Nothing has made me appreciate the sheer scale and power of targeted advertising like having children. Months before the births of both my kids, it felt like every ad I encountered wanted to sell me baby products. And on seemingly every product were the same two words in bold letters: plant-based.
Tech
Cloud and AWS cost consultant Duckbill expands to software, raises $7.75M for new Skyway platform
“We’ve raised a pile of money, and we’re building a product.”
That’s the characteristically deadpan announcement Wednesday morning from Corey Quinn, the cloud cost consultant who has built a second career, basically, on his sharp and irreverent takes on Amazon Web Services in his popular podcasts and newsletters.
Duckbill, the consulting firm that Quinn co-founded with Mike Julian, is making what amounts to a high-stakes pivot: transforming into a software company with a new platform called Skyway that aims to make cloud spending more predictable for large companies.
The company, based in San Francisco, announced $7.75 million in funding from Heavybit, Uncork Capital, and Encoded Ventures to accelerate product development and grow its 10-person team.
Their contrarian pitch: the cloud cost management sector, commonly known in the industry as FinOps, is fixated on making bills smaller, when the real problem is that nobody can predict what the costs will be next month.
“Finance doesn’t lose sleep over whether your cloud bill is $1 million or $100 million,” Quinn said in a news release. “They lose sleep when it jumps 30% and nobody can explain why.”
Julian, Duckbill’s CEO, said in an interview that the company came to realize that existing cloud cost management tools are built by startups, for startups, for the most part. Many of Duckbill’s large enterprise clients had tried those tools, rejected them, and ended up building their own.
“I have a hypothesis that the people building in FinOps today come from startups and not from enterprise, so they don’t even know many of the problems exist,” Julian said.
Duckbill’s clients, which include companies such as Airtable, Ticketmaster, and New Relic, spend $70 million a year on cloud infrastructure, on average. (Tagline for their consulting business: “Cloud cost management for the nine-figure club.”) That’s well above the $1 million annual minimum that AWS requires for a private pricing contract. At that scale, Julian said, you start to see patterns and problems that don’t exist for smaller companies.
All told, the company says it has negotiated tens of billions of dollars in cloud contracts, giving it unique insights. (“Our schlep is our moat,” reads one of its internal whiteboards.)
Skyway’s first module, called Contract Manager, converts private pricing deals into structured data, validating that customers are getting discounts they negotiated, and projecting spending.
The bigger vision extends well beyond AWS. Duckbill started with a specialization in Amazon’s cloud platform but has expanded into Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Julian said the ultimate goal is to structure spending data across every piece of software and infrastructure a company uses: SaaS tools like Datadog and Snowflake, AI providers like Anthropic and OpenAI, and even legacy data centers for customers still using their own mainframes.
Julian acknowledged that the pivot into software will eventually cannibalize a portion of Duckbill’s consulting business, but said he doesn’t expect it to disappear entirely. Big companies need services, he said, pointing to companies like ServiceNow and CrowdStrike that built major software businesses while maintaining significant services revenue.
The market for cloud cost management technology is crowded, and difficult. The latest casualty: Spokane-area startup Vega Cloud, which entered receivership after raising millions in financing.
But Julian contends that it’s not really one market. Companies like Point5 focus on workload optimization. Others like Finout specialize in cost allocation. He sees Duckbill as doing something different: building financial planning and forecasting software for infrastructure.
Duckbill isn’t using artificial intelligence in its own product yet. This will not surprise anyone familiar with Quinn’s aversion to industry hype. However, by bringing structure to messy spending data, Skyway is positioned to create what Julian calls “AI candy” — clean, labeled information that customers can put to use in their own systems.
At the same time, AI is making it harder to predict cloud costs.
“Cloud spend is already one of the largest and least predictable line items in the enterprise,” said Joseph Ruscio, general partner at Heavybit, one of the firms backing Duckbill’s pivot, in the press release announcing the funding. “AI infrastructure is about to compound that volatility.”
Duckbill currently has 10 employees and plans to grow to 15 by the end of the current quarter and 20 by year-end, with most of the new hires in engineering. The company also hired Jim Moses, who previously worked at AWS as a private pricing negotiator, as director of hyperscaler strategy, essentially putting someone from the other side of the table on their team.
It’s not the first time Quinn and Julian have tried to build a product. In 2022, Duckbill attempted to make the leap from services to software. It was an “abject failure,” as Quinn acknowledged in a video discussion with Julian, released by the company as part of the announcement.
“Turns out that if you just assume you know what customers want and don’t talk to them, you’re gonna go somewhere, but not where you wanted to go,” he said.
In addition to its website, Quinn noted, Duckbill can be reached at 833-AWS-BILL.
“He is not joking,” Julian said.
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Plato, a Berlin-based startup, has raised $14.5 million in seed funding to bring generative AI into wholesale distribution, a massive industry that rarely makes tech headlines but quietly moves a significant share of the world’s goods.
The round was led by Atomico, with Cherry Ventures, Discovery Ventures, and D11Z joining in.
Wholesale distribution accounts for roughly one-fifth of global production flows. Yet much of it still runs on aging ERP systems, Excel spreadsheets, and manual quoting workflows that haven’t meaningfully evolved in years.
While AI has flooded marketing, customer support, and coding, distribution sales teams are often still copy-pasting numbers between systems.
Plato’s thesis is simple: instead of adding another dashboard, embed AI directly into the operational core. The company connects to existing ERP systems and turns historical sales data into automated actions, flagging revenue opportunities, generating quotes, and identifying risks before they surface in quarterly reports.
The idea grew out of lived frustration. Co-founder Benedikt Nolte experienced the inefficiencies firsthand in his family’s distribution business. Generic CRM tools, he concluded, weren’t designed for the complexity of distributor operations. Plato was built specifically for that environment, not retrofitted from SaaS templates designed for startups.
Early traction suggests the industry is paying attention. Plato reportedly works with several large distributors on six-figure contracts, a sign that AI adoption in traditional sectors is less about hype and more about whether it can save time and unlock revenue.
The fresh capital will help Plato expand beyond sales intelligence into areas like procurement and customer service automation, while pushing into new European markets and eventually the U.S.
More broadly, the round highlights a shift in AI investing. The next wave isn’t just about bigger language models; it’s about embedding intelligence into industries that haven’t been rewritten by software yet. Wholesale distribution may not be glamorous, but it is structurally essential. If AI can modernize that layer of the economy, the impact will be far larger than another chatbot demo.
The so-called “millionaires tax” was approved by Washington’s Senate on Monday, advancing a measure that would create a 9.9% tax applied to taxable, personal annual income that exceeds $1 million.
Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this month criticized Senate Bill 6346 for doing too little for small businesses and lower-income residents in the state. The measure passed Monday included changes that made more small businesses eligible for a business and occupation (B&O) tax exemption.
“The proposal is moving in the right direction,” Ferguson said in a statement. “That said, as the process moves forward in the final weeks of the legislative session, we must direct significantly more revenue directly back to hardworking Washington families and small businesses owners. I look forward to our continued partnership to make our state more affordable.”
The measure passed with 27 Democratic lawmakers voting yes. The 22 no votes included three Democrats.
Lawmakers adopted two amendments, including one to repeal a new sales tax expansion on select services that sparked controversy in the tech industry and a lawsuit from Comcast last year. However, the expansion on advertising services would not be repealed as part of the amendment, which would take effect in 2030.
SB 6346 marks the first time in decades that state lawmakers have pursued a personal income tax aimed at high‑income residents. The legislation would go into effect in two years and includes small business and low‑income tax breaks.
The bill has drawn opposition from some tech leaders and entrepreneurs who worry it could undermine the sector by souring Washington’s relatively favorable tax laws for startup founders, investors and high-wage earners.
Supporters of the proposed law argue those fears are overblown and say the bill helps correct the state’s regressive tax code, which relies heavily on property, sales and business taxes to fund education and other public programs.
The bill is expected to generate an estimated $3.7 billion annually.
The action comes as the state is struggling to plug a more than $2 billion budget hole with spending cuts and a slate of potential tax changes, while at the same time some of Washington’s largest employers are cutting thousands of jobs from their payrolls.
SB 6346 would:
- Create a 9.9% tax on household income over $1 million, which is estimated to apply to fewer than 1% of the state’s households.
- Taxpayers receive an exemption for charitable deductions of up to $100,000, which increased from the original bill’s $50,000 deduction.
- Businesses grossing less than $300,000 would be exempt from the tax starting in 2029, which expanded the pool of eligible businesses from the $250,000 cut-off in the original bill. The break would apply to roughly 65% of all businesses.
