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Ammo Shortage “Is Not a Conspiracy”
Where has all the ammunition in America gone? While we are starting to see an increasing number of boxes of...
Where has all the ammunition in America gone? While we are starting to see an increasing number of boxes of loaded ammo on gun-store shelves, a lot of those shelves are still painfully bare, just as they have been for the last three years.
Ask a dozen people in those stores about the cause of the ammo shortage, and you’ll get plenty of speculation. Ammo-shortage theories are just like elbows–everybody has as least one.
Homeland Security is stockpiling all the .223 rounds in the country… The Postal Service has warehouses full of ammo, driving up the price so they can sell it to offset the service’s debt… It’s all going to Afghanistan, or Syria, or the Ukraine… Production is being constricted to bring gun owners to our knees…
We wanted real answers, so we turned to the folks who should know: ammunition manufacturers. I sat down with Mark DeYoung, the president and CEO of ATK (the parent company of Federal Ammunition), to ask specifically what’s behind the recent ammunition shortage.


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LIVE 4:01 pm PST
Kobe Bryant just got off the stage to break out into individual sessions but Nike Basketball has put out the signature shoe for our viewing pleasure. Here's your first 'official' look at the Nike Zoom Kobe V. We'll have more updates as we continue to post live updates from the launch.
LIVE 3:40pm pst
Announcer Kevin Frazier just brought out Kobe Bryant for the press conference for the Nike Zoom Kobe V. After some photo ops, Nike designers Eric Avar and researcher Matt Nurse also came out to talk through the design and inspiration for the new Kobe signature sneaker.
Los Angeles 3:04pm pst / 6:04pm est
We are just about to view the presentation of the Nike Zoom Kobe V here at the L.A. Forum. Kobe is just minutes away so here's a quick view from the press conference. Keep your eyes on Freshness as we continue to post live updates.
MORE UPDATES IN THE NEXT 30 MINUTES... STAY TUNED...

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State authorities authorized a policy on May 24, 2022, to reduce water use in California by 10 to 20%, which includes a blanket prohibition on watering decorative lawns in subdivision common areas and on all commercial premises. As officials work to save water during a severe drought, sweeping restrictions on outdoor water use go into effect for more than 6 million Southern California homeowners. The intense drought has resulted in bringing the region’s driest two decades in more than 1,200 years. Among the restrictions, California residents are restricted to watering their lawns no more than once a week in many areas.
On Tuesday, the California State Water Resources Control Board declared emergency restrictions to decrease water consumption by 10 to 20% this year, prompting local water providers to apply their measures to make this a reality. Moreover, as Laurel Firestone, a member of the California State Water Resources Control Board, cautioned during the board meeting on Tuesday, some cities may be forced to make difficult judgments about what is “needed in this new normal.”
In most houses across the country, outdoor irrigation accounts for 50-70% of household water use. Each year, it takes around 685 gallons of water to apply one inch of water over 1,000 square feet of lawn to keep it green. It puts a significant burden on the local freshwater supply just to keep the lawn green. What choices do you have for making a difference? By replacing your natural lawn with SYNLawn artificial grass, you may save up to 70% on your water cost. By switching to SYNLawn, you not only get a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn all year, but you also help to minimize your carbon footprint. Experts expect that the drought will continue throughout 2022 and for years further.
Now more than ever the importance of making the switch to Sacramento artificial grass is growing at an exponential rate. We must urgently do our part to maintain the environment as well as conserve as many valuable resources as we can. SYNLawn is not only dedicated to providing the highest quality grass alternatives, but we continue to explore the endless opportunities of our products to help the planet thrive. By eliminating the need to ever have to water your grass, you help us take a massive step in the right direction. In addition, because our products offer the strongest reflective light warrant, your landscape will never fade. Our 100% nylon fibers resist the sun’s rays and prevent us from over watering our lanes in an attempt to prevent them from losing their luxurious green glow. The more consumers that make the switch to synthetic grass, the sooner we can begin to make substantial progress towards ending our drought.
SYNLawn is southern California’s first provider of plant-based artificial grass. Our environmentally responsible products make it easy to conserve valuable resources such as water in hard times such as these. As of 2011, the estimated total amount of synthetic turf installed in North America annually conserves more than three billion gallons of water. An average lawn of 1,800 square feet will save 99,000 gallons of water a year if landscaped with synthetic turf? about 70% of a homeowner’s water bill, or up to $500. Our low-maintenance products do not require consistent watering to maintain their luxurious green glow and resist fading, even in harsh sunlight. As a result, we can save substantial amounts of water yearly as well as money on consumer water bills. SYNLawn artificial grass is backed by our unmatched limited lifetime warranty with financing options available.
For more information on Sacramento artificial grass and the many environmental benefits it provides, contact us today to schedule a free consultation!
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So you’ve taken the plunge and decided to invest in residential artificial turf. Congratulations! Residential turf is an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and low-maintenance option for those looking to curate a natural, lush, green lawn. While purchasing your turf is a huge step forward toward your dream lawn, there is still some work to do before…
For real golf enthusiasts, improving your game is a constant practice that takes patience and dedication. But don’t you wish you could practice from the comfort of your own home instead of paying costly fees for country clubs and putting greens? Luckily, artificial turf for putting greens presents an easy solution to your problems. With…
People often associate artificial turf with lawns and sports fields. However, the reality is that artificial turf is so much more versatile than many people realize! Synthetic grass is a highly adaptable product that is easy to work with and maintain, making it a great option for DIY projects. Whether you are looking for ways…


