Remote Assistant to the Property Manager/BookkeeperLocation: Remote - Prefer Western HemispherePosition: Part or Full-TimeContract Hourly - Up to $25,000 Annual Starting Pay for Full-Time. We can be flexible for the right person.Are you a detail-oriented, critical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurially driven environment? We are seeking a talented and motivated Assistant to the Property Manager/Bookkeeper to join our team.Our company has been voted the best in our area four times, and we're looking for an A-player eager to contribute to our next growth phase. If you're passionate, have a knack for numbers, and want to work in a dynamic team culture, we want to hear from you!ResponsibilitiesEnsure all tasks are completed with the highest attention to detail and accuracy.Maintain and update tenant and property information in Appfolio.Handle bookkeeping duties, ensuring accurate financial records and timely reporting.Reconcile accounts and manage financial transactions using QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Appfolio Property Manager.Collaborate with the team to solve problems, streamline operations, and implement solutions.Assist with property management tasks, including tenant communication, lease management, and property maintenance coordination.Required QualificationsProven attention to detailCritical thinking abilities.Bookkeeping or accounting experienceExcellent problem-solving skills and the ability to take initiative.Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote setting.Preferred QualificationsUnderstanding of Property Management Accounting principles.Experience in QuickBooks Online (QBO).Familiarity with Appfolio or similar property management software.Culture Fit/Core ValuesWe value team members who embody our core values and are committed to growing with us. Our ideal candidate will:Think Abundantly: Look for opportunities and solutions in every challenge.Own the Outcome: Take full responsibility for tasks and projects.Be Courageous: Step up, take risks, and lead with confidence.Leverage Your Talents: Use your unique skills and strengths to contribute to the team.ADEPT Communication: Be clear, concise, and proactive in communication.Assess the Need: Understand whats needed and prioritize accordingly.Detail the Solution: Provide thorough, actionable solutions.Provide Closure: Ensure tasks are completed and follow through on commitments.Tell the Truth, Always: Uphold honesty and integrity in all situations.What We OfferPaid Time OffCompetitive WagesAn amazing team of coworkers who thrive on helping each other and our clients succeed! We want You to win, too!Are you in? Lets get this conversation started and see how we can grow together.To Apply: Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you're the perfect fit for this role and how you align with our values. We cant wait to hear from you!

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.Today's Connections puzzlehas a couple of especially fun categories. The blue group plays to movie-lovers, and the purple group is one of those only-in-the-purple-category creations. Read on for clues and today's Connections answers.The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Gold medalist over silver.Green group hint: Also, ants.Blue group hint: "Throw me the idol!"Purple group hint: Think commanders in chief.Answers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: OutdoGreen group: Picnic accessoriesBlue group: Parts of an Indiana Jones costumePurple group: Rhymes of US president names.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers? The completed NYT Connections puzzle for Jan. 23, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is outdo. The four answers are better, eclipse, surpass and top.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is picnic accessories. The four answers are basket, blanket, cooler and utensils.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is parts of an Indiana Jones costume. The four answers are bomber, fedora, satchel and whip.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is rhymes of US president names. The four answers are pagan, smarter, vixen and widen. (Reagan, Carter, Nixon and Biden.)

