Latest news with #TimAllen
Business Insider
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Language app Babbel has a new CEO. Here's what he's learned about leading from day one
Since joining Babbel as its new CEO last week, Tim Allen has made a point of avoiding a leadership mistake he said he made earlier in his career. Instead of barreling in with his ideas for the language-learning company, Allen (the executive, not the actor) said he's been going around the office asking employees for their insights on the business. "The biggest lesson I've learned is to give space to some of the emotional undercurrents that have to happen with change," Allen, who previously helmed U.S. companies Vimeo, and told Business Insider. "That is something that I think people who are new CEOs at times can miss." Incoming leaders who announce plans for upheaval at a company the moment they come on board can create unnecessary stress for workers, warned Allen. "What ends up happening is people just feel the whiplash of the change," he said. Like many other companies, though, privately held Babbel is undergoing a transition period due to the artificial-intelligence boom. It recently added its first AI tool to its platform, which lets users practice their conversational skills with bots in select languages. Previously, users had to sign up for classes with live instructors to practice those skills. Babbel has said it plans to deploy more AI tools later this year. In May, Luis von Ahn, the CEO of Babbel rival Duolingo, faced social-media blowback after he described in a LinkedIn post plans to make his company "AI-first" and said that it would "gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle." (He later walked back those remarks, saying in a follow-up post that he sees AI as a tool that can accelerate the work that Duolingo's employees do.) Allen told Business Insider that at Babbel, AI will complement the work of its human language instructors, not replace them. The technology will "accelerate the starting point of the humans who are experts in their field on creating course content," he said. Babbel was formed in 2007. Initially, its three founders set out to build a music platform but quickly pivoted after a casual conversation about learning Spanish sent them looking for an online solution that didn't seem to exist. In 2021, Babbel shelved plans to go public, citing unfavorable market conditions at the time. Allen said he isn't reconsidering an initial public offering. "We're growing and we don't need capital to execute our strategy," Allen said. Remaining private "gives us freedom to stay focused on all of the learner outcomes we want and not the short-term market noise of what we would've had to contend with." Today, Babbel is also cashflow positive and it's sold more than 25 million subscriptions to its platform, which range in price from $17.95 for one month to $107.40 for a year. Allen, 47, is taking over the reins at Babbel from co-founder Markus Witte, who is now executive chairman. He said he learned about the job when he received a call earlier this year from a recruiter with executive-search firm Egon Zehnder. Now living in Berlin after relocating with family from Texas, Allen said he can read German, but doesn't yet speak it fluently. He expects that to change over time because he's using Babbel's platform to help him level up. "I can count to 10, which I think is a big milestone," he joked. While Babbel's several hundred employees represent more than 80 nationalities, Allen said many of his new peers have already teased him about having the same name as the star of the American '90s sitcom "Home Improvement." "It's actually a really good icebreaker," said Allen. "They know that show."
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Single woman asks for Tim Allen 'Home Improvement' grunts over dating app — and the responses are hilarious: ‘This is better than dating'
The extremes some men will go to. As wild as today's digital dating world is — sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. One woman posted on her dating app profile asking potential suitors to give her their best impersonation of actor Tim Allen's grunts from the show 'Home Improvement.' Advertisement The popular sitcom ran for eight seasons in the early 1990s. Allen's character, Tim 'The Tool Man' Taylor, was known for expressing himself through a very specific grunt sound. Allen's character had a famous grunt — that is clearly still being thought about today. Touchstone Television/courtesy Everett Collection Kathenn (@kathenn25) first shared a video on TikTok, putting many desperate eligible bachelors on blast who responded to her Hinge prompt that read: 'I get along best with people who can do the Tim Allen 'awrhoo' impression. Let me see what you got,' earlier this year. Advertisement To give context to viewers, she wrote in overlay text on her video: 'My version of the 4B movement includes making men on Hinge do an impression of Tim Allen before they're allowed to speak to me.' She played each hilarious impression one by one — and that was only the beginning. The responses to this prompt are hilarious. TikTok / @kathenn25 Advertisement Several other videos of grunting impressions followed, and the most recent one, captioned: 'They're baaaaaaaack (they never left they literally do not stop coming in),' has gone viral — garnering almost 500,000 views. Over 500 people commented on the humorous clip. One curious person asked: 'Is this a kink thing?' Advertisement Another person couldn't believe how well some of the contenders sounded like Allen: 'i refuse to believe that the first one was not sampled directly from the tv show.' One honest commenter gave a bit of an explanation as to why Kathenn is getting a ton of action on this prompt: 'I have no idea why but the tim Allen grunt is the REAL Roman empire for men. I've been doing this shit since I was a kid.' Someone else thought the journey was better than the destination in this situation: 'This is better than dating.' 