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Independent mortgage bankers were in the black for each loan originated during the third quarter, as low rates brought an application surge in September. View the full article

National Public Radio will receive approximately $36 million in grant money to operate the nation’s public radio interconnection system under the terms of a court settlement with the federal government’s steward of funding for public broadcasting stations. The settlement, announced late Monday, partially resolves a legal dispute in which NPR accused the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of bowing to pressure from President Donald The President to cut off its funding. On March 25, The President said at a news conference that he would “love to” defund NPR and PBS because he believes they are biased in favor of Democrats. NPR accused the CPB of violating its First Amendment free speech rights when it moved to cut off its access to grant money appropriated by Congress. NPR also claims The President, a Republican, wants to punish it for the content of its journalism. On April 2, the CPB’s board initially approved a three-year, roughly $36 million extension of a grant for NPR to operate the “interconnection” satellite system for public radio. NPR has been operating and managing the Public Radio Satellite System since 1985. But the CPB reversed course under mounting pressure from the The President administration, according to NPR. The agency redirected federal interconnection funds away from NPR to an entity that didn’t exist and wasn’t statutorily authorized to receive it, NPR says. CPB attorneys denied that the agency retaliated against NPR to appease The President. They had argued that NPR’s claims are factually and legally meritless. On May 1, The President issued an executive order that called for federal agencies to stop funding for NPR and PBS. The settlement doesn’t end a lawsuit in which NPR seeks to block any implementation or enforcement of The President’s executive order. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss is scheduled to preside over another hearing for the case on Dec. 4. The settlement says NPR and CPB agree that the executive order is unconstitutional and that CPB won’t enforce it unless a court orders it to do so. Katherine Maher, NPR’s president and CEO, said the settlement is “a victory for editorial independence and a step toward upholding the First Amendment rights of NPR and the public media system.” Patricia Harrison, the corporation’s CEO, said in a statement that the settlement marks “an important moment for public media.” —Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press View the full article

No one likes to dwell on it, but bullying is a huge part of growing up, and this week the zeitgeist is saturated with it. Kids are using their cameras to pick on people in innovative ways, Tiktokers are parodying bullying in viral videos, and Instagram seems to be taking aim at cultural/political bullying (or bullying memers, depending on who you ask). Even God herself is bullying the poor Tripod fish. What is the "flip the camera" trend, and why is is making everyone mad?The "flip the camera" trend is a new and innovative form of bullying that works like this: A group of kids ask another kid to film them doing a dance or something. Then, while the video is being taken, one of them hits the "flip camera" button on the phone, so the videographer becomes the subject of the video. The resulting footage is posted on TikTok. When I heard about this, my reaction was, "ok, so what?" But when you dig a little deeper, you learn that it's not necessarily a harmless prank. The idea is not to have a laugh with your social equals, but to give the camera to a dork/dweeb/lamer/whatever, so you can make fun of them. This is the first video using this format, so you can see what I mean: While it can be done harmlessly, like these cheerleaders pranking their teacher: the videos where it's clearly being done to mock someone not in the "in group" are genuinely sad: We've made a lot of progress in society over the last few decades in convincing people that bullying is actually really bad, but young people will go to great lengths to do it anyway. The number of videos on the flipthecamera hashtag that are calling it out as bullying is encouraging, though. Viral video of the week: Disney bulliesThere is a yin to every yang, even online bullying. TikToker @MannytheMann1 is going viral for videos of his gang accosting strangers on a college campus, but he's employing the tactics of the bullies in Disney Channel TV shows—think backwards baseball caps, exaggerated swagger, and super cheesy dialogue—for comedic effect. The pranks are all in good fun, and maybe something of a commentary on the stupidity of both bullying and Disney Channel shows. It started with this scene: Manny's street improv has gotten more elaborate since, including dance battle challenges and a gang of toadies lining up to give the bully backup: This one has been viewed nearly 60 million times: What is a "potato bed"?There is no shortage of online opinions about the best ways to sleep. This week's trend is the potato bed. The idea is to make as cozy a sleep space as possible by stuffing as many pillows and blankets as you can into a fitted sheet, so you're surrounded (and kind of crushed by) them. Here's a video that illustrates how it works: It would be easy to write this off as the flash-in-the-pan trend it probably is, but this, and the popularity of weighted blankets, could also indicate that Gen-Z is the first generation of young people to ever take "you should get more sleep" advice seriously. It also feels like a rebuke to the "24/7 grindset" mentality that was in vogue a few years ago. Or it could just be that winter is starting, and everyone wants to be cozy. TikTok's Tripod fish obsessionThe internet loves tragic animals, and a lot of people on social media have become obsessed with the Tripod fish, an animal that may have the most tragic existence of any creature on earth. Fans and well-wishers are posting odes like this: and videos like this: Sometimes they are moved to tears by the fishes' plight. So what's so bad about the Tripod fish's life? Basically everything. Tripod fish (Bathypterois grallator) hatch from eggs and spend their early lives swimming about and trying to avoid predators in the only way they can—by going totally limp and hoping they're mistaken for a piece of a jellyfish and left alone. If they live long enough, their eyes begin to melt, and long bony protrusions grow from their fins. No longer able to see or swim normally, the Tripod fish sinks. When it reaches the bottom (sometimes as deep as 4,000 meters), its bony spikes stick into the mud. Nearly immobile and nearly blind at the very bottom of the sea, the tripod fish waits. If some food happens to swim by or drift down, it can direct currents of water towards its mouth, and maybe get something to eat. If not, it starves. Its only companions are parasites that feed on its blood, essentially stealing most of the food it's lucky enough to catch. Tripod fish don't even get to mate with other tripod fish. Instead, the hermaphroditic sea animal releases a mixture of eggs and sperm into the cold water. If it's lucky, another tripod fish's genetic stew mingles with it and eggs are fertilized. If its unlucky, it fertilizes its own eggs. So maybe your life isn't that bad, eh? Instagram is targeting meme aggregatorsI'm old enough to remember a pre-meme internet where people were expected to post things they made themselves, or at least credited the people they took from. Instagram seems to want to take us back to those days: The social media platform has started flagging meme pages for being duplicated content, essentially declaring war on shit-posting. On Nov. 7, many Instagram users who posted non-original content—essentially meme farms that exist just to repost vast amounts of anything remotely interesting—received a notification that read, "Content you recently shared may not be original" with a list of posts that violated the duplicated content rule and a suggestion to delete them, lest penalties like post-limiting or shadow-banning result. This policy essentially outlaws sharing memes, a puzzling decision for a social media platform—people like sharing memes. Many feel the target of the warning is a specific kind of meme: The notices were sent just as the popularity of Charlie Kirk face-swap memes (i.e. people sharing images of just about anything with Kirk's face on it) were becoming popular While Kirkification seems to be an absurdist thing more than something actually meant to be political, it's likely upsetting to some, and that could be driving Instagram's decision. Or maybe the company just wants people to make their own content. View the full article

Advancement comes after Donald The President changed tack to support more disclosures relating to late sex offenderView the full article

As we head into the holiday season, toys with generative AI chatbots in them may start appearing on Christmas lists. A concerning report found one innocent-looking AI teddy bear gave instructions on how to light matches, where to find knives, and even explained sexual kinks to children. Consumer watchdogs at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) tested some AI toys for its 40th annual Trouble in Toyland report and found them to exhibit extremely disturbing behaviors. With only minimal prompting, the AI toys waded into subjects many parents would find unsettling, from religion to sex. One toy in particular stood out as the most concerning. FoloToy’s AI teddy bear Kumma, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, the same model that once powered ChatGPT, repeatedly dropped its guardrails the longer a conversation went on. “Kumma told us where to find a variety of potentially dangerous objects, including knives, pills, matches, and plastic bags,” PIRG, which has been testing toys for hazards since the 1980s, wrote in its report. In other tests, Kumma offered advice on “how to be a good kisser” and veered into overtly sexual topics, breaking down various kinks and even posing the wildly inappropriate question: “What do you think would be the most fun to explore? Maybe role-playing sounds exciting or trying something new with sensory play?” Following the report’s release, FoloToy pulled the implicated bear. Now, it has confirmed it is pulling all of its products. On Friday, OpenAI also confirmed that it had cut off FoloToy’s access to its AI models. FoloToy told PIRG: “[F]ollowing the concerns raised in your report, we have temporarily suspended sales of all FoloToy products” The company also added that it is “carrying out a company-wide, end-to-end safety audit across all products.” Report coauthor RJ Cross, director of PIRG’s Our Online Life Program, praised the efforts but made it clear far more needs to be done before AI toys become a safe childhood staple. “It’s great to see these companies taking action on problems we’ve identified. But AI toys are still practically unregulated, and there are plenty you can still buy today,” Cross said in a statement. “Removing one problematic product from the market is a good step, but far from a systemic fix.” These AI toys are marketed to children as young as three, but they run on the same large language model technology behind adult chatbots — the very systems companies like OpenAI say aren’t meant for children. Earlier this year, OpenAI shared the news of a partnership with Mattel to integrate AI into some of its iconic brands such as Barbie and Hot Wheels, a sign that not even children’s toys are exempt from the AI takeover. “Other toymakers say they incorporate chatbots from OpenAI or other leading AI companies,” said Rory Erlich, U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s New Economy campaign associate and report co-author. “Every company involved must do a better job of making sure that these products are safer than what we found in our testing. We found one troubling example. How many others are still out there?” View the full article

