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Over the years, Apple Music has improved its algorithmic playlists. There's now an AI DJ, and you can use ChatGPT to generate playlists. With iOS 26.4, which is currently in beta, Apple wants you to make playlists with its own AI tech. The upcoming update includes a feature called "Playlist Playground," which lets you generate AI playlists directly in the Apple Music app—as long as you're running iOS 26.4. How to download and install iOS 26.4I do not recommend installing and running beta versions of iOS on your primary iPhone. Beta software is unfinished, which means you could run into bugs and glitches that may impact how you use your iPhone, or even result in data loss. If you're itching to try out new features, it's best to ensure that you've taken a complete backup of your iPhone first. That way, you can always revert to an older installation in case something goes wrong. Even so, it's safer to run test software on a backup iPhone as opposed to your daily driver. With that said, if you're sure you want to go ahead and install iOS 26.4 right now, you can go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. Select Beta Updates > iOS 26 Developer Beta. Now, go back to the Software Update page and wait until you see iOS 26.4 Beta 1 appear. You can now download and install the update to try this new Apple Music feature. How to create AI-generated playlists in Apple MusicOnce you're on iOS 26.4, you can open the Music app to get started with this feature. Tap the Library tab in the bottom bar, and then select the New Playlist button in the top-right corner. You should see the Playlist Playground feature here. (Note that this feature may not appear on devices that don't support Apple Intelligence, or if your Apple Account is from a region where Apple has restricted the rollout of AI features.) Once you activate the feature, you'll be able to generate playlists with AI. From here, you tell the AI what you want to listen to. You could get specific, with certain artists, songs, or genres, or ask for playlists that encompass a certain idea of mood. Apple has some pre-written prompts to get you started, such as "hip-hop party songs," but you can use your own text prompts too. AI-generated playlists have 25 songs by default, and you do have the option to customize the playlist further after it's created. You'll also be able to edit the title, cover image, and the description of AI-generated playlists. These playlists can be shared with others or displayed on your Apple Music profile, just like other playlists you create on the streaming service. It's similar in concept to other AI playlist generators on platforms like Spotify or YouTube Music. Try AI-generated playlists without installing iOS 26.4While Apple Music's Playlist Playground feature is a good start, it's not yet available to those of us who are unwilling to install developer beta versions of iOS 26. If that's you, there are other options out there for AI generated Apple Music playlists. There's the aforementioned ChatGPT integration, of course, but you could also use a third-party app, like PlaylistAI. It has many prompts for you to get started with, and can even generate playlists from music festival posters. The app does prompt you to get a subscription, but you can skip that prompt and use the free tier to generate a playlist quickly. View the full article

Meta Platforms is embedding newly acquired AI agent tech directly into Ads Manager, giving advertisers built-in automation tools for research and reporting as the company looks to show faster returns on its AI investments. What’s happening. Some advertisers are seeing in-stream prompts to activate Manus AI inside Ads Manager. Manus is now available to all advertisers via the Tools menu. Select users are also getting pop-up alerts encouraging in-workflow adoption. The feature rollout signals deeper integration ahead. What is Manus. Manus AI is designed to power AI agents that can perform tasks like report building and audience research, effectively acting as an assistant within the ad workflow. Why we care. Manus AI brings AI-powered automation directly into Meta Platforms Ads Manager, making tasks like report-building, audience research, and campaign analysis faster and more efficient. Meta is currently prioritizing tying AI investment to measurable ad performance, giving advertisers new ways to optimize campaigns and potentially gain a competitive edge by testing workflow efficiencies early. Between the lines. Meta is under pressure to demonstrate practical value from its aggressive AI spending. Advertising remains its clearest path to monetization, and embedding Manus into everyday ad tools offers a direct way to tie AI investment to performance gains. Zoom out. The move aligns with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to weave AI across Meta’s product stack. By positioning Manus as a performance tool for advertisers, Meta is betting that workflow efficiencies will translate into stronger ad results — and a clearer AI revenue story. The bottom line. For advertisers, Manus adds another layer of built-in automation worth testing. Early adopters may uncover time savings and optimization gains as Meta continues expanding AI inside its ad ecosystem. View the full article

