• Sonder's brand name and website were acquired by a Canadian AI travel company.
• TravelAI CEO John Lyotier said the Sonder brand name still has value with travelers.
• Sonder abruptly shuttered and filed for bankruptcy in November, leaving customers stranded.

Sonder is back. Sort of.

TravelAI, a Canadian AI travel company, announced Monday it purchased the Sonder brand and relaunched Sonder.com. The deal did not include Sonder properties or its operating business.

Sonder, which operated boutique hotels and short-term rentals, filed for bankruptcy and shuttered its operations in November after hotel giant Marriott International abruptly ended its partnership with the Airbnb rival. Guests were forced to vacate properties mid-stay, while employees were left without jobs overnight.

Despite the chaotic ending to a travel company valued at $2.2 billion in 2021, TravelAI said the Sonder name still carries weight with travelers — and in search results.

"There is a large percentage of travelers who still search for Sonder every month who were unaware of the issues from last November," John Lyotier, CEO and founder of TravelAI, told Business Insider. "What they remember is that they had a great travel experience."

The new Sonder will not operate properties or take reservations. Instead, it will operate as an AI-powered, curated list of urban stays, including boutique hotels, apartments, and homes, and will send users to third-party sites to book, like Vrbo, Expedia, and Booking.com.

Lyotier said TravelAI is trying to capitalize on the "search equity and residual traffic" to Sonder.com to give travelers the same kinds of quality, unique stays that they expected at Sonder properties.

Properties featured on the site meet what TravelAI calls the "Sonder Bar." TravelAI's system bases its curation on reviews, ratings, photos, neighborhood characteristics, and features identified in former Sonder properties.

Of the 10 million properties TravelAI can curate from its partner sites, only about 5% meet the Sonder Bar, Lyotier said.

While he declined to share what TravelAI paid for the Sonder brand and website, he said it was a "good value," that the payback will be measured in "months, not years," and that he has a target of $100 million in bookings via Sonder.com in the first year. As of Monday afternoon, Lyotier said the platform had already generated bookings. The company receives a commission when customers click through and book.

TravelAI has acquired several travel brands over the past several years, including Casai.com, OwnerDirect.com, and Smarttours.com. Sonder is its highest-profile brand acquisition to date, Lyotier said.

Through the Sonder acquisition, Lyotier said TravelAI is also hoping to draw attention to the bigger-picture AI travel technologies it's working on.

That includes Sonder Concierge, a beta tool that recommends properties based on what it learns about an individual traveler's preferences. TravelAI also launched an AI memory tool last month, Traveler.md, that's designed to make those preferences usable across different travel sites and AI assistants.

With relaunching Sonder.com, Lyotier said the company will need to communicate to customers that it's not the same brand that booted them out of hotels and left them stranded on vacation last fall.

"That's a challenge we'll have — making sure that the former customers understand that we are not that old Sonder."

• Dario Amodei clarified Anthropic's stance on open-weight AI models.
• He said he doesn't support a ban on open-weight AI models and doesn't think one would be effective.
• Amodei doesn't believe that making model weights public makes AI inherently safer.

Dario Amodei is clearing the air on open-weight AI models.

The Anthropic CEO on Monday pushed back against claims that his AI startup wants Washington to ban open-weight AI models and said that critics have misunderstood the company's position.

"Anyone who has read my past writing should know that I don't regard such bans as a useful measure, but let me state it clearly so that there is no doubt: Anthropic has never advocated for a ban on open-weights models," Amodei wrote in his blog post.

"Open-weights models that don't have dangerous capabilities are a public good," Amodie added.

Rather than banning open models, Amodei said in his blog post that policymakers should focus on preventing advanced AI chips from reaching authoritarian governments, cracking down on industrial-scale AI "distillation" used to copy frontier models

The clarification comes after a Senate proposal sparked fears that Washington could move to restrict open-weight AI models. In response, Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta, Google, OpenAI, and dozens of other companies signed a letter urging lawmakers not to pursue broad limits, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emerging as one of the industry's most outspoken advocates for open-weight AI.

Anthropic declined to sign, fueling speculation that it wants to ban open-weight models to protect its business.

Amodei's post also sharpened one of the biggest fault lines in the AI industry's debate over open-weight models. While he agreed the industry should increase competition and give customers greater control, he rejected the argument that making model weights public inherently makes AI safer.

"I don't agree with the letter's assertions that open-weights models necessarily make it easier to develop safeguards or that broad access to capabilities necessarily helps defenders more than attackers," he wrote, adding that capable models could quickly weaponize pandemic-level viruses, but developing defense could take years.

"It seems at least as likely to me that the opposite will be true," Amodei added.

A properly fitted, comfortable dog collar is an essential pet accessory. When you take your pup out into the world, they should wear a collar with their ID tags attached. The best dog collars for this purpose are easy to adjust, safe, and durable.

To make our recommendations for this guide, we tested 19 collars in various styles, including nylon, leather, reflective, and waterproof designs. Our tester pups included a miniature pinscher mix, an Australian shepherd, and a standard poodle.

Keep in mind that the safest way to walk your dog is with a harness and leash. Walking a dog with a leash attached to a collar can injure a dog's larynx or trachea if pressure occurs from leash pulling, says Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian and senior lecturer in community practice service at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.

Our top picks for the best dog collars

Best overall: Ruffwear Crag Reflective Dog Collar - $35 at Chewy

Best for comfort: Chai's Choice 3M Reflective Collar - $17 at Chewy

Best leather: Riparo Genuine Leather Padded Dog Collar - $30 at Amazon

Best personalized: Orvis Personalized Side-Release Buckle Collar - $27 at Orvis

Best reflective: L.L.Bean Personalized Pet Collar - $33 at L.L.Bean

Best waterproof: Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Dry Collar - $43 at Chewy

Best LED: Blazin LED Light-Up Collar - $25 at Chewy

Best budget: Frisco Solid Nylon Dog Collar - $9 at Chewy

Best overall

Best for: Routine and rugged wear, reflective nighttime visibility

Skip if: Your dog is an extra-small breed

The Ruffwear Crag looks rugged, but it's made of flexible, lightweight nylon that's smooth and comfortable against a dog's neck. It also has all the must-have features found in the best dog collars: a secure attachment point for ID tags, a side-release buckle for easy placement and removal, and a good range of adjustability.

Reflective threads woven into the webbing enhance your dog's visibility at night, though not as much as you'd see with an LED collar. A round silicone tag silencer sits flat between tags, eliminating the clinking noise when your dog moves or shakes their head. There's also a separate silicone ring sewn into the outside of the collar, which holds a small carabiner for attaching your dog's tags. This attachment is on the thin side, but it held up just fine to a serious beating with a meat mallet during testing.

We found it easy to fit the Crag on our three tester pups: a miniature pinscher mix who straddles small and medium sizes, a standard poodle, and a medium-sized Australian shepherd with a fluffy neck, who typically takes some trial and error to get the right fit. This ease of fitting is thanks to the smooth, pliable fabric, which glides effortlessly through the plastic size adjusters.

Although we don't recommend walking a dog with a leash attached to their collar, the Crag held up well in our tugging and pulling tests (no dogs involved) and emerged from our cleaning and soaking trials without rust or corrosion. The collar is labeled hand-wash only, but we put it through the washing machine, and it came out looking new. Unfortunately, it's not available in an extra small size. If your dog's neck circumference is less than 10 inches, we recommend our budget pick from Frisco.

Best for comfort

Best for: Dogs with sensitive skin, routine and rugged wear, reflective nighttime visibility

Skip if: Your dog is an extra-small breed

Dogs with short hair, sensitive skin, or an aversion to equipment can struggle with a collar. For those pups, we recommend the Chai's Choice 3M Reflective Collar. It features a combination of thick padding and breathable mesh, making it a good option for choosy dogs, like our 26-pound mini pinscher mix, who typically dislikes wearing gear. She took to this collar with no complaints. This came as little surprise, since Chai's Choice also makes a harness she tolerates well.

The collar doesn't have any scratchy stitching that can irritate the skin, and the buckle sits on top of the mesh layer, preventing contact with a dog's neck. Although it's a little heavier than other collars we've tested, it still feels lightweight. It's also soft and flexible.

It can be awkward to put on and adjust the size. You have to pass the buckle through the metal O-ring, which can be tricky with a resistant dog. But if comfort is your priority, we don't consider this a dealbreaker. Just be sure to check the sizing closely since the collar can only be adjusted a couple of inches.

Best leather

Best for: Dogs with sensitive skin, routine wear

Skip if: Your dog is a small breed or is sensitive to handling, as this collar takes longer to put on and remove

The Riparo Collar is a beautiful piece of leatherwork, but it isn't just for dress-up days at the dog-friendly office. It's strong and sturdy, with a pebbled, full-grain leather surface that resists teeth marks, a stainless steel buckle closure, and a D-ring that won't corrode.

Although this collar is tough, it doesn't compromise on comfort. Sheepskin padding on the inside makes for a soft, comfortable fit around a dog's neck. The collar also has a small built-in tab for attaching tags, so we didn't have to fiddle with the D-ring.

Unlike the best dog collars made from synthetic materials, leather requires special care. It's best not to leave it wet or even damp after a walk in the rain. As for cleaning, saddle soap is recommended. But with good care, the collar should retain its shape and last you many years. The smallest neck circumference is 11 inches, but that size comes in a 3/4-inch width that should suit dogs on the smaller end of most medium-sized breeds. However, the medium collar's 1-inch width looked a bit bulky on our Aussie tester.

Best personalized

Best for: Dogs who do not like wearing ID tags, routine and rugged wear

Skip if: The collar will be regularly exposed to water

The Orvis Personalized Side-Release Buckle Collar comes in many colors, along with several embroidery color options for your dog's name and your contract information. Its nylon webbing is durable but flexible and smooth on the inside, providing excellent comfort.

The collar looked so good on our dog that we didn't want to take it off. With so many color options for the collar material and stitching, it was fun to choose a custom combination. The personalized stitching accommodates 24 characters for small sizes and 28 characters for large and extra-large sizes. But the real beauty lies in the collar's soft, smooth texture and easy adjustability.

The collar's steel D-ring presented the only issue — it became discolored and developed tiny spots of corrosion after we soaked it in vinegar and ran it through the washing machine. That may be why Orvis only recommends gently wiping the collar clean with a wet cloth. But the corrosion didn't compromise the D-ring's performance, and the collar fabric, which is welded shut rather than stitched, held up well through in stress tests.

Best reflective

Best for: Routine and rugged wear, reflective nighttime visibility

Skip if: Your dog has short hair and sensitive skin

Not only was this personalizable L.L.Bean collar the most reflective of the best dog collars, but it was also durable and easy to adjust. The collar was visible in headlights from 150 feet away at night, so nighttime walks or predawn runs with your dog will feel much safer.

The only drawback is the rough texture of the stitching on the inside of the collar. Because it's scratchy, it's not a good choice for all-day wear on short-haired dogs.

As for personalization, the collar can fit up to 23 letters or numbers for the smallest size and up to 30 for the largest, stitched onto the material with black thread. Scotchlite, the collar's reflective material, is also used for safety, athletic, and casual garments. It is heat-bonded onto the fabric, and it didn't fade or deteriorate from soaking and machine-washing.

Unfortunately, you can't opt out of personalization with this collar. If you're looking for more simplicity, the Frisco Nylon Reflective Dog Collar is a solid alternative and under $12. Some customers report that the reflective coating wore off within a few months. However, we rubbed our collar with a Scotch-Brite scrubbing sponge for 10 minutes, and the reflective coating showed no damage.

Best waterproof

Best for: Swimming, water play, rain, rugged wear, reflective nighttime visibility

Skip if: You're looking for a comfortable nylon collar for daily, routine wear

Quick-drying and reflective, the Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Dry Collar is designed for nighttime walks, rainy days, and long stints outside. It's made of BioThane, a tough, water-resistant polyester/PVC material that completely resists odors and moisture, making it an ideal collar for dogs who enjoy rolling in the mud or romping on the beach.

The collar also features a band of reflective material that's visible in headlight beams from up to 150 feet, making it useful for predawn or evening outings with your dog. Because BioThane is stiffer than nylon and leather, the collar is more difficult to adjust. Using the rings to thread the collar to the right size takes some effort, but once in place, it lies flat on a dog's neck.

Although it's one of the best dog collars we tested, its stiffness and thinness may be uncomfortable for all-day wear. It could dig into a dog's neck, so be sure to take it off when you come back inside.

Best LED

Best for: Excellent nighttime visibility

Skip if: You're looking for an easy-to-clean collar for daily routine and rugged use

The Blazin LED Collar features three light-up modes (solid, blinking, and strobe) and keeps your dog visible during nighttime walks from a distance of at least 150 yards. In solid light mode, it stayed lit for just over four hours. It also proved durable, staying lit even when sprayed with water.

With a USB charging box built neatly into the end, the Blazin collar offered a seamless, comfy fit. The box has a secure closure that prevents water intrusion, and the light continued to work after we sprayed the collar with water to clean it up. Best of all, the collar lit up our Aussie like a Christmas tree with a light bright enough for us to see her and for her to see what was in front of her. The LED lights take two hours to charge fully.

The side-release plastic buckle was easy to open and close, and the nylon collar was easy to adjust for size, even with the built-in strip of LED lights. Inside, the material is smooth. The collar is available in a range of colors, but we found one clear advantage to the neon green model we tested: It stood out clearly on our dog at 50 feet away in semi-darkness, even with the LED lights turned off.

Best budget

Best for: Routine and rugged wear, especially for small and large breeds

Skip if: You're looking for wider collar for a medium-sized dog

The Frisco Nylon Collar is a great all-around budget choice. Both durable and pliable, it held up through all kinds of abuse tests, including a meat mallet, prolonged soaking, and strong pulling. The nylon collar allows for 7 inches of adjustability, which is hard to beat. The nickel-coated aluminum D-ring is tough and didn't discolor. The nylon is treated with UltraWeld, a silicone fabric sealant that is highly resistant to tearing and chew marks. As for ease of use, Frisco has you covered with an easy-to-manipulate side-release buckle and a D-ring that doesn't impede tag attachment.

There are just two downsides. You have limited color options, for one. And at 3/4 inches wide, the size medium collar isn't a good fit for every medium-sized dog. It's designed for necks from 14 to 20 inches in circumference, but it looked a bit skimpy on the neck of a standard poodle. It would be unsuitable for the larger neck and smaller head of a greyhound or Afghan hound, for instance. The next size up, for 18- to 26-inch neck circumferences, comes in a 1-inch width.

Our top picks compared

What to look for in a dog collar

We consulted several veterinarians to determine which features are most important to focus on. Rather than choosing a collar based solely on aesthetics or style, consider the following factors to ensure your dog's comfort and safety.

Secure closure: Collars have two types of closures: plastic side-release tabs and metal belt-buckle types. For ease of use, the side-release tabs work best since they can be released with one hand, and all the models we tested held up securely in all our tests. Side-release tabs that open the collar quickly can help if your dog gets caught on something while wearing their collar, Collins says.

The metal buckles, common on leather collars, did not fail us either. But they have ease-of-use issues since they can only be secured at notches on the collar, making it harder to get the perfect fit on the dog's neck.

Hardware: A collar is for carrying your dog's ID tags, so it should have a solid D- or V-shaped ring made from a durable metal like stainless steel or aluminum for attaching the tags. However, there is such a thing as too solid: A collar with an extra-thick, bulky ring can be very difficult to work with. Anyone who has struggled to thread the wire loop that holds the tags to the D-ring knows firsthand that prying the wire apart to attach it to a thick ring is too much work, if not impossible. Some collars have two rings — one for ID tags and one for attaching one of the best dog leashes — but we do not recommend using any collar for leash walking.

Adjustability: Getting the right fit on your dog's neck is essential for collar comfort and safety. Even the proper size collar needs fine-tuning, and we found those that offer at least 4 inches of adjustability are the easiest to fit to a dog. On fabric collars, size adjustment means threading the collars through tabs that allow you to double it up, thus sizing the collar down. Stiffer, bulkier materials can be more difficult to adjust. On leather collars, all you have to work with is the belt notches.

Comfort: For overall comfort, look for a collar that is smooth on the inside where it touches the neck. Any stray stitches or material sticking out may irritate short-haired dogs. Pliability is also important since a stiff collar could dig into a dog's neck if caught on anything. As for overall collar weight, less is more. "The collar should not sag, which would suggest it's either too big or too heavy for the dog," says Dr. Brad Hinsperger, a veterinarian and owner of Kingsdale Animal Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario.

The collar's width is important, too. Hinsperger says dogs with long necks and small heads, like greyhounds, do best with a wider collar (1.5 to 2 inches), which minimizes friction on their delicate skin. For smaller dogs, like Shih Tzus and Yorkies, a narrower collar is ideal.

Materials: Woven nylon and BioThane collars are more durable and easier to clean than other materials, and most can go through the washing machine. Leather collars are not washing-machine-safe since prolonged wetness will waterlog them and eventually dry them out to brittle pretzels (which we know from once trying to wash a leather leash). Hand washing in warm, soapy water is your only option for leather. For dogs with sensitive skin or dermatitis, it helps to avoid rough or stiff materials. "I would recommend a good quality nylon collar in these cases," says Hinsperger.

How we tested the best dog collars

We tested dog collars with three different dogs: an Australian shepherd with long hair, a standard poodle, and a short-haired miniature pinscher mix. In addition to trying them for size and fit with the pups, we pulled, pounded, and poked 19 collars, adjusted and readjusted their sizing, attached and removed ID tags, buried them in the dirt, soaked them in vinegar, and weighted them down with bricks to stress the fabric.

Hardware durability and performance: To make sure they were durable and long-lasting, we put the D-rings and closures through some tough testing. We attached the collars to leashes and closed them around a fixed, solid support beam. With the Chai's Choice collar, we had a partner hold the collar securely in place. Then, we yanked, pulled, and twisted them to find any weak points.

Fabric durability and performance: After soiling the collars with dirt and letting them sit overnight, we made cuts in them with scissors or a paring knife and tied them to 4-pound bricks to weigh them down for 24 hours. Then, we checked back in to see if the cuts grew larger. For some collars, including Chai's Choice, we instead pulled both ends of the collar after attempting to make cuts to see if the fabric would tear further. We also pounded each collar with a meat mallet to simulate dog chew marks and examined both the fabric and the hardware, looking for discoloration and signs of corrosion.

Pet comfort: Since dogs cannot always communicate their sartorial preferences, we put each of the collars around not only dogs' necks but also our own, looking for scratchy stitching and irritating material stiffness. With dogs wearing the collars, we looked for proper neck movement and whether the collar could lie flat on the neck. We deducted points for excessive shaking, scratching, or head wagging that might indicate irritation.

Ease of use: Adjusting a collar's size and getting tags in place easily saves time and effort, so we put all the collars to these tests and deducted points for anything bulky, such as too-thick rings that had us prying away to loop tags on or stubborn buckles and stiff collar fabrics that stuck when threading them. As for putting the collar on and taking it off, the side-release closures on all but the leather models should be easy to open one-handed; we took off points for those that took more effort.

Spray test: To simulate dog walks in the rain, we sprayed all the collars with the spray nozzle at our kitchen sink — even the LED models, which continued to function normally.

Cleaning test: We soaked all the collars in vinegar for 30 minutes to make them very stinky. Then, we tested smell retention by cleaning them to see if odors stuck around. Except for the LED collars, which we hand-washed in hot, soapy water, we used the regular cycle on our washing machine. While the collars that got this treatment all came out looking clean and no longer smelling of vinegar, a few showed corrosion and rust on the hardware.

Return policy and warranty: Collars with generous refund policies got high marks. Those available on Chewy are covered by the retailer's 365-day guarantee. Others offered full refunds for factory defects, which was less valuable in our evaluation.

Available colors: Since personal preferences and dog fur colors vary, we looked for collars that came in a range of options. Some of our top picks have limited color choices, but their other attributes won us over. We'd rather have a collar that's easy, safe to use, and stands the test of time, even if the color it came in wasn't our first choice.

Dog collars FAQs

What is the best collar for a dog to wear?

The type of collar depends on the specific dog to some extent. While all dogs do best with a collar that will lie flat on the neck, close securely, and provide a place to attach ID tags, thinner bands (½ to ¾ inches) are better for toy breeds and other small dogs, while thick collars (1 to 1 ½ inches) work for larger breeds. For dogs with larger necks and smaller heads, a martingale-style collar will be best, adds Dr. Amy L. Pike, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and owner of Animal Behavior Wellness Center. This design keeps the collar from slipping over the dog's head when a leash is attached. Ultimately, the best dog collar for any pup is one that fits well and is comfortable enough to leave on for long stretches of time.

Do vets recommend collars?

Collars are recommended whenever a dog is outside so someone can easily identify the dog and in case you need to grab hold of it to separate your dog from another dog safely. Collins says a collar also serves as a backup if your dog's harness gives way. If you're looking for gear to safely and comfortably walk your dog, we recommend outfitting your pup with one of the best dog harnesses or best no-pull dog harnesses and attaching their leash directly to it.

What is the safest collar for dogs?

Collins says the safest collar should be adjustable to fit the dog's neck with room left over, be easy to remove, and carry a dog's identification tags securely. Also, consider the weight of the collar: You don't want to overburden a toy breed with hefty neckwear. "If a dog holds their head in a lower position with a collar on versus the collar off, then it's too heavy," Pike says. "They should be able to easily lift, lower, and turn their head with the collar on."

Is a martingale collar good for dogs?

Martingale collars are designed with an extra loop of fabric that tightens gently (but not too tightly) when pressure is applied. Hinsperger recommends them for most dogs. Martingale collars can be used for regular, everyday wear. When attached to a harness using a safety clip, martingale collars offer added security for dogs who tend to slip out of flat collars and harnesses. This is especially beneficial for breeds with long necks and small heads, such as greyhounds and Afghan hounds.

Is a prong collar bad for dogs?

It is recommended to avoid using prong collars and other aversive tools. Pike says that prong collars can cause serious injuries, such as puncture wounds, and may increase fear and anxiety in dogs by punishing them for pulling. This can damage the trust between a dog and their owner and may lead to behavioral problems down the road.

Should dogs wear collars at home?

Veterinarians agree that it is best to take collars off whenever dogs play with one another or are at home alone. "For ultimate safety, it's best never to have a collar on a dog at home, unless you are with them the whole time,'' Collins says. "The point is it can get caught on a piece of furniture, on another dog's collar, or a dog could get its teeth on the collar, or they could get their foot through it if it's too loose.'' Since so many things can go wrong, removing the collar makes sense.

How tightly should a collar be worn?

A misconception is that two fingers should fit between the dog's neck and collar when it should really be looser. "It should be loose enough so that it lies flat and the dog is not bothered by it,'' Collins says. As for positioning on the neck, aim lower than the dog's larynx, closer to the shoulders. Collins says this avoids a sensitive area of the neck that can be damaged with too much pressure. Finally, the thickness of a collar relative to the size of the neck is important. He says thinner collars are for small neck circumferences only. All of the collars we tested were either ¾- or 1-inch thick, which worked on our medium-sized dog, but most of them were available in ½-inch thickness in smaller sizes.

Exercise dresses are one of the hardest-working pieces in my summer wardrobe. They're the perfect one-and-done outfit whether you're playing tennis, running out on a quick errand, or traveling in hot, humid climates.

As a fitness gear expert who practically lived in my original Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress for years, I found that not all workout dresses deliver on the same level. Many I've worn have shorts that ride up, stuffy liners, or straps that start to pull on my neck after 30 minutes.

To find the best options, I tested 28 active dresses throughout my summer routine of tennis matches, dog walks, travel days, farmers markets, bike rides, and HIIT workouts. The ones that made this list felt comfortable, functional, and worth the price. These come with the same performance features as my favorite workout clothes, such as compressive bike shorts that stay put and sweat-wicking fabrics to help me stay cool and dry.

Advice from your tester

Rachel Schultz, fitness gear expert: Over the past two summers, I tested 28 exercise dresses during bike rides, long walks, sightseeing tours around Spain, sweat-drenched summer days in New York, and of course, strength and HIIT workouts at my home in Colorado.

I'm 5-foot-5, typically wear a size 10 or Large in workout clothes (and a 36A bra). During testing, I paid close attention to the details that make or break an exercise dress: whether the shorts stayed put, how quickly the fabric dried after sweating, how supportive the built-in bra felt, and whether I'd actually want to wear it all day — not just for a workout.

• The built-in liner matters more than anything else. An exercise dress may look cute standing still, but nothing is more frustrating than having to pull down the shorts every block as they ride up or chafe. Many exercise dresses are now made with split-back liners that let you use the bathroom with a dropseat rather than taking off the entire dress — and now that I've experienced this, I cannot return to a one-piece liner.
• Fabric is the second biggest differentiator. Some exercise dresses use slick, performance fabrics that excel during sweaty workouts, while others prioritize butter-soft comfort for everyday wear. Neither is inherently better — it just depends on whether you're buying the dress primarily for exercise or as a casual summer outfit.
• Silhouettes are a huge factor, but highly personal. Small details like adjustable straps, a supportive bra, and phone pockets in the liner can up the value of one dress over another.

Best overall: SPANXshape BoostUp Strappy Back Dress

After testing over 25 exercise dresses, I found the SPANXshape BoostUp Strappy Back Dress to be the best option for most people. It has a frustration-free liner and a smoothing fit that won't impede your movement during a workout.

It solves all the problems I usually have with exercise dresses. Spanx's BoostUp's built-in shorts are slightly longer than most competitors and actually stay down as you walk, run, and jump. Even better: The liner features a split-back design that lets you use the bathroom without taking off the entire dress.

It's supportive and comfortable in the heat. This dress is made from a luxe, breathable, and sweat-wicking performance fabric that stayed cool and dry as I walked around in the hot summer sun (it's also UPF 50!). The built-in liner delivers the ideal amount of compression, while the soft V-neck has enough coverage to secure a larger bust. The strappy open back makes it feel a bit more stylish, but if you prefer a sporty look there's also a racer back version.

It's available in up to a size 3X. A lot of leading exercises dresses are clearly made for smaller bodies, but, as a size 10, I love that this dress has design choices suited to fit a range of body types, with thicker straps, a supportive liner, and longer shorts. It does run a bit snug, so if you're between sizes, size up.

Best runner-up: Beyond Yoga Score Pleated Dress

It can keep up with sweaty, high-impact workouts. The Beyond Yoga Score Pleated Dress is a true exercise dress — the attached under-shorts stay in place (for the most part), the material wicks sweat very effectively, and it's supportive in the chest. I played several tennis matches in this dress, and also packed it ahead of a 10-day trip to Europe. It never let me down as I walked for over 8 hours in the Spanish heat.

It's universally flattering, but comes in limited sizes. While we traveled, both myself and my best friend wore this dress. It was flattering and supportive on both my 5-foot-5, 36A frame and her 5-foot-1, 36DD frame. The straps are thick enough to hold up bigger boobs (though you still may want a sports bra for high-impact sports). I liked that the elastic waistband and tennis skirt accentuate your curves without being tight across the stomach.

The main downside to this dress is that the sizing only goes from XS - XL. But if that fits for you, this dress looks good on pretty much anybody. It's also worth noting this dress runs true to size or slightly big — I wear a Large in most workout clothes, but a Medium fit me perfectly.