Members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma must pay billions of dollars to settle a flood of lawsuits over the harms of opioids, under a new deal that was formally approved by a federal bankruptcy judge on Tuesday. The Sackler family must contribute up to $7 billion over 15 years. Most of the money is to go to government entities to fight the opioid crisis, which has been linked to 900,000 deaths in the U.S. since 1999. Thousands of victims of the opioid epidemic could be paid thousands of dollars each, with a portion of the money distributed next year to some people who had OxyContin prescriptions and their survivors. “This plan is not perfect,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane said as he laid out his reasoning for approving the settlements. “The court wishes it could do more to ease the suffering of the opioid crisis.” But he said it’s fair, equitable, in the best interest of the parties involved and had overwhelming support of most of the groups who had claims against Purdue. The new agreement replaces one the U.S. Supreme Court rejected last year, finding it would have improperly protected members of the family against future lawsuits. Under the current agreement, entities that do not opt into the payments can still sue members of the family. The deal, which the judge said he would accept last week, is among the largest in a series of opioid settlements brought by state and local governments against drugmakers, wholesalers, and pharmacies that totaled about $50 billion. Why the judge said he approved the deal Lane said the deal maximizes the settlement’s value and came from years of investigations, mediation and negotiations. He also said that an alternative to the settlement — suing Sackler family members — instead of accepting the deal would take years “and success is not ensured,” in part because the family has consistently said they would fight claims against them. He also noted it could be hard to collect if the family lost lawsuits. Much of their assets are in off-shore trusts. Lane said that the states and individuals can get more than they would have if Purdue had been liquidated instead. In that case, he said, there would have been only $3.4 billion available — and $2 billion of that would have gone to the federal government as part of a criminal plea deal the company entered. Under that agreement, most of the federal penalties were to be waived if a broader settlement could be reached. Money will go to governments and some individuals Sackler family members were collectively paid more than $10 billion by Purdue in the decade before they stopped involvement with the company in 2018 and used about half of that for taxes. They’ve agreed to pay up to $7 billion over 15 years, providing most of the cash involved in the settlement. The funds distributed to state, local and Native Americans is to be used mostly to address the opioid crisis, as has been the case with other opioid settlements. About $850 million of that is to go to individual victims, including children born with opioid withdrawal. People with addiction and survivors of those who died must prove they were prescribed OxyContin to participate. They could provide medical records or photos of prescription bottle labels — although many people don’t have such things dating back decades. Those who do prove it could get payments of around $8,000 or around $16,000, depending on how long they received the drug and how many other people qualify. The money for individual victims is to be distributed next year. Not only money is at stake Members of the Sackler family are agreeing to give up ownership of Purdue. For them, that won’t be a major change since no family member has served on Purdue’s board or received money from the company since 2018. The plan calls for Purdue to be replaced with a new company, Knoa Pharma, to be controlled by a board appointed by states and with a mission of benefiting the public. Sackler family members are also agreeing not to have their name put on institutions in exchange for contributions — something they’ve done often in the past, although many institutions have cut ties with them. The company has also agreed to make public a trove of internal documents that could shed additional light into how the company promoted and monitored opioids. One feature that won’t be repeated under this new deal that was in a previous one: forcing members of the Sackler family to hear directly from people harmed by OxyContin. A long legal saga could be wrapping up Purdue filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019 when it was facing thousands of opioid-related lawsuits from state and local governments and others. A judge approved a settlement two years later. But the U.S. Supreme Court later rejected that plan because it gave members of the Sackler family protection from lawsuits over opioids even though they were not personally declaring bankruptcy. The latest plan allows lawsuits against Sackler family members by those who don’t opt into the deal. That change was a key to getting the new version approved in the aftermath of the high court’s ruling. This time, few parties objected to the settlement, although some people who represented themselves and who were addicted to opioids — or had loved ones who were — raised concerns during the three-day confirmation hearing last week. One of those self-represented people told Lane during the virtual hearing Tuesday that she planned to appeal. —Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press View the full article

Like clockwork, 5 p.m. on a Sunday, flashes of unread emails and notifications for tomorrow’s upcoming meetings start. Your shoulders tense, your stomach knots. You have a case of the Sunday scaries. This unsettling feeling is a form of anticipatory anxiety that creeps in as the weekend draws to a close and Monday looms with the responsibilities of the week ahead. If you can relate, you’re not alone: New data suggests the vast majority of workers experience this anxiety, and it also suggests some workers feel it worse than others. Adobe Acrobat surveyed over 1,000 full-time employees and found 82% experience this sense of anxiety before the workweek even begins. For Gen Z respondents, that number creeps up to 94%. It also affects women more often than men. For 31%, the Sunday scaries start before 5 p.m. even hits. That’s despite the fact that those affected spend 72 hours annually working on weekends to get ahead on the demands of the workweek. The scaries are set off by all types of reasons. Looming layoffs or signs of economic uncertainty can lead workers to feel anxious about the near future. Burnout is the main culprit for 55% of respondents, followed by high workloads (50%), project deadlines (33%) and toxic work environments (31%). Even admin-related tasks can add to the sense of dread, with organizing digital files or chasing down signatures mentioned by one in 15 respondents as triggers. The Sunday scaries can affect anyone, but some suffer worse than others, Adobe says: Remote workers, for example, report getting the scaries just a few times per year. Those back in the office report getting them once or twice a month. More than half of Fortune 100 companies now have a full-time office requirement, and research shows nearly 3 in 10 companies will demand five days a week in the office by the end of 2025. While 27% of those surveyed say their Sunday scaries have grown more intense over the past year, onsite workers are 47% more likely than remote workers to say their prework anxiety worsened over that time period. Given the gap, it’s unsurprising workers are willing to quit their jobs for more flexible work, with 17% quitting in the past year because of changes to their working arrangements. It’s not just a feeling. For 35% of those surveyed it manifests physically in headaches, tension, and fatigue, and 42% even lose sleep. It also impacts employers with nearly half respondents (46%) reporting that their Sunday scaries lead to a lack of motivation at a time where employees are already disengaged at work. Anxiety is a normal human emotion. A big week at work or an upcoming important presentation is likely to trigger some feelings of anxiety. But if you spend every Sunday dreading the week ahead, it might require investigating further. View the full article