Every year, freelancers unintentionally hand the IRS more money than they need to simply because they overlook deductions they’re fully entitled to claim. This breakdown of the 14 key business deductions to be aware of is designed to help you avoid revenue-boosting blind spots on your freelance business tax return before you file. It’s easy to miss expenses that qualify as business deductions because the tax code is complex and constantly shifting. This is why it is important to be aware of changes that may affect your freelance return and work with a tax professional who can help you identify additional opportunities to reduce your taxable income and maximize any refund you may be entitled to. As a reminder, if your freelance business entity is an S-Corp, Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership or Multi-member Limited Liability Company your return is due on March 15, 2026. For C-corporations the deadline is April 15, 2026. Here are the key freelance business deductions to be aware of, including updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) legislation from 2025. 1) Home office expenses Deducting your home office remains one of the most reliable business deductions available to freelancers. While you do not need a separate office in your home to claim a deduction, you do need a clearly defined workspace that you use regularly and exclusively for business. There are two ways to calculate the home office deduction: Claim the standard office deduction is $1500 which is a topline deduction on your return.Alternatively, you can take the deduction by calculating the actual square footage that is used exclusively for business in your home and multiplying it by $5.00 per square foot (up to 300 square feet) as well as deducting a proportional amount. 2) Health insurance premiums Freelancers often overlook the health insurance deduction even though it can offset a significant portion of annual expenses. If you pay for your own coverage and are not eligible for employer‑sponsored insurance, you may be able to deduct 100 percent of your premiums. This includes medical, dental, and long‑term care coverage for you, your spouse, and your dependents such as premiums for medical, dental, and long‑term care insurance provided you have a net profit for the year and are not eligible for an employer-subsidized plan. 3) Professional development Freelancers invest heavily in staying current, and the bill continues to support deductions for training that maintains or improves skills in your existing line of work. The key is that education must relate directly to the services you already provide. When it does, these costs are recognized as legitimate business expenses. Courses, workshops, and certifications tied to your current servicesBooks, online programs, and industry publicationsConferences and seminars that support skill developmentProfessional development may increase your earning potential significantly and it may also reduce your tax bill if the cost of the course/written materials, etc., qualify for these deductions. 4) Software and subscriptions Digital tools are essential to running a freelance business, and the bill maintains clear deductibility for software and subscription services. These recurring charges may seem small, but they add up quickly over the course of a year. Software subscriptions and cloud storageDesign tools, accounting platforms, and project management systemsEmail marketing services and paid newslettersDocumentation of business purpose for mixed‑use toolsTracking these expenses ensures your tax return reflects the actual cost of keeping your business operational. Subscriptions can be deducted immediately in the year paid. One-time, long-term software purchases might need to be depreciated over 36 months if they last more than one year. 5) Phone and internet expenses For phone and internet services, you can deduct the business portion. The expectation is a reasonable estimate supported by your usage patterns. You can generally deduct: A percentage of your phone bill based on business use.A percentage of your internet bill based on business use.Be sure that you have documentation of your business activities conducted through these services such as your meeting calendar, activities requiring internet to run your business and itemized phone bills. These services are essential to client communication, and deducting the business portion is both allowed and expected. 6) Business meals Business meals remain deductible at 50 percent when they are directly tied to your work. The rules emphasize that documentation is a must which means that you must keep itemized receipts and state the client name, business purpose for the meeting over which you ate the meal and the date on which it occurred. You can also deduct your own meals when traveling for work as long as the food is purchased at an eating establishment rather than a convenience store or grocery store. 7) Mileage and transportation Even if you only make short trips for work, tracking your mileage throughout the year can add up to significant deductions. You can deduct mileage (The 2025 tax year mileage rate deduction is 70 cents per mile) and transportation costs for business activities such as: Mileage for client meetings, conferences, and project work. Parking fees, tolls, and ride share costs for business travel.Short trips for supplies, shipping, or errands.Whether you use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses, consistency matters in tracking your mileage so consider using an app to track it accurately and make it easier to have the data at hand when you need it for filing your return. 8) Equipment and depreciation Freelancer business owners often remember to deduct major purchases but overlook smaller tools that are essential to their work. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying assets placed in service after January 19, 2025. While bonus depreciation has no limit, the OBBBA also enhanced Section 179 deductions, allowing up to $2.5 million in immediate expensing for 2025, with a phase-out starting if purchases exceed $4 million. Some examples of items considered necessary business assets include: Laptops, cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment.Office chairs, desks, and ergonomic accessories.Printers, scanners, and related tools.Vehicles that exceed 50% business use and are greater than 6,000 pounds. Heavy SUVs and trucks are eligible for up to $31,300 and cars are eligible for up to $20,200 in the first year. Recognizing these items as business assets helps you reflect the true investment required to deliver your services and may equal substantial tax deductions. 9) Bank fees and payment processing costs Payment platforms make it easy to get paid, but the associated fees reduce your income, however you can offset some of this with deductions for these costs such as: Payment processing fees from PayPal, Stripe, or Square Monthly bank charges for business accountsCredit card interest on business purchasesFees tied to business transactionsThese small amounts accumulate over time and deducting them ensures your taxable income reflects your actual earnings. Be sure to track these expenses and if available, use the statements and tax documentation provided by these platforms. Please note that these fees are tax-deductible only if they are incurred for business purposes, acting as an "ordinary and necessary" cost of operation, incurred in business accounts. Maintenance fees, wire transfer fees, overdraft fees, and returned item fees are generally deductible. Please maintain detailed records of all banking fees to support your deductions. Please keep detailed records, such as transaction reports from your PayPal account, for at least three years to support the deductions in case of an audit. 10) Business-related insurance Professional Liability Insurance premiums for coverage such as errors and omissions, business property insurance, and cybersecurity safeguards for your business are deductible. 11) Expanded SALT Deduction Cap The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap has been increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for the 2025 tax year. This cap will increase by 1% annually by 2029 before reverting to its previous limit in 2030. However, this benefit is phased out for higher-income taxpayers, so not all freelancers will be able to take full advantage. For 2025, the full deduction is available for those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) under $500,000. It phases out completely at $600,000 or more, where it reverts to a $10,000 limit. The cap is reduced by 30% of the amount by which the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income exceeds a threshold amount. That threshold amount is $500,000 for 2025, with a one percent increase each year through 2029. For those in high-tax states, this change could provide meaningful relief, but it is critical to also be aware of how the potential state-level workarounds mentioned below might impact you. 12) State-Level SALT Workaround for Businesses In response to the SALT deduction cap noted above, several states have implemented workarounds to help businesses mitigate its impact. For example, New York State has introduced the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET), which allows businesses to pay state taxes at the entity level rather than the individual level. PTET allows partnerships and S-corps to pay state taxes at the entity level, which are fully deductible on federal returns. This workaround enables businesses to bypass the SALT cap and potentially reduce their overall tax burden. The new federal bill has no impact on these state-level workarounds. However, freelancers operating pass-through entities should always monitor the specific developments related to SALT in the states where they do business closely. 13) Tip and Overtime Income Deductions Two new deductions have been introduced for 2025 tax year that may benefit freelancers working in service-based industries: The tip income deduction allows up to $25,000 in tip income to be deducted from taxable income without itemizing if married and filing a married filing jointly (MFJ) return, whereas the allowable deduction for a single person is up to $12,500. This is specifically beneficial for workers in occupations where tipping is standard (e.g., food service, hospitality, transportation).This deduction phases out at $150,000 in income for single taxpayers, and at $300,000 for those who are married filing jointly. The overtime deduction permits employees (non-exempt, paid overtime employees based on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLAS) who receive Form W-2) who receive overtime pay to deduct up to $12,500 annually for single filers, ($25,000 annually for married filing jointly), with a phaseout for those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $150,000 for single filers ($300,000 for married filing joint filers).This deduction is not available to freelancers. Independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers are generally considered self-employed, not W-2 employees, and are therefore not eligible for this specific deduction. Freelancers are responsible for 15.3% in self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on all income, including any "extra" hours worked. Those who receive Form W-2 as non-exempt employees and have qualified overtime pay (the "half" in "time-and-a-half") from their federal taxable income. This overtime deduction has Income limits and Phase-out begins as follows: the dededuction begins to phase out if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 (single) or $300,000 (married filing jointly). Only the "premium" portion of overtime (the extra half of "time-and-a-half" pay) is deductible. If you earn $20/hr and $30/hr for overtime, only the $10/hr premium is deductible. While this reduces federal income tax, payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) still apply to all overtime earnings. While it is a deduction from income tax, overtime pay is still subject to payroll taxes (FICA). Qualified overtime will be listed in Box 14 of the W-2 with the code "FLSA OT Prem" starting in 2025. Overtime wages continue to be subject to federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, just like regular wages. However, under the new federal “No Tax on Overtime” provisions, certain taxpayers may now qualify for a deduction on a portion of their overtime earnings. This deduction applies only to qualifying overtime wages and only for taxpayers who fall within specific income thresholds. Amounts earned above those thresholds will continue to be taxed as usual. Overtime is not fully tax-free. Social Security and Medicare taxes still apply to all overtime earnings. There is no special overtime tax rate; overtime continues to be taxed as ordinary income within your existing tax bracket so be sure to retain any documentation related to reporting of wages, including overtime. If you notice any discrepancies in your pay stubs or year-end documents, contact your employer (if you also have a W-2 position) and/or clients (if you receive a 1099) promptly to correct them. These deductions are applicable to all tip and overtime income from 2025 and the provision is currently set to expire after 2028 so freelancers in eligible business industries should take advantage of them while they last. Alternative for Freelancers While freelancers cannot use the "No Tax on Overtime" deduction, they can still reduce their tax liability through other methods that we discuss in the 14 points, such as: Business Expenses: Deduct legitimate business expenses, such as software, hardware, or home office costs, to lower taxable income.QBI Deduction: Eligible self-employed individuals may deduct up to 20% of their Qualified Business Income (QBI).Self-Employment Tax Deduction: You can deduct 50% of your self-employment tax when calculating your federal income tax. For 2025, employers are not required to break out overtime separately on W-2s, so you may need to use paystubs to calculate your eligible amount. 14) Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction The OBBB made permanent the extension of the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction (Section 199A deduction) for pass-through income. If you operate as a sole proprietor, LLC, or S-corporation, you can continue to deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income, plus 20 percent of qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership (PTP) income subject to income thresholds and business type. Income earned through a C corporation or by providing services as an employee is not eligible for the deduction. What qualifies as a trade or business, is specified in the instructions for Form 8995-A or Form 8995. The deduction is available regardless of whether taxpayer itemizes on Schedule A or takes the standard deduction. There are two parts to this deduction: (1) QBI component – equal to 20% of QBI from a domestic business operated as a sole proprietorship or through a partnership, S corporation, trust or estate. It is subject to limitation, depending on taxable income which may include the type of trade or business, the amount of W-2 wages paid by the qualified trade or business, and the unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition (UBIA) of qualified property held by the trade or business. It may be reduced by the patron reduction if the taxpayer is a patron of an agricultural or horticultural cooperative. (2) REIT/PTP component – equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends and qualified PTP income and Is not limited by W-2 wages or UBIA of qualified property. Depending on taxable income, the amount of PTP income that qualifies may be limited depending on the type of the PTP’s trade or business. The deduction is limited to the lesser of the QBI component plus the REIT/PTP component or 20 percent of the taxpayers’ taxable income minus net capital gain. QBI is the net amount of qualified items of income, gain, deduction, and loss from any qualified trade or business, including income from partnerships, S corporations, sole proprietorships, and certain trusts. This includes the deductible part of self-employment tax, self-employed health-insurance, and deductions for contributions to qualified retirement plans such as SEP, SIMPLE and qualified plan deductions, just to list a few of items that are included in the calculation. QBI does not include items that are: not property includable in taxable income, investments such as capital gains or losses, interest income that is not properly allocable to a trade or business, wage income, income that is not effectively connected with the conduct of business within the US, commodities transactions or foreign currency gains or losses, certain dividends and payments in lieu of dividends, income/loss or deductions from notional principal contracts, annuities (unless received in connection with the trade or business), amounts received as reasonable compensation from an S corporation, amounts received as guaranteed payments from a partnership, payments received by a partner for services other than in a capacity as a partner, qualified REIT dividends, and PTP income. A safe harbor is available to individuals and owners of passthrough entities who seek to claim the deduction under section 199A with respect to a rental real estate enterprise. Under the safe harbor a rental real estate enterprise will be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the QBI deduction if certain criteria are met. For more information on the safe harbor, see News Release IR-2019-158 An interest in rental real estate that does not meet the requirements of the safe harbor may still be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the QBI deduction if it otherwise is a section 162 trade or business. In addition, the rental or licensing of tangible or intangible property that does not rise to the level of a section 162 trade or business is nevertheless treated as a qualified trade or business for purposes of section 199A if the rental or licensing of property is to a commonly controlled trade or business operated by the individual or a passthrough entity as provided in Treas. Reg. § 1.199A-1(b)(14). The QBI deduction has been a major benefit for freelancers since its introduction in 2018, and its permanence adds much-needed stability to long-term freelance business tax planning. Mitigate Your Tax Burden with Maximum Business Deductions The key to maximizing your deductions is awareness and documentation. When you understand what qualifies and keep good records throughout the year, tax season becomes less stressful and more rewarding. A tax professional who understands the freelance landscape can also help you uncover deductions you may not realize you’re entitled to. With the right guidance and a little extra attention to detail, you can make sure you’re keeping more of what you earn and paying the IRS only what you legitimately owe. View the full article

