A staggering 3 percent of the world’s population now subscribes to Spotify. But the Stockholm-based streaming giant isn’t satisfied. Besides revamping its struggling advertising business and enhancing its music offerings with A.I. features, Spotify is betting that non-music content—like podcast videos and audiobooks—will help drive further growth. The company’s shares fell more than 11 percent…
By mid-2025, more than $260 billion in stablecoins—cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a traditional currency or basket of assets—moved through exchanges, lending desks and retail rails. What began as a crypto workaround became a key tool for businesses to bypass slow banks, reduce counterparty risk and move dollars across…
There is a saying, “Paris au printemps,” which means “Paris in springtime.” Perhaps there should also be a saying “Italia d’estate,” which means “Italy in summer,” because if my social media means anything, almost everyone that I know is there right now. One great thing about having friends who travel is that they send you…
A.I. is rapidly becoming a fixture in the world of sports—powering everything from electronic line calls in tennis to robot umpires in baseball to automated judges in snowboarding. But in the English Premier League, the world’s most-watched soccer league, the focus of A.I. adoption isn’t on officiating or gameplay but enhancing the fan experience. The…
By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PITTSBURGH — Summer is a time when many of us eat at least some of our meals outdoors, which means looking for bright and delicious dishes that hold up to the rigors of car travel. Related Articles Delicious, home-cooked meals can still be on the menu even in a wonky…
For years, fintech thrived by building a narrative of innovation and disruption. “We are better than banks” became its calling card, as flexible apps, lower fees and faster onboarding made traditional financial institutions look clunky by comparison. But as the sector matures, that narrative is starting to wear thin. Innovation is no longer enough. In…
By KATIE WORKMAN, Associated Press We are officially in the thick of summer. If we’re lucky, we might get a break from the routine and head for the beach, the mountains or maybe discover a new city. For many, that means renting a vacation home — with an unfamiliar kitchen. At home, you probably have…
By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Summer heat often makes baking less than desirable, so if you’re going to heat up the kitchen to make dessert, you gotta make it worth every bead of sweat that collects on your forehead. These berry crumb bars are worth it and then some. Built on a forgiving shortbread-like crust…
If you do find yourself shopping for a flight, a pair of underwear, or even a concert ticket, and you want to be treated like a stranger, make yourself a stranger online. During Amazon’s semi-annual Prime Day bonanza, the underwear I usually buy were on deep discount at a price so low I assumed it…
Elon Musk may have left the White House, but the billionaire hasn’t been able to completely tune out the Trump administration—at least not when it comes to Tesla. The U.S. government’s policies on electric vehicle subsidies and auto tariffs will likely culminate in a “few rough quarters” for the carmaker, warned Musk during Tesla’s quarterly…