Sunbeam Royal Ultra heated blanket Best affordable heated blanket $39 at Amazon Serta Fleece to Sherpa heated throw blanket Best heated throw blanket $93 at Macy's Beautyrest reversible electric wrap blanket Best wearable heated blanket $51 at Amazon Beautyrest heated oversized faux fur throw Best oversized heated blanket $89 at Pottery Barn L.L. Bean Wicked Cozy heated blanket Best ultrathin heated blanket $119 at L.L. Bean Sunbeam Royal Luxe heated blanket Best overall heated blanket $56 at Amazon Sometimes, you just need some extra warmth to feel cozy. These heated blankets distribute heat evenly throughout the blanket compared to a heating pad or bag, and they're way more comfortable to use. With a high-quality heating blanket, you'll also see a lot of energy efficiency so you can not only use it to cozy up your mattress without overheating or feeling uncomfortable, but also without worry about racking up the energy bill. What to look for in a heated blanketAfter you've scoured the internet for electric blankets, there are a few things you should consider before selecting the best one. Read each product description carefully, and pay special attention to the following features:Material: Look for heated blankets made with warm materials such as polyester, fleece, flannel, sherpa or faux fur.Heat settings: The best electric blankets will have multiple heat settings. Depending on your preference, the more heat settings, the better the blanket generally is.Machine-washable: At some point, your blanket will get dirty. Make sure your heated blanket is machine-washable.Safety: You want a blanket with an automatic shut-off feature for safety. If you tend to be forgetful, look for a blanket that shuts off within a few hours.The following heated blankets have taken the above features into consideration. Each blanket is shown at a twin price, if applicable. Heated throw blankets only come in one size.Here are the best electric blankets you can get. Amazon Like - Machine washable - 4 heat settings Don't like - Only one size option - Only 4 hours before automatic shut-off Our runner-up for the best heated blanket comes from the same brand. This Sunbeam product is more affordable. The Sunbeam Royal Ultra throw blanket comes in one size, approximately 50 by 60 inches. Like the other heated blanket from this brand, the Royal Ultra is made of 100% polyester but only comes in four colors. It has a five-year limited warranty.With four heat settings and a 4-hour automatic shut-off setting, the Royal Ultra may have fewer heat settings than the Royal Luxe, but the shorter auto shut-off will suit those who worry they might forget their products are plugged in. Unplug and machine-wash cold on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low.Product features:Four heat settings4-hour automatic shut-offFive-year limited warranty $39 at Amazon Bed Bath & Beyond Like - Machine washable - 5 heat settings Don't like - 3-year limited warranty - 1 size option Serta is a well-known mattress brand, and its products are often sold at stores such as Kohl's, JCPenny and Bed Bath and Beyond. The Serta Fleece to Sherpa heated throw blanket comes in one size, approximately 50 by 60 inches. The top of the blanket is made of cozy fleece and the other side is faux sherpa. It's available in six colors and has a three-year limited warranty.The controller has five heat settings and contains a 3-hour auto shut-off. The cord connected to the controller and blanket is about 6 feet long, so you will be able to sit on the couch and plug it into the wall. Unplug and machine-wash warm on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low.Product features:Five heat settings3-hour auto shut-offThree-year limited warranty $93 at Macy's Amazon Like - Machine washable - 3 heat levels Don't like - 1 size option Beautyrest is another trusted name in the mattress industry, and its mattresses often appear on our lists. This wearable wrap from Beautyrest is available on Amazon for another reasonable price. It comes in one size and is a little larger than a throw at about 50 by 64 inches. The "U" shape of the blanket drapes over your shoulders and frees your arms for movement, letting you keep your mobility as you stay warm. Available in nine fun patterns, the wrap is made of sherpa on one side and fleece on the other. It has a five-year limited warranty.This wrap blanket has three heat levels and a 2-hour automatic shut-off setting. Be aware that while this is a wrap, it still needs to be plugged into the wall. The controller cord is 3 feet long, and the power cord is 6 feet.Unplug and machine-wash on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low.Product features:Three heat settings2-hour automatic shut-offFive-year limited warranty $51 at Amazon $51 at Walmart Pottery Barn Like - Machine washable - 3 heat settings - Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex Certified Don't like - No stated warranty Another Beautyrest product makes this list. This Beautyrest throw is 50 by 70 inches and weighs 4.5 pounds. Available in eight colors, the blanket is made of ultrasoft, 100% polyester faux fur. The fabric is also Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex Certified, which means it has been tested for harmful substances and chemicals. There is no stated warranty.The digital controller has three heat settings and a 2-hour automatic shut-off. The power cord is 6 feet long. Unplug and machine-wash cold on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low.Product features:Three heat settings2-hour automatic shut-off $89 at Pottery Barn L.L. Bean Like - Machine washable - 10 heat settings Don't like - No specified shut-off time - Short cord This L.L. Bean Wicked Cozy heated blanket also appears on our best products for sleeping in the winter list. It's perfect if you're looking for an extra layer of warmth on your bed because the blanket is thin enough that it won't be too hot. This blanket comes in three sizes: twin, full-queen and king. Available in four colors, the L.L. Bean Wicked Cozy blanket is made of premium Primalush and loftmink polyester. There is no stated warranty.The unique aspect of this blanket is it comes with dual controllers for partners who share the same blanket. It has 10 heat settings and an automatic shut-off setting, but it doesn't specify how long it'll be before the blanket shuts off. Be aware that some customers have stated that the cord isn't long enough. Unplug and machine-wash cold on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low.Product features:10 heat settingsAutomatic shut-off $119 at L.L. Bean Amazon The best electric blanket on the market can be found on Amazon at a surprisingly reasonable price. The Sunbeam Royal Luxe blanket comes in sizes twin, full, queen or king. It is made of 100% polyester and is available in five colors. It has a five-year limited warranty.This heated blanket comes with a digital controller and 12 heat settings to choose from. It can automatically shut off after a maximum of 12 hours if you forget to unplug it. If you plan to use a heated blanket for longer, opt for the Sunbeam Royal Luxe, as it's a blanket on this list that allows for the longest time before its automatic shut-off.Unplug and machine-wash cold on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low.Product features:12 heat settings12-hour automatic shut-offFive-year limited warranty $56 at Amazon Heated blanket FAQs Can I sleep with a heated blanket? Electric blankets are great to use on the couch or when you're relaxing in bed. Heated blankets are not recommended for all-night use. Short-term use is safe as long as no wires or tears in wires are visible. Can you use a heated blanket while pregnant? Yes, you can use a heated blanket while pregnant. Make sure that the heat setting isn't too high. Low heat settings are safest. Heated blankets are not recommended for infants. Can you wash a heated blanket? Yes, you can wash a heated blanket. Remove the cords, read the care instructions, wash on a gentle cycle and then dry on low tumble.

