It’s hard to believe we are almost halfway through August. School supplies have  begun lining shelves in local stores, both big and small.  

It won’t be long until the fall decorations are on every porch and front lawn around the neighbourhood.  

Before we know it, Thanksgiving turkeys and large carnucopias will make an  appearance on those lawns, joining the fall decorations. 

Depending on what country you live in, and when Thanksgiving comes, you may  even see some Halloween decorations mingled in with those Thanksgiving pieces. 

Of course, along with Fall comes pumpkins, and all of their spices everywhere.  The air gets crisper and cooler, the flannel shirts, and favourite jeans come out, and marshmallows are roasted around a roaring campfire. A favourite hoodie is also a  common sight this time of year. 

Keeping busy indoors with video games during the long cold winters. 

Right behind Fall is the season most people do not look forward to, winter. With  it’s bitter cold temperatures, large snowstorms, freezing rain and ice everywhere, it can be very treacherous being outside in the winter. 

And, although there may be many beautiful sunny winter days, and too many fun  outdoor winter activities to count, a lot of free time in the winter is spent indoors. 

From Atari to Playstation and Xbox, and everything in between. 

Chances are you already have at least one type of gaming system in your home  right now, or at some point over the years. You may have multiple systems in your  home, or maybe you’ve never owned one.  

But, I bet at some point in your life, you’ve played some kind of video game, or at  least watched someone play one.

Video games have come along way from the large standing machines in arcades  back in the 70s and 80s. Nowadays, you can even play them on your cellphone, or  other handheld devices. 

Besides the numerous different types of gaming systems, there are also various  companies who make video games. And while some games are available for every  type of system sold in stores, there are other games that are only available for  specific gaming systems. 

The love of video games. 

There are literally hundreds of thousands of video games for children and adults of  all ages. Everyone seems to have their favourite genre of video games that they  love to play, and some people have favourite gaming consoles they prefer to play  their games on. If you were to ask your closest friends and family members what  their favourite video games are, you would likely get different answers from each  person.  

However, having said that, there are some video games that are very popular, and  people from all different walks of life seem to enjoy playing them, either as an  individual, or online with other people around the world. There are endless  numbers of chat rooms, blogs, webpages, and community boards where gamers  can meet up and discuss their beloved games. The gaming industry is vast and  forever growing and changing, as it tries to keep up with all the advances in  technology and what it is the customers are looking for. Gaming companies are  forever releasing updates to their games, or newer versions of the game, so that  their players will stay invested in the game, and the game stays fresh and  interesting. 

Companies also distribute merchandise displaying the title and logo of the game, as well as the characters that star in the game. Retail stores that carry the games,  sometimes will have midnight launch parties on the day specific games are being  released, and have giveaways, or amazing deals on merchandise that goes with the  games, as well as special edition versions of the particular game.

What are people playing these days? 

Let’s dive right into some of the games that are very popular right now.  

#1 – Apex Legends  

One of the most popular games in the world, Apex Legends has had over 100  million players since it launched back in 2019. It is a first person shooter game,  that can be played alone or with others in a group. It has a Battle Royale  component to it, and amazing visuals. 

What makes this game so popular, is that it is completely free to play on all  consoles. Players on Playstation and Xbox consoles do need a paid monthly  subscription to play online if they want to play online against other players in the  game. 

This games is available for Windows on the PC, Playstation, Xbox, Steam,  Nintendo Switch, and coming in 2022, it will be available for Android and IOS for  mobile devices. 

#2 – Minecraft Survival 

If you have a child between the ages of say five and twenty, it’s more than likely  that you’ve had to sit through a virtual tour of their Minecraft world at least once, if not many, many times.  

Minecraft is a virtual 3D building block game, where the possibilities are endless.  Players can see their wildest dreams come to life, as they build whatever their heart desires.  

From working farms, to amusement parks, large castles with fire breathing  dragons, fortresses with soldiers bearing swords and other weapons ready for  battle, there are hours and hours of fun for the players as they build their empires. 

Players can create an account and log into the Minecraft server, and play online  with other gamers.

It has been very popular since it’s release date. Parents and children alike love the  mathematical and educational component to this game, that is involved in building  all the worlds. 

Minecraft Survival is currently available for Playstation, Xbox, WiiU, Nintendo  Switch, and Windows. 

#3 – League of Legends 

Another free game out there that is gaining in popularity, is called League of  Legends. While Apex Legends is a first person shooter game, League of Legends’s  format is a multiplayer online battle arena. Players can create a premade lobby to  invite friends into play, or they can choose to be put on a computer generated  randomly selected team.  

It’s a fast paced game with various challenging levels and when it was first  launched in 2009, it was one of the first game of it’s kind.  

Players can rise up through the ranks as their play becomes better, and the game  will reward them for the levels they reach, and they can be placed in elite divisions  to battle other players who are also very skilled. 

This game is currently only available for the PC. 

#4 – Red Dead Redemption 2 

The Red Dead Redemption games are extremely well known for the intricate  details, and amazing graphics in the open world settings. The incredible storylines  take the player through the wild, wild, west where there are outlaws, gunslingers,  bar fights, and even some damsels in distress. 

From every leaf on the trees, to the hairs in the horses manes, the graphics in the  second RDR, are outstanding, and very life like, and provide a beautiful backdrop  for the player to enjoy while they are going through the story. 

There is lots to see and do in this game, with extra challenges along the way to  keep things interesting. Various maps are available to help the player navigate  through the wilderness, as they try and complete all the tasks, and eventually finish the game.

This game is currently available for Windows, Playstation, and Xbox. 

# 5 – Super Mario Maker 2 

Almost everyone has played or seen, some version of Super Mario Brothers. One  of the first games we ever had as children in the 80s, was Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt for our Nintendo. We played that game for hours. My brother was way better  at it then me, and he would always, always find all the secret passageways, and  bonus stuff that allowed him to change worlds, and level up way faster than anyone else. 

Fast forward to present day, and we have Super Mario Maker 2. It is an amazing  game where the player can build their own courses using tools listed on the screen.  Players can create courses both old and new for hours, and hours of fun and  nostalgia.  

Multiplayer is available on this game, which makes it fun to play with a friend or  family member. 

This game is currently only available on the Nintendo Switch, and has become  very popular, bringing together generations of gamers who love Mario. 

#5 – Call of Duty: Warzone 

Warzone is another first person shooter/battle royale type game, that can be played  alone, or with a group of players. It was launched in 2019 as part of Call of Duty  Modern Warfare. Players have found it a little harder to play solo than as a team,  but it’s been gaining popularity recently.  

