Latest news with #DoNotDisturb
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Murderer's motel stay anything but restful
Practicing physician and author of more than 20 thrillers, Freida McFadden delivers a fast-paced, unpredictable popcorn thriller in her New York Times bestseller Do Not Disturb. After killing her husband, Quinn Alexander goes on the run. A snowstorm immediately interrupts her plans, and she is forced to spend the night at the Baxter Motel. Across from her window is the proprietor's house where, in the second floor window, his wife is always watching. Do Not Disturb explores abusive and imperfect relationships through three different couples and their involvement with Quinn's crime. But rather than a nuanced dissection of the problem, McFadden paints a radical 'what if?' Do Not Disturb What if my husband gets angry and it's kill or be killed? What if the police don't believe me? The novel is written from several perspectives, always in first person and always with a similar tone of voice. Characters all seem to speak and think similarly, their actions often unexplained or unrealistic. While they will interpret things in different ways, facts are facts. When a scene is recounted from two perspectives in Do Not Disturb, characters will sometimes contradict each other's details. It effectively hides future plot twists, but makes it hard for readers to know what is true. When you pick up a popcorn thriller, there's a certain expectation of quality mixed with entertainment. McFadden walks that line, and Do Not Disturb is a great example. The plot can feel forced and the character growth is limited, but that's not why readers are picking it up. They're looking for page after page of non-stop excitement. McFadden delivers. Do Not Disturb is exciting enough to read in one weekend, whether it's on the beach or in the comfort of your own home. It will keep you engaged through the TV blasting in the next room, kids fighting or loud neighbours. You can put it down, but it would be a struggle not to pick it back up. Owen White is a freshly graduated writer and editor who loves nothing more than a good thriller.
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
SquadStack.ai unveils autonomous AI agent to boost sales at scale
SquadStack has launched a fully autonomous Humanoid AI Agent Stack aimed at automating consumer sales workflows across multiple industries. The new solution, described by the company as a voice-first platform, is designed to handle high-velocity end-to-end sales operations in sectors such as lending, brokerage, education, insurance, eCommerce, logistics, travel, and consumer durables. This release also coincides with the company's decision to rebrand as underlining a strategic focus on AI-driven delivery and measurement of business outcomes. aims to address common pain points facing consumer brands, including the challenge of revenue leakage throughout the sales funnel. The company claims the platform is able to unify sales operations, replacing fragmented bot and business process outsourcing (BPO) models with a consolidated AI-driven system. According to this model allows sales and customer experience functions to scale without requiring a proportional increase in staff. Describing the current transition in customer engagement and sales, a spokesperson stated that the new approach seeks to emulate the transformation marketing underwent through hyper-personalisation and targeted advertising. The company says its platform similarly empowers businesses to reach customers more effectively and with greater precision. Early deployments of the Humanoid AI Agent Stack with companies including Tata Digital, Shiprocket, IndiaMART, JustDial, and Stage have reportedly delivered notable impacts. Results cited include up to a twofold increase in lead connectivity, a 30 percent rise in the generation of qualified leads, and significant reductions in customer acquisition costs. These outcomes were achieved while, according to the company, adhering to Do Not Disturb (DND) regulations, spam control rules, as well as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification standards. The company attributes much of the AI agent's performance to training on more than 600 million minutes of actual sales conversations. The platform is said to manage the entire customer journey - from initial lead qualification through to conversion and post-sale updates - while continuously optimising for performance outcomes. proprietary Buyer and Outcome Graphs play a role in ensuring ongoing improvement and predictive insight. "Sales and customer experience functions are evolving and businesses need solutions that combine intelligence, adaptability and scale," said Apurv Agrawal, CEO and Co-founder of SquadStack. "The Humanoid AI Agent Stack is designed to meet this shift as it goes beyond conversations to deliver consistent, outcome-driven execution. It understands buyer intent, responds in real time, and continuously improves, helping teams achieve better results without additional operational load." SquadStack underscores its experience in managing large-scale consumer sales workflows, citing relationships with brands such as RedBus, Kotak Group, Amity University, Eureka Forbes, and Angel One. The Humanoid AI Agent Stack integrates advanced features such as lead scoring, multi-channel customer outreach, and automated quality audits that evaluate performance across 23 parameters. The company claims that outreach rates can reach up to 90 percent connectivity through a combination of calls, messages, and email. Large-scale A/B testing capabilities are also built into the system, supporting ongoing refinement of sales strategies and approaches to accelerate return on investment (ROI). By combining personalisation, real-time AI supervision and optimisation for outcomes, aims to support enterprises in improving sales efficiency, bolstering customer engagement and enabling more sustainable scaling of their operations.
