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I switch phones at least 6 times a year — here’s how I easily transfer everything from one phone to another

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crowd phones ReutersCharles Platiau

  • My SIM card finds its way into at least six different smartphones during the course of a year.
  • It's unusual for a typical smartphone user, but for a tech journalist who reviews smartphones, it's pretty normal. 
  • Phone after phone, I've developed some habits that make it easier to switch devices without starting from scratch.

I review a ton of different smartphones, as part of my job.

I mostly switch between Android devices, and Google makes it incredibly easy to transfer everything from one phone to another. 

However, if I was only allowed to share one tip, I'd recommend using a password manager. While cloud services and device backups do a great job transferring apps from one phone to another, you still need to sign in to all your apps on a new phone.

Check out the habits I've developed over the years to make transferring from one phone to another a smooth and seamless process:

SEE ALSO: The 25 worst passwords of 2018, based on 5 million passwords leaked on the internet

Instead of re-downloading all my apps on a new phone, I simply restore a backup from the previous phone.

When I set up a new Android phone, I'm given the option to restore a backup from the cloud saved in my Google Drive account. All I need to do is sign into my Google account and a list of backups of all the Android phones I've recently used show up. I select the last one I used, and my apps start downloading once setup is finished. 

If I move over from an Android device to an iPhone, I use the "Move to iOS" app from the Google Play Store. It's an official Apple app that transfers pretty much everything, including contacts, messages, photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars.

For switching from iOS to Android, Google has a handy, easy, and quick how-to guide here. Essentially, it tells you to backup your iPhone data with Google Drive, then sign into your Google account when you set up your new Android phone. 



Restoring all my apps from one phone to another is easy, but I still need to sign back into all my apps on the new phone, which is a real pain. There's one key thing that makes it much easier.

When all my apps are restored to a new phone, I still need to sign back in to most of them. It's a pretty understandable security measure, but it's a real pain with all the different passwords I have for the 40 apps I usually have installed on any given phone.

I found that the best way to easily sign back into my apps on a new phone is to use a password manager. I personally use LastPass.

LastPass will always be the first app I ever open on a new phone. Once I've signed into LastPass, I enable the settings that allow LastPass to automatically fill the usernames and passwords on apps that need me to sign in.

After setting up LastPass, I long-press the username field on an app I open for the first time and tap "Autofill." A little pop-up appears with the app's name and my username, and I select the relevant app.

LastPass does a great job at recognizing which app you're trying to sign in to.  An instant later, my usernames and passwords are automatically filled in. It's much easier than tapping away several different passwords. 

Effectively, LastPass is the only app that I type out my own username and password. All the other apps are signed in with the help of LastPass. The same would go for other password manager services, too.



I keep all my photos in Google Photos, which is easily the best option not only for switching devices, but for storing your photos in general.

Every photo I've taken in the dozens of phones I've used over the last few years are automatically saved in cloud storage in Google Photos. All I need to do when I switch to a new Android phone is sign into my Google account during the phone's setup, and I can access all the photos I've taken ever since I started using Google Photos. 

The Google Photos app is pre-installed on pretty much every Android device. When I switch over to an iPhone, I simply download the Google Photos app, make sure I'm signed in to my Google Account, and all my photos will be there. 

The reason why Google Photos is so great is because it offers unlimited photo storage for free. Apple's iCloud Photo only gives you 5GB of cloud storage for free, which fills up extremely quickly. It costs you extra to get more iCloud storage, which seems frankly outrageous when something like Google Photos that offers unlimited storage for free exists.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's how the 'unlimited' plans from Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile compare (VZ, TMUS, S, T)

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sim card phone

  • With the availability of unlocked devices, it's easier than ever to switch carriers and get the best "unlimited" data plan that works for you.
  • There are a few things to consider when choosing a carrier and its unlimited data plan, like how carriers interpret the meaning of "unlimited."
  • For most of them, it means capping your speeds after you reach a certain amount of data usage. 

Each carrier also offers its own perks, like free Netflix, Hulu, or HBO. They also have their own limitations to mobile hotspots, video streaming resolution, and data for tablets and wearables. 

So to help you figure out what's what, here's a quick rundown of how the current crop of unlimited plans match up. You can scroll down for the full head-to-head.

SEE ALSO: There are 6 major services that let you stream live TV over the internet — here's how they compare

The big caveat: No "unlimited" plan is really unlimited.

Wireless carriers use the word "unlimited"in a misleading way.

No "unlimited" plan here allows you to use an endless amount of LTE data across the board with no penalties. Instead, each carrier warns that it may slow your speeds if you use a certain amount of data in a month and live in an area of congestion.

Each plan also limits what you can do with that data when it comes to things like mobile hotspots, international usage, and the like.

The situation only gets worse when you look at the restrictions imposed on unlimited plans from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) like Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless, or on the prepaid "unlimited" plans from the major carriers themselves.

Also, none of the carriers' advertised rates includes device subsidies. If you buy a phone from a carrier and pay for it in monthly installments, that fee will be added to the cost of your plans.

Still, the "unlimited" plans have value. At least with the major carrier plans, you do truly get unlimited talk and text, and the amount of data you can use without risk is fairly generous. And being slowed in areas of congestion is not the same as being outright throttled; even after passing a carrier's warning point, you can still get LTE speeds.



The other caveat: Not all networks are created equal.

A good "unlimited" plan isn't as worthwhile if it comes with shoddy internet. Sadly, a big chunk of the country still suffers from mediocre mobile coverage.

It's hard to give exact metrics on how the carriers' current networks compare, but a recent PCMag report found Verizon to have to best mix of speed, coverage and reliability, with T-Mobile and AT&T close behind. A recent RootMetrics study, meanwhile, found a bigger gap T-Mobile to be fast but less reliable, and also put Verizon tops in terms of overall quality. 

