Jan 4, 2024

This isn’t the old normal

Hispanolistic/Getty Images

It's the new normal — more remote work, more self-employment, more activism. Plus, car bloat has societal impacts.

Segments From this episode

Microsoft is adding a dedicated AI key to its keyboards

by Matt Levin

Jan 4, 2024

The key will launch Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant program. But whether users will take to it is an open question.

On Thursday, Microsoft announced that it would be adding an AI key to PC keyboards. With just one tap, the key opens up Microsoft Copilot, the company’s AI helper.

Courtesy Microsoft

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The hefty costs of heavier cars

by Kai Ryssdal , Andie Corban and Sofia Terenzio

Jan 4, 2024

The trend of bigger, weightier vehicles — known as car bloat — has contributed to road fatalities and environmental contamination.

Over 80% of new vehicles these days are SUVs and pickup trucks, said David Zipper of the MIT Mobility Initiative. Bigger vehicles have bigger impacts on safety and the environment.

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

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Is layoff season shifting away from the holidays?

by Henry Epp

Jan 4, 2024

Employees who lose their jobs at the end of they year may vent on social media. That can hurt a company's reputation, experts say.

A layoff will go down easier if employees get regular updates on the company’s health, says HR consultant Deb Best.

Avava/Getty Images

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More people shopped by phone than by computer over the holidays

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Jan 4, 2024

Consumers are more comfortable making impulse buys on smartphones — and retailers know it.

As people get more comfortable shopping on their phones, retailers are offering apps meant to attract and retain time-pressed customers.

Tero Vesalainen/Getty Images

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A Detroit frame shop balances shoppers and custom orders over the holidays

by Sean McHenry

“We had to kind of balance the time that we would do consultations, and then people are just, you know, regular shopping,” said Eric Vaughn, owner of Eric’s I’ve Been Framed in Detroit. “I had to kind of cut it off at a certain point because we had to have time to do the work.”

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Music from the episode

Bambu Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7

Cut It Upwards Kelpe

Pin It Down Madison Cunningham

Bustling Freddie Joachim

Lovely You Monster Rally

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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