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WIRED
4 days ago
- WIRED
The Fairphone (Gen. 6) Is the Antidote to Yearly Phone Upgrades
By default, the Essentials mode presents a minimal interface with just a few apps (Camera, Chrome, Maps, Messages, and Phone), and only allows notifications from starred contacts. You cannot go back to your normal Android experience without flipping the switch. That might not be a huge deterrent if your goal is to limit screen time, but it's a way to block out distractions. You can create modes tailored for driving, your morning routine, and more. Don't care for Fairphone Moments? You can set the button to trigger another action, like the flashlight or Do Not Disturb. The other standout feature on the Gen. 6? Modular accessories. Instead of going with a magnetic system like Apple's MagSafe, Fairphone is taking a page from Nothing's CMF brand with accessories that you screw into the back of the phone. A portion of the back panel is removable, and you can swap it out for a fingerloop (my favorite), a lanyard, or a card holder. This is why there's no wireless charging, though it'd be cool if there were an accessory that enabled it. Fairphone (Gen. 6), 2x digital zoom. Finally, the camera system. It's a 50-megapixel primary shooter paired with a 13-MP ultrawide and 32-MP selfie camera. You can expect sharp images, even in mixed lighting scenarios, though the prevailing issue is how the phone renders colors. In high-contrast scenes, colors can look flat, or the white balance doesn't do its job, and you end up with weird tints. The blue sky is an odd hue sometimes, or the sunset isn't as yellow as it should be. The details are largely there, it's just these quirks of processing. 4K video footage is fine and usable, though not quite the quality you'll get from a proper flagship phone. Frankly, the camera system is better than I expected. No, it won't beat the $500 Google Pixel 9a, but I still happily shared photos with friends and family and on social media as usual. Ultimately, it's not about price. If it were, then even a $400 Moto G Stylus 5G would impress. The Fairphone (Gen. 6) is made with more than 50 percent fair or recycled materials, an 8 percent improvement over its predecessor. The company believes it'll achieve its lowest carbon emissions thanks to improvements in manufacturing and assembly. A total of 14 materials are considered fair mined or recycled, including cobalt, and the plastic is 93 percent postconsumer recycled. Fairphone also partners with organizations like The Fair Cobalt Alliance to ensure responsible mining practices, and workers at three of its suppliers and its final assembly factory are in a Living Wage Bonus program, where the company pays the gap between minimum wage and a living wage. It's also a Certified B Corp. If you believe in all of those practices, there's just no other phone like the Fairphone.
Pink Villa
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
EXCLUSIVE: KANG YUCHAN on Champagne Poppin' solo debut, bold music choices, Justin Bieber inspiration and more
KANG YUCHAN, aged 27, already has 8 years of experience under his belt and is only now carving out his solo path. How, you may ask? Debuting at the age of 19, having trained under one of the big three K-pop agencies- JYP Entertainment- and working on his dance career, the star has lived a busy life. Performing in multiple reality shows, showcasing his many skills including dancing, singing and acting, it looks like he has never taken a breath and it looks like all the hard work has definitely paid off. Working with not one but two teams, A.C.E and UNB, participating in shows like The Unit, which allowed him to explore other options as an artist. Even as he returned after completing his military service, KANG YUCHAN has not stepped back. Forging right ahead with a career in musicals, he has dispayed his singing prowess with impressive roles in projects including The Anarchist and Do Not Disturb, in both of which he played the lead roles. Joining us for an exclusive chat about his next endeavor, making his solo debut after over 8 years in the industry, KANG YUCHAN is revealing his transition from the youngest in the team to the talent powerhouse that he has proven himself to be. From street-side busking to some of the biggest stages in the K-pop world, he has captured everyone's hearts and minds alike, and now he's spilling all the beans! You're making a solo debut. How are the behind-the-scenes any different for you from working in a team? When do you miss having people around you the most? KANG YUCHAN: I think the biggest difference is the responsibility of the stage you have to take as a solo artist. A big factor in team performances is the synergy effect that can fill up empty spaces on stage. Right now, since it's only me who can fill up the stage, the amount of responsibilities has definitely increased. There are times when I suddenly miss the energy we shared between the members, all of the exchanged looks, and countless small but meaningful chats we had in the waiting rooms. What were your biggest inspirations for the music tone of this single? Who are the top 2 artists on your playlist? KANG YUCHAN: A big part of this song's tone was inspired by the conversations I and the producers had. It's a song that revolves around emotions like trust, rebellion, and self-assurance. The artists that I've been listening to quite a lot these days are Justin Bieber and Troye Sivan. What's impressive is that they are able to capture and