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JPMorgan Chase unveiled its new 60-story headquarters to the public on Monday, one of the first major office buildings to be constructed after the COVID-19 pandemic and one that will remake the New York City skyline for decades. The bronze and steel tower at 270 Park, which reportedly cost $3 billion, replaced the Union Carbide Building, which sat on a full city block at 48th Street and Park Avenue for nearly 60 years. JPMorgan expects to house roughly 10,000 of its 24,000 New York-based employees in the new building, with employees starting their first workday at the tower at the same time as the company holds its ribbon cutting ceremony. “For 225 years, JPMorgan Chase has always been deeply rooted in New York City. The opening of our new global headquarters is not only a significant investment in New York, but also testament to our commitment to our clients and employees worldwide,” said Jamie Dimon, CEO and chairman of JPMorgan, in a statement. The building contains 2.5 million square feet and a block’s worth of public space. The bank also commissioned five new artworks for the building, adding to the bank’s already substantial art collection. The bank will house its trading operations in the building across eight floors. At 1,388 feet, the new building is taller than the Empire State Building’s roofline and is now the fourth-largest building in Manhattan. The building was a major engineering and architectural undertaking by Norman Foster, the building’s lead architect and Tishman Speyer. Engineers had to systematically demolish the old Union Carbide building over a period of two years — the site sits above the rails of the Metro North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road that run underneath Park Avenue. For years, JPMorgan has worked out of several buildings around Grand Central Station, a result of the bank’s growth and acquisitions over the years. Corporate execs and investment bankers still use 383 Madison Ave, the former headquarters of Bear Stearns, and 277 Park, which housed Chemical Bank, also a predecessor of the current JPMorgan Chase. Parts of JPMorgan started using 270 Park in the mid-1990s, but the bank always struggled to fit all its operations in the building. With 270 Park finished, the bank says it will now start a renovation of 383 Madison. The completion of 270 Park is a major accomplishment for Dimon, who has been one of loudest voices about the need for employees to report to an office for work. The building was designed before the COVID-19 pandemic and was completed after the pandemic, when remote work became more common. —Ken Sweet, AP business writer View the full article

Robert Redford’s legacy and mission were always going to be a key component of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which will be the last of its kind in Park City, Utah. But in the wake of his death in Septemberat age 89, those ideas took on a new significance. This January, the institute that Redford founded over 40 years ago, plans to honor his career and impact with and a screening of his first truly independent film, the 1969 sports drama “Downhill Racer,” and a series of legacy screenings of restored Sundance gems from “Little Miss Sunshine” to “House Party,” festival organizers said Tuesday. “As we were thinking about how best to honor Mr. Redford’s legacy, it’s not only carrying forward this notion of ‘everyone has a story’ but it’s also getting together in a movie theater and watching a film that really embodies that independent spirit,” festival director Eugene Hernandez told The Associated Press. “We’ve had some incredible artists reach out to us, even in the past few weeks since Mr. Redford’s passing, who just want to be part of this year’s festival.” Archival screenings will include “Saw,” “Mysterious Skin,” “House Party,” and “Humpday” as well as the 35th anniversary of Barbara Kopple’s documentary “American Dream,” and 20th anniversaries of “Half Nelson” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” with some of the filmmakers expected to attend as well. “Over the almost 30 years of Sundance Institute’s collaboration with our partner, the UCLA Film & Television Archive, we’ve not only worked to ensure that the Festival’s legacy endures through film preservation, but we’ve seen that output feed an astonishing resurgence of repertory cinema programming across the country,” said festival programmer John Nein. “The films we’ve preserved and the newly restored films screening at this year’s festival, including some big anniversaries, are an important way to keep the independent stories from years past alive in our culture today.” Tickets for the 2026 festival, which runs from Jan. 22 through Feb. 1, go on sale Wednesday at noon Eastern, with online and in person options. Some planning is also already underway for the festival’s new home in Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, but programmers are heads down figuring out the slate of world premieres for January. Those will be revealed in December. “There’s a lot more to come and a lot more to announce,” Hernandez said. “This is just laying a foundation.” Redford’s death has added a poignancy to everything. “Seeing and hearing the remembrances took me back to why I felt compelled to go to the festival in the first place,” Hernandez said. “It’s been very grounding and clarifying and for us as a team it’s been very emotional and moving. But it’s also been an opportunity to remind ourselves what Mr. Redford has given to us, to our lives, to our industry, to Utah.” —Lindsey Bahr, AP film writer View the full article

SpaceX has settled a lawsuit filed by the maker of the popular party game Cards Against Humanity over accusations that Elon Musk’s rocket company trespassed and damaged a plot of land the card company owns in Texas. Texas court records show a settlement was reached in the case last month, just weeks before a jury trial was scheduled to begin on Nov. 3. The card maker said in a statement Monday that it could not disclose the terms, and SpaceX did not return email and telephone messages left with the company and its Texas lawyer seeking comment. Cards Against Humanity, which is headquartered in Chicago, originally purchased the plot of land in 2017 as part of what it said was a stunt to oppose President Donald The President’s efforts to build a border wall. In its lawsuit, Cards Against Humanity alleges SpaceX essentially treated the game company’s property — located in Cameron County in far south Texas — as its own for at least six months. The lawsuit said SpaceX, which had previously acquired other plots of land near the property, had placed construction materials, such as gravel, and other debris on the land without asking for permission to do so. Cards Against Humanity said in an email Monday to The Associated Press that SpaceX admitted during the discovery phase of the case to trespassing on its property. The company said a trial “would have cost more than what we were likely to win from SpaceX.” “The upside is that SpaceX has removed their construction equipment from our land and we’re able to work with a local landscaping company to restore the land to its natural state: devoid of space garbage and pointless border walls.” The company has previously said 150,000 people had each contributed $15 toward helping purchase the land in Texas and that they had hoped to pay back those donors with proceeds from a settlement. Over the years, Cards Against Humanity says the land has been maintained in its natural state. It also says it displayed a “no trespassing” sign to warn people they were about to step on private property. The company was asking for $15 million in damages, which it says includes a loss of vegetation on the land. “Were we hoping to be able to pay all our fans? Sure. But we did warn them they would ‘probably only be able to get like $2 or most likely nothing,’” the company said. —Sean Murphy, Associated Press View the full article

Stenger joins the Chicago-based lender after more than a decade at Movement Mortgage and will oversee its retail platform, including new tech enhancements. View the full article

For most people, it’s natural to assume that if something is exclusive to the wealthiest echelons of society, it must be better. Asset management firms looking to access trillions of “retail” investor dollars explicitly reference this exclusivity when marketing private equity offerings. But investors should be wary when fund marketers talk about “democratizing investing” or opening access to areas previously only available to the elite. Reasons to be wary Investing is already democratized. The SEC eliminated fixed trading commissions in 1975, and innovation has made investing in publicly traded stocks cheaper and easier ever since. Online trading platforms allow people of modest means to easily buy shares in almost any publicly traded company. The advent of cheap, passively managed mutual funds and exchange-traded funds has made building a diversified portfolio easier and more affordable than ever. Moreover, public capital markets are a good thing. Investors who buy publicly traded stocks or bonds get transparency about their investment with ready liquidity. Meanwhile, private capital investments are often opaque and illiquid. There has been considerable debate about whether private investments generate higher returns. Measuring performance for private equity and private debt is not straightforward. Most industry benchmarks use internal rates of return, which aren’t really comparable to traditional performance measures like total return. Researchers have examined some of the findings related to this topic. A 2020 paper by Ludovic Phalippou, “An Inconvenient Fact: Private Equity Returns & The Billionaire Factory,” argues that net of fees, returns for private equity funds have been in line with those of the public equity markets since 2006. PitchBook, which is part of Morningstar, has also gathered data on public market equivalent returns for private equity. Based on those metrics, private equity funds with 2020-2023 vintage years did not generate positive excess performance returns, although funds with 2011-2019 vintages fared significantly better. Semiliquid private equity and venture capital funds Even if private capital had a performance edge in the past, there’s no guarantee that this advantage will continue or that those managers will be the better performers. As Morningstar’s Jeff Ptaknotes, private equity funds typically have widely dispersed returns, meaning a large gap between the top and bottom performers. Your returns could differ wildly from those of benchmark indexes. As large private equity firms increasingly tap retail capital, the instruments available to average investors probably won’t be the best. Investment sage Bill Bernstein stated: “The first people who invested in private equity got the filet mignon and the lobster tails, and the Vanguards and Fidelities of this world are going to wind up with tuna noodle casserole.” On the venture capital side, getting access to the next startup unicorn early in the game sounds appealing. But for every SpaceX, thousands of early-stage companies never take off, and there is additional risk from leveraged exposure to privately held companies. Final thoughts When you hear about the virtues of access to investments that were off-limits, it’s worth considering who really benefits. As passively managed funds with rock-bottom expense ratios continue to gain market share, asset management firms are pressed to find new sources of high-margin revenue. That new source of revenue, in many cases, is you. —Amy C. Arnott, CFA is a portfolio strategist for Morningstar. This article was provided to The Associated Press by Morningstar. For more personal finance content, go to https://www.morningstar.com/personal-finance View the full article