It's not the easiest to go to the bathroom in. Nowadays, many exercise dresses have a split in the back so you can pull down the bottom half like shorts to go to the bathroom — and this makes a world of difference, convenience-wise. Its shortsuit lining is entirely connected, so you have to pull the whole dress down to go to the bathroom. It's not ideal, but not a deal breaker either.

Best budget: Quince Ultra-Form Active Dress

It performs as well as dresses three times the price. The Quince Ultra-Form Active Dress looks and performs like your average well-designed exercise dress — a simple, universally-flattering neckline and a shorts liner that stays in place (with a phone pocket). In fact, this dress is more comfortable than many dresses of the same style — and yet, it costs less than $50.

The material feels luxe. Quince's affordable exercise dress uses its signature, buttery-soft Ultra-Form fabric which is moisture wicking, anti-microbial, and has four-way stretch. Aside from having the technical skills to back it, the material feels soft to the touch and looks more luxe than it should for the price point.

We love the colors — but they're all pretty understated. This dress comes in six colorways. That said, they're all a muted and natural color, like plum, navy, and forest green, so if you're a bright girlie, the color options may feel limited.

It's not supportive enough to do high-intensity workouts. As is the case with many exercise dresses, the Quince Active Form Dress is designed with a low-level compression, so it's not going to work in a HIIT class. Still, it's certainly supportive enough to wear as you go for a walk on a hot summer's day.

Learn more in our full Quince clothing review.

Best splurge: Lululemon Align Dress

It's made from Lululemon's beloved Nulu fabric. As a brand known for its proprietary fabrics, Lululemon's Nulu line has a special place in the hearts of fitness fanatics. It's incredibly soft, but has four-way stretch and is both sweat-wicking and highly breathable. This fabric makes the Align exercise dress feel (and look) luxe, while also doing its job of keeping moisture to a minimum.

It's flattering, functional, and easy to go to the bathroom in. The Align Dress has a simple, soft-V neckline and a built-in liner that doesn't roll up when you move around, with a flatting monochrome sheath overtop. The liner is split so you can just pull the shorts down to go to the bathroom — a feature that's definitely worth the higher price bump.

It's not supportive enough for larger busts during high-intensity workouts. While past versions of the Align Dress weren't supportive enough for high-intensity workouts at all, I was seriously impressed by the compression and support of the built-in bra when I played tennis and jumped rope. However, I still think the low neckline limits this dress to A-B cups like myself. When my friend with D cups tried it on, she felt herself spilling out a bit too much to actually exercise in it. That said, Lululemon does offer the same dress in a higher neckline made to fit larger busts.

Best size-inclusive: Popflex Tie-Breaker Superdress

It's fun, flirty, and functional. This was easily one of my top 3 favorite dresses I tested. The built-in shorts did a decent job at staying down, and even when they did roll up, it was weirdly not as uncomfortable as with other dresses I tested. It has a contouring bodice, a flirty skirt with a side opening, and thick, adjustable straps that offer decent support. But for high-intensity workouts, it still needs a sports bra underneath.

It's incredibly lightweight and breathable. I wore this on a scorching day riding bikes in the sun, and the material didn't hold onto any moisture. It also let wind come through to cool me down. The polyester-Spandex blend fabric felt very lightweight and incredibly breathable.

It comes in a wide range of sizes and colors. The Tie-Breaker Superdress runs from an XXS to a 3X and comes in a ton of colorways — so there are options for whatever your taste may be. The colors are all rich, and I love that certain colorways look more or less like an exercise dress than others, depending on the aesthetic you're going for.

Read up on more of our favorite plus-size activewear from the Taylor Swift-approved brand in our full Popflex review.

Best all-day comfort: Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress

This is the original exercise dress that launched the category years ago. I've owned three of them now and have worn this dress during swampy summers in New York, hiking mountains in Colorado, and on long airplane rides to adventurous places. After testing 22 dresses for this article, it's easily the most comfortable exercise dress for hours on end.

It's lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying. The comfort power of this dress lies in the performance material, both on the liner and the outer shell. It's very lightweight on the body, highly breathable, and quick-drying. That said, after a full day of non-stop sweat, the liner does get maxed out and it starts to get a little marshy in the crotch — but that's inevitable for any garment on a hot day.

The shorts stay in place better than any other brand. This Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress is one of the few dresses I tested where the shorts didn't ride up. That's likely because it was the only dress with elastic grips at the bottom of the liner that holds the material against your thighs (but not in an uncomfortable way). Even my friend, who identifies as "thick thighed," says that she usually struggles with Spandex shorts rolling up on her, but this dress doesn't.

It's an appropriate length and fit. One reason I bring this dress with me whenever I travel is that it's not only comfortable, but pretty universal — it rides the lines between being sporty and casual, while still having a clean aesthetic that can be dressed up as needed (especially in the black colorway).

OV has made some great upgrades to the design — but it's still not perfect. This dress has been out for a while, and the brand has made some welcomed upgrades to the design (including the elastic lining on the shorts, and making the straps adjustable).

I'd love for the next upgrade to be incorporating the dropseat design competitors have started to implement. Otherwise, my one gripe with this dress is that the straps start to fray after a dozen or so washes. It really isn't enough to be noticeable, but it keeps the dress from looking perfectly sleek.

Best modest: Spanx PowerPlay Zip-Front Dress

It's the most polished, high-coverage exercise dress I tested. With its longer hemline, longer liner shorts, and higher neckline, the PowerPlay Dress offers more coverage than most exercise dresses. I like Spanx's design over other high-neck options, though, because the zip front keeps the dress looking modern and a touch feminine. This would be a great dress for summer travel or anytime you want a modest, sporty one-and-done outfit.

The thicker fabric smooths without feeling too warm. Spanx's matte SoftPower fabric is slightly thick, but I never found it overly hot. Instead, the PowerPlay Zip Front Dress creates a smoother, more structured silhouette while still feeling breathable and sweat-wicking on warm days. The built-in liner and shelf bra provide comfortable medium compression that feels supportive enough for walking, pickleball, or a casual tennis match.

It's best for low- to medium-impact activities. The built-in bra band sits lower than you typically want for workout support — about two inches below my bust — so I'd still wear a sports bra underneath for running or other high-impact workouts.

It's very comfortable for all-day wear. While a lot of strappy exercise dresses can start to pull on your shoulders after an hour or two, I found the wide top and low bra band made this dress the most comfortable option (other than the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Prep Halter Dress) to wear for over 6 hours at a time. It also has a split-back liner for easy bathroom access.

Best casual: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Prep Halter Dress

This is as close as it gets to wearing a regular summer dress. It may not be something I actually work out in, but frankly, my exercise dresses get more air time on my summer errands than they do on gym days. It has a built-in bodysuit liner with pockets, but it's not as compressive as others on this list, making it way better for casual, all-day wear. I also love that the moisture-wicking fabric offers UPF protection for long days in the sun.

The buttery-soft fabric makes it incredibly comfortable. Unlike the slick, compressive materials most exercise dresses use, Beyond Yoga's signature Spacedye fabric has a brushed, T-shirt-like feel that's unbelievably soft. The liner isn't too tight, either. It just feels like wearing a snug shirt, but packaged in a dress with built-in bra and shorts.

It runs small, but comes in fun colors. The Spacedye Prep Halter Dress comes in just four colors, but they cover your basic neutrals and offer a few fun, trendy pops of color. The dress does run small — I typically wear a large but the XL fit me perfectly — and sizing only goes up to XXL.

Other exercise dresses I tested

Alo Airbrush Streamlined Dress ($138): The perfect "Clean Girl" exercise dress, I loved the aesthetic of the piping and the brushed softness of the fabric. The shorts don't stay down, but this dress is so cute that it's almost forgivable.

Abercrombie YPB sculptLUX V-Neck Mini Dress ($85): I loved this trendy, stylish take on a traditional exercise dress with the addition of a basque waist and fun colors like butter yellow polka dots. This dress would've made our main list as it was fun and comfortable to wear during testing, but it's regularly sold out — so get it if you can!

Free People Hot Shot Printed Mini Dress ($80): This dress was comfortable, soft, and a great option if you prefer a loose fit with a built-in liner. However, the fit is hard to nail down — the medium was too big for me, even though I'm a large, and the straps were too long.

Beyond Yoga You're A Force Dress ($138): If you're looking for a solid tennis dress, this is made from a buttery soft material in fun colors with a liner that stays put during high-intensity workouts (and is easy to go to the bathroom in). It didn't make our top list, but it's still a worthy purchase.

Alo Alosoft Courtside Tennis Dress ($82): With its thin straps and short liner, this dress isn't designed to actually workout in, but it is great for petite women and generally comfortable to bop around town in.

Vuori One Shot Tennis Dress ($78): Overall, this is a fine, standard exercise dress, but the shorts don't stay down, making it inferior to Lululemon's Align Dress and Outdoor Voices' Exercise Dress, which are essentially the same style.

Halara Softlyzero™ Plush Backless Active Dress-Easy Peezy Edition ($44.95): This is a decent affordable exercise dress, and I appreciated the split liner for easy bathroom access. However, the shorts do not stay down and the seam on them creates bad chafing. Also, the phone pockets on the side of the shorts are unnaturally high. I had to lift up the entire skirt to access them.

Beyond Yoga Spacedye Refocus Dress ($98): This was another strong contender for styles without built-in shorts. The dress feels lusciously soft to the touch and has a flattering high-neck fit. For those who stand under 5-foot-5, the skirt length is on the longer side.

Wiskii Cross Back Tennis Dress ($108): This dress has a very sweet cut, but it is so incredibly short, especially considering it doesn't have any liner underneath.

Wiskii Mirto Knit Sleeveless Dress ($128): This dress is very cute with a knit, heritage tennis vibe, but it's certainly not for working out (or even being sweaty in). The interior shorts are practically non-existent (their inseams are barely an inch long) and overall it felt quite heavy.

What to look for in an exercise dress

Performance materials: Look for liners made with materials that are breathable, quick-drying, and, ideally, that don't show sweat stains. Within these parameters, some materials look more like workout clothes, while others can pass for a more stylish dress you'd wear to brunch.

Shorts that stay in place: This is perhaps the hardest feature to find in an exercise dress. Of the 28 dresses I tested with built-in liners, only a handful had shorts that reliably stayed put.

A compressive liner: The inner liner of an exercise should be slightly compressive — particularly at the chest — to provide support and stay in place while you move around all day. But it shouldn't be so compressive that you have to hold your breath to put it on.

Adjustable straps: The ability to tighten or loosen the straps lets you find a more comfortable fit and better support, especially for large-chested women.

Bathroom access: Some dresses have a liner that's completely attached, so you have to take the whole thing off to go to the bathroom. This is the most common design but, of course, way more of a hassle. Others have a split in the back, so you can pull the shorts down and away from the dress. Especially if you're traveling or hiking, opt for one with a split.

Sizing: An exercise dress should fit snugly to hold you in all day, so if you're between sizes, we generally recommend sizing down. For context, I've provided notes on how each dress fit my body (I'm 5-foot-5, wear a 36A bra, and typically a size Large in workout clothes).

• Taco Bell is selling Mexican Pizzas for $1 on Tuesday, July 28.
• It features beef and beans between two tortilla shells, topped with cheese, tomatoes, and pizza sauce.
• I tried the Mexican Pizza and loved its texture and flavors.

When the news broke that lettuce sold at multiple Taco Bell restaurants had been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, I was suddenly flooded with texts.

"Have you heard!?" "Are you in the clear?" "This must be devastating."

People hadn't been this concerned about me since I was trapped at Burning Man in 2023!

The truth is, though, I wasn't too stressed about my Taco Bell habit. I've been reporting on the chain for six years and knew that there were plenty of lettuce-free options I could still enjoy.

Taco Bell knows this, too, and has been offering $1 deals on certain menu items — all lettuce-free — to thank its loyal fans and entice customers who might still be hesitant.

Last Wednesday, it was the Enchirito that got the $1 special. On Tuesday, July 28, it will be the Mexican Pizza — one of the chain's most beloved menu items.

Taco Bell saw a dip in foot traffic after it was linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Taco Bell was thriving before the cyclosporiasis outbreak. It hosted giveaways and getaways for loyal customers, frequently revived beloved menu items, and had a knack for collaborating with hot sauce companies favored by Gen Z.

In February, the chain reported 7% same-store sales growth. On July 7, the stock price of Yum! Brands, Taco Bell's parent company, hit a five-month high of $167. It fell to $147 on July 17, the day after the FDA announced that shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states had been linked to at least 1,644 cyclosporiasis cases.

According to data from the location intelligence firm Placer.ai, Taco Bell locations also saw a decline in foot traffic as news of the outbreak spread.

The chain hasn't responded to requests for comment on its business amid the outbreak. Still, on July 21, CEO Sean Tresvant published an open letter — posted on his LinkedIn and on Taco Bell's official Substack — promising fans "there is a better way forward, and we are going to lead the way."

"We aren't entitled to your loyalty," he added. "We earn it one meal at a time."

Tresvant is putting his words into action with the new $1 specials, and it comes at a time when dollar-menu items have basically gone extinct at fast-food chains. Even a side of black beans and rice at Taco Bell costs $1.79.

The Mexican Pizza, one of Taco Bell's most beloved menu items, will be $1 (plus tax) on Tuesday, July 28.

Taco Bell announced the news on its Instagram page on Monday, noting that the $1 deal would be available at participating locations, as well as on the app and website, while supplies last. Customers will be limited to one per transaction.

Taco Bell prices can vary slightly by location, but for me, a Mexican Pizza costs $6.29 in Los Angeles, making the $1 deal hard to pass up.

Few fast-food items are as beloved as the Mexican Pizza. Taco Bell fans made that clear in 2020, when it was discontinued after 35 years on the menu. More than 170,000 people signed a Change.org "Save the Mexican Pizza" petition, and even Dolly Parton, a fellow Taco Bell superfan, told me she thought it should come back.

In April 2022, Doja Cat announced at Coachella that the Mexican Pizza was coming back for good.

I tried the Mexican Pizza for the first time when it returned in May 2022.

Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza features ground beef and refried beans sandwiched between two tortilla shells, topped with cheese, tomatoes, and pizza sauce. 

My Mexican Pizza didn't have as much pizza sauce as I'd hoped, but there was a generous sprinkle of cheese and fresh tomatoes on top, and I could see some beef oozing out from the sides. 

I also took a peek inside.

It seemed there was an even split between beef and refried beans.

The Mexican Pizza had a nice balance of texture and flavors.

The tortilla base was crispier than I expected, adding a nice crunch to every bite. The beef was nicely seasoned, and I loved the fresh tomatoes and pizza sauce on top.

My only gripe was that the beans and beef weren't mixed together. The beef was really prominent in some slices, but in others, you could only taste the beans.

I also decided to try the vegetarian version of the Mexican Pizza.

The veggie Mexican Pizza is almost exactly the same, except it only features refried beans between the two tortilla shells. 

The vegetarian Mexican Pizza has a huge fan base as well.

I first heard about Mexican Pizza from my best friend Shivani, who was always ordering it when we went to Taco Bell in high school. For many years, I didn't even realize there was a meat version. 

Shivani was among the many people I knew who were devastated when Taco Bell took Mexican Pizza off its menu, and she was the first in line for its return. When I asked Shivani what the Mexican Pizza meant to her, she said it's always been her favorite item at any fast-food restaurant. 

"Growing up as a vegetarian, it was always tough to find food that was tasty and fulfilling — especially when it came to fast food," she said. "Anytime my parents asked if we wanted to eat out, my first thought was always Taco Bell." 

The vegetarian Mexican Pizza had great flavor.

Thinking back to the '90s, the only vegetarian items I remember being offered at fast-food restaurants were french fries, salads, and In-N-Out's grilled cheese sandwiches. 

But the Mexican Pizza is original, playful, and delicious. Now that I've tried it myself, I can see why it's so beloved by vegetarians — especially those who grew up before fast-food chains began embracing non-meat options. 

I think the $1 Mexican Pizza will be a hit.

We'll have to wait and see if the cyclospora outbreak has long-term implications for Taco Bell. But the chain's fans have continued to pledge their loyalty online, and the $1 deals are sure to help.

And if Taco Bell is wondering what their next $1 lettuce-free deal should be, may I recommend the grilled cheese burrito?

• Claude Code creator Boris Cherny said users are underestimating the capabilities of newer models.
• He advised users to stop giving a model overly specific instructions and let it "cook."
• Cherny said some prompting habits could be obsolete as models continue to improve.

If AI users are the new bosses and agents are the new employees, then the creator of Anthropic's popular coding agent has a piece of evergreen management advice: Stop micromanaging your AI.

Boris Cherny, the creator of Anthropic's Claude Code, said at a Y Combinator event on Saturday that one common mistake he sees from Claude users is giving overly detailed, step-by-step instructions because they underestimate the tasks a model can handle.

"They're like, 'I want you to do this, but I want you to do it in this way, this way, this way. You must do one, then two, then three, then four,'" Cherny said. "For modern models, that's actually really not the way to do it."

Instead, Cherny said users should be specific about the outcome while giving the model more freedom to decide how to get there. He recommended describing the task, setting the guardrails, and defining what a successful completion looks like.

"Then just go let the model cook and come back in a little bit," he said. "I think it'll surprise you."

Cherny's advice reflects how quickly AI models can improve, potentially rendering older prompting habits obsolete. Cherny said his approach may not have worked six months ago, but it does with today's more capable models.

Google Brain cofounder Andrew Ng shared a similar idea last year, calling it "lazy prompting" — when users provide minimal instructions as models get smarter.

"We add details to the prompt only when they are needed," Ng said.

Cherny said Anthropic employees are also finding new capabilities as they experiment with the company's models. He estimated that there are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of useful abilities that have yet to be discovered.

So, AI power users: Don't repeat the same mistakes bad managers make. You could be getting in your AI's way.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at lloydlee@businessinsider.com or Signal at lloydlee.71. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

In my experience, underthings tend to fall into one of two categories: pretty or comfortable. Rarely are they both. So when ads for EBY bras started following me around Instagram, I was skeptical. Sure, the bras looked flattering — but without underwire, could they really deliver the comfort, support, and stay-put fit influencers promised? I decided to put some of EBY's best-selling bras and panties to the test myself.

Short for "Empowered By You," EBY is known for its seamless, size-inclusive intimates (up to size 4X) designed to avoid riding up, slipping down, or digging in, thanks to the brand's proprietary technology.

To find out whether the hype was justified, I wore several of EBY's most popular bras and panties over several weeks, paying close attention to fit, support, breathability, durability, and overall comfort.

What's the difference between their most popular bras?

Here's a quick comparison of the styles, listed from lightest and most flexible support to most structured and supportive.

• The Sheer Bralette is probably the one you've seen advertised on Instagram. It's the most breathable, fashion-forward, and visually striking of the bunch — but provides the least coverage. That being said, it's great for lounging around in or layering under thicker tops.
• The Relief Bra, in my opinion, strikes the perfect compromise between a traditional bra and a bralette — comfortable and lightweight with subtle lift and support.
• The Support Bralette has a sporty, more compressive fit, with impressive smoothing and support benefits, but less separation than other styles.
• The Pain-Free T-Shirt Bra is by far the most structured option, offering maximum wire-free shaping and support — and the smoothest silhouette under workwear.

EBY Sheer Bralette review

This bralette is what first attracted me to EBY — I came across multiple style influencers raving about it, and the ultra-feminine and flattering design immediately caught my eye.

I found this bralette to be supportive enough for everyday wear, yet soft and forgiving enough to sleep in. Since it's made of mesh, it's also featherlight and offers ample airflow — making it an ideal pick during the hotter months.

The only snag? The nipple coverage is minimal since it's sheer and unlined. So, if modesty is a top priority, consider layering it under tops with thicker fabrics.

EBY Relief Bra review

If I had to choose one everyday bra from the EBY set I tested, this would be it. It's super comfortable, surprisingly versatile, and offers a decent amount of lift, support, and separation despite having zero wires.

Some noteworthy tech here: EBY's three-dimensional SmartWing support layer, which is built into the bra wings. The brand says it molds to your body for extra support while smoothing out side bulge — and in my testing, it actually delivered.

The padding here is pretty subtle, which I personally appreciate — I'm not usually eager to add bulk to my DD-cup bust — and I love that I have the option to take it out when I don't need or want the extra coverage. I did find that it's a little tricky to get the padding perfectly back into position since the slits are somewhat small, but to be fair, I have yet to find a bra with removable padding that doesn't have this issue.

EBY Support Bralette review

I'll admit it: I was skeptical about how much support the bra can provide, considering the fact that it doesn't have an adjustable band. Way back in my days as a retail worker, I learned that 80% of the bra's support comes from the band.

Still, true to its name, the EBY Support Bralette is definitely the most supportive of the bunch — probably due in part to the band, which is both incredibly snug-fitting as well as stretchy.

I based this conclusion on a test I used to evaluate all the bras, which entailed standing in front of a mirror and doing 15 jumping jacks. I observed an inevitable degree of bounce, but still a pretty impressive performance considering there's no underwire in this bra. For that reason, I've actually been wearing this as a sports bra alternative to low-impact workout classes.

I personally found that this bra provided less separation than the other EBY styles, but that makes sense given the structural design — and it's a relatively small price to pay for wireless support.

EBY Pain-Free T-Shirt Bra review

If lift and shaping is what you’re after in a bra, look no further. EBY’s Pain-Free T-Shirt Bra achieves something pretty remarkable: It somehow rivals a push-up bra, even without underwire.

Instead of a rigid metal wire under the cups, EBY uses a flexible silicone strip reinforced with nylon threading to offer structure and support — but with more flexibility than a traditional underwire, not to mention zero poking or digging into your skin. Even better? The silicone strip is coated in EBY’s signature “flocking”—a grippy velvety texture that keeps the bra in place so it doesn’t roll up or slide around.

The plunge neckline on this bra also makes it a bit more versatile from a styling standpoint — I can wear this one with lower-cut necklines, like deep V tees.

EBY brief review

I can’t find anything wrong with these panties. They’re tagless, seamless, silky soft, and feature the perfect mid rise.

Some briefs I’ve tried leave me with a wedgie the second I bend over — not an issue with these. They don’t ride up, and they’re comfy enough for all day wear or even sleeping in.

Best of all, even though these offered the full coverage of traditional briefs, they still remained surprisingly discreet under clothing — only becoming visible beneath an ultra-fitted pencil skirt.

EBY thong review

I consider thongs to be a necessary evil. I generally prefer other types of underwear from a comfort standpoint, but will reluctantly resort to this style when I’m sporting a bodycon dress or tight leggings in order to avoid a visible panty line. The EBY thong is definitely tolerable, though — the fabric is soft, the flat precision-cut edges disappear under clothing, and it stays securely in place thanks to the flocking along the sides. I’m usually a size small in panties, and I did find that the small in these felt a tad snug at first — but fortunately, they definitely stretched out and molded to my shape with wear.

Honestly, my only gripe here is that the product description suggests this thong is high-rise, when in reality, it sat closer to a low-to-mid rise fit on my body.

FAQs

Are EBY bras good for large breasts?

Even though EBY bras are wireless, they're surprisingly well-suited to larger busts. That said, the level of support does vary quite a bit depending on the style. I found that they provided significantly more support, lift, and shaping than a typical bralette — despite less rigid structure than an underwire bra.

Underwire helps a lot with separation — so, if that's a priority for you, you may prefer a traditional bra with wire.

But if you're looking for bras with comparable support and lift that are more comfortable to wear for long hours — as in, no digging into your rib cage — then EBY's products are an excellent fit.

Do EBY bras run true to size?

Most of EBY's bras (except the T-Shirt Bra) come in sizes XS-XXL rather than the standard band-and-cup sizes; however, it's fairly easy to find your perfect fit using the brand's sizing chart. Additionally, EBY offers a DD cup version in each size, which is helpful for less proportional people like me who have a smaller band size but need more coverage in the cups.

In my experience, the sizing depends slightly on the style — for example, the Sheer Bralette is a bit more forgiving, while the Support Bralette is more compressive.

All in all, I'd say EBY bras are fairly true to size, but the band seems to run a tad big. So, for example, let's say you're typically between a 34C (size small in EBY) and 36C (size medium in EBY). In that case, I'd advise sizing down and opting for the small. Sizing down can also be helpful to counteract any stretching, given that EBY notes these bras "adapt" to your shape with wear.

Do EBY bras have padding or removable pads?

Both the Relief Bra and Support Bralette come with removable pads, and the Pain-Free T-shirt Bra features built-in padding that can't be removed. The Sheer Bralette has no padding or lining whatsoever.

Do EBY bras stretch out over time?

Pretty much any bra with elastic will stretch out over time—as the elastic fibers break down, the material can't "snap back" as easily after each wear. That said, I've found that as long as I follow the care instructions to a T, the bras still fit just as well after a handful of wears and washes.

What is EBY's return policy?

EBY accepts returns and exchanges within 30 days of delivery. Exchanges are free, but returns come with an $8 shipping fee that's deducted from your refund.

Bras must be unworn and have the original tags attached. Underwear must be unopened, though first-time customers can try on one pair under EBY's fit guarantee and request a replacement if the size isn't right.

• Myriad Genetics used AI to speed up document processing, but the tool was expensive and too slow.
• AWS worked with Myriad to rebuild the tool, called Image Genius, using Amazon Bedrock.
• Image Genius now saves some of Myriad's staffers 300 hours each month.

Myriad Genetics processes an estimated 1.5 million diagnostic tests annually, including screening for hereditary cancer and prenatal conditions, tumor profiling, and assessments of how genes may affect the body's response to mental health medications.

It can take months for the Salt Lake City-based molecular diagnostic testing company to process all the paperwork necessary to get paid, a process known as revenue cycle management, which requires health organizations like Myriad to dedicate staff to software, medical coding, and regulatory compliance to manage billing for medical services.

To speed up document processing, Myriad internally developed an AI tool to automate the company's diagnostic, insurance, and reimbursement operations. After launching a version of that tool in 2024 that proved too costly to maintain, Myriad brought in cloud computing giant Amazon Web Services to lower the project's ongoing costs.

With new artificial intelligence capabilities, Myriad's end-to-end document processing has decreased from an average of 10 minutes to 20 seconds per document. This is helping to accelerate repayment cycles, said Martyna Shallenberg, Myriad's senior director of software engineering.

"The sooner we get cash, the better," Shallenberg told Business Insider. She said that typically, it can take up to 18 months for companies like Myriad to receive full reimbursement for a testing order because of the complexities of processing insurance claims.

Shallenberg — along with the Myriad's chief technology officer, his predecessor, and an expert at AWS — spoke with Business Insider about the evolution of the project over nearly three years.

The tech

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Myriad conceptualized a tool that could use AI to classify pathology reports, automate document tagging, and extract Medicare keywords, Kevin Haas, Myriad's former CTO, told Business Insider in a March interview.

A week after speaking with Business Insider, Haas — who worked at Myriad for eight years and spent five years in the CTO role — departed to become chief development and technology officer at cancer diagnostics company Veracyte.

Haas said he wanted to use AI to speed up prior authorization, a process where a doctor secures approval from an insurance provider before ordering one of Myriad's tests for their patient. Once a doctor made this request, an authorization specialist had to sort through the thousands of health plans and insurance payers that handle these claims.

