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Simon Property just can’t win. The U.S. mall company’s stock dropped as much as 10% on Wednesday morning after it walked away from the purchase of rival Taubman Centers, saying its target had mishandled Covid-19. Simon appears to want a clean break rather than just a better price, unlike some other repentant dealmakers. Still its U-turn isn’t exactly a vote of confidence.
Malls sit at the center of converging crises. Until February, the main one Simon was taking on was the effect of e-commerce on brick-and-mortar store owners. The pandemic took consumers’ waning interest in trotting around shopping malls and crushed it altogether. Lengthy lockdowns threaten to cement the habit of buying online.
Where Simon is fortunate is that it negotiated an exit route in case of a pandemic. It can renege on the deal if an outbreak were to affect Taubman disproportionately. That’s possible to argue. Taubman focuses on high end markets, like Los Angeles, Miami, and Short Hills, New Jersey that rely on sales of discretionary goods like handbags and shoes, and tourist traffic. Neither is coming back into fashion any time soon.
But Simon’s other complaint – that Taubman didn’t cut costs enough in response to the pandemic – is a little thin. Taubman is valued at roughly 9 times historical earnings versus Simon’s 22 times. Sure, if Taubman loses a couple of years’ worth of earnings, it doesn’t look so cheap. But the fat that Taubman didn’t cut should still be there for a new owner to trim instead. And if prospects for malls recover, Taubman’s long-term value shouldn’t be so different.
That’s the awkward part. Simon’s eagerness to walk away suggests that it thinks the long-term picture for Taubman is permanently dented. And that pings back on Simon too, since it also operates shopping malls. Whereas Simon could have pushed ahead with a merger in a tough trading climate, knowing that it at least has the benefit of greater scale and cost cuts, both sides now have to fight similar battles on their own.


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Feb 10, 2015 The "hedonometer" is a data-based meter that measures happiness in real time.
Feb 5, 2015 Deal with Twitter means tweets will show up in real time via Google search.
Feb 2, 2015 "Ad agency should be fired," expert says, for Super Bowl ad starring a dead child.
Feb 2, 2015 Such products are often a revenue stream for criminal organizations, experts say.
Jan 30, 2015 Up next year: Super Bowl 50, because "Super Bowl L" wasn't pleasing to the eye.
Jan 30, 2015 Serving it on game day? Remember this: Nacho cheese is whatever you want it to be.
Jan 30, 2015 NBC finally sold its final Super Bowl ad spot four days before the game.
Jan 21, 2015 YouTube stars are very influential among teens, and that means ad revenue.
Jan 13, 2015 Measuring monthly active users online may no longer be the end-all, be-all.

domain: news


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It looks like Sony is planning to start working on the Spider-Man spinoff Silver and Black in Atlanta, Georgia next year.
According to Omega Underground, the project is due to begin production in Atlanta in 2018 and a lot of fans are expecting principal photography to start right after Venom finishes up production in February next year. Silver and Black just recently started pre-production this month with the studio adding in Doctor Strange visual effects supervisor Sheena Duggal to the production theme. Black Panther costume designer Ruth E. Carter was also added in by Silver & Black director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Slated to release in cinemas by 2019, the film will serve as Sony's second installment in its upcoming series of solo films featuring the antiheroes and supervillains from its Spider-Man franchise. The first spinoff to release is Tom Hardy's upcoming Venom, a standalone slated to release in October next year.
If the reports that Silver and Black will start production next year are true, then it proves that the studio has a lot of confidence n its upcoming Spider-Man spinoffs, though we're not really sure whether or not we'll get a Spider-Man cameo or two.
Sony doesn't have a specific release date for Silver and Black just yet, but we'll let everyone know as soon as we get word.


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Today in History: Google Buys Applied Semantics
This is the first in a series of articles that look at the anniversaries of key digital media developments in history.
Back on this date in 2003, Google was an “upstart search engine.” Applied Semantics was an obscure Santa Monica, Calif., company that made “software applications for the online advertising, domain name and enterprise information management markets.” Internet Advertising Report noted that Google would use Applied Semantics tech to “improve its sponsored links program.”
Google would go on to do that and then some. The acquisition, which was for $102 million in cash and stock, ended up being arguably Google’s most important. (You can make an argument for Android.) The reason is Google used Applied Semantics to improve its contextual targeting tech. With AdSense, Google broke out of search and onto the wider Web with contextual targeting technology that soon overwhelmed other players, such as Sprinks and IndustryBrains. It has been named one of the top 15 tech acquisitions of all time.
Pat Keane, president of Sharethrough and then a Google exec, sees its importance less in terms the tech — much of what Applied Semantics did was human-driven — but more in terms of an “important competitive move against Overture at the time.”
Josh Stylman, now an angel investor and then a managing director of search agency Reprise Media, calls it “one of the most important acquisitions in Internet history.” The reason is that Google, was at the time still privately held and thought more of as “the ValPak of the Internet,” as one major media buyer put it at the time.
It signaled a big shift from what I like to refer to as “run of swill” advertising towards something more relevant. While not perfect, Adsense proved that ads on general content pages didn’t have to be irrelevant to the user by matching them to text on the pages. Google combined two of it’s biggest assets, powerful information extraction methods and advertiser liquidity, in order to do that. It’s now commonplace, but at the time that was a big innovation and forced the rest of the market to follow suit. It especially put pressure on Overture (at the time Pepsi to Google’s Coke), which ultimately lagged.
Google went on, of course, to become much more than an “upstart search engine.” It became the most important advertising company in the world. Yahoo bought Overture three months. Within two years, AdSense was about 15 percent of Google’s revenue.
Image via Shutterstock
Why ethical dilemmas are putting brands and their media buying in the spotlight
As the U.S. presidential inauguration comes to pass, marketers are increasingly aware that what they buy has an impact on society.
WTF is a SPAC?
An increasing number of companies, including media organizations, are turning to SPACs as a non-traditional means of taking their companies public.
‘Elevate the next generation’: As social platforms begin Black creator programs, critics say they need to do more
As social platforms launch Black creator programs, Black creators say they need to do more in support of diverse creative voices.
SponsoredThe evolution of shoppable content lies in social media streams
With the physical and social aspects of shopping stripped away due to various lockdown restrictions around the globe, shoppable social media is poised to fill the void. In a recent example, Instagram launched its Reels and Shop tab for users to connect with brands and creators — and to discover products. The social media platform will […]
‘Media responsibility is now corporate social responsibility’: Marketers reassess brand safety controls to navigate a divided America
Keyword blocklists are increasingly part of rather than the crux of brand suitability strategies.
‘Connect the dots’: Why publishers are investing in local media to round out big national stories
Publishers are sensing an opportunity and a responsibility in 2021 to invest more money and focus in reporting out national stories at a local level.


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The company’s own charger won’t arrive until sometime in 2018, you see. As such, you’ll have to use ‘old-fashioned’ Qi chargers from third parties in the meantime. Also, it remains to be seen whether or not AirPower will get wide adoption beyond Apple itself. The wait isn’t a huge deal for most people (the odds are the phone is the only wireless charging device you have), but it’s clear that AirPower is currently more of a nice idea than a practical reality.
Follow all the latest news from Apple’s iPhone event here!


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THIS year's Hort Connections Awards for Excellence Exporter of the Year award has gone to Perfection Fresh Australia chief executive officer Michael Simonetta.
Sponsored by Hort Innovation, the award gave credit to one of Australia's leading fresh produce businesses.
Mr Simonetta was presented with the award at the Hort Connections 2022 National Awards for Excellence gala dinner in Brisbane on Wednesday, June 8.
The Exporter of the Year award recognises an individual or business who is committed to exporting and actively contributes to activities to assist the industry increase its exports.
For more than 40 years, Perfection Fresh has operated as a family business, with a long history in agriculture.
The company exports seasonal fresh produce lines to the United States, Middle East, Asia and New Zealand, and supply seasonal produce to the United Kingdom and Europe.
Since 2005, Perfection Fresh has participated in the world's most significant food trade shows and exhibitions including Foodex in Japan, Gulfood in Dubai and Asia Fruit Logistica in Bangkok and Hong Kong, attending trade conference in the other markets helps strengthen knowledge about consumer needs in diverse markets.
Perfection Fresh exports various products including Broccolini, Calypso mangoes, Qukes (baby cucumbers) and Fioretto cauli blossoms.
Perfection Fresh was the major sponsor of the breakfast on the Tuesday morning of Hort Connections.
During his address to the breakfast audience, Mr Simonetta described the industry as being at the top of the wellness trend.
He also took the opportunity to back the former federal government's agriculture visa.
"Unfortunately, this government is not looking to support that," he said.
He said without foreign labour, there was a real threat to the industry providing some 95 per cent of Australia's fresh produce.
But he also said the industry was one built on resilience.
"If nothing we are tough," he said.
Ausveg CEO Michael Coote said under Mr Simonetta's leadership, the business has a focus on delivering fresh, flavoursome produce to customers in Australia and around the world.
"Michael and the Perfection Fresh Export team ship year-round, supplying in-season produce to key global markets," he said.
"Perfection Fresh has also worked hard to expand its global footprint by participating in the world's most significant food trade shows and exhibitions across Asia and the Middle East.
"The horticulture industry is growing its focus on boosting the value and volume of exports to ensure growers can diversify their avenues to market and take advantage of growing international markets."
"Michael and the Perfection Fresh team are an exemplar of the success that a business can achieve when it embraces the opportunities that are available in export markets.
"They are a deserving recipient of this award and I look forward to seeing them continue to develop new markets."
The award sponsor, Hort Innovation, is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for the Australian horticulture industry.
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Safety ratings should be displayed on every car sold in WA to save lives and improve overall vehicle safety, according to the RAC.
RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Golsby said yesterday there was no requirement to show safety ratings in car yards, unlike the energy labels on whitegoods, though this information could save lives.
The RAC said safety ratings for more than 420 vehicles were published online by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program but because they were not always visible at the point of sale, consumers did not always have access to them.
It said ANCAP ratings were based on globally recognised crash tests that measured occupant protection in serious front and side crashes.
This year, a car with the top five-star rating would have front and rear side airbags, electronic stability control and four other safety features such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.
About 83 per cent of passenger cars sold in Australia last year had a five-star rating, compared with one-third of light commercial vehicles. The RAC said it would be wrong to presume all new cars were safe and had the top rating.
Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said the Government did not support extra regulations for vehicle dealers that could increase prices.


