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Dark Mode is now available in Buffer! And we timed it perfectly for spooky season. This has been our second most-requested feature, with 352 upvotes from our community. We heard you loud and clear, and we're thrilled to have it ready for you! As a creator, you know the feeling: it's late at night, inspiration hits, and you're ready to plan your content for the week. Or maybe it's early morning, and you're catching up on comments before the day begins. Dark Mode is designed for precisely these in-the-zone moments. It's about creating a calm, comfortable workspace that protects your focus and reduces eye strain. More than just flipping a switchWhen we set out to create Dark Mode for Buffer, we knew it couldn't just be Light Mode inverted. We wanted something that felt natural, balanced, and easy on your eyes during those long content planning sessions. Our design team drew inspiration from "komorebi" — a Japanese word that describes the way light filters through leaves in a forest. That delicate interplay between light and shadow became our guiding principle. The result is a Dark Mode that feels polished and inviting, with careful attention to balance and comfort. A calm workspace that adapts to youHere's what makes Buffer's Dark Mode special: Thoughtful color choices: We carefully adjusted Buffer's signature colors to work harmoniously in a dark environment. Instead of bright, high-contrast hues, we've created a calmer, more subdued palette that reduces eye strain without sacrificing Buffer's friendly personality. Smart depth and layering: In Light Mode, shadows help you understand which elements sit on top of others. In Dark Mode, we use carefully calibrated shades of gray and subtle opacity changes to create that same sense of depth — making the interface intuitive and easy to navigate, even at 2 a.m. Automatic System Detection: Set your device to Dark Mode? Buffer will automatically match. No need to manually toggle settings — we respect your preferences right from the start. Dark mode everywhere you workDark Mode works seamlessly across all areas of Buffer, from the composer where you craft your posts, to the engagement inbox, where you build relationships with your community, and to analytics, where you track what's working. And because Buffer works where you do, Dark Mode is available on desktop, mobile, and even Apple Watch. Think of it as one more way Buffer protects your attention and keeps you focused on what matters: creating great content and connecting with your audience. Try it todayDark Mode is now available for all Buffer users. To enable it, go to your settings or let your system preferences handle the work with automatic detection. You can also toggle it on by heading over to Settings > Preferences > Appearance and selecting 'Dark.' We've spent months refining every detail to make sure Dark Mode feels just right. We'd love to hear what you think so let us know on social media or reach out to our team with your feedback. Ready to see Buffer in a whole new light? Log in and toggle Dark Mode on today. Happy Halloween from all of us at Buffer! 🎃 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. With Black Friday looming on the horizon and Walmart and Best Buy jumping on the early holiday sale bandwagon, it can be a little overwhelming to commit to where to spend your money. However, something that has stayed consistent over the many sales has been Amazon device prices during the early sales. One of those Amazon devices with a record-low price is the 43-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED, currently $339.99 (originally $439.99), the lowest price it has been according to price-checking tools. 43" Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED $339.99 at Amazon $439.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $339.99 at Amazon $439.99 Save $100.00 The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED launched in 2022, and it's much better than the older Amazon Fire TV 4-Series. The main difference is that it's a QLED display, which provides better backlight and colors than an LED (it's also one of the best budget QLEDs TV of 2025). It also has Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive, which adjusts picture quality based on ambient lighting, and HDR10+ Gaming, which gives a smoother and more responsive gameplay while maintaining picture quality. When you're not using this TV to watch your media, you can use its Fire TV Ambient Experience to do many other things, like keep track of security cameras, control lights, adjust thermostats, and view your reminders or calendar. You can also install Kodi on it to virtually stream anything for free. You can read about these and other useful features in PCMag's "excellent" review. This TV works great for a room that won't get too bright, since it only has 474 nits of brightness. You'll still be able to see it fine with windows open on a sunny day, but it won't get as bright as other TVs. If you're in the Alexa ecosystem, you'd be able to get the best value out of this Fire TV. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $459.95 (List Price $649.99) Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, White with Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), White — $59.99 (List Price $99.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $29.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $27.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Ring Chime Pro — $149.99 (List Price $259.99) Introducing Amazon Fire TV 55" Omni Mini-LED Series, QLED 4K UHD smart TV, Dolby Vision IQ, 144hz gaming mode, Ambient Experience, hands-free with Alexa, 2024 release — $699.99 (List Price $819.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 2-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $51.99 (List Price $129.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

A reader writes: I am a manager of a small team at a midsize company. Recently, one of my best performers (Jan) had a dip in morale. During Q4, we had an opening come up that would be a small promotion for her, but we were told we couldn’t fill it until the new fiscal year. She was told by me and other managers to continue performing at a high level and was given additional responsibilities to prove herself. We all felt she was a shoo-in and even told her this during her annual review. Unfortunately, the new fiscal year came around and we could not promote her. Senior management wanted to bring in an external hire. The senior manager wants to move Jan to a new team where she would be on the same level with the same pay. When I told Jan, she was upset. She said she felt confused because she was told by me and the other managers (including multiple senior managers) that she was a good fit for the promotion. She didn’t see the new team as an opportunity to grow and has even dropped the ball on a few projects she was working on for her current role. She is responsible for training the new hire on the projects she’s taken on and she hasn’t even made any training materials for it. Her level of engagement has gone down to zero and senior management has noticed the decline. How do I convince Jan to change her attitude? She is hurting her image with senior management at this point. I can’t promote her even if I wanted to, my hands are tied by what senior management will allow. When I try to talk to her, she seems very disinterested in the conversations. Please provide me getting a previously highly engaged employee back to this level. You probably can’t! She took on extra work to prove herself for a promotion she was told she was a shoo-in for, which was then yanked away. Not only is she not getting the promotion multiple people told her to expect, but now she’s being asked to train the person who did? Of course she’s demoralized and doing less. It would be a mistake to frame this to her as, “You’re hurting your image with senior management.” Given what’s happened, that’s highly likely to make her more bitter and cynical, and rightly so! No one seems concerned that they hurt their image with her. It’s also likely that Jan is job-hunting, or at least thinking about it. You should talk with the senior managers who are “noticing” Jan’s lack of engagement and explain why! Say you’re working to rebuild her trust in the organization, which has understandably been damaged. Meanwhile, if Jan isn’t currently meeting the requirements of her job, you do need to talk to her about that — but that means truly not meeting them, not just that she isn’t going above and beyond like she used to. If she’s working at the same level as someone average on your team and it’s just different from the top performance she used to turn in … that’s a pretty natural consequence in a situation like this. People won’t continue performing at a higher-than-average level when they haven’t been treated well. But if she’s actually performing at a lower-than-acceptable level (and she might be — you mentioned that she’s dropped the ball on a few projects), you do need to talk about that. You just need to be sensitive to the history when you do it. So the conversation isn’t, “You’ve been dropping the ball and that can ’t continue.” It’s something more like, “I fully understand why you’re upset. We shouldn’t have told you that you were a shoo-in for the promotion and had you take on additional duties without ensuring that upper management was on the same page. What happened isn’t fair to you, and I’m partly responsible for that. I understand why you might feel less invested in your job after that. But it’s starting to show up in your work in ways that it can’t— you’ve missed recent deadlines and (fill in with details). What can we do to get things back on track?” Note that this isn’t about changing her attitude; it’s about getting her work back up to an acceptable level. Alternately, you could frame it as, “I know it’s not realistic to expect you not to be upset by what happened. I would be too. But I also need you to meet the minimum requirements of your job. If you no longer want to be here, I would understand — although I hope you won’t decide that. But I do need you to decide if you’re up for continuing to do this job or not.” If talking with Jan and laying out the specific things that need to change — again, focusing on lower-than-acceptable work, not the absence of above-and-beyond work — then at that point you need to have a more serious conversation about whether she still wants to stay in the position or not, and what you need from her if she does. You should also think about whether there’s another path to promotion for her. Obviously, be very, very sure before presenting anything like that this time, and don’t ask her to take on extra responsibilities ahead of time. Throughout this all, though, the key is to acknowledge what happened, acknowledge that you and others in the organization messed up and it was at her expense, and keep any conversation focused on whether she’s meeting the requirements of her job, not on whether she’s not as deeply invested as she used to be. The post my employee is upset she wasn’t promoted — and senior management is noticing her attitude appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Mortgage loan application volume jumped 7.1% on a seasonally-adjusted basis last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. 