دسته: ترفندها و راهکارها

  • Mattel, OpenAI Sign Deal to Bring ChatGPT to ‘Iconic’ Toys

    Mattel, OpenAI Sign Deal to Bring ChatGPT to ‘Iconic’ Toys


    A trailblazing new partnership will bring AI power to bestselling toys.

    Mattel announced on Thursday that it had signed a deal with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to its “iconic” toys. The toymaker is the company behind popular items, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, UNO, and more.

    “We’re pleased to work with Mattel as it moves to introduce thoughtful AI-powered experiences and products into its iconic brands, while also providing its employees the benefits of ChatGPT,” OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap said in a press release.

    Barbie dolls. Photo by Tom Starkweather/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    According to TechCrunch, the deal is the first-of-its-kind for OpenAI, which has signed deals with companies like Reddit and Google but never with a toymaker. Mattel had not yet signed any deals with any AI companies. The move will also see Mattel incorporate ChatGPT Enterprise into its business operations, so staff can use the chatbot on the job to help design new products.

    Related: ‘Our Mission Remains the Same’: OpenAI Reverses Course, Says Its Nonprofit Will Remain in Control of the Business

    The partnership is in its early stage, with its first product expected to be announced later this year. Lightcap and Mattel’s Chief Franchise Officer Josh Silverman told Bloomberg that Mattel could use AI to create digital assistants based on characters like Polly Pocket or to enhance games like UNO.

    “It’s really across the spectrum of physical products and some experiences,” Silverman told the outlet, while also noting that Mattel isn’t licensing its intellectual property to OpenAI, and it retains full ownership of the products being created.

    Mattel is pushing into digital gaming and intends to launch its first self-published game next year.

    Related: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says AI Agents Are Like a Team of ‘Junior Employees’

    Meanwhile, OpenAI is planning a broader push into physical products.

    Last month, the ChatGPT-maker announced its biggest deal yet with its plans to acquire io, a startup created by former Apple designer Jony Ive, for $6.4 billion. The deal brings Ive and his 55-person team over to OpenAI to work on hardware embedded with ChatGPT, which could include headphones and devices with cameras, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

    OpenAI is worth $300 billion after a record fundraising round in April. Mattel had a market cap of $6.23 billion at the time of writing.

    A trailblazing new partnership will bring AI power to bestselling toys.

    Mattel announced on Thursday that it had signed a deal with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to its “iconic” toys. The toymaker is the company behind popular items, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, UNO, and more.

    “We’re pleased to work with Mattel as it moves to introduce thoughtful AI-powered experiences and products into its iconic brands, while also providing its employees the benefits of ChatGPT,” OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap said in a press release.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



    Source link

  • Shaquille O’Neal to Pay Nearly $2M to Settle FTX Lawsuit

    Shaquille O’Neal to Pay Nearly $2M to Settle FTX Lawsuit


    NBA Hall of Famer (and prolific franchise owner) Shaquille O’Neal will pay $1.8 million to settle claims from investors that he misled them into investing in FTX, the bankrupt and infamous crypto exchange formerly led by Sam Bankman-Fried.

    The settlement will cost Shaq around $1 million more than he got paid for the FTX commercial in the first place, which was reportedly around $750,000.

    RELATED: From Tom Brady to Kevin O’Leary – See Who Lost Big in the Wake of the FTX Crypto Collapse

    After being named in a class-action lawsuit in December 2022 alongside other celebrities who starred in FTX promotions, including Tom Brady and Larry David, O’Neal told CNBC that he was just acting in a commercial, not giving financial advice.

    “A lot of people think I’m involved, but I was just a paid spokesperson for a commercial,” O’Neal said at the time.

    O’Neal allegedly dodged process servers for months but was served with legal documents in April 2023.

    If approved by the judge overseeing the case, the settlement would officially end the class action lawsuit, which was filed by FTX investors who deposited money between May 2019 and late 2022, and release him from future liability in this matter, fully resolving all claims without O’Neal having to admit any wrongdoing. It also bans him from seeking reimbursement from the FTX estate, per CNBC.

    RELATED: Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Multibillion-Dollar Crypto Fraud

    Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for seven counts of fraud and conspiracy related to the FTX collapse.

    Business Insider reports he may be released four years early for good behavior.



    Source link

  • The Next Chapter for Streetball? How Creators Are Taking Over Basketball

    The Next Chapter for Streetball? How Creators Are Taking Over Basketball


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Every basketball player dreams of making it to the NBA — but for most, that dream goes unrealized.

