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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re looking for a new QD-OLED TV with fantastic picture quality from a reputable brand, the Sony QD-OLED 77" Bravia XR A95L Series is currently $3,798 (originally 4,999.99), bringing this popular TV down to its lowest price ever, according to price-trackers. Sony QD-OLED 77 inch Bravia XR A95L Series 4K Ultra HD TV $3,798.00 at Amazon $4,999.99 Save $1,201.99 Get Deal Get Deal $3,798.00 at Amazon $4,999.99 Save $1,201.99 This TV offers a wide color gamut and exceptional, lifelike color thanks to the QD-OLED panel, which also delivers perfect OLED blacks without any blooming. For shoppers with a large room or those who view the TV off-center, the ultra-wide viewing angle is a major plus. A step up from the A95L (reviewed in PCMag), the Dolby Vision HDR on this smart TV performs well and handles reflections and glare with ease. Compared to the A95L, it manages bright scenes better, offers more refined visuals, and delivers a better gaming experience, supporting 4K at 120Hz, VRR, Auto Low Latency Mode, and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. It also includes a Game Menu that keeps your gaming picture settings and assist settings in an easily accessible interface. For PlayStation 5 owners, it unlocks Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for optimized picture quality. That said, the A95L only has two HDMI ports, so if you need to connect multiple high-bandwidth devices, it may not be ideal. However, reviewers note that compared to similar televisions, its out-of-the-box calibration accuracy is impressive. If you’re looking for one of the most immersive TV picture experiences on the market with premium image fidelity, depth, and color richness (and don’t mind limited HDMI 2.1 ports), the Sony QD-OLED 77" Bravia XR A95L Series is a solid large-screen option with standout value, especially at a $1,200 discount. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $324.99 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $297.99 (List Price $649.99) Apple Watch Series 10 — $309.99 (List Price $429.00) Google Pixel 9 128GB Unlocked 6.9" OLED Smartphone (Obsidian) — $544.98 (List Price $799.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $328.00 (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) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Last week, Fast Company reported that regional banking giant TD Bank is planning to close more than 50 U.S. locations by the end of January. But TD Bank isn’t the only regional bank closing branches. In October, Citizens Bank disclosed that at least 14 branches throughout the United States will shutter, according to public filings. Here’s what to know and where they were located. Why is Citizens Bank closing branches? Reached for comment by Fast Company, a Citizens Bank spokesperson said its retail footprint is constantly changing along with people’s banking habits. “We regularly review customer banking patterns and make thoughtful adjustments, opening new locations, modernizing existing branches, and consolidating where usage has shifted, to meet customers’ needs in the most effective way,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “As part of this ongoing process, we will be closing select locations in early 2026.” The bank says customers in each of the affected markets will continue to have additional choices such as “nearby branches, as well as our robust online mobile banking platforms.” It further said that its retail operations have grown 14% since 2020. For several years now, national and regional banking chains have been reevaluating, and in many cases scaling back, their physical footprints for multiple reasons. These reasons include falling foot traffic to branch locations as customers increasingly shift to online banking and mobile apps. As foot traffic falls, those branches tend to generate fewer new customers, so banks stand to make a lower return on the investment in running those physical locations. According to Citizens Bank’s website, the bank had 1,000 branches and 3,100 ATMs as of June 30 of this year. (For context, its parent company said it had “more than 1,100 locations” in an earnings report two years earlier.) In July, Citizens Bank announced a slew of new features to bolster its mobile offerings, including a refreshed direct deposit experience and the ability to update payment methods for online retailers and subscriptions. The company also maintains a dedicated webpage titled “Citizens Bank Branch Closures,” which appears designed to give customers information on digital methods they can use if their local branch has closed. However, the page does not yet list the closures planned for 2026. How many locations are closing? Citizens Bank operates branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. The 14 closures disclosed in two recent filings will impact branches in half of those states: Ohio (5 closures) Massachusetts (2 closures) New Hampshire (2 closures) New York (2 closures) Michigan (1 closure) Pennsylvania (1 closure) Vermont (1 closure) The company did not say if additional closures are forthcoming. Which Citizens Bank branches are closing? According to data published in two tranches by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Citizens Bank in October disclosed that it will shutter at least 14 locations. The bank told Fast Company that the closures are expected early next year. They include: Ohio 9231 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, OH 8806 Ohio River, Wheelersburg, OH 3528 Tuscarawas St. W., Canton, OH 1460 S. Byrne Road, Toledo, OH 1165 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, OH Massachusetts 225 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 673 Vfw Parkway, West Roxbury, MA Michigan 100 W. Broad Street, Chesaning, MI New Hampshire 581 Franklin Pierce Highway, Barrington, NH One Constitutional Way, Somersworth, NH New York 131 East 57th Street, New York City, NY 6708 Route 9, Rhinebeck, NY Pennsylvania 101 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA Vermont 1108 Vt Rt. 149, West Pawlet, VT How is Citizens Financial Group’s stock doing? Citizens Bank is owned by Citizens Financial Group (NYSE: CFG), which is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, and was founded nearly 200 years ago. In its most recent financial report, for Q3 2025, the company reported net income of $494 million and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.05. As of yesterday’s market close, CFG shares were trading at $52.24. That represents a nearly 20% increase since the year began. Over the past 12 months, CFG shares have risen more than 12%. Citizens Bank says it currently has total assets of nearly $220 billion and total deposits of around $175 billion. View the full article