EA says EA Sports FC 25 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard "underperformed" as it lowers financial forecast"Majority" of shortfall blamed on FC 25.Image credit: EA/Eurogamer News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 22, 2025 EA has lowered its financial forecast for its current fiscal year, pointing to the 'underperformance' of EA Sports FC 2025 - which it says accounts for the "majority" of the shortfall - alongside lower-than-expected interest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.As noted in EA's revised outlook for the year ending 31st March 2025, the company was previously forecasting a "mid-single-digit growth in live services net bookings". However, it now expects a "mid-single-digit decline", blaming the "majority of the change" on EA Sports 2025 - which saw a "slowdown in momentum" following its release in September.Additionally, EA has reported lower-than-expected interest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, saying BioWare's fantasy RPG "engaged" approximately 1.5m players during the quarter - a number it describes as being "down nearly 50 percent from the company's expectations."To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Newscast: Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTubeAll this means the publisher now anticipates net bookings of approximately $2.21 billion for its third fiscal quarter and an updated range of $7-7.15 billion for fiscal year 2025."During Q3, we continued to deliver high-quality games and experiences across our portfolio, EA CEO Andrew Wilson wrote in a statement accompanying today's revised guidance. "However, Dragon Age and EA Sports FC 25 underperformed our net bookings expectations." Even so, Wilson says, "We remain confident in our long-term strategy and expect a return to growth in FY26, as we execute against our pipeline."Despite Dragon Age: The Veilguard failing to meet EA's business expectations, BioWare's latest was well-received by critics when it launched in October 2024. "It's warm and welcoming, funny and hopeful, gentle when it needs to be, and of course it's epic," Eurogamer's Robert Purchese wrote in his five star review. "The Veilguard is spectacular. BioWare is back."Eurogamer's Chris Tapsell was less enthused by EA Sports FC 2025, however. "Another year where the annual tweaks settle in such a way as to recreate, or reposition, the same old problems that have been here since the beginning," he wrote in his three star review. "This is EA Sports FC 25. I love it. I hate it. It'll probably be like this forever."