'Absolute cinema,' another one chimed in. The video even made its way to X (formerly Twitter) where one user shared the video, writing, 'I'm absolutely losing it.' The Tweet received over 1 million views. In a YouTube short clip while on stage at the famous Laugh Factory comedy club, Allen explained that the inspiration for his famous grunt came from a time he was performing a show to a predominantly male audience. While Allen was trying to do his bits on stage, the men were all grunting as they ate their meal, barely paying attention to the comedian. 'I couldn't get their attention. All I was doing on stage, I hear men [grunting]. So I started doing that [grunting]. And these men actually went, 'Huh?' and a career was built,' Allen jokingly explained.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Babbel Names New CEO for AI Age, Says IPO Is Off the Table
Babbel's new chief executive officer said he's focused on expanding the company's language-learning product to include emerging artificial intelligence tools, and he doesn't intend to revive its initial public offering. Tim Allen, 47, takes over from co-founder Markus Witte, who was in the role on an interim basis, and replaces Arne Schepker, who left the company last year, Babbel said in a statement on Friday. Allen has previously been CEO of Vimeo, and
Technical.ly
24-06-2025
- Technical.ly
Microsoft's big lie: Your computer is fine (and you don't need to buy a new one)
This is a guest post by Tim Allen, principal engineer at Wharton Research Data Services at the University of Pennsylvania, a member of the Readers Council and an organizer of the Philadelphia Python Users Group. Microsoft has a long history of playing fast-and-loose with the truth. And that's again the case with Windows 10 coming to its supposed 'end of life' this fall. In the mid '90s, Microsoft claimed Internet Explorer was part of the Windows operating system, leading to one of the most famous antitrust cases in history. The company's claims about 'your privacy being their priority' became laughable when Windows 10 was released and aggressively started collecting user data, including contacts, calendar info, and increased telemetry. At the time, in 2015, the company also said Windows 10 would be the 'final' version of the operating system, continuously updated as a service. Guess not. Because now Microsoft is trying to convince millions of users across the world that if they don't upgrade to Windows 11, their computers will become trash, and no longer be viable to use. This couldn't be further from the truth. Before the turn of the millennium, computer hardware was advancing so quickly that upgrading your machine every few years made sense, because you got so much more power than just a few years prior. That rapid evolution has ended; the average home user (excepting hardcore gamers and crypto miners) should only need a new machine every decade, if not less frequently. Any computer bought new in 2015 should be perfectly capable of running an operating system, a web browser, email, video meetings and an office suite without feeling slow. Microsoft suggesting people have to toss their devices is not only discriminatory — not everyone can afford to do this — it's also horrible for the environment. E-waste is one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams, and while some of it is being repurposed, the trash piles are rising a reported 5x times recycling efforts. So what's a Windows user to do? There are options. Stopping support for Windows 10 despite its popularity Microsoft is starting to aggressively nag users to upgrade to Windows 11. The company plans to sunset support for Windows 10, with a stated end date for all updates, including important security patches, on Oct. 14 of this year. Yet it's still the most popular version being used, per StatCounter: Windows 10 — 52.94% Windows 11 — 43.72% All other Windows versions — 3.34% Previous Windows upgrades haven't had strict 'requirements' checks; they were more like 'recommendations' or 'suggestions.' That changed with Windows 11: a large portion of Windows 10 users are being told their computers will no longer work, full stop. Microsoft's proposed solution? To buy a new computer, and send your current one into the landfill, creating unnecessary ' techno-trash.' The company has also threatened that not upgrading could cause damages to the user's PC that wouldn't be covered by the manufacturer warranty. The campaign exhibits Microsoft's increasing use of deceptive dark UI patterns. Its upgrade prompt provides options for 'Remind me later' and 'Learn more' without an option to 'Never show again.' This further erodes what little trust Microsoft had remaining as a good actor. But there are ways to mitigate this, even if you already upgraded to Windows 11. They include using tools to remove unnecessary resource hogs (details below), or even maybe making the move to Linux! Security excuse or forced obsolescence? The checks Microsoft runs before allowing Windows 11 installation to proceed exclude most PCs manufactured before 2018. The operating system has become so bloated (with crapware and data collection spyware you don't need) that these requirements are far higher than they need to be. The other two checks are the real problem, however: they are far too aggressive, unless you're storing highly sensitive data on your home machine. And remember, most home users have been running without these features for decades without an issue. A summary of the requirement checks for Windows 11 installation: System resources: RAM, CPU and storage are all checked to ensure minimums are met. While these are reasonable checks, the requirements are much higher than they need to be. Trusted