Apple iOS 27: 4 new productivity shortcuts you should try today | Fast Company

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After months of beta testing, the iPhone’s newest operating system, iOS 27, is now available. This year, Apple focused on artificial intelligence features, smaller improvements, and bug fixes, making it a more subdued update than in years past. But that doesn’t mean iOS 27 lacks truly useful enhancements that can help boost your productivity throughout the day. Here are four of our favorites.

SIRI IS FINALLY GOOD ENOUGH TO BE YOUR ASSISTANT

It’s no secret that Siri, Apple’s personal digital assistant that has lived on the iPhone for nearly 15 years, has never been very useful, especially compared with modern-day chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude. But iOS 27 includes a completely revamped Siri, transitioning it from a legacy digital assistant to an LLM-powered agent, capable of having persistent, context-aware conversations that can not only help with your questions, but also carry out time-sucking admin work.

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How regenerative agriculture builds more resilient food systems | Fast Company

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PepsiCo knows the future of farming rests with the next generation of farmers. Here, one multigenerational family operation reveals how it uses technology and data-driven insights to build more resilient food systems.

PepsiCo may be known for beverages, but it is also one of the world’s largest food companies. Ensuring a sustainable, resilient supply of agricultural ingredients is a business priority—and transformation starts in the fields. Perry Farms in Southern Alberta, Canada, has grown potatoes for Lay’s for more than four decades. Here, the family farmers demonstrate how they use regenerative practices and technology to strengthen soil health and crop resilience.

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What Italy Can Teach Us About Work/Life Balance | AllBusiness.com

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As an American expat who has been living in the south of Italy for the past three years, I’ve picked up on several differences in the way Italians value work compared to the American point of view.

You’ve already heard of la dolce vita…it turns out it’s a part of the culture that Americans could stand to emulate. Here are a few of the practices and mindsets I’m working to adopt in my new home.

1. You Are Not Defined by What You Do

Go to a cocktail party in the U.S. and inevitably, one of the first things a stranger will ask you is: “So, what do you do?”

We’re obsessed with our jobs, and we wear them as masks that define us. Italians, on the other hand, don’t identify themselves by the work they perform. In fact, it’s rare that I talk about work with friends here.

Italians, instead, are more keen to talk about what they’re into. Often, this means what they ate or what they’re planning to eat! They also talk about the animals they’re raising, the weather, and the latest gossip.

I think Americans could stand to dissociate a bit from their work. After all, we are composed of many things, and work is but one component!

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AI Isn’t Enough—America Needs to Invest in Infrastructure, Too | AllBusiness.com

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Over the past two decades, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and research have defined and fueled America’s economic growth. These advances sparked a digital revolution, from the iPhone and rapid expansion of the internet to the widespread digitalization of our economy, which fundamentally reshaped how we live, work, and communicate.

But the rise of artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electrification, supply-chain resilience, and domestic reshoring has changed the equation. Our digital economy now depends on physical systems every bit as much as software and innovation. The defining challenge of the next decade won’t be whether we can invent the future; it will be whether we can build it and whether we can do so with the same ambition and confidence that once defined America.

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Google Gemini Unveils Two AI Models for Smarter Voice Interactions | Small Biz Trends

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In a significant leap forward for small businesses, Google has announced the launch of its Gemini 3.8 models — Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking. These new offerings promise to revolutionize how businesses leverage AI for voice-driven interactions, streamlining communication and enhancing productivity. With these advancements, small business owners can expect to engage customers more intuitively, reduce operational costs, and simplify complex tasks.

The Gemini 3.8 Live model is designed to deliver conversational intelligence in a highly scalable and cost-efficient manner. Its capabilities include fluid dialogue and visual grounding, enabling businesses to craft responsive voice agents that can hold intelligent conversations with customers. In practical terms, this means that a small business could implement a Gemini-powered voice agent on its website or within customer service operations, allowing for natural interactions that help address inquiries and solve problems without the need for human intervention.

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SBA Simplifies 8(a) Program to Empower Small Defense Suppliers | Small Biz Trends

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making significant changes to its 8(a) Business Development Program, aiming to bolster small businesses engaged in defense-critical industries. With this initiative, the SBA hopes to enhance domestic supply chains and support the nation’s military readiness. For small business owners, this presents both opportunities and considerations.

Speaking to the media, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership and our partnership with Secretary Hegseth on the Smaller War Plants Commission, the SBA is leveraging the 8(a) Program to reindustrialize America and build out the network of small manufacturers and suppliers that equip our warfighters.” This shift aims to prioritize merit-based assessments for applicants in defense sectors, contrasting past approaches which were seen as reliant on a race-based admissions framework.

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A Startup Marketing Plan for Entrepreneurs | Business

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Launching a new business comes with plenty of financial pressure, and marketing budgets are often tight early on. But building a strong marketing plan doesn’t have to drain your budget. What it does require is time, consistency, and a willingness to test creative ways to reach customers.

Startup marketing is really about building momentum. Early on, that may mean experimenting with social media content, networking in your community, asking for referrals, or finding low-cost ways to get your brand in front of the right audience. The key is staying visible and continuing to learn what resonates with customers. Below, we share 14 startup marketing tips and explain how your marketing plan connects to the sales funnel.

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Email Marketing Best Practices & Mistakes to Avoid | Business

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As a small business owner, you must consider how customers perceive your brand constantly. One way you might damage their perception accidentally and harm your reputation is by foisting an annoying email marketing campaign upon their inboxes. While email can be an effective — and cost-effective — marketing method, companies must find a way to enjoy its benefits while building positive customer relationships and respecting their recipients.

We’ll highlight 10 email marketing best practices and share examples of top marketing software that can simplify your efforts and take the guesswork out of your campaigns.

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How to pair or reset a Roku remote | Digital Trends

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If your Roku remote has stopped working, you may not need to replace it. The batteries may simply need changing, while a voice remote can lose its connection and need to be paired again.

The fix depends on which Roku remote you have. Simple remotes use infrared and don’t need pairing, while voice remotes connect wirelessly and can be paired or restarted if they stop responding. Here’s how to identify your remote and get it working again without wiping your Roku or setting everything up again.

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A new Android malware has an AI sidekick and refuses to die when you uninstall it | Digital Trends

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[Update] On September 21, Google reached out to us and shared an official response, noting that there are no RatHat-infected apps on the Google Play Store. The statement is below, and the original story follows:

“Based on our current detection, no apps containing this malware are found on Google Play. Android users are automatically protected against known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services.”

I’ve heard people using AI to improve and speed up their work. But this is the first time I’m hearing of malware taking real-time directions from an AI chatbot as it does its bad business.

Thanks to the research team at Zimperium, we know about this new kind of advanced malware. It’s called RatHat, and it uses an AI chatbot to understand what’s on the target device’s screen.

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