This Mail-in Kit Will Help You Convert Your Old VHS Memories to Digital

The iPhone 15

New iPhone

The latest iteration of iPhone is the iPhone 15, and it will also be available as the iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. They’ll come in 5 colors: white, black, pink (rejoice!), green, and yellow. The Pro models are fitted with a strong, lightweight titanium casing, and have a 6.1-inch screen, while the Plus models boast a 6.7-inch screen.

No More Lightning Cables

And yes, you read it right – the Lighting charging ports are no more for new Apple products, including the iPhone 15. From now on, users will only be able to use a USB-C cord (that, according to Apple, ushers in potentially faster charging times) for charging their devices. The change makes things fairly easy for cross-functional purposes, as USB-C cords are also compatible with non-Apple products.

Action Button

The Lightning port isn’t the only thing that Apple said they’re retiring. The new iPhone no longer has a ring silencer slider on the side. Instead, it’s now called an “action button.” The action button will still silence alerts, texts, and calls by default, but will also be capable of other handy commands you tell it to complete.

Sharper-Than-Ever Camera

As expected, the iPhone 15 variations boast an updated camera system. The company’s stepped it up so that the smartphones have a 48-megapixel main camera with a larger sensor than ever before. The back camera also has a new “nanoscale coating” for handling lens flares and lowlight with expert skill. The camera system reportedly has more enhanced color, better image stabilization, and a 4K cinematic video mode.

Improved Connection

The new iPhones also feature an ultra wideband chip, which expands the device’s connection strength. This chip allows iPhones to connect to other devices from up to three times farther away. It’s incorporated into the “Find My’ technology that you may already use to find your friends, devices, and more.

Apple made sure to address pricing for the new iPhone, as well as existing models:

• iPhone SE will start at $429.
• iPhone 13 will start at $599.
• iPhone 14 will start at $699.
• iPhone 15 will start at $799.
• iPhone 15 Plus will start at $899.
• iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999.

The new iPhones start shipping and hitting stores on September 22.

Store More With New iCloud+ Plans

Apple also announced that starting September 18, iCloud+ will offer 6TB ($29.99/mo) and 12 TB ($59.99/mo) storage plans, which expands their previous largest offering of 2TB ($9.99/mo). The new plans are ideal for large photo and video libraries, or users of Apple’s Family Sharing.

Apple Watch Series 9

Shout Out To Sustainability

The company introduced the Apple Watch Series 9, which is reportedly Apple’s first-ever carbon-neutral product. They’ll also be making another sustainability effort by eliminating leather materials from the Apple Watch. The wristbands will no longer be made of leather, but instead, a material called “fine woven,” which is made from 68% post-consumer recycled content.

With The Tap Of A Finger

The most notable news surrounding the new Apple Watch is the introduction of hand gesture controls. With the watch on, users can tap their index finger and thumb together twice to answer (or end) phone calls, play and pause music, or snooze alarms. Siri can also take commands via the watch now.

Apple Watch Tune-Up

The Series 9 watch is now made with a custom S9 chip for faster processing, according to Apple. The screen features a new edge-to-edge display that doubles the brightness levels, plus the model is available in a new pink color!

Apple noted these updated prices for the Apple Watch:

• Apple Watch SE starts at $249.
• Apple Watch S9 starts at $399.
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $799.

TikTok is a central avenue for small businesses to promote their products and services, with special thanks to its algorithm, says Johannes Larsson, Founder and CEO at Financer.com.

“The platform's unique algorithm, which prioritizes content discovery and virality, has enabled many small businesses to reach and connect with potential customers in a way that wasn't possible through traditional social media platforms,” says Larsson. “Since its growth has been exponential throughout the years as a key marketing channel, the ban triggered the markets for sure.”

TikTok also masters the art of connection. Your For You Page knows exactly what you like to see. This gives small businesses the ability to get closer to their audience and reach more success that way, says saysLynzee Krohne, Founder of branding agency LEO + LAINE.

"On TikTok, brands have the freedom and space to be more casual and less branded," Krohne said. "Because of the nature of TikTok, it allows brands to let their guard down a bit and create content that may be a little more rough around the edges—which helps them appear to be much more authentic to their audience."

Jessica Tran, founder of @jtmobiledetailing, says 60% of customers choose her car detailing shop because they saw it on TikTok. Jaz and Sam Sears, owners and operators of@aztaco.king, grew their business from a food cart in a parking lot to two restaurants in less than 6 months, due to their success on the app. Megan Gersch, a web designer and brand identity creator, says around half of her client base comes from TikTok, which often turn into 4 to 5-figure contracts.

This positive growth for small biz is commonly attributed to the app’s distinctive features that connect creators with consumers, such as live video streaming, a virality-driven algorithm, and the ability for users to personalize their daily feeds.

In its absence, small business TikTokers would have no choice but to adapt and pivot their marketing strategies, which is not always easy when they’re doing it DIY-style, says Larsson.

“While small businesses may be able to find success on other social media channels, the competition for visibility and engagement is often more intense [than on TikTok], making it harder for them to stand out. The time and effort required to establish a new presence and create content tailored to the specific characteristics of other platforms could be a significant burden on small business owners.”

Small businesses pivoting to other platforms might face different struggles for exposure, due to consumers being very platform-specific, according to Krohne.