Twitter/X has a unique problem. After the departure of users following Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media site (and again following his short stint with the The President administration), the site has a surplus of unused user names. Now it’s looking to capitalize on that. The company has opened a waitlist for what it’s calling the “handle marketplace,” where it will sell abandoned and inactive usernames. But there’s a slight catch: To make a bid for one, you’ll likely need to be a Premium+ or Premium Business subscriber to the site. Some handles will be effectively free, included in the cost of the subscription. But for “rare” handles, X is warning users the price tag could be steep. “Rare handles,” the company wrote in an FAQ about the marketplace, “may be priced anywhere from $2,500 to over seven figures, depending on demand and uniqueness.” It’s unclear if usernames X took away from active users (including @music and @sports) will be included in the sale. Two types of “‘inactive’ handles will be made available,” the company said. “Priority” usernames will include “full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations.” Handles that have “short, generic, or culturally significant names” will be deemed “rare.” If you’re considering signing up for a Premium+ or Premium Business subscription just to grab the name you want, then cancelling—much like streaming subscribers do when hot series roll out—you’re likely to be disappointed. If the username you choose is classified as “Priority,” you’ll only be allowed to keep it as long as you’re a subscriber. Once you cancel or downgrade, you’ll revert to your current username. A Premium+ subscription on X.com costs $40 per month or $395 per year. Business subscriptions run from $2,000 per year (or $200 per month) to $10,000 (or $1,000 per month). X has been looking for ways to boost revenues since Musk took over in 2022. While the company as a whole has not reported any financials, its U.K. division made a financial filing in April showing a 66.3% drop in revenue in the year following Musk’s takeover. Research firm EMarketer, however, projects that X’s U.S. digital ad revenue will jump 17.5% to $1.3 billion this year from $1.1 billion in 2024. The distribution of “Rare” handles will be handled differently. The company says there will be “public drops” for some, which will be given away for free “based on merit,” with multiple users allowed to apply. The handle will be awarded based on the user’s engagement and “past contributions.” Users will not, seemingly, have to be a Premium+ or Premium Business subscriber to take part in these disbursements. Other rare handles, though, will be sold at “fixed” prices via invitation and will require a subscription. The price, X says, will be “determined by a number of factors, including popularity of word, character length, and cultural significance.” Once purchased, buyers of these handles will keep them even if they cancel their subscription. Examples of Direct purchase usernames included @one, @fly, and @compute. X said it’s hoping the handle marketplace will extend beyond the X world. “We are establishing a new standard for social media handles—a framework we hope the broader industry will adopt, similar to how Community Notes has influenced online transparency,” it wrote. X’s sale of inactive usernames has been rumored for months. In April, a user spotted the framework for the “handle inquiry” process. Reselling usernames was something Musk began discussing as early as January of 2023, however, as part of his campaign of purging the site of inactive accounts. X might stand alone right now in terms of reselling usernames, but it’s not the only company that’s thinning out inactive users. Google, in 2023, announced plans to do away with inactive Google accounts, deleting Gmail, Google Chat, Google Drive and other services that hadn’t been accessed for a long period of time (generally two years), saying those were more likely to be compromised by hackers. View the full article

It's now more expensive than ever to stream shows like House of the Dragon and Hacks. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that all HBO Max subscription prices will increase, effective immediately. In fact, for some plans, it is now more expensive to subscribe to HBO Max than it is to subscribe to Netflix. Here's the deal: Prices are going up across all three of HBO Max's subscription tiers. That includes the following: HBO Max Basic With Ads: $10.99 per month (was $9.99 per month), or $109.99 per year (was $99.99 per year) HBO Max Standard: $18.49 per month (was $16.99 per month), or $184.99 per year (was $169.99 per year) HBO Max Premium: $22.99 per month (was $20.99 per month), or $229.99 per year (was $209.99 per year) These price points are now in effect for all new subscribers. Current monthly subscribers will be notified of the price hike, and will see increases on their next billing cycle, on or after Nov. 20, 2025. Similarly, annual subscribers will not see a price increase until their plans are up for renewal. If you signed up for an annual Premium subscription yesterday, for example, you're locked into that $209.99 price until next year. If your annual Premium plan renews next month, however, you'll be charged that extra $20. This is, of course, the most expensive HBO Max has ever cost, and will be especially felt by any subscribers that pay for extra member accounts. In fact, HBO Max Basic With Ads and HBO Max Standard now costs more than Netflix with Ads and Netflix Standard, by quite a bit. Netflix with Ads is only $7.99 at this time, while Netflix Standard is $17.99. It costs $.50 more to subscribe to HBO Max Standard than Netflix Standard, and $3 more to subscribe to deal with HBO's ads over Netflix's. The only edge HBO Max still has is in the Premium category, as Netflix charges $24.99 for the privilege of 4K content with four concurrent streams at once. If you're looking at these price points, and are committed to only one streaming service at a time, you might be convinced to take the Netflix route. As such, Warner Bros. Discovery might be banking on the demand for its content over the dollar and cents here: Between series like The Last of Us, The Gilded Age, The Penguin, and The White Lotus, and content like Weapons and Peacemaker, HBO Max is host to some of the most talked-about shows. Maybe that will convince people to stick with the service even through these price hikes, especially as the Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is on the horizon. View the full article

