ReportWire

Tag: Devices

  • 10 reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 ASAP

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    K-12 IT leaders are under pressure from all sides–rising cyberattacks, the end of Windows 10 support, and the need for powerful new learning tools.

    The good news: Windows 11 on Lenovo devices delivers more than an upgrade–it’s a smarter, safer foundation for digital learning in the age of AI.

    Delaying the move means greater risk, higher costs, and missed opportunities. With proven ROI, cutting-edge protection, and tools that empower both teachers and students, the case for Windows 11 is clear.

    There are 10 compelling reasons your district should make the move today.

    1. Harness AI-powered educational innovation with Copilot
    Windows 11 integrates Microsoft Copilot AI capabilities that transform teaching
    and learning. Teachers can leverage AI for lesson planning, content creation, and
    administrative tasks, while students benefit from enhanced collaboration tools
    and accessibility features.

    2. Combat the explosive rise in school cyberattacks
    The statistics are alarming: K-12 ransomware attacks increased 92 percent between 2022 and 2023, with human-operated ransomware attacks surging over 200 percent globally, according to the 2024 State of Ransomware in Education.

    3. Combat the explosive rise in school cyberattacks
    Time is critically short. Windows 10 support ended in October 2025, leaving schools running unsupported systems vulnerable to attacks and compliance violations. Starting migration planning immediately ensures adequate time for device inventory, compatibility testing, and smooth district-wide deployment.

    Find 7 more reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 here.

    Laura Ascione
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    Laura Ascione

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  • Why interactive solutions are a smarter investment for schools

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    School IT leaders face a constant balancing act to deploy technology that enhances learning while keeping systems secure, manageable, and cost-effective. With classrooms evolving rapidly, interactive solutions have emerged as a strategic choice, offering immediate impact for teachers and students and long-term value for districts.

    Simplifying IT complexity

    A big challenge IT teams face is managing a mishmash of devices, platforms, and updates. Interactive displays are built to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, making integration of new tech smoother and maintenance less burdensome. OS-agnostic platforms, like Promethean’s ActivPanel 10 Premium, allow schools to choose the operating device that best fits their ecosystem—whether that’s Android, Windows, or Chrome. This flexibility reduces compatibility headaches and accelerates adoption since teachers can use systems they already know. IT teams benefit from fielding fewer support tickets, faster training, and stronger security oversight.

    Empowering teaching and learning

    While IT functionality and efficiency are important factors, the success of any classroom tech boils down to how well it supports instruction. Interactive solutions transform passive lessons into active learning experiences through touch-enabled displays, annotation tools, real-time feedback apps, and multimedia integration. The result is higher student engagement, stronger retention, and classrooms that can adapt to diverse learning styles and accessibility needs. Teachers benefit from technology that makes their jobs easier and more rewarding.

    Collaboration without boundaries

    Today’s classrooms demand collaboration across in-person and online spaces. Interactive displays with features like multi-touch capabilities, wireless screen sharing, and video integration allow students to connect from anywhere, whether they’re in the room or learning remotely. Instead of patching together separate, substandard tools, schools can use a single platform that enables equal participation for all students and that scales across classrooms, grade levels, and learning models.

    Building future-ready, sustainable classrooms

    Technology investments must stand the test of time. Unlike projectors and other high-maintenance tools, interactive panels like Promethean’s ActivPanel 10 Premium are built for longevity, with OS-agnostic designs that allow for device upgrades without replacing the entire display. This reduces total cost of ownership and better aligns with sustainability goals by minimizing electronic waste.

    Interactive technology also builds digital fluency for teachers and students, helping develop skills that carry beyond the classroom. By aligning schools with the technology students will encounter in higher education and the workplace, these solutions create lasting impact that extends well beyond the classroom.

    Rethink the ordinary with interactive tech

    Interactive solutions are a strategic infrastructure investment that reduces IT strain through simplified integration and long-term maintenance, enhances teaching and learning in ways that drive adoption and better learning outcomes, and create sustainable value that grows with the school.

    For technology leaders tasked with balancing innovation, security, and scalability, interactive solutions like ActivPanel 10 Premium represent an opportunity to rethink the ordinary. Instead of constantly troubleshooting, IT teams can focus on enabling meaningful learning experiences while ensuring every dollar spent delivers measurable returns.

    Dive deeper into the top 10 benefits of interactive technology in education. Download the full report and discover how interactive solutions can help your school create classrooms that are ready for tomorrow.

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  • Grab This $190 MacBook Air for Travel, Meetings, and Working on the Go | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    In today’s game, our laptops are mission-critical. But here’s the thing: hauling your main device everywhere—flights, coffee shops, meetings—is risky. One drop, one spill, and you’re scrambling.

    That’s why a lot of professionals invest in a backup laptop—and right now you can grab a refurbished 13.3″ Apple MacBook Air for just $189.97 (MSRP $999) with free shipping.

    The MacBook Air is light, reliable, and built for the everyday tasks that keep business moving: taking notes at a client meeting, checking email between flights, or streaming presentations without dragging your primary machine into harm’s way.

    Here’s why this offer makes sense for entrepreneurs and professionals:

    • 13.3″ display: Crisp, clear resolution for work and streaming.
    • Intel Core i5 (1.8GHz): Smooth performance for documents, email, and multitasking.
    • Intel HD Graphics 6000: Great for presentations and casual creative work.
    • 128GB SSD: Store your most important files for easy travel access.
    • Wi-Fi and bluetooth: Stay connected and transfer files seamlessly.
    • 12-hour battery life: Power through meetings, flights, or workdays without plugging in.
    • Grade A/B refurbished: Fully functional, with only light cosmetic wear.

    This MacBook Air is an affordable “second-in-command” that ensures you’re never without the tools you need. It’s slim enough to toss into a bag, dependable enough to handle daily business demands, and affordable enough that you won’t stress about wear and tear.

    Get this quality refurbished MacBook Air for $189.97 (MSRP $999) plus free shipping while stock lasts.

    Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished)

    See Deal

    StackSocial prices subject to change.

    In today’s game, our laptops are mission-critical. But here’s the thing: hauling your main device everywhere—flights, coffee shops, meetings—is risky. One drop, one spill, and you’re scrambling.

    That’s why a lot of professionals invest in a backup laptop—and right now you can grab a refurbished 13.3″ Apple MacBook Air for just $189.97 (MSRP $999) with free shipping.

