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In a world where social media and digital communication intertwine with creativity, Google Gemini has introduced a powerful new tool that promises to transform how small businesses can engage with their audiences through music. Lyria, the latest addition to Gemini’s lineup, allows users—especially small business owners—to easily create customized music tracks tailored to their specific needs, whether to promote a product or simply engage with customers in a fresh way. Imagine being able to craft a catchy jingle for your upcoming promotion or create a unique soundtrack for your product launch event without needing a professional background in music composition. Lyria’s capabilities pave the way for small business owners to harness the power of sound in their marketing efforts, bringing an often-overlooked element of engagement to the forefront. Lyria operates on a straightforward premise: users can input various types of prompts to generate personalized music tracks featuring unique lyrics or instrumentals. For example, a café owner can input, “Create a jazz track about my signature espresso,” and receive a delightful tune that captures the spirit of their brand. This kind of functionality provides an innovative way for small businesses to express their unique identity beyond traditional marketing methods. Lyria is more than just text prompts for generating music; it allows users to upload images or videos to inspire artistic direction. A business owner might upload a picture of a seasonal dish or a cozy corner of their shop, prompting Lyria to produce a tailored soundtrack. This integration of visuals and audio offers a compelling way for businesses to create brand narratives that resonate with customers, enhancing their overall experience. Versatility is a core feature of Lyria, as it accommodates a broad range of genres and eras. Whether a small business wishes to evoke nostalgic feelings with ‘90s hip-hop or something entirely unique, such as a fusion of K-pop with jazz elements, Lyria provides the tools to bring those musical visions to life. Small business owners can blend genres, add specific instruments, and influence how the music transitions from one section to the next, thus ensuring that the final product is precisely in line with their vision. Beyond just creating music, Lyria also enables users to write lyrics or have the AI generate them. This empowers small business owners to keep a personal touch on their marketing materials. For instance, a spa could prompt Lyria to generate soft lyrics focused on relaxation for their promotional video, integrating both audio and message seamlessly. After crafting their unique tracks, users can easily share their creations through social media or direct messaging, facilitating a broad reach to potential customers. A well-produced jingle or memorable sound could become a talking point among followers or even in local marketing campaigns, showcasing the brand’s creativity and cultural engagement. While Lyria offers an array of advantages for small business owners seeking innovative marketing strategies, challenges do exist. As with any technology, there may be a learning curve associated with effectively using the platform to achieve the desired output. Business owners will need to dedicate time to experiment with different prompts and sounds to refine their final products. Additionally, the need for meaningful visuals and sound selections must align with the brand’s identity, requiring careful consideration to avoid diluting the message. “Lyria is designed to streamline the creative process, allowing anyone to be their own music producer,” said a representative from Google Gemini. This democratization of music creation presents significant opportunities for small business owners who previously may not have had the resources to produce custom audio content. As small business owners explore the potential of Lyria, they can enhance their marketing strategies by creating personalized music that resonates with their clientele. This innovation illustrates how technology continues to shape the small business landscape, providing new avenues for creativity and connection. For those interested in exploring this exciting tool, check out the official introduction here. With a little experimentation, businesses might discover their next viral tune that captures the essence of their brand. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google’s Lyria: Create Custom Music Tracks with Unique Inspirations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

I tend to go out of my way to avoid using Meta AI, but today, I gave it a fair shake. That's because, as reported by Bloomberg, Meta's AI service is now testing a shopping assistant. The idea is to compete with similar services from AI platforms like ChatGPT or Gemini, where users tap into the power of generative AI to search the web for product recommendations. That's all fine and well in theory, but in execution, Meta AI's shopping assistant is a bit of a disaster—even if it is only in testing. Meta AI's shopping suggestions are uselessWhen I tried accessing Meta AI's web app logged out, I didn't see the shopping assistant. But once I signed into my Meta Account, a number of additional options appeared—including "Shopping." When you click the option, a new "Shopping research" option appears in the model selector, alongside "Thinking" and "Fast." While you can type your own prompt into the search bar, a number of suggestions appear below, too. At this time, I see things like "Help me find a signature scent," "Show me mid-century modern living room furniture," or "Find a one-of-a-kind gift for my friend." Finally, AI is here to help you spend money when you can't think of anything to buy. I was pretty intrigued by that last prompt. Meta AI doesn't know my friend, and yet, it's going to find me a "one-of-a-kind" gift they'll love? I had to see what the bot would come up with. After Meta AI thought for a while (11.6 seconds, or so it tells me), the bot indeed confirmed my suspicions, asking for more info about my friend. It needed details like hobbies and interests, budget, and special memories I could incorporate into the gift. You would think that some gift ideas of my own would pop up by just thinking through these questions myself, but I needed the AI's help, so I offered the following made-up answers to test it out: "Their hobbies and interests are music, biking, and going to the movies. My budget is $100. We went on vacation to Hawaii and we missed our flight home." The AI thought for 45.8 seconds, before returning with its "one-of-a-kind" gift ideas. Its favorite was something that combined my "friend's" interest in music and our fake vacation to Hawaii: a ukulele. One-of-a-kind, indeed. Meta AI reasoned that, "a Ukulele Starter Kit is the perfect way to bring the island vibes home. The Kala Learn to Play Ukulele Concert Starter Kit is right at your budget and comes with everything they'd need to start, including lessons and a tuner. It's a great hobby for a music lover and a direct connection to Hawaii." Other unique gifts included three different types of portable speakers. Thanks. "For the movie buff," Meta AI suggested a scratch-off poster of 100 movies everyone should see. Or, as a "subtle nod to our trip," a movie poster of film shot in Hawaii. This, I'll admit, is a bit more unique, even though I'd never actually buy that. After scrolling past some bike accessories, though, I really hit gold: "A Custom Hawaiian Shirt would be hilarious," said the generative AI chatbot. Credit: Lifehacker Meta AI isn't much more helpful if you search for products yourselfAfter failing to find a perfect gift for my fake friend, I gave a custom prompt a try next: "I need a new couch for my living room." This was a bit more helpful. The bot returned a list of five different couches, each with a description of the design and brand, in addition to a carousel of 12 couches of varying prices. To narrow it down, the bot asked me some questions about my home and interests, like how big my living room was and what style I was looking for. I sent the bot the following: "My living room is 200 sq. feet. I want a modern leather couch under $2000." This returned what seemed to be a relevant list of couches, each within budget and style. I also learned about some new brands I didn't know before the search, like Article and Poly & Bark. Finally, I asked Meta AI for help finding a new MacBook. I said I needed something fast, but under $1,200. It thought, then brought back three decent options: a 13-inch M4 MacBook Air for $999, a 15-inch M4 Air for $1,199, or an M3 MacBook Air with extra storage for $1,030. There's nothing wrong with those suggestions, but there were two issues I found with the result. First, the link for that third MacBook Air recommendation didn't actually go to a listing, but the homepage for Abed Tahan, a store based in Lebanon. A quick search of the site returned results for the M3 MacBook Air in question, but it was more expensive than Meta AI said it was, and the store doesn't ship to the U.S. Second, I asked Meta AI whether these results were the latest newest models, and it confirmed they were—despite the fact that Apple had announced new M5 MacBooks this morning. If the bot was working on a limited knowledge base, that'd be one thing, but it performs web searches with each query. It should be able to find this information. While there are some apparent plusses to Meta AI's shopping assistant, like its ability to find furniture that fits a particular room size and style, I feel pretty confident that I won't be using it. The fact that some products links don't actually work, and that it can't reliably give you the most up-to-date products on the market, defeats the entire purpose of a shopping tool. I'll be sticking to my usual shopping research: a traditional search engine combined with real user experiences. View the full article

