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Deluxe and Peoples Bank Forge Ahead in Integrated Payments Partnership Small business owners constantly seek innovative solutions to enhance their operations, improve customer service, and streamline financial transactions. Recent developments from Deluxe Corporation may offer vital insights for those navigating the complex landscape of payment solutions. Deluxe, a prominent player in the payments industry, has expanded its partnership with Peoples Bank, a financial institution based in Marietta, Ohio, with assets totaling $9.5 billion. This collaboration aims to enhance the bank’s Merchant Services, underscoring a commitment to innovation and community engagement. The alliance exemplifies the shift towards integrating transactional services into broader strategic assets. By combining forces, Deluxe and Peoples Bank aim to bolster customer loyalty, heighten operational efficiency, and generate non-interest income streams—essential components for small businesses aiming to thrive in a competitive market. Brian Mahony, President of Merchant Services at Deluxe, emphasized the importance of collaboration in this endeavor. He remarked, “Peoples Bank is a highly engaged Deluxe client, and this expanded partnership is a great example of what’s possible when we bring our teams together to solve for the full picture.” This sentiment highlights the value of teamwork in developing tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes. Rich Vaughan, EVP of Retail & Business Banking at Peoples Bank, echoed Mahony’s thoughts, affirming the significance of forward-thinking solutions in today’s fast-paced market. “Deluxe continues to be a trusted partner for Peoples Bank, and this expanded engagement reflects our shared commitment to providing business clients with forward-thinking solutions,” Vaughan noted. Such endorsements suggest that other small businesses could find valuable support through similar partnerships. The implications of this partnership could be substantial for small business owners. By leveraging integrated Merchant Services, businesses can streamline their payment processes, concentrating on growth and customer satisfaction. The combination of enhanced operational efficiency with the ability to offer diverse payment solutions may enable businesses to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Looking at practical applications, small businesses could specifically benefit from the comprehensive approach to transactional services that Deluxe and Peoples Bank are advancing. By integrating merchant services, business owners may find it easier to manage payments, reduce transaction costs, and access valuable analytics that inform customer engagement strategies. Moreover, as operational efficiencies increase, the possibility of redirecting resources towards innovation and customer experience also expands. However, small business owners should also consider potential challenges associated with adopting integrated payment solutions. Transitioning to a new system often requires time and resources, which can strain small operations already juggling numerous responsibilities. Training staff on new technologies can add to upfront costs, although many providers, including Deluxe, likely offer support during the transition. Additionally, there may be adaptability concerns. Not all businesses require the same level of integration; thus, ensuring that a solution suits a specific company’s scale and operations is vital. Some small business owners might find themselves entrusting too many critical services to a single vendor, raising issues should the partnership not meet expectations. As the landscape of payment processing evolves, the partnership between Deluxe and Peoples Bank signals a trend that small business owners must monitor. By observing how this collaboration unfolds, businesses can glean best practices and insights for their own operations. Deluxe, boasting over a century of service, continues to position itself as a key ally for small businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. With its commitment to supporting businesses through advanced payment solutions, it remains a crucial resource for those aiming to thrive in today’s economy. More information about these services and partnership updates can be found at Deluxe’s website. The partnership’s focus on innovation and community values pairs well with the needs of today’s entrepreneurs. As small business owners assess the potential of such integrated services, they should weigh the benefits against challenges meticulously. With thoughtful consideration, this collaboration may unlock new avenues for growth and success. For further details, the original press release is available here. Image via Envato This article, "Deluxe and Peoples Bank Expand Partnership to Enhance Merchant Services" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Deluxe and Peoples Bank Forge Ahead in Integrated Payments Partnership Small business owners constantly seek innovative solutions to enhance their operations, improve customer service, and streamline financial transactions. Recent developments from Deluxe Corporation may offer vital insights for those navigating the complex landscape of payment solutions. Deluxe, a prominent player in the payments industry, has expanded its partnership with Peoples Bank, a financial institution based in Marietta, Ohio, with assets totaling $9.5 billion. This collaboration aims to enhance the bank’s Merchant Services, underscoring a commitment to innovation and community engagement. The alliance exemplifies the shift towards integrating transactional services into broader strategic assets. By combining forces, Deluxe and Peoples Bank aim to bolster customer loyalty, heighten operational efficiency, and generate non-interest income streams—essential components for small businesses aiming to thrive in a competitive market. Brian Mahony, President of Merchant Services at Deluxe, emphasized the importance of collaboration in this endeavor. He remarked, “Peoples Bank is a highly engaged Deluxe client, and this expanded partnership is a great example of what’s possible when we bring our teams together to solve for the full picture.” This sentiment highlights the value of teamwork in developing tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes. Rich Vaughan, EVP of Retail & Business Banking at Peoples Bank, echoed Mahony’s thoughts, affirming the significance of forward-thinking solutions in today’s fast-paced market. “Deluxe continues to be a trusted partner for Peoples Bank, and this expanded engagement reflects our shared commitment to providing business clients with forward-thinking solutions,” Vaughan noted. Such endorsements suggest that other small businesses could find valuable support through similar partnerships. The implications of this partnership could be substantial for small business owners. By leveraging integrated Merchant Services, businesses can streamline their payment processes, concentrating on growth and customer satisfaction. The combination of enhanced operational efficiency with the ability to offer diverse payment solutions may enable businesses to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Looking at practical applications, small businesses could specifically benefit from the comprehensive approach to transactional services that Deluxe and Peoples Bank are advancing. By integrating merchant services, business owners may find it easier to manage payments, reduce transaction costs, and access valuable analytics that inform customer engagement strategies. Moreover, as operational efficiencies increase, the possibility of redirecting resources towards innovation and customer experience also expands. However, small business owners should also consider potential challenges associated with adopting integrated payment solutions. Transitioning to a new system often requires time and resources, which can strain small operations already juggling numerous responsibilities. Training staff on new technologies can add to upfront costs, although many providers, including Deluxe, likely offer support