Back in 2021, Apple announced a new feature for the Wallet app, that allowed users to add their driver's licenses or state IDs to their iPhones. To me, it sounded like the beginning of the end for physical wallets. In reality, it was anything but: Not only are the applications limited, but even after all this time, only 12 states and Puerto Rico actually support the feature. While the rest of us wait for our respective states to get on board, many might have another option for these virtual documents. On Wednesday, Apple announced "Digital ID," a new initiative that lets you create an ID in the Wallet app using your passport. This bypasses the waiting period for the 38 states that don't yet support these ID features: If you have a passport, you can try this feature out today. Even if your state supports driver's license and state ID uploads to the Wallet app, you'll miss out on features if you don't have a REAL ID. If you have a passport, however, you can use it instead, which opens up the wallet ID feature to even more users than before. Like previous attempts at virtual IDs, however, don't expect to be able to use this Digital ID just anywhere you'd normally show documentation. Right now, the main use for Digital ID is for flying: According to Apple, Digital ID is launching in beta at over 250 airports to be used at TSA checkpoints. Importantly, this feature only supports domestic flights, even though it uses your passport. As such, do not rely on your Digital ID when flying outside of the U.S. You'll still need your physical passport in order to validate your identity. In the future, however, Apple says you'll be able to use this Digital ID for other purposes, such as booking flights and hotels, as well as opening new accounts. How to add your passport to your iPhoneTo start, you'll need a valid U.S. passport, an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26.1 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later with WatchOS 26.1. First, open the Wallet app on your iPhone, then tap the (+) at the top of the screen. Here, tap "Digital ID" under "United States." Here, you'll see a pop-up which informs you about Digital ID. Tap "Continue," then follow the on-screen instructions to scan different parts of your passport using your iPhone's camera. You'll next need to authenticate yourself by taking a Live Photo of your face. Once confirmed, you'll need to capture more angles of your face and head, which the Wallet app directs you through. Once validated, the ID will live in your Wallet app. You can open the Wallet app, or double-click the Side or Home button, then choose the ID whenever you need to present it. When in line at the TSA, for example, you can hold your iPhone with your ID activated near the reader: Once the two connect, the reader will take your photo, while your iPhone will show you all the information you'll be providing to TSA, which can include things like your legal name, date of birth, sex, nationality, ID number, ID photo, expiration date, the date the ID was added, and who verified the ID. You'll need to double-click the Side or Home button to confirm you want to share this data. Credit: Apple Is Digital ID secure?Yes, at least according to Apple. The company says that any ID data you add to the Wallet app, be it a passport, driver's license, or state ID, is encrypted and stored on-device. That means that only you have access to this data—not even Apple can see it. In addition, Apple cannot see when you use your ID, nor can they see what data you shared at the time of identification. You also need to use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate yourself through this process, so even if someone steals your iPhone, they won't be able to obtain that ID data. As stated above, you will see a list of data that will be shared when authenticating with Digital ID. If you aren't comfortable sharing this data with, say, TSA, you don't have to double-click the Side or Home button, and can instead choose another form of authentication. Plus, the way this feature is set up, you don't need to unlock your iPhone or physically hand it over to confirm your iPhone. By double-clicking the Side button or Home button, you can access the ID data without compromising your iPhone. I'm pretty privacy conscious, but this is a feature I'd be willing to try—assuming I fly out of an airport that supports it. I could see how this might be a bridge too far for some people, especially considering the amount of face scanning you need to do to validate the ID. But Apple says in its Wallet app that this data is used to validate your identity and prevent fraud, and is retained only until the issuing authority approves or denies your ID. In other words, whether or not setup is successful, Apple will delete your face scans once the process is over. Seeing as the rest of the data is encrypted, that might just be enough for me to be comfortable testing this out. 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. There’s something oddly comforting about holding an entire childhood in your hands. The Retropian X Handheld Retro Gaming Console is currently on sale for $89.99 at StackSocial, bringing back that exact feeling. Think of it as a portable time machine with over 20,000 preloaded games spanning more than 30 classic systems, all tucked into a body small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. No cartridges, adapters, or online sign-ins, just a black handheld with a sharp 5.1-inch IPS display and a simple mission: let you play the hits from your childhood, minus the hassle. Inside, it runs on a Rockchip RK3326 quad-core CPU with a Mali-G31 GPU, which means it handles everything from 8-bit platformers to 3D-era titles smoothly enough for casual nostalgia trips. The 64GB of storage holds plenty out of the box, but you can expand it up to 256GB with a microSD card if you want to load your own ROMs or mods. Also, it runs an open-source Linux system, making it easy to customize your setup. As for its battery life and connections, the 3,200mAh battery provides around four to six hours of playtime, which is long enough for a train ride or a lazy afternoon. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow you to connect controllers or download new titles without needing to plug in anything. The Retropian X is designed for people who miss the sound of pixel explosions and 16-bit soundtracks. It’s lightweight, featuring an ergonomic design that prevents cramping in your hands mid-game, and comes pre-configured, allowing even non-techies to get started right away. The 854x480 resolution isn’t cutting-edge, and the speakers aren’t concert-grade, but when you’re revisiting Mario, Sonic, or Street Fighter in their old-school form, you'll be glad for the simplicity of a straightforward, plug-and-play nostalgia box that requires nothing but your time and, perhaps, a fully charged battery. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $324.99 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $297.99 (List Price $649.99) Apple Watch Series 10 — $309.99 (List Price $429.00) Google Pixel 9 128GB Unlocked 6.9" OLED Smartphone (Obsidian) — $544.98 (List Price $799.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $328.00 (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) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Asked what viewers should expect when television’s MSNBC makes its corporate divorce from NBC News final this weekend, network president Rebecca Kutler points to a poster on the wall of a conference room at its new offices off Times Square. Its message reads: “Same Mission. New Name.” “To me, that encapsulates exactly what we need to be saying,” Kutler said. “Our job in the next few weeks is to flood the zone … and make sure they know the thing that they love will be the exact same thing on Nov. 15.” Saturday is when MSNBC officially becomes MS NOW, standing for My Source for News, Opinion and the World. That’s the most visible manifestation of parent company Comcast’s decision to spin off most of its cable networks into a new company known as Versant. It’s tough enough when one partner tells another that they’re leaving for someone new. In this case, they’re just leaving the partner behind; a cable television network is considered such a diminishing asset in today’s media world that giant companies would rather be free of them. “A lot of us really didn’t know what it meant,” said prime-time host Jen Psaki, “and it didn’t feel great initially.” Embracing the ethos of a startup Left on its own, MS NOW is embracing the ethos of a startup, suggesting it will be better positioned to experiment without ties to the more corporate NBC News. “Morning Joe” is starting its own newsletter. Podcast ideas are encouraged. The network is expanding live events, letting its television stars interact with the audience; Rachel Maddow has one in Chicago later this month. “I didn’t see this as a divorce,” said nighttime host Michael Steele. “I see this as the kid growing up and leaving home. We all know what that’s like.” As Kutler says, the network’s focus on news and commentary with a liberal perspective remains intact. So does its lineup of stars — Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, Ari Melber and the like. MS NOW has built its own reporting and support staff, and is moving into a new headquarters west of Broadway in Manhattan that is, not incidentally, the former longtime headquarters of The New York Times. The new office, tricked out with the latest electronics, ends one geographical oddity: No longer are the political polar opposites MSNBC and Fox News Channel located across Sixth Avenue from one another. The MS NOW news staff has about three dozen reporters, among them Washington Post alums Jackie Alemany and Carol Leonnig. It has signed partnerships with Sky News for international reporting and AccuWeather for forecasting. “Being divorced from NBC News gives it the opportunity to make deals on its own to supplement its cable existence,” said longtime broadcast and cable news executive Kate O’Brian, who spent several years at ABC. They have a strong identity and a built-in audience of people who oppose President Donald The President, she said. “They’re lean, nimble and niche, putting them in a better position to adapt to any emergent platforms,” O’Brian said. MS NOW is leaner in audience than MSNBC was a year ago. The network’s prime-time weekday average of 1.17 million viewers this year is down 29% from 2024 — a number linked in large part to its viewers’ disappointment at the presidential election results. Fox News Channel, popular with The President supporters, is up 14% to 3.11 million viewers. Yet MSNBC has roughly twice the audience of CNN, which saw an identical 29% decrease in viewers over the first nine months of 2025. MSNBC was also buoyed by a strong election night performance where it ran neck-and-neck with Fox, even while missing the khaki-clad numbers nerd, Steve Kornacki, who chose to remain with NBC News. MS NOW’s freedom appealed to reporters Jacob Soboroff, who chose it over NBC News, and Rosa Flores, who said she is joining the newly-named network from CNN primarily because she sees the opportunity to do a greater variety of things beyond the immigration beat she’d been covering. “All the legacy news organizations are trying to make their way,” Flores said. “I felt like being part of a news organization that was building solutions from the ground up was so unique that I wanted to be a part of it.” Being part of a news operation with a clear political identity was not a barrier for Soboroff. “It’s about the people for me, always, it’s not about the politics,” he said. “I feel like I do what I’ve always done, which is report the facts on the ground, turn them around to our audience and let the audience make up their own minds about what they think.” Cleaning out the office at Rockefeller Center The company is spending a reported $20 million on a marketing campaign designed to publicize the changeover, which will include billboards in Times Square, the Grove in Los Angeles and the South Capitol Digital Experience Wall in Washington, D.C. Far cheaper is the mug with MSNBC crossed out and replaced by MS NOW on the set of “Morning Joe.” Co-host Mika Brzezinski recently cleared out her Rockefeller Center office and reminisced about times that NBC’s Richard Engel and Keir Simmons appeared on their show. “We’re going to miss some reporters,” she said, “and they’re going to miss us.” With a rapidly evolving media landscape, success or failure will ultimately be decided by who has the content people most want to see, said her co-host and husband, Joe Scarborough. “If this were five years ago, I would have been, ‘Oh, my God, how are we going to do this?’” he said. “Everything is so fluid now.” —David Bauder, AP media writer View the full article

White House says bill could be signed by President The President on Wednesday nightView the full article

A Georgia resident filed the suit after receiving two unsolicited calls from the lender in October even though her number appeared on the Do Not Call registry. View the full article

S&P and Moody’s award Edinburgh investment-grade status as it plans first bond issue since late 17th century View the full article