- An additional B&O surcharge will also be eliminated beginning in 2029.
- Certain personal hygiene items would be exempt from sales tax starting in 2029.
The income tax would be used in part to expand the Working Families Tax Credit, which provides a sales tax rebate for low- to moderate- income families. It also helps fund the public defense system.
“Today was a momentous step forward. For Washington’s 1.1 million school kids, people struggling to afford health care, and small businesses looking for help, that help is on the way,” said bill sponsor and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, in a statement.
Washington is one of nine states that lack an income tax. If approved by lawmakers, the governor said the proposed tax was certain to go before voters for approval and would face legal challenges as well.
Kirby Winfield, founding general partner at Seattle venture capital firm Ascend, is among those against the legislation.
“This tax is just another brick in the wall of anti-entrepreneurialism from state and local legislators. The average Amazon employee probably won’t mind, but this stuff is devastating to company creation,” Winfield told GeekWire earlier this month.
As state leaders look to impose a levy on wages, they’re also working to repeal a recently passed policy that substantially increased Washington’s estate tax and drew criticism from tech leaders. The new proposal, Senate Bill 6347, also passed on Monday, with 38 lawmakers from both parties voting in favor and 11 Democrats voting against the bill.
Democratic leaders backing SB 6347 feared that wealthy residents would leave the state to avoid the tax — which is significantly higher than any other estate tax, the Seattle Times reported.
Pedersen told the Seattle Times that when it comes to taxes, “it’s not good for us to be an outlier.”
Both bills will now be considered by the House of Representatives. This year’s 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end March 12.
RELATED:
- Opinion: Here’s what’s missing from the tax debate in Washington state
- Opinion: ‘Millionaires tax’ threatens Washington’s startup economy — here’s the math to prove it
- Opinion: The ‘millionaires tax’ is not an existential threat to Washington’s startup economy
- Washington’s ‘millionaires tax’ targets top earners as tech leaders warn of startup fallout
I’m not kidding. Diapers, baby wipes, teething rings, bath toys — it’s all plant-based these days. Once I saw the phrase on baby products, I started to notice it everywhere. There are plant-based foods, of course (like Impossible burgers and Beyond sausage). There’s plant-based protein, which is kind of like the plant-based meat only less meaty and now showing up in weird places like breakfast cereal. And once you leave the grocery store, you can find plant-based cosmetics, cleaning products, toothbrushes, sneakers, phone cases, and yoga mats. Don’t forget the plant-based packaging to wrap it all up.
It wasn’t immediately clear to me what plants did to deserve the spotlight here. I knew that plant-based foods tend to be better for people and for the environment. But was the same true for plant-based plastics, fabrics, and chemicals?
Still, as a dad trying to keep my kids from harm, I hoped for the best. I bought the plant-based diapers, wipes, and toys. On their labels, alongside the term “plant-based” were words like “eco” and “food-grade,” which signaled two big things to me as a consumer: safe and sustainable. The vast majority of plastics, for instance, are made from fossil fuels, which are damaging to everyone, and microplastics, the tiny synthetic particles left over as plastic breaks down, are showing up in our water supply and our bodies.
- The “plant-based” label has started showing up on everything from diapers to phone cases in recent years, signaling a product is “safe” and “sustainable” even when there’s no evidence for that.
- The term is essentially unregulated and poorly defined, so “plant-based” products can still contain harmful chemicals.
- Treat “plant-based” as a starting point, not a guarantee. Look for products that are transparent about their ingredients or that have credible certifications, like organic.
On the other hand, I’ve seen how brands prey on consumers’ anxieties and use greenwashing to make them seem healthier and more sustainable. Is the boom in plant-based products more of the same? I decided to find out.
Don’t you dare call it vegan
You can trace the term plant-based back to the early 1980s, when a nutritional biochemist named Thomas Colin Campbell was presenting a paper to the National Institutes of Health research grant committee. It was about the role of nutrition in cancer and the benefits of consuming more vegetables, fruit, and grains, rather than meat, but Campbell thought calling the diet vegetarian would be polarizing to the committee. “My solution was to choose ‘plant-based’ for lack of a better word,” Campbell later wrote. He later expanded the description of the diet to “whole food, plant-based.”
The term slowly entered the mainstream in the decades that followed, but Campbell has said it really took off after the success of his 2005 book The China Study. The book is based on a study of the lifestyles of 6,500 Chinese people and linked plant-based diets to lower rates of cancer. It was only a couple years later that Michael Pollan coined his now famous mantra, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants,” in a New York Times Magazine story that he later adapted into the bestseller The Omnivore’s Dilemma. This is also broadly when we saw the rise of flexitarianism, the diet that’s mostly plants but allows for a little meat or fish.
Plant-based products invaded the grocery store in the 2010s. While labeling something as “vegetarian” or “vegan” might turn some consumers away, the plant-based moniker offered the perfect mix of natural and approachable. After all, who doesn’t like plants? Following a significant rise in the number of new food and drink products labeled as plant-based between 2012 and 2018, the number of plant-based packaged goods increased by 302 percent from 2018 to 2022.
The jump from food to all kinds of consumer products happened for several converging reasons around this time.There was the federal government’s push for more biobased products through the expanded Farm Bill of 2018, as well as the bioplastic industry’s newfound ability to scale up its production. More brands bet on plant-based branding (LEGO released its first plant-based pieces, which were made of sugarcane-based polyethylene, that same year). In 2020, Pampers brought the trend to the mainstream baby market with its Pure diapers, which had plant-based liners.
All of these plant-based products are supposedly engineered to be better in some way. Plant-based cosmetics that are supposed to be better for your skin (although not as good as human-based cosmetics apparently). Plant-based cleaners are supposed to be better for the air quality in your home. Plant-based packaging is supposed to be better for the planet.
The problem is that “plant-based” doesn’t have an agreed-upon definition (nor does “better”), and the label isn’t regulated in any way. When you see something bearing the “certified organic” or “Fair Trade Certified” seal, you know that it’s met a strict set of requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Fair Trade USA, respectively. But there’s nothing stopping a company from slapping “plant-based” on its packaging, just like there are no regulations limiting the use of the terms “natural” or “green.” In 2025, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidance on “plant-based” labeling, but those recommendations are nonbinding.
“I wonder if ‘plant-based’ is a new ‘natural,’ because saying something is natural has obviously been played out,” Josée Johnston, a sociology professor at the University of Toronto, told Vox. “Nobody takes that seriously anymore.”
Plant-based items aren’t necessarily appealing to consumers just because we think they’re good. They also represent the absence of bad. The label makes you believe that because an item isn’t made of conventional plastic, it must be free of the microplastics that might invade your bloodstream and settle into your brain. Surely it won’t take centuries to decompose in a landfill.
But just as products billed as “natural” aren’t necessarily free of artificial ingredients, products marketed as plant-based are full of things that aren’t plants — some of which are quite dangerous. They can include things like PFAS, which are known as forever chemicals because they break down slowly and accumulate in the body, which are linked to serious health problems, like cancer and weakened immune systems among children. Chemicals in plant-based products can also emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are a form of air pollution that can cause respiratory problems in the short term and, in the long term, also cancer.
Plastic that’s plant-based rather than petroleum-based sounds like it would be biodegradable, too. But the most popular bioplastic, known as polylactic acid, or PLA, actually requires specific industrial composting conditions to break down efficiently. In other words, you can’t just dump bioplastics into your backyard compost bin and expect them to fertilize your garden. If you put a PLA-based plastic bottle in your garden, it actually could take centuries to decompose.
Shifting to these plant-based materials can have positive effects. In general, using bioproducts over fossil fuel-based products can help lower emissions and reduce landfill waste, when managed properly. But they also come with climate consequences of their own. For example, growing plants requires less land than livestock, but it still takes up a lot of land. Meanwhile, if bioplastics aren’t composted in a particular way, they act like petroleum-based plastic in landfills and the environment. They don’t break down, but they do produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
None of this necessarily means you should avoid plant-based products. It just takes some extra work to know what’s in them — and what to do with them when you’re done.
How to make sense of plant-based marketing
It’s hard navigating the world while watching it burn. Many people, rightly, want to do their part to make things better, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. When companies offer us products that make us feel better about all kinds of things — our carbon footprint, our health, our safety — they are really selling us a sense of agency. You buy organic produce, because you’re worried about how the conventional stuff was produced. You buy bioplastics, because you think they’re less likely to break down into microplastics. You buy plant-based diapers, because you think the regular ones will harm your baby. Norah MacKendrick, a sociologist at Rutgers, calls this cautious consumerism and says that it’s not a bad thing.
