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Even foldable iPhone could carry a bigger battery than the Galaxy Z Fold 7

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Samsung once dominated the smartphone market with powerful hardware. However, over the past few years, it has shifted its focus towards software and ecosystem features while reducing hardware innovation. Apple, the only other brand using less powerful hardware than Samsung, is now expected to bring a bigger battery than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for its first foldable iPhone. iPhone Fold could be powered by a bigger battery Tipster Yeux1122 claims that Apple is testing a 5, 400mAh-5, 800mAh battery for the first foldable iPhone. That will make its battery significantly bigger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4, 400mAh battery. Apparently, Apple is ready to settle on a thicker design if it can help improve the device’s battery life. Samsung could reportedly equip the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a 5, 000mAh battery. While it would be bigger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s battery, it could still end up being smaller than battery inside the upcoming foldable iPhone. And Apple always ekes out more battery life from a similar-sized battery. It was reported that the first foldable iPhone could have a square-format screen (like the first Pixel Fold), a 24MP under-display selfie camera, and a crease-free foldable screen. Moreover, knowing Apple, it could bring a better collection of optimized apps for the foldable iPhone. To counter the foldable iPhone, which could launch in 2027, Samsung needs to improve the hardware specifications of its foldable phones drastically. It should equip the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Z Fold 9 with a 6, 000mAh or bigger battery, 60W fast charging, and 25W Qi2 wireless charging.
https://www.sammobile.com/news/foldable-iphone-bigger-battery-galaxy-z-fold-7-rumor/

Trump relative says he hates being blamed for Tuesday’s blue wave: “Not taking any of this too well”

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Donald Trump’s lesbian niece, Mary Trump, recently revealed that her uncle is not handling the results of Tuesday’s elections very well. On her blog, Mary joked, “I know it’s not going to shock you all: Donald’s not taking any of this too well. He doesn’t like the whole blue wave narrative, and he certainly doesn’t like people blaming him for it.”

She mocked him for his reaction to the Democratic sweep by “lying to protect his fragile ego” during a post-election day speech in which he falsely claimed that the prices of gas and groceries had significantly decreased. According to Mary, her uncle’s claim that gas is at a 20-year low and costing only $2 a gallon is untrue.

Mary immediately debunked that possibility. “I don’t have a car, but I rented one this weekend, and gasoline was $4 a gallon,” she said. “The American Automobile Association, or AAA, has the average price of gasoline nationwide at $3.08 a gallon. I think Roseanne was still on TV the last time gas was less than $2 a gallon—not the reboot, the original.”

She added, “According to petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan, prices would need to decline below $2.96 to reach their lowest level since 2021. They’d need to drop below $1.76 a gallon nationally—a $1.34 per gallon drop compared to today—to fall to their lowest level since 2009.”

Mary questioned the president’s motivation behind trying to convince Americans that he has brought down the cost of living. “You can tell people all you want that gasoline is cheaper than it’s ever been, but if you’re somebody who buys gasoline a lot and pays attention to how much it costs, because a price difference of 20 to 50 cents a gallon is going to negatively impact your ability to buy other essential goods, you’re going to notice.”

She also referenced CNN’s fact-check that grocery prices were 2.7% higher in September than they were a year earlier and 1.4% higher than when the president took office in January.

Reflecting on the election results, Mary Trump said, “voters just aren’t buying the lies anymore.”

The president did not hide his rage in the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s results. He ranted on Truth Social that unnamed “pollsters” claimed “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT.”

In a follow-up post, he reiterated his call to Republicans to terminate the filibuster and demanded they “GET BACK TO PASSING LEGISLATION AND VOTER REFORM,” which critics interpret as a dog whistle for voter suppression.

However, the president probably shouldn’t have been surprised by the results, considering his monstrous disapproval ratings. MSNBC host Rachel Maddow recently detailed just how unpopular he is with the American people, explaining that his disapproval rating is “higher than it was in the immediate aftermath of January 6th.”

Citing an ABC/Washington Post Poll, Maddow added that “Americans disapprove of him on everything,” including:

– His handling of Israel and Gaza (minus 6 points)
– His approach to crime (minus 11 points)
– His immigration policies (minus 13 points)
– His handling of foreign relations (minus 19 points)
– The economy (minus 25 points)
– His handling of the Russia-Ukraine War (minus 21 points)
– His management of the federal government (minus 27 points)
– His tariffs (minus 32 points)

These numbers no doubt explain what happened in Tuesday night’s elections, where Democrats swept in races across the country.