In general, Verizon is consistently near the top, T-Mobile is said to be much improved from years past, AT&T is either in second or third, and Sprint often brings up the rear. Much of the time, though, which is best for you depends on where you live.

If you opt for a prepaid carrier, you usually have to deal with slower speeds. Cricket Wireless has an unlimited plan for $65 a month, for example, but its parent, AT&T, caps Cricket download speeds at a lower-than-average 8 Mbps.

Sprint, meanwhile, caps all video on Virgin Mobile's and Boost Mobile's unlimited plans at a less-than-HD resolution. Virgin did recently introduce an enticing deal that offers a year's worth of data for $1, but you need to use an iPhone to be eligible for it.

And the prepaid "unlimited" plans from carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile block things like HD video streaming and the ability to use your phone as a mobile hotspot. As a result, we've omitted all such prepaid plans from this comparison.



Verizon

How much does it cost?

The Go Unlimited plan starts at $75 a month for one line. It costs $130 a month for two lines, $150 a month for three lines, or $160 a month for four or more lines. 

The Beyond Unlimited plan starts at $85 a month for one line. It costs $160 a month for two lines, $180 a month for three lines, or $200 a month for four lines. Each additional line here costs an extra $50 a month, with a maximum of 10 lines for $500 a month.

Verizon recently introduced a brand-new unlimited plan called "Above Unlimited," which starts at $95 for a single line, $180 for two lines, $140 for three lines, and $120 for four or more lines. 

Verizon also now lets you pick which of its three unlimited plans you want to apply to different lines. That way, you can assign different unlimited plans according to the needs of specific users. So, in a three-line account, one line could have the $50 "Go" plan, the second line could have the $60 "Beyond" plan, and the third line could have the $70 "Above" plan. That way, you don't need to pay $70 per line for the other two lines if only one line needs the "Above" plan, for example. 

None of this includes taxes and regulatory fees, though. Those vary by region, so your bill will be a bit higher than what's advertised.

And as with every major unlimited plan, all of these rates apply only if you set your billing to auto-pay every month. Otherwise, all of the prices above will cost $5 more a month per line.

How much LTE data do you actually get?

With the Go Unlimited plan, Verizon says it may temporarily slow your mobile data speeds in areas of congestion. This doesn’t mean you’ll constantly be slowed to a crawl when browsing the web on your phone, but it makes it especially difficult to call this a true “unlimited” plan.

With the pricier Beyond Unlimited plan, Verizon says it may temporarily slow your mobile data speeds in areas of congestion if you use more than 22 GB of LTE data in a given month. 

With the new "Above" Unlimited plan, you get 75 GB of fast LTE data in a given month before it may temporarily slow your mobile data speeds in areas of congestion.

Can you stream HD video?

Not with a smartphone on the Go Unlimited plan. If you buy that, Verizon says video streamed over its mobile network will max out at a 480p resolution, which is less than high-definition. There is a visible difference in sharpness between 480p and HD, particularly on the ever-expanding and increasingly high-res displays of today’s smartphones. Again, this is a clear example of limits on an “unlimited” plan.

The "Beyond" and "Above" Unlimited plan does let you stream video on smartphones in high-definition, but even that is throttled: Verizon says it’s capped at a 720p resolution. This isn’t as noticeable a drop-off in sharpness as going to 480p, but it’s the minimum threshold for an HD video, and it’s still a step back for consumers than the previous plan, on which Verizon didn’t restrict video on any device at all.

If you subscribed to Verizon’s original unlimited plan, you’re now saddled with the Beyond Unlimited plan’s 720p limit.

If you want the full HD 1080p resolution for video streams on a smartphone, Verizon lets you pay an extra $10 per line for those on the Beyond and the Above Unlimited plans. 

It’s worth noting that the limits above are different if you stream video to a tablet instead of a smartphone. With that, the Go Unlimited supports up to 720p video streaming, while the Beyond Unlimited plan supports up to 1080p video streaming. This makes sense given that tablets offer more screen real estate.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 most expensive San Francisco neighborhoods in 2018, ranked

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san francisco

  • The San Francisco housing market is so expensive that it's now commonly referred to as being in a crisis.
  • PropertyShark and Business Insider teamed up to take a look at the top 10 most expensive San Francisco neighborhoods in 2018.
  • The median home sale price in the top 10 neighborhoods ranged from $2 million to $4.4 million.

The San Francisco housing market is notoriously expensive.

In fact, as Business Insider previously reported, rent is so high that four-person households making under $117,400 qualify for low-income housing and even tech workers are abandoning the city in search of lower prices.

To take a look at how prices compare across the city, Business Insider teamed up with PropertyShark and ranked the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the city by median sale price.

Read more: This $45 million San Francisco home could shatter the city's real-estate record — take a look inside the gorgeous complex

The median sale prices in San Francisco's most expensive neighborhoods range from $2 million to $4.4 million. A look at the most expensive neighborhoods in LA, meanwhile, reveals a far broader gap: The median sale price ranges from $3.2 million all the way up to $10.6 million.

Below, check out the most expensive neighborhoods in San Francisco in 2018, ranked from least expensive to most.

SEE ALSO: The San Francisco housing market is so dire that people are leaving in droves — here's where they're headed

READ MORE: San Francisco is so expensive that waiters can no longer afford to live in the city, and it's changing the way restaurants are serving food and hiring workers

10. Monterey Heights

Median sale price: $2,007,750 



9. Parnassus Heights

Median sale price: $2,050,000 



8. Lone Mountain

Median sale price: $2,180,000 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 hidden PlayStation 4 features only power users know about

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playstation 4 best buy

  • The PlayStation 4 is an incredible console, but its countless menus can be confusing, especially when all you really want to do is get in there and start playing some games.
  • Here are five hidden features that will make using your PS4 a heck of a lot easier.