One thing you simply cant skip on Valentines Day is a big, beautiful bouquet, so weve rounded up the best online flower delivery services that can do it for you (including options with same-day delivery, in case this article finds you on February 13). The following places are some of our favorite floral go-tos for giving and receiving fresh flowers, with floral arrangements that go far above and beyond a basic bouquet.These retailers offer recurring deliveries and subscriptions for every occasion where its appropriate to send a little somethingbirthday flowers, sympathy flowers, a little pick-me-up greenery in the gray seasons. Whatever their favorite flower, weve located itelegant orchids, huge sunflowers, and bright pink peonies. Some services have different blooms for different locations, and many offer a range of different add-ons, like gift sets, vases, gift wrapping, and moreso be sure to pay attention to all the fancy filters. From single shipments to monthly clubs to biweekly treats, we found a range of high-quality subscription and delivery options for all types of flowers guaranteed to wow every timeand to arrive in time without wilting. To make your life a little easier, weve included price ranges and expected delivery dates.Our Top PicksBest Overall: UrbanStems, starting at $68Best Colorstories: The Bouqs Co., starting at $54Most Bouquet Options: FTD, starting at $45Most Whimsical: Farmgirl Flowers, starting at $59Best Traditional Arrangements: BloomsyBox, starting at $45Urban StemsUrbanStemsAudrey LeeUrbanStems The Parasol BouquetUrban Stems floral-focused offerings, which span dozens of different arrangements, all boast that signature English cottage garden feel, for which Urban Stems is well loved. Ive received and given Urban Stems on multiple occasions, and the selection is always top-tier, says commerce editor Audrey Lee. From beautiful rose bouquets to fresh tulip bunches, youre bound to find something from the brands wide range of offerings. Florals are packaged with the utmost care and the brands speedy delivery turnaround cant be beat! Our top pick? The Peony, hands down. Sure, were always suckers for peonies, but cmon: This picturesque arrangement features blush-toned buds that will burst with fragrance once theyre popped in water. The plant shop is also perfect for loved ones with a green thumb, with gifts like yellow orchids and pink anthuriums.Delivery timeSame day (if ordered by 12 p.m.) or schedule in advancePrice rangeBouquets start at $46The Bouqs Co.The Bouqs Co.Julia HarrisonThe Bouqs Co. Dream DateThe Bouqs Co. has seemingly limitless choices of gorgeous bouquets, so youre bound to have a few options for your lover. Commerce writer Julia Harrison received the Dream Date from their selection. I loved the inventive addition of lilies and poppies to a rose bouquetit gives a modern take on a traditional offering, so it feels a bit more thoughtful than a dozen red roses but still hits its V-Day marks, says Harrison. While the bouquets are sorted by occasion, virtually any of the brands offerings would make an excellent gift.Delivery timeNext day or schedule in advancePrice rangeBouquets start at $49FTDFTDLauren ArzbaecherFTD Blush Crush BouquetThe FTD (Florists Transworld Delivery) has six different ways you can shop for your flowers, including selections for plants, non-flower gifts, and even a whole section of just rose arrangements. Commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher received the Blush Crush bouquet, a blend of pink and white carnations, daisies, and roses and reviewed it as solidly packed within a simple glass vase, with no sparse areas. All the flowers looked beautiful and were fresh enough that they still had some time to reach a full bloom. One last perk Arzbaecher loved, With FTDs same-day delivery options, these flowers arrived promptly after a quick phone call confirming the delivery time window.Delivery timeSame day or schedule in advancePrice rangeBouquets start at $45Farmgirl FlowersFarmgirl FlowersAudrey LeeFarmgirl Flowers Frill Seeker BouquetAt Farmgirl Flowers, the brands signature burlap-wrapped collection is available for one-time purchase or a subscription as often as once a week. The bestsellers are also eco-friendly and use upcycled, biodegradable coffee bags as the wrap. You wont have to worry about them arriving wilted either, as the delivery date options are typically within a two-day window. Floral bunches from Farmgirl Flowers are among my favorites to receive. The flowers are absolutely stunning and so fresh every timeyou can really tell someone went through the time and effort to carefully arrange and package your bouquet, says commerce editor Audrey Lee. I especially love that the burlap wrapping makes the gifting experience feel more rustic, plus the brands L.L. Bean collaboration over the summer was an especially fun launch. Wed personally pick any rose bunch from the brand, like the Heart Deco, which contains roses, poppies, and eucalyptus.Delivery timeNext day or schedule in advancePrice rangeBouquets start at $59BloomsyBoxBloomsyBoxRachel FletcherBloomsyBox Free Spirited BouquetFor the V-Day recipient with more traditional taste, we think BloomsyBox is one of the best flower delivery servicesoffering dozens of unexpected options along with all the pastel pink classics. Bloomsyboxs arrangements are always fresh, fragrant, and well packagedkey factors whenever you're ordering in a pinch, says commerce director Rachel Fletcher. Their commitment to sustainability and small farms shows in the quality of the products, and if you're like me and love a classic bloom, their selection of peonies, tulips, and roses are some of the best out there. This Free Spirited bouquet features a dramatic cluster of bicolor roses.Delivery timeNext day or schedule in advance, depending on the bouquetPrice rangeBouquets start at $45Ode la RoseOde la Rose Aria BouquetOde la Rose offers same-day delivery in Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia, but dont worryyou can still get your fresh blooms in time with its next-day delivery option for anywhere else in the country. The brands minimalist shop is a beautiful reminder that less is more. Commerce director Rachel Fletcher admits that that while D2C flower sites can feel a little underwhelmingand it's hard to know what someones floral style might beOde La Rose stands out with their single variation bundlesI love the Danielle and the Martine options for simple but celebratory arrangements and the same day delivery option has never steered me wrong. The rest of Ode la Roses curated selection features a few mixed bouquets, but the standouts are