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- February 16, 2010
Porsche AG: Debuted in Geneva
Porsche AG 911
The Porsche AG 911 GT3 Hybrid is celebrating its stepping into the world in Geneva. Right after ten years after of the release of Ferdinand Porsche this new Porsche high definition hybrid has been released.
The Porsche Intelligent Performance has been making racing cars that are more and more top of the class and serving in great many ways. Ferdinand Porsche brought out one of the breakthrough hybrid cars with the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus. This came with a visionary concept that brought a new chapter in the history of Porsche and its development. There have been higher than 20,000 wins in the last tenure of driving this Porsche.
This has been a highly advanced and successful car with incredible racing skills being in its way. Its innovative hybrid technology has won the hearts of the world bringing it a wide international follower range. The hybrid technology has been innovative with some of the greatest racing standards being met through its new configuration. The new deal in Porsche is even more advanced and significant in its level of competency.
There are new electric modes and models that are coming to be of use with the new operating system. Instead of the usual and old battery system this is a promisingly new qualification that brings diverse functions to be experienced at once.


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The Minot Heritage Singers annual Variety Show will be held Feb. 15-18 and 23-25 at the Vegas Hotel in Minot. Ticket sales open on Saturday at the MACA office located in the South Broadway Plaza, 1809 South Broadway across from Ryan Chevrolet. Walk-in sales will begin at 9 a.m. with phone sales beginning at 10 a.m.
The Variety Show has become a signature event on Minot's community calendar, meant to defeat the end of winter doldrums with hot food, good music and plenty of laughs. Each year the comedy and music are built around a "secret theme" that Heritage Singers cannot reveal until opening night. This year's opening night, an extra seventh show, will be a special performance for Minot flood relief with all proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction to be given to a worthy flood relief cause. The traditional "Ladies Night" will follow the opener in its usual Thursday night slot.
Community members are encouraged to get their tickets early as most of the shows sell out quickly. Ticket prices are $20 per person and include the traditional pasta meal plus two hours of entertainment. A silent auction is also held each night with bids taken before the show and at intermission.


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New Delhi: App based Hotel booking platform Oyo has awarded its creative mandate to Animal, the Delhi based advertising and branding agency, following a multi-agency pitch.
Neha Sharma, head of brand strategy, Oyo said, “At Oyo, we are driven by innovation and it reflects in our brand portfolio, products and technology. We look forward to collaborating with Animal for creative conceptualisation and execution of our vision. Together, we are excited to tell the story of how Oyo is transforming the hospitality landscape in India and around the world in a creative manner.’’
Kunel Gaur, founder and creative director, Animal, said, “It would be an understatement to say that Oyo have redefined the hospitality space — it’s all thanks to their sheer hunger and ambition. More than anything else, they value the power of great ideas. That sort of ‘controlled chaos’ approach has been our forte too, so there’s a tremendous opportunity here to create fresh and truly intuitive creative work.”
Oyo, founded by RiteshAgarwal, one of India’s youngest and most successful entrepreneurs in 2013, and is now present in over 350 cities, across seven countries with over 12,000 exclusive leased and franchised properties and over 5000 homes.


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For its price, the BlueDriver is a convenient tool for those who want some ability to work on and understand modern engines.
Pricing not available
With iOS 8 extensions, you can add editing tools from third-party apps to the Photos app.
In a mea culpa written for the Atlantic magazine, Ethan Zuckerman explains why he devised the infamous pop-up ad and offers his apologies to the Internet community.
The cloud computing company taps the Academy Award-winning actor to promote its new suite of enterprise tools for the retail, health care, and media industries.
No more slacking in PE -- at least not in the schools in Dubuque, Iowa. Starting this year, the district will require students to wear the devices.
Videoshop will help you create a quality video to share with friends and family, but takes time to figure out the editing controls.
Although the West African nations stricken by the Ebola outbreak are not tech-savvy, text messaging, phone calls, and even radio are helping educate the most at-risk people.
An Israeli designer has created a multi-tool that can be worn discreetly in the hair for the lady -- or long-haired gent -- who likes to be prepared for anything.
Microsoft tries to reduce hurdles for its business users with a new app-management tool called Windows Apportals.
The online retail giant launches Zocalo, a storage and sharing service designed for companies.


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Reading through the report a bit, The Detroit News also discovered some additional figures. The report says that the Treasury Department has already spent $24.8B on the automotive portion of their program (out of $25B allotted). Of that amount, $13.4B has gone to GM, $4B to Chrysler, almost $6B to GMAC and $1.5B to Chrysler Financial. An additional $1.25B will be used to pay for that warranty guarantee program designed to back the warranties of GM and Chrysler vehicles should either company go under.
There has been no confirmation from Washington yet, but you can bet we'll report it when it becomes official.
[Source: The Detroit News]


