Covering for your boss when they’re out on leave can present a unique opportunity — it gives you the chance to showcase your skills and readiness for a promotion — but it can also be detrimental if you don’t handle the situation carefully. In this advice column, workplace expert Amy Gallo answers a question from a reader who’s looking for guidance on how to demonstrate her own abilities while her boss is out on maternity leave without overstepping. Amy outlines steps to try as well as pitfalls to avoid.

“Getting Along” is an advice column to help you tackle common — and messy — people problems, by workplace expert Amy Gallo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Make Money with a Podcast?

Absolutely! It’s like finding treasure in your own backyard. With strategies like sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling merchandise, your podcast can turn into a nice little earner. Just remember, building an audience first is key.

What Do You Need to Start a Podcast?

Starting a podcast is like starting a garden – you need a few basic tools to get going. A microphone, a computer or smartphone, and some free recording and editing software are your seeds. Plant them with your unique ideas, and you’re good to go!

Can You Start a Podcast with No Audience?

Of course! Every big podcaster out there started with zero listeners. Think of your initial episodes as seeds you’re planting. With consistent care (and great content), you’ll grow an audience. Remember, even the mightiest oak started as a tiny acorn.

• The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump is disqualified from the 20204 ballot.
• The court also ruled he cannot hold office, citing the 14th Amendment.
• Trump’s campaign released a statement saying he would appeal the ruling at the US Supreme Court.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from running for president and holding office.

Trump’s campaign quickly announced that it would appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court, setting up another high-stakes legal fight that could loom over the 2024 presidential election.

The Colorado court largely sided with a lower district court that ruled that Trump incited protestors before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and therefore violated the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. The Colorado Supreme Court stayed its decision until January, allowing the Trump campaign time for an appeal.

In a statement, Trump’s campaign blasted Colorado’s highest court and vowed that they have “full confidence” that the US Supreme Court will overrule the state judges.

“The Colorado Supreme Court issued a completely flawed decision tonight and we will swiftly file an appeal to the United States Supreme Court and a concurrent request for a stay of this deeply undemocratic decision,” Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

If justices hear the case, they could issue their most consequential elections-related decision since the Supreme Court effectively ended the 2000 presidential election in its controversial Bush v. Gore decision. Other states are considering similar challenges to Trump’s standing, meaning that if Colorado’s ruling is allowed to stand the former president’s potential status on general election ballots could be thrown into jeopardy.

The nonpartisan watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, filed the petition in September, arguing that Trump should be barred from running for president due to his role in the January 6 insurrection due to the 14th Amendment.

The 14th Amendment has a section specifying that anyone who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” or has “given aid or comfort” to those carrying out an insurrection is ineligible to run for office.

This is a breaking story, please check back for updates.

A volcano erupted in Iceland Monday night around 10:17 p.m., about two miles from the fishing village of Grindavík. Cameras captured the moment the lava broke through the ground.

Byrjunin á eldgosinu á vefmyndavél RÚV yfir Grindavík

0:13 pic.twitter.com/Jx3icbxuxx

— Birkir (@birkirh) December 18, 2023

Police have declared a state of emergency as lava flowed through the Reykjanes Peninsula, per NBC. Tourist spots have been closed.

More than 3,400 people in Grindavík were evacuated last month after several earthquakes led to roads cracking and emitting plumes of steam.

Beautiful picture of the erupting fissure. It looks like the 3,5 km fissure is on a northern sloping area thus the lava is flowing towards the north, which is good news for the people of Grindavík. #icelandvolcano ?Almannavarnir pic.twitter.com/8HquScvdpn

— Lava Centre (@LavaCentre) December 19, 2023

The lava flow has decreased as of Tuesday morning, but the event is ongoing, per authorities.

“It can be over in a week, or it could take quite a bit longer,” scientist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson told Euronews.

Iceland’s main international airport, Reykjavík–Keflavík, remains open.