Every year, freelancers unintentionally hand the IRS more money than they need to simply because they overlook deductions they’re fully entitled to claim. This breakdown of the 14 key business deductions to be aware of is designed to help you avoid revenue-boosting blind spots on your freelance business tax return before you file. It’s easy to miss expenses that qualify as business deductions because the tax code is complex and constantly shifting. This is why it is important to be aware of changes that may affect your freelance return and work with a tax professional who can help you identify additional opportunities to reduce your taxable income and maximize any refund you may be entitled to. As a reminder, if your freelance business entity is an S-Corp, Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership or Multi-member Limited Liability Company your return is due on March 15, 2026. For C-corporations the deadline is April 15, 2026. Here are the key freelance business deductions to be aware of, including updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) legislation from 2025. 1) Home office expenses Deducting your home office remains one of the most reliable business deductions available to freelancers. While you do not need a separate office in your home to claim a deduction, you do need a clearly defined workspace that you use regularly and exclusively for business. There are two ways to calculate the home office deduction: Claim the standard office deduction is $1500 which is a topline deduction on your return.Alternatively, you can take the deduction by calculating the actual square footage that is used exclusively for business in your home and multiplying it by $5.00 per square foot (up to 300 square feet) as well as deducting a proportional amount. 2) Health insurance premiums Freelancers often overlook the health insurance deduction even though it can offset a significant portion of annual expenses. If you pay for your own coverage and are not eligible for employer‑sponsored insurance, you may be able to deduct 100 percent of your premiums. This includes medical, dental, and long‑term care coverage for you, your spouse, and your dependents such as premiums for medical, dental, and long‑term care insurance provided you have a net profit for the year and are not eligible for an employer-subsidized plan. 3) Professional development Freelancers invest heavily in staying current, and the bill continues to support deductions for training that maintains or improves skills in your existing line of work. The key is that education must relate directly to the services you already provide. When it does, these costs are recognized as legitimate business expenses. Courses, workshops, and certifications tied to your current servicesBooks, online programs, and industry publicationsConferences and seminars that support skill developmentProfessional development may increase your earning potential significantly and it may also reduce your tax bill if the cost of the course/written materials, etc., qualify for these deductions. 4) Software and subscriptions Digital tools are essential to running a freelance business, and the bill maintains clear deductibility for software and subscription services. These recurring charges may seem small, but they add up quickly over the course of a year. Software subscriptions and cloud storageDesign tools, accounting platforms, and project management systemsEmail marketing services and paid newslettersDocumentation of business purpose for mixed‑use toolsTracking these expenses ensures your tax return reflects the actual cost of keeping your business operational. Subscriptions can be deducted immediately in the year paid. One-time, long-term software purchases might need to be depreciated over 36 months if they last more than one year. 5) Phone and internet expenses For phone and internet services, you can deduct the business portion. The expectation is a reasonable estimate supported by your usage patterns. You can generally deduct: A percentage of your phone bill based on business use.A percentage of your internet bill based on business use.Be sure that you have documentation of your business activities conducted through these services such as your meeting calendar, activities requiring internet to run your business and itemized phone bills. These services are essential to client communication, and deducting the business portion is both allowed and expected. 6) Business meals Business meals remain deductible at 50 percent when they are directly tied to your work. The rules emphasize that documentation is a must which means that you must keep itemized receipts and state the client name, business purpose for the meeting over which you ate the meal and the date on which it occurred. You can also deduct your own meals when traveling for work as long as the food is purchased at an eating establishment rather than a convenience store or grocery store. 7) Mileage and transportation Even if you only make short trips for work, tracking your mileage throughout the year can add up to significant deductions. You can deduct mileage (The 2025 tax year mileage rate deduction is 70 cents per mile) and transportation costs for business activities such as: Mileage for client meetings, conferences, and project work. Parking fees, tolls, and ride share costs for business travel.Short trips for supplies, shipping, or errands.Whether you use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses, consistency matters in tracking your mileage so consider using an app to track it accurately and make it easier to have the data at hand when you need it for filing your return. 8) Equipment and depreciation Freelancer business owners often remember to deduct major purchases but overlook smaller tools that are essential to their work. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying assets placed in service after January 19, 2025. While bonus depreciation has no limit, the OBBBA also enhanced Section 179 deductions, allowing up to $2.5 million in immediate expensing for 2025, with a phase-out starting if purchases exceed $4 million. Some examples of items considered necessary business assets include: Laptops, cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment.Office chairs, desks, and ergonomic accessories.Printers, scanners, and related tools.Vehicles that exceed 50% business use and are greater than 6,000 pounds. Heavy SUVs and trucks are eligible for up to $31,300 and cars are eligible for up to $20,200 in the first year. Recognizing these items as business assets helps you reflect the true investment required to deliver your services and may equal substantial tax deductions. 9) Bank fees and payment processing costs Payment platforms make it easy to get paid, but the associated fees reduce your income, however you can offset some of this with deductions for these costs such as: Payment processing fees from PayPal, Stripe, or Square Monthly bank charges for business accountsCredit card interest on business purchasesFees tied to business transactionsThese small amounts accumulate over time and deducting them ensures your taxable income reflects your actual earnings. Be sure to track these expenses and if available, use the statements and tax documentation provided by these platforms. Please note that these fees are tax-deductible only if they are incurred for business purposes, acting as an "ordinary and necessary" cost of operation, incurred in business accounts. Maintenance fees, wire transfer fees, overdraft fees, and returned item fees are generally deductible. Please maintain detailed records of all banking fees to support your deductions. Please keep detailed records, such as transaction reports from your PayPal account, for at least three years to support the deductions in case of an audit. 10) Business-related insurance Professional Liability Insurance premiums for coverage such as errors and omissions, business property insurance, and cybersecurity safeguards for your business are deductible. 11) Expanded SALT Deduction Cap The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap has been increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for the 2025 tax year. This cap will increase by 1% annually by 2029 before reverting to its previous limit in 2030. However, this benefit is phased out for higher-income taxpayers, so not all freelancers will be able to take full advantage. For 2025, the full deduction is available for those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) under $500,000. It phases out completely at $600,000 or more, where it reverts to a $10,000 limit. The cap is reduced by 30% of the amount by which the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income exceeds a threshold amount. That threshold amount is $500,000 for 2025, with a one percent increase each year through 2029. For those in high-tax states, this change could provide meaningful relief, but it is critical to also be aware of how the potential state-level workarounds mentioned below might impact you. 12) State-Level SALT Workaround for Businesses In response to the SALT deduction cap noted above, several states have implemented workarounds to help businesses mitigate its impact. For example, New York State has introduced the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET), which allows businesses to pay state taxes at the entity level rather than the individual level. PTET allows partnerships and S-corps to pay state taxes at the entity level, which are fully deductible on federal returns. This workaround enables businesses to bypass the SALT cap and potentially reduce their overall tax burden. The new federal bill has no impact on these state-level workarounds. However, freelancers operating pass-through entities should always monitor the specific developments related to SALT in the states where they do business closely. 13) Tip and Overtime Income Deductions Two new deductions have been introduced for 2025 tax year that may benefit freelancers working in service-based industries: The tip income deduction allows up to $25,000 in tip income to be deducted from taxable income without itemizing if married and filing a married filing jointly (MFJ) return, whereas the allowable deduction for a single person is up to $12,500. This is specifically beneficial for workers in occupations where tipping is standard (e.g., food service, hospitality, transportation).This deduction phases out at $150,000 in income for single taxpayers, and at $300,000 for those who are married filing jointly. The overtime deduction permits employees (non-exempt, paid overtime employees based on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLAS) who receive Form W-2) who receive overtime pay to deduct up to $12,500 annually for single filers, ($25,000 annually for married filing jointly), with a phaseout for those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $150,000 for single filers ($300,000 for married filing joint filers).This deduction is not available to freelancers. Independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers are generally considered self-employed, not W-2 employees, and are therefore not eligible for this specific deduction. Freelancers are responsible for 15.3% in self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on all income, including any "extra" hours worked. Those who receive Form W-2 as non-exempt employees and have qualified overtime pay (the "half" in "time-and-a-half") from their federal taxable income. This overtime deduction has Income limits and Phase-out begins as follows: the dededuction begins to phase out if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 (single) or $300,000 (married filing jointly). Only the "premium" portion of overtime (the extra half of "time-and-a-half" pay) is deductible. If you earn $20/hr and $30/hr for overtime, only the $10/hr premium is deductible. While this reduces federal income tax, payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) still apply to all overtime earnings. While it is a deduction from income tax, overtime pay is still subject to payroll taxes (FICA). Qualified overtime will be listed in Box 14 of the W-2 with the code "FLSA OT Prem" starting in 2025. Overtime wages continue to be subject to federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, just like regular wages. However, under the new federal “No Tax on Overtime” provisions, certain taxpayers may now qualify for a deduction on a portion of their overtime earnings. This deduction applies only to qualifying overtime wages and only for taxpayers who fall within specific income thresholds. Amounts earned above those thresholds will continue to be taxed as usual. Overtime is not fully tax-free. Social Security and Medicare taxes still apply to all overtime earnings. There is no special overtime tax rate; overtime continues to be taxed as ordinary income within your existing tax bracket so be sure to retain any documentation related to reporting of wages, including overtime. If you notice any discrepancies in your pay stubs or year-end documents, contact your employer (if you also have a W-2 position) and/or clients (if you receive a 1099) promptly to correct them. These deductions are applicable to all tip and overtime income from 2025 and the provision is currently set to expire after 2028 so freelancers in eligible business industries should take advantage of them while they last. Alternative for Freelancers While freelancers cannot use the "No Tax on Overtime" deduction, they can still reduce their tax liability through other methods that we discuss in the 14 points, such as: Business Expenses: Deduct legitimate business expenses, such as software, hardware, or home office costs, to lower taxable income.QBI Deduction: Eligible self-employed individuals may deduct up to 20% of their Qualified Business Income (QBI).Self-Employment Tax Deduction: You can deduct 50% of your self-employment tax when calculating your federal income tax. For 2025, employers are not required to break out overtime separately on W-2s, so you may need to use paystubs to calculate your eligible amount. 14) Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction The OBBB made permanent the extension of the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction (Section 199A deduction) for pass-through income. If you operate as a sole proprietor, LLC, or S-corporation, you can continue to deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income, plus 20 percent of qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership (PTP) income subject to income thresholds and business type. Income earned through a C corporation or by providing services as an employee is not eligible for the deduction. What qualifies as a trade or business, is specified in the instructions for Form 8995-A or Form 8995. The deduction is available regardless of whether taxpayer itemizes on Schedule A or takes the standard deduction. There are two parts to this deduction: (1) QBI component – equal to 20% of QBI from a domestic business operated as a sole proprietorship or through a partnership, S corporation, trust or estate. It is subject to limitation, depending on taxable income which may include the type of trade or business, the amount of W-2 wages paid by the qualified trade or business, and the unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition (UBIA) of qualified property held by the trade or business. It may be reduced by the patron reduction if the taxpayer is a patron of an agricultural or horticultural cooperative. (2) REIT/PTP component – equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends and qualified PTP income and Is not limited by W-2 wages or UBIA of qualified property. Depending on taxable income, the amount of PTP income that qualifies may be limited depending on the type of the PTP’s trade or business. The deduction is limited to the lesser of the QBI component plus the REIT/PTP component or 20 percent of the taxpayers’ taxable income minus net capital gain. QBI is the net amount of qualified items of income, gain, deduction, and loss from any qualified trade or business, including income from partnerships, S corporations, sole proprietorships, and certain trusts. This includes the deductible part of self-employment tax, self-employed health-insurance, and deductions for contributions to qualified retirement plans such as SEP, SIMPLE and qualified plan deductions, just to list a few of items that are included in the calculation. QBI does not include items that are: not property includable in taxable income, investments such as capital gains or losses, interest income that is not properly allocable to a trade or business, wage income, income that is not effectively connected with the conduct of business within the US, commodities transactions or foreign currency gains or losses, certain dividends and payments in lieu of dividends, income/loss or deductions from notional principal contracts, annuities (unless received in connection with the trade or business), amounts received as reasonable compensation from an S corporation, amounts received as guaranteed payments from a partnership, payments received by a partner for services other than in a capacity as a partner, qualified REIT dividends, and PTP income. A safe harbor is available to individuals and owners of passthrough entities who seek to claim the deduction under section 199A with respect to a rental real estate enterprise. Under the safe harbor a rental real estate enterprise will be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the QBI deduction if certain criteria are met. For more information on the safe harbor, see News Release IR-2019-158 An interest in rental real estate that does not meet the requirements of the safe harbor may still be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the QBI deduction if it otherwise is a section 162 trade or business. In addition, the rental or licensing of tangible or intangible property that does not rise to the level of a section 162 trade or business is nevertheless treated as a qualified trade or business for purposes of section 199A if the rental or licensing of property is to a commonly controlled trade or business operated by the individual or a passthrough entity as provided in Treas. Reg. § 1.199A-1(b)(14). The QBI deduction has been a major benefit for freelancers since its introduction in 2018, and its permanence adds much-needed stability to long-term freelance business tax planning. Mitigate Your Tax Burden with Maximum Business Deductions The key to maximizing your deductions is awareness and documentation. When you understand what qualifies and keep good records throughout the year, tax season becomes less stressful and more rewarding. A tax professional who understands the freelance landscape can also help you uncover deductions you may not realize you’re entitled to. With the right guidance and a little extra attention to detail, you can make sure you’re keeping more of what you earn and paying the IRS only what you legitimately owe. View the full article