Oil prices are on the rise, hitting an 18-month high as of Tuesday as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues. The war against Iran, which started in earnest over the past weekend, has disrupted oil and gas shipments in the Middle East, constricting supply, and with no clear timetable as to when the war could end (or if there’s a plan for a drawdown), markets are spooked about the potential for a prolonged conflict and market hiccups. Specifically, concerns about shipments getting through the Strait of Hormuz—a busy shipping lane for fossil fuel-carrying tankers—have been effectively stopped, and no one knows with any certainty as to when it could reopen. Additionally, insurers have cancelled war risk coverage policies for ships and vessels traveling through the region, increasing costs. That likely means that shippers will increase shipping rates in turn. Reuters reports that several tankers have already been damaged as a result of the conflict, and around 150 ships were stranded around the Strait of Hormuz as of Monday. Iran, too, is a large oil exporter, and the war itself could stifle production and further impact supply. As of December 2025, Iran was shipping out around 1.9 million barrels of crude oil per day. Oil prices, as a result, shot up in recent days. Brent crude, which is the global benchmark in the oil market, was trading at more than $82 per barrel as of midday Tuesday. That’s up almost 13% over the past week, and the highest price since July 2024. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (commonly called “WTI”), the other main crude benchmark, was likewise trading near $76 per barrel, up around $10 from a week ago. Unfortunately for consumers, the increased oil prices are likely to be felt at home and at the pump. U.S. gas prices have gone up, and are now averaging more than $3 per gallon. Heating oil and propane are likely to follow suit. The concerns, now, are what happens next. Several analysts in the energy and investment bank sectors have warned that crude oil prices could increase to $100 per barrel if the war and disruptions to shipping continue. Again, it’s unknown if or when the U.S. and Israel plan to back down, or whether the situation will de-escalate; or when the oil markets will be able to get a handle on what’s going on and adjust. But some analysts are saying that there is good news: The U.S. economy isn’t nearly as exposed, currently, as it once was to oil supply shocks. Joe Brusuelas, principal and chief economist for RSM, writes that the U.S. currently produces almost 19% of the world’s oil, amounting to only 0.4% of its GDP. That means that “the American economy is far less exposed to economic and inflation disruptions” related to crude oil crises, he writes, and that “the risk to the growth and inflation outlook is modest.” So, while concerns related to the broader economy and inflation aren’t over the top, it doesn’t, unfortunately, mean that gas prices and utility bills won’t go up as a result in the near future. View the full article