during the transition. Additionally, there may be adaptability concerns. Not all businesses require the same level of integration; thus, ensuring that a solution suits a specific company’s scale and operations is vital. Some small business owners might find themselves entrusting too many critical services to a single vendor, raising issues should the partnership not meet expectations. As the landscape of payment processing evolves, the partnership between Deluxe and Peoples Bank signals a trend that small business owners must monitor. By observing how this collaboration unfolds, businesses can glean best practices and insights for their own operations. Deluxe, boasting over a century of service, continues to position itself as a key ally for small businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. With its commitment to supporting businesses through advanced payment solutions, it remains a crucial resource for those aiming to thrive in today’s economy. More information about these services and partnership updates can be found at Deluxe’s website. The partnership’s focus on innovation and community values pairs well with the needs of today’s entrepreneurs. As small business owners assess the potential of such integrated services, they should weigh the benefits against challenges meticulously. With thoughtful consideration, this collaboration may unlock new avenues for growth and success. For further details, the original press release is available here. Image via Envato This article, "Deluxe and Peoples Bank Expand Partnership to Enhance Merchant Services" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Taylor Swift sold 2.7 million copies of her new album The Life of a Showgirl on its release day Friday, and luckily for Swifties buying up multiple copies to help their idol on the chart, they didn’t have to pay any tariffs on their purchases. U.S. consumers now face a 18.6% overall average effective tariff rate, according to Yale’s Budget Lab, and one music professor estimated that if tariffs were applied to physical music, they could have hiked the price of a vinyl record to as much as $40 to $50 a pop. They’re not, though, thanks some recently relevant Reagan-era legislation. Instead, Swift fans have to cough up $35 for the Target-exclusive “Summertime Spritz Pink Shimmer Vinyl” version of the album, which is imported from Mexico, limited-edition, and comes with a poster (the standard version is $30). President Donald The President tariffs were imposed under emergency economic powers that the Brennan Center for Justice say constitute a misuse of power, and they’ve faced legal challenges. The Supreme Court is planning to take up the case, but already, media like books, movies, and physical music are except from the extra cost because of the Berman Amendment. Named for Howard Berman, a California Democrat who represented a district in the Los Angeles area in the U.S. House from 1983 to 2013, the law revised the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the same law that The President used as justification for his tariffs. Berman’s amendment prohibits the president from directly or indirectly regulating or prohibiting the importation of an “informational materials,” including publications, films, posters, photographs, and records. The Berman Amendment protects cross-border speech from presidential overreach, and it attracted new interest when The President said in May he would impose 100% tariffs on movies and TV shows produced outside the U.S. Passed in 1988, the Berman Amendment is welcome relief for companies that sell physical media across national borders, like book and magazine publishers, as well as the music industry, which saw vinyl sales grow from 13.1 million in 2016 to 49.6 million in 2023, according to Luminate Music Consumption Data. Domestic vinyl record production in the U.S. is ramping up (in Tennessee, Nashville’s United Record Pressing, which is the nation’s oldest record maker, is busier than ever, and one local company that supplies vinyl makers announced a $10 million expansion in the state in January), but currently, supply can’t keep up with demand. For Swifties whose fandom would otherwise be caught up in The President’s trade war with the rest of the economy, the law protects their imported vinyl purchases from an extra fee courtesy the president. View the full article

Gap just released an animated ad to promote its collection with designer Sandy Liang, and we need it to become its own TV show ASAP. Created by animator Annie Choi, who has a history of illustrating campaigns for luxury fashion labels, the ad stars a young girl modeled after Liang herself. While dreaming up new clothing designs inside her childhood bedroom, the girl discovers that her closet has been imbued with magical powers—and when she opens its doors, she’s transformed, Sailor Moon–style, into a new version of herself dressed head-to-toe in Gap x Sandy Liang. The Gap x Sandy Liang ad, titled “Sandy’s Dream Closet,” is part of the roll-out for Liang’s biggest-ever collaboration with Gap, launching online and in select Gap stores October 10. The collection includes jackets emblazoned with Liang’s iconic bow symbols, structured-yet-feminine denim, and even a line of baby clothes. Everything ranges from just $15 to $268. Choi’s fantastical animation embodies the sweet, youthful spirit of the collection, which, Liang told Fast Company, was made “for your inner child.” “I love that we’re telling the story through animation,” Liang says. “I think it’s the perfect way to express the energy that I’m trying to convey with the collection.” “Creating universes that invite people to imagine more” Within Choi’s oeuvre, anything is possible. An ordinary loaf of bread can transform into a fashionable shoe; a Parisian office building can morph into a puzzle box; and the stars in the night sky are pretty enough to literally eat like candy. Over the past several years, her creative, surrealist animations have become a sought-after asset for fashion brands including Hermès, Burberry, Dior, and Loewe. “When I started collaborating with fashion brands, it felt like a natural extension of what I already loved doing: creating universes that invite people to imagine more,” Choi says. “Fashion gives me a language of texture, form, and transformation, and animation gives it motion and life. Together they create something that feels both tactile and surreal, which is exactly the space I love to work in.” Annie Choi Bringing Sandy Liang’s fashion world to life Before Liang even began designing the Gap collection, she says, she was already imagining an animation as a component of the campaign’s rollout. Her initial moodboard included inspiration from favorite anime properties like Sailor Moon and the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo. When Gap’s marketing team told her that an animated video would be possible, she says, it was like a dream come true. Choi’s penchant for imagining designer brands through a playful lens made her the perfect compliment to Liang’s perspective on fashion as a means of embracing her own girlhood. “Sandy’s Dream Closet” is inspired by Liang’s childhood in New York City. Its setting—an apartment complex in the Lower East Side above a Cantonese restaurant called “Congee Village”—is pulled directly from Liang’s own memories of her father’s restaurant of the same name. That backdrop is woven together with Liang’s experience growing up wearing vintage Gap. Annie Choi Growing up with a child’s sense of wonder “So much of Sandy’s world centers around imagination, nostalgia, and a sense of wonder,” Choi says. “I wanted the animation to carry that same feeling. I thought back to the shows I loved as a kid, especially the ones where transformation felt exciting and full of possibility, and used that energy as a guide. Since I also spent part of my early childhood in New York, the project felt personal to me, almost like layering my own memories on top of Sandy’s.” In the film, Liang’s transformation represents, on a literal level, the idea of growing up. Symbolically, it’s also meant to capture “the power fashion has to help us become who we are meant to be,” Choi says. For her, bringing Sandy’s animated vision to life was “an honor.” “It was so fun to see her reaction to the animated Sandy for the first time,” Choi says. “I think the final product truly captures her essence and the Sandy Liang world in a way that her customers, and Gap’s customers, can experience in a totally new way.” 