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The company will contact customers eligible to upgrade to an iPhone 5C or iPhone 5S to push new sales.
Collection occurs when Internet services transmit the data during routine activity such as composing a message, The Washington Post reports.
It's an easy sell: Four times the resolution of HD. The numbers are easy to understand, 2160p easily identifiable as more than 1080p. Every manufacturer is pushing their top-of-the-line 4K TVs as the next generation of superlative picture quality. But resolution is just one aspect of picture quality. Is it possible that by focusing so intently on this one, easily marketed, improvement, that other aspects are getting neglected, or worse, diminished? The short answer? Yep. Here's how.
The yearly Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association Expo took place in Denver last week, and we got to see demos of new OLED TVs, laser projectors, Dolby Atmos, and more. Here are some highlights.
Budget-friendly smartphones like the Moto X and Moto G are ideal for service plans that offer discounts for bringing your own device. But which one should you choose?
The palmtop has gone away, but some people could still use an integrated pocketable typing device.
The Justice Department presents a draft e-mail it says proves collusion on e-book prices, but Apple responds with e-mail it says was actually sent that contained different content and tone.
The dating site conducted an experiment that falsified compatibility matches without telling users. When the results were published, OKCupid's co-founder said only two users complained. CNET's Bridget Carey explains the test and why it matters.
Vagaries of federal surveillance law, enacted in 1968 and updated in 1986, favor lots of e-mail snooping over only a little.
CEO Marissa Mayer tells investors they'll share in half the proceeds from Alibaba's blockbuster IPO. Yahoo also plans on holding on to a larger stake in the Chinese e-commerce firm than previously reported.