    The MacBook Air is light, reliable, and built for the everyday tasks that keep business moving: taking notes at a client meeting, checking email between flights, or streaming presentations without dragging your primary machine into harm’s way.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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  • Phones, devices, and the limits of control: Rethinking school device policies

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    Key points:

    By now, it’s no secret that phones are a problem in classrooms. A growing body of research and an even louder chorus of educators point to the same conclusion: students are distracted, they’re disengaged, and their learning is suffering. What’s less clear is how to solve this issue. 

    Of late, school districts across the country are drawing firmer lines. From Portland, Maine to Conroe, Texas and Springdale, Arkansas, administrators are implementing “bell-to-bell” phone bans, prohibiting access from the first bell to the last. Many are turning to physical tools like pouches and smart lockers, which lock away devices for the duration of the day, to enforce these rules. The logic is straightforward: take the phones away, and you eliminate the distraction.

    In many ways, it works. Schools report fewer behavioral issues, more focused classrooms, and an overall sense of calm returning to hallways once buzzing with digital noise. But as these policies scale, the limitations are becoming more apparent.

    But students, as always, find ways around the rules. They’ll bring second phones to school or slip their device in undetected–and more. Teachers, already stretched thin, are now tasked with enforcement, turning minor infractions into disciplinary incidents. 

    Some parents and students are also pushing back, arguing that all-day bans are too rigid, especially when phones serve as lifelines for communication, medical needs, or even digital learning. In Middletown, Connecticut, students reportedly became emotional just days after a new ban took effect, citing the abrupt change in routine and lack of trust.

    The bigger question is this: Are we trying to eliminate phones, or are we trying to teach responsible use?

    That distinction matters. While it’s clear that phone misuse is widespread and the intent behind bans is to restore focus and reduce anxiety, blanket prohibitions risk sending the wrong message. Instead of fostering digital maturity, they can suggest that young people are incapable of self-regulation. And in doing so, they may sidestep an important opportunity: using school as a place to practice responsible tech habits, not just prohibit them.

    This is especially critical given the scope of the problem. A recent study by Fluid Focus found that students spend five to six hours a day on their phones during school hours. Two-thirds said it had a negative impact on their academic performance. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 77 percent of school leaders believe phones hurt learning. The data is hard to ignore.

    But managing distraction isn’t just about removal. It’s also about design. Schools that treat device policy as an infrastructure issue, rather than a disciplinary one, are beginning to implement more structured approaches. 

    Some are turning to smart locker systems that provide centralized, secure phone storage while offering greater flexibility: configurable access windows, charging capabilities, and even low admin options to help keep teachers teaching. These systems don’t “solve” the phone problem, but they do help schools move beyond the extremes of all-or-nothing.

    And let’s not forget equity. Not all students come to school with the same tech, support systems, or charging access. A punitive model that assumes all students have smartphones (or can afford to lose access to them) risks deepening existing divides. Structured storage systems can help level the playing field, offering secure and consistent access to tech tools without relying on personal privilege or penalizing students for systemic gaps.

    That said, infrastructure alone isn’t the answer. Any solution needs to be accompanied by clear communication, transparent expectations, and intentional alignment with school culture. Schools must engage students, parents, and teachers in conversations about what responsible phone use actually looks like and must be willing to revise policies based on feedback. Too often, well-meaning bans are rolled out with minimal explanation, creating confusion and resistance that undermine their effectiveness.

    Nor should we idealize “focus” as the only metric of success. Mental health, autonomy, connection, and trust all play a role in creating school environments where students thrive. If students feel overly surveilled or infantilized, they’re unlikely to engage meaningfully with the values behind the policy. The goal should not be control for its own sake, it should be cultivating habits that carry into life beyond the classroom.

    The ubiquity of smartphones is undeniable. While phones are here to stay, the classroom represents one of the few environments where young people can learn how to use them wisely, or not at all. That makes schools not just sites of instruction, but laboratories for digital maturity.

    The danger isn’t that we’ll do too little. It’s that we’ll settle for solutions that are too simplistic or too focused on optics, instead of focusing  not on outcomes.

    We need more than bans. We need balance. That means moving past reactionary policies and toward systems that respect both the realities of modern life and the capacity of young people to grow. It means crafting strategies that support teachers without overburdening them, that protect focus without sacrificing fairness, and that reflect not just what we’re trying to prevent, but what we hope to build.

    The real goal shouldn’t be to simply get phones out of kids’ hands. It should be to help them learn when to put them down on their own.

    Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)

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    Emily Smith, HonestWaves

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  • Entrepreneurs Can Master Digital Handwriting With This Stylus, Now 24% Off | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Seeing someone’s handwriting increases perceptions of thoughtfulness, intelligence, and competence, according to a study published in the APA’s Journal of Consumer Psychology. If you want to boost these things as an entrepreneur, but also want to stay in the 21st century, a stylus can be a great compromise.

    The Tinymoose Pencil Pro Plus works with your iPad and allows you to write precisely right on the tablet, and right now this handy tool is on sale for $29.99 (reg. $39.95).

    Take notes, sketch ideas, and more with this stylus

    Get back to the art of natural writing with the Tinymoose Pencil Pro Plus. It allows you to draw directly on any iPad Air, iPad Pro, or iPad mini released from 2018 to 2025, making it widely compatible and ready to help you get some work done.

    The Pencil Pro Plus was designed with power users in mind, offering tilt sensitivity that allows for natural shading and varied stroke thickness, and palm rejection so you can rest your hand on the screen without accidentally making marks or ruining your creation. It also offers zero lag, so you can enjoy real-time response with pixel-perfect precision.

    There’s a shortcut button for busy entrepreneurs — just press once to exit an app, twice to capture screenshots, and hold it down to power the pen on and off. It features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to see the battery status easily. And speaking of battery — it lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, so it’s ready to stick with you through the workday.

    Its lightweight aluminum alloy body makes it comfortable to write with for long periods of time. It also includes a magnetic attachment that offers wireless charging and snaps securely to the side of your iPad so you can keep track of it at all times.

    Get a Tinymoose Pencil Pro Plus for just $29.99 (reg. $39.95) now.

    StackSocial prices subject to change.

    Seeing someone’s handwriting increases perceptions of thoughtfulness, intelligence, and competence, according to a study published in the APA’s Journal of Consumer Psychology. If you want to boost these things as an entrepreneur, but also want to stay in the 21st century, a stylus can be a great compromise.