A reader writes: My workplace occasionally recognizes staff birthdays, but isn’t consistent. Sometimes there’s cake, sometimes bagels, sometimes nothing, and it’s often a last-minute announcement which can be frustrating to people who already have food planned out for the day. Someone brought up the idea of bringing back a past practice: the monthly celebration of all January (for example) birthdays in one go. This could allow for consistent “observance” of birthdays, planning ahead on whether you bring a lunch, and less worrying about the impact on the budget. I know not everyone feels the same way about their birthday so I turned to AAM for insights on how to start something like this and all I could find with a cursory search is stories of office birthdays gone wrong. What do workplaces do that get it right? The biggest pitfall with office birthday celebrations is when they’re done unevenly: some people get a cake or a card or a gathering while other people get nothing. Most often this happens because there’s no formal system and it’s just based on someone happening to remember, without enough thought toward ensuring it’s consistent. Other times it happens because one person is in charge of it and when they’re out, there’s no back-up system to keep it covered — and sometimes it means they are the person whose birthday is overlooked, which can particularly sting when they’ve been organizing celebrations for everyone else. I’ve talked here before about that being the reason why you really, really need to either have formal system or skip birthdays completely. When you let it happen informally, it’s practically guaranteed that someone will end up feeling slighted. The best systems I’ve seen for birthdays are these: 1. One celebration each month for everyone whose birthday falls in that month. Sometimes that’s its own separate thing (“there’s cake in the kitchen for all our March birthdays — happy birthday to Cecilia, Falcon, Imogen, and Ralph!”) and sometimes it’s tacked on to the end of a monthly staff meeting or something like that. 2. A custom that if it’s your birthday and you want to celebrate it, you bring in treats for the office. That way if you’re not a birthday person, you can quietly skip it — and if you are, it’s guaranteed to be celebrated because you’re in charge of it (and it’s guaranteed to be a treat you like, too). The list of things definitely not to do: Don’t take up collections where people are asked to pitch in money for other people’s birthdays. They’re at work to earn money, not spend it. Respect it when people opt out of birthday stuff. Don’t let this happen: my coworker insists on celebrating my birthday even though I’ve asked her not to Don’t be an ass about Leap Year birthdays. The post how should we handle birthdays at work? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your social media engagement, consider implementing a variety of interactive posts. Options like polls, quizzes, and “This or That” questions can quickly capture your audience’s attention. Furthermore, creative posts such as “Caption This Photo” and behind-the-scenes content can provide unique opportunities for interaction. These strategies not just encourage participation but also nurture a stronger connection with your followers. Explore how these ideas can transform your social media approach. Key Takeaways Create engaging polls and surveys to gather audience feedback and increase interaction rates significantly. Use “This or That” questions to encourage quick decisions and spark lively conversations among followers. Post fun quizzes or trivia related to your brand to boost engagement and encourage sharing among users. Host “Caption This Photo” contests to invite creativity and foster a sense of community through user participation. Organize AMAs to facilitate direct interaction, allowing followers to ask questions and build trust with your brand. Polls and Surveys When you incorporate polls and surveys into your social media strategy, you not only engage your audience but likewise gain valuable insights into their preferences. Polls, especially on platforms like Instagram Stories and Twitter, invite quick participation and can greatly boost engagement. In fact, interactive post ideas like these can lead to a 20% increase in responses, making them a worthwhile addition to your content. Surveys can help you tailor your offerings, as 72% of consumers appreciate brands seeking their feedback through interactive content. Furthermore, using polls and surveys can double your engagement rates compared to static posts, enhancing your overall visibility and reach. Caption This Photo “Caption This Photo” posts spark creativity and encourage your followers to participate actively. By sharing an engaging image and inviting captions, you not just boost comments but additionally promote a sense of community among your audience. To maximize interaction, choose visually appealing or humorous images, and consider offering small prizes for the best captions to further motivate engagement. Encourage Creativity How can you spark creativity and engagement among your followers? One effective method is to use “Caption This Photo” posts. By inviting your audience to create captions for interesting or funny images, you encourage them to express their creativity and humor. This format requires minimal effort, making it simple for followers to participate and share their thoughts. To improve engagement, choose eye-catching and relatable images that capture attention. Moreover, consider offering small prizes or recognition for the best captions, which can motivate participation further. Engaging in this type of content can greatly increase comment activity, improving your post visibility within social media algorithms. Foster Community Interaction Engaging your audience through “Caption This Photo” posts not just sparks creativity but also cultivates a sense of community among your followers. By inviting them to contribute humorous or insightful captions, you encourage participation that promotes connection. This format allows followers to showcase their creativity, making them feel valued within the group. Incorporating intriguing images is essential, as visuals grab attention and prompt immediate interaction, often resulting in higher comment activity. Furthermore, offering small prizes or recognition for the best captions can further incentivize involvement, creating excitement around your posts. As followers join the conversation, they improve overall engagement, which boosts your post’s visibility in the platform’s algorithm, benefiting your outreach efforts greatly. This or That Questions Even though many social media strategies focus on elaborate campaigns, “This or That” questions provide a straightforward way to engage your audience. These simple engagement tools encourage followers to make quick decisions, which promotes interaction and conversation. By posing relatable questions, you can spark increased comment activity, as followers enjoy sharing their preferences and explaining their choices. Customizing these questions to reflect your brand’s identity or current trends makes them even more engaging. Regularly utilizing “This or That” questions helps maintain a lively community, ensuring your followers stay interested and involved with your content. Posts requiring minimal effort, like choosing between two options, can greatly boost your engagement rates compared to more complex interaction formats. Quizzes and Trivia Quizzes and trivia can be influential tools for boosting engagement on social media platforms. These formats encourage your followers to test their knowledge and share their results, nurturing interaction and community participation. Using platforms like Instagram Stories and Facebook for quizzes allows for real-time participation and immediate feedback, which can greatly increase engagement. Trivia questions can cover a wide range of topics, from brand-specific information to general knowledge, making them versatile for various audiences. Engaging trivia not only attracts attention but also leads to higher sharing rates, as followers often invite friends to join in on the fun, broadening your content’s reach. Incorporating quizzes into your content strategy can improve brand loyalty, as many users enjoy interactive content that deepens their connection with brands. Behind-the-Scenes Content Behind-the-scenes content is an impactful way to connect with your audience by showcasing team member spotlights and insights into daily operations. When you share these moments, you not merely humanize your brand but invite followers to feel involved in your experience. This transparency can improve trust and engagement, setting your brand apart in a competitive market. Team Member Spotlights When you showcase team member spotlights, you create opportunities for your audience to connect with the individuals behind your brand, nurturing authenticity and trust. Featuring your team in behind-the-scenes content humanizes your brand, making it relatable and encouraging comments and shares. Highlighting unique skills and contributions of individual team members improves your brand’s overall narrative and promotes audience loyalty. Research shows that brands sharing behind-the-scenes content experience increased engagement because of a sense of exclusivity and insider access. Regularly rotating team member spotlights keeps your content fresh and engaging, ensuring followers look forward to learning more about the team and their roles within the company. This strategy not just builds relationships but also strengthens your brand’s community. Daily Operations Insights Comprehending daily operations offers your audience a valuable perspective on how your brand functions behind the scenes. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, you can promote authenticity and transparency, which improves brand loyalty. Engaging posts can create emotional connections, making your audience feel valued. Consider featuring: Office tours showcasing your workspace Team introductions to highlight individual roles Product development processes to explain how items are created Candid moments from daily team interactions User-generated content to encourage followers to share their experiences Regularly incorporating these insights humanizes your brand and can lead to increased customer spending, as followers feel more connected. This approach not only boosts engagement but likewise encourages a community surrounding your brand. User-Generated Content (UGC) User-generated content (UGC) plays a crucial role in modern marketing strategies, offering brands a unique way to connect with their audiences. UGC builds trust and credibility, as 79% of consumers report it greatly influences their purchasing decisions. By encouraging customers to share their experiences, you nurture a sense of community, with half of consumers wanting to see more UGC from their favorite brands. Utilizing branded hashtags helps track and showcase this content, enhancing visibility and engagement. Brands featuring UGC can experience a 28% boost in engagement rates since it resonates better with audiences compared to traditional marketing. Engaging customers through UGC initiatives not only strengthens brand loyalty but additionally increases overall participation in your marketing efforts. Fun Challenges and Contests Engaging your audience through fun challenges and contests can greatly improve your brand’s presence on social media. These activities not just create excitement but additionally encourage participation, leading to increased interactions. To maximize your engagement, consider these strategies: Offer enticing prizes to motivate participation. Use unique hashtags to track entries and build community. Promote contests across multiple platforms for wider visibility. Organize interactive challenges like photo contests or themed competitions. Showcase user-generated content to improve brand loyalty. Fill in the Blank How can you spark creativity and conversation among your followers? One effective method is by utilizing fill-in-the-blank posts. This approach requires minimal effort from followers, making it easy for them to engage. Common prompts like “The best way to start the morning is ______” encourage quick responses, nurturing lively discussions. By inviting followers to share their thoughts, you create a sense of community and connection around shared interests. This format not only boosts comment activity considerably but likewise allows followers to express their unique perspectives. Implementing fill-in-the-blank posts can improve engagement levels as they stimulate creative thinking in a fun and approachable way, in the end driving interaction on your social media platforms. Ask Me Anything (AMA) An Ask Me Anything (AMA) session invites your audience to engage directly by submitting questions, which can greatly improve interaction. These real-time discussions encourage participation and create a sense of community, making followers feel valued. Engaging Question Prompts Why not think about hosting an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to boost your social media engagement? AMAs invite your followers to submit questions, encouraging direct interaction and building trust. They create a sense of community, leading to increased engagement. Here are some engaging question prompts to ponder: What’s your favorite product and why? How did you start your path in this industry? What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? What’s a personal goal you’re currently working on? What tips would you give someone just starting out? Promoting your AMA in advance can improve participation, as followers will prepare questions, increasing overall interest. Engaging with your audience during the session provides valuable insights into their preferences and interests. Real-Time Interaction Benefits During engaging with your audience in real time, an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session offers significant benefits that can improve your brand’s presence on social media. By promoting direct interaction, AMAs build trust and create a personal connection with your followers, as they can ask questions and receive immediate responses. Brands often see up to 50% more comments and interactions during these sessions compared to standard posts, leading to increased engagement rates. Hosting AMAs on platforms like Instagram or Reddit provides valuable insights into audience preferences, allowing you to tailor content and products accordingly. Furthermore, these sessions nurture a sense of community, as followers engage with both your brand and each other, sparking lively discussions and shared experiences. Encouraging Audience Participation Engaging your audience through an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session is an influential way to encourage participation and cultivate a sense of community. By hosting AMAs, you can promote direct connections with your followers, making them feel valued. Here’s how to make the most of your AMA: Choose the right platform: Use Instagram Stories or live video for real-time interaction. Promote in advance: Build excitement and visibility through announcements. Encourage advance submissions: Let followers think of meaningful questions for a lively discussion. Provide real-time answers: Respond swiftly to improve trust and engagement. Gather insights: Use the feedback to tailor your content and offerings to audience interests. Implementing these strategies can lead to increased participation and dynamic interactions. Opinion-Based Posts How can opinion-based posts transform your social media engagement? These posts invite your followers to share their thoughts, which encourages meaningful discussions and increases comment activity. In fact, 71% of consumers engage more with relatable content. By posing open-ended questions, like “What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?”, you encourage personal experiences that lead to richer interactions. Simple “This or That” questions, such as “Coffee or tea?”, require minimal effort and drive quick responses, boosting engagement rates. Utilizing polls and surveys can gather valuable insights into audience preferences, enhancing brand loyalty. Moreover, engaging with trending topics allows you to connect with current interests, as 78% of users say company posts influence their buying decisions. Frequently Asked Questions What Type of Social Media Posts Get the Most Engagement? Posts that encourage interaction, like polls and quizzes, tend to receive higher engagement than static content. Visuals, particularly videos ranging from 2 to 5 minutes, capture more attention on platforms. Open-ended questions and “This or That” posts likewise stimulate comments and discussions. Furthermore, user-generated content nurtures community and trust, whereas contests and giveaways create excitement, motivating followers to engage and share. Each of these strategies effectively boosts audience participation. What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media involves a balanced approach to content sharing. You should post five informative or entertaining pieces, followed by five promotional posts about your products or services, and then five posts that directly engage your audience. This strategy helps maintain follower interest by mixing valuable content with promotions, nurturing trust and loyalty over time. It encourages diverse content as you enhance engagement metrics through interactive posts. How to Boost Engagement on Social Media? To boost engagement on social media, you should incorporate interactive posts like polls and quizzes, which encourage participation. Sharing user-generated content builds community trust and can greatly improve engagement rates. Furthermore, leverage seasonal themes and timely events to connect with your audience. Regularly posting behind-the-scenes content nurtures authenticity, whereas using intriguing visuals increases attention. Aim for a mix of these strategies to create a compelling online presence that resonates with your audience. How to Make a Catchy Social Media Post? To make a catchy social media post, start with a strong, attention-grabbing headline. Use eye-catching visuals, as they greatly increase engagement. Incorporate interactive elements like polls or questions to encourage participation. Keep your captions concise and relatable, since shorter posts tend to perform better. Finally, utilize trending hashtags to boost visibility; including at least one can improve engagement. Conclusion Incorporating engaging social media posts, such as polls, quizzes, and behind-the-scenes content, can greatly improve audience interaction. These strategies not only promote immediate participation but additionally cultivate a sense of community among followers. By varying your content with creative prompts and opinion-based discussions, you can maintain interest and stimulate meaningful conversations. Implementing these tactics consistently will help build a loyal audience and enhance your overall social media presence, leading to increased engagement and brand recognition. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Fun Social Media Posts to Boost Engagement" was first published on Small Business Trends 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 32-inch ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG gaming monitor has earned stellar review for its excellent visuals, refresh rate flexibility, and other impressive gaming-focused features. If you've been looking to upgrade your setup, right now is a good time: It’s $200 off, reaching its lowest price ever—$799 (originally $999). 32-inch ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG Gaming Monitor $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $200.00 This 32-inch monitor has a 4K UHD WOLED panel that delivers high contrast and deep blacks, making games, movies, and TV shows look more vivid. Compared to a traditional OLED panel, WOLED (White OLED) uses a white light source with filters to provide deeper blacks, faster response times, and more uniform images across a range of lighting conditions. The TrueBlack Glossy coating is better at reducing glare than a matte screen while delivering a clearer picture (though some reviews claim it’s still not bright enough to mitigate intense glare if bright light hits the screen directly). A native 4K, 165 Hz refresh rate allows for high-detail gaming and multimedia use, while its Frame Rate Boost mode offers versatility for playing different kinds of games. For example, FHD at 330 Hz also makes it a solid choice for competitive shooting games and high-FPS play. The monitor has an overall 0.03 ms response time, which is best-in-class, and minimizes motion blur. Other notable features include NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync support, and reduced burn-in risk due to OLED Care Pro and the Neo Proximity Sensor. If you’re looking for a gaming monitor with dual-mode features, nearly instantaneous response time across a range of refresh rates, low input lag, and inky blacks, the 32-inch ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG monitor for gamers is a great choice . While it doesn’t offer 240 Hz+ at 4K like some elite models, it delivers a lot for this $800 price point. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $119.00 (List Price $179.00) Samsung Galaxy S26, Unlocked Android Smartphone + $100 Gift Card, 512GB, Powerful Processor, Galaxy AI, Immersive Viewing, Durable Battery, 2026, Black — $899.99 (List Price $1,199.99) Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro AI Noise Cancelling 2.0 Wireless Earbuds (Black) + $30 Amazon Gift Card — $249.99 (List Price $279.99) Google Pixel 10a 128GB 6.3" Unlocked Smartphone + $100 Gift Card — $499.00 (List Price $599.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $329.00 (List Price $349.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $99.99 (List Price $119.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