The big draw to Warzone, is that if a player gets killed in battle, they can go to a  fight room, and battle to come back to life. There are also self-revival kits hidden  throughout the map that players can find and use to come back to life. This is  something that other games haven’t had in the past. 

One downside of Warzone, is that it has been regularly hacked, which causes  problems for all of it’s players around the world.  

This game is currently available for Playstation, Xbox, and Windows.

So many games, so little time.. 

The games listed above, are some of the most popular videos games being played  right now around the world.  

Of course, like everything else in the world, things change in a heartbeat. Fads and  trends come and go, and everyone wants to have the next best thing. Games come  and go, some last only a minute, while others last decades. 

It’s hard to say why some games flourish for years and years, while others shine  bright for a few months only to fizzle out. 

If you don’t already have a video game that you love, and aren’t sure which one  might be right for you, you can go onto Youtube and check out all the games there. Pretty well every game out there has put a game trailer on Youtube for anyone to  check out.  

However, many of them have made cinematic trailers with CGI animated  characters, and they don’t necessarily look like the way they do in the game. If you  want to see what the actual game looks like, type in the name of the game,  followed by the word gameplay in the Youtube search bar, and that will show you  what the real game looks like.  

Finding the right system to play games on can be daunting, and extremely  challenging. The Big Bang Theory did a whole episode on this very topic, when  Sheldon couldn’t decide between a Playstation, or an Xbox. Each individual has  their own needs and expectations from the gaming console, so it’s best to do your  research, and decide which one is best for you. You can always try one out at your  friends or family’s houses, and some of the big box stores allow you to try display  models, so you can see what it’s like before you buy one. 

Keeping up with the Joneses. 

As mentioned earlier, what’s popular today, maybe not be popular tomorrow, or  next month. There are many ways to keep up with the gaming trends, and to stay  informed. 

The gaming companies have social media pages, and will promote any upcoming  game releases, or upgrades, so that’s a great place to stay informed of what’s  coming in terms of gaming. 

Some of the large box stores that sell the gaming consoles and games, have  newsletters that they give out at their locations detailing upcoming game releases,  in-store events and future sales. 

Chase away those winter blues with a game. 

This year when the cold weather hits, grab a controller, and venture off into a  world unknown, the possibilities are endless, and every day can be a new  adventure!

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as speculative investments, have created a slew of billionaires and individuals who lost money by selling their coins too soon. There are a couple of things to know about cryptocurrencies, so we’ve compiled the top 10 cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange. But first, what’s a cryptocurrency?

What is a Cryptocurrency?

A cryptocurrency is a virtual currency safeguarded by cryptography, preventing it from being duplicated or counterfeited. Many cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology built on distributed ledgers enforced by a worldwide network of computers. 

This means that cryptocurrency transactions remain anonymous and untraceable, allowing both parties involved in the transaction to avoid sharing sensitive data with third parties like banks or other transaction providers.

Top 10 Cryptocurrencies

With over 4000 cryptocurrencies out there, only a few make the headlines. From Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin to Ripple XRP, several cryptocurrencies are worthwhile for investment. Here are the top 10 you can find in the market. 

1. Bitcoin (BTC)

Current Price: $46,820.50

Current Market Cap: $878,729,216,535 

Total Supply: 18,788,843

It is the first decentralized cryptocurrency to gain traction and become large enough to allow for the emergence of specific use cases. It is used as a means of exchange online. Bitcoin continues to dominate commercial crypto investors’ portfolios and dominates the news, helping to enhance the prominence of competing altcoins.

In retrospect, it was cleverly built and gave rise to an entire parallel financial sector that is still learning how digital currencies may be assets. The true name of Satoshi Nakamoto, the inventor of Bitcoin, remains unknown, allowing Bitcoin to be decentralized. 

2. Ethereum (ETH)

Current Price: $3,227.48

Current Market Cap: $378,969,083,249

Total Supply: 117,140,812

Ethereum is the trading platform for Ether (ETH). Ether is the transactional token that allows transactions on the Ethereum network to take place. All of the programs and services that are connected to the Ethereum network

In 2014, Ethereum announced an ether presale, which garnered a massive reaction, ushering in the era of the ICO (initial coin offering). Ethereum claims we can use it to “codify, secure, decentralize, and trade anything.” After the 2016 attack on the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), Ethereum was split into two coins: Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC). 

This year, Ethereum intends to switch its consensus process from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. This change will allow the network to run with significantly lower energy and increased transaction speeds. Also, Proof-of-stake allows network users to “stake” their ether on the Ethereum blockchain. This process aids in the security of the network and the processing of transactions.

3. Litecoin (LTC)

Current Price: $182.39

Current Market Cap: $12,221,606,584

Total Supply: 66,752,615

Since its launch in 2011, Litecoin is one of the first cryptocurrencies that followed the footsteps of Bitcoin and is often referred to as the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold.” It has a current max supply of 84,000,000. A former Google developer and MIT graduate, Charlie Lee, designed it.

Litecoin is traded on an open-source global payment network that is not centralized and uses “scrypt” as a proof-of-work, decoded using consumer-grade CPUs. However, Litecoin is similar to Bitcoin in many ways, except it has a quicker block creation rate and provides quicker transaction confirmation time. That said, aside from developers, there is an increasing number of shops that take Litecoin.

4. Cardano (ADA)

Current Price: $2.10

Current Market Cap: $67,635,465,758

Total Supply: 33,005,080,086

Cardano was developed by engineers, mathematicians, and cryptography professionals via a research-based approach. One of Ethereum’s five original founding members, Charles Hoskinson, co-founded the project. He left Ethereum after some issues with the direction it was headed and eventually helped to build Cardano.

Cardano’s blockchain was established through peer-reviewed research and considerable testing. The Cardano researchers have published over 90 papers on blockchain technology, covering a wide range of issues. Cardano is built on this study.

Cardano strives to be the world’s financial operating system by creating decentralized financial products akin to Ethereum and solutions for chain interoperability, voter fraud, and legal contract tracing, among other things. 

5. Ripple (XRP)

Current Price: $1.21

Current Market Cap: $55,784,131,297

Total Supply: 99,990,319,777

XRP, also known as OpenCoin, is utilized by some financial institutions, such as Axis Bank and Yes Bank, to transfer payments across borders faster and cheaper than existing methods such as NEFT, RTGS, or the most widely used SWIFT.

The blockchain network is known as Ripple, and the coin is known as XRP. Despite being one of the most known cryptocurrencies, XRP has drawn the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) due to its impact on fiat currencies.