A core targeting lever in Google Demand Gen campaigns is changing. Starting March 2026, Lookalike audiences will act as optimization signals — not hard constraints — potentially widening reach and leaning more heavily on automation to drive conversions. What is happening. Per an update to Google’s Help documentation, Lookalike segments in Demand Gen are moving from strict similarity-based targeting to an AI-driven suggestion model. Before: Advertisers selected a similarity tier (narrow, balanced, broad), and campaigns targeted users strictly within that Lookalike pool. After: The same tiers act as signals. Google’s system can expand beyond the Lookalike list to reach users it predicts are likely to convert. Between the lines. This effectively reframes Lookalikes from a fence to a compass. Instead of limiting delivery to a defined cohort, advertisers are feeding intent signals into Google’s automation and allowing it to search for performance outside preset boundaries. How this interacts with Optimized Targeting. The new Lookalike-as-signal approach resembles Optimized Targeting — but it doesn’t replace it. When advertisers layer Optimized Targeting on top, Google says the system may expand reach even further. In practice, this stacks multiple automation signals, increasing the algorithm’s freedom to pursue lower CPA or higher conversion volume. Opt-out option. Advertisers who want to preserve legacy behavior can request continued access to strict Lookalike targeting through a dedicated opt-out form. Without that request, campaigns will default to the new signal-based model. Why we care. This update changes how much control advertisers will have over who their ads reach in Google Demand Gen campaigns. Lookalike audiences will no longer strictly limit targeting — they’ll guide AI expansion — which can significantly affect scale, CPA, and overall performance. It also signals a broader shift toward automation, similar to trends driven by Meta Platforms. Advertisers will need to test carefully, rethink audience strategies, and decide whether to embrace the added reach or opt out to preserve tighter targeting. Zoom out. The shift mirrors a broader industry trend toward AI-first audience expansion, similar to moves by Meta Platforms over the past few years. Platforms are steadily trading granular manual controls for machine-led optimization. Why Google is doing this. Digital markerter Dario Zannoni, has two reasons as to why Google is doing this: Strict Lookalike targeting can cap scale and constrain performance in conversion-focused campaigns. Maintaining high-quality similarity models is increasingly complex, making broader automation more attractive. The bottom line. For performance marketers, this is another step toward automation-centric buying. While reduced control may be uncomfortable, comparable platform changes have often produced performance gains in mainstream use cases. Expect a new testing cycle as advertisers measure how expanded Lookalike signals affect CPA, reach, and incremental conversions. First seen. This update was spotted by Zannoni who shared his thoughts on LinkedIn. Dig deeper. Use Lookalike segments to grow your audience View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Anker Prime 20,000mAh 200W Power Bank is built for the moments when your phone is at 3%, your laptop is at 8%, and there is no outlet in sight. Right now, it is selling for $79.99 on Woot, down from its listed $139.99. That is a $60 drop, or about 43% off. The same model is also $79.99 refurbished on Amazon, so this price puts a new unit on par with what you would normally pay for a refurb. Also, it comes with a two-year manufacturer's limited warranty. Shipping is free for Amazon Prime members, while others pay $6, and this deal runs for 11 more days or until it sells out. Anker Prime 20,000mAh 200W Power Bank $79.99 $139.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Get Deal $79.99 $139.99 Save $60.00 This is a high-output power bank meant for more than topping off a phone. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, with a combined 200W total output. Each USB-C port can deliver up to 100W on its own, which is enough to charge two devices at full speed—Anker says it can boost an iPhone 16 Pro to 30% in 15 minutes. In practice, its 20,000mAh capacity translates to roughly three to four full smartphone charges or a significant recharge for a light laptop. Its digital display shows remaining battery percentage along with real-time input and output, so you can see exactly how much power is flowing in or out. When the battery itself runs low, it supports 100W input over USB-C and can recharge in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, provided you use a compatible high-wattage charger. As for its portability, at 4.9 by 2.1 by 1.9 inches, it is compact for the power it offers, but it is still heavier than basic 10,000mAh banks. This makes more sense in a backpack than in a pocket. That said, it does not support app control, which may matter if you want deeper monitoring. For frequent travelers, remote workers, or anyone charging multiple devices at once, the performance matches the current price. For casual use, it may have more capacity and output than you actually need. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $139.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $329.00 (List Price $349.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $369.00 (List Price $399.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones — $229.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Silver) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Jeff Dean says Google’s AI Search still works like classic Search: narrow the web to relevant pages, rank them, then let a model generate the answer. In an interview on Latent Space: The AI Engineer Podcast, Google’s chief AI scientist explained how Google’s AI systems work and how much they rely on traditional search infrastructure. The architecture: filter first, reason last. Visibility still depends on clearing ranking thresholds. Content must enter the broad candidate pool, then survive deeper reranking before it can be used in an AI-generated response. Put simply, AI doesn’t replace ranking. It sits on top of it. Dean said an LLM-powered system doesn’t read the entire web at once. It starts with Google’s full index, then uses lightweight methods to identify a large candidate pool — tens of thousands of documents. Dean said: “You identify a subset of them that are relevant with very lightweight kinds of methods. You’re down to like 30,000 documents or something. And then you gradually refine that to apply more and more sophisticated algorithms and more and more sophisticated sort of signals of various kinds in order to get down to ultimately what you show, which is the final 10 results or 10 results plus other kinds of information.” Stronger ranking systems narrow that set further. Only after multiple filtering rounds does the most capable model analyze a much smaller group of documents and generate an answer. Dean said: “And I think an LLM-based system is not going to be that dissimilar, right? You’re going to attend to trillions of tokens, but you’re going to want to identify what are the 30,000-ish documents that are with the maybe 30 million interesting tokens. And then how do you go from that into what are the 117 documents I really should be paying attention to in order to carry out the tasks that the user has asked me to do?” Dean called this the “illusion” of attending to trillions of tokens. In practice, it’s a staged pipeline: retrieve, rerank, synthesize. Dean said: “Google search gives you … not the illusion, but you are searching the internet, but you’re finding a very small subset of things that are relevant.” Matching: from keywords to meaning. Nothing new here, but we heard another reminder that covering a topic clearly and comprehensively matters more than repeating exact-match phrases. Dean explained how LLM-based representations changed how Google matches queries to content. Older systems relied more on exact word overlap. With LLM representations, Google can move beyond the idea that particular words must appear on the page and instead evaluate whether a page — or even a paragraph — is topically relevant to a query. Dean said: “Going to an LLM-based representation of text and words and so on enables you to get out of the explicit hard notion of particular words having to be on the page. But really getting at the notion of this topic of this page or this page paragraph is highly relevant to this query.” That shift lets Search connect queries to answers even when wording differs. Relevance increasingly centers on intent and subject matter, not just keyword presence. Query expansion didn’t start with AI. Dean pointed to 2001, when Google moved its index into memory across enough machines to make query expansion cheap and fast. Dean said: “One of the things that really happened in 2001 was we were sort of working to scale the system in multiple dimensions. So one is we wanted to make our index bigger, so we could retrieve from a larger index, which always helps your quality in general. Because if you don’t have the page in your index, you’re going to not do well. “And then we also needed to scale our capacity because we were, our traffic was growing quite extensively. So we had a sharded system where you have more and more shards as the index grows, you have like 30 shards. Then if you want to double the index size, you make 60 shards so that you can bound the latency by which you respond for any particular user query. And then as traffic grows, you add more and more replicas of each of those. And so we eventually did the math that realized that in a data center where we had say 60 shards and 20 copies of each shard, we now had 1,200 machines with disks. And we did the math and we’re like, Hey, one copy of that index would actually fit in memory across 1,200 machines. So in 2001, we … put our entire index in memory and what that enabled from a quality perspective was amazing. Before that, adding terms was expensive because it required disk access. Once the index lived in memory, Google could expand a short query into dozens of related terms — adding synonyms and variations to better capture meaning. Dean said: “Before, you had to be really careful about how many different terms you looked at for a query, because every one of them would involve a disk seek. “Once you have the whole index in memory, it’s totally fine to have 50 terms you throw into the query from the user’s original three- or four-word query. Because now you can add synonyms like restaurant and restaurants and cafe and bistro and all these things. “And you can suddenly start … getting at the meaning of the word as opposed to the exact semantic form the user typed in. And that was … 2001, very much pre-LLM, but really it was about softening the strict definition of what the user typed in order to get at the meaning.” That change pushed Search toward intent and semantic matching years before LLMs. AI Mode (and its other AI experiences) continues Google’s ongoing shift toward meaning-based retrieval, enabled by better systems and more compute. Freshness as a core advantage. Dean said one of Search’s biggest transformations was update speed. Early systems refreshed pages as rarely as once a month. Over time, Google built infrastructure that can update pages in under a minute. Dean said: “In the early days of Google, we were growing the index quite extensively. We were growing the update rate of the index. So the update rate actually is the parameter that changed the most.” That improved results for news queries and affected the main search experience. Users expect current information, and the system is designed to deliver it. Dean said: “If you’ve got last month’s news index, it’s not actually that useful.” Google uses systems to decide how often to crawl a page, balancing how likely it is to change with how valuable the latest version is. Even pages that change infrequently may be crawled often if they’re important enough. Dean said: “There’s a whole … system behind the scenes that’s trying to decide update rates and importance of the pages. So, even if the update rate seems low, you might still want to recrawl important pages quite often because the likelihood they change might be low, but the value of having updated is high.” Why we care. AI answers don’t bypass ranking, crawl prioritization, or relevance signals. They depend on them. Eligibility, quality, and freshness still determine which pages are retrieved and narrowed. LLMs change how content is synthesized and presented — but the competition to enter the underlying candidate set remains a search problem. The interview. Owning the AI Pareto Frontier — Jeff Dean View the full article