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Starmer says HMS Dragon will sail to island following drone attack on runway at RAF baseView the full article

Anthropic is taking steps to make it easier to switch to Claude. While the AI chatbot app is popular among developers and vibecoders, it's also been infamous for keeping its more advanced features behind a paywall (and for rate-limiting free users). But now, Claude is finally catching up to ChatGPT and bringing its memory feature to free users. The move follows Claude overtaking ChatGPT in the App Store to become the #1 most downloaded free app in the U.S., so the timing makes sense. As for what could have caused the sudden interest in the app, OpenAI recently announced that it will be working with the U.S. Department of Defense (unofficially titled the Department of War), a day after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei expressed concern about unrestricted AI use by governments. Alongside the new free memory feature, Claude is also introducing a free import tool to help you bring your AI context along with you when moving from other chatbots. Technically, it's more of a guided prompt to feed into other bots, but the idea is that it can help new users avoid blank-slate syndrome. Within 24 hours of using the tool, Claude will theoretically know all the personal details you've previously shared with the chatbots you're importing from, including special instructions, your career, and your ongoing projects, making it easier to converse with Claude. How to enable memory in Claude for freeWhile Claude's memory feature is available for free for all users, it's not enabled by default. Let's fix that. Open the Claude website or the app, click the Profile icon, and go to Settings. Here, in the Capabilities section, you'll see a new Memory section up top. Enable the Generate memory from chat history feature. Now, Claude will automatically start remembering key details about your life as you share them. According to Anthropic, Claude "will automatically summarize your conversations and create a synthesis of key insights across your chat history (not including chats in projects). This synthesis is updated every 24 hours and provides context for every new standalone conversation." Say you're a dentist and you ask Claude for dental implants research; it will know that you're learning about implants the next time you ask a related question. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Of course, this does mean that Claude will start remembering your personal data, too, or at least your personal context. Claude does offer a couple of ways to get around this. If you try to disable memory (from the same menu where you enabled it), you'll see two other options. For a less severe workaround, you can use the Pause memory option to stop the chatbot from creating new memories while keeping its current memories intact. Or, you can choose the Reset memory option to permanently delete all memories, including project-specific memories. That way, you can manually dump what Claude knows about you every once in a while. Credit: Khamosh Pathak While you're in the Memory settings, you can also use the new Import feature. Click the Start Import button to bring up the new menu. Up top, you'll see a prompt that you'll have to copy. After that, paste it into ChatGPT or Gemini to snag your memories from these bots. You'll get your results in a Markdown file. Back in Claude, paste the Markdown file into the textbox below the prompt you copied and click Add to memory. Claude will synthesize it, and it will add its data to its memory file. View the full article

Google will begin enforcing a minimum daily budget for Demand Gen campaigns starting April 1, 2026. What’s happening: The Google Ads API will require a minimum daily budget of $5 USD (or local equivalent) for all Demand Gen campaigns. The change is designed to help campaigns move through the “cold start” phase with enough spend for Google’s models to learn and optimize effectively. The update will roll out as an unversioned API change, applying across all buying paths. Technical details: In API v21 and above, campaigns set below the threshold will trigger a BUDGET_BELOW_DAILY_MINIMUM error, with additional details available in the error metadata. In API v20, advertisers will receive a generic UNKNOWN error, with the specific validation failure referenced in the unpublished error code field. The rule applies when modifying budgets, start dates, or end dates in ways that push daily spend below the $5 floor — covering both daily and flighted budgets. Impact on existing campaigns. Current Demand Gen campaigns running below the minimum will continue serving. However, any future edits to budgets or scheduling will require compliance with the new floor. Why we care. For advertisers and developers, this adds a new compliance layer to campaign management workflows. Systems will need updating to catch and handle the new validation errors before deployment. The bottom line. Google is standardizing a minimum investment threshold for Demand Gen — prioritizing performance stability, while requiring advertisers to adjust budgets and automation accordingly. View the full article

Modified images of strikes circulate as fighting intensifies across the Middle EastView the full article

US and Israeli strikes against an expansive list of targets cause heavy damage in residential areas and civilian casualtiesView the full article

Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., released new legislative language Monday night that includes a ban on institutional investors' purchase of single family homes and a temporary ban on the Federal Reserve issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency. View the full article

A note to corporations everywhere: Asking politely for the internet to stop making fun of you often has the opposite effect. Microsoft may have just learned that lesson the hard way, after it accidentally helped a not-so-nice nickname go viral. As Microsoft’s AI assistant Copilot is integrated into features across the company’s products—from its controversial Recall feature, to a dedicated AI button on Windows keyboards—it’s catching more and more flak, including a new term coined just to clown on Copilot: “Microslop,” a portmanteau of “Microsoft” and “AI slop.” The word was flying freely on Microsoft’s official Copilot Discord server, until users noticed a new filter had gone into effect. On March 1, Windows Latest reported that users’ messages were being blocked if they contained “Microslop,” instead garnering a message from server moderators reading, “Your message contain phrase that is inappropriate.” Microsoft is tired of 'Microslop,' and it's now blocking 'Microslop' comments in Copilot's official Discord server 😂 pic.twitter.com/OR2FFU69h8 — Windows Latest (@WindowsLatest) March 1, 2026 But a small slap on the wrist wasn’t about to stop an army of “sloppers,” as one user described themselves. Instead, Discord users brainstormed workarounds for the filter, like swapping one letter for a number—“Microsl0p,” with a zero instead of a one, was a popular choice—or inventing new terms that conveyed the same message. “Sloppysoft” and “MicroStop No-Pilot” were among the new pitches (not quite as catchy, but they get the point across). Things on Discord got even more dire when Microsoft locked the server after the backlash, blocking users from viewing the chat history and sending new messages. News of the “Microslop” filter quickly broke containment, spreading across social media and creating plenty of new fans of the word, who immediately added it to their lexicons. “Keep saying Microslop it seems to make them very upset,” one poster quipped. MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP MICROSLOP https://t.co/7mGjY2a9cQ — The Act Man (@TheActMan_YT) March 3, 2026 pic.twitter.com/EsSTKkMTOW — RΛSTΞRIZΞD DΩΩM (@rasterized_doom) March 1, 2026 Keep saying Microslop it seems to make them very upset 🤭 https://t.co/IijcFSqVPl — Is this a 3D model? (@IsThisA3DModel) March 2, 2026 Folks were quick to point out a phenomenon that Microsoft apparently forgot: the Streisand effect. Named for Barbra Streisand, whose attempts to bury a photo of her mansion only drew more attention to the picture, the Streisand effect describes when attempts to censor information instead encourage interest in it. If Microsoft had let “Microslop” slide, the term might have lived and died on Discord—but now, it’s going viral across social media instead. You're not going to win this one Microslop. https://t.co/XLlHTgcMJA pic.twitter.com/xLxgW67LN7 — Reid Southen (@Rahll) March 2, 2026 But was the filter made to protect Microsoft’s ego, or simply to keep the server spam-free? Microsoft claims the latter. In a statement to Fast Company, a spokesperson for Microsoft explained that the filter was meant to block a targeted spam campaign on the server, not to outright ban the term permanently. “The Copilot Discord channel has recently been targeted by spammers attempting to disrupt and overwhelm the space with harmful content not related to Copilot,” the spokesperson said. “Initially, this spam consisted of walls of text, so we added temporary filters for select terms to slow this activity.” “We have since made the decision to temporarily lock down the server while we work to implement stronger safeguards to protect users from this harmful spam and help ensure the server remains a safe, usable space for the community,” added the spokesperson. View the full article

