One of the most consequential decisions early-stage founders have to make is who they will bring on as their founding team. The first five to 10 employees will have a massive impact on the company culture, and the precedents set with them are difficult to change down the road. Thatâs why this season on Build […]
Jared Leto’s Sci-Fi Movie Rises in Popularity on Disney+ Following Initial Box Office Flop
FlixPatrol alongside Disney+, whenever the television remote is accessible, one of the House of Mouse’s top box-office disappointments of 2025 has found renewed life on the streaming service, likely due to its impressive visuals, audio, and well, that’s pretty much it.
Debuting in theaters on October 10, 2025, “Tron: Ares” was both a critical and financial dud. Scoring just 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, this third chapter in the Grid-based saga, which was far from scientifically accurate, was labeled by Mashable as “heavy-handed, dunderheaded, and overly sincere, yet also sometimes amusing, endearing, alluring, and exhilarating” and according to Kermode and Mayo’s Take on YouTube, “one of the most tedious experiences I’ve encountered in a very long time… I had no investment in any character or situation at any moment.”
Sadly, the box office performance for “Tron: Ares” during its theater run was equally dismal. “Ares” amassed a mere $142.2 million against an approximate production cost of close to $220 million, rendering it a significant failure for Disney. So what does this threequel possess that justifies its secure position on Disney+’s watchlist?
Tron: Ares was admired for its visuals and audio, but not its narrative
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Flipstik’s Path Following Shark Tank: Updates After Season 12
Modern smartphones possess considerable capabilities. Nevertheless, with the appropriate accessory, you can further elevate your smartphone experience or features. Flipstik is one such accessory that gained popularity following its “Shark Tank” appearance during episode 4 of season 12. It’s an innovative gadget for your phone that attaches to the back and introduces two primary functions: a kickstand and an adhesive mount. With Flipstik, there was no need to purchase a separate mount if you wished to watch something on your phone while cooking or washing dishes, for instance, as you could adhere the phone to a wall tile, kitchen cabinet door, or refrigerator, keeping it secure. Likewise, the kickstand function significantly eased the process of propping your phone up on various surfaces.
Flipstik’s “Shark Tank” appearance and the engaging pitch from the company’s CEO and founder, Akeem Shannon, which featured rap, enabled him to secure an offer of $100,000 in exchange for 25% equity from investor Lori Greiner. However, obtaining a deal from a shark does not guarantee success, and numerous “Shark Tank” startups fail. So, what transpired with Flipstik after its show appearance, and is the company still active and thriving in 2026, similar to the season 12 Hopscotch app?
Flipstik, which commenced its journey with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter and sales in local malls, experienced success after the televised announcement of a deal with Greiner, where the company was valued at $400,000. According to Primetimer, Flipstik’s sales doubled its total lifetime revenue, approximately $115,000, in the days following the “Shark Tank” episode’s air date. Although Greiner’s deal eventually fell through, Shannon acquired a $50,000 Arch Grants and was accepted into the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Anchor Accelerator, providing him with an additional $50,000 in funding. These funds assisted Flipstik in expanding its distribution as sales surged.
Per an episode of the radio show St. Louis on Air, the company’s valuation soared from $400,000 to $5 million by 2022. In that same year, the company succeeded in enhancing its distribution, and Flipstik began selling through 338 Target stores across the nation and on its website. However, as of 2026, Flipstik does not appear to be listed on Target’s website, and the availability at Target stores is unclear. It was also available via QVC for a time in 2023.
Throughout the years, Flipstik expanded its product range to include variants such as Flipstik Pro, FlipStik Grip, MagStik, and updated models of the original Flipstik.
As of February 2026, while Flipstik can still be purchased from some online retailers, like Amazon and Walmart, the company’s status appears somewhat doubtful, as its products are out of stock on AT&T, Best Buy, and Newegg websites, and the company’s website has reportedly had products unavailable for over a month.
Even on Amazon, all of Flipstik’s items show low inventory, primarily being sold by third-party sellers, accompanied by less-than-stellar reviews. Shannon seems to be concentrating more on motivational speaking, as his X and Instagram bios do not reference Flipstik at all, and his posts focus on his speeches and how to hire him for speaking occasions. That said, he hasn’t posted on X lately, though his LinkedIn profile still lists him as the CEO of Flipstik. However, on Instagram, where he remains fairly active, he hasn’t directly promoted Flipstik since 2023.
In summary, it appears Flipstik, which had a satisfactory journey for a period around 2022 and 2023, may not be in a favorable condition, unlike another small gadget from “Shark Tank” season 13 known as MuteMe.
