Gen Z’s favorite app will nudge users toward better sleep with meditation prompts 

TikTok is launching in-app guided meditation exercises and expanding its Mental Health Education Fund after a test of its “Meditation in Sleep Hours” feature found that 98% of teen users kept it enabled.

The social media platform – used predominantly by Gen Z – is also partnering with TikTok creator and child psychiatrist Dr. Willough Jenkins to demonstrate the new feature.

“Research shows us that mindful meditation can improve sleep quality in people of all ages, so we’ll also introduce Meditation in Sleep Hours to all our users, regardless of their age,” the social media platform said in a press release. “For teens under age 18, it will be turned on by default. If a teen decides to use TikTok after 10 p.m., their For You feed will be interrupted by a guided meditation exercise, helping them wind down for the night. If a teen decides to spend additional time on TikTok after the first reminder, we show a second, harder-to-dismiss, full-screen prompt. Adults can turn on Sleep Hours at any time from the Screen Time Insettings page.”

If there’s irony in an app prompting users to disconnect for their mental health, it’s not exactly rare. In April, the Touch Grass app launched with a strict approach to screen time: users select their most distracting apps, which remain blocked until they physically touch grass and verify it with a photo taken on their phone.

TikTok has also announced $2.3 million in ad credits to 31 mental health organizations across 22 countries as part of its Mental Health Education Fund, which supports organizations in creating engaging mental health content. Recipients include the Alliance for Eating Disorders, Crisis Text Line, Peer Health Exchange and Active Minds. 

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“At Active Minds, we plan to leverage the TikTok ad credits to run a diverse mix of evergreen ads focused on mental health, including promoting the importance of mental health breaks and raising awareness for our core resources,” Active Minds chief marketing officer Jessica Mayorga said. “We’re also excited to spotlight our programs and initiatives that empower young people to prioritize their well-being. This approach will allow us to engage and educate audiences on TikTok while aligning with our mission to champion a new era of mental health.”

Continuously refreshing your wardrobe is now possible through a rental service offered by this well-known brand in France. However, be wary of the potential downsides.

On average, French people buy about 2.5 pairs of shoes each year. However, for some, this number is significantly higher according to data from the Economic Observatory of the Leather Sector. These purchases can become a serious investment as high-quality footwear can quickly cost several dozens or even hundreds of euros.

To avoid breaking the bank every time they need or want new shoes, an increasing number of consumers are turning to rental services. It’s for this reason that one of France’s leading shoe brands has decided to offer this option. Customers can sign up for a subscription either online or in-store, select a brand-new pair of shoes, enjoy them for two months, and then send them back. They can then choose another pair, and continue this cycle indefinitely. If a customer decides to keep a pair instead of returning it, they can purchase it for 50% of the original sale price.

Once worn and returned, “all pairs are reconditioned in French workshops located in Anjou,” according to the Bocage website, which offers this rental service to both men and women. “The reconditioning patent allows for a 100% antibacterial treatment and reshaping,” the brand assures. All refurbished pairs are then made available on the brand’s second-hand site, Claquettes Market.

So how does Bocage manage to be financially viable? It’s simple—through the subscription fees. Renting a pair of shoes costs 30 euros per month throughout the year. While enjoying a new pair for only 60 euros over two months may seem cost-effective, remember to return them if you don’t wish to keep them. Failing to do so will make the shoes quite expensive in the long run. Bocage calculates that a pair is automatically considered purchased after 6 months, or 6 payments of 30 euros, totaling 180 euros.

Also, be mindful of potential frustrations with rented shoes. If the shoes return with a stain or a hole, you might face additional charges. “In the event of major damages such as persistent stains, broken or missing parts, or damaged heel coating, a fee of 60 euros will be charged,” warns the brand. Finally, be careful with your calculations. If you end up not keeping any pairs, you will have spent at least 360 euros after a year, only to find your shoe closet still empty… Consider cancelling your subscription if necessary.

There are many ways that companies can keep shareholders happy, whether that be through robust financial performance or consistent dividend payouts, just for a few simple examples.

Companies can also demonstrate a shareholder-friendly nature through share repurchase programs, also commonly known as stock buybacks.

Several companies, including Arista Networks ANET, Apple AAPL, and Applied Industrial Technologies AIT, recently unveiled fresh buybacks. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and the announcements of each.

Benefits of Stock Buybacks

Stock buybacks, also known as share repurchase programs, are commonly deployed by companies to boost shareholder value. 