SEE ALSO: There's a setting in Spotify Premium that makes your music sound better — here's how to turn it on

1. Using the controller's light bar for motion-controlled typing



Flicking the thumbstick left and right to type your login information is annoying and inefficient. But did you know you can use motion controls to make typing a lot easier?

RAW Embed



When a keyboard pops up, click the right thumbstick down to enable motion controls.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 American airports people hate flying into the most

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American Airlines Boeing 787 LAX

  • J.D. Power recently released the latest edition of its annual North America Airport Satisfaction Study.
  • Overall traveler satisfaction with airports is at a 13-year high.
  • However, airports serving major cities like New York, LA, Chicago, and Boston all find themselves at the bottom of the rankings. 

J.D. Power recently released the latest edition of its annual North America Airport Satisfaction Study. The 2018 edition of the study found that overall passenger satisfaction is the highest ever recorded in its 13-year history. 

Overall traveler satisfaction increased 12 points on a 1,000-point scale to 761. 

According to the study, travelers surveyed by the consumer data and analytics firm reported improvements in several major areas including check-in; dining and retail; as well as terminal facilities. 

John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California earned the highest score in the study with 815 points.

Read more: The 10 airports in America that passengers love flying into the most.

However, not all of America's facilities fared as well. 

Airports serving major metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles are all mired once again at the bottom of the rankings. 

Unfortunately, things may get worse before it gets better for many of these cities. 

"Several multi-billion-dollar airport construction projects—such as those in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago—are reaching phases in which passenger disruption and increased traffic will be incredibly hard to avoid," J.D. Power travel practice lead, Michael Taylor said in a statement. "How well these rapidly expanding airports manage throughout these infrastructure projects will provide valuable insight into what’s in store on a nationwide basis."

The J.D. Power study measures overall traveler satisfaction with mega, large, and medium-sized airports in the US and Canada.

The study takes into consideration six factors — in order of importance — 1) terminal facilities, 2) airport accessibility, 3) security check, 4) baggage claim, 5) check-in/baggage check, and 6) food, beverage, and retail. 

The rankings are based on data gathered between September 2018 and September 2018 from 40,183 respondents who traveled through at least one North American airport during the three months prior to being surveyed. 

Here's a closer look at the 10 lowest scoring airports in J.D Power's 2018 North American Airport Satisfaction Study: 

SEE ALSO: Delta's CEO just reignited the nastiest feud in the airline industry by accusing Qatar Airways of violating a deal with Trump administration

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10. Boston Logan International Airport: 747 points.



9. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: 744 points.



8. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: 743 points.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here are the top 10 news stories of 2018 according to an AP poll of US newsrooms

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People put flowers among other mementoes at the fence of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, after the police security perimeter was removed, following a mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, U.S., February 18, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

  • The Associated Press has released its list of top 10 news stories of the year.
  • Editors and news directors across the country named the Parkland shooting story the top news story of the year. 
  • Here are the 10 top news stories of the year:

SEE ALSO: A federal judge tosses the Parkland school-shooting lawsuit, says local police had no legal obligation to protect students during the massacre

1. The Parkland school shooting

On February 14, 2018, a shooter broke into the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and killed 17. This was the deadliest mass shooting in the country this year. The massacre sparked a pro-gun control movement across the US, led by student survivors of the shooting. On March 24, thousands of students across the world marched in favor of gun control laws in what became known as the "March for Our Lives." 



2. The Trump-Russia probe

The Trump-Russia probe dominated headlines this year. The special counsel's team, led by Robert Mueller, continued its investigation into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia ahead of the 2016 election. So far, the investigation has found that several Trump associates made contact with Russian agents. Several former Trump aides have been indicted for lying, including Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. 



3. The #MeToo movement

The #MeToo movement began in 2017 but dominated news stories well into 2018. More powerful men were accused of sexual assault and harassment this year. Bill Cosby was sentenced to prison. Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein was charged with rape. Les Moonves was ousted as top executive at CBS after a dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 hidden Xbox One features only power users know about (MSFT)

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Xbox One S

  • The Xbox One is an incredible gaming console with the capability to do all sorts of cool things, but unless you have your finger on the pulse of the latest Xbox news, you might be missing out on a few of its best features.
  • Here are nine especially great features of the Xbox One that you may not know about.

SEE ALSO: 8 reasons Google's Pixel is better than the iPhone

Play your saved games on any Xbox One.

Any time you save your progress in a game on the Xbox One, a copy of that save file is automatically saved in cloud storage, too.

This means that if you visit a friend's house or buy a new console, all of your latest saves will be instantly accessible as soon as you sign in to your profile!



See how much data your console is using.

If you're in one of the unfortunate areas of the country currently experiencing caps on home data usage, you're probably trying to keep a closer eye on how much data your gaming habit is eating up.

In order to check your Xbox One's data usage, go to Settings —> Network —> Bandwidth Usage.



Continue your Xbox 360 games on your new Xbox One.

By now, you probably know that there are over 200 Xbox 360 games that are playable on your Xbox One, but did you know that you can start playing a game on your Xbox One right where you left off on your 360?

In order to make your Xbox 360 saves accessible on your Xbox One, you have to enable cloud saving on your Xbox 360. To do so, go to Settings —> System —> Storage —> Cloud Saved Games, and select "Enable."

Next, start the game on your Xbox 360. When you save your progress, select "Cloud Saved Games" as the desired save location. Once the upload is complete, this save file will be accessible when you start the game on your Xbox One!

Also, keep in mind that in order to enable cloud saving on your Xbox 360, you must be an Xbox Live Gold member!



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Imax passes $1 billion mark at the global box office for first time ever. Here are the highest-grossing titles that played on the format in 2018.

