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⚡The Future Is Now
Wally
January 29, 2024
Good morning and welcome to the new week!
Here are some coffee statistics (United States) for you to sip on to start this new day and week:
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans drink coffee every day (73%)
36% of people drink 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day
51% of people purchase coffee from a coffee shop at least once a week
25% of people like to sip on espresso martinis, a 79% increase from 2022
48% of people agree that drinking coffee benefits their health
48% of people report Starbucks coffee is their favorite brand, while 45% prefer Dunkin' coffee
I would say 3 out of 4 is a fair number based on my personal friends, family, and colleagues. What do you think?
-Wally
Business
Tech Sector's Chilly Start to 2024
As 2024 unfolds, the tech industry is facing an unsettling trend: a significant wave of layoffs, affecting nearly 25,000 workers in its early weeks. This shift marks a sobering departure from the pandemic-induced hiring spree, underscoring the sector's susceptibility to broader economic forces.
"You're seeing that these tech companies are almost being rewarded by Wall Street for their cost discipline, and that might be encouraging those companies, and other companies in tech, to cut costs and layoff staff"
Roger Lee, from Layoffs.fyi, noted to NPR that Wall Street tends to rally in times of mass layoffs, sometimes seemingly encouraging the behavior. As we know, layoffs = less costs, less costs = more profit, more profit = happy shareholders.
These layoffs not only reflect immediate financial pressures but also hint at deeper changes within the tech landscape, suggesting a potential pivot towards leaner operations and more sustainable growth models in an increasingly uncertain global economy,
On This Day
1919: 18th Amendment Ratified In US
On this day in 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified, setting the stage for Prohibition to take effect the following year. This pivotal moment in U.S. history marked the beginning of a nationwide ban on the sale, production, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.
(We give this one a big 👎)
Technology
Cutting-Edge Highlights from CES 2024
CES 2024 highlighted groundbreaking tech innovations, capturing the imagination of tech enthusiasts worldwide. Here are some standout products:
5 Products to Watch in 2024:
Rabbit R1: An AI-powered device that blends the nostalgia of retro gaming with modern technology, offering a unique way to interact with various apps through its compact interface.
MSI Claw: A handheld gaming console that brings high-performance gaming to the palm of your hand, challenging existing portable gaming devices with its advanced features.
Samsung Music Frame: This device redefines the concept of wireless speakers by integrating them into customizable art frames, offering both aesthetic appeal and high-quality sound.
LG SIGNATURE OLED T: A transparent wireless TV that when turned off, offers a clear view through it, merging seamlessly with its surroundings to provide both decoration and entertainment.
Anker Solix F3800: A high-capacity power station designed for versatility, capable of supporting everything from small gadgets to entire campsites, highlighting a push towards sustainable energy solutions.
Decent Destinations
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Nestled in the heart of China's Hunan province, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a real-life Avatar landscape minus the blue aliens. Famous for its towering quartz-sandstone pillars, some reaching over 1,000 meters in height, the park is a kaleidoscope of verdant forests, ethereal mist, and biodiversity that would make even the most seasoned traveler's jaw drop. Every step through this ancient, otherworldly terrain feels like flipping through the pages of a mystical, untold story.
Entertainment
Amazon's Ad Endeavor: A Prime Shift
Amazon Prime Video is introducing ads, a strategic move anticipated to rake in over $5 billion yearly. This new approach offers viewers two choices: tolerate ads or pay an extra $3 monthly for an uninterrupted experience. Analysts predict most will opt for ads, a testament to evolving viewer habits and economic considerations.
Amazon's entry into ad-supported streaming late in the game poses challenges, especially against competitors with established ad relationships and popular content libraries. Yet, Amazon's massive customer data could be its savior, promising more personalized ad experiences.
This significant shift in Amazon's model underscores the broader transformation of streaming services, mirroring traditional cable's monetization strategies while leveraging modern data analytics to enhance ad efficacy.
Cryptocurrency
Tesla’s $300M Decisions
Tesla's foray into the Bitcoin bonanza reads like a digital-age Gold Rush tale, with a twist of "what could have been." The electric automotive giant, under the daring leadership of Elon Musk, once plunged into the cryptocurrency deep end with a hefty $1.5 billion investment.
But as the plot thickened, Tesla decided to pocket some of its digital gold, a move that hindsight now jests at. The remaining stash of Bitcoin, quietly valued at a cool $385 million, serves as a lingering reminder of the $300 million profit that slipped through Tesla's fingers.
What’s Not News
Metal Band Apologizes for Throwing Pig Head, Criticized for Not Being Metal Enough
A headline fit for a mock news site on a video game.
A Texas metal band threw a severed pig’s head into a crowd at a recent set in Houston. The band publicly apologized for the stunt in the days after the show, but their fan base was not happy about it and went after the band on social media claiming they were “bending over to cancel culture”.
This one was too good to pass up.
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