The November 4 off-year elections saw Democrats dominate their Republican and independent opponents in gubernatorial and mayoral races, judicial retention votes, state legislative elections, commission races, and a historic, unprecedented ballot measure.

Analysts have said the Democrats could not have had a better night, as candidates across the country not only won their elections but, in many cases, made history.

In numerous races, Democrats won by such large margins that news organizations declared winners within minutes of polls closing.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/11/relative-says-he-hates-being-blamed-for-tuesdays-blue-wave-not-taking-any-of-this-too-well/

Schwab: Majority of Retail Investors Plan to Up ETF Allocations

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**Retail Investors’ Appetite for ETFs Continues to Grow, Says Charles Schwab Asset Management Report**

Retail investors are increasingly enthusiastic about exchange-traded funds (ETFs), both experienced and potential users, according to the 14th annual “ETFs and Beyond” report from Charles Schwab Asset Management.

“It’s a continuation of the momentum we have been seeing. Investors continue to indicate they anticipate more of their investment portfolios going into ETFs in the future, such that they are actually thinking about a future where, in some cases, within five years, they may have an ETF-only portfolio,” said David Botset, head of strategy, innovation and stewardship at Schwab Asset Management.

### Survey Overview

The survey gathered responses from 2,000 retail investors, evenly split between those currently holding ETFs in their portfolios and those who do not. Among respondents with ETF holdings, 66% began investing in ETFs within the past five years, while 32% started investing before 2019. The findings were announced during the Schwab Impact conference held recently in Denver.

### Key Findings on ETF Usage

An overwhelming 93% of investors with ETF holdings consider ETFs a necessary part of their portfolio, and 82% identified ETFs as their preferred investment vehicle. Looking ahead, 61% reported plans to increase their ETF allocations in 2025, while 75% said they are likely to invest in another ETF within the next two years.

Currently, ETFs make up about 27% of these investors’ portfolios. They expect this allocation to grow to 34% within the next five years. Notably, 62% said they would shift money from individual stock investments into ETFs, and 51% would pull from mutual funds for this purpose. A smaller group (38%) intends to invest new money into ETFs.

### New vs. Experienced ETF Investors

Investors who began using ETFs in the past five years tend to plan larger increases in their ETF allocations compared to those with longer experience. Approximately half of both groups expect modest increases in the next year. However, 30% of newer investors plan significant increases, versus only 12% of experienced investors.

Regarding portfolio composition, 70% of newer ETF investors are open to allocating their entire portfolio to ETFs, compared with 49% of experienced investors. Similarly, 15% of new investors and 29% of experienced investors plan to maintain their current investment levels.

### Generational Differences

Millennial investors show the strongest enthusiasm for ETFs. Thirty-two percent plan significant increases in ETF holdings over the next year, compared to 20% of Gen X investors and only 6% of baby boomers. Additionally, 66% of millennials would consider an ETF-only portfolio, whereas just 42% of Gen X and 15% of baby boomers said the same.

### Interest Among Non-ETF Investors

Among investors without current ETF holdings, nearly half (48%) indicated they are likely to invest in an ETF within the next two years.

### Preferred Investment Strategies

The majority of surveyed investors (53%) build their ETF portfolios primarily around core strategies, supplemented by some tactical or niche holdings. Another 18% allocate their entire ETF portfolio to core strategies. U.S. equities remain the most popular asset class, with 52% planning to invest in it. Bonds/fixed income and cryptocurrency follow closely, each favored by 45% of respondents.

Other popular asset classes include emerging markets equities (41%), real assets (40%), international developed markets (29%), and alternatives (26%).

David Botset noted, “The majority of ETF investors are either using ETFs to establish a core investment portfolio, or they are doing a core investment portfolio with a small portion that is a little bit more tactical. An ETF, used in that way, can really serve the needs of a large variety of investors. In the same way that for many, many years, mutual funds have been serving that exact purpose. But ETF investors are seemingly using ETFs more and more in lieu of mutual funds.”

More than half of investors (54%) planned to invest in dividend ETFs. Single-stock ETFs came in second, with 36% interest.

### Passive vs. Active ETF Preferences

Investors showed a preference for passive ETFs when tracking U.S. equities, bonds/fixed income, international developed markets, and cryptocurrency. Conversely, active management was preferred for emerging market equities (39% active vs. 35% passive) and alternative investments (35% active vs. 32% passive).

The top reason for choosing actively managed ETFs was the potential to outperform index funds, cited by 63% of respondents. Other reasons included access to alternative strategies (51%), potential downside protection (45%), and access to specific funds or asset managers (41%).

