Tariff Ruling Raises Uncertainty and Costs for U.S. Importers
A federal trade court decision that struck down President Trump's tariffs is piling uncertainty on small businesses juggling fast-rising shipping rates and whipsawing trade policies.
Michael Shaughnessy, senior vice president of operations at Balsam Brands, which sells artificial Christmas trees and holiday decor, already was planning to move inventory out of China at a higher shipping cost after the U.S. and China reached a tariff truce earlier this month.
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CNN
28 minutes ago
- CNN
Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly recruiting a team to build a ‘superintelligence'
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is personally assembling a team to achieve a 'superintelligence,' machines that are capable of surpassing human capabilities, according to a Bloomberg report. Zuckerberg is reportedly so frustrated with Meta's efforts in the artificial intelligence space that he has taken it upon himself to meet with experts in the field at his homes in Lake Tahoe and Palo Alto, California. Meta and Zuckerberg did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Meta has created AI tools that are woven into Facebook, WhatsApp and other Meta-owned apps, as well as its Ray-Ban glasses and chatbots. But the extremely competitive AI landscape continues to be led by ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, and Meta's Llama AI model has faced some recent setbacks. Zuckerberg plans to hire about 50 people and has shifted the layout of the company's Menlo Park headquarters to put the new AI team near his office, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people that asked to remain anonymous. Zuckerberg has personally taken on this task because he's frustrated with the progress of Llama 4, Meta's latest large language model, according to Bloomberg. The New York Times, which separately confirmed many details of the report, also said that Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder and CEO of startup Scale AI, is part of the project with Meta mulling a billions in investment in his company. Zuckerberg has reportedly told people that the initiative would be funded by Meta's massive advertising business. It's unclear how the new team would work with Meta's existing AI team, Bloomberg said. Over the past few years, Zuckerberg has pushed increasingly further into repositioning Meta into an AI powerhouse with mixed success. His intensity in the area has sharpened following the leaps in advancement from OpenAI, a rival that raised tens of billions of dollars in funding. Zuckerberg's superintelligence goal is extremely lofty. Before AI can achieve capabilities that outmatch humans' brains, the technology first needs to become capable of accomplishing anything a human can do – a so-called artificial general intelligence. AI researchers debate how close we are to that AGI goal, with some saying we're years away and other saying we're nowhere close and we have no path to achieving it. Nevertheless, the AI race is as competitive as any tech battle in recent memory. Meta is facing off with Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Alphabet, as well as a host of other major upstarts with serious funding, including Elon Musk's xAI and Anthropic. Apple has gotten a slow start but announced some of its own AI developments this week. Many tech leaders like Zuckerberg believe AI represents an existential threat to their businesses. Meta has been trying to differentiate itself with Llama by making it open source, a free-to-use AI model that seeks to become the basis for the majority of the world's AI (think Android for artificial intelligence). Google believes AI poses a significant threat to its search business: If people can just ask an AI model for the answer, why search for anything? Apple understands that AI may ultimately make apps moot, potentially undermining its smartphone dominance. And OpenAI may have gotten a massive head start with ChatGPT, but competitors are quickly catching up. CNN's David Goldman contributed to this report.
