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Donald Tang says management of fast-fashion retailer has yet to discuss price tag ahead of long-planned flotationView the full article

The AI industry is growing up fast. New model releases are now a regular event and premium AI features are quickly overtaken by free or freemium alternatives. Exhibit A: OpenAI unveiled its Deep Research tool, which can write reports on complex topics in minutes, as part of its $200-a-month Pro package, but rival Perplexity gives non-subscribers some access to its Deep Research assistant free of charge. (Yes, Google Gemini’s agentic research assistant is also called Deep Research.) With fewer fundamental breakthroughs, the likes of OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI are slugging it out over incremental improvements in search and reasoning performance. As AI pricing falls and performance gaps close, the focus has shifted from novelty applications to finding real business value. It’s a new era for AI Agentic AI is the game-changer. Gartner forecasts that 33% of enterprise software applications will include agentic AI by 2028, a drastic increase from less than 1% in 2024. Some 15% of day-to-day work decisions could be made autonomously by AI agents, hiking business productivity and freeing up workers for more strategic tasks. It’s probably no surprise, then, that OpenAI—which famously took 4.5 years to launch ChatGPT “without any idea of who our customer was going to be,” according to CEO Sam Altman—is releasing its first-ever product roadmap. Nothing says “maturing market” like a product roadmap. As Finn Murphy, a founder and venture capitalist, posted on X from the AI Action Summit in Paris, where the EU said it would “mobilize” €200 billion for AI investment: “It really feels like the era of interesting technical breakthroughs being announced is over and the era of policy, partnerships, and money announcements is here.” Security matters Growing up brings responsibilities, of course, especially at the enterprise level. Among the 1,803 C-suite executives surveyed for the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) AI Radar, published in January, 76% recognized that their AI cybersecurity measures need further improvement. If anything, that number should be closer to 100%. Execs ranked data privacy and security as the top AI risk. Regulatory challenges and compliance also featured strongly. Their fears are not unfounded: AI applications open up a new attack surface for threat actors and security researchers have already succeeded in “breaking” all of the world-class AI models to some extent. Still, it took the shock arrival of China’s DeepSeek to properly push AI security into the mainstream. It is notable that consumers and corporates have concerns about a Chinese entity having their data but seem content that U.S. and Europe-based entities—which impose almost identical terms and conditions—will keep it secure. Security must be a key consideration for all AI models, not just those built (or hosted) outside the US. History shows us that bad actors are often the earliest adopters of new technology, from wire fraud to phone, text and email phishing scams. In an agentic world, where AI agents have been given access to critical business information and in-house applications, the blast radius from any attack may be exponential. Think like an attacker It’s often said that the best defense is to think like an attacker. Today, that means using Agentic Warfare to comprehensively test AI-driven systems for vulnerabilities long before they see the light of day. Automated red-teaming is the new standard in testing AI with speed, complexity, and scale. At every step, security has to sit alongside performance in choosing AI, rather than coming as an afterthought when something goes wrong. As much as cost, security-to-performance will be a key metric in model and app selection; this is a one-way-door decision for safe and successful AI implementations. Interestingly, the BCG survey reports that “the intuitive, friendly feel of GenAI masks the discipline, commitment, and hard work required” to introduce AI in the workplace. It is hard work but the rewards should be significant. Just as software led to era-defining leaps in innovation and productivity, agentic AI promises great advances in all sectors—as long as security is baked in from the beginning. Donnchadh Casey is CEO of CalypsoAI. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

In today’s whiplash business environment of change and uncertainty, there are a few simple, timeless strategies that consistently rank among the best for accelerating growth. No reinventing the wheel required. One such strategy is test-to-scale—close cousin of the venerable test-and-learn approach that’s long been a startup staple. Both can play a key role, depending on the stage of your company, industry, size, growth curve, and—importantly—internal culture. Basically, test-and-learn uses small scale, iterative experiments to see what works best. Testing different messaging in a marketing campaign, for example, or perhaps different product features. The idea is to gather data, analyze the results, and learn quickly what works…or doesn’t. Test-to-scale ups the ante by taking things to another level. These tests aim to discover whether a product, system, or process can withstand the “stress test” of large-scale rollout or production. This might include manufacturing capacity, supply chains, distribution channels, sales transactions, user adoption, and data collection. The benefits of making test-to-scale part of your go-to strategic arsenal will accrue from multiple directions, including: Faster time to market: By testing concepts early, you can identify solutions and innovations most likely to succeed, and launch them quickly and confidently. Data trove: Experimentation generates valuable real-time customer data that is super helpful for making quick scaling decisions. Innovation and agility: Testing fosters an entrepreneurial mindset that enables continuous improvement, better informed decisions, and rapid adjustments. Risk reduction: Experiments also lower risk by identifying possible pitfalls and pointing to alternative solutions early. Entrepreneurial DNA In a hypergrowth environment—like the one Liquid I.V. has been navigating for years—things must happen quickly. The entrepreneurial spirit baked into our rapidly growing company’s DNA is a major factor in helping us achieve the kind of growth and expansion we could scarcely have imagined 5 years ago. For us, one way this entrepreneurial spirit plays out is how we choose to invest and what we prioritize. This is where test-to-scale enters the picture. We follow the 80/20 rule. While about 80% of our investments are proven and measurable, the other 20% goes to experimentation. You never know where that experimental fifth will take you. In our case, the answer has been “A long, long way!” Our experimentation with TikTok Shop, for example, resulted in a wealth of e-commerce knowledge and data that helped our team open a new, high-potential channel. Experimentation with gaming yielded Twitch as a high ROI media channel for us. Those are just two among many mainstream Liquid I.V. products, processes, sales channels, and marketing tactics that began as tests, but are now integral to our success. Learn from test-to-scale Below are three key learnings, ingredients, and benefits of test-to-scale that can help any company use this simple strategy to supercharge growth: 1. Commitment to learning: The means and ability to test are, of course, a requirement. But more importantly, you must also be willing and able to learn from the results. This is more difficult than it sounds. There’s a natural tendency to bury failure rather than learn from it. The learning side of the equation is valuable payoff. Remember, finding out that something doesn’t work is just as important as learning that something does. 2. Relentlessly prioritize: At Liquid I.V., we invest considerable time and effort into prioritizing our chosen experiments and potential lessons. There’s an endless list of things we could test, but only a few we truly should. Areas we prioritize include go-to-market capabilities and capacity, customer relationship management (CRM) engagement and personalization, R&D and innovation in new product development, omni-channel demand generation, and different combinations of in-house/outsourced resourcing that prioritize speed and expertise. The areas you choose may be totally different. The important thing is to make the hard choices. 3. JTBD: The “jobs-to-be-done” way of approaching experimentation is based on research showing that people buy products and services mainly to get some type of “job” done. Jobs-to-be-done might include staying properly hydrated, booking travel, building a deck, or thousands of other tasks that consumers need to regularly accomplish. Centering your test-to-scale approach around JTBD helps make innovation more predictable and marketing more effective. At Liquid I.V., it’s been one of the key drivers helping our brand awareness and household penetration numbers skyrocket. There’s no such thing as failure in a culture that values experimentation. There is only feedback. Your odds of success will directly corollate with your ability to embrace that feedback. Mike Keech is CEO of Liquid I.V. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

