Category: Tech

  • Soon Cho, Creating a World of Vibrance
– PHIATON

    Soon Cho, Creating a World of Vibrance – PHIATON

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    In the heart of Toronto’s vibrant art scene, one artist is captivating audiences with an explosion of colors and emotions. Meet Soon Cho, a creative force whose journey from South Korea to the corners of the world has etched its mark on her unique artistic vision. Soon Cho’s work is a celebration of joy, an offering of encouragement, and an invitation to find solace amidst life’s chaos.

     

    The Artistic Odyssey:

    Soon Cho’s artistic journey began in her childhood, as a shy girl finding solace in the corners while her imagination danced on paper. The dream of being an artist was ingrained in her, a dream that only grew stronger with time. Her journey across continents and cultures has fueled the tapestry of her art, each stroke echoing the beauty and diversity she has experienced.


    Inspiration from Life’s Symphony:

    Drawing inspiration from the canvas of life, Soon Cho’s art mirrors the simple yet profound moments of everyday life. The play of light, the rhythm of music, and the poetry of nature find their way into her masterpieces. Music is her constant companion during the creative process, amplifying her emotions and infusing life into her artwork.

    A Symphony for the Senses:

    Soon Cho views her art as a medium of communication, a way to express her very essence and vitality. Music is her muse and carefully curated playlists accompany her on this journey of creativity. Soon Cho’s choice of music ranges from instrumentals to indie tunes, from hip-hop beats to classical serenades, each resonating with her artistic spirit.

    BonoBeats Lite: A Harmonious Experience:

    Recently, Soon Cho had the pleasure of immersing herself in the world of BonoBeats Lite headphones, and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Melding functionality, portability, and elegance, these headphones seamlessly fit into her on-the-go lifestyle. The superb sound quality, noise isolation, and captivating aesthetics make the BonoBeats Lite headphones a cherished accessory, enhancing both work and leisure.

    A Heartfelt Recommendation:

    Soon Cho enthusiastically advocates for BonoBeats Lite headphones to fellow artists and those in pursuit of an active, dynamic lifestyle. The affordability, impeccable audio quality, and sophisticated design make them a must-have companion, embodying both form and function.

    A Glimpse into the Future:

    As Soon Cho peers into the horizon, she envisions expanding her canvas to encompass larger public art projects. Her passion for supporting fellow artists and creating impactful, monumental installations speaks volumes about her dedication and artistic integrity. Stay tuned as Soon Cho continues to grace the world with her creativity and artistry, leaving an indelible mark wherever her brushstrokes land.

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  • SoFi Personal Loans Review 2023

    SoFi Personal Loans Review 2023

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    Our experts answer readers’ personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess personal loans). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

    Who is SoFi Best For?

    SoFi has great protection for borrowers in case they get laid off from their jobs. The company offers forbearance for any personal loan borrower who loses their job during their loan repayment. This unique feature allows borrowers to apply for a three-month forbearance, up to a total of 12 months. 

    SoFi also has a large maximum loan amount of $100,000, which is helpful for borrowers who need to fund a significant expense. It’s a top pick in our guide to the best debt consolidation loans.

    However, SoFi doesn’t have any in-person support. If you like having the option of talking to a banker in person about your loan or make a payment in person, SoFi may not be the lender for you. 

    SoFi Personal Loan Features

    Regular APR: 8.99% to 25.81% (with all discounts)

    Loan amounts: $5,000 to $100,000

    Fees: None required

    SoFi Personal Loan Pros and Cons

    How to Apply for a SoFi Personal Loan

    1. Check your rate. SoFi allows borrowers to prequalify for its loans by applying through its website. That means you’ll be able to get your rate without impacting your credit score. You’ll need to input your name, email address, state of residence, desired loan amount and purpose, and other information.

    2. Look over your loan offerings and choose the one that makes sense. After you submit your initial information, SoFi will send you potential loan terms. A shorter term length means bigger monthly payments — but you’ll save more in interest. You’ll need to send in a formal application, which may also require additional documents, like W-2s, pay stubs, or bank statements. 

    3. Confirm your loan terms and plan for repayment. After you sign the document accepting your loan terms, your loan will be approved and funded. Make sure you’ve added your loan payments into your budget. 

    SoFi Personal Loan

    Insider’s Rating

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    4/5

    Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.

    Perks

    0.25% AutoPay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount

    8.99% to 25.81% (with all discounts)


    Loan Amount Range

    $5,000 to $100,000

    Pros

    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High maximum loan limit
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unemployment protection
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No fees required
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive APR
    Cons

    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. High minimum credit score requirement
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. High minimum loan amount
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. No in-person support


    Product Details

    • Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000
    • Loan term lengths range from 2 to 7 years
    • Usually receive your money in a few business days after your application is approved
    • Unemployment protection if you lose your job during your loan repayment, allowing you to apply for a three-month forbearance, up to a total of 12 months
    • Loans are made by SoFi Lending Corp.