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Black panther

  • 2018 marks the first time ever that Imax grossed $1 billion at the global box office.
  • "Avengers: Infinity War" was the highest global Imax performer of the year.

With 2018 coming to an end, the studios are counting their stacks of money and finding that the industry is poised to break box office records by New Year's Eve (the domestic box office has already passed the all-time record set in 2016 of $11.37 billion), and it looks like a big assist came from Imax.

The large-format screen company raked in over $1 billion at the global box office in 2018, marking the first time in the company's 50 year existence it has ever hit that milestone, according to a press release on Monday.

Imax noted that homegrown titles from China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and India that played on the format made up a combined box office of more than $100 million, but it's still the big blockbusters from Hollywood that are the major draw. And audiences came out in droves to see them on the huge Imax screens.

Here are the 10 highest-grossing Imax titles of 2018, with one being the highest:

SEE ALSO: Business Insider ranks the 11 best movies of 2018

10. "The Meg"



9. "Ant-Man and the Wasp"



8. "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald"



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A Michelin tire expert explains why winter tires are worth the extra cost

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car snow

  • We asked a tire expert at Michelin why winter tires are worth the investment.
  • Winter tires are specially designed to deal with snow, slush, ice, and low temperatures.
  • A good set can cost more than $500, before installation.


Winter has officially arrived, with the solstice on December 21. In much of the US, that means it's time to prepare for snowstorms, large and small.

Many drivers use year-round, all-season tires, and that's usually fine. These tires are designed to handle much of what nature can throw at them.

But for an extra level of security — and the ability to actually use your vehicle when conditions are truly nasty — you might want to consider a set of winter tires.

The tires are designed specifically to confront snow, slush, ice and the lower temperatures that can degrade the performance of all-season tires. A high-quality set of four will set you back more than $500 (before installation), but remember that you won't be using them year-round, so you'll spread the lifetime of 30,000-40,000 miles over more winters.

We asked Tom Carter, technical communications director for product marketing at Michelin why winter rubber is worth the cost and trouble to swap for your car's usual tires every year. Here's what he had to say.

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Winter tires improve safety.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually," Carter said in an email.

"Many consumers — 38% according to a recent Michelin survey — believe they don’t need winter tires if they have four-wheel-drive," he added.

"While four-wheel-drive is great for initial acceleration, it does little to assist with the most common hazard of winter driving, which is the inability to stop in winter conditions. Only winter tires are designed to handle winter's worst. Increased traction during winter conditions [snow, ice, and just cold weather] is invaluable for safety."



Winter tires can keep you on the road.

"Loss of work time due to winter conditions can be costly," Carter said.

"For an employee making $50,000 a year, a day’s wage is about $200 per day. For emergency personnel, business owners, and health care professionals, often they cannot afford to miss a day due to winter conditions.  The need for mobility has a cost that is hard to calculate, but certainly exceeds the cost of winter tires.  Some people can afford to miss a day of work, but most people can’t afford to miss picking up their kids from school when winter comes suddenly."



Winter tires can help avoid accidents and keep insurance payments down.

"According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average auto liability claim for property damage in 2017 was $3,638 — and that does not include the increase in insurance premiums," Carter said.

"So, if you avoid an accident with tires built specifically for winter roads, you are likely to save significantly more than you pay for the cost of winter tires by avoiding paying the insurance deductible and cost of rising premiums."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The hottest ad-tech and mar-tech companies of 2018

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hottest adtech companies 2018 2x1

After a few quiet years, 2018 was a big one for advertising and marketing tech.

Before May, investors and observers worried whether the increasing regulatory scrutiny from Europe's General Data Protection Regulation would shut down companies or dry up venture-capital funding even more than it has in recent years. And while there were a fewinitial casualties of GDPR, VC money continued to flow to a variety of companies, from established programmatic players to data-minded startups trying to shake up TV and digital measurement.

Seemingly everyone from private-equity firms, agency holding companies,telecoms, and marketing clouds went on acquisition tears, snatching up "mad-tech," a blend of advertising- and marketing-tech companies. A handful of ad-tech companies either quietly faded or went up for sale.

"You could certainly say that 2018 was a year of consolidation," Mark Wagman, managing director of MediaLink, told Business Insider. "In the view of the marketers and brands we work with, it's still not yet enough consolidation. They hope that more will happen that will simplify their media-value chain."

In the past our list has often highlighted the hottest pre-IPO companies, but given all the activity this year — and a dwindling number of private companies — we've now opened it to public and private firms. So on this list, major companies that generate billions of dollars in revenue join startups expecting to make a few million dollars this year.

"Both advertising and marketing professionals should be following a wider swatch of companies who are innovating and executing in this space," said Ana Milicevic, principal and cofounder of Sparrow Advisers, a boutique consultancy that advises advertising and media companies.

Since we're focusing on upstarts and companies born out of media companies, Facebook, Google and Amazon are intentionally not on the list. That said, the big three are circling practically every one of these companies in some way, whether it's with its data, power, or potential to disrupt an industry.

Methodology

There was no one criterion used to decide which companies made our list.

The lines between ad-tech companies and mar-tech companies continue to blur. So, similar to last year, this list reflects the growing number of mar-tech players we're watching, including some that don't touch paid media at all but instead specialize in data or analytics.

We looked at a number of factors in evaluating companies, such as headcount, revenue, and recent funding. We also considered what issues the companies are trying to solve, whether it's powering millions of programmatic spend or experimenting with blockchain technology.

We talked to a lot of execs, analysts, and investors to figure out which companies should, and shouldn't, be included, based on their reputation and with whom they work.

We tried our best to follow where money and marketers' interest are going. That means a handful of firms valued at billions and have raised millions aren't included. Most notably, you'll notice two categories that are less represented this year than in previous years: social-media management and native advertising.

