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☆ Dating Apps Have Hit a Wall. Can They Turn Things Around?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( J. Edward Moreno | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As online dating became as easy as swiping a finger across your phone screen, the companies who own apps like Tinder and Bumble became Wall Street darlings. But about a decade later, those platforms are now struggling to live up to expectations, and investors have grown frustrated and eager for something new. Match Group and Bumble — which make up nearly the entire industry by market share — have lost more than $40 billion in market value since 2021. Even in an age when the apps are a staple on people’s smartphones, the two companies are laying off workers and reporting lackluster revenue growth. Both companies have recently brought on leaders who have vowed to experiment with new features, hoping to capture the growth investors crave.

Persons: Bumble, daters, TikTok, they’re Organizations: Match

☆ Deleting social media and shopping apps from my smartphone has saved me thousands of dollars. I also sleep better at night.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Ashley Keenan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars from the comfort of my couch. At first, it was bliss; swiping from app to app, filling carts like I was browsing the aisles of the supermarket. I spent thousands of dollars each month on Amazon, Instacart, Wayfair, Etsy, Sephora, and other shopping apps. But instead of applying for jobs or pitching editors, I spent hours cycling through social media apps each day. My relationship with my smartphone has changed significantly since I removed the food and shopping apps.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Nokia

☆ I worked at a popular hotel chain for 3 years. Here are 10 common mistakes I saw guests make.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Dani Quesnel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewI worked at a hotel chain that was always busy — during peak tourist season, we were sold out most nights. Companies like Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, and IHG have thousands of hotels worldwide that you can earn points to redeem for free hotel rooms and gift cards at popular retailers. AdvertisementTrying to use someone else's credit cardYou need a credit card to check in, and it should ideally be your own. Monkey Business Images/ShutterstockHotels only allow you to use someone else's credit card if the card owner has provided the hotel with a credit-card-authorization form. AdvertisementShowing up without a credit card or IDHaving an ID is crucial for a smooth check-in process.

Persons: —, you've, I've, That's, Marriott, Justin Sullivan, there's, I'm, John Smith's, John Smith, they've Organizations: Service, Business, Companies, Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Getty Locations: It's

☆ As AI takes hold of your smartphone, the end of the app era could be in sight
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Smartphone makers flooded Mobile World Congress to show off new AI features. More AI tools are moving on to devices, which would make them faster and cheaper to run. Now, as the industry looks to capitalize on the AI boom and galvanize a stagnating mobile market, phone makers want the AI tools to run locally on the phone itself. The company attended MWC to tout how it's helping phone makers such as Samsung and Honor run more AI tools on their phones. Samsung was also there, previewing some of the AI tools it's begun to roll out on its phones, including a nifty live-translation feature.

Persons: —, chipmakers, it's, Morgan Stanley, Francisco Cheng, Hugh Langley, Cheng, Siri, Francisco Jeronimo, Jeronimo Organizations: Congress, Service, Mobile, Companies, Qualcomm, Samsung, Hugh Langley Qualcomm, MWC, Google, Motorola, IDC, Insider, Deutsche Telekom, Brain.ai Locations: Barcelona

☆ Why a CEO says bosses should embrace 'coffee badging': 'I don't hire people to watch them work'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A lot of workplaces these days have in-office mandates, with bosses who get upset if employees don't physically show up. Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Boston-based video conferencing equipment maker Owl Labs, isn't one of those bosses. He actively encourages his employees to create schedules that work for them, in locations that make sense, he says — even if what makes sense is "coffee badging." I don't hire people to watch them work," Weishaupt says. Coffee badging may seem like an inefficient use of time, but flexible schedules like this can boost efficiency and morale.

Persons: Frank Weishaupt, it's, Weishaupt Organizations: Boston, Owl Labs, Yahoo, Gartner, Disney

☆ Why looking for a job can feel like looking for a date
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Job seekers often churn out what can feel like endless applications, going for gigs that might not even exist. And I think with job interviews, how much can you really gauge from a résumé or a cover letter?" Another parallel he sees: Fake job listings that feel like the dating equivalent of catfishing. "I've found getting a job easier than getting a date," one Reddit user posted. "I keep getting spammed on LinkedIn with job offers from recruiters despite setting my status to not looking for a job.