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. Amazon Big Deal Days end tonight, Oct. 8, and until then, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, and more. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. You don't need to be a fitness enthusiast to appreciate everything a good Apple Watch has to offer. Right now the Apple Watch Series 10 is available for $309 for October Prime Day, a 28% discount off its list price of $429. That's for the 46mm case—if you opt for the smaller 42mm, the watch is available for as low as $279 in some colors. That's a 30% discount off a list price of $399. Apple Watch Series 10 GPS 46mm with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band $309.00 at Amazon $429.00 Save $120.00 Get Deal Get Deal $309.00 at Amazon $429.00 Save $120.00 The Series 10 is last year's Apple Watch, but this year's Series 11 is only a minor upgrade. As such, our editor Michelle Ehrhardt crowned the 10 best Apple Watch for most people: You’re only missing out on tougher glass, a 5G modem, and a somewhat improved battery life. Unless you really depend on those extra perks, the Series 10 is probably the choice for you. For more deals on fitness trackers and smartwatches, check out more of our top picks from Amazon's Big Deal Days here. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. 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. Amazon Big Deal Days end tonight, Oct. 8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best bargains, based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. If you're in the market for headphones that allow you to hear your surroundings, without sacrificing too much on audio quality, you're in luck. Right now the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are available for $124.95 for October Prime Day, a 31% discount off their list price of $179.95. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 $124.95 at Amazon $179.95 Save $55.00 Get Deal Get Deal $124.95 at Amazon $179.95 Save $55.00 I'm a recent convert to the world of bone conduction headphones (BCH). Now, whenever I'm running around Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, I absolutely rely on BCH technology to keep my ears open to traffic, other runners, and deranged cyclists. As my colleague Daniel Oropeza reviews in-depth here, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the best set of BCHs that either of us have ever tried. With these Shokz, I've experienced little to no ear fatigue, even during 18+ mile runs. Their IP55 rating has proven true for me, having worn these headphones during humid summer runs and unexpected downpours. Most important for me, their battery life holds up, lasting even my longest training runs. Even if I forget to charge the night before a run, a quick five-minute charge gives me around 1.5 hours of listening time. Maybe they'll never match the bass response of traditional in-ear monitors, but they're more than good enough for podcasts, audiobooks, and music during my runs. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team 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. Amazon Big Deal Days end tonight, Oct. 8, and until then, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. While you were reading your Kindle, I was studying the Boox. This line of e-ink devices from Chinese tech company Onyx may be be little known in the U.S. outside of members of its cult following (who you can chat with on Reddit), but it has a ton to offer anyone looking for an alternative to a Kindle Paperwhite (or an iPad, for that matter). While the phone-shaped Boox Palma 2 is my personal favorite e-reader, Boox also makes productivity-forward e-notebooks that seek to marry the easy-on-the-eyes screen of a Kindle with the functionality of an iPad. These even come complete with writeable screens, so you can use a stylus to take notes and sketch as you would in a physical notebook. And the biggest and arguably baddest Boox e-notebook of them all is the Boox Note Max, a massive 13.3-inch does-everything machine. Boox Note Max 13.3-Inch E-Notebook $689.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $689.99 at Amazon When I reviewed this behemoth last year, I focused on its versatility (it runs on an open Android operating system with access to the Google Play store, so it will run all the same apps as an LED Android tablet, and you can use it as a laptop by adding a custom keyboard case) and excellent writing experience (though it's not quite pen and paper, it feels pretty great). But as much as I'd like to say I use it for organizing all my notes, I mostly use the Boox Note Max to read manga. The Shonen Jump app looks fabulous on the crisp black-and-white Carta 1300 screen, and the 13.3 inches of real estate reveal details that are much harder to appreciate on a tankōbon page. It's gotten me back into the medium in a big way—which is great, because if my son is going to be peppering me with facts about One Piece, I might as well know what he's talking about. The downside to non-Kindle e-ink devices is that they're niche, and thus pricey. And because all e-ink screens are made in China, they've recently gotten more expensive due to tariffs. But right now, the Boox Note Max (along with the Boox Palma 2) is on a rare sale for Prime Day. You can currently save $60 on the Note Max—not a huge reduction in the $690 retail price, but welcome all the same. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Top Democratic lawmakers are asking the full appeals court to hear a case about the The President administration's efforts to fire employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. View the full article

The truth is straightforward: the VantageScore 4.0 credit score outperforms the outdated FICO Classic credit score for mortgage, writes the chief data scientist at VantageScore. View the full article

The Senate confirmed former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board member Jonathan McKernan to serve as Treasury's under secretary for domestic finance on a party-line vote, installing a key industry ally in the Treasury Department. 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. Amazon Big Deal Days is ending tonight, October 8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. After 20 years in the tech journalism business, I've honestly lost count of the number of tablets (and tablet/laptop hybrids) I've reviewed through the years. When it comes to these devices, I know something about what separates the duds from the diamonds. As the second day of the Prime Day sale rolls on, these are my picks for the best tablet deals. 11-inch Google Pixel TabletIf you're fully invested in the Google ecosystem, then the Google Pixel Tablet makes a lot of sense—especially as it's now available with a discount of more than a third for Prime Day. The price currently stands at $309 rather than the original $499, and it'll cater to all your key tablet needs—from videos to web browsing. 11-inch Google Pixel Tablet $309.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $190.00 Get Deal Get Deal $309.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $190.00 Along with the 11-inch screen (with 2,560 x 1,600 pixel resolution), this model gives you 256GB of storage space, a Tensor G2 processor, and the latest Android 16 software. Add in the official dock (sold separately) and you can turn it into a smart home hub, and get extra volume for your videos and audio, while the tablet is charging. 11-inch A16 Apple iPadApple updated its entry-level tablet for 2025 with this 11-inch iPad model, powered by the A16 processor, and even at the original price of $349, the 128GB model represents excellent value for money. You can now knock $70 off that price: Amazon is now selling it for $279 in honor of Prime Day. 11-inch A16 Apple iPad $279.00 at Amazon $349.