Insight with Haslinda Amin 8/15/2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 minutes ago
- Forbes
Are Browsers Key To An Agentic AI Future? Opera, Perplexity Think So
AI-powered conversational search engine Perplexity is in the news for offering to buy Google's Chrome browser for $34.5 billion. But in December of 2024, Perplexity considered buying The Browser Co. And just months ago, Perplexity reportedly offered to buy Brave, the privacy-focused browser, for about $1 billion. Why does Perplexity want a web browser so badly? Possibly because a browser just might be key to our agentic AI future. I recently interviewed Opera senior product leader Henrik Lexow on my TechFirst podcast. Opera, the 30-year-old browser company that pioneered tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, and ad blockers, has about 300 million active users globally. This year, Opera was the first to bring AI agents right into our browsers in a project called Opera Neon. 'The agentic browser … is that sort of the new operating system?' Lexow asked during the podcast. 'It's a big question.' Regardless of where the browser goes, Opera's pretty sure about the future of the internet itself. That's a huge shift, by the way. An agentic internet would be a massive and fundamental change from a user-driven internet to an agent-driven version. In a user-driven internet, you search, you see results, you make selections, you click links, you fill out forms, you book flights, and you buy products. In a sense, you are the agent. In an agentic internet, you tell something – maybe your agentic browser – to do those things for you. Except you don't say search, look, select, and buy; you say buy me more of the underwear I got six months ago. The agent then consults its memory, forms a plan, takes multiple steps, and handles it all: from which underwear you bought, and where you bought them, to finding the same ones online (and maybe checking around for better prices), to adding them to cart, to checking out … and reporting back to you with the results. The agent – in this case potentially an agentic browser – is therefore essentially a personal assistant, a force multiplier. But will an agentic browser be the main way we engage with agents? Perplexity seems to think it's pretty important, given the company's persistent and repeated but so far unfruitful attempt to buy a browser. Opera certainly thinks so, if only because Opera has a browser, and a very innovative one at that. Opera launched AI in a browser back in 2023 in a project called ARIA. ARIA enabled contextual interactions within web pages in a GPT-based chat interface. Over time, that's evolved to a tripartite strategy under the Opera Neon brand: The reality is that for many of us, most of our work happens in a browser. I'm writing this story in a browser. I recorded the interview in a browser. I've researched Opera and Perplexity in a browser. I made episode art for the podcast in a browser (thanks, Canva). Opera's thesis is that having agents embedded where you work makes them vastly more useful: they have access to your history, to your work, to your sites and apps. Important note: the Neon agentic browser's AI lives locally on your hardware, making it your agent, not Opera's, and not your employer's. This should boost your privacy, which is critical if you're going to give an agent access to very personal information including, likely, your credit card. Of course, this is just one vision of the future. Apple with Siri, as justly maligned as it is, would have another vision. Google, with Gemini and its own vast fleet of Android-enabled phones, would have another. Microsoft's Copilot is another. And OpenAI, which has ChatGPT apps for mobile devices as well as full computers, might have yet another vision of how we'll integrate AI into our lives and work. So whether the browser will be the locus of our agentic AI future or not is yet to be determined. Remember the old proverb: every problem looks like a nail to the person who only has a hammer. But it seems like a fairly good bet to me.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
One of the Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy With $500 Right Now
Key Points The crypto's value will likely rise as its network activity increases. Its upcoming network upgrades should attract more developers. New ETFs with staking features could drive its price even higher. 10 stocks we like better than Ethereum › Cryptocurrencies aren't great investments for conservative investors, since they're usually volatile, difficult to understand, and tough to properly value. Higher interest rates also tend to curb the market's appetite for cryptocurrencies and other risky investments. Therefore, it's not a great idea to park your life savings in the crypto market. But if you have some cash you can afford to lose, it still might be smart to nibble on a few promising cryptocurrencies. One of the best tokens to buy right now is Ether (CRYPTO: ETH), which could turn a modest $500 investment into a few thousand dollars within the next few years. What sets Ether apart from other cryptocurrencies? Ether is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain, which was launched in 2015. Ethereum originally used the same proof of work (PoW) consensus mechanism as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), which meant its tokens could be mined. But in 2022, Ethereum transitioned to the more energy-efficient proof of stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. After that transition, Ether could no longer be mined -- it had to be "staked" to earn interest-like rewards. Ethereum also gained the ability to support smart contracts, which are used to develop decentralized apps (dApps), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other tokenized assets. Ethereum is now the largest developer platform for decentralized applications, and it has deployed over 3 million smart contracts and hosts thousands of dApps, NFTs, and other assets. Every transaction that occurs on Ethereum costs a "gas fee," which is paid to the validators who process the transactions and execute the smart contracts. A percentage of each fee, which is paid in a tiny fraction of Ether called a "gwei," is then burned (removed from circulation). That process makes Ether both an inflationary and deflationary token. When Ethereum's network activity increases, it becomes deflationary as more tokens are burned than issued. But when its network activity declines, it becomes inflationary as more tokens are issued than burned. That's why Ether, which has a circulating supply of 120.7 million tokens, is usually valued by the growth of its developer ecosystem instead