The ongoing litigation will decide whether XRP is an ‘investment contract,’ and so security, under US securities regulations. The decision might establish a precedent for how XRP is viewed in other regions of the world.

6. Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

Current Price: $686.15

Current Market Cap: $12,930,749,382

Total Supply: 18,820,138

Bitcoin Cash is significant in altcoin history since it was one of the first and most successful hard forks of the original Bitcoin. A split occurs in the bitcoin realm as a result of disagreements between miners and developers. Since digital currencies are decentralized, wholesale changes to the code underpinning the token or coin at hand must be made by consensus; the mechanism for this process varies depending on the cryptocurrency.

When various groups cannot agree, the digital currency is sometimes divided. The original chain holds true to its original code, and the new chain starting as a new version of the previous coin, along with code changes.

7. Dogecoin (DOGE)

Current Price: $0.3321

Current Market Cap: $43,439,238,936

Total Supply: 130,895,788,234

With an adorable Shiba Inu puppy as its symbol and Elon Musk’s love, the sky is the limit for this meme-inspired coin.

Dogecoin was used for online forum tipping and donations on occasion. It is one of the few major altcoins with no restriction on the number of coins that can be mined; hence the supply is infinite over time.

8. Polkadot (DOT)

Current Price: $26.16

Current Market Cap: $25,811,795,294

Total Supply: 1,102,581,950

Polkadot is a one-of-a-kind proof-of-stake coin that aims to provide compatibility with other blockchains. Its protocol connects allowed and unallowed blockchains, as well as oracles, allowing systems to collaborate under one roof.

Polkadot’s essential component is its relay chain. It enables network interoperability. And it also allows for the creation of “parachains,” or alternative blockchains with their own native coins for specialized use cases.

Polkadot was built by Gavin Wood, another member of the Ethereum project’s core founders who had divergent views on the project’s future.

9. Stellar (XLM)

Current Price: $0.3806

Current Market Cap: $8,991,724,215

Total Supply: 50,001,802,892

Stellar is an open blockchain that connects financial institutions for massive transactions in order to deliver corporate solutions. Massive transactions between investment firms and banks, which used to take several days, involve a number of intermediaries, and cost a lot of money, can now be completed very instantly with no intermediaries and for little to no cost to the parties involved.

Jed McCaleb, a founding member of Ripple Labs and the creator of the Ripple protocol, launched Stellar. He eventually quit his position at Ripple to co-found the Stellar Development Foundation.

10. Binance Coin (BNB)

Current Price: $430.26

Current Market Cap: $72,342,989,381

Total Supply: 168,137,036

Binance Coin is a utility coin that serves as a payment option for trading fees on the Binance Exchange. Those that utilize the token as payment for the exchange can trade at a reduced rate. Binance Coin’s blockchain also serves as the foundation for Binance’s decentralized exchange. Changpeng Zhao launched the Binance exchange, which is now one of the world’s most popular exchanges in terms of the trading volume.

Binance Coin began as an ERC-20 token that ran on the Ethereum blockchain. It finally had its own mainnet. The network employs a consensus methodology based on proof-of-stake.

As beauty tech becomes less of a trend and more of a norm, the cosmetics industry as we know it will be a thing of the past. So are you ready for the future of beauty? 

What is beauty tech?

The name tells it all. Beauty tech uses technology to enhance and discover new ways to engage with consumers and create personalized beauty experiences. From AI to hyper-personalization, beauty tech innovations are gaining pace and are sweeping the market in the process. 

Of course, the digital age that we live in now welcomes such innovations and new technologies, but the truth is, beauty tech has been around for some time. 

When did beauty tech start? And why is it gaining popularity now? 

Beauty tech has been around for decades, with Cosmopolitan being one of the first big brands to put their name on beauty tech software in 1998. Cosmetic companies discovered that intelligent algorithms could help them more effectively analyze consumer behavior and create better products that consumers wanted. 

With the popularity of smartphones and apps, it comes as no surprise that the concept has taken off. As we all become more tech-dependent and convenience-minded, beauty tech presents a unique solution to consumers. According to forecasts, the innovative market of beauty tech is expected to surpass $34 billion by 2024. So it’s clear this isn’t just a trend—beauty tech is here to stay. 

The Beauty of Personalization: 3 Cornerstones of Beauty Tech

There are plenty of apps already on the market that assess and examine people’s skin and make recommendations based on the data. The technologies used to create such apps highlight the three most essential elements of beauty tech: AI, AR, and hyper-personalization. 

More and more people are demanding for inclusivity and personalized customer experiences, and the latest technology advances by cosmetology companies give them just that. AI gives companies the big data that they need to laser-target demographic categories to make products specifically for their target market. 

On the other hand, AR has become a standard technology used for gaming. But with beauty tech on the rise, expect to see more AR apps that give customers a virtual try-on experience. Technologies like AI and AR are at the heart of beauty tech’s ability to create a personalized consumer experience. 

Customers desire shopping experiences and brands that center their customers, so beauty companies work hard to meet expectations. Imagine a world where you can pick out and try on new beauty and skincare and receive personalized recommendations, all without leaving your house. Personalized beauty experiences are the future that beauty tech aims to create, and many beauty brands have already started the process.

Examples of beauty tech success

Beauty tech is still gaining popularity, but success stories of brands utilizing the new technologies are in abundance. For example, Benefit Cosmetics launched a virtual try-on AR experience for brow products that resulted in a 101% increase in the amount of time users spent on the website. 

L’Oréal is one of the leading beauty companies embracing beauty tech. The trusted beauty brand recently unveiled Perso, an AI device that can create customized beauty products on the spot. Using an app, Perso can create a personal skin analysis, and then with the technology of the device, create brand new beauty products formulated for the consumer. 

Amorepacific, a South Korean beauty brand, is charging full speed ahead with custom beauty devices. They launched the Lip Factory by Color Tailor in a store in Seoul. Customers fill out a survey about their lipstick and makeup preferences, and then the machine will mix over custom shades on the spot. The company is planning to use the successful technology for other products like foundation. 

The future of beauty tech

Although mainstream beauty tech products are still fresh on the market, it’s evident that these technologies will soon become the norm. Of course, there’s still a lot to learn and discover about the possibilities of beauty tech, but one thing is for sure. Beauty tech presents an opportunity for brands to meet consumers where they are and deliver more inclusive personalized products.

One innovation that is here for the long haul is AI and, with it, innovative technology. These technology trends are changing the way we live, work and interact with one another. Headways in keen home innovation have been imaginative. More homes overall are saying yes to introducing smart home gadgets in view of their accommodation and unwavering quality. 