It’s the dynamic pulse that surges through our electrical lines, the unseen force that illuminates the dark, and the silent but commanding engine propelling the future of artificial intelligence. Though intangible, its influence is omnipresent in our daily lives. This invisible force is power. As the world shifts from fossil fuels to embrace renewable energy, power is emerging as an ultimate finite resource. The ever-growing demands on our electrical grid, driven by the explosion of data centers, electric vehicles, and the proliferation of AI are creating a race against time where needs outpace supply. Consequently, our insistence on tech innovation may be hindering efforts to combat climate change, as it forces us to continue relying on fossil fuels to meet the rising energy requirements. Power system innovation Solving this energy crisis is essential for next-generation economies to successfully adopt AI and electrification. Innovation in power systems is essential to achieving this, enabling smarter, more sustainable energy solutions. Integrating AI data centers with advanced power systems can drastically reduce energy consumption and costs while meeting growing energy demands. As AI continues to expand, power system innovation will play a crucial role in reducing its environmental impact to foster a more sustainable future. Supporting a sustainable future by adopting energy-efficient technologies and practices has become crucial over the last decade. Customers are increasingly demanding that enterprises and their supply chains meet stringent sustainability benchmarks, underscoring the importance of these technologies and practices. From a marketing perspective, companies that work to innovate and prioritize sustainable solutions not only contribute to a greener planet but also gain a competitive edge by aligning their brand values to the values of environmentally conscious consumers and partners. In fact, Deloitte research indicates that a major shift is happening in consumption patterns, where sustainability is considered a baseline requirement for purchase rather than a “nice-to-have.” Technological progress advances AI’s surge began nearly 4 years ago, with headlines predicting its potential impact. AI has continued to evolve and its capabilities have become increasingly fine-tuned. It is now seen as a transformative force, anticipated to revolutionize global economies and industries, specifically in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing. For example, regions such as the United Kingdom are planning to leverage AI’s capabilities across its public and private sectors to cut costs and spur economic growth. However, harnessing this advanced technology’s power brings considerable challenges, specifically in energy consumption and its environmental impact. AI’s computational requirements are increasingly energy-intensive, especially as data centers—which power all AI functions—require more power to manage the boundless amounts of data flowing in. This surge in energy demand strains the electrical grid, creating a tipping point for power that risks progress made over the last decade in reducing our carbon footprint. As we look toward the future, energy efficiency is the key to ensuring that this technological progress doesn’t advance at the expense of our environment. Power system innovation, for example, can significantly reduce energy consumption and operational costs while still meeting the growing AI demands. Additionally, integrating renewable energy sources and improving energy management systems can help mitigate AI’s overall environmental impact. The sustainable path forward We stand at a pivotal moment where innovation and collaboration are essential to improving efficiency through new technologies, all while maintaining a strong focus on the common sustainability theme. To overcome today’s challenges and achieve a sustainable future, we must explore and cooperate across various industries. It’s crucial that we support AI’s continued growth without compromising the significant progress individuals and enterprises have made in reducing carbon emissions for more sustainable supply chains and a more sustainable world. Felicity Carson is SVP and chief marketing officer at onsemi. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

Google Gemini's integration of Search history blurs the line between traditional Search and AI assistants The post Google Search History Can Now Power Gemini AI Answers appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