A stock buyback occurs when a company purchases outstanding shares of its stock. In its simplest form, buybacks represent companies essentially re-investing in themselves. Reducing the number of outstanding shares can boost earnings per share (EPS), also helping to put a floor under shares, reflective of consistent buying pressure.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that buybacks can sometimes bring out critics, as some believe the cash could be better deployed elsewhere, such as R&D. Nonetheless, buybacks are generally a net positive for shareholders, particularly those of mature companies with a much smaller growth runway.

ANET Benefits from AI

Arista Networks’ latest set of quarterly results beat our consensus EPS and sales estimates handily, with revenue of $2.0 billion showing nearly 30% growth year-over-year. The company’s sales growth has been fueled by the AI frenzy, as the company is an industry leader in data-driven, client-to-cloud networking for large AI, data center, campus, and routing environments.

The stock also sports a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with EPS expectations increasing across the board. Arista Networks unveiled an additional $1.5 billion repurchase program in the release.

Apple Unveils Massive Stock Buyback

Down 15% year-to-date, Apple shares have struggled in 2025, underperforming relative to the S&P 500 in a big way and driven lower by initial tariff headlines. Shares faced pressure as a result, but the recent de-escalation announcement between the US and China has brought back positivity.

Apple unveiled a massive $100 billion additional repurchase program in its latest quarterly report, putting some of its cash to work. The earnings outlook for the tech titan remains under pressure, with analysts taking their EPS expectations lower across the board over recent months.

The evolving EPS outlook of Apple is certainly going to be interesting, particularly so amid all the back-and-forth news we’ve received concerning tariffs and other economic developments. It’s worth remembering that the company is no longer the growth machine it used to be, with EPS forecasted to climb 6% on 3% higher sales in its current fiscal year.

AIT Generates Serious Cash

Applied Industrial Technologies exceeded both our consensus EPS and sales estimates, with EPS growing 4% YoY on the back of a 2% sales increase. The company’s cash-generating abilities saw a notable boost throughout its latest period, with free cash flow of $115 million up 50% YoY.

The cash-generating abilities have allowed the company to sport a shareholder-friendly nature, currently boasting a 5% five-year annualized dividend growth rate. AIT unveiled a new repurchase program to buy up to 1.5 million shares, replacing the prior repurchase plan.

As shown in the annual chart below, AIT’s dividend consistency is stellar. Please note that the final value is currently shown on a trailing twelve-month basis, as the company’s current fiscal year is not over yet.

Bottom Line

Companies commonly deploy repurchase programs to boost shareholder value, all of which we’ve recently seen from Arista Networks ANET, Apple AAPL, and Applied Industrial Technologies AIT.

All three companies have been aggressively buying shares over recent years, helping put in a floor while also aiding EPS. Though buybacks are criticized by some, they make great sense for mature companies with little growth left to squeeze.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Through a series of videos released on YouTube, Android has announced a raft of new features coming to your smartphone, including complete overhauls of some interfaces.

In the lead-up to the I/O conference scheduled for May 20 and 21, Android has previewed some upcoming enhancements for your smartphone. These updates include redesigned interfaces for Android phones and smartwatches, as well as new features for Gemini and device security.

Material 3 Expressive: A Fresh Look for Your Android Phone

Set for an early release on Google Pixel devices this year, “Material 3 Expressive” is the new interface that will form the foundation for Android smartphones in the future. The philosophy behind it is “everyone is unique, so smartphones should be too.”

Material 3 Expressive introduces a variety of new designs and fonts for your menus, interfaces, and notifications. Edges are more rounded while backgrounds have become more transparent.

Fully integrated with Android 16, Material 3 Expressive also includes real-time activities reminiscent of Apple’s “Dynamic Island” on its iPhones. For example, when you want to track a live activity such as a ride on Uber or Uber Eats.

Gemini Live Unveils New Features

Google’s artificial intelligence continues to advance. In a demonstration featuring a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Android’s teams showcased the latest capabilities of Gemini with live access to your screen content, as well as your camera. Simply point at an item to inquire about it with Gemini.

In the demonstration, the Android teams showed how you can get real-time information about an object, a place, or even a person. Unsure about a location in front of you? Point your camera at it and ask Gemini directly. These features remain optional and can be enabled or disabled by users.

Android also took the opportunity during its presentation to highlight Gemini’s capabilities in vehicles and on smartwatches equipped with Wear OS. This allows you to access the assistant directly from your wrist.

Enhanced Security for Android Smartphones

Finally, Google’s presentation on Android 16 introduced several new features for the security of your devices. The company highlighted recent innovations such as protection against theft and spam detection.

Google also announced “Find Hub,” a dedicated interface for locating your connected objects, as well as your contacts with whom you share your data. The app thus brings together all your trackers and connected devices compatible with the “find” function, as well as those of your approved contacts.