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced a $50 billion investment in computing infrastructure on Wednesday that will include new data centers in Texas and New York. Microsoft also on Wednesday announced a new data center under construction in Atlanta, Georgia, describing it as connected to another in Wisconsin to form a “massive supercomputer” running on hundreds of thousands of Nvidia chips to power AI technology. The latest deals show that the tech industry is moving forward on huge spending to build energy-hungry AI infrastructure, despite lingering financial concerns about a bubble, environmental considerations, and the political effects of fast-rising electricity bills in the communities where they’re constructed. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, said it is working with London-based Fluidstack to build the new computing facilities to power its AI systems. It didn’t disclose their exact locations or what source of electricity they will need. Another company, cryptocurrency mining data center developer TeraWulf, has previously revealed it was working with Fluidstack on Google-backed data center projects in Texas and New York, on the shore of Lake Ontario. TeraWulf declined comment Wednesday. A report last month from TD Cowen said that the leading cloud computing providers leased a “staggering” amount of U.S. data center capacity in the third fiscal quarter of this year, amounting to more than 7.4 gigawatts of energy, more than all of last year combined. Oracle was securing the most capacity during that time, much of it supporting AI workloads for Anthropic’s chief rival OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT. Google was second and Fluidstack came in third, ahead of Meta, Amazon, CoreWeave, and Microsoft. Anthropic said its projects will create about 800 permanent jobs and 2,400 construction jobs. It said in a statement that the “scale of this investment is necessary to meet the growing demand for Claude from hundreds of thousands of businesses while keeping our research at the frontier.” Microsoft has branded its Atlanta data center as Fairwater 2, after the original Fairwater complex being built near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company said it will help power its own technology, along with OpenAI’s and other AI developers. Microsoft was, until earlier this year, OpenAI’s exclusive cloud computing provider before the two companies amended their partnership. OpenAI has since announced more than $1 trillion in infrastructure obligations, much of it tied to its Stargate project with partners Oracle and SoftBank. The tech industry’s huge amount of spending on computing infrastructure for AI startups that aren’t yet profitable has fueled concerns about an AI investment bubble. Investors have closely watched a series of intertwined deals over recent months between top AI developers such as OpenAI and Anthropic and the companies building the costly computer chips and data centers needed to power their AI products. Anthropic said it will continue to “prioritize cost-effective, capital-efficient approaches” to scaling up its business. —Matt O’Brien, AP technology writer View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Peloton's app and its fitness equipment have tons of options for workouts, but they can't do everything. If you track some of your workouts with other devices, like a Garmin watch or bike computer, they wouldn't show up in your Peloton workout history—until now. A new Garmin integration is rolling out, and here's how it works. How to link your Peloton and Garmin accountsThe new integration allows Peloton to import workouts from Garmin Connect. Garmin Connect is the name of the Garmin app, so this means workouts you do on a watch (say, your Forerunner 570) sync to the Garmin Connect app, and from there to Peloton. This does not require a Garmin Connect+ paid subscription, nor a Peloton paid subscription. I have neither, and I was still able to set up this integration. Here's how you do it: In the Peloton app, go to the You icon in the bottom right. Tap the hamburger menu in the top right. Select Connected Apps & Devices. Tap the Garmin icon and follow the prompts. You can choose whether to automatically import activities (you'll probably want to say yes), and you can also select specific activity types. For example, you can tell it to import only running and cycling, or you could tell it to import everything except hiking. Peloton says that imported workouts will count toward goals and challenges, but not toward your Peloton streak. Credit: Beth Skwarecki Once you've set this up, new activities you do with Garmin will appear in your workout history. Some information comes through, but not necessarily everything. For example, I did a short Pilates workout with named exercises. The Peloton app shows me its duration, calories, and a heart rate graph including zones. But it does not include the names of the exercises, even though the Garmin app has that information. My treadmill running workout showed the above, plus graphs of pace and speed, but didn't mark laps or give any of the advanced data that Garmin collects, like running dynamics. How to sync both waysUnfortunately this new integration only goes one way. Garmin workouts show up in your Peloton app, but Peloton workouts don't sync to your Garmin history. To sync Peloton workouts to your Garmin account, one popular way is to use a third-party app called SyncMyWorkout. This service isn't affiliated with either company, but you can sync it with both your Peloton and Garmin accounts so it acts as a middleman. When you set it up, it will import your past week's workouts for free, as a demo. To continue using it, there's a subscription fee of $7 per month or $25 per year. This assumes you have an active Peloton membership but does not require a paid Garmin membership. For a more expensive but more DIY approach, there's also the DFC, a $125 box that plugs into your Peloton Bike and transmits workout data via Bluetooth directly to your Garmin device. No Peloton account is needed, and I was able to get it working perfectly with an out-of-subscription Bike. View the full article

Oscar-winning actors Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey have made deals with voice-cloning company ElevenLabs that will allow its artificial intelligence technology to replicate their voices. Caine said in a statement that ElevenLabs is “using innovation not to replace humanity, but to celebrate it.” “It’s not about replacing voices; it’s about amplifying them, opening doors for new storytellers everywhere,” said the 92-year-old British actor in a written statement. McConaughey also said he is investing in the New York-based startup and has had a relationship with it for several years. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. McConaughey said the deal will enable him to voice his newsletter in Spanish. Founded in 2022 and based in New York, ElevenLabs initially developed its technology to dub audio in different languages for movies, audiobooks, and video games to preserve the speaker’s voice and emotions. But shortly after its public release, ElevenLabs said in January 2023 it was seeing “an increasing number of voice cloning misuse cases” and promised new safeguards to tamp down on abuse, including limiting features to paid users. A year later, however, a digital consultant was able to use ElevenLabs software to mimic then-President Joe Biden’s voice in a robocall message sent to thousands of New Hampshire voters. The company now says it has additional measures to block the cloning of celebrity and other high-profile voices without their consent. View the full article

The one-cent copper piece fell victim to digital payments and rising production costsView the full article

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, building on an executive order by President The President, wants to eliminate the legal framework of "disparate impact" from its implementation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. View the full article

For many Americans, 2025 has been tough economically. Tariffs have raised the price of goods from coffee to clothing, inflation is still rising, and more than 1 million jobs have been cut since January. Then came the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which furloughed some 670,000 federal workers. Another roughly 730,000 had to keep working, just without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. And amid that came a pause in SNAP benefits, which left 42 million Americans without the food stamps that help them afford groceries. SoLo Funds, a community finance platform, has seen the impact of these events firsthand. Requests for loans on the SoLo platform relating to EBT and SNAP increased 32% since October 1, compared to the year prior. Loan requests relating to the government shutdown or furloughs—like users saying they missed their paycheck because of the shutdown or that they were waiting on furloughed pay—surged 775% as of October 1, compared to the average weekly volume of requests in the months prior. While there wasn’t a government shutdown before October, SoLo says it did see references to those terms earlier in the year, linked to delayed paychecks, budget freezes, or agency funding pauses. The 775% spike represents a increase from thousands of dollars in loan requests to hundreds of thousands of dollars, per the company. And throughout 2025, SoLo funds says its continued to see spikes in loan requests for basic necessities like groceries, rent, and utilities. How SoLo Loans work SoLo is a financial service, but it doesn’t operate like a typical bank. Members can get a checking account and a debit card, plus access to the loan marketplace. There, they can make loan requests, citing a reason that they need the money. Other members can then scroll through the marketplace of loans and choose to fund someone’s loan directly. Instead of a hefty interest rate—like those that come with Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) or payday loans—loans through SoLo come with a flat fee; interest doesn’t compound or accrue over time, and there’s no penalty for late payments. And yet SoLo says its repayment rate is above 94%. Borrowers can also leave a tip for lenders. Travis HolowayRodney Williams “What we have been able to quantify is that working-class Americans, the heart and soul of our country, even in times of low or inconsistent income, they tend to figure it out,” says president and cofounder Rodney Williams. “With standard loan products, you can’t get a loan if you’re figuring it out. You can’t get a loan in between jobs.” SoLo does not require proof of income for its loans, instead requiring a snapshot of cashflow; its AI underwriting process then provides a score to the user. The company first launched in 2018 and has raised $15.5 million in funding to date. That isn’t exactly significant capital compared to top fintech companies. Stripe, Chime, and SoFi, for example, have all raised billions of dollars (and the latter two are now publicly traded). But Williams says SoLo sees 20% growth every quarter. “The people have decided they need this,” Williams says. Community finance in action Overall, the top five reasons people request SoLo loans are for utilities, rent, medical bills, pet bills, and then car repair. Requests for groceries have spiked recently too. “These are measures of consumer confidence and sentiment,” Williams says. SoLo has grown to more than 2 million users who are actively on the platform “to make ends meet,” he adds. Since its launch, users have provided $700 million in loans to other individuals. The SoLo Funds loan request is around $250. Members can borrow up to $625, but first-time borrowers start at $100 and earn the ability to request higher amounts as they repay on time. That loan requests specifically for furloughed workers, the government shutdown, EBT, and SNAP have increased since October highlights both how Americans continue to face financial struggles and how community support has emerged as a stopgap. “[Those Americans] came to community finance . . . and asked for people to help. And guess what? They got funded, because people can see this person is just in between situations because of the government,” Williams says. “Like, this is a good person, I’m going to bet on that person.” Community support has surged as people have felt abandoned by their government. Across the country, individuals have shared resources for federal workers and donated food to those in need. SoLo considers itself another form of community support; its loans can be used for anything, in any situation—unlike Buy Now Pay Later, which requires the merchant to offer that option (someone likely can’t use BNPL to fix their flat tire, Williams notes) or even Earned Wage Access, which requires someone have a paycheck coming from which they can draw funds early. That option isn’t available to furloughed or laid off workers, for example. Strangers helping strangers The government shutdown is now near a possible end, but many Americans may still need financial help, especially since healthcare premiums are set to increase substantially, after the Senate failed to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies. “Americans were struggling before the shutdown and they’re going to be struggling after,” Williams says. Though the stock market is strong, he notes, many Americans are underemployed, and fears of AI taking over jobs may keep those Americans from “being employed at the level they should be,” he adds. Plus, nearly 40% of Americans don’t own any stocks and so aren’t seeing those gains. Despite these challenges, Williams is buoyed by the empathy he sees on SoLo’s platform, of individuals connecting and helping one another in times of need. “Everyday, thousands of people lend to and borrow from a stranger,” he says. “Everday, I see little American miracles of empathy.” View the full article