### Factors Influencing ETF Choice

Total cost emerged as the most important factor for ETF selection, with 59% of respondents citing it—an increase of 200 basis points from the 2024 survey. The reputation of the ETF provider also influenced decisions for 55%.

Other factors, such as the ETF’s brand name (40%) and approach to investment stewardship (39%), were less critical in investors’ choices.

Both current ETF investors and those without ETF holdings expressed strong interest in optimizing tax strategies using ETFs (60% and 49%, respectively). Furthermore, investing in long-term trends and macro themes was important to 55% of current ETF investors and 39% of non-ETF investors.

### About the Survey

The annual study was conducted between July 25 and August 14, 2025. Eligible participants were aged 25 to 75, held at least $25,000 in investable assets, and if they did not already invest in ETFs, were at least somewhat familiar with the products. Independent research company Logica Research conducted the survey on behalf of Charles Schwab Asset Management.

—

This comprehensive report highlights the growing acceptance and enthusiasm for ETFs among retail investors and underscores the evolving preferences shaping ETF investment strategies.
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/etfs/schwab-majority-of-retail-investors-plan-to-up-their-etf-allocations

PENGU’s 22% fall – What happens now that the buy signal is live?

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**Why Did PENGU’s Price Crash Today?**

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) memecoin experienced a significant price drop of over 10% today, primarily driven by leveraged shorts piling in near the $0.0157 level. This aggressive shorting pushed the price lower amidst broader market weakness following Bitcoin’s dominance surge since the October 10 crash.

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**What Are Pundgy Penguin Traders Watching Next?**

Top wallets currently hold approximately 97% of PENGU, suggesting a potential rebound if the price can reclaim support around $0.0177 soon. This area is critical for confirming any recovery and shifting the market sentiment back to bullish.

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**PENGU Falls 10% but Flashes a ‘Buy’ Signal**

Over the past 24 hours, PENGU’s price slid more than 10%, accumulating nearly a 22% loss since the beginning of November. Despite the bearish price action, the Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) indicates some recovery—improving from -$326 million last week to -$64 million currently—implying sellers might be losing momentum.

Additionally, the MACD recently turned faintly green, signaling that bulls are becoming alert to a monthly discount that’s less than a week old. Supporting this positive outlook, Ali Charts’ analysis highlights a buy signal from the TD Sequential indicator around the $0.015 zone, which is roughly two-thirds down from the late August highs of $0.045.

For the bullish momentum to gain traction, PENGU must flip the $0.01772 to $0.01900 zone from resistance to support. While these indicators offer some hope, the overall chart structure remains bearish on both daily and hourly timeframes at the time of writing.

—

**Top Traders Stay Long Despite Volume Spike**

Data from Nansen AI reveals that 24-hour trading volume surged to $241.7 million—nearly 48 times the daily average. This volume spike coincided with the price drop, signaling heavy distribution activity.

Nevertheless, the top-performing PnL traders are holding firm, maintaining 97% of their positions. Notably, one wallet accumulated an additional $75,000 worth of PENGU, backing a short-term bullish bias. Still, despite these signs of accumulation, the broader structure stays bearish on both hourly and daily charts.

—

**Leverage and Shorts Push Prices Lower**

Aggregate exchange data shows cumulative shorts at $7.68 million, significantly outnumbering longs at $3.67 million. The most intense leveraged short positions—ranging from 25x to 50x—clustered around the $0.01579 price level.

Binance alone accounts for $3.35 million in shorts compared to $1.77 million in longs. This imbalance confirms that the recent downward pressure was primarily triggered by leveraged derivatives traders, rather than spot market selling.

—

**Conclusion**

While derivatives-driven shorting led to the recent price drop, the strong holding by whales and emerging buy signals point to bottom-seeking behavior rather than a complete market recovery. If spot demand increases and PENGU can reclaim the $0.0177 support level, this accumulation by top traders may limit further downside and set the stage for a potential rebound.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/pengus-22-fall-what-happens-now-that-the-buy-signal-is-live/

Kahuku sweeps Kamehameha out of state tournament

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Talia Soliai-Tui and Lamona Lauhingoa each recorded 10 kills as second-seeded Kahuku swept Kamehameha 29-27, 25-19, 25-21 to advance to the Division I final of the HHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships.

Kahuku is the first OIA team to play in the state final since capturing the state title in 2002. The ILH has claimed every crown since then. Interestingly, the setter on that 2002 Kahuku team was Lesina (Funaki) Manutai, the current Lady Raiders head coach.

