Recall initiated on 11/18/25. Brand and product name: IKM Aluminum Saucepan (7023672411878 Aluminum Pan 2 Size Pouted Wooden Handle 9”) Retailer: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Ave Fremont, CA Manufacturer: SM Foods, New Delhi, India Recall status: Distributor agreed to recall on 11/19/25. Brand and product name: Brass Tope Retailer: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Ave Fremont, CA Manufacturer: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. Mumbai, India Recall status: Distributor agreed to recall on 11/19/25. Brand and product name: Aluminum Kadai Size 5 – A cook brand Retailer: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Ave Fremont, CA Manufacturer: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. Mumbai, India Recall status: Distributor agreed to recall on 11/19/25. Brand and product name: IKM 4-Quart Pital Brass Pot (7023672414398 Brass Hammered Handi No 3) Retailer: INDIA CASH AND CARRY, 39175 Farwell Dr Fremont, CA Manufacturer: JSM Foods, New Delhi, India Recall status: Distributor agreed to recall on 11/19/25. Brand and product name: Silver Horse Aluminum Coldero 28 Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road Rosedale, MD Manufacturer: Recall status: FDA notified retail location of sample results. Brand and product name: Silver Horse Aluminum Coldero 28 (765542732177 Aluminium Degda 20) Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road Rosedale, MD Manufacturer: Recall status: FDA notified retail location of sample results. Brand and product name: Silver Horse Aluminum Degda 24 Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road Rosedale, MD Manufacturer: Recall status: FDA notified retail location of sample results. Brand and product name: Chef Milk Pan 24 cm (Milk Pan 24 cm MF 0732131905632) Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road Rosedale, MD Manufacturer: Shata Traders, 10227 Avenue D, Brooklyn, NY 11236 Recall status: Distributor agreed to recall on 11/19/25. FDA recommendations According to the FDA, consumers should check their homes for the cookware and throw it away. Do not donate or refurbish it. Consumers who are concerned they may have been exposed to lead or elevated levels of lead should contact their healthcare provider. Retailers and distributors are encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products used in contact with food that they market or distribute. Additional questions can be sent to the FDA via email at premarkt@fda.hhs.gov. View the full article

Technology secretary Liz Kendall tells MPs she is ‘especially worried’ about potential risks to childrenView the full article

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday he would push a new requirement that the Federal Reserve‘s regional bank presidents live in their districts for at least three years before taking office, a move that could give the White House more power over the independent agency. In comments at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, Bessent said that “there is a disconnect with the framing of the Federal Reserve” and added that, “unless someone has lived in their district for three years, we’re going to veto them.” Bessent has stepped up his criticism of the Fed’s 12 regional bank presidents in recent weeks after several of them made clear in a series of speeches that they opposed cutting the Fed’s key rate at its next meeting in December. President Donald The President has sharply criticized the Fed for not lowering its short-term interest rate more quickly. When the Fed reduces its rate it can over time lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. The prospect of the administration “vetoing” regional bank presidents would represent another effort by the administration to exert more control over the Fed, an institution that has traditionally been independent from day-to-day politics. The Federal Reserve seeks to keep prices in check and support hiring by setting a short-term interest rate that influences borrowing costs across the economy. It has a complicated structure that includes a seven-member board of governors based in Washington as well as 12 regional banks that cover specific districts across the United States. The seven governors and the president of the New York Fed vote on every interest-rate decision, while four of the remaining 11 presidents vote on a rotating basis. But all the presidents participate in meetings of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee. Bessent argued last month in an interview on CNBC that the reason for the regional Fed banks was to bring the perspective of their districts to the Fed’s interest rate decisions and “break the New York hold” on the setting of interest rates. But now, he said last month, “three, maybe four” of the Fed presidents were appointed from outside their districts, with some living in New York. “I’m not sure that’s the way the Federal Reserve was designed,” he said in the interview. —Christopher Rugaber, AP economics writer View the full article

When managing your social media strategies, utilizing a Google Sheets content calendar can greatly improve your efficiency. With options like HootSuite’s and HubSpot’s templates, you can streamline planning as you customize for your specific needs. These tools not just help you organize posts but also track performance metrics, making it easier to adapt your approach. Explore how these templates can transform your content management, ensuring timely delivery and effective collaboration across your platforms. Key Takeaways HootSuite’s template offers customizable Google Sheets for efficient social media planning with evergreen content libraries and multiple views. HubSpot’s calendar provides organized planning with tabs for daily posts and performance metrics, aligning social media with marketing goals. Content Cal automates calendar creation for a year, defining content types for enhanced audience engagement and accountability. Smartsheet’s template allows detailed daily management across platforms, tracking vital data like social copy and images for improved collaboration. Social Media Examiner’s user-friendly layout supports high-volume content management, ensuring timely delivery and effective organization across multiple platforms. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar is an essential tool for anyone looking to streamline their social media planning across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This customizable Google Sheets content calendar template allows you to organize your posts efficiently. It features an evergreen content library tab, making it easy to access and repurpose timeless content. With both monthly and weekly views, you can plan around holidays and events as you manage detailed scheduling. You’ll find the template convenient since you can download it for immediate use, helping your team start organizing their social media strategies right away. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar provides a thorough posting strategy that helps you manage content across multiple platforms effectively. With organized content planning through dedicated tabs for daily posts and monthly campaigns, you can streamline your social media efforts throughout the year. This template not just includes vital fields for post details but additionally supports alignment with your broader marketing goals, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your content. Comprehensive Posting Strategy When you’re looking to streamline your social media efforts, an extensive posting strategy can make all the difference. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar, available as a google sheets calendar template, provides a thorough approach to managing your content across various platforms. With dedicated tabs for daily postings and monthly campaigns, you can effectively plan and organize your content. Each section is customized for specific platforms, making content creation and distribution more efficient. This template likewise allows for easy tracking of deadlines, author assignments, and performance metrics, enhancing your overall marketing effectiveness. By utilizing this organized tool, you’ll guarantee your content reaches the right audience, on time, and with maximum impact. Organized Content Planning Organized content planning is a vital aspect of successful social media management, and HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar serves as an effective tool for achieving this. This extensive spreadsheet organizes your content across multiple platforms, making it easier to strategize and execute your campaigns. The calendar includes dedicated sections for daily posting and monthly campaigns, allowing you to schedule content in a structured manner. With tabs for each social platform, this google sheets calendar template 2025 tailors planning to the unique requirements of each channel. You can efficiently track deadlines and publishing schedules, enhancing accountability and ensuring timely delivery. Plus, its downloadable format allows for quick access and easy customization to fit your team’s specific needs and preferences. Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar With Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar, you can automate your calendar creation process, making it easier to plan up to 12 months of content. This tool aligns your social media strategies with broader marketing goals, ensuring all your content supports your main objectives. Moreover, it helps you define various content types, streamlining the organization of your media for better audience engagement. Automated Calendar Creation Process Creating a content calendar can often feel overwhelming, but Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar simplifies this process through automation. It allows you to quickly set up a thorough calendar that spans 12 months. By entering your content types and categories, you guarantee clarity in your social media strategy, making it easier to visualize your campaigns. This google sheets calendar template 2025 streamlines planning, reducing the chances of last-minute scrambles. Moreover, Content Cal requires you to draft and post actual content, which promotes accountability and organized execution. With its automated features, you can efficiently schedule your content, aligning it with your broader marketing goals without the hassle of manual input. Aligning Marketing Goals Effective marketing hinges on aligning your content strategy with your overall business objectives, and Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar plays a pivotal role in this process. By utilizing this tool, you can automate your calendar creation based on specific inputs, ensuring your content aligns with your marketing goals. The google sheets calendar template 2025 is designed to integrate social media strategies seamlessly, allowing for a cohesive approach to all content creation. You can define various content types clearly, enhancing your publishing process. This calendar not only facilitates drafting and posting but likewise helps you track content effectiveness against your objectives. With this structured framework, you can make data-driven adjustments, keeping your marketing efforts organized and on schedule. Streamlined Content Definition When you utilize Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar, you gain a potent tool that streamlines the definition of your content types, enhancing your planning process. This google sheets calendar template automates the creation of a thorough 12-month content plan based on your input, making it easier to align social media strategies with your overall marketing goals. You can easily define various content types, which helps in organizing your approach to categorization effectively. Furthermore, the calendar encourages you to draft and post actual content, promoting accountability and timely execution. