SUCCESS

Having a storied beginning and a deep history, even a legendary story, does not guarantee future success.

“Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. It was the first spirits brand in the world to be named after a Black American,” the company explained on its website.

Nearest famously taught a young Jack Daniel what’s now called the Lincoln County Process, the process of sugar maple charcoal filtering whiskey, ABC shared.

His legacy was revived by Fran Weaver in 2017, who launched the Uncle Nearest brand using Nearest Green’s techniques and recipes, which are now 170 years old.

The company, which has won multiple awards, faced hard times and has been placed under a receiver, Phillip G. Young Jr. That’s something Weaver has objected to in court.

Under Young, the company has continued operating while the receiver has considered everything from selling off non-core assets to a full Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Now, the brand has moved closer to resolving its fate.

Uncle Nearest is being controlled by a receiver

A receivership can be used when a financially troubled company needs an independent party to take control of its operations.

“The receiver’s job is to literally operate the business,” John Mark Jennings, a partner in the law firm of Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP, told Smart Business. “A receivership is an action brought against your company because it is being operated to the detriment of shareholders or creditors.”

More Bankruptcy:

Outdoors retailer closing 91 stores in Chapter 11 bankruptcy

97-year-old aerospace manufacturer files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

60-year-old dining chain franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Under a receivership, however, the company’s management loses operational control. That’s different from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows management to remain in place and attempt to negotiate with creditors, vendors, and landlords.

“They’re also used by companies in financial distress. They can be part of a company’s restructuring process. Receivership can help a company restructure financially or operationally during financial distress. A receivership can be used when a company is headed toward bankruptcy,” the financial website added.

Uncle Nearest may be sold

The receiver for Uncle Nearest has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell the American whiskey business’ assets. The assets include the Uncle Nearest brand and the Nearest Green Distillery, but exclude the assets of Grant Sidney — an associated entity also run by Weaver — as well as a property in Massachusetts and one in Cognac, according to The Spirit Business.

The new buyer has asked to remain confidential under a non-disclosure agreement until the purchase is finalized.

“However, the buyer has revealed that it is an investment firm with African-American ownership and leadership structure. It intends to maintain the current Uncle Nearest workforce and ‘honor the cultural significance’ of the brand,’” the industry publication shared.

Weaver has not commented on the deal because she remains under a court gag order.

A buyer has agreed to purchase Uncle Nearest’s assets, but its identity remains confidential.Shutterstock

Jay-Z has a connection to the brand

Multiple news outlets have speculated that the purchase agreement is with Marcy Pen, an investment company that counts Jay-Z as a partner.

In May, a federal judge in Tennessee expanded the receivership operating Uncle Nearest to include the company that was involved in hiding a $20 million loan from media mogul Jay-Z.

“In a 62-page opinion and order issued on May 26, U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr. said the receivership for the distillery should stay in place and be expanded to include Grant Sidney Inc., the holding company that founder Fawn Weaver used to conceal a loan made last year by Jay-Z’s investment company MarcyPen,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

MarcyPen is a venture capital firm formed in late 2024 and owned by Jay-Z, Jay Brown, Larry Marcus, and Robbie Robinson, along with D’Rita Robinson.

An article in Inc., which is behind a paywall, also made the connection to MarcyPen as the buyer, but that remains speculation and has not been confirmed.

A brief history of Uncle Nearest’s financial struggles

Tennessee whiskey brand Uncle Nearest was placed into court-ordered receivership in August 2025 after a lawsuit from lender Farm Credit Mid-America alleging the company defaulted on roughly $108 million in loans and lines of credit, according to Forbes.

A federal judge appointed a receiver to oversee the company and manage its assets while the lender attempts to recover the debt. The move temporarily removed control from founders Fawn and Keith Weaver, reported Axios.

The lawsuit claims the whiskey company violated loan terms and failed to maintain required financial conditions while carrying more than $100 million in liabilities, according to Forbes.

Court filings also alleged the company overstated the value of whiskey inventory used as collateral and failed to maintain required cash balances under the loan agreement, Forbes added.

The court-appointed receiver has explored selling non-core assets — including vineyards, real estate, and other alcohol brands — to raise cash and stabilize the company, according to TheStreet.

Despite the financial dispute, the company has continued operating while the legal process unfolds, with investors and lenders negotiating potential restructuring options, added TheStreet.