A Strategy Analytics report, shopper spending on keen home items, administrations, and establishment charges will reach $157 billion constantly 2023. The report additionally expressed that more than 309 million homes across the globe (of 15% of the world) will have at any rate one sort of brilliant home item introduced . In the event that you need to think about the most recent shrewd home innovation patterns, you’ve gone to the opportune spot. 

Some Common Trends: 

Various individuals all throughout the planet search for various things in keen home gadgets. An examination conducted by home insurance agency Hippo reviewed how 1000 customers see keen sharpen innovation and what they utilize shrewd home innovation for. 46% utilize brilliant home innovation for comfort, 17% to screen their home when they’re away, and 16% for added security and insurance. Additionally, 15% said they use it for covering their service bills while 6% have different reasons.

Keen home innovation is continually creating imaginative, dependable items that help property holders rest calmly around evening time. In 2021, savvy home innovation is simply going to improve and be more proficient.

With the advancement of innovation, the land business throughout the world has gone through a few groundbreaking developments. Today, smart homes outfitted with IoT innovation are quickly acquiring prominence, insufferable from the extraordinary solace, accommodation, and security they offer. With practically every part of such homes being interconnected and controllable by far off, including lighting, temperature control, and security, shrewd home computerization is broadly being perceived as a troublesome advancement that enormously improves the existence of inhabitants. That, however, keen homes have likewise been demonstrated to bring to the table a few advantages for distinctively able individuals, assisting them with carrying on with easily agreeable lives, very much like every other person. 

What is new in smart home trends? 

Thus, notwithstanding being in a moderately early stage right now, plenty of grounded land associations have put resources into home computerization to upgrade their contributions and gain traction in this cutthroat market. Incredibly famous innovation organizations like Google, Amazon, Philips, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg, have likewise put intensely in this promising business sector, creating and dispatching a few one of a kind keen home arrangements, like Google Home, Amazon Echo, Philips Hue, etc. Attributable to this, savvy home computerization has reliably encountered an ascent sought after, particularly from millennial clients, and will before long turn into a common pattern, liable for the joining of innovation in the land area. 

Considering the practically boundless potential that IoT-empowered shrewd home innovation offers, today, essentially every part of a house can be upgraded with state of the art arrangements, using the force of IoT, voice-first innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Smart Meters. For example, shades, windows, entryways, and even carport passageways can be worked distantly, today, with simply a press of a catch or by utilizing an associated cell phone. In addition to the fact that this makes support of property essentially simpler and more effective, however, it additionally helps increment the valuation of the property complex, offering financial backers incredible returns. 

Among the wide scope of brilliant home arrangements accessible on the lookout, the most ordinarily utilized ones are intended to improve: 

1. Security: 

Keen home security arrangements join a scope of apparatuses like shut circuit cameras, sensors, cautions, and movement locators, with voice acknowledgment and face acknowledgment programming, to guarantee you are continually protected against any danger, regardless of whether intentional or unplanned. With incalculable sellers accessible on the lookout, property holders can even single out the devices to coordinate the stylistic theme and feel of their dividers, entryways, rugs, and then some. 

2. Environment and Temperature Control:

Uncommon natural decrease and topping contamination levels in a few urban communities in the nation have today made keen home answers for temperature and air control exceptionally pined for among land financial backers and likely homebuyers. By utilizing the force of Io T to consolidate lighting, air purging, and indoor regulator controls, a few keen home innovation arrangement suppliers today offer energy-productive incorporated environment and temperature control arrangements. 

3. Diversion:

Shrewd Home Entertainment arrangements are perhaps the most famously utilized contraptions today in innumerable families. The dispatch of Smart TV, associated with one’s cell phone, PC, tablet, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg, prepared for a few inventive amusement gadgets utilized in current homes. The serious level of personalization, instinct, and usability, offered by administrations like YouTube, Pandora and that’s just the beginning, in relationship with a large portion of these items, has genuinely changed the benchmark of diversion today. 

4. Home Utilities:

Brilliant gadgets for mechanizing home utilities have likewise made lives fundamentally simpler today, making concentrated work undertakings like washing garments and vessels and cooking simple and productive. By improving their utilization, engineers of brilliant home machines have had the option to add high usefulness at the consistent stage, for example, by cautioning house proprietors about lapsed food items and ice to develop in fridges, computerized plant-watering gadgets, and that’s just the beginning. 

This unbelievably incredible innovation has re-imagined the actual significance of extravagance and solace in the housing market, driving an ever increasing number of purchasers to choose comparable arrangements while putting resources into properties. Fueled by the scope of special arrangements and conveniences being offered by land engineers and the constantly changing requests of buyers, this pattern is relied upon just to become further and rule the area for the years to come.

Even with more than half of the United States banning sports betting, the industry is growing at an exponential pace with help from innovative technological developments. Sports betting has grown far beyond simply wagering on a team to win or lose a game. The advanced technology used by sportsbooks nowadays has encouraged new trends in the industry that are turning sports betting into a mainstay in states where it is legalized.

Here’s how new technology in sports betting is changing the game, plus a few popular trends in the world of online sports gambling.

Sports Betting Technologies

Mobile Sportsbooks

Online sportsbooks are flocking to the mobile space and it’s no surprise they are seeing remarkable results. These days, it seems everyone owns a smartphone. That makes it crucial for sportsbooks to offer an immersive mobile experience — as a site and/or an application — for its users.

Rather than driving to a sportsbook, or jumping through hoops to place a bet through a bookmaker, users can have everything at their fingertips.

Cryptocurrency

As the sports betting industry continues to grow, so does the world of cryptocurrency. Blockchain and crypto offer an entirely new way to pay, and many online sportsbooks accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as an alternative to flat currency. Enabling users to pay with cryptocurrency allows bettors located in jurisdictions where online betting is illegal to make deposits.

Real-time Data

For sports bettors, it’s crucial to have the most up-to-date information available at the tap of a button. Online sportsbooks today use AI and machine learning algorithms to give users data relevant to the event they are wagering on, such as weather, players, injuries, and trends. These technologies also include predictive data to help bettors make a decision on which bets may be the most wise.

Sports Betting Trends

eSports

When you think about sports betting, games like baseball, basketball, football, and hockey likely are the first to come to mind. However, the future of sports betting may actually be in gaming. Yes, that’s right, video games.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see eSports become the No. 1 sport worldwide within a few years. Competitive gaming has exploded in popularity with help from streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Rather than watching the NBA Playoffs or the World Series, many are choosing to watch a professional gamer show off their skills at Overwatch or Call of Duty.