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. If you’re in the market for a new Windows 11 laptop for everyday use that’s under $150, the bestselling Lenovo IdeaPad 1i 14" Laptop is a smart choice – and right now, it’s $129 (originally $249.99) at Walmart. Lenovo IdeaPad 1i 14" Laptop $129.00 at Walmart $249.99 Save $120.99 Get Deal Get Deal $129.00 at Walmart $249.99 Save $120.99 Compared to the highly rated Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14, this version has more premium features and a more efficient processor. The laptop has a 14” HD display and two Dolby Audio speakers for rich sound. It comes with 128 GB of storage, 4 GB of RAM, and an Intel Celeron processor that enables multitasking with multi-screen capabilities. Four GB of non-upgradable RAM might mean that things get a bit sluggish if you have a lot of browser tabs or background apps open, but that’s to be expected at a sub-$150 price point. On a full charge, the battery lasts around 11 hours, and with rapid charge boost, it provides just over two hours of extra juice. 128GB eMMC allows you to access and edit files when you’re offline (though it’s slower than a full SSD) and a feature called Flip to Start powers the laptop on as soon as you flip open the lid. It includes a 720p camera with a privacy shutter and Smart Noise Cancelling to reduce background noise during calls. If you don’t need a lot of storage (and don’t mind upgrade limitations), this ultra-budget Lenovo IdeaPad 1i 14" Laptop is suitable for simple, everyday functionality. While it does come with its performance and hardware limitations and can’t compete with pricier powerhouse laptops, for $129, this entry-level laptop offers reliable value for budget-conscious buyers. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $459.95 (List Price $649.99) Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, White with Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), White — $59.99 (List Price $99.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $29.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $27.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Ring Chime Pro — $149.99 (List Price $259.99) Introducing Amazon Fire TV 55" Omni Mini-LED Series, QLED 4K UHD smart TV, Dolby Vision IQ, 144hz gaming mode, Ambient Experience, hands-free with Alexa, 2024 release — $699.99 (List Price $819.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 2-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $51.99 (List Price $129.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

In an increasingly digital world, small businesses face a growing threat from sophisticated scams and fraud. With nearly 60% of people globally having experienced a scam in the past year, the stakes are high. As technology advances, so too do the methods employed by scammers, making it vital for small business owners to equip themselves with the right tools to safeguard their operations and reputations. The urgency of this issue is underscored by Google’s recent announcement designed to enhance security features within Google Messages. The tech giant is taking proactive measures to combat the rising tide of online threats that can impact small businesses. As phishing attacks and social engineering evolve, these new protections can be crucial for entrepreneurs operating in a digital-first landscape. One of the most significant developments is the introduction of safer links in Google Messages. Scammers frequently exploit text messaging to distribute malicious links that can jeopardize sensitive information. This newly integrated feature will alert users to potentially harmful links suspected of being spam, providing a much-needed safeguard. Users will receive warnings upon attempting to access these links, and they can only visit the site after explicitly marking the message as “not spam.” This enhancement is now available globally to all Google Messages users, offering a layer of protection that small business owners can leverage daily. The implications of these advancements extend far beyond individual users; they can shape how small businesses interact with customers. Building trust is paramount, and by utilizing tools that bolster security, entrepreneurs can offer peace of mind to their clients. A small business that reinforces its commitment to digital safety not only protects its own interests but also reinforces confidence among customers, which may ultimately lead to increased loyalty and sales. However, the integration of these technologies does not come without challenges. Although Google’s new features are designed to shield users from scams, small business owners may face a learning curve as they integrate these systems into their daily operations. It’s crucial that teams familiarize themselves with the features and understand how they can best utilize them to avoid pitfalls. Moreover, small business owners must remain vigilant in understanding that while these tools provide enhanced security, they are not foolproof. Continuous education on the latest threats and regular training sessions can help employees recognize warning signs of phishing attempts and other scams, further fortifying their defenses. As Google continues to innovate in the realm of security, small businesses can benefit from a multifaceted approach. This includes leveraging Google Messages’ new features alongside other security measures, such as two-factor authentication, training on recognizing scams, and maintaining up-to-date antivirus software. Quotes from experts often highlight the importance of preparation in this evolving landscape. “In a world where malicious content is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, these features and initiatives are designed to help you avoid scams altogether, or spot them before they cause harm,” a Google spokesperson noted. For small businesses, heeding this advice will be vital to preserving their integrity in the marketplace. Staying informed is a continuous process. With cyber threats on the rise, small business owners must actively engage with the tools at their disposal and foster a culture of safety within their organizations. The advancements in tools like Google Messages are steps in the right direction, but the onus remains on business leaders to ensure they and their teams are equipped to navigate this complex and treacherous landscape. As entrepreneurs look toward the future, integrating these security features offers not just a method to safeguard against scams but also an opportunity to create a more robust and trustworthy business model. For more details on Google’s initiatives aimed at combating online scams, visit the original announcement here. Image via Envanto This article, "Google Enhances Messages to Combat Rising Online Scams and Fraud" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an increasingly digital world, small businesses face a growing threat from sophisticated scams and fraud. With nearly 60% of people globally having experienced a scam in the past year, the stakes are high. As technology advances, so too do the methods employed by scammers, making it vital for small business owners to equip themselves with the right tools to safeguard their operations and reputations. The urgency of this issue is underscored by Google’s recent announcement designed to enhance security features within Google Messages. The tech giant is taking proactive measures to combat the rising tide of online threats that can impact small businesses. As phishing attacks and social engineering evolve, these new protections can be crucial for entrepreneurs operating in a digital-first landscape. One of the most significant developments is the introduction of safer links in Google Messages. Scammers frequently exploit text messaging to distribute malicious links that can jeopardize sensitive information. This newly integrated feature will alert users to potentially harmful links suspected of being spam, providing a much-needed safeguard. Users will receive warnings upon attempting to access these links, and they can only visit the site after explicitly marking the message as “not spam.” This enhancement is now available globally to all Google Messages users, offering a layer of protection that small business owners can leverage daily. The implications of these advancements extend far beyond individual users; they can shape how small businesses interact with customers. Building trust is paramount, and by utilizing tools that bolster security, entrepreneurs can offer peace of mind to their clients. A small business that reinforces its commitment to digital safety not only protects its own interests but also reinforces confidence among customers, which may ultimately lead to increased loyalty and sales. However, the integration of these technologies does not come without challenges. Although Google’s new features are designed to shield users from scams, small business owners may face a learning curve as they integrate these systems into their daily operations. It’s crucial that teams familiarize themselves with the features and understand how they can best utilize them to avoid pitfalls. Moreover, small business owners must remain vigilant in understanding that while these tools provide enhanced security, they are not foolproof. Continuous education on the latest threats and regular training sessions can help employees recognize warning signs of phishing attempts and other scams, further fortifying their defenses. As Google continues to innovate in the realm of security, small businesses can benefit from a multifaceted approach. This includes leveraging Google Messages’ new features alongside other security measures, such as two-factor authentication, training on recognizing scams, and maintaining up-to-date antivirus software. Quotes from experts often highlight the importance of preparation in this evolving landscape. “In a world where malicious content is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, these features and initiatives are designed to help you avoid scams altogether, or spot them before they cause harm,” a Google spokesperson noted. For small businesses, heeding this advice will be vital to preserving their integrity in the marketplace. Staying informed is a continuous process. With cyber threats on the rise, small business owners must actively engage with the tools at their disposal and foster a culture of safety within their organizations. The advancements in tools like Google Messages are steps in the right direction, but the onus remains on business leaders to ensure they and their teams are equipped to navigate this complex and treacherous landscape. As entrepreneurs look toward the future, integrating these security features offers not just a method to safeguard against scams but also an opportunity to create a more robust and trustworthy business model. For more details on Google’s initiatives aimed at combating online scams, visit the original announcement here. Image via Envanto This article, "Google Enhances Messages to Combat Rising Online Scams and Fraud" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Tycoon is relinquishing board roles at Liberty Media and Liberty Global after buccaneering 50-year careerView the full article