    The Tinymoose Pencil Pro Plus works with your iPad and allows you to write precisely right on the tablet, and right now this handy tool is on sale for $29.99 (reg. $39.95).

    Take notes, sketch ideas, and more with this stylus

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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  • Is There a Hidden Agenda Behind These New Crypto Laws? | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Recent crypto laws have sparked debate about their true political motivations. The GENIUS Act, signed on July 18, 2025, represents the cornerstone of the administration’s cryptocurrency strategy.

    Officially, the initiative aims to remove excessive administrative barriers and legalize stablecoins – crypto assets backed by real American assets: dollars, treasury bonds or gold.

    According to legislators, these coins should simplify transactions and position the United States as a global leader in digital finance. The administration has framed this legislation as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance financial innovation while maintaining America’s economic leadership.

    Understanding cryptocurrency laws in the U.S. requires looking beyond official narratives. The stablecoin market, currently valued at over $260 billion, is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2028 under this new regulatory framework. This explosive growth will fundamentally alter the financial landscape in ways that may not align with stated objectives.

    Related: The Hidden Problems That Could Threaten Crypto’s Future

    Who regulates crypto in the U.S.?

    The question of who regulates cryptocurrency in the U.S. is becoming complex under the new legislation. The hidden agenda behind these laws appears to be weakening the Federal Reserve System’s control. As a reminder, the Fed, established in 1913, consists of twelve regional reserve banks and is considered a private structure independent of executive power.

    The prerogative of issuing “national money” is firmly secured by the Fed, and attempts to interfere with its powers have invariably met with strong opposition. Understanding who regulates cryptocurrency in the U.S. reveals the political power struggle behind recent laws.

    The new stablecoin law represents a half-measure, as it cannot solve the task of creating an alternative digital central bank. Instead, it allows private players to issue their own “money” backed by government securities, effectively fragmenting the Fed’s monopoly on emission.

    Read More: People Really Only Care About These 3 Things at Work — Do You Offer Them?

    Stablecoin influence as a tool for political influence

    New stablecoin regulation allows private entities to issue currency-like assets backed by government securities. This represents a significant departure from traditional monetary policy, where currency issuance is tightly controlled by central banking authorities.

    The approach to stablecoin regulation may fragment the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on currency issuance. By allowing private entities to create dollar-backed digital assets, the legislation effectively creates a parallel monetary system that operates under different rules and oversight.

    Critics argue that current stablecoin regulation could create a shadow emission system outside traditional controls. This system could potentially undermine the Fed’s ability to implement monetary policy effectively and respond to economic crises.

    Related: Why Institutional Investors Are Embracing Crypto–TradFi Partnerships

    The political agenda driving recent legislation

    The cryptocurrency political agenda behind recent legislation extends beyond promoting innovation. As a result, the U.S. economic system risks losing part of its budget revenues and deviating from its usual course. Businesses, having received the right to issue and use stablecoins, may begin to evade tax control and the stablecoins themselves, under unfavorable regulation, will depreciate and lose trust.

    To understand the politics around crypto, you have to look at the power struggles between government institutions. Hidden money printing creates slower growth and shaky forecasts, which is risky in an election year when political pressure is already high.

    Some in the crypto space even push for reducing the Federal Reserve’s control over monetary policy — a major change to the financial system that has shaped the U.S. for more than 100 years.

    The potential consequences of these hidden agenda crypto laws include:

    • Budget Revenue Loss: Reduced tax collection from cryptocurrency transactions compared to traditional financial operations.
    • Monetary Policy Fragmentation: Multiple entities issuing dollar-backed assets could complicate coordinated monetary policy.
    • Financial Stability Risks: A parallel financial system with different rules could introduce new systemic risks.
    • Political Power Shifts: Reduction in Federal Reserve independence and increased executive branch influence over monetary policy.
    • Economic Uncertainty: Potential for market volatility and reduced predictability during political transitions.

    Analysts are questioning whether Trump’s crypto ventures are designed to weaken Federal Reserve control. The legislation creates a framework where private entities can issue dollar-backed assets with potentially less oversight than traditional banking institutions.

    The Trump administration has framed its cryptocurrency laws as forward-looking reforms designed to position the U.S. as a leader in digital finance. But beneath that narrative lies a more complex political agenda. The legislation could reduce the Federal Reserve’s influence over monetary policy, introduce alternative currency-like instruments with favorable tax treatment and shift power among key financial institutions.

    Related: This Trillion-Dollar Industry Is Where You Need to Look For Your Next Investment — Here’s Why

    The full impact will only become clear over time. What is certain is that the effects will extend well beyond cryptocurrency markets, with the potential to reshape core elements of America’s financial and political order. The central question is whether these changes will bolster or weaken U.S. economic stability and global leadership. Understanding the implications requires looking past official narratives to the shifting power dynamics they conceal — only then can we judge whether the reforms serve the public good or narrower political aims.

    Recent crypto laws have sparked debate about their true political motivations. The GENIUS Act, signed on July 18, 2025, represents the cornerstone of the administration’s cryptocurrency strategy.

    Officially, the initiative aims to remove excessive administrative barriers and legalize stablecoins – crypto assets backed by real American assets: dollars, treasury bonds or gold.

    According to legislators, these coins should simplify transactions and position the United States as a global leader in digital finance. The administration has framed this legislation as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance financial innovation while maintaining America’s economic leadership.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Vladimir Gorbunov

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  • The MacBook Air Is the Perfect Laptop for Entrepreneurs, and This One is Just $200 | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    As an entrepreneur, time is money — anything that can save you time or increase your productivity helps. According to a study by Forrester, Apple users have a 3.5% increase in employee productivity due to the devices’ performance and reliability.

    If you’ve yet to make the switch to an Apple device, now is the perfect time. This MacBook Air is currently on sale for just $199.97 (reg. $999) through September 7.

    Work from anywhere with Apple’s lightest laptop

    Entrepreneurs need to be able to work from anywhere, which makes the MacBook Air a great option. This device is Apple’s lightest laptop, but don’t be deceived by its 2.96-pound weight. It’s packed with features that can help boost your productivity.

    Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, this laptop can keep up with all of an entrepreneur’s multitasking. And you can tackle all your tasks on the 13.3-inch widescreen display, which features a 1440 x 900 resolution and Intel HD Graphics 6000, delivering sharp, vibrant visuals.

    Twelve hours of battery life ensure you aren’t searching for electrical outlets all day. There is also 128GB of built-in storage so you can save important files locally, and built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for easy connectivity.