AI can do your taxes now—sort of. The tax software giant Intuit just struck a new deal with OpenAI that will weave AI deeply into its portfolio of financial apps, including the ones many Americans use to file their taxes. In the multiyear deal, Intuit will pay ChatGPT maker OpenAI more than $100 million annually to implement its artificial intelligence models across products like TurboTax, personal finance manager Credit Karma, email marketing platform Mailchimp, and the accounting tool QuickBooks. Through the partnership, Intuit’s products will also become accessible directly through ChatGPT—the latest lucrative business integration for OpenAI. “We are taking a massive step forward to fuel financial success for consumers and businesses, unlocking growth for both companies,” Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi said. “Our partnership combines the power of Intuit’s proprietary financial data, credit models, and AI platform capabilities with OpenAI’s scale and frontier models to give users the financial advantage they need to prosper.” Intuit owns a big swath of the financial software market, and all of those apps will be popping up in ChatGPT soon to steer users toward personalized recommendations for credit cards and loans and to answer their tax and personal finance questions. Intuit has been gravitating toward AI for a while now. Late last year, the company introduced AI-powered features into QuickBooks, inviting its users to automate rote, time-consuming tasks like sending invoices. Intuit insisted that it was being intentional about its implementation of AI, particularly given the rush for every business to boast about its AI capabilities. “The idea is not to just have random sprinkles of AI across the product,” Dave Talach, Intuit senior vice president of the QuickBooks platform, told Fast Company at the time. “We’ve been thoughtful about approaching AI, not just for the sake of AI, but we want it to show up in a cohesive way in the product that is coherent to the customer.” In June, QuickBooks released a set of AI agents for QuickBooks designed to get familiar with a company’s business and operations, taking over tasks to speed up bookkeeping and accounting. At the time, CEO Goodarzi emphasized that the company moved deliberately in building out its AI because it knows that missteps and inaccuracies are high stakes for the financial tools its customers rely on. “If it screws up, it’s a big problem,” he told Fast Company. ChatGPT is a platform now OpenAI’s new partnership with Intuit is the latest third-party integration for ChatGPT, but it’s far from the first. In late September, OpenAI took what it called “first steps toward agentic commerce” with integrations for Shopify and Etsy, and went on to ink a deal with PayPal last month. OpenAI also just introduced a developer kit that would open its hit chatbot platform to third-party apps—a major shift for the chatbot that stands to remake the way that its 700 million-plus weekly users find and do things online. ChatGPT’s first wave of apps included Zillow, Spotify, Canva, and Expedia, with apps from DoorDash, Peloton, Uber, and Target in the works. OpenAI’s recent moves point to the company’s vision of ChatGPT as an all-encompassing hub of utility that gives internet users little reason to go elsewhere. Those decisions coincide with OpenAI’s seismic shift away from its complex nonprofit roots into a more traditional for-profit company, although it technically will still remain under the wing of a nonprofit. “We want to be able to operate and get resources in such a way that we can make our services broadly available to all of humanity, which currently requires hundreds of billions of dollars and may eventually require trillions of dollars,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a letter about the decision to change the company’s structure. “We believe this is the best way for us to fulfill our mission and to get people to create massive benefits for each other with these new tools.” View the full article

In a significant move aimed at modernizing payout systems for creators and gig workers, Visa has unveiled a pilot program that allows businesses to deliver funds directly to stablecoin wallets. This innovation promises to streamline financial transactions, providing faster access to funds for freelancers and small business owners alike, especially those operating in volatile markets or regions with limited banking infrastructure. Visa’s Direct Stablecoin Payouts pilot, announced at the Web Summit, enables businesses to fund payouts in fiat currency. Recipients can then receive these funds in USD-backed stablecoins like USD Coin (USDC). Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions at Visa, emphasized the initiative’s focus: “Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes – not days – for anyone, anywhere in the world.” For small business owners, the advantages of this system are manifold. The ability to send payouts nearly instantly means that cash flow can be managed more effectively. For creators, such as digital artists and freelance writers, this could be a game-changer, as they often face delays in receiving payment through traditional banking systems. Research from Visa indicates that speed is critical for creators: 57% reported that immediate access to funds motivates their choice of digital payment methods. With this pilot, small businesses can cater to this demand by leveraging the Visa Direct platform to pay their contractors and partners quickly and transparently. The pilot program introduces a new level of convenience. By utilizing stablecoins, small businesses can ensure that their payments maintain a consistent value despite the fluctuations of traditional currencies. This predictability is crucial for financial planning, especially for those operating internationally or dealing with clients in different monetary zones. Moreover, the blockchain technology underlying stablecoin transactions offers increased transparency. Each transaction is logged permanently, providing an auditable trail that benefits both recipients and businesses. This feature addresses compliance concerns and can simplify record-keeping for audits. This pilot is not without its potential challenges. While it opens new doors, small business owners should consider factors such as regulatory hurdles surrounding stablecoins. The pilot will initially be available to select partners, with a broader rollout planned for the second half of 2026. Business owners interested in participating should keep abreast of evolving regulations and consider whether they can meet KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks required for stablecoin transactions. Additionally, the need for compatible wallets is paramount. Small business owners must ensure that their employees or partners have access to wallets that support stablecoins like USDC, which could pose a barrier for some parties who are less technologically savvy. As Visa continues to enhance its digital payment solutions, it remains committed to bridging the future of money movement with innovative offerings. Newkirk highlighted the broader implications: “Whether it’s a creator building a digital brand, a business reaching new global markets, or a freelancer working across borders, everyone benefits from faster, more flexible money movement.” For small businesses looking to expand their financial solutions, this pilot represents an opportunity to increase operational efficiency and meet the needs of a diverse workforce. The combination of speed, reliability, and transparency in transactions can significantly enhance the working relationship with contractors and clients in today’s fast-paced digital economy. As Visa rolls out this program, small business owners will need to thoughtfully assess how adopting stablecoin payouts could fit within their existing payment workflows and what steps they need to take to ensure a smooth transition. Adapting to new financial technologies is no small feat, but those who embrace it could find themselves at the forefront of the evolving landscape of digital payments. For more detailed information about the pilot, you can read the official announcement from Visa here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Visa Launches Pilot for Instant Stablecoin Payouts to Gig Workers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a significant move aimed at modernizing payout systems for creators and gig workers, Visa has unveiled a pilot program that allows businesses to deliver funds directly to stablecoin wallets. This innovation promises to streamline financial transactions, providing faster access to funds for freelancers and small business owners alike, especially those operating in volatile markets or regions with limited banking infrastructure. Visa’s Direct Stablecoin Payouts pilot, announced at the Web Summit, enables businesses to fund payouts in fiat currency. Recipients can then receive these funds in USD-backed stablecoins like USD Coin (USDC). Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions at Visa, emphasized the initiative’s focus: “Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes – not days – for anyone, anywhere in the world.” For small business owners, the advantages of this system are manifold. The ability to send payouts nearly instantly means that cash flow can be managed more effectively. For creators, such as digital artists and freelance writers, this could be a game-changer, as they often face delays in receiving payment through traditional banking systems. Research from Visa indicates that speed is critical for creators: 57% reported that immediate access to funds motivates their choice of digital payment methods. With this pilot, small businesses can cater to this demand by leveraging the Visa Direct platform to pay their contractors and partners quickly and transparently. The pilot program introduces a new level of convenience. By utilizing stablecoins, small businesses can ensure that their payments maintain a consistent value despite the fluctuations of traditional currencies. This predictability is crucial for financial planning, especially for those operating internationally or dealing with clients in different monetary zones. Moreover, the blockchain technology underlying stablecoin transactions offers increased transparency. Each transaction is logged permanently, providing an auditable trail that benefits both recipients and businesses. This feature addresses compliance concerns and can simplify record-keeping for audits. This pilot is not without its potential challenges. While it opens new doors, small business owners should consider factors such as regulatory hurdles surrounding stablecoins. The pilot will initially be available to select partners, with a broader rollout planned for the second half of 2026. Business owners interested in participating should keep abreast of evolving regulations and consider whether they can meet KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks required for stablecoin transactions. Additionally, the need for compatible wallets is paramount. Small business owners must ensure that their employees or partners have access to wallets that support stablecoins like USDC, which could pose a barrier for some parties who are less technologically savvy. As Visa continues to enhance its digital payment solutions, it remains committed to bridging the future of money movement with innovative offerings. Newkirk highlighted the broader implications: “Whether it’s a creator building a digital brand, a business reaching new global markets, or a freelancer working across borders, everyone benefits from faster, more flexible money movement.” For small businesses looking to expand their financial solutions, this pilot represents an opportunity to increase operational efficiency and meet the needs of a diverse workforce. The combination of speed, reliability, and transparency in transactions can significantly enhance the working relationship with contractors and clients in today’s fast-paced digital economy. As Visa rolls out this program, small business owners will need to thoughtfully assess how adopting stablecoin payouts could fit within their existing payment workflows and what steps they need to take to ensure a smooth transition. Adapting to new financial technologies is no small feat, but those who embrace it could find themselves at the forefront of the evolving landscape of digital payments. For more detailed information about the pilot, you can read the official announcement from Visa here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Visa Launches Pilot for Instant Stablecoin Payouts to Gig Workers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google is bringing back its free year of Google AI Pro for U.S. college students, after releasing its new Gemini 3 Pro AI model today. Because so many of the new model's biggest features are hidden behind paywalls, it's not a bad deal, even if it's not the first time Google's done this. The deal follows similar promotions from April and August, although the most recent one ended in October. That this offer is coming so soon after the last one means Google might plan to keep rolling out these trials on a regular basis. How to claim your free year of Google AI Pro as a U.S. college studentTo get your free year of Google AI Pro, first head over to gemini.google/students and click Get Offer. You'll then need to log into your personal Google account, where you'll be prompted to verify your student status using SheerID. After that, Google says it should be a pretty straightforward signup flow, although being over a decade out of college by now, I'm not able to test it personally. Note that you will need to provide a form of payment, and that if you don't cancel the plan by the time the trail is over, your subscription will renew using your provided payment method. You also only have until January 31, 2026 to sign up for the trail. The most likely error you're likely to run into is if your college isn't supported by the trial, which is handled by SheerID. Neither Google nor SheerID are being upfront about which institutions are and aren't supported, but Google says that if you run into issues, you can contact customerservice@sheerid.com or go to the SheerID help center. You also have to be older than 18, which means some freshman might have trouble signing up, and you cannot be on a supervised Google Account, or currently have a Google One subscription through either family sharing or a third party affiliate. Google says you can cancel an existing paid AI Pro plan to swap it for the trial, but you can't try to subscribe using the trial while applying a discount from buying a Pixel phone (which would theoretically apply after the free period ends). There's also some conflicting communication online. The current offer terms state you must "be a resident of the United States," although the current help page for the trial still refers to previous offers, which were offered to other regions as well. I've reached out to Google for clarification, but for now, I would assume the offer only applies to those in the U.S. and expires on January 31, given the information in the Gemini 3 Pro press release. I've also reached out to Google about whether students who've already claimed the free year-long trial can extend their offer time by signing up for the new one, as while the help page mentions that "new and existing Google one members," are eligible, it's unclear whether those already on a free trial count as proper subscribers. I'd guess the answer is probably no, but I'll let you know if Google tells me otherwise. What you get with your free year of Google AI ProYour free year of Google AI Pro comes with a free year of Google One Premium, too, which means it's got some benefits for you even if you're skeptical about AI. For AI users, Google AI Pro offers the following: Higher usage limits for deep research and recent models like Gemini 3 Pro Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 3 Pro in AI Mode Video generation with Veo 3.1 Fast and higher access to Google Flow and image-to-video generation in Veo 3. More remix generations and Veo 3 photo-to-video generations in Google photos 1,000 monthly AI credits Increased NotebookLM access Higher limits in coding tools including Jules, Gemini Code Assist, Gemini CLI Google Home Premium with Gemini features and 30 days of event history For everyone else, you'll still get 2TB of free cloud storage through Google One, which should be handy for all those assignments. Normally, when signing up for a Google One Premium Plan, you also have the option to bundle a YouTube Premium individual plan for a 14% discount, although it's unclear to me whether that's included in the trial, so I've also reached out to Google for clarity on this. And that's it! Personally, I wouldn't see myself using most of those AI features, but the 2TB of cloud storage is good enough that it's probably worth signing up for the trial just for that. Just remember to either be ready to pay the $20/month price once your year is up, or cancel before then. If you're looking for an alternate cloud storage provider once your trail is over, check out this list of the best free and paid cloud storage services for your options. View the full article