    “When you stop playing, a part of your identity as a basketball player fades,” says Scotty Weaver, a former college hooper turned basketball content creator. “It’s always that feeling of never making it.”

    While playing overseas or in semi-pro leagues is still an option, it rarely comes with the recognition that the NBA offers. With The Next Chapter, Weaver is aiming to change that.

    Co-founded with fellow basketball creator D’Vonte Friga, The Next Chapter (TNC) is a premier 1v1 basketball league spotlighting some of the most dynamic streetballers in the game. Players go head-to-head for cash prizes in a format reminiscent of cage fighting.

    Related: 7 Lessons from Basketball to Help You Succeed in Business

    The prologue

    Weaver was in the streetball content world long before TNC, starting out working with BallisLife doing content with their East Coast squad, where he met standout player Isaiah Hodge, aka Slim Reaper. They left Ballislife and started making their own street ball content with a group called The Wild Hunt. Weaver would bring his Wild Hunt team to local parks and film five-on-five basketball videos.

    “We had a bunch of guys who were characters,” Weaver says. “Slam dunkers, guys doing creative dribbling, big talkers. Everyone brought their own personality and energy.”

    The five-on-five format helped draw big crowds, but it made it tough for Weaver to pay the players involved consistently.

    “To help pay the team, we asked after the event if they wanted to run some one-on-ones with people at the park,” he explains. “When that video comes out, we’ll post it as the next chapter — and whatever it generates will be how we pay you. So your ability to earn is directly tied to your performance in the video.”

    That model incentivized players to talk trash, play flashy and stand out, turning the games into even better content.

    They started featuring one of their players, Lah Moon, in a one-on-one after every park run, challenging the best and bravest from the crowd. After a string of undefeated performances, Moon finally met his match in former college hooper Nasir Core, whose dominant showing made him a standout in the community.

    Sensing they were onto something, Weaver brought Core in as another featured one-on-one player, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become The Next Chapter. Season One featured seven players, each compensated based on how well their videos performed. They shot all seven episodes in a single day and posted them over several months.

    “Season one did great,” Weaver says. “Players started to see how much money they could make on this.”

    What began as a way for players to make some extra money has unexpectedly evolved into a potential career path for streetball creators.

    “We just paid attention to what people wanted to watch,” Weaver says. “What we’re building is a basketball league — whether it’s one-on-ones, two-on-twos, three-on-threes, or five-on-fives. Right now, we’re focused on ones because they’re far more marketable. But we never want to close ourselves off to the idea of doing it all.”

    Related: ‘This is the Future’: WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie Reflects on the WNBA’s Growth and Championing Small Business

    The ‘UFC’ of hoops

    TNC’s marketing strategy channels the spirit of Vince McMahon and Dana White, building stars by spotlighting unique personalities and skill sets. YouTube phenom Devonte Friga knows this process well, having grown his personal channel to over a million followers.

    “We’re trying to build the UFC of one-on-one basketball,” Friga says.

    He points to one of TNC’s standout players, J Lew, whom the marketing team cleverly labeled “the internet’s shiftiest hooper.”

    “There are so many players like that — each with small, unique parts of their game that define who they are. Take NAS, for example. Online, he’s dominant. He doesn’t just win — he wins big — and makes sure everyone knows it. Then there’s Moon, whose unorthodox one-on-one style is so distinctive that NBA 2K flew him out to capture his crossover move, even though he’s not an NBA player. It’s those little things — the way a player stands out — that turn them into a star.”

    The next chapter for The Next Chapter

    Although most TNC players are streetballers, the league is experimenting with a new format on June 6: a one-on-one showdown between former NBA players Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley, with $100,000 at stake.

    The matchup will serve as the finale of Season 2, which featured 20 episodes of the two pros coaching opposing squads, building anticipation for their long-awaited faceoff. The event will be available via pay-per-view, a bold move for a league whose audience is accustomed to free content.

    Still, Weaver is confident fans will see the value.

    “I think it’s about proving to your audience that when you ask them to spend their money, there has to be a clear sense of value — like, wow, I actually got something great in return — rather than, this just feels like the same thing I was getting for free, but now I have to pay for it.”

    While some details are still being finalized, Weaver estimates that moving forward, about 95% of TNC content will remain free, with roughly 5% behind a paywall.

    While others — like former NBA star Tracy McGrady with his OBL league — have explored the 1v1 basketball space, The Next Chapter is carving its path from the ground up.

    “Unlike Tracy’s league, we don’t need to be something big right away,” says Friga. “What we’re building is completely different, and I believe it has the potential to become a billion-dollar industry.”



