A Lenovo IdeaPad U410 laptop, photographed on white, taken on July 11, 2012. (Photo by Kevin … [+]
Here are five technology things that happened in the past week and how they’re impacting your business. Did you miss them?
1 – These are the best cheap Windows laptops for 2022, according to the Engadget editors.
The editors of technology news and review website Engadget recently made their picks for the best cheap Windows laptops for this year. Top picks include the Acer Aspire 5 Series ($460 at Adorama) for display, processing, and storage, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 ($485 at Walmart) chosen for its portability and long battery life, and the Surface Laptop Go 2 (from $600) for its design, light weight, multiple USB ports, and more. (Source: Engadget)
Why this is important for your business:
How long do you keep laptops? My timeline is three years and then I replace no matter how things work. That’s because I know you live on house money after three years. And it is basically guaranteed that when your device breaks, it will break at exactly the wrong time. The Engadget picks above may be “cheap”, but quite a few of them are perfectly capable of handling your or your employees’ workload for that period.
2 – Startup Ambi Robotics has raised $32 million to deploy its item sorting robots in warehouses.
Startup of supply chain automation hardware Ambi Robotics recently announced that it has raised $32 million. The new funding comes shortly after the startup raised another $23 million. company’s product portfolio. (Source: Tech Crunch)
Why this is important for your business:
Factory floor automation continues to increase productivity and reduce labor costs, and offerings from companies like Ambi are becoming more affordable for even the smallest of companies. Ambi’s products, such as AmbiSort, are, according to the company“a full-stack solution that combines robotic picking, article analysis and quality control with a ‘soft-touch’ end effector that sorts cartons, flats, polybags and other deformable or rigid articles.”
3 – RC Mowers has introduced its autonomous mowing robot that tackles long-term labor challenges in landscaping.
A leading manufacturer of robotic lawnmowers – RC Mowers — announced last week that it has launched an Autonomous Mowing Robot fleet. The new line will help landscape contractors reduce the workforce and grow their business while managing fewer workers and improving overall mowing profitability. (Source: Yahoo Finance)
Why this is important for your business:
While we’re still on the subject of robots, I couldn’t resist including this news because it’s not the production floor that benefits from robot technology. With the cost of standalone mowers like RC Mowers becoming more affordable, I expect countless landscapers and contractors to start using these machines instead of hiring workers who can’t find them anyway. Want to see how they work? Checking out this video.
4 – Get ready for the next big thing in Macs and the iPad Pro.
Recent reports have revealed that Apple plans to introduce new iPads and Macs with a version of the company’s new M2 processing chip. (Source: computer world)
Why this is important for your business:
Mac users get ready. The new processor is likely to result in iPads with more features than the previous iPad Pros and generally better performance. The new hardware includes updated versions of both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, which are rolling out next month. Hmm… maybe you’re not waiting three years for that next upgrade?
5 – Square has added niche commerce tools to its retail and appointment terminal.
Square is releasing two new commerce features on Square Terminal. (Source: Pymnten)
Why this is important for your business:
The company says the new features will help simplify the process for online merchants to sell their services and products around the world. The new features — known as Square Appointments and Square for Retail — allow businesses to process customer purchases almost anywhere, allowing merchants to navigate customer demand from more locations. “Square for Retail at Square Terminal has helped me streamline and summarize everything so I can use all the features I need on one device,” the Alabama gift shop owner told Pymnts. “I can use Square Terminal as an additional cash register to ensure I can provide a great experience for my customers everywhere, whether I’m selling in my brick-and-mortar store or on the road in local markets.”