Meta has prevailed over an existential challenge to its business that could have forced the tech giant to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp after a judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued his ruling Tuesday after the historic antitrust trial wrapped up in late May. His decision follows two separate rulings that branded Google an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising, dealing yet another regulatory blow to the tech industry that for years enjoyed nearly unbridled growth. The Federal Trade Commission “continues to insist that Meta competes with the same old rivals it has for the last decade, that the company holds a monopoly among that small set, and that it maintained that monopoly through anticompetitive acquisitions,” Boasberg wrote in his ruling. “Whether or not Meta enjoyed monopoly power in the past, though, the agency must show that it continues to hold such power now. The Court’s verdict today determines that the FTC has not done so.” Meta, the FTC had argued, has maintained a monopoly by pursuing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s strategy, “expressed in 2008: ‘It is better to buy than compete.’ True to that maxim, Facebook has systematically tracked potential rivals and acquired companies that it viewed as serious competitive threats.” During his April testimony, Zuckerberg pushed back against the FTC’s contention that Facebook bought Instagram to neutralize a threat. In his line of questioning, FTC attorney Daniel Matheson repeatedly brought up emails — many of them more than a decade old — written by Zuckerberg and his associates before and after the acquisition of Instagram. While acknowledging the documents, Zuckerberg has often sought to downplay the contents, saying he wrote them in the early stages of considering the acquisition and that what he wrote at the time didn’t capture the full scope of his interest in the company. The FTC’s complaint said Facebook also enacted policies designed to make it difficult for smaller rivals to enter the market and “neutralize perceived competitive threats,” just as the world shifted its attention to mobile devices from desktop computers. The social media landscape has changed so much since the FTC filed its lawsuit in 2020, Boasberg wrote, that each time the court examined Meta’s apps and competition, they changed. Two opinions to dismiss the case — filed in 2021 and 2022 — didn’t even mention popular social video platform TikTok. Today, it “holds center stage as Meta’s fiercest rival.” Quoting the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “that no man can ever step into the same river twice,” Boasberg said the same is true for the online world of social media as well. “The landscape that existed only five years ago when the Federal Trade Commission brought this antitrust suit has changed markedly. While it once might have made sense to partition apps into separate markets of social networking and social media, that wall has since broken down,” he wrote. Facebook bought Instagram — then a scrappy photo-sharing app with no ads and a small cult following — in 2012. The $1 billion cash and stock purchase price was eye-popping at the time, though the deal’s value fell to $750 million after Facebook’s stock price dipped following its initial public offering in May 2012. Instagram was the first company Facebook bought and kept running as a separate app. Up until then, Facebook was known for smaller “acqui-hires” — a type of popular Silicon Valley deal in which a company purchases a startup as a way to hire its talented workers, then shuts the acquired company down. Two years later, it did it again with the messaging app WhatsApp, which it purchased for $22 billion. WhatsApp and Instagram helped Facebook move its business from desktop computers to mobile devices, and to remain popular with younger generations as rivals like Snapchat (which it also tried, but failed, to buy) and TikTok emerged. However, the FTC has a narrow definition of Meta’s competitive market, excluding companies like TikTok, YouTube and Apple’s messaging service from being considered rivals to Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta did not immediately respond to a message for comment. —Barbara Ortutay, AP technology writer View the full article

Continuing claims, a proxy for the number of people receiving benefits, came in at 1.957 million, up slightly from 1.947 million in the prior week. View the full article