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Writing on social media, Musk said that Grokipedia.com is “now live” and its goal is the “truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Musk has previously criticized Wikipedia for being filled with “propaganda” and called for people to stop donating to the site, which is run by a nonprofit. In September he announced that his artificial intelligence company xAI was working on Grokipedia. The Grokipedia site has a minimalist appearance with little beyond a search bar where users can type in queries. It states that it has 885,279 articles. Wikipedia, meanwhile, says it has more than 7 million articles in English. Like Wikipedia, users can search for articles on various topics such as Taylor Swift, the baseball World Series, or Buckingham Palace. While Wikipedia is written and edited by volunteers, it’s unclear how exactly Grokipedia articles are put together. Reports suggest the site is powered by the same xAI model that underpins Musk’s Grok chatbot, but some articles are seemingly adapted from Wikipedia. The San Francisco-based Wikimedia Foundation said in a statement Tuesday that it is “still in the process of understanding how Grokipedia works.” As a huge trove of well-constructed sentences with little restriction on how it’s used, Wikipedia has been a key source used to train AI chatbots, including Grok’s rivals ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. “This human-created knowledge is what AI companies rely on to generate content; even Grokipedia needs Wikipedia to exist,” said the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikipedia for months has been a target of the political right. Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress launched an investigation in August of alleged “manipulation efforts” in Wikipedia’s editing process that they said could inject bias and undermine neutral points of view on its platform and the AI systems that rely on it. Wikipedia encourages its volunteer editors to cite nearly every sentence or paragraph with a primary source, and sentences not verified can be challenged and removed. Some of Grokipedia’s entries are thinly sourced, such as an entry on the Chola Dynasty of southern India that has three linked sources, compared to Wikipedia’s that has 113 linked sources plus dozens of referenced books. Grokipedia’s entry on Wikipedia accuses the site of having “systemic ideological biases — particularly a left-leaning slant in coverage of political figures and topics.” The Wikimedia Foundation said in its statement Tuesday: “Unlike newer projects, Wikipedia’s strengths are clear: it has transparent policies, rigorous volunteer oversight, and a strong culture of continuous improvement. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, written to inform billions of readers without promoting a particular point of view.” —Associated Press View the full article

Starbucks’s reign as the world’s leading coffee company is faltering. And the new CEO, Brian Niccol, wants to fix it. Mark Wilson explains. View the full article

Shareholders' equity topped $105 billion as net income rose 16% from the previous quarter and nearly matched year-ago results. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A depressing byproduct of global climate change is more powerful hurricanes—four of the six strongest hurricanes on record have occurred since 2005, and Hurricane Melissa, which tore through Jamaica yesterday as category 5 storm, may become number five. Everyone living near either U.S. coast is potentially in danger from these types of vicious storms, whether from debris made deadly from high winds, accidental electrocutions from downed power lines, and especially from storm surge and fresh-water flooding, the main cause of hurricane-related deaths. But you can keep yourself safer if you follow a few simple steps. Where are the safest places to be during a hurricane?First, get out of the hurricane’s path. The safest place to be when a hurricane approaches is somewhere else; so you should definitely evacuate when you are told to. Hurricanes are not entirely predictable but they're slow enough that evacuation is usually possible. Don’t be prideful; track storms early and get out of Dodge if you’re in danger. (Information on how to track hurricanes is below.) Go to a designated shelter: Sometimes residents are ordered to shelters as hurricanes approach. If the civic authorities tell you to go to one, do it. An “official” shelter will almost definitely be safer than your house. Stay inside your home. If you haven’t evacuated (whether because you’re stubborn or “shelter in place” orders have been given), stay inside. Hurricanes are powerful, fascinating storms, but resist the urge to go outside and experience them or to try to batten down the hatches once the storm is upon you. It’s too late. Save yourself, not your lawn furniture. Stay away from windows. Don’t look out the windows during a hurricane. The storm’s winds can turn the glass in your windows to flying shards of death in an instant. Go to a small, interior room: The safest part of your house is the middle. You’re trying to avoid the shards of flying glass when your windows are blown in, so an interior room with no windows is your best bet. It could be a hallway, a bathroom, a pantry, etc. Wherever you hunker down, make sure there are no heavy objects above you that could fall. Stay on the lowest floor that isn't the basement: You might think higher ground is the move, but it is not. Avoid the upper floors of your home because the wind is stronger the higher you go, and in severe hurricanes, roofs can be blown off or destroyed by blown debris. Stay on the lowest interior floor that is not likely to flood; but not the basement. Basements can fill quickly during storm surge and are not always safe. Stay in your house even longer: Be patient, and do not be fooled if there is a lull in the storm. You could be in the eye of the hurricane, and the high winds might pick up again. Listen to your radio and wait for local officials to indicate it’s OK to go outside. While there are ways to mitigate risk, being trapped in your house during a hurricane is a potentially deadly situation, and can almost always be avoided if you take some precautions and evacuate when ordered to. Know how emergency alerts for hurricanes workMake sure your phone and backup burner phone are set up to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from FEMA through the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS). These are free 90-character texts that local authorities can send to mobile devices within range of any cell towers in an affected area. There’s no need to sign up; just make sure your phones are updated and charged. For more hurricane information, opt in to local public alert systemsNext, do a search for your jurisdiction’s opt-in public alert system. Click here and enter your town, city, or county name + "emergency alerts” to see how you can sign up. It’s not a bad idea to check with your local emergency management or public safety office either. You can also receive alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service with a NOAA Weather Radio. Do your best to make sure everyone in the family is able to get warnings and alerts—not just you. Midland WR400 Deluxe Noaa Emergency Weather Alert Radio $74.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $74.99 at Amazon Emgykit MD319 NOAA Weather Alert Radio with S.A.M.E Localized Programming, 23 County Codes & 80+ Emergency Alerts, Battery Backup, Alarm Clock, External Antenna and Warning Light for Home & Emergency $37.71 at Amazon $49.99 Save $12.28 Get Deal Get Deal $37.71 at Amazon $49.99 Save $12.28 Raynic Emergency Radio, 5000mAh/18500mWh Weather Radio, Solar Hand Crank Radio with AM/FM/SW/NOAA Alert, Cell Phone Charger, Headphone Jack, Flashlight and SOS Siren $35.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $4.00 Get Deal Get Deal $35.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $4.00 SEE 0 MORE What is the difference between a hurricane “advisory,” “watch,” and “warning?”Warnings aren’t much help if you don’t know what they mean. Here’s a quick breakdown of hurricane and tropical storm warnings, via FEMA: Hurricane advisory: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues this when they expect a storm to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous, but not life-threatening. Hurricane watch: NWS issues this when there is a possible hurricane within the next 48 hours. If you see a watch issued, turn on your NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, TV, or other news source to stay informed. Double check your emergency supplies and go-bag in case you need to hunker down or evacuate. Hurricane warning: The NWS issues this when it expects a hurricane within the next 36 hours. Do everything listed in the “Watch” section, then prepare to evacuate if told to do so. How to prepare for hurricane evacuationIt’s possible local authorities will tell you to evacuate the area, so you need to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Here’s what you need to do to be ready: Have an evacuation plan: Either learn your community’s evacuation plan or develop one of your own using suggested routes via your state’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency Management websites. Have a place to go: Inform family or friends who you might be staying with, or locate a nearby emergency shelter location using the FEMA mobile app. Designate a meet-up place for everyone in case you get separated. Prepare your vehicle: Fill up your gas tank, load up your car with basic emergency supplies, and make sure it’s ready to roll out. Grab your go-bag: Everyone in your household should have a go-bag (aka “bug-out bag”) packed and ready. It should include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, backup power for your phone, a first-aid kit and prescriptions, copies of important documents, a change of clothes, hygiene basics, and anything your kids, seniors, or pets need to get through a few days away from home. Here are more details on what to put in a go-bag. Leave no one behind: Make sure your evacuation plan accounts for everyone in your household, including pets. How to protect your house from a hurricaneIf you have the time before the storm threatens, prepare your home for being battered with high winds, heavy rains, and airborne debris. That means reinforcing doors and protecting windows. All windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors should be covered. Plywood is the cheapest option, but it has to be installed properly. They know a lot about hurricanes in Florida, so here’s the government's guide to proper plywood installation for hurricane preparedness. DO NOT tape your windows in hopes of protecting them. It isn’t very effective and this method can actually create larger, more dangerous shards of glass if they break. How to prepare your yard for a hurricaneOnce you’ve got all openings covered, bring in all loose objects from your yard: patio furniture, garbage cans, bicycles, toys, lawn tools, etc. If something is too big to bring inside, anchor it as best you can outside. Make sure your trees are trimmed to avoid branches smashing into your home. Unplug electronics and be sure to shut off all propane tanks. Last, get your home and property ready for potential flooding. Clean debris out of your gutters and drains, elevate your heating system, water heater, and electric panel, and don’t keep any easily-damaged valuables in the basement or in low areas. What to do after a hurricaneThe danger isn’t over when the winds stop blowing. Here are some things to remember after a hurricane ends. Stay out of floodwater: Don’t walk or drive on a flooded street. Never enter floodwaters—even shallow water can hide electrical hazards and could be rife with dangerous chemicals, human and animal waste, and possibly deadly pathogens. Do not go near damaged buildings: Storm-damaged structures can collapse. Beware of downed power lines: Powerful winds can knock over power lines and power lines can electrocute you. Use generators safely: If you’ve lost power but you have a generator, make sure you know how to use it safely. Make sure your food and water are not contaminated: Throw away food and beverages that have had any contact with floodwater, or smells or looks suspicious. Follow directions of civic authorities: Listen to emergency broadcast radio and be ready to follow the directives of authorities. View the full article