Myriad also needs to act quickly. Once a sample is collected by a doctor, prior authorization is often required within days, or even hours, to secure health insurance coverage for patients, said Shallenberg. If prior authorization for the diagnostic tests isn't obtained, an insurer could deny the claim, potentially delaying patient care or resulting in a loss of revenue for Myriad, she added.

In the second quarter of 2024, Haas and Myriad worked with consulting giant PwC to build the first version of its intelligent document processing tool, called Image Genius, which used machine learning service Amazon Textract and natural language processing service Amazon Comprehend to automate document classification, extract data from pathology reports, process insurance cards, and reduce manual document handling, said Shallenberg.

Myriad rolled out Image Genius for its hereditary cancer business in the third quarter of 2024, to automate medical document classification and streamline revenue cycle workflows, a Myriad spokesperson told Business Insider.

A cost- and data-conscious pivot

In the fourth quarter of 2024, as Myriad planned to expand Image Genius to additional business units, it ran into some issues around costs, longer-than-expected processing times, and difficulty extracting the right clinical information from dense pathology reports, said Haas.

Haas said Myriad determined that the internally developed AI tool needed constant maintenance and upgrading. "The inputs are as vast as the millions of samples we get every year," Haas said.

Myriad also discovered that the AI system wasn't always astute enough to differentiate a testing order from a doctor's medical notes, said Shallenberg. "It was actually the hardest part of the process, separating those documents," she added.

Shallenberg said that Myriad spent the first quarter of 2025 refining the AI model's prompts to improve the accuracy of its outputs. They also provided more data samples to give the system greater context, but decided results from this current iteration of Image Genius weren't worth the cost, said Shallenberg. AWS Comprehend, which uses machine learning to identify clinical notes, pathology reports, insurance information, and other data from unstructured text and data, was "very expensive," she said.

Myriad pivoted that same quarter to begin working with the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center, a team of scientists and AI experts that helps customers steer AI projects from conception to full rollout.

By the spring of 2025, AWS and Myriad rebuilt Image Genius on Amazon Bedrock, which allows companies to access foundational models from vendors like Anthropic and OpenAI, and Amazon Nova, the tech giant's family of AI models, Dr. Rowland Illing, AWS' global chief medical officer, told Business Insider.

Illing said this architecture allowed Myriad to tinker with various models and pick the best model based on speed, accuracy, and cost. "Model choice is really important," he said.

The outcome

By the third quarter of 2025, AWS and Myriad completed the engineering work needed to develop the next-generation platform. Image Genius officially relaunched in the first quarter of 2026.

A Myriad spokesperson said the new Image Genius tool has saved staff an estimated 300 hours a month across about 9,000 prior authorizations in the women's health division. The tool will roll out next to the oncology and mental health units sometime in 2027, the Myriad spokesperson added.

Image Genius is being spearheaded by Myriad's new CTO, Raj Jampa, who joined the company in June 2026 after previously holding senior technology leadership roles at Agilent Technologies, Exact Sciences, and Genomic Health.

Jampa told Business Insider that his goal was to work with Myriad CEO Sam Raha and other senior leaders to ramp up AI use and automation across all aspects of the revenue cycle, including eligibility verification, claims submission, denial management, and appeals handling.

• Ina Garten's tomato sandwich recipe was delicious and easy to make at home.
• I especially loved the herby, salty basil mayo, which balanced out the juicy heirloom tomatoes.
• I plan to put it on other sandwiches and use it as a dip — but next time, I'll include less salt.

When I first laid eyes on the Barefoot Contessa's tomato sandwich recipe, I had a feeling I'd found my new go-to summer lunch.

I've had tomato sandwiches before, typically with the same straightforward ingredients: two slices of bread, some tomatoes, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.

Ina Garten's recipe, however, kicks the sandwich up a notch with a mayo that has a large cast of flavors, including basil. As someone who loves flavored mayo, I was immediately excited to try the recipe — and I wasn't disappointed.

After buying tomatoes and bread, I prepped and measured all of the basil mayo ingredients.

The basil mayo requires seven ingredients total: mayonnaise, kosher salt, black pepper, basil leaves, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.

I kicked things off by measuring out a cup of my go-to mayonnaise and putting it into a bowl.

Next, I chopped the basil. The recipe calls for 10 to 15 basil leaves; I love the flavor, so I chopped 15.

I also measured out and added the kosher salt, olive oil, ground black pepper, lemon juice, and minced garlic.

The spread came together quickly.

I used a small whisk to mix everything up in a bowl.

A fork would also probably work here, but the mayonnaise was so thick that I found a whisk much easier to use.

Then, I slathered the bread with basil mayo before adding slices of heirloom tomatoes.

After slicing the tomatoes, it was time to assemble the sandwich.

The result was amazing: The combination of the juicy, sweet tomatoes and the herby basil mayo made for a refreshing yet filling (and deeply savory) meal.

I chose to eat the sandwich with some seasoned waffle fries. Since Garten's recipe makes a ton of basil mayo, I used the remainder as a dipping sauce.

The basil mayo was the real star of the show.

The basil mayo definitely stood out to me, and I already can't wait to make it again.

I enjoyed it as a dipping sauce for my fries, but it definitely worked better as a sandwich add-on. On the sandwich, the salty flavor perfectly complemented the juicy tomatoes.

When paired with fries, though, the saltiness was a little overwhelming. In the future, if I make it as a dipping sauce, I'll dial back the kosher salt.

In the meantime, though, I plan to try out this versatile condiment on other dishes, too — including BLTs, turkey sandwiches, and even Italian subs.

• Wildfires began ravaging southwestern France in mid-July following record heat waves.
• Satellite images show heavy smoke, and aerial photos show damage to cities and forests.
• France deployed 250,000 firefighters and aircraft, including water bombers and A400Ms.

Weeks of record-breaking heat and fast-moving wildfires have scorched large swaths of France.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in a statement on Friday that 116,085 hectares of land had burned in wildfires across France this year, amounting to the country's worst wildfire season on record.

Around 250,000 people have been evacuated in the affected areas of the Gironde and Landes regions of southwest France since the wildfires began in mid-July, France's Interior Ministry said.

Record-breaking heat waves across Europe and prolonged drought conditions have contributed to the severity of the damage.

Photos show plumes of smoke visible from space, burned remains of neighborhoods, and France's continued firefighting efforts.

A satellite photo of Pontevès, France, taken on July 19, before the wildfires broke out, showed the valleys, vineyards, and landscapes that have made it a tourist destination.

This satellite photo from July 21 showed thick smoke clouds from active wildfires engulfing the region.

On the ground, firefighters in Pontevès deployed hose teams to put out remaining flames and prevent reignition in the blackened forests.

Before the wildfires, a satellite image taken near Le Porge in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, on July 21 showed parts of the coastal village and surrounding pine forests.

Just two days later, satellite imagery showed wildfires producing plumes of smoke.

Le Porge was devastated by the wildfires, its streets strewn with the charred remnants of homes and vehicles.

Smoke from nearby wildfires cast a yellow haze over the French city of Bordeaux, known for its Gothic architecture and red wine.

The Bordeaux Exhibition Center was converted into an emergency shelter for evacuees, offering food, medical care, and psychological services.

Smoke-filled skies glowed orange over Arès in the Gironde department in southwestern France.

Over 250,000 firefighters continue to work across France to contain and extinguish the flames, the French Interior Ministry said.

The French government also deployed aircraft, including Canadair water bombers, Dash 8 aerial firefighters, and French Air Force A400M military transport planes, to aid firefighters on the ground.

• Gordon Ramsay has a 10-minute scampi and angel hair pasta recipe.
• The pasta includes shrimp, lemon, white wine, and cherry tomatoes — perfect summer flavors.
• The cooking time was shorter than my skincare routine, yet the flavors were complex and delicious.

Gordon Ramsay has multiple Michelin stars to his name, but he still loves whipping up simple dishes that require barely any time in the kitchen. And he really loves making a quick pasta.

Celebrities, they're just like us!

Ramay's 15-minute Bolognese has become one of my family's go-to dinners, and we also loved the 10-minute turkey and leek pasta that he makes for his kids every week.

So, when I discovered Ramsay's 10-minute summer pasta recipe, I knew I had to try it.

This 10-minute scampi pasta by the "MasterChef" star looked perfect for summer.

Ramsay's shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta is featured in his cookbook "Ramsay in 10," which is full of recipes that can be made in just 10 minutes.

When temperatures spike in the summertime, I never want to stand over a hot stove for too long, so a lightning-fast pasta with some refreshing shrimp sounded like the perfect dish.

Ramsay's 10-minute pasta includes cherry tomatoes, shrimp, white wine, and basil.

To make Ramsay's shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta for two, you'll need:

• 8 ounces of angel hair pasta
• 5 ½ ounces of raw shrimp
• 2 banana shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons of small capers
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup of white wine
• ¼ cup of vegetable or fish stock
• A large handful of basil leaves
• A pinch of chili flakes
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Ramsay says any very fine pasta works for this dish. You could also try making it with spaghettini, tagliolini, or vermicelli.

I should also note that I couldn't find banana shallots at my local supermarket. Since they're a bit larger than the regular variety, I added an extra shallot while testing this recipe.

First, I brought a pot of water to a boil for the pasta.

I made sure to season the water with salt.

I also got my prep out of the way.

Per Ramsay's instructions, I halved my cherry tomatoes, zested a lemon, minced my garlic, and peeled and sliced the shallots.

Don't throw away the rest of your lemon — you'll need its juice later on!

I also tried Ramsay's trick for chopping the basil.

"To chop the basil quickly, gather the small leaves and roll them up in the biggest leaf, like a cigar, then chop with a large knife," Ramsay writes in his cookbook.

When I was ready to start cooking, I placed my nonstick pan over medium heat.

I added one tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and let it heat up.

Then I added the shallots and garlic.

I threw in the shallots first, seasoning them with salt and pepper.

After I added the garlic, I seasoned everything with a pinch of chili flakes and let the garlic and shallots cook together for two minutes.

After they cooked together for two minutes, I threw in the cherry tomatoes.

I let the tomatoes cook for 30 seconds.

Then I deglazed the pan with white wine.

Ramsay says you should allow the wine to bubble for 30 seconds.

Once those 30 seconds were up, I added the vegetable stock.

I let the vegetable stock reduce in the pan for two minutes.

While the sauce was reducing, I prepped my raw shrimp.

I peeled the shrimp and seasoned them with salt and pepper.

I added the capers and chopped basil to my sauce.

I removed the pan from the heat, admiring its bright pops of color.

I placed my shrimp in a nonstick pan over high heat, adding a drizzle of olive oil.

Ramsay says the shrimp should cook for about 30 seconds, until they turn golden brown.

It took my shrimp about a minute to cook, so keep an eye on the color.

I also threw my pasta into the boiling water.

I cooked the pasta until it became al dente, which took about three minutes. Angel hair is always ready in a flash!

After my shrimp turned golden, I removed the pan from the heat and flipped each shrimp.

This allows the shrimp to finish cooking in the residual heat.

I drizzled olive oil and sprinkled lemon zest over the shrimp, then added them to the pan with the sauce.

Then I returned the pan to the heat to warm everything up.

I drained my pasta and returned it to the same pan where I had cooked the shrimp.

I added a drizzle of olive oil to the pasta and tossed to combine.

I added the pasta to the pan with my shrimp and sauce.

I topped my finished pasta with Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a bit of lemon zest.

Ramsay's pasta tasted delicious, and I couldn't believe it had only taken 10 minutes.

There was a lovely lightness to Ramsay's 10-minute scampi that I always look for in a great summer dish. The overall cooking time was shorter than my nightly skincare routine, yet the flavors were still complex and interesting. It tasted like an elevated version of Martha Stewart's famous one-pot pasta dish.

I should note that I found the angel hair to be a bit sticky and hard to mix, which means I probably overcooked it a little, so be careful when boiling your thin pasta. And next time, I'll add more chili flakes and tomatoes. They were my favorite part of the dish, and I loved their blistered texture.

I'll whip up Ramsay's 10-minute scampi again when I need something quick but delicious on a busy summer weeknight.

• Anthropic product lead Dianne Penn says Claude helps her to be a more effective manager.
• Penn said on a recent podcast that she's shared her approach with fellow managers.
• She said she has encouraged team members to use AI to have "better conversations with each other."

Anthropic product executive Dianne Penn says artificial intelligence has become part of her management toolkit.

Penn said on an episode of "Lenny's Podcast" released Sunday that Anthropic's flagship AI model, Claude, has helped her to become a more effective manager and that she has shared her approach with fellow managers at the company.

"That's actually a thing that I've been sharing more with our managers, of okay, how do you actually use Claude to make you a better coach, because it's hard sometimes to find the right perfect words, and the models have a lot of perfect and right words," said Penn.

Penn, who has served as Anthropic's head of product management for research and labs since 2023, said she has encouraged team members to use AI to have "better conversations with each other" and "be better managers."

"I don't think it's necessarily just about raising the IQ of like experiences we build, but also I used it a lot and actually like prepping for how to have better conversations in the moment during like crucial conversations," she said.

Penn told podcast host Lenny Rachitsky that she loves the book, "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High," and has created a custom Claude "skill" inspired by its lessons to help her prepare for certain workplace conversations.

"I actually have a skill that helps me figure out — am I going in the right level of detail given the situation at hand, and actually helping me be a better manager and better supporter for the team," she said.

Penn described her use of Claude in these scenarios as "almost like individualized personalized coaching."

"There are times where I end up not using suggestions from Claude. But it actually ends up being very helpful for just coming up and brainstorming — am I thinking about reactions in the right way? How do I actually go a bit deeper faster, build trust faster, be more direct?" Penn said.

Still, Penn said she doesn't rely on Claude to do her thinking for her. Instead, she uses it to refine ideas after first forming her own point of view.

Penn said AI shouldn't simply reinforce what a user already believes. Instead, she argued that it should function more as a "thinking partner."

"What you don't want is like an AI that just agrees with you," Penn said. "What you want is this technology to actually augment and grow and like get to a better outcome. And so sometimes it's having Claude push back makes me better."

"Like a co-worker, I want somebody to push back when my ideas are not fully formed," Penn said.

• Nvidia tumbled from its perch as the world's most valuable company on Monday.
• The position was claimed by Apple, which rallied as Nvidia was hit by fresh bout of selling.
• The iPhone maker has quietly been the top performer in the Magnificent Seven cohort year to date.

Nvidia stock dropped on Monday, costing the chipmaker its position as the world's most valuable company, swapping positions with Apple.

Monday's nearly 5% decline in Nvidia shares extends a volatile stretch for the company and chip makers broadly. The stock is down about 3% in a week, and its recent struggles have it caused it to lag the year to date gain in the S&P 500. The benchmark index is up 8% this year compared to 5% for Nvidia.

The most recent selling in chips was sparked earlier this month by a new AI model from a Chinese startup that investors feared as a possible new "DeepSeek moment."

Monday's decline followed a report that Nvidia is in talks to provide $250 billion of financing for OpenAI's data centers, reviving fears of circular dealmaking and huge capex spending, which investors have become increasingly wary of.

Nvidia and Apple swapped positions in Monday's session as Nvidia stock fell to a market cap to about $4.77 trillion. Apple stock, meanwhile, rose 1%, hitting a market cap of nearly $5 trillion.

The Magnificent Seven has had a tough time in 2026, but Apple has quietly pulled ahead of the pack. The iPhone-maker's stock is up nearly 24% in 2026. Three of the stocks in the Mag 7 — Tesla, Microsoft, and Meta — are down year to date.

But more important than a gain in Apple stock has been the global AI hardware rout that's rattled the market in recent weeks. Nvidia has lost some ground in the fight for world's most valuable company due to jitters about the AI trade and a rotation away from momentum stocks that's hammered shares of the hottest stocks like memory makers and other chip firms.

The iShares Semiconductor ETF is down 14% in the last month. The Roundhill Memory ETF, which was the hottest thematic fund launched since COVID, has cratered 29% in a month.

Apple's recent rise is also notable as the company has been punished by criticized by investors and analysts in recent years due to a relative lack of AI-focused growth strategies. Now, as the winds shift, it may be benefitting from investors' rotation into less crowded, consumer-facing trades.

• I booked a $400 roomette for a 15-hour Amtrak ride from Colorado to Utah in January 2025.
• I booked a $450 first-class ticket for a three-hour ride from Washington, DC, to NYC in September 2025.
• I was shocked that the first-class seat cost more than the overnight ride in a private cabin.

When I saw how much a first-class ticket on the Amtrak Acela train cost, I had to book it.

This was in September 2025. At $450 for a three-hour trip up the East Coast, it was $50 more than the roomette I booked for a 15-hour journey from Colorado to Utah in January 2025.

The steep price point would probably deter the average person. As a travel reporter and train enthusiast, though, I wanted to see how Amtrak's first-class offering stacked up against one of its private cabins.

First, I took a 15-hour train ride from Denver to Salt Lake City in a roomette for $400 in January 2025.

I took a sleeper train from Colorado to Utah in a roomette accommodation. My booking included a 23-square-foot private, enclosed space with two chairs, two beds, and perks like priority boarding, meals on board, a dedicated attendant, and access to lounges at select stations.

Then I booked a $450 first-class ticket for a three-hour ride from Washington, DC, to NYC in September 2025.

My ticket included a comfy, roomy seat, a meal, attendant service, priority boarding, and lounge access at some stations.

My first ride was aboard an Amtrak Superliner train.

The Superliner, which runs west of Chicago and New Orleans, looked like a typical Amtrak train with its boxy shape, silver exterior, and red-and-blue stripes.

Still, there was one huge difference. Unlike any other fleet I've ridden, the Amtrak Superliner was two stories tall.

The Superliner I took had recently upgraded interiors, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told Business Insider.

The second ride was on Amtrak's NextGen Acela train that launched in August.

The Amtrak Acela is a high-speed Northeast express train that runs from Massachusetts to Washington, DC. It's the only Amtrak service with first-class seating.

The NextGen Acela, the new fleet's flagship, launched in August 2025, boasting the highest top speed of any train in the US — 160 miles per hour. It looked more modern than any other Amtrak train I've seen. Its rounded shape and sleek front car reminded me of a spaceship.

On the Superliner train, I had a 23-square-foot private space to myself.

The roomette sleeps up to two passengers, with two comfortable chairs that flatten to form the bottom bunk, and another bed that lowers from the ceiling.

The room also packs in a tiny closet, a mirror, and a pullout table. It has amenities such as reading lights, power outlets, and room-temperature controls.

On the NextGen Acela, I had a spacious window seat in a row of two.

My seat was comfortable, and I had plenty of legroom. Each seat had a tray table with a cupholder and a reading light on the winged headrest.

I didn't feel constrained to my roomette for 15 hours thanks to the Superliner's communal dining and observation cars.

While I had the option to eat in my room, I chose to have meals in the dining car. I also spent some time in the top deck's window-filled observation car when I was feeling cooped up in my room.

The Acela had a swanky new café car, but with limited seating, I spent most of the ride in my first-class seat.

I was impressed by the design of the sleek, modern café car. They had snacks, beverages, and refrigerated grab-and-go meals. Since the first-class ride was so short, I didn't mind spending the trip in my seat.

My roomette booking included breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

A French toast breakfast, a Caesar salad with chicken for lunch, and a three-course dinner including Brie salad, flat iron steak, and a slice of cheesecake kept me full throughout my trip. Each meal was tastier than I expected for train food.

My first-class ticket came with an upscale lunch.

My Acela ticket included only one meal, which made sense given that the ride was only three hours long. It was the best meal I've had on an Amtrak train.

A charred chicken thigh paired with roasted acorn squash tasted fresh, and the flavors were complementary — especially when dipped in the verde sauce. The hard roll and Key-lime pie dessert finished the job of filling me up.

I also noticed that the presentation was elevated compared to the roomette meals, with plates and glassware instead of plastic dishes.

The bathroom in the roomette car looked like a standard train bathroom.

There were three bathrooms on my floor of the sleeping car. I thought they were all small and clean, and I didn't have to wait in line once.

The first-class bathroom felt larger and more modern.

A curved sliding door opened to reveal a spacious bathroom with red accents. There was a small shelf next to the brightly lit mirror.

I appreciated the high-tech amenities, including touch-free water, soap, and dryer dispensers, as well as lights that indicated when the room was occupied.

Only the first-class ride had WiFi.

After my 15-hour trip on the Superliner, which had no WiFi, an unusual occurrence for an Amtrak train, I was grateful that I could stream videos on the Acela train. I watched YouTube videos of live music performances.

The Superliner took me farther than the Acela.

Using the Google Maps measurement tool, I found that the California Zephyr route from Denver to Salt Lake City is about 500 miles, while New York City and Washington, DC, are roughly 230 miles apart by train. I was shocked that I could travel more than twice as far for less money.

With more space, privacy, a longer distance covered, and a lower price point, the roomette was undoubtedly a sweeter deal than first class.

"We dynamically revenue manage all departures per demand, regardless of the equipment type used for any given departure," an Amtrak representative told Business Insider in an email.

Although the Acela was more modern, served a better meal, and provided WiFi, I didn't think it was luxurious enough to be worth more than my tiny, moving hotel room on the overnight ride across the American Southwest.

Casper has established itself as a leading bed-in-a-box brand with a wide selection of memory foam and hybrid mattresses designed for different sleep styles. Beyond mattresses, the company also sells pillows, sheets, bed frames, mattress protectors, and other bedroom essentials, making it a convenient destination for a complete sleep upgrade. If you're shopping for a new mattress, a Casper promo code can help reduce the overall cost of your order.

One reason Casper remains a popular pick is its balanced mattress design, which appeals to a wide range of sleepers. Our sleep team has tested several models over the years, and the Casper Dream Hybrid remains our top recommendation for back and stomach sleepers in our guide to the best cooling mattresses. You can read our full Casper mattress review for a closer look at how each model performed in testing.

Mattresses aren't cheap, but Casper regularly offers discounts on mattresses, bedding, and sleep bundles throughout the year. We've rounded up the latest Casper coupon codes and deals below to help you save on your next bedroom upgrade.

Today's best Casper coupons and promo codes

Previous Casper promo codes

Are there any other Casper mattress sales running at the moment?

You can find a full list of clearance markdowns on Casper's website at any time. As of the time of writing, Casper is running the following promotions.

How to use Casper coupons and promo codes

Casper coupons are pretty easy to use. Copy the code you're planning to apply. Add the product you're buying to your cart, then click "Apply promo code" to open the entry field. Paste your discount code there, then click Apply.

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Casper coupon codes are not stackable, so you can apply only one per purchase. Therefore, it's important to use the best one available.

Luckily, the coupon codes work with any ongoing Casper sales.

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Casper coupon codes vary in whether they can be used in-store. Most often, they are limited to online use, but in-store associates can price-match any discounts you have proof of.

What mattress should I buy from Casper?

Casper offers a full lineup of great beds designed for different sleepers. You can learn more in our full Casper mattress guide, or check out these favorites of ours:

Casper coupons: frequently asked questions

Does Casper offer discounts for teachers, students, or the military?

Casper offers exclusive military, education, and healthcare discounts for verified members. Active-duty service members, veterans, military family members, teachers, students, nurses, healthcare professionals, first responders, and hospital employees can all save 5% on Casper purchases.

If you fall into the education category, be sure to check out our roundups of the best student discounts and best teacher discounts you can score year-round.

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Casper offers a 10-year limited warranty that automatically comes with mattresses purchased on Casper.com. It covers defects, including abnormal deterioration, physical flaws in the foam, and manufacturing errors in the zipper assembly. If you bought your bed from another retailer, you can register your bed here.

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Every mattress order with Casper receives free, no-contact delivery. As the term "bed-in-a-box" suggests, each mattress arrives tightly coiled in a box for you to place on your bed and unfurl.

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Many online bed-in-a-box companies have risen in popularity in recent years, and each has its own merits and drawbacks. Check out our full guide to the best mattress to see how Casper compares to competitors across criteria like price range, mattress types, and delivery options.

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For the latest buying advice updates, follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp.

• The Paramount-WBD deal is on pause ahead of a pivotal trial.
• Even if Paramount wins, CEO David Ellison's dream of forming a Hollywood superpower will be delayed for months.
• But Paramount's financial backers appear well-prepared financially to weather a delay.

Paramount Skydance's agreement to delay its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery might have a simple explanation: CEO David Ellison can afford to wait.

After months of trying to fast-track its WBD mega-deal, Paramount agreed on Friday not to close it until June 2027, or until five days after a trial ends.

Attorneys general from 12 states have sued Paramount to block its acquisition of WBD, arguing the merger is anticompetitive. A judge had paused the deal, which had already been approved by the US Department of Justice and global regulators like the European Commission.

Although Paramount was eager to avoid a delay, its sudden reversal signals it's confident that a jury would take its side in a trial — and that the cost of waiting to merge with WBD is overstated.

Not too ticked off

Paramount's decision to willingly delay its WBD merger may first appear to be an own-goal, given the financial penalties it would incur by waiting.

Ellison's company agreed to pay WBD shareholders a "ticking fee" of about $7 million each day the deal doesn't close, starting after September 30. Paramount lawyer Jeffrey Kessler told the judge overseeing the case that the company "would suffer very severe harm" if it had to pay the ticking fee, which amounts to $650 million per quarter.

If the deal is delayed six months, Paramount would owe WBD shareholders $1.3 billion. The most it could owe is $1.95 billion in ticking fees since the pause agreement lasts until June 1.

However, the ultrawealthy Ellisons and their financial partners have agreed to pay $110 billion for WBD, which makes a $7 million per day charge more of an annoyance than a roadblock.

A $1.3 billion charge for a six-month delay would increase Paramount's purchase price by 1.2%, which, when annualized to 2.4%, is less than June's inflation rate of 3.5%. The same is true of a 2% price bump over nine months.

"It's a lot of money in absolute dollars, but it's not a huge deal," said Hernan Lopez of media consultancy firm Owl & Co.

Some investors thought Paramount would pay over $33 per share for WBD, Lopez said. That explains why WBD shares fell after Paramount won the bidding war by offering $31 per share. Those savings may have given it more breathing room to offer WBD shareholders a ticking fee.

Paramount seemed prepared for turbulence in the regulatory process, as the company already accounted for the ticking fee in the tens of billions in cash it set aside for this deal. However, Ellison may find himself waiting longer to reunite with WBD than he hoped.

"They must have priced in some delay, though likely not three full quarters," Lopez said. Paramount declined to comment.

'Every single dollar matters' — as does every day

Still, just because the Ellisons could afford to pay a few billion extra doesn't mean they want to, especially since they'd be on the hook for a $7 billion charge if they drop their bid for WBD.

"I think every single dollar matters, even with Ellison's virtually endless resources," said analyst Brandon Katz of entertainment data firm Greenlight Analytics.

Although Paramount has deep-pocketed owners, Katz noted that "there's a lot of ancillary money involved outside the purchase price" — including a $2.8 billion breakup fee to Netflix, which had previously agreed to buy WBD's studio and streaming business.

Paramount's biggest frustration may be the opportunity cost of not closing the WBD deal sooner.

Ellison's dream of building a Hollywood superpower may be disrupted if his company has to wait months before merging HBO Max with Paramount+ and the Warner Bros. Studio with its studio.

In the meantime, Paramount is planning to boost its streamer by adding micro dramas, bolstering its free tier, and introducing interactive features, Business Insider reported last week.