Persons: Grant Waldvogel, It's, Waldvogel, Zer, he's, there's, I've Organizations: Service, Business

☆ How high-earning transplants are shaking up dating scenes across the Midwest
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

It's introduced a fresh wave of young professionals who are shaking up the dating scene. But a new influx of transplants also creates divides among young professionals and locals. The rise of remote work has resulted in new waves of migration and, in turn, refreshed dating pools around the country. AdvertisementWhen it comes to the future of Midwest dating, “I hope this can change, but I think a lot of people in a lower tax bracket might just move elsewhere,” he said. Gone are the days of app dominance, especially as younger dates forsake online dating for in-person connections.

Persons: —, Peggy Dainty, That’s, ” Dainty, “, ”, St . Louis, Hatch’d, Joshua Sturma, ” Sturma, Louis, Matt R, Matt chalks, There’s “, Courtney Quinlan, She’s, There's, Quinlan, she's, ” Quinlan, It's, They're, Midwesterners, We've, ” Maranda Taylor, Taylor, everybody’s Organizations: Service, Lake Bowl & Theater, Bryant, New York, Bank of America, Indiana University, Dakotas, Twin, Google, Indiana Locations: It's, Minneapolis, there’s, St ., California, Illinois, Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Michigan, Minnesota , Missouri , Nebraska, North Dakota , Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, New, Hatch’d, ”, Twin Cities, Chicago , Nebraska , Iowa , Kansas, Missouri, Kansas City, Sioux, Omaha , Nebraska, —, America

☆ Speed dating is making a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Speed dating, singles mixers and other group dating parties have made a comeback since the Covid-19 pandemic ended as singles look to get off their screens and meet potential partners in person. Game-based dating events grew 163% in 2023 and athletic dating events like pickleball and spin classes saw a 135% rise on the platform. And it’s never been replicated.”Mixed feelings about dating appsOnline dating was stigmatized for years, but it’s now a primary form of dating. Still, online dating users are divided over whether their experiences on dating apps have been positive. Fifty-three percent of people say their personal experiences have been very or somewhat positive on dating apps, according to Pew.

Persons: Mike Blake, ”, Maria Avgitidis, Z, ” Avgitidis, “, ” Linda de Lucca, ” de Lucca, “ We’ve, it’s, Bumble, Yu Chun Christopher Wong, Justin McLeod, Rachel DeAlto Organizations: New, New York CNN, Valentine’s, Reuters, Baby Boomers, Pew, Financial, Match Group Locations: New York, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, United States, California, Millennials

☆ Getting into the right mindset for Valentine’s Day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ian Kerner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

No matter your view on the topic, Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to put sex on the calendar, but don’t just focus on the act itself at the end of the evening. I’m not telling you to rearrange your entire day for sex, but to make small intentional choices that are pro-sex. That’s why my Valentine’s Day advice for you is not to just have sex. It’s Valentine’s Day, so come up with a sexy prize for each win and a naughty consequence for each loss. Don’t forget your kidsMany teens also feel pressure around Valentine’s Day — to be in a couple, find a date or have sex (whether or not they’re feeling ready).

Persons: Ian Kerner, ”, we’ve, Heck, I’m, Sara Nasserzadeh, It’s, ” Nasserzadeh, Leah Abucayan, Signe Simon, Simone Humphrey, you’ve, Alexandra Solomon, “, you’re, ” Solomon, Don’t, Debby Herbenick, it’s, they’re, ” Herbenick, Emily Nagoski Organizations: CNN, ” CNN, Northwestern University, Indiana University School of Public Health Locations: California, New York City, Illinois, Bloomington, Massachusetts

☆ True Love. Is There a Hack for That?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Callie Holtermann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Something similar exists among those swiping for love on dating apps. In the past year, Ali Jackson, a 36-year-old dating coach in Brooklyn, has been struck by how many people have come to her asking about “hacks” they have seen online, which they believe will help them overcome barriers between their profiles and true love. These are not really tips for dating but for outmaneuvering dating apps. On TikTok and Reddit, users recommend deactivating and reactivating your account, rejecting a string of attractive profiles or temporarily switching your location to a different city. Each of these moves, proponents say, could scramble the app’s algorithm into offering the user better options.