Here are the 19 most intriguing ad-tech and mar-tech firms of 2018, listed alphabetically.

Amobee: Buying up independent ad-tech firms to form a giant tech stack

CEO: Kim Perell

Employees: More than 850

2017 revenue: $800 million

Comment: The growing competition and squeezed margins make it difficult for independent ad-tech companies to operate. Amobee is betting that building a digital-ad business within the Singapore telecommunications company Singtel can save some of those firms and keep money flowing through the industry. Amobee's bread and butter is software that helps marketers manage data across channels and plan media. It owns data-management platform and demand-side platform Turn, and this year it acquired Videology for $100 million and has hinted that more acquisitions could be coming.



Beeswax: Ad tech in a box for marketers

CEO: Ari Paparo

Employees: 60

2018 revenue: $25 million

Total funding to date: $13.3 million

Comment: Most ad-tech companies work by charging advertisers a fee based on the amount of ad spend. Beeswax’s model is different and promises to save customers like Foursquare money by charging them a flat fee based on how much tech and software they need (starting at $10,000 a month), then stores their tech stack in the cloud. The startup says that business has increased 150% year-over-year, primarily from marketers taking programmatic buying in-house.



Braze: Crunching data to make smarter email and push notifications

CEO: Bill Magnuson

Employees: 270

2018 revenue: $53 million

Total funding to date: $175 million

Comment: Brands are increasingly pumping money into technology that crunches reams of web, email, and mobile data and can fire off millions of personalized push notifications and emails. Braze (formerly Appboy) is somewhat of an alternative to marketing clouds like Salesforce and Adobe but without the high costs and cookie-cutter deals that marketing clouds are known for. And as more marketers focus on collecting first-party data in light of regulation like Europe's GDPR, the hype is at least winning over investors: Braze raised $80 million in Series E funding in October. The company is now valued at $850 million.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Happy Holidays from the White House: See 91 years of presidents' Christmas cards, from Trump to JFK to Coolidge

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wh christmas portrait

  • The first family sends staff and supporters a holiday card every year.
  • The White House's annual tradition dates back to 1927.
  • President Donald Trump's two cards are very similar, both wishing people a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

While it may be less common these days to send a holiday greeting via snail mail these days, the White House hasn't let go of its 91-year tradition.

Starting with Calvin Coolidge in 1927, each sitting US president has wished their staff and supporters a happy holiday. Each card is unique, and recipients change from year to year.

With the help of the White House Historical Association, we've pulled together 66 White House holiday cards from the past eight decades. Happy holidays!

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have surprisingly affordable style — and it's a brilliant political strategy

Donald Trump, 2018



Donald Trump, 2017



Barack Obama, 2013



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Stores from American Eagle to Kohl's are all bragging about being 'cozy' — and it represents a major shift in fashion

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american eagle 3431

  • Coziness is one of the most popular trends in clothing retail right now. 
  • The trend is inspired by the Danish concept of hygge, which is all about the contentment that comes from feeling cozy and enjoying simple things. 
  • Knit sweaters, Sherpa coats, and fuzzy slippers are everywhere this holiday season. See how the trend has been taking over stores. 

If you've walked into just about any clothing store this winter, you've probably seen the word "cozy" on, well, everything. 

Sweaters, hats, leggings, t-shirts, and even fanny packs this winter are fleece-lined, ultra-soft, and most importantly, cozy. 

The cozy trend isn't anything new — it became popular a few years ago, when the Danish concept of "hygge" started gaining traction. Pronounced "hoo-ga," the Danish concept is better translated as a feeling than a single word. Embracing the idea of hygge is all about feeling cozy and content by enjoying the simple things in life.

In Danish culture, hygge is a way of life. Hygge started catching on as a trend in the UK in 2016 after several books were written on the subject. In 2017, the trend hopped over to the US. And according to Country Living, there was an influx of books published on the subject within just a few months. 

Though the trend has been going strong for a few years already, retailers don't seem to be letting go of it anytime soon. Many of the stores we visited in recent months have been marketing their clothes as "cozy,""plush," and "soft," showing ads with models bundled up in oversized knit sweaters and cozy hats. 

"There is no doubt that the casualization trend has taken over the wardrobes of many Americans,"  NPD Group analyst Maria Rugolo wrote in a company blog post in November. "But this holiday season we will see this trend in all of its furriness."

See how the trend has been taking over stores: 

SEE ALSO: We shopped at American Eagle and Abercrombie to see which was a better store — and the winner was clear

The word "hygge" doesn't have a direct English translation, but it can best be described as a sort of coziness. And American Eagle Outfitters was all about coziness when we visited a Midtown Manhattan store.



It seemed everything in the store was geared towards comfort.



“While consumers will look to get dressed up for holiday festivities, comfort is the key word. Brands that are incorporating fashion along with athletic and comfort elements will win,” Beth Goldstein, executive director and industry analyst at NPD Group, told Footwear News last month.

Source: Footwear News



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13 unforgettable insights from a year reading about relationships, time management, and getting ahead at work

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  • This year I read lots of self-help books.
  • I learned how to be more productive, how to be a better romantic partner, and how to advance at work.
  • Below, I've listed the top takeaways from the books I read. For example: Approach dating like dieting, and remember that your coworkers aren't your family.

My friends often make fun of me for forgetting everything I read. I like to think that's because I read a lot, and not because my mind is a sieve.

This year I read tons of books in the category commonly known as "self-help" (here at Business Insider, we prefer the term "self-improvement"). And while it's true I don't remember everything I learned, there are tips and insights that will stick with me for a long time.

Below, I've described the takeaways that really resonated with me and the delightful books they came from.

