TECH TODAY

T-Mobile and Chinese Espionage. High value American targets were targeted by Chinese Cyber agents who successfully hacked into U.S. and international communications systems. Chinese intelligence agents accessed the T-Mobile network over multiple months to spy on the high value targets cellular communication. T-Mobile in a statement commented “T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry wide attack, and at this time, T-Mobile systems and data have no evidence of impacts to customer information”.

Apple a bakers dozen years later. It’s been 13 years since Apple released an update to its Final Cut Pro 11. If you depend on slicing and dicing video for film or content projects, you will be pleased to know, Apples Final Cut Pro 11 update has been released, and, AND it’s AI enabled.

“Operator” the reported coed-named new software by OpenAi is close to launching, as reported by Bloomberg, will have the ability to actually take control and perform actions on an individuals computer.

OpenAi AI Agent “Operator” when launched will enter the market competing with Antropic’s Computer Use, and a Google AI Agent reported to be on the horizon.

HEADLINE NEWS 👀

Gray Mater Vs AI

The concept of a human like AI brain 🧠 running parts of our society, making life saving diagnosis, and autonomously cutting the lawn is hard to fathom yet it has likely already arrived.

The literal definition of AI, artificial intelligence, should be enough to convince us a byte based intelligence without intellectual limitation and without the need for rest or sleep could duplicate, at a minimum, the actions of the human brain.

The advancement from AI chat bots to unparalleled artificial intelligence mimicking the human brain, and beyond, comes from transformers. The same technology that underlies chat bots like ChatGPT but supercharged.

For all the discussion surrounding AI taking jobs away from those with Grey Matter the highly capable transformer algorithms are unreliable without human intervention. While efficiencies in the work of AI is expected as AI continues its advances the replacement and elimination of workforce labor is still questionable.

YouTube Tops In Podcast

The perennial winner in video also comes in on top for the consumption of podcasts in a recent report by Edison Research. According to the Edison Podcast Metrics Report YouTube is the podcast platform of choice for 31% of listeners 13 years and up. Spotify captures 27% market share with Apple Podcast pulling in just 15%.

The attraction for Podcast consumers choosing YouTube is its video component. Consuming Podcasts on YouTube brings an experiential element that is lost in the audio only experience. Viewers report the experience allows them to see the Podcasters facial expression and body language. YouTube Podcasts deliver a rich interpersonal communication experience for the listener. This creates a deeper connection to the Podcast host and ultimately the Podcast.

When segmented 84% of the Gen Z Podcast audience consumes Podcasts by video only as reported in the Edison Research Gen Z Podcast Report. Now you know where and how to consume Podcasts for an enlightened consumption experience.

Paris Based Danone Wants To Eat Lifeway Foods 🌱

Morton Grove, Ill based Lifeway Foods, Inc., a maker of Kefir and microbiome friendly products receive.d an unsolicited acquisition proposal from France’s Danone. Danone had previously made a non-binding unsolicited proposal of $25 per-share that was rejected by Lifeway Foods, Inc board of directors.

The revised proposal from Danone of $27 per-share for the remaining 77% of the outstanding common they don’t presently own was disclosed in a U.S. Securities Exchange Schedule 13D amendment. Lifeway’s board of directors, consisting outside advisors, will carefully consider the proposal and determine what is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.

Super Micro Computer In Death Spiral?

Super Micro Computer (Nasdaq: SMCI) has some accounting issues. Keeping the books straight is a challenge for entrepreneurs. DIY or third-party managing the process can be a pain with all the checks and balances but good entrepreneurs know it is something that must be done.

When it comes to corporate accounting of a publicly listed company there is no excuse for inaccuracies because they presumably hire the best professionals to manage the process from its CFO’s on down to the company’s auditors.

Seems Super Micro Computer never got the memo.

In the last year Deloitte & Touche was replaced by Ernst & Young who resigned as the company’s auditor less than a month ago. In its resignation letter E&Y commented they had reason to question the representations by Super Micro Computer management.

Making matter worse the company did not release the full resignation letter. Should Deloitte retract its prior audits that could set off a default under the company’s credit facilities. Super Micro Computer is down 85% from its all time high of $122.90 in early March this year at closed Friday at $18.58

58 vs 27

Two words: Jake won.

Mike Tyson former heavy weight champion of the world fought Jake Paul an internet sensation turned fighter for an unimpressive 16 minutes total fight time. $40 million for Jake. $20 million for Tyson. 💰️💰️ is what this fight was about and that’s all there is to report.