Satellite connectivity is also still on the agenda for Android and is expected to be available soon in certain regions of the world.

Android 16 will be available later this year with a preview on Google Pixel smartphones before a broader rollout in the following weeks. The visual overhaul will be offered soon thereafter.

MOVA Technologies, a Pulaski based AgTech company, has been awarded up to $1.3 million through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Pay-for-Outcomes Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction Grant Program. This innovative, results-based initiative funds only proven reductions in nutrient pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

For MOVA, waste reduction all starts in a chicken coup. Inside the average poultry barn, there’s an invisible problem that’s costing farmers money and harming waterways.

Chicken droppings release ammonia as bacteria decompose them. This pungent-smelling gas is harmful to both chickens and humans, and high levels can cause respiratory issues, conjunctivitis, and reduced egg production.

MOVA created a filtration system that captures toxic ammonia from chicken waste before it escapes into the environment. Their system, called FEATHER, cleans the air chickens breathe while stopping their pollution from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.

MOVA’s project was one of just nine selected from 30 applications, earning eligibility for up to $19 million in total funding. Projects were evaluated based on their potential pollution reduction impact, technical readiness, and implementation feasibility.

“Recognition from DEQ reinforces the importance of practical, market-driven solutions to environmental challenges. By removing ammonia at the source, we’re not just protecting water quality—we’re creating healthier barns and stronger business outcomes for poultry producers,“ said John Schott, CEO of MOVA Technologies in an interview with 10 News.

MOVA’s FEATHER System is a next-generation air purification platform engineered to capture and reduce toxic ammonia levels inside poultry barns. The system delivers two core benefits: it enhances indoor air quality to support bird health, welfare, and farm productivity, and it significantly reduces ammonia emissions, a source of nitrogen pollution in nearby waterways.

“Recognition from DEQ reinforces the importance of practical, market-driven solutions to environmental challenges,” said John Schott, CEO of MOVA Technologies. “By removing ammonia at the source, we’re not just protecting water quality—we’re creating healthier barns and stronger business outcomes for poultry producers.”

According to DEQ projections, MOVA’s project will prevent an estimated 47,100 pounds of nitrogen from entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Allison said MOVA will receive funding for every pound it proves to the state it prevents from escaping into the environment.

“The grant is a paid for outcomes program. It’s a pilot program from Virginia DEQ. And the program pays for every pound of nitrogen that you prevent from going into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. For us, we capture ammonia inside poultry houses, which is a large source of nitrogen. So the way that the grant works is we capture it and we prove to them that we’ve kept it out of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and they pay us,” Allison said.

“By improving indoor air quality, we see better bird performance and lower heating costs,” said Luke Allison, Chief Advancement Officer at MOVA Technologies. “That translates to higher farm profits and a reduced environmental footprint for the industry.”

Supported by a previous grant award from the USDA, field trials of the FEATHER System are set to begin this summer at a commercial poultry facility in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Outcomes from the pilot will inform a broader rollout planned for 2026, including multi-farm implementation agreements across the region.

DEQ Director Michael Rolband emphasized the program’s broader value: “These projects push the envelope of what’s possible for the Bay—and at the lowest possible cost for nonpoint source projects.” The nine funded projects are expected to collectively eliminate approximately 580,000 pounds of nitrogen from entering the Bay, at an average cost of just $32.73 per pound.

MOVA receiving the grant is also a major milestone for Pulaski. 10 News spoke to Town Manager Todd Day who says Pulaski is working to become a hub for AgTech innovation.

“It’s the only technology, not only in Pulaski or the Commonwealth, it is the only technology in the world. So, we’re innovators of a brand new technology in the Ag development field and it’s right here in the town of Pulaski. We’re fully supportive of the program, and we look forward to big things coming out of it,” Day said.

Allison said the the area is well positioned geographically to attract more innovates in the industry.

“Here in the town of Pulaski, we’re looking at building credibility for other ag tech companies to come to this area, leveraging resources like Virginia Western Community College, Virginia Extension, Virginia Tech. We’re just in a really optimal location being here in Pulaski right off the 81 corridor. It’s really beneficial for companies like us because of all the support that we get from the town and county,” Allison said.

More information about the DEQ Pay-for-Outcomes Pilot Program and a full list of awardees can be found at:Virginia DEQ

Intel’s (INTC) efforts to restore the chip giant to its former glory may hinge on a new manufacturing process the company calls 18A.

Short for 18 angstroms — an angstrom is equal to 0.1 nanometers — 18A is, according to Wall Street analysts and chip industry experts, Intel’s last hope to take back the semiconductor crown from rival TSMC (TSM).