    SoFi Personal Loan Frequently Asked Questions

    SoFi requires a credit score of at least 680, which could make it difficult to get approved if you have less than fair credit. The lender also does not allow cosigners.

    SoFi has a credit score minimum of 680. The higher your score, the more likely you are to qualify for a lower rate. 

    SoFi may approve your loan within minutes of applying, and you should receive your money within a few business days.

    SoFi offers personal loans that may be best for borrowers with high credit scores. 

    You can borrow as much as $100,000 with a SoFi personal loan.

    SoFi doesn’t specifiy a minimum income required for personal loan borrowers. However, all lenders will take income into account when deciding whether or not to approve you for a loan to ensure you can afford to repay it. 

    Compare SoFi Personal Loans

    SoFi Personal Loans vs. LightStream Personal Loans

    SoFi and LightStream Personal Loan both cater to borrowers with good or better credit. But for borrowers who don’t meet SoFi’s relatively high credit requirements, LightStream may be the better choice.

    LightStream’s interest rates start lower than SoFi’s rates do, but LightStream’s maximum interest rates are higher. Your choice could depend on which lender offers you the better rate.

    SoFi Personal Loans vs. Upstart Personal Loans

    While SoFi does not require a origination fee, Upstart Personal Loan does charge an origination fee of up to 8% on its personal loans. Upstart has a much wider range of interest rates than SoFi. SoFi’s interest rates stop much lower than Upstart’s interest rates. See the best personal loans with no origination fee.

    Why You Should Trust Us: How We Rated SoFi Personal Loans

    We rate all personal loan products in our reviews and guides on a 1-5 scale. The overall rating is a weighted average that takes into account seven different categories, some of which are judged more heavily than others. They are:

    • Interest rate (20% of rating)
    • Fees (20% of rating)
    • Term lengths and loan amounts (15% of rating)
    • Funding speed (15% of rating)
    • Borrower accessibility (15% of rating)
    • Customer support (7.5% of rating)
    • Ethics (7.5% of rating)

    Each category’s weighting is based on its importance to your borrowing experience. Rates and fees have the most direct impact on the overall cost of your loan, so we weigh those the most heavily. Customer support and ethics are still very important parts of the borrowing experience, but do not directly tie to a personal loan’s terms, so they have less of an impact on the overall rating. 

    See more on how we rate personal loans >>

    SoFi Personal Loan

    Insider’s Rating

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    4/5

    Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.

    Perks

    0.25% AutoPay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount

    8.99% to 25.81% (with all discounts)


    Loan Amount Range

    $5,000 to $100,000

    Pros

    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High maximum loan limit
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unemployment protection
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No fees required
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive APR
    Cons

    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. High minimum credit score requirement
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. High minimum loan amount
    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. No in-person support


    Product Details

    • Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000
    • Loan term lengths range from 2 to 7 years
    • Usually receive your money in a few business days after your application is approved
    • Unemployment protection if you lose your job during your loan repayment, allowing you to apply for a three-month forbearance, up to a total of 12 months
    • Loans are made by SoFi Lending Corp.

     

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  • HP Acquires Poly, previously Plantronics and Polycom

    HP Acquires Poly, previously Plantronics and Polycom

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    Today we will discuss the acquisition from HP of Poly (Formerly known as Plantronics) and what this means for end users and product line up.

    As you are aware, Plantronics about late 2020 and early 2021 finalized the bought of Polycom, this being one of the major big names on conference desk phones as in communications infrastructure and with a wide product catalog. After this merge both of the brands renamed as POLY and as you are aware most of their products switched on their products, their bases and boxes from the old “Plantronics” or “PLT” logo to the new and freshly for late 2021 “Poly” logo.

    With this transition, the product lines of both brand continued the same with no bigger changes as it was mainly their logos on the boxes and items, making it almost unnoticeable for untrained eye on how to spot the changes.

    Fast forwarding now on early 2023, to be more exact on March was when the news were out that HP had finalized the acquisition of the brand Poly and with this now Poly becomes a brand under the HP umbrella that is wide world know for all their electronic products including but not limiting as personal computers, laptops, printers among others and now with Poly’s technology on headsets, video conference and telecommunications makes it a jointly new adventure with a promising future. As the vision on this new venture is to focus on what is call the new norm of hybrid work solutions.

    Thanks to HP Customer Service taking over and helping the Poly side, now the warranty and customer services inquiries have a faster response time and with a 24hr a day tech support alive either by phone or chat online, this being a promising experience for people in need of a helpful hand at different times of the day or night.

    During the year 2023 Poly will continue to handle it’s tech support issues until the end of the year that is when HP will officially take over. The same is going to happen with authorized partners assistance as they all will be moved into the new HP platform and according to HP all this will get finalized by the end of Q4 of 2023.

    Special mention as now this would be a little more confusing that with the previous merge and we will discuss this next to avoid miscommunications and frustrations down the road.