Still, Ellison likely knows that sleek new streaming features and AI enhancements on their own may not turn Paramount into Netflix.

Instead, the media mogul believes paying $110 billion for WBD is worth it — and worth the wait.

• Jeremy Siegel says interest rates are approaching worrying levels for stocks.
• The economist says the spike in bond yields threatens earnings-related stock strength.
• The 10-year Treasury yield recently hit its highest level since early 2025.

Interest rates are inching closer to the danger zone for stocks, Jeremy Siegel warns.

The top economist and Wharton professor of finance said that in the bond yields are near levels that have historically posed challenges for equities. He pointed to the 10-year inflation-adjusted Treasury yield, which ticked up to 2.43% at the end of July, according to Fed data.

Siegel said he was looking in particular at the spread between the inflation-adjusted Treasury yield and the inflation-adjusted market yield, which he estimated to hover around 5%.

Inflation-adjusted Treasury yields remaining lower suggests stocks still have an edge over bonds on the basis of returns, but the appeal of equities could diminish if rates move much higher, he told CNBC.

"Not yet a threat, but if we see those real yields continue to rise, there's no question," Siegel said. He added that yields also threaten a major driver of stock gains that investors are counting on.

"If those interest rates go up, whatever earnings are, that might not be enough to offset," he added of the potential for moves in the bond market to weigh on an earnings-fueled rally.

Bond yields have surged in recent months, a sign investors are becoming more jittery about the inflation outlook and are pricing in higher rates from the Fed as the economy deals with pricing pressures spurred by the Iran war and higher oil prices.

The 10-year US Treasury yield ticked up to 4.7% last week, the highest since January 2025, as Brent broke back above $100 a barrel.

Investors also expect rates to tick higher from here. Markets are pricing in at least one or two more rate-hikes by year end, and are pricing in a 36% probability that the Fed could raise rates at this week's policy meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Other forecasters on Wall Street have flagged that interest rates look to be approaching levels that could create problems for stocks, with HSBC warning recently that long-end yields had "clearly breached the Danger Zone."

Apple's AirPods are popular earbuds, but they're not the right fit for everyone. If you've got an Android device, you'll get more features and better integration with earbuds built for your phone. And even for iPhone users, sticking with Apple isn't the only way to get excellent audio and powerful active noise cancellation (ANC). After testing dozens of models, we've pulled together the best AirPods alternatives you can buy in 2026.

Our recommendations offer good sound quality, solid battery life, and wide device compatibility — often at a lower price than AirPods. Our top pick is the Beats Fit Pro. Though not AirPods, they're made by Apple and offer a secure fit while playing nice with both iPhones and Android phones. Looking to spend less? The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are a standout budget option, delivering a surprisingly rich feature set and an AirPods-like design for under $100.

Below, you'll find our full list of the best AirPods alternatives. Whether you use an iPhone or Android, or switch between the two, there's an option here that should fit both your needs and your budget.

Our top picks for the best AirPods alternatives

Best overall: Beats Fit Pro - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC - See at Amazon

Best for working out: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - See at Amazon

Best noise-canceling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) - See at Amazon

Best open ear: Shokz OpenDots 2 - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Beats Fit Pro are basically the "AirPods for everyone," which is why they make such a strong alternative. They use the same Apple H1 chip found in older AirPods, giving iPhone users familiar perks and seamless integration with Apple devices. But unlike AirPods, the Fit Pro also support a dedicated Android app, making them just as friendly to Android owners as they are to Apple fans.

Design-wise, the Fit Pro skip Apple's signature stem in favor of a flexible wing tip that keeps them securely in place. They're comfortable enough for long listening sessions, available in several colors, and offer IPX4 water resistance for workouts or rainy commutes.

iPhone users get all the expected conveniences: one-touch pairing, Automatic Switching across iCloud devices, Find My support, and hands-free Siri. Android users aren't left out, either — the Beats app adds one-touch pairing, customizable controls, and battery readouts. These are features AirPods don't offer when paired with an Android phone, giving the Fit Pro a meaningful edge for listeners outside the Apple ecosystem.

The earbuds also deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural transparency mode, as well as support for Apple's spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. Even without spatial audio, their sound profile is clear and balanced, offering more detail and restraint than the bass-heavy tuning of old-school Beats headphones.

You also get convenient features like automatic ear-detection sensors that pause playback when you remove a bud, along with simple one-button controls. Battery life holds up well, too, at around six hours with noise canceling on, plus an additional 18 hours from the charging case. The case is the Fit Pro's weakest point: it's bulkier than many modern alternatives and doesn't offer wireless charging.

Still, those drawbacks are minor compared to everything the Fit Pro get right. If you're looking for the best AirPods alternative that works seamlessly with both iOS and Android devices, these earbuds remain our top pick.

Best on a budget

Anker's Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are supercharged buds at an extremely low price. We honestly can't believe just how much these AirPods-esque earbuds offer for the money, redefining our expectations of how good budget buds can be. They're also notable for their stem-like design, which resembles Apple's classic AirPods. 

The Liberty 4 NC have noise-canceling quality that nearly mops the floor with similarly priced competitors. Only Anker's own Space A40 earbuds can compete in this price range, with the Liberty 4 NC offering a slight edge. This is quality canceling, especially with low frequencies. The adjustable transparency mode isn't quite as impressive, but it does the trick, letting you choose between vocal and full transparency depending on your situation.

Sound quality is also impressive. We experienced a clean, spritely midrange and treble response, with full, musical bass. The sound signature is a little snappy by default, but you can tame it with the multi-band EQ in Anker's loaded app.

When it comes to features, the Liberty 4 NC have a version of nearly everything there's a name for, from sound personalization and wind-buffering to high-resolution playback with Sony's LDAC audio protocol. You'll also get an earbuds finder, low-latency gaming mode, multi-point audio for quickly switching between source devices, and more. Battery life is also among the best in class, offering up to 10 hours of playback per charge. However, we achieved closer to seven hours with noise canceling engaged in our tests.

Like any pair of budget buds, not everything is top-flight. The touch controls are easy to customize, but they're not always as responsive as pricier buds. Additionally, some features, such as auto-pause, take longer than expected to activate. Still, it's hard to complain, considering all the Liberty 4 NC offer. If you want high-roller features on a budget, these are your earbuds. 

Check out our guide to all the best budget headphones.

Best for working out

Great workout earbuds need to fit securely while being adaptable to different environments, blocking out noise during intense gym sessions while staying open to the world during outdoor runs. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 nail that balance, making them an excellent fitness-focused alternative to Apple's AirPods.

This is especially true since the Powerbeats Pro 2 actually use the same H2 chip that powers the latest AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4. This means the earbuds support many Apple-friendly features, including Find My Tracking, Audio Sharing, Ultra-Low Latency, and iCloud Pairing.

Like the latest AirPods Pro 3, the Powerbeats Pro 2 also feature built-in heart rate tracking, which records health data and syncs with the Apple Fitness app on an iPhone. This also works with third-party apps on Android phones.

Although not as powerful as the AirPods Pro 3, these in-ear buds deliver effective active noise cancellation (ANC) to mute clanging weights and gym chatter. Their transparency mode does a great job of letting in ambient sounds, allowing you to stay alert to traffic while running.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds also offer punchy sound quality without muddying vocals or instruments. Whether you're pushing through heavy lifts or a long cardio grind, the Powerbeats Pro 2 make your playlists sound bold and motivating.

Comfort and durability are solid, too. The earbuds fit securely and stay in place even during sweaty workouts. They also feature IPX4 water resistance. The physical volume and playback buttons are a small but appreciated touch, especially when you're on the move.

Battery life is another notable advantage, offering up to 45 hours of use with the charging case. The chase now supports wireless charging and is more compact than the previous-generation model.

If you're looking for a workout-focused pair of earbuds with many of the features you'd get with the AirPods Pro, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are an excellent fit.

Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review.

Check out our guide to all of the best headphones for working out.

Best noise-canceling

Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are like a volume knob for the world. They block out pesky distractions better than any of Apple's earbuds, making these the best AirPods alternatives for people who want powerful ANC. Simply put, you won't find better noise-canceling earbuds anywhere on the market.

The new second-generation model was launched in September 2025, and the revised earbuds offer a few small but welcome tweaks over their predecessors. Most notably, they now come with a wireless charging case and deliver improved call quality — all while coming in at the same suggested retail price.

ANC performance remains the standout. Although the second-gen earbuds' performance is similar to that of the first-gen model, they still offer the most impressive noise cancellation we've tested in a pair of earbuds. The QC Ultra Earbuds also feature a clear and natural-sounding transparency mode that rivals the AirPods Pro 3. Like the AirPods Pro, their microphones are designed to keep your ears safe by limiting sudden loud noises with adaptive tech. They also deliver excellent AI-based background noise suppression for phone calls.

The Ultra's audio processing extends to their sound performance, which is detailed and dynamic. Though the second-gen model uses the same audio drivers as the first-gen earbuds, Bose has adjusted the tuning. The differences are subtle, but we did notice a warmer, better-balanced sound with the new model. Bass, in particular, is a step above what we've heard on the AirPods Pro.

However, if the sound becomes too bold, a three-band EQ in Bose's Music app for Android or iPhone allows you to adjust it to your taste. The app also lets you engage Bose's spatial audio feature, which creates a 3D soundstage from stereo sound, with head tracking to anchor you in your sonic space. It's not our favorite feature for music, but it's there if you want it.

Like the Beats Fit Pro, the QC Ultra's case is rather bulky. However, the second-gen model supports wireless charging, which was notably missing from the first-gen earbuds. The earbuds offer other convenient features, like a sonic test that adjusts the sound each time you put them in. The buds' design features ear tips and wings for a secure fit, and they come with new in-ear wax guards. That said, the buds' size makes them less suitable for smaller ears.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review.

Check out our guide to all the best noise-canceling headphones.

Best open ear

Unlike the other earbuds on this list, the Shokz OpenDots 2 don't sit inside your ear canals. Instead, each bud wraps around the side of your ear with a compact clip-on design that lets you hear nearby traffic and other activity naturally. That makes them especially useful for outdoor use and situations where staying aware of your surroundings matters more than blocking them out.

Our reviewer wore the OpenDots 2 across more than 75 miles of runs and found that they remained comfortable and firmly in place. Their small cuff design also leaves the tops of your ears unobstructed, so they pair more easily with glasses, sunglasses, and hats than models with larger ear hooks. An IP57 rating adds protection against sweat and rain.

As with all open-ear earbuds, the downside is that they provide virtually no passive isolation from outside noise and don't support ANC. They aren't designed for drowning out an airplane cabin or a crowded office. Still, their audio performance is impressive for this style of earbud, with more low-end presence than you might expect and clear vocals. Bose's more expensive Ultra Open Earbuds do have an edge in sound quality, but for $100 less, the OpenDots 2 are a better value.

Shokz rates the earbuds for up to 10 hours of playback, and the case increases total battery life to 40 hours. The case can also recharge wirelessly. Another convenient touch is that the two buds aren't assigned to a specific side; they recognize how you're wearing them and adjust the audio channels accordingly.

The controls can occasionally be finicky, and the earbuds may not get loud enough to overcome the noise from particularly busy streets. But these shortcomings don't outweigh their comfortable fit, capable sound, and useful design. In-ear alternatives are still better for listeners who want isolation, but the OpenDots 2 are the best AirPods alternatives for runners and anyone else seeking an open-ear option.

Read our full Shokz OpenDots 2 review.

Check out our guide to all the best headphones for running.

How we test AirPods alternatives

Our reviewers test earbuds using standard, reproducible methods to assess sound quality, functionality, and design. To select the best AirPods alternatives, we focused on models that deliver performance and features that match or exceed Apple's earbuds. We also tested how well the earbuds work with Apple-centric devices, Android, and PC products, with an emphasis on versatility.

When testing audio performance, we use a dedicated playlist featuring songs spanning genres such as pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and acoustic. We also test spatial audio and head tracking features using a mix of stereo and 3D audio tracks encoded in formats such as Dolby Atmos.

Regarding noise canceling and transparency modes, we test earbuds using studio speakers to play specific test videos and noise generators, as well as during real-world activities such as hiking, walking dogs, and exercising in crowded areas. For battery tests, we use a timer and play music and podcasts at medium volume, checking the battery level regularly. Most importantly, we live with the earbuds we test over multiple days to get a feel for how they are to use for regular buyers.

Meet the experts behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: Steven oversees tech buying guides for Business Insider's Reviews team, and he's been covering headphones for more than a decade. Along with his team of writers, he tests earbuds year-round to keep this guide up to date with new recommendations that serve well as AirPods alternatives. Sure, Apple's buds have their perks, but plenty of competitors match those features and sometimes outdo them. His goal is simple: break it all down so you can feel confident you're getting a good pair of earbuds that won't have you missing Apple's headphones.

Ryan Waniata, contributing reporter: Ryan was previously a contributor to Business Insider's Reviews team but now writes for Wired. What really sets him apart is that he actually understands sound on a technical level. With a background in sound engineering and years of reporting under his belt, he's not just rattling off features from a spec sheet. He listens carefully and thinks about what actually makes a pair of earbuds worth it.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

What to look for in an AirPods alternative

The best AirPods alternatives are earbuds that can go toe-to-toe with Apple's in terms of features, performance, and overall experience.

Some of our recommendations stick pretty close to the classic AirPods look. For example, models like the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have that familiar stem design but often improve on fit or add extra features. Others take a different design approach — like the Beats Fit Pro — while still offering Apple- and Android-friendly features.

As with any wireless earbuds, you'll want reliable Bluetooth (version 5.0 or newer), and battery life should be solid (around five hours with noise canceling is a good benchmark). Once you're spending over $100, features like active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and a companion app (for things like firmware updates, EQ tweaks, and battery tracking) should be expected. Step up to more premium models, and you'll usually get extras like multipoint pairing and wireless charging cases.

That said, the two things that matter most are fit and sound quality. All the features in the world won't help if the earbuds aren't comfortable or don't sound good. To narrow things down, it helps to check expert reviews (like this guide) and real user feedback on platforms like Reddit or Amazon. Brands like Sony, Bose, Nothing, Jabra, Beats, and Soundcore are generally safe bets.

For more top picks that suit a range of needs, check out our guides to the best earbuds and best headphones across various brands and designs.

Do AirPods offer anything that alternatives are missing?

The main thing AirPods still do better than most alternatives is tight Apple integration — quick pairing, seamless switching between Apple devices, hands-free Siri, and built-in Find My tracking all feel effortless. However, some alternatives, like the Powerbeats Pro 2, use Apple chips to enable these features.

Some newer AirPods, like the AirPods Pro 3, also support hearing health features and live translation that aren't available on alternatives. You can learn more in our guide to the best AirPods.

But outside that, the playing field is pretty level. Many of the best AirPods alternatives now match or exceed AirPods in sound quality, active noise cancellation, battery life, and customization. So unless you really value that Apple-only convenience, you're not missing out on much by going with something else.

AirPods alternatives FAQs

What's the difference between in-ear and open-ear earbuds?

In-ear earbuds sit inside your ear canal to create a seal that helps improve sound quality, emphasize noise-canceling, and provide passive noise isolation. On the other hand, open-ear earbuds keep your ear canal open while still delivering audio to your ears via various methods.

Some earbuds, such as the Apple AirPods 4, feature a semi-open fit, which sits somewhat loosely without creating a complete seal in your ears, allowing them to feel less constricted. However, because they lack a seal, these earbuds tend to sound less deep and intimate than in-ear options.

Brands also sell fully open-ear models, like the Shokz OpenDots 2, that don't block any ambient audio. These earbuds sit above your ear and transmit focused sound waves from specialized drivers.

Bone-conducting headphones, like those from Shokz, are another type of open-ear option. These headphones use sound pads designed to transmit audio through your jawbone. All open-ear earbuds have limited use cases but are prized by active users for their ability to let in environmental sounds naturally.

What is multipoint pairing?

Multipoint pairing enables a pair of wireless earbuds or headphones to simultaneously connect to two source devices, such as a phone and a computer. While you won't be playing audio from both devices simultaneously, multipoint pairing makes it easy to switch between them, allowing you to seamlessly transition from taking a call on your phone to joining a Zoom meeting on your computer without having to connect and disconnect your earbuds.

What's the difference between noise-canceling and transparency modes?

Noise-canceling and transparency modes are both considered "ambient sound" modes, which use exterior microphones and advanced sound processing. But they're essentially the exact opposite of one another.

Active noise canceling (ANC) uses algorithms that continuously monitor environmental frequencies and invert their polarity before they're piped into your ears. This reversal of the sine wave for each affected frequency will "cancel" the sound.

Meanwhile, transparency mode lets environmental sounds pass through so that you can stay aware of your surroundings. You can usually increase or decrease the ambient volume level, and the best versions from brands like Bose and Apple can even use audio compression to block and/or reduce sudden loud noises to protect your hearing.

What is spatial audio?

Spatial audio, as it applies specifically to earbuds and headphones, is a feature that uses virtualization to create a sense of three-dimensional space and depth from just two speakers. Multiple versions are available, though Apple's is the best we've tried so far when using Dolby Atmos mixes as a source. While many spatial audio implementations also work with stereo sources, we think this is generally less effective than using the feature in conjunction with 3D audio formats like Atmos. 

Many versions of spatial audio also use head tracking, which is designed to create a sonic environment more like listening to regular speakers. With head tracking engaged, turning your head with your earbuds on keeps the soundstage centered, as though you're turning your head from a real pair of speakers.

Spatial audio is becoming increasingly common in music, with engineers focusing more on mixing songs for a 3D environment. That said, so far, we've found that spatial audio is still most effective for video content, such as movies and TV shows.

• Business Insider asked an etiquette coach what things passengers should avoid doing on airplanes.
• She said reclining your seat is OK as long as you're being mindful of the person sitting behind you.
• Avoid bringing smelly foods on board and giving parents dirty looks when their kids are crying.

From holding up the bathroom line with your skincare routine to playing music without headphones, there are numerous etiquette mistakes people make when flying on airplanes.

That's why Business Insider asked etiquette coach Mariah Grumet about the things passengers should avoid doing while on a flight.

Here's what she had to say.

Reclining your seat without regard for others

When it comes to plane etiquette, reclining your seat is a hot topic.

Grumet told BI that even though some may find it rude, she thinks passengers should be able to recline since they paid for their seats.

However, she said passengers should still be mindful of the person sitting behind them when deciding when to recline. For example, Grumet advises against reclining if the person behind you is eating or has things on their tray.

Being rude to parents

Young children may act out if they're hungry or exhausted from a long day. Even if the crying is annoying and disruptive, Grumet said it's important to be respectful to the parent.

"It's likely that the parent is already super embarrassed as is, and you don't want to add fuel to the fire by whispering or giving dirty looks," she said.

This also applies to children who are a bit older. Grumet added that even if they're running down the aisle or doing something you think can be controlled, it's still important to be kind.

Stinking up the plane with food or grooming products

When you're on a plane, it's really important to be mindful of anything with a strong scent.

For example, if a passenger brings a tuna sandwich onto the plane, the smell can be disturbing to those around them.

Grooming can come with extra smells, too. Items like nail polish or perfume could be distracting or irritating to fellow passengers, so Grumet recommends leaving those at home.

Rushing to the front at the end of the flight

"The most polite way to deboard a plane is to let the people in the front go first," Grumet told BI.

However, she pointed out that many passengers try to rush to the front as quickly as possible.

Even if you had a difficult flight, Grumet said you should allow those ahead of you to go first. The exception to this is if you're running to make a connecting flight.

In that case, she advised notifying an airline staff member to help you get off the plane as quickly as possible.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2024 and most recently updated on July 27, 2026.

• JetBlue Airways announced a basic fare for its coming first class, but it won't extend to Mint.
• The strategy is similar to United and Delta's cheaper business class tickets.
• Some industry analysts say basic fares might not make travel cheaper long-term.

The airline "basic premium" trend is spreading.

JetBlue Airways announced on Monday that it is unbundling its coming first-class cabin with a new fare dubbed "BlueFirst Base" that strips perks like seat selection in exchange for a lower price.

The new fare will roll out "in the coming days" as JetBlue prepares to launch its new "BlueFirst" experience later this year on all of its planes that don't have Mint business class.

That means long routes currently flying in an all-economy setup, like New York to Seattle and Boston to Portland, will get a first-class section — bringing JetBlue's cabin lineup closer to that of its largest US competitors.

The strategy mirrors moves from United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which both recently announced similar discounted premium fare structures as airlines look to capture growing demand for premium travel.

It's unclear how much cheaper the BlueFirst Base option will be, but fares will likely fall between JetBlue's premium-economy offering, "EvenMore," and Mint — its highest-end cabin with lie-flat beds on select long-haul international and transcontinental routes.

Looking at JetBlue flights for Boston to Los Angeles in August, an economy ticket is between about $300 and $500. EvenMore with extra legroom is about $900, and Mint is about $1,700.

JetBlue's new Base fare strategy will also extend to EvenMore and regular coach, the latter of which is being renamed from "Core" to "Main." JetBlue said Base won't apply to Mint.

This differs from United and Delta's international "basic business class" fares, which strip perks like lounge access, seat selection, baggage allowances, and flexibility.

When asked why JetBlue excluded Mint, a spokesperson told Business Insider that BlueFirst and business class are "designed to meet different customer needs and will have different price points."

They added that an "entry-level" first-class fare will make the new cabin more accessible to a wider range of people.

Beyond Base, JetBlue said each of its four seat options will also include a "Standard" and a "Flex" fare, both of which include seat selection, but the latter offers refunds for eligible cancellations instead of a travel credit.

JetBlue's president, Marty St. George, said the goal of the new fare structure is for customers to "be able to book what's right for them" — essentially giving them more choice and flexibility.

In its first-quarter earnings, JetBlue said premium cabins are outperforming economy seats, with revenue growth about nine percentage points higher year over year.

Some industry analysts, however, warn that basic first and business fares could eventually erode the traditional premium cabin without making travel cheaper in the long run.

Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, previously told Business Insider that airlines may keep lower-tier premium fares near current levels while steadily raising prices for fully flexible tickets.

Though he said corporate travelers who value the seat and rest benefits of business class over extra perks could welcome the cheaper options.

• Sam Altman says we're in the singularity, a point at which AI surpasses human capabilities and improves itself.
• Not everyone is convinced, despite how quickly AI is improving.
• "Rapid progress is not itself the singularity," Roman Yampolskiy, a computer science professor, told BI.

Sam Altman said the singularity is here. Not everyone agrees.

The singularity is often used to describe a point at which AI improves itself so quickly that humans can no longer reliably understand, predict, or control what comes next.

"I've been waiting for this my whole life, and I think it's going to be incredible, hugely positive, awesome for the world," Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said of the singularity in an episode of the "Relentless" podcast that aired Saturday.

Last week, Elon Musk said in an X post that the singularity has arrived, while Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said in May that humanity was standing at the "foothills of the singularity."

However, the public response from tech's biggest leaders has notably been silent following Altman's comment. Most of those who spoke to Business Insider said they didn't think the bar had been met.

Here's what smart people are saying about Altman's claim.

Stuart Russell, UC Berkeley professor and author of 'Human Compatible'

Stuart Russell, who also co-authored "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach," said we have not reached the singularity and said he doesn't think Altman believes we have either.

"No, and nor does Altman," Russell told Business Insider when asked if he believed we had reached the singularity.

He pointed to Altman's comments last month that AI systems could be doing a "significant fraction" of OpenAI's research by March 2028, a timeline Russell said suggests the singularity isn't here yet.

Russell also challenged Altman's January 2025 claim that OpenAI knew how to build AGI "as we have traditionally understood it."

"That was not true then and it's still not true," Russell said.

"If we do reach the Singularity before we have a cast-iron solution to the problem of loss of control, then we will almost certainly lose control," he added.

Roman Yampolskiy, author of 'Artificial Superintelligence'

Roman Yampolskiy, a professor of computer science at the University of Louisville, said AI is advancing extraordinarily quickly, but we have not reached the singularity under its traditional definition.

"Rapid progress is not itself the singularity," Yampolskiy told Business Insider.

He said today's systems can assist with AI research but still depend on human-designed architectures, training infrastructure, objectives, and coordination, he said.

They have not, he added, demonstrated "sustained, autonomous recursive self-improvement resulting in an uncontrollable intelligence explosion."

Nick Bostrom, author of 'Superintelligence'

Nick Bostrom, a philosopher who founded the now-closed Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford, said it may be impossible to know exactly when humanity crosses into the singularity.

He compared the moment to falling into a black hole.

"At some point they glide over the hole's event horizon, which means they are henceforth forever separated from the rest of the universe," Bostrom told Business Insider. "Yet from their perspective, everything still seems the same as before."

Bostrom said AI is showing the "first stirrings" of recursive self-improvement, with systems beginning to contribute meaningfully to AI research. He said a key missing capability is continual learning.

"Using current AIs is like working with a brilliant and extremely well-educated recruit, but it's always their first day at the job," he said.

James Barrat, author of 'The Intelligence Explosion"

James Barrat, an author and filmmaker who has long warned about the risks of advanced AI, agreed with Altman that humanity has entered the singularity.

Barrat said the singularity is a speculative hypothesis rather than an established scientific prediction.

But, using the late science-fiction author Vernor Vinge's definition — a point at which technological growth transforms civilization in ways people cannot predict or control — "that's exactly where we are," he told Business Insider.

Barrat pointed to OpenAI's recent disclosure that its autonomous AI agent left its test environment and accessed Hugging Face systems while trying to complete a cybersecurity challenge.

AI-safety researchers have long warned that systems could execute novel, multistep plans without human oversight, he said. "Now it has happened. AI slipped from our control. Score one for the singularity."

Ajay Agrawal, University of Toronto professor

Ajay Agrawal, who is also a faculty affiliate at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Toronto, said we have not reached the singularity.

"AI systems are extraordinarily powerful prediction machines, but they do not want anything," Agrawal told Business Insider. "People have goals; neural networks do not."

AI can appear purposeful because people set objectives for it to optimize against, he said, but that purpose "originates with us."

He added it was more accurate to view AI as "remarkably powerful tools serving human goals" than autonomous entities with goals of their own — even as the risk of "catastrophic failure due to increasingly powerful zombie algorithms" grows.

• "The Odyssey" is on track to gross at least $1 billion worldwide.
• It stars plenty of famous actors, but the real draw is its director, Christopher Nolan.
• A new generation of movie fans cares more about who's behind the camera, rather than in front of it.

If you've spent any time online lately — or, frankly, if you've been a person living in the world — you've probably heard some version of: "There's a new Christopher Nolan movie out that's supposed to be nuts. We should go see that."

Despite a cast that includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, and Robert Pattinson, that's how "The Odyssey" is being marketed: the latest film from Christopher Nolan.

As superhero franchises lose some of their box-office dominance and Hollywood worries about the next generation of movie stars, a different kind of star has emerged: the director.

Christopher Nolan gets butts in seats more than almost any movie star

There's perhaps no other living director on Nolan's level right now. He hasn't directed a film that's made less than $550 million since 2006, if you disregard "Tenet," which came out during the COVID-19 pandemic and still made a respectable $366 million.