    Source link

  • Disney, Universal Sue AI Startup Midjourney: ‘Plagiarism’

    Disney, Universal Sue AI Startup Midjourney: ‘Plagiarism’


    Disney and Universal have brought the first major AI copyright lawsuit in Hollywood against AI image-generating startup Midjourney.

    In a 110-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Disney and Universal accuse Midjourney of copying famous characters from their copyrighted works. The movie studios state that they have sent “cease and desist” letters to Midjourney’s counsel to ask the startup to stop generating material featuring characters developed by the studios. Midjourney has allegedly disregarded their requests.

    “Midjourney, which has attracted millions of subscribers and made $300 million last year alone, is focused on its own bottom line,” Disney and Universal allege.

    Related: A 74-Year-Old Needed a Lawyer, So He Used an AI Avatar in Court. It Didn’t Go Well.

    Some of Disney’s copyrighted characters include Darth Vader from “Star Wars,” Elsa from “Frozen,” and Homer Simpson from “The Simpsons,” while characters from Universal include minions from “Despicable Me,” Po from “Kung Fu Panda,” and Hiccup from “How to Train Your Dragon.”

    According to the lawsuit, only Disney and Universal are allowed to commercialize these characters and build a business around them. However, Midjourney has allegedly allowed its subscribers to generate images of characters like Darth Vader in violation of copyright laws.

    Disney and Universal included multiple examples in the complaint of AI-generated images from Midjourney featuring characters from “Cars,” “Shrek,” and other movies.

    Disney and Universal are asking for a jury trial, calling Midjourney’s actions “textbook copyright infringement” and stating that the AI startup “threatens to upend the bedrock incentives of U.S. copyright law.”

    “Midjourney is the quintessential copyright-free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism,” Disney and Universal allege.

    Related: New York Lawyer Uses ChatGPT to Create Legal Brief, Cites 6 ‘Bogus’ Cases: ‘The Court Is Presented With an Unprecedented Circumstance’

    Midjourney is a text-to-image AI generator that churns out images in seconds based on user prompts. It sells monthly subscriptions ranging from $10 per month for a basic plan to $120 per month for a mega subscription. The startup was founded in 2021 and has since generated $50 million in revenue in 2022 and $300 million in revenue in 2024.

    Midjourney notes on its website that it is “a small self-funded team” with “11 full-time staff.”

    While Disney and Universal’s lawsuit against Midjourney represents the first major Hollywood lawsuit against an AI startup, another groundbreaking AI case was filed last week. Reddit became the first major tech company to sue an AI startup, alleging in the complaint that the $61.5 billion startup Anthropic used the site for training data without permission.

    AI copyright cases can get expensive, too. Getty Images CEO Craig Peters said last month that Getty has spent millions of dollars in a years-long legal fight with AI image generator Stability AI.

    Getty alleged that Stability AI illegally scraped more than 12 million copyright-protected media from its site to train its AI image generator. Getty launched the suit in January 2023; the case is set for an initial trial on June 9.

    Disney and Universal have brought the first major AI copyright lawsuit in Hollywood against AI image-generating startup Midjourney.

    In a 110-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Disney and Universal accuse Midjourney of copying famous characters from their copyrighted works. The movie studios state that they have sent “cease and desist” letters to Midjourney’s counsel to ask the startup to stop generating material featuring characters developed by the studios. Midjourney has allegedly disregarded their requests.

    “Midjourney, which has attracted millions of subscribers and made $300 million last year alone, is focused on its own bottom line,” Disney and Universal allege.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



    Source link

  • Hong Kong Bans Taiwanese Video Game for Promoting ‘Armed Revolution’

    Hong Kong Bans Taiwanese Video Game for Promoting ‘Armed Revolution’


    Hong Kong’s national security police have a new target in their sights: gamers.

    In a stern warning issued Tuesday, they effectively banned a Taiwanese video game they described as “advocating armed revolution,” saying anyone who downloaded or recommended it would face serious legal charges. The move comes as the authorities continue to tighten control over online content they consider a threat to the Chinese city.

    “Reversed Front: Bonfire” is an online game of war strategy released by a Taiwanese group. Illustrated in a colorful manga style, players can choose the roles of “propagandists, patrons, spies or guerrillas” from Taiwan, Mongolia and the Chinese territories of Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet in plots and simulated battles against China’s ruling Communist Party. Alternatively, players can choose to represent government fighters.

    The game was removed from Apple’s app store in Hong Kong on Wednesday, but remains available elsewhere.