“Americans know, on some level, that the ingredients in the products on their store shelves, from baby food to diapers, haven’t been carefully vetted for their impacts on health — not by any governmental body or by the companies themselves,” she told Vox.
“People do have a sense that the way we’re consuming is not sustainable,” said Johnston, the University of Toronto professor. “They’re more aware of plastics in the environment, plastics in water, and so I think they’re going to be drawn to products that offer them a way out, a way to manage that dissonance and discomfort in everyday life.”
It’s frustrating, then, that the plant-based moniker is functionally useless. The onus is on shoppers, often women, to do the research and figure out which products live up to their implied promise of being healthy or environmentally friendly or simply not as harmful as the conventional thing.
Plant-based products are no panacea. They’re also not necessarily bad products. In terms of measurable impact, however, there’s still a lot we don’t know.
There is a mountain of evidence that plant-based foods are better for the environment. Transitioning everyone from meat-based to plant-based diets, for instance, could reduce diet-related land use by 76 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 percent. Meanwhile, consuming a whole foods, plant-based diet can reduce the risk of heart disease by 25 percent, according to one meta-analysis. Michael Pollan’s mantra holds up.
Things get a bit trickier when it comes to other plant-based products, and even more difficult when it comes to items for babies. When you’re looking at the environmental impact, there’s good evidence that plant-based plastics, which are often made of corn or sugarcane, tend to have a smaller carbon footprint and to be more biodegradable. But that corn or sugarcane has to be grown somewhere, which means using resources like land and water. Plus, as mentioned above, PLAs require industrial processes for proper composting. If you just bury a “compostable” plant-based plastic fork in your backyard, there’s a chance it will decompose about as slowly as petroleum-based plastic. Plant-based plastics may also include additives, including bisphenol A or (BPA) or phthalates, which can disrupt your endocrine system.
Similar patterns pop up when you’re talking about plant-based textiles, beauty products, and cleaners. They’re probably better than their conventional counterparts, but there are caveats. Some “vegan leather,” for instance, might get billed as plant-based but is actually just regular, petroleum-based plastic. (The New York Times called this rebranding “a marketing masterstroke meant to suggest environmental virtue.”) A lot of plant-based fabric is actually man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs), like viscose, rayon, or lyocell, which are energy intensive to produce.
All of these products come with their own set of health concerns. Plant-based textiles can be treated with PFAS for waterproofing (vegan leather is a particularly bad offender). Plant-based cosmetics and cleaners can be made with fragrances and chemicals that emit VOCs. And even though something is plant-based, it could still contain allergens or irritants. We also still don’t fully understand what microplastics are doing to our bodies, but plant-based plastics can get micro-sized, too. Research shows that bioplastics degrade and produce micro- and nanoscale pollution, just like conventional plastics, and they present new problems because we know even less about what they do to humans and to the environment. (If you’re still confused about recycling plastic, which is warranted because it’s confusing, check out this guide.)
You might read all of this and assume everything is awful and dangerous, which is fair. But I look at it as evidence that all products are more complicated than a single ingredient, whether that’s petroleum or corn. It can be intimidating to wade through the alphabet soup of chemicals and certifications to know what’s safe, according to Sheela Sathyanarayana, a pediatrician who runs a lab at Seattle Children’s Hospital studying how chemicals affect children.
“This is very hard at the individual consumer level,“ said Sathyanarayana, who points to the Environmental Working Group as a good resource. “But overall there is not one space that talks both about ecological sustainability and chemical human safety together (that I know of).”
If you’re cautious about how that product may affect the planet, you, or your baby, take a closer look. Seek out companies that not only say they use good ingredients, but also say they avoid harmful ingredients. Here’s a list of brands that claim they avoid PFAS, for example. You can also look for independent certifications, like OEKO-TEX Standard for textiles, as well as government programs, like Safer Choice from the Environmental Protection Agency or BioPreferred from the USDA for authoritative information. Again, the term plant-based is not regulated, so it alone is not a good guide.
I’ll confess, I bought some plant-based diapers from a brand called Dyper. They were billed as non-toxic, chlorine free, charcoal-enhanced, stuffed with wood pulp from responsibly managed forests, and theoretically compostable. The problem was that they were stiff as a board, and they leaked. They also cost more than double what I’d been buying for my kid — roughly a dollar a diaper versus less than 50 cents. If I wanted to compost the dirty diapers, I’d have to bag them up and call for a truck to come pick them up and take them to a special industrial composting facility.
It just shows how much work it takes to be a cautious consumer. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. If you see something’s plant-based, that might catch your attention, but dig into the details to figure out just how good that product is for the environment or for you. If you’re shopping for a baby, you’ll want to be extra careful to look out for certain chemicals, especially phthalates, PFAS, and VOCs. But admittedly, this is especially challenging when it comes to diapers; companies don’t have to list the ingredients in their diapers (except in New York, where it recently became required by law).
In your quest for safe and sustainable products, there is ultimately the option of just buying less stuff or buying secondhand. That’s not an option with disposable diapers, of course, but it’s a great course of action when it comes to clothes, furniture, and home goods.
When all else fails, try buying something that’s completely, verifiably natural. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot more natural rubber baby products. There are teethers, bath toys, and pacifiers. Natural rubber is just tree sap, so it seems safe enough. Natural rubber can also grow mold, however. If only anything could be simple.
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Portable Bluetooth speakers have become an easy default for listening away from your desk or living room. They’re the kind of tech you grab without thinking, whether you’re heading outside, cleaning the house or packing for a weekend away. The best portable options manage to sound bigger than they look, delivering clear audio without weighing down your bag.
Battery life and durability matter just as much as sound quality now. Many modern speakers are built to survive splashes, dust and the occasional drop, while still offering quick pairing and stable connections. Some are designed for solo listening, others are meant to fill a space with music and keep going for hours.
We’ve tested a wide mix of portable Bluetooth speakers to see which ones are actually worth carrying around. Whether you want something small and simple or a speaker that can anchor a get-together, these are the models that stood out.
Quick Overview
Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $50 to $200
Soundcore
Features: Built-in carrying loop | Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 9.3 ounces | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
If you’re looking to spend as little as possible and get a speaker that will free you from using your smartphone to blast out tunes, the Soundcore Select 4 Go is a good option. It has decent sound quality for a speaker its size, and it’s loud enough to fill a standard-sized living room, bedroom or desk area outside. You can even pair two of them together to get bigger sound, too. It’s IP67 water- and dustproof, and it’s designed to float so it can handle an accidental dunk in the pool without any issue. And with a battery life of 20 hours, it’ll provide music for the entirety of your next party without breaking a sweat. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
JBL
Features: Built-in carrying loop | Battery life: Up to 7 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 0.4 pound | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
JBL made a handy, convenient little speaker in the Go 4. It gets decently loud and doesn’t sound too distorted at those higher volumes. Will it stand up to more expensive speakers on this list in terms of sound quality? No, but it sound good for its size, which is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Made in part with recycled materials, the Go 4 is IP67 water- and dustproof, and you can pair two of these speakers together to get an even wider sounstage. — V.P.
Photo by Jon Turi / Engadget
Features: Built-in power bank to charge other devices | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 1 pound | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
If you’re just looking for a small Bluetooth speaker that can kick out some decent volume, the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 fits the bill. The audio quality here is fine; it doesn’t stand out in terms of fidelity, but the volume you get from this affordable little speaker is what makes it a good choice. If you’re bopping about outdoors on your bike or chilling in the park, it’s usually more about portability and volume anyway. The rubbery rear strap works well on relatively thin things like belts, backpacks and bike handlebars.
While it’s small and affordable, this mini speaker features a USB-C charging port for your devices in a pinch and you can wirelessly connect two of them for party mode or stereo sound. It also supports voice assistants for both iOS and Android users, and if you want to take calls on your phone via speakerphone, that’s easy to do as well.
Soundcore
Features: IPX7 waterproof, custom EQ settings using companion app | Battery life: Up to 13 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 1.9 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IPX7)
Soundcore has been releasing some very able speakers lately and one of its newest is a quality personal portable. The Motion 300 is of the pint-sized variety, but offers 30-watts of punchy and bright output. It’s IPX7 rated so it can handle a bit of water, and it works with the Anker Soundcore app that allows a fair amount of customization from EQ settings to button brightness. It also supports hi-res audio using the LDAC codec for Android users with a compatible device.
The Motion 300’s size and frequency range don’t quite allow for a ton of bass, but it’s relatively loud and thumpy, especially when it has surfaces to reflect off of. Soundcore has even extended its high-frequency range to 40kHz, and while its utility is debatable, the Motion 300 does sound crisp in the high-end spectrum. You can also enable adaptive audio, which helps optimize its sound delivery depending on the speaker orientation (on its back, standing up or hanging from its removable button-fastened strap).