Weaver filed a lawsuit seeking to end the receivership and move the company into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. That was denied by a judge, with Young retaining control as the receiver, WSMV 4 reported.

Related: Innovative men’s and women’s jeans brand files Chapter 11

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why we love this deal

One of the most valuable things you can have in your home is versatile furniture. Whether that’s a sofa that can double as a bed, a mini-dresser that fits into a closet, or a storage cabinet that looks great in any room, adaptability is key. That’s why we were excited to find a pair of end tables on sale at Amazon that also include charging ports. Not only do these tables come in a set of two, but they can be used together or separately, and they can serve just about any purpose you need throughout the home. This is a deal that shouldn’t be ignored.

The Vasagle End Table Set with charging stations is on sale for $36 for Amazon Prime members. That’s a discount of 49% off the regular price of $70. If you were ever going to get two amazing end tables for the price of one, then this is your chance.

Vasagle End Table Set with Charging Stations, $36 (was $70) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Why do shoppers love it?

These end tables are sturdy, beautiful, and practical, all rolled into one. For starters, they’re made of powder-coated stainless steel frames that are rustproof and corrosion resistant. The remaining portions of each piece are made from waterproof manufactured wood. The open design and solid construction make these end tables both lightweight and durable. They’re easy to move around the home but sturdier than most similarly-priced fabric-sided mini dressers.

Aesthetically, this set looks far more expensive than it is. The combination of natural wood grain and dark-colored matte steel is a lovely contrasting look that matches most aesthetics. The woodgrain pattern also gives the tables a rustic touch against the more industrial modern lines of the frames. That’s why these end tables can fit alongside furniture of almost any style and look right at home.

On the practical side of things, these small tables deliver big value. Each has a bottom shelf that allows for storage of linens, books, or anything else that you may want to keep close at hand. The matching tabletop also has ample surface area for additional storage. However, perhaps the most impressive feature of this set is the charging station that’s built into the front of each piece. It has two AC outlets and two standard USB outlets. That means you can easily set these next to a sofa, a bed, or anywhere in a room, and you can charge your devices at any moment. The fact that this furniture can offer all of that functionality at such a low price means it’s not likely to stay in stock very long.

Related: Amazon’s 3-tier nightstand shelf has multiple uses for just $17

Amazon shoppers were as taken aback by this set as we were. One called the set “absolutely worth the purchase,” claiming that it “adds a touch of class with added functionality.”

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Songmics Bellah 2-Drawer Mini Dresser, $25 at Amazon

Furologee 2-Drawer Mini Dresser and Charging Station, $40 (was $46) at Amazon

Max Houser 2-Drawer Mini Dresser, $37 at Amazon

The Vasagle End Table Set with Charging Stations is a great buy for anyone who loves multi-purpose furniture. At just $36, it’s unlikely you’ll find a more affordable way to get two tables with added tech features anywhere else. Just be sure to buy yours sooner rather than later, as there’s no telling when the price may return to its original level. 

“There’s so much to dislike about the economy,” Jim Cramer said in the latest episode of “Mad Money,” ticking through tech turmoil, oil, inflation, housing affordability, and the bond market. 

Investors clearly have a lot to worry about. 

The S&P 500 wrapped up Aug. 18 at 7,691.76, down 0.69%, while the Nasdaq slid 1.33% to 26,289.71 and the Dow fell 116 points to 53,343.40, according to the Associated Press.

It marked a third straight drop for the index after the index hit a record just a day earlier, with chip stocks in particular taking a brutal hit. 

The economic backdrop didn’t offer much comfort, either, to be fair.

July payrolls dropped by 23,000, and retail sales dropped 0.6% for their first decline in nine months, while The Wall Street Journal reported July housing starts tanked 12.4%.

But Cramer, ever the contrarian, argued investors might be focusing on the wrong side of the economy.

And his reasoning gets a lot more interesting beneath the headline figures.

Cramer says the economy looks better beneath the surface

Cramer believes Wall Street is essentially mistaking a collection of surface-level problems for an economy that’s falling apart.

He first pointed to consumer spending. 

Airbnb (ABNB), he said, is “on fire,” while, according to him, Home Depot (HD) delivered its best quarter in five years, backed up by tremendous strength from professional contractors. What was mighty encouraging was that this happened even while housing itself “barely has a pulse,” Cramer said. 