    But it had already been out of reach for many gamers. It was never available in mainland China and earlier this month Google removed “Reversed Front” from its app store, citing hateful language, according to the developers.

    ESC Taiwan is a group of anonymous volunteers who are outspoken against China’s Communist Party. Their products, which include a board game released in 2020, are supported by crowdfunded donations.

    The developers said that the removal of the game demonstrated how mobile apps in Hong Kong are subject to the type of political censorship seen in mainland China. “Our game is precisely accusing and revealing such intentions,” the group’s representatives said in an email.

    In social media posts, they also thanked the authorities for the free publicity and posted screenshots of the game’s name surging in Google searches. They said the comments and pseudonyms selected by players in the game would not be censored, whether they were in support or in opposition of the Communist Party.

    In its statement, the Hong Kong police said the game promoted “secessionist agendas” and was intended to provoke hatred of the government. They said that publishing, recommending and downloading the game, or supporting the online campaigns that funded it, could amount to sedition and incitement to secession under the national security law in Hong Kong, offenses that can lead to jail sentences.

    This is not the first time a video game has been used as an avenue for political protest that has incurred the wrath of Chinese authorities. Animal Crossing, an online game were players could build elaborate designs of their own island, was removed from mainland China after players began importing Hong Kong protest slogans into the game.

    Even though virtually all forms of dissent in Hong Kong have been quashed, the national security dragnet in the city continues to widen. The authorities have made widespread arrests under the law, which was imposed five years ago in the wake of massive pro-democracy protests.

    Last week, Hong Kong authorities laid new national security charges against Joshua Wong, one of the city’s most prominent young activists. Mr. Wong is serving the prison sentence of another national security charge that ends in January 2027.

    The authorities last month charged the father of Anna Kwok, an outspoken activist living in Washington, D.C., accusing him of helping handle her financial assets. Ms. Kwok is on a list of people overseas wanted by the Hong Kong police, which has placed bounties on their heads by offering rewards for information that would lead to the their arrest.



    Source link

  • How My Old Job Secretly Prepared Me to Build a Thriving Business

    How My Old Job Secretly Prepared Me to Build a Thriving Business


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I started my journalism career in 2004. Within months, it was clear: the industry was changing — fast. Newsroom layoffs, budget cuts, and staff downsizing became routine. Whispers of “impending cuts” turned into annual realities. Every year brought fewer resources, fewer colleagues, and more pressure to do more with less.

    Eventually, the tone of the industry changed completely. We went from reporting the news to defending its very existence. I remember being handed scripts to read on-air, asking viewers to “support local journalism.” Imagine reporting on the world while quietly campaigning to save your own job. It was humbling — and revealing.

    That’s when I realized I needed a Plan B.

    About eight years into my 15-year career as a reporter and anchor for Canada’s largest private broadcaster, I started building a real estate-focused marketing agency. Quietly. In the newsroom, side hustles were frowned upon. Some managers even banned them. It was a strange contradiction: everyone knew the industry was shrinking, but no one was allowed to prepare for what came next.

    So I did it anyway.

    Over time, that agency grew quietly in the background. And one day, it was big enough that I didn’t need the newsroom anymore. I stepped away — and stepped fully into entrepreneurship.

    What I didn’t expect was just how many of my journalism skills would become foundational to building and running a successful business.

    Here’s what translated — and why it matters to anyone navigating uncertainty in their career today.

    Related: The 3 Biggest Mistakes That Made Me a Better Entrepreneur

    Deadlines build more than discipline — they build trust

    In journalism, deadlines weren’t flexible. If your segment wasn’t ready by airtime, it didn’t go to air — simple as that. There was no “I’m running a bit behind.” That kind of real-time pressure trains you to deliver no matter what. And more importantly, it teaches you that other people are counting on you to deliver.

    In business, that same mindset is a competitive advantage. When you consistently meet deadlines—for clients, collaborators, or even yourself — you build a reputation as someone who can be trusted. In a world full of flakiness, that trust is rare and valuable.

    Clarity is the most underrated communication skill

    As a journalist, my job was to take something complicated — legislation, economics, crime stats — and make it clear, fast. I learned how to break down ideas so that a viewer with no background knowledge could still understand the story.

    That skill carried straight into business. Clients aren’t looking for more information — they want clarity. They want someone who can explain things in plain language, with confidence and precision. If you can do that, you’ll win attention and loyalty, even in crowded markets.

    Reading the room is a business skill, not just a social one

    Every newsroom has an unspoken energy. Some days are tense. Others are collaborative. You learn to read body language, anticipate reactions, and adjust your tone accordingly. Sometimes you learn the hard way — by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But eventually, you get good at it.