Salesforce is making significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence with its recent introduction of Agentforce 360 at Dreamforce 2025. This innovative platform aims to redefine how businesses operate by integrating humans and AI in a way that enhances productivity rather than replacing human jobs. As small business owners face an ever-changing landscape, understanding this technology and its implications becomes crucial. Agentforce 360 is described as the world’s first platform designed to seamlessly connect employees and AI agents within a single, trusted system. This integration means that every employee can achieve more every day, every interaction with customers can yield better outcomes, and businesses can operate with exceptional efficiency. As Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, puts it, “Agentforce 360 connects humans, agents, and data on one trusted platform, helping every employee and every company achieve more than they ever thought possible.” The surge towards the “Agentic Enterprise” model comes amid heightened interest in leveraging AI for improved operational intelligence. By using a 24/7 intelligent framework, business teams can ensure no sales lead goes unnoticed, service quality remains high irrespective of time, and every team member has an AI partner to assist in decision-making. Small businesses can derive numerous benefits from adopting Agentforce 360. For instance, the platform includes several advanced features designed to simplify workloads and enhance operational flow. Key offerings include a new conversational builder, hybrid reasoning capabilities that lead to accurate data interpretations, and voice technology that allows for real-time interactions. These innovations allow employees to focus on high-value activities, while routine and repetitive tasks are managed by AI agents. Real-world use cases illustrate how Agentforce 360 has already yielded impressive results. Reddit managed to deflect 46% of support cases, resulting in a drastic reduction in resolution time from 8.9 to 1.4 minutes. Such efficiency boosts customer satisfaction and can significantly improve the cost structure for small businesses. Similarly, Adecco utilized AI agents to handle over half of candidate communication outside regular working hours, enabling recruiters to concentrate on more strategic engagements. However, small business owners must consider some potential challenges before fully embracing Agentforce 360. First and foremost, integrating AI technologies may require upfront investment in terms of time and resources. There is also the factor of change management; transitioning to an AI-augmented workplace necessitates training and adjustment to new workflows for employees. As AI takes over routine tasks, there may be concerns among staff about job displacement, making it crucial for owners to foster a culture that views AI as an augmentation, not a replacement. Moreover, small businesses must ensure they have the right data architecture in place. Agentforce 360 leverages a unified data layer known as Data 360, which facilitates effective context and understanding derived from existing data. This transition may require changes to current systems and processes, making planning and execution fundamental to a successful implementation. As Marc Benioff emphasized, “We’re entering the age of the Agentic Enterprise — where AI elevates human potential like never before.” Such transformative changes may feel overwhelming, but the benefits could substantially tilt the operational balance toward greater efficiency and customer connection. For small business owners eagerly exploring ways to enhance their operations in today’s competitive market, embracing Agentforce 360 could unlock new avenues for growth. The intersection of human capabilities and AI-driven technology could help them streamline processes and focus more on strategic initiatives that promote overall business success. In light of these advancements, it’s wise for small businesses to remain proactive and informed about the technologies that could shape their future. To explore further about Agentforce 360 and how it might fit into their operational strategies, business owners can refer to the original Salesforce announcement here. This article, "Salesforce Unveils Agentforce 360, Revolutionizing AI and Human Collaboration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Salesforce is making significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence with its recent introduction of Agentforce 360 at Dreamforce 2025. This innovative platform aims to redefine how businesses operate by integrating humans and AI in a way that enhances productivity rather than replacing human jobs. As small business owners face an ever-changing landscape, understanding this technology and its implications becomes crucial. Agentforce 360 is described as the world’s first platform designed to seamlessly connect employees and AI agents within a single, trusted system. This integration means that every employee can achieve more every day, every interaction with customers can yield better outcomes, and businesses can operate with exceptional efficiency. As Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, puts it, “Agentforce 360 connects humans, agents, and data on one trusted platform, helping every employee and every company achieve more than they ever thought possible.” The surge towards the “Agentic Enterprise” model comes amid heightened interest in leveraging AI for improved operational intelligence. By using a 24/7 intelligent framework, business teams can ensure no sales lead goes unnoticed, service quality remains high irrespective of time, and every team member has an AI partner to assist in decision-making. Small businesses can derive numerous benefits from adopting Agentforce 360. For instance, the platform includes several advanced features designed to simplify workloads and enhance operational flow. Key offerings include a new conversational builder, hybrid reasoning capabilities that lead to accurate data interpretations, and voice technology that allows for real-time interactions. These innovations allow employees to focus on high-value activities, while routine and repetitive tasks are managed by AI agents. Real-world use cases illustrate how Agentforce 360 has already yielded impressive results. Reddit managed to deflect 46% of support cases, resulting in a drastic reduction in resolution time from 8.9 to 1.4 minutes. Such efficiency boosts customer satisfaction and can significantly improve the cost structure for small businesses. Similarly, Adecco utilized AI agents to handle over half of candidate communication outside regular working hours, enabling recruiters to concentrate on more strategic engagements. However, small business owners must consider some potential challenges before fully embracing Agentforce 360. First and foremost, integrating AI technologies may require upfront investment in terms of time and resources. There is also the factor of change management; transitioning to an AI-augmented workplace necessitates training and adjustment to new workflows for employees. As AI takes over routine tasks, there may be concerns among staff about job displacement, making it crucial for owners to foster a culture that views AI as an augmentation, not a replacement. Moreover, small businesses must ensure they have the right data architecture in place. Agentforce 360 leverages a unified data layer known as Data 360, which facilitates effective context and understanding derived from existing data. This transition may require changes to current systems and processes, making planning and execution fundamental to a successful implementation. As Marc Benioff emphasized, “We’re entering the age of the Agentic Enterprise — where AI elevates human potential like never before.” Such transformative changes may feel overwhelming, but the benefits could substantially tilt the operational balance toward greater efficiency and customer connection. For small business owners eagerly exploring ways to enhance their operations in today’s competitive market, embracing Agentforce 360 could unlock new avenues for growth. The intersection of human capabilities and AI-driven technology could help them streamline processes and focus more on strategic initiatives that promote overall business success. In light of these advancements, it’s wise for small businesses to remain proactive and informed about the technologies that could shape their future. To explore further about Agentforce 360 and how it might fit into their operational strategies, business owners can refer to the original Salesforce announcement here. This article, "Salesforce Unveils Agentforce 360, Revolutionizing AI and Human Collaboration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

On a scorching hot Saturday in San Antonio, dozens of teachers traded a day off for a glimpse of the future. The topic of the day’s workshop: enhancing instruction with artificial intelligence. After marveling as AI graded classwork instantly and turned lesson plans into podcasts or online storybooks, one high school English teacher raised a concern that was on the minds of many: “Are we going to be replaced with AI?” That remains to be seen. But for the nation’s 4 million teachers to stay relevant and help students use the technology wisely, teachers unions have forged an unlikely partnership with the world’s largest technology companies. The two groups don’t always see eye to eye but say they share a common goal: training the future workforce of America. Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic are providing millions of dollars for AI training to the American Federation of Teachers, the country’s second-largest teachers union. In exchange, the tech companies have an opportunity to make inroads into schools and win over students in the race for AI dominance. AFT President Randi Weingarten said skepticism guided her negotiations, but the tech industry has something schools lack: deep pockets. “There is no one else who is helping us with this. That’s why we felt we needed to work with the largest corporations in the world,” Weingarten said. “We went to them — they didn’t come to us.” Weingarten first met with Microsoft President and Vice Chairman Brad Smith in 2023 to discuss a partnership. She later reached out to OpenAI to pursue an “agnostic” approach that means any company’s AI tools could be used in a training session. Under the arrangement announced in July, Microsoft is contributing $12.5 million to AFT over five years. OpenAI is providing $8 million in funding and $2 million in technical resources, and Anthropic has offered $500,000. Tech money will build an AI training hub for teachers With the money, AFT is planning to build an AI training hub in New York City that will offer virtual and in-person workshops for teachers. The goal is to open at least two more hubs and train 400,000 teachers over the next five years. The National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers union, announced its own partnership with Microsoft last month. The company has provided a $325,000 grant to help the NEA develop AI trainings in the form of “microcredentials” — online trainings open to the union’s 3 million members, said Daaiyah Bilal, NEA’s senior director of education policy. The goal is to train at least 10,000 members this school year. “We tailored our partnership very surgically,” Bilal said. “We are very mindful of what a technology company stands to gain by spreading information about the products they develop.” Both unions set similar terms: Educators, not the private funders, would design and lead trainings that include AI tools from multiple companies. The unions own the intellectual property for the trainings, which cover safety and privacy concerns alongside AI skills. The The President administration has encouraged the private investment, recently creating an AI Education Task Force as part of an effort to achieve “global dominance in artificial intelligence.” The federal government urged tech companies and other organizations to foot the bill. So far, more than 100 companies have signed up. Tech companies see opportunities in education beyond training teachers. Microsoft unveiled a $4 billion initiative for AI training, research and the gifting of its AI tools to teachers and students. It includes the AFT grant and a program that will give all school districts and community colleges in Washington, Microsoft’s home state, free access to Microsoft CoPilot tools. Google says it will commit $1 billion for AI education and job training programs, including free access to its Gemini for Education platform for U.S. high schools. Several recent studies have found that AI use in schools is rapidly increasing but training and guidance are lagging. The industry offers resources that can help scale AI literacy efforts quickly. But educators should ensure any partnership focuses on what’s best for teachers and students, said Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education. “These are private initiatives, and they are run by companies that have a stake,” Lake said. Microsoft’s Brad Smith agrees that teachers should have a “healthy dose of skepticism” about the role of tech companies. “While it’s easy to see the benefits right now, we should always be mindful of the potential for unintended consequences,” Smith said in an interview, pointing to concerns such as AI’s possible impact on critical thinking. “We have to be careful. It’s early days.” Teachers see new possibilities At the San Antonio AFT training, about 50 educators turned up for the three-hour workshop for teachers in the Northside Independent School District. It is the city’s largest, employing about 7,000 teachers. The day started with a pep talk. “We all know, when we talk about AI, teachers say, ‘Nah, I’m not doing that,'” trainer Kathleen Torregrossa told the room. “But we are preparing kids for the future. That is our primary job. And AI, like it or not, is part of our world.” Attendees generated lesson plans using ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Microsoft CoPilot and two AI tools designed for schools, Khanmingo and Colorín Colorado. Gabriela Aguirre, a 1st grade dual language teacher, repeatedly used the word “amazing” to describe what she saw. “It can save you so much time,” she said, and add visual flair to lessons. She walked away with a plan to use AI tools to make illustrated flashcards in English and Spanish to teach vocabulary. “With all the video games, the cellphones you have to compete against, the kids are always saying, ‘I’m bored.’ Everything is boring,” Aguirre said. “If you can find ways to engage them with new technology, you’ve just got to do that.” Middle school teacher Celeste Simone said there is no turning back to how she taught before. As a teacher for English language learners, Simone can now ask AI tools to generate pictures alongside vocabulary words and create illustrated storybooks that use students’ names as characters. She can take a difficult reading passage and ask a chatbot to translate it into Spanish, Pashto or other languages. And she can ask AI to rewrite difficult passages at any grade level to match her students’ reading levels. All in a matter of seconds. “I can give my students access to things that never existed before,” Simone said. “As a teacher, once you’ve used it and see how helpful it is, I don’t think I could go back to the way I did things before.” The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. _ This story was first published on Oct 17, 2025. It was re-published on Oct. 20, 2025, to show Brad Smith is the president and vice chairman of Microsoft, not the CEO. —Jocelyn Gecker, AP Education Writer View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Since its release 2023, the Boox Palma e-reader—and its successor, the Palma 2—has sown confusion. It's the same size and shape as a cell phone and it has an e-ink screen, but it isn't an e-ink phone, because it doesn't have a SIM card slot or eSIM. Well, today Boox's parent company, the Chinese device-maker Onyx International, announced the new Palma 2 Pro, and things aren't getting any less opaque. As I wrote about last month when the new device was first rumored, the Palma 2 Pro does have a SIM card slot, but it still isn't really a phone—while it can handle mobile data (meaning browsing the internet, streaming video, reading email, or downloading books and other media), it still can't take calls like a traditional Android phone. (You can download a voice-over-internet app like Google Voice or WhatsApp, but that's not really the same thing.) That said, the Palma 2 Pro does offer a few choice upgrades worth discussing—as does the Boox Note Air 5C, the next in the company's line of full-fledged color e-ink notebooks. The Palma 2 Pro adds a color screen and stylus supportIf calling capability was the most-requested Palma feature on the Boox subreddit, then a color screen and support for note-taking were tied for second, and the new Palma will have both, turning it into a mini digital notebook along the lines of the reMarkable Paper Pro Move. In its announcement video, Boox revealed that the device will add the same Kaleido 3 color e-ink technology found on the Boox Go Color 7 (Gen II) released last year, and like that device, it will also support writing on the screen. While the Go Color 7 could be purchased with Boox's own "InkSense" stylus—a USI 2.0 pen that I found rather disappointing when I tested it last year—a Boox spokesperson promised an improved writing experience from the Palma 2 Pro's "InkSense Pro." (Given my mixed reaction to USI 2.0 styluses across other devices I've tested, I'm withholding judgment there.) While those are the headline changes, the Palma 2 Pro offers a few decent if not dramatic upgrades (which is probably why the company isn't calling it the Palma 3). It's still available in either black or white, but it runs on Android 15 (versus the Palma 2's Android 13), and has 8GB or RAM over the Palma 2's 6GB. Otherwise, it has the same basic form factor (the new device is .8mm thicker and 5g heavier) and features (including a 16 megapixel rear camera, 128GB of storage, an adjustable front light, and fingerprint unlock), but it still isn't fully waterproof. A big price increaseAll those upgrades do come at a significant cost—the Palma 2 Pro retails for $399.99 in the U.S., a full $100 more than the already-pricey-for-an-ereader Palma 2. It's unclear how much of the price increase can be chalked up to tariffs on Chinese-made products, but for what it's worth, the device will be sold for $20 less in other parts of the world. The Palma 2 Pro is available for pre-order now on Boox's website, with a scheduled ship date of Nov. 7. The Boox Note Air 5C is a less dramatic upgradeThe Palma 2 Pro wasn't the only product Boox announced today. The U.S. is also getting the next iteration of the Boox Note Air, though its far less flashy an upgrade. In fact, that features and specs listed on the Boox product page are a virtual copy of those for the Note Air 4C released in 2024. It has the same look and form factor (to within 1mm, according to the specs on the Boox website), the same Kaleido 3 color screen, the same 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and virtually the same weight. Aside from a similar upgrade from Android 13 to Android 15 for the OS, the biggest difference seems to be the addition of pogo pins to support for Boox's new magnetic keyboard cover, which turns the device into something resembling an e-ink laptop. (Boox also makes a keyboard cover for its larger Note Max and Tab X C tablets, and I've been pretty pleased with it.) It also comes packaged with an upgraded Boox Pen3 stylus, which I've yet to try out. The same price as the Note Air 4CBefitting the minimal upgrades, the price for the Note Air 5C remains $530 in the U.S., the same as last year's model, and you can already order it on Amazon. A good time for discounts on older Boox devices Boox Palma 2 $299.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $299.99 at Amazon Boox Note Air 4C $499.99 at Amazon $529.99 Save $30.00 Shop Now Shop Now $499.99 at Amazon $529.99 Save $30.00 SEE -1 MORE To be honest, these new product announcements aren't exactly what I was hoping for. The Note Air 5C is barely an upgrade, and given how successful it has been in helping me reduce my use of enraging and addictive social media apps, I really would love it if the Palma could replace my phone. Moreover, I don't find the addition of a color screen that compelling, since color e-ink makes black-and-white material look worse, and I think the Palma's 6.13-inch screen is too small to write on comfortably (even the 7.3-inch reMarkable Paper Pro Move is pushing it in that regard). On the plus side, the launch of new models does mean decent discounts on the older versions: You can now pick up the Palma 2 for $270, $30 less than the previous price and the same low it hit during recent Prime Day sales. Meanwhile, the Note Air 4C is $500, a $30 price cut. View the full article

Javier Milei’s plight in Argentina demonstrates how difficult it can be to rescue economies View the full article

The phrase “get ready with me!” sends shivers down my spine. Somewhere between the gratitude journal and the seventh supplement of the morning, "wellness" stopped being a refuge and became another item on an impossible to-do list. And when I don’t accomplish the items on my to-do list, I’ve introduced a new way to feel failure in my daily life. I’m burning out trying to prevent burnout; I’m anxious about not doing enough anxiety-reducing practices; I’m tired from all my “energy-boosting” protocols. All the self-care that’s supposed to leave me “restored” is utterly depleting me. I’ve reached a paradox of wellness culture, and I can't be alone. The surveillance state of self-careEmily Austen, author of Smarter: 10 Lessons for a More Productive and Less Stressed Life, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. She describes how wellness has morphed into "the new productivity theatre," where people find themselves "drowning in self-improvement checklists: journaling, breathwork, 10k steps, meditation, supplements, skincare, and still logging on exhausted." Wellness culture is its own kind of performance, with its own set of costumes. What's particularly insidious is how self-care has been co-opted into another metric of success. Austen points out that it "has turned into another form of self-surveillance: something we perform, post, and measure." We're not just tracking our steps and sleep cycles for ourselves—we're curating proof of our wellness for an audience, real or imagined. And here’s where we reach the paradox of self-care. We know the hustle culture is broken, yet we're sold wellness as the solution…through more hustle. Brands capitalize on our exhaustion, selling hope in the form of adaptogens and morning routines, promising relief for our "fried nervous systems." Whether or not you’d call your nervous system “fried,” the majority of us feel burnt out in one way or another. And as Austen reminds us, most of us "do not have the luxury of taking six months off to recover." The systems we build need to work alongside our actual lives, not in some idealized version of them. Otherwise, they're just expensive bandages on a wound that needs stitches. The myth of the perfect routineAlexis Haselberger, a time management and productivity coach, encounters this wellness mythology constantly in her practice. There's a pervasive belief that "self-care is a set of activities (yoga, meditation, morning pages, etc.) and if you're not doing them, you're not taking care of yourself." She recalls a client who, after a time-tracking exercise, concluded he wasn't drinking enough water. Her response? "How do you know?" The ensuing conversation revealed the absurdity of following arbitrary rules—like the famous eight glasses of water—without checking in with your actual body. "Are you feeling dehydrated? Is your pee dark yellow? Are you thirsty all the time? No? Well, your water intake is probably just fine." Even more telling is the phenomenon of people fighting their natural chronotype, trying to become morning people just to squeeze in wellness rituals before work. Haselberger sees "many, many people" attempting this transformation, chasing the Instagram-worthy 5 a.m. routine when their bodies are wired for different rhythms entirely. How did we arrive at this exhausting place? Haselberger blames "a dystopian content machine" flooding us with claims that one more wellness activity will make all the difference. "People are already stressed, so they're searching for the magic bullet." Instead, real self-care is often about subtracting, not adding. “No bubble bath or journaling session is going to solve burnout,” Haselberger says. Rather, it’s about removing what doesn’t serve you, not piling on more obligations. Focus on protecting your boundaries, curating your environment, and knowing when to quit. The simplest solutionKatherine Morgan Schafler, therapist and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, offers a way out of this trap: simplicity and sustainability. Before adopting any wellness practice, ask yourself two questions: Is it simple? Is it sustainable? Take exercise as an example. Instead of committing to a complex gym routine, could you take a walk? Do jumping jacks in your living room? Schafler suggests asking what you could see yourself doing "for the rest of your life," not what you could white-knuckle through for six months in an "unsustainable burst that leads to burn out." And here's the permission slip we all need: "You're supposed to do this thing called 'enjoying your life.'" Fun and enjoyment aren't frivolous—they're essential to mental wellness. "Formal wellness routines that take themselves too seriously and are devoid of fun might not be helpful for you," Schafler says. "Trust what feels good; if you're not enjoying it on some level, don't do it." Perhaps the most radical act of self-care isn't adding another supplement to your morning stack or waking up earlier for meditation. Maybe it's permission to do less. Trust your body over influencer advice, protect your time instead of optimizing it, and choose actual rest over the performance of rest. Wellness should restore, not deplete. If your self-care routine feels like another job, it's not care—it's compliance. And you're allowed to quit. View the full article