Persons: “, Ali Jackson, ”, Lakshmi Rengarajan Organizations: Match Group Locations: Brooklyn

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Twins Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi added to their artistic swimming medal haul at the World Aquatics Championships with a narrow victory in the duet free routine on Thursday. The 27-year-old Chinese stars claimed gold with 250.7729 points, edging another set of twins, Bregje and Noortje de Brouwer of the Netherlands, at 250.4979. The Wang sisters have each won four gold medals in Doha. They also paired up to claim the top spot in duet technical routine, and were both members of the Chinese squad that claimed gold in team acrobatic and team technical. The Hungarian squad of Bettina Fábián, Mira Szimcsák, Dávid Betlehem and Kristóf Rasovszky settled for the bronze in 1:04:06.80.

Persons: Wang Liuyi, Wang Qianyi, Noortje de Brouwer, Kate Shortman, Isabelle Thorpe, Wang, Moesha Johnson, Chelsea Gubecka, Nicholas Sloman, Kyle Lee, Lee, Domenico Acerenza's, Giulia Gabbrielleschi, Arianna Bridi, Domenico Acerenza, Bettina Fábián, Mira Szimcsák, Dávid, Kristóf Rasovszky, ___ Organizations: —, Doha Old Locations: DOHA, Qatar, Netherlands, Doha, Australia, Italy, Doha Old Port

☆ Trader Joe's stores in California are being targeted by thieves who swipe customers' wallets from their carts as they shop, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Thieves in California's East Bay are swiping wallets from shopping carts – especially at Trader Joe's, police say. "Wallets were taken from unattended shopping carts or open purses while victims were shopping," a Tri-Valley PD said. AdvertisementA new crime trend is hitting Trader Joe's stores in a city in California: Thieves are taking customers' wallets from their carts as they shop. "Recently there have been wallet thefts that have occurred at other Trader Joe stores in the Tri-Valley. In these crimes, wallets were taken from unattended shopping carts or open purses while victims were shopping in the store."

Persons: they've, —, Joe Organizations: Oakland, Service, Police, Livermore Police, Facebook, Business Locations: East, San Francisco, California, Livermore, San Jose, Tri

☆ Married, Finally, After Six Cancellations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Tammy Lagorce | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ms. Blum and Dr. Flowers, then a resident in internal medicine at the University of Miami Hospital, had moved to Miami months earlier after receiving his M.D. Ms. Blum often traveled to Latin America for work. Dating apps were testing the fortitude of both: “I was kind of giving up hope,” Dr. Ms. Blum didn’t have much hope to begin with.

Persons: Daniela Llorente Blum, Robert Costigan Flowers, Blum, Flowers, . Flowers, “, Ms, ” Organizations: Biscayne, University of Miami Hospital, Tulane University Locations: Manhattan, hustled, Murray Hill, South Florida, Bogotá, Colombia, Latin America, Miami, America

☆ She was fleeing with her grandson, who was holding a white flag. Then she was shot
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Clarissa Ward | Eliza Mackintosh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Istanbul CNN —Sara Khreis replays the last day she spent with her mother over and over in her mind. Suddenly, they heard their neighbors outside screaming that an evacuation route had been organized: “Come on, get out, come on, get out!”Sara with her mother, Hala. Then they were on the street outside, joining a wave of other people holding white flags aloft: a universal symbol of surrender. The clip of Hala’s killing is one of a growing number that show unarmed civilians holding white flags being shot dead in Gaza. His father, holding a white flag, could be seen crying over his body.

Persons: Istanbul CNN — Sara Khreis, “, ” Sara, Hala, Sara, –, Tayem, Hala Khreis, ” Sara Khreis, Ramzi Abu Sahloul, Ahmed Hijazi, Hijazi, Sahloul, Hala’s, Cross, Hala didn’t, Mohammad, Faisel, ” Nour, Nour, ” Mohammad, Mohammad wasn’t, ‘, Heba, ” Heba, Youssuf Abdel A’atti, ” Abdel A’atti, Sara Khreis, …, ” CNN’s Scott McWhinnie, Gianluca Mezzofiore Organizations: Istanbul CNN, CNN, Human Rights Monitor, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Turkish, International Committee, ICRC, Palestine Locations: Istanbul, Gaza, Hala, The Geneva, Gaza City, al, Palestinian, Turkey, Rafah

☆ I'm dating in my 30s after finding myself newly single. Instead of relying on dating apps like I did in my 20s, I'm trying to meet people in person.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Cristabelle García | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'm recently single and dating in my 30s is new to me. AdvertisementBeing single is not new to me, but being single while in my 30s is. I figured, if I'm a person of fewer, deeper friendships, why should it be any different when there may be nakedness involved? I take it easy on the appsI'm only on one dating app (I'm also only on one social media app). And now, I also know what I'm looking for in a person and their companionship.

