Good morning. We’re still working on the perfect greeting, so for now, “Good morning” will have to do. We know, it’s a little basic, but we’ll get there, promise.

It’s December 13th, and it’s Taylor Swift’s birthday. Time to throw on your cardigan, blast “All Too Well,” and face the reality that we’re all just living in her world. Oh, and by the way, Taylor just landed at No. 23 on Forbes’ “World’s Most Powerful Women” list—becoming the highest-ranking musician. Not bad for someone in her 30s.

Buckle up—today’s stories are packed with some cool stuff you definitely don’t want to miss.

Today’s topics:

• iOS 18.2

• Alphabet’s stock is on fire

• Are Airbnbs really cheaper than hotels?

• Elon Musk is the first to reach a $400B net worth

• Altermagnetism: what it means for your digital devices

  and more…

On a day marked by President-elect Donald Trump ringing the NYSE opening bell, Wall Street's post-election rally hit a speed bump. A hotter-than-expected inflation report spooked investors on Thursday, casting doubt on the path of future interest rates. The Nasdaq dropped 0.6%, slipping below the 20,000 mark, while the S&P 500 lost 0.5%. The Dow also retreated, shedding 234 points (0.5%). Even Trump's market magic couldn’t hold up against rising inflation jitters.

Are Airbnbs Really Cheaper Than Hotels? The Answer Isn’t So Simple

Airbnbs used to be the ultimate money-saver, but these days, they’re not always the best deal. While Airbnbs can still be a deal for longer stays and big groups, short stays often come with sneaky cleaning fees that make them pricier than hotels. A NerdWallet study found that Airbnbs are 32% cheaper for a seven-night stay compared to just one night, thanks to multiday discounts and cleaning fees. But if you’re just staying a night or two, hotels might win—especially since cleaning fees can make short Airbnb stays pricier.

For solo travelers or couples, Airbnbs can be more expensive. But for bigger groups, Airbnbs are usually the better bet—33% cheaper than booking three hotel rooms for six people. Of course, the real question is, what’s more important to you: location, parking, staff who might help when you spill wine on your shirt, or cooking your own meals in an Airbnb kitchen? Airbnbs may offer space, but hotels still have perks like free breakfast, room service, and people who work there.

So, next time you’re booking, maybe don’t assume Airbnbs are always cheaper. Unless you’re in it for the DIY vibes and a little cleaning fee surprise.

SpaceX reaches $350 billion with insider stock deal. SpaceX has reached a massive $350 billion valuation after a $1.25 billion stock buyback deal. They’re buying insider shares for $185 each, showing off their solid financial position. Plus, they’re picking up $500 million in common stock—no big deal. This huge jump of 67% from their last valuation of $210 billion in June proves SpaceX isn’t slowing down. 

Elon Musk becomes first to hit $400 billion. Elon Musk is the first person ever to reach a net worth of $400 billion, thanks to a huge boost from SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation. A $1.25 billion insider share deal helped add nearly $20 billion to his fortune. 

Overdraft fees get a much-needed slap. The Biden administration just capped overdraft fees at $5 as part of its ongoing war on "junk fees." Banks can either charge actual costs or offer overdrafts as loans with a new “overdraft credit” option. This rule applies to banks with over $10 billion in assets and kicks in by October 2025—unless the banks throw a tantrum and try to block it.

Alphabet stock hits record high—thanks to Google’s shiny new AI. Alphabet’s stock is on fire after Google launched Gemini 2.0, its new AI model. Add in Willow, Google’s fancy new quantum computing chip, and the stock is flying high. 

iOS 18.2: A Life-Changing Update (Not Really)

Apple just released iOS 18.2, and your iPhone is now officially smarter than you. You can create Genmojis from your keyboard—because apparently, standard emojis were too basic. If you're feeling artsy, Image Playground lets you generate random images from your photos or bizarre descriptions.

Siri is now powered by ChatGPT, so prepare for answers that go on... and on. iPhone 16 users get Visual Intelligence, which magically tells you what your camera's looking at, plus a two-stage shutter.

The Mail app finally got a makeover, sorting your emails into neat categories so you can pretend you have your life together. And, hold on—Apple partially fixed the “hated-by-all” Photos app. It’s still a mess, but at least it’s a slightly more organized one.

Update now and act like you’ve been waiting for these “game-changing” features.

Google unveils Gemini 2, AI agents, and a personal assistant—sort of. Google’s new Gemini 2 is here, promising to transform personal computing and web search. It’s smarter, handles video and audio, and can even plan stuff on your computer. So, basically, it’s the AI that wants to do everything for you—just make sure it doesn’t mess up. Sundar Pichai says these “agentic models” can think ahead and maybe even book your flights. But, don’t get too excited—Google’s still working on making them reliable enough to not ruin your day. Oh, and they’re showing off Project Mariner, a Chrome extension that does your grocery shopping. It’s cool, but don’t expect it to handle anything too complex... it’s still a baby step in the AI world.

New magnetism discovery could make your devices insanely fast. Researchers have found a new type of magnetism called altermagnetism, which could make digital devices way faster. This discovery could lead to magnetic memory that operates up to 1,000 times faster. Altermagnetism is different from what we know—tiny magnetic bits align in a new way, with each structure rotated compared to its neighbors. Scientists from the University of Nottingham figured out how to control this in tiny devices. 

Conquer Winter in Style: Best Men’s Sneakers from Nike Air Max.

Winter is here, and it’s time to elevate your look while staying warm and comfortable. The Nike Air Max collection is perfect for the modern man ready to tackle the season. From the edgy Air Max Plus to the versatile AM1, these sneakers combine style with features designed to keep your feet happy all winter long.

Whether you're tackling holiday shopping or celebrating with friends, these kicks are your perfect companion. Find your ideal pair and effortlessly elevate your winter wardrobe this season.

Treat yourself or a loved one to a stylish pair from the collection this holiday season.

Shop the Men’s Collection

Caitlin Clark Named Time's Athlete of the Year

Caitlin Clark has been named Time's Athlete of the Year after stunning fans with her long-range shots and passing. In her first WNBA season, she won Rookie of the Year and made the All-WNBA first team—the first rookie to do so since 2008.

TikTok of the day: watch here