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A new pizza joint is here: baddpizza has officially opened its doors in McLean.
The pizzeria held a private pre-opening event on Friday and Saturday, according to a Facebook post. Now, the eatery at 6263 Old Dominion Drive is open for business, baddpizza tweeted today.
Baddpizza, which also has locations in South Riding and Falls Church, offers Buffalo-style food. The menu isn’t only pizza — diners can find hot wings, salads, subs and desserts as well.
Joel Salamone, the eatery’s owner, previously told Tysons Reporter that baddpizza has a sweeter sauce than most pizzerias and places toppings up to the edge.
The McLean location is open from 3-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, according to its website.
The juice and smoothie bar left its location at Jammin Java and plans to officially open next week at 207 E. Maple Avenue.
Amir Mostafavi, the owner, shared on the public Facebook group Vienna VA Foodies yesterday that the new location is doing a soft opening this week via Uber Eats from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu includes cold-pressed juice, toast and salad, smoothies and bowls.
Mostafavi said that Monday, July 6, will be the spot’s official opening date.
“We are so excited to be a part of this amazing community! I grew up in McLean… so this spot hits really close to ‘home’ for me!” Mostafavi wrote.
Photo via South Block/Facebook
The Fairfax Lions Clubs, along with several other local clubs and the Lions of Virginia Foundation (LOVF), raised $19,525 to support Food for Others’ mobile food program for people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to Food for Others and the Fairfax Lions Club.
“LOVF matched donations of individual Lions clubs,” the press release said.
The contributing clubs included:
- Fairfax Lions
- Falls Church-Annandale Lions
- Burke Lions
- Springfield Global Lions
- Clifton Lions
- Alexandria Asian-American Lions
“It is deeply gratifying how the various Fairfax area Lions Clubs quickly teamed together and partnered with LOVF to contribute this money to put help put food on the table and provide some comfort to our neighbors in need in these hard times,” Mike Rumberg, the president of the Fairfax Lions Club, said.
Food for Others’ mobile food program delivers emergency food to people who can’t get food from distribution centers, according to a press release.
People who want to support Food for Others can donate items like canned chili, canned chicken, rice, pasta sauce and canned fruit; start a vegetable or herb garden to grow produce; and spread the word about Food for Others’ efforts.
Photo via Food for Others/Facebook
After noticing harm done by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vienna community members banded together to help D.C. residents in need.
Lydia Russo, who organized the fundraiser on the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook group, said that the group raised roughly $20,000 to support Martha’s Table, which works to support education programs, healthy food and family outreach.
Russo told Tysons Reporter that she was impressed with Martha’s Table’s work East of River and wanted to partner with them to benefit the Barry Farm neighborhood, which is near one of the centers for Martha’s Table.
“I wanted to go with a well-known charity because they have a well-organized program that is intertwined in the neighborhood and has a good system going,” Russo said.
In the first two days of the fundraiser, Russo said the effort raised $18,000 — far exceeding her expectations.
“My first ‘goal’ was only $1,000. Then it increased to $5,000,” she said. “Within the week, we’ve had hundreds and hundreds of people donate — children, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, people I’ve met, people I’ve never met, people who heard about the fundraiser from a friend.”
The check is set to be hand-delivered to Martha’s Table this week by Russo and both of Vienna’s incoming and outgoing mayors, Russo said.
“My hope was to show that we are all part of one larger community, and we should think of our neighbors and put our thoughts and words into action,” Russo said.
Though the fundraiser ended yesterday, Russo encourages people to organize their own fundraisers or donate to Martha’s Table directly, since the nonprofit accepts donations year-round.
Photo via Martha’s Table/Facebook
(Updated 6/10/2020) For people looking to support local Black-owned eateries, shops and services in the area, Tysons Reporter and Reston Now are working to compile a list of places open for business.
Since this is a crowdsourced “living document” — it will be updated regularly by one of our reporters or editors.
Several blogs, websites and social media groups have rounded up lists of local Black-owned businesses, including Feed the Malik, Vienna VA Foodies, Reddit and the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.
People can contribute to the list by sending an email [email protected] with the subject line “Black-Owned Eatery and Business List Addition.”
“The best way [to help business owners] is to give directly if you can, look at your black-owned business and order from them if they’re still open,” Sean Perryman, the president of the NAACP Fairfax County, told Tysons Reporter.
Like other local businesses, Black-owned restaurants have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Perryman said.
So far, businesses include:
- Amore Congelato (Reston Farmers Market)
- McLean Pizza (1434 Center Street)
- Caribbean Plate (133 Annandale Road E.)
- Pie Gourmet (507 Maple Ave W.)
- Mienne Beauty Supply (1880 Howard Ave Suite 105)*
- Arthur Christine hair studio (113 Park Street NE)
- Tysons Playground (8502 Tyco Road)*
- Perfect Planning Events (8201 Greensboro Drive)
- Mindstate Wellness Center (1980 Gallows Road)
*temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Photo via Caribbean Plate/Facebook
The McLean Farmers Market is among four farmers markets in Fairfax County that will soon reopen.
Some of the county-run farmers markets, including the one in Reston, had already returned in phases with coronavirus restrictions.
Now, the McLean one, along with the ones in Oak Marr, Annandale and Kingstowne, will open this month, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.
More from the county:
When possible, shoppers are encouraged to preorder their items directly from the local vendors. Go to the Farmers Markets website and click on the Vendor Preorder List for a list of all market vendors and their ordering policies. You can also click on an individual market for details on the vendors at that market and preordering instructions.
At the markets, customers are asked to comply with all COVID-19 safety procedures, including limiting shoppers to two persons per household, wearing facial coverings, and maintaining 6 feet of distance from others. There may be a waiting line, and there will be a one-way path through the markets. To give everyone the best shopping experience possible, please consult the 2020 Market Guidelines infographic before your visit.
Starting Friday, June 12, shoppers can head to the McLean Farmers Market on Fridays from 8 a.m.-noon at 1659 Chain Bridge Road.
The Vienna Farmers Market, which is run by the local Optimist Club, plans to reopen on Saturday, June 13.
Nightlife is zilch in Tysons at the moment due to the pandemic. After a brief hiatus, the “Tysons After Dark” series is back to highlight different online activities from local organizations and offerings from eateries that keep people busy once the sun goes down.
People living in the Tysons area can find local restaurants serving up large meals that they can eat at home over Memorial Day weekend.
Founding Farmers Tysons announced it is hosting an all-day brunch for each day of Memorial Day Weekend. The menu provides enough food to feed 4-6 people and costs $100.
People get to choose their bread, house made pasta, fruit and salad, meat, bread pudding French toast, chips and dips, eggs and desserts. Additions, including alcohol and sides, may be included for an extra cost.
The Vienna Inn is offering a to-go shrimp platter for Memorial Day, according to its website. People can choose from two different flavors: easy-peel spiced shrimp or a lightly seasoned shrimp cocktail. People can order by calling 703-938-9548.
Coastal Flats in Tysons is offering curbside take-out and a delivery menu of steaks, ribs, burgers, sandwiches, sides, to-go cocktails and beer, according to its website.
Ted’s Bulletin in Merrifield offers all-day breakfast, which is available for delivery or pick-up. The restaurant has savory items such as eggs and biscuits and sweeter things like pancakes and French toast, according to the website.
Northside Social in Falls Church has a variety of brunch-like toasts, salads, bowls, pastries and soups, according to its website.
Patsy’s American in Tysons is open for take-out and delivery, according to the website, adding that the restaurant has options of fish, steak, sandwiches and sides to eat at home.
The McLean Family Restaurant is still open during the pandemic for takeout, according to its website. The location offers comfort food like burgers, sandwiches and fish. People can call (703) 356-9883 to place an order.
Anyone who is interested in ordering from their favorite restaurant this holiday weekend can also inquire directly with the restaurant to see if they have any special deals available.
Photo via Vienna Inn/Facebook
A new fast-food restaurant called China Village plans to come to Maple Avenue.
A Fairfax County permit indicates that the restaurant is working on altering the space at 335 Maple Avenue E. The 1,400-square-foot spot used to be the former home of GNC in the shopping center anchored by Giant.
The restaurant is one of several businesses looking to open in Vienna during the coronavirus pandemic.
Image via Google Maps
While many small businesses are currently struggling to weather the coronavirus pandemic, several upcoming ones are continuing their plans to open in Vienna.
Signage considerations for South Block’s planned relocation to 207 Maple Avenue E. and a cookie chain’s new location in the town are on the agenda for Vienna’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) meeting tonight (Thursday).
Crumbl Cookies started hiring for its upcoming Vienna location back earlier this year. BAR documents indicate that the cookie chain plans to occupy 203 Maple Ave E, which is between Cold Stone Creamery and Noodles & Company.
Viva Sol Juice Company is also planning on coming to the town at 124 Maple Ave W. in the Vienna Shopping Center, according to BAR documents and a Fairfax County permit.
The sign for the newly opened PizzaRoni is also on tonight’s agenda.
Photo via South Block/Facebook
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a new Asian fusion eatery is set to open in June at Idylwood Plaza.
Bing & Bao, a casual restaurant offering Chinese street food, will move into a vacant spot at 7505 Leesburg Pike, according to a company spokesperson.
Since the eatery doesn’t have outdoor seating and won’t be able to serve sit-down meals, the spokesperson said that Bing & Bao will only offer carryout at first.
For anyone seeking a job, the location is also hiring. People can find contact information on the eatery’s website.
Due to concerns about large gatherings, the spokesperson also said it might not host a grand opening celebration.
Going forward, the spokesperson said that eatery staff will be mindful of mandates and will reevaluate the situation as need-be.
Photo via Bing and Bao/Facebook


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Startup Ferry expands EV leasing to Austin
Local startup Ferry announced today that Austinites can begin leasing Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys — the first time the subscription app has made short-term leases on electric vehicles available to its users.
State of play: Ferry launched last year, aiming to make electric vehicle leasing affordable and accessible. The startup announced a $4 million seed round led by Porsche heir Toni Piëch's AMYP Ventures, Venn Ventures, and angel investors Adam Forst and Lisa Besserman.
- Now, customers can use the Ferry app to pick a Tesla and get the vehicle delivered by June.
- Ferry's Austin users can already lease Vespa Elettrica scooters, starting at $179 a month.
- Leases for Teslas range from 6-24 months, with a Model 3 subscription starting at $799 a month and a Model Y starting at $999 per month.
What they're saying: Ferry CEO Kristian Russell said the startup's model will deliver a faster, more direct path for Americans curious about getting behind the wheel of an EV.
- "Our goal is to get 50% of U.S. drivers driving an e-car by 2025," Russell told Axios. "The only way to do that is to rethink how people have access to these cars and democratize e-mobility for everyone."
Zoom in: Austin offered a welcoming space for EVs and a young, growing population willing to try out the cars, Russell added, explaining why Austin was the perfect city for Ferry's launch.
- Tesla officially moved its headquarters to Austin late last year, and Travis County has led the electric car boom, with more EVs owned in the county than in any other county in Texas, according to a recent report by clean air advocates.
- "(Austin) felt to me like it had the right dynamics," Russell said, adding that there are already 2,000 Ferry users on the app, ready for cars to become available. "Austin was a very early decision."
What’s next: Expect Ferry to expand its fleet in the coming months, making more EV brands available in Austin and beyond.
- Deliveries will start this summer in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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Prior to the American government ruling, Apple’s iPhone wouldn’t allow you to properly install “apps” which Apple didn’t sanction.
Thanks to the American ruling, Apple no longer can use the DCMA to control what you do and don’t do on your iPhone. However, Apple still has the ability to deny warranty coverage on iPhones which have been set to run non-Apple approved applications, and may be able to sue iPhone users for attempting to reverse engineer their iPhone.
Whether Apple intends this sort of action is still up in the air, as the latest legal developments could be viewed as a precedent which would further erode Apple’s dictatorship-approach to the iPhone, and it’s other technologies.
What would have happened if Microsoft took the same approach to Windows-based Personal Computers? What if Microsoft only allowed Microsoft approved applications be run on Windows-based machines?
Chances are, we’d still be in the dark ages, running computers with teeny hard drives, barely any memory and the Internet – ROTFL – that woudn’t exist.
By allowing software developers the freedom to explore the digital wonders their minds can concieve, we open up a whole new technological universe. Apple claims its restrictions on its hardware and software maintains a high quality user experience, while minimizing the risks from viruses and malware.
Granted, having Big Brother watching over every single application which is in development may help prevent viruses and malware, but it won’t eliminate it completely. Smart phone malware is still relatively new, and potentially devastating. Clicking on a link in a text message from someone you think is sending you a link to their resume might actually download your complete address book to some hell-bent hacker who giddy with delight at receiving a new batch of victims, spams their smart phones.
And not all the “apps” denied approval by Apple are dangerous. Google Voice was never approved by the wanna-be computer gods at Apple, yet this proven technology by the largest search engine on the planet is in use by millions around the world.
Some smart iPhone users found a way to beat Apple at its own game, and figured out how to hack into the iPhone’s file system, unlocking the device so it would run “apps” which didn’t have an Apple-approved digital signature.
Unlocking of the iPhone to run non-Apple approved “apps” is ironically called “jailbreaking” as you are breaking the smart phone out of Apple’s jail.
Apple, not surprisingly, is advising users against jailbreaking their iPhones, claiming it may cause performance issues.
The only performance issues experienced by the estimated four-million iPhone users already using “apps” which Apple has not approved is the freedom to use their iPhone as they want too.