Toyota Unveils iPhone Car Key Compatibility with Restrictions
Reddit user Healthy_Block3036, later reported by MacRumors, indicates that Toyota is finally entering the ranks of other automakers that back this feature, which already includes Audi, BMW, Hyundai, KIA, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and, more recently, Rivian. Although Toyota hasn’t specified which models will support the Car Key feature, it appears that the automaker is likely to focus on its newest models first.
However, there’s a stipulation regarding how Toyota customers can utilize the new feature — the brand is placing the Car Key feature behind a subscription. To use the feature, customers must subscribe to Toyota’s Remote Connect service, which is priced at $15 per month. While a one-year Remote Connect trial is included with the purchase of a new vehicle, customers will ultimately need to pay to access the service. The subscription includes the ability to remotely start/stop the engine, lock/unlock doors, activate the A/C and headlights, check status alerts, and even locate the vehicle’s last parked position.
Everything you need to know about Car Key on iPhones
With the support for iPhone Car Key, individuals with an iPhone XS or newer can integrate a digital car key into the Wallet app — eliminating the necessity for a physical key. With an iPhone 11 or newer, excluding the iPhone SE models, users can even unlock their cars without removing the iPhone from their pocket, thanks to UWB support. Typically, adding a car key is contingent upon the manufacturer. In Toyota’s scenario, for instance, the company is currently implementing support for this feature as part of its Remote Connect subscription. That said, not all manufacturers adopt the same approach.
According to Apple
The Main Reason Users Oppose AI Integration on Their Devices
the emergence of AI is blamed for widespread collapse, yet some people find it advantageous for various tasks. Although businesses persist in integrating artificial intelligence into products, a recent survey reveals that a significant number of users are not in favor of it.
As per a Connected Intelligence study conducted by AI firm Circana, more than a third of American adults aged 18 and older express disinterest in having artificial intelligence on their devices. Among those who are not interested, reasons cited include a simple disinclination towards it, concerns about privacy, and satisfaction with their device functionalities without the incorporation of artificial intelligence. Notably, the environmental risks posed by AI were not mentioned as a concern. The findings also indicate that younger demographics are more open to utilizing this technology.
In spite of a substantial segment of consumers displaying indifference towards AI, there are no indications of its momentum diminishing in the near future. Investment in AI companies continues robustly, to the extent that numerous experts speculate about the potential for an AI bubble.
Study highlights the public’s disinterest in AI
The Secret Function of Apple Mail that Fixes Significant Inbox Problems
### Apple’s Mail App Allows Users to Manually Sort Senders in Their Inbox
For numerous users, Apple’s Mail app has served as a dependable solution for handling emails across various devices. With the latest updates in iOS 18, the app unveiled a fresh inbox sorting system that classifies emails into four unique categories: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. This feature is designed to simplify the email experience, particularly for those overwhelmed with messages.
Nevertheless, the automatic sorting can occasionally misplace crucial emails, causing annoyance. Users might notice that senders they often correspond with do not show up in the Primary category, which can impede productivity and result in overlooked messages.
Thankfully, Apple has incorporated a hidden feature that enables users to manually sort senders. By swiping left on an email and tapping the ‘More’ button, users can find the ‘Categorize Sender’ option. This feature allows users to select the suitable category for specific senders, ensuring that vital communications are consistently routed to the Primary inbox.
This manual sorting feature improves the overall effectiveness of the Mail app’s new system. Users can personalize their inbox experience, aligning it more closely with their individual email preferences. Whether it’s making sure that essential work emails are prioritized or effectively managing promotional content, this feature offers a pragmatic solution to the difficulties posed by automatic sorting.
In summary, while the new inbox categories in Apple’s Mail app can prove advantageous, the option to manually sort senders is a significant tool that boosts user control over their email organization. This feature provides a more customized experience, guaranteeing that important messages are never missed.
Apple’s Launch Event on March 4: Expected New Products and Hopes
Apple is hosting a unique event for the press on Wednesday, March 4, across three global locations, and speculation suggests a plethora of new products might be revealed. Here’s what to anticipate, including hardware releases, format, and additional details.
### Format: In-person gathering for press, potentially featuring multi-day launches
Apple is taking a different route with its March product announcements. Traditionally, the company has occasionally offered live-streamed events or keynote presentations in March, while at other times, it has opted for product launches through press releases. There have also been instances where press members have been invited to private briefings that they couldn’t share details about beforehand.
This March, it seems that Apple will adopt a distinctive strategy.
The company has summoned press to a “special Apple Experience” occurring simultaneously in New York, London, and Shanghai. The invites were distributed without an NDA, leading to swift dissemination online.
Well-informed individuals, such as Mark Gurman, have indicated that Apple plans to unveil new products daily leading up to March 4. This implies that hardware announcements could be made via press release on Monday, March 2, Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4. Subsequently, press members would have the opportunity to experience all the new products in person.
