Samsung Galaxy S26 tipped for major iPhone-challenging payment upgrade | Digital Trends

August 5, 2025August 4, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A fresh report from Korea claims the Samsung Galaxy S26 – the next flagship smartphone we expect Samsung to launch – will arrive with enhanced NFC connectivity for improved contactless payments.

According to South Korean outlet ETNews (via SamMobile), Samsung could include a dedicated NFC antenna in its Galaxy S26 series handsets, alongside the NFC coil which it currently uses in its phones.
Samsung will apparently place the antenna on the top edge of the S26, with the NFC coil in its traditional position on the rear.
Having the antenna on the top edge should make it easier to tap-and-pay at contactless payment checkouts, something which iPhone users already enjoy.

Licensed vs. Insured Home Builders: Key Differences Explained | The Startup Magazine

August 4, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When choosing a home builder for your next construction or renovation project, one of the most overlooked yet essential considerations is whether they are licensed and insured. Understanding the difference between a licensed and insured home builder can protect your investment, safeguard your property, and even protect your family’s safety. A licensed builder is approved by the state or local licensing authority and has passed exams and demonstrated technical knowledge and experience. An insured builder has the proper insurance policies in place to cover liabilities such as worksite injuries or property damage.

The home builder licensing distinction may sound simple, but it carries complex legal and financial implications. Licensed builders comply with building codes, ensure structural safety, and meet professional standards. Insured builders, on the other hand, are financially prepared to cover any mishaps or accidents, sparing homeowners from footing expensive bills. The key takeaway is this: working with a licensed and insured home builder is not just a best practice—it’s a form of risk management that can save time, money, and stress.

In this article, we’ll break down the difference between licensing and insurance, explore why both matter, and help you make an informed decision when hiring a builder for your home.

Why Startups and CISOs are Betting on CTEM for Faster, Smarter Risk Reduction | The Startup Magazine

August 4, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The ROI of continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) is becoming clearer in 2025 as security teams shift from reactive defenses to proactive, risk-based prioritization.

Forrester Consulting’s just-released Total Economic Impact™ study cites a 321% return on investment (ROI) using Threat Exposure Management — a cybersecurity vertical that’s becoming hard to ignore in a market obsessed with both protection and performance.

For those of us tracking where enterprise budgets are moving, this is a concrete validation that cyber intelligence is delivering measurable, strategic returns.

More importantly, it signals an inflection point for a corner of cybersecurity that is increasingly valued by public markets.

The global exposure management market is projected to grow from roughly $2.2 billion in 2024 to reach $7.6 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 28.3 %.

A Mourning Industry Grapples With the Future of Office Security | Business Insider

August 1, 2025July 31, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The deadly shooting in a Midtown skyscraper on Monday evening dealt an especially painful blow to New York City’s commercial real estate community.

Two of the four victims worked in real estate: Wesley Lepatner, the 43-year-old CEO of a large Blackstone real estate fund, and Julia Hyman, a young associate at Rudin Management, a commercial landlord that owns the tower where the shooting took place.

The setting — a notable skyscraper along Park Avenue — also hit close to home. As a premier office building in one of the top office districts in the nation, the site of the violence has raised unsettling questions among real estate professionals about how to better protect tenants. While no one can fully defend against someone bent on violence (Monday’s gunman appeared prepared to die), conversations are already underway in an industry now mourning two of its own.

Sleep with the Fear: How Perplexity’s CEO Turns Anxiety into Advantage | Getentrepreneurial.com

July 29, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and CEO of Perplexity (now valued at $14 billion), says his secret to success is not launching — but living — with the constant fear that your idea will be copied by Big Tech. This fear becomes fuel for relentless innovation, urgency, and building unique defensibility.

Core Insights & Impact

1. Normalize the Fear of Being Copied

Mindset: Accept that if your product becomes a hit, competitors—especially large, resource-rich incumbents—will copy it.

Impact: Instead of paralysis, this mindset shifts fear into a strategic advantage, prompting continuous iteration and improvement.

Mercedes Turns Cars into Cars–offices: CLA Models Now Support Teams, Copilot & Intune | Cool Business Ideas

July 28, 2025July 27, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz is redefining the commuter experience: the latest CLA allows drivers to participate in Microsoft Teams video calls using the in-car camera—legally and safely while moving—and includes integrated Microsoft 365 Copilot and Intune management, positioning the vehicle as an official “third workspace.”

Impact:

Mercedes and Microsoft extend the boundaries of vehicle functionality, transforming cars into productivity hubs. Here’s how:

On-the-Go Meetings Drivers can now join Teams video calls via the in-car camera during transit, with the screen automatically blacking out shared content for safety compliance. AI-Powered Ride Assistance Integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot lets drivers handle emails and prep for meetings using voice commands—without needing to touch a device. Corporate-Grade Security With Microsoft Intune built into Mercedes’ MB.OS platform, cars can be managed like corporate devices, supporting enrollment, policies, and remote wiping.

Extreme weather caused by climate change is raising food prices worldwide, study says | CNN Business

July 22, 2025July 21, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Extreme weather caused by climate change is driving up the prices of basic food products worldwide and posing wider risks to society, a new study has found.

The cost of a wide range of goods – from potatoes in Britain to coffee in Brazil – saw dramatic spikes in recent years due to weather conditions that were “so extreme they exceeded all historical precedent prior to 2020,” according to the study led by Maximillian Kotz of the Barcelona Supercomputer Center.

Previous studies have examined how high temperatures have affected the cost of food produce in the long term, by impacting yields and hitting supply chains. The new research, published Monday, looked at 16 examples across 18 countries around the world where prices spiked in the short term as a result of either extreme heat, drought, or heavy precipitation between 2022 and 2024.

New York to Los Angeles in 3 hours? Executive order could make it possible by 2027, reopening the door for commercial supersonic flight | Live Science

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Supersonic commercial travel could soon be coming to the U.S. following a new executive order lifting a 52-year ban on overland commercial supersonic flights.

While supersonic flights could cross the Atlantic, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned overland commercial supersonic flights in 1973 in response to public pressure over noise concerns. The new executive order, issued on June 6, lifts that ban and lays out a timeline for the introduction of noise-based certification rules for supersonic flights.

This move could cut travel time between New York and Los Angeles almost in half, from six to just 3.5 hours.

Career Risks Worth Taking | Business News Daily

July 1, 2025June 30, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Taking a leap of faith is risky, especially with something as important as your career. But some risks are worth taking. If you play your cards right, you could achieve more than you ever thought possible. Although a career risk may not be easy, here are four that are often worth taking.

4 career risks worth taking

If you’re thinking about making any one of these big career moves, it could be well worth the risk.

1. Choosing a job based on culture rather than salary

When choosing between two jobs, you might be tempted to take the one accompanied by the higher salary. Although you want a job that pays enough to cover your expenses, money isn’t always the most important aspect of a job and you shouldn’t accept a role based on salary alone. A higher salary often comes with higher demands and that doesn’t always equate to a good working experience.

How to Search for a Job in the Digital Age | Business News Daily

July 1, 2025June 30, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Searching and applying for jobs is nothing like it used to be. Gone are the days of physically handing in or mailing your resume and waiting for a call about the position. Now, nearly all job search communications happen electronically. Since the employer isn’t likely to see your face and interact with you until you’re invited in for an interview, the paperwork and the way you follow up must be on point.

From applying to jobs to following up after an interview, here’s everything you need to know about finding employment in the digital age.

What you need to know about job searching in the digital age

Technological advancements in hiring and employee recruitment have exploded over the past 10 years, creating a challenging landscape for job seekers.