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More recently, the prototype of the Nike Air Yeezy 1 trainers that West wore to the 2008 Grammys sold for a staggering $1.8 million, setting a new sneaker sale record.
The purchase, which was facilitated by high-end auction house Sotheby’s, was made by sneaker investing platform RARES, breaking the record for the most expensive public sale of a pair of sneakers by almost three times.
Previously, the record-holder was a pair of 1985 Air Jordan 1s, designed and worn by Michael Jordan, which sold in 2020 for $560,000
Perhaps one of the reasons for the sneaker carrying such intrigue — and a hefty price tag to boot — is that the prototype trainer represents West’s early ambitions to get into the fashion game, a feat he has since very successfully achieved. Case in point, earlier in 2021 Bloomberg estimated Yeezy is worth between $3.2 billion and $4.7 billion.
West officially launched his collaboration with Nike in 2009 before the deal went south (had to) prompting the rapper to go into business with Adidas in 2013.
Prior to West appearing at the 2008 music awards show wearing the prototype sneakers, there had been speculation that a collaboration with Nike was in the works for years. The Jesus Walks singer debuting the kicks at the Grammys was the first hint of evidence that the partnership was not just the stuff of urban legend.
According to the official RARES website, “The Air Yeezy I was dreamt up by Kanye and designers Mark Smith and Tiffany Beers in the Nike Innovation Kitchen during two years of intense effort.
“They combined design elements from several early Jordan shoes and added Kanye’s signature single strap for comfort. The shoe features a glow-in-the-dark outsole, a translucent red “Y” shaped lace lock, and soft plush leather material. This shoe’s design hammered home the idea that signature footwear should sit at the intersection of premium quality and iconic design.”
If you’re keen to get a piece of the Yeezy pie, you’re in luck as RARES are planning to offer people the chance to invest in the sneaker.
Per their website, “After touring museums around the world, the Air Yeezy 1 was obtained by Rares in a record-setting deal with Sotheby’s, and will be made available to the sneaker community, that made it so valuable to begin with; in the summer of 2021.”
In a release, the company offered insight into how this works explaining that they buy a sneaker, get interest in the sneaker qualified as tradable security through the Securities and Exchange Commission, and then divide ownership into fractional shares.
If you’d like to own a piece of music and fashion history by acquiring a share of the Air Yeezy 1 prototype, you can reserve your spot on the RARE website ahead of the sale being launched on June 16.


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13 FEBRUARY 2017
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Gatwick is in line for the return of Far East long-haul carrier AirAsia X after it was awarded air traffic rights by Malaysia’s aviation commission to operate nine weekly return flights from Kuala Lumpur. The airline operated a short-lived service in 2012, transferred from Stansted.
The airline has also confirmed it will start serving its first US destination, Honolulu, also in June, just weeks after its parent company AirAsia received permission to launch flights to the country. Services will operate four times a week from Kuala Lumpur via Osaka.
For the Gatwick route, AirAsia X is expected to dry-lease two B777-300ERs, scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of the year. It originally intended to use the A330-900neo but delivery of this model has been delayed to 2019.
AirAsia X ended European operations in 2012, blaming high fuel prices, taxes and weak travel demand. At the time it operated A340-300s, now retired, to serve Paris Orly as well as Stansted and Gatwick.
Chief executive Tony Fernandes has been quoted in the Thai press indicating his local subsidiary, Thai AirAsia X, may also launch direct flights between Bangkok and Frankfurt this summer. Fernandes also owns the struggling Championship soccer side QPR and sports car manufacturer Caterham Cars.
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2NE1 Collaborates with 'Chrome Hearts' Jewelry Line
By Staff Writer | May 20, 2013 10:12 AM EDT
Something new is coming to all 2NE1 fanatics. The group is set to release a jewelry line this June, a collaboration with a luxury brand of jewelry, Chrome Hearts.
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YG Entertainment has confirmed that Shinsegae department store chose 2NE1 as their special model. Their promotional poster will be displayed on the store and will run from May 29 to June 27. Shinsegae also will be responsible in holding the events for 2NE1 jewelry release with Chrome Hearts.
Starting May 29, Shinsegae Department Store is set to open a pop up store for Chrome Hearts and this will showcase exclusive 2NE1 special edition products that the group participated in.
2NE1 jewelry will be on display and sold only in Korea for about a month and then set to released worldwide. 2NE1 fans will be delighted in acquiring one of their top of the line jewelry. 2NE1 also has a special participation in choosing the designs and also collaborates with the production in planning their jewelry line. They also made a gift catalog which can help their fans in selecting the right gift. 2NE1 also sets to interact with customers and k-pop fans in this special event and share some of their lifestyle tips.
Another great news is CL the leader of the group is confirmed to launched her very own solo track on May 28. There's a lot of good vibes coming to 2NE1 this year.
© 2015 KpopStarz. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Time is running out for Pascal Ousignac, chef at the Michelin-starred Gascon Club, as he counts down to the crucial Christmas party season.
“We’re not full at the moment. We’re obviously hoping that will increase. We’ve booked quite a few Christmas parties but it’s down from previous years,” said the 55-year-old.
‘I still have a few tables available on a Saturday in December that need to be fully booked. We’ve never had this before – in November and December it would be full in previous years.
“I think right now, because of the economic situation, people are waiting to see if they have enough money before committing.”
Employment issues have forced Ossignac to close Comptoir Gascon, his small French depot near Smithfield Market in central London, and the workforce at his five remaining restaurants has dropped to 60 people from the 160 he employed before the pandemic. He is “terribly afraid” that a lot of restaurants might go under in the months after Christmas.
Osseniac’s fears are echoing in cities, towns and villages across Britain – a pattern of lockdown many fear will accelerate as recession, rising rents and shrinking household spending combine with the erosion of public transport and railway strikes.
Members surveyed by UKH Hospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster were expecting a vacancy rate of 17% this Christmas, compared to the current vacancy rate of 11%. This means that 33% will reduce venue hours and 29% will simplify their menus this Christmas.
Osiniak said there was “nothing” in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s fall statement to address the employment crisis in the industry.
“I don’t think there has been anything that deals with the biggest problem with hospitality which means we can’t keep venues open or operating at full capacity,” he said.
Since January, Osiniak has had a vacancy for a full-time pastry chef, but has only been able to fill it in the past few weeks, a situation he has never seen before. The staff shortage, which he blames on people returning to Europe during lockdown and since Brexit, means the Gascon club is no longer open for lunch and only serves dinner.
“Brexit is the main reason why we have these employment issues. Previously it was easy for Europeans to come here and work, but it is not the case anymore, so now they choose other cities like Paris or Madrid.”
The UK Hospitality Survey found that more than a third of hospitality businesses are at risk of failure in early 2023 due to rising costs. Figures from the Bankruptcy Service showed that the number of restaurants and food outlets across the UK entering liquidation increased by 46% in the three months to September.
While Hunt’s statement in the fall included a £13.6bn package to support business rate payers, industry experts criticized the lack of focus on economic growth.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking, we’ve worked so hard and walked away with nothing to show after almost three years,” said Arwen Beaton, the publican at The Digger’s Rest in east Devon after closing its doors for the last time. Peyton, 48, and partner Daniel Kelly, 42, took over the thatched pub in the picturesque village of Woodbury Salterton in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
The couple offered free food delivery to vulnerable people and opened a shop selling essential items to locals, before reopening after lockdown.
“At the beginning of this year we were in a good place, we somehow got through covid and everything looked positive, and then we had a huge cost spike,” Peyton said.
The pub’s energy costs “tripled”, food prices skyrocketed with staples such as cooking oil more than doubling, and the pub operator who owns the building increased the rent by 10%.
For the first time, Peyton said, clients were “talking about their finances in the pub” and footfall began to fall as they went from meeting regularly once a week to less than once a month.
In August, The Digger’s Rest fell 30% from the previous year’s acquisitions, forcing it to close its doors permanently on November 7.
Three other pubs within a five-mile radius have also closed their stores in recent weeks, Peyton said, adding that country pubs in particular have been “part of the community” and when they leave “you’ll struggle to get them back.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Pub and Beer Association, said the industry remains on a “knife edge” and was “deeply disappointed” that the 12.5% VAT rate had not been implemented.
UKH Hospitality chief executive Kate Nichols welcomed business rate support but said the chancellor had failed to outline “any plan for economic growth” and there was “nothing to give businesses confidence, let alone investment”.
James Schiavarini, owner of Il Portico, an Italian restaurant opened and run by his family on London’s Kensington High Street for 55 years, has described the problems with hospitality as the “five horsemen of the apocalypse”.
He said rising prices for personnel, supplies, food and energy, the impact of the cost of living on his customers and the despondency of the economic situation have all affected the industry.
Schiavarini said “economic headwinds” forced him to close Il Portico’s sister restaurant Pino, also in Kensington, in June this year.
He added, “After the lockdown is over, people thought in this idea that everything would be like the Roaring Twenties and the economy would fly by, but that didn’t happen.”
Getting staff has always been difficult but “then Covid and Brexit happened and it became very difficult to recruit,” said Imogen Davies, co-founder of Native, in Mayfair, west London, which prompted the company to drop plans to open an extra day.
Increasing energy costs from the Russian invasion of Ukraine is the biggest problem for Alex Greig, who owns Fuggles Beer Cafe, which has premises in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells in west Kent.
The 37-year-old – who also owns a bottle shop in Tunbridge Wells – has seen a £10,000 increase in energy bills but warns that without the government rebate, costs would have been £40,000 and made the business ‘unviable’ .
Greig said the government’s announcement of business rates was “a thing” for the industry, but he called on the government to clarify exactly what energy subsidies will be available to hospitality businesses next year.
“Our customers will get less money and our costs will be much higher. That is why we need certainty to motivate us to invest in our business and encourage us to grow.”
Gregg said the “VAT cut” would be a “huge stimulus” for the industry and “give us confidence so that we can continue to invest”.
Kenny Atkinson, owner of the Michelin-starred restaurants House of Tides and Solstice, both in Newcastle, said his energy bills had “tripled” and he had struggled to get suitable staff, with seven vacancies currently.
There is no direction and no confidence from the government. We don’t ask for any handouts, but lowering VAT can help us grow our business.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said it had “delivered an unprecedented package of support including value-added tax cuts, work rates holidays and government-backed loans worth around £400 billion”.