    If you’re curious why you’re saving $800, it’s thanks to this model’s grade A/B rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep with light to normal wear, and will be fully operational, clean, and ready to use right out of the box.

    Work efficiently from anywhere with this MacBook Air, now only $199.97 (reg. $999) through September 7 while supplies last.

    StackSocial prices subject to change.

    As an entrepreneur, time is money — anything that can save you time or increase your productivity helps. According to a study by Forrester, Apple users have a 3.5% increase in employee productivity due to the devices’ performance and reliability.

    If you’ve yet to make the switch to an Apple device, now is the perfect time. This MacBook Air is currently on sale for just $199.97 (reg. $999) through September 7.

    Work from anywhere with Apple’s lightest laptop

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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  • How This Startup Plans to End Restaurants’ Most Wasteful Habit | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Life is full of minor inconveniences. Most people see them as annoyances, but entrepreneurs see opportunities. Small frustrations can spark ideas that lead to big solutions, and many of the best companies are built by solving problems others overlook.

    That’s exactly what Dylan Wolff has done with his water conservation startup, CNSRV.

    A cooler way to thaw

    Wolff, a Southern California native, was introduced to the issue that now dominates his life through a bartending friend.

    “He told me the restaurant wasn’t serving drinking water to customers unless they asked for it — a policy to conserve water. But in the back of the house, in the kitchen, they were running the faucet for 10 hours a day to defrost frozen food. That’s over 4,000 gallons of water straight down the drain.”

    This isn’t an isolated issue. Every year, billions of gallons of water are wasted in the U.S. food industry during the defrosting process. One turkey breast can take 5 hours of running water. It seems like small potatoes, but when you multiply that across every restaurant in America, the environmental cost is staggering.

    After this epiphany, Wolff immersed himself in the wondrous world of food defrosting. He found that restaurants use three main methods: refrigerating the food, microwaving it or running it under cold water.

    The fridge method takes days to defrost, creating an “inventory nightmare”, and we all know that microwaved food isn’t quite the same. That leaves the cold water method, which would be perfect if not for the thousands of gallons wasted each day.

    “I spoke with as many people in commercial kitchens as I could, and kept hearing the same thing,” Wolff says. “It’s just the nature of the business.”

    Undeterred, Wolff turned words into action, meeting with health departments to fully understand the code and reverse-engineer a solution. Working with his partner, Brett Abrams and Tim Nugent, head of R&D, he developed an early prototype that uses a proprietary defrosting method combining water agitation and precise temperature control.

    That prototype would become the DC: 02, a defrosting machine that cuts thawing time in half using 98% less water than traditional methods, and improves food quality, all while saving thousands in utility expenses.

    Related: I Interviewed 5 Entrepreneurs Generating Up to $20 Million in Revenue a Year — And They All Have the Same Regret About Starting Their Business

    Efficiency meets affordability

    When Wolff started, there were hardly any players in the defrosting industry, and none with a completely portable technology.

    “There are alternatives, but they’re $35,000 blast chillers that need a dedicated 220 outlet and a lot of kitchen space,” Wolff says. “We’ve built something that uses the space they’re already defrosting in, plugs into a standard 120 outlet, uses little power, and completely optimizes the process.”

    For customers who don’t care about water savings, Wolff jokes that he can “Trojan horse” it in.

    “They’ll care about the improved quality and saving time,” he says.

    They’ll also care about new rebate programs from municipalities in Southern California ($800 per unit) and Tampa, Florida ($1,000 per unit).

    “The Metropolitan Water District has a program that provides grants to innovations in the water conservation space,” Wolff explains. “I received that grant, along with the third-party validation of our technology that came with it.”

    For consumers, that means when you buy a DC:02, you’ll get a check back from the Metropolitan Water District. Wolff envisions this resonating with smaller restaurants and grocers, who benefit personally from the savings while contributing to the larger cause of water conservation.

    Related: 7 Water-Saving Strategies for Your Business

    Though passionate about the environment, Wolff has no formal training in sustainability or water conservation. What he does have is a background in product development, management, and an entrepreneurial drive. He bootstrapped CNSRV through its early stages, raising capital from friends and family before catching the attention of venture group Burnt Island Ventures, which provided the funding to take the next step.

    “I always knew I wanted to do something entrepreneurial,” Wolff says. “I just needed that spark—the problem to solve. This was a serendipitous intersection of my strengths in business and my passion for sustainability. Finding this solution is exactly where I want to focus my time and energy.”

    Life is full of minor inconveniences. Most people see them as annoyances, but entrepreneurs see opportunities. Small frustrations can spark ideas that lead to big solutions, and many of the best companies are built by solving problems others overlook.

    That’s exactly what Dylan Wolff has done with his water conservation startup, CNSRV.

    A cooler way to thaw

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Leo Zevin

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  • How a Software Engineer’s Business Impacts Education | Entrepreneur

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    As Brandon Bailey, founder and CEO of TutorD, built his career in software engineering, he came face-to-face with the “lack of diversity and inclusion” in tech — and he wanted to do something about it.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of TutorD. Brandon Bailey.

    Bailey worked at a consultancy in Chicago at the time, and as co-lead for one of the firm’s employee resource groups, he partnered with a couple of community-based organizations. One partnership was with a middle school in Bronzeville.

    The school was located about 15 minutes from Bailey’s home, but the students “had a totally different lived experience,” the founder recalls. Many of the kids had never been on an escalator or inside a skyscraper despite living just minutes from downtown.

    Related: Technology Opens the Door for Entrepreneurs to Achieve the Triple Bottom Line

    The program helped the students have those experiences and access internships and other opportunities. “That gave me this drive and passion for the educational experience and helping facilitate it,” Bailey says. “It changed my life. I know it changed [their lives].”

    But Bailey wanted to figure out how to reach even more people. He landed a job at an edtech startup in Los Angeles, California, and began to think about how he could bring together education, engineering and entrepreneurship.

    When considering the platform or tool that could accomplish that, Bailey noted one significant obstacle: There was an issue of connectivity for students who didn’t have access to computers in their homes. However, most students did have cellphones, so Bailey decided to meet the students where they were and build for those.

    Related: How DEI and Sustainability Can Grow Your Triple Bottom Line

    “We wanted to lead with providing value to the community first and gaining trust and buy-in.”