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template serves as a robust tool for planning and managing your content across various social platforms. It offers a detailed daily breakdown for up to five social media outlets, with an option for “Other” platforms. You can schedule up to six daily posts per platform, optimizing your posting strategy efficiently. The template allows you to fill in vital fields like social copy, images, links, and engagement data, enabling you to track performance and interactions effectively. Designed for easy download, it integrates smoothly into your existing workflows. Additionally, Smartsheet’s format improves collaboration among team members, ensuring seamless updates and content management, making it an excellent choice for your google sheets calendar template 2025. Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template offers a day-by-day overview that’s perfect for managing content across various platforms. With its user-friendly layout, you can efficiently schedule and post high volumes of content, making it ideal for teams. This template likewise provides detailed fields for tracking titles, publish dates, and notes, ensuring you stay organized and timely in your social media efforts. Day-by-Day Overview Utilizing a day-by-day overview can greatly boost your content planning process, especially with the Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template. This user-friendly google sheets calendar template 2025 is perfect for teams managing high volumes of content. Here’s how it can improve your strategy: Organized Planning: Dedicated sections for various social media platforms help streamline your posting schedule. Deadline Tracking: Keep track of important deadlines to guarantee timely, relevant content. Content Prompts: Use built-in prompts to inspire engaging posts that align with marketing goals. Quick Setup: Downloadable for immediate use, it allows you to start planning your social media content strategy efficiently. With this template, you’ll be better equipped to manage your content effectively. Multiplatform Posting Efficiency When managing content across multiple platforms, efficiency becomes crucial for maintaining a consistent brand presence. Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template offers a day-by-day multiplatform view, perfect for teams that post frequently. Designed in Google Sheets, this calendar template is free, allowing for easy collaboration among team members in real-time. Its straightforward layout helps you manage and schedule content effectively, enhancing posting consistency and organization. Important fields for content type, platform, posting date, and status enable thorough tracking and planning. Small Business Trends Social Media Calendar Template For small businesses aiming to improve their online presence, the Small Business Trends Social Media Calendar Template serves as a valuable resource in organizing and executing a content strategy. This template, compatible with a google sheets calendar, provides you with efficient planning tools that can be customized to suit your needs. Here are some key features: Multiple Formats: Available in PDF, Excel, and Word, ensuring easy access. Platform Sections: Dedicated areas for each social media channel streamline planning. Daily Action Roadmap: Offers unique content ideas customized to your audience. Quick Download: Allows for immediate implementation, enhancing your social media presence without extensive setup. Using this template can greatly boost your content organization efforts. Backlinko’s Content Calendar Template Backlinko’s Content Calendar Template offers a structured approach to managing your content strategy, making it an ideal choice for marketers and content creators. Available as both an Excel spreadsheet and a Google Sheets calendar template 2025, this tool provides flexibility based on your preferred platform. It features a standard month-and-year calendar view, simplifying the scheduling of content publication dates. Furthermore, the template includes a detailed content list and a workflow tab, allowing you to manage the entire content creation process from ideation to publication. You can easily track deadlines and status updates for each piece of content, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during production. Downloadable for immediate use, it’s user-friendly and perfect for streamlining your content planning efforts. CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template provides a thorough solution for organizing your marketing efforts in one centralized platform. This template is ideal for teams looking to streamline their content planning. Here are some key features: Centralized View: Keep all marketing activities visible in one place. Visual Layout: Easily identify content gaps and prioritize tasks. Integration Options: Connect with various tools to improve collaboration. Quick Setup: Download the template for immediate implementation. Using a google sheets calendar template 2025, you can effectively manage your marketing campaigns, ensuring that both individuals and teams contribute efficiently. This template supports collaborative input, making it easier to create well-rounded content strategies. SocialBee’s Social Media Calendar Template After organizing your marketing efforts with CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template, it’s time to focus on your social media strategy. SocialBee’s Social Media Calendar Template is an excellent choice for managing your social content efficiently. This downloadable template offers weekly content calendars for each month, ensuring you stay organized throughout the year. It features prebuilt sections for seven popular social platforms, simplifying the organization of posts across different channels. You can easily fill out fields for hashtags, due dates, and visual elements links, enhancing your content strategy. With this google sheets weekly planner template, you can maintain a consistent posting schedule as you optimize your social media presence, making it a valuable tool for any marketer looking to boost their strategy. Asana’s Social Media Calendar If you’re seeking an effective way to streamline your social media management, Asana’s Social Media Calendar could be exactly what you need. This collaborative project management tool offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that helps you visualize and organize your social media posts efficiently. Here are some key features to evaluate: Custom fields for platform assignment, allowing easy categorization. Task assignment capabilities, promoting accountability among team members. A free option for individuals or small teams, making it budget-friendly. Integration with other tools, enhancing your overall social media strategy. While a google sheets weekly planner is useful, Asana’s Social Media Calendar provides a more dynamic approach to managing your content across various platforms. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Content Calendar in Google Sheets? To make a content calendar in Google Sheets, open a new document and create columns for the date, content title, platform, responsible person, and status. Use functions like TEXT to automatically generate days of the week. Expand rows for larger content boxes, centering text for visibility. Customize with color codes for different content types, and track deadlines by labeling the status column with terms like “planning” or “ready to publish” for clear workflow management. Is There a Calendar Template for Google Sheets? Yes, there are several calendar templates available for Google Sheets. These templates cater to various needs, including content planning and scheduling. You can find options like Hootsuite’s customizable Social Media Content Calendar or the Small Business Trends template, which supports multiple platforms. Backlinko likewise offers a straightforward content calendar layout. Most templates are easily downloadable, allowing you to implement them quickly into your workflow for improved organization and efficiency. How to Use Google Calendar for Content Creation? To use Google Calendar for content creation, start by scheduling your posts with specific dates and times. Set reminders for deadlines to keep your workflow on track. Create multiple calendars to separate content types, enhancing organization. Utilize color-coding to identify categories quickly, such as blogs or social media posts. Share your calendar with team members for real-time collaboration, and integrate it with Google Docs and Sheets for easy access to drafts and performance metrics. How to Make a Perfect Content Calendar? To make a perfect content calendar, start by defining key components like date, content title, platform, responsible person, and status. Use color-coding for easy identification of content types and platforms. Set specific deadlines for each phase of development, ensuring timely publication. Regularly analyze performance metrics to refine future strategies based on audience engagement. Finally, collaborate with your team by sharing the calendar in real-time for efficient updates and contributions. Conclusion In summary, using a Google Sheets content calendar can greatly improve your social media strategy. Each of the ten templates mentioned offers unique features customized to different needs, whether you’re a small business or part of a larger team. By leveraging these tools, you can streamline your planning process, track performance, and guarantee timely content delivery. Adopting one of these templates can lead to more efficient collaboration and eventually enhance your social media presence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Best Google Sheets Content Calendar Templates" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When managing your social media strategies, utilizing a Google Sheets content calendar can greatly improve your efficiency. With options like HootSuite’s and HubSpot’s templates, you can streamline planning as you customize for your specific needs. These tools not just help you organize posts but also track performance metrics, making it easier to adapt your approach. Explore how these templates can transform your content management, ensuring timely delivery and effective collaboration across your platforms. Key Takeaways HootSuite’s template offers customizable Google Sheets for efficient social media planning with evergreen content libraries and multiple views. HubSpot’s calendar provides organized planning with tabs for daily posts and performance metrics, aligning social media with marketing goals. Content Cal automates calendar creation for a year, defining content types for enhanced audience engagement and accountability. Smartsheet’s template allows detailed daily management across platforms, tracking vital data like social copy and images for improved collaboration. Social Media Examiner’s user-friendly layout supports high-volume content management, ensuring timely delivery and effective organization across multiple platforms. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar is an essential tool for anyone looking to streamline their social media planning across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This customizable Google Sheets content calendar template allows you to organize your posts efficiently. It features an evergreen content library tab, making it easy to access and repurpose timeless content. With both monthly and weekly views, you can plan around holidays and events as you manage detailed scheduling. You’ll find the template convenient since you can download it for immediate use, helping your team start organizing their social media strategies right away. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar provides a thorough posting strategy that helps you manage content across multiple platforms effectively. With organized content planning through dedicated tabs for daily posts and monthly campaigns, you can streamline your social media efforts throughout the year. This template not just includes vital fields for post details but additionally supports alignment with your broader marketing goals, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your content. Comprehensive Posting Strategy When you’re looking to streamline your social media efforts, an extensive posting strategy can make all the difference. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar, available as a google sheets calendar template, provides a thorough approach to managing your content across various platforms. With dedicated tabs for daily postings and monthly campaigns, you can effectively plan and organize your content. Each section is customized for specific platforms, making content creation and distribution more efficient. This template likewise allows for easy tracking of deadlines, author assignments, and performance metrics, enhancing your overall marketing effectiveness. By utilizing this organized tool, you’ll guarantee your content reaches the right audience, on time, and with maximum impact. Organized Content Planning Organized content planning is a vital aspect of successful social media management, and HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar serves as an effective tool for achieving this. This extensive spreadsheet organizes your content across multiple platforms, making it easier to strategize and execute your campaigns. The calendar includes dedicated sections for daily posting and monthly campaigns, allowing you to schedule content in a structured manner. With tabs for each social platform, this google sheets calendar template 2025 tailors planning to the unique requirements of each channel. You can efficiently track deadlines and publishing schedules, enhancing accountability and ensuring timely delivery. Plus, its downloadable format allows for quick access and easy customization to fit your team’s specific needs and preferences. Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar With Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar, you can automate your calendar creation process, making it easier to plan up to 12 months of content. This tool aligns your social media strategies with broader marketing goals, ensuring all your content supports your main objectives. Moreover, it helps you define various content types, streamlining the organization of your media for better audience engagement. Automated Calendar Creation Process Creating a content calendar can often feel overwhelming, but Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar simplifies this process through automation. It allows you to quickly set up a thorough calendar that spans 12 months. By entering your content types and categories, you guarantee clarity in your social media strategy, making it easier to visualize your campaigns. This google sheets calendar template 2025 streamlines planning, reducing the chances of last-minute scrambles. Moreover, Content Cal requires you to draft and post actual content, which promotes accountability and organized execution. With its automated features, you can efficiently schedule your content, aligning it with your broader marketing goals without the hassle of manual input. Aligning Marketing Goals Effective marketing hinges on aligning your content strategy with your overall business objectives, and Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar plays a pivotal role in this process. By utilizing this tool, you can automate your calendar creation based on specific inputs, ensuring your content aligns with your marketing goals. The google sheets calendar template 2025 is designed to integrate social media strategies seamlessly, allowing for a cohesive approach to all content creation. You can define various content types clearly, enhancing your publishing process. This calendar not only facilitates drafting and posting but likewise helps you track content effectiveness against your objectives. With this structured framework, you can make data-driven adjustments, keeping your marketing efforts organized and on schedule. Streamlined Content Definition When you utilize Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar, you gain a potent tool that streamlines the definition of your content types, enhancing your planning process. This google sheets calendar template automates the creation of a thorough 12-month content plan based on your input, making it easier to align social media strategies with your overall marketing goals. You can easily define various content types, which helps in organizing your approach to categorization effectively. Furthermore, the calendar encourages you to draft and post actual content, promoting accountability and timely execution. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template serves as a robust tool for planning and managing your content across various social platforms. It offers a detailed daily breakdown for up to five social media outlets, with an option for “Other” platforms. You can schedule up to six daily posts per platform, optimizing your posting strategy efficiently. The template allows you to fill in vital fields like social copy, images, links, and engagement data, enabling you to track performance and interactions effectively. Designed for easy download, it integrates smoothly into your existing workflows. Additionally, Smartsheet’s format improves collaboration among team members, ensuring seamless updates and content management, making it an excellent choice for your google sheets calendar template 2025. Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template offers a day-by-day overview that’s perfect for managing content across various platforms. With its user-friendly layout, you can efficiently schedule and post high volumes of content, making it ideal for teams. This template likewise provides detailed fields for tracking titles, publish dates, and notes, ensuring you stay organized and timely in your social media efforts. Day-by-Day Overview Utilizing a day-by-day overview can greatly boost your content planning process, especially with the Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template. This user-friendly google sheets calendar template 2025 is perfect for teams managing high volumes of content. Here’s how it can improve your strategy: Organized Planning: Dedicated sections for various social media platforms help streamline your posting schedule. Deadline Tracking: Keep track of important deadlines to guarantee timely, relevant content. Content Prompts: Use built-in prompts to inspire engaging posts that align with marketing goals. Quick Setup: Downloadable for immediate use, it allows you to start planning your social media content strategy efficiently. With this template, you’ll be better equipped to manage your content effectively. Multiplatform Posting Efficiency When managing content across multiple platforms, efficiency becomes crucial for maintaining a consistent brand presence. Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template offers a day-by-day multiplatform view, perfect for teams that post frequently. Designed in Google Sheets, this calendar template is free, allowing for easy collaboration among team members in real-time. Its straightforward layout helps you manage and schedule content effectively, enhancing posting consistency and organization. Important fields for content type, platform, posting date, and status enable thorough tracking and planning. Small Business Trends Social Media Calendar Template For small businesses aiming to improve their online presence, the Small Business Trends Social Media Calendar Template serves as a valuable resource in organizing and executing a content strategy. This template, compatible with a google sheets calendar, provides you with efficient planning tools that can be customized to suit your needs. Here are some key features: Multiple Formats: Available in PDF, Excel, and Word, ensuring easy access. Platform Sections: Dedicated areas for each social media channel streamline planning. Daily Action Roadmap: Offers unique content ideas customized to your audience. Quick Download: Allows for immediate implementation, enhancing your social media presence without extensive setup. Using this template can greatly boost your content organization efforts. Backlinko’s Content Calendar Template Backlinko’s Content Calendar Template offers a structured approach to managing your content strategy, making it an ideal choice for marketers and content creators. Available as both an Excel spreadsheet and a Google Sheets calendar template 2025, this tool provides flexibility based on your preferred platform. It features a standard month-and-year calendar view, simplifying the scheduling of content publication dates. Furthermore, the template includes a detailed content list and a workflow tab, allowing you to manage the entire content creation process from ideation to publication. You can easily track deadlines and status updates for each piece of content, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during production. Downloadable for immediate use, it’s user-friendly and perfect for streamlining your content planning efforts. CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template provides a thorough solution for organizing your marketing efforts in one centralized platform. This template is ideal for teams looking to streamline their content planning. Here are some key features: Centralized View: Keep all marketing activities visible in one place. Visual Layout: Easily identify content gaps and prioritize tasks. Integration Options: Connect with various tools to improve collaboration. Quick Setup: Download the template for immediate implementation. Using a google sheets calendar template 2025, you can effectively manage your marketing campaigns, ensuring that both individuals and teams contribute efficiently. This template supports collaborative input, making it easier to create well-rounded content strategies. SocialBee’s Social Media Calendar Template After organizing your marketing efforts with CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template, it’s time to focus on your social media strategy. SocialBee’s Social Media Calendar Template is an excellent choice for managing your social content efficiently. This downloadable template offers weekly content calendars for each month, ensuring you stay organized throughout the year. It features prebuilt sections for seven popular social platforms, simplifying the organization of posts across different channels. You can easily fill out fields for hashtags, due dates, and visual elements links, enhancing your content strategy. With this google sheets weekly planner template, you can maintain a consistent posting schedule as you optimize your social media presence, making it a valuable tool for any marketer looking to boost their strategy. Asana’s Social Media Calendar If you’re seeking an effective way to streamline your social media management, Asana’s Social Media Calendar could be exactly what you need. This collaborative project management tool offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that helps you visualize and organize your social media posts efficiently. Here are some key features to evaluate: Custom fields for platform assignment, allowing easy categorization. Task assignment capabilities, promoting accountability among team members. A free option for individuals or small teams, making it budget-friendly. Integration with other tools, enhancing your overall social media strategy. While a google sheets weekly planner is useful, Asana’s Social Media Calendar provides a more dynamic approach to managing your content across various platforms. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Content Calendar in Google Sheets? To make a content calendar in Google Sheets, open a new document and create columns for the date, content title, platform, responsible person, and status. Use functions like TEXT to automatically generate days of the week. Expand rows for larger content boxes, centering text for visibility. Customize with color codes for different content types, and track deadlines by labeling the status column with terms like “planning” or “ready to publish” for clear workflow management. Is There a Calendar Template for Google Sheets? Yes, there are several calendar templates available for Google Sheets. These templates cater to various needs, including content planning and scheduling. You can find options like Hootsuite’s customizable Social Media Content Calendar or the Small Business Trends template, which supports multiple platforms. Backlinko likewise offers a straightforward content calendar layout. Most templates are easily downloadable, allowing you to implement them quickly into your workflow for improved organization and efficiency. How to Use Google Calendar for Content Creation? To use Google Calendar for content creation, start by scheduling your posts with specific dates and times. Set reminders for deadlines to keep your workflow on track. Create multiple calendars to separate content types, enhancing organization. Utilize color-coding to identify categories quickly, such as blogs or social media posts. Share your calendar with team members for real-time collaboration, and integrate it with Google Docs and Sheets for easy access to drafts and performance metrics. How to Make a Perfect Content Calendar? To make a perfect content calendar, start by defining key components like date, content title, platform, responsible person, and status. Use color-coding for easy identification of content types and platforms. Set specific deadlines for each phase of development, ensuring timely publication. Regularly analyze performance metrics to refine future strategies based on audience engagement. Finally, collaborate with your team by sharing the calendar in real-time for efficient updates and contributions. Conclusion In summary, using a Google Sheets content calendar can greatly improve your social media strategy. Each of the ten templates mentioned offers unique features customized to different needs, whether you’re a small business or part of a larger team. By leveraging these tools, you can streamline your planning process, track performance, and guarantee timely content delivery. Adopting one of these templates can lead to more efficient collaboration and eventually enhance your social media presence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Best Google Sheets Content Calendar Templates" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

One of the world’s biggest AI startups might be eyeing a massive IPO. According to a new report in the Financial Times, Anthropic has tapped the Palo Alto-based law firm Wilson Sonsini to help the company go public as soon as early next year. The law firm has a deep well of experience shepherding major tech IPOs and has worked with Google, LinkedIn, Lyft, and Square on their public offerings. In the lead-up to a potential IPO, the Financial Times reports that the company is drumming up a private round of funding that would peg its value at over $300 billion. According to the report, the company is also discussing its plans with large investment banks, but those talks are in their early stages. Anthropic might be trying to outmaneuver its rival OpenAI, which is reportedly considering an IPO in the second half of 2026, by going public first and could be valued at as much as a once-unthinkable $1 trillion. OpenAI recently pivoted away from its roots as a nonprofit to restructure itself as a public benefit corporation in a move that set the stage for a potential future IPO. Though the for-profit part of OpenAI will continue to operate under a nonprofit parent company, the change ushers in a new era for the business of AI – one likely to be more focused on juicing revenue, attracting investment and pleasing shareholders. Anthropic sets itself apart Anthropic, which was founded by a group of OpenAI executives who split off in 2021, is backed by billions in investment from Amazon and Google. Unlike its prominent Microsoft-backed rival, Anthropic focuses on business applications for its AI tools rather than racing to capture a broad swath of the consumer market with generative AI multimedia. “We are interested in our consumer users to the degree they are doing work, solving problems in their life,” Anthropic design chief Joel Lewenstein told Fast Company in an October interview. “Because we’re not interested in passive consumption and image generation and video generation, we just sort of have ruled those out from a mission perspective.” The company is known for a more conservative approach to AI development that takes the technology’s many risks and safety concerns into account – an approach that could benefit its long term trajectory. “Our interests are in making things that are beneficial while minimizing the risks of those same products because everything has a double-edged sword,” Lewenstein told Fast Company. “We see… helping people grow and expand and create and solve problems as being the right risk-reward tradeoff.” View the full article

As the ‘fourth wave’ of coffee begins taking shape, companies that are embracing modern—and increasingly, automated—coffee making are working to balance their tech with the craft of brewing. Terra Kaffe is one of them. The company, known for its pricy, hyper-modern automatic espresso machine TK-02—revealed its first brand expansion with the August launch of Demi, a miniature version of its flagship product. Now, it’s launching a slate of accessories to complement its machines and move the brand out of startup mode and help establish itself as a serious competitor in the world of coffee gadgets. The accessories, which will be rolling out into early 2026, include a countertop milk frother with a matcha setting, a line of double-walled conical glassware, tumblers for taking your coffee on the go, a quick-brewing cold brew maker, an ice cube tray, and a drip coffee pot—all of which are meticulously designed in its signature modern style to integrate seamlessly into the entire Terra Kaffe ecosystem. The accessories give existing Terra Kaffe owners a way to enhance their experience with the machine, while providing newcomers a wider entrypoint into the brand. “We’ve evolved into the next stage in this company’s life cycle. Now we’re a true lifestyle brand offering a myriad of options to serve all coffee lovers,” Terra Kaffe founder and CEO Sahand Dilmaghani says. “Every product has a foundation of a seamlessness in the experience, elevating the way you go about your morning ritual.” Creating an Ecosystem When Terra Kaffe released Demi, the compact machine delivered on size for those with minimal counter space, as well as cost, coming in at $795, less than half the price of the TK-02. But the machine’s smaller profile requires a trade-off—not being able to produce a milk-based drink (the TK-02 can produce lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites). That’s why the company saw an opportunity for its standalone Aero milk frother. The stainless steel Aero enables users to do one thing better than even the TK-02: make matcha. Its spinning technology whisks the matcha if you pour in the powder and place it under the machine’s spout for hot water. A built-in setting automatically stops whisking at the ideal time. (If you’re old-school, you can still whisk your matcha with a bamboo whisk, then add milk from the Aero, which has a built-in temperature setting for the beverage.) “Everything is complementary,” Dilmaghani says. “We’re creating things to constantly improve the whole experience and tie a bow around it.’ With the new accessories line, the company was also able to broaden the scope of its machines beyond making single-serve drinks—and do it in style. For Terra Kaffe users serving a crowd, it added a Drip Coffee Carafe, and while the Demi can brew a pot out of the box, the company is pushing a new setting that will enable the TK-02 to do so as part of the machine’s first major software update. While the TK-02 has an option that creates coffee optimized for iced coffee, it does not have an option to dispense the coffee cold, creating an opportunity for the Ripple ice tray, which makes four ice pucks that fit into the new line of tumblers. In early 2026, Terra Kaffe will roll out a way to make cold coffee quickly with a cold brew maker that it says will cut the roughly 18- to 24-hour process into minutes, and could be a way into the Terra Kaffe ecosystem for people who prefer cold drinks. The product uses a rotating force to rotate water through the coffee bed quicker. “There’s no pressure associated with it, so it’s the same brewing methodology,” Dilmaghani explains. “But the technology we’re building actually accelerates the cold brew extraction process.” Form and function A child of two architects, Dilmaghani says he places design on an equal pedestal as functionality, and time spent living in Berlin brought German design inspiration to his work. He channelled all of those inspirations for his coffee brand. “Terra Kaffe’s brand identity and design language have a consistent throughline of geometric modernity, pulling from Bauhausian design principles,” he says. “Every single millimeter of the products are intentionally designed. The dials, the proportion to the base, how you engage with it—those are the details people subconsciously enjoy even if they don’t consciously acknowledge.” With its name that means “earth” and its water droplet logo, Terra Kaffe is working to evoke nature with its products as it expands. The TK-01 is only available in black and white, while the Demi is sold in brownish Dune, Slate grey, Forest green, and Cloud blue earth tones. The ice trays are also available in Dune and Cloud, its Aeris tumblers—available in three sizes—range from grey Smoke to amber Mairgold and burnt orange Sienna “Minimalism doesn’t mean plain,” Dilmaghani says. “Everything that you engage with stems from a place of evoking a certain feeling. That’s why, for us, everything goes back to precision, modernity and warmth.” Despite releasing nearly two dozen products of different sizes and colors just this year, Terra Kaffe has more significant plans in the next year and beyond to mark its rising dominance in the home coffee tech space. “We make sure that every touchpoint you engage with is inviting,” Dilmaghani says. “The expansion of the peripheral products continues that thread.” View the full article

Private-sector payrolls decreased by 32,000, according to ADP Research data released Wednesday. Payrolls have now fallen four times in the last six months. View the full article

Some market participants worried candidate for top central bank job will be swayed by The President on interest ratesView the full article

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Tuesday that Arizona is the latest state to sue Temu and its parent company PDD Holdings Inc. over allegations that the Chinese online retailer is stealing customers’ data. Mayes said the app deceives customers about the quality of its low-cost products and collects what she described as a shocking amount of sensitive data without the consent of users, including GPS locations and a list of other apps on users’ phones. According to the lawsuit, prosecutors are concerned about Temu being subject to laws in China that require Chinese companies to hand over data requested by the government, and that its code is designed to evade security reviews. “It can detect everywhere you go, to a doctor’s office, to a public library, to a political event, to your friends’ houses,” Mayes said during a news conference. “So the scope of this invasion of privacy is enormous, and that’s why I consider it possibly the gravest violation of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act that we have ever seen in Arizona.” Arizona’s top prosecutor also said the state wants to protect businesses from being “ripped off” by the online retailer, alleging the company has copied the intellectual property of brands that include the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State University. In a statement early Wednesday, Temu denied the allegations. “We help consumers and families access quality products at affordable prices,” the company said. “We work to keep costs down and maintain reliable supply so people can meet their needs without stretching their budgets.” Attorneys general in Kentucky, Nebraska, and Arkansas have filed similar lawsuits in recent years. There have been legislative efforts at the federal level to counter China’s influence, especially when it comes to technology and intellectual property. But Mayes suggested there should be greater intervention by the federal government to protect consumers. Mayes called the allegations against Temu more egregious than those that have been made against TikTok. Through a forensic review, investigators in Arizona found the app’s code has portions recognized by experts as malware or spyware and allows exfiltration of data from a user’s mobile device while concealing that the app is doing so. The review also found in the app “large swaths” of previously banned code from the platform’s precursor version. Mayes urged Arizonans to delete their Temu accounts, uninstall the app, and scan their devices for malware. —Sejal Govindarao, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday may have passed, but there are still some serious deals out there for gamers—especially PS5 owners. This PlayStation VR2 bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain is currently $299 on Amazon, a 25% discount off the usual $399 and its lowest price ever according to price tracking tools. PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain™ Bundle $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 The Sony PlayStation VR2 earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award upon its 2023 release for offering comprehensive upgrades from its predecessor, including better tracking tech, improved sound, and enhanced graphics. This model comes with the Horizon Call of the Mountain, an action-adventure game packed with immersive climbing, machine combat, and immersive world-building, allowing you to dive into the VR experience right out of the box. The headset features 2000×2040 resolution per eye, an OLED display, 4K HDR support, and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It has a 110-degree field of view and controls with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as 3D audio and eye-tracking. If you have a PS5 and are curious about diving into the world of VR—and want to start with a popular game that will get you hooked right away—this PlayStation VR2 bundle is one of the best console-based options on the market right now, especially at $100 off. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $249.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $353.00 (List Price $353.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $399.99 (List Price $399.99) Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus 1080p Security Camera (White) — $99.99 (List Price $179.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $279.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Better than expected activity adds to dollar weakness to send currency to highest level since OctoberView the full article

Hit-Boy has made chart-topping beats for the likes of Beyoncé, Jay Z, Nas and Doechii but behind the scenes he was stuck in a restrictive publishing deal. In this interview, Hit-Boy talks But now he’s in full control of his art and his story. He’ll also dive into his creative process and how he’s walking the line of AI and art. View the full article

Small business owners often navigate a sea of uncertainty, juggling daily operations while keeping an eye on broader economic trends. A recent NFIB survey sheds light on the varying levels of optimism across different sectors, revealing both opportunities and challenges that could impact small businesses in 2025. The NFIB Research Center’s quarterly Small Business Economic Trends survey, conducted in October, presents crucial insights into how small businesses perceive their current situations and future prospects. The survey indicates that the overall Optimism Index dropped to 98.2, a slight decline that impacted all sectors except construction. “Small business optimism fell in all reported industries except for construction, which was the most optimistic out of the four industries due to higher sales expectations and hiring plans,” stated Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center. This sentiment was reflected by the fact that 63% of small business owners still rated the health of their business as excellent or good, albeit with a slight decline from the previous quarter. Key findings from the survey reveal a nuanced picture across industries. Construction Shows Resilience The construction industry’s Optimism Index rose to 105.5, making it the most optimistic industry by 7.3 points above the overall index. This increase is attributed to heightened sales expectations and increased hiring plans. Notably, a net 35% of construction firms plan to hire in the next three months—20 points higher than the overall level for all firms. However, the sector still faces its share of challenges, particularly labor quality. Nearly half of construction firms reported difficulty in finding qualified applicants, highlighting a significant concern for hiring that small business owners should be keenly aware of. Manufacturing’s Mixed Outlook The manufacturing sector offers a more tempered view. The Optimism Index stands at 100.1, showing a decline of 5.8 points from the previous quarter. Although this sector remains somewhat optimistic, the decrease in expectations for better business conditions indicates a potential slowdown. A