A new survey by Omnisend reveals that AI-powered customer service tools may be driving shoppers away rather than improving their online experience. According to the survey, 39% of shoppers have abandoned a purchase due to frustrating interactions with AI chatbots, while 40% cite poor customer service as AI’s biggest drawback in ecommerce. Despite concerns, 88% of consumers reported having at least one conversation with an AI chatbot in the past year. However, only 28% of shoppers believe AI consistently understands their needs. Additionally, 53% of respondents rated their experience with AI chat support as average to extremely poor. Challenges in AI-Driven Customer Support Paulius Milišauskas, VP of Customer Experience at Omnisend, stated that while AI chatbots are often deployed to improve efficiency, they may be costing retailers more than they save. “Given high abandonment rates, AI chatbots might cost retailers more than they save,” said Milišauskas. “However, most of the time, the problem lies in poor implementation.” According to the survey, 48% of consumers want improved customer service quality from AI, with transparency on data usage ranking as a secondary concern at 36%. Milišauskas emphasized the need for businesses to rethink their approach to AI in customer service. “Retailers often deploy chatbots without a good understanding of their customers’ needs, resulting in frustration instead of actual problem-solving,” he said. “AI falls short when we forget it’s supposed to enhance human support, not replace it.” Redefining AI Success in Retail Omnisend’s findings indicate that consumers value accuracy over speed in AI-driven customer support. “Retailers have to reconsider what efficiency means in customer support. Fast responses from AI chatbots may appear productive, but speed without accuracy only worsens customer dissatisfaction,” Milišauskas stated. He added that businesses should measure AI success by its ability to solve problems accurately and reduce repeat inquiries, rather than prioritizing response speed alone. Making AI Work for Retailers As AI chatbot usage is expected to grow by 34% in 2025 and potentially handle 80% of customer interactions by 2030, retailers must adapt their strategies to ensure AI enhances the customer experience. Milišauskas suggests viewing AI as a customer experience tool rather than solely an efficiency tool. “Most problems with AI chatbots arise when we focus too much on efficiency alone instead of how to use it for customer satisfaction,” he said. To improve AI-driven customer service, he recommends a hybrid support model that allows customers to connect with human representatives for complex inquiries. “Having a hybrid customer support model is non-negotiable,” Milišauskas commented. “While AI excels at handling routine queries, customers are usually happier engaging with a human representative.” Additionally, personalization plays a key role in improving AI chat support. “Our research has shown that AI does improve product recommendations and help customers easily find desired items,” Milišauskas noted. He suggests that businesses continuously analyze customer behavior and sentiment to tailor shopping experiences and reduce friction. The Omnisend survey was conducted by Cint in February 2025 and included 1,026 respondents across the U.S. Quotas were set on age, gender, and location to achieve a nationally representative sample. The survey carries a margin of error of +/-3%. Image: Envato This article, "Omnisend Survey: 39% of Shoppers Abandon Purchases Due to AI Chatbots" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A new survey by Omnisend reveals that AI-powered customer service tools may be driving shoppers away rather than improving their online experience. According to the survey, 39% of shoppers have abandoned a purchase due to frustrating interactions with AI chatbots, while 40% cite poor customer service as AI’s biggest drawback in ecommerce. Despite concerns, 88% of consumers reported having at least one conversation with an AI chatbot in the past year. However, only 28% of shoppers believe AI consistently understands their needs. Additionally, 53% of respondents rated their experience with AI chat support as average to extremely poor. Challenges in AI-Driven Customer Support Paulius Milišauskas, VP of Customer Experience at Omnisend, stated that while AI chatbots are often deployed to improve efficiency, they may be costing retailers more than they save. “Given high abandonment rates, AI chatbots might cost retailers more than they save,” said Milišauskas. “However, most of the time, the problem lies in poor implementation.” According to the survey, 48% of consumers want improved customer service quality from AI, with transparency on data usage ranking as a secondary concern at 36%. Milišauskas emphasized the need for businesses to rethink their approach to AI in customer service. “Retailers often deploy chatbots without a good understanding of their customers’ needs, resulting in frustration instead of actual problem-solving,” he said. “AI falls short when we forget it’s supposed to enhance human support, not replace it.” Redefining AI Success in Retail Omnisend’s findings indicate that consumers value accuracy over speed in AI-driven customer support. “Retailers have to reconsider what efficiency means in customer support. Fast responses from AI chatbots may appear productive, but speed without accuracy only worsens customer dissatisfaction,” Milišauskas stated. He added that businesses should measure AI success by its ability to solve problems accurately and reduce repeat inquiries, rather than prioritizing response speed alone. Making AI Work for Retailers As AI chatbot usage is expected to grow by 34% in 2025 and potentially handle 80% of customer interactions by 2030, retailers must adapt their strategies to ensure AI enhances the customer experience. Milišauskas suggests viewing AI as a customer experience tool rather than solely an efficiency tool. “Most problems with AI chatbots arise when we focus too much on efficiency alone instead of how to use it for customer satisfaction,” he said. To improve AI-driven customer service, he recommends a hybrid support model that allows customers to connect with human representatives for complex inquiries. “Having a hybrid customer support model is non-negotiable,” Milišauskas commented. “While AI excels at handling routine queries, customers are usually happier engaging with a human representative.” Additionally, personalization plays a key role in improving AI chat support. “Our research has shown that AI does improve product recommendations and help customers easily find desired items,” Milišauskas noted. He suggests that businesses continuously analyze customer behavior and sentiment to tailor shopping experiences and reduce friction. The Omnisend survey was conducted by Cint in February 2025 and included 1,026 respondents across the U.S. Quotas were set on age, gender, and location to achieve a nationally representative sample. The survey carries a margin of error of +/-3%. Image: Envato This article, "Omnisend Survey: 39% of Shoppers Abandon Purchases Due to AI Chatbots" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google has announced an expansion of Deep Research and Gems within the Gemini app, making the features available to additional Google Workspace customers. As of March 13, 2025, these AI-powered tools are now accessible to users in Business Starter, Enterprise Starter, Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus, as well as Frontline Starter and Standard, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Nonprofits. Enhanced AI Capabilities for More Users Deep Research and Gems are designed to streamline workflows and enhance productivity by leveraging AI-driven capabilities. According to Google, Gems function as customizable AI assistants that help users achieve specific goals and tasks. Users can personalize Gems across various topics and workflows, reducing the need for repetitive prompting. Additionally, Gems can be linked to Google Docs and Google Sheets via Google Drive, allowing for more relevant responses. Pre-made Gems are also available for quick deployment, including options like “Sales pitch ideator” for creating compelling pitch materials, “Copy creator” for drafting marketing copy, “Learning coach” for guided study sessions, and “Sentiment analyzer” for analyzing customer feedback and identifying trends. Deep Research enables users to generate comprehensive research reports in real-time by browsing the web and analyzing information efficiently. The tool is particularly useful for businesses looking to understand industry trends and competitors, as well as for educators and students 18 and older who require assistance with grant writing, lesson planning, and class projects. Access and Limitations While Deep Research and Gems are now available to a broader range of Google Workspace customers, certain limitations apply. Deep Research usage is capped at five reports per user per 30-day period for the newly added Google Workspace editions. Google recommends upgrading to a plan with access to Gemini Advanced for unlimited use. Currently, some Gems features are only available in a limited set of languages. Additionally, Deep Research and Gems are currently restricted to the Gemini web app (gemini.google.com) for business and education users aged 18 and older, with plans to support the Gemini mobile app at a later date. Deployment and Availability Deep Research and Gems are available by default in the Gemini app, with no admin controls required. However, file uploads from Google Drive in Gems require Workspace extensions to be enabled by administrators. Google has begun the full rollout of these features for Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, with visibility expected within one to three days from March 13, 2025. The expansion makes Deep Research and Gems available across various Google Workspace plans, including Business Starter, Enterprise Starter, Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus, Frontline Starter and Standard, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Nonprofits. This article, "Google Expands Availability of Deep Research and Gems in Gemini App" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google has announced an expansion of Deep Research and Gems within the Gemini app, making the features available to additional Google Workspace customers. As of March 13, 2025, these AI-powered tools are now accessible to users in Business Starter, Enterprise Starter, Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus, as well as Frontline Starter and Standard, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Nonprofits. Enhanced AI Capabilities for More Users Deep Research and Gems are designed to streamline workflows and enhance productivity by leveraging AI-driven capabilities. According to Google, Gems function as customizable AI assistants that help users achieve specific goals and tasks. Users can personalize Gems across various topics and workflows, reducing the need for repetitive prompting. Additionally, Gems can be linked to Google Docs and Google Sheets via Google Drive, allowing for more relevant responses. Pre-made Gems are also available for quick deployment, including options like “Sales pitch ideator” for creating compelling pitch materials, “Copy creator” for drafting marketing copy, “Learning coach” for guided study sessions, and “Sentiment analyzer” for analyzing customer feedback and identifying trends. Deep Research enables users to generate comprehensive research reports in real-time by browsing the web and analyzing information efficiently. The tool is particularly useful for businesses looking to understand industry trends and competitors, as well as for educators and students 18 and older who require assistance with grant writing, lesson planning, and class projects. Access and Limitations While Deep Research and Gems are now available to a broader range of Google Workspace customers, certain limitations apply. Deep Research usage is capped at five reports per user per 30-day period for the newly added Google Workspace editions. Google recommends upgrading to a plan with access to Gemini Advanced for unlimited use. Currently, some Gems features are only available in a limited set of languages. Additionally, Deep Research and Gems are currently restricted to the Gemini web app (gemini.google.com) for business and education users aged 18 and older, with plans to support the Gemini mobile app at a later date. Deployment and Availability Deep Research and Gems are available by default in the Gemini app, with no admin controls required. However, file uploads from Google Drive in Gems require Workspace extensions to be enabled by administrators. Google has begun the full rollout of these features for Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, with visibility expected within one to three days from March 13, 2025. The expansion makes Deep Research and Gems available across various Google Workspace plans, including Business Starter, Enterprise Starter, Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus, Frontline Starter and Standard, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Nonprofits. This article, "Google Expands Availability of Deep Research and Gems in Gemini App" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The average size of purchase applications fell below the $400,000 mark, reflecting first-time home buyer interest, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. View the full article

Three Democratic senators joined Republican colleagues to confirm the businessman, who previously voiced his support for easing government regulations. View the full article