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It was reported not too long ago that Google is going to unify both Android Pay and Google Wallet under a single brand and that’s precisely what it has done today. The company today announced the launch of Google Pay which brings all of the features that Android Pay and Google Wallet users have become accustomed to. The company has now started rolling out the new Google Pay app for […]
Some of you guys might recall Google Wallet, a service operated by Google that was meant to be Google’s answer to Apple Pay. For those who forgot, the service is still very much alive and well. In fact a recent announcement from Google revealed that the company has made an overhaul to the look and design of the web version of Wallet.
Google Wallet may no longer support physical debit cards but the service is still alive and well, and today it’s making it very easy for users to send and receive money with the cards that they already have. A new Google Wallet web app has been launched today which allows users to access the Wallet using any web browser. They can then send and receive payments as long as they […]
It was first reported earlier this week that Google could soon announce that its physical Google Wallet card was going away. The company didn’t confirm anything immediately but today it has made it clear that the physical Google Wallet card is going to bite the dust on June 30th. The company has started sending out emails to notify everybody who has one that the cards will no longer be of […]
With Android Pay having been launched, Google Wallet is no longer an app/service that lets you pay for goods. Instead it has become an app in which users will be able to send money to each other, so for example if you wanted to pay a friend back for dinner the other night, or if you’re buying something online and meeting the seller in person, Google Wallet can facilitate those […]
It looks like there is a spanking new version of Wallet for iOS available in town, which would help make life easier for iOS-powered device owners to make a payment, or request for a payment through email. What would be the outstanding feature of the new Google Wallet for iOS? For starters, users are able to split their expenses with friends, which would make life at the dinner table a […]
From time to time, it goes without saying that an app will need to be updated in order to remain relevant, as well as to outpace the competition, so to speak. Cashless payments have come a long way since the advent of the credit card as well as electronic bank transfers, and it is nice to know that Google too, is in on the game with the release of its […]
Yesterday when Android M was officially announced, Google also announced that Android Pay is a new feature that would launch alongside of it. For those who missed the announcement, basically Android Pay is a mobile payments service that users can use to make payments at retail outlets with their mobile device.Now if you’re thinking that this sounds very similar to Google Wallet, you’re not mistaken but at the same time, […]
It used to be back in the day, only certain establishments would accept credit cards, and even then there was a minimum amount that had to be spent before cards would be accepted. Fast forward to today, there are some countries where cards are accepted regardless of how big or small your purchase is.This is why it does not come as a surprise to learn that over in the UK, […]
Thanks to debit and credit cards along with digital currency such as Bitcoin, and mobile wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet, there has been a decreasing need to use actual physical cash to pay for your purchases. However there are some places in which cash is still king but this is something the government of Denmark is hoping to change.According to a report from Reuters, the Danish government […]
Ever wondered what would happen to your Google Wallet funds if Google went belly up, no matter how impossible that seems? Well there is an answer to that question, and it’s one that’ll make you happy. Google Wallet funds will now be FDIC-insured so in the very unlikely event of Google going bankrupt, your money will remain safe no matter what.
If you’re the sort of user who makes a lot of purchases using their credit card or through platforms like Google Wallet, sometimes it’s hard to keep track of what you purchased and where you made that purchase, especially if they are small transactions. That being said the good news is that if you’re an avid Google Wallet user, Google has recently released an update for the app.The update comes […]
Ride-sharing services are increasingly becoming popular for a variety of reasons. In some cases they can be cheaper than regular cabs. Some people just love the convenience that they offer. Lyft is just one of the services that’s competing in this market. Uber is another, which has grown substantially over the past few years, and now has a truly global presence. Lyft today announced that it will start accepting payments through […]
With Apple Pay bursting onto the scene, it basically meant that there was one more mobile payments provider that other companies had to compete with. Then there were rumors about Google possibly acquiring their competitor Softcard which later turned out to be true and if you’re a current Softcard user, you might want to take note of this.The company has recently announced that come 31st of March, they will be […]


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In a strange twist of events, the 3 Point King Air Jordan Retro XIII PE is reportedly set to release on Finishline.com. The news was confirmed by Finishline’s official Twitter account. Finishline did not provide a release date or time for the release of the sneaker, only stating that it would release “soon”. Finishline also confirmed that there would be a very small number of pairs online and there will be none available in Finishline stores.
Once I hear more, it will be posted so keep it locked and make sure to follow [@KixandtheCity] on twitter for up to the second info.


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Team trip makes de Haan nostalgic
“Whether you’re giving gifts to friends and family or the kids we went shopping for, it’s nice to see the smiles on people’s faces,” says Calvin de Haan. “It’s pretty heartwarming.”
With every toy he placed in his cart, Calvin de Haan looked more forward to the moment he’d watch the kids unwrap them.
About two weeks ago, de Haan, along with his New York Islanders teammates and their respective significant others, were at a local toy store gathering up gifts to be hand-delivered by the players to children in eight local hospitals on December 18.
For the 26-year-old defenceman, it’s an ideal way to give back to others during the Holiday season.
“It’s fun,” said de Haan. “It’s a different event that we do. We get to basically choose the toys we will give to the children. Whether it’s a colouring book or a remote-controlled car, it’s fun for us to pick things out. It’s nostalgic, too, walking through the different sections and seeing some of the toys you remember from your childhood.”
Growing up in Carp, Ontario, about a half-hour drive from Ottawa, de Haan, not surprisingly, played a lot of hockey. Whether it was at the local indoor and outdoor rinks or in his parents’ basement, slapshots, one-timers and stick saves were a constant throughout the year.
Come Christmastime, hockey-related gifts were always a big hit with de Haan and his brother, Evan, who plays defence for the University of Carleton.
The former 12th overall pick of the Islanders in 2009 will get a chance, albeit brief, to head home to Carp over Christmas.
He’s had the date circled on his calendar for a long time.
“The favourite part of my winters growing up was playing hockey on the outdoor rink,” he said. “I spent tons of time out there. If we didn’t have practice for minor hockey, my buddies and I would always meet up, throw our sticks in the middle of the ice and play a game of shinny. To this day, if I have the opportunity to do that with local kids, I take advantage of that. It’s nice to be back home and to remember all those fun times growing up.”
It’s also nice to have a big feast before the hockey season ramps up again, and the pursuit of securing a playoff spot intensifies.
“The Christmas dinner is always enjoyable,” he said with a laugh. “There’s a lot of food and you feel a little sluggish the next day, but it’s great. It’s the same for everyone: it’s all about family. You look forward to seeing your aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, your mom and dad and siblings.”
Will he go retro and strap on the pads for some throwback hockey in the basement?
“I’m sure we still have some gear around the house somewhere,” said de Haan.
While he contemplates that idea, the veteran of 301 regular season NHL contests still has games to play and one special visit to make before the season takes a short break.
“Whether you’re giving gifts to friends and family or the kids we went shopping for, it’s nice to see the smiles on people’s faces,” said de Haan. “It’s pretty heartwarming.”
Check out the full trip and the rest of the photos, courtesy of the New York Islanders, here.


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"The brand is doing well. We have decided to add 10 more stores by 2016-17," Steve Madden India business head Somdeb Basu said.
Reliance Brands has marketing right for the US-listed shoe brand in India and operates some 15 stores across nine cities -- Delhi, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata.
Basu said Reliance Brands markets several global brands in India like Diesel, Superdry, Hamleys, Ermenegildo Zegna, Marks and Spencer, Paul & Shark, Thomas Pink, Kenneth Cole, Brooks Brothers, Payless Shoesource and Grand Vision.
Almost 90 per cent of Steve Madden products sold in India are imported globally from different manufacturing bases, depending on designs and styles.
Import duty on the shoes varies between 60 and 90 per cent, putting a huge cost pressure on the brand in India.
"We may consider to undertake manufacturing of shoes once we have a sizable scale of market and after the expansion of new stores, the option will be evaluated," Basu said.
Meanwhile, Steve Madden India is working on how to make online shoe buying more interactive and making the portal more intelligent.
The brand is available on all major e-tailers and Steve Madden India website for online sales that accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the total pairs it sells.


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Halo Infinite has been delayed into 2021. The game was originally scheduled to launch on PC and console alongside the release of the Xbox Series X later this year, but the developers say “multiple factors”, including COVID-19, have caused them to push back the launch.
“We have made the difficult decision to shift our release to 2021 to ensure the team has adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision,” 343 studio head Chris Lee writes in the announcement. “The decision to shift our release is the result of multiple factors that have contributed to development challenges, including the ongoing COVID-related impacts affecting us all this year.”
Lee says that “it is not sustainable for the well-being of our team or the overall success of the game to ship it this holiday.” Lee concludes the post by saying “the extra time will let us finish the critical work necessary to deliver the most ambitious Halo game ever at the quality we know our fans expect.”
With the original Halo Infinite release date scheduled for sometime within the next four months, it was strange that we hadn’t seen much more of the game than we had. The gameplay demo revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase in July failed to impress a plenty of players, and while the quote here doesn’t directly address those criticisms, it’s likely those complaints helped push for the delay.
Halo Infinite is still scheduled to launch simultaneously across Xbox and PC, including Steam. The Xbox Series X is on track to launch this November.


