XMWare

2025-09-23T09:51:00

(BPT) – With so many options available for household appliances today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But when it comes to an everyday workhorse like your washing machine, you’ll want to consider how its design most benefits you and your family, how you do your chores and what you need most when it comes to performance, ease of use, convenience and capacity, among other features. The model you select can make all the difference.

Here are the five top things to consider when choosing your next washer.

1. Don’t fear heavy-duty loads

Does the washer deliver powerful cleaning that’s both effective and efficient? With the WT8600CW 5.5 cu. ft. Mega Capacity Top Load Washer with TurboWash™ Washer with Steam, ezDispense^®, Wi-Fi Connectivity from LG Electronics, for example, you’ll experience powerful cleaning performance combined with user-friendly features.

Whether they’re handling everyday laundry or heavy-duty loads, LG’s top loading washers offer efficient cleaning with TurboWash3D™ technology, which uses a powerful jet spray plus a tub and motor that rotate independently and in opposite directions, creating a powerful water flow that causes garments to rub against each other throughout the cycle for enhanced washing performance. This feature is ideal for busy households seeking efficiency without compromising on cleanliness.

2. No sock left behind

Have you ever struggled to reach items at the bottom of the tub? Struggle no more. LG’s Mega Capacity Top Load Washer is designed to put everything within easy reach, without sacrificing capacity. Its EasyUnload™ angled washer front offers more comfortable, ergonomic reach that lets you lean in and grab every last sock, without sacrificing capacity. There’s also no need to dig out detergent and fabric softener when the ezDispense^® Automatic Dispenser cleans up to 25 loads with 1 easy fill.

Even better, this model has a convenient SlamProof™ Glass Lid that automatically (and gently) closes every time, and can even firmly hold itself at certain angles, thanks to a smooth-operating hydraulic hinge. You’ll also love its flat front design and sleek controls with LED or LCD display that make it easy to get laundry day dialed in, along with a modern design that elevates any laundry space.

3. Wash smarter, not harder

Having a washer with built-in intelligence means taking the guesswork out of every laundry load. Intuitive electronic controls and built-in intelligence make it easy to customize your wash, or let AI Wash do it for you.

Equipped with LG ThinQ^® technology, washers like the LG Mega Capacity Top Load Washer let you control and monitor your laundry remotely via your smartphone or using voice commands with Alexa and Google voice assistants. You can receive notifications, start or stop cycles and download specialized wash programs to enhance your laundry experience.

ThinQ UP™ appliances evolve with you through continual software updates for new downloadable features and enhancements sent wirelessly to the appliance, and ThinQ Care™ helps keep your appliance running smoothly by sending proactive usage, maintenance and diagnostic alerts to your smartphone.

4. No sink? No worries

Don’t let stains put you on the spot. If you need to treat stains quickly, don’t panic if you don’t have a sink right there. The LG Mega Capacity Top Load Washer model offers a convenient Water Faucet option you’ll wonder how you lived without. Just press the Faucet pad to turn on water in the tub while you treat and scrub. When you’re done, simply close the lid or press Faucet again, and the water will automatically drain.

5. Save time with fewer loads

Face it: Busy families need more capacity for washing. LG’s top-load washers can handle large loads, with capacities up to 5.5 cubic feet. Bigger loads mean reducing the number of cycles needed to be done, saving time for what matters most. This is perfect for busy families, or anyone looking to avoid being glued to the washer on laundry days.

Ready to find your next washer? You’ll feel confident knowing that LG has been ranked America’s Most Reliable and #1 Appliance Brand by OpenBrand MindShare. Visit LG.com to learn more.

2025-09-22T07:01:00

(BPT) – When’s the last time you took a close look at your company’s frontline workflows? If you review your processes, chances are you’ll find that what was once routine is too complex for manual processes to keep up. With work quickly changing across virtually all industries, improving workflows cannot wait.

“The call to modernize operations has never been more urgent,” said Joe White, chief product and solutions officer, Zebra Technologies, a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows. “That’s why leading organizations are reimagining their workflows and building intelligent operations which integrate advanced technologies like AI, automation and data with human expertise to optimize business processes.”

The value of intelligent operations by the numbers

The importance of workflows cannot be overstated. Workflows are where speed, visibility and precision drive growth. By investing in the latest technologies to automate workflows, businesses can elevate frontline productivity and improve the customer experience.

This isn’t just talk. According to a research study titled, “Impact of Intelligent Operations” from Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics, the digitization of workflows drives a 20% productivity increase to boost frontline performance.

The gains of intelligent operations are hard to ignore. For example, retailers reported a 21% improvement in customer satisfaction, manufacturers cited a 19% increase in employee productivity, and transportation and logistics (T&L) leaders reported a 21% increase in productivity with better workflows.

The retailers, manufacturers and T&L firms that participated in the study reported that the integration of AI, automation and data significantly increased revenue and profitability. The study indicates:

• Retailers achieved up to 1.8-percentage-point increases in revenue growth and profitability through improvements in their prioritized workflow of inventory management.
• Manufacturers optimizing their top workflow of quality control and assurance saw revenue growth uplift by 2.4 percentage points and profitability improvements of 1.4 percentage points.
• T&L firms optimizing key delivery and inventory workflows experienced a revenue growth increase of up to 3.4 percentage points with a similar increase in profitability.

Based on this research, Oxford Economics estimates that if the top 20 organizations from the Forbes Global 2000 list in each of these industries — retail, manufacturing and T&L — achieved meaningful improvements in their frontline workflows, each company could potentially earn an average of $3 billion in higher revenue and an average of $120 million in added profit.

A dedication to better business every day

Modernizing your workflows may seem daunting, but there are tools that can make the transformation easier. As an industry leader, Zebra Technologies is a strategic, trusted advisor to organizations of all sizes, helping them continuously drive better processes and adapt to changing conditions.

From the warehouse floor, production line, and retail aisle to the patient bedside, Zebra provides solutions that help organizations navigate persistent challenges such as labor shortages and shifting consumer expectations.

Zebra’s new brand platform, “Better Every Day,” reinforces the company’s commitment to deliver intelligent, connected solutions and services that continuously enhance frontline performance, agility and responsiveness across critical workflows.

Through deep industry expertise and a global ecosystem of partners, Zebra harnesses the power of these advanced technologies in a portfolio of products and solutions that enable organizations to:

• Capture and act on real-time data to inform faster, smarter decisions.
• Streamline repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors and improve consistency.
• Redesign workflows for simplicity, speed and increased productivity.
• Leverage AI for the frontline to continuously drive innovation at the point of work.

Transform workflows to boost your business at every level

Don’t get left behind. By digitizing and automating your workflows, your organization can accelerate processes as well as improve productivity and customer experience, sowing the seeds for significant payoffs.

“Intelligent operations simplify complexity by augmenting the frontline with advanced technologies,” said White. “This enables organizations to adapt to rapid change and thrive in competitive markets.”

To learn more about how your business can benefit from connected frontline, asset visibility and automation solutions that support modern workflows, visit this landing page.

2025-09-19T11:19:01

(BPT) – Are you prepared in case of a local emergency? From severe storms to wildfires and floods, it’s critical that you and your loved ones have the knowledge and resources to weather these and other disasters. This National Preparedness Month, take small steps to prepare your family for big emergencies.

Don’t know where to start? T-Mobile knows how important it is for families to stay in touch with each other and reach emergency services. Over the past few years, the mobile provider has added resilience tools like AI-driven network automation, satellite-powered emergency messaging and priority service for first responders. In addition to these investments in technology and resources to support community connectivity during disasters, T-Mobile offers a few simple steps you can take now to prepare your family for a future emergency.

1. Save local emergency numbers

In a crisis, it’s vital that you’re able to reach your family and emergency services as quickly as possible. Look up and save important local emergency numbers including police and fire, poison control and state highway patrol in your contacts.

2. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are public safety messages sent by local, state, tribal and federal Alert Originators to provide critical information and help keep you safe and aware of dangerous weather and other emergencies in the area. Check that alerts are enabled on your phone under the notification settings.

If your phone supports satellite texting, consider adding T-Satellite with Starlink. It lets you send and receive texts (including to 911) and enables location sharing when towers are down almost anywhere in the U.S. if you can see the sky. And anyone with a compatible phone, even if you’re not a T-Satellite subscriber, can still receive WEAs.

3. Conserve phone battery with low-power mode

If the power goes out during a disaster or weather event, it can be hours to days until it’s restored. Turn on Low Power/Battery Saver mode, dim your screen, and limit use to essential calls and texts to stretch your charge.

4. Turn on Wi-Fi Calling

If a cell tower goes down, Wi-Fi Calling lets you place calls and texts over any available Wi-Fi, including home internet and public hotspots. Most providers support it. Look in Settings > Phone (or Connections) > Wi-Fi Calling.

5. Prepare a go-bag

During an evacuation, don’t risk forgetting essentials. Stay prepared by packing a go bag with prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, first-aid supplies, a flashlight and batteries, a radio, chargers, printed maps, a jacket and sneakers, copies of key documents, water and nonperishable food.

6. Make a family emergency plan

Your family may not all be together when disaster strikes. To be prepared, make a family emergency plan and go over it together. Include a designated meeting point, a list of emergency contacts, a household communication plan and evacuation routes. Keep a printed copy in a sealed bag.

7. Know your community resources

During a disaster, connection and community are critical. Make sure you know where you can find support and check with your city and county for emergency response services.

It takes teamwork to hold communities together during a disaster. That’s why T-Mobile deploys community support vehicles with robust Wi-Fi and high-capacity charging to neighborhoods during emergency events. Whether you’re a customer or not, you can rely on this service to keep your community connected when it matters most.

Stay connected, stay safe

This month, take these seven small steps that can make a big difference during a disaster. To find more emergency tips and learn about what T-Mobile is doing in communities like yours, visit T-Mobile.com/News/Emergency-Response.

2025-09-19T09:01:00

(BPT) – The protein is extra — and new Empower research reveals that 43% of Americans say protein-enhanced versions of everyday items like bagels, chips, and drinks are worth the higher price, rising to 54% for younger generations. Over 1 in 2 Americans (55%) report protein and protein-added items cost more due to inflation and tariffs, and 52% say the rise of protein products has noticeably increased their grocery spending (60% younger generations). Half (49%) think protein has become a “premium” ingredient and they expect to pay more for foods labeled high-protein (57% younger generations).

Younger consumers are driving the protein trend, with 56% of Gen Z and Millennials willing to spend more (versus 34% older generations; 44% overall) — adding up to 3x as much money on protein items than Boomers ($71 per week vs. $27, respectively).

As fast-casual counters and beverages deliver options, shoppers are opting in: 48% of people (and 60% of younger generations) often choose grain or salad bowls with added protein, and 42% upgrade meals by adding a “double protein” option (e.g., double chicken, extra tofu, additional steak), rising to 57% for younger generations. Some 39% say they add a boost to smoothies for an upcharge (53% younger generations; 17% Boomers). Four in 10 (41%) people would reduce spending on other grocery categories (e.g., snacks, produce) to afford more protein-based items (53% Millennials).

Protein price tag

Americans spend an average of $50 a week on protein products, with younger generations spending the most:

• Gen Z – $75
• Millennials – $67
• Gen X – $48
• Boomers – $27

Make it a double

More than half of people (55%) say they adjust their diet daily to make sure they get enough protein (62% younger generations) and 46% say they buy dedicated “high-protein” products such as shakes, powders, and bars (60% Millennials; 55% Gen Z; 27% Boomers). Compared to the regular version of a product, 72% would be willing to pay more for added protein or a protein-enhanced version. Though 65% of people think most protein-added products are overpriced, half (49%) will spend between $1-$5 more on them, with 23% open to paying between $1-$2 more. Just 28% would not pay any more money.

When it comes to categories where consumers are most willing to pay a premium for protein, traditional sources like meat (57%), eggs (40%), and dairy (32%) top the list, though the trend is expanding to newer categories like pasta (23%) and coffee products (17%).

In which categories are Americans most willing to pay a premium for protein?

• Meat – 57%
• Eggs – 40%
• Breakfast foods (e.g., cereals, yogurt, oatmeal) – 32%
• Dairy – 32%
• Poultry – 32%
• Snacks (e.g., bars, chips, cookies) – 29%
• Beverages (e.g., protein shakes, smoothies, enhanced waters) – 28%
• Prepared meals/bowls – 25%
• Frozen foods – 24%
• Pasta – 23%
• Coffee products – 17%

Americans are split on their preferred meals: 47% say they are more likely to pay a premium for protein in their lunch or dinner items (58% Millennials), while 44% prefer breakfast items (59% Gen Z).

Check the label

Half (50%) of shoppers say protein content is one of the first things they check on nutrition labels (vs. 37% of Boomers). When shopping for groceries, 45% actively look for items that have added protein versions (54% younger generations).

• 49% say when they see “added protein”‘ on a product label, it makes it more appealing (58% Millennials).
• 46% prefer snacks specifically labeled as “high-protein” (56% younger generations).
• 47% would rather pay extra for protein than for other health-focused add-ons (e.g., fiber, probiotics, vitamins), dipping to 33% of Boomers.
• 43% say even if it costs more, they would switch to a different brand if it offered more protein, rising to 55% for younger generations.

Methodology:

Empower’s “The Protein is Extra” study is based on online survey responses from 2,200 Americans ages 18+ from September 6-7, 2025. The survey is weighted to be nationally representative of U.S. adults.

RO4814147-0925