With iOS 18, Apple introduced a feature that allowed you to set a charge limit on your iPhone. The goal was to extend the lifespan of the battery, by limiting how often you fully charge it up. Batteries age with each full charging cycle, so by preventing your battery from charging to 100% every time you keep it plugged in, you can slow down that aging process, which means your device will last longer in between charges. Now, that same feature is coming to your Mac. Apple is currently testing the feature as part of macOS 26.4, which means you'll soon be able to ask macOS to stop charging your laptop once the battery level hits a specific charge level. This feature is great for anyone that keeps their MacBook plugged in all the time while working: It'll allow you to ask your MacBook to stop charging when the battery is at 80%, or at any charge level up to 100%. Battery optimization is nothing new for macOS Credit: Pranay Parab To be clear, your MacBook ships with a battery optimization feature already, which is enabled by default. This feature automatically slows down your MacBook's charging speed once the charge level reaches 80%. Based on your past usage habits, macOS waits to continue charging your MacBook until it thinks you'll need to use the laptop again. So, if you plug in your MacBook at night, and you typically take it off the charger at 8 a.m., it might keep your MacBook at 80% until 7 a.m., then charge the extra 20% over the following hour. You can check if it's enabled by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen, and going to System Settings > Battery. Click the i button next to Battery Health and you'll see that Optimized Battery Charging is enabled. But this is all automated, based on how you use your MacBook. What makes this new charging feature different is that you set the charge limit manually. That way, if you work with your MacBook plugged in all day, it doesn't need to charge to 100% whenever it thinks it should. Instead, you can keep it at any charge limit between 80% and 100%. How to enable charge limit on your MacBookThis new feature is available with macOS 26.4, which is currently available in the Developer Beta channel for Mac updates. I strongly recommend against installing this on your primary MacBook, as issues with the beta could mean losing data or bricking your laptop. Unless Apple decides to pull the feature, it should ship to everyone with the general release of macOS 26.4. If you have a spare MacBook where you've installed macOS 26.4 beta, you can go to System Settings > Battery, where you'll see the "Charge Limit" feature listed under Battery Health. Here, you can manually limit the maximum charging level between 80% and 100%. Third-party battery management apps are betterWhile Apple's methods to reduce battery aging are good enough for most people, you can do a lot more with third-party battery management apps. Those apps will allow you to do more than just set a charge limit. For instance, you can start charging the Mac when the battery hits 50% and stop charging when it's at 80%, or stop charging if the battery is too hot. View the full article

Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh has several paths toward reducing the central bank's $6.6 trillion balance sheet but the process will be costly and lengthy, Wall Street strategists say. View the full article

A reader writes: I’m looking for advice on how to pursue a new job discreetly, particularly when the interview process requires multiple rounds and my current workplace has very little flexibility. I’ve been with my current employer for 10 years. I started here before I even graduated from college, and I’ve grown tremendously. It’s a well-regarded organization with a prestigious name, and I genuinely believe they care about their people. That said, it’s time for me to leave. I’m no longer challenged, the work doesn’t excite me, and at my site things are fairly old school: no work from home, less vacation than many other employers, no flex hours, and we pay for our own downtown parking. And while my pay is decent for my field, the same role in another industry would pay significantly more with better benefits. My boss is kind and well-intentioned, but very emotionally invested in me staying. She frequently tells me she never wants me to leave, and I think she would take my departure personally, even if she tried to be supportive. She doesn’t see the lack of flexibility or benefits as an issue and has framed concerns I’ve raised as criticism of the company itself. While I believe she would counteroffer if I resigned, I know it wouldn’t address the bigger picture of flexibility, culture, and work-life balance that I’m seeking. Recently, I applied for a role that seems to align almost perfectly with what I want right now: a hybrid schedule with three work-from-home days, more time off, family-friendly culture, a roughly 20% pay increase, and more. I was referred by a former colleague who left our industry for similar reasons and has spoken very highly of the culture. The initial screening went well, but I’m anxious about how to get through the interview process without alerting my current employer. The next steps include a 45-minute video interview, followed by a half-day in-person interview with peers and managers (including a team lunch), and a final meeting with the CEO. My current workplace has little tolerance for time off, even when legitimate, and missed days are noticed and judged. While I have an office and could technically close the door for a video call, I sit directly across from my boss, who keeps close tabs on my day. Thin walls make privacy difficult. I know I’ll likely need to call in sick at least once, and I’m uncomfortable with lying, but I don’t see another option. Calling off multiple times over several weeks would be highly unusual for me and would almost certainly raise suspicion. My biggest fear is going through all of this, not getting the job, and then returning to a workplace where trust has quietly eroded because leadership assumes I was interviewing elsewhere. How do people navigate multi-round interview processes when their current job offers so little flexibility? Is it reasonable to protect my own interests, even if it means bending the truth temporarily? And how much risk is simply unavoidable when you’ve outgrown a role but haven’t secured the next one yet? You can read my answer to this letter at New York Magazine today. Head over there to read it. The post how do I look for a new job without my boss finding out? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Large and mega investors accounted for 5.8% of all single family-home purchases in December, up from 4.8% at the same time last year, according to Cotality. View the full article

Company veteran Austin Niemiec is running the wholesale arm after the departures of Fawaz, a prominent broker advocate, and general manager Dan Sogorka. View the full article

BONUS: a telephone screening form. By Marc Rosenberg CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Marc Rosenberg. View the full article