Persons: I'm, —, singlehood, I've Organizations: Service

☆ I downloaded Tinder to find a Paris tour guide. We fell in love, and I just left Texas to be with him.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Ash Highberger, 30, moved to France from Texas earlier this month after a chance meeting in 2022. Highberger used Tinder to find a platonic tour guide and ended up falling in love with him. Courtesy of Ash HighbergerWhen we landed, I got word from the event's organizers that I wouldn't be able to work. I downloaded Tinder to find a tour guideWhen we first landed in Paris, we went straight to the train station and entered the city. Courtesy of Ash HighbergerI didn't even have Tinder in the States, so when downloading the app, my intention was not romantic.

Persons: Ash Highberger, Highberger, —, Ash, Carlos, Raphael, Raphael messaged, I'm, Rafael, Adolphe Thiers, couldn't, we'd, I've, I'd Organizations: Service, Paris Fashion, Paris, Eiffel, Louvre, France, Dallas Fort Worth International Locations: France, Texas, Paris, Rome, Père Lachaise, Jardin des, Raphael

☆ Three reasons a strong Black Friday weekend may not mean a blowout holiday season for retailers
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And Ulta Beauty and Foot Locker 's shares rose this week, after the companies reported better-than-expected earnings and a strong start to holiday spending on sneakers, makeup and more. Adobe predicts that full holiday season online spending from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 will hit $221.8 billion, which would be a nearly 5% year-over-year jump. If the estimate ends up being correct, that means shoppers still have a little more than half of their online holiday spending to go. The NRF said this week that its survey found about half of consumers' online and in-store holiday shopping remains. "People are just about tapped out, but [with] the holiday season, people are willing to even further extend themselves," he said.

Persons: Emily Elconin, That's, Dave Kimbell, Ulta, Matt Shay, Anastasiia, It's, Vivek Pandya, Pandya, Kena Betancur, Scott Wren, Wells, Shannon Stapleton Organizations: Getty, Adobe Analytics, National Retail Federation, Consumers, Walmart, Target, Adobe Digital, Adobe, Macy's, U.S . Federal, Shoppers, Reuters Locations: Oaks, Novi , Michigan, New York , New York, Wells Fargo, Macy's, Roosevelt, Garden City , New York, U.S

☆ My ex-husband and I got a dog for our daughter during our divorce. It's the best parenting decision I've made.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Katie Nave | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In the midst of a divorce, I got a divorce dog to help ease the transition for my daughter. Her name is Frankie, and my ex-husband and I split custody of Frankie and our daughter equally. The author and her dog, Frankie. Courtesy of the authorWith the guidance of our mediator, my ex-husband and I created a 50/50 custody plan for both our daughter and our dog. AdvertisementThe author's dog, Frankie.

Persons: Frankie, —, I'd, Amanda Craig, I'm, Craig, Whitney Casares, Casares, howls Organizations: Service Locations: Brooklyn, New York City

☆ Americans are doom saving, too
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

While some are "doom spending" — mindlessly spending money — others are looking for ways to save. <ore than a quarter of Americans say they're turning to the financial equivalent — doom spending — to quell their concerns. If the antidote to "doomscrolling" is putting down the phone, then the opposite of "doom spending" might well be putting down the credit card in favor of "doom saving." AdvertisementAnd while the Intuit report that coined the "doom spending" neologism noted that a troubling 22% of Americans have no savings at all. AdvertisementSpending on discounts and deals is, of course, not saving — it's still spending — but the mindset of "doom saving" is about responding to uncertainty by trying to conserve a finite resource.

Persons: —, Jamie Dimon, we've, Brian Cornell, Doug McMillon, — it's, they'd Organizations: Service, Intuit, Walmart, Target

☆ How Wall Street's Culture Is Contributing to the Loneliness Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Wall Street is notorious for its long hours and stressful lifestyle, particularly at the junior level, where grunt work abounds. They'd work hard and play hard, with an enviable social life like in all the Wall Street movies she'd seen. But Wall Street workers say that the nature of finance — the office politics and uniquely competitive cohort — can create a work culture that exacerbates feelings of loneliness. Some of the loneliness comes from this — it's all new, it feels bad, it's scary, and they don't feel like they can talk to anyone. But that doesn't mean people working on Wall Street can't do anything to mitigate their loneliness.