“That was a crazy week. We were in Hilo. We didn’t have a home crowd. Being there forced us to come together,” Manutai recalled. “Our outside hitter was Tuli, Tuli Peters.” Tuli Peters-Tevaga later coached at Kahuku, and now her former teammate has guided the Lady Raiders to the state final.

This match marked the second meeting of the season between the two squads. On August 23, Kahuku swept Kamehameha 25-12, 25-22 in the gold bracket final of the Hawaii Invitational at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium.

“The first time we played them everyone was one. We struggled a little bit this game, but I think we’re ready now,” said Soliai-Tui, a 5-foot-11 junior. “Our bench is a bunch of dogs. They’re always ready. We can do a lot better. This game wasn’t our best game.”

Kahuku will face top-seeded ‘Iolani in the 7 p.m. final today at the University of Hawaii’s Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.

“‘Iolani is good, but underdogs have to eat. Always,” Soliai-Tui added.

Kamehameha’s young squad has shown significant development since preseason, but Kahuku was prepared.

“They played really good defense. They scramble things. We got a lot of balls over and we didn’t necessarily take advantage of our opportunities,” Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said. “But a lot of that is because Kahuku put us into bad spots and we didn’t execute.”

OIA champion Kahuku (30-2) showcased a balanced attack once again. Makamae Schilling contributed eight kills and 13 digs, while Haley Kotobalavu added five kills. Ana Kaufusi recorded four kills and 2.5 blocks, and Elenoa Lauhingoa chipped in three kills. Setter Tilauana Tonga dished out 22 assists and added seven digs.

“Our plan was, they have really good outside hitters, so we wanted to slow them down, get some balls up and run our offense. And serve tough, get a strong start and finish strong,” Manutai explained. “I’m super proud of the kids for executing tonight.”

ILH runner-up Kamehameha (33-10), the two-time defending state champion, entered the last two tournaments unseeded as they did this year. However, Kahuku dominated with chemistry, experience, precision, and power.

Freshman Sauimoana Purcell led Kamehameha with 13 kills, while senior Kalaweloilehua Chock added 12. Kalamaku Crabbe contributed six kills and six digs, and middles Bella Amey and Kealoha Lyons chipped in four kills each. Setter Shaye Teves dished 21 assists, with Alayah Wilson adding 15 assists. Mikela Arellano led defensively with 13 digs. The Warriors hit .134 as a team against Kahuku’s stout defense.

“Hat’s off to the Kahuku team and their coaching staff. They played like the OIA champions that they are,” coach Blake acknowledged. “They definitely deserve this win. I’m very proud of our team, but hat’s off to Kahuku in all the things they have done in preparation. Good luck to them in the finals.”

The opening set was a back-and-forth battle, ending with Kahuku leading the match 1-0. It marked the first set lost by Kamehameha in a non-championship match over the past three state tournaments. The Warriors had swept their first three opponents in both 2023 and 2024, as well as Kapolei in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

After decisively taking the first two sets, Kahuku saw Kamehameha seize control in the third. The Warriors’ seven-point lead began to slip away just as Kahuku fans arrived—many coming from their football team’s OIA semifinal win over Campbell at Mililani High School to the Moanalua gym.

Key kills by Elenoa Lauhingoa and Lamona Lauhingoa brought the Lady Raiders within one point. Talia Soliai-Tui then tied the score at 17 with an ace. A tip kill by Lamona Lauhingoa gave Kahuku an 18-17 lead, and the Lady Raiders never looked back. Kahuku finished off the match with a roof block by Soliai-Tui and a right-side kill by Haley Kotobalavu.

Kahuku and ‘Iolani did not meet in preseason.

“We’re excited to see them for the first time in the state championship game. They looked really good here against Moanalua,” Manutai said. “Same game plan. They’ve got big outsides, a lot of big guns. If we can slow them down and run our offense, I think we have a chance.”

—

### Division II

**Seabury Hall 3, Maryknoll 0**

Milaniakai Padilla drilled 18 kills, hitting .326, while Dillon McLeelan added 14 kills as the third-seeded Spartans of Maui swept the ILH’s Maryknoll 26-24, 25-22, 28-26 in the semifinals of the HHSAA Girls Volleyball Division II State Championships at Kalani High School. Both Padilla and McLeelan are sophomores.

The Spartans will face Kapaa in the state final at 5 p.m. today in Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.