UPDATE: After the Iceland eruption made a bold entrance, the rate has slowed with the greatest activity focused near the northern end of the fissure (away from Grindavik), according to @Vedurstofan. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean the eruption is over yet.https://t.co/yzFNGfSzXT

— Maya Wei-Haas, Ph.D. (@WeiPoints) December 19, 2023

“This is not a tourist attraction and you must watch it from a great distance,” Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management, told national broadcaster RUV.

My first close-up shots of the new eruption on Reykjanes Peninsula which began a few hours ago (December 19th, 2023).

© Hörður Kristleifsson – @h0rdur pic.twitter.com/1Ue3b2B1kO

— Hörður Kristleifsson (@h0rdur) December 19, 2023

AI has changed the internet in various, fundamental ways over the past year. Soon, it may also be changing the way we drive.

On Tuesday, car navigation company TomTom announced that it’s developing an artificial intelligence driving assistant alongside Microsoft. The voice assistant will be based on Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, released in January.

“Drivers can converse naturally with their vehicle and ask the AI-powered assistant to navigate to a certain location, find specific stops along their route, and vocally control onboard systems to, for instance, turn up the temperature, open windows, or change radio stations,” reads TomTom’s press release. “All with a single interaction.”

“Together with Microsoft, our shared vision is to drive innovation with generative AI and provide our customers with even better solutions,” said TomTom’s chief revenue officer Mike Schoofs. “Leveraging our navigation and technology expertise, we’re creating a groundbreaking new way for people to interact with their vehicles. With both companies integrating what they do best into one solution, we’re transforming the in-vehicle experience, enabling drivers to ask their car for anything and trust it will deliver.”

This isn’t the first AI voice assistant integration we’ve seen in cars. Earlier this year Mercedes announced a beta program that integrates ChatGPT with the car’s MBUX voice control system. That three-month program is also powered by Microsoft. Meanwhile Alexa, Apple AirPlay, Android Auto, and Siri have also got in on the voice assistant game, although it’s worth noting that their AI isn’t generative like the Microsoft-backed ones.

TomTom’s press release doesn’t come with information about when this new voice assistant might become available to the public. Mashable has reached out to TomTom and we will update this article if we receive a response.

Topics
Artificial Intelligence
Cars

Leaders often struggle to get complete, unfiltered information from the people around them. This wealth of unspoken information represents a great untapped resource for today’s leaders, and yet most remain at a loss for how to reliably access it. Common tactics for overcoming this problem, such as taking another’s perspective or reading their body language, simply aren’t sufficient. Research shows that if you want to learn what those around you really think, feel, and know, there’s only one reliable strategy: asking them. The author presents a five-step process for leaders to tap into the hidden insights of those around them.

Gaming chair FAQs

GT Racing

How much money will a good gaming chair cost?

Gaming chairs can get pretty expensive. A budget gaming chair comes in around $150 to $300, but these chairs are usually missing features and aren’t super comfortable. You can find chairs for lower than this, but they’re rarely even worth considering. Normal gaming chairs — like our top pick, the SecretLab Titan Evo 2022  — range from $500 to $800. These are the comfortable chairs that feature adjustable parts, lumbar support, and sturdy construction.

Once you pass the $800 mark, you’ll start seeing diminishing returns. Premium furniture brands like Herman Miller make fantastic chairs that feel wonderful to sit in for long periods, but they’re probably not so much better that they’re worth breaking the bank for.

Does every gaming chair fit every body type?

No. Some gaming chairs will be too thin to sit comfortably in, some will be too short to avoid cramping long legs, and so on. In general, bigger chairs are easier to get comfortable in than small ones.

For example, in this guide, we recommend the X-Rocker Torque 2.1 as a great immersive chair, but it’s also too short to comfortably support all body types. In contrast, the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL is great because of how roomy it is.

The best gaming chairs are adjustable, which means that they’ll be accessible to a wider variety of body types. But before you buy any chair, check the specifications to make sure that you’ll fit comfortably in it, and that it’ll fit in your office or home.