"The Odyssey" has made $639 million since its July 17 release (though some of those IMAX tickets had already been sold a year in advance), and scalpers are selling tickets for $600 — figures that are unprecedented for an R-rated, non-superhero film.

Nolan, recently ranked by Vulture as Hollywood's most powerful director, is a franchise unto himself. His films promise spectacle: breathtaking action, meticulous visuals, a beautiful score, booming sound, and big ideas. And while his casts are stacked, their stars are not always reliable box-office draws.

Consider Matthew McConaughey: "Interstellar," released at the peak of the "McConaissance," made $774 million, but McConaughey has not come close to achieving that level of box-office success since.

Similarly, Matt Damon, the lead of "The Odyssey," last led a mega-successful blockbuster over a decade ago with "The Martian." He's worked at a high clip since then, but nothing has reached the highs of "The Odyssey" or his last collaboration with Nolan, "Oppenheimer."

In fact, let's talk about "Oppenheimer" — or, we should say, "Barbenheimer."

'Barbenheimer' was a phenomenon, driven by 2 director-forward blockbusters

In July 2023, Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" opened the same day as Nolan's "Oppenheimer," creating the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon.

Gerwig's three solo directorial efforts ("Lady Bird," "Little Women," and "Barbie") each grossed more than the last, culminating in "Barbie" grossing $1.4 billion.

As much as "Barbie" was led by its star, Margot Robbie, the film was also marketed as a Gerwig film. And similar to Damon and McConaughey, Robbie hadn't been a reliable box-office draw preceding "Barbie." Her two prior films, "Babylon" and "Amsterdam," were deemed catastrophic flops.

"Oppenheimer," a three-hour, R-rated epic about the man who created the atomic bomb, grossed an equally impressive $975 million.

Instead of starring a proven A-lister, it was led by Cillian Murphy, best known for his smaller roles in Nolan's films and the TV series "Peaky Blinders." Instead, it was mainly sold on Nolan's penchant for spectacle.

Both films would be nominated for best picture at the 2024 Academy Awards, with "Oppenheimer" winning.

They join directors like Ryan Coogler, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Jordan Peele, who are passionate about the theatrical experience

Remember this promotional video Coogler shared before the release of "Sinners"?

Arguably, nothing did more to add to the hype of "Sinners" than Coogler's impassioned case for seeing the film in IMAX. (In fact, his name has become so closely associated with shooting on film that Marvel's announcement that his "Black Panther 3" will be filmed on large-format celluloid — a first for the studio — was met with huge cheers rather than blank stares.)

Commenters said the clip inspired them to buy premium-format tickets, and the film went on to gross $370 million, an impressive feat for an original, R-rated horror movie set in 1930s Mississippi.

Similarly, Paul Thomas Anderson emphasized his VistaVision format while promoting "One Battle After Another," which became his highest-grossing film at $231 million. It also earned him his first best director Academy Award and won best picture.

We could go on — like how Gerwig persuaded Netflix to put her next film, a "Chronicles of Narnia" reboot, in theaters for an unprecedented 48 days, or how Jordan Peele got "Nope" to gross $171 million, or how 21-year-old Kane Parsons' vision for "Backrooms" led to the film making $387 million — but you get the picture.

Audiences have responded — and studios should take note

In 12 days, "The Odyssey" made $286 million domestically, more than double the worldwide total made by "Supergirl" and surpassing the full domestic run of "Thunderbolts."

The superhero movie isn't over, but they can no longer be assumed to dominate end-of-year box office lists.

Plus, apps such as Letterboxd and film podcasts, including "Blank Check" and "The Big Picture," have helped make directors, auteur filmmaking, and originality a bigger part of mainstream movie culture.

Studios can no longer put familiar intellectual property on the big screen and expect audiences to eat it up. The success of Nolan, Gerwig, Coogler, Peele, and others suggests they need to invest in filmmakers and their visions, and market what sets them apart from their peers.

The movie star isn't dead — he's just not an actor anymore.

• Running the White House Office and Residence costs millions every year.
• The White House Office is expected to spend about $51 million on permanent staff pay in fiscal 2026.
• Using government data, Business Insider compiled the costs of running the White House.

Keeping the White House running is no small feat — and comes at no small cost.

With 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and a kitchen capable of serving dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000, looking after the residence is a lot of work.

Then there's the cost of White House operations, which includes tens of millions of dollars a year in staff compensation and travel.

Business Insider compiled a list of costs associated with running the White House using data from the Office of Management and Budget and government spending data.

They include a mix of approved funding, money committed to be spent, and full-year estimates. Typically, White House expenses are funded by taxpayers through congressional appropriations. Some costs, such as current renovation work, are listed as reimbursable, meaning that another source will repay the account.

Here's a breakdown of some of the costs of running the White House.

White House Executive Residence personnel

Butlers, housekeepers, chefs, doormen, florists, and electricians, among other staff, work to keep the White House running, all under the purview of the White House's chief usher.

About 90 to 100 staff work at the Executive Residence, according to the White House Historical Association.

The Executive Residence reported roughly $9 million in personnel-compensation obligations for fiscal 2025. That included roughly $8 million for permanent full-time staff and $1 million in other employee pay. It also reported about $3 million in employee benefits.

OMB estimates the same compensation and benefit costs for fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2027, it proposes about $11 million in compensation and $4 million in benefits.

Executive Residence supplies

For fiscal 2025, communications, utilities, and miscellaneous charges were roughly $1 million, and another roughly $1 million in supplies and materials.

The OMB estimates similar amounts for fiscal 2026 and proposes the same figures for fiscal 2027.

White House Office personnel compensation

A separate account pays for White House Office staff and operations, including advisors and administrative staff who directly support the president. As of July 1, 2026, there were 411 White House staffers, including 365 employees and 46 full- or part-time detailees, according to the annual report to Congress on White House Office Personnel.

Salaries and employee benefits make up most of the White House Office's operating budget.

Some of the highest-paid White House staffers include Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Director of Speechwriting Ross Worthington, who each earn $195,200, according to a recent personnel report. While nothing to sniff at, these government salaries lag behind what professionals often earn in the private sector.

Congress appropriated $78.9 million for White House staff and operations in fiscal 2026, the same amount appropriated for fiscal 2025.

For fiscal 2025, the White House Office recorded about $43 million in compensation for permanent full-time staff. OMB estimates that this will rise to about $51 million for fiscal 2026 and proposes the same amount for fiscal 2027.

The president's compensation

The salary for the president is fixed at $400,000, plus a $50,000 allowance for official expenses.

Before taking office in 2017, Trump said he would not take home his presidential salary. During his first term, he accepted the payments and donated them to federal agencies.

Trump has said he is continuing to forgo the salary during his second term. The White House has not publicly detailed where the payments have gone instead,

"In the history of our country, there's never been a president that waived his salary. I'm the only schmuck. I get no credit for it," he said at an event in Rome, Georgia, in February.

The New York Times reported that John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover also donated their presidential salary to charity.

White House Office personnel benefits

Another major White House Office staff and operations expense is personnel benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans.

In fiscal 2025, the White House Office recorded about $15 million in civilian employee benefits. OMB estimates about $16 million for fiscal 2026 and proposes the same amount for fiscal 2027.

The White House Office also recorded about $1 million in benefits for former personnel in fiscal 2025.

Transport of personnel

One of the White House Office's largest non-personnel expenses is employee travel and transportation.

In fiscal 2025, the White House Office committed about $3 million for travel and transportation of persons. OMB estimates $4 million for fiscal 2026 and proposes the same amount for fiscal 2027.

Tools and outside services

Similar to the Residence, White House Office supplies and materials totaled $1 million in fiscal 2025, with similar amounts estimated for fiscal 2026 and proposed for fiscal 2027.

Figures for printing and reproduction were also at $1 million.

In fiscal 2025, communications, utilities, and miscellaneous charges were $2 million, with $1 million estimated for fiscal 2026 and the same proposed for fiscal 2027.

Some of the charges include subscriptions and media services. Federal spending records show obligations of $58,294 for Bloomberg access and $25,000 for a music subscription for fiscal year 2026.

Repairs and restoration

As a historic building, the White House requires regular maintenance and has undergone several restoration projects over the years.

For fiscal 2026, Congress appropriated about $2.5 million for routine White House repairs and restoration, including maintenance, safety and health work, and preventive maintenance.

Separate renovation costs have risen significantly. OMB estimates $377 million in reimbursable repair and restoration obligations for fiscal 2026. The budget document does not specify which projects the figure covers, or whether it's related to the White House ballroom project.

President Trump announced plans to build a White House ballroom, which was originally estimated to cost about $200 million, though he said it could be between $300 million and $400 million in March.

Trump has said multiple times that the ballroom itself would be paid for by him and private donors, which include companies like Apple, Amazon, and Meta, as well as individual donors.

Security

White House security is funded through the broader Secret Service budget.

Congress appropriated approximately $3.25 billion for the United States Secret Service for fiscal 2026, including about $1.4 billion in protection-specific funding. Those figures cover the agency as a whole, rather than the cost of protecting the White House alone.

Security funds aren't just for protecting the president and his immediate family. The agency also protects the vice president, the president-elect and vice president-elect and their immediate families, as well as former presidents, their spouses and their children under 16.

The Secret Service said it does not provide "detailed public reporting on its use of funding or personnel for protective missions, and staff move back and forth between protection and criminal investigation activities as duties require."

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he had to quit TikTok.
• Altman said he began using the popular app when OpenAI was preparing to launch its own social network.
• Ultimately, Altman said he got "addicted" and realized he needed to stop scrolling.

Even Sam Altman is guilty of getting sucked into TikTok.

"I deleted TikTok because it was just too powerful," he said during a recent episode of the "Relentless" podcast.

The OpenAI CEO said he forced himself to learn more about TikTok as the AI giant began building (and ultimately abandoned) a TikTok-esque AI-generated video social media app called Sora.

"I made myself get addicted to TikTok, because I wanted to just learn," Altman said.

Altman said he soon found out why TikTok has become known for its recommendation algorithm, widely regarded as one of the best of its kind.

"I really thought it was great," he said. "And then I thought I could control it. I was like, 'Oh, it's actually kind of fun,' but I only use it for 10 minutes to wind down before bed, and I'm totally in control of it. And then it was an hour one night. And then some Saturday afternoon, I was on the couch for like three hours."

Altman said he knew his TikTok habit was "bad for me," but he was "really enjoying it in the moment like a drug." He said he was able to rein in his usage before ultimately abandoning the app entirely.

"I briefly got it back under control, and I was down to five, 10 minutes a night, whatever, like a little wind down before bed," he said. "Then I was just like, enough."

OpenAI similarly quit its social media venture cold turkey, too.

In March, OpenAI announced it would scrap the Sora app to focus on its core goals, abandoning the concept after roughly six months. OpenAI announced Sora to great fanfare, and even after some headaches, the app led to a historic partnership with Disney. Still, video generation sucked up too much compute in OpenAI's eyes at a time when its archrival, Anthropic, and other hyperscalers were pushing the generative AI race even further.

Altman discussed his TikTok foray in the context of how OpenAI is thinking about its secretive family of AI-powered devices made in consultation with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, which it has said it will unveil before the end of the year. The OpenAI CEO said in November that he wants the device to cut through the noise of notifications that make using devices like the iPhone, which Ive originally helped design, feel like "walking through Times Square."

Last August, OpenAI said the "goal" of services like ChatGPT was not to endlessly suck users in.

"Instead of measuring success by time spent or clicks, we care more about whether you leave the product having done what you came for," the company said.

Sephora is one of the most popular beauty retailers for everything from makeup and skincare to hair care, fragrance, and beauty tools. Its shelves are stocked with sought-after brands like Rare Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, Laneige, Summer Fridays, and Dyson, making it an easy place to shop for both everyday essentials and the latest viral launches. Before you check out, it's worth looking for a Sephora promo code or coupon to help you save on your order.

Our beauty editors have tested hundreds of Sephora products over the years, and many have earned recommendations in our buying guides. From high-performing hair dryers and styling tools to skincare staples and makeup essentials, Sephora remains one of our favorite places to discover both new products and trusted classics.

Although Sephora's most popular brands don't often go on sale, there are still plenty of ways to save. Beauty Insider rewards, gifts with purchase, seasonal promotions, and the occasional Sephora promo code can all help stretch your beauty budget. Below, we've rounded up the latest Sephora coupons and deals available right now.

Today's best Sephora coupons

Previous Sephora promo codes

Are there any other Sephora sales running at the moment?

You can find a full list of current markdowns on the "Sale" page of Sephora's website at any time. As of the time of writing, Sephora is running the following promotions.

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Start by creating or logging in to a Beauty Insider account, then add coupon-eligible items to your basket. On the cart page, you can apply a coupon by pasting the code into the "Promo Code" text box and clicking "Apply." The code will then be applied, or if the code you entered offers multiple free gifts, you'll first be prompted to make your selection. Once the coupon is added, continue to checkout to enter your shipping and billing information.

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Score more beauty deals with our roundup of the best Olive & June discount codes.

• The wine-growing region near Traverse City, Michigan, is often called the "Napa of the Midwest."
• It has stunning lakefront views, a small-town feel, and epic outdoor adventures.
• Affordable prices and beautiful scenery make this my favorite drinking destination.

Napa Valley is renowned for its exquisite wine, stunning scenery, and outdoor activities.

But when I'm looking for a wine-fueled getaway, I skip the pricey (and often overcrowded) tasting rooms in Northern California and instead head for Traverse City, Michigan.

The charming, small-town gem has striking water views and a burgeoning wine scene that consistently brings home awards from international competitions.

Often referred to as the "Napa of the Midwest," this boutique wine-growing region offers so much more than just wine.

Here's why it consistently tops my vacation wish list.

Its lake views and picturesque wineries offer all the beauty of Napa at a fraction of the cost.

Much like Napa Valley, the area around Traverse City is full of rolling hills dotted with vineyards. Instead of distant mountain views, Michigan offers a different beauty: the blue waters of Lake Michigan.

The city is nestled by two wine-growing peninsulas — Old Mission and Leelanau — that jut out into this Great Lake, offering a scenic backdrop for a wine-tasting adventure.

What also helps me prefer these sweeping vistas to those in California is the cost.

Even during the peak summer season, it's not uncommon to find nice hotel rooms here for under $200 a night. In my experience, a decent room in Napa during the busy season can easily go for double (or triple) that amount.

The charming small-town atmosphere offers a laid-back place to stay.

Traverse City offers a walkable slice of small-town Americana that I find much more endearing than some parts of Napa.

Quirky shops and comfy cafés make me feel as if I've stepped into a Hallmark movie, and the pace here feels decidedly more relaxed.

It's easy to stroll around through antique stores and specialty food shops (including one dedicated to cheese) with a locally made coffee in hand.

The city's waterfront locale makes this a fun beachy getaway during the summer, and it's just a short drive from other interesting communities like Leland, where visitors can learn about the area's Native American history.

The quality of the wines here is incredible, with unique cold-weather varietals waiting to be uncorked.

Like some of the world's best-known wine regions, Traverse City sits on the 45th parallel and has a four-season climate.

The unique microclimate of the area creates perfect conditions for cool-climate wine production, with boutique wineries crafting rieslings, pinot noirs, and other varietals that are surprisingly great.

The cozy tasting rooms found here tend to feel less stuffy than the ones I've visited in California, too. As a casual wine enthusiast, I appreciate how this informal style offers more welcoming vibes.

Beyond wine, Northern Michigan is a haven for family- and dog-friendly breweries and cideries.

The craft brew scene in Michigan is similarly booming, making this an ideal destination for savoring a taste of hops.

Plus, Michigan is the third-largest apple-producing state in the US and the cherry capital of the world, making its fruit ciders a must-try.

This variety of drinking experiences means there's always something delicious on tap.

One of my favorite spots is Suttons Bay Ciders, which features idyllic leaf-peeping opportunities in autumn, seasonal events designed with kids in mind, and dog-friendly seating areas that make this a place my whole family can enjoy together.

Michigan's natural wonders provide underrated outdoor exploration opportunities.

California's national parks are known for their beauty, but "Pure Michigan" offers plenty of outdoor opportunities that often feel overlooked.

In addition to the ample boating, swimming, and other lake life options found in Traverse City, the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore features miles of towering sand dunes that feel worlds away from the flat plains most associated with the Midwest.

Whether I'm hiking the dunes, sampling local flavors, enjoying a day out on the water, or setting off in search of striking lighthouses (Michigan has more than 100!), I always enjoy a stress-free and budget-friendly stay in Traverse City.

This story was originally published on April 6, 2025, and most recently updated on June 27, 2026.

• 6,000 student-loan borrowers were told to reapply for an income-driven repayment plan.
• It follows a glitch that resulted in borrowers receiving an incorrect payment amount.
• The borrowers who received the email were those who manually updated their family size.

You might have to resubmit your student-loan repayment application.

The Department of Education confirmed to Business Insider that 6,000 student-loan borrowers received emails from Federal Student Aid to resubmit their income-driven repayment applications.

"Due to an error, you received an incorrect monthly payment amount," the email said.

In June, the department confirmed to Business Insider that borrowers who shared their federal tax information with Federal Student Aid received incorrect $50 payments. Servicers corrected the payments and notified some affected borrowers that they did not need to submit a new application.

The department said that the borrowers who received the email to reapply for a repayment plan were those who manually updated their family size, and that FSA was unable to use the tax information on file to recalculate their payment amounts.

"FSA addressed this issue and most of the borrowers impacted were able to see updated monthly payment amounts within days of this coming to our attention," Ellen Keast, the department's press secretary for higher education, said.

The email recommended that borrowers apply for the new Repayment Assistance Plan, which became available on July 1 as part of President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul.

The slew of changes to student-loan repayment has sparked frustration among borrowers who have struggled to get accurate information on their payments. In addition to incorrect payment amounts, some borrowers have struggled to reach their servicers to determine their repayment options, hindering their ability to manage their budgets.

Robin Binkley, a 38-year-old borrower, said that choosing the right repayment plan "is a decision that could affect my finances for many years, and I cannot understand why borrowers are expected to make these choices without accurate information or meaningful guidance."

Have a story to share about student loans? Contact this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com.

• In January, I saw that Trader Joe's canvas totes were listed on resale sites for up to $50,000.
• I was in Texas, so I bought three and resold two back home in Australia for about $30 each.
• Every US trip since has become a Trader Joe's treasure hunt for bags to resell (and one to keep).

When I asked my wife, Cece, to drive me to Trader Joe's, I wasn't looking for groceries.

That morning, I'd read a Wall Street Journal story about how Trader Joe's canvas tote bags had become an "international status symbol," with some resellers listing them on eBay for up to $50,000.

The Journal mentioned Melbourne, where I live in Australia, as one of the cities hunting for the bags. I had never seen one, but I was in San Antonio with my in-laws for a little bit longer, and a Trader Joe's was just a short drive away.

I wasn't expecting to make $50,000, but by the time we found large canvas totes with dark-green straps for $3.99 each, making a thousand bucks off of a few bags didn't seem completely unrealistic.

"Lucky," the Trader Joe's cashier said. "These are the last three."

Once we returned to Australia, we listed our totes on eBay and Depop for about $50 each. Nothing happened for a day, so we dropped to $40. That's when the messages started.

The first message asked if the bag was a fake

Every message from a potential buyer opened the same way: Is it real? The resale market is full of counterfeits, and nobody wants to find they've got a fake after they've paid.

Luckily, I was able to authenticate my listings by sending photos of the original tag still attached to each bag's handle. It helped close two deals.

This may seem wild for a simple canvas bag, but my Aussie buyers knew exactly what they were paying for — a travel badge, a sign of exclusivity.

People have been photographed carrying these bags in London, Seoul, Tokyo, and even at Paris Fashion Week. There are no Trader Joe's stores outside the US, where shoppers line up for new drops (especially of the limited-edition mini totes), and each design seems to sell out almost as soon as it lands.

All the scarcity, exclusivity, and virality produced listings in the four- and five-figure range. It did not, however, produce a thousand-dollar sale.

Anyone interested in my listings wanted to negotiate the price. After a week, my first bag sold for $29 and the second for $32. The buyers paid the postage, and eBay took its 13%. A small profit, but not the windfall I had been planning.

The third bag never even made it onto eBay. Cece started carrying it instead. One afternoon, a woman stopped her in the supermarket. "Where did you get that?" Then, before Cece could answer, "Is that Trader Joe's?"

I agreed not to sell that one. If anyone had ever actually paid the four figures those listings were asking, the agreement would have lasted about a minute.

I had sold two bags, lost the third to my wife, and now needed more stock.

Selling the bags was easy, but finding more has felt impossible

There seem to be two ways to get these bags from a Trader Joe's: Line up outside a store on the morning a new design drops, or walk in by chance when a delivery lands. I keep trying the second.

In May, I was back in the US for a work trip and went to stores in five states. I didn't find canvas totes in any of them. San Antonio had plastic-y reusable Trader Joe's bags, so I FaceTimed Cece from the aisle and held one up to the camera.

"Nobody is going to buy that," she said. Fair. The truly popular items are the simple canvas bags embroidered with Trader Joe's iconic logo, especially the mini ones, which come in all sorts of limited-edition colors and designs.

On the way out, I asked a staff member when the canvas ones were coming back. They could arrive any day, he told me.

In June, I was in Seattle for the World Cup when the new striped mini canvas totes dropped, and my feed filled with photos of the lines outside stores.

This time, I had a strategy. Checking one store at a time had failed, so I would cover multiple stores across three states at once and try to hit a delivery as it landed. I took Seattle, my cousin covered Salt Lake City, and my mother-in-law hit San Antonio.

Three states. Several stores. No bags.

Seven months in, the whole thing has made me about $45. I'm going to keep trying, though.

Around Christmastime, we'll be back in Texas for a month. Cece has the family calendar, and I have a list of every Trader Joe's within driving distance of her mother's house … and a few that aren't. I plan to work through all of them.

Cece has agreed to my plan on one condition: If I find a mini tote, the first one is hers.

A Trader Joe's spokesperson previously told Business Insider that the company does not condone the reselling of its products.

• Y Combinator filled the Chase Center with aspiring founders for its Startup School.
• Attendees heard talks from AI leaders, got lots of free products, and chatted with artificial YC partners.
• Some online commentators compared the event to a megachurch.

The CEOs walked out of the light-up tunnel like they were preparing to wrestle. A cameraman walked ahead of them, broadcasting their entrances to a San Francisco arena.

Rather than trading jabs, executives like Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and others traded advice. They were at the Chase Center this weekend for Y Combinator's Startup School, a two-day conference for "technical builders" looking to make it big in entrepreneurship.

Startup School had everything: light-up headphones, AI versions of the YC partners, and freebies upon freebies. Here's a quick look at the spectacle.

Back to (startup) school

The Chase Center is usually decked out in the Golden State Warriors' blue and gold. For one July weekend, it was all Y Combinator orange.

A large orange Y was propped up outside the arena, inviting in the wannabe-founders from far and wide. The event was 3x larger than last year, with over 6,000 attendees, YC leaders said. The accelerator also helped people outside the Bay Area with travel support.

Inside the arena, speakers Altman and Huang received rapturous applause. Other speakers included Meta's Alexandr Wang, Anthropic's Boris Cherny, and Google's Jeff Dean. The "ClawFather" himself, OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger, was in the room. The only major AI lab not formally represented was SpaceXAI.

Some of these speakers offered product freebies. Cherny told the crowd they'd all get six months of Anthropic's $200 Claude Max plan. Wang offered $1,000 in free Meta credits. Altman had his own deal for YC founders two months ago: tokens for equity.

Attendees described breakout sessions in the stadium, where they wore headphones to separate the noise. They also attended one of about 100 parallel small group sessions, according to general partner Ankit Gupta, including an ML research symposium.

And then there was the "Office Hours Simulator." One attendee spoke to an artificial Brad Flora — only for the real one to shake his hand.

Memes about the 'megachurch'

Y Combinator also gifted attendees a portable battery. The only potential concern flagged by one attendee: it might look a bit too much like an explosive device to fly home with.

Young tech bros post anything and everything on X. Thus, Startup School had its fair share of memes — the battery being one of them.

Other memes included the line for the men's room which, in true "Man Francisco" fashion, was longer than the line for the women's room.

The event's biggest meme, though, was religious. "YC Startup school giving megachurch vibes these days," OpenAI's Bill Chen wrote.

While some joked about the Startup School's so-called holiness, others fashioned it into a criticism. Jay Kapoor, a general partner at VSC Ventures, wrote that Startup School looked like "a megachurch for people who only worship money."

YC Partner Tyler Bosmeny clapped back: "New York City finance bro says what?"

For others, the grandness of Startup School was an abandonment of YC's principles.

"The YC brand felt like it was designed to filter out status chasers," Spellbook cofounder Scott Stevenson wrote. "You can feel the herd rushing into an overflowing barn. A stadium sized barn."

YC has always been hyper-selective, with its 1% acceptance rate. Still, YC general partner Christopher Golda defended the event's scale, writing that the accelerator's goal was never "scarcity."

"There are far more people who can, should, and will be in the arena," Golda wrote. "So yeah, we rented out an arena."

• Of the 63 movies that have made $1 billion, 33 of them have been released by Disney.
• That's about half.
• The MCU, Pixar, "Avatar," "Star Wars," and "Pirates of the Caribbean" are all owned by Disney.

Numbers don't lie: Disney is easily the most successful movie studio of all time. Of the 63 films that have made 10 figures at the worldwide box office, 33 of them have been released by Disney.

And, if you include the first "Avatar" and "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," which were originally released by 20th Century but are now owned by Disney, you get up to 35.

No other studio has a chokehold on mainstream movies like Disney does, and it's not close.

We used Box Office Mojo data to compile this list of every single Disney movie that's made $1 billion (or more). Keep scrolling to see the entire list.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006)

Worldwide gross: $1.07 billion

After the first film became a true pop culture phenomenon in 2003, the second installment, "Dead Man's Chest," became the first "Pirates" film to cross a billion dollars … and probably the first film based on a theme park ride to do that, too.

"Alice in Wonderland" (2010)

Worldwide gross: $1.03 billion

The first of the modern Disney live-action remakes, "Alice in Wonderland" was a huge hit for the studio and set us on a path we're still on today; are you ready for the live-action "Moana" later this year?

"Toy Story 3" (2010)

Worldwide gross: $1.07 billion

"Toy Story 3" picks up 11 years after its last installment, 1999's "Toy Story 2," and brings our favorite crew into the 21st century. It's also positively traumatizing. If you ask any millennial how they felt during the trash incinerator scene, be prepared with a box of tissues.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011)

Worldwide gross: $1.05 billion

The third "Pirates" film fell short of seven figures, but the fourth, which was something of a soft reboot, rebounded quite nicely. Unfortunately, its quality leaves something to be desired.

"The Avengers" (2012)

Worldwide gross: $1.52 billion

The first MCU film to cross this threshold, fittingly, was "The Avengers," the culmination of the previous five films and the first big team-up of comic-book heroes.

It was also the first Marvel movie distributed by Disney after it acquired Marvel Studios in 2009 (the first few were split between Paramount and Universal).

"Iron Man 3" (2013)

Worldwide gross: $1.22 billion

The final installment of the "Iron Man" trilogy is also the highest-grossing. We haven't had a stand-alone Tony Stark film in 13 years, but Robert Downey Jr. isn't anywhere close to being done with Marvel. He's taking over as Doctor Doom in the coming "Avengers: Doomsday."