    That emotional intelligence became essential in business. Whether I’m in a sales call, a client pitch or a team check-in, I rely on that same ability to gauge the room. Knowing when to speak, when to pause, and when to pivot isn’t just nice to have — it’s how you build rapport, close deals and lead people.

    Your visual presence sends a signal — whether you like it or not

    In television, how you show up is part of the job. Lighting, clothing, posture, eye contact — everything matters. You’re trained to think visually because you’re being seen, not just heard.

    As a business owner, I carried that forward. Whether I’m on a Zoom call, recording video content, or meeting a client in person, I think about how I show up. Not because I care about superficial polish, but because I understand that presence builds credibility. People make snap judgments. Being intentional about your appearance — your energy, tone, body language — is part of your brand.

    Asking smart questions leads to better outcomes

    Great interviews don’t happen because the journalist talks a lot — they happen because they ask questions no one else thought to ask. They listen. They dig. They help the subject get to something real.

    That skill set applies almost everywhere in business. Whether I’m onboarding a client, hiring a new team member, or troubleshooting a campaign, asking thoughtful, open-ended questions makes all the difference. It leads to insights, not just answers. The better your questions, the more valuable your results.

    Content creation isn’t a buzzword — it’s a daily practice

    Before “content marketing” was trendy, journalists were doing it every day. Writing headlines. Filming segments. Recording voiceovers. Editing clips. We were creating daily, on deadline, with quality and consistency.

    When I pivoted into business, that content muscle was already built. I could write fast. I could shoot video. I could find the story angle. That made building a content-driven agency much easier. But more importantly, it helped me communicate my value consistently — through blogs, videos, emails, and social media.

    Storytelling is the bridge between facts and emotion

    At the core of every newscast is a story. That doesn’t change in business. In fact, the need for narrative is even more important. Because people don’t buy based on data — they buy based on belief.

    Whether I’m crafting a brand strategy, writing a sales page or scripting a webinar, I’m asking: What’s the story? What’s the tension? What changes by the end? Who’s the hero? Storytelling isn’t fluff. It’s structure. It’s how you help people care.

    Research before you speak — it builds credibility

    Journalists don’t get to make things up. We’re trained to dig for sources, verify facts and back up every claim. That instinct — to validate before publishing — translated directly into business.

    When I make marketing recommendations, I don’t rely on gut feeling alone. I cite trends, pull performance data, reference case studies. That research-backed approach builds trust — and helps clients feel more confident in their investment.

    Related: Why Entrepreneurship Is Better Than Any Personal Growth Book

    Writing is a business superpower

    In journalism, you write every day. Scripts, voiceovers, headlines, tweets, captions. You learn how to write tight. You learn how to write with impact. And you learn how to match your voice to your audience.

    In business, that’s been one of the most useful tools I’ve carried with me. Clear, persuasive writing helps across the board — website copy, email campaigns, pitch decks, client reports. Especially now, when so much content is AI-generated and generic, human writing that’s sharp and intentional really stands out.

    Working under pressure is the ultimate team test

    Television isn’t a solo act. Every show depends on producers, editors, camera operators, and anchors working in sync, under tight deadlines. If someone drops the ball, everyone feels it.

    That taught me how to lead under pressure — and how to hire people who can handle it too. In business, things go sideways. Clients change direction. Launches break. The ability to stay calm, adapt and keep moving is what separates amateurs from professionals.

    The bottom line

    When I left journalism, I thought I was walking away from a shrinking industry. What I didn’t realize was that I was walking into something I’d been preparing for all along. Entrepreneurship wasn’t the opposite of journalism — it was the evolution of it. The same skills that helped me succeed on-camera helped me succeed in business.

    So if you’re in a profession that feels uncertain right now, I’ll say this: look closely. You’re probably building skills that will serve you long after your current role ends. You might just be gathering the exact tools you’ll need for the next chapter.

    Don’t wait for a crisis to start your Plan B. Build it now, even if it’s in the margins. That quiet side project, that weekend freelance gig, that small experiment — it might be the thing that gives you security when the job no longer can.



    Source link

  • Apple Introduces ‘Liquid Glass’ Design and iOS 26 at WWDC 2025

    Apple Introduces ‘Liquid Glass’ Design and iOS 26 at WWDC 2025


    At a time when most of the tech industry is building new artificial intelligence systems into our devices, Apple is focusing on making its products look prettier.