Introduction of new cap comes after retailers warned some higher-rate taxpayers were exploiting the perkView the full article

Smart glasses maker Even Realities today released its latest model, the Even G2 Display Smart Glasses. Featuring a monochrome display, stylish frames, and a unique ring controller, G2s are available now for $599. In contrast to Meta Ray-Ban Displays' "do-everything" approach, G2s are designed to do one specific thing: provide a smart display that only the wearer can see. Instead of a camera and speaker, the G2s feature a suite of basic apps, like a teleprompter and a map that you can see with a tilt of your head or a touch of your ring, packed into a pair of light, slick-looking designer frames. The idea is to create cool-looking everyday glasses that are useful instead of obtrusive. Improvements over the last generation of Even Realities smart glassesI reviewed Even Realities' G1 smart glasses (and even used them to scam a free drink) and found them impressive. Well, Even Realities says these are even better. It has improved on the micro-LED display from the last generation—which is pretty great already—to provide a bigger, sharper, and brighter display that includes two-level 3D, so certain information can appear closer to your field of view. Another new wrinkle is contextual AI: Switch it on during a conversation, and, according to the company at least, your glasses will silently display "suggestions for a more meaningful exchange" that only you will be able to see. If implemented correctly, this feature could be a useful way to augment your life—and if it can provide closed captioning for conversations, I'm fully on board. All of the above is controlled via a smart ring that lets you click, tap, and scroll. It also monitors your vital signs and health information, so you could display a live-read of your heart-rate or the number of steps you've taken that day. A new app infrastructure (and third-party support)Those are all welcome upgrades, but maybe the most interesting improvement isn't to the G2's hardware. On its website, Even Realities promises third-party app support is coming soon. G1 glasses do everything they're designed to do really well, but the actual use cases are fairly limited—a teleprompter is cool, but how often do you really give speeches? Opening the glasses up to developers who want to make something new on the Even OS could result in a must-have app, or at least improve apps the glasses already have. Even Realities nailed the basics with the G1, and these technical improvements and G2’s app support could turn a great concept into an everyday essential. That is, if everything works. Once I test 'em out, I'll let you know how they match up to what's being promised. View the full article

America’s aviation system is straining under the weight of the longest government shutdown on record: thousands of flight cancellations, long delays at major airports, and frustrated travelers nationwide. In an unprecedented move, the Federal Aviation Administration last week ordered airlines to scale back domestic flight schedules, saying the cuts are meant to ease pressure on an overstretched system and help manage air traffic control staffing. Unpaid for more than a month, some air traffic controllers have begun calling out of work, citing stress and the need to take on second jobs—leaving more control towers and facilities short-staffed. The numbers show the shutdown’s toll on air travel: 40 Major U.S. airports where all commercial airlines have been required to cancel flights since Nov. 7 under the FAA’s orders. The list spans more than two dozen states and includes large hubs such as New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. 12 Airports on the FAA’s list of 40 where the agency also expanded restrictions to limit business jets and many private flights. 4% The initial reduction in flight schedules ordered by the FAA. 10% The FAA’s ultimate flight cut target, which is expected to take effect Friday. The agency has said the restrictions will remain in place until staffing in its air traffic control facilities stabilizes and safety measurements improve, even if the shutdown ends before Friday. 1.9 million Daily passengers who use the 40 airports where flights have been reduced, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. 5.2 million Passengers who have been affected by staffing-related delays or cancellations since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, according to Airlines for America. The industry trade group represents Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue. 9,500 Flights canceled between Nov. 7, the first day of the FAA-required cuts, and mid-day Wednesday, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware. 30 The average number of air traffic control facilities that had staffing issues during the six weekends since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. That is almost four times the number on weekends this year before the shutdown, according to an Associated Press analysis of operations plans sent through the Air Traffic Control System Command Center system. $10,000 How much President Donald The President suggested air traffic controllers should receive as a bonus if they didn’t miss any days of work during the shutdown. The President also threatened docking pay for those who haven’t stayed on the job. $285 million to $580 million The daily U.S. economic impact once the FAA’s 10% cuts take effect, according to Airlines for America, which said its estimate factors in reduced visitor spending, state and local tax revenue and spending across the broader economy. —Rio Yamat, Associated Press Associated Press journalist Christopher L. Keller contributed. View the full article

A penny for your thoughts? Well, maybe try a nickel. Though it will remain legal tender, the last-ever one-cent coin was printed Wednesday—and not without some drama. After being in circulation for 232 years, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia hosted a ceremonial event during which U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final circulating penny. There are an estimated 300 billion pennies currently in circulation, a number “far exceeding the amount needed for commerce,” the Mint said in a statement but retailers say they’ve already been dealing with coin shortages and a lot of confusion about how to price goods and services. It took about nine months for the penny’s final day to arrive. In February, President Donald The President announced that he had instructed the Mint to stop making the coin, citing the rising cost of production. Indeed, the Mint said the cost of making a penny has more-than doubled during the past decade, to 3.69 cents per penny. The coin has long been a target of lawmakers: As far back as 1989, legislation has periodically been proposed to limit or eliminate penny production. But its death knell ultimately came at the hands of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. THE PRO-PENNY GROUP Even though end days for the penny were announced in February, retailers and penny proponents are now grappling with what its elimination means. A perhaps-surprisingly vocal group has fought for years to keep the penny in our pockets. Americans for Common Cents is a pro-penny lobbying group that has an incentive to keep the coins in circulation as it is primarily funded by Artazn, the company that provides the blanks used to make pennies. Americans for Common Cents argued in February that the penny is not as problematic as it seems and eliminating this coin will actually increase minting costs if demand surges for nickels, which are even more expensive to mint. In response to The President’s announcement about the penny’s end days, the group advocated instead for modernizing the currency system and, instead of eliminating the penny, focusing on making coin production more efficient. Since then, phasing out the penny has been “a bit chaotic” partly because there’s “no real plan” for what retailers should do, Mark Weller, executive director of Americans for Common Cents, told CNN on Wednesday. When countries like Canada, Australia and Switzerland removed low-denomination coins from circulation there was guidance for retailers—and that’s not been the case in the U.S., he said. “By the time we reach Christmas, the problems will be more pronounced with retailers not having pennies,” Weller told CNN. PENNY PAIN FOR RETAILERS But a penny shortage has already arrived, affecting retailers like gas stations that handle a lot of these coins. And retail groups told Reuters last week that they’re frustrated by the lack of guidance they’ve received from the The President administration, which has forced them to round down transactions to avoid upsetting customers and violating laws in some states. Kwik Trip, which operates about 900 convenience stores in the midwest, announced last month that all cash purchases will be rounded down to the nearest five cents—and that the policy will remain in place until a “permanent legislative solution” is enacted. Rounding down transactions may not seem like a big deal, but it could become a significant cost for high-volume businesses where pennies are commonplace. And to counteract the coin shortage, some stores are offering incentives to customers who pay with pennies, according to Reuters reporting. “Any merchant that accepts cash is grappling with this,” Dylan Jeon, senior director of government relations with the National Retail Federation, told Reuters. A spokesperson for the Treasury Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Fast Company with any guidance for retailers. PENNY LEGACY The penny was first minted in 1792 and has seen many evolutions in materials over its lifetime, including during World War II when it was made from a zinc-coated steel due to a copper shortage in 1943. The image of President Abraham Lincoln first appeared on the penny in 1909 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of his birth. While pennies for circulation will be discontinued, the Mint will continue to produce a limited quantity of the coin for historical and collector purposes. And it’s mostly focused on celebrating the copper-colored coin. “While general production concludes today, the penny’s legacy lives on,” Kristie McNally, acting Mint director, said in a statement. “As its usage in commerce continues to evolve, its significance in America’s story will endure.” View the full article