Android Authority
29 minutes ago
- Android Authority
10 productivity gadgets that will help you work smart in 2025
Dedication and determination can go a long way, but it's also true that the right equipment can make you much more productive. Some products are made with productivity in mind, from the concept's inception all the way up to the production line. Here at Android Authority, we are a content and productivity machine, and we've tried it all. Take a look at our productivity gadgets to catch a boost when you most need it! SPONSORED NOTE and NotePin NOTE NOTE MSRP: $159.00 Effortlessly capture and transcribe every meeting, call, lecture, or voice memo with this credit‑card sized AI recorder. Dual‑mode precision mics ensure crisp audio on your phone or in person, and the onboard AI (powered by GPT‑4.1, o3‑mini, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5 Pro) instantly transforms recordings into searchable, summarized notes in over 112 languages—empowering you to stay present while PLAUD does the note‑taking work for you. See price at NotePin NotePin MSRP: $159.00 A pill‑sized, versatile AI voice recorder you can clip, pin, strap, or wear as a necklace—ready at a moment's notice. With a tap it captures in-person conversations, transcribes in 112+ languages, auto‑summarizes with speaker labels, and stores everything securely in the PLAUD app and cloud. Boasting 20 hours of continuous recording and effortless one‑press operation, it's ideal for journalists, students, creatives, and pros who need reliable, hands‑free minutes. See price at We're spearheading into a new era. The evolution of artificial intelligence is changing the way we do everything, and with so many great tools at our disposal, it makes no sense to use your classic voice recorder or take notes using pen and paper. Introducing a company revolutionizing note taking with AI intelligence. has currently launched two products, the PLAUD NOTE and the PLAUD NotePin. These handy accessories can record voice, of course, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Leveraging AI, they provide precise voice-to-text transcription and content summarization. It offers extensive language support, transcribing in over 112 languages, along with intelligent speaker labeling and paragraph division. Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Both devices offer the same core functionalities and are priced identically at $159. The key distinction lies in their design and intended use. The PLAUD NOTE, with its credit card-like shape, is incredibly slim and can magnetically attach to the back of your phone via a MagSafe-compatible case. This makes it ideal for business meetings and office environments. Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority The NotePin is even more compact. Its versatile design allows for easy portability through magnetic attachments, a clip, or a wristband, making it perfect for on-the-go recording and capturing ideas wherever you are. No matter which voice recorder you choose, it will transform how you take notes. You'll save hours sifting through recordings as the AI tools swiftly summarize and organize content, generate mind maps, and even offer suggestions to help you strategize your next steps. The days of manual note-taking will truly feel archaic. reMarkable Paper Pro tablet reMarkable Paper Pro reMarkable Paper Pro Large, notebook-sized color E-Ink display • Distraction-free writing experience • Attractive, portable build MSRP: $579.00 reMarkable, now with a splash of color. The reMarkable Paper Pro is an 11.8-inch E-Ink tablet that closely mimics paper and colorful pens. See price at Amazon Tablets are important office tools, but they are also huge distractions. You could be looking at a document one second, and the next, a social media notification will send you down an internet gossip rabbit hole that seems to never end. Shiny screens and oversaturated colors don't help stay focused, either. All things combined, a normal tablet can be a huge productivity hog. The brand reMarkable is among the most respected when it comes to e-paper tablets. These are designed from the ground up to keep distractions to a minimum. The paper-like experience is easier on the eyes, and you can even use a stylus to take notes on it. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Our top pick right now would be the reMarkable Paper Pro. It has a large 11.8-inch display with a 2,160 x 1,620 resolution. And it's a color display, so you can better visualize pie charts and other colored elements in all your documents. It's not backlit, because it is meant to read like actual paper, but it comes with an integrated adjustable reading light. While the battery wouldn't seem huge at 5,030mAh, keep in mind e-paper displays don't use much energy. Its battery life is actually quite outstanding. This thing can last two weeks on a full charge! Features include apps and extensions for most major operating systems, cloud storage solutions, and security implementations for professionals. You can even get a keyboard case, to ensure your productivity doesn't slow down during commutes or trips. Elgato Stream Deck Neo I get really tired of finding hidden options in settings menus, figuring out keyboard shortcut combinations, and looking through a sea of apps just to launch a program. This is why something like the Elgato Stream Deck Neo can be such a convenient productivity tool. The concept is rather simple. This little device has eight buttons, which