This trend has led to online sportsbooks offering eSports odds as one of their most popular options, and it will only continue to grow.

Micro Betting

Tired of betting on the spread? Bored of the moneyline? Perhaps micro betting will be pique your interest.

With micro betting, sportsbooks offer a seemingly endless number of odds on events that happen during a game. For instance, you can bet on whether the Boston Red Sox will get a hit in the third inning. You can wager on whether LeBron James will hit his next shot. The options go on and on.

As real-time technology continues to evolve, micro betting will become more and more of a mainstay across all online sportsbooks.

Live Betting

Micro betting is a form of live betting, which includes options for those who want to place a bet during a game. Thanks to technological advancements in sports betting, many online sportsbooks offer an immersive experience for those who are looking for a way to get more involved in a game that is in progress. From moneyline bets to the spread and much, much more, bettors have a second-screen experience in the palm of their hands during almost every game on their TV.

How Do Ownership Rights of NFTs Work?

However, while the person who owns the NFT holds ownership of the work, anyone can make digital files or copies as many times as they want of the digital item. This means that besides saying you own a piece, there is not much you have in terms of ownership since anyone could use or download the same clip or image that you spent millions of dollars on.

Of course, the original artist still has reproduction and copyrights to the artwork. However, due to the fact that it’s all digital, NFT art is hard to authenticate, which means that many people could end up being scammed out of money to purchase what they think is “authentic artwork.”

The Recent Rise&Fall of NFT

This increase in demand for NFTs began during the beginning of coronavirus when people were stuck in their homes and learning more about the tokens through platforms like Tiktok. Due to education and boredom, more people purchased NFTS, which made the price of cryptocurrency go through the roof. However, with all good things, they must come back down, which is precisely what happened in the last two weeks.

Average prices for non-fungible tokens have been at an all-time low. While they were once averaging $1,400 in February, they’ve just dropped 70%, according to Nonfungible. The whole buzz that created this peak was a Beeble digital artwork that sold for more than 69 million dollars. While many would think this might be the end of the popular digital trading currency, it actually turned out to be the opposite.

Despite this giant crash, users are still selling, trading, and purchasing more than 5.8 million dollars’ worth of NFTs every day. While those volumes are lower than the average prices and trading volumes of the past, NFTs are still on track to gain more in 2021.

There is even some potential for companies to find ways to monetize NFTS and move into the marketplace with branded content or art to sell. Companies are always trying to find new ways to expand their technology, and NFTS may be the perfect way to provide a unique experience to customers.

Just like any type of digital currency, there is no accurate way to predict what will happen in the future or how the market will play out. The volatility could just be part of a marketplace learning to shift through new challenges, or it could completely deflate, becoming nothing more than a short time “fad.” Only time will tell for this popular cryptocurrency.

What Does it Take to Build a Computer?

A computer is made up of several different components that come in a wide variety of options. Computers are extremely versatile machines, so before building your own computer you will want to ask yourself how you plan on using it. If it’s really just going to be used for work documents, emails, and the internet, then it really shouldn’t need high-end components. 

However, if you plan on gaming and/or streaming on the computer then you will need to take a look at more expensive hardware that will provide the performance you need.

Computer Case ($50-$200)

The first thing you will need is a computer case. These cases or “towers” come in all sorts of designs and sizes. If you want something with a small form factor, look at microATX cases, these are much smaller than your average computer case, but they do require a special mATX motherboard as the regular-sized boards won’t fit.

CPU/Motherboard (Motherboards – $75-$200) (CPU – $200-$1,000)

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is like the brain of the machine, it takes all of the data and programs and processes it at insanely high speeds. The motherboard is like the central nervous system, all of the other components attach to it either directly or through cables. 

The CPU sits directly onto the motherboard, which means that they need to be made for each other. Manufacturers have made it pretty simple by assigning CPUs a socket type, match the socket type of a CPU with a motherboard of the same type and you are good to go.

RAM (Short term memory) ($40-$200)

The computer uses RAM as short term memory storage, so while the CPU is processing the data, the RAM is storing preferences and other settings for the programs. RAM comes in sizes 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, etc, as well as specific speeds like 3200MHz. The speed isn’t too important, just make sure the motherboard you have chosen can handle that specific speed. The RAM size is what really matters, and you will want to have between 8GB and 16GB in total (it can be split between multiple sticks).

Hard Drive (Long term memory) ($75-$200)

Hard drives come in two primary styles, HDD and SSD. HDD is the older type of technology that utilizes moving parts and disks to store all of your data. SSDs are much more similar to the SD cards and flash memory we use in cameras and smartphones. SSDs are much faster than their predecessor and are about the same price, so I highly recommend purchasing one with a decent amount of storage.

If you have a lot of media files you’d like to store on the hard drive then it might be a good idea to purchase an HDD as well. They can be more price-conscious as storage capacity gets higher, and simply storing media doesn’t require the performance of an SSD.

Graphics Card ($100-$500)

Most CPUs come with some sort of graphics card built into them, however, these are generally pretty weak and won’t provide you with a lot of performance. If you are planning on using the computer for basic tasks then the integrated graphics card should be just fine. But if you plan on doing some gaming, graphics design, or running more resource-intensive tasks then I’d highly recommend grabbing yourself a dedicated graphics card.

Power Supply ($50-$200)

The power supply is a pretty straightforward component. They are categorized by the amount of power they provide in Watts. The motherboard and graphics card are the two power-hungry components and they should come with a recommended minimum power requirement. Simply check those components and match them to a power supply that will cover it. Typically a 500W power supply is more than enough for basic applications.

Putting it all Together

There is a lot that goes into building your computer, but this should provide a good view of the basics. When you begin building the computer and putting the parts together, check out youtube for videos that show best practices on how to set your rig up. These videos can give you some great pointers and simplify the process considerably.

This meant stretching their imaginations to their creative limits, just to keep us entertained during that horrible time. All those warm ads giving us hope, immersive video games that kept us company, and thrilling signages are all thanks to graphic artists. It’s a tough job. But with the right tools and software, it gets easier. Some of these tools are so simple, that with little effort, even a noob can create decent art. Okay, hold on to your horses, let’s take a look at the 5 best graphics design gizmos to use right now.

1. Adobe Photoshop

It’s impossible to start a graphic design software list without the Adobe family. And Adobe Photoshop may be the most popular one yet. This software can be used by beginners and professionals alike, to create graphics from scratch. It’s also a sweet photo editor with a variety of tools that’ll put that ‘wow’ factor into your art.

Pro tip: You might want to learn more about the Adobe Photoshop software before you dive into it. It’s got a steep learning curve and maybe a little confusing for any newbie.