Persons: Madison, They'd, She'd, we'd, Cigna, it's, Wharton, Abbey, Denise Shull, Michael Sloyer, Goldman Sachs, Bumble BFF, Bumble, She's, —, Shull, I've, doesn't, They're, Sam Glazer, It's, Glazer, who's, There's, Goldman Organizations: Hamptons, Business, Wall, Ivy League, Madison, Harvard, NYU, Fifth Avenue Psychiatry Locations: New York City, Madison, Wharton, Yale, Upbuild, New York

☆ Amazon wants businesses to use its palm-scanning tech to let employees into the office
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Amazon is expanding its palm-scanning technology beyond grocery stores and is rolling out a version that's designed for the business world. Companies already signed up for the biometric technology include IHG Hotels and Resorts, turnstile manufacturer Boon Edam, and Kone, an escalator and elevator provider. Amazon didn't disclose pricing for the service, which is available in preview in the U.S. starting Monday. Advocacy groups have criticized the service over privacy and security concerns, arguing it leads to increased surveillance. Earlier this month, Amazon debuted Astro for Business, a version of its household robot that it's framing as a roving security guard for businesses.

Persons: Edam, Kone, Dilip Kumar, It's Organizations: Companies, Resorts, Amazon, Foods, Sports, Business Locations: U.S

☆ 6 ways to get the best deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday— and how to avoid scams
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Sebastian Cahill | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are full of deals this year, both online and in-store. The best ways to take advantage of Black Friday deals:Know what you're looking for and make a list. AdvertisementPlan which credit card to use for which purchases. Customers looking for a new credit card can also pick smarter by choosing a card with a 0% intro APR, according to Motley Fool. AdvertisementCommon schemes to avoid on Black Friday:Watch for "doorbuster deals," and don't buy just because of large discounts.

Persons: —, Motley, Todd Christensen, Kimberly Palmer, Palmer, Buyers, you've Organizations: Service, MIT Sloan School of Management, CBS

☆ Tinder's 'rizz-first redesign' feels like a really cringe-worthy attempt at wooing Gen Z
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

I'm a Gen Z, and I feel it misses the point as to why my generation is falling out of love with dating apps. It's no wonder then that Tinder's "rizz-first redesign" specifically calls out Gen Z as its intended target. But dating apps are right to be concerned about their appeal to Gen Z. AdvertisementI can't help feeling Tinder is missing the real point behind why Gen Z is falling out of love with online dating: Dating apps are deeply frustrating to use. It's a frustrating time to be on online dating — and that's something adding some rizz to a redesign can't quite fix.

Persons: Tinder, —, Gen, Gen Z, who's Organizations: Service

☆ How Twilio is using AI to help businesses understand their customers and deliver tailored experiences
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Twilio With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Unlocking the potential of every customer in real time doesn't start with better campaigns, better agents, or better tools, but with better data. Creating a perfect circle of data and communicationsCustomer and engagement data together provides far better intelligence models and ROI than common customer data alone. This flywheel generates better engagement, increases loyalty, and consistently delivers better business outcomes. By helping companies understand customers on a profound level, CustomerAI deepens customer interactions and helps foster genuine relationships. Learn more about how CustomerAI can help you maximize customer engagement, loyalty, and revenue.

Persons: they're, CustomerAI Organizations: Insider Studios Locations: Twilio

☆ 5 things to do when you’re depressed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Andrea Kane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

How to get help • Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters. “Really try to do the sort of things that you would do for your physical health,” Raison said. “If you have caring, smaller, supportive relationships with other people, it’s a big protective factor against getting depressed. It’s also a factor that can really help you get over depression.”Don’t give upBe persistent in seeking help. We hope these five tips help you better care for a depressed brain.

Persons: Sanjay Gupta, —, Charles Raison, “, what’s, ”, “ Will, we’ve, you’ve, It’s, Don’t, don’t Organizations: CNN, Gallup, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Wisconsin, Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center, CNN Health Locations: United States, Madison, Vail, thankfulness

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