"You can write off lingerie?" Learn how one accountant built a judgment-free firm for the adult industry. Big 4 Transparency By Dominic Piscopo, CPA For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Dominic Piscopo. View the full article

"You can write off lingerie?" Learn how one accountant built a judgment-free firm for the adult industry. Big 4 Transparency By Dominic Piscopo, CPA For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Dominic Piscopo. View the full article

An invoice template in Google Docs makes billing fast and professional for freelancers, contractors and small businesses. This invoice template in Google Docs includes editable fields for client details, invoice numbers, itemized line items, taxes, discounts and total due, plus space for payment terms and notes. Use the template to customize branding, add a logo and adjust currency, then share or download as a PDF for clients. Invoice templates in Google Docs are free and easy to copy, making them ideal when you need a simple billing solution that integrates with your workflow. The Google Docs invoice template is compatible with any browser and supports collaboration, allowing team members to review invoices before sending. With automatic saving, Google Drive stores every invoice securely and version history lets you restore changes. Try a ready-made template, then adjust the columns, rows or styles to fit your needs. Why Use an Invoice Template for Google Docs? Using an invoice template in Google Docs saves time and ensures consistency across all your invoices. The Google Docs invoice template helps you maintain a professional look with editable sections for client names, project descriptions and payment terms. It’s cloud-based, so your invoices can be created, shared and updated from anywhere, keeping billing processes simple and organized without needing extra software. While an invoice template for Google Docs makes invoicing accessible, project management software offers more powerful tools to manage projects, budgets and billing in one place. It connects invoicing with scheduling and resource tracking, giving managers visibility into how expenses align with project timelines. Automated workflows and cost tracking features ensure billing accuracy while reducing manual data entry. ProjectManager goes beyond what any Google Docs invoice template can offer. It integrates invoicing with real-time dashboards, timesheets and workload management tools to ensure labor costs match project progress. Teams can log hours directly on tasks, while managers track expenses against budgets using interactive Gantt charts and AI-powered reporting. Templates for cost estimation and billing make it easy to invoice clients accurately, helping businesses maintain profitability and transparency on every project. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgLearn more Free Invoice Template for Google Docs Click on the image below to download this free invoice template for Google Docs. It provides an easy and accessible way to create professional invoices without extra costs or software. It’s designed for freelancers, contractors and small businesses that need a quick, organized billing method. With editable sections for client information, services, rates and due dates, this Google Docs invoice template streamlines the invoicing process while keeping your documents neatly stored in the cloud for quick sharing and updates. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Invoice-Template-for-Google-Docs-1-600x701.png While this invoice template for Google Docs makes billing simple, it also offers flexibility for different types of projects and clients. You can customize branding, add tax or discount fields and track payments across multiple invoices. Its collaborative features allow real-time edits and approvals, which help reduce errors and speed up payment cycles. It’s an efficient, cost-effective solution that keeps your financial records clear and professional. Related: Payment Tracker Template Invoice Template for Google Docs: Pros & Cons Using an invoice template in Google Docs comes with advantages and limitations depending on your business needs. It’s a simple and accessible tool that helps you organize payments and client data, but it may not scale well for growing teams or complex billing requirements. Below are the key pros and cons to consider when using a Google Docs invoice template. Pros of a Google Docs Invoice Template Free and accessible: Anyone with a Google account can create, edit and share invoices at no cost. Customizable layout: Easily modify fields, add branding elements and adjust formatting to match your business identity. Cloud-based collaboration: Team members and clients can access and edit documents in real time from any device. Simple to use: Requires no special accounting knowledge or software setup. Integrates with other Google tools: Works seamlessly with Google Sheets, Drive and Gmail for file storage and sharing. Cons of a Google Docs Invoice Template Limited automation: Doesn’t automatically calculate taxes, totals or payment reminders. No built-in tracking: You must manually monitor payments and due dates, increasing the chance of oversight. Not scalable for larger teams: Lacks workflow automation and approval tracking found in advanced tools. Data security concerns: Sharing via links or email can expose financial information if not handled carefully. No financial reporting: Provides no dashboards or analytics to track income or outstanding balances. How to Manage Projects With ProjectManager ProjectManager helps teams move beyond static tools like an invoice template in Google Docs by providing multiple project views that suit every workflow. Teams can plan on interactive Gantt charts that connect tasks, track dependencies and set baselines to monitor project variance in real time. Managers can switch between kanban boards for task tracking, list views for detailed work assignments or calendar views for scheduling milestones, giving everyone full visibility across all project stages. Optimize Resources With Advanced Management Tools ProjectManager’s resource management tools make it easy to allocate and balance workloads effectively. The workload chart displays each team member’s assignments, helping managers spot bottlenecks and reallocate tasks instantly to maintain efficiency. The team page centralizes every user’s availability and skill set, ensuring the right resources are assigned to the right jobs. These tools streamline communication and reduce burnout while keeping productivity high across multiple ongoing projects. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Track Progress With Real-Time Data and AI Project Insights ProjectManager includes AI-powered dashboards and dynamic reports that provide real-time visibility into project performance. Managers can track labor costs with online timesheets, which allow team members to log hours directly from the job site or office. Dashboards instantly update key performance metrics, and customizable reports summarize trends in costs, progress and workloads. Together, these tracking features ensure data-driven decisions that improve accountability, forecasting and overall project outcomes. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-Insights-Light-Mode-Dashboard-GPT5.png How to Use This Free Invoice Template for Google Docs This free invoice template for Google Docs is designed to make billing for products or services quick and accurate. The format helps businesses and freelancers track payments, document transactions and share invoices with customers. By following a few straightforward steps, you can manage client communications and sales while keeping records organized for future reference. 1. Enter Invoice Tracking Information Begin by adding the basic details at the top of the template, including invoice date, payment due date, customer ID and invoice number. This section ensures every invoice can be easily sorted, referenced and tracked as projects move forward or payments come in. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Google-Docs-Invoice-Template-Invoice-Tracking-Information-1.png 2. Add Contact Information for Buyer and Seller List the contact information to identify both the buyer and the seller. For the product or service provider, include company name, contact name, street address, city, state, zip, phone number and email. For the bill-to section, record the same details so both parties know exactly who is involved in the transaction. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Google-Docs-Invoice-Template-Contact-Information-1.png Related: 13 Budget Templates for Business & Project Budgeting 3. Break Down the Cost of Products or Services Use the central table to detail items being billed. List item or service names, provide clear descriptions, record quantity or hours, unit price and line totals. This breakdown allows customers to verify charges, compare prices and confirm exactly what has been delivered or performed. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Google-Docs-Invoice-Template-Cost-Breakdown-1.png 4. Describe the Payment Terms for the Invoice The template works for charging products measured in quantity, services billed by hours, or even both at once. As shown in the sample, unit price covers products while hourly rates fit services like consulting or training. Be sure to update subtotals, any discounts, taxes and shipping costs, then calculate the total. These terms clarify the payment agreement and support accurate financial reporting. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Google-Docs-Invoice-Template-Payment-Terms-1.png More Project Management Templates for Google Sheets If you’re using Google Sheets for project planning, several templates can help streamline workflows beyond a basic invoice template for Google Docs. These templates provide ready-made structures for scheduling, budgeting and resource tracking, saving time and reducing errors while keeping all project data in one accessible place. They work seamlessly for teams who need simple, collaborative tools that integrate with cloud storage. Below are some of the most useful Google Sheets templates for project management. Each template is designed to support different aspects of project planning, from tracking timelines and budgets to managing inventory, so teams can stay organized, reduce manual work and maintain visibility on project progress. Gantt Chart Template for Google Sheets This template allows teams to visualize project timelines and task dependencies in Google Sheets. Users can plot start and end dates for tasks, highlight milestones and adjust schedules quickly. It’s ideal for monitoring progress, identifying overlaps and ensuring projects stay on track without switching to separate software. Google Sheets Budget Template The budget template helps managers track costs, expenses and allocations for each project phase. Users can input expected versus actual costs, categorize spending and generate summaries for stakeholders. It makes it easier to maintain financial control and avoid overruns while keeping all budget data in a centralized, easy-to-access sheet. Google Sheets Inventory Template This template is designed for tracking materials, equipment and supplies. Teams can list items, quantities, locations and reorder points, helping prevent shortages or overstocking. It’s particularly useful for construction or manufacturing projects where accurate inventory tracking is crucial for maintaining workflow efficiency. Related Content An invoice template for Google Docs is only one of many Google Docs and Sheets templates we offer. In fact, we have free templates available in Excel and Word as well. Check out the many different types of project management templates you can download for free below. 32 Must-Have Project Management Templates for Google Sheets How to Make a Gantt Chart in Google Docs Service Invoice Template for Word (Free Download) Weekly Billing Format for Word (Free Download) Payment Schedule Template for Excel (Free Download) 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. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Free Invoice Template for Google Docs appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season fast approaching, you’re probably knee-deep in holiday account planning. Today, we’re zeroing in on a Google Ads feature that you can use all year ‘round, but may be particularly useful to you and your customers during the holidays: Promotion assets. What are promotion assets in Google Ads? Promotion assets (formerly known as promotion extensions) are an optional addition to your Search or Performance Max campaigns. They allow you to highlight special deals, sales, and discounts your business is currently running, alongside your standard ad headlines and descriptions. Promotion assets can show on Google Search, and on Google Maps if you have a local promotion offer. Why should you use promotion assets in Google Ads rather than editing your ad headlines? While you absolutely can edit your search ad text to include promotional messaging, promotion assets offer a few unique benefits. Specifically, they: Stand out in search results: Promotion assets may be bold or have a box around them, so they can really capture a user’s attention and increase your click-through rate. Allow for flexibility: You can highlight deals and offers without constantly editing and re-submitting your core ad text. You can even schedule them to go live (and turn off) in advance, which saves you lots of time. Why can’t you use promotion assets with Shopping campaigns in Google Ads? To show special deals and sales with your Shopping ads, you need to set that up in Google Merchant Center rather than Google Ads. These are called Merchant Promotions, and they run through a separate system. If you’re an ecommerce business, head over to Merchant Center to set up your deals and promotions. How to create promotion assets in Google Ads To create a new promotion asset, go to Assets > Assets on the left-side navigation in Google Ads, tap the + button, and choose Promotion. You can add promotion assets at the account, campaign, or ad group level. If you define multiple assets across the various levels, Google will use the most specific level available. For example, ad group-level promotion assets would be selected over campaign-level promotion assets. Which holidays allow for promotion assets? Part of creating a promotion asset is selecting an “occasion” for your promotion. While you must select from Google’s list of occasions, there is a wide variety of options. Some are seasonal (like Halloween or Valentine’s Day), but many are generic and flexible, allowing you to run promotions year-round. For example: Fall Sale Winter Sale Spring Sale Summer Sale This means that although you need an “occasion,” promotion assets are not just for big tentpole holidays. Any kind of business can have promotions, sales, and discounts throughout the year. What additional details are required to use promotion assets? To ensure your promotion assets get approved, and provide a good user experience, you need to pay close attention to several “fiddly” details. Inconsistency between your asset and your landing page is a common reason for disapproval. Here’s a checklist of some of those details: Language and Currency Discount Type: For example Monetary Discount: e.g., “$20 off” Percent Discount: e.g., “20% off” Up to Discount: e.g., “Up to $100 off” Item Text (20 Characters): This is where you specify the actual product or service on sale. Keep it brief and relevant, e.g., “shoes” or “house cleaning.” Final URL: This link must take the user directly to the specific promotion for that specific item. Do not link to a generic homepage. Promo code (optional) Minimum order value (e.g., “Valid on orders over $50”) (optional) Terms and Conditions (optional) Three types of scheduling for promotion assets Promotion assets give you three layers of scheduling control. While we appreciate Google’s thoroughness, the use cases can be a bit confusing! Here’s what you need to know: 1. Promotion Scheduling: the dates your promotion is active Understandably, the promotion asset is only eligible to show when the promotion is actually running. This means you cannot advertise a promotion before it has started or after it has ended. 2. Asset Scheduling: the dates when your promotion asset can run This controls when your promotion asset will be eligible to run, which may or may not be the same as the actual promotion dates. For example, if your business is running a sale for six weeks but only wants to advertise it via Google Ads during the last two weeks, you can set the promotion asset to be live only during those final 14 days. 3. Ad Scheduling: time of day and day of week You can set additional scheduling rules to show your promotion asset only on specific days or times of the week (e.g., only during evenings or on weekends). This article is part of our ongoing Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. In each edition, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google Search ranking volatility is heating up again...View the full article

Rumor has it that Palantir Technologies is poised for a stock split. An analyst for RBC Capital Markets recently polled investors, who reportedly indicated a desire for the software company to make such a move. “Retail investors are also largely focused on the potential for a stock split, and although this topic decreased quarter over quarter, it remains the most relevant topic,” analyst Rishi Jaluria stated, according to Investor’s Business Daily. He continued: “With Palantir’s $6 billion cash balance, we think retail investors may be starting to become frustrated by the company’s lack of willingness to return capital to shareholders given no apparent interest in pursuing M&A opportunities.” Splitting the stock would give current shareholders more shares, while allowing new investors in at a lower entry price. While stock splits do not intrinsically change the company’s value, they sometimes generate excitement around a stock among investors who see the new price as being more accessible. Last year saw stock splits from a number of high-profile companies, including Walmart, Chipotle, and Nvidia. Is Palantir planning to split its stock? Palantir has made no indication that it will pursue a stock split. If it did, the decision would be a first for the company, whose valuation and stock price have skyrocketed this year. In 2025 alone, it’s grown over 150%, while the past 12 months have seen it rise more than 321%. Fast Company has reached out to Palantir for comment and will update this post if we hear back. Many people believe that Palantir’s stock is significantly overvalued. Investment firms and analysts have stated that, despite the company’s high earnings, it’s still inflated. Take August’s second-quarter earnings report, which saw a 48% growth in revenue year-over-year to $1 billion. Immediately following it, Palantir’s stock was trading at 100 times its revenue, Morningstar reported at the time. Palantir’s current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is around 630. By contrast, tech giants like Meta, Apple, and Amazon all have price-to-earnings ratios of under 40, according to Google Finance data. Palantir will report its third-quarter earnings next Monday, November 3. Disclosure: Joe Mansueto, Morningstar’s founder, owns Fast Company. View the full article

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a devastating Category 5 storm, tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history. While the extent of the destruction is not yet known, relief organizations are already mobilizing to help across the northern Caribbean. As is typical in disasters, nonprofit groups told The Associated Press that cash is the best way to help, since unsolicited goods donations can overwhelm already strained systems. Experts recommend using sites like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance to check out unfamiliar charities before donating. Here is some of the work being done and ways to support people impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and beyond. Locals supporting locals: United Way of Jamaica The 40-year-old nonprofit has a history of supporting Jamaicans after disasters, especially the country’s farmers. Last year, United Way of Jamaica mobilized help for female farmers hit hard by Hurricane Beryl, helping them replace farm equipment, repair roofs, and pay tuition fees for their kids right as the school year began. The Kingston-based group accepts cash donations. Doubling your dollars: American Friends of Jamaica The AFJ has donated to Jamaican charitable organizations since 1982, supporting education, economic development and health care. Its disaster relief fund helped repair nearly 800 roofs after Hurricane Beryl, according to the group. The New York-based organization’s board of directors is currently matching donations to its Disaster Relief Fund, up to $1 million. Immediate relief and rebuilding: CORE CORE ‘s local staff is already responding in Haiti and will arrive in Jamaica when airports reopen to deliver relief items like hygiene kits and tarps, conduct medical assessments an distribute immediate cash assistance. The group, which was active in Jamaica after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, will also help households remove debris and rebuild homes. The Los Angeles-based nonprofit is accepting cash donations to its Emergency Response Fund. Installing backup power systems: Footprint Project The solar-energy nonprofit supplies communities and first responders with temporary power equipment to aid their response and restore communications. Footprint Project is shipping 150 portable solar and battery power stations from Florida to Jamaica, and deploying mobile microgrid equipment from Puerto Rico and Barbados, working with local partners like Jamaica Renewable Energy Association to ensure the systems are deployed where they are most needed. The New Orleans-based group is accepting cash donations to support staffing and logistics, as well as in-kind donations of “turn-key” renewable power technologies that can be rapidly shipped. Equipment donations can be coordinated through give@footprintproject.org. Transporting cargo for relief groups: Airlink Airlink works with major airlines like United and American, using their underbelly cargo space to move critical aid to disaster zones. It is moving cargo to Jamaica on behalf of 16 NGOs including World Food Programme and Mercy Corps. It will also charter at least two planes to move more goods for its partners, free of charge. The Washington, D.C.