**Kapaa 3, University 0**
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/01/sports/hawaii-prep-world/kahuku-sweeps-kamehameha-out-of-state-tournament/

CTO Realty Growth, Inc. (CTO) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

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Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to CTO Realty Growth’s Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today’s conference is being recorded.

I would now like to turn the conference over to Jenna McKinney, Director of Finance. Please go ahead, Jenna.

—

**Jenna McKinney:**
Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today for the CTO Realty Growth Third Quarter 2025 Operating Results Conference Call.

Participating on the call this morning are John Albright, President and Chief Executive Officer; Philip Mays, Chief Financial Officer; and other members of the executive team who will be available to answer questions during the call.

I would like to remind everyone that many of our comments today are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws. The company’s actual future results may differ significantly from the matters discussed in these forward-looking statements, and we undertake no duty to update these statements.

Factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are discussed from time to time in greater detail in the company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

You can find our SEC reports, earnings release, supplemental information, and the most recent investor presentation on our website at [ctoreit.com](http://ctoreit.com).

With that, I will turn the call over to John.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4834899-cto-realty-growth-inc-cto-q3-2025-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed_all_articles

Argentina’s Milei Strengthens Political Power Amid LIBRA Scandal

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**Milei’s La Libertad Avanza Party Wins Big in Argentina’s 2025 Midterms Amid Ongoing LIBRA Crypto Scandal**

Argentine President Javier Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), secured a significant victory in the 2025 midterm legislative elections, capturing nearly 41% of the national vote. This impressive win bolsters Milei’s influence in Congress and strengthens his position to advance his reform agenda. However, the triumph comes amid an escalating LIBRA cryptocurrency scandal that continues to erode public trust and intensify legal scrutiny surrounding Milei and his associates.

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### Victory in the 2025 Midterms

La Libertad Avanza emerged as a dominant political force in Argentina’s 2025 midterm elections, making notable gains in key districts such as Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, and Santa Fe. With approximately 41% of the vote, LLA surpassed the Peronist alliance, which garnered 31.6%.

Following the elections, LLA now holds 101 out of 257 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, a substantial increase that enhances Milei’s legislative leverage. This expanded control is expected to facilitate the passage of Milei’s ambitious reforms in tax policy, labor laws, and pensions.

Reflecting on the victory, Milei stated, “During the first two years, we avoided falling off the cliff. In the next two years, we will continue the reformist path to make Argentina great again.”

—

### LIBRA Crypto Scandal Continues to Unfold

Despite his electoral success, Milei’s association with the LIBRA cryptocurrency project has sparked ongoing controversy. The scandal began when Milei publicly endorsed LIBRA, a meme coin that saw a rapid rise in market capitalization.

However, the coin’s value crashed after insiders sold off their holdings, causing significant losses for investors. Although Milei has since distanced himself from LIBRA and denied direct involvement in its operations, the fallout severely impacted his public approval.

A recent Zuban Córdoba survey indicates only 36% of Argentinians still support Milei, while 57.6% express distrust in his leadership. This sharp decline in confidence has led to both criminal and congressional investigations targeting Milei and his advisers.

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### Legal Scrutiny Intensifies

Legal repercussions surrounding the LIBRA scandal have intensified in recent months. In October, an Argentine prosecutor ordered forensic examinations of the phones belonging to President Milei and his close aides as part of an ongoing inquiry into their possible roles in the cryptocurrency project.

Additionally, U.S. legal sources suggest that Milei, along with his brother Karina Milei and promoter Hayden Mark Davis, likely control assets linked to LIBRA. This development has increased pressure on the president’s inner circle, with calls mounting for the detention of two aides implicated in the launch of the token.

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### Struggling to Maintain Credibility

While the 2025 midterm election results increased Milei’s political power, the LIBRA scandal poses a serious threat to his credibility. Accusations of insider trading and market manipulation continue to dominate media coverage, contributing to waning public trust.

Milei faces a delicate balancing act: managing the fallout from the LIBRA scandal while delivering on the reforms that secured his electoral success. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to pushing forward with his policy agenda.

—

### Looking Ahead

The coming months will be critical for Milei’s administration as it grapples with legal investigations and public skepticism. Restoring trust may prove essential not only for maintaining political momentum but also in shaping the trajectory of his government ahead of Argentina’s 2027 presidential election.

**Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.**
https://coincentral.com/argentinas-milei-strengthens-political-power-amid-libra-scandal/

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere cast & characters – Meet the stars behind the show and the roles they play

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**Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere**
*Directed by Scott Cooper*
*In theaters October 24, 2025*

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**Overview**
Scott Cooper’s *Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere* is set to open theatrically in the United States on October 24, 2025, through 20th Century Studios. The film is based on Warren Zanes’ 2023 book and chronicles the creation of Bruce Springsteen’s landmark 1982 album *Nebraska*. This project was both a triumphant and deeply challenging period for Springsteen, capturing the emotion and artistry behind the album’s unique sound.

The biographical adaptation features Jeremy Allen White in the role of Bruce Springsteen, supported by a talented ensemble cast including Jeremy Strong, Odessa Young, Stephen Graham, Gaby Hoffmann, Paul Walter Hauser, Marc Maron, and David Krumholtz. The film also includes Johnny Cannizzaro, Harrison Gilbertson, Grace Gummer, and Chris Jaymes in important supporting roles.

—

### Main Cast and Characters

**1) Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen**
Jeremy Allen White portrays Bruce Springsteen during the early 1980s, a time when the singer-songwriter worked from his New Jersey home using a simple four-track recorder to produce the *Nebraska* album. The narrative explores the songwriting sessions, Springsteen’s rising recognition, intense personal reflection, and struggles.

White is widely recognized for his roles as Lip Gallagher in *Shameless* (2011–2021) and Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in *The Bear* (2022–present). His film credits include *The Rental* (2020), *After Everything* (2018), and *Fingernails* (2023).

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**2) Jeremy Strong as Jon Landau**
Jeremy Strong plays Jon Landau, Springsteen’s producer and longtime manager. The film portrays Landau’s early collaboration with Springsteen during the production of *Nebraska*, a partnership that would continue throughout Springsteen’s career.

Strong gained prominence for his Emmy-winning role as Kendall Roy in *Succession*. His filmography also includes *The Big Short*, *Molly’s Game*, and *The Trial of the Chicago 7*.

—

**3) Johnny Cannizzaro as Steven Van Zandt**
Johnny Cannizzaro portrays Steven Van Zandt, a close friend and guitarist with Bruce Springsteen. Van Zandt was integral to Springsteen’s music and tours. Cannizzaro appeared in *Jersey Boys* (2014) and has experience in both theater and independent film projects.

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**4) Paul Walter Hauser as Mike Batlan**
Paul Walter Hauser takes on the role of Mike Batlan, a key supporter who managed Springsteen’s gear and recordings, playing a pivotal role in bringing together the *Nebraska* album’s setup. Hauser’s notable works include his lead role in *Richard Jewell* (2019), along with appearances in *I, Tonya* (2017), *Black Bird* (2022), and *Cruella* (2021).

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**5) Odessa Young as Faye Romano**
Odessa Young portrays Faye Romano, a significant figure in Springsteen’s personal story and a romantic interest who influences his journey. Young is an Australian actress known for roles in *The Daughter* (2015), *Assassination Nation* (2018), and *Shirley* (2020). She also starred in the CBS miniseries adaptation of *The Stand* (2020–2021).

—

**6) Stephen Graham as Douglas Springsteen**
Stephen Graham plays Douglas Springsteen, Bruce’s father. The film depicts Douglas as an alcoholic with a strained, distant relationship with Bruce—an emotional dynamic that influenced Springsteen’s music and public reflections.

Graham is acclaimed for his roles in *Boardwalk Empire* (2010–2014) and *Peaky Blinders* (2017–2019). His film credits include *The Irishman* (2019), *Boiling Point* (2021), and *Venom: Let There Be Carnage* (2021).

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**7) David Krumholtz as Al Teller**
David Krumholtz plays Al Teller, a record executive responsible for managing the release of *Nebraska* through Columbia Records. Teller had a longstanding career in the music industry, holding executive roles at several labels.

Krumholtz is known for his role in *Numb3rs* (2005–2010), *The Santa Clause* series, and more recent appearances in *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs* (2018) and *Oppenheimer* (2023).

—

### Supporting Cast

– **Gaby Hoffmann as Adele Springsteen**
Bruce Springsteen’s mother, who nurtured and supported his musical ambitions from a young age.

– **Marc Maron as Chuck Plotkin**
Producer who assisted with mixing and mastering the *Nebraska* album for its commercial release.

– **Harrison Gilbertson as Matt Delia**
A close friend of Springsteen.

– **Grace Gummer as Barbara Landau**
Wife of Jon Landau.

– **Chris Jaymes as Dennis King**
The mastering engineer for the *Nebraska* album.