BONUS: a telephone screening form. By Marc Rosenberg CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Marc Rosenberg. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Impeccable period vibes are a highlight of Ponies, the Peacock spy show starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson. They play a couple of housewives living in Moscow with their CIA agent husbands, at least until their spouses are killed under mysterious circumstances. In order to get to the bottom of things, the two convince the Moscow station chief that they could be useful as agents themselves. He figures, hey—who'd ever suspect a couple of secretaries? You can stream Ponies on Peacock, and then stream these stories of other unexpected spies. The Americans (2013 – 2018) Set during the Cold War 1980s, and created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg, Americans follows Soviet KGB intelligence agents Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), living lives as an American couple in the DC metro area—and raising their American-born children. The critically acclaimed (and popular) show makes much of its period setting and a central conflict that places two spies in the heart of suburban America, even as they're tasked with undermining the Reagan-era government under which their children will grow up. Stream The Americans on Disney+ and Hulu. The Americans (2013 – 2018) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Kleo (2022 – ) With this German import, we have a Cold War-era spy thriller punctuated by moments of very dark comedy. Jella Haase stars as Kleo Straub, a ruthless East German Stasi assassin who was framed for treason a couple of years before the series kicks off in 1989, and who's now free to pursue brutal revenge. Sven Petzold (Dimitrij Schaad), meanwhile, is the hapless police officer who's linked Kleo to a murder he'd been investigating, and pursues her before discovering that he's in way, way over his head. Stream Kleo on Netflix. Kleo (2022 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Black Doves (2024 – ) This genre-bender has been something of a hit for Netflix—enough to have earned a second-season renewal. Keira Knightley stars as Helen Webb, wife of the Secretary of State for Defence of the U.K., and a secret spy in the employ of the mercenary spy organization of the title. She learns from her handler (Sarah Lancashire) that her lover has been killed, thus potentially blowing her cover, but luckily she has a hitman bestie (Ben Whislaw) to help her out. It's all deliberately pulpy, with a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness that lightens the tone. Stream Black Doves on Netflix. Black Doves (2024 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Homeland (2011 – 2020) The series begins with CIA case officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) coming to suspect that that decorated Marine Corps scout sniper Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), recently rescued from an al-Qaeda compound, has been turned and is planning a terrorist attack on the United States. As she's been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, her superiors don't give Mathison's suspicions much credence, kicking off a cat-and-mouse/is-he-or-isn't he? game between the two. Both leads won Emmys for their performances, and the series took the Outstanding Drama prize in its first year. Stream Homeland on Hulu and Netflix. Homeland (2011 – 2020) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu The Sympathizer (2024)A stellar miniseries with a reminder that boys can be spies, too. Based (kinda) on a true story, the show stars Hoa Xuande as the Captain (we know him only by that title), a member of the South Vietnamese army during the run-up to the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Except that he has a pretty big secret: He's a spy for the communist north, and, when he's evacuated to the United States, it's as a double agent. His new life in sunny Southern California gets very complicated as he struggles with his old loyalties and his new life. With touches of dark comedy, great performances and some absolutely brilliant direction from showrunner Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, No Other Choice), this is an impressively unconventional period spy story. Stream The Sympathizer on HBO Max. The Sympathizer (2024) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max The Recruit (2022 – 2025) A bit of fun in the "unlikely spy" genre, this one stars Noah Centineo as Owen Hendricks, a nobody-in-particular young lawyer at the CIA who comes across an extortion threat from a former CIA asset in some otherwise boring paperwork. The discovery triggers a series of fast-paced, globetrotting adventures for which Hendricks is generally unprepared—always knowing more than he should, but not nearly enough to keep him out of trouble. It's an adventure show more than a thriller, mostly, and a fair bit of fun for it. Stream The Recruit on Netflix. The Recruit (2022 – 2025) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Killing Eve (2018 – 2022) Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer star as the two halves that form one of television's great cat-and-mouse narratives, with Oh as Eve Polastri, a bored MI5 analyst who becomes obsessed with hunting down the brutal and notorious assassin known only as Villanelle. It starts as a professional compulsion before it becomes personal: Eve and Villanelle begin toying with each other, and it soon becomes clear that the fascination goes both ways—like Ponies, it's the rare spy drama with two women out in front. Stream Killing Eve on Prime Video, Paramount+, Britbox, Tubi, and Netflix. Killing Eve (2018 – 2022) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 – ) One-upping the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie movie on which it's based, Mr. & Mrs. Smith stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as a couple of spies tasked to pose as a married couple while coordinating (and sometimes competing against one another) on missions. Smartly, each episode takes on a standalone mission in a different location, while complicating the relationship between the two and gradually upping the stakes until the season finale, which sees them pitted against each other. The show has been renewed for season two, but it's been delayed, and it's unclear if Glover and Erskine will be returning, or if we'll be getting a new Mr. & Mrs. Stream Mr. & Mrs. Smith on Prime Video. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 – ) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Day of the Jackal (2024 – ) Cinematic in scope, this new adaptation of the Frederick Forsyth novel is buoyed by brilliant casting: Eddie Redmayne plays the Jackal, a steely international assassin pursued by MI6 operative Bianca Pullman, played by Lashana Lynch (putting her experience as the new 007 in No Time to Die to good use). I'm not sure there's anything here we haven't seen in countless other spy thrillers (including, of course, the 1973 and 1997 film adaptations), but the performances and production values are top-notch, with each episode playing out like a tense mini-movie. Stream The Day of the Jackal on Peacock. The Day of the Jackal (2024 – ) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Down Cemetery Road (2025 – ) Splitting the difference between spy and detective genres, this show (from the works of Mick Herron, writer of the more specifically spy-centric Slow Horses novels), this one starts out as a murder mystery and builds to a rather massive government conspiracy. Emma Thompson stars as hard-living, hard-drinking private investigator Zoë Boehm, hired by Ruth Wilson's Sarah Trafford, a married art restorer whom nobody takes seriously (including and especially her husband)—even when she becomes invested in the fate of a young girl whose family is killed in a gas explosion (allegedly) down the street. The girl, whose parents were killed, disappears into the system and no one really seems to care until Sarah hires Zoë and her husband to look into it. Turns out both women are in way over their heads, as the missing girl points to a much broader conspiracy. Thompson and Wilson are a brilliantly mismatched pair, and their performances are more than worth the price of admission. Stream Down Cemetery Road on Apple TV+. Down Cemetery Road (2025 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ View the full article

Our exclusive expert council offers insight. By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Our exclusive expert council offers insight. By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Nothing is certain, they say, but death and taxes. But a new idea from Meta could add social media to that list. The tech giant was granted a patent in December that would allow it to simulate a user via artificial intelligence when he or she is absent from the social network for extended periods, including, “for example, when the user takes a long break or if the user is deceased.” The patent covers a bot that could simulate your activity across Meta’s products, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—making posts, leaving comments, and interacting with other users. It could even, potentially, communicate directly with people via chats or video calls, the patent reads. Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, is listed as the primary inventor, and the patent was first filed in November 2023. A Meta spokesperson tells Fast Company the company has “no plans to move forward with this example.” Withdrawing from a social media platform can affect “the user experience of several users,” the patent reads. “The impact on the users is much more severe and permanent if that user is deceased and can never return to the social networking platform.” Creepy? Sure seems it. Unprecedented? Not as much as you might think. In 2021, Microsoft obtained a patent for a chatbot that would let you “talk” with dead people, both loved ones and celebrities. Like Meta, Microsoft said it had no plans to use the technology—and Tim O’Brien, Microsoft’s general manager of AI programs at the time, said in a social media post he agreed it was “disturbing.” Meanwhile, startups like Eternos and HereAfter AI let people create a “digital twin” that can engage with loved ones after they have passed away. Meta first publicly discussed the concept of a chatbot for the dead about two-and-a-half years ago, when founder Mark Zuckerberg, in an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman (in the Metaverse, of course), said, “If someone has lost a loved one and is grieving, there may be ways in which being able to interact or relive certain memories could be helpful.” Zuckerberg did note, however, that the technology could become “unhealthy”. Meta’s take on a post-mortem chatbot would analyze “user-specific” data, including posts, voice messages, chats, comments, and likes, to build a sense of who the person was. It would amalgamate that data into a digital persona designed to mimic the user’s activity. The bot would identify that any responses were not actually generated by the user, the patent says, but rather were the result of a simulation. Now, there are some hurdles Meta doesn’t mention in the patent. What people say in a direct message to a close friend or loved one isn’t necessarily meant for wider consumption. Picture, for instance, one spouse venting to the other about how frustrated they were with their child after some “terrible twos” or teenage incident—only for that child to later be told by the bot how much they annoyed their now-dead loved one. After all, AI has yet to grasp social niceties, or when silence or a white lie is better than the truth. Presently, when someone dies, Meta offers several options for survivors. The page can be permanently removed (assuming you have the necessary paperwork, such as a death certificate), or it can be turned into a memorial, where people can read past posts and leave messages of their own. As unpleasant as the topic is, Meta has good reason to think about death. One study predicts that by 2050, the number of dead users on Facebook will outnumber the living. By 2100, there could be more than 4.9 billion dead profiles on the platform. View the full article

An index of market conditions from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo, in which below 50 means more builders see conditions as poor than good, edged down in February to 36, the lowest level since September. View the full article

Treasuries rallied and broke key levels, but stubborn 5-year resistance still caps momentum and rate-cut expectations remain unchanged, the CEO of IF Securities writes. View the full article