-based group accepts cash donations and donations of United frequent flyer miles. Medical aid: Direct Relief The humanitarian organization supports the Caribbean year round with medicines and other supplies, and has delivered more than $3 million in medical aid in the last month to areas now under threat. Direct Relief will support health facilities, many of which it says are in coastal and low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding and power outages. The group also sent 100 field-medic packs for Jamaica’s National Health Fund, and is working with the Pan American Health Organization to preposition supplies for Cuba. The Santa Barbara, California-based group is accepting cash donations and said that all contributions specifically designated for “Hurricane Melissa” will go directly to those efforts. High-quality supply donations: Good360 Good360 connects corporate donors who have surplus, high-quality supplies with nonprofits that need those items. The group has prepositioned supplies at a Florida warehouse and will partner with local groups to deliver what’s needed. It is anticipating demand for generators, tarps and hygiene kits. Good360 is accepting cash donations to support delivery of these supplies. Long-term recovery: Center for Disaster Philanthropy While the immediate needs will be vast, CDP focuses on long-term recovery, an often underfunded aspect of disaster response. The group will give grants to local organizations that are most in tune with the needs, focusing on the most at-risk residents and emphasizing solutions that leave communities better prepared for future climate events. The Washington, D.C.-based organization is accepting cash donations to its Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund. —— Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. —Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Beats Studio Buds are currently $79.95 at Walmart, down from $149.95, making them one of the more affordable pairs of noise-canceling earbuds backed by Apple’s ecosystem. They’re designed to work just as well with Android as they do with iOS, which isn’t always the case for Apple-owned products. The sound profile leans more toward bass (classic Beats tuning), but you still get decent clarity in the mids and highs. They’re not balanced or studio-accurate, but if you listen to pop, hip-hop, or electronic music, that low-end punch can be fun. Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Buds $79.95 at Walmart $149.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $79.95 at Walmart $149.95 Save $70.00 The active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode are a nice surprise at this price. And while the ANC doesn’t match the precision or adaptability of higher-end models from Sony or Bose, it handles steady low-frequency sounds well enough for commutes or travel (according to this PCMag review, voices and higher frequencies still slip through). Physically, these earbuds are small and light, though the glossy finish can make them tricky to grip when inserting them. Once in place, though, they sit securely and comfortably, helped by three included eartip sizes. Controls are simple: You can play or pause music, take calls, and switch between ANC modes directly from the buds. The only omission is volume control, which still requires reaching for your phone. The Studio Buds are also IPX4 water-resistant, meaning they’ll handle sweat or light rain without issue. Battery life is modest, around five hours with ANC on or eight without, and the charging case adds another 10 to 16 hours depending on usage. That said, there’s no wireless charging, and it comes with a USB-C cable but no adapter, so you’ll need one handy. If you’re not expecting top-tier noise cancellation or audiophile balance, the Studio Buds still cover the basics well. They’re easy to use, small enough to carry anywhere, and deliver strong bass with a decent ANC experience at under $80. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $459.95 (List Price $649.99) Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, White with Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), White — $59.99 (List Price $99.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $29.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $27.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Ring Chime Pro — $149.99 (List Price $259.99) Introducing Amazon Fire TV 55" Omni Mini-LED Series, QLED 4K UHD smart TV, Dolby Vision IQ, 144hz gaming mode, Ambient Experience, hands-free with Alexa, 2024 release — $699.99 (List Price $819.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 2-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $51.99 (List Price $129.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Labour has previously promised it will not raise income tax, employee national insurance or value added tax in BudgetView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. There are plenty of reasons to buy shoes at your local running store instead of online or at a big box store, including a more knowledgeable staff and the fact that you’re supporting your local running community. But another biggie is the fact that many will take returns even after you’ve gone for a few runs in your shoes. In case you don’t have a local store with this policy, it’s good to know that some larger brands and online stores will also take returns of lightly worn shoes. Fleet Feet and Running Warehouse are among the bigger stores that offer this perk; some online running shoe stores (like Roadrunner) will include it as part of a membership. But several running shoe brands offer a no-questions-asked return policy themselves, so if you know that you love (say) Nikes, you can buy from the brand directly. Do not feel bad about taking advantage of this policy. The whole idea is that you can trust your body to tell you whether the shoes are working, rather than stressing during a brief try-on about whether you think these shoes will work for you. If you can't help but feel guilty, you can make it up by buying your next new pair of shoes from the same place. They do it because they're trying to win you as a loyal customer. Adidas asks for shoes to be unworn for most returns, but it has a separate policy for its "performance" running shoes, which include all its popular running shoes, from the $65 Runfalcon on up. Altra prominently advertises "30 day trial runs, guaranteed." You'll need a return label but you can get it online for free or at your return location. Altra allows returns "if you are not completely satisfied" during those 30 days. Brooks will accept returns within 90 days, even if you’ve run in the shoes: "Run in it, sweat in it, inside, outside, in the rain—if it doesn’t perform the way it should, send it back." Hoka has a 30-day return policy (60 days for members), even if you've worn the shoes. "Try them out, that's what our 30-day Guarantee is all about." Newton accepts returns within 30 days "for any reason with as much or as little wear and tear on them" as they happen to have. Nike will let you return shoes, even if they’ve been worn, within 60 days of purchase. It refers to the 60-day time as your "trial" period and does not require the shoes to be unworn. There are exceptions, including items purchased at Nike Clearance stores. Please note that policies can change, and that they often vary by country. Customer service staff can sometimes help you out even if you fall outside the official policy, but don't count on it. Still, if you’ve bought shoes, run in them, and weren’t happy, it can’t hurt to ask. View the full article

Most marketing teams still treat SEO and PPC as budget rivals, not as complementary systems facing the same performance challenges. In practice, these relationships fall into three types: Parasitism: One benefits at the other’s expense. Commensalism: One benefits while the other remains unaffected. Mutualism: Both thrive through shared optimization and accountability. Only mutualism creates sustainable performance gains – and it’s the shift marketing teams need to make next. Mutualism: Solving joint problems One glaring problem unites online marketers: we’re getting less traffic for the same budget. Navigating the coming years requires more than the coexistence many teams mistake for collaboration. We need mutualism – shared technical standards that optimize for both organic visibility and paid performance. Shared accountability drives lower acquisition costs, faster market response, and sustainable gains that neither channel can achieve alone. Here’s what it looks like in practice: Fostering a culture of experimentation and learning. PPC tests messaging while SEO builds long-term content assets​. SEO uncovers search intent that PPC capitalizes on immediately​. Both channels learn from shared incrementality testing (guerrilla testing)​. Cross-pollination of keyword intelligence and conversion data​. Combined technical standards (modified Core Web Vitals weights) align engineering with marketing goals​. Feedback loops accelerate market insights and reduce wasted spend​. Stabilizing performance during SEO volatility During SEO penalties and core updates, PPC can maintain traffic until recovery. Core updates cause fluctuations in organic rankings and user behavior, which, in turn, can affect ad relevance and placements. Do you involve SEO during a CPC price surge? PPC-only landing pages affect the Core Web Vitals of entire sites, influencing Google’s default assumptions for URLs without enough traffic to calculate individual scores. Paid pages are penalized for slow loading just as much as organic ones, impacting Quality Score and, ultimately, bids. New-market launch considerations PPC should answer a simple question: Are we getting the types of results we expect and want? Setting clear PPC baselines by market and country provides valuable, real-time keyword and conversion data that SEO teams can use to strengthen organic strategies. By analyzing which PPC clicks drive signups or demo requests, SEO teams can prioritize content and keyword targets with proven high intent. Sharing PPC insights enables organic search teams to make smarter decisions, improve rankings, and drive better-qualified traffic. Source: SMX Advanced Berlin presentation by the author. Dig deeper: The end of SEO-PPC silos: Building a unified search strategy for the AI era Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Building unified performance measurement One key question to ask is: how do we measure incrementality? We need to quantify the true, additional contribution PPC and SEO drive above the baseline. Guerrilla testing offers a lo-fi way to do this – turning campaigns on or off in specific markets to see whether organic conversions are affected. A