Airbnb stock is up 48% over the past six months, blowing past the S&P 500’s 12% gain, and more than 25% this month after reporting blowout Q2 earnings, as reported by Seeking Alpha.

The company’s Aug. 6 report showed revenue surging 17% to $3.61 billion, about $40 million higher than the $3.57 billion LSEG consensus. EPS of $1.37 topped the $1.26 estimate by 11 cents, while Airbnb raised its full-year revenue growth outlook.

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Wall Street’s AI trade faces its biggest valuation test

The next Wall Street shift is already underway

Wall Street sends strong 4-word verdict on the stock market

Home Depot reported earnings on Aug. 8, with sales rising 5.7% to $47.86 billion, blowing past the $47.27 billion consensus by $590 million. Adjusted EPS of $4.92 beat estimates of $4.73 by $0.19. 

Hence, the sluggishness in the housing market isn’t dragging everything else down with it. 

Cramer made another big claim. “At the end of the day, we’re a service economy,” he said. “If service is doing well, you can’t be too negative.”

Then he went further: “Two-thirds of our economy may be doing better.”

According to Cramer, the economy is already proving remarkably resilient, even before housing meaningfully recovers. Once the housing market improves, spending on remodeling, construction, and related services offers another leg of support. 

He talked about Toll Brothers (TOL) and its superb revenue, home sales, and margins, despite elevated interest rates as another major clue. 

Moreover, the stock is up around 17.5% over the past three months, according to Seeking Alpha, having again surpassed top- and bottom-line estimates in its latest quarterly showing by a healthy margin.

Oil prices are also critical to those concerns.

Cramer acknowledged that elevated crude prices are hurting consumers, primarily through diesel, which jumped to $5 a gallon. However, he doesn’t expect the shock to continue intensifying forever.

With Brent around $91, Cramer doesn’t foresee oil prices “skyrocketing much past $100.” On top of that, he forecasted added U.S. production, including growth from New Mexico and the Bakken, to help contain prices.

For perspective, as of Aug. 19, with Brent trading around $91.47, it’s up 50.3% in 2026, Reuters reported.

That also matters for inflation.

Rising oil pushes transportation and business costs higher, driving Treasury yields up. Cramer believes that oil might eventually reach a point where it stops pushing bonds lower every day, removing a massive source of pressure on markets and the economy. 

And regarding bonds, he said that although higher yields are painful, he rejects the idea that they constitute a financial crisis.

 Jim Cramer said economic weakness may be masking surprising underlying resilience.Brad Barket/Getty Images

Cramer thinks Wall Street is too bearish 

Cramer’s call on the economy leads directly into a far more aggressive call on the stock market.

The market’s been punishing the areas that carried it to record highs, especially semiconductor and data-center stocks.

Following the steep sell-off, Cramer notes that investors wanted little to do with that group. However, that’s exactly where he sees opportunity. 

Cramer pointed to what he described as record short betting against the Nasdaq, suggesting investors might have become too negative about the situation.

“When a trade gets that crowded, is it usually wrong?” he asked. His Investing Club was already looking to scoop up beaten-down data-center stocks, including Micron (MU).

For context, Micron stock is trading at around 14-times forward non-GAAP earnings, 81% lower than its 5-year average, according to Seeking Alpha.

According to Cramer, investors are pricing in a far worse economic scenario than the one he’s seeing. 

So if the economy holds up better than what’s being feared, the beaten-down stocks might have a lot more room to rebound.

If oil prices remain high but stop rising, bond yields stablize, and consumer spending holds up well, investors might not need a dramatic rebound for the beaten-down stocks to work. 

Additionally, Cramer even said the higher rates might make tech companies much more cautious with spending. Yet he feels he’s “not turning tail on that group” and remains a buyer.

“At these prices,” he argued, even lukewarm optimism can create opportunity. He calls it “damning the market with faint praise” but emphasizes that it is still praise.

What Cramer’s call means for investors

Cramer’s argument essentially prompts investors to look for places where expectations may have fallen a lot faster than the underlying business scenario. 

Bank of America recently identified 16 beaten-down AI-related stocks that it believes to have attractive fundamentals, despite tanking more than 20% from their highs, according to MarketWatch.

The list includes the likes of Micron, Lam Research (LRCX), Seagate (STX), CoreWeave (CRWV), and Vistra (VST), among others.

That resembles Cramer’s strategy of scooping up high quality data-center names after steep market drops.

However, the opportunity might be even broader than AI.