Ruling is latest setback for Elon Musk’s cost-cutting driveView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Anker has been on a roll slashing prices off their portable projectors, with the powerful Mars 3 Air reaching its lowest price earlier this month, the mid-size Nebula Capsule 3 still at its lowest price, and now their smallest portable projector, the Nebula Capsule Air down to $269.99 (originally $399.99) after a $100 discount and a 10% on-page coupon on Amazon. This is the lowest price this portable projector has been, according to price-tracking tools. Nebula Capsule Air Projector $269.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal Get Deal $269.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $130.00 Portable projectors, obviously, must work independently of an outlet and be easy to cart around. The Nebula Capsule Air can do both, measuring just 5.5 by 2.7 by 2.7 inches (HWD)—that's slightly bigger than a regular soda can. The battery isn't great, but considering the size, two hours is fine (you'll be able to watch most movies in one shot). Where this projector falls short is on the brightness, reaching a mere 150 ANSI lumens. That means you need to get your space dark if you want to see a good image. If you have ambient light outdoors and you're hoping to use this projector, it might be washed out. The native resolution is also just 720p, although it supports 1080p input in HDR. PCMag gave this projector an "excellent" rating on their review, pointing out how the HDR makes shadows look much better, gave it props for the Google TV OS (which is my favorite since it lets you seamlessly cast your phone to the projector), and praising the twist-on stand that allows you to position the image easily on your screen or wall. Portable projectors need good keystone, since by their very nature, they will be moved a lot and the image will be constantly out of focus. The Nebula Capsule Air has an excellent keystone, with autofocus and automatic horizontal and vertical adjustments. If you're looking for the smallest reliable projector at a great price, the Nebula Capsule Air projector is a great choice. View the full article

If you’ve got a smartphone, you probably spend too much time on it — checking Instagram, watching silly TikTok videos, messaging on WhatsApp or doomscrolling on X. It can be hard to curb excessive use of smartphones and social media, which are addictive by design. Reducing your screen time is often more than just a matter of willpower, especially for younger people whose brains and impulse control are still developing. If you’re a phone addict who wants to cut down on the hours a day spent looking at your device, here are some techniques you can try to free up more IRL time: Delete apps An easy first step is getting rid of any apps you’ve been wasting time on. Over the past year, I’ve deleted Facebook, Instagram and Twitter from my phone because I wanted to use them less. Now and then I’ll have to go the app store and reinstall one because I need to do something like post a photo I took on my phone. (Sometimes I’ll transfer the photo to my laptop and then post it to the web from there, but usually, it’s too much hassle.) The danger with this approach is that if you do reinstall the app, you won’t bother deleting it again. Use built-in controls Both iPhones and Android devices have onboard controls to help regulate screen time. They can also be used by parents to regulate children’s phone usage. Apple’s Screen Time controls are found in the iPhone’s settings menu. Users can set overall Downtime, which shuts off all phone activity during a set period. If you want a phone-free evening, then you could set it to kick in from, say, 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. The controls also let users put a blanket restriction on certain categories of apps, such as social, games or entertainment or zero in on a specific app, by limiting the time that can be spent on it. Too distracted by Instagram? Then set it so that you can only use it for a daily total of 20 minutes. The downside is that the limits aren’t hard to get around. It’s more of a nudge than a red line that you can’t cross. If you try to open an app with a limit, you’ll get a screen menu offering one more minute, a reminder after 15 minutes, or to completely ignore it. Android users can use turn to their Digital Wellbeing settings, which include widgets to remind users how much screen time they’ve had. There’s also the option to create separate work and personal profiles, so you can hide your social media apps and their notifications when you’re at the office. Don’t be distracted There are other little tricks to make your phone less distracting. I use the Focus mode on my iPhone to silence notifications. For example, If I’m in a meeting somewhere, I mute it until I leave that location. Android also has a Focus mode to pause distracting apps. Change your phone display to grayscale from color so that it doesn’t look so exciting. On iPhones, adjust the color filter in your settings. For Android, turn on Bedtime Mode, or tweak the color correction setting. Android phones can also nag users not to look at their phones while walking, by activating the Heads Up feature in Digital Wellbeing. Block those apps If the built-in controls aren’t enough, there are many third-party apps, like Jomo, Opal, Forest, Roots and LockMeOut that are designed to cut down screen time. Many of these apps have both free and premium versions with more features, and strongly push you toward signing up for a subscription by minimizing the option to “skip for now” on the payment screen. I tested out a few on my iPhone for this story. To try out Opal, I reinstalled Facebook so I could block it. Whenever I tapped the Facebook icon, Opal intervened to give me various inspirational messages, like “Gain Wisdom, Lose Facebook,” and tallied how many times I tried to open it. To get around the block, I had to open Opal and wait through a six-second timeout before requesting up to 15 minutes to look at Facebook. There’s an option to up the difficulty by increasing the delay before you can look again. Jomo, which I used to restrict my phone’s Reddit app, worked in a similar way: tap the Unlock button, which took me to the Jomo app, where I had to wait 20 seconds before I could tap the button to unlock Reddit for up to 10 minutes. The OneSec app takes a different approach by reminding users to first take a pause. The installation, which involves setting up an automation on the iPhone’s Shortcuts, can be confusing. When I eventually installed it for my Bluesky app, it gave me a prompt to run a shortcut that wiped my screen with a soothing purple-blue and reminded me to take a deep breath before letting me choose to open the app — but in practice it was too easy to just skip the prompt. The Android-only LockMeOut can freeze you out of designated apps based on criteria like your location, how many times you’ve opened an app, or how long you’ve used it. The obvious way to defeat these apps is simply to delete them, although some advise users to follow the proper uninstall procedure or else apps could remain blocked. Use external hardware Digital blockers might not be for everyone. Some startups, figuring that people might prefer a tangible barrier, offer hardware solutions that introduce physical friction between you and an app. Unpluq is a yellow tag that you have to hold up to your phone in order to access blocked apps. Brick and Blok are two different products that work along the same lines — they’re squarish pieces of plastic that you have to tap or scan with your phone to unlock an app. The makers of these devices say that software solutions are too easy to bypass, but a physical object that you can put somewhere out of reach or leave behind if you’re going somewhere is a more effective way to get rid of distractions. What about stashing the phone away entirely? There are various phone lockboxes and cases available, some of them designed so parents can lock up their teenagers’ phones when they’re supposed to be sleeping. Yondr, which makes portable phone locking pouches used at concerts or in schools, also sells a home phone box. See a therapist Perhaps there are deeper reasons for your smartphone compulsion. Maybe it’s a symptom of underlying problems like anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression or low self-esteem. If you think that’s the case, it could be worth exploring therapy that is becoming more widely available. One London hospital treats “technology addiction” with a plan that includes dealing with “discomfort in face-to-face time” with other people, and exploring your relationship with technology. Another clinic boasts that its social media addiction treatment also includes working on a patient’s technology management skills, such as “setting boundaries for device usage, finding alternative activities to fill the void of reduced online interaction, and learning how to engage more with the physical world.” Downgrade your phone Why not trade your smartphone for a more basic one? It’s an extreme option but there’s a thriving subculture of cellphones with only basic features, catering to both retro enthusiasts and people, including parents, worried about screen time. They range from cheap old-school brick-and-flip phones by faded brands like Nokia to stylish but pricier devices from boutique manufacturers like Punkt. The tradeoff, of course, is that you’ll also have to do without essential apps like Google Maps or your bank. —Kelvin Chan, AP business writer View the full article