net 26% of manufacturing businesses expect better conditions in the next six months, emphasizing the need for small manufacturers to remain vigilant and adaptable. Retail Faces Struggles Retail businesses currently report the lowest levels of optimism, with an Optimism Index of 94.9. The industry saw a decline in expected business conditions and hiring plans. Notably, only a net 5% of retailers plan to hire in the coming months, significantly lower than the levels seen in other sectors. Retailers must also grapple with declining earnings trends, where 29% reported lower earnings recently. Such statistics should prompt retail business owners to reevaluate their strategies, perhaps focusing on inventory management and customer engagement to drive sales. Services Sector Lags Behind The services industry is also showing signs of waning optimism, with an index value of 95.6. The sector experienced a decrease in real sales expectations and inventory satisfaction, with a net negative 3% of businesses expecting an increase in sales. Additionally, only 17% plan for capital improvements in the near future, far below the historical average. For service-oriented businesses, maintaining customer satisfaction and exploring innovative service offerings could prove crucial during this downturn. Navigating Supply Chain Concerns An important element across all sectors is the ongoing struggle with supply chain disruptions. Reports indicate that 60% of small business owners experienced some level of disruption, significantly impacting their operations. Retail and wholesale businesses reported the highest levels of disruption, suggesting that small retailers should consider diversifying their supplier base or utilizing local resources if possible. In summary, while sectors like construction show robustness and hiring potential, challenges abound, particularly for retail and services. Small business owners must analyze these trends closely to position themselves for sustained success. As Holly Wade suggests, despite the drops in optimism, a solid majority feels their business health is still stable, which presents an opportunity for strategic pivots. For more detailed information on this survey, you can access the full report here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Small Business Optimism Dips as Construction Industry Holds Strong" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small business owners often navigate a sea of uncertainty, juggling daily operations while keeping an eye on broader economic trends. A recent NFIB survey sheds light on the varying levels of optimism across different sectors, revealing both opportunities and challenges that could impact small businesses in 2025. The NFIB Research Center’s quarterly Small Business Economic Trends survey, conducted in October, presents crucial insights into how small businesses perceive their current situations and future prospects. The survey indicates that the overall Optimism Index dropped to 98.2, a slight decline that impacted all sectors except construction. “Small business optimism fell in all reported industries except for construction, which was the most optimistic out of the four industries due to higher sales expectations and hiring plans,” stated Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center. This sentiment was reflected by the fact that 63% of small business owners still rated the health of their business as excellent or good, albeit with a slight decline from the previous quarter. Key findings from the survey reveal a nuanced picture across industries. Construction Shows Resilience The construction industry’s Optimism Index rose to 105.5, making it the most optimistic industry by 7.3 points above the overall index. This increase is attributed to heightened sales expectations and increased hiring plans. Notably, a net 35% of construction firms plan to hire in the next three months—20 points higher than the overall level for all firms. However, the sector still faces its share of challenges, particularly labor quality. Nearly half of construction firms reported difficulty in finding qualified applicants, highlighting a significant concern for hiring that small business owners should be keenly aware of. Manufacturing’s Mixed Outlook The manufacturing sector offers a more tempered view. The Optimism Index stands at 100.1, showing a decline of 5.8 points from the previous quarter. Although this sector remains somewhat optimistic, the decrease in expectations for better business conditions indicates a potential slowdown. A net 26% of manufacturing businesses expect better conditions in the next six months, emphasizing the need for small manufacturers to remain vigilant and adaptable. Retail Faces Struggles Retail businesses currently report the lowest levels of optimism, with an Optimism Index of 94.9. The industry saw a decline in expected business conditions and hiring plans. Notably, only a net 5% of retailers plan to hire in the coming months, significantly lower than the levels seen in other sectors. Retailers must also grapple with declining earnings trends, where 29% reported lower earnings recently. Such statistics should prompt retail business owners to reevaluate their strategies, perhaps focusing on inventory management and customer engagement to drive sales. Services Sector Lags Behind The services industry is also showing signs of waning optimism, with an index value of 95.6. The sector experienced a decrease in real sales expectations and inventory satisfaction, with a net negative 3% of businesses expecting an increase in sales. Additionally, only 17% plan for capital improvements in the near future, far below the historical average. For service-oriented businesses, maintaining customer satisfaction and exploring innovative service offerings could prove crucial during this downturn. Navigating Supply Chain Concerns An important element across all sectors is the ongoing struggle with supply chain disruptions. Reports indicate that 60% of small business owners experienced some level of disruption, significantly impacting their operations. Retail and wholesale businesses reported the highest levels of disruption, suggesting that small retailers should consider diversifying their supplier base or utilizing local resources if possible. In summary, while sectors like construction show robustness and hiring potential, challenges abound, particularly for retail and services. Small business owners must analyze these trends closely to position themselves for sustained success. As Holly Wade suggests, despite the drops in optimism, a solid majority feels their business health is still stable, which presents an opportunity for strategic pivots. For more detailed information on this survey, you can access the full report here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Small Business Optimism Dips as Construction Industry Holds Strong" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When it comes to the battle of the prediction markets, which player are you betting on? Fanatics, the global sports platform, is out to prove that sportsbooks will be the emerging industry’s biggest winners. Today, Fanatics is launching a stand-alone predictions market app designed to appeal to the fans who already buy its apparel and collectibles. It’s the first of the major sportsbooks to move into prediction markets—and almost certainly won’t be the last. “Prediction markets are one of the top things that fans want to do these days,” says Matt King, who leads betting and gaming for Fanatics. “People want to be able to express their opinions on not just sports, but entertainment, culture, and everything under the sun.” King, the former CEO of FanDuel, oversaw Fanatics’ expansion into sports betting in 2023 with a sportsbook that now operates online in 22 states and Washington D.C. With prediction markets, King sees a way to give people “the ability to speculate on different asset classes, different trades, all in one place.” The demographic that is core to both Fanatics and prediction markets—men in their 20s and 30s, who likely watch sports and trade crypto—are seeking “the ability to profit if they’re right,” King says. Fanatics Markets will be available to users aged 21 and up in 10 states this afternoon, and an additional 14 by the end of the week—all places where Fanatics’ Sportsbook & Casino is currently unavailable. The trading categories featured in the app include live games, major league matchups, economic indicators, and elections. (Later releases will include crypto, pop culture, movies, and more.) Fanatics designed the app’s user experience, partnering with Crypto.com to operate the derivatives exchange that powers the underlying market and its pricing. The Android app will go live first, followed by iOS. Prediction markets are an adaptation of traditional futures markets, which allow traders to buy and sell contracts associated with future events. Originally a hedging tool designed to protect farmers in the event of a poor harvest, the contracts have been repackaged as an internet-era way to bet on news. Since winning greater regulatory clarity last year, prediction markets have been growing at a breakneck pace. Weekly trading volume now extends into the billions of dollars, with a significant portion of those dollars dedicated to sports. In late October, for example, industry pioneer Kalshi posted weekly notional trading volumes of more than $1 billion in sports, making the category its most popular by far. For those arguing prediction markets are a positive because they can generate meaningful signal… volume on Kalshi is *overwhelmingly* just sports gambling: pic.twitter.com/jh1Z22DsRh — Jason Mikula (@mikulaja) December 2, 2025 Numbers like those have convinced sportsbooks to get off the sidelines. “If you look at the inherent customer base, the experience that we have in this business, it’s super exciting for us,” Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin told CNBC last month. “Customers want this product, and we want to give it to the customers.” GROWING COMPETITION Meaningfully, prediction markets also give Fanatics an opportunity to try to leapfrog U.S. sports betting leaders FanDuel and DraftKings, which together control roughly 80% of the market. Fanatics’ sports betting operation generated $300 million in revenue in 2024; its market share, while growing, is in the single digits. Structurally, prediction markets are vastly different to operate than sportsbooks, in which the operator serves as the “house.” But to fans, the underlying impulse is the same: putting money on a predicted outcome. While Fanatics is making the first move, FanDuel has teamed up with CME Group and has a product in the works. DraftKings says it is “watching how things unfold,” according to CEO Jason Robins. Stock and crypto trading platforms see prediction markets as an opportunity, too. Robinhood unveiled its prediction markets feature last fall, just in time for the presidential election. Leaked screenshots suggest that Coinbase, in pursuit of its goal of becoming an “everything exchange,” could unveil a prediction market offering, in partnership with Kalshi, later this month. Meanwhile, Kalshi and Polymarket are attracting significant investor interest. In October, Polymarket raised up to $2 billion in strategic capital from ICE, parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, and Kalshi followed suit with a $1 billion round on Tuesday, led by Paradigm. As Fanatics prepares to go head-to-head with existing exchanges, King says he sees Fanatics’ strong brand as an essential asset. “We think a combination of the brand, a good product experience, and our rewards proposition means that we’ll have a big chunk of customers that play with us,” he says. “But we don’t think it’s ‘winner take all.’ We recognize it’s going to be a competitive industry.” PLACING BETS, AMASSING REWARDS Fanatics has positioned itself at the center of sports fandom in recent years. In addition to selling licensed apparel, it now offers trading cards, collectibles, and memorabilia. Its live events arm produces the annual Fanatics Fest in New York City, which has become something of the Comic Con of sports. The company’s Fanatics ONE rewards program, meanwhile, knits together these disparate arms, offering users rewards for betting and shopping. In the coming months, King expects to integrate Fanatics Markets with Fanatics ONE. Users might earn rewards points the more they trade, for example. “You’ll also see traders, the more they trade, unlock benefits that are really only available to our best users, whether that’s access to exclusive merch drops, or free tickets to Fanatics Fest, or other things like that,” he says. “It’s a formula we’ve seen work in the other categories that we operate in, and so we know there’s a huge overlap between the customer demographic, trading and prediction markets, and some of our other core businesses.” Sports is emerging as a prediction markets linchpin because of the frequency and regularity of the events it comprises. “Month in, month out, there’s always something going on,” says Travis McGhee, global head of predictions at Crypto.com. Prior to its Fanatics collaboration, Crypto.com launched sports event trading last December. The trading platform also announced a prediction markets partnership with Underdog, a fantasy and sports gaming company, in September. But even sports-first Fanatics sees potential in a broader realm of trading possibilities. “Sports is the most intuitive [category] to net-new users,” King says of prediction markets. But he expects to see sports fans expand their trading activity to new categories as they get more comfortable with the format. “If you think about the papal election, when there were a lot of Chicagoans rooting for our man, that was incredibly popular on a relative basis,” he says. “And I think if that were to happen again today, it would be orders of magnitude more popular, because you have so many more users that are on these platforms and aware that they can now express an opinion.” Sports leagues have their offseasons. But if Fanatics has its way, there will always be a reason for fans to log on and put money down. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the middle-of-the-pack smartwatch, sandwiched between the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 and the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 3. It also happens to be the only one still holding on to its Black Friday discount. You can get the GPS version starting at $329 (originally $399) and the GPS + Cellular version starting at $429 (originally $499), both the lowest prices they've reached, according to price tracking tools. Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS) $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS + Cellular) $429.99 at Amazon $499.00 Save $69.01 Get Deal Get Deal $429.99 at Amazon $499.00 Save $69.01 SEE -1 MORE It's always nice when the "best Apple Watch for most people" gets better without a price increase over the previous generation. The Series 11 improved its battery life, going up to 43 hours with the always-on display enabled, up from 36 hours for the Series 10. Also, now you can get a 5G Cellular version, which, before, the best Apple could offer was LTE. This makes cell service much better for calls and helps to keep the battery life running longer. Another big update is that its hypertension notification feature is FDA-approved, so this watch could potentially save your life if you suffer from high blood pressure. Like new iterations, the new smartwatch is also more vibrant, slimmer, and more durable. You'll start off with the new WatchOS 26 and all of the features it brings, like Heart Rate Monitor, ECG, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor, Pedometer, Gyroscope, and others. If you already own the Series 10, you'll see the same display, measurements, processor, and sensors, so it might not be worth upgrading unless battery life and 5G connectivity really matter to you. At its current price, the Series 11 is a great smartwatch for most Apple lovers, and the lowest price it'll likely be this year. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $249.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $353.00 (List Price $353.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $399.99 (List Price $399.99) Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus 1080p Security Camera (White) — $99.99 (List Price $179.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — (List Price $410.24) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Flying often first requires crawling, in a car, in slow or stopped traffic that eventually treats you to a view of airplanes soaring away from your ground-anchored vehicular misery. After decades of hype about flying cars, the past 10 years have seen a pivot to something of a car-plane hybrid: an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that provides taxi-like service. In concept—all we have to go by, since the only way to watch an eVTOL speeding somebody to LAX is in a computer-rendered video—this can look appealing. But after years of promising services that have yet to take off, eVTOL startups need to go beyond impressing investors. They need to prove to regulators that they can deliver safe, reliable service in already-crowded airspace. And then they need to earn the business of paying customers who have other transportation choices. Their basic bet that enough people will spend potentially large sums of money to save time is not crazy. But it’s hardly a sure thing, either. To understand the gap between a private demo and public service, consider Joby Aviation, a Santa Cruz, California, firm that says it’s within months of launching commercial operations. At November’s Web Summit conference in Lisbon, Portugal, the company pitched its vision for the eVTOL future. “This is not just a rendering, this is not just an idea,” vouched Eric Allison, chief product officer. Eric Allison But the first use case he laid out did not involve whisking people to San Francisco International Airport. Instead, he talked up how Joby’s six-rotor eVTOL aircraft—which seats four passengers and a pilot, can hit 200 mph, and offers a maximum range of 150 miles on a charge—could replace the driving commute he endured from Mountain View to downtown San Francisco. “That trip that took me one and a half hours on a daily basis could maybe take 15 minutes if we don’t go on the road but we fly,” he said. Outside of the opening credits of Futurama, however, the idea of large numbers of people packing into air taxis to get to a crowded business district doesn’t scale. Plus, we already know how to upgrade a commute like that: not with expensive aircraft transporting a few people each but with fast and frequent train service. Like, for example, the quick, quiet electric-powered trains now plying Caltrain routes up and down the peninsula. Product-market fits Allison expanded on Joby’s plans for service to airports—destinations that already feature landing facilities and have traffic spread more evenly throughout the day—and its partnerships with Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and All Nippon Airways (ANA). Predicting passenger service in Dubai next year, Allison emphasized that Joby isn’t flying vaporware: “This is something that we are executing on.” In an interview after his presentation, he offered a more grounded version of Joby’s pitch for its S4 battery-electric air taxi. The company’s ambitions for its eVTOL do include speedy aerial commutes for the well-heeled, something Joby is already exploring via the Blade Air Mobility helicopter service it bought in August in a transaction valued at $125 million. In November, Blade announced the start of weekday helicopter commuting flights between Westchester County Airport and Manhattan at fares of $125 to $225 per ride. Allison said the company aims to beat those rates with its eVTOL service and instead roughly match Uber Black pricing on a per-seat basis. “We think there’s a ton of potential in most of the highly congested big cities, not just in the U.S. but around the world,” he said. Uber isn’t merely a comparison point but a partner; in 2021, Joby bought the ride-hail company’s Uber Elevate division while Uber deepened its investment in Joby from $50 million to $125 million and agreed to integrate Joby’s future services into its apps. Joby’s business model doesn’t assume software will replace a human pilot, although Allison allowed that “in the long run, we think autonomy plays a big role in this.” Competing costs But airport trips constitute the bulk of Joby’s pitch. On that front, Allison acknowledged that the company will have to compete with existing transit options. That’s a reality often left out of eVTOL pitches that pretend single-seat airport rides like Chicago’s CTA Blue Line to O’Hare, San Francisco’s BART to SFO, and Washington’s Metro to Dulles International Airport don’t already offer traffic-immune service between city centers and international airports at fares as low as $2.50. “We’re not looking to replace public transport,” Allison said. “We’re creating a new option that has unique features that you can’t get through any of the other modes.” First among them is speed, but there’s also the view that Blade passengers enjoy today: “You just get this fantastic view of the skyline as you’re flying down the river and swinging over to go to the airport,” Allison said. For what Blade charges—its site