Can a UX change bring traffic back to X? The social network previously known as Twitter is hoping an update to its in-app browser will boost links on the timeline and lure back publishers and creators who’ve grown ambivalent to a site that doesn’t drive clicks like it used to. X head of product Nikita Bier wrote in a post Sunday that a new link experience that will first be tested out on iOS is intended to “make it easier for your followers to engage with your post while browsing links.” Currently, users who click links on X are taken to an in-app browser that takes up the full screen. Under the update, which Bier shared in a demo video, clicking on a link instead collapses the post’s engagement bar to the bottom of the screen, letting users comment, repost, like, or save from inside the story as they scroll and read. We're testing a new link experience, starting on iOS — to make it easier for your followers to engage with your post while browsing links. For creators, a common complaint is that posts with links tend to get lower reach. This is because the web browser covers the post and… pic.twitter.com/oWraLpPwji — Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) October 19, 2025 From the looks of it, it’s a more seamless experience that better integrates links into the larger X experience rather than the friction that comes from opening a link in a slow-loading browser. The change could encourage more engagement for posts with links, which in turn would surface more links on the timeline. “For creators, a common complaint is that posts with links tend to get lower reach,” Bier wrote. “This is because the web browser covers the post and people forget to Like or Reply. So X doesn’t get a clear signal whether the content is any good.” The announcement comes amid wider changes at X. Owner Elon Musk also announced Sunday that the site’s recommendations are “evolving very rapidly” and within four to six weeks, xAI’s Grok system “will literally read every post and watch every video (100M+ per day) to match users with content they’re most likely to find interesting.” While links may be buried in X’s timeline today, the right algorithm tweaks and UX changes could better surface posts with links and make the site more friendly for creators and publishers. Bier denied that links are de-boosted on X’s timeline now, but said they do “have lower engagement and we are trying to fix that.” “If you’re a writer or journalist who left X in the last couple years, coming back could be the biggest arbitrage opportunity of your career,” he wrote. Once the online water cooler of digital media, X now drives less referral traffic for publishers than it previously did, while X’s own usage data released earlier this year suggests a decline in time spent on the app. Outlets like PBS, NPR, and The Guardian have stopped posting there altogether, as news influencers and journalists have turned to alternatives like Bluesky, Substack, LinkedIn, and Threads to build their online audiences. As social media companies adapt to a changing landscape, UX and UI changes can help nudge users towards new behaviors (see Meta’s push into vertical video or upgrades to its DMs). For X, a change to the experience of clicking links and interacting with articles on its app could help make it more welcoming to the writers and readers who powered Twitter in its heyday. View the full article

Love it or hate it, iOS 26 brought the most radical software redesign to the iPhone in over a decade. The company’s new design language, Liquid Glass, mimics how light in the real world warps and transforms when passing through physical glass. Many iPhone users find Liquid Glass refreshing, fun, and technically impressive. Detractors of the new design say Liquid Glass’s myriad transparent toolbars and other UI elements, which let the content behind them bleed through, make iOS 26 harder to navigate than its predecessors. Regardless of where you stand, Liquid Glass isn’t going away. Yet, if you fall into the latter camp and find the new design element distracting, you’ll be very happy with the next major update to iOS 26. Apple will soon let you tone down the design While iOS 26 shipped in September, that was just the first iteration of the software. Apple continues to develop the iPhone’s OS actively, and currently it is beta testing the next major update to the new operating system: iOS 26.1. Apple has been testing iOS 26.1 for weeks now, and yesterday, it released the fourth beta of the software. Hidden inside this beta was a new feature: a toggle to increase the opacity of Liquid Glass elements, giving them a less glassy and more frosted appearance. The option to make Liquid Glass appear more like frosted glass, which Apple calls “tinted” (versus “clear”), makes it much easier to see the outline of individual buttons on menu bars and other UI elements, while still letting some of the color from behind the UI elements bleed through. In short, the new option allows users to tone down the Liquid Glass look while still enjoying many of iOS 26’s redesigned benefits (9to5Mac has screenshots here of what the new “tinted” Liquid Glass looks like). How to tone down Liquid Glass in iOS 26.1 Once you have iOS 26.1 on your iPhone, you can easily switch Liquid Glass from clear to tinted thanks to a new setting in the Settings app. To tone down your Liquid Glass elements: Open the Settings app in iOS 26.1. Tap Display and Brightness. Tap Liquid Glass. Tap the “Tinted” option. As Apple explains in a short message below the options, “Choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass. Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath. Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast.” It should be noted that the steps for toning down Liquid Glass may change by the time the final version of iOS 26.1 ships to the public, but as of iOS 26.1 beta 4, this is how you do it. When will iOS 26.1 be available? If you are an Apple developer or signed up to be an Apple public beta tester, you can download iOS 26.1 beta 4 right now. But if you want to wait for the official release, you won’t need to wait long. Apple is likely to release iOS 26.1 to the public next week, perhaps as early as Monday, October 27. Once it’s released, any iPhone that can run iOS 26 will be able to tone down the transparency effects of Liquid Glass. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. To the disappointment of Judgment Day fans, The Rapture did not happen as predicted at the end of September, but keep your fingers crossed for November, when aliens are expected to invade. This one's a way more concrete prediction than the Rapture. Unlike Jesus, we can actually see the alien starship in our telescopes, cleverly disguised as an interstellar comet. And it's not just conspiracy theorists or Joe Rogan Podcast guests sounding the alarm—a Harvard astrophysicist kicked off the whole thing. So hold on to your butt! The ballad of 3I/ATLASBack in July, NASA spotted 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet about the size of Manhattan, passing through our solar system on its journey from God knows where. This is only the third interstellar comet we've ever spotted, so it's a big deal. In September, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb (who had a long, legit career until recently) published "News on 3I/ATLAS: Lack of Non-Gravitational Acceleration Implies an Anomalously Massive Object" which posits that the comet could be a giant spaceship that is going to fly behind the Sun on Oct. 21 (hey, that's the day I'm posting this!), and while it's shielded from our view, the "potentially hostile" comet/spaceship could do all kinds of aerial maneuvers, release a squadron of X-wings, or really anything. Then he appeared on a bunch of podcasts and news shows to talk about his "it could be aliens!" idea and it spread in mainstream press. The cranks took over from there, connecting Loeb's observations with the prophecies of "Baba Vanga" (a blind, Bulgarian fortune teller that cuckoos love), lies about NASA, Loeb's own invocation of the "Dark Forest" theory (where hostile aliens lurk silently waiting to strike), and everything else you could image, then they used AI to make videos about the invasion. So many AI videos about the invasion. So are aliens landing in November?I wouldn't bet on it. If you read Loeb's papers or listen to interviews with him, it's clear he's careful to never make any predictions. He says things like 3I/Atlas "could be on a mission to release mini probes meant to invade Earth," or "If it’s a technological object, then it might maneuver itself." Oh, it could be on mission? It might do something? I could be about to grow 17 heads, and I might release mini probes too. Loeb is not wrong, technically, nor is he lying, but he's not being entirely honest either, because he doesn't follow up his statements with "...but it's so unlikely, it's barely worth considering." And this isn't the first time he's done this. What's the deal with Avi Loeb?Remember 1I/ʻOumuamua? That cigar-shaped interstellar object people thought was an extraterrestrial probe in 2017? Loeb started that, too. He co-authored a paper suggesting it could be a lightsail—a thin, artificial sheet propelled by starlight—sent by an alien civilization. A possibility, but surprise! it turned out to be a comet. Then there was the meteor. In 2022, Loeb claimed that a meteor that crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 2014 was interstellar in origin and possibly technological. He dredged up fragments from the ocean floor, and held press conferences about the "spherules" that might be alien technology. After sighing heavily, other scientists responded with: "Sure, it might be alien technology, but it isn't," and I hope they added, "why don't we put some money on the next 'space probe?'" It's a pattern: Loeb makes a qualified outrageous claim, gets the headlines ("Harvard Scientist: Comet Could Be Alien Spaceship!") while hedging enough to say "I never said it was aliens" when the prediction fizzles. He seems to be trying to raise awareness about how we think about extraterrestrial life and push against the knee-jerk scientific dismissal of the subject, but the way he's doing it is questionable. Science isn't sexy enoughIn 2025, "We should carefully study this unusual object" doesn't land you a book contract and media blitz like "Could this be an alien invasion fleet?" does, but it also doesn't corrode public trust in science, and legitimate scientists studying interstellar objects, searching for biosignatures, and working on SETI get drowned out by the noise. And what happens in November? Our Venusian Sky Brothers might descend upon Earth with cake and ice cream for all, but I'm putting my money on the cranks moving on to flat-Earth theories or weather machines, while Loeb generates headlines in a few months with another "this time, it really might be aliens!" object. View the full article