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Chennai-based Royal Enfield's British heritage gives it an authenticity that still commands a cult following in European and American markets. Custom-made bikes from its stables have made their way to celebrity garages for ages. No one batted an eye-lid when one of its bikes became the powder-blue ride of Harry Potter and Hagrid in the series' penultimate movie.
Soon, bike enthusiasts in African and South American markets can get access to these bikes as well. The leisure bike specialist, a part of the Delhi-based Eicher Motors, is taking its bikes to new markets. But not before it has fed the parent's stellar financials in the last quarter of 2012-13.
Eicher Motors recorded a sterling set of results for its motorbike division with a quarter on quarter rise of 46.6 per cent in the period ending March, 2013 (yearly growth in box). Not only has the demand for Royal Enfield's three sub-brands - Classic, Bullet and Thunderbird - led to a revenue increase, but analysts point out that margins for the company have improved by 3.5 per cent year on year. "Both sales and margins increased for the brand because it gradually unlocked capacity from say, 8,000 units a few months ago to 10,000, while using the same overheads for more sale units, leading to better margins," says Basudeb Banerjee, research analyst, Quant Broking. The brand's runaway demand has propped up the stock price of Eicher Motors, at a time when commercial vehicle makers (Eicher depends on its commercial vehicles sale for over 80 per cent of its revenue) are slowing down.
The oldest surviving motorcycle-making company in the world and one of the smallest in India, Royal Enfield, makes bikes styled for comfortable cruising with engine capacities ranging from 350cc-500cc.
While Royal Enfield's bikes don't have competition with a similar product - a leisure bike which is not an all-out cruiser - brands with comparable pricing and engine specs in India have not fared well in the last year either (see box).
Despite loyal followers, it was not so sunny for the motorbike brand a decade back. Selling just 2,000 units a month in the year 2000 because of quality issues, it was on the verge of being sold off or shut down. The turnaround of the Bullet-maker was scripted by Siddhartha Lal, now the managing director and CEO of Eicher Motors.
His team introduced modern and more resilient features to the iconic single-cylinder engine with a long stroke, without giving up the bike's heritage look and feel that die-hard fans swore by. From the under-utilised 6,000 bikes-capacity in 2000, the company now has a demand backlog of six months.
But there is a new plant that is operational since last month, opening up possibilities for Royal Enfield. It is now looking to create new followers. While in India, it is a premium bike brand (pricing and engine capacity), in worldwide rankings, its bikes are known as mid-sized, which encompasses 350 cc- 850-cc-engine rides. Lal says, "We want to be a global leader in the mid-sized category. We believe we can become a leader over the next 5-10 years. We have started planning for this. We have built a world-class facility whose quality is at par, if not the best. We aim to have a significant share in each country we will expand to in the mid-sized category."
The new plant at Oragadam, Chennai, built at a cost of Rs 150 crore, has an annual initial capacity of 150,000 units, which is being scaled up to 250,000 units per year by 2014. With additions made to its older plant, too, the company hopes to churn out 500,000 units annually in the next few years. It has already revised its estimate for the year (2013-14) to sell 175,000 units, up from 150,000 units, projected earlier. By the end of next year, it hopes to achieve sales of 250,000 units.
Its exports to countries in Europe and the US bring in just three per cent of its overall sales, which stood at at 1,24,270 units. "Traditionally the developed countries like the US and Europe have been the markets for us, and they will continue to be important but bigger growth will come from the emerging markets, where people are looking for upgrades", adds Lal.
With the new markets in sight and renewed capacity, it plans to increase exports to 10 per cent. After all, volume players such as Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp are also venturing into Africa and Latin America.
However, Royal Enfield's true competitor, Triumph, may have missed its deadline to launch in India, but has not given up and is working on a new assembly plant near Bangalore. Royal Enfield, which is readying its Continental GT (formerly called Cafe Racer) for launch, is working on several new products for the emerging markets that would equally complement its existing range. For the Indian market, it had launched a 350-cc bike in 2009, the Classic (and what the characters rode in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1) to bring in more volumes. It had waiting-periods of up to 12 months (six months on an average for the other two brands).


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Hoping for a badly needed boost at the start of the crucial holiday season with the launch of its new Sidekick smart phone, Motorola Inc. instead was dealt a setback last week that led it to yank the device from store shelves less than a month after its introduction.
The problem with Motorola's Sidekick Slide complicates the Schaumburg-based cell phone-maker's efforts to regain its footing amid lost market share and the descent of its once-dominant Razr from chic status to a commonplace, lower-priced handset.
T-Mobile removed the Slide from its lineup Friday, citing a glitch that caused some of the phones to "inadvertently power off when the slide door on the front of the phone is opened or closed," the company said in a statement.
Motorola said Wednesday that it identified the defect as "a minor issue relating to the battery contacts." The company added that it has solved the problem, and newly manufactured Slides will incorporate the fix.
"T-Mobile expects to begin offering the Sidekick Slide again beginning next week," Motorola said.
Motorola's Slide went on sale in early November for $199 with a two-year T-Mobile contract. Sharp Electronics Corp. is the other Sidekick manufacturer for the Bellevue, Wash.-based carrier. Since its launch in 2002, the Sidekick line has found popularity among frequent-text-messaging 18-to-34-year-old consumers.
The Sharp devices have a cover that swivels on a hinge over the keypad, while Motorola's model offers a sliding cover. Customers with faulty Slides were able to exchange them for the Sharp models, which were not affected by the glitch.
The Sidekick Slide "isn't a high-volume device per se, but it's certainly a higher-profile device and a marquee device for a key account, T-Mobile," said John Jackson, a wireless industry analyst at the Yankee Group. "[Motorola] is a company that cannot afford this kind of miscue at this point."
The end of the year is an important time for new product launches, and Motorola may have lost some early momentum in its efforts to break into the Sidekick market.
The company is under particular scrutiny because of past problems and the tough operating environment for its mobile phone division. In 2005, supply bottlenecks caused several of the Motorola's new models, including the Pebl and Slvr, to arrive late in North America, forcing the company to miss much of the holiday shopping blitz.
Analysts said the Sidekick Slide suspension could have been worse.
"It would be a lot more damaging if someone said, 'We're not going to sell the Motorola Razr or Krzr,' or some of their really high-volume devices anymore," said Julie Ask, a wireless industry analyst at Jupiter Research.
Motorola's successor to the Razr has proved elusive so far, though its Razr 2, launched in the fall, received positive feedback from industry analysts.
According to a report released Tuesday by Boston-based Strategy Analytics, Motorola made four of the top-10-selling handsets in the U.S. in the third quarter. Versions of the Razr occupy the first and second spots, and its Krzr ranked sixth on the list. Still, Strategy Analytics noted that the average selling price for Motorola's models was $80, 40 percent lower than the average for the group.