Available later this year, 18A takes advantage of two manufacturing techniques that TSMC isn’t using yet: gate-all-around transistors and backside power. Intel says the technologies will improve its chips’ performance and efficiency.

But Intel isn’t just using 18A to reclaim its place as a leading chipmaker. The company is also banking on using the technology to move in on TSMC’s contract manufacturing business by building 18A-based chips for itself and custom versions for third-party customers.

But that’ll prove difficult. TSMC already builds chips for companies including AMD, Apple, and Nvidia. Intel opened up its manufacturing business to outside clients in 2021 under former CEO Pat Gelsinger. But Wall Street analysts and executives grew exasperated with his strategy and what they saw as unrealistic goals for the business, which lost $13.4 billion in 2024 despite recording a revenue of $17.5 billion.

So far, Amazon and Microsoft have signed on to build their own chips using Intel’s 18A process, with the hope that others will follow suit. But CFO David Zinsner says third-party commitments are “not significant” yet, according to Reuters.

Intel’s 18A is so important because it’s introducing two technologies to the company’s chips at once. First, it’s taking advantage of gate-all-around transistors — next-generation transistors that can more actively control the flow of electricity through a chip. It’s also using a technique called backside power, which changes where and how power is delivered to a chip’s transistors to enable more efficiency and better performance.

Together, the two technologies would help improve AI application performance without running into energy constraints, UC Santa Barbara engineering professor Kaustav Banerjee told Yahoo Finance. That would cut down on problems like overheating — something that reportedly plagued Nvidia’s Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs) when they were in development.

Taking first-mover advantage in the chip industry typically means big wins for a semiconductor manufacturer. Intel’s founders invented modern semiconductors, and the chipmaker was the first to successfully manufacture a new kind of transistor called Finfet in 2011.

But TSMC flipped the script in 2019 when it became the first to successfully use advanced chipmaking technology called EUV lithography — massive machines worth hundreds of millions of dollars — to make semiconductors, which helped it soar past Intel and make the world’s most advanced AI chips for companies including Apple and Nvidia.

That’s not all. Intel also already had to delay the rollout of 18A from the first half of 2025 to the second half, according to the company’s previous earnings calls.

Trying to perfect both backside power and gate-all-around transistors at once introduces greater manufacturing complexity and greater room for error.

“Both of these technologies [are] enormously complex on [their] own,” Chris Miller, author of “Chip War,” told Yahoo Finance. “So it’s even harder to do them simultaneously.”

A manufacturing employee at Intel’s foundry in Oregon told Yahoo Finance on the condition of anonymity that the technology wasn’t ready for external customers in December. In a follow-up interview in March, however, they said 18A “has gotten a lot better” and Intel staffers are “optimistic” about it.

Another manufacturing employee at the fab said 18A is “on track.” Still, they worried that Intel’s planned layoffs could depress morale and hinder their work toward getting the process out the door.

TSMC isn’t sitting idly by, though. The company is also launching gate-all-around transistors through its N2 technology, which it plans to release later this year. It’s also working to add backside power to its chips in 2026.

Ensuring 18A works is only part of the equation. Intel also has to prove it can sign up customers to take advantage of the technology for their own chips and can pump them out in the volumes they need.

“Can they do it? Yes, they can do it,” Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya said. “But can they do it with the kind of yield and scale like TSMC? That, I think, remains to be seen.”

Gelsinger staked part of Intel’s revival on his plans to turn the company into a third-party foundry. Tan appears to be set to stick to that plan. And while Intel expects its foundry business, which has been hemorrhaging money, to break even by 2027, Wall Street may not be willing to wait that long.

Various analysts have called for Intel to ditch its third-party foundry, and even get out of the chip manufacturing business entirely, and stick to designing semiconductors like rivals AMD and Nvidia.

But since Intel is the US’s sole large-scale advanced chip manufacturer, the government is keen on keeping its manufacturing arm intact. Intel has secured $7.8 billion in US CHIPS Act funding, and ditching its foundry would put that funding at risk.

“The US doesn’t want to be exclusively dependent on foreign firms for advanced production and R&D. Right now, Intel is the only firm with advanced R&D in the United States,” author Chris Miller explained.

While TSMC is expanding its US footprint, investing $165 billion in new plants and research facilities in the coming year, only one-third of its most advanced chipmaking will take place in the US, the company said in an April call with investors.

Still, Bank of America’s Vivek Arya said TSMC’s US expansion “blunts Intel’s advantage to some extent.”

For Intel, it all comes down to proving 18A can succeed. We’ll find out later this year.

Laura Bratton is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Bluesky @laurabratton.bsky.social. Email her at laura.bratton@yahooinc.com.

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @DanielHowley.

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