more targeted test involves turning off branded campaigns. PPC ads on branded terms can capture conversions that would have occurred organically, making paid results appear stronger and SEO weaker. That’s exactly what Arturs Cavniss’ company did – and here are the results. For teams ready to operate in a more sophisticated way, several options are available. One worth exploring is Robyn, an open-source, AI/ML-powered marketing mix modeling (MMM) package. Core Web Vitals Core Web Vitals measures layout stability, rendering efficiency, and server response times – key factors influencing search visibility and overall performance. These metrics are weighted by Google in evaluating page experience. Core Web Vitals MetricGoogle’s WeightFirst Contentful Paint10%Speed Index10%Largest Contentful Paint25%Total Blocking Time30%Cumulative Layout Shift25% Core Web Vitals: Affect PPC performance through CLS metrics. Influence SEO rankings through search vitals. Give engineering teams clear benchmarks that align development efforts with marketing goals. You can create a modified weighted system to reflect a combined SEO and PPC baseline. (Here’s a quick MVP spreadsheet to get started.) However, SEO-focused weightings don’t capture PPC’s Quality Score requirements or conversion optimization needs. Clicking an ad link can be slower than an organic one because Google’s ad network introduces extra processes – additional data handling and script execution – before the page loads. The hypothesis is that ad clicks may consistently load slower than organic ones due to these extra steps in the ad-serving process. This suggests that performance standards designed for organic results may not fully represent the experience of paid users. Microsoft Ads Liaison Navah Hopkins notes that paid pages are penalized for slow loading just as severely as organic ones – a factor that directly affects Quality Score and bids. Source: SMX Advanced Berlin presentation by the author. SEOs also take responsibility for improving PPC-only landing pages, even without being asked. As Jono Alderson explains: “All of your PPC-only landing pages are affecting the CWV of your whole site (and, Google’s default assumptions for all of your URLs that don’t have enough traffic to calculate), and thus f*ck with your SEO.” PPC-only landing pages influence the Core Web Vitals of entire sites, shaping Google’s assumptions for low-traffic URLs. INP gains importance with agentic AI Agentic AI’s sensitivity to interaction delays has made Interaction to Next Paint (INP) a critical performance metric. INP measures how quickly a website responds when a human or AI agent interacts with a page – clicking, scrolling, or filling out forms while completing tasks. When response times lag, agents fail tasks, abandon the site, and may turn to competitors. INP doesn’t appear in Chrome Lighthouse or PageSpeed Insights because those are synthetic testing tools that don’t simulate real interactions. Real user monitoring helps reveal what’s happening in practice, but it still can’t capture the full picture for AI-driven interactions. Bringing quality scoring to SEO PPC practitioners have long relied on Quality Score – a 1-10 scale measuring expected CTR and user intent fit – to optimize landing pages and reduce costs. SEO lacks an equivalent unified metric, leaving teams to juggle separate signals like Core Web Vitals, keyword relevance, and user engagement without a clear prioritization framework. You can create a company-wide quality score for pages to incentivize optimization and align teams while maintaining channel-specific goals. This score can account for page type, with sub-scores for trial, demo, or usage pages – adaptable to the content that drives the most business value. The system should account for overlapping metrics across subscores yet remain simple enough for all teams – SEO, PPC, engineering, and product – to understand and act on. A unified scoring model gives everyone a common language and turns distributed accountability into daily practice. When both channels share quality standards, teams can prioritize fixes that strengthen organic rankings and paid performance simultaneously. Give a comprehensive view across channels Display advertising and SEO rarely share performance metrics, yet both pursue the same goal – converting impressions into engaged users. Click-per-thousand impressions (CPTI) measures the number of clicks generated per 1,000 impressions, creating a shared language for evaluating content effectiveness across paid display and organic search. For display teams, CPTI reveals which creative and targeting combinations drive engagement beyond vanity metrics like reach. For SEO teams, applying CPTI to search impressions (via Google Search Console) shows which pages and queries convert visibility into traffic – exposing content that ranks well but fails to earn clicks. This shared metric allows teams to compare efficiency directly: if a blog post drives 50 clicks per 1,000 organic impressions while a display campaign with similar visibility generates only 15 clicks, the performance gap warrants investigation. Source: SMX Advanced Berlin presentation by the author. Reverse CPM offers another useful lens. It measures how long content takes to “pay for itself” – the point where it reaches ROI. For example, if an article earns 1 million impressions in a month, it should deliver roughly 1,000 clicks. As generative AI continues to reshape traffic patterns, this metric will need refinement. Feedback loops The most valuable insights emerge when SEO and PPC teams share operational intelligence rather than compete for credit. PPC provides quick keyword performance data to respond to market trends faster, while SEO uncovers emerging search intent that PPC can immediately act on. Together, these feedback loops create compound advantages. SEO signals PPC should act on: Google is testing a feature that impacts SEO rankings and traffic – PPC can maintain visibility during organic volatility. SEO keyword research uncovers search intent, emerging keywords, seasonal patterns, and regional differences in query popularity. Long-tail insights reveal shifting search intents after core updates, signaling format and content opportunities. PPC signals SEO should act on: Some PPC keywords are effectively “dead.” They’ll never convert and are better handled by SEO. PPC competitors bidding on brand keywords expose gaps in brand protection strategy. PPC data highlights which product messaging, features, or offers resonate most with users, informing content priorities. When both channels share intelligence, insights extend beyond marketing performance into product and business strategy. Product managers exploring new features benefit from unified search data across both channels. Joining Merchant Center and Google Search Console data in BigQuery provides a strong foundation for ecommerce attribution. These feedback loops don’t require expensive tools – only an organizational commitment to regular cross-channel reviews in which teams share what’s working, what’s failing, and what deserves coordinated testing. Optimizing the system, not the channel Treat technical performance as shared infrastructure, not channel-specific optimization. Teams that implement unified Core Web Vitals standards, cross-channel attribution models, and distributed accountability systems will capture opportunities that siloed operations miss. As agentic AI adoption accelerates and digital marketing grows more complex, symbiotic SEO-PPC operations become a competitive advantage rather than a luxury. View the full article

It’s rare for a company to give up more than a decade of brand recognizability for a new name. It’s even rarer for said company to trade their name for the name of a younger, less well-known company. But that’s exactly what Grammarly, the writing and grammar assistant tool with 40 million daily active users, is doing. Starting today, Grammarly is rolling out a massive, all-encompassing rebrand to become “Superhuman.” “Naming a company is like naming a kid,” says Grammarly CEO Shishir Mehrotra. “Renaming your 16-year-old is, like, 10 times harder. Swapping the name of your 16-year-old and your 11-year-old is 100 times harder. That’s probably what we’re doing.” Grammarly’s new name is pulled directly from the AI-powered email platform Superhuman, which Grammarly acquired back in January. The swap is intended to signal a new beginning as the brand repositions itself from a writing helper to an all-in-one work productivity tool. Despite the fact that, by Mehrotra’s own admission, Grammarly currently has a “higher brand awareness” than Superhuman, he believes this change is necessary to help consumers buy in on the company’s potential. “The trouble with the name ‘Grammarly’ is, like many names, its strength is its biggest weakness: it’s so precise,” Mehrotra says. “People’s expectations of what Grammarly can do for them are the reason it’s so popular. You need very little pitch for what it does, because the name explains the whole thing . . . As we went and looked at all the other things we wanted to be able to do for you, people scratch their heads a bit [saying], ‘Wait, I don’t really perceive Grammarly that way.’” So . . . what the heck is Superhuman? Grammarly’s transformation into Superhuman is so extensive, even the team behind it has some trouble describing exactly what Superhuman is. To start, here are the basics: Grammarly’s new overarching brand is called Superhuman, but the product at its core is called Superhuman Go. The email app that was once just Superhuman is now Superhuman Mail. From a naming standpoint, it’s definitely confusing. And on the product side, it’s not much easier to grasp what Superhuman actually does. When I asked Collin Whitehead, Grammarly’s head of product and design, to describe Superhuman Go in as few words as possible, he took a full 10 seconds to gather his thoughts. “Essentially, what we’re trying to do is build an agentic platform where users can get the power of AI everywhere that they already work,” he says. For context, Grammarly has been an AI-powered company since its inception in 2009, building a writing and grammar tool that used natural language processing to offer edits to users. Over the past few years, it’s been introducing generative tools that not only improve users’ own words, but help them draft new original text, as well as offering more subjective writing suggestions for better clarity and impact. More recently, Grammarly has embarked on a spending spree to acquire additional AI companies that expand its scope. In December 2024, Grammarly acquired Coda, an AI-powered work platform that’s like a combination of Google Docs, Airtable, and Notion. (Mehrotra actually founded Coda, and became CEO of Grammarly post acquisition). Then, in June 2025, Grammarly also acquired Superhuman. The terms of both deals were undisclosed, but Coda and Superhuman were last valued at $1.4 billion and $835 million, respectively, in 2021. Now, Grammarly is using those new investments to turn Superhuman into a much more all-encompassing work tool. Mehrotra explains it like this: Grammarly has always run on the “AI superhighway,” meaning that, instead of living on its own platform, Grammarly travels with you to places like Google Docs, email, or your Notes app to help improve your writing. Superhuman will use that superhighway to bring a huge new range of productivity tools to wherever