The speaker’s design merges a funky style with office-machine chic, from the playfully speckled soft touch exterior to the metallic, logo-emblazoned grille. Its 1.7-pound weight and clutch-purse size makes it better as a handheld or stowed in your bag rather than hanging from a backpack or bike handlebars. Ultimately, you get great sound in a small package with features you can tweak to your liking, all at an approachable $80 price tag.
Ultimate Ears
Features: IP67-rated design, support for stereo pairing | Battery life: Up to 14 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 1.2 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
The latest version of a previous pick (the Wonderboom 3), the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a tiny yet powerful portable that can deliver big sound. It’s still a cute, barrel-shaped small speaker with a nubby little strap that probably needs a carabiner to help attach it to most things. It offers up to 14 hours on a single change, and underneath, you can easily access the protected USB-C port whenever you need to refill. With an IP67 rating on top of the company’s five-foot drop test durability, it can go with you almost anywhere and survive to tell the tale.
Although there’s no app support or connectivity with the rest of the Ultimate Ears speaker lineup, you can easily pair it with other UE speakers for stereo sound. There’s also an outdoor mode button on the bottom that boosts the mid and high range to help the audio carry over a greater distance — perfect for when you need a compact party speaker that still delivers the best sound possible in its class.
Photo by Jon Turi / Engadget
Features: IPX7 waterproof, custom EQ settings using companion app | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 2.3 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IPX7)
This nondescript wedge of a wireless speaker could easily slip under your radar, but it’s worth a listen. It has a bright and bassy output, which is helped along by Qualcomm aptX support for hi-res audio. This Anker Soundcore device has a solid, slightly heavy build with a metal front speaker grille, a soft-touch rubberized exterior (that loves your greasy fingerprints) and IPX7 water resistance. While it’s not the lightest or most portable, it has good sound, especially for the price. Plus the app offers EQ customization, so you can fine tune to your liking.
There’s also a 3.5mm aux input for wired connections. You can use it as a speakerphone when taking calls as well, or easily play music from your devices. That’s fortuitous, as we found that this small speaker works well as a mini soundbar alternative and the wired input offers a foolproof connection. Aside from that, you can easily charge the Motion+ thanks to its standard USB-C charging port and it should last up to 12 hours on a single charge.
JBL
Features: IP68-rated design, support for stereo pairing | Battery life: Up to 16 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 1.2 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP68)
We considered the JBL Flip 6 the best JBL speaker for most people (you can still find it available online), and the JBL Flip 7 only improves upon the previous model. Sound quality is solid from lows to highs, even with the volume up at high registers. The cylindrical shape works well on its side or even standing on its end to save desk space. It has a capable carrying (or hanging) strap and raised buttons you can discern in the dark.
The JBL Portable app gives you a 3-band EQ to customize the sound profile if desired and if you have two Flip 7 speakers, you can run them as a stereo pair. If you happen to have a mix-and-match assortment of different PartyBoost-enabled JBL devices, you can connect multiple speakers for a bigger sound. And with a USB-C charging port, it’s a versatile device that’s easy to take with you on the move.
Bose
Features: Built-in mic for assistant support and phone calls, IP67-rated design | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Assistant support: Google Assistant, Siri | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Wireless range: 30 feet | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
While the $119 Bose SoundLink Micro is half the size, we found that it’s definitely worth the extra $30 if you trade up to the SoundLink Flex. While it’s still not a room filler, the speaker offers some bright, dynamic finesse to your tunes, along with a significant amount of bass for its size. It’s similar to the scale of a small clutch bag, with a very small strap for carabiner-type hanging. Much of the exterior is sheathed in soft-touch silicone, except for the powder-coated steel speaker grilles. Like others in this range, the speaker is IP67 rated so it can handle the elements and sound good doing it.
Setup and connecting to the speaker should be done from within the aptly named Bose Connect app. You can also turn off voice prompts (which can become annoying) and pair with similar speakers for either party mode or stereo.
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
Read our full Beats Pill review
Features: IP67 waterproof, lossless audio over USB-C | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Assistant support: Yes | Weight: 1.5 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
The new Pill has impressive bass performance due to the company’s decision to increase the size of the woofer rather than keep its previous arrangement that included two smaller ones. The speaker struggles at its loudest volumes, but it’s plenty loud enough well below that. The IP67 rating is more rugged than the Pill+ and over 24 hours of battery life will keep the tunes going for a long time. Plus, there’s lossless audio over USB-C and the ability to top off your phone or earbuds with the speaker’s battery.
This is a solid choice for anyone seeking crisp clarity with true low-end thump if a track demands it. The addition of lossless is also nice for times you’d like a little more quality in your tunes. And you can also put two Pills together for bigger sound or use them as a stereo pair. — Billy Steele, Senior Reporter
Marshall
Features: IP67-rated design, support for stereo pairing | Battery life: Up to 30 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 0.26 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: No
The Emberton III Bluetooth portable from Marshall continues to iterate on a design we’ve loved for a while. This clutchable rectangular slab has a max output of 20 watts to deliver the brand’s signature sound. It may not be the loudest in its size range, but it focuses more on balanced output than raw power. There’s still 360 sound as well, making it a good companion for small get togethers.
The latest model has more than 32 hours of battery life and a rugged IP67 rating. There’s also a built-in microphone, so you can use it to take calls while you’re getting ready for the day or chilling out in the backyard.
JBL
Features: Built-in power bank to charge other devices, IP68-rated design, support for stereo pairing | Battery life: Up to 28 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 2.2 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP68)
If you’re willing to spend a little more for bigger sound and more hours of battery life, the midrange JBL Charge 6 is a great upgrade over the Flip 6 or Flip 7. It has the same bright output and capable low end, but in a slightly larger package. If you’re looking for a smallish portable speaker, but something capable enough to entertain a few guests, this works.
Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $200 to $450
Ultimate Ears
Read our full UE Everboom review
Features: Waterproof, 360-degree audio, Outdoor Boost | Battery life: 20 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 2.11 pounds | USB-C charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
The Everboom is a decent mid-range option in the Ultimate Ears lineup. The best features are its high durability and Outdoor Boost for better sound outside. You’ll get loud, 360-degree audio, but like a lot of UE speakers, there’s a lack of overall fidelity due to subdued mid-range tone. There’s plenty to like here, especially if you’re looking for something to take on an adventure that won’t weigh you down too much. The price is, however, a bit on the high side with the limited suite of features. But, all of the basics, and slightly more, are covered. Plus, it floats! — B.S.
Photo by Jon Turi / Engadget
Features: IP67-rated design, support for stereo pairing | Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 3.9 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: No
Marshall launched the Middleton in January 2023 and positioned it as the new flagship for its portable Bluetooth speaker line. It’s the largest of the company’s IP67 rugged portables (measuring 4.3 x 9 x 3.75 inches) and offers a significantly louder output, with 50-watts of 360-degree sound. There are dual woofers and tweeters for the front and back, with passive radiators along each side. It also offers Stack Mode, which lets you pair with any other Middleton, Emberton II or Willen speakers nearby to expand your listening experience.
The Middleton can be managed through the Marshall Bluetooth app, but it also includes most of those same controls on the top. There’s a Bluetooth button (which doubles as the Stack Mode control) and a multi-use joystick for power on/off, volume control and track selection (forward or back). You also get bass and treble controls, which are a welcome addition and a first for one of Marshall’s speakers without physical knobs.
It has that traditional Marshall look, made with a soft-touch exterior composed of 55-percent post-consumer recycled plastic and is 100-percent PVC free. It also has a carry strap you can easily fit your hand through. Any dust, dirt or prints on the outside can be scrubbed off with a damp cloth, and even the exposed USB-C and 3.5mm input port components are waterproofed. That USB-C port can be used to recharge the speaker, or power up your other devices with its 9,600mAh battery.
Of course audio purists should know that it only supports SBC, but the sound quality is still top notch for most people. And while Marshall devices are usually priced at a slight premium, the good sound quality and decent low-end capability definitely makes this model worth checking out.
JBL
Features: IP67-rated design| Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 4.6 pounds | USB charging: Yes | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IP67)
If you’ve enjoyed any of the smaller JBL speakers out there and are willing to spend a bit more, the Xtreme 4 is a good all-around choice. It’s big enough to warrant a shoulder strap, but still only about the size of a football. When we tested the previous version, the Xtreme 3, we found it to have pleasant dynamic sound, with hefty lows and a lively high end that seems slightly better balanced at this size than the smaller options from JBL in this range.