    Bailey officially founded TutorD, an edtech platform for teachers and tutors to enable distance learning, and TutorD Scholars, a nonprofit that teaches “urban youth in-demand 22nd century skills,” in 2019.

    “We wanted to lead with providing value to the community first and gaining trust and buy-in into what we were doing,” Bailey says. “So that’s why we led with the nonprofit TutorD Scholars first, while building out the software platform.”

    Teaching made it easier to figure out the specific tools students would need on the platform and how to tailor lessons to their unique learning styles.

    Related: This Black Founder Stayed True to His Triple ‘Win’ Strategy to Build a $1 Billion Business

     ”We’re teaching [the students] in different ways,” Bailey says, “so using visual, auditory, reading and kinesthetic. [It’s] a very intentional approach.”

    Entrepreneur sat down with Bailey to learn more about how he’s grown TutorD into a successful business — and the role that Intuit’s IDEAS accelerator program has played.

    Intuit’s IDEAS accelerator program provides founders access to capital and the company’s AI-powered platform, service and experts, plus business coaching from the National Urban League and executive coaching from Zella Life to support their business and professional growth.

    Related: Over Half of Small Businesses Are Struggling to Grow, Intuit Survey Shows — But These 5 Solutions Can Help

    Learning the accounting fundamentals was a game changer

    Through the IDEAS program, Bailey got valuable exposure to the basic accounting fundamentals, like cash flow and profit and loss statements, that make or break a business.

    “That wasn’t something I had a lot of support with growing up, looking back at it,” Bailey says. “In our household, [and] it is common across Black and brown households, we didn’t have that training around finances.”

    Receiving that technical training helped Bailey and the TutorD team develop a clearer sense of where the business was headed and how its costs and sales projections would shape that trajectory, the founder notes.

    Related: Why Accounting Skills Are Indispensable for Entrepreneurs

    Streamlining the business’s messaging was also key

    TutorD used Intuit’s MailChimp, an email and marketing automation platform for growing businesses, to streamline its communications.

    Not only did the platform make it easier for people to get in touch with TutorD, but it also helped cultivate a sense of presence — making the business seem bigger than it was, Bailey says.

     ”We’re a team of five right now, and we’re dealing with other companies that are 200, 500 people strong,” Bailey explains. “And they have $20 million backed by different investors. [MailChimp] helped us appear bigger than we are to compete in the market and with other edtech companies.”

    Related: How to Streamline Your Company’s Internal Messaging and Communication

    Leaning on mentors helped during tough times

    The business coach that Bailey connected with through Zella Life also became an integral part of TutorD’s journey.

    Having a support system in place was invaluable as Bailey juggled the challenges of growing a business with major life events, he says.

    “My father passed away, and my baby came, and I had an injury, all in a three-month span,” Bailey says. “My coach had also lost his mother around that time, so we [had a] really deep connection, and he was able to help.”

    Related: How to Evolve From Manager to Mentor and Create a Lasting Impact in Your Organization

    Bailey says that the IDEAS program put TutorD in the position to scale — and gave him and his team the confidence to talk to people about their journey.

    Advice for young entrepreneurs

    Bailey encourages other young, aspiring entrepreneurs to never stop learning, seek out opportunities where there’s a need and ability to create value, connect with other founders who can serve as mentors, and leverage the community to help lay the foundation for business success.

    He’s also excited to see people embracing the “triple bottom line,” which tracks a business’s financial, social and environmental performance — and suggests anyone considering the leap to founder do the same.

    “ People are waking up to [the fact that] it’s not just about making money and some infinitely growing, making-money approach to entrepreneurship and capitalism in general, but really looking at it with a triple bottom line approach, generating sustainable profit or revenue for yourself, your family, business and shareholders, but also making an impact in the community,” Bailey says.

    Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success.

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  • Nothing releases its first over-the-ear headphones, the $299 Headphone (1) | TechCrunch

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    London-based smartphone maker Nothing has launched its first over-the-ear headphones, the Headphone (1). The new device follows Nothing’s first step into audio hardware with last year’s debut of the Ear 2 open-ear headphones.

    The new Headphone (1) headphones were designed in collaboration with British audio brand KEF and feature the sleek, transparent design that Nothing has become known for. The device itself is a bit bulky, even for an over-the-ear headphone, but it provides adequate adaptive noise cancelling and transparent modes.

    This model also offers adaptive bass enhancement, which came across when listening to a variety of music genres. 

    In addition, the headphones offer immersive spatial audio. This creates a 3-D listening experience that, paired with the dynamic head tracking, creates a more lifelike audio experience.

    A highlight is the tactile buttons. Nothing stepped away from sensors in favor of a simple button to trigger your AI assistant or ChatGPT, if you have the Nothing X app, and a volume roller that can also be pressed to play, pause, and turn on and off noise canceling.

    Plus, the roller has a very satisfying click when you turn it up or down. 

    The headphones were a bit heavy and tended to slide around while wearing them to do some household chores, but were otherwise perfectly comfortable for a long wear time.

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    The company claims a long battery life with up to 80 hours of listening, 35 hours if you have noise cancelling turned on, and a quick charge time. 

    The Headphone (1) will be available for preorder in the U.S., U.K., and elsewhere starting on July 4, 2025, for $299.

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  • Adobe: Artists ‘Need to Embrace’ Creative Cloud AI Changes | Entrepreneur

    Adobe: Artists ‘Need to Embrace’ Creative Cloud AI Changes | Entrepreneur

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    Adobe has new AI updates for its creative cloud subscribers — whether they like AI or not.

    Adobe announced last week that Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and other popular programs would get AI enhancements. A Friday report from The Verge shows that Adobe doesn’t plan to offer alternative versions of products without AI for artists who oppose the technology.

    Related: I Tried the ‘Anti-AI App’ That Suddenly Drew Half a Million Artists Away From Instagram

    “Our goal is to make our customers successful, and we think that in order for them to be successful, they need to embrace the tech,” Adobe’s vice president of generative AI Alexandru Costin told the publication.

    Adobe’s pro-AI stance is at odds with some of its user base, who were outraged earlier this year when Adobe changed its terms of use.

    The language of the terms left the door open for Adobe to train its AI on user images.

    Adobe has since updated its terms of service to clarify that it will not use local or cloud content to train generative AI, but anti-AI sentiment remains strong among creatives.

    In June, an anti-AI app named Cara gained over half a million users in a week for its focus on human-created art. The app, which looks similar to Instagram, bans users from posting AI-generated images. It also automatically protects art against AI training by adding a “NoAI” label to all images that users upload.