Stripe Launches AI Agent

The credit card processor launched a new AI Agent opening the possibility for small business to get out in front of AI LLMs and streamline operations and compete more effectively with competitors. Stripe serves 2 million businesses. Approximately 76% are small businesses.

AI is everywhere we turn today. It’s in the news, on social media, in ads, and now literally in hand on our phones. Why is AI absorbing so much mind 🧠 space? Well, it’s because it’s a powerful resource that can streamline business processes to improve services or product delivery while controlling costs.

@gregisenberg had a great 𝕏 post breaking down how this new Stripe AI Agent can help small business:

AI Support Agent

• Understand refund requests in any language

• Review transaction history for context

• Process refunds if warranted

• Provide an explanation to the customer

AI Billing Agent

• Research customer use patterns

• Automatically adjust prices according to uses

• Send smart payment reminders

• Handle subscription changes

• Negotiate payment plans

AI is still in its infancy, and it’s here to stay. Soon AI Agents will become common use LLMs but for the forward thinking entrepreneur that looks to gain an edge on the competition early stage in LLMs opens up opportunity for small business entrepreneurs to incorporate them to create a competitive advantage.

ECONOMY

Producer Price Index

The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reported today the Producer Price Index (PPI) came in up 0.20% for the month of October. The PPI measures the selling prices domestic producers receive for their output; products and services.

Economists and analysts closely watch the PPI for signs of inflation. A rising PPI can be an early sign of inflation pressures in the economy. While quizzically PPI on the rise can also indicate economic growth. The measurement of rising producer prices can result from higher demand for products and services.

Economists use the PPI to forecast producer price changes that precede consumer price changes.

Federal Reserve Lowers Interest Rates

The Fed slashed interest rates by 0.25% for the second time this year on November 8, 2024. The cut is the latest sign the Fed believes inflation is nearing its key target rate of 2%.

A new Trump financial policy muddies the waters if any of the policy items discussed on the campaign trail get implement into policy. This brings to light the “economy stands on the brink of change” comments.

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, on Thursday commented while addressing the press Fed officials would watch the economic data closely before the final decision is made on a final rate cut at its December 2024 meeting.

Consumer Price Index

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) November 13, 2024 up 2.6% verses the previous months 2.4%. The CPI number bested investors expectations CPI would come in at a higher number.

The Grind reported earlier this month consumer spending remains strong. With the recent strength of the jobs report, strong consumer spending, and today’s better than expected CPI the market is setting expectations the FED will lower interest rates at their December meeting by 0.25%.

SHORT, SHORT BUSINESS STORIES

The undeterred, a necessarily liability. (Blinders don’t show risk, risk observation is a success necessity).

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

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UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

Innovation Never Gets Old: Cornelius Vanderbilt, one of America’s most venerable entrepreneurs, built his fortune on the back of proactive promotion of innovation and efficiency.

Vanderbilt, known to all as “The Commodore”, was persistent in finding ways to improve operations, whether in shipping or railroads, to stay ahead of the competition. These improvements were often small but combined to help him crush his competition.

In shipping he focused on making ships faster and more efficient, ensuring they were always loaded fully with cargo and would travel as fast as possible to maximize profits. Likewise, the Commodore conquered the railroad business in similar fashion.

The same approach to innovating operations for efficiencies can be applied to todays businesses. Small innovations of efficiency consistently can change your business

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Fred Smith, Founder of FedEx unable to make payroll in the early days of FedEx reportedly saved the company by taking the company’s total remaining cash of $5,000 late on a late Friday afternoon and boarded a plane bound for Las Vegas. As the story goes he returned Monday morning with enough cash to make payroll.

Despite early financial struggles Smith had a pivotal moment when he realized the company would be a success. The moment came when he saw the potential of his hub and spoke system the empowered efficient overnight delivery.

Smith’s vision for FedEx was gained as a charter pilot and during his time at Yale. He could foresee the need for fast reliable delivery services in a computer driven world.

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY

Dr Huberman On Longevity

Dr Andrew Huberman is a well recognized authority on health, fitness, and longevity. Here’s Dr Huberman’s top six hacks to achieve longevity:

1. Get outside and in the sun every morning.

   Daylight is the most powerful stimulus for awakeness.

2. Avoid light at night.

   Negatively affects dopamine and sleep

3. Practice intermittent fasting.

   Contributes to longer lifespan.

4. Tryout a supplement to achieve better sleep

5. Consume appropriate levels of Omega 3s

6. Limit (or eliminate entirely) alcohol.

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