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What got unwrapped at the MWC event 2018 on February 25 by Samsung, is now available in India. Finally, the 2018 flagships from the house of Samsung is up for its Indian fans. The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are available to buy now in India. The purchase can be carried forward via Flipkart, Samsung Shop, as well as retail outlets in the Indian markets.
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ feature AR Emojis, better cameras (which can beat Google Pixel 2’s camera as the record claimed before), and AKG-tuned dual speakers for enhanced audio. Talking about the prices, while Samsung Galaxy S9 is priced at Rs. 57,900 for 64GB model and Rs. 65,900 for 256GB variant, the Galaxy S9+ comes with a price tag pf Rs. 64,900 for 64GB model and Rs. 72,900 for 256GB variant.
Although the company hasn’t launched the higher 128GB variants of the Galaxy S9 duo smartphones in India. The offerings include Rs. 6,000 cashback for HDFC debit as well as credit card users for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Also an additional Rs. 6,000 cashback is offered in the Paytm Mall on the online as well as offline purchases. Samsung is also providing an extra Rs. 6,000 discount on exchanges of older Samsung smartphones.
Other launch offers of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ reportedly include the one from Airtel. One can go for the purchase of the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ with a down payment of Rs. 9,900 and eventually pay Rs. 2,499 every month for a total of 24 months, with the inclusion of 2TB of data at the time span. One can even avail a ‘Double Data’ offer on the popular Airtel Infinity Postpaid plans. The Infinity 499 will allow users with unlimited calling, 80 GB of data, as well as a one year Amazon Prime membership which is worth Rs. 999. Buyers will also be able to get 120GB of data, unlimited calling, and even a one year Amazon Prime membership as well as one free child connection. Both the plans offer a free subscription to Wynk Music as well as Airtel TV.
For the Jio users, they can get an additional offer of 1 Terabyte with the inclusion of high-speed 4G data and unlimited voice as well as SMS for an entire year which is worth Rs. 15,000 at just Rs. 4,999. The new Vodafone users will get a free subscription to Netflix for one year on the Vodafone Red plans of Rs. 999 until April 30 this year. And the prepaid users recharging Rs. 199 will be eligible to get the unlimited voice as well as 1.4GB per day with an extra 10GB free data every month until they complete 10 recharges.


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Xiaomi Expects Weakness in Q1 Sales
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. expects weakness in first-quarter sales as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, although it sees better demand in the second and third quarter.
Chief executive Lei Jun stated on Thursday that this year’s first quarter smartphone sales will face an impact, but they believe that the second and third quarters they will strike back.
Lei’s remarks were made during the company’s unveiling event of a new line of its Mi 10 flagship phones in China. The event needed to be livestreamed due to the nationwide restrictions on travel and huge gatherings.
The group also pushed forward with the product launch of the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro in a bid to boost its declining sales in its home market.
Xiaomi and its local competitions, which include Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., OPPO, and Vivo Communication Technology Co. Ltd., expected to improve their sales this year with the release of more 5G-enabled phones that work with the country’s newly enhanced telecommunications infrastructure.
Coronavirus to Impact Xiaomi’s Deliveries
Despite having enough capacity and supplies, Xiaomi’s CEO signaled delays in shipments for the next two weeks as several manufacturing facilities in China would not be able to resume operations until February 10.
Industry analysts also see a 40% drop in smartphone deliveries in mainland China during the first quarter, compared with the same period in 2019.
The Beijing-based company is hoping the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro will be able to grab Chinese consumers’ interest for 5G smartphones and help stop its shrinking deliveries in its domestic market.
Managing the group’s supply chain was the hardest task that they had to take care of at the moment, according to Lei.
The company opened a second headquarters in Wuhan in December. The establishment currently houses around 2,000 employees.
Factories and suppliers across much of China have temporarily ceased production as the country addresses the fast-spreading coronavirus.
While travel restrictions have been eased in some parts of the country this week, migrant employees appeared to be struggling with getting back to work, and many stores and malls are either empty or closed.
Some companies in China are also back in business, although several personnel still chose to work from their homes and full operations have not resumed.
Being a native of Hubei province where the virus emerged, Lei put on a face mask at the start of the livestreamed event to show support for the effort to tackle the health crisis.
Lei said he believed that the brave and optimistic people of Wuhan can definitely fight the virus.
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In 2020, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S20 fan Edition, which attracted widespread attention thanks to its affordable price and attractive features. But a little while ago, after a long delay and waiting, the next generation of this phone finally arrived, which was clear from the beginning that it could not repeat the success of the previous generation. Now, according to some reports, Samsung seems to have abandoned the development of the Galaxy S22 fan Edition, and this phone will probably never hit the market.
Although we are still months away from the introduction of the new phone, but as You probably know that developing a phone is a very time consuming process and you have to do different things in this regard for months. Specifically, it is said that Samsung has not yet done anything for the firmware of this phone, which is a worrying news for people waiting for the Galaxy S22 fan Edition.
Contradictory reports have been made regarding the chip in this phone. For example, in one of the reports, the possibility of using the MediaTek chip has been raised, but in another report, it has been mentioned that this phone will probably be launched with the Exynos chipset. All in all, the location of this phone is somewhat reminiscent of the Galaxy Note series. So the S22 fan edition may once again be very late, and on the other hand, like the other Note series, it may never hit the market.
In any case, the development of this phone may be in the early stages, so the revelators can not yet talk about the details of this product. But if there is no better news about this phone in the next few months, we should take its cancellation more seriously.
We should note that the failure of the S21 fan edition will greatly affect the standard S22 Returns. Although this phone is not as popular as the Ultra model, but in any case, if Samsung completely abandons the S22 fan Edition, it will probably lead to increased sales and even lower prices of the standard S23 model.S22 fan edition. Overall, the Samsung fan edition series initially had a lot of potential for success, but due to problems with Samsung that led to a delay of several months in the release of the second generation of these phones, now their future is in a haze. So even if the third generation of this phone hits the market, we have to see if it can replicate the success of the first generation or not.
- What do we expect from the Galaxy S22 fan Edition?


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Rapper 50 Cent confirmed on Wednesday he made $8 million by accepting bitcoin for his album in 2014, making him just the latest big name to profit from the cryptocurrency’s boom.
TMZ reported the entertainer — aka Curtis Jackson — collected 700 bitcoins US:BTCUSD for the album, which at current values would be worth between $7 million and $8.5 million. 50 Cent confirmed the TMZ article by posting an image of it on Instagram with caption, “Not bad for a kid from South Side, I’m so proud of me.” His Shopify store partnered with payment processor BitPay to make the transactions.
Bitcoin, a peer-to-peer digital currency that has seen its value soar with increased demand in 2017, is attracting all kinds of new investors and buzz. Coinbase, the biggest platform for buying and selling bitcoin, has added hundreds of thousands of accounts as more people hop on board the trend. But others — some of whom have names you may recognize — were there years sooner and are likely profiting from their foresight today.
In fact, with so many celebrities entering the space now — Gwyneth Paltrow was added as an adviser to bitcoin startup Abra in August 2017 — the SEC has cautioned consumers to exercise caution when making purchases based on endorsements from the rich and famous.
“Celebrities who endorse an investment often do not have sufficient expertise to ensure that the investment is appropriate and in compliance with federal securities laws,” the SEC said in a statement. “If you are relying on a particular endorsement or recommendation, learn more regarding the relationship between the promoter and the company and consider whether the recommendation is truly independent or a paid promotion.”
Here are some famous people who were early fans of crytocurrency. (Whether you should follow their investment choices is a different story.)
Mel B, the former member of the British pop group The Spice Girls, began accepting bitcoins on her website from fans who wanted to buy her Christmas single in 2014. At the time, she said in a press release that she was excited to try the new currency. “I love how new technology makes our lives easier, and to me that’s exciting,” she said. “Bitcoin unites my fans around the world using one currency. They can just pay using bitcoins!”
Another rapper Snoop Dogg expressed interest in the cryptocurrency in 2013, when he tweeted — perhaps jokingly — that he wanted to make his record available for purchase in bitcoin. When bitcoin exchanges replied they could help, he tweeted that he “wanted to make it happen.” Whether he did or not is unclear. His current album is available on streaming services not payable in bitcoin.
Ashton Kutcher, who has tweeted about MarketWatch reporting on bitcoin in the past, said in 2013 that bitcoins are “becoming more and more relevant.” Speaking at TechCrunch’s Disrupt conference, the actor showed he knows more than most about the basics of the cryptocurrency and how they can be applied more broadly. “The bigger thing with bitcoin is not bitcoin itself, but what does that decentralized technology really do?” Kutcher said. “The same infrastructure that built out bitcoin could be used in the security industry for mass good.”