Morgan Stanley’s Mike Wilson argues that market leadership is broadening beyond chip stocks as earnings growth spreads a lot more toward economically sensitive businesses.

More recently, he urged investors to hunt for high-quality businesses with durable earnings and fortress-like balance sheets as the cycle matures.

For investors, that strengthens Cramer’s broader point. 

If we see the economy remaining mostly resilient instead of being spectacular, the better trade might actually be selective exposure to businesses whose earnings remain robust while their stocks have absorbed a substantial dose of pessimism.

Related: SanDisk sends strong signal to Micron investors, BofA says

The court could rule at any time on whether construction has to stop.

DWCS Season 10, Week 2 results: Kaik Brito KO of Namo Fazil, six UFC contracts awarded including one to a fighter who lost. Full card, methods and times.

A leading sportswear company is pulling back from another high-profile partnership as it works to simplify its business and sharpen its focus.

The decision ends a nearly decade-long collaboration with one of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. It also comes less than a year after the company ended another major partnership, as softer demand puts additional pressure on its business.

Founded in 1996 in Baltimore, Maryland, Under Armour is a well-known athletic wear company that makes apparel, footwear, accessories, and other performance gear. The company operates hundreds of stores around the world.

Under Armour ends Project Rock partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Under Armour is ending its partnership with actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, bringing its collaboration around the Project Rock brand to a close after about a decade.

The partnership, which began in 2016, produced Project Rock, a training-focused brand that launched in 2017. The collection expanded into apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and children.

The split appears to be amicable. Under Armour will continue distributing existing Project Rock products through October, WWD reported.

Johnson and his former wife and business partner, entrepreneur Dany Garcia, own the Project Rock trademark and are seeking a new manufacturing partner for the brand.

Johnson thanked Under Armour for its role in building Project Rock and indicated that the brand will move forward with new partners.

“Now we move on to new north stars, new partners, and with one intention in mind: deliver for the people. We build it, together,” Johnson said in a statement to WWD.

Under Armour characterized the separation as a natural conclusion to the partnership.

“As we sharpen our focus and strengthen our core business, we’re creating a more unified expression in our train category,” the company said in a statement to WWD.

The partnership ends while Under Armour continues to adjust its business and focus more closely on its core categories. The company has also experienced the loss of another major athlete collaboration.

In November 2025, Under Armour and NBA star Stephen Curry ended their 12-year partnership, bringing the Curry Brand collaboration to a close.

Under Armour ends Project Rock partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Why Under Armour is ending its Project Rock partnership

Under Armour (UAA) has not said that its recent financial performance directly caused the Project Rock partnership to end. However, the company’s latest results provide important context for its efforts to simplify the business and concentrate on its core offerings.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company reported:

Revenue declined 3% year over year

North America revenue decreased 9%

Wholesale revenue fell 2%

Owned-and-operated store revenue dropped 3%

E-commerce revenue was down 12%

Apparel, footwear, and accessories all posted revenue declines

The company also reduced its retail footprint. Under Armour closed 21 Brand House locations worldwide and ended the quarter with 438 total stores, compared with 442 a year earlier.

The retail changes are part of Under Armour’s broader initiative to operate with greater discipline while investing in a more focused product portfolio.

“By simplifying the business, we are operating with greater discipline and better positioned to protect profitability, while still investing in a sharper product portfolio through clearer storytelling with the goal of driving a more premium Under Armour that will consistently earn demand at full price,” the company said in its latest earnings report.

Under Armour has also lowered its revenue expectations for fiscal 2027. The company now expects revenue to decline at a mid-single-digit percentage rate, compared with its previous outlook for a slight decline.

The revised forecast reflects softer demand, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific, according to the company’s latest earnings release.

Against that backdrop, the end of Project Rock fits with Under Armour’s broader effort to streamline its business and place greater emphasis on its own core categories. The company has specifically pointed to a more unified approach to its training business as it moves forward.

Here’s some of my previous coverage of sportswear brand strategy:

Sportswear giant continues store closures nationwide

Nike rival makes a surprise U.S. comeback

Global sportswear brand closing 15 stores, laying off workers

For Johnson, the termination of the partnership does not necessarily mean the end of Project Rock. Johnson and Garcia retain ownership of the trademark and are seeking a new manufacturing relationship, giving them the opportunity to determine the brand’s next direction.