lists fares from $195 to $295 for flights from Manhattan to JFK—that view had better be exceptional. Uber, meanwhile, quoted about $145 for an Uber Black ride from midtown Manhattan to JFK and $100 for UberX early on the Tuesday afternoon of Thanksgiving week. Taking New York’s subway or the Long Island Rail Road to the AirTrain that links those transit systems to JFK (a two-seat itinerary less convenient and pricier than the airport-rail options in Chicago, D.C., or San Francisco) costs $11.40 to $15.50 for most riders. Infrastructure weaknesses Efficient eVTOL rides will demand a long series of sign-offs from local infrastructure operators and authorities. The easiest looks to be agreements with airports to streamline a passenger connection apart from the usual passenger entrances. Joby is working with Delta and other airline partners on that, Allison said. He added that Joby is assuming airport transfers will need time for travelers to clear security at their departing terminal. Its eVTOL, meanwhile, will need time for a quick, 10-minute battery charge. Joby will also need to build out vertiports for its aircraft across its target markets, which will be a lot more involved than clearing space for its operations at airports. A lawsuit the company filed against its rival Archer Aviation offered a peek at one part of that strategy: exclusive deals with property developers, one of which Joby alleges its former executive George Kivork disrupted by taking sensitive data about that deal to Archer. Archer denied the allegations in a statement from Eric Lentell, chief legal and strategy officer, that read, in part: “Joby alleges we used their trade secrets to win a ‘deal’ with a developer but the reality is that Archer has no deal with this developer and Mr. Kivork did not bring any Joby confidential information to Archer.” Joby, in turn, declined to comment beyond the details of its complaint, filed in Santa Cruz Superior Court on November 19. The regulatory road ahead Getting this far has not been cheap for Joby. On November 5, the firm reported a Q3 loss of $401 million, versus $144 million in the year-ago quarter, with $978 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Securing U.S. regulatory approval of its eVTOL will clear the company’s path to revenue service. On the day of its earnings release, it announced that it had begun powered-up testing of the first aircraft built to the final design that the Federal Aviation Administration will need to certify. Joby aims to have test flights, conducted by its own and FAA pilots, start later this year. Allison declined to predict when the FAA will issue a type certification for its eVTOL. The company is exploring ways to launch pre-commercial operations in Dubai ahead of that certification. In the U.S. it plans to apply for a new eVTOL pilot-operations program announced by the FAA in September—the latest in a series of moves by the air-safety agency to adapt its regulations for this new category of aircraft. But overall, Joby’s plans envisage FAA certification serving as a runway for flight-safety sign-offs elsewhere. In the U.S., any eVTOL firm will have to work with an air traffic control system that’s already under strain. Allison said that Joby’s simulations with the FAA show that its operations are doable “with minor tweaks to procedures today.” But after a year of air traffic control mishaps that include a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C.’s National Airport in January of this year, Joby shouldn’t assume a quick clearance for its service and would be wise to stick with a mindset that Allison defined as “crawl, walk, run.” Disclosure: I moderated three panels at Web Summit, in return for which the event’s organizers paid for my hotel and are reimbursing my airfare. View the full article

A baby and his family dog sit across from each other in a podcast studio. “Welcome to the talking baby podcast,” says the infant, wearing headphones and sounding like a deep-voiced radio broadcaster. “On today’s episode, we’ll be talking to the weird-looking person who lives at my house.” So begins a series of humorous interactions between two characters animated by artificial intelligence that’s attracted millions of views on social media. They’re a nod to the 1989 movie “Look Who’s Talking” but produced in a matter of hours and without a multimillion-dollar Hollywood budget. AI helped do all of that, but it didn’t craft the punch lines. It’s a relief to comedian Jon Lajoie, who made the videos, that AI chatbots just aren’t “inherently funny.” “It can’t write comedy,” said Lajoie. “It can’t do any of that.” For now, at least, they won’t take his job. Lajoie’s viral videos have gained him attention as an AI-adopting entertainer that’s he’s not entirely comfortable with as he grapples with what all this means for the future of his very human craft of making people laugh. King Willonius is not feeling so cautious. His first big hit was an AI-generated song called “BBL Drizzy” that made fun of rapper Drake during the height of his feud with Kendrick Lamar. He’s since moved into making AI video parodies like “I’m McLovin It (Popeye’s Diss Song)” and “I Want My Barrel Back (Cracker Barrel song).” “It’s very similar to somebody who’s writing for The Onion or SNL,” Willonius said. “I try to find out, OK, what’s my comedic angle on this particular topic? And then I’ll generate a video from that.” He starts with writing his own notes on an idea, then refines it with a chatbot, and puts that language — known as a prompt — into AI tools that can generate imagery, video, music and voices. The key, he says, is to keep iterating. But he wouldn’t just ask it for a joke — Willonius says most chatbot-generated comedy lacks the “nuances or complexities that it takes for jokes to really land.” A scholar of comedy, Michelle Robinson, said “a lot of the stuff that I’ve seen AI produce is corny as hell.” “It does seem fluent in the basic grammar of jokes, but sometimes they’re slightly off,” said Robinson, a professor of American studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “They may be moderately funny, but I think they’re really missing an important element of what makes us laugh.” What are they missing? She’s not totally sure, except that most good jokes are a little edgy or dangerous and chatbots can’t seem to calibrate “whatever provocation is in the joke to the moment that we’re living in.” Caleb Warren, a professor who studies marketing and consumer psychology at the University of Arizona, said that leaves comedy writers with an opportunity to make use of tools that can’t completely outsource their skills. “The ideas that are driving the humor are coming from the human comedian,” but the AI tools can help them execute and illustrate them, Warren said. Willonius was a struggling comedian and screenwriter who began experimenting with AI during Hollywood’s actor and writer strikes in 2023. “I leaned all the way into AI because I didn’t know what else to do with my free time,” he said. “I was doing everything I could to try to break into Hollywood. And once the writers’ strike happened, that kind of shut that down. I started to learn these AI tools and get really good at them and started to cultivate an audience.” While Willonius saw an opening, the rise of generative AI has stoked division and posed challenges to other professional comedians. Sarah Silverman joined book authors in suing leading chatbot makers, alleging they infringed the copyright of her “The Bedwetter” memoir. The daughter of the late Robin Williams called it “gross” and “maddening” when users of OpenAI’s AI video generator Sora conjured up realistic “deepfakes” of the beloved actor to churn out what she described as “horrible TikTok slop puppeteering.” “You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, overprocessed hot dogs out of the lives of human beings, out of the history of art and music, and then shoving them down someone else’s throat hoping they’ll give you a little thumbs-up and like it,” Zelda Williams wrote in October. And the estate of legendary comic George Carlin last year settled a lawsuit against podcasters who purportedly cloned his voice to make a fake hourslong comedy special. Comics have also relished mocking AI tools. A recent “South Park” episode called “Sora Not Sorry” had a bumbling police detective investigate a scourge of fake videos. Lajoie, known for his work on the TV series “The League” and comic songs on YouTube, tried to see what would happen if he asked ChatGPT to help craft a bizarre movie script idea. He said it gave him something “super boring” about “grandma’s dentures and a talking raccoon.” “That level of human creativity, it can’t mimic — yet — or at least maybe I’m not great at prompting,” he said. Instead, he found it useful to cheaply animate ideas he would otherwise never have pursued — such as the talking baby, birds wearing jeans, or a podcasting Jesus Christ interviewing an Easter Bunny who’s never heard of him. The prominent venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz invited Lajoie and Willonius to exhibit their video creations this fall at a new AI gallery space in Manhattan, part of a promotion of AI creativity tool startups that the firm invests in. Willonius obliged. Lajoie ended up bowing out, after an interview with The Associated Press in which he voiced doubts about what he described as AI’s “Napster phase.” The music-sharing website shuttered in the early 2000s after the record industry and rock band Metallica sued over copyright violations. The investment firm’s co-founder, Marc Andreessen, has been bullish about AI’s potential to bring new life into filmmaking and comedy. On a November podcast, he blamed Hollywood opposition to its adoption on “woke activists (who) have picked up AI as the new thing they’re going to agitate about.” He compared it to resistance to computer graphics in movies before they became commonplace. Lajoie said he shared his early AI video experiments with a few friends who are “anti-AI; real, real, anti-AI” and they were surprised by how well the sketches retained Lajoie’s own comedic voice. He insists he’s no AI expert, just “a creative person who can figure out how to make two characters talk to each other.” But even editing the sketches requires understanding comedic timing, and he has no interest in ceding that part to a machine. “The thing with comedy is it’s so related to performance, delivery and point of view,” Lajoie said. “Do AIs have a point of view? They can grab a few points of view from different people.” “And when it does have a point of view, I think that’s when we all should be afraid for all of the reasons that the Terminator has taught us,” he said. —Matt O’Brien, AP Technology Writer View the full article