Six hundred employees just packed up their desks and quit their jobs at Paramount Skydance. The mass exodus happened after the company, formed by Skydance Media’s takeover of Paramount Global, told employees that they were instating a five-day back-to-office mandate, set to begin on January 5. The company, led by new CEO David Ellison, let staffers know that if they didn’t plan to come back to the office, they could take a buyout deal starting on September 15. However, the media giant likely didn’t expect to be handing out quite so many severance packages. According to company disclosures filed on Monday, around 600 employees in the Los Angeles and New York offices at the vice-president level and below took the deal, which reportedly cost Paramount Skydance $185 million in “restructuring changes.” While the company may be trimming employees, it doesn’t seem to be trimming spending. The company called for “incremental programming investments in 2026 in excess of $1.5 billion.” Paramount said it had already trimmed about 1,000 employees earlier this year and expects to cut around 1,600 more, as the company moves to divest both Televisión Federal in Argentina and Chilevision in Chile in an attempt to “ensure continued focus.” The restructuring comes after Ellison took charge of the company post-merger and pressed the importance of in-person work. “I believe that in-person collaboration is absolutely vital to building and strengthening our culture and driving the success of our business,” Ellison wrote in a September memo. “Our people are the key to winning, and being together helps us innovate, solve problems, share ideas, create, challenge one another, and build relationships that will make this company great.” Still, an $185 million price tag seems a tad excessive for more collaboration. Either way, Paramount is not the only media giant to enforce a return-to-office mandate. NBCUniversal recently announced workers would have to return to the office at least four days a week, in a similar policy beginning in January. Comcast, the parent company of NBCU, previously did the same. While employees leaving in large numbers due to such mandates seems like a major upheaval, some research says that is the point (at least in part). According to a 2024 Bamboo HR report, back-to-office mandates can help companies avoid layoffs. Per the report, nearly 2 in 5 managers, directors, and executives (37%) say their company enacted layoffs in the last year because fewer employees than they expected quit during their RTO. Likewise, 25% of VP and C-suite executives and nearly 1 in 5 HR pros (18%) say they actually hoped employees would voluntarily leave amid mandates. Either way, back-to-office mandates are fairly unpopular, so the true cost to companies remains to be seen. However, when it comes to media giants, at least, some of the cost will trickle down to the customer. Paramount Skydance is planning to raise Paramount+ subscription prices starting January 15. Both the Essential (ad-supported) plan and Premium (ad-free) plan will go up by $1, to $8.99 and $13.99 per month, respectively. “Our ongoing investments in Paramount+ are enhancing the value we deliver to consumers,” Ellison said. “To support this continued investment, we plan to implement price increases in the U.S. early in the first quarter of 2026.” View the full article

Just a week after self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani made history as New York City’s first Muslim to be elected mayor, fellow Democrat Jack Schlossberg—President John F. Kennedy’s (JFK’s) grandson—announced he is also running for office in New York City, in the Empire State’s 12th Congressional district. If elected, he would represent New York in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both men are among a wave of young, progressive, charismatic candidates calling for change, amid a backlash to not only Donald The President’s second-term agenda, but also a historically unpopular Democratic Party that many feel are doing too little, too late. That list of progressives also includes Arizona representative-elect Adelita Grijalva; Robert Peters, who is running in Illinois’ 2nd district; and Graham Platner, a democrat running for senate in Maine in a bid to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins. But there are a number of parallels between Mamdani and Schlossberg in particular. Both are in their early 30s and grew up attending high school in New York City. They also come from political-minded families with impressive mothers. Mamdani’s mom is Indian-American activist filmmaker Mira Nair, while Schlossberg’s mom, Caroline Kennedy, is a lawyer, former U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Japan, and a civic-minded head of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. At 34 years old, Mamdani will be New York City’s youngest mayor since 1892, while Schlossberg, 32, is running to replace retiring longtime Democrat Representative Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is 78 and has held the seat for over 30 years in the liberal district that includes the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Midtown, and Chelsea. (That’s also where Schlossberg was born and raised, and currently lives.) Both Mamdani and Schlossberg are also wildly popular on social media, in part for their fresh-faced looks and upbeat, pragmatic-but-populist approach to making the world (or at least New York City) a better place. Old money, fresh face To that end, Schlossberg’s newly minted campaign website, which bears the URL “Jackfornewyork,” introduces the candidate as a “A New Generation for New York” and features pictures of “Jack” (JFK’s nickname, and Schlossberg’s namesake) riding his bike in Manhattan with a backpack, not unlike his famous uncle, to whom he bears an uncanny resemblance. (At 6’2 and with signature Kennedy looks, Schlossberg also has a large female following on social media.) Like Mamdani’s campaign, Schlossberg’s website emphasizes his practical-but-populist approach to leadership. “Jack wants to take his fight to Congress to make sure New Yorkers have a voice that represents their values and amplifies their fight,” it reads. “He’s focused on rooting out corruption, defending civil rights and personal freedoms, making housing affordable, protecting public health, and rebuilding trust in government.” (Sounds a lot like Mamdani, no?) Where “Jack” might get into trouble, however, is his political inexperience. While he is a Kennedy, and has been in the family business for a while—which includes various duties, including presenting the Profile in Courage Award at the JFK Library in Boston—this is his first run for office. Mamdani also was criticized for lacking experience, but he at least ran for mayor after he was first elected to the New York State Assembly. What Schlossberg does have going for him: He enters the race with the political clout of the Kennedy name and a large, established social media following across platforms, including Instagram, where he goes by “jackuno” and has 739,000 followers. Online, he is part influencer, part instigator, often challenging political opponents whether his own uncle, Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr.; The President; or Vice President Vance, who he has trolled incessantly, making what some have criticized as inappropriate jokes about his wife, Usha (including jokes about having a child with her). In that sense, Schlossberg’s informal approach, his tell-it-like-it-is political commentary, and his sense of humor could be what New Yorkers want in a candidate to help turn the city around—or it could be the very thing that undoes him in his race for Congress in 2026. Only time will tell. View the full article