– **Brian Chase as Max Weinberg**
The drummer of the E Street Band.

—

**Release Date**
*Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere* is scheduled to hit theaters on October 24, 2025.

—

*Also Read:*
Is Bruce Springsteen planning a ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ sequel? Director Scott Cooper shares the details.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/movies/springsteen-deliver-me-nowhere-cast-characters-meet-stars-behind-show-roles-play

Qualtrics CEO Zig Serafin steps down after nine years building experience platform ready for AI’s inflection point

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**Zig Serafin Steps Down as Qualtrics CEO Amid Strategic Shift Toward Agentic AI**

Zig Serafin is stepping down as CEO of Qualtrics after nine years with the company—a surprise move that comes as the experience management (XM) vendor positions itself to help buyers guide and better understand their agentic AI deployments.

Serafin announced this week that he’s transitioning to Vice Chairman and Special Advisor. Meanwhile, board members Jim Whitehurst (former Red Hat CEO) and Mark Gillett (from Silver Lake) will step in as interim co-CEOs while the company searches for a permanent replacement.

In a note to employees, Serafin acknowledged that “there’s never a perfect time to step back from something you love,” but emphasized that “now is the right time to begin a thoughtful search for our next CEO.” He added:

> “Today, Qualtrics is the AI Experience Management partner to the world’s most iconic organizations, shaping the most critical experiences in business and in people’s lives. That’s a legacy and a future we should all be incredibly proud of.”

### Timing and Company Trajectory

The timing of Serafin’s departure is especially interesting, as Qualtrics has maintained a clear strategy in recent years and is heading toward $2 billion in revenue.

The vendor is also preparing to integrate Press Ganey Forsta, the $6.75 billion healthcare experience management acquisition announced earlier this year. (You can read my recent interview with Serafin on that announcement [here].)

More significantly, the company has been making substantial bets on agentic AI—positioning itself not as a competitor to operational agents from the likes of Salesforce, ServiceNow, or SAP, but as something different: the “experience layer” that measures and ensures quality across AI-driven interactions.

### Building the Foundation

When Serafin joined Qualtrics in 2016 as COO, he came from an 18-year career at Microsoft where he led products like Skype for Business. At that time, Qualtrics was already a significant player in survey and experience management software.

His tenure, which saw him become CEO in 2020, has been marked by significant transitions, including:

– An $8 billion acquisition by SAP
– An IPO in 2021
– Returning to private ownership in 2023 at a $12.5 billion valuation led by Silver Lake

Throughout these ownership changes, Serafin appeared to be building toward a specific vision.

In conversations with diginomica earlier this year, Qualtrics executives outlined a strategy that feels quite different from the agentic AI approaches pursued by most enterprise software vendors.

Rather than building standalone AI agents or rushing to acquire AI startups, the company has been embedding agentic capabilities into its core products—the ones customers already use heavily.

Brad Anderson, President of Products at Qualtrics, explained the approach during our conversation at the company’s X4 Summit in April:

> “A survey, a good old fashioned survey—the next button is clicked 50,000 times every 60 seconds for Qualtrics surveys, and it peaks at 300,000 times every 60 seconds. By agentifying that, every one of those can be an opportunity to close the loop for the customer.”

This pragmatic, build-not-buy strategy came after Qualtrics evaluated more than 100 potential acquisition targets, according to Anderson. The conclusion was that buying technology in such a rapidly evolving market wouldn’t provide meaningful advantages—particularly when no vendor has yet achieved scale with agentic deployments.

### The Experience Data Advantage

What Serafin leaves behind is a company with a unique asset: a vast repository of human sentiment data collected through billions of customer and employee interactions and an expanding platform.

This isn’t operational data about transactions or processes—it’s data about how people feel about those experiences.

When I spoke with Gurdeep Pall, Qualtrics’ AI President, earlier this year, he suggested that this experience data could eventually enable applications beyond traditional experience management.

The company’s thesis is that in a world where multiple AI agents will handle operational tasks, someone needs to ensure these agents deliver the kind of experiences that build trust and loyalty—rather than eroding them.

Given that trust in agentic AI will be critical to its success, this is a compelling argument.

Anderson articulated this positioning clearly:

> “One of the unique values that we bring, independent of what agent is being used, is the ability to be able to tell an organization: Is your digital agent giving the same experience that your best humans do? That’s the difference between an operational agent and an experience agent.”

### Healthcare as a Proving Ground

The Press Ganey Forsta acquisition takes on added significance in this context. Healthcare is arguably the most critical of all human experiences—moments when people are at their most vulnerable and where the quality of interaction can have long-lasting consequences.

