Columbia Engineering researchers have developed HyperQ, the first system to enable multiple users to run quantum programs simultaneously on a single machine using quantum virtual machines (qVMs). By dynamically allocating quantum resources and intelligently scheduling jobs, HyperQ analyzes each program’s needs and steers them to the best parts of the quantum chip, so multiple tasks can run at once without slowing each other down. HyperQ is a software layer, a hypervisor, inspired by the virtualization technology that powers modern cloud computing. It divides a physical quantum computer’s hardware into multiple, smaller, isolated quantum virtual machines. A scheduler then acts like a master Tetris player, packing multiple of these qVMs together to run simultaneously on different parts of the machine. The system reduced average user wait times by up to 40 times, transforming turnaround times from days to mere hours. It also enabled up to a tenfold increase in the number of quantum programs executed in the same time frame, ensuring much higher utilization of expensive quantum hardware. Remarkably, HyperQ’s intelligent scheduling could even enhance computational accuracy by steering sensitive workloads away from the noisiest regions of the quantum chip. For quantum cloud providers such as IBM, Google, and Amazon, the technology offers a powerful way to serve more users with existing hardware infrastructure, increasing both capacity and cost-effectiveness. For academic researchers and industry researchers, HyperQ means much faster access to quantum computing resources.
Microsoft’s Edge browser claims it can load websites faster now- First Contentful Paint (FCP) takes less than 300 milliseconds to start rendering the first parts of a website—whether it’s text, images, or interface components
Microsoft is introducing its Edge browser to users who are tired of Google Chrome’s memory and space consumption. Edge now loads websites faster than before, allowing users to see text and images load on the webpage. Microsoft has been accused of not giving Edge the momentum to load pages faster, as industry standards suggest any loading time beyond 300 ms is not ideal for users. The new-gen browser with Copilot support has dramatically reduced load times by an average of 40% across features like read aloud, split screen, and workspaces. Microsoft has shared details about the upgrade and even the Settings page on Edge now loads faster, giving people good reasons to consider the Microsoft browser for their daily use. While Chrome has an assailable lead with over 68% market share, Edge is used by less than 5% of users worldwide. Microsoft hopes Edge can become a strong challenger to Google’s superiority in the near future.
Direct indexing offers a superior alternative to ETFs and stocks through the ability to donate the appreciated shares after offsetting gains in other accounts, by automated and systematic tax-loss harvesting throughout the year and by ability to personalize portfolio
For clients looking for precise control over their portfolios, direct indexing strategy can be a solid middle ground between the mass-market ETFs and high-maintenance stock picking, said Eric Croak, president of Croak Capital. “Direct indexing is really just owning the pieces of an index instead of the ETF shell,” he said. “So instead of one fund that tracks the S&P 500, you hold all 500 companies, or at least enough to mirror its performance.” For Tushar Kumar, co-founder of Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors in San Francisco, it’s his fastest growing strategy for client portfolios. Direct indexing gives his firm a toolkit that’s flexible, tax sensitive and aligned with the circumstances and priorities of each client. It works best when the investor has the interest and resources to make it worthwhile, said Trevor Johnson, financial planner and founder of Dream Weaver Financial Planning “Direct indexing can be a powerful strategy for certain investors who want more control, customization and potential tax benefits than traditional ETFs allow,” he said. The ability to offset gains in other accounts or funds and then donate the appreciated shares is powerful, said Rob Schultz, senior partner and wealth manager at NWF Advisory. “With the costs and minimums, there is a compelling case for those in higher tax brackets and with charitable inclinations,” he said. One of the biggest advantages of direct indexing is automated and systematic tax-loss harvesting throughout the year, said Kumar. “The platform continuously monitors for opportunities to harvest losses, which research has shown can be more impactful than year-end-only strategies,” he said. The ability to tax-loss harvest individual “losers” is a huge advantage, said Croak. What draws Jon Wingent, principal at Cerity Partners, to direct indexing is the ability to truly tailor a portfolio to the individual. Direct indexing also defrays one of the inherent problems of using an index fund or ETF — inflexibility in taking advantage of losses in the underlying basket or fund, said Robert S. Jeter II, vice president and financial advisor with InFocus Financial Advisors. “For high-tax investors, it can be a great way to keep more of what you earn or compound over time,” he said. The ability to personalize a portfolio underscores another aspect of direct indexing: It can be incredibly useful for values-based investing, said Kumar. If a client is in a high marginal income tax bracket, direct indexing is worth considering to take advantage of short-term losses, which can offset $3,000 of ordinary income per year and can be carried forward to future tax years indefinitely, said Jake Skelhorn, partner and wealth advisor at Spark Wealth Advisors
Payment processor Startup Finix announces WooCommerce Plugin supporting WooCommerce’s new block-based checkout and the classic flow, keeping store aligned with latest updates; also features automated dispute & bank return handling
Finix, a payment processing company, has introduced a WooCommerce plugin that allows WordPress merchants to integrate embedded payments directly into their stores. The plugin accepts major credit cards, Apple Pay, and bank transfers. The plugin takes only ten minutes to set up and start accepting payments. Finix, founded in 2015, is a rising competitor to companies like Stripe and claims that merchants report faster payouts and a streamlined checkout flow. WooCommerce Blocks Checkout Compatible Fully supports WooCommerce’s new block-based checkout and the classic flow, keeping your store aligned with the latest updates. Automated Dispute & Bank Return Handling Reduce operational overhead with automatic order status updates triggered by webhook events.”