Platform Module (TPM): This is where things get problematic. TPM 2.0 is a relatively new hardware-based security feature; a chip that provides secure storage for cryptographic keys. It is a good security feature, but not necessary for most home users. TPM 2.0 was not consistently standard on computers until 2018, with some manufacturers adopting even later. Because of purchasing and production cycles, that means new computers bought as recently as 2022 might not be able to install Windows 11. Microsoft has shown some signs of backing off this requirement. Secure boot: This is a problematic feature that may attempt to keep you from installing an operating system other than Windows on a computer, and should not be a requirement. While it offers some nice-to-have security features, it is absolutely not necessary for the average home user. There are many options for Windows 10 users other than buying a new computer, but I will focus on the two that I believe will allow people to continue to use their machines with the least amount of friction. Option 1: Give Linux Mint a try Linux Mint is a desktop version of Linux that is meant to appeal to people familiar with Windows. It comes with everything the average home user needs, and just works. I would argue, in fact, that switching from Windows 10 to Linux Mint is less jarring than switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The user interface is actually more similar. Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition comes with a familiar start menu, runs Zoom just fine, and has drivers for most common devices. It includes key programs most users will need, like Firefox, and can run any of the popular web browsers (instead of Chrome, try Brave!). It also comes with LibreOffice. This free, open-source office suite is highly compatible with Microsoft Office. I have yet to see a home user who requires any features that are not included. It comes with Writer (like Word), Calc (Excel), Impress (PowerPoint), Base (Access) and more. It is compatible with the formats Microsoft uses (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx). One of the biggest features is what Linux Mint does NOT have, and that's all the Microsoft baggage. There's no data being collected, there's no telemetry, there's no advertising being thrust on lock screens and start menus, and you are in total control of your computer. Linux used to be hard — it used to be made by nerds, for nerds. But that has changed over the past decade, and it is now more accessible than it ever has been. I would argue it's now significantly easier for casual computer users than Windows 11, especially with Microsoft desperately trying to force a dozen things, all named Copilot, down everyone's throats. Linux Mint will run smoothly on almost any laptop purchased in the past twenty years. To test this, I installed it on a Dynabook Tecra A40-G with a Celeron processor and 4 gigabytes of RAM which you can currently buy on eBay for $68. These specifications could barely handle Windows 7, let alone a modern Windows version. Linux Mint runs smoothly and without lag, even on this underpowered configuration. There are certain situations where using Linux Mint won't be easy. Certain applications are only made for Windows, or are difficult to run on Linux (for example, Steam VR, if you're into virtual reality headsets). But if you're using email, an office suite of apps, Zoom, and nothing too exotic, it should work well. You can even use your company's Office 365 web versions! Option 2: Force Windows 11 to Install You can force the upgrade to install on your machine, even if it would 'fail' the supposed system requirement checks. Microsoft supports a file called which pre-answers the questions asked during the Windows 11 installation process. It also gives several options that aren't available during the typical installation. Here is an example of an file you could drop in the root of a Windows 11 USB installation key. Want more control? There's a handy program (again, free!) called Rufus that provides a nice interface for you to customize how you want to install a Windows 11 installer on a USB key. Rufus allows you to remove the checks mentioned above, eliminate the requirement for a Microsoft account, and disable some data collection with a few easy checkboxes. After installing Windows 11 and running updates, I highly recommend continuing to the next section to run Windows 11 Debloat and O&O ShutUp. Already have Windows 11? There are options to take back control A large part of the reason for the requirements around system resources is because of how bloated Windows has gotten. Microsoft provides a tool to PC manufacturers that allows them to 'customize the Windows experience' for their users. PC manufacturers use this opportunity to preload all kinds of sub-par software for a fee. This includes unnecessary tools like subscription-based virus scanners and anti-malware programs, usually with a short free trial, as well as other low-rated, even malicious applications that are incredibly hard for the average user to uninstall. Since Windows comes with its own protection, these programs do nothing but use the computer's system resources — and charge the user a monthly fee. In his trademark bombastic style, Ed Zitron bought the bestselling laptop from Amazon and reviewed just how sluggish an experience this creates. 