    In a 90-minute presentation on Monday, Apple revealed a new design for its software powering iPhones, iPads and Macs that brings a transparent aesthetic to tabs, files and app icons. It will allow Safari web pages to cover an entire page, with the tab bar disappearing as users scroll down. It also minimizes controls into a small circle that can be brought to the surface with a tap. In Apple fashion, the company calls the translucent design “liquid glass.”

    The company also introduced a new naming system for its software based on the fiscal year when it becomes available rather than the number of iterations. Instead of iOS 19, this year’s system is being called iOS 26.

    The new features show how Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, is looking to increase sales of his company’s most important product with useful new features, even if those abilities are out of step with the industry’s zeal for everything A.I. In doing so, Apple is wagering it can be late to embrace an emerging technology but still take it mainstream before its competitors.

    At its developer conference in May, Google revealed an A.I. search feature that functions like a chatbot, an update to its Gemini model, and glasses with an A.I. virtual assistant. In February, Amazon unveiled an improved Alexa that uses A.I. to help book concert tickets and coordinate calendars.

    Apple said its A.I. system, which it calls Apple Intelligence, will add abilities such as allowing apps to use the A.I. capabilities built into its devices. As a result, the hiking app AllTrails can add a conversational search system, allowing users, for example, to write that they’re looking for a nearby family hike that is under three miles. They can refine it by adding that they want hikes with waterfalls.

    A new feature called Live Translation will use artificial intelligence to automatically translate text messages, and captions in FaceTime calls, across languages. On phone calls with someone in a foreign language, the iPhone screen automatically provides captions with a live translation of a conversation.

    Another new feature lets an iPhone user take screenshots of something, such as a green jacket, to do a web search for similar items. It’s a direct response to Google’s shopping tool, Circle to Search, which lets Android users draw circles around objects to do image-based searches.

    The additions are small compared with what Apple promised at last year’s developers’ conference. A.I. was a major focus of that event, with the company unveiling an Apple Intelligence that included writing tools, message summaries and a partnership with OpenAI to deliver ChatGPT on iPhones.

    One of Apple’s biggest promises was an improved Siri virtual assistant that could combine information on a phone — say, a message about someone’s travel itinerary — with information on the web, like a flight arrival time. But in March, Apple postponed a spring release and said the product wouldn’t be ready until later this year. It also reshuffled its Siri leadership ranks.

    The A.I. stumble was the first time in years that Apple had not shipped a product that it had unveiled. It has sparked concerns among Wall Street analysts that the company may struggle to catch up to its rivals.

    “In the short term, people aren’t stopping buying iPhones or Macs because Apple Intelligence isn’t delivering,” said Carolina Milanesi, principal analyst with Creative Strategies, a tech research firm. But, she said, “the big risk is that you could have users go to ChatGPT or some other product that consumers become dependent on.”

    Shares of Apple fell more than 1 percent after the event, while the S&P 500 was up slightly.

    A.I. is only one of the significant challenges facing Apple. Five years after Epic Games filed an antitrust suit against the company for collecting up to 30 percent of app sales, a judge ordered Apple in April to begin allowing apps to provide users with external links to pay directly for software and services. The ruling has the potential to reduce Apple’s profits as much as 2 percent, Morgan Stanley has estimated.

    The company has also been whipsawed by President Trump’s tariffs. After backing off earlier tariff plans that would have had an impact on Apple, Mr. Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on iPhones made anywhere outside the United States.

    The trade conflict is expected to dampen sales of smartphones by 2.3 percentage points, as sales decline in the United States and China, according to Counterpoint Research, a tech research firm.

    On Monday, Apple sought to return the focus to its products.

    On the iPhone, a new call screening function gathers information about callers so users can decide whether they want to pick up. A similar tool has been included on Android phones in recent years.

    The company also unveiled a new look for its Messages system for sending texts. Users can now decorate their text conversations with a background consisting of a graphic or a photo, similar to Meta’s WhatsApp. In group messages, people will be able to create polls and see an ellipsis as people begin to reply.

    A number of updates showed how Apple was trying to make its devices more useful to niche users. Runners who use the Apple Watch will have access to a feature called Workout Buddy that, when paired with AirPods, can offer encouraging words like: “Fantastic run. You averaged a pace of nine minutes and seven seconds per mile.” Apple TV owners who like karaoke will be able to use their iPhones as a microphone to sing along with songs in Apple Music. And Shortcuts, a programmable feature on the Mac, makes it possible for document designers to use A.I. to read text and suggest tag lines.