Insomnia Labs’s platform offers digital creators stablecoin-based credit against future earnings using real-time, AI-powered underwriting and embeds payments directly into the platforms they already use
Insomnia Labs has launched CreatorFi, a platform offering stablecoin-based credit for digital creators built on Avalanche. Debuting with a $12 million credit facility from Kamui Finance and others, CreatorFi reshapes how creators access funding by integrating financial tools directly into the platforms they already use and providing them with seamless, fast, and flexible advances against their future earnings. CreatorFi gives creators the ability to borrow against future earnings—like YouTube ad revenue, music royalties, or subscription income—using smart underwriting tools and blockchain-based infrastructure. With support for both fiat and stablecoin lending, the platform enables low-cost, global access to credit with real-time, AI-powered underwriting and embedded payments directly through the platforms creators already use. By precisely controlling and tracking stablecoin funds allocated for creator loans, CDP Wallets orchestrate each payout in an accurate, transparent, and auditable manner. Coinbase Offramp further enhances this efficiency by enabling creators to instantly convert their stablecoin advances into local currencies, providing seamless global access to their capital. This integrated approach simplifies and accelerates creators’ access to funds while offering clear visibility to lenders and institutional partners.
Kroger customers with loyalty card can grab printed flyer near the entrance of stores and scan a barcode on the flyer at checkout to download all the digital coupons at once without the need for app or internet
The Kroger Co. is giving its loyal shoppers easier access to digital deals. The national supermarket chain recently started adding paper flyers mirroring its weekly digital deals near the entrances of its stores. Kroger customers with a loyalty card can grab a printed handout when they enter the store to find out about the weekly digital deals. Then at checkout, shoppers scan a barcode on the flyer to download all of the digital coupons at once. Each coupon can be used up to five times in a single transaction. Using the printed flyer means that shoppers don’t have to go online or use the Kroger app to download each individual coupon. The Northeastern supermarket chain Stop & Shop also recently issued a brand-wide rollout of its innovative Savings Station. The in-store kiosk allows customers to quickly and easily activate all weekly circular digital coupons, as well as personalized offers – no smartphone, internet access or computer required. These in-store efforts from Kroger and Stop & Shop are finally helping to address digital discrimination in grocery. Seniors who aren’t tech-savvy and low-income families without smartphones could wind up paying higher prices, since they can’t easily access grocers’ digital deals.
American Eagle taps Snapchat to promote its more than 800 retail stores as back-to-school shopping destinations using the Snap Map location-sharing feature
American Eagle is teaming up with Snapchat to highlight its stores as back-to-school shopping destinations. Starting Wednesday, July 9, the specialty apparel retailer, a banner of American Eagle Outfitters Inc., is including more than 800 retail stores across the United States as Promoted Places on the Snap Map location-sharing feature. When Snapchat users check out the American Eagle Promoted Places on Snap Map, they can learn more about the location, read content from American Eagle, creators and other users, and click to shop on the American Eagle website for a seamless online shopping experience. American Eagle is also launching an augmented reality try-on Lens (virtual animations overlaid on a Snapchat photo) for jeans available in the Snapchat Lens carousel and the retailer’s public profile. American Eagle is the first specialty fashion retailer to leverage Promoted Places for promotional purposes, responding to data indicating more than 95% of Snapchat’s 400 million-plus global users are planning to shop in-store for back-to-school this year. The retailer initially partnered with Snapchat to offer a shoppable AR Lens showcasing select styles from a specially curated inaugural 200-piece resale collection offered in conjunction with ThredUp.