the simple single-flower arrangements that span from two stunning Phalaenopsis orchids (pictured) to 15 bright white lisianthuses.Delivery timeSame-day delivery in certain cities, next-day delivery nationwidePrice rangeBouquets start at $58Fresh SendsFresh SendsJulia HarrisonFresh Sends The Send BouquetThis Gen-Z-friendly bouquet company is very onlinein a good way. They offer all the beautiful basicstulips, calla lilies, roses, as well as one signature send. Commerce writer Julia Harrison received hers and fell in love instantly, The packaging was just as darling as the flowers, she says. I love that theyre sourcing daily whatever looks best and using their creativity to make the best arrangement available! says Harrison. A handwritten note accompanies each send, as their ethos encourages a personal touch. You can also send a Fresh Sends signature perfume, hand cream, or candle along with your delivery.Delivery timeAll Fresh Sends are shipped via FedEx Overnight. Packages typically arrive at their destination by midday on the selected delivery date. Order by 5 p.m. ET in order to be eligible for next-day delivery.Price rangeBouquets start at $44

Shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, many Facebook users started to report that the social network automatically made them follow Trumps Facebook page. Ive seen several threads on this issue on Reddit, social media, and people I know personally have also asked me why Facebook made them follow Trump.While Metas CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it very clear that he and his company are making changes to endear Meta to the Republican president, there is a much less nefarious explanation for why people suddenly saw Facebook posts from Trump even though they dont remember following him. When reached for comment, Facebook Communications Director Andy Stone directed me to his posts on Threads which points out how government social media accounts work and change with the current administration.The POTUS and White House Facebook pages are owned by the sitting administration. When Trump was sworn into office, those pages started sharing his official portrait, images of him signing a flurry of executive orders, and other images from the inauguration. An archive of the POTUS Facebook page from January 24, 2021, shows that the then incoming Biden administration also held on to all the followers from the first Trump administration. And an archive of the White House Facebook page shows that in both the 2017 and 2021 transitions, the pages posts were wiped and archived, but its follower count was not. Users who followed those pages during the Biden administration may not know that this is how those official pages are managed, and were surprised to see posts from Trump in their feeds all of a sudden.Ive also seen some people claim that Facebook made them follow other Trump-related Facebook pages, like Melanias Trumps or the GOPs pages, but was not able to confirm that happened. Facebooks Stone told me that the company has seen no evidence of this happening or reason that it would happen.Fear and confusion about social media companies leaning further to the right as soon as Trump took office reached beyond Facebook yesterday, and are understandable given that some errors are impacting Democrats but not Republicans. On Instagram, for example, users found that Instagram was hiding results for the search term Democrats. At the time of writing, when I searched for Democrats Instagram said it couldnt find any matching results. When I searched for Republicans Instagram had no issue and surfaced many posts. Meta told the BBC in a statement that its aware of an error affecting hashtags across the political spectrum and we are working quickly to resolve it.As weve reported in recent weeks, its obvious that Meta has decided to endear itself to Trump and conservatives, making specific policy changes around how users can talk about gender and immigrants in a way that panders to Trump and his supporters. There are many reasons Meta would pander to the most powerful politician in the world, especially since Zuckerberg has explicitly said he hopes Trump will protect his company from European regulators. However, forcing millions of users to follow Trump does not seem especially beneficial to anyone, and could easily be explained by the fact that many of these users already followed official administration accounts, or just the fact that Facebook is a gigantic platform that is rife with errors.Emanuel Maiberg is interested in little known communities and processes that shape technology, troublemakers, and petty beefs. Email him at emanuel@404media.coMore from Emanuel Maiberg

Chris Young, Microsofts head of business development and its venture unit, resigned from his role on Wednesday, the company said.Young led Microsofts M12 venture fund, and was whats known as a named officer. Microsofts other named officers include CFO Amy Hood, top lawyer and vice chair Brad Smith, head of sales Judson Althoff, and CEO and chairman Satya Nadella. Because Young was a named officer, Microsoft was legally obligated to publicly report his compensation, responsibilities, and departure. On Wednesday, Microsoft announced Youngs resignation in an SEC filing.When Microsoft filed its annual proxy report in October, it listed Youngs accomplishments as increasing M12s engagements in areas like AI and data infrastructure, working with company leadership in emerging tech, closing a strategic partnership, and helping the company make progress on its big sustainability goals. The company also said that Young championed diversity and inclusion within the business development organization and across the company. Young was formerly CEO of McAfee. He joined Microsoft in 2020 to replace the companys previous dealmaker, Peggy Johnson, who founded M12. M12 was originally created by the Seattle tech giant to keep tabs on emerging Silicon Valley tech and rising startups through typical venture investment. Under Young, it became more like an extension of Microsofts business development team.The SEC filing did not indicate why Young was leaving. It did say that he would be staying on as an employee until March to assist with the transition, although no longer in his former job. Young did not immediately reply to a request for comment.We are deeply grateful for the significant impact Chris had at Microsoft over the past 4 years, a spokesperson told TechCrunch. During Chris tenure, he led hundreds of strategic partnerships, fostered a culture of innovation, and laid the groundwork for our future growth. We support Chris decision to pursue a new endeavor.