"Frozen" (2013)

Worldwide gross: $1.28 billion

Disney's first non-Pixar billion-dollar grosser was "Frozen," which brought us so many things, including "Let It Go," the icon that is Olaf, and John Travolta calling Idina Menzel "Adele Dazeem" at the Academy Awards.

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015)

Worldwide gross: $1.41 billion

"Age of Ultron" was the second "Avengers" film, and while it wasn't as critically beloved as its predecessor, it was still a box-office smash.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015)

Worldwide gross: $2.07 billion

"The Force Awakens" was the first "Star Wars" film in 10 years, and the first time Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and (briefly) Mark Hamill returned to the franchise in 32 years.

No wonder it smashed box-office records and is still the highest-grossing film domestically, ever. It made over $936 million in the US alone.

It was also the first "Star Wars" film to be released after Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion.

"Zootopia" (2016)

Worldwide gross: $1.03 billion

"Zootopia" was the second Disney animated film to cross this threshold, bolstered by its huge success in China, where it made $236 million.

"Captain America: Civil War" (2016)

Worldwide gross: $1.16 billion

"Captain America: Civil War" has more in common with the "Avengers" films rather than the first two "Captain America" movies. It features a huge ensemble cast and one of the MCU's signature scenes, the airport fight.

"Finding Dory" (2016)

Worldwide gross: $1.03 billion

The sequel to "Finding Nemo" came 13 years after the first film. This allowed an entire generation to grow up watching it and introduced it to a whole new group of kids, a move Disney began with "Toy Story 3" and continues to use today.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016)

Worldwide gross: $1.06 billion

"Rogue One" was the second "Star Wars" film released under Disney and the first to receive the subtitle of "A Star Wars Story," to differentiate it from the main three trilogies.

Against all odds, this movie, which is really just based on a throwaway line about how the Rebels got hold of the plans for the Death Star, rocks.

"Beauty and the Beast" (2017)

Worldwide gross: $1.27 billion

"Beauty and the Beast," which stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, was a huge hit for the House of Mouse and ensured that we'd be watching live-action remakes for years to come.

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (2017)

Worldwide gross: $1.33 billion

Nothing was ever going to top "The Force Awakens" in terms of box-office success, but "The Last Jedi" grossed over $1.33 billion worldwide, which is nothing to sneeze at … even if the movie proved to be quite polarizing.

"Black Panther" (2018)

Worldwide gross: $1.35 billion

If "Black Panther" had made half of its actual gross, it would've been considered a success. Instead, it blew past any expectations, got Marvel its first (and to date, only) best picture Oscar nomination, and became a true cultural phenomenon.

"Avengers: Infinity War" (2018)

Worldwide gross: $2.05 billion

Just a few months after "Black Panther" took over the world, "Infinity War" picked up the torch and kept running with it, becoming Disney's second two-billion-dollar film.

"Incredibles 2" (2018)

Worldwide gross: $1.24 billion

Much like "Finding Dory," audiences were forced to wait 14 years after "The Incredibles" was released to pick back up with our favorite family of superheroes.

The strategy worked again: "Incredibles 2" made nearly double the original.

"Captain Marvel" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $1.13 billion

The first MCU film to center on a female superhero proved a gigantic success for Disney, as "Captain Marvel" is the second-highest-grossing origin story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, only behind "Black Panther."

"Avengers: Endgame" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $2.8 billion

"Avengers: Endgame" was the culmination of a decade of storytelling and dozens of films — it's no wonder it was the highest-grossing movie of all time for a while.

We actually have a running list for all the records "Endgame" broke — that's how big of a deal it was.

"Aladdin" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $1.05 billion

Right around the time fans had started to bully Paramount into changing the design of Sonic the Hedgehog, a different blue menace was taking up residence in the Uncanny Valley: Will Smith's Genie in the live-action "Aladdin." Despite the criticisms and (many) memes, this movie continued Disney's live-action hot streak.

"The Lion King" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $1.66 billion

Your mileage may vary on whether this counts as a live-action remake, since it's entirely photorealistic animation, but there's no arguing that "The Lion King" was a massive success. It even spawned a prequel, "Mufasa."

"Toy Story 4" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $1.07 billion

After the mega-hit that was "Toy Story 3," it shouldn't come as a surprise that Pixar ran it back again, nine years later.

"Toy Story 4" places our friends in a new kid's house and introduces us to the legend Forky.

"Frozen II" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $1.45 billion

Is it starting to seem like all these billion-dollar grossers are sequels? You're not wrong! "Frozen II," released six years after "Frozen," failed to produce an inescapable earworm like "Let It Go," but still outgrossed its predecessor by nearly $200 million.

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (2019)

Worldwide gross: $1.08 billion

"The Rise of Skywalker" was the conclusion of the 12-movie, four-decade Skywalker Saga, so it was never going to please everyone.

However, it managed to do something else equally unlikely: It didn't please anyone.

Only a "Star Wars" movie could gross nearly $1.1 billion and still be seen as something of a box-office disappointment.

"Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022)

Worldwide gross: $2.33 billion

The first "Avatar" film was released in 2009 by 20th Century Fox. Thirteen years and one $71 billion acquisition later, "Avatar: The Way of Water" was released by Disney.

"Inside Out 2" (2024)

Worldwide gross: $1.7 billion

"Inside Out 2" was the highest-grossing film of 2024, making nearly twice as much as the first "Inside Out," which was released in 2015.

"Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024)

Worldwide gross: $1.34 billion

Another benefit of Disney's purchase of 20th Century Fox was gaining the rights to the X-Men, including everyone's favorite merc with a mouth, Deadpool.

The third "Deadpool" film, which also brought back fan-favorite Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (among many, many other cameos), was the No. 2 film of 2024, the most successful "Deadpool" film, and is still the highest-grossing R-rated film ever.

"Moana 2" (2024)

Worldwide gross: $1.06 billion

"Moana 2" was released eight years after "Moana," and made over $400 million more than the first film.

Even though it started out as a TV show and didn't have the benefit of songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it still became a hit. Unfortunately, the live-action "Moana," which was released earlier in July, did not keep the streak going.

"Lilo & Stitch" (2025)

Worldwide gross: $1.04 billion

This movie, a live-action remake of the 2002 animated film, performed so well that it's getting a live-action sequel, something only bestowed upon "101 Dalmatians," "Maleficent," and "Alice in Wonderland."

"Zootopia 2" (2025)

Worldwide gross: $1.87 billion

Somehow, "Zootopia 2" was an even bigger hit than the first film, once again helped by its monster success in China, where it made $651 million, more than double what the original "Zootopia" grossed there. It's now the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" (2025)

Worldwide gross: $1.49 billion

The last entrant on this list from 2025 is the third "Avatar" installment, "Fire and Ash." While it was the No. 3 movie of last year, it was still seen by some as a disappointment after the higher grosses of the first two.

"Toy Story 5" (2026)

Worldwide gross: $1.02 billion (and counting)

Pixar's 31st film, and the fifth in the "Toy Story" franchise, crossed the billion-dollar mark after its sixth weekend at the box office. This time, Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, takes center stage as the film's main character.

Presented by the new Hulu original series "Furious."

Candice DeLong is a former FBI agent and profiler. She has interviewed dozens of female killers and at least one convicted female serial killer, Vickie Dawn Jackson.

DeLong joined the FBI in the 1980s after working as a psychiatric nurse, bringing her mental health background to her investigative work. During her 20-year career with the bureau, DeLong specialized in profiling violent offenders. She has studied female killers for over 20 years.

Among her notable career highlights, DeLong worked on high-profile cases involving serial offenders, including the tracking and arrest of Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, in 1996. She played a role in major investigations such as the Tylenol poisoning copycat cases and assisted in high-stakes manhunts.

After retiring from the FBI, DeLong authored a memoir and became a well-known figure in true crime television and podcasting. She hosts the podcast "Killer Psyche," which does deep dives on the psychology of killers and what drives them to kill.

This episode contains a sponsored segment from Hulu. The new original series "Furious" is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. New episodes are available Mondays — watch here.

For more from Candice DeLong:
https://www.treefort.fm/series/killer-psyche
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/special-agent-candice-delong/1111396971

• On my first visit to Japan, I checked out some villages that turned into the highlights of my trip.
• Oshino was peaceful and unforgettable, with great food and charming, thatched-roof houses.
• I also recommend checking out Shirakawa-go and Nachi-Katsuura for tons of culture and nature.

When I planned my first trip to Japan during cherry blossom season, I knew I wanted to see the tourist highlights in major urban hubs like Tokyo and Osaka, but I wanted to embrace the countryside, too.

I asked my family members who live in Japan for their recommendations, and their suggestions led me to three rural day trips, each just a couple of hours away from a major city.

Luckily, each of these places was fairly easy to navigate and well worth the public-transit rides it took to get to them.

If you're also headed to Japan and looking for a break from the noise of the major cities, here are the day trips I recommend.

Oshino gave me my first real taste of the Japanese countryside

From Tokyo, I took a two-hour bus to Oshino, a small village in Yamanashi Prefecture. The big attraction is Oshino Hakkai, a set of eight ponds fed by spring water from Mount Fuji.

The village is known for its thatched-roof houses, tall grass, and working watermill. The slow pace felt peaceful and calming. I spent the afternoon wandering between traditional houses, browsing local hot food and craft stalls, and sampling regional snacks.

For lunch, I tried hōtō, a noodle dish that originated in this area. It's made with flat, thick udon-style noodles and veggies like kabocha squash, stewed together in a savory, miso-based broth.

It was the perfect meal, especially since I visited on a cold, rainy day. Mount Fuji stayed behind clouds most of the afternoon, but it broke through long enough for me to see it above the river, where the cherry-blossom trees were just beginning to bloom, making for a breathtaking view.

Shirakawa-go looked like a fairy-tale village frozen in time

My second day trip was Shirakawa-go, a short 75-minute bus ride from Kanazawa.

The main draw is Ogimachi Village, home to about 500 residents and famous gassho-zukuri farmhouses. The name translates to "like praying hands," since the steep, triangular thatched roofs resemble Buddhist monks' hands pressed together.

I spent the day visiting an open-air museum of 25 farmhouses (some of which we could visit inside), eating gohei mochi (a grilled rice snack) from a street stall, and hiking up a gentle slope to the Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck, the former site of Ogimachi Castle.

From the top, I could see the entire village spread out below, with farmhouses scattered across green fields.

There were other tourists in the area when I visited, but the experience didn't feel noisy or crowded because of the village's wide layout.

Walking along the stone-paved roads, surrounded by forest and mountains, felt so serene.

Nachi-Katsuura had mountains, shrines, and Japan's tallest waterfall

Nachi-Katsuura, also known as Kii-Katsuura, is about four hours from Osaka by train. If you're up for a longer travel day, I'd highly recommend it.

I visited while on a pilgrimage to the Kumano Sanzan, three sacred shrines — one of which is located in Nachi-Katsuura. I took the Daimon-zaka slope to visit the shrine, which meant climbing 267 moss-covered stone steps winding uphill through a corridor of cedar trees.

While there, I also got to see Nachi Otaki, Japan's tallest one-tier waterfall at roughly 436 feet. Visitors can hike up the mountain trails to get closer views of the waterfall from several lookout points.

Beyond sightseeing, the seaside town is also known for its seafood and cave onsens (natural hot-spring baths by the sea). After a long day of hiking, soaking my feet in an onsen — while surrounded by gorgeous water views — felt like the perfect, relaxing ending.

• Michael Burry sees problems for AI hiding in a corner of the private credit universe.
• "The Big Short" investor said that AI-linked credit holdings at PE-owned insurers pose a risk.
• Higher rates are the catalyst that could spark an upheaval, Burry said.

Famed investor Michael Burry says that there's a growing risk of problems in AI-linked debt securities that have piled up in a corner of the private credit universe.

"The Big Short" investor's latest warnings point to problems he sees among private equity-owned insurers and the riskier, illiquid credit instruments that they've been amassing on their balance sheets in recent years.

Burry shared a paper on the trend of PE firms acquiring insurance companies and loading them up with asset-backed securities and the potential risks to the economy. In particular, Burry noted that much of these investments lately have been tied in some way to AI.

"Those asset backed assets and structured securities are increasingly coming off data center and chip leases," Burry wrote on his Substack. "This is where the possible contagion takes down the economy - by withdrawing funding for the data center buildout, which is also an increasing part of United States economic growth."

Burry has been vocal about his concerns related to the AI boom and the problems he sees percolating in the private credit industry. He's repeatedly called the AI market a bubble this year, and announced short bets against some of the tech sector's most prominent names, including Nvidia and Palantir. In April, he said both private credit and private equity are nearing the "end of the road."

Now, Burry wonders what could force a "reckoning" for the private credit firms that have rushed to finance the AI infrastructure buildout.

"Higher rates for longer could prove a catalyst," he said. "The 10-year Treasury closed today yielding 4.68%. That is not acceptable to the PE boys, who have been holding their collective breath for a long while now."

He highlighted that the 10-year bond yield has risen sharply over the last five years, making much of the debt-fueled mechanisms at the heart of the private equity-private credit complex increasingly hard to sustain.

The big risk that he flags, and which the authors of the paper that he cites are most concerned about, is that insurers are not like other companies. In the event of a blowup, insurance firms are backstopped by state guaranty programs, leaving taxpayers exposed. An AI meltdown blowing up the credit investments held by insurers could pose systemic risk, as the foundation is built on a system that "socializes losses more sharply than banking's federal deposit insurance," the authors of the paper write.

Burry said that private equity firms have been "kicking the can down the road," but that won't be possible if rates rise further.

"Nothing virtuous about this process," Bury added. "This is Private Equity kicking its final can down to the end of that very long road. Taxpayers wait there."

• The Instant Pot Duo Crisp combines a pressure cooker and air fryer into one versatile appliance.
• It requires swapping lids between functions and builds pressure slower than dedicated appliances.
• It won best pressure cooker and air fryer combo in our guide after we tested more than 60 models.

Nobody wants to turn on the oven and heat up the entire house just to make a quick Wednesday evening dinner. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp pressure cooker + air fryer solves this problem by packing incredibly versatile features and functions into one countertop appliance. It handles everything from air frying to slow cooking, keeping your meals interesting and your kitchen cool.

The Duo Crisp performs the tasks of several appliances, earning it a permanent spot in my kitchen and as a top pick in several of our guides, including the best Instant Pots, best air fryers, best slow cookers, and best sous vide cookers. Below, I will outline why you should consider it if you like to dabble in today's trendiest cooking techniques.

Getting started

The Duo Crisp setup process is simple if you have experience with air fryers and pressure cookers. Just remove the packaging, select the correct lid, plug in the unit, and choose the settings you want on the intuitive controls. If you don't have experience with these appliances, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp may be intimidating initially. There are several safeguards to keep you from hurting yourself or causing damage, but take a minute to browse the user manual to get comfortable with it.

There are separate lids for air frying and pressure cooking. The Duo Crisp can sense your chosen lid, so you don't have to worry about getting it wrong. If you're unsure what to make, the Instant Connect app (available for iOS and Android) features hundreds of recipes with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.

Pressure cooking

Instant Pot is known for pressure cooking, and the Duo Crisp showed why. For our guide to the best Instant Pots, we cooked pulled pork, rice, beans, and more in a dozen pressure cookers, and the Duo Crisp produced nearly perfect results. The Duo Crisp's pressure cooker lid has a vent that closes automatically when you lock it to ensure pressure can build. The lid is also used to slow cook, steam, and sous vide. 

The rice had a pleasingly sticky texture without excessive dryness and was ready in under 20 minutes—only one other cooker was that fast. The texture and flavor of the beans and pork were impressive, though they required a longer pressure-build time than most units we tested. 

Many recipes require sauteing meat before pressure cooking it. You can saute right in the Duo Crisp, but you don't have much room. The pot has an 8-inch diameter, and ultimately, the saute results were mixed. I made the app's "perfect seared chicken" recipe, and the pot struggled to sear the chicken evenly. Yet, it browned a chuck roast and burgers well. Despite the mixed results, it beat using additional cookware to make the meal.

Air frying

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp proved its excellence during air-frying tests, yielding perfectly crisp frozen fries and tender broccoli. The air fryer lid is larger and has a built-in heating element and fan. Since the lid gets hot, the unit has a heat-resistant pad to set it on. In addition to air-frying, this lid is used to roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. 

In our testing, the lower layer of food was less crispy than the top because the heat was primarily directed from the lid. Another drawback is that the basket lacks handles, making agitating the ingredients difficult during cooking.

Sous vide cooking

We cooked eggs and steak to test seven sous vide machines and assessed how quickly and accurately each unit heated the water. In separate tests, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp took about 30 minutes to heat four quarts of water from room temperature to 130 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit, longer than other cookers. Yet, it maintained consistent temperatures, only deviating from the target temperature by one or two degrees.

Compared to immersion circulators, which you put in a container of your choosing, the Duo Crisp offers a relatively small capacity. Despite its drawbacks, it's a user-friendly appliance if you're curious about the cooking method and don't want to buy a dedicated sous vide cooker.

Slow cooking

The Instant Pot showed its prowess in slow-cooking beans and vegetables, producing delectable results. However, the roast turned out tougher than most, requiring a knife to slice. When following slow cooker recipes, we recommend adding extra cooking time. The Duo Crisp recorded higher temperatures than the average slow cooker, including boiling while on high heat. Yet, it maintained consistent temperatures throughout the cooking process.

Portability is key since slow cookers are often used at potlucks and get-togethers. The Duo Crisp is lightweight, has stay-cool handles, and the lid loosely stays closed, making it ideal for transporting without spillage.

Clean up

After cooking in the stainless steel pot, the caked-on debris can be hard to remove by hand. Fortunately, the pot and the pressure cooker lid are dishwasher-safe and don't hog space in your dishwasher. The air fryer basket is best washed by hand to protect its nonstick coating, which makes it easier to clean. The other elements, including the air fryer lid and cooker base, don't come in contact with food, but you should occasionally wipe them down with a damp cloth once they cool down.

Cons

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is outstanding but isn't as good as the single-function appliances that top our guides. This is a common issue among multi-cookers. Here's a breakdown of where the Duo Crisp lags behind:

• When pressure cooking, the Duo Crisp builds pressure slower than most.
• It's hard to agitate the food when air frying, and the ingredients on the bottom cook more slowly.
• When sous vide cooking, it takes half an hour to get up to temp, much slower than most.
• When slow cooking, our recipes require additional time.

What are your alternatives?

One of the annoyances with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is that you have to switch lids when switching from pressure cooking to air frying. Instant addresses this with the Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid, which features one lid for all functions. We will update this review once we've tested it.

The Ninja Foodi does better air frying and searing meat than the Duo Crisp. However, the Ninja costs more, doesn't have sous vide functionality, and doesn't pressure cook as well. Check out our Instant Pot vs. Ninja Foodi comparison for more details. 

While it doesn't pressure or slow cook, I regularly use the Anova Precision Oven1, another impressive all-in-one appliance. I like that you can sous vide without vacuum sealing the ingredients. It's great for air frying, baking, toasting, steaming, and more, though it preheats slowly and costs $700. Read our guide to the best all-in-one kitchen appliances for more recommendations. 

Is Instant Pot a good brand?

We've tested dozens of multi-cookers across various categories, and Instant Pot remains the undisputed gold standard for countertop pressure cooking. It's impossible to talk about the brand without giving it credit for sparking a massive countertop appliance craze, inspiring such a dedicated following that one of our writers even penned a love letter to the Instant Pot, celebrating the joy and freedom it brings to home cooking.

Above all, Instant Pot consistently delivers on reliability and ease of use. While some companies have scrambled to catch up to the trend, you'll regularly find various Instant Pot models in our guides to the best pressure cookers and the best air fryers. The brand is known for packing complex functionality — like slow cooking, yogurt making, and sous vide — into user-friendly, set-and-forget interfaces. What you gain in features you lose in aesthetics — if you value countertop appliances that look as good as they cook, you may stow the Instant Pot in a cabinet so that it's out of sight between uses.

If you're expanding your kitchen arsenal, the Instant Pot brand's versatility is tough to beat. Whether you're weighing Instant Pots vs. air fryers or comparing heavyweights like the Instant Pot vs. Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot's lineup of affordable, multi-functional appliances is absolutely worth the investment.

The bottom line

If you have a sizable budget and plenty of space, get dedicated appliances for each cooking method. If you don't mind meals taking a little longer and want to save money and room, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is the unit to buy. I recommend it even at its $200 retail price, but we've seen it on sale for as little as $125 this past year. 

Pros: Simple setup, user-friendly, comes with an app featuring hundreds of recipes, maintains consistent temperatures for longer cooks, able to sous vide, air fry, saute, slow cook, and pressure cook

Cons: Heats slowly, small cooking capacity for some tasks

• The market is heading into what's historically been the weakest period of the year.
• Since 1928, the S&P 500 has seen an average loss of 0.02% from August to October, BofA said.
• Forecasters have been more cautious about the market as technical signals break down.

It's been a bumpy ride for markets this summer, but investors might want to wait a little longer before buying the dip in any ailing stocks that they're eyeing.

Stocks have whipsawed in recent weeks as investors digest the latest developments in the Middle East and an ongoing rotation in the AI trade. But the stock market is now heading into a period of the year that often comes with a deeper slump, with the late summer months typically seeing some of the worst returns for the S&P 500, strategists on Wall Street are warning.

Bank of America flagged that the August to October period has long been the worst three-month stretch for stocks. Dating back to 1928, the S&P 500 saw an average loss of 0.02% during that period, with the average correction in down years being 7.35%, strategists wrote.

The period typically favors a "defensive bias" among investors, the bank added.

Across global stocks, market losses are particularly acute in the August and September period. Since 1987, the MSCI All Countries World Index has seen an average absolute return of 1.7% during that period, the lowest out of any other two-month stretch, according to an analysis from Ned Davis Research.

Strategists at the research firm pointed to two headwinds in particular that could add to the downward pressure on stocks in the month ahead:

First, energy prices and bond yields are rising, a toxic combo for stocks.

Energy costs and yields rising in tandem have preceded major market corrections in the past, strategists wrote on Monday, pointing out that both increased in periods leading up to the bear markets in 1987, 1990, and 2022.

"Not a positive omen with August just ahead," the firm wrote. "If a consistent bearish warning is provided by our major models, it will be time to head for the exits."

The fear has been that higher energy prices could stoke inflation, boosting the odds for higher interest rates.

Second, the late summer period has historically been weak at this point in the second year of a presidential cycle.

Other analysts on Wall Street have flagged this phenomenon, with the run-up to the midterm elections being known as a historically weak period for stocks.

In all midterm years since 1974, the S&P 500 has seen a median return of 0% from August 1st through the election day in November, strategists at Goldman Sachs wrote in a note on Friday.

September tends to be the worst month of the year for the S&P 500, with the index shedding an average 1.3%, JPMorgan's market intelligence desk wrote in a note on Monday.

Forecasters have turned more cautious on the market lately, particularly as momentum begins to break down in some high-flying stocks. Chip and memory stocks, sectors of the wider AI trade that have been in the spotlight this year, have floundered as investors take profits and flock to less volatile areas of the market.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 recently slipped below their 50-day moving averages, a possible technical signal for upcoming weakness.

There's a silver lining, though: late summer could contain one of the best buy-the-dip opportunities.

Stock returns have generally improved after the midterm election, with mutual funds and foreign investors generally increasing their allocation to stocks, Goldman said.

The October to December period is one of the strongest stretches of the year for markets, with stocks gaining 74% of the time since 1928, per Bank of America's analysis.

"A seasonal dip in Aug-October may present a buying opportunity if technical signals support," BofA strategists wrote. "A weak Aug-Oct can favor selling/hedging risk in a July-Aug before a strong Nov-Jan period," they added wrote.

• My husband and I have different vacation styles: He prefers hikes, but I'd rather have a spa day.
• On a recent trip, we planned parts of our days apart instead of compromising on shared activities.
• Splitting up gave us stories to share and made the time we did spend together feel more intentional.

Travel has a way of exposing the tiny negotiations that make up a relationship. Where should we eat? Beach or mountains? Spa or hike? Early morning or sleep in?

My husband and I have similar travel styles in a lot of ways. We both love wandering through new towns and staying somewhere that feels special rather than generic. But when it comes to how we actually want to spend our days, we're complete opposites.

He's happiest when he's climbing a mountain or squeezing in one more hike before sunset. I can appreciate a beautiful trail, but my idea of a perfect vacation usually includes a good book, a spa appointment, and no place I have to be.

For years, I assumed one of us had to compromise. Then, during a recent trip to Lake Tahoe, we tried something different.

Instead of trying to find activities we'd both enjoy equally, we intentionally planned parts of the trip apart. It ended up being one of the best decisions we made.

We stopped treating every vacation activity like a team sport

We booked a room at Desolation Hotel, an eco-conscious micro-resort tucked into the heart of South Lake Tahoe.

Despite being just steps from restaurants, shops, and the Heavenly Gondola, it felt like a quiet retreat, making it easy to slow down and enjoy the soaking tub on the private balcony.

One afternoon, instead of debating whether to book a massage or tackle another trail, we each chose exactly what we desired. I caught a ride from the hotel and headed to Tahoe Beach Club for a massage while my husband set off for an afternoon outdoors.

For a few hours, we each had the vacation we actually wanted.

When we reunited later that afternoon, something unexpected happened: We had stories to tell each other. Instead of saying, "Remember when we..." all day, we swapped experiences.

He showed me photos of sweeping lake views and told me about spotting wildlife, while I described the tranquil treatment room, the sound of the water outside, and how relaxed I felt afterward.

A little time apart gave us something new to bring back into the relationship.

Spending time apart made our time together feel more intentional

The next morning, I woke up feeling surprisingly energized after my itinerary of solitude.

Instead of lingering in bed, I headed to the hotel's completely aesthetic gym for a workout (and even threw in a sauna sesh) while my husband enjoyed a slower start to the day, sleeping in.

It wasn't a grand gesture, but it reinforced that we didn't have to follow the same schedule to enjoy the same vacation.

Later that morning, we met up and hiked to Eagle Lake, a turquoise alpine oasis tucked into the Desolation Wilderness. The moderate trail climbed past Eagle Falls before opening up to still water framed by granite peaks and towering pines. It was exactly the kind of hike we both could appreciate: enough adventure for my husband, plenty of beautiful scenery for me.

Come evening, we boarded a sunset boat tour of Emerald Bay. Cruising across the impossibly blue water as the sun dipped lower in the sky, we admired the cliffs and forested shorelines.

After carving out space for our individual interests, sharing one of Lake Tahoe's most iconic experiences together felt even more meaningful.

The rest of the trip felt lighter. We wandered downtown, ducking into local shops and taking our time without an agenda. Dinner at the hotel's on-site Maggie's restaurant turned into one of those meals that stretches well past dessert because you're simply enjoying the conversation.

On our final morning, we had brunch at Edgewood Tahoe Resort and wandered down to the resort's waterfront beach. Sitting by the lake and watching paddleboarders glide across the crystal-clear water, I realized neither of us was wishing we'd spent the previous days differently. We were simply enjoying being there together.

In everyday life, couples naturally separate for work, hobbies, workouts, or time with friends. Yet on vacation, there's often an unspoken expectation that every experience should be shared.