Google is adding one of the iPhone's most controversial features to its latest Pixel phones, but it's promising to show a bit more restraint than Apple did. Yes, as part of the November 2025 Pixel feature drop, Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 phones (excluding the Pixel 9a) are getting AI notification summaries. The problem with AI notification summariesIf you're reeling back after reading that, I don't blame you. This is one of the few AI features Apple beat Google to the punch on, and when they came out during the iOS 18.3 beta, the summaries were quickly criticized for handling hard topics like breakups with a cold tone, as well as for misreporting the news. Apple quickly pulled news summaries (although they've since come back) and made it clearer when an AI was writing a notification, but it seems Google's still being a bit more cautious with its launch. How AI Notification Summaries on Pixel work Credit: Google Rather than trying to organize every notification you might get, Google's AI Summaries are just starting off with popular chat apps for now, including its own Messages app and alternatives like WhatsApp. Additionally, they'll only kick in on "longer chats," with the idea being to give you, "digestible conversation recaps." That means you're going to see far fewer AI notifications than on the iPhone, which currently uses them for news, entertainment, chats, email, and more. That's probably a safer approach for Google, but it does mean the AI summaries are meant to be used more to get you quickly back up to speed, rather than for organization (although that will change in the future). As on the iPhone, AI notification summaries on the Pixel will be indicated by a small icon with a sparkle and a few lines below it, with the summary following. They'll also be italicized for additional visual distinction. How to turn on AI Notification Summaries on PixelGoogle is also exercising caution by making its AI notification summaries entirely opt-in. That means you'll need to manually turn them on before you start seeing them, which you can do under Settings > Notifications > Notification Summaries. While on this page, you'll also be able to exclude certain apps from sending AI notification summaries, by adding them to the "Don't include these apps" list. If you're still not seeing the summaries after enabling them, ensure your Android System Intelligence is enabled under Settings > Notifications > Privacy > Notification read, reply & control. Additionally, summaries will not be generated while your phone is in battery saver mode, or while you're actively using it (per Google, for them to kick in, "the screen must be off for a moment"). When will my Pixel get AI Notification Summaries?AI Notification summaries start rolling out today, alongside the November system patch. However, they're not automatically included in the downloadable patch, so it might be a while before you see them (I don't have them yet). It's still not a bad idea to get your phone fully up-to-date in the meantime. To download the November 2025 Pixel update, either wait for a notification from Google, or head to Settings > System > Software updates to manually check if it's been rolled out to you yet. What's next for Pixel's AI Notification Summaries?While today's update is clearly just Google dipping its toes in the water, the company does have bigger plans for December, where some Pixels will also start automatically silencing "lower-priority notifications" and will start automatically sorting them into categories like "News" and "Promotions." Hopefully, Google will have learned some lessons from Apple by the time those features go live. View the full article

Plummeting polling numbers and a misguided Downing Street briefing add to febrile environment View the full article

JPMorgan, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs bosses among more than a dozen top financiers attending the eventView the full article

HR Solutions Software is a thorough suite of tools intended to improve various human resource functions, such as recruitment, onboarding, and payroll management. By centralizing employee data and automating processes, it minimizes errors and boosts efficiency. For instance, automated tracking can streamline hiring, whereas data analytics aids in informed decision-making. Comprehending its features and benefits can greatly impact your organization’s productivity and employee engagement. Let’s explore how to select the right software for your needs. Key Takeaways HR Solutions Software streamlines and automates HR functions, enhancing organizational efficiency and reducing time spent on routine tasks. It centralizes employee data management, improving accuracy and accessibility while ensuring compliance with labor laws. Key features include applicant tracking, performance management, and learning management systems, all designed to enhance recruitment and employee development. Employees benefit from self-service portals for accessing information, improving engagement, and enriching their overall work experience. Businesses gain data-driven insights through built-in analytics, enabling informed decision-making and strategic HR initiatives. What Is HR Solutions Software? HR solutions software encompasses a range of applications designed to streamline and automate key human resources functions, which can improve efficiency in your organization. These HR platforms provide tools for recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, and compliance tracking. By centralizing employee data management, this software improves accessibility and accuracy while minimizing human error through automation. For instance, human resources onboarding software can simplify the new hire process, allowing new employees to complete paperwork online. Furthermore, these systems often include self-service portals and analytics tools, empowering employees and enabling data-driven decision-making. In the end, by automating routine tasks, HR solutions software frees up your HR teams to concentrate on strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance with labor laws and reducing the risk of penalties. Key Features of HR Solutions Software Organizations looking to improve their human resources capabilities will find that HR solutions software offers a variety of key features designed to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. A central component is the Human Resource Information System (HRIS), which centralizes employee data management and payroll processing. Furthermore, ADP Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) improve recruitment by facilitating job postings and CV screening. Performance Management Software digitizes performance reviews, incorporating tools for goal-setting and feedback to support employee development. Learning Management Systems (LMS) help track training progress and guarantee compliance with mandatory requirements. Finally, built-in analytics tools provide insights into workforce performance and recruitment metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making that ultimately increases organizational effectiveness. Benefits of HR Solutions Software for HR Departments HR solutions software offers significant advantages for HR departments by streamlining administrative processes, enhancing recruitment efficiency, and improving data management. With automated payroll and attendance tracking, you can reduce the time spent on routine tasks, allowing you to concentrate on strategic initiatives. Furthermore, features like applicant tracking systems not only speed up hiring but likewise provide valuable insights for better decision-making and workforce planning. Streamlined Administrative Processes Although administrative tasks can often consume a significant portion of an HR department’s time, implementing HR solutions software can dramatically streamline these processes. This software automates routine functions like attendance tracking and payroll processing, freeing up valuable time for your team. By centralizing employee data management, it improves accuracy and reduces human errors, ensuring compliance with labor laws. In addition, streamlined onboarding processes help new hires acclimate quickly, boosting their productivity from the start. Performance management tools within the software allow for real-time feedback and goal tracking, promoting employee engagement and accountability. Moreover, HR solutions software provides valuable analytics, enabling you to make informed, data-driven decisions that align with your organization’s goals and improve overall efficiency. Enhanced Recruitment Efficiency In regards to improving recruitment efficiency, utilizing HR solutions software can transform the hiring process considerably. By implementing these tools, you can streamline various aspects of recruitment, making it faster and more effective. Here are four key benefits: Automation: Automate job postings, resume screening, and interview scheduling, potentially reducing time-to-hire by up to 50%. Data Analytics: Utilize data to optimize job ad placements, ensuring you attract the most suitable candidates. Onboarding: Streamline onboarding by allowing new hires to complete paperwork electronically, easing administrative burdens. Communication Tools: Enhance candidate engagement through integrated communication features, improving the overall experience and increasing acceptance rates. Improved Data Management Effective recruitment is only one aspect of what HR solutions software can offer; improved data management is another significant benefit that can transform HR departments. By centralizing employee data, you can easily access, update, and maintain accurate records in one secure location, reducing discrepancies. Automated data collection minimizes manual entry errors, letting you focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks. Advanced