Social media content pillars are crucial themes that shape your brand’s messaging strategy. They guarantee that your content aligns with both your values and your audience’s interests. By defining 3-5 key pillars, you can maintain focus, avoid content fatigue, and promote a balanced mix of variety and consistency. Comprehending how to create and implement these pillars can greatly improve your engagement levels and strengthen your brand narrative. But how do you align these pillars with your business goals? Key Takeaways Social media content pillars are key themes that guide structured messaging, aligning content with brand values and audience interests. Establishing 3-5 pillars prevents content burnout while balancing variety and consistency in social media strategies. Content pillars streamline creation, enhance team collaboration, and foster a consistent narrative across all platforms. Regularly measuring engagement metrics helps evaluate the effectiveness of content pillars and refine strategies for better audience interaction. Utilizing content pillars can lead to higher engagement rates, driving community interaction and strengthening brand presence online. Understanding Social Media Content Pillars During traversing the vast terrain of social media, comprehending content pillars is essential for effective brand communication. Social media content pillars serve as key themes or overarching topics that help you structure your messaging. By establishing 3-5 content pillars, you can maintain focus as you provide variety, which prevents content burnout and boosts audience engagement. Content pillar examples might include educational posts, behind-the-scenes insights, or customer testimonials. Implementing a pillar content strategy simplifies the content creation process, allowing for better planning and collaboration among your team. Aligning your content with specific pillars not just meets audience expectations but also encourages a consistent brand narrative, in the end enhancing trust and loyalty over time. The Importance of Content Pillars in Social Media Strategy Content pillars are fundamental to any effective social media strategy, as they guarantee your messaging aligns with both your brand values and your audience’s interests. By categorizing your content into specific themes, you can streamline your creation process, reducing burnout and allowing for focused, meaningful posts. Utilizing 3-5 content pillars helps maintain a balance between variety and consistency, preventing overwhelm for both your strategy and your audience. This approach improves engagement by clearly communicating what followers can expect, nurturing trust through relevant content that meets their needs. Additionally, regularly tracking the performance of your content pillars allows you to identify successful patterns and areas for improvement, ensuring your social media presence continues to evolve effectively. How to Create Effective Content Pillars To create effective content pillars, you need to start by defining core themes that resonate with your audience’s interests and pain points. Aligning these themes with what your customers care about guarantees your content remains relevant and engaging. Finally, mapping each pillar to specific content formats and social media channels enables you to leverage the strengths of each platform for better audience engagement. Define Core Themes Creating effective content pillars is essential for guiding your social media strategy, as they serve as the backbone of your messaging. Start by defining core themes that resonate with your brand values, aiming for 3 to 5 key themes. Conduct an audience analysis to understand their demographics, preferences, and pain points; this insight helps tailor your pillars effectively. Next, perform a social media audit to review existing content, identifying successful themes and gaps. Each pillar should have a clear purpose linked to broader marketing goals, such as increasing brand awareness or enhancing audience engagement. Finally, use a content calendar to organize and schedule posts, ensuring you deliver consistent and varied content that keeps your audience engaged without redundancy. Align With Audience Interests How can you guarantee your content pillars resonate with your audience? Start by conducting thorough audience research to uncover their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This guarantees your content aligns with their interests. Utilize social listening tools to monitor trending topics and conversations, refining your pillars accordingly. Develop 3-5 core themes that reflect your brand values during addressing your audience’s specific needs, creating a focused yet diverse strategy. Regularly analyze competitors’ content performance to identify gaps and opportunities, keeping your pillars relevant. Finally, test and iterate based on audience feedback and engagement metrics, allowing for continuous adaptation and improvement of your content strategy over time. This systematic approach will help you create effective content pillars that truly resonate. Map Content Formats Mapping content formats is essential for aligning your content pillars with the most effective delivery methods. By matching each pillar to suitable formats like videos, infographics, or blog posts, you can engage diverse audience preferences. Each content pillar needs a clear purpose, guiding you to choose the right types, such as tutorials for educational pillars and product showcases for promotional ones. Utilizing templates can streamline your process, creating consistent messaging during remaining adaptable. Regularly evaluating performance reveals which formats resonate best, allowing for continuous improvement. Diversifying formats within each pillar nurtures creativity and keeps your audience engaged. Content Pillar Format Type Purpose Educational Tutorials Teach and inform Promotional Product Showcases Highlight offerings Inspirational Quotes Motivate and uplift Entertaining Memes Engage and amuse Informative Blog Posts Provide in-depth insights Examples of Content Pillars Across Different Industries Even though each industry may tailor its content pillars to meet specific audience needs, there are some common themes that emerge across various sectors. In the fashion industry, you’ll often see product showcases and sustainability initiatives. The travel sector highlights destination features and guest testimonials to attract bookings. Healthcare focuses on health tips and patient stories, cultivating trust with audiences. In food and beverage, menu highlights and behind-the-scenes content drive foot traffic, whereas e-commerce brands leverage product highlights and customer reviews to engage shoppers. Aligning Content Pillars With Business Goals To effectively drive business success, aligning your content pillars with your overall objectives is vital. Each piece of content should contribute to your overarching goals, such as brand awareness or sales growth. Here are four key strategies to take into account: Define Purpose: Clearly outline the intent behind each content pillar to create resonating messages. Maintain Consistency: Keep a coherent narrative across platforms to strengthen your brand identity and customer loyalty. Link to KPIs: Tailor content to specific performance indicators, such as using educational content to boost website traffic. Regularly Review: Adjust your pillars based on any shifts in business strategy to guarantee ongoing relevance and effectiveness. Measuring the Impact of Content Pillars on Engagement To measure the impact of your content pillars on engagement, start by reviewing key engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments. These statistics provide valuable insights into how well your content resonates with your audience. Engagement Metrics Overview Comprehending engagement metrics is crucial for evaluating how well your content pillars resonate with your audience. By measuring engagement, you can assess the effectiveness of your content strategies. Here are four key engagement metrics to focus on: Likes: Indicate general approval and interest in your content. Shares: Show how often your audience values your content enough to share it with others. Comments: Reflect direct audience interaction and feedback, revealing deeper insights into preferences. Saves: Highlight content that your audience finds useful, encouraging future visits. Tracking these metrics over time lets you identify which pillars engage your audience most. Analyzing Content Performance Analyzing content performance is crucial for grasping how effectively your content pillars engage your audience. By examining metrics like engagement rates, click-through rates, and audience growth, you can gain insights into each pillar’s resonance with your target demographic. Regular reviews, ideally every month, allow you to pinpoint successful strategies and identify areas needing improvement. High-performing content pillars can drive community interaction, with specific themes achieving up to 30% higher engagement. Utilizing analytics tools enables you to track key performance indicators and visualize growth trends, making data-driven decisions easier. Furthermore, engaging in social listening and analyzing audience feedback can deepen your awareness of content effectiveness, helping you tailor your messaging to better meet audience preferences and improve overall engagement. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Content Pillars and Why Are They Important? Content pillars are strategic themes that help you organize your social media content. They’re important as they provide a clear framework, ensuring your posts align with your brand values and audience interests. What Are the 5 Pillars of Social Media? The five pillars of social media content include educational, inspirational, promotional, community-building, and behind-the-scenes content. Educational content shares valuable insights and tips, building your authority. Inspirational posts nurture connections by highlighting success stories. Promotional content informs your audience about new offerings, blending sales with value. Community-building encourages interaction and feedback, strengthening relationships with your followers. Finally, behind-the-scenes content provides transparency, helping your audience feel more connected to your brand and its values. What Are the 4 Pillars of Content? The four pillars of content are Educational, Inspirational, Promotional, and Community-Building. Educational content delivers valuable insights, establishing your authority and trust. Inspirational content connects emotionally through real stories and achievements, making your brand relatable. Promotional content effectively highlights new offerings, blending information with value. Finally, Community-Building content encourages interaction and dialogue, creating a sense of belonging among your audience. Each pillar plays an essential role in engaging and retaining your audience effectively. What Are the Three Pillars of Social Media? The three pillars of social media are educational, inspirational, and promotional content. Educational content shares valuable information, like tips and tutorials, establishing your brand as an authority. Inspirational content connects with your audience emotionally through authentic stories and successes, nurturing community. Promotional content highlights your offerings, balancing sales with insights to keep your audience engaged. Together, these pillars create a thorough strategy that improves engagement and strengthens brand loyalty among your followers. Conclusion In summary, social media content pillars are crucial for creating a structured and effective content strategy. By defining clear themes, you can align your messaging with both brand values and audience interests, leading to greater engagement. Developing these pillars helps streamline content creation and maintain consistency, in the end promoting a cohesive brand narrative. As you implement and measure their impact, you’ll find that well-defined content pillars can greatly improve your social media presence and drive community interaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Are Social Media Content Pillars and Why Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Social media content pillars are crucial themes that shape your brand’s messaging strategy. They guarantee that your content aligns with both your values and your audience’s interests. By defining 3-5 key pillars, you can maintain focus, avoid content fatigue, and promote a balanced mix of variety and consistency. Comprehending how to create and implement these pillars can greatly improve your engagement levels and strengthen your brand narrative. But how do you align these pillars with your business goals? Key Takeaways Social media content pillars are key themes that guide structured messaging, aligning content with brand values and audience interests. Establishing 3-5 pillars prevents content burnout while balancing variety and consistency in social media strategies. Content pillars streamline creation, enhance team collaboration, and foster a consistent narrative across all platforms. Regularly measuring engagement metrics helps evaluate the effectiveness of content pillars and refine strategies for better audience interaction. Utilizing content pillars can lead to higher engagement rates, driving community interaction and strengthening brand presence online. Understanding Social Media Content Pillars During traversing the vast terrain of social media, comprehending content pillars is essential for effective brand communication. Social media content pillars serve as key themes or overarching topics that help you structure your messaging. By establishing 3-5 content pillars, you can maintain focus as you provide variety, which prevents content burnout and boosts audience engagement. Content pillar examples might include educational posts, behind-the-scenes insights, or customer testimonials. Implementing a pillar content strategy simplifies the content