    Related: Using AI to Promote Your Business? New TikTok Labels Will Let Everyone Know

    What Are Adobe’s New AI Features?

    One of Adobe’s AI additions to Photoshop is a gesture called generative fill. Users can select part of an image, type in what they want to see, and generate content to layer on top of what they have. For example, they could add a raindrop to a leaf.

    Adobe also introduced AI video tools for its video editing program Premiere, so users can prolong videos with generative extend and add, replace, or remove moving objects.

    Photoshop and Premiere Pro are part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud, a subscription service with over 33 million members.

    Related: This Is How to Separate Fact From AI Fiction During Election Season, According to an Adobe Executive

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  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang: Blackwell AI Chip Design Flaw Fixed | Entrepreneur

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang: Blackwell AI Chip Design Flaw Fixed | Entrepreneur

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    Nvidia’s Blackwell AI chip, the same one that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said had “insane” demand, is now free of a design error that caused a production delay.

    According to a Wednesday Reuters report, Huang said that the design mistake “was 100% Nvidia’s fault.”

    “We had a design flaw in Blackwell,” he stated. “It was functional, but the design flaw caused the yield to be low.”

    He specified the nature of the problem, stating that “in order to make a Blackwell computer work, seven different types of chips were designed from scratch and had to be ramped into production at the same time.” After fixing the design flaw, Nvidia has been producing Blackwell “at an incredible pace,” Huang said.

    Related: Here’s Why Nvidia Just Broke Another Record and Could Take Apple’s Crown as the Most Valuable Company in the World

    The chips were supposed to ship in the second quarter of this year, but are now shipping in the fourth quarter.

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang displays a Blackwell chip. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Reports that Blackwell could be delayed ramped up in August, causing Nvidia shares to drop. Since then, the stock has climbed back up, growing over 188% year-to-date at the time of writing.

    Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says Nuclear Energy ‘Is a Wonderful Way Forward’ to Keep AI Data Centers Running

    Huang has previously said that intense demand was the one thing that kept him up at night and that everyone wanted to be the first to use the Blackwell chip.

    “We have a lot of people on our shoulders, and everybody is counting on us,” he said last month.

    Snags in Blackwell production affect some of the world’s biggest tech companies, which are Nvidia’s biggest customers. Over 40% of Nvidia’s revenue comes from just four clients: Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft.

    Related: Here’s How the CEOs of Salesforce and Nvidia Use ChatGPT in Their Daily Lives

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  • Get Plug-and-Play Simplicity Across Multiple Devices with This Handy Flash Drive | Entrepreneur

    Get Plug-and-Play Simplicity Across Multiple Devices with This Handy Flash Drive | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    More than quarter of all workers work in a hybrid environment, according to flex space and hybrid work software company OfficeRnD. That means, having the right tools to keep your data safe and accessible is a must. The Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High-Speed Flash Drive is a terrific portable storage solution that balances compatibility, speed, and durability. It’s currently on sale for just $74.97 (reg. $109.99) for a limited time.

    Whether you’re a business professional hopping between devices or simply needing to manage large files on the go, this versatile flash drive makes it easy to access and transfer your data. Its dual USB-C and USB-A interface offers seamless compatibility across devices—whether it’s a PC, Mac, or Android smartphone.

    No more worrying about finding the right adapter or port; this flash drive has you covered with both modern and classic ports. And at 1TB, this high-speed flash drive allows you to store large files such as high-resolution photos, videos, and presentations without breaking a sweat.

    With lightning-fast read and write speeds of 20-30MB/s, you can transfer and access your files in no time, making your workflow more efficient and productive. Say goodbye to slow, clunky file transfers and hello to streamlined data management.

    Built for life on the go, this flash drive is not just fast—it’s durable. Featuring waterproof, dust-proof, and anti-drop technology, it ensures your data is protected, even in challenging environments. Whether you’re on the road for work or need extra peace of mind handling critical data, this flash drive’s rugged design keeps your files safe from everyday accidents.

    With plug-and-play functionality, using the flash drive is as simple as plugging it into your device. No software installations, no complicated setups—just instant access to your data wherever you are.

    Quantities are limited, so order this storage drive while it’s still available at this price.

    The 1TB Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High-Speed Flash Drive is on sale for just $74.97 (reg. $109.99) through October 27.

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  • New E-rate rules could narrow the homework gap

    New E-rate rules could narrow the homework gap

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    Key points:

    Learning is mobile–but how can schools provide reliable high-speed internet for students who need devices at home, but who lack connectivity?

    In July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the use of E-rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots that support students, school staff, and library patrons without internet access.

    For an update on the 2025 E-rate, register for an eSchool News webinar featuring expert insight.

    The federal E-rate program provides discounts to help schools and libraries obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. Over the years, the program has been modernized to focus support on bringing high-speed broadband to and within schools and libraries.  This latest action will help students gain access to educational resources that may have been previously out of reach and enable them to learn without limits.

    “I believe every library and every school library in this country should be able to loan out Wi-Fi hotspots to help keep their patrons and kids connected. It is 2024 in the United States. This should be our baseline. We can use the E-rate program to make it happen,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.

    “That is why today we modernize E-rate to ensure that schools and libraries nationwide can loan out Wi-Fi hotspots to support high-speed internet access in rural America, urban America, and everything in between. The time to do this is now. We do not need to go back; we can go forward and make it possible for everyone to get the connections they need,” she added.

    According to an FCC announcement, the new ruling will:

    • Allow schools and libraries to use E-rate funding to loan out Wi-Fi hotspots and support high-speed internet access for students, school staff, and library patrons in both rural and urban parts of the country.
    • Adopt a budget mechanism that sets a limit on the amount of support that an applicant can request for Wi-Fi hotspots and services over a three-year period.  In the event that demand for E-rate support exceeds available funding in a given funding year, eligible on-premises category one and category two equipment and service requests will be prioritized and funded before eligible off-premises equipment and service requests.
    • Adopt numerous safeguards to protect the integrity of the E-rate program, including measures to ensure the supported Wi-Fi hotspots and services are in use, are used for educational purposes, are not funded through other sources, and are properly documented for auditing purposes.
    • Require compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

    “We commend the FCC for working to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive in a connected world. The approval of this initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to the E-rate program, aligning it with the realities of today’s educational landscape,” said John Harrington, CEO of Funds For Learning. “Learning extends outside the classroom or library to homes, while on the go, and in every community space. This move empowers schools and libraries to bridge the homework gap, providing students with the resources they need to succeed academically, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location.”