Consequently, it seems there won’t be an “event video,” but instead, we might see shorter clips each day alongside new product announcements.
### New products: A comprehensive list of potential hardware launches
Apple is rumored to have an especially extensive lineup of new products on the horizon. New Macs, iPads, and even a new iPhone are anticipated shortly.
Here’s a summary of what might be launched on March 4 or in the days preceding it:
– New Macs
– New iPads
– New iPhone
Additionally, there are a few ‘wildcard’ Apple Home products that have been speculated for some time but haven’t been released yet. Reports suggest that the hardware is being delayed due to Siri’s postponed upgrades, making early March launches unlikely—but it remains a possibility.
Wildcard products include:
– Apple Home devices
9to5Mac’s Chance Miller will attend the event in New York, and we will provide comprehensive coverage of everything Apple reveals leading up to it.
What are your expectations for Apple’s March 4 announcements? Share your thoughts in the comments.
9to5Mac Daily: February 18, 2026 – Anticipations for iOS 27 and Future AI Offerings
### 9to5Mac Daily: Your Hub for Daily Apple Updates
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#### What to Anticipate
Every episode includes a summary of the day’s leading stories, offering insights and breakdowns of the latest changes in the Apple ecosystem. The podcast aims to keep its audience informed and active in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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#### In Closing
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Google Launches Snapseed Camera for iPhone Boasting Expert Manual Controls and Vintage Film Effects
**Snapseed for iOS: An In-Depth Look at the Latest Camera Features**
Snapseed, the renowned photo editing application created by Google, has recently seen notable upgrades, especially with the launch of its new camera capability. Following a soft launch in December, this update elevates Snapseed from a simple image editor to a more all-encompassing photography instrument.
### New Camera Interface
In the past, users could access the Snapseed camera solely through a Lock Screen widget, Control Center, or Camera Control. The recent update unveils a dedicated camera icon positioned in the top-right corner of the app, enhancing accessibility for users to capture photos directly within Snapseed.
### Enhanced Manual Controls
A highlight of the new Snapseed camera is the inclusion of manual controls for exposure and focus. By activating the “PRO” mode via a toggle in the top-left corner, users unlock three key adjustments at the bottom of the viewfinder: ISO, Shutter Speed, and Focus. This feature provides a more customized photography experience, catering to both beginners and seasoned photographers.
### Flash and Zoom Features
The camera interface has been updated, with the flash control now situated at the bottom-left of the screen, while the zoom function is conveniently placed on the opposite side. This arrangement improves usability, enabling users to swiftly modify settings as they take photos.
### Real-Time Film Emulation
The Snapseed camera now provides real-time film emulation, enabling users to apply various styles inspired by classic film types. The emulations available include:
– **KP1**: Modeled after Kodak Portra 400
– **KP2**: Modeled after Kodak Portra 160
– **KG1**: Modeled after Kodak Gold 200
– **KE1**: Modeled after Kodak E200
– **FS1**: Modeled after Fuji Superia 200
– **FS2**: Modeled after Fuji Superia 800
– **FP1**: Modeled after Fuji Pro 400h
– **AG1**: Modeled after Agfa Optima 200
– **AS1**: Modeled after Agfa Scala 200
– **PD1**: Modeled after Polaroid 600
– **TC1**: Modeled after Technicolor
This functionality allows photographers to explore various aesthetics and styles, broadening the creative opportunities within the app.
### Editing Flexibility
A key feature of the Snapseed camera is that every captured photo includes a complete editing stack. This means users can modify, adjust, or revert any aspect of the look even after the photo has been saved to their gallery. This versatility encourages experimentation and supports the ongoing refinement of images.
### Customizable Color Themes
Users can also personalize the viewfinder’s color theme, with choices including Editor, Dusk, Negative, Steel, Haze, and Depth. This customization enhances the user experience, allowing photographers to create an atmosphere that aligns with their preferences.
### Availability
Snapseed version 3.15.0 is now available for download in the App Store at no cost. Google is also in the process of updating the Android version of the app to incorporate the redesigned editor features that were introduced for iOS.
### Conclusion
With its new camera functionalities, Snapseed is reinforcing its role as a versatile tool for photography enthusiasts. The integration of manual controls, real-time film emulation, and a flexible editing stack makes it an attractive option for anyone aiming to elevate their mobile photography experience.
How Co-Managed IT Services Transform Businesses
Explore the world of Co-Managed IT Services and how they benefit your company & solve key challenges. Discover why theyâre ideal for mid-sized businesses
The post Why Co-Managed IT Services Are the Right Choice for Growing Businesses appeared first on Miles IT Company.