Study finds Silent Generation and Boomer consumers prefer supermarkets as their top destination for food shopping while Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X prefer other formats as Walmart, ALDI, dollar stores and club stores
According to the latest study from The Feedback Group, supermarkets continue to be popular with older demographics, but are less compelling to younger shoppers. Asked about their most recent food shopping visit, Silent Generation and Boomer consumers chose supermarkets as their top destination. However, Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X prefer such other formats as Walmart, ALDI, dollar stores and club stores. Notably, supermarkets plummeted from the second-most shopped channel among Millennials and Gen X in 2024 to near the bottom this year. “A generational reshuffling is underway, with younger shoppers gravitating more toward other food formats, leaving supermarkets to re-evaluate how they engage this critical audience to remain relevant,” observed Brian Numainville, principal at The Feedback Group. Supermarket satisfaction remained high overall (4.39 on a five-point scale), with older shoppers and younger shoppers reporting higher satisfaction than middle generations. Shoppers using cashier-assisted lanes report higher satisfaction (4.45) versus self-checkout users (4.29), underscoring the continued worth of human interaction. Shoppers who couldn’t find all of the items they wanted rated their satisfaction considerably lower (3.99) than those who were able to find everything (4.47). Digital circular use once more surpassed print, with 52% of shoppers now using a digital ad, up from 48% last year. In-store mobile use continued to be strong, with one-third of shoppers using phones for such tasks as finding specials and accessing loyalty programs. In spite of robust social media use (88%), just 25% of shoppers are connected to their primary supermarket on any platform, which the research spotlighted as an area of opportunity, especially among younger consumers.
Verizon created the role of dedicated Customer Champion, agents who will handle customer inquiries from start to finish, reducing the exasperating transfer process that plagues call centers
Verizon is trying to alleviate a persistent pain point by giving consumers a single point of contact, reducing the exasperating transfer process that plagues call centers. In an innovative idea that not many companies have implemented, Verizon recently created the role of dedicated Customer Champion, agents who will handle customer inquiries from start to finish. Under the plan, every customer service call will be assigned a champion, who will work on resolving the issue and updating the customer as the sole Verizon contact. The concept is creative, potentially very useful for customers and service teams alike, as are the specifics: the Verizon champions will update customers on progress through the channel of the customer’s choosing. Verizon’s overall focus on customer experience is laudable, yet the customer champions initiative stands out most of all. Research shows that being transferred from agent to agent is a particular source of customer frustration. People who get in touch often have a complaint from the start, and having to get new agents up to speed slows resolution times and can impact customer satisfaction scores. By eliminating transfers, the initiative will reduce customer frustration and increase satisfaction, while improving customer trust that the brand has their back. Dealing with a single agent may even trigger an emotional connection between customer and company, potentially leading to more memorable customer experience moments. Verizon is empowering agents to provide continuity and take personal ownership of issues, which could promote accountability and pride within service teams. The result? Higher employee satisfaction and a better employee experience. It will also give agents more productive things to do. With fewer phone calls to answer, company representatives can spend more time tracking the results of their interactions with individual customers, learning from how the issues were resolved, and perhaps even preventing future occurrences of the same problem.
Highspot launches breakthrough agentic platform for go-to-market teams- role-based agents delivering real-time answers, guidance, and actions and specialized agents focus on vital, always-on work including deal coaching, sales play optimization, and content management
Highspot, the leading agentic platform for go-to-market performance, unveiled its Highspot Agents —an AI advancement that uniquely captures insights from what is said in buyer conversations, shared in content, and shown through buyer behavior to fix what’s broken and scale what works. Powered by Highspot Nexus™, the company’s unified AI and analytics engine, the new role-based and specialized agents learn alongside go-to-market (GTM) teams to guide sellers, marketers, and enablement teams with insights and actions tailored to their work. This innovative approach to AI for GTM helps the people who drive growth do what works, better, and at scale. Highspot’s new agents combine insights and action to give GTM teams speed in the right direction—all in a unified experience that reduces complexity and cost by eliminating the need for numerous point solutions. The Agents come in two powerful forms: Role-based agents act as embedded teammates for sellers, marketers, and enablement teams, delivering real-time answers, guidance, and actions that elevate their performance. Specialized agents focus on vital, always-on work including deal coaching, sales play optimization, and content management. These agents work alongside Ask Highspot, which enables any Highspot user to obtain instant, context-aware answers based on role, needs, and business priorities. Highspot is also announcing support for MCP, allowing Highspot agents to be MCP servers, so customers can quickly and securely connect external AI tools and agents with the Highspot platform.