Today’s topics

• Verizon acquires Frontier for $20 billion

• Apple’s trio of fresh gadgets

• Starliner capsule returned to Earth empty

• Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) service

  and more…

U.S. stocks enjoyed a robust start to the week, with the Dow and S&P 500 both rising 1.2% thanks to strong performances from financial and tech sectors. Dell and Palantir saw notable jumps following their inclusion in the S&P 500. The broad-based rally saw all 11 S&P 500 sectors make gains, setting a positive tone as investors anticipate new inflation data. The Nasdaq Composite also rose by 1.2%, mirroring the overall market optimism.

Selena Gomez: from Disney darling to beauty mogul billionaire. Selena Gomez, already a household name from Disney and her music career, has taken her empire to new heights with her beauty brand, Rare Beauty. At just 32, she's become one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the U.S., proving that her success isn’t just limited to the screen. While she’s dazzling audiences on "Only Murders in the Building," her beauty brand is cementing her status as a business powerhouse. From child star to beauty mogul, Gomez is redefining what it means to build an empire.

Verizon acquires Frontier for $20 billion to expand fiber and AI capabilities. Verizon is set to purchase Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal, enhancing its fiber network and bolstering its push into AI and smart devices. The New York-based telecom giant will pay $38.50 per Frontier share, with the deal expected to close in about 18 months, pending shareholder approval. This acquisition aims to strengthen Verizon’s technological infrastructure and expand its service offerings.

OnlyFans reported a record $6.6 billion in gross payments for 2023, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. The platform’s revenue surge comes as the number of creators on the site jumped by 29% to 4.12 million. Creators collectively earned $5.32 billion, averaging nearly $1,300 each, reflecting a solid year-over-year growth. This spike underscores the platform's growing financial impact and popularity among its user base.

The persistent problem with paper checks and the Chase ATM glitch. The recent Chase "ATM glitch" debacle, where users exploited check fraud to withdraw large sums, highlights the enduring frustrations with paper checks. Despite advances in digital payments, checks remain cumbersome and prone to fraud, with their origins dating back to when they were literally transported by train. Today, the time lag between writing and clearing checks, compounded by the unpredictability of mail, continues to challenge both users and banks. While some blame the glitch on financial illiteracy, it’s clear that checks, an outdated technology, are increasingly out of step with modern payment systems.

Crypto Sees a Weekend Bounce After Wall Street Slump

The crypto market took a hit last week alongside Wall Street, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin all experiencing sharp declines. However, the weekend brought a welcome rebound: Bitcoin rose 3.3%, Ethereum climbed 3%, and Dogecoin surged 7.1% as of Monday noon ET. It’s a small but hopeful recovery after a challenging week.

Apple's iPhone 16 Event: New Devices, Features, and a Bit of AI Magic

Apple’s latest event rolled out a trio of fresh gadgets: the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and a redesigned AirPods lineup. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus boast updated cameras, a handy Camera Control button for quick shots, and a new Action button for customizable shortcuts. With displays up to 2,000 nits and the new A18 chip, these phones promise brighter screens and snappier performance. The iPhone 16's rear camera system includes a 48-megapixel Fusion lens and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, offering impressive versatility and macro capabilities. Meanwhile, iOS 18 introduces new AI features, including text editing and photo search, with a full rollout slated for October. The Apple Watch Series 10 features the largest and thinnest display yet, and the redesigned AirPods come with a smaller case, improved sound, and new noise-canceling options. For those keen on hearing health, the AirPods Pro 2 will soon get a software update with clinical-grade hearing aid features.

Navier N30: a silent revolution on water. The Navier N30, known as "The Boat of the Future," redefines marine travel with its innovative, eco-friendly electric design. At 16 knots, the N30 rises above the waves using hydrofoils, delivering a smooth, quiet ride without compromising on speed or performance. Designed to coexist harmoniously with nature, its electric propulsion ensures clean air and water, while the minimal wake protects shorelines. Offering the longest range of any electric boat, the N30 allows explorers to sail oceans or lakes with virtually no environmental footprint.

Wisconsin boy rescued by thermal drone in cornfield. In Wisconsin, law enforcement used a thermal drone to locate a 3-year-old boy who went missing at night in a vast cornfield. The child had wandered off into the field, making the search difficult due to the size and dense crop. Thanks to the drone's heat-sensing technology, authorities quickly found the boy, ensuring a safe reunion with his family.

Shaping the future of packaging worldwide. With sustainability and speed at its core, Sparck Technologies is revolutionizing packaging through automation and eco-friendly solutions. Their CVP Impack and CVP Everest machines precisely tailor packages, cutting waste and shipping costs while boosting efficiency. Installed in over 15 countries, Sparck’s systems are transforming e-commerce by reducing freight volume, minimizing labor, and slashing material use—delivering both environmental and operational wins. Watch here

Apple Intelligence: A Tailored AI Approach

Apple Intelligence made its debut at WWDC 2024, arriving amid a flurry of generative AI buzz from rivals like Google and OpenAI. Marketed as "AI for the rest of us," this platform focuses on refining existing features with AI capabilities like text and image generation, while maintaining privacy and efficiency. Unlike broad-spectrum models such as GPT, Apple’s bespoke approach uses specialized, in-house datasets to handle tasks like composing emails directly on the device. For more complex queries, the new Private Cloud Compute leverages Apple Silicon servers, ensuring privacy while seamlessly integrating with on-device operations.