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $279.00 at Amazon $349.00 Save $70.00 There are more expensive iPads out there, but the cheapest one is perfectly good at doing all the tasks you would commonly use a tablet for: checking emails, posting to social media, browsing the web, watching movies, etc. With four colors to choose from, many people aren't going to need to pay more. 12.4-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+If you're a fan of tablets, Samsung, or Android (or all three), the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ is worthy of your attention. It's like an iPad Pro for those who prefer Android, with a superb 12.4-inch OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ processor, 12GB of RAM, a dual-lens rear camera, lots of Galaxy AI features, and an included S Pen stylus. 12.4-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ $824.99 at Amazon $999.99 Save $175.00 Get Deal Get Deal $824.99 at Amazon $999.99 Save $175.00 It's an impressive device all around, and you can now get the 256GB version of this tablet for $824.99 rather than $999.99. 13-inch M4 Apple iPad ProThe entry-level iPad gets a mention further up on this page, but if you want the most powerful Apple tablet on the planet, then you want the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro. The 256GB model is currently available for $200 less—so you can pick it up for $1,099 rather than $1,299. 13-inch M4 Apple iPad Pro $1,099.00 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,099.00 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $200.00 It's difficult to find anything new to say about the iPad Pros: As you no doubt already know, they're super-powerful, incredibly elegant devices that can replace your laptop and then some. They have great cameras and speakers, they're very versatile, and they work with a range of accessories (including keyboard covers and the Apple Pencil). 11-inch Amazon Fire Max 11This deal on the Amazon Fire Max 11 is my favorite of the Amazon-brand offers available on the site. The price on the 64GB model has been discounted from $229.99 to $139.99, which means you save $90—and the device was already pretty cheap to begin with. 11-inch Amazon Fire Max 11 $139.99 at Amazon $229.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal Get Deal $139.99 at Amazon $229.99 Save $90.00 Don't let the low price fool you into thinking this is a sub-standard tablet. It's perfectly fine for browsing websites and your email, for watching movies and shows, and for some lightweight mobile gaming. With an 11-inch screen size it's also nice and compact, and easy to carry around anywhere. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don't have Amazon Prime. Walmart's Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It's an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy's Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It's an especially good option if you're a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target's Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Amazon Big Deal Days ends tonight, Oct. 8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Like many Americans, I bemoan the fact that online shopping hurts local businesses, which can't compete with the convenience of unsustainable perks like "free" two-day Prime shipping. Like many Americans, I still buy a ton of stuff online anyway, because it's easier not to carry a huge pack of toilet paper home from Aldi (at least, as a New Yorker, I can still be a snob about the fact that I walk to buy groceries). But this also means that, come one of Amazon's Prime Day sales or during the holiday season, I have to deal with a lot of cardboard boxes. Some 35 million tons of "containerboard," or cardboard used to make shipping containers like Amazon boxes, is produced in the U.S. each year. By my estimate, at least 10 percent of that arrives on my doorstep. While I'm diligent about recycling all of it (the American Forest & Paper Association estimates that the "effective recycling rate" for cardboard is as high as 85%—yay!), breaking those boxes down to get them to fit in my recycling bin is a hassle. Or it was, until I learned about the Canary box cutter, a slim little knife with a non-stick serrated blade and a cheery yellow handle. CANARY Corrugated Cardboard Cutter, Made in Japan, Yellow $8.49 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $8.49 at Amazon A box cutter produced by a former Japanese sword companyThis $8 knife—yes, it is sold on Amazon, though mine was shipped to me in a padded envelope rather than a box—is made in Japan by a company called Hasegawa Cutlery, which got its start nearly 100 years ago polishing and grinding swords (the "Cutlery" part was added to the name after World War II, when the business first began producing scissors). Hasegawa's marketing language suggests it has brought all of its Japanese sword-making expertise to bear on creating consumer goods, and while I've never tried to break down a stack of shipping boxes with a katana, I can't imagine it'd be much easier than using my Canary. My previous methods for cutting through cardboard—kitchen scissors or a steak knife (don't be like me, kids!)—were less than effective, and utility knives, though certainly an improvement, aren't great at the task either. Cardboard is stiff and fibrous, so while a razor blade can slice through it pretty easily, it's hard to use one to make a controlled cut, as the blade will careen off-course if you try to go against the "grain," so to speak. Utility blades also dull quickly, but will still remain sharp enough to cut you if you handle them incorrectly. The all-around serrated edges of the Canary, on the other hand, seem to cut through cardboard like butter, whether you're going with or against the grain, pushing the blade or pulling it, or making a sawing motion; its blade stays sharp much longer, and won't cut you nearly as easily. (These qualities have made the Canary a favorite of crafters who work with cardboard.) I'm not the crafting type, but I've used my Canary on boxes both small and large. In about a minute, I cut down the big box my new air fryer shipped in, leaving a neat stack of small pieces of cardboard that are easy to toss into the bin. The knife works equally well on the lighter cardboard boxes like those Amazon uses, and thicker ones, like the beefy boys that held my Target flatpack furniture. It seems a stretch to call this little blade life-changing, but it has definitely saved me a lot of time—much more than $8 worth. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team 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. Amazon Big Deal Days is coming October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I've spent more than a decade reviewing laptops—which has involved a lot of battery and performance benchmarking—and I've been digging deep into the Amazon Prime Day sales to find you the best deals on laptops. If you're thinking of investing in an upgrade, these are the discounts I'd recommend taking advantage of. Dell 15Dell is always a good bet for a solid, no-nonsense laptop that can cover the basics for most users, and that's a perfect description of the Dell 15. It's now available for $449.99 from Amazon rather than the original list price of $599.99, which is a notable reduction of $150 or 25 percent, making this laptop well worth snapping up. Dell 15 Laptop $449.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Get Deal $449.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $150.00 You get a spacious 15.6-inch screen, a capable Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage for your money. Those specs aren't going to break any benchmarking records, but aside from high-end gaming and demanding tasks like video editing, you're going to be well-covered. Samsung Galaxy Book 4 EdgeWho says Windows users can't have MacBook-level quality laptops? The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge begs to differ, with its polished and elegant exterior, and powerful innards—you get a Snapdragon X Plus CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and a stylish 15.6-inch screen with this model, plus Galaxy AI on board. Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge $684.99 at Amazon $899.99 Save $215.00 Get Deal Get Deal $684.99 at Amazon $899.99 Save $215.00 If you're not already convinced, Amazon Prime Day has lowered this laptop down to $684.99 from $899.99. It's a versatile and capable laptop—with HDMI and microSD slots included—and it also meets the criteria for Microsoft's Copilot+ program. M4 MacBook AirYou don't have to wander far on the internet to find someone singing the praises of the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air: It's fast, it's quiet, it's cool, it's lightweight, and it has all the build quality and software expertise you'd expect from Apple. It's so good that it's probably the best laptop for most people right now. M4 MacBook Air $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 On top of all that, it's also $200 off at Amazon, for the entry-level configuration—a drop of 20%. It combines that M4 processor with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If you work your way up through the specs there are deals on the more expensive models as well—all available in four colors. Microsoft Surface Pro 2024The Microsoft Surface Pro is the best two-in-one laptop and tablet combination you can get right now, and the 2024 Snapdragon X Elite configuration with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is down by a huge 36 percent in the Prime Day sales: It now costs $899.99 rather than the original $1,399.99. Microsoft Surface Pro 2024 $899.99 at Amazon $1,399.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Get Deal $899.99 at Amazon $1,399.99 Save $500.00 After several false starts, Windows 11 is now equally at home in tablet or laptop mode, and the 13-inch touchscreen OLED is superb. Do bear in mind that you'll need to attach a keyboard cover to get the most out of this device as a laptop—which you should be able to afford from the savings you're making on the main device. Alienware 16 Area-51If you're after a gaming laptop deal, you can't do much better than the Alienware 16 Area-51: Its original price of $2,999.99 is a testament to how powerful this beast of a machine is, but you can now get $600 (or 20%) knocked off. Alienware 16 Area-51 $2,399.99 at Amazon $2,999.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal Get Deal $2,399.99 at Amazon $2,999.99 Save $600.00 That's still a significant chunk of money, but it's a huge savings, and this is one of the most highly rated gaming laptops on the market—from a brand you can trust. You get an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070Ti GPU on the inside, so it's packed with power. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don't have Amazon Prime. Walmart's Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It's an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy's Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It's an especially good option if you're a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target's Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Ex-FBI chief who oversaw probe into Donald The President’s alleged links to Russia will face trial on January 5View the full article

Traders are bracing for a range of Fed outcomes: some hedging flows have favored outlier dovish scenarios and other trades have focused on the possibility that the Fed forgoes a move at one meeting. View the full article

Kentucky’s attorney general claimed Tuesday that the online gaming platform Roblox has become a “playground for predators” as he announced a lawsuit accusing the company of lax child safety measures. The Kentucky suit, filed by his office Monday in a state court, is the latest action alleging that the wildly popular site isn’t doing enough to protect children on its gaming services. To bolster safeguards for children and teenagers flocking to the site, the company needs to install effective age verifications and content filters, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said. Added parental notifications also are needed, he said. Courtney Norris, a Kentucky mother of three who joined Coleman at a news conference, said she mistakenly viewed Roblox as a safe online gaming choice for her children. “I came to realize, later than I would like to admit, that it actually is the ‘Wild West’ of the internet, targeted at children,” she said. The company is facing a growing backlash. The Kentucky suit comes after Louisiana sued the company in August. A suit was filed in Iowa after a 13-year-old girl was allegedly introduced to an adult predator on the platform, then kidnapped and trafficked across multiple states and raped. Roblox on Tuesday pushed back against the allegations. “We have rigorous safety measures in place from advanced AI models to an expertly trained team of thousands moderating our platform 24/7 for inappropriate content,” the company said in a statement. “No system is perfect and our work on safety is never done. We are constantly innovating our safety systems, including adding 100 new safeguards, such as facial age estimation, this year alone.” Roblox says it has 111 million daily active users. The company said in an email Tuesday that it implements strict safety defaults for its youngest users. It said the platform’s users under 13 cannot directly message others on Roblox, outside of games or experiences, and cannot directly message others during games or experiences unless the default setting is changed using parental controls. The company said it has rigorous text chat filters to block inappropriate words and phrases, attempts to direct under-13 users off the platform and the sharing of personal information such as phone number or address. It does not allow user-to-user image sharing and prohibits sexual conversations, it said. The Kentucky lawsuit gives a starkly different portrayal of the platform. Despite assurances its site is safe, the company has failed to install basic safety controls, the suit said. Roblox also fails to inform its users and their parents about “dangers inherent” on the platform, it said. Coleman, a Republican, said the site’s “cartoonish figures and experiences” appeal to children, but he warned that “underneath this cartoonish, innocent veneer is something sinister. The platform has become a playground for predators who seek to harm our children.” The Kentucky suit alleges that children are exposed to “violent or sexual situations within the Roblox universe, with parents reporting children contacted by strangers using third-party chat apps that function as if they are part of the game.” Norris said that like many parents, she considered it a safe choice for her children. “I described it as a ‘fenced-in backyard’ for kids’ gaming,” she said Tuesday. “And that is the genius and the danger I found of Roblox — the illusion of safety it gives parents like me.” “The reality is, Roblox makes it nearly impossible to police as a parent,” she added. The suit claims that Roblox’s lax protections violate Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act and asks a judge to order the company into compliance. The suit seeks penalties of up to $2,000 for each violation of the consumer protection law. Coleman said his office is open to negotiating a settlement with Roblox. “Our goal is not to shut a platform down,” Coleman said. “Our goal is for Roblox to be safe.” Roblox said it shares the goal of keeping kids safe online, and said it would welcome discussions with Coleman’s office to “ensure they have a clear understanding of all Roblox is doing to keep users safe.” —Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press View the full article