    Poly SKU’s VS HP SKU’s

    The first thing people will notice at the time of trying to order any Poly product would be the change of the SKU, when Poly manufactured their products most of their SKU’s would be consisting of only numbers plantronics cs540 wireless headset, convertible (c054, co54) viewsuch as the CS540 headset making it easy to identify and order on the most common headset setup. The more specialized products or known as “Special Products” line usually started with a number “9” before and with this you willplantronics smh 1783 headset for visually impaired, dictation view automatically know that is a special division product such as the SMH 1783 Headset for the Visually Impaired.

    To begin with this need to mention that the Poly products remain the same and they do work the same way that had been designed for and work with great performance. The changes will be coming in the part #’s, as part of the acquisition, all the Poly SKU’s must be transferred to HP SKU’s and this could take sometime and for the same reason perhaps the old Poly part # is not available anywhere as they already changed to the new HP part #. No need to freak out as if you got into this situation you can always give a call and speak with a live agent to help you as they would have a list of the part #’s change.

    The part number change is not something that will be done on a over night move, this process will take some time and for the same reason as Poly is still running their production you might find that if you ordered the Poly part # perhaps you got shipped the HP part # or vice versa, nothing to get worried, as long as the item matches the name on the box you will be fine.

    The new HP SKU nomenclature will be a mix of numbers, letters and special characterspoly ca22cd-sc ptt wireless adapter single channel (no return) view which is why this time it can become a little tricky for the untrained eye, a perfect example of one of the first ones on changing is the CA22CD-SC PTT Adapter, as this is one of the first ones on taking the new HP SKU and as you can see the new part has the mentioned mix.

    Thanks to this acquisition now HP has an Ace under the sleeve, thanks to the knowledge and technology of telecommunications from Poly now can offer a full wide arrange of solutions for remote workers or hybrid workers as it mixes both of perfect worlds and with the trusty HP Customer Service support gives the end user a piece of mind when on duty and of assistance of help. With this move, there will be new products coming up, giving a huge advantage versus the competition today. As soon as these get out we will be reporting of them.

     

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  • How Do Instagram Influencers Make Money and How Much They Earn

    How Do Instagram Influencers Make Money and How Much They Earn

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    Instagram and influencers go hand-in-hand. 

    The Meta-owned social-media platform has become a primary stage for influencers launching their careers.

    Those careers can take off quickly. For example, the 26-year-old influencer Achieng Agutu, who had about 488,000 Instagram followers when Insider interviewed her, earned over $1 million in her first year as a full-time creator.

    Check out how Agutu earned over $1 million from brand deals in her first year

    Influencers don’t need tons of followers to start earning money on Instagram. As more brands turn to smaller creators like “nano” or “micro” influencers with under 100,000 followers, establishing a full-time career as a creator is no longer a pipe dream.

    Typically, influencers rely on sponsored content to make money. From posting a picture to the main feed with #ad to sharing swipe-up links in a series of stories, sponsored content takes on many different shapes.

    Rates for these types of brand deals also vary.

    For instance, Nate White, a comedy creator who had 340,000 Instagram followers when Insider interviewed him, had a base rate of $3,000. Meanwhile, Jour’dan Haynes, a nano influencer, told Insider she can earn up to $600 per post.

    To land on these rates, some influencers rely on formulas like charging brands $100 for every 10,000 followers. But not everyone agrees on one formula. 

    Each deal has to also account for an influencer’s following, engagement metrics, and niche, as well as deal terms like exclusivity, usage rights, and timing.

    But if influencers negotiate well, brand deals can lead to big paychecks. For instance, one influencer with 275,000 followers told Insider she had booked $700,000 in brand deals in six months. And two micro influencers told Insider they earned six-figure yearly salaries as full-time creators.

    Sponsored content, however, isn’t the only income generator for these influencers — although it is generally the most lucrative.

    Influencers on Instagram can also earn commissions on affiliate links, profits from selling merchandise, and proceeds from monetization tools Meta has introduced. One influencer who spoke with Insider made an average of $5,000 per month through affiliate links alone.

    Instagram is even testing an ad-revenue sharing program that lets creators earn money for high-performing reels on the app.

    Other platforms, like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, have similar programs for short-form video formats. YouTube also shares ad revenue with creators for longer-form videos through its Partner Program.

    Insider has spoken with dozens of Instagram influencers about how much money they charge brands for sponsored content and how else they make a living using the app. 

    Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of Insider’s cover on how much money Instagram influencers make:

    Many influencers earn money on Instagram by working with brands on sponsored content.

    In 2022, Instagram launched a test of its Creator Marketplace, which connects brands and influencers directly on the app. Although the feature has received mixed reviews from creators in its first year of testing, Meta introduced more features and partners in 2023.

    While other influencer marketing has a presence across the social media ecosystem, Instagram is still where a bulk of deals are inked, according to a recent report by influencer marketing firm Mavrck. Rates are also higher on Instagram compared to platforms like TikTok, the report found. 