you’re working. “We bring AI right to where people work,” Mehrotra says. “The analogy is, we only run one car on that highway, and that’s the one with your high school grammar teacher in it. But the idea is, what if it could be all the different agents and assistants that you would like?” Updating Grammarly to Superhuman Starting today, Grammarly users can turn on Superhuman Go by clicking on the Grammarly icon in their browser and toggling the product on. From there, they’ll get a step-by-step onboarding to Superhuman Go. Users can look through a library of dozens of productivity agents and choose which they’d like to use. Options include a Gmail agent, which can draft and send new messages from any other workspace and summarize insights from emails; a calendar agent that can help schedule meetings from anywhere; and a Reader Reaction agent that can break down the most likely reader responses to whatever you might be working on. Several writing-based agents with the former Grammarly branding will also be available. With so many moving parts, Whitehead says, Superhuman needed a new identity that was versatile enough to introduce users to its capabilities. That started with picking a name. “That is definitely something that we heavily debated,” Whitehead says. “I was leading that naming process, and we were coming up with names that have never existed before; names that were fully abstract and totally made up, but had a nice mouth feel.” The name, he adds, had to be powerful, unique to the user, and human-centric—something that would make the user feel better for having used it. As the abstract naming process continued, nothing was clicking. “Elevating the user was such a key part of the brief that, when we got notice about the potential [Superhuman] acquisition, it was like an earworm—we couldn’t unsee the connection between that Superhuman name and what we were going for,” Whitehead says. Even before acquisition talks were closed, Superhuman kept reemerging as the best brand name for the company. Eventually, Whitehead says, “it became the obvious choice.” The two kinds of AI companies The design agency tasked with bringing Superhuman to life was Smith & Diction, the same team behind the branding for Perplexity AI. Grammarly began briefing the Smith & Diction team on the rebrand in early 2025, but the company didn’t officially select its new name until late June, when the Superhuman acquisition was completed. For Chara and Mike Smith, the couple behind Smith & Diction, that meant there were only about three months to fully realize Superhuman’s branding. In Chara’s experience, there are two kinds of AI companies. The first leans into the idea of automating tasks. Companies in this category have become recognizable for amorphous, abstract branding, like Open AI’s intertwined circles, Google Gemini’s ombre sparkle, or even Perplexity’s own swirling pages (which, Mike says, has given Smith & Diction a reputation for designing the “butthole logo”). The second category of AI companies is centered instead on how the user is in control of the tool, rather than the other way around. “From the beginning, we definitely wanted to sit in that second camp,” Chara says. “Like, you’re the one with the ideas, you’re the one steering the ship. It’s almost like the Iron Man super suit. You put that on, and Iron Man is still in there, guiding it, making the decisions. But Iron Man can do so much more because of this super suit.” It’s obvious that, with its new productivity platform, Grammarly wants to bill itself as an unobtrusive, human-centric tool. Mehrotra says Superhuman should feel “super subtle and invisible.” In essence, it’s an AI helper that’s not out to steal your job, but to help you get better at it. To sell that concept (even to potential AI naysayers), the company needed an extremely friendly, unintimidating brand. To that end, Superhuman’s branding all hinges around one cute icon-slash-mascot named Hero. Hero serves a number of functions for Superhuman, including acting as the brand’s logo and guiding users through the UI experience. Its primary goal, though, is to make Superhuman feel trustworthy. Transforming the Grammarly logo into a Superhuman Hero’s look is essentially Grammarly’s iconic cursor (which looks a bit like a triangle with a chunk missing), topped with a round head. The simple-yet-versatile character can represent an “A” or an “i” (for AI, naturally), a cursor, and a superhero. Where it really comes alive, though, is through animation. “We imagined it kind of taking the place of an explainer video,” Mike explains. When Hero is thinking of an answer, its head bobs; when it’s writing, it turns into ellipses; and when it needs to get your attention, it springs upside down. All of these details might seem small, but Mike says they serve the dual purpose of helping users to understand how to use Superhuman and making the product feel more like an actual assistant. “If your logo is the thing that helps you through the product, then you’re going to build brand equity super quickly,” he adds. To compliment Hero’s personality, Chara and Mike swapped Grammarly’s signature green for a warm palette of purples and maroons—a choice that stands out in a tech branding space saturated with blue and black. The result is a brand that feels both authoritative and warm. “This was a product-first rebrand,” Whitehead says. “It was not about how this shows up on a billboard. This was, ‘How can the user connect with this brand on a more meaningful level?’ The mark itself is intrinsic to the user experience.” “Naming a company is like naming a kid” Logos doubling as mascots are nothing new in the branding space. But, with the exception of the Chinese company DeepSeek, Superhuman is one of the first AI companies to weave this kind of living mark into the user experience. In a moment when fears around the potential misuse of AI tend to dominate the cultural zeitgeist, the approach makes a lot of sense. Still, for a company with as much brand equity as Grammarly, it’s an inherently risky move. There’s always the possibility that moving toward an AI-centric brand narrative invites backlash, considering that companies including Duolingo and Klarna both came under fire this year for touting their “AI-first” approaches. However, the greater possibility is brand confusion, and even the cost of brand equity. Mehrotra says he’s well aware that some customers simply won’t adopt the name “Superhuman” when they refer to the company formerly known as Grammarly. While the Grammarly brand will still exist as an agent within the Superhuman platform, the company is certainly making a calculated trade-off by swapping the brand. “If you think about gaming platforms, there’s many cases where the scale of the game outshines the name of the platform. And that’s totally fine,” Mehrota says. “I think for many people, they’re gonna seek out and install what they perceive to be Grammarly and happen to get Superhuman Go along the way, just like when you know when you want to play Call of Duty and you end up with a gaming console.” View the full article

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut its short-term rate Wednesday for the second time this year despite an increasingly cloudy view of the economy it is trying to influence. The government shutdown has cut off the flow of data that the Fed relies on to track employment, inflation, and the broader economy. September’s jobs report, scheduled for release three weeks ago, is still postponed. This month’s hiring figures, to be released Nov. 7, will likely be delayed and may be less comprehensive when they are finally released. And the White House said last week that October’s inflation report may never be issued at all. The data drought raises risks for the Fed because it is widely expected to keep cutting rates in an effort to shore up growth and hiring. Fed officials signaled at their last meeting in September that they would likely implement rate reductions in October and December, and financial markets now consider a cut in December to be a near-certainty. Yet should job gains pick up soon, the Fed may not detect the change. And if hiring rebounds after weak job gains during the summer, further rate cuts may not be justified. On Tuesday, payroll processor ADP released a new weekly measure of hiring by businesses, using payroll data from millions of clients. It shows that in late September and earlier this month, companies resumed adding jobs, after shedding workers in July and August. Still, a key reason rate cuts are so widely expected is that most Fed officials see its key rate, which is now about 4.1%, to be high enough that it is restraining the economy’s growth. Under this view, the Fed can cut several more times before reaching a level that might provide unnecessary stimulus to the economy. Before the government shutdown cut off the flow of data Oct. 1, monthly hiring gains had weakened to an average of just 29,000 a month for the previous three months, according to the Labor Department’s data. The unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.3% in August from 4.2% in July. Meanwhile, last week’s inflation report — released more than a week late because of the shutdown — showed that inflation remains elevated but isn’t accelerating and may not need higher interest rates to tame it. The government’s first report on the economy’s growth in the July-September quarter was scheduled to be published on Thursday, but will be delayed, as will Friday’s report on consumer spending that also includes the Fed’s preferred inflation measure. Fed officials say they are monitoring a range of other data, including some issued by the private sector, and don’t feel handicapped by the lack of government reports. Also on Wednesday, the central bank may announce that it will no longer reduce the size of its massive securities holdings, which it accumulated during and after the pandemic and after the 2008-2009 Great Recession. The change could over time slightly reduce longer-term interest rates on things like mortgages but aren’t likely to have a major impact on consumer borrowing costs. The Fed purchased nearly $5 trillion of Treasury securities and mortgage-backed bonds from 2020 to 2022 to stabilize financial markets during the pandemic and keep longer-term interest rates low. The bond-buying lifted its securities holdings to $9 trillion. When the central bank buys a Treasury note, for example, it pays for it with newly-created money that is deposited into reserve accounts banks hold at the Fed. In the past three years, however, the Fed has reduced its holdings to about $6.6 trillion. To shrink its holdings, the Fed lets securities mature without replacing them, reducing bank reserves. The risk is if it reduces its holdings too far, short-term interest rates could spike as banks borrow money to top-up their reserves. In 2019, the Fed was reducing its balance sheet and caused a sharp, unexpected spike in short-term rates that disrupted financial markets, an outcome they want to avoid this time. The Fed currently is reducing its holdings of mortgage-backed securities by up to $35 billion a month and Treasuries by just $5 billion a month. Powell said two weeks ago that the Fed would consider ending the rolloff “in coming months,” but analysts now expect it to happen sooner because of recent signs that banks are running low on reserves. —Christopher Rugaber, AP Economics Writer View the full article