SEE ALSO: I spent this year reading about relationships, productivity, and success — and 15 insights stuck with me more than any others

Minimize the amount of choice in your diet to lose weight

Economists don't often share weight-loss advice, but Rob Barnett and Christopher Payne do.

"The Economists' Diet" is based on the authors' experiences losing significant amounts of weight (Payne lost 45 pounds in 18 months, while Barnett lost 75 pounds in the same amount of time) by applying fundamental economic principles.

One of the most compelling principles is the use of meta rules, which eliminate the amount of choice you have in your daily diet. Examples of meta rules include: "Unless it's a special occasion, never have seconds" and "During the week, always have salad for lunch."

The idea is that by eliminating choice entirely you effectively eliminate the opportunity to do something counterproductive, like eating more than you'd planned. Meta rules also make life less exhausting because you're not constantly having to choose whether to, say, have dessert or grab a vanilla latte.



Your boss isn't responsible for (all) your work misery

Stop blaming your boss. That's a key takeaway from Morten T. Hansen's "Great at Work."

Hansen is a management professor at University of California at Berkeley. In the book, he describes the results of a five-year study he conducted on employee performance. One result is that employees who zero in on a few top priorities and focus all their efforts on those tasks perform best.

Needless to say, most people in the study didn't do that. Why? Roughly one-quarter of all employees "blamed their inability to focus on their boss's lack of direction or a broader organizational complexity in their company."

To some extent, they're probably right. But Hansen recommends saying "no" to at least some of the responsibilities your boss assigns you. For example, a junior management consultant in the study told a partner at his firm that he simply couldn't handle another project if the partner wanted excellent work. The partner agreed, and backed off.



Set one priority every day

The authors of "Make Time"— former Google employees, one of whom created the company's design sprint process — are proponents of prioritizing too.

Their strategy starts with establishing a "highlight" every day, as in the most important thing you want to tackle in the next 24 hours. It could be a product update; it could be cooking dinner for your family. You're not only being realistic about how much you can get done, but also minimizing distractions from the really important stuff.

Knapp and Zeratsky share some tips: "Consider what's most meaningful to you, not what is most urgent" and "Think about what needs the most effort or work." To be sure, this is easier said than done. But the main idea is not to start out with 10 highlights and wind up accomplishing nothing of substance.



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24 must-read books that Bill Gates recommended in 2018

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  • We've rounded up Bill Gates' many book recommendations in 2018.
  • Over the past year, Gates gave his stamp of approval to more than 20 titles, including two books on meditation.
  • In addition to science and data-driven stories, the list features popular books like Trevor Noah’s memoir, "Born a Crime," and John Green's "Turtles All the Way Down."

Bill Gates isn't shy about recommending books. As an avid reader, he's given his stamp of approval to hundreds of titles, including some unlikely beach reads.

This year alone, he's highlighted more than 20 books that captured his attention or expanded his worldview.

Read more:Bill Gates reveals his 5 favorite books he read in the past year

In typical Gates fashion, the list features nonfiction titles about artificial intelligence and global inequality. But it also features some surprises, like two books on meditation and Trevor Noah’s memoir, "Born a Crime."

Whether you're searching for a gift or simply want to add to your collection, here are the books Gates thinks you should read. 

"Bad Blood" by John Carreyrou

Business Insider readers will no doubt be familiar with"Bad Blood." It's the story of Theranos, a blood-testing startup that deceived its investors, patients, and business partners into thinking its technology actually worked.

When Elizabeth Holmes founded the company at just 19 years old, it attracted huge investments and catapulted her to worldwide fame. ThenThe Wall Street Journal broke the story that the company was faking test results, leading to the closure of its labs and testing centers. Holmes and her former business partner, Sunny Balwani, are now facing jail time on fraud charges.

The book's author, John Carreyrou, spoke with Business Insider earlier this year about how Theranos was able to pull off the scam.

"I think Elizabeth lost sight of the fact that her company wasn't a computer-software company," he said.

Gates called the story "a cautionary tale about the virtues of celebrity" and a lesson for Silicon Valley.



"Army of None" by Paul Scharre

Paul Scharre's book,"Army of None, explores a timely and important question: Why should we put computers in charge?

In an age when autonomous weapons can be programmed to wipe out human targets, "Army of None" makes the case for combining artificial intelligence with our own judgment, so that no algorithm can make the final call on a human life.

Gates said the book filled a void in his canon.

"My first attempt to educate myself on autonomous weapons was a bust," he wrote. "I read a book that was dry and felt really outdated. Then a few months ago I picked up 'Army of None' ... It's the book I had been waiting for."



"Educated" by Tara Westover

Fans of the Netflix documentary "Wild Wild Country" will enjoy Tara Westover's memoir,"Educated," the story of a woman raised in a Mormon survivalist home. As a child, Westover grew up under the influence of her conspiracy-theorist father, who believed that doomsday was upon them.

Despite Westover never stepping foot in a classroom until age 17, she was able to study enough to gain admission to Brigham Young University. From there, she earned a Gates Scholarship (a fact Gates himself discovered upon reading her book), which brought her to the University of Cambridge.

Her tale is one of trauma, separation, and, ultimately, self-discovery. It also touches on the polarization in America between red and blue states, rural and urban areas, and college-educated citizens and those without higher degrees.

When Gates spoke with Westover about this subject, she had this to share: "I worry that education is becoming a stick that some people use to beat other people into submission or becoming something that people feel arrogant about," she said. "I think of [it] as this great mechanism of connecting and equalizing."



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10 unique things to add to your hot chocolate

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  • Hot chocolate is the perfect way to warm up and celebrate the holidays.
  • Flavorful add-ins can transform simple hot cocoa into something special.
  • Sweet add-ins include marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, flavored spreads, and maple syrup.
  • To transform cocoa into a cocktail, add flavored liqueurs or traditional spirits.
  • Other unique ways to liven up hot chocolate include adding coffee, spices, and extracts.