"If [TikTok] brands begin to focus their content efforts on Instagram, they’re up against multiple types of content, and competing in a more content-saturated world," Krohne told us. "TikTok mostly has one content offering, and that’s why it’s insanely popular. There’s a difference between platforms. Brands must diversify their content and show up in other places to keep a steady stream of touchpoints to remain top of mind and memorable."

Though Gersch is no stranger to restrategizing, a potential TikTok ban would still impact her business as a web designer and brand creator.

“I've been a marketer for 16+ years, and one thing that I have learned along the way is that you need to constantly test, look at your analytics, and create where the attention is,” says Gersch. “If TikTok goes away, there will be a huge gap in the market that will need to be filled.”

TikTok recognizes the work that small business owners take on in order to find success, which is why the platform has committed $1 million each to the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to elevate entrepreneurship in the Latin community, and Black Girl Ventures to support Black and Brown women entrepreneurs.

“Five million US businesses turn to TikTok to take us inside their world in a fun, authentic way, and as a result, they are reaching new customers, hiring more employees and growing their business,” says Becca Sawyer, Global Head of SMB for TikTok. “By partnering with HHF and BGV and launching virtual workshops, we're strengthening our commitment to build an inclusive and supportive platform where small business owners and entrepreneurs can share their story, find their audience and drive real business results."

We can’t make a solid prediction for the destiny of the beloved app for now, but we do know that it’ll be dearly missed by small businesses and consumers alike if bans (at any capacity) go through.

“I don't want Tiktok to be banned - not only is it an integral part of my business, but I have also been able to connect with so many incredible people that I wouldn't have met otherwise,” says Gersch. “It's my go-to source for inspiration, learning, and even a good laugh.”

Who's in the Happy Place cast?

While we don't have a confirmed cast yet, we're not-so-patiently waiting patiently to see who's attached to this adaption. And there's one star Emily Henry would love to see in the movie.

"For Harriet in Happy Place, I think Eve Hewson would be wonderful," the author told People. "And usually, when I am thinking of casting, I'm not actually thinking of someone who looks like that person. I'm just thinking of someone who has that same vibe. But she actually does look more or less how Harriet is in my head."

Where can I watch Happy Place?

We don't have an official Happy Place release date yet, but the series will be available to stream on Netflix.

What is Happy Place about?

The Happy Place plot follows a couple, Harriet and Wyn, as they navigate their broken relationship. The stories winds over the course of many years: as friends, lovers, fiancées, and now...whatever they are. Every summer, they go to the beach house with their closest friends, but this year they set out for one last hurrah before the beach house is sold.

Their whole friend group thinks they're still together, so they pretend to be together just for a short while just to enjoy one last summer all together. Only...it's harder than you think to pretend you're not in love with someone when you are, in fact, still in love.

Is Happy Place being adapted for the screen?

Emily Henry officially confirmed that Happy Place is being adapted for Netflix. The author wrote in her email newsletter, "Happy Place is going to be a series on Netflix! I’ve been dying to tell you about it forever, and there’s actually A LOT more to share very soon, but since this little bit of news leaked today, I wanted to be the one to FORMALLY tell you."

She goes on to say she's thrilled about the series and even more excited that they've allowed her to be closely involved in the project, so that it can live up to her, and the readers', dream and vision for the book! She said that she wants to make it a series that the fans will love and be happy with. We couldn't be more excited to hear that!

Is Happy Place by Emily Henry going to be a series?

Happy Place will be made into a TV series with Netflix! This is great news, because it works better for the plot for the project to cover multiple episodes. The book has quite a long storyline that develops over many years and many summers in the lives of the main characters, so with flashbacks, it will require more time to delve into their stories.

This makes me so excited as a fan, because I believe this allows them the time to do the story justice, and really develop the relationship and chemistry between the two main characters, Harriet and Wyn, as well as the supporting characters also in the book.

Who's producing Netflix's Happy Place show?

The series will be produced by Netflix and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican production company. This announcement follows multiple deals between Lopez and Netflix, including their latest release of Atlas, which garnered over 72 million views! Plus, JLo is a certifiable rom-com queen, so we know EmHen will be in the best of hands with her!

Who's the showrunner for the Happy Place show?

We can't escape the world of Bridgerton because one of the show's Co-Executive Producers — Leila Cohan — is attached to the Happy Place TV show! She'll be the showrunner and co-writer for the series which means fans of Emily Henry's fun rom-com are in for a treat (via Deadline).

Are there other Emily Henry book adaptations being made?

Beach Read, a beloved Henry best-seller, is being made into a movie! Fans continue to speculate that Paul Mescal and Ayo Edibiri will star in it, especially after Henry said they would be amazing for the roles. Even Paul told Awards Watch he wants to do a romcom with Ayo...so, it's basically meant to be!

People We Meet On Vacationis also getting the movie treatment. The cast will be led by Tom Blyth and Emily Baer, and incredible author, screenplay writer, and rom-com lover Yulin Kuang is set to adapt the script, so that's bound to be a fabulous match!

Finally, we're getting a movie for Book Lovers. According to Us! Weekly, some fans think this is the movie for Ayo and Paul, but we're not convinced. Definitely keeping our eye out for who is cast, though!

We're so excited for the many Emily Henry projects in the works, and pending for the future. Emily Henry said at the end of her newsletter, "I cannot WAIT to tell you more, about this project and others, right here on my grocery list just as soon I’m given the green light. For now, though, I’m back to working on [REDACTED]. Happy reading, my friends."

Yikes, I'm scared and excited all at once, because she has taken over my life. Stay tuned her for further updates on her upcoming projects!