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Volume 26/number 28 June 10/17, 2013
by FCNews Staff
TILE DEVELOPMENTS: The recent Coverings show proved the economy is, in fact, active again. This year’s event attracted an increased number of architects, designers and specifiers. Attendance increased by 3% as guests were drawn to the latest innovations from more than 950 exhibitors and over 70 free education sessions, many of which offered CEUs. Overall, Coverings 2013 drew about 22,000 attendees, on par with last year’s show. The event featured something for everyone with distributor VIP programs, “Contractor Days,” on-site Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) and the new Stone Zone for fabricators.
DESIGN TRENDS: Visitors surveyed advances in thin and large-format tiles, in addition to those that mimic other materials, such as wood, with increasing realism. “Coverings has engaged with the community of architects and designers in the Southeast for the past 12 months and we’re pleased they took advantage of all the show has to offer,” said Karin Fendrich, Coverings show director. “We know our exhibitors appreciate the added opportunity of reaching the growing specifier audience.”
INSTALLATION SHOWCASE: The daily activity at the Installation Design Showcase was of particular interest to designers as well as installers. The showcase matched four Atlanta-based design firms with four of the nation’s finest installation teams. Designers Michael Neiswander and Margaret Nysewander of Atlanta’s ASD designed a unique bar area, called “a conceptual art piece.” It featured red tiles from different Ceramics of Italy manufacturers and was applied by Joel Phinney, senior project manager of Rimrock Design, a Lake City, Fla.-based installer. Hospitality-design veterans Foreman Rogers and Allison Isaacs of Atlanta’s tvsdesign created the feel of a large hotel lobby on a small scale, specifying Plane 5-foot by 10-foot engineered porcelain ceramic wall panels from StonePeak Ceramic. Also included in the design was glass and mirror tiles installed by Rod Owen of C.C. Owen Tile Co., in Jonesboro, Ga.
CONTRACT EXPANDING: Another recent successful event was NeoCon 2013. According to Byron Morton, vice president of leasing, Merchandise Mart Properties, pre-registration was up 20%; actual attendance is projected to be up 10%; the number of temporary exhibitors on the 7th and 8th floors grew from 460 to 490, and when it comes to permanent space, let’s just say the Mart is flying a “no vacancy” flag. Why? In a word, corporate. This segment has more money on the books than ever before, and many firms are beginning to relocate to new spaces or, at the very least, renovate. New office space leads to more designers, which leads to more business, which leads to more innovation and, therefore, more NeoCon attendees.
FALANGA: This was the first NeoCon without former MMPI president Mark Falanga, who stepped down in February. Falanga left to pursue other interests, including real estate holdings outside of Chicago; a winery development he has underway in Michigan, and a patented snowboard-like product he is developing. His last tour de force was negotiating a 15-year agreement with Google to lease 572,000 square feet at the Mart, the largest office lease signed in Chicago in seven years. Falanga was instrumental in building NeoCon to the perch where it now resides, and was always generous with his time to the media, including FCNews. We wish him well.


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“Clearly this is a challenging environment for food and beverage marketers who are trying to reach broad audiences,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America.
CHICAGO (PRWEB) January 07, 2019
U.S. consumers are seeking their echo chambers of health or tribes through blogs and social media, much in the same way they use them for lifestyles and politics, reports The NPD Group. Health professionals, friends, and family were once go-to sources for information on health, but the rising number of bloggers and online communities enable consumers from anywhere on the planet to find like-minded individuals. And just like other echo chambers, oftentimes consumers will follow plans promoted by a blogger or online community as opposed to sound science.
An example of the internet’s influence on health is that nearly 60 percent of consumers who engage in clean eating, research their foods online. More than a quarter of adults rely on social media for information on GMOs and in which food they’re found. Consumers engaged in the lifestyles like paleo, Whole30, and plant-based often find their tribes online, according to NPD’s Eating Patterns in America.
Consumers making their own rules or following an online tribe that shares their beliefs plays out in dieting as well. For those who diet — and fewer U.S. consumers do — the most popular diet is one of their own making. It’s not that consumers create diets that are filled with indulgences; rather, they find lifestyles, or tribes that match their own interests or values.
“Clearly this is a challenging environment for food and beverage marketers who are trying to reach broad audiences,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America. “The key is to show flexibility and that their solutions can fit into a myriad of tribes, and understand that many Gen Zs and Millennials started with these tribes at a young age and will likely continue to follow their tribes as they age.”
About The NPD Group, Inc.
NPD is the leading global provider of market information and business solutions covering brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, and emerging channels in more than 20 industries. We combine our unique data assets with analytic solutions to help our clients measure performance, predict trends, and improve results, advising them to help drive successful growth. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, books, consumer electronics, e-commerce, entertainment, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, juvenile products, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, technology, toys, travel retail, games, and watches / jewelry. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npdgroup