That pressure can turn even small decisions into unnecessary compromises. By giving each other permission to spend a few hours apart, we removed that tension entirely.

We'll be planning future trips this way

Our time apart didn't make the vacation feel less romantic. If anything, it made it better.

We both returned feeling fulfilled rather than resentful that we'd sacrificed something we'd been excited about, which made the time we spent together afterward feel more present and connected.

I still want shared experiences when we travel. Some of my favorite memories are the ones we've created side by side. But I've stopped believing that togetherness has to look like doing everything together.

Sometimes the healthiest compromise isn't meeting in the middle at all. It's trusting your partner enough to let them spend an afternoon — or even a morning — exactly where they want to be, while you do the same.

In the end, we didn't come home talking about the hours we spent apart. We came home talking about how surprisingly close we felt because of them.

• As an interior decorator, there are a few design choices I'd never make in my own bedroom.
• I think vibrant colors and busy patterns can disrupt valuable wind-down time before bed.
• Personally, I'd never buy a nightstand that doesn't have storage.

As an interior decorator, I've seen lots of bedroom-design choices that can make a space feel overwhelming, cluttered, or cold.

From busy patterns to matching bedding sets, here are eight things I'd never put in my own bedroom.

Polyester sheets may be cheaper than other fabrics but I still wouldn't buy them.

My go-to fabric for sheets will always be 100% cotton, followed by pricier linen and silk. But when it comes to bedding, I always avoid polyester.

Polyester is made from plastic fibers and isn't as breathable as natural materials, making it less than ideal for temperature control. It can also trap moisture and create static cling, which may disrupt sleep.

Wicker furniture can be difficult to clean.

The natural-fiber furniture trend recirculates every couple of years. Though it looks cute amongst eclectic bohemian decor, I wouldn't personally keep it in my room.

The distinct woven texture can add dimension, but its numerous crevasses collect dust and add to your cleaning routine.

If you're OK with periodically vacuuming your headboard and really want to incorporate wicker furniture, go for a modern weave style.

Busy patterns and vibrant colors may make it more difficult to relax before bed.

I love to decorate with bright colors and bold patterns, but I use them sparingly in a bedroom. A high-saturation color palette or a busy pattern can strain the eyes and energize the mind, making it more difficult to relax. 

Instead, I strike a balance between busy and bland by adding contrast with light shades, dark muted colors, and lots of varying textures to create visual interest and a relaxing environment.

Open closets and storage solutions can quickly turn into clutter.

Open-storage solutions have become more popular in recent years, but in my opinion, having items out on display can make a space look cluttered.

Creating a visually relaxing zone to wind down in can be challenging enough without having to worry about your sweaters being neatly lined up.

Instead, I prefer wardrobe solutions with solid doors and drawers so that my bedroom can feel streamlined and neat. The less visual clutter, the better.

Hardwood, poured-concrete, and tiled floors should never be left bare in the bedroom.

Hardwood floors might be popular, but I'd consider installing wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom. Carpet dampens sound, adds insulation to a space, and is luxuriously cozy to walk on barefoot.

That said, permanent carpeting can be divisive among homeowners and renters, and tends to show wear and tear more quickly than hardwood flooring.

If wall-to-wall carpeting isn't for you, opt for the perfect balance by incorporating large area rugs into your bedroom. As a low-traffic area, the bedroom can be an excellent place for a high-pile, plush, or even shag carpet.

Nightstands without storage are a missed opportunity.

Though minimalistic nightstands create a light, airy look in pictures, the inconvenience of not having a bedside storage solution will get old fast. As clutter piles up along the tabletops, your space will turn from chic to stressful.

I always choose a nightstand with at least one fully concealed drawer. And, for an extra touch of luxury, I opt for nightstands with built-in charging stations — so that I can tuck away my devices at night and avoid any lingering blue light.

Overhead lighting can overpower a room.

Recessed lighting and large chandeliers will create a lot of light, but might not fit the relaxing vibe of the bedroom. Personally, I like to avoid overhead bulbs and focus on variety.

Incorporating built-in sconces and connecting bedside lamps or lighting accents to a wall switch are great ways to bring soft light into your bedroom.

If you love the look of a statement chandelier, incorporate a dimmer or smart-bulb setup to control your lighting.

The matching comforter and pillow trend isn't for me.

Oftentimes, a comforter will come with two pillow shams or a collection of matching throw pillows to create a complete set. Though it may look coordinated, it doesn't give off the elevated look of a designer bedroom.

Instead, I like to choose standalone shams and throw pillows with the color palette of my comforter or bedroom.

I recommend creating variation by using solid sheets, textured throw pillows, and fabric patterns that go well together but don't make an exact match.

This story was originally published on August 10, 2023, and most recently updated on July 27, 2025.

• One large beach house provided flexible space for three extended families traveling together.
• Though it may seem expensive, the price tag replaced paying for hotels and activities individually.
• Eliminating stressful decision fatigue was a built-in bonus for families traveling together.

Coordinating travel for multiple families can be a bit daunting, especially when you're planning for 18 people.

My adult daughter and her two friends, their husbands, seven children under 6, and five additional adults planned to trek to the Isle of Palms, just outside of Charleston, for a wedding earlier this year. Preparation began months in advance, with detailed spreadsheets and clear communication becoming essential.

Hotels were never a viable option. We realized quickly that hidden costs would add up fast. Eating out three times a day, wrangling crying children in hotel rooms, while trying to plan outings around naps, was exhausting even to contemplate. A big beach house to corral everyone was the only option we seriously considered.

Though the $16,000 price tag could sound like a lot, it actually made the most sense for our large group. It felt like a splurge until we arrived. By the second day, it was evident that choosing this beach house, filled with the amenities we valued, made it all effortless and worthwhile

Location mattered as much as the house itself

The search produced several possibilities before we finally settled on one. My daughter and her friends approached the selection with diligence. Who needed their own bedroom, which children could share, and how many bathrooms we'd need were carefully mapped out.

Indoor and outdoor living spaces were a priority, as was an open floor plan with kid-friendly furnishings. We wanted to be far enough from crowded beach access and loud bars, but close to an ice cream stand.

The house we chose had everything we wanted and more — and it was available.

The house became the destination

With direct beach access, an in-ground pool, a hot tub, and a wide deck that fit all of us, there was nowhere else we needed to be. The kids moved easily between the sand and our pool without anyone packing bags or loading cars. The open layout also made it easy for the adults to keep an eye on the kids while conversing.

The day after the wedding, we hosted a barbecue for about forty guests. The house became the natural gathering place, something that would have been impossible if we were staying in a hotel.

We had a rhythm that worked

On past trips, especially hotel stays, the days required constant planning and adjusting. Where should we eat? How long is the wait? Who is ready to go? Dining out constantly sounds indulgent, but it quickly becomes expensive and tiring. You often spend more time coordinating than enjoying the vacation.

This time, we ordered groceries for delivery before we arrived and restocked during the week. Breakfasts were easy options like grab-and-go egg bites, bagels, or yogurt parfaits. The kids sat side by side at the kitchen counter while the adults had coffee on the deck.

Lunch was simple. We made sandwiches and served them with pasta salad or fruit. Dinners were straightforward sheet pan meals, followed by nightly walks to the ice cream stand down the street. No reservations. No crowds. And minimal stress for all of the adults.

The cost was worth it

Yes, the upfront price was high. But we were not paying for multiple hotel rooms, restaurant meals three times a day, or daily activities to keep everyone entertained. One house, along with good planning, absorbed those usual expenses. It also removed decision fatigue and scheduling stress, which is worth a lot to me.

More importantly, it gave us something harder to measure. We had space to be together without feeling crowded and time that was not constantly interrupted or over-scheduled. By the end of the week, we were not debating whether it was worth it. We were already talking about making plans for next year.

• Stocks face two potentially narrative-shifting events this week: a Fed meeting and tech earnings.
• There's chatter about a surprise rate hike, while earnings could be a reset moment for the AI trade.
• All eyes are on hyperscalers after Alphabet was punished last week for its lofty capex outlook.

The stock market is heading into its next big test this week.

Traders are gearing up for a potentially volatile few days as markets come to two two big hurdles: the Fed's next policy meeting, and a slew of earnings from some of the market's biggest AI names.

The updates are coming at a crucial moment for the bull market, which has been challenged recently by a wave of volatility. In addition to big swings in shares of the hottest chip makers, investors have punished AI spenders after key earnings last week. Shares of Alphabet and Tesla tumbled after reporting second-quarter results, with the declines prompted by investor skittishness about higher capex outlooks for both companies.

"Until there is a clear uptrend established once again, investors would be wise to err on the side of caution," David Rosenberg, a top economist and the president of Rosenberg Research, said on Friday.

Markets were up on Monday after the US and Iran paused attacks, causing oil prices to fall and bond yields to edge lower.

Here's where major indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. ET opening bell:

• S&P 500: 7,464.23, up 0.7%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 52,539.65, up 1.14% (+592.40 points)

• Nasdaq 100: 28,362.56, up 0.83%

Here's what investors need to know about the week ahead.

Could the Fed decision be a hike?

The market's first test comes on Wednesday with the conclusion of the Fed's policy meeting. Investors are expecting the Fed to keep rates unchanged after a cooler-than-expected June inflation report, but there are concerns about a surprise rate hike.

The probability that the Fed hikes rates by 25 basis points at its July meeting ticked up to nearly 36% on Friday, up from 13% a week ago, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The baseline expectation is that the Fed will hike rates once or twice by the end of the year.

The argument for a hike now is simply, why wait? Neil Dutta, the chief economist at Renaissance Macro Research, argues that a hike next week would give the Fed room to maneuver as the conditions supporting higher inflation remain in place.

Fanning inflation concerns is the latest spike in oil prices. Brent crude, the international benchmark, topped $100 a barrel last week for the first time since May as the war reignited and tankers were attacked in the Red Sea.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated that the central bank has "no tolerance" for high inflation when speaking to Congress earlier this month.

"Red sea, Hormuz, war escalation, and central banks will be in focus. Oil retraced to pre-MOU levels, pushing rates higher," Bank of America wrote on Friday, adding that the uncertainty around a July rate hike looked "highly unusual."

Big Tech earnings

All eyes will be on the AI trade this week as markets await tech giants' results for the second quarter. Hyperscalers have been under more scrutiny, with investors getting antsy about seeing a return on ballooning capex.

Here are the Mag Seven names that are on deck to report earnings this week:

Tesla and Alphabet, two giants in the Mag Seven circle, were dinged by investors last week. Tesla missed on earnings for the quarter. and its capex forecast added to pressure on the stock. Alphabet beat estimates, but said it was lifting its capex guidance for the full year, triggering a 7% drop in the stock midweek.

The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF is down 3% for the year.

"Technology earnings and spending trends will remain in focus over the coming week," Brock Weimer, an investment strategy analyst at Edward Jones, wrote on Friday.

"If hyperscalers can't convince investors that it's still worth investing in AI infrastructure, then it could spell trouble for the entire stock market and, thus, the economy because it's so tech driven," Hardika Singh, an economic strategist on Fundstrat's market intelligence team, said.

• Greg Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO, completed his first takeover.
• Abel plans to unite Taylor Morrison with Berkshire's 15 similar homebuilders.
• He's starting to make his mark as CEO with this deal, the Alphabet wager, and his new team.

Warren Buffett's successor, Greg Abel, just completed his first acquisition as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO. It's the latest sign that he's ready and willing to build on what Buffett built.

In a Friday press release, Berkshire said it has officially taken over Taylor Morrison for $8.5 billion in cash, a deal it first announced at the end of May.

Taylor Morrison is one of the nation's biggest land developers and homebuilders; it made about $1 billion in pre-tax profits on around $8 billion of revenue last year, its latest annual report shows.

The homebuilder has now joined Berkshire's stable of housing-related subsidiaries, which includes its real estate brokerage network, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and its building-products businesses, such as Clayton Homes, MiTek, and Acme Brick.

"Berkshire is acquiring a best-in-class national homebuilder, led by an exceptional team and backed by a trusted reputation for customer experience," Abel said in the May press release, echoing Buffett's appreciation for market power, quality management, and a strong brand.

Abel said he expects to "unify our site-built homebuilding operations into a combined platform enabling us to deliver the dream of homeownership to more Americans."

He shared an almost identical vision in Friday's press release, signaling that he plans to marshal Berkshire's homebuilding might to try to help tackle the affordability crisis that has prevented many Americans from becoming homeowners.

The press release laid out that Taylor Morrison's brands — including Esplanade, Yardly, and Taylor Morrison Home Funding — will be combined with Berkshire's site-built homebuilding operations, a set of 15 regional and local homebuilders that make up Clayton Properties Group.

Taylor Morrison's CEO, Sheryl Palmer, similarly said the united operations will have "transformative" scale and reach.

Forging his own path

Abel took over from Buffett on New Year's Day, marking the end of a nearly six-decade run for the legendary investor that saw him transform a failing New England textile mill into a $1 trillion conglomerate. Buffett remains chairman, and both men have said he provides input into every major decision at the company.

Regarding the Taylor Morrison deal, Buffett told CNBC's Becky Quick in May: "Greg did that faster than I could have done it, smoother than I could have done it, and I never talked to the CEO. He has launched."

Buffett's defining struggle for years has been figuring out smart ways to deploy Berkshire's cash pile, which doubled in size to $380 billion in the two years ended March 31. That sum exceeds the market capitalization of many of America's most valuable companies, including General Electric, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble.

The bargain hunter has balked at buying stocks at historic highs, making acquisitions when private-market valuations are lofty and private equity firms present fierce competition, and even buying back Berkshire stock as it climbed to record highs.

The situation may finally be improving. Buffett recently told CNBC that he made the decision to invest in Alphabet last year. During the nine months ended March 31, Berkshire amassed a stake in Google's parent company worth $18.5 billion today.

It bought another $10 billion of stock in a private placement in June, giving it a roughly $28 billion stake today, assuming it hasn't altered the size of its holding in recent months.

That means Berkshire, which rarely makes big changes to its stock portfolio, took Alphabet from scratch to a top-five holding in under a year.

Berkshire also struck a deal to acquire OxyChem in October for nearly $10 billion from Occidental Petroleum, one of the larger holdings in its stock portfolio in recent years.

Alongside his efforts to allocate Berkshire's capital, Abel has also started putting his top lieutenants to work. Michael O'Sullivan, Berkshire's first general counsel, and Charles Chang, who's poised to take over as finance chief from Marc Hamburg next year, briefly served as interim directors of the acquisition vehicle buying Taylor Morrison, along with Hamburg, an SEC filing shows.

It's not totally clear how much influence Buffett has had on Abel's early decisions. But it appears that between making an AI giant one of Berkshire's largest holdings, acquiring a leading homebuilder, and enlisting O'Sullivan and Chang into the merger process, Abel is starting to make his mark.

• Erin McGoff left her film career to focus on her TikTok channel.
• She says that people should list their familiarity with AI on their résumés.
• She's seeing more parents, especially moms, looking for self-employment.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Erin McGoff. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've always been the friend whom people turn to for career advice. As a freelance film editor, I had to network my way into a super competitive industry. That meant I acquired a lot of experience in being hired and hiring others to work with me.

During the pandemic, my documentary film work came to a screeching halt. Like many people, I downloaded TikTok, and one day, on a whim, I decided to make a video with career advice. I focused on the most dreaded interview question — "Tell me about yourself." I gave interviewees simple advice: give one sentence about your past, one about your present, and one about your future.

When I woke up the next day, the video had tons of views, and I was flooded with messages. I was terrified; I didn't want to be an influencer. It was hard enough being a young woman in film, and I thought people would take me less seriously if I was on social media a lot. So, I deleted the app.

I liked that social media let me reach my audience directly

Around that time, I got a contract with National Geographic to help launch their TikTok. I was also feeling jaded with the film industry. I was sick of begging for permission to tell the stories I wanted to tell.

I started seeing TikTok as a way to reach my audience directly and do something good. My goal with film has always been to make the world a better place. I realized that documentary filmmaking is a really difficult way to do that, but social media was much more immediate.

So, in 2022, I left National Geographic and began making TikTok my full-time focus. I was able to do that in part because of the financial security of having a husband with a job. From the start, I treated social media like a business, and I've been successful because of it.

Research and real-world experience with jobs don't always line up

Today, my audience is mostly women, ages 18 to 40. I give them advice on everything from answering interview questions to dealing with a toxic boss to telling your employer you're pregnant. That one is appropriate, since I'm expecting my first baby.

I spend hours researching job trends, but I also hear directly from my audience, who are constantly messaging me. Because of that, I feel like I really have my pulse on the job market: what the data says, and what people are really experiencing. Sometimes those things line up, but sometimes they don't.

Include AI on your résumé and update LinkedIn

Right now, many people are having a hard time getting hired. There's a lot of uncertainty in global markets and AI, so companies are being extra cautious about filling roles. This is compounded by our broken hiring system: AI-generated résumés mean employers are inundated, and there's little way to differentiate between candidates.

While AI has some negative impacts, I think it's key that people looking for jobs embrace it. I recommend listing your AI skills on your résumé, the way people used to list Microsoft Word on their résumés. It's a value signal, showing companies that you're willing to use AI to help them get more work done.

LinkedIn is also really important right now. Hiring managers are turning there to confirm that their applicants are real people — so definitely update your LinkedIn.

More people are interested in self-employment

Despite giving career advice, I often joke that if you spend enough time with me, I'll convince you to quit your job. There's a lot of power in being self-employed, and I believe the most stable job is working for yourself. That's why I've intentionally set up my career this way.

I'm seeing moms, in particular, searching for remote, hyper-flexible jobs. Throughout history, mothers have always been the most tenacious, adaptable businesspeople. I think AI might be the best thing that's ever happened to moms, because it will broaden self-employment options. Of course, being self-employed isn't for everyone, and that's fine too.

Whether you want to work for yourself or someone else, stay positive about your career. There's a bit of a doom loop happening with hiring right now. I understand that, because we're in the sticky middle with AI, it doesn't work particularly well yet, but it's still affecting our jobs.

And yet, if you get off social media and into the real world—including your professional network—you'll find opportunities are still available.

• The modern battlefield is constantly monitored by drones, satellites, and other surveillance tools.
• Large troop gatherings or fixed command posts are becoming increasingly vulnerable to long-range strikes.
• The threat has pushed NATO to rethink command and control and how to scatter forces.

Persistent surveillance over the modern battlefield is forcing NATO leaders to rethink command and control and disperse unnecessarily large troop formations that could be easy targets for enemy airstrikes.

French Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, told Business Insider in a recent interview that constant surveillance and the growing risk of strikes far behind the front are forcing militaries to "scatter the force" and avoid "useless concentration."

Vandier, who oversees NATO modernization efforts as one of its two strategic commanders, said that the alliance is in the process of changing its approach to command and control.

"We are only at the beginning of it," Vandier said. His comments echo what other top Western officials have said about the need for decentralized command and control nodes.

In Ukraine, drones are always watching the front lines and have created a "kill zone" that is dozens of miles wide. In this area, movement can be quickly detected and targeted. Soldiers are driving less and walking more, keeping a distance between each other to increase their chances of survival.

Ukraine, much like Russia, has largely abandoned large troop gatherings near the front lines. Mission planning, artillery fire, and air defense operations either happen farther back or are concealed and done on the move.

Farther from the front, Ukraine still prioritizes dispersal to keep its forces safer from longer-range Russian missile and drone strikes. The threat of such attacks has also pushed the country's defense companies to spread out and even move some operations underground.

Western military leaders and Ukrainian defense officials have warned that NATO must consider similar dispersal practices, specifically with its large command posts, amid concerns about a future confrontation with Russia and its long-range weapons.

NATO militaries have long relied on large command posts where hundreds of officers prepare briefings and process battlefield information for commanders. Such practices, however, are coming to an end, Vandier said.

Vandier said cloud-based data programs can store information and create analyses without needing a lot of people concentrated in one place.

NATO's shift toward a much more disaggregated approach empowered by new technologies is well underway. In March 2025, for instance, the alliance acquired the Maven Smart System, made by the American software firm Palantir Technologies, to help integrate artificial intelligence into its operations and improve decision-making.

"There is a C2 renewal, which is ongoing," Vandier said, using the military acronym for command and control.

Large command centers have proven to be vulnerable during the months-long Iran war. Tehran has used missiles and drones to strike the US Navy's regional headquarters in Bahrain and a major air operations center in Qatar, among other American military bases and facilities.

The US armed forces are working on new command-and-control initiatives to modernize and speed up decision-making. The software-focused approach could also help to decentralize more traditional, large-scale gatherings.

Western militaries are exploring not only dispersed command and control but also scattered air operations, as Ukraine has done with its fleet of aging Soviet-designed jets and more advanced Western fighters. The US Air Force calls these Agile Combat Operations.

For years now, NATO fighter jets have been training to take off and land on highways and other non-traditional runways to reduce their reliance on fixed airbases that could easily be targeted. Such dispersal tactics echo certain Cold War practices.

• Anthropic is the only major AI lab that has not yet backed Silicon Valley's defense of open-weight AI.
• OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and SpaceX signed a letter asking the US to support open-weight AI.
• Anthropic's silence has been criticized by figures across the tech industry.

The tech industry is rallying around open-weight AI, but one major lab is staying conspicuously silent.

Anthropic is drawing criticism from across Silicon Valley for not signing an open letter advocating for open-weight AI as Washington considers restrictions on some Chinese models.

On Friday, over two dozen companies — including Nvidia, Meta, and Microsoft — signed "Open Weights and American AI Leadership," endorsing open-weights, which means developers can download, modify, and deploy AI models on their own infrastructure.

Over the weekend, several other major names in AI signed the letter: OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX.

It means that, as of Monday, the only major frontier AI lab not to back the industry-wide defense of open models is Anthropic — and the Claude maker is catching some serious heat for it.

"The entire tech industry (save for Anthropic) has come out in favor of open source AI," said David Sacks, a venture capitalist and former AI czar for the Trump administration.

"They won't stop until they kneecap open source. The rest of the industry needs to watch these guys like a hawk," he wrote in a post on X.

"Proud that @OpenAI signed the letter. Ant is silent on it," wrote Peter Steinberger, an OpenAI employee and the founder of agentic platform OpenClaw, in his own X post.

Bill Gurley, a general partner at VC firm Benchmark, also criticized Anthropic for not signing the letter and suggested the company was attempting to preserve its position in the AI race.

"Excited to see Anthropic acknowledge the real problem with open is it competes with their corporate economic strategy. The 'awareness' here is revealing," wrote Gurley in an X post responding to an Anthropic employee.

"Who DIDN'T sign the Open Weight letter is far more interesting than who did," wrote Kai-Fu Lee, a former Google and Microsoft exec who founded Chinese open-model startup 01.AI, while tagging Anthropic's Claude AI in his X post.

Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has previously warned that developers lose control of frontier AI models once their weights are released. Anthropic has instead favored gated access to powerful models, launching Project Glasswing, an initiative to give vetted companies early access to its powerful cyber models to fix security flaws, earlier this year.

China dials up open model debate

The debate over open models has been supercharged by the recent launch of Kimi K3, an open-weight model built by the Chinese AI lab Moonshot that rivals the performance of top US closed models on some benchmarks.

Last week, a top White House official accused Moonshot of using Anthropic's Fable AI model to train K3, a practice known as distillation, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the US government could sanction Chinese open-source AI models that are found to have distilled their US rivals. China has, broadly, pursued a more open approach to AI than the US.

The argument for open-weight AI was boosted last week after Hugging Face said it used a model from China's Z.ai in its defense against a hack from OpenAI's rogue AI agent. Hugging Face said it was unable to use closed AI models because of restrictions on them.

The outpouring of support for open models continued on Monday with Nvidia announcing the launch of the Open Secure AI Alliance, an initiative advocating for open AI models in cybersecurity, which was backed by Microsoft, SpaceX, and other tech firms.

• Texas has become one of the top destinations for movers in the US.
• Its business-friendly climate and lower cost of living attract people from all walks of life.
• Supermodel Bella Hadid and actor Glen Powell are among the celebrities who have moved to Texas.

Texas is popular for many reasons.

The second-largest US state is the birthplace of the iconic musician Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, NFL star Michael Strahan, and actresses Selena Gomez and Reneé Zellweger.

It's also home to a beloved football team, the Dallas Cowboys, and internationally famous festivals, including South by Southwest.

Beyond its cultural significance, Texas has a reputation for its affordability, largely due to its relatively lower cost of living and absence of state income tax. This personal finance appeal, combined with a business-friendly environment, has attracted entrepreneurs and their companies over the years.

US Census Bureau data shows that Texas population growth has declined nationwide; Texas is still a leader in attracting movers. From July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, Texas had the highest number of new residents, adding 391,243.

Several celebrities are among the hordes of movers to Texas. This reflects a broader trend of wealth realignment in the United States, where even the proverbial Joneses are moving to areas where their money goes further, and the weather is more favorable.

Consider supermodel Bella Hadid, who moved to Fort Worth, Texas, or comedian Roseanne Barr and podcast host Joe Rogan, who have decamped from LA to Austin in recent years.

Business Insider has compiled a list of 21 notable celebrities and businesspeople who have moved themselves — and in some cases, their businesses — to the Lone Star State.

The list is presented in alphabetical order by last name.

Roseanne Barr traded Hollywood for 30 acres in Texas Hill Country.

Roseanne Barr's son, Jake Pentland, told Us Weekly in June 2025 that his famous mother had traded the Hollywood Hills for Texas Hill Country, a region in central Texas that includes cities like Austin and New Braunfels.

"My mom lives with me, my wife, and my two daughters — she's the best grandma," Pentland told the magazine.

In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Barr said living in Texas is a "dream come true."

"I'm doing a lot of mowing. I've got a really fantastic tractor out here, and I'm mowing," Barr said. "The only problem is I don't clear the trees quite as good as I should, and I'm always hitting a tree and knocking it over, and it always hits me in the head."

Simone Biles moved back to her hometown.

Before becoming one of the world's most decorated gymnasts, Olympian Simone Biles grew up in the Houston area with her grandparents.

This year, Biles and her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, announced their return to Texas after Owens' contract with the Chicago Bears expired.

After roughly three years of construction, the couple settled into a large, lavish lakefront mansion in Springfield, Texas — about three hours north of Houston — Realtor.com reported in February.

Haylie Duff said it took a while to realize she could still have an acting career without living in LA.

A native of Texas, Duff decided with her fiancé Matt Rosenberg to pack up the kids and leave California once the pandemic hit.

At first, she was nervous that the move would hurt her career.

"I think so much of my fear of moving out of Los Angeles was that my career was there and that I would never work again or something like that," she told Fox News Digital in 2022. "And, you know, I think this has all taught us that Zoom certainly can be a very powerful tool. And we can, you know, very luckily for me, get to continue to work from here, and I get to live near my dad. I haven't lived, here, near my dad in a really long time."

Scott Eastwood loves living in Texas because it 'slows life down.'

The son of Clint Eastwood, Scott has been methodically building his own career, showing up in the "Fast and Furious" franchise and Guy Ritchie movies.

During his downtime in Texas, he does everything from fishing to hunting.

"I think that's why people who come to Texas really can fall in love with it," he told Flaunt in 2021 from his home in Austin. "There's more community, people are more neighborly, people are nice. It slows life down a little bit. It's not this fast-paced living in a big city like New York or Los Angeles."

