I Don't Want a Lo For Christmas |
Lo Speziato, as we all know, is a soft cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, made by Moro Latteria di Moro Sergio, Veneto, Italy. It is flavored with chili pepper, rosemary, sage, marjoram and thyme to give it a fresh and spicy flavor, just like this newsletter. Meanwhile if I hear Mariah Carey sing that song one more time, I'll have to commit seppuku. Will you be my second? —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor P.S. We've got an expressive animatronic head on our 'gram. |
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"I don't want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing I need." — Mariah Carey |
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1. SoftBank to Invest $100B in U.S. Under Trump |
SoftBank Group, alongside President-elect Donald Trump, has laid out bold plans to invest a staggering $100 billion in U.S. ventures over the coming four years. The massive investment, focusing primarily on AI, represents a monumental demonstration of confidence in the economic future of the United States. Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, stood alongside Howard Lutnick (head of investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and Trump's pick for commerce secretary) to unveil the plan at Mar-a-Lago.
"He's doing this because he feels very optimistic about our country," said Trump.
SoftBank's history under Son is marked by ambitious ventures and investments, from Yahoo and Alibaba to groundbreaking partnerships such as a planned robot factory in Saudi Arabia. Son, a billionaire entrepreneur with a penchant for disruptive technology, made headlines in 2016 with a promise to invest $50 billion in U.S startups, aiming to create 50,000 jobs — a move Trump claimed as a direct result of his election victory at the time. While not all SoftBank's bets have paid off — WeWork's failure being a notable example — the $100 billion commitment signals a new chapter, they hope. Read More |
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2. Apple Aiming to Release Foldable iPad in 2028 |
Visions of a foldable future aren't new to Apple's fans and followers. Rumors of a folding iPad have wafted through the tech landscape for years, with notable whispers of a 20-inch folding "iPad/MacBook hybrid" in 2022. Now it seems they're becoming more concrete with Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman breaking the news in his 'sletter.
Imagine unfolding a new device to reveal an 18.8-inch display, effectively giving you the workspace of two iPad Pros side by side. This isn't just any foldable screen; Apple's design genius shines through with a prototype boasting a "nearly invisible crease," Gurman reports. It's about creating a hybrid experience, incorporating "elements of both" Macs and iPads. With iPadOS rumored to be advanced enough to run macOS apps by 2028, the lines between tablet and laptop could blur, promising a device that's as versatile as it is powerful. I'm sure that by 2027 no other company will have designed and produced a better, cheaper foldable product without the Apple logo on it. Certainly not. No. Read More |
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| But does it really need realistic teeth? 🤔
Engineer Will Cogley has created a creepy, expressive animatronic robot head with flexible silicone skin that stretches and contorts into realistic facial expressions.
Powered by 3D-printed parts and servo motors, it's controlled by an Arduino Mega board. Still a work in progress, Cogley plans further improvements. |
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3. Starbucks Expands Policies for Parents |
The global coffee giant is expanding its parental leave policy for U.S. employees, with birth parents getting 18 weeks of paid leave at full pay, a substantial increase from the previous policy, which offered six weeks. Non-birth parents, encompassing those welcoming a child through adoption, surrogacy, or a partner's pregnancy, will also receive a boost in benefits, with 12 weeks of paid leave now on offer.
To be eligible for these enhanced benefits, Starbucks employees need only work a minimum of 20 hours per week. The policy revamp comes at a time when only 40% of employers in the United States offer paid parental leave. The idea is also aligned with CEO Brian Niccol's "Back to Basics" strategic plan, which aims to reconnect the company with its core values and strengthen its focus on internal growth and brand integrity. Complementary efforts include filling 90% of retail leadership roles internally, offering college tuition coverage, health benefits, and stock grants as part of a comprehensive package to attract and retain talent.
I have nothing cynical to say about this plan which seems amazing. I run my own business, meanwhile, and got no time off when my kid was born. My wife got three months off through her employer. In U.S. terms that's considered generous. I don't remember much about the first year of my kid's life. I'm sure that's fine, though, right? Read More |
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4. Mariah Carey Joins Netflix's Christmas Day NFL Show |
On December 25 Netflix, in collaboration with the NFL, ushers in a brand-new reason to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, with Mariah Carey starring in the show open for the NFL Christmas Gameday. Carey will perform her timeless holiday staple "All I Want for Christmas Is You," coinciding with the song's 30th anniversary.
The festive hit, beloved by audiences worldwide, has not only soared to the No. 1 spot on this week's Billboard Hot 100 chart but has woven itself into the fabric of Christmas tradition, achieving a monumental 16x platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Viewers will also be treated to a live halftime performance by Beyoncé during the broadcast of the Ravens-Texans game. It's a critical time for Netflix as it ventures further into live streaming, aiming to establish a new holiday tradition with at least one NFL Christmas Day game scheduled for the platform in 2025 and 2026.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas," Carey said. "There is just one thing I need." Read More |
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5. Could Getting Rid of Daylight Saving Time Unite America? |
As a reminder, President-elect Donald Trump promised 3% mortgage rates, "no wars," and "lower prices" during his campaign.
Mortgage rates are likely to stay at 7% through 2025, and Trump has since acknowledged that lowering grocery prices will be "very hard" and that a war with Iran "could happen." Tariffs are also expected to add hundreds of dollars to the prices of consumer electronics, experts say.
What about changing the time on our clocks? You see where I'm going with this.
Daylight Saving Time is a reasonably new tradition by historical standards. It requires setting clocks forward by an hour during spring, and back again in the fall. Originally implemented during World War II in 1942 as a wartime measure to conserve energy, it was believed that extending daylight hours would reduce the need for artificial lighting; however, the presumed benefits of DST have been increasingly questioned, with critics pointing to its limited energy savings and potential health risks. Now, Donald Trump has Tweeted that he'd like to end the practice.
That seems like a worthwhile use of his time and energy while serving in the nation's highest office, I must say. Health experts, including representatives from the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, argue that the biannual shift disrupts human circadian rhythms, which can have significant health consequences. They suggest that sticking to standard time year-round would be more in harmony with human biology and the natural cycles of daylight. While some states like Arizona and Hawaii have opted out of DST altogether, the broader national consensus remains divided. Globally, the practice is even less common, with most countries choosing not to observe DST, pointing towards a growing disconnect between this aging policy and contemporary societal needs.
As Trump calls for an end to Daylight Saving Time, bringing an executive voice to a longstanding debate, the discussion is likely to gain more traction among policymakers and the public. Meanwhile don't try to buy a Playstation next February unless you want a dose of sticker shock — assuming Trump keeps his promise to impose tariffs as soon as he starts the new job. Let's face it, the odds of that are 50/50. So, meh? Read More |
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