Plunge comes amid warnings that historic bullion rally is overdone View the full article

Culture change is a big topic—and a big consulting business. When I Googled “culture change consulting business,” three of top five (non-sponsored) responses were Bain, BCG, and McKinsey (in that order). Because changing culture is a prominent issue for executives—and often a very frustrating one—I decided to tackle it in this Playing to Win/Practitioner Insights (PTW/PI) called Culture Change Strategy: Three Rules for Making Change Happen. And as always, you can find all the previous PTW/PI here. The culture change consulting pitches It was fun to take a quick look at the culture change pitches of Bain, BCG, and McKinsey. Bain’s was aspirational: “Culture is behavior at scale. Companies that create a winning culture are five times more likely to be top performers . . . Get it right and you not only boost total shareholder return and EBIT growth by up to 500%, and revenue by a factor of 10, but create an advantage that’s hard for competitors to copy.” BCG’s was interesting. It provided three success stories, the two examples for which the singular success metric was cost reduction/cost savings ($500M and $283M, respectively)—clearly BCG’s focus is culture change for cost cutting. (The third case was weird, celebrating a “147% rise in cost earnings per share.” You would think that a $10 billion professional service firm would at least spellcheck the large-font bolded highlights on the landing page. But maybe there is a new non-GAAP measure called “cost earnings per share.”) In any event, its take on “desired culture” is: “We help create a high-performance culture . . . by articulating the unique set of cultural traits that support business strategy, activating them through leader and organization-wide practices, and embedding the culture and change in organization structures, processes, and policies.” McKinsey’s culture and change blurb actually says very little about culture. Of the four elements of “Our Approach,” only of the four even mentions culture: “Capability-driven: We build the skills of your people and the capabilities and culture of your organization to improve organizational health and performance.” Wholesale versus retail There is lots of stuff there, and I am sure there are valuable nuggets in the approaches. But there is lots of focus on structures, policies, and processes. These are all in a category that I call wholesale—things that can be done from a distance, centrally. It isn’t an unusual impulse. Governments love wholesale. For example, a while ago the federal government became concerned about the economic struggles of single women with young children and came up with Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), a federal assistance program that provided cash benefits to single mothers with children. That is wholesale. Giving money to local groups to provide customized help family-by-family is retail. Governments don’t like retail because they have got to find lots of local groups and vet them and monitor them, etc. Ugh. That is a lot of work. Companies are similar. They want to change culture by reorganizing to push responsibility downward—to create a culture of initiative. Or change the stage-gate process for R&D projects—to create a culture of innovation. Or change compensation rules—to create a culture of accomplishment. Steering mechanisms Wholesale solutions inevitably sound cooler and connote commitment to culture change. But the secret to culture change is retail. To explain, l will dive into steering mechanisms, a term I coined (at least with respect to business organizations) in my very first Harvard Business Review article back in 1993, called Changing the Mind of the Corporation. Decades later, I wrote about it again in Chapter Six of my 2022 book A New Way to Think. Both pieces discussed the underlying systems that cause companies to operate the way they do—and not some other way. It is not unlike the (literal) steering mechanism in newer model cars that won’t let you switch lanes without first signaling. You may want to change lanes, but the steering mechanism says: No! My work on steering mechanisms adopted and adapted the work of Diana Smith—with whom I worked for several years in the mid-nineties. She is one of the group of most prominent students/followers of the late Chris Argyris, along with Amy Edmondson, Peter Senge, and David Cooperrider and me. I was attracted to her work because of my interest in the concept of steering mechanisms, shown below. Three elements work as system of three interacting mechanisms. At one end are the formal mechanisms. These are the structures, systems, processes designed to meet goals—like the ones talked about above. Cultural mechanisms are the mental guidebooks that drive collective interpretations/actions. That is, the cultural guidebooks tell you how to interpret the world around you and what actions are appropriate in that world. For example, if Kevin dresses down a subordinate in an abusive and demeaning way in a meeting and the interpretation, based on repeated incidences of this sort of behavior, is that because Kevin is an important star performer, he can abuse any subordinate and get away with it, the mental guidebook will become: “Abusive behavior is fine if you are a star. If you work for one; expect it. And if you can just get to be a star, you can do it too.” In a strong culture (not a good culture, a strong culture), everybody watching such an interaction has the same interpretation. In a weak culture, the interpretations are all over the map—i.e. there is no guidebook. The key is to recognize that culture is derivative of a mediating domain, interpersonal mechanisms, which are the patterns that form as members define and solve problems together. Formal mechanisms don’t directly influence cultural mechanisms. It is during interpersonal interactions that collective interpretations—like the one with Kevin—take shape. The first time you see that sort of abusive behavior in your company, you might not know what to make of it, though you might well get some help from someone who will take you aside and say: Don’t get in that position with Kevin or that will happen to you! In this way, the interpersonal domain is the linchpin. Formal can influence interpersonal. For example, if a company has completely separate marketing and sales organizations, it may promote tensions between the two functions and lots of testy meetings between marketing and sales people. Repetition of bad meetings will likely cause marketing people to warn new sales people to watch out for marketing—they always come up with unsaleable marketing ideas. When that becomes the common interpretation, the next meeting will go worse still, which just reinforces the interpretation, and so on. Eventually often a formal fix will be attempted to “transform culture,” for example to put marketing and sales under a single EVP of marketing and sales. But that won’t change culture because the source of the problem was in the interpersonal domain and the guidebooks are still in the heads of the marketing folks and the sales folks. Implications for culture change There are two common approaches to culture change. The first is to attempt to go at it directly by declaring that culture must change to a desired new state. It doesn’t work and never has—or ever will. The second is to change formal mechanisms—reorganize, streamline processes, change incentives, etc. That doesn’t work either. But the failures don’t stop people from trying. Notice that these methods are entirely wholesale—broadcast a video; do a restructuring, etc. Wholesale isn’t the answer. Culture change happens at the retail level—which means working at the interpersonal level. Changing the way people in the company interact with each other in the interpersonal domain is what changes culture. When it comes to culture change you need to be the change you want to see (a quote that is misattributed to Gandhi). Leaders of large companies often ask me, in response, how can I possibly make that happen in my large company? Won’t it take forever? I tell them that Kremlin watching doesn’t only happen in Moscow. In companies, managers throughout watch leadership behavior like hawks. As a leader, if you behave in interpersonal interactions the way you would like managers throughout the organization to act, mirroring will happen faster than you think. I have seen it in giant companies like P&G. AG Lafley wanted to make the culture more consumer-focused, so in every meeting with any member of his executive team in which they were asking for his approval on a project or initiative, he would always ask: On what consumer insights is this recommendation based? And AG would spend lots of his time doing in-home visits with consumers to better understand their needs. Managers throughout the organization naturally followed suit because of his behavior. In the strategy process, he always both gave direction on what he was looking for his direct reports to produce but also offered to help them in whatever way they would find helpful. That created a culture of collaboration in strategy. I have done it myself in a much, much smaller organization, the Rotman School of Management. The culture was far too professor centric. The tenure stream professors were the proverbial Brahmin caste. But the student experience depended on everyone to deliver, and I wanted our culture to reflect that. So, I always stopped to talk to the front desk receptionist on the way to my office and to the cleaning staff when they came to clean my office (because I was there working late when they made their evening rounds), and to the IT staff, and to the lecturers, etc. Professors watched and most of them (not all!) shifted their behavior in a positive direction. And I have helped it happen in companies in between, as with a $10 billion luxury apparel company that sold mainly through clothing retailers. The incoming CEO was terribly disappointed in the in-store execution of the brand and the inattention the organization had to it. To him, it was a culture of fire & forget — and hope. I convinced him that rather than attempting to change that culture through fiat, to do a series of impromptu retailer visits during which he would problem-solve with the store personnel to come up with ways his company and the retailer could work together to create a great in-store shopper experience with his brands. And I convinced him to invite his senior team members to come — not order them; invite them. Some joined him on the first trip, during which he modeled the kind of problem-solving, partnership culture that he wanted to nurture. He didn’t berate the retailer personnel. He talked to them constructively about partnership. Word got around and more executives joined him on future trips until the corporate jet was packed. Retail execution improved dramatically as the culture changed from fire & forget to partner-for-success. Practitioner insights Culture change is hard. The formal, interpersonal and cultural steering mechanisms that build up over time are there to keep you going in the exact same direction. There are three rules for successful culture change. The first is to think retail not wholesale. There are no master strokes from the faraway top of the company that magically bring about culture change. The second is to focus on the interpersonal domain. It is the mediating domain and the only domain that can directly impact and change culture. The third is to change culture, you need to change your own leadership behavior. There is no alternative. Do as I say, not as I do works as well in companies as it works with children — i.e. not at all! Every interpersonal interaction for a leader is a two-edged sword. If you do it badly, your leadership behavior reinforces the culture you want to change. But if you do it well, it starts the formation of new interpretations consistent with the culture you want to see — and that is gold! View the full article