creation process, allowing for better planning and collaboration among your team. Aligning your content with specific pillars not just meets audience expectations but also encourages a consistent brand narrative, in the end enhancing trust and loyalty over time. The Importance of Content Pillars in Social Media Strategy Content pillars are fundamental to any effective social media strategy, as they guarantee your messaging aligns with both your brand values and your audience’s interests. By categorizing your content into specific themes, you can streamline your creation process, reducing burnout and allowing for focused, meaningful posts. Utilizing 3-5 content pillars helps maintain a balance between variety and consistency, preventing overwhelm for both your strategy and your audience. This approach improves engagement by clearly communicating what followers can expect, nurturing trust through relevant content that meets their needs. Additionally, regularly tracking the performance of your content pillars allows you to identify successful patterns and areas for improvement, ensuring your social media presence continues to evolve effectively. How to Create Effective Content Pillars To create effective content pillars, you need to start by defining core themes that resonate with your audience’s interests and pain points. Aligning these themes with what your customers care about guarantees your content remains relevant and engaging. Finally, mapping each pillar to specific content formats and social media channels enables you to leverage the strengths of each platform for better audience engagement. Define Core Themes Creating effective content pillars is essential for guiding your social media strategy, as they serve as the backbone of your messaging. Start by defining core themes that resonate with your brand values, aiming for 3 to 5 key themes. Conduct an audience analysis to understand their demographics, preferences, and pain points; this insight helps tailor your pillars effectively. Next, perform a social media audit to review existing content, identifying successful themes and gaps. Each pillar should have a clear purpose linked to broader marketing goals, such as increasing brand awareness or enhancing audience engagement. Finally, use a content calendar to organize and schedule posts, ensuring you deliver consistent and varied content that keeps your audience engaged without redundancy. Align With Audience Interests How can you guarantee your content pillars resonate with your audience? Start by conducting thorough audience research to uncover their demographics, preferences, and pain points. This guarantees your content aligns with their interests. Utilize social listening tools to monitor trending topics and conversations, refining your pillars accordingly. Develop 3-5 core themes that reflect your brand values during addressing your audience’s specific needs, creating a focused yet diverse strategy. Regularly analyze competitors’ content performance to identify gaps and opportunities, keeping your pillars relevant. Finally, test and iterate based on audience feedback and engagement metrics, allowing for continuous adaptation and improvement of your content strategy over time. This systematic approach will help you create effective content pillars that truly resonate. Map Content Formats Mapping content formats is essential for aligning your content pillars with the most effective delivery methods. By matching each pillar to suitable formats like videos, infographics, or blog posts, you can engage diverse audience preferences. Each content pillar needs a clear purpose, guiding you to choose the right types, such as tutorials for educational pillars and product showcases for promotional ones. Utilizing templates can streamline your process, creating consistent messaging during remaining adaptable. Regularly evaluating performance reveals which formats resonate best, allowing for continuous improvement. Diversifying formats within each pillar nurtures creativity and keeps your audience engaged. Content Pillar Format Type Purpose Educational Tutorials Teach and inform Promotional Product Showcases Highlight offerings Inspirational Quotes Motivate and uplift Entertaining Memes Engage and amuse Informative Blog Posts Provide in-depth insights Examples of Content Pillars Across Different Industries Even though each industry may tailor its content pillars to meet specific audience needs, there are some common themes that emerge across various sectors. In the fashion industry, you’ll often see product showcases and sustainability initiatives. The travel sector highlights destination features and guest testimonials to attract bookings. Healthcare focuses on health tips and patient stories, cultivating trust with audiences. In food and beverage, menu highlights and behind-the-scenes content drive foot traffic, whereas e-commerce brands leverage product highlights and customer reviews to engage shoppers. Aligning Content Pillars With Business Goals To effectively drive business success, aligning your content pillars with your overall objectives is vital. Each piece of content should contribute to your overarching goals, such as brand awareness or sales growth. Here are four key strategies to take into account: Define Purpose: Clearly outline the intent behind each content pillar to create resonating messages. Maintain Consistency: Keep a coherent narrative across platforms to strengthen your brand identity and customer loyalty. Link to KPIs: Tailor content to specific performance indicators, such as using educational content to boost website traffic. Regularly Review: Adjust your pillars based on any shifts in business strategy to guarantee ongoing relevance and effectiveness. Measuring the Impact of Content Pillars on Engagement To measure the impact of your content pillars on engagement, start by reviewing key engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments. These statistics provide valuable insights into how well your content resonates with your audience. Engagement Metrics Overview Comprehending engagement metrics is crucial for evaluating how well your content pillars resonate with your audience. By measuring engagement, you can assess the effectiveness of your content strategies. Here are four key engagement metrics to focus on: Likes: Indicate general approval and interest in your content. Shares: Show how often your audience values your content enough to share it with others. Comments: Reflect direct audience interaction and feedback, revealing deeper insights into preferences. Saves: Highlight content that your audience finds useful, encouraging future visits. Tracking these metrics over time lets you identify which pillars engage your audience most. Analyzing Content Performance Analyzing content performance is crucial for grasping how effectively your content pillars engage your audience. By examining metrics like engagement rates, click-through rates, and audience growth, you can gain insights into each pillar’s resonance with your target demographic. Regular reviews, ideally every month, allow you to pinpoint successful strategies and identify areas needing improvement. High-performing content pillars can drive community interaction, with specific themes achieving up to 30% higher engagement. Utilizing analytics tools enables you to track key performance indicators and visualize growth trends, making data-driven decisions easier. Furthermore, engaging in social listening and analyzing audience feedback can deepen your awareness of content effectiveness, helping you tailor your messaging to better meet audience preferences and improve overall engagement. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Content Pillars and Why Are They Important? Content pillars are strategic themes that help you organize your social media content. They’re important as they provide a clear framework, ensuring your posts align with your brand values and audience interests. What Are the 5 Pillars of Social Media? The five pillars of social media content include educational, inspirational, promotional, community-building, and behind-the-scenes content. Educational content shares valuable insights and tips, building your authority. Inspirational posts nurture connections by highlighting success stories. Promotional content informs your audience about new offerings, blending sales with value. Community-building encourages interaction and feedback, strengthening relationships with your followers. Finally, behind-the-scenes content provides transparency, helping your audience feel more connected to your brand and its values. What Are the 4 Pillars of Content? The four pillars of content are Educational, Inspirational, Promotional, and Community-Building. Educational content delivers valuable insights, establishing your authority and trust. Inspirational content connects emotionally through real stories and achievements, making your brand relatable. Promotional content effectively highlights new offerings, blending information with value. Finally, Community-Building content encourages interaction and dialogue, creating a sense of belonging among your audience. Each pillar plays an essential role in engaging and retaining your audience effectively. What Are the Three Pillars of Social Media? The three pillars of social media are educational, inspirational, and promotional content. Educational content shares valuable information, like tips and tutorials, establishing your brand as an authority. Inspirational content connects with your audience emotionally through authentic stories and successes, nurturing community. Promotional content highlights your offerings, balancing sales with insights to keep your audience engaged. Together, these pillars create a thorough strategy that improves engagement and strengthens brand loyalty among your followers. Conclusion In summary, social media content pillars are crucial for creating a structured and effective content strategy. By defining clear themes, you can align your messaging with both brand values and audience interests, leading to greater engagement. Developing these pillars helps streamline content creation and maintain consistency, in the end promoting a cohesive brand narrative. As you implement and measure their impact, you’ll find that well-defined content pillars can greatly improve your social media presence and drive community interaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Are Social Media Content Pillars and Why Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Not every Black Friday deal is as sweet as it seems. With electronics in particular, that fresh price tag might mean getting tricked into buying a cheaper model of the thing you actually want. Or, you could be buying last year's model that has actually been on sale since the summer—maybe even at a better price a few months ago. Here’s how to avoid impulse buying a misleading Black Friday “deal” and make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Why you shouldn't impulse buy electronics on Black Friday When you see products like food, clothes, or home goods with a big ol’ Black Friday tag slapped on them, it's probable safe to take advantage of that deal. Chances are it is the same exact product you'd find on other days of the year. The same can’t be said for a TV. Many electronics sold during Black Friday are special "doorbusters" or retailer-exclusive models produced specifically for the holiday shopping season. These versions often feature cheaper components, fewer features, or lower specifications than their regular counterparts. A 55-inch TV from a reputable brand might look identical to the year-round model, but it could have a lower refresh rate, inferior panel technology, or fewer HDMI ports. So sure, you can go with the cheaper TV on Black Friday, but think about the value of what you’re buying. In the same vein, that "amazing deal" on a laptop might be on last year's processor or a smartphone that's about to be replaced. Retailers clear out aging inventory during Black Friday, and while the discount looks impressive, you're buying technology that's already outdated. The issue isn't that the tech is an older model, but that it has actually been at this low a price—or lower!—since the summer. Alternatively, some deeply discounted electronics are refurbished units or open-box returns that have been repackaged. Again, while this isn't necessarily bad, impulse buyers may not realize what they're purchasing. How to tell if a Black Friday sale is a good dealThe key phrasing here is impulse buying. Black Friday is psychologically engineered to trigger impulse purchases. Limited-time offers, countdown clocks, and "while supplies last" warnings create artificial urgency that short-circuits rational decision-making. When you're caught up in the moment, it's easy to convince yourself you need a new tablet, smartwatch, or gaming console, even if you hadn't considered buying one before. In order to avoid a low-key scam, you should do your research. The easiest way to tell that you’re getting the correct product is by checking the model or serial number. And with online shopping, finding and double-checking those numbers is quick and easy. Seriously, don't just compare prices—compare specs. Look at processor speeds, RAM, storage capacity, screen resolution, refresh rates, and connectivity options. A $300 laptop isn't a deal if a slightly more expensive model offers significantly better performance that will last you years longer. If you do see a deal that catches your eye, it could pay to wait. Cyber Monday, post-Christmas sales, and even January clearances often feature electronics deals that rival or beat Black Friday prices, all without the famous chaos and pressure. Then again, you risk more “out-of-stock” results if you wait, so the risk is up to you, depending on the popularity of the item you’re eyeing (and how badly you want it). The bottom line: Don’t fall victim to a falsely-advertised lower-quality product, and make the most of holiday deals by doing a little research ahead of time. View the full article