text: Playboy Games Are ComingPlayboy Enterprises, Inc. today announced a global licensing deal with ARUSH Entertainment in conjunction with Groove Games to create, market and distribute a set of interactive simulation video games. The first Playboy- branded game, which will be playable on multiple platforms including PC, Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox consoles, is targeted to be in stores in 2004. The game, which is based on the world-builder simulation genre of video games, will allow players to walk in the slippers of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, establishing and building the Playboy empire and living the ultimate Playboy lifestyle. ARUSH Entertainment recently published Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project and Hunting Unlimited and will publish Devastation in 2003. "Were delighted to work with ARUSH and Groove to develop this game and provide the Playboy audience with a new and exciting way to interact with our brand," said Alex Vaickus, President of Global Licensing, PEI. "This deal marks Playboys entry into the video game category and is a significant breakthrough for us as we expand the licensing of our brand in the entertainment arena." In addition to game industry advertising and merchandising initiatives, ARUSH and Groove Entertainment will aggressively market the game in Playboy magazine and on Playboy.com to support the launch. Playboy readers spent over $300 million on video games over the last year with more than 3.1 million readers owning a video game system.* "This unique new game based on the incredibly popular Playboy brand will enable game players to become their own Hugh Hefner," commented Jim Perkins, president and CEO, ARUSH Entertainment. "This will be a fun, exciting experience that will challenge players to build their own virtual Playboy empire and live the fantastic Playboy lifestyle, appealing to video game enthusiasts and Playboy fans worldwide."


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One of the interesting and high-profile developments in corporate debt lately has been the rising cost of debt for Tesla (TSLA).
This is an important story not only for Tesla shareholders, as the company’s cost of operations is rising, but also an important story for all investors, particularly those who get enamored with a growth story driven by a powerful personality despite alarming fundamental financials.
Tesla’s cost of borrowing has always been high relative to other mid-cap firms, in no small part because it operates at a negative margin. Last quarter, its EPS of -$3.04 was 4.4x as big of a loss as the prior year, and worse than the prior quarter’s -$2.92.
The firm’s $3.52 billion cash on hand is extremely worrisome considering its liabilities are $23 billion, and that cash comes primarily from financing and not from sales, since Tesla loses cash for every car it sells.
This is why, in mid-2017, Tesla had to pay around a 5.4% interest rate on its debt, and it’s also why that has increased to 6.6%.
Part of the higher debt costs is a result of the prolonged cash bleed that Tesla has endured, but there is another part of the story: rising interest rates.
Interest rates across the board are up, and the Libor in particular has been spiking over the last few months for one simple reason: the Fed is expecting to increase interest rates, which is going to make corporate debts harder to service in the future.
One of the silent victims of rising interest rates are capital-losing high-growth and high-hyped companies. Musk’s ventures are high profile because of his personality, their extreme ambition, and how he has invigorated an interest in science with business. But the reality is that these ventures do not make money, and for anyone invested in Tesla at any level of the capital structure, this needs to be factored into their investment decisions.
One of the ways Tesla was able to operate through such a high debt load was the extremely low interest rate environment of the 2010s. With low interest rates, Tesla could borrow cheaply and refinance cheaply to pay previous debts. Higher interest rates makes the math work against Tesla, and may cause it to become insolvent very quickly.
Elon Musk is acutely aware of this, and for April Fools posted joke tweets making fun of the insolvency of his company. Sat next to one of his vehicles with a cardboard sign reading “bankwupt,” the tweet was an unsurprising success. But for TSLA shareholders facing increasingly hostile math, the joke may soon not be so funny.