Evolution escalates dispute, saying rival spent £1.8mn to hire Israeli agency founded by Mossad veteransView the full article

Crypto heavyweight Coinbase said on Tuesday it has bought investment platform Echo in a nearly $375 million cash-and-stock deal, aiming to bring fundraising tools to its platform. Dealmaking within the digital assets industry has picked up pace this year as a crypto-friendly The President administration encourages companies to expand their business in the U.S. Last week, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken unveiled a $100 million deal for futures exchange Small Exchange, paving the way to launch a fully U.S.-based derivatives suite. Echo’s platform makes raising capital and investing more accessible to the crypto community through private and public token sales. “We want to create more accessible, efficient, and transparent capital markets,” Coinbase said in a blog post. While Coinbase will start with crypto token sales via Echo’s Sonar platform, the company later plans on expanding support to tokenized securities and real-world assets. Echo was founded by crypto trader Jordan Fish, widely known by his “Cobie” pseudonym. The platform has helped crypto projects raise more than $200 million since its launch two years ago. In May, Coinbase had struck a $2.9 billion deal for crypto options provider Deribit, plugging a gap in its derivatives portfolio and strengthening its international presence. —Arasu Kannagi Basil, Reuters 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. Right now, black JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones are down to $39.99 (originally $129.95), offering a nearly 70% discount on this long-lasting, noise-cancelling alternative to in-ear buds from a reliable brand with free shipping. JBL Live 460NC Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones $39.99 at Walmart $129.95 Save $89.96 Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Walmart $129.95 Save $89.96 Battery life is the standout feature on these headphones, which provide up to 50 hours of playback with ANC off and up to 40 hours with ANC on. Ten minutes of charging provides around four hours of extra playtime. While some consumer reviews say they experience discomfort due to a feeling of tightness when worn for long periods (likely due to the on-ear design), most find them to be a lightweight option that’s “comfortable enough to wear all day without any regret," as noted in this PCMag review. For a $40 price point, these headphones offer high-quality adaptive noise cancelling to drown out background noise and clear, crisp audio powered by 40mm drivers. They perform well across all genres, making them ideal for everyday listening. They feature three main settings: ANC, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru mode, which lets you hear surroundings or have a chat without taking off the headphones. Buttons on the ear cup allow you to manage calls, with a VoiceAware feature letting you control how much of your own mic input is routed back into the earbuds. They also integrate with Alexa and Google, which can be controlled by tapping the ear cup. If you want to adjust EQ and presets, you can do so on the companion app. They might not offer the best-in-class ANC or come with a carrying case, but they offer outstanding value at just $40. If your priority is good sound, long battery life, decent comfort, and modern features like app controls and ANC, the JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones hit the sweet spot between everyday value, audio performance, and comfort. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $799.99 (List Price $799.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $69.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $149.99 (List Price $149.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $69.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen, 2-pack, White) — $79.99 (List Price $99.98) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023) — $49.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $359.89 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $139.99 (List Price $139.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Small businesses are constantly navigating the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. Zoom’s recent announcement of new features for Zoom Spaces promises to enhance how companies manage their work environments. With AI-driven upgrades such as photo check-in for Visitor Management and an AI Companion for Zoom Rooms, small businesses can now leverage cutting-edge technology to improve collaboration and productivity. Jeff Smith, Zoom’s head of Product for Workplace AI, Meetings, and Spaces, emphasized the transformative potential of these innovations. “The future of office work is being revolutionized. Zoom Spaces transform how we think about collaboration by creating dynamic environments where innovation and productivity aren’t limited by physical presence,” he stated. This offers a compelling glimpse into how businesses can remain competitive in a fast-paced digital world. The introduction of photo check-in for Visitor Management is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have extensive resources for security and visitor tracking. This feature allows employees to verify visitors through pictures, ensuring a smooth entry process while enhancing security protocols. By simplifying visitor management, businesses can create a more welcoming experience for clients and partners, thus fostering better relationships. Small business owners will also find value in the Recorder with AI Companion for Zoom Rooms. This feature enables comprehensive meeting documentation, allowing for easy access to discussions and key decisions made during meetings. “Zoom Spaces is fostering a more connected, inclusive workspace that adapts to how modern teams actually work,” Smith added. The AI Companion assists in summarizing discussions and providing actionable insights, which can boost team efficiency and ensure everyone stays on the same page, regardless of their physical location. Collaboration is further enhanced through Zoom’s partnerships with major companies like HP, Google, Cisco, Meta, and Logitech. These alliances bring an array of tools and resources to small businesses, offering integrations that can streamline workflows and reduce friction in operations. For instance, partnering with hardware providers allows small businesses to access cutting-edge technology without incurring the costs of developing solutions in-house. Despite these advantages, small business owners should be mindful of the potential challenges associated with adopting new technology. Transitioning to AI-first environments may require training for employees, particularly those who are less tech-savvy. Ensuring that staff can effectively utilize these new features will be critical for maximizing their benefits. Moreover, small businesses may face initial costs associated with upgrading existing systems or integrating new technologies into their operations. As remote and hybrid work continues to be a dominant trend, Zoom’s innovations provide small business owners with the tools necessary for success. These enhancements not only improve internal operations but also allow businesses to adapt to the needs of a modern workforce. The ability to foster connection, regardless of physical location, can be a game-changer for small companies striving to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world. Robust features like photo check-in and enhanced recording capabilities equip businesses with the essentials for efficient collaboration. By focusing on these advancements, small business owners can gain a clearer understanding of how to implement strategies that keep their teams engaged and productive. As Jeff Smith notes, the future of work is rapidly changing; how businesses adapt to these changes will define their success in the years to come. For further details on these innovations, visit Zoom’s blog. This article, "Zoom Expands AI Tools in Spaces to Power Smarter Hybrid Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small businesses are constantly navigating the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. Zoom’s recent announcement of new features for Zoom Spaces promises to enhance how companies manage their work environments. With AI-driven upgrades such as photo check-in for Visitor Management and an AI Companion for Zoom Rooms, small businesses can now leverage cutting-edge technology to improve collaboration and productivity. Jeff Smith, Zoom’s head of Product for Workplace AI, Meetings, and Spaces, emphasized the transformative potential of these innovations. “The future of office work is being revolutionized. Zoom Spaces transform how we think about collaboration by creating dynamic environments where innovation and productivity aren’t limited by physical presence,” he stated. This offers a compelling glimpse into how businesses can remain competitive in a fast-paced digital world. The introduction of photo check-in for Visitor Management is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have extensive resources for security and visitor tracking. This feature allows employees to verify visitors through pictures, ensuring a smooth entry process while enhancing security protocols. By simplifying visitor management, businesses can create a more welcoming experience for clients and partners, thus fostering better relationships. Small business owners will also find value in the Recorder with AI Companion for Zoom Rooms. This feature enables comprehensive meeting documentation, allowing for easy access to discussions and key decisions made during meetings. “Zoom Spaces is fostering a more connected, inclusive workspace that adapts to how modern teams actually work,” Smith added. The AI Companion assists in summarizing discussions and providing actionable insights, which can boost team efficiency and ensure everyone stays on the same page, regardless of their physical location. Collaboration is further enhanced through Zoom’s partnerships with major companies like HP, Google, Cisco, Meta, and Logitech. These alliances bring an array of tools and resources to small businesses, offering integrations that can streamline workflows and reduce friction in operations. For instance, partnering with hardware providers allows small businesses to access cutting-edge technology without incurring the costs of developing solutions in-house. Despite these advantages, small business owners should be mindful of the potential challenges associated with adopting new technology. Transitioning to AI-first environments may require training for employees, particularly those who are less tech-savvy. Ensuring that staff can effectively utilize these new features will be critical for maximizing their benefits. Moreover, small businesses may face initial costs associated with upgrading existing systems or integrating new technologies into their operations. As remote and hybrid work continues to be a dominant trend, Zoom’s innovations provide small business owners with the tools necessary for success. These enhancements not only improve internal operations but also allow businesses to adapt to the needs of a modern workforce. The ability to foster connection, regardless of physical location, can be a game-changer for small companies striving to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world. Robust features like photo check-in and enhanced recording capabilities equip businesses with the essentials for efficient collaboration. By focusing on these advancements, small business owners can gain a clearer understanding of how to implement strategies that keep their teams engaged and productive. As Jeff Smith notes, the future of work is rapidly changing; how businesses adapt to these changes will define their success in the years to come. For further details on these innovations, visit Zoom’s blog. This article, "Zoom Expands AI Tools in Spaces to Power Smarter Hybrid Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