This is easily a favorite if you want something under $400 with a little more gusto than your average portable, but still being IP67 weatherproof. It has enough output to breathe life into a small soiree or backyard hang, although while it’s quite loud, it’s best when it’s close by or indoors where the bass can resonate to its fullest.
Best portable Bluetooth speakers: $450 and higher
Photo by Jon Turi / Engadget
Features: IPX2-rated design, support for multi-host functionality | Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 10.8 pounds | USB charging: No | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IPX2)
If you didn’t know about Marshall’s history in amplifiers and rock music, the design should clue you in. The Tufton is the largest portable Bluetooth speaker from the company, looking much like an amp itself (as do most of them). It has physical knobs at the top and a carry strap to help move it about. While it may appear as rugged as concert gear, it’s less impervious to the elements as some with just an IPX2 rating, so it’s protected from light splashes from above.
Whether or not you’re a fan of the brand, the rich and distinctly thumping output may make you one. We felt pulled into the sound while listening to the Tufton, a bit more than most other speakers we tested at this scale. It’s dynamic, warm and, dare we say, analog in its audio presence. It’s also multi-directional with a supplemental driver on the back along with a bass port.
There’s no app to adjust the EQ, just the physical controls including a Bluetooth connect button, a power/volume knob and two for bass and treble. Once powered on, you can use the volume knob to set a max headroom and adjust volume on the fly from your source. The bass and treble knobs help you choose the tone of your adventure, from a purely flat soundscape to an enhanced one. We just wish you could see the dial indicators in the dark. Other features include aptX support and quick-charge capabilities that provide four hours of listening time in just 20 minutes, plus great standby battery life.
Photo by Jon Turi / Engadget
Features: IPX4-rated design, support for multi-host functionality | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Assistant support: None | Weight: 13 pounds | USB charging: No | Waterproof: Water‑resistant (IPX2)
The UE Hyperboom is an all-arounder with good looks, portability, plenty of connectivity options and a loud and punchy (albeit compressed) output. The technical fabric exterior (which now includes a white option) lets it live among your furniture without screaming “party box,” while the optical input offers a possible TV speaker alternative. The large capacitive buttons on top let anyone adjust the volume, pause or play the music and select from two concurrent Bluetooth connections or a hardwired input (3.5mm or optical). On the edge with the silicone carrying handle there are the wired ports, plus one for charging USB devices and another for power. You can expect to get up to 24 hours of battery life, and the Hyperboom is good at holding a charge on standby.
This capable and loud (roughly 100dB) speaker will please most people as long as the party is of primary concern over fidelity. The ability to remotely power your device on or off using the UE app is also a welcome feature. Plus you can easily expand the sound to other Ultimate Ears Boom speakers (except Wonderboom) using the PartyUp feature. The IPX4 rating means a few spilled drinks won’t hassle it, but it’s not the best Bluetooth speaker choice for all-weather adventures.
Factors to consider in a portable Bluetooth speaker
Weather-proofing
IP ratings (Ingress Protection) are the alphanumeric indicators you often see in a product’s spec sheet that define water and dust resistance. It’s usually a combo of two numbers with the first indicating solid object ingress and the second being water. The former goes from 0 (no protection) to 6 (dustproof). The water-resistance rating goes from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protected against immersion and high pressure jets). When an X is used instead of a number, that means the product wasn’t tested for resistance. If it’s a waterproof speaker, it may have some innate resistance to solids, but there’s no guarantee.
IP67 is a common rating these days indicating highly resistant and potentially rugged speakers often featured in audio products like outdoor speakers. These are safe for quick dunks in the pool or tub and should be more than OK in the rain or in the shower. They’re also good options for the beach, playground and other rough environs.
Additionally, speakers with ports and a high rating will often include a tight-fitting cover over the charging or auxiliary ports. If you plan on using the ports, that may limit the product’s rated ability to fend off the elements.
When looking for the best portable Bluetooth speaker, consider the IP rating and also how you plan to use your Bluetooth speaker when making your decision. It may be worth splurging on a better sounding model with a lower IP rating if you’ll mostly be using it indoors, for instance.
Battery life
The focus of this guide is on the best portable speakers, and while “portable” can be a relative term, these devices are generally for people who are likely to find themselves far from a power outlet. These days, around 12 hours of playtime seems to be the baseline but obviously, the more battery life you can get out of a speaker, the better, especially if you plan to listen to podcasts or music on the go.
That said, be careful when looking at battery specs, as they frequently list a maximum runtime (“up to” x amount of hours). This usually means they tested at a low to mid volume. If you like your tunes loud with punchy bass, it can often end up cutting the expected usage time in half or more. Luckily, some manufacturers also list the expected hours of battery life when used at full volume and that transparency is appreciated. Bear in mind, however, that not all of the best Bluetooth speakers use the same charging port. Some support USB-C charging, while others use micro-USB, and some may even come with an adapter for added convenience.
Additionally, if your audio system or mini Bluetooth speaker also happens to have Wi-Fi connectivity, they’re usually designed for always-on functionality. Unlike normal Bluetooth speakers that go to sleep after a short period without use, these will usually stay awake (to listen for your commands) and slowly run down the battery. If you’re out and about, you’ll want to remember to turn these speakers off manually when not in use to maximize battery life.
Range
Bluetooth 5 offers better range and more reliable connectivity than its predecessors, making it a great feature to look for in the best Bluetooth speaker. That said, Bluetooth range can still be tricky. Some companies list their product’s longest possible range, usually outdoors and in an unobstructed line-of-sight test environment. Other companies stick with a 30-foot range on the spec sheet and leave it at that, even though they may be running Bluetooth 4.x or 5.x. That’s likely underselling the speaker’s potential, but unpredictable environments can affect range and there’s little point in promising the moon only to get complaints.
I’ve seen signal drop issues when crouching down, with my phone in the front pocket of my jeans, and barely 30 feet away from a speaker inside my apartment. I ran into this issue across several devices regardless of their listed Bluetooth connectivity range.
If you’re hosting a patio party and duck inside, it’s wise to keep any wireless Bluetooth speakers relatively close by just in case. It’s hard to gauge what aspects of any environment may interfere with a Bluetooth signal. In general, take range specs around 100 feet or more as a perfect-world scenario.
Latency
This is a minor mention for those out there who use a speaker for their computer output, or as a mini Bluetooth soundbar solution for setups like a monitor and streaming box. It’s annoying to find that your speaker’s latency isn’t low enough to avoid lip sync issues. Luckily, it seems that most speakers these days don’t often have these problems. Only a handful of the few dozen speakers I tried had persistent, noticeable lip-sync issues. Aside from occasional blips, all of our picks worked well in this regard.
If you plan to frequently use a speaker for video playback, look for devices with the most recent Bluetooth 5 technology and lower latency codecs like aptX. Also make sure the speaker is close to the source device as distance can be a factor. To avoid the issue altogether, though, consider getting one with a wired auxiliary input.
Extra features
Some speakers don’t just play music — they bring the party to life with built-in LED light effects and a full-on light show that syncs to your music. If you love a bit of visual flair with your tunes, it’s worth checking out models that offer LED light customization options.
Sound quality also plays a huge role in picking the right speaker. The best Bluetooth speaker should deliver a balanced mix of punchy bass, clear highs and strong vocals. Many models also include customizable sound modes that let you tweak the EQ to better suit different genres — whether you’re blasting EDM, listening to a podcast, or just want a more immersive experience that would impress even an audiophile.
If aesthetics matter, many models come in a tiny size that makes them extra portable, with plenty of color options to match your personal style. Whether you want a sleek black speaker or a vibrant eye-catching design, there are plenty of choices to fit your vibe.
Other portable Bluetooth speakers we tested
Sonos Roam
While there’s a lot to like about the Sonos Roam, there are plenty of other Bluetooth speakers with more features and better battery life. In our review, we gave the Roam a score of 87, praising it for its good sound quality, durable waterproof design and ability to work well within an existing Sonos speaker ecosystem. But the price is just fine at $180, and we found Bluetooth speakers that offer more at lower price points. Plus, the Roam taps out at 10 hours of battery life, and all of our top picks can run for longer than that on a single charge.
Monoprice Soundstage3
The Monoprice Soundstage3 offers relatively big sound at a midrange $250 price, with a variety of inputs rarely found on a portable Bluetooth speaker. The boxy, minimalist design is no nonsense, even if it’s more of a less-rugged, bookshelf-styled homebody. While the speaker puts out crisp highs alongside booming lows, we found the bass can overpower the rest of the output, so it’s not for everyone. And after using the speaker for many months, we also found the low-slung, poorly labeled button panel along the top can be a bit annoying to use. If you want a speaker for road trips, favor mids and highs, and plan on using physical buttons for volume control and input selections, there are better options out there.