Salesforce is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) with new tools that can help small businesses harness the power of AI more effectively. Recent developments on the Salesforce Platform promise to streamline data management and improve operational efficiency, enabling companies to focus on growth while reducing risks related to data handling. Many small business owners have felt the growing pains of integrating AI into their operations, often stymied by complex data landscapes and inconsistent governance practices. According to a RAND study, over 80% of AI projects face challenges that impede their potential value, primarily due to poor data quality and integration issues. Salesforce aims to tackle these hurdles head-on with a series of innovations that enhance the accuracy, context, and control of AI outputs. Salesforce introduces a unified data architecture to make AI applications not only possible but practical. The platform now features a metadata layer designed to bring structure to your data, helping ensure outputs are reliable and explainable. This foundational upgrade will resonate particularly well with small business owners who rely on consistent data for critical decisions. The platform is set to unlock a new work model where AI seamlessly collaborates with human employees across various workflows and decisions. This model, referred to as the “Agentic Enterprise,” focuses on three main core capabilities: Context and Accuracy: This feature ensures that outputs reflect a comprehensive understanding of the business environment, thus reducing the chances of errors. Built-in Trust, Security, and Compliance: The platform improves the security measures surrounding your data, ensuring that workflows are not only effective but also compliant with regulations. Open and Unified Framework: This aspect connects disparate systems, enabling easier integration and avoiding vendor lock-in. Salesforce recently rolled out several new key features aimed at enhancing these capabilities: Data Cloud Context Indexing: This innovation allows for better handling of unstructured data, enabling tasks such as trouble-shooting to be executed more rapidly. Imagine a technician uploading a complicated diagram and receiving precise instructions almost immediately; that’s the promise of better data context. Data Cloud Clean Rooms: These secure environments enable companies to share and analyze data without exposing sensitive information. Small businesses can collaborate with partners more freely, conducting analyses that drive insights while maintaining privacy. Tableau Semantics: This new tool translates data into understandable business language, ensuring that metrics are consistent across various teams. This means no more discrepancies when defining key performance indicators (KPIs). MuleSoft Agent Fabric: This feature manages and governs multiple AI agents, ensuring they work together instead of in silos. This is particularly useful for small businesses operating various projects or departments, allowing for streamlined operations. Enhanced AI Security and Compliance: Integrated security capabilities will safeguard your business’s AI initiatives, reducing risks and helping to maintain compliance with regulations. The launch also includes an acquisition deal for Informatica, which is slated to bring advanced data governance capabilities into the fold. This move could significantly bolster the data management strategies of small enterprises that often operate with limited resources. Salesforce’s Rahul Auradkar stated, “AI is the most powerful enabler of business transformation today… With these innovations, we’re helping our customers move faster, scale responsibly, and unlock the full potential of the Agentic Enterprise.” While there are tremendous benefits to these advancements, small business owners should also keep some challenges in mind. Implementing new technologies often requires investment, in both time and money. Additionally, the learning curve may present initial complications as employees adapt to these advanced tools. For small businesses with limited technical expertise, there may be concerns regarding the complexity of integrating these new systems with existing infrastructures. As with any significant shift, planning and training will be essential. Nonetheless, the advantages Salesforce offers with its new innovations point towards a more integrated and smarter future for small businesses. By leveraging these tools, companies can enhance their operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately deliver better value to their customers. With a focus on trust, security, and streamlined workflows, Salesforce is positioning itself at the forefront of AI integration, inviting small business owners to embrace this transformative tech. Businesses interested in exploring these developments can find further details on the original announcement at Salesforce’s website: https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/trusted-ai-foundation-agentic-enterprise/. Image via Salesforce This article, "Salesforce Enhances AI Capabilities with New Data Governance Innovations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Salesforce is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) with new tools that can help small businesses harness the power of AI more effectively. Recent developments on the Salesforce Platform promise to streamline data management and improve operational efficiency, enabling companies to focus on growth while reducing risks related to data handling. Many small business owners have felt the growing pains of integrating AI into their operations, often stymied by complex data landscapes and inconsistent governance practices. According to a RAND study, over 80% of AI projects face challenges that impede their potential value, primarily due to poor data quality and integration issues. Salesforce aims to tackle these hurdles head-on with a series of innovations that enhance the accuracy, context, and control of AI outputs. Salesforce introduces a unified data architecture to make AI applications not only possible but practical. The platform now features a metadata layer designed to bring structure to your data, helping ensure outputs are reliable and explainable. This foundational upgrade will resonate particularly well with small business owners who rely on consistent data for critical decisions. The platform is set to unlock a new work model where AI seamlessly collaborates with human employees across various workflows and decisions. This model, referred to as the “Agentic Enterprise,” focuses on three main core capabilities: Context and Accuracy: This feature ensures that outputs reflect a comprehensive understanding of the business environment, thus reducing the chances of errors. Built-in Trust, Security, and Compliance: The platform improves the security measures surrounding your data, ensuring that workflows are not only effective but also compliant with regulations. Open and Unified Framework: This aspect connects disparate systems, enabling easier integration and avoiding vendor lock-in. Salesforce recently rolled out several new key features aimed at enhancing these capabilities: Data Cloud Context Indexing: This innovation allows for better handling of unstructured data, enabling tasks such as trouble-shooting to be executed more rapidly. Imagine a technician uploading a complicated diagram and receiving precise instructions almost immediately; that’s the promise of better data context. Data Cloud Clean Rooms: These secure environments enable companies to share and analyze data without exposing sensitive information. Small businesses can collaborate with partners more freely, conducting analyses that drive insights while maintaining privacy. Tableau Semantics: This new tool translates data into understandable business language, ensuring that metrics are consistent across various teams. This means no more discrepancies when defining key performance indicators (KPIs). MuleSoft Agent Fabric: This feature manages and governs multiple AI agents, ensuring they work together instead of in silos. This is particularly useful for small businesses operating various projects or departments, allowing for streamlined operations. Enhanced AI Security and Compliance: Integrated security capabilities will safeguard your business’s AI initiatives, reducing risks and helping to maintain compliance with regulations. The launch also includes an acquisition deal for Informatica, which is slated to bring advanced data governance capabilities into the fold. This move