This post is part of our Home Remedy Handbook, a tour of the landscape of home remedies from the iffy to the doctor-approved. Read more here. Children under 4 years old shouldn’t use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, the FDA has warned. So what do you do instead? Try home remedies, which “may work better than medicines” for young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. The AAP also notes that you don’t have to treat a child’s symptoms just because they have a cold. If your kid is acting normally and the cough or runny nose don’t seem to bother them, no action is needed. This includes fevers: While you should call the doctor for a fever over 102 (or, for infants under 2 months, 100.4), fevers under that cutoff tend not to bother the child and don’t need specific treatment. When to avoid cold medicines for kidsFirst of all, let’s look at the recommended age limits for over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. Under 4 years old, the AAP and FDA agree these medicines should not be used at all. Between 4 and 6 years, the AAP says you may use them, but to check with your pediatrician first. After age 6, these medicines are “safe to use,” but double check that your child is taking the appropriate dose. That means measuring with a syringe or a measuring spoon, not a kitchen spoon (your “teaspoon” could be more or less than a standard teaspoon), and paying attention to the active ingredients in different products. If you give your kid Tylenol and then measure out a cough syrup that includes acetaminophen, you may not realize you’ve doubled up on the same medication. Some homeopathic products are labeled as being appropriate for young children, but these products are not FDA approved and may be useless or even dangerous. The FDA allows them to stay on the market, but is “not aware of any proven benefits for these products and urges you not to give homeopathic cough and cold medicine to children younger than 4.” (The italics are theirs.) Cold medicines may not always help, even when they are legit medicines that are given appropriately. Home remedies like the ones we describe here are often more useful. Get rid of the snotIf your kid is old enough to blow their nose, have them do that. Little ones can often figure it out, if you hold the tissue and ask them to blow. But until they’re old enough, a bulb syringe is your friend. Use this device to suck the snot out (in our house, we called it the “snot sucker”). They’ll fuss as you’re doing it, but then they get instant relief. If the mucus is crusty, soften it with saline drops, or with warm water before trying to remove it. You can buy saline drops at the drugstore, or make your own with this simple recipe from AAP: Add ½ teaspoon of non-iodized salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup (8 oz) of warm water. Stir to dissolve the salt and baking soda. You should use sterile, distilled or previously boiled water for nasal washes. Help them to stop coughingHoney works at least as well as cough syrup, and some studies have found it actually works better. The AAP recommends giving children 2 to 5 milliliters of honey (so, a teaspoon or a bit less) as needed to thin the mucus and reduce coughing. A spoonful of honey before bed may help with nighttime coughing. The exception, as you may have guessed, is that infants under 1 year of age should not have honey. Not in food, and not as a cough syrup. There is a risk of botulism from spores in the honey. From toddler age on up, our immune systems can handle the spores, but the risk is higher for babies. Keep the fluids flowingFluids help because when we are well-hydrated, mucus is thinner and easier for the body to get rid of. This means giving kids water, chicken soup, or whatever other liquids they will gladly slurp down. Babies who breastfeed should continue to do so. If they have trouble feeding because of a stuffy nose, use that bulb syringe first. You can also consider giving them breastmilk or formula in a cup or a bottle. If the air in your home is dry, a humidifier can help to keep mucus membranes (like those in the nose) from drying out. If you’re using a device, try a cool mist humidifier filled with filtered or distilled water. Or get some humid air for free by having your child sit in the bathroom when somebody is running the shower. When to go to the doctorVery young babies (2 months or younger) should be seen anytime they have a fever over 100.4, the FDA says. Call the doctor for any child if their fever is above 102, if they have stopped eating and drinking and may be dehydrated, if they have a persistent headache or persistent ear pain, or if they seem to be getting worse and not better. And make sure your child gets seen right away if you see signs that they are having trouble breathing. These could include blue lips, labored breathing, wheezing, fast breathing, or the ribs showing with each breath. View the full article

At least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 years, according to a new report published Thursday. Among the birds showing the steepest declines are Allen’s hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds and yellow-billed magpies. “These are the very real consequences if we are unable to conserve and protect the crucial habitats that birds need,” said study co-author Mike Brasher, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited. For several decades, waterfowl stood out as a conservation bright spot with duck populations growing nationwide even as many other groups of birds declined in the U.S. But that trend has reversed, the new data shows. The total number of dabbling and diving ducks is down about 30% from 2017, said Brasher. Loss of grasslands habitat and a prolonged drought affecting the wetlands of the Great Plains’ prairie pothole region have taken a toll. Among all waterfowl, numbers are down 20% since 2014, the report found. The latest report is a collaboration between several groups including Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the American Ornithological Society. The work draws on survey data from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and citizen projects such as Cornell’s eBird. There are some 2,000 bird species in North America. A third of the species examined are rated as high or moderate concern for conservation due to declining numbers, habitat loss or other threats. These birds “need urgent conservation attention,” said Amanda Rodewald, a study co-author from Cornell, adding that bird survey trends also reveal the health of their habitats. The report focuses on birds that must breed and feed in specific habitats such as forests, grasslands and coastal regions. Grassland birds including the Bobolink are most at risk. “For each species that we’re in danger of losing, it’s like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life,” said Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra, who was not involved in the new report. Marra pointed to key past conservation successes in the U.S. – such as the comebacks of bald eagles, egrets and osprey. “We know that we can bend the curve back with targeted conservation plans. But we can’t just close our eyes and hope,” he said. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —Christina Larson, AP science writer View the full article

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced new state legislation to ban unfair and abusive business practices, giving state regulators broader authority to crack down on consumer abuses. View the full article