Social media group has beaten antitrust suit brought by the Federal Trade CommissionView the full article

In November, 41% of builders reported cutting prices, a record in the post-Covid period, according to Tuesday's report. More broadly, 65% reported using sales incentives, unchanged from the prior two months. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. No sooner do you dive into the DIY home repair and maintenance rabbit hole (a hole lined with all the money you'll save!) than you start to collect tools. Some of them will be single-use items that you'll store in your garage or toolshed for decades like a museum exhibit. But sometimes even these tools can surprise you by being way more useful than you might initially imagine. For me, the mini chainsaw was one of those tools. This one, specifically (I considered others, but I really wanted a one-handed, cordless option because I live in a small, urban house, not a sprawling farm that runs on firewood and steam). I bought it specifically for landscaping/pruning chores, but it’s quickly proven to be one of the most useful little tools I own—so useful, in fact, that I think every DIYer should have one. Here are just a few ways I put it to good use. Greenworks 24V Brushless Mini Chainsaw $90.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $9.00 Shop Now Shop Now $90.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $9.00 PruningThe initial use-case for the mini-chainsaw was for pruning back invasive branches and vines from my neighbor’s yard, which is almost sentient in its determination to colonize my property. I love my neighbors, and it’s not a point of conflict, but if I don’t stay on top of that situation, my whole house will be enveloped by a creeping vine that’s been colonizing their yrad so long it’s almost structural, and I’d never see the sun again due to the encroaching branches of their backyard trees. The mini chainsaw is perfect for this work. It slices right through the (surprisingly thick and robust) vines, as well as the tree branches. As it's a one-handed tool, I can safely wield it from a ladder without risking my fingers (or more critical body parts). Cutting through more than just branchesIf you think you only use chainsaws on lumber—cutting firewood, or clearing fallen trees—you’re wrong. What’s great about a chainsaw in general is that it slices through dense, thick material like that with ease. I’ve used mine to cut through stuff like PVC when doing minor plumbing work around the house, and it worked a charm. It’s also great for quick cuts on wood. While I wouldn’t use a chainsaw in place of a circular saw or table saw for precision cuts, it’s been a real time-saver to just trim a bit here and there, especially after I’ve secured a 2x4 in place with screws only to realize I miscalculated the initial cut by a quarter inch. The mini chainsaw just lops off the excess without drama. Some folks online claim they’ve used mini chainsaws to make quick cuts in drywall, but I’m not sure I’m going to try that. I'm sure it works, but it sure seems like unnecessary overkill. Demo workEvery DIY project starts with demo and removal, and a mini chainsaw has become an essential tool. For example, when I re-did a deck recently, I had to pull up and haul off all the old planks and structure. The mini chainsaw made it easy to cut everything down to a more manageable size so I wasn’t navigating 10-foot boards through the house. It was a fast, easy way to reduce a lot of cumbersome junk and prevent a bit of the inevitable damage I caused (to my back as well as my house). Having fun while DIYingThis isn't really a use-case, but it's worth mentioning all the same: mini chainsaws are fun to use. The ability to just press a button and slice away anything that’s irritating you is well worth the price all by itself. (If you're like me, the opportunity to make your own chainsaw noises while you use it is just an added, unnecessary bonus.) View the full article

PM seeks to move on from speculation about his leadership by telling ministers to focus on reformView the full article

US president gives lavish welcome to Mohammed bin Salman at start of high-profile visit to WashingtonView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. With the holiday season just around the corner, deals on VR headsets are selling fast. The Meta Quest 3 continues to remain the gold standard in this arena. Right now, the more affordable but equally popular Meta Quest 3S (128GB with a Gorilla Tag bundle) is $249.99 (originally $299.99) on Amazon, marking a 17% discount and its lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. Meta Quest 3S VR Headset 128GB $299.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $299.99 at Amazon PCMag gave this headset an Editor’s Choice Award and dubbed it the “Best Affordable VR Headset”; this detailed review praises its fast processor, color-pass-through camera, and versatility across many games and apps. The Meta Quest 3 can work standalone or tethered to a PC. It has a 1,832-by-1,920 per-eye resolution, which is slightly grainier than the pricier Quest 3 but still crisp, and supports up to 120Hz refresh rate. The processor is on par with the Quest 3, but this sale model only has 128GB of storage, compared to the Quest 3’s 512 GB. While the battery is smaller, it’s longer-lasting (2.5 hours vs. 2.2 hours) due to the lower-resolution display. The headset features intuitive Meta Quest Touch Controllers identical to the Quest 3’s, but they must be in view of the headset to track accurately. The Meta Quest Library has a huge selection of experiences; that said, it’s better for gaming and gamified education, art, and exercise apps than for a serious work tool. While the graphics aren’t as sharp as the Quest 3 and have a narrower field of view, it offers an equally compelling VR experience for a lower price tag ($250 less), making the Meta Quest 3S a fantastic budget VR headset. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $117.00 (List Price $129.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $294.99 (List Price $649.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (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 — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