Related: Sportswear giant continues store closures nationwide

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why we love this deal

August is ripe with humidity, and even though we know the autumn season is just around the corner, we’re not so sure Mother Nature does. When your home feels hot and sticky, or simply just humid and damp, there’s nothing relaxing about being indoors. Thankfully, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers like the Knka Pro Dehumidifier can help ease the heat, and actually save you money so you don’t spend a fortune cranking up central AC or suffering through it all when you don’t have one. 

Although the two products differ greatly, they both can help cool down your home significantly, and for budget-conscious shoppers, the Knka Pro Dehumidifier is on sale for 46% at Walmart. The $240 2,500-square foot dehumidifier is on clearance for $130, and as a bestseller, it’s a favorite for shoppers right now. 

Knka Pro Dehumidifier, $130 (was $240) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

Whereas air conditioners are designed to cool room temperature by venting heat outside, dehumidifiers target excess humidity indoors, cool it, and then recirculate that same air back out into a room. Typically, they work by sucking up surrounding damp air, cooling it by letting it pass over cold coils which then squeezes out the water vapor through condensation, warming that air up again to be room-temperature and then pushing it back out. Thus, it’s not pushing cold air back out, but rather, by removing the moisture from the air, your surroundings can become noticeably cooler and less humid and/or damp. 

This specific unit, which measures 13.3 inches long, 10.3 inches wide, and 20.9 inches high, is a powerful but petite machine, able to remove up to 34 pints of moisture per day to reduce excess humidity, dampness, and musty odors to keep your home dry, fresh, and comfortable to live in. With best results occurring in closed spaces, particularly bathrooms, closets, and bedrooms, this dehumidifier can cover up to 2,500-square feet effectively at once which is comparable to an average single-family home. 

With three different drainage options, you can choose how to remove the excess water the machine pulls on based on what’s most convenient and easiest for you. The built-in 0.79 gallon tank collects water and then signals when it needs emptying. You can also use the 1-meter drainage hose that connects to a floor drain or sink and continuously drains, no need to empty the tank ever, or you can also use the 2.64 gallon external water tank that’s sold separately, giving you 3.43 gallons of space for water to collect that only needs emptying once a day. 

Related: Amazon’s $190 portable air conditioner and dehumidifier cools up to 350 square feet

The dehumidifier operates quietly between 42 and 48 decibels, comparable to the sound of a gentle breeze, so you can easily use it when you’re sleeping without it affecting your rest. With a soft leather handle and 360-degree wheels, you can easily move it from room to room, taking it with you wherever you go so you can ensure a dry, fresh environment. Other features include an auto mode, dry mode, quiet sleep mode, and a variety of humidity settings to choose from. It has an auto-shut off when the drainage tank gets full, a one-touch child lock, and a built-in 24-hour timer that allows for automatic scheduling for energy savings. 

Details to know

Dimensions: The dehumidifier measures 13.3 inches long, 10.3 inches wide, and 20.9 inches high.

Pint drainage: 34 pints per day. 

Coverage: 2,500 square feet.  

Colors: Two. 

Shoppers are “seriously impressed” with the dehumidifier, with some calling it “one of the best” they’ve ever owned. It pulls moisture out of the air quickly and keeps everything feeling very comfortable. It runs quietly and for long periods of time with ease. Keep it on overnight or run it all day long without any annoyances. Light, portable, and robust, it’s a really affordable way to cool down your home without adding exorbitant fees to your electric bill. 

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Waykar 80-Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier, $152 (was $272) at Walmart

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Products like the Knka Pro Dehumidifier aren’t just ideal for super humid conditions. Keep moisture in the air from damaging your home or causing musty smells all-year long, not just when it’s warm out. 

Companies guard their next product harder than almost anything else they own. Hardware leaks. Specs leak. Neither costs much, because a spec sheet without a story is just a rumor with numbers attached.

What almost never leaks is the story itself.

The polished demo video, the voiceover, the exact sentence a company has decided will explain why you need something you never asked for. That footage stays locked up until a stage light hits it.

Apple (AAPL) has run this play for two decades. Rumor sites spend months arguing about ports and prices, and the company says nothing until a September morning when it finally tells you what the thing is for.

Software point releases are supposed to be the boring part of that cycle. They fix bugs, patch security holes, and ship without a press release.

This month’s release candidate for macOS Tahoe 26.7 shipped something else. Buried inside the code was a finished promotional video for AirPods with cameras built into them, reported MacRumors.