When you’re exploring options for business loans, knowing the right private lenders can make all the difference. Each lender offers unique benefits customized to various needs, such as covering ongoing expenses, supporting startups, or financing equipment. For instance, Bluevine provides quick lines of credit, whereas Fora Financial caters to those with bad credit. Comprehending these differences can help you choose the best fit for your situation, but what’s crucial to take into account before making a decision? Key Takeaways Bluevine offers lines of credit up to $250,000 with quick funding and flexible repayment terms, ideal for established businesses. Fora Financial provides loans from $5,000 to $1.5 million, requiring a minimum credit score of 570 and flexible repayment options. Fundbox specializes in startup funding up to $250,000, with a streamlined application process and no prepayment penalties. Taycor Financial focuses on equipment financing, offering loans up to $500,000 with fast approvals and flexible lease terms. OnDeck provides loans up to $250,000 with same-day funding for smaller amounts, requiring a minimum credit score of 625. Best for Covering Ongoing Expenses: Bluevine When you’re looking for a reliable way to cover ongoing business expenses, Bluevine stands out as a top option. As one of the leading private business lenders, it offers lines of credit up to $250,000, providing you with the flexibility needed to manage cash flow effectively. With quick funding times, you can access cash within one to three business days after approval, ensuring you won’t face unnecessary delays. Bluevine’s interest rates start at 4.66%, and there are no monthly fees or overdraft charges, making it a cost-effective choice among private lenders for business loans. To qualify, your business must be an LLC or corporation with at least 12 months of operation and a minimum monthly revenue of $10,000. The repayment terms are structured over 12 or 24 weeks, allowing you to maintain control over your finances as you address ongoing expenses. Best for Bad Credit Borrowers: Fora Financial If you’re a business owner with bad credit, Fora Financial could be a solid option for you. They offer loan amounts between $5,000 and $1.5 million, with a minimum credit score requirement of just 570, making it easier for you to qualify. Plus, their application process is straightforward and designed for quick funding, ensuring you have the flexibility you need to manage repayment. Loan Amounts Offered Fora Financial stands out as a valuable option for businesses seeking loans, particularly those with less-than-perfect credit. They offer loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million, making it suitable for various business sizes. This flexibility allows you to secure funds for different needs, whether it’s working capital or equipment financing. Here are some key points about loan amounts offered by Fora Financial: Loans range from $5,000 to $1.5 million. Minimum credit score requirement is just 570. Funds can be used for diverse business purposes. Interest rates start at 13.00%, reflecting the associated risks. This range of loan amounts can help your business grow, even though your credit isn’t stellar. Eligibility Requirements Securing a loan from Fora Financial is particularly accessible for those with bad credit, thanks to its lenient eligibility requirements. To qualify, you’ll need a minimum credit score of just 570, making it a viable option for many borrowers. Fora Financial offers loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million, allowing you to choose based on your business needs. Moreover, you must demonstrate a minimum annual revenue of $240,000 to be eligible for funding. Although interest rates start at 13%, which may be higher than traditional lenders, this structure accommodates individuals with lower credit scores. The streamlined application process guarantees you can secure funding quickly, making Fora Financial suitable for urgent financial situations. Repayment Terms Flexibility When considering financing options, you’ll find that repayment terms play a crucial role in managing your business’s cash flow. Fora Financial stands out for its flexible repayment options, making it an excellent choice for bad credit borrowers. They offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million, with interest rates starting at 13.00%. Key features include: Minimum credit score requirement of 570 High annual revenue requirement of $240,000 Quick funding for immediate capital access Customized repayment terms to fit your business needs These factors make Fora Financial particularly accessible for businesses that might struggle with traditional loan qualifications, allowing you to focus on growth without financial strain. Best for Startup Companies: Fundbox If you’re launching a startup and need quick access to funds, Fundbox might be your best option. With a streamlined funding process, you can often get approved in minutes and see cash in your account within a few days. Plus, their flexible qualification criteria make it easier for new businesses to secure up to $250,000, catering to various financial needs. Fast Funding Process For startup companies seeking quick financial support, Fundbox stands out as a premier choice due to its fast funding process. With funding amounts up to $250,000, you can expect a streamlined application that focuses on your cash flow. This process allows you to access funds typically within 1 to 3 business days after approval. Here are some key points to reflect on: There’s no need for origination fees, making it cost-effective. You won’t face prepayment penalties, giving you flexibility. A minimum personal credit score of 600 is required, which is attainable for many. Your business must have been operational for at least six months with an annual revenue of at least $100,000. This makes Fundbox an accessible option for startups. Flexible Qualification Criteria Many startups find themselves facing challenges when seeking financial support, but Fundbox offers a revitalizing approach with its flexible qualification criteria. Unlike traditional lenders, Fundbox focuses on your business cash flow instead of credit scores, requiring a minimum personal credit score of just 600. You can access up to $250,000, with funding typically available within one business day of approval. To qualify, your business must be operational for at least six months and have an annual revenue of $100,000 or more. Fundbox also features no prepayment penalties or origination fees, making it a cost-effective choice for new businesses. Moreover, its Insights feature provides cash flow predictions, helping you manage finances more effectively. Best for Financing Equipment: Taycor Financial When you need to finance equipment for your business, Taycor Financial stands out as a strong option owing to its specialized focus on equipment financing. They offer loans up to $500,000 with flexible terms ranging from 24 to 60 months. This adaptability allows you to select a payment schedule that best suits your cash flow needs. Here are some key features of Taycor Financial: Fast Approval: Many loans are approved within 24 hours, ensuring quick access to funds. Flexible Payments: Choose between monthly, quarterly, or annual payment options. Accessible Financing: A minimum credit score of 600 makes it easier for businesses with varied credit histories to qualify. Leasing Options: Taycor provides various leasing options, including fair market value leases and $1 buyout leases, catering to different financial strategies. With these advantages, Taycor Financial is an excellent choice for your equipment financing needs. Best for Fast Funding: OnDeck If you’re looking for quick access to cash, OnDeck might be the ideal solution for your business financing needs. Known for its rapid funding capabilities, OnDeck offers same-day funding for loans under $100,000, allowing you to access cash when it matters most. They provide loans up to $250,000 with terms typically lasting up to 12 months, which is perfect for short-term financing. To qualify, you need a minimum credit score of 625, annual revenue of at least $100,000, and at least 12 months in business. Although interest rates start at 32.72%, the speed of funding can outweigh traditional options. Plus, OnDeck offers prepayment and loyalty rewards, incentivizing early repayment and ongoing relationships. Feature Details Loan Amounts Up to $250,000 Funding Speed Same-day for loans < $100K Minimum Credit Score 625 Interest Rates Starting at 32.72% Best for Financing Large Purchases: Ibusiness Funding For businesses looking to finance large purchases, iBusiness Funding stands out as a strong option, offering online term loans up to $500,000 with repayment terms that can extend to 60 months. This flexibility makes it ideal for significant investments such as equipment or inventory. Here are some key features of iBusiness Funding: Minimum credit score: You’ll need a credit score of at least 640 to qualify. Annual revenue requirement: Your business must generate a minimum annual revenue of $50,000. Quick funding: Once approved, you could receive your funds the same day. User-friendly application: The streamlined process requires minimal documentation, making it accessible for busy business owners. Pros and Cons of Private Business Loans Private business loans can be an appealing option for many entrepreneurs, especially those who may not qualify for traditional bank financing. One major advantage is the easier qualification criteria, making these loans accessible for startups and businesses with poor credit. Furthermore, you can often expect faster funding, with approvals and disbursements occurring within 1 to 3 business days, which is ideal for urgent needs. However, there are downsides. Interest rates on private loans tend to be higher, reflecting the increased risk and flexibility they offer. Although private lenders often provide more flexible terms, it’s important to be cautious of hidden fees and less transparent repayment terms, which can complicate your financial planning. Frequently Asked Questions Which Private Bank Is Best for a Business Loan? Choosing the best private JPMorgan Chase for a business loan depends on your specific needs. Consider lenders that offer flexible qualification criteria, especially if you have bad credit. Look for competitive interest rates, ranging from 7% to over 40%, and quick funding options that allow for decisions within days. Make certain the lender has a strong reputation and transparent pricing to avoid hidden fees, which can complicate your borrowing experience. Evaluate all these factors before making a decision. What Are the Best Business Loan Lenders? When exploring the best business loan lenders, consider options like Bluevine for flexible lines of credit, Fundbox for cash flow financing, or OnDeck for quick funding. If you have bad credit, Fora Financial offers accessible loans, whereas Lendio connects you to various lenders for customized options. Each lender has different requirements, such as credit scores and revenue levels, so assess your financial situation to find the best fit for your needs. What Are the Four Types of Private Lenders? The four types of private lenders include individual investors, lending firms, organized investor groups, and peer-to-peer platforms. Individual investors often provide personal funds for business ventures, whereas lending firms focus on structured loans. Organized investor groups pool resources to back various businesses, and peer-to-peer platforms connect borrowers with multiple lenders for lower costs. Each type offers unique benefits, such as flexible terms, quicker approval processes, and options customized to specific business needs. How Hard Is It to Get a $400,000 Business Loan? Securing a $400,000 business loan can be quite challenging. You’ll typically need a solid credit score, often between 620 and 640, along with annual revenues of at least $100,000 to $250,000. Most lenders prefer businesses to be operational for 1 to 2 years, making it tough for startups. Moreover, you may need to provide collateral, which can greatly influence your chances of approval and the interest rates you receive. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right private lender for your business loan can greatly impact your financial strategy. Each of the lenders mentioned offers unique benefits customized to various needs, whether you’re covering ongoing expenses, seeking startup funding, or financing equipment. By evaluating your specific requirements and considering factors like loan amounts, repayment flexibility, and approval speed, you can make an informed decision. This strategic approach can help you secure the funding necessary for your business’s growth and success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Top Private Lenders for Business Loans to Consider" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