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Cheaters found their way into the Modern Warfare 2 beta, but RICOCHET anti-cheat was on hand to combat those manipulating the game. Now, Activision have revealed how many players were actually banned in the Modern Warfare 2 beta.
The Modern Warfare 2 beta was a success for many reasons. Fans got the opportunity to try out the game’s new weapons and guns ahead of time, while the developers could use player feedback to make positive changes before.
It also gave the team the opportunity to start fighting against those trying to use cheats in matches. Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 are set to feature an “upgraded” RICOCHET anti-cheat system, and the MW2 beta was the first chance to deploy it against hackers.
With the beta now closed and Modern Warfare 2’s full launch just weeks away, Activision have revealed how many cheaters were banned during the beta.
In a post on the Call of Duty blog, the publisher included figures on how many accounts were banned from taking part, both before the beta began and while it was live.
They said: “In preparation for the beta, #TeamRICOCHET banned over 60,000 illicit accounts from our system, denying them access to the event. During the beta itself, over 20,000 bans were issued, ejecting cheaters from participation.”
This means that 72% of players who were found to be using cheats were banned before they ever stepped foot in an actual game. Activision also added that those who managed to get into the beta were removed “within five matches played.”
News of substantial action against hackers will be reassuring to players ahead of the final game, especially since RICOCHET wasn’t working at full power.
“The benefit of a pre-release beta is being able to test new methodologies and systems ahead of launch to see what is viable, as well as retain the full scope of RICOCHET Anti-Cheat to keep our cards closer to our chest,” Activision said.
“Combating cheaters is an ebb and flow process. There is no simple solution to stop cheating from ever occurring. While only partial anti-cheat systems were deployed for the free-to-play beta, the security team gained valuable learnings of what worked and what did not.”
The “full scope” of RICOCHET anti-cheat won’t go live until Modern Warfare 2 launches on October 28, but players can rest assured that the devs are doing their best to make sure matches go as smoothly as possible in Infinity Ward’s sequel.


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MetroPCS passed all regulatory hurdles standing in the way of its merger with T-Mobile USA, but now the carrier faces a vote from its stockholders. A special meeting to decide the fate of the T-Mobile merger will be held on April 12th, and, according to Reuters, a thumbs-up vote is not a given.
MetroPCS is courting its stockholders to get final approval for the deal. In a letter sent to stockholders on Monday, the wireless carrier claimed T-Mobile is the future for the carrier and said there is no assurance that the company will survive on its own.
Some stockholders, including the biggest MetroPCS shareholder But Paulson & Co, are not impressed with the deal and are vowing to vote against it during the mid-April meeting.


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BEIJING (AP) ? Chinese officials face a choice in Apple’s dispute with a local company over the iPad trademark ? side with a struggling entity that a court says owns the name or with a global brand that has created thousands of jobs in China.
Experts say that means Beijing’s political priorities rather than the courts will settle the dispute if it escalates.
Shenzhen Proview Technology has asked regulators to seize iPads in China in a possible prelude to pressing Apple Inc. for a payout. There have been seizures in some cities but no sign of action by national-level authorities.
Proview has a strong case under Chinese trademark law. But that could change if Beijing decides to intervene to avoid disrupting iPad sales or exports from factories in southern China.