AI startups shine with $100M+ funding rounds in 2024. Despite whispers of AI fatigue, venture capitalists are still keen on the sector. In the first half of 2024, global investment in AI startups exceeded $35.5 billion, with five out of six mega-rounds topping $1 billion going to AI firms. Since June, 10 more substantial deals have added over $3 billion in funding, including a $1 billion boost to a new venture by OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever. Here’s a rundown of U.S.-based AI startups that have each secured $100 million or more this year.

Boeing's Troubled Capsule Returns Empty, Leaving Astronauts Behind

Boeing's inaugural astronaut mission ended with its Starliner capsule returning to Earth empty, as two test pilots remain stranded in space due to safety concerns. The capsule safely landed in New Mexico after departing the International Space Station, but NASA deemed it too risky to bring the astronauts back immediately. Despite Boeing’s assurance of the capsule's safety, NASA opted for a SpaceX flight instead, leaving astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in orbit until their return flight, scheduled for February. This extended stay comes after a mission fraught with technical issues and delays.

Olympus Mons, the king of mountains. Olympus Mons on Mars is the tallest volcano in the Solar System, standing a jaw-dropping 16 miles high—triple the height of Mt. Everest. But it's not just tall; it sprawls across an area larger than the Hawaiian Islands with a gradual slope of 2 to 5 degrees. This colossal shield volcano was formed by long-lasting lava eruptions, making it the ultimate planetary giant.

Toyota and BMW Team Up to Overcome Hydrogen Fuel Cell Challenges

Toyota and BMW are enhancing their partnership to tackle the hurdles facing hydrogen fuel cells, signing a new agreement to fast-track the development of next-gen zero-emission vehicles. Despite hydrogen's abundance and potential, the lack of widespread fueling infrastructure has stunted its growth, with sales plummeting by 82% in the US this year. BMW plans to debut its first hydrogen-powered model in 2028, aiming to revitalize the market and address these infrastructure issues.

BYD Yangwang U9: the suspension that takes a leap. The BYD Yangwang U9’s suspension isn’t just any ordinary setup—it’s got a "jumping" feature that’s sure to make a splash. This innovative system lets the car elevate itself, offering both a dramatic entrance and an extra boost of agility. It’s as if the U9 is saying, “Why just drive when you can make a statement?” With this suspension, your ride's not just smoother, it's sky-high impressive.

Volvo shifts gears: electric dreams on hold. Volvo Cars is hitting the brakes on its ambitious electric-only goal, opting for a more flexible approach amid market shifts and dropping demand. The Swedish automaker now aims for 90-100% of its sales to be fully electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030, leaving room for a modest 10% of mild hybrids. This updated target replaces their 2021 promise to go all-electric by the decade's end, showcasing a pragmatic pivot in their electric vehicle strategy.

Ford's August sales surge 13.4% driven by SUV and truck demand. Ford’s U.S. vehicle sales soared 13.4% in August, reaching 182,985 units, fueled by strong demand for its SUVs and pick-up trucks. The automaker saw a 28.9% increase in electric vehicle sales and a nearly 50% jump in hybrid vehicle sales. Overall, new vehicle sales in the U.S. for August hit an annualized rate of about 15.13 million units, according to Wards Intelligence.

Tesla to roll out full self-driving in Europe and China by early 2025. Tesla plans to introduce its Full Self Driving (FSD) service in Europe and China in the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval. CEO Elon Musk is optimistic about securing the necessary permissions by the end of 2024. This expansion will bring Tesla's paid driver assistance feature to new markets, contingent on regulatory green lights in these regions.

Startup Nets $191 Million for Next-Gen Pig Organ Transplants

Biotech startup eGenesis has raised $191 million in venture capital to propel its groundbreaking xenotransplantation research, including a landmark transplant of a genetically edited pig kidney into a human. This significant funding will support the company's upcoming clinical trials, providing hope to over 100,000 people on the national transplant waitlist. With advancements in gene editing, this innovation could be a game-changer in addressing the severe shortage of donor organs.

Raygun Issues Apology to Breaking Community After Olympic Performance

Raygun, the Olympic breaker who stirred controversy with her Paris Games performance, has issued a heartfelt apology to the breaking community. In an interview on "The Project," the 37-year-old acknowledged the negative impact her performance had, expressing deep regret for the backlash faced by the community. Despite her impressive dance moves, including a kangaroo hop and floor contortions, she struggled in competition, failing to score against breakers from the U.S., France, and Lithuania.

Titanic's bronze treasure resurfaces after decades. A bronze 'Diana of Versailles' statue, long thought lost to the depths, has been rediscovered in the latest Titanic expedition. RMS Titanic Inc., the Georgia-based company with salvage rights, completed its first voyage to the wreck since 2010, capturing over two million high-resolution images. This new discovery highlights the ongoing transformation of the iconic site, even 112 years later. The Titanic still holds mysteries that continue to surprise the world.

Illinois law stops HOAs from blocking native gardens. Native plants, prized for their ecological benefits, are growing in popularity—but some HOAs aren’t impressed, banning them as "too tall" or "unkempt." However, a new Illinois law now prevents these bans, empowering homeowners to plant native gardens without fear of fines. Introduced by Rep. Laura Faver Dias, the law aims to make climate action accessible, allowing everyone to contribute to restoring habitats right in their own yards.

A behind-the-scenes video from Extraction, showing Chris Hemsworth watching his stunt double in action during an intense scene. The clip reveals the dangerous work involved in filming action scenes, like falls from high ledges and fast-paced combat choreography. Even though Hemsworth performs many of his own stunts, the video highlights just how much his stunt team contributes to the film's high-octane action sequences. You can catch a glimpse of the action-packed set here.

TikTok of the day: watch here

Take your love to the next level. Share Increadible with your friends, partners, or colleagues and get cool gifts.