How the Platform Economy is improving our lives

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Platforms have existed for decades, but the modern platform economy has completely disrupted traditional business models in ways that have enhanced and continue to benefit our lives. But what exactly is a platform? A platform is a product or service that is reliant on a feedback-generating ecosystem to grow and thrive. As the platform scales, it offers more products and services, thereby attracting more users, who will then provide more feedback for the platform to expand. There are hundreds of platform companies around the world – think Etsy, eBay, Amazon – focusing on education, commerce, travel, and more, and while a company can sell you a bounty of products—from books to backpacks—a platform can transform an entire industry with sets of solutions. Read more…

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How future forward are you?

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Think about the world 10 years ago. Smartphones were just adding GPS location services. SLR cameras were just getting video capabilities. The first app store came on the scene. Doesn’t it seem like these inventions have already been around forever? Can you imagine the world without them?

The future catches up with you — and today’s digital future is already taking shape around us. Today’s vanguard tech will be tomorrow’s everyday, must-have conveniences. Are you already living in that future, or are you taking it a day at a time?

Read on to discover how far into the future you’re already living. Read more…

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Got WiFi dead spots? Consider a mesh network system

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With so many smart home gadgets in the house these days, you may need WiFi in areas like the basement, garage, or even outside to power your smart doorbell or outdoor camera. But chances are your current router doesn’t cover your entire home, and you’re left with dead spots – those areas in your house where your wireless signal inexplicably seems to disappear. 

With all the devices, metal appliances, and architectural interference in the average home, it’s no wonder why even the fastest, most powerful WiFi router can miss a few spots. But before you invest in another wifi extender that delivers a weaker signal, think about using a mesh WiFi system.  Read more…

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Stay toasty this season with these incredible deals on winter wardrobe staples

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Heads up: The MashStash team writes about stuff you’ll probably want to buy. If you do purchase something through MashStash, Mashable might earn some cash through an affiliate commission.

Whether you come from a family of outdoor enthusiasts and are looking for last-minute holiday gift ideas, or you’re seeking a little something “from Santa” to add to your own pile of loot, there’s something for everyone on your list at Columbia Sportswear.

Now through Dec. 20, get up to 50 percent off select Columbia products such as jackets, parkas, footwear, fleeces, and other winter wardrobe staplesGreater Rewards Members will also get free shipping. There’s no code required, so head on over to Columbia today to begin perusing this incredible sale. Read more…

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Teaching kids to be tech whizzes as early as elementary school

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Today, technology receives more than just a casual mention in most parenting handbooks and mommy blogs. Parents of elementary school-age kids are in a particularly befuddling spot as their kids begin dabbling in digital devices both at school and at home. In some cases, parents report that their kids know how to navigate tech better than they can. At the same time, parents aren’t always sure how to introduce their kiddos to technology in a way that’s balanced, educational, and fosters growth and development

Amazon and Mashable are exploring how technology affects modern parenting. Be sure to check out the article on infants (babies between 0-12 months) and useful parenting tech here, and continue reading the series with this article about how kids in pre-K and kindergarten can start exploring digital technology. Read more…

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Gift yourself with free rewards this holiday season

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Do you love that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from seeing your loved ones light up when they receive a thoughtful gift from you? Well, a new payment app called Paytm Canada wants to reward you for getting into the holiday spirit by giving away redeemable points in daily contests running throughout December and January.

During the contest period, anytime you make a bill payment of at least $50, you will automatically be entered into a daily draw to win 50,000 Paytm Points. That’s a $50 value, which works out to one gift for them and one gift for you. That is incentive for even the biggest Scrooges to move everyone from their naughty list to their nice list.  Read more…

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Technology and young kids: What parents should know about pre-K kids and high-tech learning

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Parenting in a digitally inundated environment presents dilemmas for many moms and dads. Should kids be able to use a tablet before their first day of kindergarten? How can parents teach their children to be responsible digital citizens? These are just a few of the questions that arise when it comes to exposing kids to technology.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), tech — when used “intentionally and appropriately,” of course — can provide “adaptive scaffolds to help children progress in skills development.” In other words, technology can be a useful aid to support kids’ learning, as it opens them up to new content, skills, ideas, and possibilities. Read more…

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How to gift the PC gamer on your holiday shopping list

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 Gamers want the best gaming experience possible, which means high-resolution visuals and liquid-smooth gameplay. But, as games keep getting more visually immersive and graphically demanding, they need more graphics horsepower to come to life. If this sounds like Greek to you, don’t fret. AMD’s Ryzen processors and Radeon Graphics power a variety of systems for different gaming needs and budgets, and with this guide, you’ll be able to gift the gamer in your life with ease. 

Taking gameplay to the next level

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get the power needed to run today’s top games, but when it comes to that second-hand laptop Junior has been using to play Fortnite, it’s time for an upgrade. A single dropped frame can make the difference between life and death in a battle royale, and with nearly 80 million gamers playing Fortnite monthly worldwide, the competition is fierce out there.  Read more…

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Giving back and building a better future through FinTech

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Advertising Content from Citi

With initiatives like Giving Tuesday on November 27, today’s global community has greater opportunities than ever before to help those in need. A credit to the internet’s shrinking of the globe, social platforms and always-on digital media can shine a constant spotlight on causes, organizations, and communities that otherwise might slip under our attention—and on the broader importance of giving back our time, resources, and money to charity, whomever we choose as their recipients

But the question remains of just how to best help others. In America, do we prefer to give our money or volunteer our time when considering our own charitable efforts? According to a recent Citi study, 55% of people who do not contribute their time to positive social change causes wish they could, and two out of three people who do contribute their time wish it was easier to do so. In other words, people want to give their time and skills to charitable causes, not just their money. Read more…

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Bundle up for winter with these incredible Cyber Monday doorbuster deals

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Heads up: The MashStash team writes about stuff you’ll probably want to buy. If you do purchase something through MashStash, Mashable might earn some cash through an affiliate commission.

You’re not the type to let a little blustery weather prevent you from enjoying the great outdoors — but it certainly helps to have the right garb and gear for tackling whatever Mother Nature can throw your way.

If your winter wardrobe could use a refresher this holiday season, you’re in luck: Columbia Sportswear is hosting a massive Cyber Monday sale from Sunday, November 25 at 9 p.m. PST through November 27 at 9 p.m. PST, where you’ll get 25% off nearly everything, plus 50% off select Doorbusters items (90 styles!). On top of that, the company is offering free shipping, no promo code required. Read more…

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