analytics tools provide insights into workforce trends, improving decision-making. Real-time updates guarantee compliance-related documentation is current, reducing the risk of penalties. Integration with other business systems streamlines data sharing and communication, promoting collaboration. Feature Benefit Example Centralized Data Management Reduces discrepancies Single source of truth Automated Data Collection Minimizes manual errors Time-saving processes Advanced Analytics Informs strategic decisions Workforce trend analysis Real-Time Updates Guarantees compliance Current employee documentation System Integration Improves collaboration Seamless data sharing Benefits of HR Solutions Software for Employees HR solutions software offers a range of benefits that greatly improve the employee experience within an organization. With these tools, you can manage your own personal information effortlessly and enrich your daily work life. Here are some key advantages: Self-Service Portals: Access your details, request time off, and view pay stubs independently. Improved Onboarding: New hires can integrate into the company more smoothly, boosting comfort and productivity from day one. Employee Engagement Tools: Participate in surveys and recognition programs that encourage a positive workplace culture. Performance Management Features: Set personal goals, receive real-time feedback, and track your progress, aligning your contributions with the organization’s objectives. These features collectively enrich your overall work experience. Benefits of HR Solutions Software for Businesses Though many businesses face challenges in managing human resources effectively, leveraging HR solutions software can greatly streamline operations and improve productivity. By automating routine administrative tasks, you can free up your HR team to focus on strategic initiatives, improving overall efficiency. Centralizing employee data not only enhances compliance with labor laws but also reduces the risk of penalties, promoting accountability. Furthermore, the software simplifies recruitment and onboarding, allowing you to fill roles more quickly and improve the candidate experience. Employee self-service portals boost satisfaction by giving staff easy access to personal information and performance metrics. Finally, the analytics and reporting features enable data-driven decision-making, which can lead to better employee engagement and productivity. Types of HR Solutions Software When considering HR solutions software, you’ll find two main categories: core HR systems and additional HR solutions. Core HR systems, like HRIS and HRMS, focus on centralizing employee data, payroll, and performance management, whereas additional solutions, such as Applicant Tracking Systems and Learning Management Systems, address specific needs like recruitment and training. Comprehending these types can help you choose the right software to streamline your HR processes effectively. Core HR Systems Core HR systems serve as the backbone of effective human resource management, integrating various functionalities to streamline processes and improve organizational efficiency. These systems encompass crucial tools that help you manage your workforce effectively. Here are some key types of core HR systems: Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS): Centralize employee data management, payroll processing, and benefits administration. Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS): Offer extensive functionalities, including recruitment, performance evaluation, and HR analytics. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Improve recruitment efficiency by streamlining job postings, interview scheduling, and CV screening. Payroll Software: Automates tracking of employee work hours and pay rates, ensuring compliance and accuracy. Additional HR Solutions In today’s dynamic workplace, several additional HR solutions software types can greatly improve your organization’s human resource management capabilities. Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) manage employee data, whereas Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) streamline hiring by tracking applicants. Payroll Software simplifies payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Learning Management Systems (LMS) centralize training, augmenting employee skills and meeting compliance needs. Benefits Administration Software simplifies managing employee benefits, making enrollment and tracking easier. Employee Engagement Software promotes communication through surveys and recognition tools, encouraging a positive culture. Finally, Time and Attendance Software automates employee hours and time-off requests, reducing administrative burdens and minimizing payroll errors. How to Choose HR Solutions Software How do you determine the right HR solutions software for your organization? Start by aligning your HR vision with your overall business strategy, ensuring the software addresses your specific pain points. Gather input from key stakeholders to define necessary features and functionalities. Next, research various HR software options, focusing on features relevant to your needs, like recruitment, payroll, and performance management. Here’s a simple checklist to follow: Align HR vision with business strategy. Gather input from key stakeholders on features. Research available HR software options. Evaluate shortlisted software through demos and trials. Finally, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the software’s effectiveness post-implementation. This process will help you choose the best HR solutions for your business. Implementing HR Solutions Software in Your Business When you implement HR solutions software in your business, you can greatly streamline administrative tasks, allowing your HR team to concentrate on more strategic initiatives. Automating processes like payroll, recruitment, and onboarding boosts efficiency, freeing up time for higher-value activities. By centralizing employee data management, you improve accessibility and facilitate real-time updates, which increases collaboration across departments. Furthermore, the software helps guarantee compliance with labor laws by tracking necessary documentation and deadlines, minimizing the risk of penalties. With performance management tools, you can support goal setting and feedback, driving both productivity and engagement. Many solutions are cloud-based, offering mobility and accessibility as well as reducing the need for hardware investments, leading to significant cost savings for your business. Exploring Free Trials of HR Solutions Software Are you considering HR solutions software but unsure if it’s the right fit for your organization? Free trials are a valuable way to explore these tools without commitment. During the trial, you can: Assess the software’s functionalities, like payroll processing and onboarding. Evaluate time and cost savings by streamlining HR tasks. Test integration capabilities with your existing systems to guarantee compatibility. Gather feedback from employees on usability and effectiveness. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Benefits of HR Software? HR software offers numerous benefits that streamline your HR processes. It automates tasks like payroll and attendance, freeing up time for strategic initiatives. With features like Applicant Tracking Systems, it improves recruitment efficiency, enhancing candidate experiences. Centralizing employee data helps guarantee compliance with labor laws and reduces manual errors. Self-service portals allow employees easy access to their information, boosting engagement. Moreover, analytics provided by HR software support data-driven decision-making, optimizing workforce management. What Are HR Solutions? HR solutions are digital tools designed to optimize human resources processes. They automate tasks like recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and performance management, making your HR operations more efficient. By centralizing employee data, these solutions improve compliance with labor laws and minimize errors. Moreover, they enable better communication across departments and provide analytics for informed decision-making. What Are the Three Main Types of HR Software Solutions? The three main types of HR software solutions are Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). HRIS focuses on employee data management and payroll, whereas HRMS integrates various HR functions like recruitment and performance management. ATS streamlines the hiring process by automating job postings and candidate screening. Each system serves distinct HR needs, allowing you to choose the best option based on your organization’s goals. What Is HR Software? HR software includes various applications designed to streamline human resource functions. It automates tasks like payroll processing, attendance tracking, and compliance management, allowing you to save time and reduce errors. Common types of HR software are Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and performance management tools. Conclusion In conclusion, HR Solutions Software is crucial for modern businesses looking to streamline their human resource processes. By improving recruitment, onboarding, and payroll management, it helps HR departments operate more efficiently during the enhancement of employee experiences. The benefits extend beyond HR teams, positively impacting overall business performance through better data management and compliance. By carefully selecting and implementing the right software, you can greatly improve productivity and focus on strategic initiatives that promote organizational growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is HR Solutions Software and How Can It Benefit Your Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