A macOS update exposes Apple’s camera AirPods demo.Julija Matuka / Getty Images

How AirPods quietly became a bigger business than the iPad

The AirPods line does not get the attention the iPhone gets, and Apple’s own reporting is partly why. It folds the earbuds into a catch-all segment called Wearables, Home and Accessories, sharing space with Apple Watch, HomePod and charging cables.

That segment brought in $7.88 billion in the fiscal third quarter, up from $7.40 billion a year earlier, according to Apple’s consolidated financial statements.

More Apple News: 

Apple’s $54 billion iPhone machine may be about to break its biggest ritual

Apple’s cheap-chip plan just hit a wall in Washington

Apple’s next iPhone battle just got more complicated

When I lined that up against the iPad in the same filing, the gap was the part worth noting. Wearables out-earned Apple’s tablet business by roughly $1.7 billion in a single quarter, and it has cleared $27.28 billion across the first three quarters of fiscal 2026.

So the earbuds matter considerably more than the coverage suggests. Which is why a leaked video about them is worth more than a leaked render of a phone.

There is also a reason cameras land in earbuds before they land anywhere else at Apple. The Vision Pro proved people will tolerate sensors pointed at the world, and it also proved they will not pay $3,499 for the privilege. 

What the macOS video shows about camera-equipped AirPods

The clip shows a man holding a book up so the earbuds can read the cover. “With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable,” says the voiceover, according to MacRumors.

The demo goes further than a marketing tease. Siri answers questions about what the wearer is looking at and saves items for later, and the software includes a warning that fires when hair covers the earbuds and blocks the camera’s view.

Related: One quiet Apple update could matter more than it looks

That warning is the detail that convinced me this is close. Companies do not write edge-case error copy for products still stuck in the concept phase.

The earbuds carry the internal codename B790, which Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had referenced earlier this month, reported MacRumors. Gurman placed the launch as early as September, which would put the earbuds on stage next to the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple’s first foldable.

The numbers behind Apple’s push into wearable AI

Four figures frame what Apple is walking into.

Wearables, Home and Accessories revenue hit $7.88 billion last quarter, up 6% year over year, according to Apple’s consolidated financial statements.

EssilorLuxottica sold more than 7 million artificial intelligence glasses in 2025, up from 2 million across 2023 and 2024 combined, reported CNBC. 

AirPods Pro 3 list at $249, according to Apple’s online store. 

The camera earbuds could arrive as soon as September, reported MacRumors, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

Meta (META) got here first and got here big. Seven million pairs of camera glasses is not a pilot program, it is a category, and Apple has spent two years watching a rival define it.

The Apple answer appears to be a bet that people will accept a camera in their ears long before they accept one on their face. Earbuds are already socially invisible in a way glasses never will be.

That bet also solves a distribution problem. Meta had to convince buyers to change what they wear, while Apple only has to convince roughly 2.5 billion active-device owners to replace something they already own.

What camera AirPods mean if you were about to buy

Here is where this stops being industry gossip and starts costing you money.

AirPods Pro 3 have been sliding all year. The earbuds list at $249, according to Apple, and had fallen to $190 by Aug. 10, a $59 discount and the lowest price in months, reported CNN Underscored.

That is roughly 24% off a flagship Apple product that normally holds near list for months at a stretch. Retailers do not cut that deep for fun. They clear inventory when they have reason to think a replacement is close.

So if you were planning to buy AirPods this month, the leaked video is your signal to wait. Apple has not announced an event date, but a September window means paying today’s price for a model that could be one generation old by the time it ships to you.

If you already own AirPods Pro 3, the math flips. Cameras will almost certainly carry a premium above $249, and the heart-rate sensing and live translation already in your ears are the features most people actually use every day.

Why the September Apple event now carries more weight

There is a second reason this leak lands harder than a normal rumor.

Tim Cook hands the chief executive job to John Ternus on Sept. 1, according to Apple. That makes the September event the first product launch of a new era at the company, and camera-equipped AirPods would be the first genuinely new Apple product category to arrive under it.

Apple has been the follower in wearable artificial intelligence, chasing a market Meta built while Vision Pro struggled to find buyers. TheStreet has covered how a Chinese startup beat both giants to a wearable developers actually wanted, a reminder that incumbency guarantees nothing here.