In 2015, the blogging site Tumblr launched a GIF discovery feature called Tumblr TV as an experimental product. Now, with the U.S. TikTok ban leaving the fate of the short-form video app uncertain, Tumblr has decided its finally time to launch Tumblr TV, which has since evolved to support video, to all its users as one of its standard features. The company on Tuesday announced the products graduation from its experimental projects home known as Tumblr Labs, explaining how the tab would become available to everyone. New users will see the tab in a fairly prominent third position in the app. Meanwhile, existing users will be able to toggle Tumblr TV on or off in their Dashboard Tabs configuration settings, Tumblr said.The decision to promote the video product from an experiment to a core feature nearly 10 years after its creation has a lot to do with the demand for TikTok alternatives in the wake of the U.S. law that banned the app and others with Chinese ownership in the country. Though enforcement of that ban is currently on hold after President Trumps intervention, its still unclear whether TikTok will agree to a deal despite its many suitors to keep the app live in the U.S. after the 75-day deadline extension is up.Like many apps, Tumblr noted it saw a surge of users joining its service on the day of the TikTok ban on January 19, a company spokesperson told TechCrunch. As a result, the blogging service saw a roughly 35% increase in iOS app installs and a 70% increase in new users joining Communities, a feature that allows users to join various groups focused on specific interests.In fact, some newcomers even established Tumblr Communities, like TikTok Repository, aimed at those who wanted a place to back up and share their TikTok videos. Another Community, TikTok Refugees, was active with both new and returning users, the company said. As a competitor to TikTok, however, TumblrTV falls short. Though the company made many improvements while the service was a Labs feature including the addition of lightbox support, improved scrubbing, and video support the final product doesnt feel all that much like TikTok, where original creator content dominates.Tumblrs video feed does allow for vertical swipe-based navigation within its channels (like Art or Sports) when viewed on mobile, similar to TikTok. But the GIFs featured in this full-screen viewing mode are naturally grainy, while many of the videos featured arent formatted for vertical viewing because they were never recorded for a vertical video app in the first place. Still, the company hopes that a video feed could make TikTok users feel a little bit more at home if they decide to move to Tumblr. Of course, with TikTok back online in the U.S. for the time being, the demand for a backup app is likely waning.

The construction of a new South Station Terminal in 1899, prompted a development boom for the nearby area, which had for the previous decades been almost entirely mercantile and centered around the leather and woolen industries. Due to increased land values and an influx of travelers to the area, developers saw an opportunity toerect this buildingto serve as a hotel for visitors to Boston via South Station.Boston architect, Arthur H. Bowditch, furnished plans for this building in theBeaux Arts/Renaissance Revival style, with use of brick and limestone construction, ornate finishes at the faade including the fluted pilasters, arches and cartouches in the spandrels.The buildingwas completed in 1900 and known asHotel Essexand featured a long, storied history as a hotel until it closed in the second half of the 20thcentury. After years of deteriorating conditions, the building was adapted as the corporate offices for Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation in 1982. The building was restored and has been known as the Plymouth Rock Building ever since.

The company teased at Unpacked that it's launching a new Galaxy S25 Edge, although it'll likely come later as Apple prepares its iPhone 17 Air.