1 minute and 50 seconds for the setup screen to appear and nearly an hour to get to the Start menu. Linux Mint would run smoothly on that laptop; I know because I have it installed on one that has worse specifications. Much of this sluggishness, or 'lag,' comes from Microsoft adding ever-more advertising and tracking. If you're stuck on Windows 11, and absolutely don't want to give Linux Mint a try, here are two essential (and free) open-source programs to help: Windows 11 Debloat: This community-driven project allows users to run one straightforward program to ditch most of the junk. It removes a wide-variety of preinstalled apps, disables telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history and app-launch tracking. It disables targeted ads, ads in the start menu, notifications, file explorer and the lock screen. It disables and removes Bing web search and Cortana from Windows search, Copilot and Windows Recall. You can review a full set of the changes on GitHub. O&O ShutUp: This handy tool changes Microsoft's thousands of settings to your advantage, rather than Microsoft's advantage. The recommended defaults have never steered me wrong. It is recommended you run this once per month, after the monthly Windows updates are applied. Is it finally the year of the Linux desktop? I tried several times over the past decade to use DuckDuckGo for search, rather than Google. The first few times, it didn't stick. But I'm now a DuckDuckGo regular, and rarely fall back to old habits. This isn't so much because DuckDuckGo has gotten much better. It's because Google has gotten much worse. Windows 11 has hit that same threshold. There has been a long-running joke in tech communities that 'this will be the year of the Linux desktop,' because it never seems to actually happen. But Windows 11 has become a hostile experience that doesn't respect the user's intelligence or privacy, and the Linux options have blossomed over the past decade. Linux Mint provides such a superior experience, the tide might actually start to turn. I've been running Windows, macOS, and Linux side by side for 15 years now, as part of my responsibilities as the principal engineer of my team. Part of that role is to ensure our developers can use whatever operating system they like, to be most efficient. This could be an ideal time for you, your family, and your friends to give Linux a try, and Linux Mint is an easier jump from Windows 10 than Microsoft's own product.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar Gives First Look at ‘Toy Story 5,' Teases New Original ‘Gatto' at Annecy
Pixar Animation Studios offered an exclusive first look at its hottest upcoming features — including Hoppers and Toy Story 5 — and announced a brand-new original production, Gatto, during a studio presentation on Friday at the Annecy international animation film festival as part of a broader showcase that also included extensive footage from Pixar's 2025 release Elio. Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter took the stage to present behind-the-scenes material from Toy Story 5, revealing early footage and confirming the return of franchise veterans Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cussack. Directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris and produced by Jessica Choi, the fifth installment in Pixar's flagship franchise is scheduled for release on June 19, 2026. More from The Hollywood Reporter Corporate-TV Branding Has Gotten Out of Control Natalie Portman-Produced French Animated Film 'Arco' Wins Annecy Chinese Auteur Bi Gan Breaks Down 'Resurrection,' His Mesmerizing Ode to Cinema's Enigmas Docter shared that the new film will explore the challenges faced by the toys in a digital-first world. 'It's Toy meets Tech,' he said, outlining the film's plot, which will see the original movies' team of toys facing up to the challenge presented by the new favorite plaything of their 8-year-old owner Bonnie Anderson: A tech tablet called Lillypad. Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang will confront a new generation of children more enamored with screens than playthings. Docter screened the world premiere of the film's opening scene, in which a container full of Buzz Lightyears awakens on an isolated desert island and struggles to reconnect with 'star command.' Toy Story 5 will also feature Ernie Hudson voicing Combat Carl, taking over the role originally voiced by the late Carl Weathers. In honor of the franchise's 30th anniversary, the Annecy audience was also treated to archival footage from the making of the original 1995 Toy Story, Pixar's first full-length feature. Docter also announced a brand-new animated feature, the original Gatto. The feature, to be directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa, follows Nero, a water-hating black cat living in the picturesque city of Venice, Italy, who befriends Maya, a lonely street musician. Docter gave a sneak peek at the first animated tests and character drawings for the movie, which will have a much more painterly design than is typical of Pixar. Gatto is set to premiere in the summer of 2027. The studio also debuted a first-look clip from Hoppers, an original Pixar comedy about Mabel (Piper Curda), a nature-loving young woman trying to stop the local Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm), from building a highway that will destroy her local woodlands. Thanks to a secret brain-swapping experiment, Mabel is able to transfer her mind into a robot beaver and heads to a pond, where refugees from the encroaching industrialization have landed. There, she tries to convince the animals, led by the regal beaver King George (Bobby Moynihan) to join her and stop the highway. The Annecy session also included a preview of Elio, directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, and produced by Mary Alice Drumm. The science fiction adventure, which premieres in theaters on June 20, follows 11-year-old Elio Solis (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), who is mistakenly identified as Earth's ambassador after being abducted by aliens. The voice cast includes Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil and Shirley Henderson. Elio premiered earlier this week in Los Angeles. The Annecy crowd was treated to a full 25 minutes of footage. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