2. Canva

Here’s a program that everyone can use. The Canva software has been a lifesaver for learners and masters alike. It has a vast store of design templates that can be used to create banners, logos, posters, or any other design that you want.

Canva features the drag and drop format of designing and takes away some of the indecision graphics artists may face when choosing what design to use. You can download fonts, icons and free-to-use pictures directly in Canva. Its user interface is also pretty simple and helpful.

Pro tip: The free version is great but limited. To enjoy the best Canva can offer, you’d have to upgrade.

3.  Adobe Illustrator

 Making a second appearance on our list is another Adobe favorite. Yes, they’re that good. Presenting – drumroll please – Adobe Illustrator. Unlike its sister app, Adobe Photoshop, the Illustrator app is used mainly for making vector images.

Need a poster, icon, or artwork done as quickly as possible? Then Adobe Illustrator is your go-to. That’s another super feature of Adobe products. They’re fast.

It also has a mobile app that you can use on the go. You just have to be ready to fork over a huge sum of money for a subscription. But hey, anything for the arts. Another con on Adobe products would be that they’re all closed source. This can be a bit restricting. But, for what it’s worth, you’ll certainly not be disappointed.

Pro tip: Like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator also has a steep learning curve. So, it may be a little tricky for someone who’s just learning the ropes.

4. GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is design software that every beginner should try out first. And you’d find out that most designers have used it at some point too. Not only does it offer a smorgasbord of fun features to create awesome graphics, but GIMP is also free! Yes, I heard that right. A full buffet at no price, you only need to download and run it.

The GIMP interface is also pretty simple. You don’t get lost in complicated steps. And even if you do, the application offers tutorials on its features too. GIMP is the best place to tinker with graphics until you’re ready to face the big guns — like Adobe.

5. Inkscape

The Inkscape software is great for creating beautiful vector designs that can be tweaked in any way you want. Its user interface is simpler than Adobe but a bit more complicated than GIMP, so you’ll have to put in the hours before you get the hang of using it to draw.

Inkscape is also big on text — hence the name — and has a huge repertoire of fonts and texts that you can work with. Did we mention that it’s also open source? And free too.

5. Affinity Designer

 We’ve talked about software that is especially good for beginner-level designers. And now we’re going back to the professional side of graphic design. That’s where you’ll see the Affinity program. This program matches up to the Adobe family and is slightly cheaper too.

It contains most of the features found in Adobe, and also has a repeating pattern setting which is useful when making wallpapers and all. Affinity designer has also integrated PANTONE colour swatches too and continually develops innovative features for its customer base. This list isn’t exhaustive. There are a plethora of design tools for graphic artists which range from free to subscription-based. And they’re all available for those who need to learn about graphics designing. You should check them out.

Graphics design is becoming more lucrative, especially since COVID19 happened. The industry has changed and in a good way. We are going to take a gander at what the industry may look like after the pandemic.

Industry Changes for Graphics Artists Post Covid

Asides from the initial panic over closed businesses, the layoffs, and the subsequent adjustment to remote working, the graphics design industry has come out of the pandemic somewhat stronger. Here are some changes that’ll be prevalent in the industry after COVID.

1. Remote Work Will rock: 

Forgive the bad pun, but we’re serious, remote work is here to stay. And lots of designers will find it easier to work while still having time for family and friends. Although the camaraderie of office life would be missed, companies and organisations have found virtual alternatives to sustain team spirit and productivity.

2. Graphic Designers Will Be in High Demand:

The pandemic revealed a lot of holes in the marketing plans of a lot of businesses.  A lot of business owners didn’t pay much mind to the digital aspect of their business, for instance, attractive websites and relatable ads. Post Covid will usher in a demand for designers to revamp brand images and improve the digital strategies of various businesses.

3. There’ll Be a Freelancer Boom:

With the pandemic, came a rush of freelancers with various skills. An Upwork survey during the pandemic showed that 36% of the US workforce were freelancers. That’s a big number. And with such numbers, there’ll certainly be competition, even with the uptick in design jobs. This means that freelance designers have to be more intentional about refining their skills and acquiring new ones.

And that’s all folks. We’ve looked at the best graphic design tools for noobs and professionals alike, and taken a peek at the design industry after COVID. It seems the coming days will be brighter for designers and all creatives in general. So, if you’re looking to learn a new skill, be sure to add graphics design to your list.

It’s no wonder the platform has also attracted a large base of users among teens and children, whose lives largely revolve around what their peers are doing – and what their opinions are. But Facebook, which owns Instagram, has been under fire for the surge in younger people joining the platform. It bars people younger than 13 from using it, but it’s easy for children to lie about their age when creating an account. That’s because of the challenges in verifying age. Facebook argues most children don’t have identification documents until their mid-teens (although it’s looking into potential ways to verify age including using artificial intelligence).

That concern sparked the idea for a version of Instagram designed specifically for children younger than 13. 

In explaining its reasoning for its plans to create Instagram For Kids, Facebook claimed that it is better to have dedicated spaces for children to use Instagram than have them lying in order to access the normal version, which lacks parental oversight. In a statement, Facebook said: “We want to improve this situation by delivering experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their kids are doing”. The details of how the parental oversight will work are yet to be formalised, but it’s likely that parents will have full access to the account activity and history, content will be vetted and advertising will be banned. Facebook also said Instagram for Kids is being created with the input of child development and mental health experts as well as privacy advocates to ensure it is as safe and healthy as possible.

But the plans have drawn quite a lot of controversy, with some concerned it will be ineffective at keeping kids sheltered from the unhealthy aspects of social media. In fact, it’s difficult to find any well-known experts and organisations that have publically supported the idea… except for Facebook itself, of course. 

Let’s break down the main arguments against the new platform.

Lawmakers in the US recently wrote to Facebook to share their disapproval and concerns about the planned app. The letter signed by attorney generals from across the country said:

“The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon these plans. Use of social media can be detrimental to the health and well-being of children, who are not equipped to navigate the challenges of having a social media account. Further, Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms. The attorneys general have an interest in protecting our youngest citizens, and Facebook’s plans to create a platform where kids under the age of 13 are encouraged to share content online is contrary to that interest.”

The attorney generals echoed concerns of psychologists and other health experts about the harm social media can cause to children’s health. They cited research that found worsening mental distress and treatment for mental health issues among youth has paralleled a steep growth in the use of smartphones and social media by young people, as well as a study of 5.4million children by an online-monitoring company which found “Instagram was frequently flagged for suicidal ideation, depression and body image concerns”.

