Artificial Intelligence Unleashes Call Center Havoc
Almost a year ago, Swedish fintech company Klarna unleashed havoc in the call center industry with a shock announcement: Its artificial intelligence assistant was doing the equivalent work of 700 full-time agents.
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Tom's Guide
10 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I thought this budget induction cooktop was just for small spaces — until I found its killer hidden potential
Induction cooktops are known to be expensive, much more so than comparative gas and electric versions, but you can enjoy the thrills of induction cooking at a fraction of the cost you would expect. Because that wonderful Swedish store that goes by the name IKEA has opened up induction cooking to all. For a cent under $60 you can pick up an induction cooktop and benefit from the joys of induction cooking without having to take out a second mortgage. IKEA's budget-friendly induction cooktop is available directly from IKEA for $59. And as an added bonus, you can use it whenever and wherever you want, as it's portable. No fixing needed. Simply plug it into your power source and get cooking. This portable induction cooktop is ideal for small kitchens or whenever you need an extra cooking zone. You can plug it in and start cooking immediately. The cooktop is controlled via touchpad controls, with a lock facility to keep children safe. It measures 10 5/8 (W) x 12 3/4 (D) x 12 3/4 inchs and weights 6lbs. When testing IKEA's TILLREDA portable induction cooktop, I was thrilled with how accessible it made induction cooking for those on a budget. Without the hefty price tag normally associated with induction cooktops, it makes it possible to try before you buy. So, if you're curious about trying induction cooking but hesitant to invest in a built-in version without first experiencing its benefits, opting for a portable version lets you test the waters of induction cooking before making a bigger commitment. And, although IKEA's portable induction cooktop only accommodates one pan, it's enough to give you a feeling for what induction cooking is like. Another great advantage of purchasing a portable induction cooktop is that it's perfect for compact living. Pack it up and take it to your college dorm, and impress your fellow students with the cooktop's touchpad. It even has a hook attached to store it off the countertop when space is tight. And it's perfect for student one-pot dinners or pulling together healthy meals while you're away from home. I'd certainly have invested in one when I packed my sons off to college a good few years ago. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. But it's not just ideal for student living. Anyone with a small kitchen can benefit from its compact dimensions. Pair it with one of the best air fryers for a compact kitchen setup. Although this budget induction cooktop is perfect for small spaces and gives you a feel for induction cooking, I find it offers a much bigger benefit. In fact, I think it's the hidden potential of owning a device like this one. I think of it as the extendible section on my dining table, which I pull up when I'm entertaining and need more space. And, appropriately, it's what I use when I have a houseful of mouths to feed. When my four-ring gas cooktop gets overwhelmed, and I've run out of space for any more pots, IKEA's portable induction cooktop comes to the rescue. All I need to do is clear a small amount of countertop space, plug it in, and I've got myself another cooking spot. So, whenever I'm entertaining a crowd, this extra cooktop makes my life that little bit easier. What's more, when not in use, it's super easy to store, and its portability means it often gets handed to other family members when it's their turn to host. It may be meant as a budget option, but to me it's the extra piece of the cooking puzzle that comes to the rescue whenever I need it. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
CNBC
4 days ago
- CNBC
Family office deal-making slides with some bright spots in Europe
A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Private investment firms of the ultra-rich once again dialed back their deal-making in July. Family offices made only 42 direct investments last month, down nearly 60% on an annual basis, according to data provided exclusively to CNBC by private wealth platform Fintrx. While the drop in July was especially steep, uncertainty over President Donald Trump 's tariffs has weighed on deal flow for months. Family office investors made 32% fewer direct investments in the first half of 2025 , per Fintrx. For those family offices that are still making deals, tariff anxieties have prompted more, including American firms, to increasingly invest overseas, advisors told CNBC . Nearly one-third of last month's direct investments were made in companies based in Europe, according to Fintrx. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's Hillspire invested in two AI startups based in Paris, document processor Retab and robotics firm Genesis AI, which also has an office in Palo Alto, California. Robin Lauber, CEO and co-founder of Swiss family office Infinitas Capital, told Inside Wealth that his family office has had a busier year so far in 2025 than the previous two years. Infinitas Capital, originally formed to manage the Lauber family's Swiss residential real estate assets, backed xAI and SpaceX in January and March, respectively, through its secondaries arm Opportuna. He told CNBC that he expects three portfolio companies to go public on Swedish or German exchanges by the end of the year. In July, Infinitas made its 12th direct startup investment of 2025, co-leading a $5 million pre-Series A round for Berlin-based lingerie and hosiery brand Saint Sass. The funds will be used to launch new categories like swimwear and expand further into the U.S. and U.K. Despite the market volatility, Lauber has a positive outlook, citing recent record IPOs and the likelihood of interest rate cuts in the U.S. He also anticipates that the Trump administration will moderate its economic policy before the midterm elections in 2026. "We are actually quite optimistic about the current environment and investing now," said the 32-year-old third-generation heir. "From an allocation point of view, I think it's actually a good time." Infinitas has also been able to make opportunistic investments thanks to the market turmoil. Infinitas-backed Kanaan Sellers Group, a conglomerate of ecommerce brands spanning kitchen appliances and outdoor furniture, has been able to "roll up assets really nicely," he said. "VCs or more institutional startup investors have been very reluctant to deploy into consumer businesses and asset-heavy businesses lately," he said. "These companies have had to adapt and look for more patient capital raising from family offices and high-net-worth individuals."
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Buzz Feed
Here Is What I'm Buying Now To Save Money Later
Like most Americans, I'm highly concerned about the impact that President Trump's newly imposed tariffs will have on my wallet and the availability of some of my most-used products. To get myself prepared, I've created a list of items that will help me replace some of the common single-use goods in my home, along with items that will help me stretch my irreplaceable products as far as possible, in the event I'm unable to access them. Many of the upcoming options in this collection were inspired by products that I personally already own and love, as well as by recent guidance from supply chain experts who told us which items we can expect to see disappear from shelves first. Produce-extending drawer liners According to our recent coverage, one area of our daily life that will be impacted by tariffs is our grocery bill, and I don't know about you, but all too often, my produce ends up spoiling in my fridge refrigerator drawer liners are meant to extend the life of your fruits and veggies by absorbing excess moisture and allowing air to circulate throughout the drawer. They are made from an innovative material that is food-safe and free from BPA and phthalates. They come in a pack of four trimmable sheets that are endlessly reusable and easy to clean. Get them from Amazon for $14.95 (available in nine colors). A pack of famous reusable cleaning cloths These Swedish dishcloths are a beloved eco-conscious alternative to paper towels and are made from super-absorbent cellulose and cotton material that becomes soft to the touch when wet, but gritty enough for scouring when dry. These reusable and biodegradable cloths are completely machine-washable and great for drying dishes and cleaning countertops and more since they are compatible with virtually any a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in nine colors). An endlessly reusable smart notebook This endlessly reusable spiral-bound notebook merges function and smart technology and can be a good purchase, especially considering chain supply experts warned us that back-to-school supplies will most likely be harder to come by in the coming months. Each of the 36 pages of the RocketBook is made with a special composite paper that's fully erasable and features a QR code. Once you write with the included compatible pen, you can save notes to your phone using the code, then wipe the page clean!Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two styles and 10 colors). A pair of soap-saving exfoliating bags According to a supply chain expert that we recently spoke to, personal care items like soap and toothpaste will be among the first products to be affected by tariffs. If you use bar soap, then you've most likely tossed that last remaining sliver of soap in the trash, when instead, you could just place your bar into one of these bags to ensure that you'll utilize every last lather. I have a very similar version of these soap bags, and I'm always surprised by how much sudsing power is left in my dwindling bar since switching to this affordable solution. Aside from saving you coin, these envelope-style pouches gently exfoliate skin as you wash. Get a 2-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles). A jar and condiment bottle spatula The Spatty is an innovative tool that