A reader writes: My workload is mostly comprised of overflow tasks from other departments. I generally like this because it gives me a variety of things to do. I regularly deal with four managers. Three of them are good to work with. One, Alex, is … not. While the others always do a capacity check-in with me (asking if I have the bandwidth to take new work on), Alex regularly assigns me things without asking at all. It is not unusual that I will go on lunch and come back to a bunch of new tasks waiting for me with no discussion prior to assignment. The things Alex assigns me have exceptionally short deadlines, are often missing key pieces of information, and are often assigned to me and then she suddenly becomes unreachable. For example, she assigned a task midday and then didn’t respond to my questions to fill in any of the blanks for hours. It feels like she assigns me things and then runs away from the computer for the rest of the day. She also will regularly start a task, decide she doesn’t have the bandwidth to complete it, and then toss the half completed task at me with a “complete this for me, will you?” and little else. This means I have to stop everything else I am doing to try and figure out where she left off/how important it is because there is no documentation. Most of the time, I just end up redoing her work because the pieces they “completed” were rushed and done incorrectly. Then, when I kill myself to meet her incredibly short deadlines, I have to chase her for approval. Recently I was assigned something she wanted in two days, which I did, and when I asked her to approve it, she said she wouldn’t have any time to review it for five days. To me, if the project can just sit there for five days with nobody looking at it, then it wasn’t the rush I was led to believe. I like Alex as a person and I know she has a busy life outside of work, so I try to give her grace and understanding. When this started happening, I explained politely why these issues make my job harder and we talked about how to keep it from happening in the future. At the time, she seemed understanding and apologetic and I felt good about where we left things. But it feels like the conversation went in one ear and out the other, because again I just got three new things assigned to me without a heads-up, missing information and with incredibly short deadlines. I understand things happen and sometimes things happen last minute or information gets delayed, but this feels constant and I am trying to manage workflows from four people. I previously flagged this situation with my direct manager, but at the time said I was just mentioning the issue for transparency and that she didn’t need to take action because I was dealing with it myself. However, since it keeps happening, I am not sure what to do or how to articulate my issues in a productive way. I don’t want to be a tattletale and rat anybody out and I also don’t want to seem like I am just bitching to my boss about people having a different work ethic than me. I will fully admit, I am pretty type A and super organized, which is part of the reason I have the job I have. But this legitimately sucks and my hair is falling out from stress! What should I do? You can read my answer to this letter at New York Magazine today. Head over there to read it. The post my coworker gives me rush projects, then disappears appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Costs at the pump exceed level at the end of the Biden administrationView the full article

As small businesses continue to navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), recent developments between Intel and SambaNova offer fresh insights into enhancing AI capabilities. This strategic collaboration aims to provide efficient AI inference solutions that could potentially transform how small enterprises leverage technology. The partnership centers around building high-performance AI systems using Intel® Xeon® processors, a familiar name in the tech community. This could be particularly beneficial for small businesses looking to implement AI solutions without the need for hefty investments in new infrastructure. With AI workloads diversifying, the push for heterogeneous infrastructure—integrating various compute, memory, and networking systems—has accelerated. By synchronizing SambaNova’s expertise in AI infrastructure with Intel’s reliable hardware, small business owners may see a credible pathway to robust AI applications. For many organizations, AI can feel like a daunting task, laden with uncertainties about implementation and cost. SambaNova’s approach to AI workload may very well offer a chance to simplify that process, particularly for AI-native companies and model providers. “For customers with AI workloads well-suited to SambaNova’s approach, the combination of Intel CPUs and SambaNova’s AI platform can provide a compelling rack-level inference option,” says an Intel representative. This indicates that using these combined technologies can facilitate smoother and faster AI operations. Small businesses might find the potential for improved scalability very appealing. As operations streamline, teams can more easily adapt to increasing data influx or customer demands. The collaboration is also promising cost-effective solutions tailored to fit a variety of budgets—important for small business owners who need to stretch every dollar. While the announcement highlights the immediate benefits, small business owners should also keep an eye on some challenges that could arise with this development. For instance, integrating new technologies typically requires not only financial investment but also a commitment to training staff and altering existing processes. The collaboration does not shift Intel away from its ongoing investments in its GPU capabilities either—implying that businesses will need to stay updated as additional frameworks develop. Intel’s continued roadmap for competition in the AI space reinforces that small businesses will have access to ongoing improvements and innovation. However, the rapidly evolving nature of technology means small businesses must be agile and prepared to adapt quickly. This combination of Intel’s established products and SambaNova’s innovative approach could yield a powerful toolkit, but business owners will have to invest time in assessing their specific needs and workflows. The multi-year strategy discussed also aligns with Intel’s vision for edge-to-cloud engagements, indicating they are focused not just on data centers but on providing comprehensive solutions that suite various business sizes and types. This could translate to more tailored offerings for small enterprises, which is often overlooked in the broader tech landscape. As AI continues to evolve, small business owners equipped with the right solutions will be better positioned to harness its power. By leveraging the combined strengths of Intel and SambaNova, businesses may not only unlock efficiencies within their operations but also open new avenues for growth and innovation. For more details on this collaboration, you can visit the original press release here. As these developments unfold, it will be crucial for small business owners to stay informed and ready to embrace the opportunities that powerful AI infrastructure presents. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intel and SambaNova Join Forces to Transform AI Inference Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As small businesses continue to navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), recent developments between Intel and SambaNova offer fresh insights into enhancing AI capabilities. This strategic collaboration aims to provide efficient AI inference solutions that could potentially transform how small enterprises leverage technology. The partnership centers around building high-performance AI systems using Intel® Xeon® processors, a familiar name in the tech community. This could be particularly beneficial for small businesses looking to implement AI solutions without the need for hefty investments in new infrastructure. With AI workloads diversifying, the push for heterogeneous infrastructure—integrating various compute, memory, and networking systems—has accelerated. By synchronizing SambaNova’s expertise in AI infrastructure with Intel’s reliable hardware, small business owners may see a credible pathway to robust AI applications. For many organizations, AI can feel like a daunting task, laden with uncertainties about implementation and cost. SambaNova’s approach to AI workload may very well offer a chance to simplify that process, particularly for AI-native companies and model providers. “For customers with AI workloads well-suited to SambaNova’s approach, the combination of Intel CPUs and SambaNova’s AI platform can provide a compelling rack-level inference option,” says an Intel representative. This indicates that using these combined technologies can facilitate smoother and faster AI operations. Small businesses might find the potential for improved scalability very appealing. As operations streamline, teams can more easily adapt to increasing data influx or customer demands. The collaboration is also promising cost-effective solutions tailored to fit a variety of budgets—important for small business owners who need to stretch every dollar. While the announcement highlights the immediate benefits, small business owners should also keep an eye on some challenges that could arise with this development. For instance, integrating new technologies typically requires not only financial investment but also a commitment to training staff and altering existing processes. The collaboration does not shift Intel away from its ongoing investments in its GPU capabilities either—implying that businesses will need to stay updated as additional frameworks develop. Intel’s continued roadmap for competition in the AI space reinforces that small businesses will have access to ongoing improvements and innovation. However, the rapidly evolving nature of technology means small businesses must be agile and prepared to adapt quickly. This combination of Intel’s established products and SambaNova’s innovative approach could yield a powerful toolkit, but business owners will have to invest time in assessing their specific needs and workflows. The multi-year strategy discussed also aligns with Intel’s vision for edge-to-cloud engagements, indicating they are focused not just on data centers but on providing comprehensive solutions that suite various business sizes and types. This could translate to more tailored offerings for small enterprises, which is often overlooked in the broader tech landscape. As AI continues to evolve, small business owners equipped with the right solutions will be better positioned to harness its power. By leveraging the combined strengths of Intel and SambaNova, businesses may not only unlock efficiencies within their operations but also open new avenues for growth and innovation. For more details on this collaboration, you can visit the original press release here. As these developments unfold, it will be crucial for small business owners to stay informed and ready to embrace the opportunities that powerful AI infrastructure presents. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intel and SambaNova Join Forces to Transform AI Inference Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