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It looks like Apple is keeping a closer hold on the iPhone’s apron strings than anyone thought, if information uncovered by Jonathan Zdziarski is to be believed. Speaking on iPhone Atlas on Wednesday, Zdziarski – author of a book on iPhone application development – explained that he was performing “forensic examination of an iPhone 3G” when he discovered a suspicious configuration file in the CoreLocation section of the memory. Upon investigating, he discovered a link to a page on Apple’s website which appears to contain the skeleton for a future application blacklist. The page, called ‘unauthorizedApps’, seems to exist so the iPhone can occasionally download a copy and check the signatures of banned applications against installed applications – if a match is found, the app is disabled immediately. Zdziarski believes that this functionality exists “to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down.”
Clearly, there are legitimate reasons why such functionality should exist – although slightly fewer for why it’s undocumented and downright concealed – including the possibility that Apple can update iPhones with a sort of anti-malware by listing known ‘bricking’ programs in the blacklist. However, it demonstrates that even a ‘jailbroken’ iPhone might not escape Apple’s clutches for long – and how sure can you be that Installer.App or your favourite non-Apple approved software won’t hit the blacklist once it’s activated? Anyone here worried about the possibilities of a hidden remote app killer developed by Apple, or does the Cupertino company just have your best interests at heart?
Source: Bit-tech, Martin
The launch of Apple Inc.’s much-anticipated new iPhone turned into an information-technology meltdown on Friday, as customers were unable to get their phones working. “It’s such grief and aggravation,” said Frederick Smalls, an insurance broker in Whitman, Mass., after spending two hours on the phone with Apple and AT&T Inc., trying to get his new iPhone to work. In stores, people waited at counters to get the phones activated, as lines built behind them. Many of the customers had already camped out for several hours in line to become among the first with the new phone, which updates the one launched a year ago by speeding up Internet access and adding a navigation chip. A spokesman for AT&T, the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the U.S., said there was a global problem with Apple’s iTunes servers that prevented the phones from being fully activated in-store, as had been planned.
Instead, employees are telling buyers to go home and perform the last step by connecting their phones to their own computers, spokesman Michael Coe said. However, the iTunes servers were equally hard to reach from home, leaving the phones unusable except for emergency calls. The problem extended to owners of the previous iPhone model. A software update released for that phone on Friday morning required the phone to be reactivated through iTunes. When the first iPhone went on sale a year ago, customers performed the whole activation procedure at home, freeing store employees to focus on sales. But the new model is subsidized by carriers, and Apple and AT&T therefore planned to activate all phones in-store to get customers on a contract.
Souce: AP, Martin
According to a preliminary analysis by iSuppli Corp., the new Apple iPhone 3G materials and manufacturing cost is $173. The initial retail price of the phone announced by Steve Jobs will be $199. iSuppli has performed a breakdown of the costs using insights from its analysis staff to develop estimates of iPhone content, suppliers, and costs. “The new iPhone is significantly less expensive to produce than the first-generation product, despite major improvements in the product’s functionality and unique usability, due to the addition of 3G communications,” said Dr. Jagdish Rebello, director and principal analyst for iSuppli.
“The original 8Gbyte iPhone carried a cost of $226 after component price reductions, giving the new product a 23 percent hardware cost reduction due to component price declines.” Tina Teng, wireless communications analyst at iSuppli, added that if the 3G iPhone design is unchanged, the cost should drop down to $126 in 2012. Although the base iPhone 3G will sell for just $199 at retail, Apple will receive far more than that with AT&T footing the bill as it does with most phones. Wireless carriers subsidize much of the cost of devices and make up the difference with revenue from new and existing subscribers.
Source: Betanews, PC World, Martin
After Singapore Airlines claimed to be the first to the market in offering passengers connectivity for the Apple iPod personal electronic devices, United says it is taking the honors as the first US carrier to offer the amenity. United today is debuting the feature on a transatlantic flight from Washington Dulles to Zurich that allows passengers to connect iPods and iPhones to its IFE system, which features a 15.4-inch widescreen flat panel monitor. The US major has previously said it is engaging in a $165 million revamp to equip premium cabins of its international widebody fleet that includes new Panasonic IFE systems to allow iPod and iPhone connectivity in first and business class, and lie-flat beds on the aircraft.
Last month, Singapore Airlines flew its first flight offering iPod connectivity on an Airbus A340-500. The carrier is reconfiguring five of the aircraft to all-business class layouts. “Our guests may now watch or listen to what they want, when they want, with programming they choose,” said United Airlines executive VP Graham Atkinson in a statement today. “United will continue to provide services and technology that makes our customers’ travel experiences more relaxed and enjoyable.”
Source: PC World, Ars Technica, Martin
In his keynote address to open Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) on Monday, Steve Jobs officially announced the iPhone 3G. Perhaps the most important revelation was the price, which at $199 for the entry level (8GB) model is half the original’s current $399 pricetag. He indicated that the price was based on research where consumers who have so far passed on the iPhone said cost was the biggest barrier. Not surprisingly he didn’t talk about his previous prediction of 10 million iPhones sold by the end of 2008. Why is that significant? Maybe because at the current (pre-iPhone 3G) prices it appears unlikely to happen.
In fact despite “selling out some number of weeks ago,” Jobs said only 6 million have been sold in the approximately 11 months since the initial launch on June 29 of last year. Jobs showed off the speed difference between the iPhone 3G’s “amazingly zippy” performance on newer 3G networks, compared with the EDGE connection available to owner’s of the original. The same web page that took nearly a minute to load using an EDGE connection took just over 20 seconds across 3G. He also compared it to a Nokia N95 and Treo 750, which reportedly took 33 and 34 seconds respectively to load the same page (using 3G) while delivering it in a less complete mobile format. He also pointed out that 3G speed is “actually approaching Wi-Fi.”
Other changes include the use of plastic instead of aluminum for the back (presumably to bring production costs down), as well as the addition of a 2 Megapixel camera and GPS. Near the end of his presentation a map showed 70 countries where the 3G iPhone will officially be available while ‘It’s a Small World’ played in the background. By contrast, the original iPhone is only offered in 6 countries. The iPhone 3G’s initial launch, on July 11, will actually only include 22 countries, with the other 48 planned by year’s end.
Source: Afterdawn, Martin
Samsung Electronics South Korea released on early Monday preview details on the company’s new smartphone, before the mania of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference begins in California. The Samsung Omnia (SGH-i900) is similar in looks and function to the Samsung Instinct (SPH-M800), but with a few more bells and whistles. For starters, it sounds like it has a very promising camera. With five megapixels and anti-shake technology, this may be the first camera on a phone that produces pictures you would actual think of printing, not just posting to Facebook. This is an improvement over the 2-megapixel cameras on both the first-generation iPhone and on the Samsung Instinct.
The touch-screen smartphone, which runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 and features Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Opera 9.5 as its Web browser, will also have Wi-Fi. That’s something the Instinct also lacks. Like the Instinct, the Omnia has visual voice mail, 3G capability, Bluetooth, an FM radio, and GPS functionality. The smartphone, of course, also doubles as a music player and, with 16GB, will be able to hold up to 4,000 songs or 100 minutes of video, according to Samsung. The Omnia (SGH-i900) will become available in Southeast Asia first and then be launched to other markets over the second half of 2008, according to Samsung.
Apple has staked a strong claim in the smartphone market. And it’s a good space to latch onto, as the worldwide smartphone market grew more than 29 percent and the North American smartphone market doubled in the first quarter of 2008 compared to a year ago, according to new research from Gartner. Apple, Cupertino, Calif., is the No. 3 vendor of smartphones, selling 1.7 million units worldwide to grab a 5.3 percent share of the market, Gartner said. Apple has built that share up from nothing, offering no smartphone in its portfolio until the debut of its iPhone in June, 2007. In the U.S., Apple is the No. 2 vendor, grabbing 20 percent of the market. Still, the vendor has a ways to go if it wants to hit No. 1 worldwide. Nokia, Espoo, Finland, holds that spot, selling 14.6 million units in the first quarter and grabbing 45.2 percent of the market. Research in Motion, Waterloo, Ontario, sits at No. 2, selling 4.3 million units to grab 13.4 percent of the market.
Globally, buyers snapped up 32.2 million smartphones in the first quarter, an increase of 29.3 percent compared to the first quarter of 2007. In North America, unit sales more than doubled to 7.3 million. “Despite economic concerns, the smartphone market continued to expand in the United States, driven by heavy advertising and strong marketing promotions as more devices reached mass market price points,” said Hugues De La Vergne, principal analyst for mobile terminals research at Gartner, in a statement. “North American operators are giving these devices strong support, as they provide higher average revenue per unit (ARPU). We expect operators to continue to make these devices the focus of 2008 promotions.”
Source: CRN, Martin
High Tech Computer on Tuesday launched a more powerful version of its popular Touch smartphone, hoping to lure consumers from better-known rivals such as Apple’s iPhone. The Touch Diamond, which supports carriers’ 3G broadband-like networks, includes features that focus on Web browsing and checking e-mail. The device, which runs on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, includes a 2.8-inch VGA touch screen that the company claims provides near-print-quality viewing. The smartphone’s Web browser can zoom and pan Web sites. In addition, turning the device sideways automatically rotates the page view from portrait to landscape.
HTC has also developed its own YouTube application to watch video from the popular site. The software also optimizes the use of Google’s mobile mapping service for accessing street maps and getting traffic data. The Touch Diamond weighs less than 4 ounces and includes a 3.2-megapixel camera. The device comes with 4 GB of storage, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies. Talk time is up to four hours on a fully charged battery, according to HTC. Its size is roughly 4 by 2 by 0.4 inches. HTC plans to offer the Touch Diamond through all major European carriers in June, and later this quarter in Asia and the Middle East. The device is scheduled to ship in North America and Latin America in the second half of the year.
Source: ComputerWeek, Martin
Adobe Systems Inc. says it will license its video-enabling Flash software for free for mobile devices to help developers make mobile Internet experiences more closely resemble the experience on computers. The world’s fifth-largest software maker is launching what it calls the Open Screen Project with support from phone makers Motorola Inc., Nokia Corp., Samsung Electronics, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba Corp., from chip makers Intel and Qualcomm, and from content providers including NBC Universal, MTV Networks and the BBC, among other companies. With the Open Screen Project, Adobe said, it aims to improve Internet experiences on all electronics, including computers, TVs and digital video recorders. But mobile devices are a particular focus.
Many mobile applications have met with disappointment from consumers. And game and video developers have been burdened with cranking out numerous versions of applications for mobile devices, said Kevin Lynch, Adobe’s chief technology officer. “You have to make over 100 different versions of that game in order to actually make it work across all these different phones,” Lynch said. Notably missing from the list of industry supporters for Adobe’s project is Apple Inc. The iPhone maker does not use Flash on its smart phones, and Chief Executive Steve Jobs has publicly criticized Flash for being too slow. Adobe says it’s working on a version of Flash for the iPhone — now that Apple has released the information needed to custom fit the software to Apple’s operating system.
Source: AP, Martin
The 3G iPhone will be announced June 9, the likely date of Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, analysts said in research notes on Thursday. The 3G iPhone will be the “first of an impressive wave of new products” from Apple, wrote Citi analysts Richard Gardner and Yeechang Lee. They also expect an updated Mac laptop and iPod lines. The Apple conference is scheduled for June 9-13 in San Francisco. In addition to a 3G iPhone release in early June, the 2.5G model could have a “minor casing change” and a price drop to between US$299 and $349, compared to the current $399, wrote Shaw Wu, an analyst with American Technology Research, in a research report.
Those predictions are consistent with a February prediction Gardner made that 3G iPhones will be announced by midyear. The 3G iPhone release will help Apple meet its target of shipping 10 million iPhones in 2008, Gardner wrote at the time. Apple is confident it will sell 10 million iPhones this year, officials said during a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the company’s second-quarter earnings. Apple sold more iPhones than expected during the quarter and iPhone inventories were not enough to meet the strong demand.
Source: Yahoo, Martin