promises to get every last bit of precious mayo from the jar or expensive foundation from the bottle. It's made from a flexible, non-toxic and BPA-free plastic that's also completely it from Amazon for $9.99. A set of reusable silicone storage bags Stasher bags are made with food-safe silicone and can be frozen, microwaved, boiled, and even placed in the oven. The non-porous nature of the silicone material inhibits the growth of bacteria, so you can feel better about endlessly reusing them. I have several Stasher bags, and I'm so happy that I'll never spend another cent on plastic Ziplock bags ever again — which is good news considering experts claim disposable essentials will most likely be hard to come by due to tariffs. Get a 4-pack from Amazon for $41.64 (available in two colors and in other pack sizes). A set of silicone "food huggers" Another reusable food storage option available to replace some commonly used disposable products is Food Huggers. These food- and dishwasher-safe sleeves are made from silicone and stretch tightly over opened cans or jars, the leftover ends of fruits and vegetables and more. They're rip-resistant, BPA-free, and take up much less space than conventional storage containers. Get a 5-pack from Amazon for $17.99 (available in five colors). A set of product-saving bottle tops You may have seen these Flip-It bottle tops on season 10 of Shark Tank. They were created to easily collect and use every last drop of product from your bottles to extend the time between your next product purchase. Made from BPA-free, food- and dishwasher-safe plastic, these tops have a three-legged stand that allows the bottle to stand securely upside down so all the contents drain to the top of the bottle and are ready to a 2-pack from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two colors and also in a single or 6-pack). A pair of turnkeys to squeeze out every last drop of toothpaste This pair of metal turnkeys will help ensure that you get every last ounce of product for your tubes of toothpaste, hand creams and other similarly packaged products. Made from rust-resistant stainless steel, these tools promise to the easy to use thanks to the ergonomic rolling handle. Get a pair from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors). A scalp scrubber that makes my shampoo go farther We've noted before that this scalp scrubber with silione bristles is a great and affordable do-dad for ensuring a cleaner scalp, fewer flakes and stimulating blood flow to potentially promote the health and growth of follicles. And while I can personally attest it does all that (and feels great in the process), I've also noticed that it helps me save on shampoo by creating a greater lather with less product. Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 27 colors). Sustainable beeswax wraps to replace plastic wrap Say goodbye to disposable plastic wrap for good with this organic alternative made simply with natural cotton covered in beeswax, natural oils and pine resin. These endlessly reusable sheets wrap, stick and seal over everything from blocks of cheese to avocado halves, then wash clean with cool water and dish soap. According to the maker, they work so well because they "mimic nature's peel and rind." Get them from YouEnjoyMyGoods on Etsy for $8.99+ (available in tons of sizes and six designs). A menstrual cup that will replace single-use hygiene products Long ago, I made the switch from expensive tampons to menstrual cups, and I can only imagine the hundreds of dollars I must have saved so far. If you're someone who also menstruates, this might be a cost-saving investment that you'll find incredibly comfortable and soft menstrual cup by Saalt is made with 100% body-safe medical-grade silicone, has a lifespan of up to 10 years and is my personal menstrual cup of choice. It can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow, and the flexible grip stem is completely undetectable. The bulb shape also helps to mimic the natural curves of your anatomy, and the reinforced rim is the perfect combination of firm and soft, so I don't have any kind of cramping or leaks. If you have previously experienced bladder sensitivity or cramping with cups in the past, Saalt also offers an extra soft option and one for teens. Each version is available in two different flow capacities: regular and it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in three colors). Or several pairs of absorbent period underwear If menstrual cups are not your thing, but you're still interested in reusable period alternatives, you may want to consider specialized absorbent period underwear like these by Bambody. They have over 6,200 5-star ratings on Amazon and are made using ultra-soft and breathable bamboo fabric. The naturally cooling properties of bamboo rayon help to wick away moisture quickly, while the wide, full-coverage gusset offers absorption protection from the entire front to back and can absorb up to two tampons' worth of liquid. Shop them in a few color options, different multi-packs, and sizes XS–6X, though the company recommends ordering a size up. Get a 3-pack from Amazon for $34.99+.