After nearly two years of pretrial motions, opening arguments are expected to begin Tuesday in the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Live Nation. The case could have dramatic ramifications for the live events business—though that outcome is far from guaranteed. The government alleges that the parent company of Ticketmaster has a chokehold on the concert ticket market, hurting both fans and artists. Live Nation denies that claim, arguing the market is broad and competitive, despite what the Justice Department contends. The fight has been brewing for far longer than two years. Fans have voiced frustration since the 2010 merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, when live entertainment prices began climbing steadily. Here’s what you need to know about the trial. What is the Justice Department claiming? The Justice Department initially argued that Live Nation held a monopoly across multiple parts of the live music industry. The company generates revenue from fans through ticket sales and from artists through venue rentals—arrangements that allegedly locked performers into using Ticketmaster to sell tickets. Last month, however, Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed the concert booking monopoly charges. As a result, the trial will focus more narrowly on claims that the company violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by forcing artists who use its venues to also use its promotional services, and by requiring other venues to sign exclusive contracts with Ticketmaster. Live Nation denies the charges. “Calling Ticketmaster a monopoly may be a PR win for the DOJ in the short term, but it will lose in court because it ignores the basic economics of live entertainment,” the company wrote in a statement on its website, “such as the fact that the bulk of service fees go to venues, and that competition has steadily eroded Ticketmaster’s market share and profit margin.” Could Ticketmaster and Live Nation be split up? Technically, yes. Realistically, probably not. While the DOJ is seeking a breakup, courts rarely force companies to split apart. That step is typically taken only when a judge is convinced no other remedy can address the harm. Should the government prevail, a more likely outcome is that Live Nation would be barred from continuing certain business practices deemed anticompetitive. Could this result in lower ticket prices? That’s a bigger question. One of the biggest complaints from fans is the fees that are added to ticket prices. If the Justice Department is successful in abolishing Live Nation’s exclusive agreements with venues, that might impact prices, but there’s no guarantee. Live Nation, for its part, says the case “won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows.” The company maintains that ticket prices are set by venues and artists. Is Taylor Swift expected to testify in the trial? Sorry, Swifties: Taylor Swift is not listed among the expected witnesses, even though The Eras Tour ticket fiasco helped propel this case into the spotlight. The overwhelming demand for tickets and the meltdown of Ticketmaster’s site left many fans empty-handed and intensified scrutiny of Live Nation—particularly after it delayed its general sale event. Fans were furious and directed their ire at the company, prompting greater government attention. Kid Rock could be a potential witness against Live Nation, though. And othe rpotential witnesses include Minnesota Timberwolves CEO Matthew Caldwell, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, Live Nation Entertainment CEO Michael Rapino and Mumford & Sons keyboardist Ben Lovett When is a decision likely? The trial is expected to last around six weeks. It’s a jury trial, so once the panel finishes deliberating, a verdict will be reached on whether Live Nation violated antitrust laws. If the government wins, the judge will determine the penalties, a process that could take additional time. Should Live Nation lose, it can, of course, appeal the verdict, which would delay any court-ordered changes. And the parties could settle the case before it gets to the jury. Could I get a refund for previous ticket purchases? That depends on the states. If Live Nation loses, several states plan to seek financial penalties. The amounts vary. Michigan, for example, caps civil antitrust penalties at $50,000 per violation. In Florida, penalties can reach as high as $1 million. Even if Live Nation loses, however, consumers shouldn’t expect to see any sort of refund for quite some time—and any payout would likely be modest. View the full article

A list of 21 issues to consider. By Marc Rosenberg CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Marc Rosenberg. View the full article

A list of 21 issues to consider. By Marc Rosenberg CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Marc Rosenberg. View the full article