Another major worry is that Instagram exploits the angst young people have around missing out and their cravings for peer approval. It’s feared that the more children who use Instagram, the more of them who will feel the desire to constantly check their devices and share photos with their followers.

Last month, dozens of child safety organisations and experts in the US wrote a separate letter to Facebook in which they expanded on these concerns.

In the letter, they agree that the normal version of Instagram is not safe for children under the age of 13 and that “something must be done to protect the millions of children who have lied about their age to create Instagram accounts”. But they add that launching a version for kids will not solve the problem and will instead “put young users at great risk”. 

“The platform’s relentless focus on appearance, self-presentation, and branding presents challenges to adolescents’ privacy and wellbeing,” their letter read.

“Younger children are even less developmentally equipped to deal with these challenges, as they are learning to navigate social interactions, friendships, and their inner sense of strengths and challenges during this crucial window of development. Moreover, young children are highly persuadable by algorithmic prediction of what they might click on next, and we are very concerned about how automated decision making would determine what children see and experience on a kids’ Instagram platform.”

Another argument made was that children aged between 10 and 12 are unlikely to want to use a “babyish” version that far younger kids use and will be tempted to continue to fake their ages on the original version – especially if they’ve previously been exposed to it.

“The true audience for a kids’ version of Instagram will be much younger children who do not currently have accounts on the platform,” the letter read.

“While collecting valuable family data and cultivating a new generation of Instagram users may be good for Facebook’s bottom line, it will likely increase the use of Instagram by young children who are particularly vulnerable to the platform’s manipulative and exploitative features.”

Then there is the more general concern around the dangers of increased screen time amongst younger people. The experts argue that children do not need yet another digital distraction when excessive screen use is already linked to obesity, lower psychological wellbeing, decreased happiness, lower sleep quality, higher risk of depression and more suicide-related outcomes.

Both the attorney general letters and expert letters pointed to instances where Facebook has failed to protect children’s privacy online. Facebook has faced criticism for inadequately responding to reports of child exploitation (in 2020, Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sex abuse images). Leaked documents revealed that Facebook bragged to advertisers about its ability to target teens when their self-esteem was the lowest, particularly relating to physical appearance. In 2019, a glitch in Facebook’s Messenger Kids app let thousands of young children bypass parental oversight and chat with strangers.

Given this history, it’s understandable that many people would be skeptical about whether Facebook has children’s’ interest at heart or if it’s just looking to improve its bottom line.

AT&T is the largest telecommunications company worldwide and the second-largest mobile services provider. They are also the largest fixed telephone services provider in the United States.

In 2020, AT&T ranked 9^th on the Fortune 500 rankings as one of the largest corporations in the United States, with $181 million in revenue.

AT&T provides nearly 3.5 million customers with highly secure, high-speed connectivity and intelligent solutions. AT&T International is the fastest growing wireless provider in Mexico, serving both businesses and consumers. 

History of AT&T

AT&T was founded in 1875 by Alexander Graham Bell, Gardiner Greene Hubbard, Thomas Watson, and Thomas Sanders as Bell Telephone Company, and later became American Bell Telephone Company. The company was founded after Bell patented the telephone. The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) was established in 1885 and, in 1899, acquired American Bell Telephone, becoming its new parent company. 

Due to their monopoly in the United States (known as the Bell System), they were forced to separate their local subsidiaries. They grouped them into seven individual companies and started facing competition from overseas competitors.

One of the companies that got created was Southwestern Bell Corporation (SBC), which bought AT&T Corp. for $16 billion in 2005. They adopted the AT&T name and brand, as it was more widely known.

AT&T Purchases and Acquisitions

In late 2014, AT&T purchased both NII Holdings and lusacell, merging them to create AT&T Mexico. In 2015, they bought DirecTV for $48.5 billion, combining it with their existing brands to develop AT&T Entertainment. 

In 2015, AT&T acquired Nextel Mexico from NII Holdings, which is now AT&T Mexico.

The Purchase of Time Warner

In 2016, AT&T announced they would be buying Time Warner for $108.7 billion to increase their holdings. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to prevent the merger with Time Warner in 2017, as they felt it would harm competition and increase bills for its customers. 

In June 2018, The US District Court gave AT&T permission to proceed with its $85 billion deal for Time Warner. Two days after they got given the go-ahead, they closed the merger with Time Warner and gave them a new name, WarnerMedia.

The acquisition of WarnerMedia included the following key assets:

• Warner Bros. Pictures film and television studios
• 50% stake in The CW
• WarnerMedia Studios & Networks Group – includes CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS, etc
• US satellite/cable channels such as HBO

A few months after the acquisition, AT&T reorganized into four companies. The structure allows the individual operation of each business independently. The four companies include the following:

1. AT&T Communications: Provides broadband, video, mobile, and other communication services to consumers based in the US and nearly 3.5 million companies. These companies are various small businesses to almost all the Fortune 1000 and get provided with smart, secure solutions. These services had revenues that accounted for more than $150 million in 2017.
2. AT&T’s Media Businesses: Consists of Warner Bros, Turner, and HBO. These businesses had combined revenue of more than $31 billion in 2017. 
3. AT&T International (AT&T Latin America): Provides mobile services under the Vrio brand to businesses and consumers in Mexico and pay-TV service across South America and the Caribbean. In 2017, revenues were more than $8 billion.
4. AT&T’s Advertising and Analytics (Xandr): Provides advanced advertising solutions to marketers using customer insights attained from AT&T’s mobile, TV, and broadband services. 

In 2020, then CEO Randall L. Stephenson announced AT&T’s COO John Stankey would replace him. AT&T also made it known that their acquisitions of Time Warner and DirecTV had resulted in a $200 billion debt burden for the company.

To cut costs, they considered selling Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, DirecTV, and others. The sale of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment got canceled after growth experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was also a positive reception to upcoming movies relating to Lego Star Wars, DC Comics, and Harry Potter. As of September 2020, the other subsidiaries were still receiving bids.

In May 2021, it got announced that AT&T would merge WarnerMedia with Discovery Inc into a new standalone company for $43 billion. The transaction is still subject to regulatory approval. Discovery + and HBO Max streaming services will get combined, and CNN will get included in the transaction.

The spin-off will help AT&T pay down its massive debt and will, according to AT&T and Discovery Inc‘s announcement, “receive $43 billion (subject to adjustment) in a combination of cash, debt securities, and WarnerMedia’s retention of certain debt.” Discovery CEO David Zaslav said that the new company would start with a debt of $55 billion. A new name for the company will get released in the coming weeks.