The most closely watched earnings report of the quarter is tomorrow. That’s when AI chipmaking giant Nvidia will announce its third-quarter results. Ahead of those results, Nvidia shares are currently down in Tuesday trading. But NVDA shares aren’t the only chip stock that is falling today. Here’s which other chip companies are seeing significant stock price declines today, and the likely reason why. Chip stocks fall across the board As of the time of this writing, major chipmaking giants and the companies that supply them are seeing their share prices fall. These include: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMD): down 5.6% Arm Holdings plc (Nasdaq: ARM): down 3.9% ASML Holding N.V. (Nasdaq: ASML): down 2.2% Broadcom Inc. (Nasdaq: AVGO): down 1.7% Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC): down 2.8% Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU): down 5.1% NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA): down 2.8% QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM): down 2.6% Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE: TSM): down 2.6% The fall in chip stocks is part of a broader decline across multiple markets today. Currently, the S&P 500 is down 0.87%, the Dow is down 1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq is down 1.3%. Perhaps the most significant driver behind today’s market falls is the growing fear that the tech sector is in an AI bubble, and that if that bubble pops, it could send shockwaves not just through the stock markets but also through the economy. The impact of an AI bubble popping in the broader economy is part of the reason even non-AI-related stocks are down today. In addition to chip companies, other major tech players are also seeing their shares sink this morning, especially those that have a considerable amount of exposure to AI, including Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), down 2.5%; Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), down 3.2%; Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG), down 1%; and Meta Platforms, Inc. (Nasdaq: META), down 2.4%. Tech giants with more limited AI exposure, such as Apple, are trading relatively flat. Currently, shares in Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) are up about a tenth of a percent. Why are chip stocks in particular focus? Chip stocks are being scrutinized by investors today for one key reason: AI chip giant Nvidia announces its third-quarter earnings for fiscal 2026 tomorrow. As Fast Company previously reported, investor expectations for those earnings are high. Nvidia previously forecast revenue of between $52.9 billion and $55 billion for the quarter. But investor consensus estimates show that most investors expect Nvidia to come in on the high end of that spectrum. A series of consensus estimates shows that investors expect Nvidia to report revenue between $54.8 billion and $55.2 billion. But, a little more than 24 hours before Nvidia reveals if it’s met investors’ expectations, Wall Street seems to be getting the jitters, as investors and the media increasingly question whether the AI bubble is about to burst. It is likely that if Nvidia doesn’t hit the lofty expectations many expect, it will be taken as a sign that an AI bubble is upon us. The sell-off in chip stocks this morning is likely due to investors taking some profits in case Nvidia misses its estimates. Given that Nvidia acts as a bellwether for other chip companies and the AI sector as a whole, it is no surprise that investor jitters ahead of Nvidia’s earnings are spilling over to the stocks of other chipmaking companies. View the full article

In an age where efficiency and cost savings are paramount, Amazon Business has launched innovative AI-powered solutions that may reshape the purchasing landscape for small businesses. These tools, unveiled at the recent Amazon Business Reshape conference, offer significant benefits designed to simplify procurement processes, enhance operational efficiency, and help businesses save time and money. Amazon has introduced the Amazon Business Assistant, a tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to provide personalized purchasing guidance. This feature aims to optimize procurement by offering tailored suggestions based on user behavior and purchase history. According to Shelley Salomon, vice president of Amazon Business, “Now, with new, AI-enhanced tools, we’re empowering organizations to reduce costs, make data-driven buying decisions, and get support when and where they need it.” One of the key features of the Amazon Business Assistant is its ability to recommend more efficient buying methods. The assistant is easily accessible, sitting conveniently in the bottom corner of the user’s Amazon Business account. It provides instant, interactive recommendations that improve the shopping experience by making it easier to manage account settings and purchasing decisions. Small business owners can also benefit from a new tool called Savings Insights, available for U.S. Business Prime members. This feature analyzes purchase history and pricing patterns, presenting a user-friendly dashboard that identifies savings opportunities. Business Prime members can utilize this analytics tool to find Quantity Discounts, lower price options, and subscription savings, reducing the time spent on identifying budget-friendly choices. Adding to the arsenal of tools is Spend Anomaly Monitoring, a feature designed for U.S. Business Prime Enterprise plan administrators. This tool helps monitor unusual purchasing patterns, flagging significant deviations from typical spending to prevent overspending or misuse of resources. With its streamlined dashboard, administrators can quickly assess Four specific areas that may raise red flags, enhancing accountability without imposing restrictive limitations on purchasing. Through collaboration with AWS and Deloitte, Amazon Business also announced comprehensive AI solutions targeting industrial sectors, including manufacturing and utilities. These tools emphasize proactive decision-making based on real-time data analysis, which could prove invaluable for small businesses that rely on precise supply chain management. The forthcoming industrial manufacturing solution, set to launch in early 2026, aims to forecast possible disruptions in inventory and streamline order management. For small businesses, the implications of Amazon’s newly launched AI tools are substantial. Owners can expect more efficient procurement processes, reduced operational costs, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. This is especially relevant for businesses grappling with tight margins and a competitive marketplace. However, potential challenges lie ahead as well. Small business owners will need to navigate the learning curve associated with integrating these advanced technologies. Additionally, reliance on AI solutions may create concerns regarding data security and customer privacy, particularly as companies manage sensitive purchasing information. The increasing sophistication of the AI solutions under Amazon Business aims to not only help small businesses today but prepare them for the future. As Shelley Salomon notes, the goal is to create a “faster, smarter, and more transparent buying experience,” transforming traditional procurement processes and making them accessible to businesses of all sizes. As Amazon Business enhances its offerings and solidifies its role within various sectors globally, small business owners would do well to explore these new tools. They can leverage the capabilities of the Amazon Business Assistant, Savings Insights, and Spend Anomaly Monitoring to gain a competitive edge, ultimately improving their bottom line. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Amazon Unveils AI Business Assistant to Streamline Procurement Processes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an age where efficiency and cost savings are paramount, Amazon Business has launched innovative AI-powered solutions that may reshape the purchasing landscape for small businesses. These tools, unveiled at the recent Amazon Business Reshape conference, offer significant benefits designed to simplify procurement processes, enhance operational efficiency, and help businesses save time and money. Amazon has introduced the Amazon Business Assistant, a tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to provide personalized purchasing guidance. This feature aims to optimize procurement by offering tailored suggestions based on user behavior and purchase history. According to Shelley Salomon, vice president of Amazon Business, “Now, with new, AI-enhanced tools, we’re empowering organizations to reduce costs, make data-driven buying decisions, and get support when and where they need it.” One of the key features of the Amazon Business Assistant is its ability to recommend more efficient buying methods. The assistant is easily accessible, sitting conveniently in the bottom corner of the user’s Amazon Business account. It provides instant, interactive recommendations that improve the shopping experience by making it easier to manage account settings and purchasing decisions. Small business owners can also benefit from a new tool called Savings Insights, available for U.S. Business Prime members. This feature analyzes purchase history and pricing patterns, presenting a user-friendly dashboard that identifies savings opportunities. Business Prime members can utilize this analytics tool to find Quantity Discounts, lower price options, and subscription savings, reducing the time spent on identifying budget-friendly choices. Adding to the arsenal of tools is Spend Anomaly Monitoring, a feature designed for U.S. Business Prime Enterprise plan administrators. This tool helps monitor unusual purchasing patterns, flagging significant deviations from typical spending to prevent overspending or misuse of resources. With its streamlined dashboard, administrators can quickly assess Four specific areas that may raise red flags, enhancing accountability without imposing restrictive limitations on purchasing. Through collaboration with AWS and Deloitte, Amazon Business also announced comprehensive AI solutions targeting industrial sectors, including manufacturing and utilities. These tools emphasize proactive decision-making based on real-time data analysis, which could prove invaluable for small businesses that rely on precise supply chain management. The forthcoming industrial manufacturing solution, set to launch in early 2026, aims to forecast possible disruptions in inventory and streamline order management. For small businesses, the implications of Amazon’s newly launched AI tools are substantial. Owners can expect more efficient procurement processes, reduced operational costs, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. This is especially relevant for businesses grappling with tight margins and a competitive marketplace. However, potential challenges lie ahead as well. Small business owners will need to navigate the learning curve associated with integrating these advanced technologies. Additionally, reliance on AI solutions may create concerns regarding data security and customer privacy, particularly as companies manage sensitive purchasing information. The increasing sophistication of the AI solutions under Amazon Business aims to not only help small businesses today but prepare them for the future. As Shelley Salomon notes, the goal is to create a “faster, smarter, and more transparent buying experience,” transforming traditional procurement processes and making them accessible to businesses of all sizes. As Amazon Business enhances its offerings and solidifies its role within various sectors globally, small business owners would do well to explore these new tools. They can leverage the capabilities of the Amazon Business Assistant, Savings Insights, and Spend Anomaly Monitoring to gain a competitive edge, ultimately improving their bottom line. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Amazon Unveils AI Business Assistant to Streamline Procurement Processes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article