Business

The Sonos Beam Ultra offers expansive 3D audio from a surprisingly small form factor. Sonos' latest soundbar might be small in stature, but it's kind of a big deal. It's called the Beam Ultra, and it's a step-up version of the brand's popular Beam Gen 2. This new model adds four more audio drivers to deliver larger, more expansive home-theater sound without compromising a modest footprint. It dials up its Dolby Atmos performance with much more convincing overhead effects, so even listeners in small spaces can get full, cinematic sound. I've used nearly every Sonos speaker the company has released, including all of its soundbars dating back to the original Playbar. The Beam Ultra exemplifies what the company does best, providing a solid upgrade over the standard Beam, in both raw power and dialogue enhancement. Given its convenient size, the Sonos Beam Ultra is perfect for apartments and smaller living rooms. But you don't need to be short on space to appreciate what it offers. After spending a couple of weeks with the Beam Ultra, I found its immersive performance ample for a variety of rooms.

@media screen and (max-width: 1000px){brand-hat{height:35px}:host{display:flex;flex-direction:column}}.hidden{display:none !important}.block{display:block !important}.flex{display:flex}@media screen and (min-width: 1457px){.ibd-container{width:1224px;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1281px) and (max-width: 1456px){.ibd-container{padding:0 15px;width:1194px;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1138px) and (max-width: 1280px){.ibd-container{padding:0 15px;width:1092px;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1001px) and (max-width: 1137px){.ibd-container{padding:0 15px;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1001px){.desktop{display:block !important}.mobile{display:none !important}}@media screen and (max-width: 1000px){.ibd-container{padding:0 16px}.desktop{display:none !important}.mobile{display:block !important}} font-family: "IBD-Universal-Nav-OpenSans-Medium";

@media screen and (max-width: 1000px){brand-hat{height:35px}:host{display:flex;flex-direction:column}}.hidden{display:none !important}.block{display:block !important}.flex{display:flex}@media screen and (min-width: 1457px){.ibd-container{width:1224px;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1281px) and (max-width: 1456px){.ibd-container{padding:0 15px;width:1194px;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1138px) and (max-width: 1280px){.ibd-container{padding:0 15px;width:1092px;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1001px) and (max-width: 1137px){.ibd-container{padding:0 15px;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto}}@media screen and (min-width: 1001px){.desktop{display:block !important}.mobile{display:none !important}}@media screen and (max-width: 1000px){.ibd-container{padding:0 16px}.desktop{display:none !important}.mobile{display:block !important}} font-family: "IBD-Universal-Nav-OpenSans-Medium";

This post was co-authored by Agwu Ojowu, Lead Advisor from Africa Practice. Africa is at an important moment in its energy development. Countries across the continent are balancing the need for reliable, affordable energy and economic growth with a rapidly changing global energy market.  Africa’s energy advantage will depend not simply on the scale of its resources, but on how effectively it converts those resources into reliable energy, productive investment and competitive industries – getting more economic value and development value from every unit of energy produced.  A strong resource base remains an important advantage, but it is no longer sufficient on its own. Turning Africa’s energy potential into productive capacity will require capital at scale, alongside the infrastructure, policy certainty and commercial conditions that allow that capital to be deployed effectively.  The central challenge is therefore moving from potential to performance: converting resource abundance into operating assets, reliable supply and broader economic growth.

Tristen O'Brien has built over 150 AI agents, including an AI family assistant. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tristen O'Brien, a 44-year-old AI educator and content creator who works in cybersecurity based in Indiana. His words have been edited for length and clarity. For a long time, I've felt like I can only focus on three things at a time without everything falling apart: family, work, and school. If I tried to add something else, one of those three things would fail. I've been in the tech industry for over 20 years, and I'm working toward my doctorate in AI. I'm also a YouTuber. I spent years learning the programming language Python because I wanted to create a world where I could automate parts of my life, giving me more time for hobbies and other things. Then ChatGPT came out, and I realized I had wasted about five years doing that. Since learning how to build AI agents, I've built over 150 of them to help me run my life. I'm now down to using around 70. I've always wanted to automate parts of my lifeThere's a book about automating the boring parts of your life with the programming language Python.