There's no denying that a steaming cup of hot chocolate is classic, especially during the holidays.

Whether you choose to whip up homemade hot chocolate with fresh milk and chopped chocolate pieces or prefer to stick with instant packets, there are so many delicious additions that can help jazz up any cup of cocoa.

Marshmallows and whipped cream are classic hot chocolate add-ins for a reason.

When it comes to hot chocolate add-ins, nothing beats traditional marshmallows or whipped cream. The lightness and creaminess created by melting marshmallows or whipped cream into hot cocoa to balance the thickness and richness of the chocolate perfectly.

Not to mention, everyone loves using hot chocolate as an excuse to eat marshmallows straight out of the bag or whipped cream right from the can.



Alcohol of all kinds can be added to hot cocoa to create a festive cocktail.

Whether at a holiday party or just home with friends and family, hot chocolate cocktails are a wonderful way to get into the spirit and add a unique flavor to traditional cocoa.

For traditionalists, bourbon, rum, Irish cream, and brandy are excellent additions. For alcohol that adds an extra burst of flavor, pour in flavored liqueurs such as peppermint, coffee, hazelnut, orange, cherry, and more.

Surprisingly, red wine is another great way to spike hot chocolate. The flavors of wine and chocolate really compliment one another and the wine adds a unique depth to the drink.   



For hot chocolate that will offer an energy boost, add in some coffee or espresso.

You can easily amp up a hot chocolate by adding in coffee or espresso. Adding in a packet of hot chocolate can be an easy way to make a homemade mocha



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These are some of the weirdest deals and ads in recent fast-food history (MCD)

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Burger King recently announced that if customers go within 600 feet of a McDonald's location, they could order a Whopper for one cent via the revamped Burger King app. The counterintuitive deal is intended to promote Burger King's recently relaunched app. 

Burger King has a history of bizarre ads and deals. And, it isn't alone — the fast-food industry has perhaps some of the strangest promotions in the world. 

Here are some of the weirdest deals, advertisements, and promotions that fast-food chains have used to win over customers:

SEE ALSO: 'We were sober': Burger King finally explains why it tweeted gibberish for hours

Burger King's Whopper deal

"If a guest is inside one of these geofenced areas and has the new BK App on their device, the app will unlock the Whopper sandwich for a penny promotion," Burger King said in a press release. "Once the 1¢ Whopper sandwich order is placed, the user will be 'detoured' away from McDonald's, as the app navigates them to the nearest Burger King restaurant for pick up."

The Whopper deal started on December 4 and ran through December 12.

Read more:Burger King is giving away Whoppers for 1 cent — but you have to go to McDonald's to get them

 



Burger King's obsession with foods that turn your poop green

In 2015, Burger King launched a Halloween burger made with a black bun that turned people's feces a greenish color.

Despite people's bathroom-related freak-outs, the chain has doubled down on scatological deals, launching the Scary Black Cherry slushie this year. And, many customers reacted with eager anticipation around what color their poop would be after drinking. 

Read more: Burger King has a new spooky black slushie, but all people can talk about is how it's turning their poop weird colors



Burger King's Google Home ad that was hacked to say the Whopper is made of a 'medium-sized child'

In 2017, Burger King launched a TV ad that triggers people's Google Homes with the command, "Ok Google, what is the Whopper burger?"

When Business Insider tested the ad, Google Home recited the definition of a Whopper burger from its Wikipedia page. However, someone had edited the Whopper's Wikipedia page to say that the burger is made of a "medium-sized child," instead of a beef patty, and that it contains the toxic chemical cyanide.

Burger King edited the Wikipedia entry and won an award at Cannes Lions for the ad. 

Read more:Burger King's newest TV ad has a disastrous flaw



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The 25 most valuable American startups that died in 2018

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  • This year's biggest startup flameout was Theranos, the embattled medical technology company that raised almost $1 billion in its lifetime. 
  • Using data from PitchBook, these are the 25 most valuable American startups that died in 2018.

Having millions of dollars in backing from venture capitalists doesn't guarantee the longevity of a startup.

Even well-established private companies are at constant risk of failure, as evidenced by some of the startups that went out of business this year. PitchBook compiled data on the 25 most valuable startups that failed in 2018; three of these companies have been around for more than 20 years and were still forced to shutter.

Startups in the healthcare industry took a big hit — seven companies on the list are in the medical sector.

The list is headed by Theranos, the blood-testing company, whose $9 billion valuation was greater than those of all the other startups on the list combined. It ultimately flamed out after a series of Wall Street Journal reports raised serious questions about its technology

Here are the 25 most valuable VC-backed startups that failed in 2018:

SEE ALSO: The 25 most valuable private tech companies in the US

26. SDCmaterials — automobile nanotechnology

Year founded: 2004

Maximum valuation: $48 million

Amount raised: $26 million

Read more about SDCmaterials on PitchBook.



25. Senzari — music and entertainment data intelligence

Year founded: 2010

Maximum valuation: $52 million

Amount raised: $13 million

Read more about Senzari on PitchBook.



23. Industrial Origami — industrial material manufacturer

Year founded: 2003

Maximum valuation: $58 million

Amount raised: $41 million

Read more about Industrial Origami on PitchBook.



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What you can expect from the year ahead, according to your zodiac sign

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Editor's Note: Astrology is just for fun and is not supported by scientific evidence.

