🐤 A head start

Markets: It was an up-and-down day on Wall Street but all three major indexes ended the day slightly higher. Corporate earnings reports continued to influence market trends, with General Motors stock soaring nearly 10% on the reaction to its latest quarterly numbers. Stubborn concerns about the Federal Reserve’s rate cut plans put a lid of sorts on the optimism of investors.

Hitting the bullseye: The lingering impact of inflation has forced many families to trim the household budget — and with the holiday shopping season, Target is hoping price cuts will bring in more customers. More than 2,000 items, ranging from pantry staples like Crisco vegetable oil to toys like the Bluey fire truck, have had their prices slashed. Target Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez described the lower prices as “the kind of exceptional value that’ll make it even easier for everyone to save money as they embrace the magic of the season.”

Double duty: Professional services firm EY reportedly fired a number of employees over evidence that they attended two online training seminars simultaneously. The company handed out pink slips to the individuals who “were found to be in violation of our global code of conduct and U.S. learning policy.” Those fired, however, said they weren’t trying to scam their employer out of credits but simply didn’t want to miss either of the sessions. EY defended its actions, stating: “Our core values of integrity and ethics are at the forefront of everything we do.”

Toxicology report: One Direction fans around the world were dismayed to hear that 31-year-old Liam Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Details have begun to emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding his death, including evidence that there was “pink cocaine,” a drug cocktail commonly consisting of MDMA, ketamine, and methamphetamine, in his system at the time of his death. Prior to Payne’s fall, a hotel receptionist contacted 911 to report an intoxicated guest “breaking the whole room.”

Concussion discussion: It’s been more than a month since Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained the latest head injury in a career partially defined by repeated concussions. His story is just one of many involving the toll professional football can take on the brain. Tagovailoa has received at least three concussions over the course of just two years, prompting a number of sources to call on him to retire. Thus far, however, he has pushed back against such advice and plans to return to practice at some point in the near future.

Finding the next big investment opportunity and getting in early isn’t easy. If it were, we’d all be rich! Even the Sharks from “Shark Tank” get it wrong. Like when they declined an offer to buy 10% of Ring for $700,000. Bet they regretted that when Amazon bought Ring for $1 billion.

So, just how did Ring blow up and change doorbells forever? Retail distribution.

We’ve talked about RYSE and their recent launch in 100+ Best Buys. But did you know they pitched on Canada’s version of “Shark Tank” called “Dragons Den” and received two offers?

The smart home industry has yielded massive returns for early investors. Rumor has it, the next sleeping giant could be RYSE.

Don’t make the same mistake the Sharks did! Learn about investing now.

The NFL has implemented a series of rule changes in recent years with the intention of reducing the number of violent collisions on the field, and in turn the rate of traumatic brain injuries among players. But critics say the league must do more, and some say that should include mandating advanced helmets and other accessories designed to minimize the risk of concussions.

All eyes on the Guardian Cap

Sports reporters have devoted quite a bit of coverage to a particular product known as the Guardian Cap, which is essentially a pad worn over football helmets that has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of serious head injuries.

According to the NFL’s own research, Guardian Caps absorb 10% or more of the force from a direct hit.

Here’s a brief timeline of the innovative safety gear:

• 2011: Erin and Lee Hanson founded Guardian Sports amid a lawsuit by former players against the NFL.
• 2015: Guardian Caps make their first appearance in football practices.
• 2017: A redesign added new features for reinforcement and the product won the NFL’s first HeadHealthTECH Challenge.
• 2021: The NFL began allowing offensive and defensive linemen to wear the caps during practice.

As it stands, Guardian Caps are required for NFL training camp practice games and are permitted during preseason, regular season, and postseason games.

Following the rules

The Jacksonville Jaguars began testing Guardian Caps in 2020 and the NFL soon began conducting tests of its own. After determining that the pads can reduce head and neck injuries, the league decided to make them a requirement during practice — that is unless a player opts to wear one of six new state-of-the-art helmets shown to provide as much or more protection.

Four players decided to wear Guardian Caps during the first game of the current season.

Whether you’re a professional graphic designer or just want to show your appreciation for your favorite music, Spotify has a new way for you to show off your creative side.

A new era of cover art

Back in the old days, people bought albums with beautiful, symbolic, or even grotesque images adorning the package. Much of this cover art has become as iconic as the music itself — and while today’s artists still often release digital albums with cover images, many of those from the age of analog would argue it’s just not the same.

But Spotify, which rules the roost when it comes to streaming music, might have just introduced the digital age’s take on cover art.

The platform confirmed users will soon be able to design their own artwork for playlists. An existing feature allows users to upload an image, but this update provides the tools to create artwork within the app on iOS and Android devices.

Some of those components include:

• Text style
• Stickers
• Background colors

Beta testing of the new feature has been introduced on free and premium plans in 65 markets.

Before you start creating

If you’re among the users with access to the beta version of this feature, you’ll be able to find it by selecting a playlist, tapping on the menu, and selecting “Create cover art.”

The steps that follow are pretty straightforward — but it’s worth noting that unless you save your cover art, it will automatically be deleted when you create another one for the same playlist.

This new feature might not revolutionize how we enjoy streaming music, but it could be seen as a sign that Spotify is still looking for new ways to set itself apart in a crowded field with Apple Music and YouTube Music nipping at its heels.

Depending on where you live, your social media feed might have been overwhelmed by posts depicting the aurora borealis, which has been visible across more of the planet than usual this year. But no matter how great your Facebook friends’ photos were, a trip to Hotel Ranga could’ve made them better.

The Aurora Wake-Up

Iceland boasts unparalleled views of the northern lights due to its position on the globe, which means it tops the list of destinations for many aurora-seeking tourists. And Hotel Ranga understands the assignment.

Staff at the hotel have a full range of features designed to ensure that guests don’t miss the stunning celestial show.

“If a guest does not pick up the phone for the wake-up call, we do go and knock on the door to make sure they do not miss the lights,” explained hotel marketing manager Eyrun Anita Gylfadottir.

Timing is crucial, Gylfadottir said, adding: “Sometimes it’s a matter of seconds, sometimes minutes, sometimes hours. We never know for how long they are going to be visible.”

A firsthand account

Wired writer Jaclyn Greenberg stayed at the Hotel Ranga and recounted her experience. Although the lights were initially difficult to see with the naked eye, she said that pointing her phone to the clouds soon revealed a stunning display of colors.

After a short while, she said her eyes had adjusted to the backdrop and could see the lights clearly without using her phone.

The experience helped foster a connection with some other Americans, a family visiting Iceland from Connecticut to view the auroras.

“The five of us spent the next couple of hours taking photos and waiting for the clouds to shift for even better viewing,” Greenberg recalled.

Winter room rates exceed $400 per night with special aurora packages available for additional fees.