express their own unique emotions and colors through their music. The line 'I love it when you doubt me' is pretty bold. What was the thought behind such lyrics and more sensual ones when you came up with your single? KANG YUCHAN: The lyric 'I love it when you doubt me' came from a place of wanting to turn someone else's doubt into my own strength. I've shaped myself to become stronger through all the gazes and judgments I've received over time, and now I want to speak about that with confidence. The bold expressions came from a desire to bring out the charm I have within me. We've learned that you channeled a 'bad boy' charm this time. Did it come naturally to you? KANG YUCHAN: The 'bad boy' concept wasn't unfamiliar to me. Even though I am a bright, mischievous character on the daily, I also have rebellious and rough sides that come out when I'm on the stage. Rather than creating such a 'bad boy' image forcibly, I just channeled one of the many energies that are within me. You're all set to perform Champagne Poppin' live at KCON LA. With such a big stage coming up in your career, what do you plan to show your fans? KANG YUCHAN: Performing at KCON LA is such a meaningful first step in my solo career. Rather than just singing a song, I want to create a performance that allows me to meet eyes with my fans, breathe and enjoy this time together. If I were to give you a spoiler… Actually, never mind - let's meet at KCON~ Please look forward to it. Having promoted with different teams, A.C.E and UNB, how did your experience differ with both? KANG YUCHAN: Both A.C.E and UNB were meaningful and special experiences for me. The teamwork with the A.C.E members whom I have known for a long time is impeccable. UNB was a new challenge for all members, since we all came from different teams, but we created harmony within the group. Both of these teams made me grow as a person in different ways. As someone who has participated in a survival show, what are the 3 things you'd like a newbie to know before going on one? Would you ever try it one more time? KANG YUCHAN: If I were to give to a newbie who is going to go on a survival show, it would be: First: protect your own color, your identity. Second: Don't be swayed by the feedback too much - let it nourish your growth, but never lose sight of your essence. Third: taking care of your physical strength is essential. If such an opportunity arises for me… I would have to think about it, but I'm sure I would be able to show a more mature side of myself if I were to do it! You've done it all, singing, acting, and musicals. What's next for YUCHAN? What was the toughest of them all to ace? KANG YUCHAN: In the future, I'd like to try songs that capture deeper, more heartfelt emotions. When it comes to acting, I want to take on more serious, grounded roles as well. As for what was the toughest challenge to ace… I think it would be musicals. It's a complex art that requires excellent concentration, since it involves singing live, acting, as well as performing choreography. What's your message for your fans as they continue to cheer for your new journey? KANG YUCHAN: Thank you so much to all of my fans who have believed in me and supported me. This solo debut was made possible because of you. Moving forward, I will show you diverse sides of me while growing as an artist and challenging myself. I want to repay you for your love with good music and amazing performances.
New York Times
30-07-2025
- New York Times
How to Put Your Phone in Vacation Mode
Ready to get away for that late-summer vacation and want fewer interruptions from your phone or tablet while you're gone? Consider setting up a custom Vacation mode that sends most callers to voice mail and mutes notifications from unimportant apps — but still allows calls and messages from specific people to get through, as well as alerts from designated apps. You just have to set up the Vacation mode once, and then turn it on whenever you're off. Here's how. Using Apple Devices Apple's Focus feature is meant to help limit distractions on an iPhone, an iPad, a Mac, an Apple Watch or a Vision Pro headset so you can, well, focus. Along with the Do Not Disturb setting, which blocks most disruptions with a tap, Focus has other preset modes — or you can make your own. On an iPhone or iPad, tap the Settings icon, scroll down and select Focus from the menu. On the Focus screen, tap the + button in the upper-right corner and select Custom from the menu. On the next screen, you can give your custom creation a label (like Vacation) and select an icon and color for it. When you tap the Next button at the bottom of the screen, you'll see a list of options you can choose for your new mode. Tap the Customize button to continue. On the next screen, select the people who can contact you and the apps allowed to send notifications when your phone is in Vacation mode. If you want relatives, the cat-sitter and your landlord to be able to reach you, add them to the list. Likewise, select the apps that can send you notifications — perhaps your weather and sports favorites. (Tap the Options menu for the settings on how the silenced notifications are displayed.) You can choose a more muted look for your phone's display and set a schedule to automatically activate your Vacation mode — at a specific time or a location, like your rented beach house. The Vacation mode can be enabled manually in the Control Center or by telling Siri, the phone's assistant, to turn it on or off. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