    The company also introduced a new Games app for the iPhone and Mac that creates a central location for video games. It will make it easier to play games with friends and remind users where they are in games they’ve been playing. Video games have become a big business for Apple, with the company generating $43.7 billion in sales from gaming apps last year, of which it kept $13.1 billion in sales, according to Appfigures, a research firm focused on the app economy.

    Apple introduced new abilities for its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, which was released in January 2024. Apple is trying to make the device more useful, with new features including the ability to support video game controllers like the PlayStation VR2 Sense.

    The company opened the event by promoting its new movie, “F1,” which stars Brad Pitt and will be released June 27. The emphasis on the movie showed how the company is trying to use its legacy software business to promote its newer foray into Hollywood.



    Source link

  • Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Day 1: WWDC Highlights

    Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Day 1: WWDC Highlights


    Apple announced sweeping changes to its products on Monday, the first day of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

    Notably, the iPhone maker confirmed rumors that it is changing how it names its software updates. Instead of using a version number, Apple will use a system with a number that represents the year after the update is released. Apple’s next update will be iOS 26, arriving in the fall for most Apple users.

    The naming change applies to all Apple products. For example, the next iPad update will be named iPadOS 26, and the next MacBook update will be called macOS 26.

    Related: This College Student Wanted to Help People During the LA Wildfires. She Built a Practical App in Just 1 Month — and Won Apple’s Annual Competition.

    Apple announced other changes, like a new design and AI features. The company has made all of the new features available for testing starting on Monday through the Apple Developer program, with a public beta version to be released next month and a broader update rolling out this fall.

    “We continue to advance each of our platforms with more ways to harness the power of Apple Intelligence, as well as a beautiful new design, our product experiences become even more seamless and enjoyable,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the event keynote.

    Here are some interesting new capabilities Apple debuted on Monday.

    1. A new design with Liquid Glass

    Apple made its biggest design update ever, with a new design element called Liquid Glass. The translucent element, which Apple used to craft new buttons, switches, tab bars, and notifications across its products, looks like glass on the screen and takes on the color of its environment.

    “This is our broadest software design update ever,” Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design, stated in a press release. “It combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve, as it transforms depending on your content or context.”

    Apple has integrated Liquid Glass components into its redesign, including translucent menus that respond to a user’s perspective of the screen and a new lock screen with a Liquid Glass time.

    Liquid Glass time on the lock screen. Credit: Apple

    Apple’s new Liquid Glass design applies to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS for a unified look.

    2. Live Translation will be integrated into the iPhone

    Apple is bringing Live Translation to Messages, FaceTime, and Phone to translate text and audio on the spot. The AI-powered feature is backed by Apple-built AI models that run entirely locally, so personal conversations are never uploaded to the cloud.

    Live Translation means that users can talk to each other in different languages, and have the translation appear on the screen in real-time. For example, when a user receives an iMessage in another language, they can opt for that message to be translated into their preferred language. On FaceTime, a user can hear someone talking in another language while following along with translated live captions.

    Live Translation on FaceTime. Credit: Apple

    Live Translation could help overcome language barriers for business calls and personal calls alike.

    Related: Own a Pair of AirPods? Listen to This — New Apple Tech Will Translate Languages During Conversations in Real Time

    3. Visual intelligence gets sharper

    Apple is bringing more AI capabilities to the forefront with visual intelligence. Users can tap into their iPhone cameras and use what they see to ask ChatGPT questions. They can also search Google or Etsy to find products similar to what they are looking at.

    Visual intelligence also recognizes when a user is looking at a poster of an event, and can extract the data to add as an event on their calendar.

    Related: Apple Is Reportedly Developing AI Smart Glasses to Compete with Meta and Google

    4. Workout Buddy on Apple Watch

    Apple is adding an AI workout companion to the Apple Watch called Workout Buddy.

    Workout Buddy considers metrics tracked by the Apple Watch, like heart rate, pace, distance, and previous workouts, and leverages this knowledge to motivate users during their workouts with verbal encouragement.

    For example, when a user starts their run, Workout Buddy could say, “Great job starting your run. This is your second run this week.”

    Workout Buddy will be available for workout types like indoor run and outdoor cycle.

    Apple announced sweeping changes to its products on Monday, the first day of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

    Notably, the iPhone maker confirmed rumors that it is changing how it names its software updates. Instead of using a version number, Apple will use a system with a number that represents the year after the update is released. Apple’s next update will be iOS 26, arriving in the fall for most Apple users.

    The naming change applies to all Apple products. For example, the next iPad update will be named iPadOS 26, and the next MacBook update will be called macOS 26.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



    Source link

  • Kennedy Loves This Food-Rating App. Is It Accurate?