    Read 5 takeaways from a recent report on influencer marketing

    So how much money are individual influencers making on Instagram?

    44 Instagram influencers told us how much they charge for and have earned from sponsored content. Here’s a full breakdown of our coverage, in order of follower count at the time of interviews:

    “Macro” and “Mega” influencers

    Micro influencers

    Nano influencers

    How Instagram influencers earn money beyond brand deals

    From earning a commission through affiliate links to getting tipped by followers on an Instagram Live, there’s a host of supplementary sources of income for creators on Instagram. 

    How much money do influencers make by promoting links or selling their own products?

    Affiliate marketing

    Influencers use platforms like LTK and ShopStyle to generate affiliate links or discount codes provided by brands to earn a percentage of sales. (Read more about the top affiliate platforms for influencers.)

    Adding these links just got easier, too. In 2021, Instagram released the ability to add link stickers in Stories to all users — regardless of the follower count or verification status. Instagram now lets users include up to five links in their bios, too.

    The platform also began testing native-to-Instagram affiliate marketing tools for influencers in 2021, but later shut down the program during the summer of 2022.

    Read more:

    Using Instagram’s suite of monetization tools

    Since 2020, Instagram has announced several monetization features for creators. Although the platform’s ad-revenue share program for ads played on IGTV (which rebranded to “Instagram Video”) came to an end in 2022, creators have turned to reels as a way to earn money. 

    Meta has an entire entourage of executives dedicated to helping creators on the platform, including monetization.

    In May, Meta announced that it would begin testing a new ad-rev share model on Instagram reels with a select group of creators. Instagram announced it was ending its “Bonuses” program for reels a few months prior.

    Creators can also make money on Instagram by receiving “Badges” or “Gifts” (tipping features for Live and Reels, respectively), launching Instagram Subscriptions, and selling their own merchandise or products in-app.

    Read more:

    Selling courses, direct-to-consumer products, and merch

    Influencers can sell their own products and merchandise directly through Instagram’s shopping features, or leverage their audience to promote their own brands, DTC products, coaching services, or online courses.

    Some influencers, like Huda Kattan, go on to found brands that are worth millions — or even billions — of dollars.

    Read more:

    Reselling clothing

    Resale apps like Poshmark, Depop, and Etsy have become lucrative small businesses for many Instagram creators. 

    Read more:

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  • Where to Watch Rugby World Cup Online From Anywhere

    Where to Watch Rugby World Cup Online From Anywhere

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    When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

    Two of Rugby’s best teams have drawn each other in group stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and you don’t want to miss it. We’ll guide you through options to watch free Wales vs. Australia live streams. If you want to watch games further down the schedule, you’ll be happy to know these options will work for every tournament match.

    Wales and Australia field two of the best teams in Rugby. The latter need this win more after dropping a win to Fiji last week, so look for them to play spoiler against Wales, who have been great thus far after a weak Six Nations showing earlier in the year. Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is feeling the heat with some last-minute roster changes that he hopes will keep Australia from bouncing out of group stages for the first time ever. Suffice to say; there’s a lot on the line.

    If you don’t have a proper watch option in your country, we’ll show you how to watch the Rugby World Cup live streams for free using a VPN. Short for virtual private network, these handy apps let your devices mimic various international locations of your choosing so that you can hop onto one of the all-inclusive streaming sources listed below.

    Where to watch Wales vs. Australia Rugby World Cup live streams free from anywhere 

    You can catch all of the Rugby World Cup action, including Wales vs. Australia, using the free ITVX live stream in the United Kingdom, which offers up every match of this year’s Rugby World Cup. ITV1 will show most games, and the others will be shown between ITV3 and 4. While ITVX is a UK-based platform, you can access it from anywhere using a VPN.

    A VPN virtually changes your devices’ location, so apps and websites think you’re connecting from servers within those countries. In the case of the Rugby World Cup, you can connect through a UK server, and ITV will let you in with no fuss after creating a free email login. You can also use VPNs to sign up for cheap streaming services such as Peacock (it’s also showing all Rugby World Cup games starting at $5.99 monthly).

    Don’t have a VPN? There’s a fantastic offer right now on one of the best VPN apps we’ve tested and have been using for years for streaming and beefing up our online security. You can pick up Express VPN, save up to 49% on the usual price, and get three months for free. It’s the best investment in your sports-watching future if you know you’ll want to watch more international sports streams. If you’re unsatisfied, there’s a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our detailed ExpressVPN review to learn more about everything this magical app has to offer.

    With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.

    How to watch Wales vs. Australia with a VPN

    • Sign up for a VPN if you don’t have one.
    • Install it on the device you’re using to watch the game.
    • Turn it on and set it to a UK location.
    • Go to: ITVX.
    • Sign in/create a free login and watch the matches.
    • When: Today at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST / 9 p.m. BST / 5 a.m. AEST (Mon).

    How to watch Wales vs. Australia in the USA

    NBC is the exclusive broadcast partner for the Rugby World Cup in the United States. All games will stream live on its Peacock streaming service (starts at just $5.99 monthly).