can be customized to automate tasks, launch apps, and more. Elgato is actually a very well-established brand in the gaming industry, where people can save precious seconds automating their macros and other options. This model is especially made for work efficiency, though. The look is more streamlined, and the infobar can help you keep track of other details, such as the date, time, and more. The buttons are LCD displays, so they can adjust to your experience. You'll see notification tickers, status updates, live information, and more. It's nice that it is also cheaper than the gaming models at $99.99! Cuktech No. 10 100W GaN Charger Time is money, and you have no time to waste. When it's time to charge your devices, you want to ensure they juice up as fast as possible, because a dead device will obviously hurt your productivity. You can learn how to pick the right charger for your needs here, but if you want a quick option, here it is. The CUKTECH No.10 100W GaN Charger is portable, powerful, and can charge three devices simultaneously. As the name implies, it has a 100W max output. Both USB-C ports can reach these speeds when charging a single device. And if you want to recharge smaller accessories, the USB-A connection maxes out at 22.5W. Of course, wattage will be shared as you connect more devices, though. To put matters into perspective, 100W is enough to charge modern laptops. And you'll have power to spare if you're charging a phone. Here's an example: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra charges at a max of 45W, and that is one of the best Android phones available right now. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony WH-1000XM6 Good sound quality • Top of the line app • Excellent ANC MSRP: $449.99 The next iteration of the best Sony headphones The Sony WH-1000XM6 is every bit a worthy successor to Sony's other ANC headphones as you'd hope. They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. However, the lack of cutting-edge connection options might be an issue as the years go by. See price at Amazon Save $1.99 Are you looking for the best headphones around? Our friends at have tested all the important ones, and they have crowned the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones as the top option in their list of the best headphones available. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is part of a highly respected line of headphones known for quality and excellent features across the board. Of course, sound quality is fantastic, and you'll get plenty of features. You can learn all about them by reading the full SoundGuys review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. We'll focus on why they are great for productivity here. For starters, these have a great microphone, so they will work amazingly during calls, video conferences, and more. Also, they are known for their excellent ANC performance. The great noise canceling will help you stay focused in loud environments, blocking out all those noises from traffic, content, or people chit-chatting around you. Logitech MX Brio webcam Are you often making conference calls, video meetings, or recording video messages? You'll need a webcam, but you want it to be a good one. There's nothing worse than a pixelated, bad-quality video, which is sadly what most webcams produce. The Logitech MX Brio is a great option for professionals who want quality for their clients or co-workers. It may be bigger and pricier than average at $199.99, but it is worth every cubic centimeter and penny. This webcam is on another level, offering a 4K resolution to capture much more detail. It can record at 30fps. And if you reduce the resolution to 1,080p, the framerate can go up to 60fps. Logitech claims this is their most advanced webcam sensor yet, with 70% larger pixels. Hardware aside, the webcam also uses AI to improve image quality, especially with faces. You can even go into the settings and change the image profile. You can customize things like exposure, white balance, ISO, tint, shutter speed, and more. The webcam has a physical privacy shutter for those who worry about that. Additionally, the mics use AI to reduce background noise, offering a clearer audio experience. ASUS portable monitors If you're more of a digital nomad, chances are your workstation is a laptop. Living on a single screen can affect your productivity, though. Using multiple monitors can make you a multitasking beast. While there are plenty of great portable monitors out there, ASUS is known for being among the most reliable manufacturers in this market. We will give you a couple of options here. Let's start with the ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK. It has a 16-inch panel with a Full HD 1,080p resolution. The design is simple and minimalist, which is great if you want to keep a professional look. The single stand keeps the look clean, and offers flexibility in terms of screen positioning. This display can connect to your devices using two USB-C ports, or the mini-HDMI connection. Both cables come included in the box. The ASUS ZenScreen MB169CK is simple, modest, and clean. It's nothing fancy, but that is part of its allure. It works, and its simplicity makes it very affordable at $109. Having an extra display can make you much more productive, but what if you have two? Enter the ASUS ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD. This thing has two portable monitors, giving you much more screen real estate to work with