AT&T’s shareholders will get 71% of the shares, with Discovery’s shareholders getting 29%. After the announcement, AT&T’s shares saw a rise of about 2%, with Discovery’s shares dropping about 2%.

The all-stock deal will be a tax-free transaction and will get structured as a Reverse Morris Trust. The process will start with MarnerMedia spinning off from AT&T and then get combined with Discovery.

Both AT&T and Discovery have ambitious subscriber targets and streaming plans, meaning they will need to invest billions of dollars in the production of content, licensing, and marketing in the years to come. Both companies forecast an annual cost savings of $3 billion as a result of the merger.

Controversies Surrounding AT&T

Hemisphere Database

Since 1987, AT&T keeps a database of call detail records of every telephone call passed through its network. AT&T employees work at High-Intensity Drug Traffic Area offices to turn over data quickly to law enforcement agencies. Via an administrative subpoena, records get requested, which gets done without any grand jury or court involvement. This falls under the Hemisphere Project and gets paid for by the White House.

Censorship

AT&T released its new legal policies in September 2007. It stated that they could terminate or suspend your service, IP address, member ID, electronic mail address, or domain name without notice if they believe that any conduct performed by you causes damage to AT&Ts name or reputation. These actions will be a violation of their terms or conditions. The public scrutiny and outcry from their uses were enough to cause them to alter their terms and conditions just a month later. The public claimed that they have no right to silence subscriber’s transmissions regardless of their viewpoint. 

Copyright Enforcement

Reports emerged in 2008 that AT&T had plans to start filtering all internet traffic that went through its network for intellectual property violations. If this got implemented, the media predicted many subscribers would cancel their AT&T subscriptions. 

Advocates for internet freedom have used these developments to justify network neutrality that’s government-mandated.

Under the current copyright enforcement program, contact owners can notify AT&T if they suspect any unlawful sharing of their material. Customers that have gotten accused of copyright infringement have had their broadband subscriptions canceled by AT&T.

Information Security 

In June 2010, Goatse Security, a hacker group, discovered a vulnerability within AT&T. The hackers were able to get email addresses that belonged to customers of AT&T’s 3G service, and specifically for iPad 3G owners.

The email addresses got accessed without a protective password. Via a third party, Goatse Security notified AT&T of the security flaw. The hacker group then disclosed about 114,000 of the email addresses to a media publication, who then published an article about the flaw.

AT&T got fined $25 million in 2015 over the data security breaches, making this the largest fine ever issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for breaking data privacy laws.

Racism

Aaron Slator, the company’s President of Content and Advertising Sales, got fired for sending racist text messages in 2015. The African American employee who filed the claim, Knoyme King, also hit Slator with a $100 million discrimination lawsuit. Protestors voiced their opinions at the Dallas AT&T headquarters and the home of CEO Randall Stephenson to protest their policies. The protestors demanded that AT&T use black-owned media companies to curb the systemic racism in the company. 

In 2017, Slater went to the Los Angeles Superior Court to sue AT&T for wrongful termination and defamation. Slater stated that AT&T had known about the text messages since late 2013 and assured him that he wouldn’t get fired for it. He believed that AT&T used him as the scapegoat by company executives as they were amid a $48.5 billion acquisition with DirectTV. AT&T never wavered on their decision to fire Slater and stood by their decision.

Overcharging on Government Contracts

In 2020, more than $48 million was given to government agencies from lawsuits that AT&T settled out of court. Although AT&T denied the claims, they still got sued for not providing the lowest cost available as stated in their contract. 

AT&T CEO John Stankey

In the second quarter of 2020, AT&T announced that CEO Randall Stephenson would be retiring, with COO John Stankey taking over his position. Following the announcement, there were no significant changes to AT&T’s shares.

Stankey joined AT&T in 1985 and has served the company in leadership roles spanning 35 years in every area of AT&T’s business. He is also the former CEO of WarnerMedia, and in 2015 and 2018, led AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner and DirecTV.

AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) Stock News

As of May 20, 2001, AT&T Inc’s stock is trading at $29.55, with an increase of 0.100% YTD. 

AT&T stock has always been an attractive choice for investors due to dividends paid out quarterly, but with the recent spin-off between WarnerMedia and Discovery, investors have their concerns. This is due to AT&T planning to reduce its dividend to “account for the distribution of WarnerMedia to AT&T shareholders.” After the deal closes, AT&T will spend about $8 billion of its free cash flow on dividends, compared to last year’s nearly $15 billion.

Simply put, AT&T will have its dividend nearly halved and will end its 36-year streak of annual dividend increases. Because of this, AT&T will no longer get classified as a Dividend Aristocrat of the S&P 500. A Dividend Aristocrat refers to a company in the S&P 500 that has paid and increased its base dividend annually for a minimum of 25 years consecutively.

Currently, AT&T pays a forward dividend yield of 6.5%, so as an investor in mid-2022, you can expect a lower yield of 3% to 4% after the deal closes. The new spin-off might not even pay dividends, as they will probably reinvest most of their cash into new content for Discovery and WarnerMedia.

With the cut in dividends, investors might consider selling their stock.

AT&T’s Financials 2020 – 2021

In fiscal 2020, AT&T’s adjusted earnings and revenue declined 11% and 5%, respectively. Its wireless business stabilized in the year’s second half, and it continued to get streaming subscribers. However, 2020’s free cash flow saw a drop of 5% to $27.5 billion.

For the first quarter of 2021, AT&T’s adjusted earnings and revenue rose 2% and 3%, respectively. As they gained 595,000 wireless subscribers, its mobility revenue increased by 9%. During this period, there had been an increase of 10% of WarnerMedia’s revenue due to HBO and HBO Max gaining new subscribers.

AT&T expects a 1% increase in their revenue in the coming year and their adjusted earnings to come in flat. Their FCF should drop another 5% to $26 billion. AT&T doesn’t expect the WarnerMedia spin-off to conclude until mid-2022, so these estimates should remain the same.

AT&T’s Expectations for the Future

Once the spin-off gets finalized, AT&T expects to free up more cash for “incremental investments in 5G and fiber broadband.” AT&T expects to have its 5G network expanded across the United States to cover 200 million people by the end of 2023. They also intend to reach 30 million fiber customers by 2025. AT&T’s 5G ambitions are lackluster, as T-Mobile’s 5G network is across the United States, reaching 295 million customers.

AT&T will consider resuming its buybacks by the end of 2023, which got suspended since the beginning of last year’s pandemic.

Based on an annual free cash flow of about $20 billion, they plan to keep a yearly payout ratio of 40% to 43% for its dividends. This is still lower than the last decade’s average cash dividend payout ratio.