    Harrington added: “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vital role of connectivity in education, and this decision makes it possible for more students and library patrons to gain internet access. Reliable internet access is fundamental to modern education, allowing students to participate fully in digital learning environments. This is a monumental step towards closing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to educational resources for all. Funds For Learning is committed to supporting this expansion and will continue to advocate for policies that enhance the effectiveness of the E-rate program.”

    On June 6, the FCC adopted a three-year, $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, which will allow the FCC to obtain and analyze actionable data about which cybersecurity services and equipment would best help K-12 schools and libraries address growing cyberthreats and attacks against their broadband networks.

    Through the pilot, the FCC aims to learn how to improve school and library defenses against sophisticated ransomware and cyberattacks that put students at risk and impede their learning.

    The pilot will enable the FCC to gather the data needed to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries and to share lessons learned with our federal partners to jointly combat this growing problem.

    Laura Ascione
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  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang: Demand For Blackwell AI Is Insane | Entrepreneur

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang: Demand For Blackwell AI Is Insane | Entrepreneur

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    In May, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that “the next industrial revolution has begun,” and AI will drive “significant productivity gains.” It looks like he’s right — industry demand for Nvidia’s next-generation AI chip, Blackwell, is through the roof.

    “Blackwell is in full production, Blackwell is as planned, and the demand for Blackwell is insane,” Huang told CNBC on Thursday. “Everybody wants to have the most, and everybody wants to be first.”

    Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s Biggest Worry Shows that Success Has a Downside

    Nvidia first announced Blackwell in March and stated that it was the most powerful AI chip in the world with advanced security capabilities, better performance, and more memory. The biggest names in AI, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Google, will use Blackwell to power their AI efforts.

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang displays the new Blackwell GPU chip, left, and the Hopper GPU chip, right, in March 2024. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    “There is currently nothing better than NVIDIA hardware for AI,” Tesla and xAI CEO Elon Musk stated, at the time.

    Since the initial announcement, Blackwell has hit a few snags in production, leading to delays. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said in late August that the company has fixed the issue and expects to ship “several billion dollars” worth of the chip in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Related: Nvidia’s Immense Market Power Is Worrying Investors — Here’s Why

    The chip costs between $30,000 to $40,000 and took $10 billion to develop.

    Huang said that Nvidia has updated its platform significantly with Blackwell, and intends to continue updating it. Nvidia has increased performance by two to three times from its 2022 Hopper chip to its Blackwell chip, which Huang says increases revenue for Nvidia’s customers by two to three times.

    “What we’re looking at now is the beginning of the next wave of AI, the biggest wave of AI,” Huang told CNBC. “This is really about companies around the world using AI to be more productive as their digital employees and AI agents and co-pilots and however people describe them, as well as using AI, generative AI, to revolutionize the way they build their products and the products they build.”

    Huang said last month that intense demand for Nvidia’s technology and software keeps him up at night. On Wednesday, Nvidia partnered with Accenture to train 30,000 of Accenture’s employees on Nvidia’s technology.

    Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says Nuclear Energy ‘Is a Wonderful Way Forward’ to Keep AI Data Centers Running

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  • Tired of Getting Work Calls After Hours? Try This. | Entrepreneur

    Tired of Getting Work Calls After Hours? Try This. | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Are you like 62% of Americans who, according to HubSpot, say they check their email outside of working hours? We get it. Whether you’re at the bottom of the corporate ladder trying to climb up or the boss whose job never ends, it can be hard to separate work from your personal life—especially when they both live on your phone.

    That’s why some business professionals are getting a second phone for work. Consider this credit-card-size smartphone as a reliable option. It’s way more compact than the new iPhones and far more affordable at only $99.97 (reg. $199.99) for a limited time. And it ships free.

    Why get a second phone?

    The NanoPhone will help you separate your work and personal lives. Your existing smartphone can be only for your messages, calls, and apps, while the NanoPhone can be a space to download everything you need for work—Gmail, Slack, authenticator apps, and more.

    The phone runs on Android 10 OS, so you can download basically any app you need. It also has dual cameras for taking video calls on the go, should you need to do any business correspondence while traveling.

    With two separate phones, the odds of refreshing your work email or checking Slack on your day off (or before you go to bed) are far lower. Simply tuck the NanoPhone into your briefcase or purse and try your hardest to forget about it.

    Will I need another phone plan?

    If you hope to use it independently from your existing phone, yes. You’ll have to purchase a SIM card and a mobile carrier plan.

    However, some people use the NanoPhone with their phone’s current SIM card and data plan. This is an excellent option for emergencies, like if you damage your phone and need a backup.

    Order your mini smartphone while they’re on sale for $99.97 with free shipping (reg. $199.99). No coupon is needed for this limited-time offer.

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  • 23andMe Board Resigns: ‘Differences’ With CEO Anne Wojcicki | Entrepreneur

    23andMe Board Resigns: ‘Differences’ With CEO Anne Wojcicki | Entrepreneur

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    Days after proposing to settle a data breach lawsuit for $30 million, 18-year-old genetic testing company 23andMe now faces another public hurdle: Seven independent directors of its board resigned on Tuesday through a pointed letter addressed to CEO Anne Wojcicki, who is now the only remaining member of the board.

    The resigning directors, among whom were YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and Sequoia VC Roelof Botha, called out Wojcicki for not submitting a “fully financed, fully diligenced, actionable proposal” to take the company private over the past five months. They wrote that their strategic direction for 23andMe was different from Wojcicki’s.

    “Because of that difference and because of your concentrated voting power, we believe that it is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders that we resign from the Board rather than have a protracted and distracting difference of view with you as to the direction of the Company,” they stated.

    Related: 23andMe DNA Technology Helps Family Find Kidnapped Daughter After 51 Years

    Wojcicki, who co-founded the company in 2006, controls 49% of 23andMe votes. In July, she submitted a proposal to buy all the shares she didn’t already own at $0.40 per share and take the company private. A special committee created by the company rejected her proposal, stating that it wasn’t in the best interests of shareholders.

    Anne Wojcicki. Credit: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Wojcicki told employees in a memo on Tuesday that she was “surprised and disappointed” by the resignations and would immediately begin finding replacement directors. She stated that “taking 23andMe private will be the best opportunity for long-term success.”