    You’ll also find over a dozen select matches on its network news arm, CNBC (available on live TV streaming services like Sling Blue + News Extra, currently just $20 for your first month). Or, if you have a VPN, you can watch all of the Rugby World Cup matches for free using ITVX, as described above.

    Peacock is a streaming service featuring NBCUniversal TV shows, movies, original series, live sports, and news programs. Prices start at just $5.99 a month on one-month deals, with further discounts available on annual plans.

    Rugby World Cup schedule

    Below is a full schedule of upcoming Rugby World Cup games that will run through the October 28 final. All times below are in US Eastern.

    Groups and Pools

    Sunday, September 24

    • Scotland vs. Tonga, 11:45 a.m. ET; Pool B (free on ITVX)
    • Wales vs. Australia, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool C (free on ITVX)

    Wednesday, September 27

    • Uruguay vs. Namibia, 11:45 a.m. ET; Pool A (free on ITVX)

    Thursday, September 28

    • Japan vs. Samoa, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool D (free on ITVX)

    Friday, September 29

    • New Zealand vs. Italy, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool A (free on ITVX)

    Saturday, September 30

    • Argentina vs. Chile, 9:00 a.m. ET; Pool D (free on ITVX)
    • Fiji vs. Georgia, 11:45 a.m. ET; Pool C (free on ITVX)
    • Scotland vs. Romania, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool B (free on ITVX)

    Sunday, October 1

    • Australia vs. Portugal, 11:45 a.m. ET; Pool C (free on ITVX)
    • South Africa vs. Tonga, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool B (free on ITVX)

    Thursday, October 5

    • New Zealand vs. Uruguay, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool A (free on ITVX)

    Friday, October 6

    • France vs. Italy, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool A (free on ITVX)

    Saturday, October 7

    • Wales vs. Georgia, 9:00 a.m. ET; Pool C (free on ITVX)
    • England vs. Samoa, 11:45 a.m. ET; Pool D (free on ITVX)
    • Ireland vs. Scotland, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool B (free on ITVX)

    Sunday, October 8

    • Japan vs. Argentina, 7:00 a.m. ET; Pool D (free on ITVX)
    • Tonga vs. Romania, 11:45 a.m. ET; Pool B (free on ITVX)
    • Fiji vs. Portugal, 3:00 p.m. ET; Pool C (free on ITVX)

    Quarter Final

    Saturday, October 14

    • TBD (Winner Pool C) vs. TBD (Runner-up Pool D), 11:00 a.m. ET; QF1 (free on ITVX)
    • TBD (Winner Pool B) vs. TBD (Runner-up Pool A), 3:00 p.m. ET; QF2 (free on ITVX)

    Sunday, October 15

    • TBD (Winner Pool D) vs. TBD (Runner-up Pool C), 11:00 a.m. ET; QF3 (free on ITVX)
    • TBD (Winner Pool A) vs. TBD (Runner-up Pool B), 3:00 p.m. ET; QF4 (free on ITVX)

    Semi-finals

    Friday, October 20

    • TBD (Winner Quarter-final 1) vs. TBD (Winner Quarter-final 2), 3:00 p.m. ET; Semi-final 1 (free on ITVX)

    Saturday, October 21

    • TBD (Winner Quarter-final 3) vs. TBD (Winner Quarter-final 4), 3:00 p.m. ET; Semi-final 2 (free on ITVX)

    Bronze Final (Third-place matchup)

    Friday, October 27

    • TBD (Losers: SF1) vs. TBD (Losers: SF2), 3:00 p.m. ET; Third place play-off (free on ITVX)

    Final

    Saturday, October 28

    • TBD (Winners: SF1) vs. TBD (Winners: SF2), 3:00 p.m. ET; Final (free on ITVX)

    Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

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  • Cassidy Hutchinson Ran Into Mike Lindell Walking Through WH Unattended

    Cassidy Hutchinson Ran Into Mike Lindell Walking Through WH Unattended

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    • Cassidy Hutchinson said she once ran into Mike Lindell walking around the White House unescorted.
    • She says Lindell said: “We can still win,” referencing an effort to overturn Biden’s 2020 victory.
    • Hutchinson wrote about the interaction in her forthcoming book.

    Former GOP aide Cassidy Hutchinson says she once ran into MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell roaming the White House unattended, making remarks backing former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election claims.

    In Hutchinson’s forthcoming book, “Enough,” the onetime aide to ex-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows wrote of how the White House was steeped in paranoia while also describing how it could also be a place with little oversight — which explained her interaction with Lindell.

    Lindell was a fixture in the conservative push to overthrow now-President Joe Biden’s electoral win immediately after the election that November.

    On January 15, 2021, a week after the Capitol riot and just days before Trump was set to leave the White House, Hutchinson writes — according to excerpts of her book — that she found Lindell walking throughout the building without a staffer or a guide before he said: “We can still win.”