could significantly bolster the data management strategies of small enterprises that often operate with limited resources. Salesforce’s Rahul Auradkar stated, “AI is the most powerful enabler of business transformation today… With these innovations, we’re helping our customers move faster, scale responsibly, and unlock the full potential of the Agentic Enterprise.” While there are tremendous benefits to these advancements, small business owners should also keep some challenges in mind. Implementing new technologies often requires investment, in both time and money. Additionally, the learning curve may present initial complications as employees adapt to these advanced tools. For small businesses with limited technical expertise, there may be concerns regarding the complexity of integrating these new systems with existing infrastructures. As with any significant shift, planning and training will be essential. Nonetheless, the advantages Salesforce offers with its new innovations point towards a more integrated and smarter future for small businesses. By leveraging these tools, companies can enhance their operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately deliver better value to their customers. With a focus on trust, security, and streamlined workflows, Salesforce is positioning itself at the forefront of AI integration, inviting small business owners to embrace this transformative tech. Businesses interested in exploring these developments can find further details on the original announcement at Salesforce’s website: https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/trusted-ai-foundation-agentic-enterprise/. Image via Salesforce This article, "Salesforce Enhances AI Capabilities with New Data Governance Innovations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Serious questions remain about what will happen if we do — and don’t — replicate human intelligenceView the full article

Government failed to provide evidence China was a threat to national securityView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon Big Deal Days are here from October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I got my first e-reader around 15 years ago—a Kindle—and in the years since, I've used devices and apps from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, and building up a fractured e-book library along the way. More recently, I've been reviewing a whole stack of e-ink devices for Lifehacker. This is all to say that I'm writing with some authority when I name the Boox Palma 2 as my favorite e-reader ever—the only downside being the price. Boox Palma 2 E-Reader $269.99 at Amazon $299.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $269.99 at Amazon $299.99 Save $30.00 This phone-shaped e-reader, from Chinese tech firm Onyx International, is easy to slip into a jeans pocket alongside my iPhone. I carry it with my whenever I leave the house, and it has helped me doomscroll less and read more over the past year. It has a crisp e-ink screen with a front light almost as good as what you'll find on the Kindle Paperwhite, but it stands apart because of its open Android operating system, which lets you download any app on the Google Play store—meaning you can access books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible, Audiobooks.com, or even graphic novel and manga subscription services like Shonen Jump, all on the same device. The screen's 300ppi resolution and relatively speedy refresh rate also mean you can use productivity apps like Slack, Gmail, and Google Docs (add a Bluetooth keyboard and you've got a distraction-free, super-portable writing setup); browse the internet without much in the way of screen lag; or even play games and watch videos. Granted, no e-ink screen is going to look as crisp or move as smoothly as an LED screen, but that's kind of the point—the greyscale display causes less eyestrain and makes the device less addictive, so you use it with intention rather than mindlessly scrolling. In short, it's everything I wanted out of an e-reader, but at a cost: After President The President announced tariffs on Chinese-made products earlier this year, the Palma 2 rose in price from $280 to $300—$100 pricier than Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. But oddly enough, it's thanks to Amazon's October Prime Day sale that you can now pick one up at a discount. The Palma 2 is rarely discountedThere's no getting around the fact that for many, $300 is a lot to ask for an e-reader, but right now, you can pick one up at Amazon for $270, a full 10% off, taking the price below its pre-tariff level. It's not a huge savings, but I've been tracking the price of this device on Amazon since its release, and I've never seen it for less—the last time it went on sale at all was during Prime Day this past summer. In short, if you were convinced by my review, or maybe just intrigued by the viral hype about the Palma 2 (which has a dedicated following on TikTok, not to mention an active Reddit community), there's never been a better time to pick one up. The original Palma is also back in stock on Amazon The Original Boox Palma $245.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $34.00 Get Deal Get Deal $245.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $34.00 While it hasn't received an additional markdown for Prime Day, you can spend $25 less by opting for the Palma 2's predecessor, which dropped in price to $246 when the newer device debuted last November. While the Palma has a slightly slower processor, runs on an older version of Android, and lacks a fingerprint scanner, it's still likely the better value for most people—provided you can find one in stock in the U.S. (I've put together a full comparison if you're undecided.) Luckily, as of this writing, Amazon has the original Palma in stock right now, albeit in very limited quantities. If you're onboard with the concept of a phone-sized e-reader, I can't imagine being disappointed with whichever one you choose. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for public television stations suffering from cuts in federal funding. Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and ’90s, “dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. “This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades.” Bonhams in Los Angeles will auction three of Ross’ paintings on Nov. 11. Other auctions will follow in London, New York, Boston and online. All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Public Television. The idea is to help stations in need with licensing fees that allow them to show popular programs that include “The Best of Joy of Painting,” based on Ross’ show, “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics” and “This Old House.” Small and rural stations are particularly challenged. As desired by President Donald The President, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, leaving about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to find alternative funding sources. Many launched emergency fund drives. Some have been forced to lay off staff and make programming cuts. The beloved Ross died in 1995 of complications from cancer after 11 years in production with “The Joy of Painting.” His how-to program was shown on stations around the U.S. and around the world. The former Air Force drill sergeant known for his calm demeanor and encouraging words enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ross spoke often as he worked on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes, only “happy accidents.” The thirty paintings to be auctioned span Ross’ career and include landscapes depicting serene mountain vistas and lake scenes, his signature aesthetic. He created most of the 30 on-air, each in under 30 minutes, which was the span of a single episode. Bonhams sold two early 1990s mountain-and-lake scenes of Ross in August for $114,800 and $95,750. The auctions of the 30 paintings soon to be sold have an estimated total value of $850,000 to $1.4 million, Bonhams said. —Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon Big Deal Days is October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up to date on the best sales we find. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. New to Prime Day? We have a primer on everything you need to know. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. The iPad Air is the best iPad for most users. It features an 11-inch screen, Touch ID sensor, M3 processor, and sufficient RAM to power even pro-level workflows, along with the new free-flowing windowing features introduced with iPadOS 16. For Prime Day, the 11-inch iPad Air with 128GB storage is now just $449, $150 off its usual selling price. This is tied with the lowest rate I’ve seen yet, matching the discount from a previous Prime Day sale. Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Purple) $599.00 at Walmart Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Walmart The device has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and 2360×1640 resolution. It's powered by the M3 chip from last year, which remains highly capable, featuring an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. There's also 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The iPad Air is compatible with both the USB-C Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil Pro, which offer additional features such as Squeeze to Select, Barrel Roll for rotating pen tips, haptic feedback, and more. In its expert review, PCMag gave the M3 iPad Air a 4-star rating and an Editor's Choice award, noting, "[The] iPad Air remains the best choice for students and creators who need a powerful tablet at a decent price." If you’re looking for a smaller iPad, consider the iPad mini, which is now $120 off, the lowest price I’ve seen yet for the compact and portable tablet. The regular iPad, on the other hand, is also discounted to $279. Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime. Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+. Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member. Target’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free. Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Meta Quest 3S 128GB All-In-One VR Headset — $249.00 (List Price $299.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) DJI Mini 4K 3-Axis Gimbal Camera Drone (Under 249 Grams) — $239.00 (List Price $299.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $148.94 (List Price $219.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $34.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $79.99 (List Price $149.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $229.99 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera (White) — $25.95 (List Price $35.98) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Applications for mortgages to buy a home or refinance both fell for a second week, marking a swift reversal of what had been a hopeful sign of a revival in the US housing market. View the full article

As the end of 2025 approaches, a viral TikTok trend is helping people achieve their wellness goals: “The Great Lock In” encourages participants to finish the year strong by fully focusing on their life goals from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Many people focus on exercise or eating healthier. But the trend can also help you achieve your financial goals. There are no set rules for “The Great Lock In.” The phrase “lock in” is popular on social media and it means to focus intensely on a task. “Something I like about this particular trend is that it’s like New Year’s resolutions’ little sister,” said Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, financial therapist and founder of Mind Money Balance, a financial wellness podcast and blog. For Julissa Mercedes, 28, one of her lock in goals is to build an $2,500 emergency savings fund. “Having some liquid cash will make me feel a little bit safer,” said Mercedes, a San Diego resident who works in finance. Aside from building an emergency fund, Mercedes has three other goals: making a new friend, creating a morning routine, and picking up a new hobby. “The Great Lock In” is meant to help people achieve New Year’s resolutions that might have fallen by the wayside. If you started your year planning to pay down debt by cutting unnecessary expenses, and have yet to follow up on that, this challenge might help you with that goal. “I think that’s appealing to a lot of people who are just tired of feeling stuck and like they haven’t been able to make any progress,” said Ben Markley, personal finance educator and host of Sketchy Advice by YNAB, a budgeting app. If you’re thinking of participating in “The Great Lock In,” or if you’re already doing it, here are some expert recommendations to make your financial goals stick: Review your finances To build a goal that will benefit you, it’s essential to review your finances, Bryan-Podvin said. She suggested that you review your bank account and spend some time figuring out how much you earn each month, as well as what you spend it on. If you made a New Year’s resolution around finances, this could be a good opportunity to check on your progress and see if you need to reassess your approach. Set attainable goals When participating in a challenge, it’s best to set attainable goals, Markley said. Sometimes online challenges inspire people to make significant changes, but they can also lead them to create unattainable goals. “A lot of people can’t sustain that at all, so they drop off,” he said. “Or, they do sustain it, but then they go back to their normal life after the challenge, and their spending habits haven’t fundamentally changed.” Setting a goal that is realistic in relation to your budget and lifestyle is the best way to make sure you can achieve it by the end of the challenge. Bryan-Podvin recommends looking at “The Great Lock In” as a 5K race rather than a marathon. Focus on habit-building To continue achieving your financial goals into 2026, Markley recommends centering some of your lock in goals around building new habits or skills. For example, if your goal is to stop spending on takeout, focus on building a habit that’s related to cooking. “Find easy meals that you could cook at home with your skill level so that when you want to eat out, you have that to fall back on,” Markley said. A great way to help create a habit is to use a habit-tracking tool. It can be as simple as setting reminders on your phone or downloading an app that sends you regular notifications, Bryan-Podvin said. Create community and accountability Social media can be a good place to find community support for achieving your goals, whether it’s joining a Facebook group, commenting on creators’ videos, or posting your own content. As she started “The Great Lock In” challenge at the beginning of September, Mercedes also decided to document her experience on TikTok. Sharing her journey with followers helps with accountability, she said. “Seeing that people are still watching and keeping up with my content makes me feel like they’re part of the journey too,” Mercedes said. Reflect on your relationship with money As you use “The Great Lock In” trend to achieve your financial goals, take a moment to reflect on your overall relationship with money. “Give every dollar a specific job so that you’re not going on autopilot when you spend, you’re being intentional with your money and making sure that it’s going towards the things you need and the things you care about,” Markley said. Sitting down regularly, either by yourself or with your partner, and reviewing your spending habits can help with your long-term financial goals. It’s OK if it’s not for you If you try this challenge and you find out it doesn’t work for you, that is OK, Markley said. “You can find something else that works, and it’s no reflection on your character if you don’t pull off ‘The Great Lock-In,'” he added. While social media challenges can help inspire people to achieve their goals, it’s not worth adding unnecessary stress to your life because of a challenge. Not every trend works for everyone, and there are many other ways that you can achieve your financial goals, Markley said. The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. —Adriana Morga, Associated Press View the full article