2019 is a year of opportunity. With abundant planet Jupiter in Sagittarius — the sign it rules — this year, anything is possible. Your key to success is to be positive, follow your heart, look for opportunities, and above all else, don't give up! Saturn still in Capricorn — the sign it rules — makes it possible to build solid foundations of security and stability. Uranus in Taurus can change your way of thinking, especially when it has to do with love or money. Chiron focuses your attention on looking after your physical self. Eclipse energy can bring surprises that provide a balance between your work and home environments. Spiritually, you can become more aware, while staying grounded in the here and now.

For more information and 2019 predictions for your Sun Sign, read the 2019 report and watch Jennifer's Video reports on her YouTube channel, Jennifer Angel Stars. You can book a personal session with Jennifer to see how your personal natal chart will be influenced by the effects of planetary moves for 2019 by visiting the astrology reading page on her site at www.jenniferangel.com 

 

ARIES: It's up to you to set your major life plans into motion.

Year ahead: This year is about walking your own path and paying attention to your heartfelt wishes. You can have a new start with love and work, but don't expect it to happen without a little bit of hard work. It’s up to you to know what you want, make a plan, focus on it, and put it into action.

Love: Romance is important in 2019, and a passionate connection with someone special will be impossible to ignore. However, you will need to balance your personal and professional lives, as both will demand your attention.

Career: Eclipse energy can boost your career all the way to the top!

Money: Your financial situation can shift in the right direction, but be warned that you'll need to be organized and determined in order to follow through with an opportunity coming your way.

Spirit: The more you let your imagination run wild, and allow yourself to dare to dream, the more in touch you will be with your soul's purpose.  



TAURUS: What happens next promises to be better than you could ever imagine.

Year ahead: Destiny can take charge of your life in 2019! Circumstances out of your control can create shifts and bring about unexpected changes. Nothing is impossible now if you stay positive. What happens next promises to be better than you could ever imagine.

Love: Whether you are in a relationship or looking for love, trusting someone to share your most intimate details with is very much part of this year’s love lesson. A magnetic connection with someone amazing can provide a safe feeling of closeness, belonging, and attachment.

Career: Lucky connections with friends and colleagues can move you up the career ladder towards success. Chance meetings with influential people can make a significant difference in your work life.

Money: Educate yourself on money, how to manage your finances and, most importantly, how to save and invest. The more savings you have, the safer you will feel.

Spirit: Self-development is the key to getting to know yourself on a deeper level.



GEMINI: Be cautious of who you surround yourself with in 2019.

Year ahead: Relationships — romantic or platonic — are powerful, especially during this time. However, keep in mind that whether it relates to work, love, or your social life, not everyone will be worthy of an invitation into your inner circle. Be cautious of who you surround yourself with. 

Love: Intimacy is important. This year, you can find someone to share your life, and innermost thoughts, with.

Career: Use your creative gift to gain attention and get ahead at work. Your imagination can take you a long way now to realizing your dreams and goals — don’t hold back.

Money: An opportunity to boost your bank balance can suddenly appear this year. Be positive and expect the best!

Spirit: Prepare to step outside of your comfort zone and entertain a different way of thinking when it comes to your life. Your perspective will change in a positive way if you can just imagine yourself in someone else's shoes. 



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27 stunning photos of the neighborhood that puts on the best Christmas-light displays in America

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  • The neighborhood of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York, puts on a Christmas light display every year.
  • It has become a tourist attraction, with guided tours and buses.

The suburban Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights is a quiet and friendly area year-round — that is, until the holidays start.

That's when the neighborhood is flooded with thousands of Christmas-light peepers anxious to see the area's famed displays. Countless homes in the neighborhood take part, putting up dazzling and awe-inspiring feats of festivity, and likely producing similarly awe-inspiring electric bills.

In 2015, I took a trip to Dyker Heights to see the hyped "Dyker Lights" for myself. Keep scrolling to see some lights that would make Clark Griswold die from envy.

SEE ALSO: Inside New York City's most festive bar, where they spend more than $60,000 a year getting ready for Christmas

Dyker Heights is a good half-hour drive from downtown Manhattan, and about an hour away on the subway. Luckily, there are Dyker Lights tour buses that will take you there hassle-free — for a price.



You can see most of the best displays between 11th and 13th avenues around 81st through 86th streets.



Some of the homes put up stately, elegant arrangements.



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Here are the 5 biggest winners and losers of college basketball this week

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  • Just eight weeks into the college basketball season, fans have witnessed the fall of titans and the rise of underdogs.
  • The AP Top 25 Poll saw a major shakeup after the top team in the nation and some other previously-undefeated programs suffered their first losses of the season.
  • Here are the five biggest winners and losers of Week 8 of the college basketball season.

Winners



▲ No. 17 Arizona State Sun Devils — Up 1 spot in the AP Top 25 Poll

Bobby Hurley and the Arizona State Sun Devils started the season unranked but received 156 votes and put themselves on the map after taking down the then-No. 15 Mississippi State Bulldogs 72-67 on the road. Arizona State took the then-No. 6 Nevada Wolf Pack down to the wire early in December, losing by six despite holding a commanding lead and the half. But the Sun Devils took home their biggest win of the season Saturday when they defeated the then-No. 1 and previously undefeated Kansas Jayhawks 80-76. Now, Arizona State is sitting pretty amongst the top 20 teams in the country with conference play on the horizon.



▲ No. 18 Marquette Golden Eagles — Up 2 spots in the AP Top 25 Poll

The Marquette Golden Eagles have bounced in and out of the AP Top 25 Poll throughout this young season, but they bolstered their case to sit amongst the nation's elite when they defeated the then-No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers early in December. This week, Steve Wojciechowski's squad dealt the then-No. 17 Buffalo Bulls their first loss of the season in commanding fashion, racking up a 17-point lead by the time the buzzer sounded thanks in large part to guard Markus Howard's massive 45-point showing. The Golden Eagles will have another chance to ruin a perfect season as they travel to New York to take on the St. John's Red Storm New Year's Day.



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