Does a gaming chair actually make you better?

This is a complicated question to answer. There hasn’t been much research on gaming chairs, or how they compare to other sorts of chairs for improving game performance. The large majority of claims about gaming chairs are made either anecdotally through product reviews or by the brands that build the chairs themselves, neither of which are totally trustworthy.

The research that does exist, like this 2019 paper from De La Salle University’s School of Industrial Engineering, suggests that gaming chairs do improve gaming performance, although in an indirect way. Their research says that gaming chairs tend to be more ergonomic, meaning that gamers can play for longer periods without strain — so, over an extended period, their focus, alertness, and skill stay higher than that of gamers in other chairs.

Some chairs are built in specific ways to encourage focus. The Herman Miller Vantum, for example, slightly tilts the user forward so they’re closer to the screen. But the research suggests that when it comes to improving game performance, being comfortable is the most important thing.

The holidays are just around the corner, which means the deadline for ordering gifts online that require shipping is looming. And if you’re among the 49% of entrepreneurs working an average of 44 hours a week (per Gallup), that doesn’t leave much time to shop in person. If you’re looking for a present that your loved one will surely put to good use and doesn’t require shipping, it’s time to look at a Costco Gold Star Membership.

This Costco Gold Star Membership comes with a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card*, and with more than 500 warehouses located around the United States, it’s great for nearly anyone on your list. There’s no need to worry about shipping deadlines either, as this gift can currently be yours (or theirs) for $60 through December 25, with delivery right to your email inbox.

Give the gift of endless savings with a year of Costco Gold Star Membership. Your loved one can take advantage of savings on items ranging from groceries and clothing to electronics and even gasoline for your trip home. And if they work up an appetite during their shopping trip, they can even take advantage of Costco’s delicious food court.

There are plenty of ways Costco Members can benefit aside from a weekly shopping trip. There are also numerous Costco Services* to take advantage of — including auto and home insurance** service providers and home improvement opportunities. And with their Costco Gold Star Membership, they’ll also receive a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card*.

Gift a loved one with a year of convenience with this Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership and a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $60 through December 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with no shipping required.

Prices subject to change.

*To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address at the time of sign-up. If you elect not to provide a valid email address, a Digital Costco Shop Card will not be emailed. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Limit one per household. Nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. New members will receive their Digital Costco Shop Card by email within 2 weeks of sign-up. Costco Shop Cards are not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks. A Costco membership is $60 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $60 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes one free Household Card. May be subject to sales tax. Costco accepts all Visa cards, as well as cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Departments and product selection may vary.

*Services are provided to Costco members by third parties.

**Costco Wholesale, Costco Insurance Agency, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not underwrite insurance, pay claims or guarantee any of the products or services offered by third parties. Specific products, features, rates and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. Costco Insurance Agency, Inc. is not licensed in New York state. Insurance products are not obtained through the Costco Insurance Agency in New York. Costco Insurance Agency, Inc.’s California license number is 0D08407.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

It’s official: No home cinema setup is complete without a soundbar. Even the best, most expensive TVs will lose something in the sound. The audio can leave a lot to be desired. That’s often because speakers are built into the back or bottom of the TV, which isn’t always ideal for quality audio. Even with TVs thinking up new ways to sex-up their sound — such as audio that seems to be coming from the exact point of action on the screen — high-quality TVs are made to be paired with a good soundbar.

A soundbar will be the foundation of a great sounding home cinema, with the option to add a subwoofer (sometimes included) or additional speakers. In this kind of setup, the TV itself becomes just one component in a whole system of cinematic-quality speakers.

But how to choose a soundbar? There are lots available and it’s hard to wade through all the tech and specifications — especially if you’re a soundbar novice. But listen up, because we’ve done some important research to help you decide.

What is a soundbar?