when you want to get serious with work, homework, or whatever you want to do. This one is outstanding in every way. Each screen has a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution. Each panel is 14 inches. Display technology gets a hefty upgrade, too. These are OLED displays that can display 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. They are very color accurate. There's a built-in kickstand, and you get a nice set of ports for flexibility. It has two USB-C ports, plus an extra one for power. If your laptop doesn't support that, you can also use the mini-HDMI connection. It's quite impressive, but be ready to pay for this much quality and multitasking power. This portable dual monitor is $599. Nothing quite matches it, though. Pomodoro timer Do you often find yourself getting mentally fatigued? Long hours of work can cause fatigue, which is why many like the Pomodoro technique. The premise is simple: it is a timer that divides your focus time into 30-minute intervals, of which 25 minutes are dedicated to work or study, while the other 5 minutes are for your short breaks. This will keep you fresh and focused during long sessions. You don't really need to buy anything to apply this strategy. I mean, your phone's timer will do the job just fine. You can also use websites like Pomofocus, or apps like Pomodoro Timer by If you want a physical timer, though, we like the OORAII Rotating Pomodoro Timer. You can set a timer simply by rotating the device, and leaving the time you want to set facing up. Just switch between the 25-minute and 5-minute intervals to follow the technique. It looks really nice, too, and it's really affordable. YubiKey Bio If you're trying to be productive, chances are you are working on or handling some delicate information. Security is important, and so far the best way to keep your accounts and login credentials safe is by using 2FA (2-factor authentication). Hardware options are the most safe and convenient, too. The YubiKey Bio can be used as a physical key to authenticate your identity. As an added benefit and security step, it has a fingerprint reader, making it simpler to authenticate and access any account. You can also use a PIN as a fallback. You won't need to baby this thing, as it is made to go with you everywhere. It is small and can simply hang on your keychain. It has an IP68 rating, so it can handle dust and liquids without issues. It's also crush resistant and has no moving parts. At $90, it's a good investment for peace of mind and security, especially when dealing with sensitive business or school accounts. Logitech MX Master 3S Logitech MX Master 3S Logitech MX Master 3S Precision optical navigation • Reliable wireless connectivity MSRP: $99.99 Multi-function precision wireless mouse Made for precision, the Logitech MX Master 3S has multiple scroll wheels, high-resolution navigation, an ergonomic design, and reliable wireless connectivity. See price at Amazon Trackpads are good enough in a pinch, but they are far from being the perfect productivity tool. If you want to make the most out of every work minute, you should consider a good mouse, and the Logitech MX Master series is highly respected among professionals. The Logitech MX Master 3S is the latest mouse in the popular series, and it is a working peripheral that very few even get close to competing with. It is made with productivity in mind, and everything regarding it shows this focus. For starters, it is nicely designed. Not only will it look great in any scenario, but the ergonomics are great, so you'll be able to use it for long sessions while minimizing exhaustion or discomfort. Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority The mouse performs very well, offering quiet clicks and an 8,000DPI sensor, which can even work on glass! It should work on any surface, making it a great option for those of you who need a mouse on-the-go, anywhere. The scroll wheel can move at 1,000 lines per second, so you'll fly through documents to find the information you need. The Logi Options+ software can help you customize the buttons and experience as you wish. The MX Master 3S has seven buttons, and you'll even get a secondary scroll wheel made to be used with your thumb. This can be used for horizontal scrolling and such. One feature I happen to love is Logitech Flow. It allows you to use the mouse (and keyboard) on multiple computers. You'll be able to move your cursor across the screens, as if you were using a multi-monitor setup. It's super handy! It's wireless, so you won't need to fumble around with cables. Battery life is pretty good, at about 70 days on a full charge, so you won't waste time juicing up. While you can be productive using anything, there is no denying some things do better at keeping you focused and efficient. Especially if they were explicitly designed to get work done, making them great productivity gadgets. Give yourself the edge! I don't know about you, but I like having all odds in my favor.
Bloomberg
33 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Asia Private Equity Investors Eye 40% Discounts to Lift Returns
Asia's wealthy investors are eyeing discounts of up to 40% to buy private equity assets in the secondary market as they seek to boost returns, according to asset manager Ardian SAS. Secondary funds are trading at 30-40% discounts, much higher than in the US, according to Jason Yao, senior managing director and head of Greater China at Ardian, which manages $180 billion.