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World’s largest consumer bead show event now features more than 600 classes, competitions and exhibits for metal, bead and glass jewelry makers
WAUKESHA, WI/NEW YORK, N.Y. – Kalmbach Media, the content creator of such well-known and respected media brands as Bead&Button, Discover, Astronomy, and Model Railroader, today announced a brand-new lineup of features and events for the Bead&Button Show, which runs June 3-10 in Milwaukee.
Now in its 18th year, the Bead&Button Show is Kalmbach’s premier event for “modern makers” passionate about creating jewelry from crystals, gemstones, beads, metal and other materials. The show attracts over 11,000 attendees from across the globe and is considered the premier event for beaders, metalworkers, wirework artists, and makers who want to hone their skills with the best in the field.
Bead&Button Show attendees have an unprecedented opportunity to engage with expert instructors leading more than 600 classes; shop for premium materials and supplies at one of the world’s largest and most extensive Expos with over 300 exhibitor booths; and interact with like-minded creators from across the nation and around the world. The Expo also boasts an enormous selection of beads and handcrafted jewelry in all price ranges.
Among the new program elements this year include:
- “Project Embellish,” Bead&Button’s take on reality-show runway challenges, in which six accomplished jewelry artists create designs before a live audience
- An exhibit of stunning, award-winning beadwork creations from Ukraine
- An exhibit by finalists in the International BeadDreams and Metal Jewelry & Artistry awards, representing some of the best bead and metal craftsmanship from around the world; and
- New “make-and-take” opportunities from manufacturers demonstrating new products and from instructors teaching trending techniques. Participants will walk away with their own beautiful creations to make or to give.
“We continue to focus on innovative ways to expand the experiences our hyper-enthusiast audiences have with our brands and content,” says Dan Hickey, CEO, Kalmbach. “The Bead&Button Show reflects our ongoing strategy of enhancing those brand experiences while also growing our revenue streams.”
“Response to class offerings in both metal and beading has been tremendous,” said Show Director Sara Dumford. “Combine this with an outstanding Expo filled with beads, supplies, tools and handmade one-of-kind items, and jewelry makers will find everything they need at the Bead&Button Show.”
A Silent Auction of unique jewelry, beads, books, kits, and supplies will open for bidding Saturday, June 9, at 11:00am in the Expo. Proceeds raised benefit breast cancer research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Since its inception, the Bead&Button Show has raised nearly $300,000 for community causes and programs.
The show is recognized by VISIT Milwaukee as one of the city’s largest consumer shows of the year and has generated millions of dollars in economic impact for the Milwaukee area.
About Kalmbach Media:
Kalmbach Media is a leading independent media company that provides ideas and inspiration to avid hobbyists, enthusiasts and citizen scientists through its multichannel brands including Astronomy, Discover, Bead&Button, FineScale Modeler, Garden Railways, Scale Auto, Classic Toy Trains, Model Railroader, Model Railroader Video Plus, Trains, Classic Trains, and American Snowmobiler.
For more information about the Bead&Button Show, contact Sara Dumford, firstname.lastname@example.org, 262-798-6591


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Obama Offers Blueprint for Privacy Rights on the Internet
By John P. Mello Jr.
PCWorldFeb 23, 2012 7:57 am PST
The White House has unveiled a plan to create a “Bill of Rights” for consumer privacy on the Internet, and announced that Google, Microsoft and Yahoo have agreed to comply when consumers choose to protect their online tracking habits.
The Bill of Rights is part of a 62-page document [PDF] describing a framework for protecting privacy on the Internet.
According to the document, “Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World,” the Bill of Rights at the center of this framework embraces privacy principles recognized throughout the world and adapts them to the environment of the commercial Internet. Among them:
Consumers have a right to exercise control over what personal data companies collect from them and how they use it
Consumers have a right to easily understandable and accessible information about privacy and security practices
Consumers have a right to expect that companies will collect, use, and disclose personal data in ways that are consistent with the context in which consumers provide the data
Consumers have a right to secure and responsible handling of personal data
Consumers have a right to access and correct personal data in usable formats, in a manner that is appropriate to the sensitivity of the data and the risk of adverse consequences to consumers if the data is inaccurate
Consumers have a right to reasonable limits on the personal data that companies collect and retain
Consumers have a right to have personal data handled by companies with appropriate measures in place to assure they adhere to the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights
The administration also called for Congress to pass legislation that would enforce the Bill of Rights applicable on commercial sectors that are not subject to existing federal data privacy laws.
The Commerce Department will spearhead discussions with stakeholders — including companies, privacy and consumer advocates, international partners, state attorneys general, federal criminal and civil law enforcement representatives, and academics — to create a code of conduct that will ensure that companies adhere to the Bill of Rights.
“Such practices,” the plan said, “when publicly and affirmatively adopted by companies subject to Federal Trade Commission jurisdiction, will be legally enforceable by the FTC.”
“American consumers can’t wait any longer for clear rules of the road that ensure their personal information is safe online,” President Obama said in statement. “As the Internet evolves, consumer trust is essential for the continued growth of the digital economy. That’s why an online privacy Bill of Rights is so important.”
The White House privacy plan comes on the heels of revelations that Google was circumventing the privacy protections of Apple’s Safari browser and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Google was roundly criticized by privacy advocates for its actions, some of whom, along with members of Congress, called for an FTC investigation into the matter.


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iPhone or Android phone users? Young or old? Eric Chemi breaks down the numbers on who's buying mobile games on this week's CNBC's Big Crunch.» Read More
Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick said a change in the video game maker's release schedule caused the company to forecast a weaker than expected fourth quarter, but he spoke confidently about the upcoming release of games such as DJ Hero and Band Hero.
For decades, the Walt Disney Company has largely kept Mickey Mouse frozen under glass. Now, however, concerned that Mickey has become more of a corporate symbol than a beloved character for recent generations of young people, Disney is taking the risky step of re-imagining him for the future.
The third quarter of 2009 was a pretty horrendous one for the video game industry. Year over year sales plummeted amid a lack of ‘must have’ games. Now, as earnings season draws near, game makers are about to face the consequences.
Following a disappointing quarterly report card from gaming giant Nintendo, Hiroshi Kamide, gaming and software analyst at KBC Securities, believes the firm will do better next year.
Streaming movies are coming to the PlayStation 3. Netflix (NFLX) and Sony (SNE) on Monday announced a partnership that will let owners of the gaming system instantly watch roughly 17,000 movies and TV shows.
Despite an extensive marketing campaign, positive reviews and some of the most widespread media attention ever given to a video game, “The Beatles: Rock Band” had a relatively lackluster first month on store shelves.
The good news: After six consecutive months of negative numbers, the video game industry finally had a month that topped 2008’s sales figures. The bad news: It only did so by the skin of its teeth.
While the demographic for video games and action movies is basically the same, the track record for films based on games has been a pretty dismal one. For every “Tomb Raider”-sized hit, there are a handful of flops like “BloodRayne.”
The November 2005 launch of the Xbox 360 marked not only the beginning of a new cycle of video game hardware, it also launched a new era in video game pricing.
IPhone downloads count both free demos and paid games — and free is always more popular. So how does a small developer make a profit?
One of the video game industry’s most consistent hitmakers is taking things to the next level. PopCap Games, the creator of titles such as “Bejweled,” “Zuma,” “Bookworm” and “Peggle” – has raised $22.5 million from venture capitalists.
The holiday season is prime time for HDTV bargain hunters. Retailers, looking to draw people into the stores on Black Friday, regularly offer impossibly low prices – and the sale of those sets is often a quick barometer of the overall mood of consumers.
The issue of whether minors should be legally prohibited from buying violent video games may soon be settled – once and for all.
Unlike its predecessors, the new portable gaming system from Sony does not run on traditional packaged software. Any game or movie the user wants has to be downloaded — and that leaves retailers out of the loop on the most profitable part of any gaming system.
Following price cuts by its two rivals, Nintendoreduced the price of its Wii video game system by $50 later this week. The widely expected move could help the company reverse slowing momentum as it heads into the holiday sales period.
Following price cuts by its two rivals, Nintendo is expected to reduce the price of its Wii video game system by $50 later this week. The widely expected move could help the company reverse the company’s slowing momentum as it heads into the holiday sales period.
When Microsoft released “Halo 3” a little shy of two years ago, it was a certifiable entertainment event. The conclusion of the hit franchise’s trilogy would ultimately sell 5.9 million copies, making it one of the top selling games of this generation of video game systems.
Initially rolled out by Microsoft in 2006, the Zune was positioned as a wannabe iPod killer – and was promptly squashed by Apple’s popular system. Now the Zune HD, a redesigned, flashier version of the system, is hitting retail shelves.
August was supposed to be the month video game sales turned around. Instead, they extended their slide for the sixth consecutive month.
Alex Seropian, the founder of Bungie Software and co-creator of the "Halo" franchise has joined the company to oversee creative development across Disney’s in-house video game development teams.


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Almo Releases Accessory Catalog
The accessories distributor Almo announced Monday that it has shipped its Fall/Winter Accessory Catalog, the company’s first catalog ever to feature accessories only.
The catalog includes such catagories as mounts, stands, remotes, cables, power centers/surges, cables, mp3/iPod, blank media, speakers, digital imaging, and appliance power. Featured brands include Peerless Mounts, Level Mounts, Philips, Monster Cable, Phoenix Gold and Panasonic
The eight-page, full-color catalog is scheduled to reach Almo dealers in mid-November; those interested can receive one by e-mailing firstname.lastname@example.org