I’m worried about the future of the Microsoft Surface | Digital Trends

November 28, 2023November 26, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I’ve always rooted for the Surface. What started exclusively as a way to push the concept of the Windows 2-in-1 has grown into a full-fledged premium laptop brand, with options at nearly every price point.

But after a year like 2023, it’s hard not to feel like we may be reaching a turning point for the brand.

This year was a very slow year for the Surface. Microsoft announced four new Surface devices in 2023: the Surface Go 4, Surface Laptop Go 3, Surface Hub 3, and the Surface Laptop Studio 2. That might sound like a lot, but when you break it down, the “Go” devices are both budget-focused, and the Surface Hub 3 is a purely commercial product. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 was really the only exciting new consumer device announced, and it was a fairly minor spec update. The Surface line has never been known for consistent updates or drastic design changes, but that’s still a very quiet set of updates to Microsoft’s flagship line of PCs.

Strategies to Combat Entrepreneurial Loneliness | The Startup Magazine

November 27, 2023November 26, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Success often comes at a cost, with many successful businessmen and women finding themselves feeling isolated and loneliness is often an issue. The demands of a high-powered career can leave little room for personal connections and relationships. The sheer weight of responsibility and the perpetual hustle to maintain and grow their businesses can be isolating. However, in the digital age, various dating services have emerged to bridge the gap between successful individuals and the search for companionship, offering a glimmer of hope for those who desire to balance their professional success with personal fulfillment.

The Loneliness of Success in Business

Success in the business world often requires relentless dedication and an unwavering commitment to one’s goals and objectives. This single-minded pursuit of success can lead to the unintended mental health consequence of loneliness, where personal connections and relationships take a back seat to professional endeavors. The lonely corridors of executive offices and boardrooms can become a second home, gradually replacing the warmth of social interactions with the cold, sterile environment of the workplace. This isolation can become especially pronounced for businessmen and women who have to balance the demands of their careers with the inherent desire for companionship and emotional connection, creating a void that they long to fill.

Building a Brand from Scratch: How Startups Can Craft a Compelling Online Presence | The Startup Magazine

November 27, 2023November 26, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Are you a startup business owner looking to establish an online presence but feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to begin? You’re not alone; countless startups struggle with the challenge of creating a strong, memorable brand. Building your brand from scratch is no easy task – it can be incredibly daunting.

But that doesn’t mean it’s unachievable! With the right strategies and guidance from a digital marketing agency for startups, you can craft an effective online presence that commands attention and inspires loyalty in customers. In this blog post, we’ll provide insight into how startups like yours can create an inspiring brand voice and cultivate long-term customer relationships with digital marketing tools.

PepsiCo sued by New York state for plastic pollution | BBC News

November 17, 2023November 16, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

PepsiCo has been sued by New York state for plastic pollution along the Buffalo River that is allegedly contaminating the water and harming wildlife.

According to the lawsuit, PepsiCo is the single largest identifiable contributor to the problem.

PepsiCo’s spokesperson has told the BBC that it has been “transparent in its journey to reduce the use of plastic”. Last week Coca-Cola, Danone, and Nestle were accused of making misleading claims about their plastic bottles. PepsiCo, the maker of Pepsi, Doritos, and other snacks, is the world’s second-biggest food company. It is the latest major corporation to face a lawsuit by local authorities about its impact on the environment.

Starbucks faces walkout at hundreds of US stores | BBC News

November 17, 2023November 16, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The union representing thousands of Starbucks workers in the US is staging a walkout on one of the coffee chain’s busiest days of the year.

The action comes amid a bitter fight between Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United, which started organizing workers at the company in 2021.

The two sides are fighting over pay, scheduling, and other issues.

Roughly 200 stores are expected to be affected by the 16 November work stoppage.

Barista Michelle Eisen, one of the union’s leaders, said the company could afford to “do better by its workers”.

Amazon to sell cars online, starting with Hyundai | TechCrunch

November 16, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It was inevitable. Amazon, which got its start selling books, is getting into the car business.

The e-commerce giant along with new partner Hyundai announced Thursday at the 2023 LA Auto Show that it will start selling vehicles on its website in the second half of 2024. Hyundai vehicles will be the first vehicles sold on Amazon.com’s U.S. store with other brands following later in the year.

The Amazon car sales section will allow customers to shop for vehicles in their area based on a range of preferences, including model, trim, color, and features, choose their preferred car, and then check out online with their chosen payment and financing options. Customers will be able to buy a vehicle online and then pick it up or have it delivered by their local dealership, according to Amazon.

Musk: SpaceX now aiming for Saturday for Starship’s second flight test | TechCrunch

November 16, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

SpaceX has officially pushed back the second orbital flight test of Starship by one day to Saturday, CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X.

Rumors about the push-back started to swirl after onsite news organizations, like NASASpaceflight, observed a massive crawler crane headed to the launch site. That machine is used to stack (and destack) Starship, so seeing one moving toward the rocket was not the most hopeful sign.

Musician Refused to Stop Singing, Almost Booted from Flight | Entrepreneur

November 15, 2023November 14, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Lots of things can make a plane ride unbearable — crying babies, loud adults…a Grammy-nominated singer who refuses to stop singing.

This was the case on a Delta Airlines flight on November 10 when gospel singer Bobbi Storm started singing and refused to stop — even after being told by flight attendants and crew members to sit down.

In a video posted to Instagram, Storm stood up and decided she wanted to start singing to passengers before sitting down and announcing to the flight that she had been nominated for two Grammy Awards that day.

Google Sues Facebook Scammers Spreading Malware Disguised as its Bard AI Chatbot | Mashable

November 14, 2023November 13, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

AI is the big thing right now. So, of course, scammers have glommed on to the hype in order to take advantage of people interested in new technology.

Now, Google is stepping in and suing a group of scammers impersonating the tech giant to steal victims’ sensitive data.

In a new post on the company’s official blog, Google General Counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado announced that it had filed a lawsuit in California on Monday against a scammer group that had duped users into downloading malware on Facebook.