HR Solutions Software is a thorough suite of tools intended to improve various human resource functions, such as recruitment, onboarding, and payroll management. By centralizing employee data and automating processes, it minimizes errors and boosts efficiency. For instance, automated tracking can streamline hiring, whereas data analytics aids in informed decision-making. Comprehending its features and benefits can greatly impact your organization’s productivity and employee engagement. Let’s explore how to select the right software for your needs. Key Takeaways HR Solutions Software streamlines and automates HR functions, enhancing organizational efficiency and reducing time spent on routine tasks. It centralizes employee data management, improving accuracy and accessibility while ensuring compliance with labor laws. Key features include applicant tracking, performance management, and learning management systems, all designed to enhance recruitment and employee development. Employees benefit from self-service portals for accessing information, improving engagement, and enriching their overall work experience. Businesses gain data-driven insights through built-in analytics, enabling informed decision-making and strategic HR initiatives. What Is HR Solutions Software? HR solutions software encompasses a range of applications designed to streamline and automate key human resources functions, which can improve efficiency in your organization. These HR platforms provide tools for recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, and compliance tracking. By centralizing employee data management, this software improves accessibility and accuracy while minimizing human error through automation. For instance, human resources onboarding software can simplify the new hire process, allowing new employees to complete paperwork online. Furthermore, these systems often include self-service portals and analytics tools, empowering employees and enabling data-driven decision-making. In the end, by automating routine tasks, HR solutions software frees up your HR teams to concentrate on strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance with labor laws and reducing the risk of penalties. Key Features of HR Solutions Software Organizations looking to improve their human resources capabilities will find that HR solutions software offers a variety of key features designed to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. A central component is the Human Resource Information System (HRIS), which centralizes employee data management and payroll processing. Furthermore, ADP Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) improve recruitment by facilitating job postings and CV screening. Performance Management Software digitizes performance reviews, incorporating tools for goal-setting and feedback to support employee development. Learning Management Systems (LMS) help track training progress and guarantee compliance with mandatory requirements. Finally, built-in analytics tools provide insights into workforce performance and recruitment metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making that ultimately increases organizational effectiveness. Benefits of HR Solutions Software for HR Departments HR solutions software offers significant advantages for HR departments by streamlining administrative processes, enhancing recruitment efficiency, and improving data management. With automated payroll and attendance tracking, you can reduce the time spent on routine tasks, allowing you to concentrate on strategic initiatives. Furthermore, features like applicant tracking systems not only speed up hiring but likewise provide valuable insights for better decision-making and workforce planning. Streamlined Administrative Processes Although administrative tasks can often consume a significant portion of an HR department’s time, implementing HR solutions software can dramatically streamline these processes. This software automates routine functions like attendance tracking and payroll processing, freeing up valuable time for your team. By centralizing employee data management, it improves accuracy and reduces human errors, ensuring compliance with labor laws. In addition, streamlined onboarding processes help new hires acclimate quickly, boosting their productivity from the start. Performance management tools within the software allow for real-time feedback and goal tracking, promoting employee engagement and accountability. Moreover, HR solutions software provides valuable analytics, enabling you to make informed, data-driven decisions that align with your organization’s goals and improve overall efficiency. Enhanced Recruitment Efficiency In regards to improving recruitment efficiency, utilizing HR solutions software can transform the hiring process considerably. By implementing these tools, you can streamline various aspects of recruitment, making it faster and more effective. Here are four key benefits: Automation: Automate job postings, resume screening, and interview scheduling, potentially reducing time-to-hire by up to 50%. Data Analytics: Utilize data to optimize job ad placements, ensuring you attract the most suitable candidates. Onboarding: Streamline onboarding by allowing new hires to complete paperwork electronically, easing administrative burdens. Communication Tools: Enhance candidate engagement through integrated communication features, improving the overall experience and increasing acceptance rates. Improved Data Management Effective recruitment is only one aspect of what HR solutions software can offer; improved data management is another significant benefit that can transform HR departments. By centralizing employee data, you can easily access, update, and maintain accurate records in one secure location, reducing discrepancies. Automated data collection minimizes manual entry errors, letting you focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks. Advanced analytics tools provide insights into workforce trends, improving decision-making. Real-time updates guarantee compliance-related documentation is current, reducing the risk of penalties. Integration with other business systems streamlines data sharing and communication, promoting collaboration. Feature Benefit Example Centralized Data Management Reduces discrepancies Single source of truth Automated Data Collection Minimizes manual errors Time-saving processes Advanced Analytics Informs strategic decisions Workforce trend analysis Real-Time Updates Guarantees compliance Current employee documentation System Integration Improves collaboration Seamless data sharing Benefits of HR Solutions Software for Employees HR solutions software offers a range of benefits that greatly improve the employee experience within an organization. With these tools, you can manage your own personal information effortlessly and enrich your daily work life. Here are some key advantages: Self-Service Portals: Access your details, request time off, and view pay stubs independently. Improved Onboarding: New hires can integrate into the company more smoothly, boosting comfort and productivity from day one. Employee Engagement Tools: Participate in surveys and recognition programs that encourage a positive workplace culture. Performance Management Features: Set personal goals, receive real-time feedback, and track your progress, aligning your contributions with the organization’s objectives. These features collectively enrich your overall work experience. Benefits of HR Solutions Software for Businesses Though many businesses face challenges in managing human resources effectively, leveraging HR solutions software can greatly streamline operations and improve productivity. By automating routine administrative tasks, you can free up your HR team to focus on strategic initiatives, improving overall efficiency. Centralizing employee data not only enhances compliance with labor laws but also reduces the risk of penalties, promoting accountability. Furthermore, the software simplifies recruitment and onboarding, allowing you to fill roles more quickly and improve the candidate experience. Employee self-service portals boost satisfaction by giving staff easy access to personal information and performance metrics. Finally, the analytics and reporting features enable data-driven decision-making, which can lead to better employee engagement and productivity. Types of HR Solutions Software When considering HR solutions software, you’ll find two main categories: core HR systems and additional HR solutions. Core HR systems, like HRIS and HRMS, focus on centralizing employee data, payroll, and performance management, whereas additional solutions, such as Applicant Tracking Systems and Learning Management Systems, address specific needs like recruitment and training. Comprehending these types can help you choose the right software to streamline your HR processes effectively. Core HR Systems Core HR systems serve as the backbone of effective human resource management, integrating various functionalities to streamline processes and improve organizational efficiency. These systems encompass crucial tools that help you manage your workforce effectively. Here are some key types of core HR systems: Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS): Centralize employee data management, payroll processing, and benefits administration. Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS): Offer extensive functionalities, including recruitment, performance evaluation, and HR analytics. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Improve recruitment efficiency by streamlining job postings, interview scheduling, and CV screening. Payroll Software: Automates tracking of employee work hours and pay rates, ensuring compliance and accuracy. Additional HR Solutions In today’s dynamic workplace, several additional HR solutions software types can greatly improve your organization’s human resource management capabilities. Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) manage employee data, whereas Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) streamline hiring by tracking applicants. Payroll Software simplifies payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Learning Management Systems (LMS) centralize training, augmenting employee skills and meeting compliance needs. Benefits Administration Software simplifies managing employee benefits, making enrollment and tracking easier. Employee Engagement Software promotes communication through surveys and recognition tools, encouraging a positive culture. Finally, Time and Attendance Software automates employee hours and time-off requests, reducing administrative burdens and minimizing payroll errors. How to Choose HR Solutions Software How do you determine the right HR solutions software for your organization? Start by aligning your HR vision with your overall business strategy, ensuring the software addresses your specific pain points. Gather input from key stakeholders to define necessary features and functionalities. Next, research various HR software options, focusing on features relevant to your needs, like recruitment, payroll, and performance management. Here’s a simple checklist to follow: Align HR vision with business strategy. Gather input from key stakeholders on features. Research available HR software options. Evaluate shortlisted software through demos and trials. Finally, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the software’s effectiveness post-implementation. This process will help you choose the best HR solutions for your business. Implementing HR Solutions Software in Your Business When you implement HR solutions software in your business, you can greatly streamline administrative tasks, allowing your HR team to concentrate on more strategic initiatives. Automating processes like payroll, recruitment, and onboarding boosts efficiency, freeing up time for higher-value activities. By centralizing employee data management, you improve accessibility and facilitate real-time updates, which increases collaboration across departments. Furthermore, the software helps guarantee compliance with labor laws by tracking necessary documentation and deadlines, minimizing the risk of penalties. With performance management tools, you can support goal setting and feedback, driving both productivity and engagement. Many solutions are cloud-based, offering mobility and accessibility as well as reducing the need for hardware investments, leading to significant cost savings for your business. Exploring Free Trials of HR Solutions Software Are you considering HR solutions software but unsure if it’s the right fit for your organization? Free trials are a valuable way to explore these tools without commitment. During the trial, you can: Assess the software’s functionalities, like payroll processing and onboarding. Evaluate time and cost savings by streamlining HR tasks. Test integration capabilities with your existing systems to guarantee compatibility. Gather feedback from employees on usability and effectiveness. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Benefits of HR Software? HR software offers numerous benefits that streamline your HR processes. It automates tasks like payroll and attendance, freeing up time for strategic initiatives. With features like Applicant Tracking Systems, it improves recruitment efficiency, enhancing candidate experiences. Centralizing employee data helps guarantee compliance with labor laws and reduces manual errors. Self-service portals allow employees easy access to their information, boosting engagement. Moreover, analytics provided by HR software support data-driven decision-making, optimizing workforce management. What Are HR Solutions? HR solutions are digital tools designed to optimize human resources processes. They automate tasks like recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and performance management, making your HR operations more efficient. By centralizing employee data, these solutions improve compliance with labor laws and minimize errors. Moreover, they enable better communication across departments and provide analytics for informed decision-making. What Are the Three Main Types of HR Software Solutions? The three main types of HR software solutions are Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). HRIS focuses on employee data management and payroll, whereas HRMS integrates various HR functions like recruitment and performance management. ATS streamlines the hiring process by automating job postings and candidate screening. Each system serves distinct HR needs, allowing you to choose the best option based on your organization’s goals. What Is HR Software? HR software includes various applications designed to streamline human resource functions. It automates tasks like payroll processing, attendance tracking, and compliance management, allowing you to save time and reduce errors. Common types of HR software are Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and performance management tools. Conclusion In conclusion, HR Solutions Software is crucial for modern businesses looking to streamline their human resource processes. By improving recruitment, onboarding, and payroll management, it helps HR departments operate more efficiently during the enhancement of employee experiences. The benefits extend beyond HR teams, positively impacting overall business performance through better data management and compliance. By carefully selecting and implementing the right software, you can greatly improve productivity and focus on strategic initiatives that promote organizational growth. 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