How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Trademark Infringement | Entrepreneur

April 8, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you have developed a new product or service, the next step is to develop a memorable brand, or trademark and slogan. Before you begin displaying these on product packages or your website, take a few minutes to be sure each is available for use. If you don’t, you may run into an expensive problem in the future.

I’m talking about trademarks and the risk of infringing on someone else’s legal rights.

It takes only a few minutes to check whether the brand for your new product is already someone else’s trademark or confusingly similar to a trademark in use. Start by quickly searching Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and both of the major mobile app stores — Apple App Store and Google Play.

iPad 2024: 2 new models tipped to drop soon — and may come with this iPhone feature | Mashable

April 5, 2024April 4, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Time to add more fuel to the “new iPads” fire.

As spotted by 91Mobiles, the Bureau of Indian Standards (or BIS) let slip that two new iPads are coming soon by putting their model numbers on the BIS website. Basically, that means the new iPads have passed India’s regulatory standards and can legally be sold there.

That’s not surprising, as there have been rumors about new iPads launching in the first half of 2024 for months. What is sort of unexpected, however, is that MacRumors spotted some text strings in iPadOS 17.5 beta 1 suggesting that the iPhone’s “battery health” menu is coming to iPads.

Facebook mirrors TikTok’s vertical video format | Mashable

April 5, 2024April 4, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

According to Oscar Wilde, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s true, then TikTok must be the most flattered app out there. Everyone wants to be it or beat it or both — and Facebook just made another move to do just that.

On Wednesday, Facebook announced the newest TikTok-ification of its site by rolling out a new full-screen video player on its app, much like the vertical video format TikTok made so famous. All of the Reels you see on Facebook, along with longer videos and Live content, will all be shown to you via a full-screen, vertically-oriented video. The social media giant also purports to have “improved recommendations for videos of all lengths we think you’re most likely to enjoy based on your interests.”

Amazon’s cashier-less technology was supposed to revolutionize grocery shopping. It’s been a flop | CNN Business

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

When Amazon debuted cashier-less technology, it was hailed as the future of retail. But now, Amazon is walking back its “Just Walk Out” technology at its grocery stores, reining in grand promises of an automated, friction-less checkout.

Amazon said it is removing the technology at US Amazon Fresh grocery stores which allows customers to pay for their groceries without waiting in line for a cashier or using a self-checkout machine. Instead, Amazon said it’s replacing it with Dash Cart at its more than 40 locations, a “smart shopping cart” which allows shoppers to scan groceries, link to online shopping lists and check out their groceries. The company has been testing Dash Carts at some Fresh and Whole Foods locations in the past.

Customers just haven’t bought into cashier-less technology, especially in grocery stores where they purchase larger quantities and face extra tasks such as weighing produce. Amazon says the checkout technology may be more seamless in smaller stores – that could include the Amazon Go convenience stores.

‘You probably didn’t inherit any DNA from Charlemagne’: What it means when your DNA ‘matches’ a historic person’s | Live Science

April 3, 2024April 2, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In 2022, we reported the DNA sequences of 33 medieval people buried in a Jewish cemetery in Germany. Not long after we made the data publicly available, people started comparing their own DNA with that of the 14th-century German Jews, finding many “matches.” These medieval individuals had DNA fragments shared with thousands of people who have uploaded their DNA sequence to an online database, the same way you share DNA fragments with your relatives.

But what type of a relationship with a medieval person does a shared DNA fragment imply?

It turns out, not too much that will help with your family roots research.

What Is an Owner’s Draw and How Does It Affect Payroll? | businessnewsdaily.com

April 2, 2024April 1, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Fear of failure and a lack of support or delegation can lead business owners to work more than their employees. Various surveys over the years have found that most business owners work more than 40 hours a week. When a traditional salary doesn’t match their ever-changing job responsibilities, many seek a more flexible option. Owner’s draws, also known as “personal draws” or “draws,” allow business owners to withdraw money as needed and as profit allows.

A draw may seem like a superior option over a salary. But is it always the best solution? What are the tax implications? Keep reading to determine if owner’s draws are the best fit for your business.

Best iPhone Apps to Manage Business Contacts | Business News Daily

April 2, 2024April 1, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

When you attend a conference or client meeting, you likely collect several business cards from all the new people you meet. But what happens next? In the old days, such cards were meticulously filed or placed in a handy Rolodex. Today, even more efficiently, automated contact managers readily available through the App Store can import and organize all your contacts directly on your iPhone. Below is our list of the best iPhone apps for storing and managing your business contacts.

What are contact management apps?

A contact management app is a program on your mobile device that stores, filters, categorizes and updates contact information for the people in your life. Although iPhones come with a built-in contact app, a third-party vendor’s downloadable contact management app can provide you with many more features than you’d get with the default application.

Lack of Energy: Your Guide to Boosting Energy | LifeHack

April 1, 2024March 31, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Time management and energy management are closely intertwined. When you master your energy, you’re essentially taking the reins of time, guiding your day, your tasks, and ultimately, your life.

If you’ve ever felt that time is slipping through your fingers, it’s not just about the clock ticking away. It’s about your energy. Most of us have been taught that time management is the magic wand to productivity. But there’s another layer we often miss: energy management.

When you think about energy, what comes to mind? Is it just the physical stamina required to walk, drive, or move? Or is it that mental zest, the one you need to focus, think, and feel?

The truth is, our day-to-day efforts tap into two distinct reservoirs of energy: physical and mental.

The physical one is quite straightforward. It’s the energy our muscles and limbs need to do stuff—walk, jump, even simply sit.

What Is Motivation And How To Get Motivated | LifeHack

April 1, 2024March 31, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Motivation is your internal engine that propels you towards your objectives. Without it, you may find yourself stalled, unable to advance. Unfortunately, time doesn’t pause for your resurgence in motivation – it ticks on. With our limited time, the harsh reality is, your goal might remain perpetually out of reach.

Why do we lose motivation every now and then? Why is it then that some people lose their inner spark over time, which is the pure source of inspiration?

Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the “downs” or failures disappoint people so much that they lose the drive to achieve their goals. It also has a spiral effect where they start missing opportunities and lose the direction of life.

Why Taylor Swift Is the Business Role Model You’re Looking For | All Business

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Do you have a role model? Many business owners can point to someone they view as a role model, someone with attributes they admire, or who just inspires them.

As expected, many small business owners claim legendary entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Sara Blakely as role models. No surprises there. But entrepreneurs often prefer the road less traveled, so if you’re looking for a new or additional role model—let me suggest—Taylor Swift.

Yes, you read that right. Allow me to make the case that singer/songwriter Taylor Swift is not only an excellent entrepreneurial role model but also an accomplished entrepreneur.