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To deal with the stagnancy in Milk Production in our country in the 1950’s and 1960’s, an innovative development programme was launched by the Government of India. The initiative was popularly known as ‘Operation Flood’ or ‘The White Revolution’ in India. The distinctive approach of this massive dairy development program, not only made India self-sufficient in Milk Production but earned our country the title of, World’s No.1 Milk Producing Nation. According to the Economic Times, the Milk Production in India has shown an increase, being 55.6 million tonnes in 1991-92 to 186 million tonnes in 2018, accounting for 22% of the World’s Milk Production.
The article will deal with the following points:
- Key Points about The White Revolution
- Details of the White Revolution
- Constraints of the White Revolution
- Why there is a need of a ‘New White Revolution’?
As per the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), India has 40 indigenous cattle breeds like Sahiwal, Red Sindhi and Gir. The 2019 National Livestock Census shows the cattle and buffalo population, to be 300 million. With the aim of increasing milk production, the Government and the farmers are adopting several measures. There has been an increase in the population of cross bred mulch animals and surprisingly, a decline in male population of the mulch animals.
Key points to remember about ‘The White Revolution
- ‘Operation Flood’ was launched by the Government of India in 1970 under The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The idea was called a ‘billion litre idea’.
- Dr. Verghese Kurien (the then Chairman of NDDB) is the Father and architect of the White Revolution.
- The revolution proved to be a success because of Anand Milk Union Limited better known as Amul.
- Objective: To create a ‘National Milk Grid’, thereby reducing seasonal and regional price variations, benefiting both the consumers and milk producers.
- 26 November is celebrated as National Milk Day to honour Dr. Verghese Kurien. We celebrated 98th birth anniversary of Dr. Kurien this year.
Let’s dive into some details
- Launched in 1970, the ‘Operation Flood’ was aided initially by the World Food Program (WFP), and later continued seeking assistance from the European Commodity Community (EEC) and the World Bank for Soft loan/credit.
- The whole experiment became successful because of The Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd. led by Tribhuvandas Patel, which became the parent company to AMUL (Anand Milk Union Ltd). [Page 2, The White Revolution in India, by Bruce A. Scholton]
- The Operation Flood was executed in three phases [ page 19 of White Revolution of India by Bruce A. Scholton]:
Phase I aimed at linking the best milk sheds which were initially 18 with metropolitan Bombay, Delhi, Kolkata and Madras. As per NDDB documents about 1.5 million farm families took part in the first phase and the per day milk production rose from 0.46 million litres to 2.2 million litres.
As per records, 136 milk sheds were connected to 290 urban dairy markets. With the help of the credit/loan available from the World Bank and the seed capital raised through WFP/EEC gifts, ‘A self-sustaining system of 43000 village cooperatives covering 4.25 million milk producers.
The profits made in OF II were consolidated in the third phase. OF III was able to assure income to about 10 million farm families.
- The Operation also helped India to open up its dairy market to the World, after it signed the Uruguay Round of Agreement on Agriculture (URAA) in 1994 and became a member of the World Trade Organization. This led to trade liberalization, thereby reducing import tariffs on dairy products.
Benefits of the ‘White Revolution
Besides making India the leading Milk Producer in the world, the revolution served the following benefits:
- Provided employment to several small, marginal farmers and landless labourers. Today about 80 million rural households are engaged in the occupation of dairy production.
- With the participation of women in the White Revolution the Milk Production peaked in 1988-89, thereby increasing women co-operative societies.
- ‘The National Grid’ achieved by the operation flood linked more than 700 towns and cities, creating a dairy market for consumers and producers. The producers usually the farmers were benefited as they obtained the maximum share of the profit.
- With the modernization of the dairy market and genetic improvement of the mulch animals, production of milk increased manifolds.
Constraints of the White Revolution
- With the success of ‘Operation Flood’, the milk production has outstripped population growth, which means that the production is surplus. Means have to be identified so that there is proper demand management and the interests of the consumers and producers are protected.
- Adulteration of milk with detergent, starch and paints to increase the quantity of milk has been feared by the consumers, but as per the survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2018, 93% of the milk samples tested, were free of adulterants and were safe for consumption.
- The dairy sector is amidst concerns due to climate concerns and fodder availability. A report by the Niti Aayog says, “The overall productivity of the Dairy sector is low because of inadequate nutrition from green fodder, along with dry residue and protein concentrate.”
Why is there a need for a ‘New White Revolution’?
[Opinion based by Mihir Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Cattle and Dairy Development, Government of India]
To eliminate the constraints of the ‘The White Revolution’, most importantly to achieve efficient ‘demand management’, there is a need to revise and review the entire operation. ‘A New White Revolution’ is required to utilize the true potential of the dairy industry. These are some ways adopted by the Government to achieve the above mentioned goal.
- Use of Artificial Intelligence: The trackers fitted in collars, sit around the neck of the cow. The real time collected data provide crucial information about the cattle like its health, feeding, efficiency, heat stress and sexual receptivity. This way the well-being of the mulch animals is ensured. Early detection of health related issues in animals can help the farmers on the economic point of view.
- With increased awareness among the consumers, the dairy industry now focuses on the production of organic dairy products. The farmers ensure that organic pasture is fed to the cattle and the use of synthetic hormones in the cattle is avoided.
- Though the consumption of milk has increased but the distribution is not homogeneous. The poor do not have proper access to milk and milk products as compared to the middle class and the rich. The Government is trying to resolve this problem by implementing schemes like Midday meals or Anganwadi more efficiently, making milk a mandatory part of the diet.
- Strengthening of the dairy market in deficient areas of the country is required so that the goal of demand management is met.
- To overcome the challenge of less productivity in Indian Breed Bovines, through genomic breeding interventions is targeted by the Dairy Sector. This would increase the average productivity of Indian Cattle per year (1719 kg) which is currently low as compared to countries like USA (10360 kg) and Israel (13000 kg).
- Development of recognised Indian breeds like Gir, Red Sindhi, by introducing Rashtriya Gokul Mission which aims at the development and conservation of the Indian breeds.
- To manage and use the cow dung more efficiently for the production of biogas and bio cng the Government started an initiative known as GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan)
White Revolution FAQs
Q1. What is White Revolution?
Answer: The White Revolution was a movement started by the government of India in the year 1970. The goal of the movement was to increase milk production in India. To achieve this, the government provided financial assistance to farmers and set up milk processing plants. The movement was successful and milk production in India increased significantly.
Q2. Who is known as White man of india?
Answer: Dr. Varghese Kurien is known as the white man of India, or the father of the white revolution. He led India away from less productivity and breaking conventional barriers of gender and caste parity. He also helped in mass production of milk. Thanks to his efforts, India is now the world’s largest producer of milk.
Q3. What is the biggest success of White Revolution?
Answer: The White Revolution was successful in boosting milk production and making dairy farming the largest self-sustaining industry in India. It also helped provide employment for millions of rural Indians. The White Revolution transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to a world leader in milk production, and it continues to benefit the country today.
Q4. What is other name for White Revolution?
Answer: White revolution refers to the increase in production of milk and dairy products. It was also called as Kurien Revolution as it was spear headed by Dr. Vargese Kurien.
The White Revolution launched in the 1970 had attained its objective of making India self-sufficient in terms of Milk Production, so will the New White Revolution in the coming years.