    That same day, Lindell was captured on the grounds of the White House by Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford, where the executive held a set of notes detailing his agenda during a meeting with Trump.

    One of the visible phrases on the paper read: “Insurrection Act now as a result of the assault on the … martial law if necessary upon the first hint of any…,” before trailing off out of view. Another note referenced a continued examination of the 2020 presidential election.

    Hutchinson’s book is set to be released on September 26.



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  • The UAW’s New Strike Strategy Means This Stoppage Could Last a While

    The UAW’s New Strike Strategy Means This Stoppage Could Last a While

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    The United Auto Workers union is changing the way bargaining works in Detroit.

    The union’s historic strike at all three of the Detroit car companies implements a new strategy, in which Ford, GM, and Stellantis are forced to compete against each other at the bargaining table.

    At the same time, the UAW is slowly rolling out targeted work stoppages in a surprise-attack approach that allows the union to use strikes as leverage — while only slowly dipping into its $825 million strike fund it uses to pay workers in lieu of their regular paycheck.

    Workers at three assembly plants have been on strike for a week, and the latest escalation came Friday when UAW President Shawn Fain said 38 GM and Stellantis plants in 20 states would be joining the walkout. Fain is targeting GM and Stellantis specifically because he’s unhappy with their offers in comparison to progress made at Ford since the strike began.

    “To be clear, we’re not done at Ford,” Fain said Friday. “But we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they’re serious about reaching a deal. At GM and Stellantis, it’s a different story.”

    The UAW’s decision to target GM and Stellantis with parts depot walkouts that will cripple production while sparing Ford is the union’s first move in using its unique strike strategy to pit the Detroit 3 against each other. Leaked messages from the union’s communications director, first reported by The Detroit News, more clearly illustrate this plan.

    “We’re breaking pattern and they’re bargaining against each other for the first time in 70 years,” UAW communications director Jonah Furman wrote in a private group on X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter. The messages were reviewed and confirmed by Insider. “We can calibrate it exactly to their moves at the table. If Ford and GM won’t move but Stellantis will, we can spare them.”

    After Furman’s messages leaked Thursday night, the Detroit car companies expressed their displeasure with the union’s strategy. Ford and Stellantis called the messages “disappointing” and “disturbing,” while GM said the message “calls into question who is actually in charge of UAW strategy.”

    The union didn’t immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment, but told The Detroit News the messages were “private.”

    Why the UAW is breaking pattern

    For most of the UAW’s 88-year history, the union has engaged in pattern bargaining with the three Detroit companies to avoid competition at the table. In the past, the UAW has chosen a “lead company” to complete negotiations with and then taken the first completed contract to the other two companies as a guide for completing a deal.

    This more aggressive strategy comes as the UAW is fighting to reignite its relevance in a revived labor movement after years of declining membership and a yearslong criminal probe that eroded trust with union leaders.

    Fain and workers Insider spoke with on the picket line have said the UAW’s fight is bigger than the Detroit three. The UAW president is decidedly taking on a larger fight between the working class and their wealthy employers, previously saying in a now-viral clip that, in his opinion, billionaires “don’t have a right to exist.”

    The hope of Fain and his members is to reset the standard for work in automotive manufacturing.

    Targeted strikes allow for longevity

    Fain had been hinting at the historic strategy to strike all three companies at once since the start of bargaining this summer. The idea was met with skepticism by many, who said that an all-out strike would quickly drain the UAW’s strike resources.

    Enter the UAW’s targeted strategy. The first week of the strike at three assembly factories in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri cost the union an estimated $6.5 million, according to Deutsche Bank. That leaves plenty in the union’s $825 million strike fund as the work stoppage expands Friday.

    This kind of longevity in the strike is important for the UAW, as their opponents on the other side of the table have every reason to dig their heels in.

    Ford, GM, and Stellantis – whose labor costs are already higher than most of the industry – are each spending billions of dollars to electrify their lineups and must weigh costly R&D expenses in the future with these increased labor costs.

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  • Chase Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited New Sign-up Bonuses

    Chase Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited New Sign-up Bonuses

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    Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

    If you have a small business or side hustle, it really helps to keep your expenses separate from any personal spending — especially when tax season rolls around. But limiting your business spending to certain credit cards doesn’t just help organize your finances; it can also earn you even more rewards, since the best business credit cards offer bonus points or cash back on common business categories like office supply stores, internet, and phone services.

    Two of our favorite business cards — the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card — just brought back their highest-ever welcome offer that can earn you even more than usual for meeting a minimum spending requirement as a new cardholder.

    Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

    Insider’s Rating

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    4.55/5

    Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.

    Perks

    Earn 1-5% cash back on purchases.