Instead of needing a series of speakers dotted around the room, or a hefty amplifier, a soundbar sits underneath your TV. You can also mount them on the wall, if that’s how you prefer to watch TV. As a dedicated speaker, with a wide design for better acoustics, they’re far better equipped for quality audio than your TV speakers. That means crisper nuance and detail, thunderous bass, and clearer dialogue.

Do soundbars provide surround sound?

Soundbars can absolutely be integrated into a surround sound setup. Surround sound puts you in the centre of the action by having speakers literally surrounding you, or dotted around the room, so the sound comes from all directions. Soundbars can be linked (often wirelessly) and you’ll find that some brands make it especially easy to connect with other speakers within their range. However, as you’ll read below, you may not need to connect your soundbar with other speakers for surround sound.

What is Dolby Atmos?

This is a fantastic innovation in surround sound technology, derived from cinemas. Any TV, speaker, or soundbar that’s equipped with Dolby Atmos is essentially a premium bit of kit. Dolby Atmos bounces sound off the walls to create a 3D soundstage and truly immersive experience. Atmos equipped soundbars have speakers that fire upwards and bounce sound off the ceiling. Dolby Atmos soundbars essentially create an immersive cinema experience without the need for multiple speakers.

Do soundbars have a voice assistant?

Many soundbars have Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can ask them to adjust the sound or even change the channel. Some soundbars will also connect to music streaming apps.

How much does a soundbar cost?

You can spend around £200 for basic soundbars, or go into the thousands. It all depends on the kind of tech and quality of sound you want. This roundup includes options for most budgets.

What is the best soundbar?

You need to ask yourself several questions before making a decision — questions about audio quality, smart features, connectivity, and price. Whatever features suit you and your watching habits best, there’s a good option listed below.

These are the best soundbars in 2023.

• Single-purpose robots like the Roomba vacuum have become wildly successful.
• Industry leaders say that multipurpose robots for consumers may still be a decade or more away.
• Part of the hurdle to adoption will be justifying the cost of general-purpose robots.

How much would you pay for a personal assistant robot that can mow the lawn, vacuum the floors, and wash the dishes?

That cost will be an issue industry leaders say could be the determining factor for the future commercial success of multi- or general-purpose robots.

Single-purpose robots that can carry out a specific task, such as the Roomba vacuum, have become wildly successful. According to iRobot, the makers of Roomba, the company has sold more than 40 million units since its founding in 1990.

So there’s a desire for robots that can help with at least one of the workloads in the house. However, industry leaders argue that part of Roomba’s success is its accessibility.

“Robot vacuums have long delivered the value for their price point, hence their popularity,” Deepu Talla, Nvidia‘s vice president and general manager for embedded and edge computing, told TechCrunch in an interview published Saturday.

On Amazon, a Roomba that can vacuum and self-charge can cost as little as $159. But a personal assistant robot that can carry out multiple tasks throughout the house? Boston Dynamics CTO Aaron Saunders previously told TechCrunch that those robots might cost as much as a car, and consumers must be convinced that the product’s services justify the cost.

“When would you pay as much for a robot as you would a car?” Saunders asked. “When it achieves the same level of dependability and value you have come to take for granted in the amazing machines we use to transport us around the world. “

Nvidia’s Talla similarly said that “the trade-off that’s been hindering home robots, to date, is the axis of how much someone is willing to pay for their robot and whether the robot delivers that value.”

temi

The temi personal assistant robot, which operates almost like a Siri or Alexa on wheels and takes commands as it follows a user around can cost about $4,000.

Softbank Robotics’ NAO humanoid robot, which is less than two feet tall and advertised as a programmable assistant, costs about $13,000.

Industry leaders like Talla and Saunders envision general-purpose robots decades from now that will be much more complex, can navigate less structured environments on the fly, and can complete multiple tasks.

There are a lot of other challenges the robotics field needs to solve, including perfecting the humanoid form factor that Saunders said will be the “obvious match to a world built around our form.”

A consumer-friendly price point will just be one of those challenges.

Spokespersons for iRobot, temi, and Softbank Robotics did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend.