(Family Features) Freelancers, creatives and on-the-go leaders know they can only go as far as their tech takes them. Make sure you – or the loved ones in your life – can harness the power of productivity with the latest gadgets.

Whether you need to power more productive work hours or seek inspiration for “you” time, ignite performance with these laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Series. Multi-day battery life, unmatched performance and on-device AI capabilities allow you to power through tasks – business or personal – uninterrupted. Unlock exceptionally fast processing power and experience game-changing speed, power efficiency, enhanced security and simple device management.

Discover tech solutions for both professional and personal use at Qualcomm.com/Snapdragon.

Streamline Creativity with a Smart Sidekick

Unlock the freedom of creativity with AI-powered performance on the ultra-slim Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x powered by Snapdragon X Elite. Dazzling 3K PureSight OLED display with 1,000 nits peak brightness and Comfort Edge Design are engineered for on-the-move creators. Built for next-gen AI experiences, it’s not just smart – it’s your creative sidekick that knows what you need before you do, streamlining tasks with leading on-device intelligence action. Amazingly slim and unexpectedly tough, find out how AI can match your A-game.

Take AI to New Heights

Push your AI experience to the next level with the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus powered by Snapdragon X Plus, built with a portable design backed by all-day battery life up to 15 hours. With groundbreaking on-device AI and powerful performance, it enables a faster and more efficient experience from virtually anywhere. It’s easy on the eyes with Dell ComfortView Plus, a tall 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical space and less scrolling, a hardware low blue light solution and vibrant details from the QHD+ resolution, 400-nit brightness level and Dolby Vision.

Level Up On-the-Go Creativity

Designed for tech-savvy freelancers and on-the-go leaders, the HP OmniBook X powered by Snapdragon X Plus is built with a sleek design and the perfect synergy of AI-enhanced power and mobility. It’s sleek and versatile with multi-day battery life, taking productivity and creativity up a notch through style, function and mobility. Lightning-fast responsiveness provides top performance without sacrificing portability for work and play as you can stream up to 12 hours of video calls or binge 22 hours of your favorite shows.

Speed Up Productivity

Bringing intelligent AI solutions to your fingertips with features that effortlessly streamline settings, optimize your video experience and elevate communication, the Acer Swift 14 AI powered by Snapdragon X Elite delivers exceptional responsiveness with multi-day battery life. Peak performance with lightning-fast data speeds and responsiveness allows you to work efficiently and enables multitasking with ease. Bring work to life with a color-rich OLED display in a premium ultra-thin chassis with Copilot+, which helps boost productivity and security with on-device AI solutions.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (man and woman using laptop)

SOURCE:
Qualcomm

(Family Features) Harsh winter elements like snow, ice and wind can wreak havoc on your home – if it’s not properly prepared and maintained. Make home maintenance both indoors and out a priority this winter to ensure it’s safe, warm, secure and operating efficiently.

While winterizing can be a daunting task, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you need help installing gutter guards, sealing cracks in your concrete or ensuring your sump pump is ready for winter, the experts at Thrasher Foundation Repair provide precise repairs for every project.

They’ve seen it all through 50 years of serving more than 150,000 happy customers – from basement flooding to damaged concrete – and know how to prevent these issues before they start. Recognized with the International Torch Award for Ethics by the Better Business Bureau Midwest Plains, they set the standard for excellence in their field as a trusted industry leader in home protection.

“Winter can really take a toll on your home, but a few proactive steps now can save you headaches later,” CEO Dan Thrasher said. “At Thrasher Foundation Repair, we help protect what matters most – your home and peace of mind. We’re happy to share our pro tips to help you keep your home safe, dry and ready for whatever winter throws your way.”

It all begins with homeowners taking proactive steps to recognize small problems before they spiral out of control. Use this checklist from Thrasher’s experts to prepare your home for a warm, secure and stress-free winter season.

Clean and Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
When debris like leaves clog gutters, it causes water to overflow and freeze, leading to ice dams and roof leaks. These blockages can cause water to damage your roof, siding and foundation, meaning it’s critical to remove debris. Run water through gutters and check for proper water flow – if you notice pooling or slow drainage, there may be a blockage that needs attention. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation and walkways by extending them at least 10 feet away from the home. Also be sure to inspect and tighten any loose gutter brackets and fasteners so they can withstand the weight of snow and ice.

Insulate Rim Joists
Rim joist insulation plays a big role in your home’s energy efficiency. If your insulation is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to a more efficient material to reduce heat loss.

Protect the Basement and Foundation
Now is a good time to inspect your foundation for any cracks or damage. Bringing in the experts to address problem areas can help avoid larger issues when spring storms arrive. A working sump pump is critical for preventing basement flooding caused by snowmelt or winter storms, so it’s important to test it to ensure proper functionality. It’s also important to inspect discharge lines for potential freezing issues to avoid water backup into the basement. Consider grading soil to ensure the ground slopes away from your home, preventing water from seeping through.

Seal and Protect Concrete
Carefully inspect walkways, driveways and patios for cracking. During winter, water can seep into cracks, freeze then expand, causing long-term damage. Seal them with a penetrating sealant (rather than a topical one) for long-lasting protection from moisture, salt and other winter elements.

Optimize Humidity
Turn on your furnace’s humidifier to maintain proper indoor humidity levels and adjust your dehumidifier settings to match winter’s low humidity. This helps keep your home comfortable while preventing moisture-related issues.

Clear Debris Around the House
Along with cleaning gutters and downspouts, it’s important to clear window wells and clean up around the foundation, too. Debris in window wells can block drainage, causing water from snowmelt to pool near the foundation then seep into the basement.

Manage Snow and Ice
Leaving snow and ice on concrete surfaces can erode and weaken the material over time. Regularly shoveling snow from driveways, sidewalks and patios helps prevent ice buildup and protects the concrete from long-term damage.

Find more winter home maintenance tips and contact the pros for assistance by visiting GoThrasher.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (teens shoveling snow)
Photo courtesy of Thrasher Foundation Repair (contractor checking gutters)

SOURCE:
Thrasher Foundation Repair

(Family Features) Moving from one year to the next is a perfect opportunity to think about the new chapter you want to write for yourself. It’s a time to celebrate your wins, identify your growth opportunities and define the goals you want to accomplish. This fresh start is an ideal moment to put pen to paper and set your goals for the year. 

Writing your goals on paper can increase the likelihood you achieve them. Pick up a journal and your favorite pens and find a comfortable place to sit. Spend a little time thinking about what will bring you the most joy and fulfillment in the coming year. Utilize the power of color as part of bringing these resolutions to life. Whether you’re resolving to reset mentally or want to get organized, you can achieve more (and have fun doing it) by adding color to your self-mastery toolkit.

Begin setting and achieving your goals with the G2 Boost Collection from Pilot Pen to make this year about your personal growth. Here are some steps you can take, with the additional assistance of color science, to boost your goal-reaching potential.
 

1. Reflect on last year’s progress – and the goals you didn’t achieve. 
   Write down the goals you achieved last year and those that remained out of reach to give yourself an empowered fresh start.
    
2. Select your goals and intentions for 2025.
   Review the goals you didn’t achieve last year. Select and rewrite those you want to carry forward as goals for 2025. Pick up a G2 Boost “Optimism” pack to write these goals in pink. Color science has shown writing with shades of pink can improve focus and calm nervous energy. If the goal you’re carrying forward is to have a more positive mindset, rewrite it in brighter shades of pink to feel more optimistic about achieving it this year. You can also spend time journaling about your emotions surrounding this goal in lighter shades of pink to feel soothed and comforted.
    
3. Map out your action plan.
   Define the steps you’ll take to achieve your goals using blue shades. Blues can power your forward momentum and critical thinking ability, while also evoking feelings of peace and tranquility, thus making you more productive. Mapping out your plan in shades of blue can help you visualize the big picture and identify each of the key steps to get it all done. Writing with darker shades of blue may help your decision-making process while lighter shades of blue can help you focus on the details.
    
4. Practice self-compassion.
   Revisit your goals and action plan monthly. Note your wins and setbacks. Use the shades of green in the G2 Boost “Balance” pack to help nurture yourself and maintain momentum. The colors of green are associated with nature and evoke feelings of balance and harmony. Greens can be especially beneficial when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Lighter shades of green inspire positive thinking and harmony, while darker shades can boost your memory.
    

Your blank page awaits – you have the power to create the life you want. Using color can be a powerful tool to help elevate your well-being and maximize your mindset as you write your story for the year ahead.

This year, find the colors to help reach your resolutions by visiting amazon.com/pilotpen.

SOURCE:
Pilot Pen