The privacy fight is coming either way. A camera in an earbud is harder to spot than a camera in a frame, and the objection will not come from the person wearing them.

Watch the price, not the hype. Apple has already told you what it is selling, which means the only question left in September is what it costs.

Related: Apple’s $54 billion iPhone machine may be about to break its biggest ritual

When we talk about modern success, it is hard to ignore the astronomical rise of Drake. Beyond the Grammy awards, the record-breaking Billboard hits, and the sold-out stadium tours, there is a masterclass in mindset, manifestation, and relentless work ethic.
For entrepreneurs, creators, and visionaries looking to leave a mark, Drake’s approach to his craft offers invaluable lessons.
Here are six core principles extracted from Drake’s journey that you can apply to your own pursuit of greatness.
1. Cherish the “Who Is This?” Moment
When you are first starting out, it is easy to become impatient. You want the accolades, the recognition, and the massive audience right out of the gate. But skipping the struggle means missing out on the most vital part of the journey.
“Don’t ever not be present in your ‘who is this’ moment, because you’re going to be chasing that moment for the rest of your career—trying to keep people as interested as they were when they felt like they were one of the only people listening to you.”
The Takeaway: If you are a new artist or a budding entrepreneur, embrace the grind of obscurity. The hunger and innovation you possess when you are trying to get noticed are the exact tools that will build your empire. Be present.
2. Aim to Be the “First You”
Society often measures success by comparison. We try to become the “next” Steve Jobs, the “next” Jay-Z, or the “next” big disruptor. True success, however, requires unparalleled authenticity and an unwavering desire to be at the top of your own category.
Drake’s mentality was never about following in someone else’s exact footsteps. He didn’t want to be the next Kanye West or Lil Wayne; he wanted to be the first Drake.

Refuse to settle: Never aim for second place.
Build your own lane: If you see someone else achieving greatness, use it as proof of concept. If they can do it, you can do it—but do it your way.

3. Obsessive Manifestation
Success is rarely accidental. It is the result of holding a clear, almost obsessive vision of the future in your mind until it becomes reality.
Before the fame, Drake used to drive his uncle’s drop-top Audi through the exact same three streets where he wanted to buy a house, bringing people along to physically show them the life he was going to build.
The Takeaway: You have to see it before you can hold it. Speak your goals into existence, visualize your destination daily, and align your actions with that specific future.
4. Master Your Craft and Take Your Time
In a world that celebrates “hustle culture” and the sheer volume of output, it is easy to forget that quality is the ultimate differentiator. You don’t have to crank out 50 projects a week to prove your worth.
“I can do two verses, not finish the song, and feel proud… It’s an individual creative process. There is no standard.”
Know your strengths. For Drake, it has always been his writing. He takes his time, researches, writes on his phone, and refuses to sacrifice the quality of his work just to meet an arbitrary deadline. Discover what your greatest talent is—whether it’s coding, writing, speaking, or strategizing—and take the time required to make it undeniably great.
5. Disconnect From the End Goal
This might sound counterintuitive to goal-setting, but becoming too attached to a final destination can be self-destructive. If your only focus is hitting a massive financial number or a specific milestone, what happens when you get there? You risk stalling out.
The Strategy for Continuous Growth:

Set the target, but focus on the daily steps. 2. Live in the “right now.” Do the absolute best you can in the present moment.
Celebrate the learning, not just the wins. Mistakes are necessary for growth. If you are always right, you can never learn.

6. Let the Product Speak
Many creators complain about not getting noticed or blame the algorithms for their lack of traction. The hard truth? If your product is potent enough, the world will let you know.
You no longer need to move to New York or Los Angeles to “make it.” You can build an empire from your laptop, in your hometown, using the internet as your stage.
“If you have the music, that’s all it takes. Present it to the world, and the world will tell you if it’s worth their time or not… There are people who scour the internet every day looking for the next big thing, and I promise you if that product you have is potent enough, you will be the next big thing.”
Final Thoughts
Success is an addiction to growth. It requires sacrificing immediate gratification, tuning out the critics, and focusing solely on the quality of what you are putting out into the world. You don’t have to be a loud, loose cannon to make an impact. You just have to be relentless, competitive, and completely dedicated to your craft. Keep your head down, do the work, and let your results make the noise.
Here’s a Drake success advice compilation for your to learn more:

The post The Blueprint to Greatness: 6 Success Lessons from Drake appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

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