    Intro APR

    0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months


    Regular APR

    18.49% – 24.49% Variable

    Earn $900 bonus cash back


    Recommended Credit

    Good to Excellent

    Pros

    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Broad 5% and 2% cash-back categories (you can earn bonus cash back at office supply stores and at gas stations and restaurants)
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Intro APR offer for purchases
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can pair this card with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards to redeem your cash back for travel
    Cons

    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Annual cap on bonus categories


    Product Details

    • Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
    • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
    • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
    • With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
    • No Annual Fee
    • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
    • Member FDIC

    Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited elevated welcome offers

    Starting today and running for a limited time (we don’t know the end date yet), the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are offering new cardholders $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

    That’s $150 more in value than the typical welcome bonus. You don’t even have to meet a higher minimum spending requirement to earn this higher bonus.

    Which card is right for you?

    Both the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card have a $0 annual fee and offer an intro APR of 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then 18.49% – 24.49% Variable APR.

    But the way the two cards earn rewards is different. If the new welcome offer has you interested but you’re not sure which card is a better fit for you, here’s a rundown of how they differ.

    Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

    This card earns bonus cash back on different business-related spending categories:

    • 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
    • 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year

    You’ll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no cap on what you can earn.

    Read our Ink Business Cash card review for more details.

    Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

    Instead of earning bonus cash back on certain spending categories, this card earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no cap on what you can earn.

    If you don’t spend a lot at office supply stores and internet, phone, and TV, this earning structure will likely be the better option. It’s also a better option for those who prefer simplicity and don’t want to keep track of bonus categories.

    You can learn more in our Ink Business Unlimited card review, and check out our comparison of the Ink Business Cash vs. the Ink Business Unlimited card.

    Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

    Insider’s Rating

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    A five pointed star

    4.25/5

    Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.

    Perks

    Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases.


    Intro APR

    0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months


    Regular APR

    18.49% – 24.49% Variable

    Earn $900 bonus cash back


    Recommended Credit

    Good to Excellent

    Pros

    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Intro APR offer
    • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
    Cons

    • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. You can earn more cash back on some purchases with a card that has bonus categories


    Product Details

    • Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
    • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
    • No Annual Fee
    • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
    • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
    • With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
    • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
    • Member FDIC

    We don’t know how long this elevated welcome offer will stick around, so don’t wait too long to apply if you’re interested!

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  • We Left Florida Because Our Homeowners Insurance Ballooned to $12,000

    We Left Florida Because Our Homeowners Insurance Ballooned to $12,000

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    • Florida residents Natalia and John were increasingly squeezed by rising insurance and utility costs.
    • They fled to Wisconsin after their homeowners insurance premium doubled, seeing no end in sight.
    • As lifelong Floridians they didn’t want to leave but chose their family over their homestead.

    This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with John, 41, and Natalia, 38, who asked that only her first name be used for privacy reasons, about their decision to move from Plantation, Florida, a city just outside of Fort Lauderdale, to Dell Prairie, Wisconsin, 127 miles from Milwaukee. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

    Natalia: In 2016 my husband and I purchased the home I grew up in in Plantation, Florida, from my parents.

    John: It’s about 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale and about 20 minutes from Miami.

    Natalia: It’s about 2,400 square feet with five rooms and three bathrooms. We did have a pool, but pretty much everybody in Florida has a pool.

    We got a letter in the mail from our home insurance carrier in 2021 saying, “Hey, your roof is X amount of years old. You either need to replace it or we can’t guarantee that we’re going to insure you for the upcoming year.” We were thinking, we’re new homeowners — we’re freaked out about everything. We thought, what are we going to do?

    We didn’t have enough money for a new roof. We went out and got quotes. The cheapest I could find just to replace the shingles was $28,000. We emptied out our savings and I had to borrow against my 401(k).

    We weren’t ready for that kind of expenditure, but we did it.

    The insurance company came back and said, “Thanks for doing your roof, it’ll now be $29,000 to cover you a year.” We told them, “Thank you, but we can’t afford it.”

    John: Before the roof, we paid about $6,000 for our insurance premium.

    After the roof, we got a quote from the statewide insurance, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. It was the most affordable one.

    Natalia: But our premium still doubled from the year before. Before we left, we were paying $12,000 for insurance.

    We couldn’t keep up with the rising monthly expenses on top of childcare. It’s what finally convinced us to move.

    Natalia: In the house, we took care of the MEPs: mechanical, electrical, plumbing. Those are my biggest important things. I could care less if my house is beautiful aesthetic-wise, I was more worried about making sure that we had new insulation, we redid the duct work, we put in a new AC, and we changed out the electrical panel.

    John: The FPL (Florida Power & Light Co.) man came out there and did a synopsis on the home and told us that we’re doing everything correctly, but the reason why we’re paying $100 more for electricity this year than the previous year was because of the FPL rate increases.

    Natalia: Our electric bill would be up 33% by this summer, and that would’ve given me a $1,000 bill for the months of August, September, and October. Those are your hot months out there. And I was like, I can’t afford this.

    I put up the white flag, unfortunately.

    John: We started looking at upcoming trends as far as cost-of-living increases. We have four children, three of them are in school and you have to pay the daycare expenses on top of it. So we ran the numbers for a year, it was going to cost us $31,000 for daycare and after-school care while we work in Florida.