America’s three major stock markets, the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P, are all down sharply in morning trading as of this writing. The wave of red across investors’ monitors is primarily due to one major factor: uncertainty around how far the Iran conflict will travel and how long it will last. Here’s what you need to know about how markets are reacting. What happened? Over the weekend, President Donald The President ordered strikes on Iran, during which the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed. The death of Iran’s leader and the ongoing conflict in Iran will have significant consequences for the region as a whole for years to come. Yet what those consequences will be is so far unknown. And it’s that uncertainty that is causing stock markets in the United States to fall significantly today, especially after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed. The Strait of ‌Hormuz is one of the most critical supply routes in the world, with around a fifth of all oil passing through it. Any blockage of the strait could have severe consequences for the global energy trade, and thus the global economy. On top of this, it is looking increasingly likely that the conflict against Iran could go on for some time, with The President not ruling out that US soldiers may need to be put on the ground in Iran. Stock markets sink as Iran uncertainty rises Given all the uncertainty surrounding Iran and oil trade routes, it’s little surprise the markets are reacting negatively at this time. Currently, the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P are all down significantly: Dow: down 2.5% to $47,669 Nasdaq: down 2.5% to $22,179 S&P 500: down 2.4% to $6,715 Given that stocks and the markets they trade on are historically volatile in the wake of significant geopolitical events, it’s no shock that all three major markets are down. But with today’s fall, it also means that all three major markets are now in the red for the year. As of the time of this writing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is now down 0.7% for 2026, the NASDAQ Composite is now down 4.4% for the year, and the S&P 500 is down 1.7% since the year began. Crypto and gold fall, too Of course, it’s not just the stock markets that are falling. Major digital currencies are also down as of the time of this writing. Over the past 24 hours, most household name tokens have fallen, including: Bitcoin: down 2.3% to around $67,200 Ethereum: down 3.9% to around $1,952 BNB: down 2.7% to around $626 XRP: down 3.2% to around $1.35 As with the stock markets, it’s little surprise that crypto markets are on the decline today. If there is an asset even more volitile that stocks, it’s cryptocurrencies. And when investors are uncertain, they tend to exit higher-risk assets like crypto to park any gains in “safe haven” assets like gold, which are historically less volatile than securities. However, even gold is having a bad day today. As of the time of this writing, gold has fallen over 4.8% to $5,052. That is a dramatic drop for the precious metal, especially on a day when investor jitters are high. Usually, nervous investors seek gold and other safe-haven assets, such as bonds. One reason gold could be down, however, is due to profit-taking. Gold has had a good run in 2026 so far, rising from around the $4,440 mark in early January to above $5,300 on the first of March. Where gold, crypto, and stocks go from here is anyone’s guess, and the longer uncertainty remains around Iran, the longer that guessing game is likely to persist. View the full article

Two months ago, a state administrative judge in California determined that Tesla broke the law by misleading consumers. The argument: Tesla led them to believe that its cars had real self-driving capabilities, calling them “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” (commonly known as FSD). The issue is that Teslas can’t really drive by themselves; they still require drivers to remain constantly vigilant to prevent catastrophe. The verdict prompted the California Department of Motor Vehicles to threaten a temporary suspension of Tesla’s manufacturing and sales licenses. Two months after the ruling, on February 13, Tesla’s attorneys filed a complaint alleging the state “wrongfully and baselessly” labeled it a false advertiser, brazenly arguing that “it was impossible” to buy or use the “auto-pilot” software “without seeing clear and repeated statements that they do not make the vehicle autonomous.” Yet, their fine-print defense clashes with Musk’s failed promises and stunts, such as when he took his hands off the wheel on CBS’s 60 Minutes in 2018 and proudly declared he was “not doing anything.” Or when he showed fake, staged videos of Autopilot in action. Four days after Tesla’s complaint, California’s DMV backed off its shutdown threats when the company agreed to clean up its marketing, rebranding the $99-a-month subscription to “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)”. Now CNBC reports that Tesla is suing anyway to completely reverse the ruling. Musk is demanding the right to use his futuristic language to sell cars— determined false by the courts—while simultaneously relying on its owners’ manuals to shift the blame to drivers the second the system fails. The move prompted the DMV to declare it will “defend the Administrative Law Judge’s findings and decision in court” to protect the public. Dillon Angulo Long trail of bodies Tesla’s new legal gambit to defend its autonomous driving fantasy clashes with the brutal reality of a deficient technology. Tesla cars still only have a Level 2 autonomy—a mechanism designed to handle basic steering and speed—out of four levels (the fourth is true full autonomy, which so far only Chinese manufacturer BYD has been able to achieve while parking). According to the Tesla accident tracking site Tesla Deaths, in the decade after the release of Autopilot in October 2015 there have been at least 65 fatalities connected to Tesla’s Autopilot system. Of those, an April 2024 NHTSA report investigated and verified 29 fatal crashes. The common thread in these tragedies is a catastrophic failure of the Level 2 advanced driver assistance system to recognize stationary objects or crossing vehicles. In May 2016, Joshua Brown died in Florida when the system failed to notice the white side of an 18-wheeler against a bright sky, leading the National Transportation Safety Board to conclude the software permitted “prolonged disengagement from the driving task.” Incidents continued over the years, culminating in a landmark August 2025 federal jury verdict where Tesla was found 33% liable and ordered to pay $243 million after a 2019 crash in Key Largo, where the driver admitted, “I trusted the technology too much.” While Tesla continues to beta-test its software on public roads with deadly consequences, international competitors are quietly delivering the autonomous future Musk has been promising for a decade. Chinese automaker BYD recently deployed its ‘God’s Eye’ intelligent driving system over-the-air to more than one million cars, introducing a Level 4 autonomous parking feature that allows a vehicle to navigate a lot, find a spot, and park completely unattended. Unlike Tesla’s stubborn reliance on cameras alone, BYD utilizes a robust sensor architecture that includes up to 12 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors with 0.4-inch accuracy, millimeter-wave radars, and even lidar on higher trims. BYD is so confident in this technology that it issued a blanket guarantee to cover any damages if the system makes a mistake. They are not the only ones. Volvo, who uses Waymo’s self-driving system, also covers any damages. Tesla, on the other hand, deflects blame to the driver. Failure after failure Musk has been predicting the imminent arrival of FSD every year for over a decade now. The gap between his grand vision and Tesla’s actual engineering output has become a chasm of broken promises and delayed timelines. So much so that I’m beginning to think that, in his head, FSD must mean Full Self-Delusion. Musk promised a steering-wheel-free Cybercab by 2026, but January came and he changed the tune to “before 2027,” saying it was going to be extremely hard to produce them in big numbers. He also claimed that autonomy will begin moving the financial needle by mid-2026 and that the company’s humanoid Optimus robots will soon hit a production rate of one million units per year. Reality tells a drastically different story, with executives warning Musk that the profitability for the robotaxi venture would be “very, very hard outside the U.S.” It’s a reality check that is reflected in the data. According to the latest stats, Waymo’s autonomous cabs currently manage a staggering 17,311 miles between disengagements, while Tesla’s Full Self-Driving struggles to hit just 489 miles before a human has to intervene. Despite these internal warnings and external failures, Musk refuses to change course or adopt better hardware. He famously dismissed lidar—a crucial technology that uses pulsed laser light to map the environment in three dimensions, much like a bat uses echolocation to navigate in the dark—as a “crutch” and a “loser’s technology.” Instead, he opted to strip ultrasonic sensors from Tesla vehicles entirely, a cost-cutting move that has resulted in owners reporting persistent errors with basic parking assist features, particularly when rain, snow, or low light blinds the camera lenses. Tesla seems to be trying to change the narrative and manipulate public perception with words, but the public is increasingly not buying the propaganda. Tesla sales continue to tank quarter after quarter due to stale design, lack of innovation, and Musk’s personal brand failure. While the courts will ultimately decide if the automaker can continue advertising its flawed experimental program by dressing it up in the costume of a fully self-driving machine, the public has spoken. View the full article