of its fluctuating scarcity. Why is Ether a promising long-term investment? Ethereum faces some competition from Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) and Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA), which are both PoS blockchains that can process transactions faster than its Layer 1 (L1) blockchain. That might seem like a red flag for Ethereum's developer-oriented blockchain. Yet, Ethereum is keeping pace with those faster challengers with its Layer 2 (L2) solutions, which bundle together multiple transactions and process them off-chain at higher speeds. After being processed, they're returned to Ethereum's L1 blockchain, which is often considered more secure than Solana or Cardano because it has the biggest pool of validators. Ethereum's usage of L2 solutions also relieves the network congestion on its L1 blockchain. Solana is the fastest L1 PoS blockchain, but it has consistently struggled with congestion and security issues. Cardano's network also slows down during peak periods. Ethereum's next three upgrades -- The Verge, The Purge, and The Splurge -- should widen its moat against Solana, Cardano, and other developer-driven PoS blockchains. The Verge will improve its scalability, The Purge will reduce its network congestion and gas fees, and The Splurge will provide more optimizations to ensure its blockchain runs as efficiently as possible. As those upgrades attract more developers and boost Ethereum's network activity, more Ether will be burned. Lastly, the first spot price ETFs for Ether were approved last year, but they didn't include any of its staking features (which would have added a 3% to 4% annual yield). If the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves a new batch of Ether ETFs with staking rewards, they could draw in more investors as interest rates gradually decline. How much could a $500 investment in Ether grow? Ether currently trades just below $4,500 with a market cap of $542 billion, but it's still a lot less valuable than Bitcoin, which trades at nearly $120,000 with a market cap of $2.38 trillion. The near-term price targets for Ether are all over the map, but some analysts expect it to rise as high as $20,000 and boost its market cap to $2.4 trillion within the next year. Ark Invest's Cathie Wood previously claimed its price could reach $166,000 by 2032. I'd take those bullish estimates with a grain of salt, but I believe lower interest rates, new staking ETF approvals, and its upcoming network upgrades could easily cause its price to double or triple within the next few years. So while its price might remain volatile, it has a clear path toward turning a $500 investment into at least a few thousand dollars. As always, crypto should only make up a small part of a larger, diversified portfolio. Do the experts think Ethereum is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Ethereum make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,070% vs. just 184% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 885.55%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. One of the Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy With $500 Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Coach Outlet is selling a fall-ready shoulder bag that 'will hold everything you need' — it's usually $670 but it's on sale for $319 right now
"This bag is everything you could ever imagine!" — plus 7 other really good Coach Outlet deals to shop. If you've been waiting for the right moment to splurge on a designer bag, now might be the time. Coach Outlet has some pretty stellar deals right now, including 52 per cent off the gorgeous Laurel Large Shoulder Bag. Quick shop: Originally $670, the Laurel Large Shoulder Bag With Mirror Charm And Pouch is now on sale for $319, which makes it a total steal if you've been eyeing something versatile and elevated. It's a classic piece that works for everyday use yet still feels polished enough to elevate an outfit. And if the Laurel isn't quite your style, don't worry — there are tons of other discounted picks to check out, from crossbody bags and totes to wallets and other accessories. Whether you're treating yourself or looking for a gift, the sale section at Coach Outlet is jam-packed with finds that are functional, stylish and surprisingly affordable. The details The durable pebbled leather gives the Laurel Large Shoulder Bag a polished look that will remain intact over time, while the silver hardware adds a bit of shine without looking too fancy. It's roomy enough for all your daily essentials without being bulky, while the structured shape keeps it looking pulled together. The inside features a zip pocket and a multifunction pocket to help keep your belongings organized, and the magnetic snap closure makes it easy to grab what you need without fumbling. It also comes with two detachable options: an 8.5-inch drop handle for shoulder wear and a 22-inch strap so you can switch it up and wear it as a crossbody bag when you're on the go. The Laurel Large Shoulder Bag comes in 10 colours, so you've got plenty of options, whatever your style may be. What reviewers are saying 👜 190+ reviews ⭐ 4.9/5 stars 🏅"This bag is everything you could ever imagine! It literally will hold everything you need!" The Laurel Large Shoulder Bag has 92 per cent of shoppers giving it a five-star rating. One person said it's the "perfect size" and boasts the "perfect drop level." "The pebbled leather is durable and can withstand drink and snack spills that come with being a busy mom," wrote another. They also said, "I love the shoulder strap, it fits perfectly and allows the top of the bag to slouch a bit." A third person raved about it being "a very spacious bag that holds a lot of items." "After a week of carrying it the leather has softened and 'moulded' to my liking," they continued. Someone else deemed it a "great everyday work bag." However, one person did point out that "the long shoulder strap keeps coming undone from the side clip." Another echoed that, stating, "Both of the straps have unhooked as I was carrying the purse." The verdict If you're looking for a stylish, very roomy bag for everyday use, the Laurel Large Shoulder Bag is a great fit. It's chic, functional and versatile, with removable straps that allow you to use it as both a shoulder and crossbody bag. That being said, if you tend to be a little tougher on your bags, this one might not be the best match — the straps can come undone if you're not careful, so it's something to keep in mind. And if this one is a little too large for you, the original (and slightly smaller) version is also on sale for 45 per cent off right now. 7 other really good deals to shop from Coach Outlet