It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed this small sauna room in east London are happily sweating away in their swimwear. It’s more than 90 degrees Celcius (194 Fahrenheit) in here — and it’s about to get even hotter. As ice blocks infused with lavender oil melt over sizzling hot stones, releasing fragrant steam, “sauna master” Oliver Beryl turns on some ambient music and starts to vigorously wave a towel in a circular motion above his head to spread overpowering waves of dry heat around the room. “Now try finding someone and sit back to back with them,” Beryl suggests. “Or, if you want, maintain eye contact with the person sitting next to you.” A brief hesitation, but most gamely oblige for a few minutes. Sauna-bathing has taken London and the rest of the U.K. by storm, particularly among trendy 20- and 30-somethings interested in trying a new pastime that’s healthier than nights out in pubs and bars. Sweating it out in communal spaces for relaxation, physical or mental therapy and socializing has long been a staple of many cultures around the world, from Scandinavia’s saunas and Native American sweat lodges to Japan’s onsens and Turkish baths. But the most popular saunas now are those that emphasize community and “connectedness,” or offer something novel alongside sitting in a heated box. Think sauna club nights featuring DJs, saunas combined with a poetry workshop, or “aufguss” (meaning “infusion” in German) rituals like the one hosted by Beryl — an intense session blending heat therapy, music and scent. Many sites also offer open-air ice baths next to the saunas so people can cycle between hot and cold. ‘It’s exhilarating’ “I loved the feeling of losing yourself. It’s a 15-minute detachment from normal life,” said Jess Carmichael as she emerged from her first “aufguss” at Community Sauna Baths in Stratford, east London. She likened the exhilaration she felt to the experience of running into the freezing sea with hundreds of others on New Year’s Day. “I think people need this right now — this warmth coming from the outside and feeling that you’re sharing an experience with others,” she added. Charlie Duckworth, a co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, said it all started in 2022 when he and fellow “sauna nutters” installed two small saunas — including one in a horse box — in a disused parking lot in the trendy neighborhood of Hackney. The not-for-profit social enterprise proved so popular that it has since expanded to four sites across the capital, with two more opening soon. A large part of the appeal for many fans is that saunas serve as “a place of communion,” much like a pub or a church, Duckworth said. “Sauna lowers inhibitions and also gives you a feeling of mild euphoria,” not unlike the effects of social drinking, he said. “I think it’s an excellent place to socialize.” Around the U.K., the number of public sauna sites has jumped from 45 in 2023 to 147 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society. ‘Have a bit more fun with it’ Compared to countries where the practice is steeped in tradition, one benefit of the U.K.’s sauna culture being so new is that providers can “have a bit more fun with it and be more creative,” Duckworth said. At Peckham Sauna Social in south London, weekends feature relaxed ambient sauna nights with resident DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. One of its most popular monthly sessions is the “creative writing sauna”: a short poetry reading followed by a chai tea and writing workshop afterward in the lounge. “Reading in the sauna was something I’d never done before — just being hot and sweaty and dripping onto the page was challenging at first,” said Caroline Druitt, a writer who leads the workshops. Something about sharing a chat with other semi-clothed strangers in the sauna seemed to encourage participants to be more open about sharing their ideas and writings, Druitt said. “Besides, I know that many of my best ideas have come out of the bath,” she added. Reported health benefits Besides reducing stress and getting ideas flowing, some swear by saunas and cold plunges for soothing joint inflammation and improving heart health and sleep. Some studies go further, with one suggesting a link between going to the sauna at least four times a week and a reduction in the risk of psychosis among middle-aged Finnish men. “Authentic sauna done well should be as regular as the gym, and doing it regularly is what offers the reported health benefits,” said Gabrielle Reason, secretary at the British Sauna Society. While those health benefits aren’t yet well established — and those with high blood pressure or heart conditions should check with their doctors before going to a sauna and ice bath — many converts return regularly for the mood boost. “It just resets your brain in a really lovely way,” said Callum Heinrich, submerged in a barrel of frigid water, his skin still steaming from the sauna. He says he attends twice a week when he can. “For your mental health, it is the best thing in the world.” —Sylvia Hui, Associated Press View the full article

Elon Musk’s electric-car maker says levies could make it costlier to produce vehicles in the USView the full article

A new memoir that paints Facebook’s parent company and its executives in a negative light is rising on Amazon’s Best Sellers rankings faster than you can ask a Meta AI assistant to define “Streisand effect.” Careless People, written by former Meta employee Sarah Wynn-Williams, was the No. 5 best-selling book on Amazon as of early Thursday afternoon, one day after an arbitrator ordered the author to temporarily stop promoting the book. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone applauded the emergency ruling yesterday on Threads, saying it affirmed that the “false and defamatory book should never have been published.” However, the legal fight appears to have drawn increased attention to Careless People, which was ranked around No. 81 shortly after Stone’s post—meaning it rose more than 75 places since then. Amazon’s sales rankings are based on recent activity around a product and tend to fluctuate frequently, but getting into the top five in the books category on any given day is an enviable position for an author. Additionally, the book is No. 1 in three subcategories: scientist biographies, politics and social sciences, and industries. What is Careless People about? Wynn-Williams worked as the global director of public policy for Meta when it was still called Facebook. She was fired in 2017 for what Meta describes as “poor performance and toxic behavior.” Careless People details her time at the social media giant and apparently contains unflattering portrayals of CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg. One claim in the book that has been making the rounds in media circles involves Zuckerberg’s attempts to enter China, which included supposed anti-censorship tools to appease the Communist government. Meta has said these details were reported years ago. What happens next? The arbitration order essentially prevents Wynn-Williams from saying anything critical about Meta, presumably until the two sides can privately arbitrate the matter. Reached for comment by Fast Company, a Meta spokesperson continued to cast aspersions on the author and pointed to the emergency arbitration ruling as a victory. “This urgent legal action was made necessary by Williams, who more than eight years after being terminated by the company, deliberately concealed the existence of her book project and avoided the industry’s standard fact-checking process in order to rush it to shelves after waiting for eight years,” the company said. However, a spokesperson for Flatiron Books, the Macmillan imprint that published Careless People, didn’t seem ready to back down. “The arbitration order has no impact on Macmillan,” Flatiron spokesperson Marlena Bittner told Fast Company. “However, we are appalled by Meta’s tactics to silence our author through the use of a non-disparagement clause in a severance agreement . . . The book went through a thorough editing and vetting process, and we remain committed to publishing important books such as this. We will absolutely continue to support and promote it.” View the full article

