Tropical Storm Rafael intensifies in the Carribean as Cuba braces for another hurricane | Fast Company

November 6, 2024November 5, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Tropical Storm Rafael was chugging past western Jamaica on Tuesday and was expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it headed toward Cuba.

The storm was located 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Tuesday morning. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) and was moving northwest at 13 mph (20 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The center said it expected “steady to rapid intensification” over the next 24 to 36 hours. It was expected to continue to pass by Jamaica through Tuesday afternoon, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night and make landfall in Cuba on Wednesday.

HP and Staples Launch In-Store Same-Day Large Format Printing with New HP DesignJet XL3800 Printers | Small Business Trends

November 4, 2024November 3, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

HP Inc. has partnered with Staples to bring same-day, high-quality large-format printing to Staples stores across the United States. This initiative will make professional-grade printing of posters, banners, blueprints, and more accessible to small businesses, retail owners, and consumers nationwide. Each participating Staples location will be equipped with the new HP DesignJet XL3800 printers, providing customers with same-day access to high-quality, large-format color prints.

Traditionally, large-format printing has been limited to specialty print shops with premium pricing. With the HP DesignJet XL3800 now in Staples locations, customers can manage their printing projects on their own schedules, benefiting from pigmented ink prints that offer superior color matching and long-lasting results.

Abercrombie & Fitch: How my investigation led to sex trafficking charges against ex-boss | BBC News

October 29, 2024October 28, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In a federal courtroom in New York, for the first time I’m face to face with Mike Jeffries – the multi-millionaire ex-fashion boss I’ve spent three years investigating for the BBC. He stares at me directly, lips pursed, and chin raised, as he sits before the judge.

As a result of my reporting, he was arrested this week by the FBI and charged with running an international sex trafficking and prostitution business along with his British partner, Matthew Smith, and their middleman James Jacobson.

Authorities acted after hearing my podcast series, The Abercrombie Guys, in which I unearthed evidence that Mr Jeffries, 80, and Mr Smith, 61, had been at the centre of a sophisticated global operation involving a network of recruiters and a middleman scouting young men for sex.

Apple Intelligence: AI features start to roll out to some iPhones | BBC News

October 29, 2024October 28, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

After a long wait, Apple has finally released its artificial intelligence (AI) tools for iPhone – to a select few.

Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools announced in June, became available to owners of some iPhones around the world on Monday.

The new features include notification summaries, tools to assist users in writing messages, and a glowing new interface for virtual assistant Siri.

But they will only be available to people with the latest devices – including all iPhone 16 models, and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Amazon announces a huge change to how they ship products | Mashable

October 24, 2024October 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Say goodbye to the guilt generated by those plastic air pillows stuffed into your Amazon purchase — the company announced earlier this month it’s ceasing use of the eco-unfriendly packaging material.

“As of October 2024, we’ve removed all plastic air pillows from our delivery packaging used at our global fulfillment centers,” Amazon wrote on its blog. “As part of this transition, we were able to quickly expand our use of paper filler made from 100% recycled content across North America to replace plastic air pillows, our biggest reduction in plastic packaging in North America to date.”

Unsending messages is for cowards. It shouldn’t exist and you shouldn’t do it. | Mashable

October 24, 2024October 23, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

We’re watching the slow, pitiful death of an art form right in front of us, and, of course, no one cares.

The art form in question? A classic “sorry, wrong person” text message. Gone are the days of “accidentally” messaging an ex to sneak back into their psyche. We’ve heard the final story of someone mistakenly sexting their parents when they meant to sext their lover. The world is empty of the drama produced by a shit-talk text accidentally sent to the person being shat on.

An unintended text faces no consequences anymore. You can unsend your messages on just about every platform now. Where is the serendipity in that? Where is the whimsy? Where is the joy???

Major shakeup at Disney: Board chair is out. New CEO is coming soon | CNN Business

October 23, 2024October 22, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Disney is about to have its fourth board chair in just over three years, as the company continues to navigate ongoing tumult in the media industry.

Chairman Mark Parker will step down at the end of the year, the company announced Monday. Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will replace Parker starting in 2025.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as Disney’s chairman at this important moment in the company’s history,” Gorman said in a statement.

Walmart’s new threat to CVS: 30-minute prescription deliveries | CNN Business

October 23, 2024October 22, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Walmart, already partially responsible for the slow demise of America’s drug stores, is launching yet another CVS killer: 30-minute prescription delivery.

Walmart’s pitch to costumers is simple – fill your prescription, plus get some groceries delivered to your door, all in one order. Prescription delivery was the number one most-requested service by its customers, the company said in a press release.

“If you’re sick, we can deliver the necessary medicine along with everything else you need to feel better,” said Tom Ward, executive vice president and chief eCommerce officer of Walmart U.S. in a statement on Tuesday.

When Community Banks Die: How Small Businesses Are Affected | Business News Daily

October 21, 2024October 20, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When it comes to financing, community banks have been providing support to small businesses for decades. However, a problem is emerging that’s affecting small business: Community banks are closing and consolidating due to pressure from regulation and an uneven lending playing field. Here’s what to know about how the decline in community banking might affect your small business.

What is community banking?

A community bank is an institution that caters to a smaller, local audience rather than the large national audience of larger banks. These banks typically develop close relationships with their customers, and this personal connection is often a selling point for community banking.

Notably, there’s no one accepted size that defines the term “community banking.” In general, though, a community bank has just a few branches, all of which are located in the same city.

‘Diablo wind’ to descend on California, elevating wildfire risk | Fast Company

October 18, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A major “diablo wind”—notorious in autumn for its hot, dry gusts—is expected to whip up across Northern California on Thursday evening, causing humidity levels to drop and raising the risk of wildfires.

Forecasters have issued red flag warnings for fire danger until Saturday from the central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into northern Shasta County, not far from the Oregon border.

Sustained winds reaching 35 mph (56 kph) are expected in many areas, with possible gusts topping 65 mph (104 kph) along mountaintops, according to the National Weather Service.