While OpenAI is pushing ads on its free users, DuckDuckGo's Duck.ai portal is going a different way. Duck.ai is a privacy-first AI chatbot that doesn't use your data for training, but still gives you AI answers using popular models, including those from OpenAI. The data privacy feature goes beyond as well. DuckDuckGo removes all private metadata (like your location and IP address) before prompting the AI model, and it doesn't share anything about you or your device. Your questions, as well as DuckDuckGo's answers, are never used for AI training. Since its launch in 2024, the portal has only offered a chatbot interface, but now, DuckDuckGo has added a voice mode as well. With voice chat, instead of reading through long and meandering answers, the AI replies in short, to-the-point snippets that are relevant to your query. Duck.ai's take on the feature is competing with those from companies like OpenAI and Google, and it's free—though expanded limits are offered for DuckDuckGo subscribers. How Duck.ai's voice chat works Credit: Khamosh Pathak Duck.ai's voice chat is opt-in, not mandatory. In fact, you can even use it without a DuckDuckGo account. To try it, head to the Duck.ai portal, then from the sidebar, choose the voice chat option and enable it for your account. Now, when you click the "New Voice Chat" button in the sidebar, Duck.ai's bot will appear. You can start speaking, and the bot will reply to you. Just like ChatGPT or Gemini, this is a continuous voice chat, so you don't need to perform any action to ask follow-up questions. You can also interrupt the AI answer to add clarifications or to ask more questions. While the text prompts let you choose the models (including OpenAI's ChatGPT 5-mini), it's not clear exactly what powers voice chat. DuckDuckGo says that it uses an OpenAI model, but doesn't specify which one it is. When it comes to AI voice chats, ChatGPT is still the kingOf course, the real question is how Duck.ai's voice chat holds up against Gemini and ChatGPT. For general knowledge questions, Duck.ai holds its own, but it falters when it comes to the latest news. I asked all three services the same questions, and while some responses were similar, ChatGPT's voice mode offers the best overall user experience by far. I tested the voice chat features using three different kinds of questions. First, I asked about the upcoming Samsung S26 series; second, we talked about the Roman Empire; and lastly, I asked for some advice on how to get started with coding. When it comes to asking questions about news, like Samsung's S26 release, DuckDuckGo's limitations are immediately evident. It sometimes flat out refuses to answer, saying its knowledge cutoff is 2023. Other times, it gives vague responses about the upcoming event, suggesting I check news sites for the latest information. When pressed for details, like when the event is or the rumors surrounding it, it goes back to its cut-off period excuse. Credit: Khamosh Pathak ChatGPT's app, however, gave me a detailed response with all the latest rumors, as well as articles to read for additional information—basically, what you'd expect from an AI assistant. Gemini Live provided shorter responses than ChatGPT, though they were accurate. I was able to get Gemini to give me more details in the regular text mode, which reads aloud results if you ask questions using the Mic button, but this defeats the back-and-forth purpose of a voice mode. Samsung Event rumors according to ChatGPT Voice (Left) and Gemini Live (Right). Credit: Khamosh Pathak Duck.ai didn't fare much better when I asked about the Roman Empire. I asked for a brief overview of the subject, before cutting it off to just ask who the last emperor was. It answered correctly (Romulus Augustulus), and its overview was fine, but lacked details about the transitionary period and exact dates. Duck.ai's reponse to Roman History question. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Again, ChatGPT gave me a much more detailed answer (as demonstrated by the screenshot below). Gemini Live's answer, however, was devoid of any real dates, or meaning. Mic mode offered more details, but Google's voice mode was quite limited. History of Roman Empire in Gemini (Left) vs ChatGPT Voice (Right) Credit: Khamosh Pathak Duck.ai performed better when I asked it about learning how to code. It followed a very similar script to ChatGPT and Gemini, suggesting I learn Python, even offering the same sources for learning (e.g. freeCodeCamp and Harvard CS50 courses). Duck.ai Response to coding question. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Gemini Live was the outlier here, though, asking follow-up questions about what I'd like to build or practice. It then changed its answers based on my project ideas (switching from Python to JavaScript as the first language I should learn to build web projects). ChatGPT provided an overview, again focusing on Python, and elaborated on the language's barrier to entry when I asked for more information. Intro to programming languages in Gemini (Left and Middle) vs ChatGPT Voice (Right). Credit: Khamosh Pathak Duck.ai's voice chat feature is a mixed bag. It can be fast, doesn't use any personal information, and lets you interrupt it. But its limited knowledge base and its inability to give detailed answers are what make it tough to recommend. For the smoothest voice mode experience, ChatGPT is still the king. While DuckDuckGo has the advantage for privacy, you could always use ChatGPT while logged out or in temporary mode to limit the data you share with OpenAI. View the full article

The new year has so far not been kind to the share price of Big Tech stocks, particularly the so-called Magnificent 7. These seven companies—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla—are America’s tech crown jewels. Combined, they have their hands in the hottest areas of tech, including artificial intelligence, mobile computing, chipmaking, and transportation. Yet all of these tech companies have seen their share prices decline since the beginning of the year. Here are some possible reasons why. The Magnificent 7 is seeing red in 2026 As of this writing, there isn’t a single Magnificent 7 stock in the green for 2026. Their year-to-date returns are as follows: Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG): down 3.3% Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN): down 13.5% Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL): down 4.8% Meta Platforms, Inc. (Nasdaq: META) down 2.7% Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT): down 17.4 % Nvidia Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA): down 1.6% Tesla, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA): down 8.2% While all seven companies have their own strengths (Amazon, e-commerce; Nvidia, AI chips; Apple, smartphones, etc.), they share one thread: they are traded on the already tech-heavy Nasdaq. And given the massive market caps of these companies, all seven have an outsized impact on the Nasdaq as a whole. Keeping that in mind, it’s little surprise that the NASDAQ Composite itself is down over 3% year to date as well. The question is why? Here are two of the most likely reasons. AI capex spend is immense In the business world, capex refers to a company’s capital expenditure—how much money a business spends on building out assets in order to grow its business, and thus its finances. Capex is why the phrase “you have to spend money to make money” exists. But while it has been normal for decades for tech giants to spend billions in capex per year, lately capital expenditures are exploding—reaching highs never seen before. The Motley Fool estimated that in 2025, the Magnificent 7 spent about $400 billion on AI-related capex. In 2026, that number is set to grow by around 70% to reach $680 billion. That is a staggering sum of money on a technology that no tech company has found a way to make a profit from yet. What many investors have begun to increasingly worry about is that if the ever-present threat of an AI bubble does materialize, the Magnificent 7 companies, particularly those that have had massive capital expenditures on the technology, like Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft, might not ever see a return on that investment. Economic and global uncertainty abounds Outside the immediate fears of overzealous AI capex and an AI bubble, the Magnificent 7 are also vulnerable to broader economic and geopolitical uncertainties. President The President’s penchant for announcing tariffs out of the blue has harmed relations with America’s closest economic allies and trading partners—and caused massive uncertainty for businesses. These tariffs have also raised the costs of goods for American consumers. When prices rise, and incomes don’t, people tend to cut back on spending, which slows the economy. And when the economy slows—or people worry it will—investors tend to sell off riskier investments, or investments where they’ve already made a good return, to protect their profits. While shares of Magnificent 7 companies have delivered massive returns over the last decade, they are also highly volatile. And this volatility, when combined with broader market uncertainty, generally causes investor apprehension, leading to further selloffs. Of course, there’s no guarantee where Mag 7 stocks go from here. If AI bulls are right and we are on the cusp of unprecedented AI prosperity, it’s reasonable to assume that the fall in Mag 7 stocks at the start of 2026 has so far just been a temporary anomaly, and AI-related stocks like those in the Mag 7 will be seeing plenty of green in the years ahead. However, if the AI bubble does indeed burst and takes the broader economy down with it, 2026 year-to-date declines in Mag 7 stock prices so far could seem relatively minor compared to what is yet to come. View the full article

Variant, a generative design tool that promises endless UI exploration, recently introduced a feature most creative people and designers have used for decades: the eyedropper. In Variant, the tool picks vibes: It lets you click on one AI-generated interface and inject its aesthetic DNA—typography, spatial relationships, and color palettes—into another. After so much hype around “vibecoding” and its text-based imprecision, seeing a familiar, direct manipulation tool applied to generative AI feels great.​​ The new AI modality takes a nice step to close the gap between the impenetrable ways of large language model black boxes and the tools designers actually use with their eyes and hands. Adopting a universally understood tool to control AI in any way other than words is exactly the kind of innovation the sector needs now. It’s just too bad that Variant itself is the vessel for it. The tool’s underlying AI engine suffers from a distinct lack of differentiation. Everything it makes looks flat and same-y, so the new style absorb-and-drop tool is not really that useful. Yes, the transformed UI changes, but the results already looked very similar anyway (except for the color palettes). That said, the implementation is cute. When you click on a previously generated UI, the eyedropper animates the design as it is sucking its soul. You then move the eyedropper, click on another generated UI, and the new style spills over it, rearranging it to match the source. It’s a satisfying bit of UI theater, an illusion broken by the fact that you have to wait a little to see the results, as the AI works it all out. The problem is the little variance in Variant. You can’t “eyedrop” a bitmap image or a Figma project and tell the AI, “make this new app UI look like this.”​ Currently, Variant’s eyedropper feels like trying to paint in Photoshop when your palette only contains five shades of beige. A for effort That’s too bad, considering the eyedropper is one of the most resilient and powerful metaphors in computing history. The concept dates back to SuperPaint in 1973, which introduced the ability to sample hue values from a digital canvas. While MacPaint popularized digital painting tools in 1984, it was Adobe Photoshop 1.0 in 1990 that locked the eyedropper icon as the standard for color sampling. Then, in 1996, Adobe Illustrator 6.0 evolved the tool into a style thief. It allowed designers to absorb entire sets of attributes—stroke weights, fill patterns, and effects—and inject them into other objects. Now Variant is effectively trying to take this to its UI design arsenal. The difference is that Adobe’s tools offered precision. You knew exactly what you were getting. With Variant, you are making a visual suggestion to a probabilistic engine and hoping for the best. But it is a good change that highlights why we need more tools like this eyedropper and fewer text prompts. Unlike the latest generation of multi-modal video generative AIs, the lack of precision in vibecoding tools is unnerving to me. It reminds me of an exercise I did in communication design class, back in college: A professor made us play a game where one student built a shape with Tangram pieces and had to verbally describe to a partner how to reproduce it with another Tangram set. It was impossible to match it. We are humans, orders of magnitude better semantic engines than any AI, and even we fail at describing visuals with words. We need interfaces that allow for direct, exact manipulation, not just crossing fingers and hoping for the best. Variant’s eyedropper shows us the way. Generative AI tool makers, more of this, please. Stop forcing designers to talk to the machine, and let us show what we want. We made a tool that lets you absorb the vibe of anything you point it at and apply it to your designs It's absurd and it just works Style Dropper, now available in @variantui pic.twitter.com/B3eXDntYtw — Ben South (@bnj) February 10, 2026 View the full article

Today’s hustle culture has turned burnout into something we either brag about or shamefully hide. Instagram is packed with videos of employees clocking out at 8 pm only to go home and wrap up their day. We joke about living on caffeine and a constant influx of notifications. And so, when we finally hit a The post Burnout symptoms aren’t a personal failure. They’re a warning system. appeared first on RescueTime Blog. View the full article