On Thursday, Google rolled out a number of previously-paywalled Gemini features to free users. You can now use Gemini custom chatbots, which the company calls "Gems"; Deep Research, which runs AI models that "think" through each step of a problem; and upload files to Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, whether you pay for Google's AI services or not. But that's not all: The company also introduced new experimental feature for Gemini—Gemini with personalization. This feature, which runs on Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model, connects Gemini to your Google apps and services, with the goal of offering you a more personal AI assistant. The idea is, by connecting your Google Account's information to Gemini, it'll know more about you and will be able to deliver more informed results tailored to your personal tastes. It's certainly a step in the direction that big tech companies are advertising AI to be. But in order to work, you need to connect your search history to Gemini. That's a lot of trust to put into Google's AI service, and I imagine a tricky decision for anyone who is concerned about the amount of data we're feeding these AI tools. What can Gemini's Personalization model do? Google offers a few examples of how this new service might improve your experience with Gemini. You might ask the bot where you should go on vacation, and rather than pull from a series of sources about where other people like to go on vacation, the bot could, theoretically, use your past search queries to focus on a trip it thinks you would like. Maybe you've put together a bit of a vision board about heading to the Bahamas or Saint Lucia, and the bot would gather searches related to tropical vacations. Or maybe you'd ask the bot for suggestions for a new hobby and see results based on the types of things you searched for in the past. I understand the vision Google's going for here: Rather than have a bot that answers queries the same for everyone, why not have each user's bot provide answers tailored to their likes and dislikes? That said, it does make me wonder: If the user is already searching for things like vacation spots and new hobbies, wouldn't they be able to choose for themselves where they'd like to go, or what activity they'd like to take up? If I'm searching a lot about jogging, and I ask the bot what hobbies I should take up, I'm not going to be surprised when Gemini returns results for On sneakers and a local running club. For Google's part, this isn't necessarily some sneaky tactic. In order for you to use the feature, you'll need to opt in to connecting your search history to Gemini. That's actually surprising to me, and mildly refreshing. At least Google isn't making opt-out the default here. Because the model is a "thinking" model, you'll see the entire train of thought as part of the results. As such, Google says you'll be able to see the personal information Gemini used to generate its answer, including saved info, past conversations, or your search history. In addition, Gemini won't look at your search history unless you're specifically using this experimental personalization feature. (You also need to have Google's Web & App Activity setting turned on.) All that to say, it's not like using this feature means Gemini will scan your search history every time you use it. If you use the standard Gemini 2.0 Flash model, it won't pull from this personal data with its answer—only if you switch back to "Personalization." Should you connect your search history to Gemini?Here's what I'll say: I'm not connecting my search history to Gemini—not yet, anyway. At this time, the feature is experimental, so it isn't the complete vision that Google has in store for it. (The company has plans to connect Photos and YouTube data in the future, for example.) But even if the feature was fully realized, I'm just not comfortable with connecting my personal search history to Google's AI. Don't get me wrong: I know Google already has access to my search history (though disabling Web & App Activity should mitigate some of that data leaking). It's not really about that. To me, I don't feel the need to train Google's AI on my search history, which is what is happening here. It's a neat idea to give users more personalized results from AI bots, but by opting into this feature, I'm providing Google free training for Gemini using my personal information. In fact, by requiring Web & App Activity to be enabled, Google is asking for you to share this data with both Gemini and Google as a whole. Google might have the best of privacy intentions here for all we know, but even still, I'm living by another AI tenant with this decision: don't share private information with AI. If you wouldn't want a human reviewer at Google seeing what you're sharing with Gemini, you probably shouldn't share it in the first place. Traditionally, I've referenced this rule for things like proprietary company information or deeply personal information, but search history can also be deeply private. Do you really need Gemini (or a human reviewer) seeing everything you searched for, just to attempt to make your Gemini results a bit more personal? Those results might be totally inaccurate, anyway. How to use Gemini's Personalization modelIf you think those tradeoffs are worth the potential benefits of Gemini's Personalization model, here's how to give it a try. Open up Gemini, then choose "Personalization (Experimental)" from the drop down. Here, Google will present you with a pop-up, where you'll need to connect your search history to Gemini. If you're good with that, choose Connect now. Credit: Google View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Chris Deaver and Ian Clawson on leading together: “The dark truth of success is that if we make it all about ourselves, our own egos, our individual performance, it eventually breaks down. It won’t have staying power. Most of us have experienced the reality of bosses or corporate cultures that go it alone, pushing agendas on us rather than building with us. Startups know this feeling. People running full speed toward their dreams know this feeling. But it’s fleeting. It doesn’t last if it’s not built with others, co-created.” Source: Brave Together: Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation II. Joel Kurtzman on leadership: “The leader is not separate from the group he or she leads. Rather, the leader is the organization’s glue—the force that binds it together, sets its direction, and makes certain that the group functions as one. Good leaders are not outsiders who cheer on a group. They are part of that group, integrated deeply into its fabric and emotional life. Connecting with the group you lead means demonstrating you are part of the group, understand its challenges, can do its jobs, and can stand the pressure and the heat.” Source: Common Purpose: How Great Leaders Get Organizations to Achieve the Extraordinary * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

YouTube is rolling out new features that make it easier for creators and brands to connect their collaborative content with advertising campaigns. This comes after their introduction last year of tools to help brands better leverage creator content and its fast-growing Shorts format to drive measurable business outcomes The details. The platform has introduced two improvements: Creator-initiated linking: Eligible creators can now directly send linking requests to brands for sponsored videos they’ve already published. Video linking API: Brands working with multiple creators can automate the connection process through a new API integration. Why we care. The creator economy continues to mature, but administrative friction has been a persistent obstacle in scaling partnerships between brands and content creators. YouTube’s new linking could significantly streamline the process of turning creator partnerships into measurable campaigns. The creator-initiated linking feature reduces administrative back-and-forth, while the API automation saves substantial time for brands managing multiple creator relationships simultaneously. The big picture. Consumer trust in creator recommendations continues to outpace traditional advertising. YouTube is positioned as the most efficient ecosystem for formalizing and measuring these relationships. What’s next. YouTube will likely continue expanding its BrandConnect toolkit. View the full article