General Motors lifted its financial outlook for the year and slightly lowered its expected hit from tariffs, as the automaker awaits expected relief on tariffs in the U.S. while confronting a weakening market for electric vehicles. The company now expects its annual adjusted core profit to be between $12.0 billion to $13.0 billion, compared with its prior estimate of $10.0 billion to $12.5 billion. The Detroit automaker said tariffs would hit its bottom line less than anticipated, lowering its updated impact to a range of $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion, from a previous $4 billion to $5 billion. Shares rose about 8% in premarket trading. GM’s outlook hike lifted crosstown peer Ford and U.S.-listed shares of Stellantis nearly 2% each in premarket trade. EARNINGS TOP WALL ST EXPECTATIONS GM’s quarterly adjusted earnings per share dropped to $2.80, beating LSEG analysts’ expectation of $2.31. The auto giant earlier this month took a $1.6 billion charge from changes to its EV strategy. At the end of September, a $7,500 tax credit on battery-powered models went away, and there has been further loosening of regulations around vehicle emissions. In a letter to shareholders, GM CEO Mary Barra said she expects the company to incur future charges related to EVs. “By acting swiftly and decisively to address overcapacity, we expect to reduce EV losses in 2026 and beyond,” she said. Revenue for the quarter ended September marginally fell to $48.6 billion from a year earlier. U.S. car sales have stayed strong despite uncertainty around the tariffs, rising 6% in the third quarter. While automakers have largely avoided raising sticker prices to offset their tariff costs, American car shoppers have continued to opt for pricier models and added features. TARIFF RELIEF FOR U.S. AUTO INDUSTRY GM said it plans to mitigate 35% of its anticipated tariff hit. There is relief on the horizon for many U.S. automakers, after U.S. President Donald The President approved an order to expand credits for U.S. auto and engine production, allowing companies to receive a credit equal to 3.75% of the suggested retail price for U.S. assembled vehicles through 2030 to offset import tariffs on parts. “I also want to thank the President and his team for the important tariff updates they made on Friday. The MSRP offset program will help make U.S.-produced vehicles more competitive over the next five years,” Barra said in a letter to shareholders. Global companies have flagged more than $35 billion in costs from U.S. tariffs heading into third-quarter earnings. Investors are still waiting on trade deals to be ironed out with Mexico and Canada, analysts noted, as well as with South Korea, a major exporter of cars for GM. Automakers have been ramping up U.S. investments to offset The President’s levies. GM announced in June that it would invest $4 billion at three U.S. facilities in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee. The automaker imports about half of the vehicles it sells in the U.S., mainly from Mexico and South Korea. Stellantis earlier this month said it plans to invest $13 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. GM SCALES BACK EV AMBITIONS Barra in 2021 announced the company’s ambition to produce only EVs by 2035, a goal she has since stopped referencing publicly, instead saying customer demand will guide the automaker’s lineup. Sales of EVs were strong for GM and across the industry in the third quarter, as shoppers raced to take advantage of the tax credit, but they still comprised less than 10% of the company’s overall sales. To spur consumer demand, GM planned to offer a program that would have allowed its dealers to continue offering the tax credit on EV leases. It has since backtracked on the initiative following backlash from lawmakers, including Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, a former car dealer. Ford also scrapped its program with the same aim. Other automakers, including Hyundai and Stellantis, are offering incentives to slash the prices consumers pay for their EVs. —Nora Eckert and Nathan Gomes, Reuters View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The Kindle Colorsoft is Amazon's most expensive e-reader (technically, the Kindle Scribe is more of an e-note), but that doesn't automatically make it the best Kindle. In fact, if you mostly use your Kindle for novels or even black-and-white manga rather than color comics or picture books, the Colorsoft will actively make that content look worse. While I've been banging this drum about color e-readers for a while, you don't have to take my word for it: Amazon actually used to warn buyers about this too, but has since taken that warning down. As far back as February, according to a page saved by The Internet Archive, Amazon's FAQ for the Kindle Colorsoft included the following frank commentary on the device's shortcomings: "The Colorsoft display is distinct from the Paperwhite display. The Kindle Colorsoft is designed to provide a high-quality reading experience in both color and black and white. You may notice that the texture or brightness of the display looks different than the Kindle Paperwhite display. That’s because of the color filter layer that creates the easy on the eyes color reading experience on Kindle Colorsoft. If you are looking for a slightly crisper black and white reading experience, you may want to check out Kindle Paperwhite, which has the fastest page turns and highest contrast ratio of any 2024 Kindle device." While not outright derogatory towards the company's color products, the explanation was a noteworthy in that it did admit that the Kindle Paperwhite, despite being less expensive, offers a crisper black and white experience. (Why? Because the color filter in the Colorsoft, which is there whether it's actively being displayed or not, lowers the contrast and can add unwanted texture and shine to text even when you're reading reading black-and-white content). Apparently someone at Amazon corporate thought it was time for a change, and one at the expense of prospective buyers. Over the weekend, the company changed the Colorsoft FAQ once again, and it now reads as follows: The Colorsoft display is distinct from the Paperwhite display, and includes a fully optimized display stack to deliver high quality color reading. The black and white resolution (300ppi) is the same across devices. That's much less clear. While not outright lying, the new disclaimer sidesteps the device's shortcomings, instead simply acknowledging that the Colorsoft has a "high quality" color experience while bringing up an unrelated note about black-and-white resolution. That's a misdirect—the Colorsoft's issues with contrast and artifacts remain, despite matching the Paperwhite in black-and-white resolution, as seen in the picture below. "Dune" on the Kindle Colorsoft (left) vs. Kindle Paperwhite (right) Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt It's an understandable move from a marketing perspective, but also a disappointing deletion of a rare moment of honesty from a big brand, while emphasizing the larger anxiety behind color e-Ink. (I reached out to Amazon for comment, and will update this story if I hear back.) Color e-ink isn't really ready for the marketFrankly, I don't think most adults have a need for color e-Ink. Unless you're a big comic book reader, there's a good chance that what you're reading on your Kindle is in black-and-white. And if that's the case, you're going to get a better experience by paying less for a device without a color filter. I can see why Amazon would be cagey about it. Credit: Amazon But with charts and pricing like the above, that's not strictly intuitive, and it's why I appreciated the clarification provided on the old FAQ page so much, especially because it was willing to direct users looking for a specific experience towards a better product for them, even at the expense of profit for Amazon. The new description instead seems tailor made to make it seem like the Paperwhite and Colorsoft are about on par for black-and-white content, but that the Colorsoft also has color, which is just not true. It's actually the misconception I always correct first when writing about this product category, and I'm disappointed to see Amazon change its messaging to spread it. While color e-Ink has a niche appeal, trickery and obfuscation is not the way to sell it. View the full article