The Zacks Business - Services industry is benefiting from rising outsourcing demand, digital transformation, infrastructure investment and companies’ growing focus on workforce productivity. Providers are increasingly combining specialized expertise, technology and recurring service models to help clients lower costs, improve operations and address complex labor and operational requirements. ConcentrixCNXC, SodexoSDXAY and ABM IndustriesABM are positioned across customer experience solutions, food services and facility management. Artificial intelligence and automation are also reshaping service delivery. Concentrix is integrating AI into customer experience solutions, while Sodexo and ABM can leverage technology to improve workforce deployment, operational execution and service efficiency. However, rapid technological change requires sustained investment and may expose less-differentiated offerings to pricing pressure. Demand remains supported by businesses’ need to enhance customer engagement, maintain facilities and improve operational efficiency.

Thomas Heep (left), Steven Fielding (center), and Jon McCarty (right) struggled to find work after losing their jobs later in life. Thomas Heep (left), Steven Fielding (center), and Jon McCarty (right)

At least 22 projects led by Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) across Northern Ontario are being supported by $20 million in federal funding through the Federal Economic Development Agency for

Pickleball facility franchisor The Picklr has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the company seeks to reorganize after what its founder acknowledged was a costly business mistake tied to early lease guarantees. The indoor pickleball company filed late Friday in the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, according to a public statement from the company. The Picklr said an investor group led by one of its franchisees has committed $4.5 million in financing, subject to court approval, while Sports Business Journal reported the group has committed $4.8 million to sponsor the reorganization. Founder and CEO Jorge Barragan told SBJ the bankruptcy filing stems in part from The Picklr agreeing to serve as a guarantor for facility lease payments for some early franchisees. Barragan said about 40 locations had those arrangements, which became an untenable burden for the parent company. "We signed, unfortunately, too many corporate guarantees that landed on the holding company, and that’s on us. I own it," Barragan said. "Utilizing [Chapter 11 bankruptcy] is going to allow all of us to work with these landlords to figure out how to create profitable businesses.

Meta says it's launching the biggest and best AI models it has ever built Meta has launched a new series of AI models, Muse Wonder, that it says has caught up to labs like Anthropic and OpenAI. "Muse Wonder is a much larger and more advanced class of models that brings us to the frontier," CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted on X on Monday. It’s the latest sign that Meta’s big bet on AI — which has raised questions from investors — is paying off after the launch of its personal AI assistant, Muse. Meta is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on AI, prompting some investor doubts earlier this year. The Wonder series comes in two versions: Muse Wonder, a smaller, fast model Meta expects people to use for daily work, and Wonder Full, a larger and more capable version, the company said in a statement. Meta built its new AI models to complete complex multi-step tasks, such as disputing an insurance claim. To handle that, the AIs have features such as memory and the ability to try alternative approaches. The Muse Wonder series was internally codenamed Watermelon, according to a person familiar with the matter.

A Cessna 680A Citation Latitude operated by NetJets Europe takes off from Cascais Municipal Aerodrome on June 15, 2026 in Cascais, Portugal. Manufacturers delivered 318 new business jets and turboprops during the third quarter of 2026, compared with 301 during the same period a year earlier, led by small jets and single-engine turboprops, according to Aviation Week's Fleet Discovery data. Deliveries include 219 business jets and 99...

As a former flight attendant, I've learned ways to make long-haul economy flights more bearable. Before I stepped away from my flight attendant job after nearly 10 years in the sky, I picked up a lot of tricks for making long-haul travel more bearable. Now, as a passenger who regularly flies economy, I stick to the same system every time. From packing multiple outfits to deplaning last, here are my 6 dos and don'ts for long flights. I get to the airport extra early — and I switch outfits twice.

Reading time: 2 minutesCybersecurity Lab Small business owners and sole proprietors across Hawaiʻi are invited to learn how autonomous AI tools can streamline operations, save time and stretch limited resources in an upcoming free webinar offered by University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.

Information in Investor’s Business Daily is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, recommendation, solicitation, or rating to buy or sell securities. The information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but we make no guarantee as to its accuracy, timeliness, or suitability, including with respect to information that appears in closed captioning. Historical investment performances are no indication or guarantee of future success or performance. Authors/presenters may own the stocks they discuss. We make no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in any particular securities or utilizing any specific investment strategies. Information is subject to change without notice. For information on use of our services, please see our Terms of Use. *Real-time prices by Nasdaq Last Sale. Real-time quote and/or trade prices are not sourced from all markets. Ownership data provided by LSEG and Estimate data provided by FactSet.