    It was just kind of like you’re walking, you’re walking, you’re walking with your head down, and then when you finally look up, you realize you’re lost. That’s the feeling you get once you realize the costs of childcare on top of your monthly expenses — and FPL kept on raising their prices.

    Natalia: By the time we left, we were paying about $2,400 a month for the house, and that included taxes and insurance.

    We chose Wisconsin because of an affinity for ‘Happy Days’

    Natalia: We sold the house for about $700,000 and some change, and we only owed about $260,000 on it. So we had nice equity.

    But that broke my heart. I was really hesitant on moving — that’s my stomping grounds. That’s where I grew up. I wanted to die there. I wanted my kids to learn to swim in the same pool I did. I wanted them to fish the same canals, and climb the same trees, and go to the same schools I did. I wanted them to have the same experience that I did because I think that my youth was good. I was very fortunate.

    John: Growing up my dad would make me watch “Happy Days” all the time. And then later on in his life, he was a huge fan of “That ’70s Show” and for whatever reason, I was feeling nostalgic and I started watching it and I was like, “Oh, Wisconsin doesn’t seem so bad. Let me look it up.”

    And then I found out “Happy Days” was Milwaukee and I started doing a little research about Wisconsin. That’s the main reason why we chose to move here.

    We live in the township of Dell Prairie, which is actually on the outskirts of Wisconsin Dells. It’s a nice, small city.

    We definitely did a lot of research on the real estate around the area, looking at lot size, home size, and schooling. We found we can get a lot more bang for our buck here than back home.

    Our lot was 0.31 acres in Plantation, and we were able to come here and now we’re on over two acres.

    One of the first things I did as soon as we got here was started planting corn just to see if I could grow it.

    Natalia: And he can.

    The costs in Wisconsin are a fraction of what we’re used to

    John: The home we purchased was about $325,000. It’s five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

    Natalia: That left us a little change to be able to pay off a bit of debt.

    John: We haven’t paid insurance yet, but all our neighbors tell us that insurance is about $1,200 a year.

    The landscape is awesome, my kids actually get to enjoy nature. They have always been outside kids. It’s just in South Florida and that landscape, you can’t go outside.

    A river running through Wisconsin Dells with clouds and sunset.

    Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is nearly 130 miles from Milwaukee.

    Twig & Olive Photography/Getty Images



    Natalia: I joke with everybody, but at the end of the day I say it’s like living in a Disney forest.

    John: You get a lot of squirrels, chipmunks, deer, turkey, and an occasional bear in the middle of the night.

    Natalia: I’m excited to have a white Christmas. That’ll be fun for us. Taking the kids out, having snowball fights and sledding and snowmen and the little snow angels, all that good stuff. And literally having a reason to make hot cocoa.

    John: A lot of people that I worked with would always wish they could move and find somewhere cheaper. There are a lot of people who are scared of walking away from everything. But you have to do what you have to do for your family. Your family comes first.

    I don’t think people can swallow their own personal pride to do what’s best for their family. And that’s what me and my wife did. We didn’t want to leave Florida. We just didn’t see a future there for our kids. And if there was a future, it was a future of hardship.

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  • How to replace the battery on my Savi 8200 series headset.

    How to replace the battery on my Savi 8200 series headset.

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    We will explain how to replace the battery on your Savi 8200 headset, this includes UC and Office families. Your battery has to be replaced every 3 years or 300 cycles, whatever comes first to get the best performance of your headset and avoid power downs in middle of calls.

    A. Savi 8210 UC and Savi 8210 Office. On this particular model, the battery would be located on the side with only paddling of the headset, not on the speaker side.

    First. We remove the paddling of the headset; this part is easy to take off by using a little of pressure as its designed to be removed.

    Second, using the included removal tool that comes with the replacement battery we are going to take out both screws on the cover.

    Third, with the gate off from the headset take the old battery out and unplug it from the headset.

    Next, we install the new battery by plugging it first, then putting the battery inside the headset, following to place the gate with its designed screws and placing the paddling back in place.

    B. Savi 8220 UC and Savi 8220 Office. On this model, the battery is located on the opposite speaker from the boom arm. A lot of time people can get confused as the mic boom arm has the call controls and it’s the designated side for charging.

    First, we are going to turn the cover of the battery counter clockwise using your fingers only. Don’t use any tool or screw driver to try to open it, as it’s a common mistake that can cause this cover to break and no longer fit on your headset.

    Second, using the included tool with your replacement battery, we are taking the tiny screws from the battery gate.

    Following, we remove the battery from the headset and we unplug the battery from the connector.

     

    Next, we install the new battery by plugging it first, then putting the battery inside the headset, following to place the gate with its designed screws and placing the cover back in place.

    Important note: Make sure to order the proper battery for the headset as even if both headsets (8210 and 8220) share most of components, their batteries have different shapes and don’t fit on the other one.

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