When Serafin announced the deal, he told me healthcare was becoming “the proving ground for the enterprise.”

The sector’s combination of complex regulations, life-or-death stakes, and massive inefficiencies makes it an ideal testbed for whether AI can truly improve human experiences at scale.

With Press Ganey, Qualtrics gains not just a larger healthcare presence but deeper domain expertise in a sector ripe for AI-driven transformation.

If the company can demonstrate that its experience platform can improve healthcare interactions while maintaining quality and trust, the argument for deploying similar approaches across other industries becomes considerably stronger.

### My Take

What’s clear from Serafin’s tenure is that Qualtrics understands where it adds value.

Rather than attempting to be everything to everyone, it’s carved out a specific role: the layer that ensures AI systems deliver the kinds of human experiences organizations actually want.

The agentic AI market is still nascent, and many competing visions exist for how enterprise AI architectures will evolve.

Qualtrics is betting that as organizations deploy multiple operational agents, they’ll need a way to ensure these agents don’t degrade customer and employee experiences—and that experience data will be the key to making that assessment.

In his announcement, Serafin emphasized that the company is “at a key acceleration and inflection point.”

He’s built the platform and established the strategic direction. Now it falls to his successors to execute against that vision in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.

Let’s see who and what comes next!

In the meantime, I’m pleased Serafin is sticking around as an advisor and look forward to seeing what the next few months bring.
https://diginomica.com/qualtrics-ceo-zig-serafin-steps-down-after-nine-years-building-experience-platform-ready-ais

Where do you stand on the ‘non-pro’ MacBook Pro debate? [Poll]

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The Debate Over the “Non-Pro” MacBook Pro: Is It Worth It?

There’s been an ongoing debate recently about what some refer to as “the non-pro MacBook Pro,” or what John Gruber calls “the no-adjective M-series chip.” The crux of the discussion is whether it makes sense to buy the base model MacBook Pro instead of the significantly cheaper but similarly-specced MacBook Air.

John Gruber clearly came down on the side of “no.” He argues that the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the no-adjective M-series chip has always been an oddity in the MacBook lineup.

A History of the “Pro”-But-Not-Pro MacBook

This “Pro”-but-not-pro positioning dates back to the Intel era, when Apple offered a 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar. That model was even recommended in 2016 by Phil Schiller for users who were waiting for a MacBook Air with a Retina display—the first Retina MacBook Air didn’t arrive until late 2018.

In many ways, this base model feels more like a MacBook “Pro” rather than a true MacBook Pro. The genuinely pro-spec’d MacBook Pros now come equipped with M-series Pro and Max chips and are available in both 14- and 16-inch sizes.

According to Gruber, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with the no-adjective M-series chip is aimed at people who probably would be better off with a MacBook Air but mistakenly believe they “need” a laptop with “Pro” in its name.

Another Perspective: Why Some Users Choose the Base MacBook Pro

Fintech investor Brian Stuckey disagrees with Gruber’s assessment. He writes:

“I’m a cognizant MacBook Pro no-adjective user because the CPU/GPU is more than enough for me. I buy over Air for: XDR display, battery life, much better speakers, SD/HDMI ports.”

Stuckey highlights that the base model MacBook Pro offers these advantages without the added cost of the more powerful chips, which he doesn’t need.

Breaking down some of these benefits:

  • XDR Display: Significantly higher maximum brightness, HDR support, and ProMotion technology.
  • Speakers and Microphones: Much better speakers coupled with significantly improved microphones.
  • Battery Life and Charging: Longer battery life accompanied by faster charging capabilities.
  • Ports: Inclusion of SD card and HDMI ports, which the MacBook Air lacks.
  • SSD Storage Options: While both the 13-inch MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro offer RAM options of 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB, the Air maxes out at a 2TB SSD, whereas the MacBook Pro can be configured with up to a 4TB SSD.
  • Display Option: The nano-texture matte display is available only on the MacBook Pro.

Gruber’s Response and Final Thoughts

Gruber responded by pointing out that he used the word “probably” in his original post and maintains his view that, for most buyers, the base MacBook Pro is the wrong choice.

What’s Your Take?

Are these benefits enough to justify the higher cost and heavier weight of the base MacBook Pro compared to the MacBook Air, even if you don’t need a more powerful chip?

Please take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Image credit: Apple

https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/20/where-do-you-stand-on-the-non-pro-macbook-pro-debate-poll/