JBL Boombox 3
Fans of JBL’s bluetooth speaker sound profile who want to crank up the volume, but also want a rugged and portable option, may enjoy the JBL Boombox 3. It’s a decent grab-and-go speaker with a very loud output, although it’s not as good as some of the loud-speaker styled options for long-throw sound and big outdoor areas. However, the price for this speaker line remains prohibitively expensive compared to other options with big sound that cover a bit more ground. If the JBL brand is your thing and you like the rugged, portable form factor, we recommend looking for discounts, or shopping around and exploring the available options including the (less portable) JBL PartyBox series.
Soundcore Motion X500
Soundcore speakers have generally been good and often reasonably priced. The Motion X500 loosely falls into that category. It has a tall, metallic lunchbox vibe with a fixed handle and pumps out a respectable 40 watts of crisp, clear sound for its size. It can get pretty loud and serves up a good dose of bass, although its primarily a front-facing speaker.
There’s LDAC hi-res audio support for Android users, but the main selling point on this is spatial audio. This is done through an EQ change and the activation of a small, up-firing driver. There’s a slight benefit from this if you’re up close and directly in front of it, but it’s not a total game changer for your listening experience. The original pre-order price of $130 made it a decent option in terms of bang for your buck. But it went up to $170 at launch, making it less appealing even if it’s still a good middle-of-the-road option if you want small-ish, clear and loud. If you can find one on sale for the lower price, it’s definitely worth considering. There’s also the larger and louder X600 ($200) if the overall concept is working for you.
Portable Bluetooth speaker FAQs
How does a Bluetooth speaker work?
Bluetooth technology lets devices connect and exchange data over short distances using ultra high frequency (UHF) radio waves. It’s the frequency range that’s carved out for industrial, scientific and medical purposes, called the 2.4GHz ISM spectrum band. This range is available worldwide, making it easy for companies to use with devices for global markets.
Bluetooth speakers include this tech, which lets them communicate with source devices like smartphones, tablets or computers in order to exchange data. The two devices pair by sharing a unique code and will work within the proscribed range for the device and Bluetooth version.
Ever since Bluetooth 4.0 was released over a decade ago, new iterations usually improve on range, use less power and offer expanded connectivity with features like multipoint (allowing more than one device to be connected at the same time, for instance).
Who should buy a Portable Bluetooth speaker?
If you want to play music while you’re out-and-about on something other than headphones, a portable Bluetooth speaker is probably what you want. There’s a broad range of devices for all types of circumstances. Many adventurous people will want a relatively lightweight portable that’s rugged enough to handle the elements while also packing enough charge to play for hours on end. Others may simply need a speaker they can move around the house or use in the backyard. In this case, you can choose larger less rugged models that may offer better sound.
Photo credit: NASA | Zena Cardman
As night falls over the Arabian Sea and India’s west coast, something remarkable happens. The fishing boats turn on their bright green lights to attract squid, shrimp, sardines, and mackerel, with the glowing dots lighting up the black waters. From the dock or the beach, it’s just a normal sight, a bunch of ships doing their thing long after the sun has set, but up in the International Space Station, 259 miles above the earth, those same lights transform into brilliant streaks and bursts of color that compete with city lights for attention and, in some cases, appear much brighter than entire cities.
Astronaut Zena Cardman was in control of the camera during routine Crew Earth Observations. This is an initiative that has taken hundreds of thousands of photos of what we’re doing on Earth and how the planet is changing. What you see is a sea of dark water, with these bright green streaks emerging where all the boats are concentrating their efforts. On land, city lights give a gentle yellowish glow. The contrast is startling between these clean small blobs of light on the ocean and the spreading mass of city lights.
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The reason boats use green lights in the first place is that artificial light attracts many aquatic species. They approach it because they believe there is food there, or because they are simply interested. That is precisely what the fisherman are depending on. So, at night, when visibility is limited and the fish are swimming near the surface, fishermen may see them and catch more. When a group of boats lights up the sea at the same moment, it resembles a collection of small villages floating on the water. Each boat is a sharp little point, but when combined, they form long, bright streaks that depict the boats traveling over the water.
The @Space_Station rarely makes big changes to its orientation, but we were lucky to experience such maneuvers (flipping around to fly butt-first, then flipping back again) before and after each @spacex CRS-33 reboost. This 60x speed timelapse was one of my favorites since it… pic.twitter.com/7IsZnb1G7G
— Zena Cardman (@zenanaut) February 17, 2026
City lights, on the other hand, present a very different story since they show us where the roads, buildings, homes, and industries are. It’s really evident from orbit. Cities sprawl along beaches and down into valleys, emitting a single, continuous glow. In contrast, fishing lights remain out at sea. They are usually lines or curves of light that follow the best fishing spots. The green tint of the boat lights is another feature that makes them stick out, as it is not a color commonly seen while looking down at streetlights and buildings.
As India pitches itself as a global hub for applied artificial intelligence, OpenAI has partnered with Pine Labs to integrate AI-driven reasoning into the fintech firm’s payments stack, automating settlement and invoicing workflows in a move the companies say could help accelerate AI-led commerce in India.
The partnership will see Pine Labs embed OpenAI’s application programming interfaces — software tools that let companies plug AI into their existing systems — within its payments and commerce infrastructure, the companies said on Thursday, all with the aim of enabling AI-assisted settlement, reconciliation, and invoicing workflows.
The deal underscores OpenAI’s broader push to expand its footprint in India, one of its fastest-growing markets, as it looks to move beyond being known primarily as the maker of ChatGPT and embed its technology into education, enterprise, and infrastructure. Earlier this week, OpenAI partnered with leading Indian engineering, medical, and design institutions to bring AI tools into higher education, betting that India’s large developer base and more than a billion internet users will play a central role in the next phase of AI adoption.
Pine Labs is already using AI internally to automate parts of its settlement and reconciliation process, cutting the time it takes to clear daily settlements from hours to minutes, according to Chief executive B Amrish Rau. The Noida-based company previously relied on manual checks by dozens of employees to process funds from multiple banks before markets opened each day, a workflow that is now largely handled by AI-driven systems, he said in an interview.
For Pine Labs, the partnership is intended to extend those AI-driven efficiencies beyond internal operations to merchants and corporate clients, starting with business-to-business use cases such as invoice processing, settlements and payments orchestration, Rau told TechCrunch. He noted the company sees faster adoption in B2B workflows, where AI agents can handle large volumes of repetitive financial tasks under predefined rules, before similar capabilities reach consumer-facing payments.
“People talk about retail AI, but the bigger impact of all of this is really efficiency improvement, especially in B2B,” Rau said. “If you look at invoicing and settlement, those are workflows where agents can actually drive the process end to end, and that’s where adoption can happen faster.”
The rollout of more autonomous, agent-led payment workflows will move faster in overseas markets where regulations already allow such transactions, Rau said, while India is likely to see a more gradual adoption focused on AI-assisted commerce rather than fully agent-initiated payments. He said that Pine Labs is already prototyping agent-driven payments in parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia, even as Indian regulations require tighter controls on how payments are authorized.
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For OpenAI, the partnership offers a route deeper into India’s payments and enterprise ecosystem as it looks to move beyond consumer-facing tools and embed its models into high-volume, regulated workflows. Rau said the collaboration is aimed at increasing merchant stickiness and expanding Pine Labs’ role from a payments processor to a broader commerce platform, with higher transaction volumes over time translating into incremental revenue.
Pine Labs says it works with more than 980,000 merchants, 716 consumer brands, and 177 financial institutions, and has processed over 6 billion cumulative transactions valued at over ₹11.4 trillion (about $126 billion), per its prospectus published last year. The fintech operates across 20 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, parts of Africa, the UAE, and the U.S., giving the OpenAI partnership reach across both Indian and international markets.
Rau said the partnership does not involve revenue sharing between the two companies, with Pine Labs not taking a cut if its merchants choose to embed OpenAI’s tools. “We’ve kept it completely independent of each other — anything related to payment and payment services, we will get the benefit of it, and anything related to OpenAI revenues will go to them,” he said.
The arrangement, Rau added, is also non-exclusive. He compared it to OpenAI’s partnership with Stripe in the U.S. and said Pine Labs remains open to working with other AI providers.
Rau said Pine Labs is building additional security and compliance layers around AI-driven workflows to ensure that sensitive merchant and consumer transaction data remains protected, as the company integrates AI more deeply into its payments systems. He said the focus is on ensuring transactions remain secure and compliant even as more workflows are automated by AI.