Projects reach a successful completion by planning, but a plan alone isn’t enough to deliver on time and within budget. Costs, resources and performance must be tracked to ensure the actual effort aligns with the project plan. An S-curve is one tool that can help do that. To understand why, let’s first define an S-curve graph in project management. Then we’ll explain why it’s used and how to make one. To save readers time, we’ll also link to a free downloadable S-curve template for Excel, followed by an example to show how it’s used in real-life projects. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/S-curve-template-featured-image.jpg Get your free S Curve Template Use this free S Curve Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File What Is an S-Curve? An S-curve is a graphical representation of a project’s progress over time, typically used in project management to track costs, resources or work performance. The curve gets its name from its S-like shape, which reflects the natural lifecycle of a project—starting slow, accelerating in the middle and tapering off as the project nears completion. S-curves are commonly used for performance analysis, forecasting and resource management. They help project managers compare actual progress against planned progress, identify deviations and make data-driven decisions to keep the project on track. While an S-curve is useful for tracking progress, scheduling that work requires project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with robust Gantt charts to schedule and forecast project tasks, resources and costs. To ensure the project progresses as planned, link all four types of task dependencies, filter for the critical path and set a baseline set to track the project in real time. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgProjectManager’s Gantt charts help forecast and schedule projects. Learn more Why Use an S-Curve in Project Management? An S-curve is a valuable tool in project management for monitoring and analyzing a project’s progress, resource allocation, costs and risks over time. By visually representing project performance, it helps teams make informed decisions, stay on schedule and ensure resources are used efficiently. Below are key reasons to use an S-curve in project management. Progress Tracking: The S-curve allows project managers to track progress over time by plotting actual work completed against the planned schedule. The horizontal (X-axis) of the graph represents time, while the vertical (Y-axis) represents key metrics such as cost, work hours or tasks completed. This helps teams identify delays or deviations from the original project plan. Resource Management: By analyzing an S-curve, project managers can assess whether resources—such as labor, materials and equipment—are being allocated efficiently. If the curve shows a steep incline, it may indicate a high demand for resources, helping teams anticipate and manage workload distribution more effectively. Cost Control: S-curves help track project expenditures over time, allowing managers to compare planned vs. actual costs. By monitoring cost trends, teams can detect budget overruns early and take corrective action before financial risks escalate. This ensures the project remains financially viable. Schedule Management: An S-curve graph provides insights into whether a project is on schedule, ahead or falling behind. If the actual progress curve lags behind the planned curve, it signals delays, prompting the need for schedule adjustments. This visibility helps teams stay aligned with deadlines and project milestones. Risk Management: By comparing planned and actual performance, S-curves help identify potential risks, such as unexpected slowdowns in work progress or resource shortages. Early detection of these risks enables project teams to implement mitigation strategies, reducing the likelihood of major disruptions. How to Make an S-Curve Graph An S-curve graph is a powerful tool in project management for tracking progress, costs or other key performance metrics over time. It visually represents the natural growth of a project, starting slow, accelerating in the middle and leveling off toward completion. Below are the key steps to create an S-curve graph. 1. Establish a Timeline for the S-Curve The first step is to define the project timeline, which will be plotted on the horizontal (X-axis) of the graph. This timeline should cover the entire project duration, from initiation to completion, with specific milestones or phases marked along the way. A well-defined timeline ensures accurate tracking and analysis of project performance. 2. Determine What Project Area Will Be Measured Next, decide what key metric the S-curve will track. It could measure progress (tasks completed), costs (budget spent), resource allocation or other performance indicators. This data will be represented on the vertical (Y-axis) of the graph. Choosing the right metric ensures the S-curve provides valuable insights for monitoring and decision-making. 3. Plot the S-Curve Graph Once the timeline and key metric are defined, plot the S-curve by graphing actual project data against planned data. The curve typically starts with slow progress, then rises steeply as work accelerates, and finally flattens as the project nears completion. Comparing planned vs. actual curves helps identify trends, delays or budget overruns, allowing teams to adjust as needed. S-Curve Graph Example Let’s explore a real-life example to understand the practical application of using an s-curve. In the one we’ve sketched below, a construction company is building a bridge for vehicle traffic. Read how using an s-curve graph helps the construction firm keep track of its progress. The infrastructure construction project commenced in January 2025, with an initial one percent actual progress, slightly ahead of the estimated 0 percent. The project steadily gained momentum throughout the early months, closely aligning with the projected timeline. By March 2025, actual progress was at seven percent, slightly trailing the estimated 8 percent, but recovered by April 2025, surpassing projections (12 percent actual vs. 10 percent estimated). /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/S-Curve-Template.png From May to August 2025, the project experienced a strong acceleration phase, with actual progress significantly exceeding estimates. By August 2025, 60 percent of the work was completed, compared to the forecasted 50 percent, indicating an efficient resource allocation and smooth execution. By the end of September 2025, the project had reached 75 percent completion, maintaining a lead over the planned 70 percent. The trend continued into November and December, when the project exceeded estimates (96 percent actual vs. 85 percent estimated in December 2025). As the project entered 2026, the final stages saw a controlled approach, ensuring quality checks and finishing tasks were properly executed. By March 2026, the project was successfully completed at 100 percent, precisely matching the estimated progress. S-Curve Template for Excel Pictured above is our free S-curve template for Excel to visualize project progress over time. Download this template to compare planned performance against the actual performance. The s-curve graph helps keep projects on track. Our free template is a fully customizable document. We’ve formatted it with a chart on the left to capture the project timeline and actual and estimated progress. On the right is the c-curve graph, which automatically populates once the graph has been filled out. Benefits of Using an S-Curve in Project Management Project management professionals wouldn’t use an s-curve if there weren’t ample benefits to the tool. Here are a handful of those advantages. Helps compare actual project results against projections and estimates By plotting costs, risks, progress or other key project management areas, an s-curve graph helps identify project variances as they occur Can be used as a visual resource to document lessons learned Helps set realistic stakeholder expectations by showing the normal progression of projects, which in most cases isn’t depicted by a straight line Allows project management teams to decide when to reallocate resources to get projects back on track Disadvantages of Using an S-Curve in Project Management While S-curves help track project progress and performance, they also have limitations. Below are key disadvantages to consider when using an S-curve in project management. S-curves rely on historical data and may not accurately reflect sudden changes or disruptions in a project Analyzing S-curve trends can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with data visualization techniques The curve provides an overview of progress but does not break down specific task-level details or bottlenecks Any errors or inconsistencies in data collection can lead to misleading conclusions and poor decision-making S-curves work best for long-term projects with measurable trends, making them less useful for short, fast-paced initiatives Related Project Management Templates An s-curve template is only one of the over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that are available for immediate download on our site. They cover all aspects of managing a project across multiple industries. Here are just a few that can help monitor project metrics. Project Dashboard Template A project dashboard offers a high-level overview of project metrics. This free project dashboard template for Excel is set up to track tasks, workload, costs and more. The colorful graphs and charts help keep projects on track. Budget Dashboard There are also dashboards that are focused on specific metrics, such as cost. Download this free budget dashboard for Excel to view graphs and charts on total costs, planned vs. actual costs, direct material, direct labor, direct equipment and overhead costs. Task Tracker Dashboard Use this free task tracker dashboard for Excel to monitor, organize and track the progress of tasks or projects. It provides an overview of all tasks, their status, deadlines, priorities and other important project information. Why ProjectManager Is Better Than an S-Curve for Managing Projects An S-curve graph or any template is not what a project manager and their team want to plan, manage and track projects. These are static documents that have to be manually updated and are poor collaborative tools. Projects are dynamic and need project management software to provide everyone involved with the features they need to deliver the project successfully. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has Gantt charts to schedule work, kanban boards and task lists to execute it and a calendar view to get a monthly overview of the project. Manage Resources and Keep Teams Productive Resource management begins on the Gantt chart, where human and nonhuman resources are scheduled. When onboarding teams, project managers can set their availability, which makes it easier to assign tasks to the right person at the right time for the right job. Resource allocation across all projects can be viewed on the color-coded workload chart which makes it easy to see who’s overallocated or underutilized. The team’s workload can then be balanced without having to leave the chart. There’s even a team page that shows daily and weekly team activity, which can be filtered by progress, priority and more. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Monitor Project Metrics on Real-Time Dashboards and Reports To get a high-level overview of the project’s metrics with a template, you’re going to have to add the data to see the graphs and charts. Our real-time project or portfolio dashboards automatically collect live data from one or multiple projects and display those metrics on time, cost, workload and more without having to set up the tool. Customizable reports go deeper into the details and can be filtered to show specific data points or a more general summary that can then be shared with stakeholders to keep them updated. Even our secure timesheets help by tracking labor costs to keep the project on budget. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg Related Project Management Content Using an S-curve to help manage projects is only a small slice of the larger project management pie. For those who want to read more, below are a handful of links to recently published articles that go into various aspects of managing a project. Best Project Management Charts for Project Planning How to Create a Milestone Chart with Project Management Software Free Project Templates for Excel and Word Project Controls: A Quick Guide 22 Project Management Tools & Techniques for Project Managers ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post How to Use an S-Curve in Project Management appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. There have been many earbuds with great active noise canceling (ANC) over the years, but none have reached the standard set in 2023 by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. They are still the best ANC earbuds you can get in 2025. Right now, you can get them for $219 (originally $299) on Amazon, the lowest price they've ever been, according to price-tracking tools. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Earbuds Brand: Bose, Color: Black, Ear Placement: In Ear, Noise Control: Active Noise Cancellation $219.00 at Amazon $299.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $219.00 at Amazon $299.00 Save $80.00 The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth earbuds received an "outstanding" review from PCMag, not just for their best-in-class ANC, but also for their great audio, Active Aware feature, Spatial audio support, and diverse codec Bluetooth support with AAC and AptX, which makes it great for Android and Apple users alike. However, they're not perfect. They lack multipoint connectivity, which other high-end earbuds at this price point offer, and there is no wireless charging for the case (if you care about that). The features are what sets these earbuds apart. They have a CustomTune feature that measures your ear's canal's shape to tune the sound and establishes your best ANC profile. You can adapt changes in the companion app as well. Bose calls its spatial audio feature "Immersive Audio," which is a feature that mimics hearing your surroundings similarly to what it would feel to wear open-ear headphones. You can also mess around with the settings to mix and match outside noise and ANC within the Immersive Audio setting on the app. You'll get about four to six hours of battery life and another 12 to 18 with the battery case. The earbuds aren't waterproof, but they are water resistant with an IPX4 rating, so you can wear them in the gym. View the full article