Adrian Grenier's acting career is thriving in Texas.

In 2020, "Entourage" and "The Devil Wears Prada" star Adrian Grenier left the Hollywood Hills for a 46-acre sustainable ranch in Bastrop, Texas, a city about 40 minutes southeast of Austin.

While in Texas, Grenier has continued acting and most recently appeared in the short film "Self Custody," about a struggling father who loses a cryptocurrency fortune. The film was shot in Austin, near his home.

In an interview with Page Six in March, Grenier said Texas' burgeoning film and television industry will keep him in the state.

"There's $2.5 billion that the Texas state government just put into film and television projects in Texas," Grenier said. "They're building three movie studios not too far from me. I don't see any reason why we wouldn't just continue to film in Texas."

Bella Hadid said she moved to Texas for her health.

After spending most of her life jet-setting around the world trying to conquer the modeling industry, Hadid decided recently to take some time away from the spotlight.

In early 2024, she spoke to Allure about moving to Texas to focus on her mental and physical health (she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2013), and be with her then boyfriend, cowboy Adan Banuelos.

"Just as I have styled myself for years now — which I still do — I love being able to do my own hair and makeup, be happy with how I look, and get ready with my girlfriends here in Texas," Hadid told Allure. "We have the best time, and I never feel like I need to do too much."

"For the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face. If I don't feel good, I won't go. If I don't feel good, I take time for myself. And I've never had the opportunity to do that or say that before," Hadid added. "Now, when anybody sees me in pictures, and they say I look happy, I genuinely am. I am feeling better; my bad days now were my old good days."

Woody Harrelson is lobbying to make Texas a hub for film and television production.

Harrelson lived in Hawaii for many years before moving back to his home state of Texas in 2023.

Now in the Lone Star State and living outside Austin, the actor has lobbied alongside longtime friend Matthew McConaughey to make Texas a hub for film and television production.

In 2025, the Texas House approved Senate Bill 22, which provides $300 million every two years through 2035 to support the local film industry.

Chanel Iman said Texas gives her more freedom.

Supermodel Chanel Iman and her husband, New Orleans Saints football player Davon Godchaux, purchased a spacious ranch about 90 minutes west of Dallas, Architectural Digest reported in June.

"Texas gave us the freedom to dream bigger," Iman told Architectural Digest. "We love the land, the openness, being surrounded by nature. That's really what brought us here, and it's a dream come true."

50 Cent is a New Yorker, but his primary residence is in Texas.

In 2021, the rapper-turned-television producer and entrepreneur announced on X that he was living in Houston.

Since James Marsden moved to Texas, he lives closer to his mother.

The star has enjoyed visiting Austin for decades but finally decided to live there in 2020.

"I love it. I've been coming here for 20 years," he told "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in 2020. "I'm much closer to my mom and everybody. I love it. It's great."

Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick traded California for Texas.

The former Uber CEO announced on the daily live video and audio podcast TBPN in March that he had moved to Texas in December 2025.

Kalanick joins a slew of tech billionaires, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who have left California for greener pastures.

Keith Lee fell in love with Dallas' restaurants.

The former mixed martial arts fighter turned TikTok food critic has set up shop in Texas.

After living in Las Vegas, Lee relocated to Texas in November 2024. In a December video reviewing the downtown Dallas restaurant The Wicked Butcher, he revealed that he now lives in Dallas.

"One thing I do love about the Dallas food scene — we've been here a month, a month and a half — they do have some nice fine dining restaurants," Lee said.

Matthew McConaughey wanted to be closer to family.

Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves settled in Austin in 2012 after buying a 10,800-square-foot mansion.

According to a 2024 profile in Southern Living, the move to Texas was initially because of a "family crisis," when he needed to help his mother and two brothers. The couple decided to stay put and raise their three children there.

"Ritual came back," McConaughey said of being back in Texas. "Whether that was Sunday church, sports, dinner together as a family every night, or staying up after that telling stories in the kitchen, sitting at the island pouring drinks and nibbling while retelling them all in different ways than we told them before."

Elon Musk moved to Texas and brought his companies with him.

Elon Musk has moved both SpaceX and Tesla's headquarters out of California to Texas.

In 2020, Musk announced that he had moved to Texas at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council summit.

Musk has said he owns a tiny home in Texas, and records show he bought a house in Austin in 2022.

Shaquille O'Neal has been buying up properties in North Texas.

In 2022, O'Neal bought a 5,269-square-foot home in Carrollton listed at $1,224,000 and sold it in 2024 for an undisclosed amount, though it was listed for $1.7 million, according to Realtor.com.

That year, Chexy Trust, tied to the Carrollton purchase, bought a 4,670-square-foot home in Rockwall County. In 2024, O'Neal opened a branch of his Big Chicken chain restaurant in Fort Worth.

As his footprint in the region grows, he told Dallas television station WFAA he plans to make the area his home base.

"I'm 75% going to move here full time," O'Neal said last June. "I have to see what's going on with TNT next year, but based on that, you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me."

Glen Powell got tired of the lack of freedom living in Los Angeles.

The "Twisters" star, who is also a native Texan, recently moved back to Austin from Los Angeles to be close to his family and improve his mental health.

"When all you do is consume movies and entertainment, you could become a little self-aware and maybe derivative of yourself," Powell told USA Today. "Your personal life, there's no sort of freedom there, there's storytelling around that, and I feel like that's just not good for you on the long term."

Jared Padalecki has a soft spot for Austin.

Padalecki ditched Hollywood for Texas before it was a trend. The "Supernatural" star, a San Antonio native, relocated from Los Angeles to Austin with his wife, Genevieve, in 2012.

In an Instagram video taken on Austin's 24th Street in 2020, he explained why he loves the city so much.

"Austin brings me a warmth and a happiness and a peace that I have been unable to find anywhere else in my travels," Padalecki said. "I love being here."

Jesse Plemons returned home and brought Kirsten Dunst with him.

Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, who got engaged in 2017 and married in 2022, thought they'd temporarily go to Texas, Plemons' home state, during the pandemic, but have since grown accustomed to life there.

In an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Dunst said that she's enjoyed her time in Texas.

"It's everything," she said. "People care less because it's not a movie town. They're better with children, the parks are nicer."

Plemons told Texas Monthly in a 2024 cover story that the couple was renovating their home in East Austin, potentially to move into it for good.

"The people just look at you in a different way," Plemons told Texas Monthly. "They're not on the hamster wheel."

Christine Quinn's return to her home state has brought her closer to her family.

In 2025, former "Selling Sunset" star Christine Quinn relocated to her home state of Texas after splitting from her ex-husband, tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet.

Quinn now lives in a suburb outside Dallas with her young son, Christian.

"I am really, really grateful to be living here," Quinn told People in January, adding that she's happy to be closer to family. "I have a sister who lives really close to me, and my son has a cousin. So it's really something that I needed as opposed to the chaos when I was in Los Angeles."

Joe Rogan ended up in Texas once the pandemic hit.

Like many other celebs, Rogan left Los Angeles once the pandemic hit.

In a 2023 episode of his popular podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience," he explained why he ended up in Texas.

"Then we went to the lake, and people are playing music and jumping in the water," said Rogan, adding that his kids "were like, 'We want to live here!'"

"That was it. Two months later, I lived here," he said in the podcast episode.

Jamie Lynn Sigler has felt more connected to her craft since moving to Texas.

"The Sopranos" star moved to Austin in 2021 with her family, husband Cutter Dykstra, and sons Beau and Jack.

"I almost feel more connected to my craft and why I love acting," Sigler told The New York Times in 2021. "When the calls come in, it's a beautiful surprise. I'm still on things and I'm still a businesswoman and it's still my career, but I don't feel the pressure around it because we took a stand for ourselves and we made decisions for our families."

• Western defense firms are partnering with Ukrainian companies to learn from wartime production.
• A Ukrainian official said Western firms want to move faster and build under attack.
• Western companies point to Ukraine's speed and direct feedback from the battlefield.

Western arms makers are increasingly working with Ukrainian weapons companies, looking to learn from them how to build effectively in wartime conditions.

Many Western companies, including major players, have entered into agreements to develop products with Ukrainian manufacturers, reflecting growing interest in Ukraine's wartime manufacturing experience.

Western firms are interested in partnering with Ukrainian companies "to have those lessons learned that they have gained since the beginning of the full-scale invasion," Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, told Business Insider.

Ukraine's defense industry has expanded rapidly since Russia's full-scale invasion, producing more weapons domestically and attracting greater interest from foreign governments and companies. Aloian described a shift, from Ukraine taking any aid allies could spare, including decades-old equipment, to foreign partners now studying its defense sector.

Western officials say Ukraine's manufacturing processes are central to what they want to learn from Ukraine, and they have encouraged their defense companies to partner with Ukrainian firms.

Aloian said Western firms are interested in how Ukrainian companies operate under attack and move quickly enough to respond to a battlefield changing faster than anything most Western manufacturers have faced in decades.

Ukraine builds fast

Western leaders have praised Ukraine's defense industry for its ability to develop some weapons more quickly and cheaply than many NATO-based manufacturers, even while under threat. They say they want their own countries' companies to adopt some of those practices.

Ukrainian companies can develop, field, and modify some weapons within weeks, particularly drones and other relatively inexpensive systems.

Sir John Stringer, NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, told Business Insider recently that "one of the things you're seeing in Ukraine is a sheer pace of adoption and adaptation in technology. It is measured in weeks." That pace, he said, is something Western militaries should study.

German defense company Quantum Systems has started co-producing drones with Ukrainian defense company Frontline Robotics with a joint venture called Quantum Frontline Industries, which it described as "a major step toward a new European drone industrial base driven by Ukrainian frontline innovation and German engineering."

Mykyta Rozhkov, Frontline Robotics' chief business development officer, described it to Business Insider as a "win-win" that gives Ukraine more of the drones it needs and lets German industry learn some wartime lessons that mean it can "level up their own industry and be prepared."

He said his company could learn from German manufacturing methods while sharing its own "unique approaches to manufacturing" that allow it to move faster and take more risks than some Western firms.

Jørgen Bull, the senior vice president for land systems at Norway's Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, said when his company announced plans to work with Ukrainian robotic systems maker DevDroid that partnerships with Ukrainian industry are important for building future defense capabilities because "the speed of defense technology development in Ukraine today has no equal."

He said working with DevDroid combines its "battle-proven solutions" with his company's decades of experience.

Ukraine builds under threat

Ukrainian companies have also learned how to maintain production under wartime threats. Many are expanding some production elsewhere in Europe, but allies preparing for a possible large-scale war want to understand how Ukrainian firms have continued operating under attack.

Aloian said that Western companies also want to learn how Ukrainian companies have scaled so hugely, especially working in such tough conditions. "The industry has been developed under the most harsh conditions that are currently in the world."

Aloian said Western companies want to learn from Ukraine about the "resilience of the production sites, how rapidly they can restore and regenerate their production volumes after shelling and after hits," and how they're duplicating production lines and relocating manufacturing without decreasing delivery volumes.

Ukrainian companies have split manufacturing across multiple sites. That makes production more difficult but reduces the risk that a single attack could wipe out an entire operation.

Karmo Saar, the head of sales for Estonian company Krattworks, which makes drones used by Ukraine, told Business Insider that European companies need to disperse more, or otherwise, "I think we're going to be punished."

Aloian said that some countries should definitely spread out their manufacturing like this.

Ukrainian drone maker General Cherry announced a joint venture with American defense manufacturer Wilcox Industries to produce FPV and interceptor drones for the US.

Wilcox Industries founder and CEO James Teetzel cited Ukraine's working under threat, saying that "to work with a company that withstood the impossible and entered the fight when Ukraine's sovereignty was under threat is exactly the spirit Wilcox would like to be part of."

He said he wanted to combine his company's strengths with the battlefield tech that General Cherry had developed, and he had no doubt that it would "bring considerable benefit to the United States."

Stanislav Hryshyn, co-founder of General Cherry, told Business Insider that the US has a larger manufacturing base that's beneficial for Ukrainian companies to work with, but that also for Western companies, "our experience and expertise is pretty valuable for them."

General Cherry is also co-producing with ORQA, a Croatian drone technology company.

Srđan Kovačević, ORQA's CEO, told Business Insider that General Cherry has "been living through a reality of having to defend against massive daily attacks by unmanned capabilities of the enemy.

That pressure, he said, has forced the company to quickly adapt available technology for operational use.

He said that working together "is a two-way street. But when it comes to operational excellence, they have operational excellence that we don't have simply because we had the privilege of not needing to have an existential threat daily."

• I've loved reading for as long as I can remember.
• However, once I became a mom, I no longer had time for it.
• At the end of a recent trip, I had some alone time and rediscovered my love of books.

I've always loved reading, ever since I picked up "Little Women" as a 10-year-old girl. As I got older, books became my secret escape, taking me to places I never could have imagined.

But when I had my first child, something shifted. Suddenly, reading became a chore.

I'd try to pick up a book, only to fall asleep a page or two in. I simply couldn't absorb what was on the page, probably because I was so sleep-deprived.

When babies number two and three came along, it was no different. If I read anything, it would take me six months to finish a book, if I finished it at all. I missed reading, but it felt so much easier to vegetate in front of Netflix than pick up a book at the end of a busy day being a mom.

Some alone time brought me back to reading

In 2024, I finally got my reading mojo back. We'd been holidaying on the Gold Coast, and I ended up staying a little longer for a funeral. After dropping my husband and kids at the airport, I found myself feeling lost. What should I do now? I wondered.

As I drove back towards my parents' house, where I was staying, I spotted a shopping center. An idea formed.

I pulled into the car park, found the nearest bookshop, bought a bestseller — "It Ends With Us," by Colleen Hoover — then wandered into a French pâtisserie and ordered a pot of Earl Grey tea and a croissant. I opened the first page.

This time, without any little people distracting me and limited sleep deprivation, I relaxed into reading. As I soaked up the words, it felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend I hadn't seen in years. I couldn't stop turning the pages, smiling like an idiot while sipping tea and dropping croissant crumbs into my lap.

Several hours later, when my back was aching, and I felt like I'd overstayed my welcome at the café, I marked my page and looked down in disbelief. I was halfway through the book.

I missed more than just devouring stories

A few days later, on the flight home, my head was still buried in the pages. A flight attendant walked past and said, "Oh, I loved that book." Then the woman sitting next to me agreed, and we chatted about the author and the sequel.

At that moment, I realized it wasn't just the stories I'd been missing. It was the book banter, too. The discussions about characters, plots, endings, and authors. I loved it all.

After devouring that book, I started the next. There was no stopping me.

Romantasy and romance. Thrillers and memoirs. I read anything I could get my hands on. There wasn't enough time in the day to read everything I wanted.

I started visiting the local library every week and set myself a reading goal for 2025: one book every two weeks. I joined a book club and kept adding to my ever-growing reading list. I couldn't wait for the next story to come to life.

At one point, my husband cracked it. "Are you ever going to spend time with me when the kids are in bed, or will your head perpetually be stuck in a book?" he asked. I groaned and reluctantly slipped my bookmark between the pages.

I don't want to lose my love of reading again

These days, I'm mindful of balancing reading with quality time with my husband and kids. I still can't bring myself to listen to audiobooks because part of the joy for me is the smell and feel of a book in my hands.

Even if it's just an hour of reading before bed, I look forward to it throughout the day. Occasionally, I'll cheat and hide in my room, devouring a few quick pages until one of my kids discovers mommy indulging in her guilty pleasure. Then it's back to reality.

Looking back, those early years of parenting can be pretty intense. Many parents sacrifice their hobbies and lose their sense of self along the way. For me, rediscovering my love of reading felt like reclaiming a long-lost part of my identity. It gave me the chance to escape into new worlds once again, while being the best version of myself, for my family and for me.

• After OpenAI's rogue agent hacked Hugging Face, Nvidia unveiled an alliance of industry leaders on Monday.
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said "closed AI blocked essential forensics" during the incident.
• A blog post announcing the alliance shared by Nvidia framed closed and open models as complementary.

Nvidia and top tech companies have assembled a group calling for better support for open AI models to fend off cyberattacks in the wake of OpenAI's rogue agent hacking Hugging Face.

The Open Secure AI Alliance, unveiled Monday, comprises dozens of companies, including Microsoft, SpaceXAI, IBM, Palantir, Databricks, Dell, and Hugging Face itself, as well as the Linux Foundation and startups such as Cognition and Thinking Machines Lab.

In a blog post announcing the group, Nvidia called for regulators to recognize open models and security tooling as defensive assets rather than liabilities. Blanket restrictions would "weaken defensive capacity," it warned, and concentrate dependence on a few providers.

Critics view open models as a liability because their safeguards can be stripped out and their capabilities repurposed for attacks, a risk the post acknowledged but said was not unique to open systems.

Nvidia's post, which lists the companies as inaugural partners, also calls on governments and companies to fund shared open datasets, evaluation frameworks, and red-teaming tools. The group frames closed and open models as complementary.

"Attackers have frontier AI. Defenders need a frontier AI ecosystem—the best open and closed models, force-multiplied by a global community," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wrote in a Monday X post.

"During the Hugging Face incident, closed AI blocked essential forensics. An open-weight frontier model helped contain the intrusion. That's why we created the Open Secure AI Alliance," he added.

Hugging Face hacked

The announcement comes after Hugging Face said on July 16 that an AI agent had broken into its systems and stolen an access key. It said it used the key to reach deeper into the company's network. Five days later, OpenAI said that its models were responsible: GPT-5.6 Sol and a more capable pre-release system, both running with safety refusals dialed down for an internal test.

Hugging Face first tried to investigate the breach using commercial AI services, but analyzing the intrusion required submitting the attacker's own code. Closed tools, "unable to distinguish attackers from defenders," blocked the analysis, Nvidia said. The safety filters designed to stop hackers ended up hindering the hacked company instead.

Instead, Hugging Face ran an open model, Z.ai's GLM 5.2, on its own servers to review more than 17,000 actions. Defenders "need open, frontier agentic systems for self-defense," the Nvidia blog argued, or their response is constrained "at exactly the moment speed matters most."

Nvidia does not name OpenAI in the post, referring only to "closed AI tools." OpenAI is also absent from the membership list, along with Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Amazon. Z.ai, the Chinese developer of the model used by Hugging Face, is also not included.

The ATP and WTA head to Washington for the American hard-court season. We've rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch the DC Open, including live streaming options for those without cable.

Alex de Minaur and Leylah Fernandez will attempt to defend their titles at the Mubadala DC Open. If you're hoping to tune in, you've come to the right place. You can live stream the tournament through the Tennis Channel in the US and Sky Sports in the UK, among other options. Keep reading to learn more about the Washington DC Open.

How to watch the DC Open in the US

DC Open coverage is available through the Tennis Channel in the US. Select match coverage will also be shown through Tennis Channel 2 (T2). There are several ways to live stream the Tennis Channel, including directly with a paid subscription through the Tennis Channel website. You can also get it as part of a live TV streaming service, which lets you watch other popular channels, like ESPN (which you'll need for the US Open next month).

Fubo is one of the best live TV streaming services we've tested. The Tennis Channel and T2 are both available through all of Fubo's main plans, including the budget-friendly Sports + News package. Subscriptions start at $65 a month, but new users can get at least $10 off their first month after a free trial.

YouTube TV is another popular live TV service. To access the Tennis Channel, you'll need the NFL RedZone with Sports Plus add-on, which costs an additional $11 a month. You can add it to either of YouTube TV's plans. YouTube TV's main plan costs $83 a month, but first-time customers can get $15 a month off their first five months after a free trial. YouTube TV's sports plan costs $65 a month, but new users can get $10 a month off their first 12 months of service.

How to watch the DC Open in the UK

The DC Open will air across Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Main Event, and Sky Sports+ in the UK. Tennis fans can watch through one of the many Sky TV plans that carry Sky Sports. You can learn more about your options in our guide to the best Sky TV deals and plans, or try a more flexible streaming option through Now Sports.

How to watch the DC Open from anywhere

If you're traveling away from home, you can still keep up with your usual watch options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are easy-to-use tech tools that allow people to temporarily alter their device's virtual location. This way, their favorite websites and apps work from anywhere in the world, just like they would back home. Since the services we've recommended require country-specific payment methods, this option will work best for those who are simply traveling abroad and hoping to access their usual watch options.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It's fast, user-friendly, and offers impressive cybersecurity perks. The service also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it's no sweat if you find that it's not what you're looking for.

Who is participating in the DC Open?

Several top-ranked ATP and WTA players are scheduled to compete at the Mubadala DC Open. Top ATP singles participants include Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Lorenzo Musetti, and Arthur Fils. Top WTA singles participants include Alexandra Eala, Leylah Fernandez, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina, and Venus Williams. Notably, Williams and Eala will team up again for doubles.

Where does the DC Open take place?

In case the name didn't already give it away, the Mubadala DC Open takes place in Washington, DC. The event is held at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.

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

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
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The past 12 months have not been kind to Microsoft.

Once the most valuable company in the world, the Big Tech titan's share price has been sliding. Microsoft's stock dropped 19% in June, its worst month since the dot-com crash. Some of its top brands, like Microsoft 365, Copilot, and Xbox, are facing serious headwinds and questions about their future.

BI's Ashley Stewart, our resident Microsoft expert, broke down how the tech giant is trying to mount a comeback on multiple fronts.

It wasn't always this way. A few years ago, Microsoft was the top dog, getting praised for its foresight on the AI revolution. An early investor in OpenAI, Microsoft also quickly implemented AI into its search engine, Bing.

AI's volatility is bound to swing companies' fortunes quickly, but it's hit Microsoft particularly hard. Its 12-month stock performance (down roughly 25%) is the worst of the Magnificent Seven by a decent margin. (Meta is the next closest, down almost 17%.)

Microsoft will get another test on Wednesday when it reports earnings after the bell.

At the heart of Microsoft's challenge is a classic business dilemma: Does it cash in on demand today or focus more on its long-term goals?

Compute is the name of the AI game. Microsoft has the benefit of a massive cloud business in Azure that can help customers meet those needs.

But Microsoft's cloud business is a gift and a curse. There is only so much compute to go around, and Microsoft has its own AI plans it needs that infrastructure for.

That means a decision: Allocate those resources toward its clients or itself?

The former leads to the more immediate boost to the top line, but comes with a risk. Less compute for Microsoft means fewer resources to develop and run its products, which could set it further back in the AI race.

Keeping more compute for itself is a bet that Microsoft's products will ultimately take off, which is good for the long run. But disappointing growth for Azure could tank its stock immediately.

This isn't happening in a vacuum. Google Cloud continues to put up massive numbers. (Although it's also feeling the pinch of AI spend as its free cash flow went negative for the first time in decades.)

And while they're not as complete an offering as Azure, Meta and SpaceX are also getting in the compute-for-hire game.

So as Microsoft continues to debate how it wants to split up its compute, its customers have alternatives. And they might not stick around to find out what Microsoft decides.

• Some Google workers are pushing for voluntary buyouts as a standard first step to trimming head count.
• Meanwhile, Microsoft recently offered retirement packages on a broad scale for the first time.
• Buyouts can soften job cuts, though when made available to workers of all tenures, firms risk losing top talent.

Voluntary buyouts are having a moment in Big Tech.

Workers at Google recently pressed the search giant to make the exit offers a standard first step whenever it plans job cuts — and to extend them to all members of affected teams, regardless of tenure. Microsoft, meanwhile, launched its first broad voluntary retirement program this past spring, offering packages to thousands of longtime US employees. It said that more than 30% of those eligible accepted.

The developments are raising broader questions in tech, where many once-scrappy startups are now sprawling corporations — and where repeated rounds of layoffs have eliminated scores of jobs in recent years.

Now that many of those businesses have workforces that include employees with decades of service, are buyouts — long part of the workforce-reduction playbook at legacy companies from Boeing to General Motors — a fairer, less painful way to reduce head count than layoffs? And should they remain reserved for veteran employees, as they traditionally have been, or be offered more widely?

"Buyouts are becoming increasingly compelling for older Silicon Valley companies," said Laszlo Bock, a former Google head of human resources who now advises CEOs. "They have more eligible people, and it's a softer message for morale."

A 'more humane' approach

Nearly 100 Google employees rallied this month outside the company's Mountain View headquarters, arguing that the company's past use of selective exit offers should become a broader and more consistent policy. As part of the event, the union presented a petition signed by more than 4,500 Googlers calling for improved layoff protections.

Voluntary buyouts "provide agency to workers," said Emma Jackson, a Google employee of more than 20 years and a leader of the Alphabet Workers Union. Alphabet is Google's parent company.

Jackson said workers nearing retirement might have accepted buyouts in earlier rounds of layoffs at Google, reducing the number of cuts needed. She called the approach "more humane."

Google didn't respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. The company said in a Wednesday securities filing that its workforce grew by nearly 12,000 employees over the past year, reaching about 199,000 at the end of June.

Microsoft announced its retirement program in April, making it available to employees whose age plus their years of service totaled at least 70. The company then cut about 4,800 jobs earlier this month.

Those who accepted Microsoft's retirement offer received a payout based on seniority and tenure, plus up to five years of health insurance coverage. Still, the formula meant some employees became eligible well before a conventional retirement age, forcing them to weigh whether to leave careers they had not expected to end anytime soon.

At 47, retirement wasn't on Marisela Cerda's radar. Yet Cerda, a principal customer experience manager at Microsoft who joined the company after college in 2001, was among those who received an exit offer.

Although she ultimately decided to stay, Cerda previously told Business Insider that she stuck around as long as she has because of the opportunity to keep learning about emerging technologies and the relationships she's built with colleagues over the years. The offer prompted Cerda to think more urgently about the next phase of her career.

"You move toward what you want more of, versus moving away from things you don't want," she said.

A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment further.

Why the calculus may be changing

As Silicon Valley companies grow older alongside their workforces, buyouts may grow more attractive, said Josh Bersin, an HR analyst and consultant. Forcing veteran employees to leave through layoffs "creates a lot of bad blood," he said.

Peter Rahbar, a New York employment attorney and cohost of the "Across the Bar" podcast, said buyouts might not reduce staff as quickly as layoffs, but they don't carry the same "huge" morale costs for those who remain — or for potential future hires.

"How you treat people on the way out is certainly something people look at on the way in," he said.

There are downsides for employers, however. Offering buyouts can make labor reductions less predictable, said Jay Zagorsky, a professor at Boston University's Questrom School of Business. If too few employees accept, a company may still need to make cuts to reach its target.

"With a layoff, there's certainty," he said.

Extending buyout offers to everyone, including those who've logged only a few work anniversaries, also carries drawbacks.

"People whom you would prefer to stay might leave," and they could go to a competitor, said Bock, the former Google executive.

The risk is especially concerning for companies with what he calls "spiky talent," where a small number of employees create disproportionate value.

"That's characteristic of Silicon Valley companies," he said.

For workers who receive a buyout offer, Rahbar, the employment attorney, said they should understand how accepting it would affect their retirement benefits, stock awards, deferred compensation, and healthcare coverage. Depending on a company's plans, employees who retire may continue vesting in certain benefits or retain those they have already earned, he said.

Buyout packages also tend to be more generous than the severance offers, Rahbar added, and there's an emotional difference between choosing to leave and being told to go.

"People are feeling good about leaving on their own terms," he said. "With a layoff, they're clearly not."