Pine Labs’ interest in AI-driven commerce builds on earlier work through its Setu unit, which has experimented with agent-led bill payment experiences using chatbots including ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. Separately, India also began piloting consumer payments directly through AI chatbots last year.
The new announcement comes as India hosts its AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where global AI companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are showcasing their latest capabilities alongside Indian startups demonstrating AI applications aimed at large-scale deployment across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education.
India’s digital payment platforms process trillions of dollars a year through UPI, the government-built real-time payments rail that handles more than 90% of all payment transactions in the country, but one of their largest net revenue line items is not a payment product at all: it’s a cheap plastic speaker that sits on a shopkeeper’s counter and reads out incoming payments aloud.
The roughly 23 million soundboxes deployed across India earn about $220 million a year in rental fees, more than every explicitly UPI-linked revenue line in the ecosystem combined, according to estimates from Bernstein. Each device costs $7-12 to manufacture and earns its platform $7-10 a year in rent. A story adds: PhonePe processes about 48% of all UPI transactions in India. Its net payment processing revenue in H1 FY26 was about $83 million. Its device revenue was about $34 million. Running nearly half of India’s real-time payment infrastructure earns PhonePe only 2.4 times what it makes from renting speakers to shopkeepers.
Google has just announced its latest affordable Pixel, but how does it compare to last year’s?
As 2025’s Pixel 9a saw a dramatic change over its predecessors, on paper the new Pixel 10a seems like more of a tweak rather than a complete overhaul. In fact, the Pixel 10a uses the exact same Tensor G4 chip as last year’s affordable smartphone.
With that in mind, what’s really new with the Pixel 10a? Are there enough differences to warrant an upgrade over the Pixel 9a?
Ahead of our review, we’ve compared the specs of the Pixel 10a to the Pixel 9a and highlighted the key differences, alongside any noteworthy similarities, below. Keep reading to see what’s new with the Pixel 10a and whether it stands a chance at overtaking the Pixel 9a in our best mid-range phones guide.
Price and Availability
At the time of writing, the Pixel 10a is available for pre-order and will officially launch on March 5th. It comes in a choice of four colours, Lavender, Berry, Fog and Obsidian, and has a starting RRP of £499/$499.
SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10208265
Having launched in 2025, the Pixel 9a can be purchased now and has an official RRP of £499/$499. Having said that, as it’s nearly a year old, we not only expect its RRP to drop in the coming weeks, but you can also easily pick up the handset with a hefty price drop. For example, at the time of writing the Pixel 9a was available to buy on Google’s official store from just £349.
SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207452
Both run on Google Tensor G4
In a somewhat disappointing move by Google, instead of kitting the Pixel 10a with the same Tensor G5 chip found in the rest of the Pixel 10 line-up, the brand has opted to reuse the Tensor G4 chip from the Pixel 9 series instead. Now generally speaking, this is something that brands tend to do with budget-friendly alternatives to their flagship models, however this isn’t something that Google does.
The Pixel 9a, Pixel 8a, Pixel 7a and even the Pixel 6a all ran on the same chip that powered the entirety of each respective series – including the Pro model. With this in mind, Google’s decision to reuse last year’s chip is undoubtedly a shame.
Having said that, it’s worth noting that we still found the Pixel 9a’s performance to be admirable. While Google Tensor chips can never compete with the sheer gusto of Qualcomm or Apple’s flagship chips, the Pixel 9a still allows you to open apps, play casual games and stream without any hint of lag or stutter. With this in mind, we hope for the same level of performance in the Pixel 10a, but you could argue that if it’s the same chip why not save a bit of money and opt for the older phone?
Google Pixel 10a features Satellite SOS
Satellite SOS enables Pixel users to connect to emergency services via satellite if they find themselves without Wi-Fi or a mobile network. While the feature is found in most of the Pixel 9 series, it’s not available in the Pixel 9a. Instead, the Pixel 10a is the first A-Series to sport Satellite SOS.
It’s a shame the Pixel 9a doesn’t benefit from Satellite SOS, as it really could be a life-saving feature if users find themselves in an emergency situation but without any network connection.
Both the Pixel 10a and Pixel 9a are fitted with a dual rear camera system and include a 48MP main and a 13MP ultrawide lens. Considering we praised the Pixel 9a as being a “fantastic little snapper” that delivers exceptionally accurate results, the fact Google hasn’t made changes with the Pixel 10a is somewhat understandable. Even so, this decision makes the Pixel 10a harder to recommend when compared to the cheaper Pixel 9a.
However, Google has introduced some of its photo tools to the Pixel 10a which the Pixel 9a misses out on. These include Auto Best Take which helps ensure everyone in a group shot looks their best and Camera Coach. The latter was introduced with the Pixel 10 and uses Gemini to analyse what you’re taking a photo of and your current snapping conditions and gives you advice on how to perfect the shot.
Whether the inclusion of such tools is enough to warrant the Pixel 10a is down to personal preference. Even so, we would argue that although they’re undoubtedly nice to have, they shouldn’t be the sole reason you upgrade.
Pixel 10a promises up to 120-hours of battery with Extreme Saver
While the Pixel 9a promises up to 100-hours battery life when Extreme Battery Saver is switched on, the Pixel 10a claims a massive 120-hours instead. Both figures sound impressive but do keep in mind that Extreme Battery Saver will pause most apps and notifications, slow processing and turn off many features, which means your handset won’t be quite as usable.
Google also promises the Pixel 10a has faster charging than the Pixel 9a, with speeds of up to 30W compared to just 23W. It’s an improvement at least, but 30W is still way behind many of the best mid-range phones.
Pixel 10a is made with more recycled materials
Google claims the Pixel 10a is made with the “most recycled material of any A-series Pixel yet”, including recycled cobalt, copper, gold and tungsten. These, according to Google, add up to at least 36% of the product based on weight. In comparison, although the Pixel 9a is also made from recycled materials, they only make up at least 23%.
Otherwise, both the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a have an IP68 rating which means they can survive a dunking in water and have Gorilla Glass displays. However, the Pixel 10a does benefit from the newer Gorilla Glass 7i coating which is also found in the Motorola Edge 70 and promises to be up to two times more scratch resistant than its nearest competitors.
The Pixel 9a, on the other hand, uses Gorilla Glass 3 on its display which first launched back in 2013. While we didn’t pick up any scratches during our time with the Pixel 9a, it’s definitely a disappointing addition.
Early Verdict
We’ll refrain from providing a conclusive verdict until we review the Pixel 10a. Even so, with the same Tensor G4 chip and dual rear camera as its predecessor, we’d argue that there aren’t many reasons to upgrade to the Pixel 10a. Yes, the inclusion of Satellite SOS is admirable and it’ll charge slightly faster, but as the Pixel 9a will likely retail for a lot less than the Pixel 10a, it seems like a no-brainer to go for the former.
We’ll be sure to update this versus once we get our hands on the Pixel 10a.
The new jobs will span across manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance, and support functions at Vertiv’s sites in Burnfoot, Letterkenny and Campsie.
Vertiv is expanding its manufacturing operations in Co Derry and Co Donegal, with plans to create “several hundred” new jobs over the next six months. The expansion comes as Vertiv aims to strengthen its capabilities in electrical switchgear manufacturing – components critical to data centres and communication networks.
The roles are being created to meet immediate operational requirements driven by growth across the US-headquartered company’s markets globally, Vertiv said.
The new jobs will span across manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance and support functions across Vertiv’s three manufacturing facilities in the region – Burnfoot and Letterkenny in Co Donegal, and Campsie in Co Derry. The majority of the roles will be for electricians, panel wirers, mechanical fitters and general operators, Vertiv said.
Vertiv specialises in data centres, providing power, cooling and a range of other IT services to clients. It operates in more than 130 countries worldwide.
The company first invested in the Co Derry site back in 2023, creating around 200 jobs at the time. The latest hiring spree is set to add to the more than 2,000 already employed by the company across the island.
“This expansion represents a major vote of confidence in the skilled workforce and business environment of the Northwest region,” said Paul Ryan, the president of Vertiv’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.
“The expansion of the facilities and creation of these roles in Derry and County Donegal will increase our manufacturing capacity and enable us to deliver critical digital infrastructure at scale and speed.”
The digital infrastructure specialist bought Donegal-based company E&I Engineering Ireland for $1.8bn in 2021.
Just this month, cybersecurity and compliance specialist ZeroRisk announced plans to create 80 new jobs at a soon-to-be established facility in Longford, and Belfast market-intelligence solutions provider SciLeads said it will create 60 new fully remote jobs.