    23andMe, which was valued at $6 billion in 2021 shortly after going public, is now a penny stock worth 34 cents per share at the time of writing. The company has until November 4 to bring its stock price up to at least $1 per share or risk being delisted.

    23andMe has faced a number of public setbacks, including a data breach in October that impacted nearly 7 million accounts and appeared to target people with Chinese or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. Customers filed a class action lawsuit in January and 23andMe proposed a $30 million settlement earlier this month.

    23andMe’s core product is a $99 ancestry kit that requires a customer to submit their spit in exchange for genetic insights. A $199 kit advertises health predisposition reports. The company is also developing drugs in-house and testing them.

    Related: 23andMe Hackers Selling Stolen User Data, Including DNA Profiles of ‘Celebrities,’ on Dark Web

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  • Diamond-Making Machine For Sale Online: Lab-Grown Gem Growth | Entrepreneur

    Diamond-Making Machine For Sale Online: Lab-Grown Gem Growth | Entrepreneur

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    In 1948, diamond company De Beers launched a marketing campaign with the slogan “A diamond is forever.” Fifty years later, the company created another campaign justifying the price of diamonds with the slogan, “Isn’t two months’ salary a small price to pay for something that lasts forever?”

    Now, De Beers is aggressively cutting prices to bring sales up, and you can buy a diamond-making device for $200,000 on Alibaba.

    It’s a sign that diamond production is democratizing, reports Ars Technica.

    In the past five years, lab-grown gem sales have burgeoned and made the price of mined stones less appealing, according to diamond expert Paul Zimnisky. The lab-grown diamond market was $13 billion last year and is expected to reach about $22 billion by 2031.

    Ankur Daga, CEO of the fine jewelry company Angara, estimated that half of all engagement rings sold this year will have lab-grown stones, a significant jump from 2% in 2018.

    “The diamond industry is in trouble,” Daga told CNBC in June.

    As of press time, natural 1-carat diamonds cost around $4,000 while lab-grown diamonds of the same weight go for around $620.

    How a lab-grown diamond machine works

    The 44-ton device uses high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) technology to take a diamond seed, or a tiny diamond particle that starts the whole process, and transform it into a lab-grown diamond. Alibaba focuses more on business-to-business products, so the machine they have for sale would likely be bought and used by a company with specialized knowledge.

    Related: She Started a Business With $2,000 of Personal Savings — Then Grew It to More Than $100 Million Revenue

    Lab-grown diamonds are up to 90% less expensive than natural diamonds and look exactly the same to the human eye. They can only be told apart with special equipment in a professional gemological lab.

    They also don’t carry the same environmental and social concerns as naturally found diamonds, which have to be mined in unsafe conditions.

    Even with this kind of growth, and machines like the one sold through Alibaba, Zimnisky says that naturally-found diamonds will still have a place in the future.

    “Human desire for rare and valuable objects runs pretty deep within us,” Zimnisky told NPR. “I don’t think that’s going to, all of a sudden, change.”

    Related: This Family-Owned Manhattan Jewelry Shop Struggled to Rebuild After 9/11. Today, 2 Sisters Who Run the 46-Year-Old Business Reveal What It Takes to Persevere.

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  • Bigger Isn’t Always Better — This Tiny Smartphone Does It All | Entrepreneur

    Bigger Isn’t Always Better — This Tiny Smartphone Does It All | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    You have to be reachable while running your business. Staying connected is non-negotiable for everyone, whether you’re hopping from one meeting to the next or navigating through airports. But with all the hustle, the last thing you need is to be weighed down by bulky gadgets.

    Meet the NanoPhone, a credit-card-sized smartphone that’s all about simplifying your travel experience while keeping your digital life fully functional. It is designed for those of us who want to take a step back from all the devices we carry but still stay connected to home, work, and all of our favorite apps—and it’s on sale for just $109.99 (reg. $199).

    It’s equipped with dual SIM support, allowing you to manage personal and business calls on one device or easily switch between two numbers while traveling. With 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, you can browse the web, stream content, and stay in touch with colleagues and clients via apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube—all from the palm of your hand. However, the SIM card and data plan are not included.

    Traveling with a smartphone doesn’t have to mean carrying around a cumbersome device. The NanoPhone offers a streamlined solution that focuses on what truly matters: staying connected and productive on the go.

    Whether you’re attending a conference, a wedding, exploring a new city, or just need a reliable backup phone, the NanoPhone is your go-to tool for simplifying your tech while keeping all the essential features you rely on. It even has built-in cameras (front and back) to capture your important moments.

    Downsizing your smartphone doesn’t mean downsizing your capabilities. The NanoPhone is the perfect example of how less can truly be more—offering all the essential functions you need in a portable, easy-to-carry design.

    Get the NanoPhone miniaturized smartphone for just $109.99 (reg. $199) for a limited time.

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  • Here’s When Apple Plans to Release New iPhones With AI | Entrepreneur

    Here’s When Apple Plans to Release New iPhones With AI | Entrepreneur

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    The newest iPhones could go on sale in less than a month.

    Apple is planning the launch of its next generation of iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watches on Tuesday, September 10, according to a Friday report from Bloomberg chief correspondent Mark Gurman. The phones will reportedly go on sale on September 20.

    The key difference between the iPhone 15 introduced last year and the new generation expected in September is Apple Intelligence, a host of AI tools that upgrade Siri, allow the voice assistant to directly access third-party AI like ChatGPT and add AI-generated emojis, among other features.

    Related: Morgan Stanley Analysts Named Apple a Top Pick Stock and Doubled Their iPhone Expectations — Here’s Why

    Apple introduced its specially branded AI in June. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will get Apple Intelligence in the fall, and the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to follow suit.

    The latest iPhones will also have bigger screens for Pro models and enhanced camera features, per the Bloomberg report. Apple will also upgrade AirPods and Apple Watches at the event.
    Apple CEO Tim Cook. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Analysts have predicted that this fall could be a lucrative upgrade cycle for Apple — it could be even bigger than when the iPhone 12 came out in 2020 with 5G as a selling point. iPhone 12 sales reached 100 million within seven months.

    AI is “more compelling than anything we’ve seen since,” analyst Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson told Reuters.

    Morgan Stanley analysts named Apple a top-pick stock in July, calling Apple Intelligence a “clear catalyst” for current iPhone users to upgrade.

    Related: Apple’s AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sale

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