    Kennedy Loves This Food-Rating App. Is It Accurate?



    The European app Yuka, which Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary, has called “invaluable,” assigns health scores to food. But can it actually help people make better choices? Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, a reporter for Well, explains.



    Source link

  • The 3 Non-Negotiable Steps in Hiring Regardless of Your Industry

    The 3 Non-Negotiable Steps in Hiring Regardless of Your Industry


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Different companies have different hiring practices. You can have multiple stages with different-level individuals, or just one comprehensive test and final interview — it just really depends on the organization, priorities, urgency and the kind of role.

    You might be able to streamline and customize things as much as you want, but after hiring hundreds of people, I’ve realized that there are three hiring non-negotiables regardless of your approach, industry and the position you’re offering.

    1. Hire problem solvers, not know-it-alls

    As much as it’s ideal, you are not building a team of perfect employees. You are building a team that can work effectively and adapt when needed. No one can truly know everything — not even AI, at this point anyway.

    What you need then are people who have enough critical thinking to get the job done and navigate any problems along the way. It’s important to have people who are willing to learn and decide for themselves. At the same time, have team members who acknowledge their limits and know when to ask for help.

    When someone doesn’t have a big ego, they’re more willing to try a different approach, even if it means getting out of their comfort zone. They’re also more inclined to admit when they’re wrong.

    One can have as much knowledge about the job, but problems are still bound to happen. You need employees who have the initiative to think about and find solutions on their own or with their team. Not those who claim to know everything.

    Related: There’s a Growing Demand For This New Type of Professional — Here’s Why Your Startup Needs Them, Too.

    2. Hire team players who can also work on their own

    You’re not just after people who can do their job right. You’re getting people who can work well with the rest of your team. This means looking for people who can handle projects with both autonomy and a strong sense of collaboration.

    There will be times when they’ll need to split their work together with their coworkers, so it’s important that they know how to share that sense of responsibility. Hiring someone with this skill assures you that they know how and when to share the credit and give credit when it’s due.

    When you have someone who cares about their own work and their team’s work as a whole, without stepping on anyone’s toes, the workflow stays steady and disruptions are minimized, whether the task calls for solo effort or group collaboration. They’re also all willing to chip in, as well as brainstorm and combine ideas.

    3. Hire people for their growth mindset, not their current skill set

    Hiring for potential doesn’t mean you’re merely hoping for the best. You need to hire for someone’s ability and desire to grow, learn and improve because these are hard to teach. It’s good to ask and see where your candidate wants to go in the future to have a good idea about their personal ambitions.

    This can be in regard to their career in the next five years, whether they see themselves in a leadership role or work-life balance priorities, among others. Always keep in mind that when hiring someone, it’s unlikely that their ultimate goal is the job you’re offering.

    When you have someone on your team with clear ambitions, they’ll be more responsible, pay more attention to detail and care more about their own work ethic.

    Related: 3 Things I’ve Learned About Hiring and Firing After 35 Years in Business

    Close them with the right communication

    Knowing the right qualities to spot when hiring is just the first step. Knowing how to get them to say yes is just as important. In my company, OysterLink, for example, we make sure to discuss the following with every member we hire:

    1. How this role will guide them along their own path

    Now that you have a clear idea of where they’re going, it’s now your job to show them how being in your company will bring them closer to their goals.

    Focus on how the job and the company will equip them with the right skills to thrive in the industry they would like to grow in. When they gain the right experience, they build a strong foundation — and that foundation not only benefits them but also strengthens your team.

    2. How your company will support their growth

    Once you’ve shown how the role fits into their long-term goals, the next step is to make it clear that their growth matters to you, too. As a hiring manager, the way you communicate, provide feedback and structure the hiring process reflects your company’s values — whether that’s clarity, care or a commitment to development.

    Let candidates know that you’re not just filling a position — you’re invested in helping them succeed. When people feel genuinely supported, they’re more motivated, engaged and very likely to grow with you.

    When you combine the right opportunity with the right message, you don’t just attract great talent — you earn their commitment.

    Different companies have different hiring practices. You can have multiple stages with different-level individuals, or just one comprehensive test and final interview — it just really depends on the organization, priorities, urgency and the kind of role.

    You might be able to streamline and customize things as much as you want, but after hiring hundreds of people, I’ve realized that there are three hiring non-negotiables regardless of your approach, industry and the position you’re offering.

    1. Hire problem solvers, not know-it-alls

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



    Source link