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Through a series of pivots, The Plattering Co. navigated challenges & scaled successfully
For years, catering in Singapore had largely remained functional, focused on trays of food and stainless steel warmers rather than presentation or experience.
Then came The Plattering Co., which bills itself as the city-state’s first artisanal bespoke caterer. Founded by long-time friends Yasmin Sim, Pearl Chan, and Jessica Lim, the trio crafts grazing tables, floral arrangements, and immersive food displays that prioritise presentation as much as taste.
Ironically, catering wasn’t even their original focus—a pivot from their other business led the trio here, and the gamble seems to have paid off: today, they serve over 100,000 people a year.
We spoke to Yasmin and Jessica of The Plattering Co. about how the business came about and how it’s reshaped Singapore’s catering scene.
An unexpected start
The journey to becoming a premium catering brand serving over a hundred thousand people a year began with something far simpler: a home juicer.
In 2014, at the height of the juice cleanse trend, Yasmin and Pearl started experimenting with cold-pressed juices. They first shared them with family and friends, but orders soon started to pick up. Jessica later joined the duo to help manage operations.
As demand grew, they formally established their cold-pressed juice business as Juix Up, quickly outgrowing their home setup and moving into an office space. Within a year, they had outgrown that too, expanding operations from a small unit in Marine Parade to a factory in Mandai.
Beyond direct-to-consumer sales, the trio even secured B2B deals, including a retail stocking at an airport chain.
However, the speed of growth outpaced their financial planning. Overheads ballooned while utilities climbed, and big recurring orders didn’t come in as consistently as they had hoped.
“We didn’t do our numbers properly,” Yasmin admitted, noting they were mentally prepared to cut losses if things didn’t improve.
But a turning point soon came in 2018, when a regular customer asked if they could provide food—specifically, banana walnut muffins—to go along with their breakfast juices. Pearl, who loved experimenting in the kitchen despite having no formal F&B training, said yes.
She carefully plated the muffins and drinks in a crate, paired them with a chalkboard display and sent them along with the juices. “Unexpectedly, the client immediately fell in love with the muffins and the whole presentation,” Yasmin recalled.
The same client soon began requesting more elaborate offerings—salmon platters, cheese boards, and styled grazing spreads. At a time when such curated platters were still relatively novel in Singapore’s catering scene, according to the trio, Yasmin agreed to give it a try.
I’m a person who never gives up on a request. If someone asks for something I will never say no, I will just say, ‘okay, let me let me let me try to do it for you.’
Yasmin Sim, co-founder of The Plattering Co.
There was no business plan, no pitch deck, no formal strategy. The founders simply responded to demand, refining their offerings as they went. In Mar 2018, that approach led to the launch of The Plattering Co.
They grew fast, but everything came to a halt almost overnight
For The Plattering Co., Pearl’s eye for aesthetics quickly became the brand’s signature. Wooden boards replaced stainless steel trays, fresh florals softened tablescapes, and colours were intentionally curated—food wasn’t just served, it was styled.
Some of the brand’s now-iconic concepts began in personal moments, like the doughnut wall, inspired by Pearl’s wedding. During the event, she displayed doughnuts on pegs, turning them into both a decorative feature and an interactive treat for guests.
The team has since adapted similar concepts for clients, including the Pretzel Pipe Wall, nasi lemak bar, and taco bar, bringing creativity and interactivity to every event.
Meanwhile, Yasmin and Jessica focused on operations and finances. By 2019, the growing brand had moved into a 1,000 sq ft shophouse at Cavan Road, carving out a niche in artisanal catering. They also began gradually building a team to support day-to-day operations.
But everything came to a halt just a year later, when COVID-19 wiped out corporate buffet catering overnight, with orders cancelled en masse. The revenue stream that sustained them vanished almost instantly.
Yasmin even floated the idea of selling toilet paper—anything, just to generate cash flow. The stress was immense, and another glance into the possibility of closing down hit the trio.
Nonetheless, the team decided to push forward for the sake of their employees’ rice bowls. Ideas were thrown around, and the team came together to brainstorm for ideas.
They pivoted quickly. Some of the new offerings they introduced included premium decorated breakfast boxes and bento boxes. Each came with heartfelt greeting cards to clients as a show of support in the midst of the pandemic.
When dining restrictions capped gatherings at four to five people, they also redesigned menus into smaller six-to-eight-person platters, leaning into B2C aggressively.
In 2021, the trio also launched creatively styled gift hampers under a new brand, Sage and Gifts. Rather than conventional festive baskets, these were curated food experiences packaged with the same bespoke aesthetic as The Plattering Co. “For a period, we became a bespoke gifting business,” Yasmin recalled.
The pivots helped the business not just survive but thrive. By 2022, annual revenue had nearly quadrupled compared with pre-COVID levels. That same year, the founders sold off Juix Up and moved into a 2,000 sq ft central kitchen in Bedok to meet growing demand for their catering and gifting businesses.
Since then, The Plattering Co. has served more than 100,000 people annually across catering setups and drop-off orders. The pandemic, which nearly shut them down for a second time, ultimately forced the reinvention that accelerated their growth.
In 2024, the founders made another strategic decision: they divested the hamper brand as well, consolidating resources to focus squarely on their core catering identity.
Scaling the business vertically & building complementary arms
The same year, the founders recognised that they had reached a pivotal stage in their growth journey.
Aware that scaling the business would require deeper operational expertise and structured leadership, they made the strategic decision to bring on board a Managing Director with 13 years of extensive experience in food systems and enterprise-scale business transformation to drive the next phase of expansion.
Today, The Plattering Co. operates across roughly 11,000 sq ft, including halal and non-halal central kitchens, floral operations, and warehouse facilities. The team numbers 35 to 36 people, with around 30% in the kitchen, and their customer base is split roughly three-fifths B2B and two-fifths B2C.
Acknowledging that The Plattering Co. occupies a premium segment, often catering to big occasions, the founders have expanded the business into multiple arms to reach a wider demographic.
They launched sister brand Caterwow to serve the halal and the mass market in 2024, alongside Singapore Food Services to provide white-label and OEM food services.
Another arm, Wildflower ArtCo., manages floral styling for weddings and events, while Kaizen Supply Chain oversees the operations of the company’s brands and offers supply chain logistics services to industry peers.
However, scaling a visually driven brand also presents its own challenges. Maintaining consistency in execution, especially replicating Pearl’s intricate handmade setups, grows increasingly difficult with large volumes of orders.
As such, the team has implemented thorough training sessions for staff to make sure that set-ups are in line with The Plattering Co.’s standards, while automating internal operations helps to streamline order flows and delivery planning.
They are also exploring AI-assisted processes to ensure structure and standardisation even when founders are not physically present.
All these free up time for their team to work on set-ups instead.
Every setup involves meticulous planning—from the type of flowers selected to the size of platters and colour of tablecloths.
Catering, Jessica pointed out, is often under-appreciated in its operational intensity. It requires packing cutlery, holders, tables, plants; coordinating delivery; full setup; tear-down; washing—all within tight timelines. The premium pricing reflects not just the food, but the labour choreography behind it.
“The greatest sense of achievement after each setup comes when guests stop to take photos before they eat,” Jessica said.
Operationally, manpower remains one of the biggest challenges. Hiring the right fit and aligning kitchen, logistics, and office teams around shared values is always a work in progress.
Yasmin emphasised that even washers and drivers must understand their importance in delivering the final experience to clients. In this regard, the trio ensures that they maintain a strong work ethic amongst their team members while maintaining a strong sense of meaning in the workplace.
What’s next for The Plattering Co.
Despite suffering losses in 2020, The Plattering Co. had built enough reserves to weather the storm.
Looking back, Yasmin attributes their survival not to perfection but to adaptability and to clarity of the brand’s direction.
The co-founder stressed the importance of humility regardless of success. She believes in continuous growth, emphasising that “If you’re not growing, you’re actually dying.”
That philosophy drove them to expand kitchens even when sales were stable. It also drove difficult decisions—like selling off both the juice and hamper businesses—rather than being sentimental about ventures that no longer aligned.
Above all, she advocates staying authentic. “Trust your beliefs. Trust your values. When you allow external influence to override your conviction, you lose clarity and direction.”
The Plattering Co nearly closed twice. Instead, it evolved from a home juicer in 2014 to a premium artisanal catering brand serving over 100,000 people annually.
Looking ahead, the trio plans to continue being a “trendsetter” and being at the forefront of their craft. They would also be open to expanding to overseas markets if the opportunity arises.
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