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HTC's road map leads to a detour, Q1 shipments will be less than expected20
stopped development on some new models for 2013. This happens as those same "industry sources" note that HTC's Windows Phone 8 models have not been selling as well as expected, and that sales of the competition's top models like the Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III have both been very good.
In China, HTC has been facing stiff competition from white-box smartphone vendors. As a result, the manufacturer has gone against its desire to stick to high end models by selling units for less than CNY 2,000 ($321 USD). HTC declined to comment on the report.
In the U.S., the HTC DROID DNA, with its 5 inch screen, 1080p resolution and Retina display busting pixel density of 441ppi, has created a lot of attention for the manufacturer. The device was third in our Best Phone of 2012 list, behind the Google Nexus 4 and the Apple iPhone 5.


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The Coral join Doves at Brighton
Joining Doves at Brighton Racecourse are The Coral. Tickets for the show are on sale now.
The vinyl reissues seem to be going down well with the fanbase. A big well done to Paula who landed the 0001 edition of the Lost Souls vinyl reissue..
Also a big congratulations goes to the seller of the Some Cities 0001, who managed to sell it for £395! Incredible..


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Alibaba has dominated the IPO headlines, but LendingClub's plans to raise $500 million in an offering likely has greater relevance to Americans.» Read More
CNBC has set out to find private companies with the greatest potential to disrupt the public giants, ultimately selecting five in each industry for the inaugural CNBC Disruptor 50.
In a battle between wildcatters in the shale boom and renewable energy dreamers, five companies are uniquely positioned to influence the future of the energy market and climate policy.
Atlassian, Box, Bromium, Dropbox, and Palantir: Companies changing how we store and protect information and the newest additions to the CNBC Disruptor list.
CircleUp, Kickstarter, Lending Club, Square, Wealthfront -- Companies recognized as CNBC Disruptors because of the way they are changing how we spend, fund, transfer money.
These five CNBC Disruptors are making health care more accessible and less expensive: 23andMe, Audax Health, Castlight Health, Ginger.io, and ZocDoc.
The 5 companies named as a CNBC Disruptor: 3D Robotics, Makerbot, Quirky, Shapeways, Rethink Robotics are redefining the business of manufacturing.
Aereo, Tumblr, Spotify, Twitter, Buzzfeed. These are the media companies that made our exclusive CNBC Disruptor list. They're shaking things up in the media sector.
Etsy, Pinterest, RenttheRunway, Shopify and Warby Paker. These are the retail companies that have made our CNBC Disruptor list and are shaking things up.
CNBC has identified these five companies as the most disruptive to established communications titans: Boku, Kymeta, LiveU, Twilio, WhatsApp.
Getaround, Inrix, SpaceX, Uber and Waze have been selected as CNBC's transportation Disruptors for changing the course of our lives.
Want to bed down in a French chateau for a night? Stay in a celebrity hotel for a discount price? Travel market disruptors are booking us in ways never previously imaginable.
Dougherty & Co. senior analyst Charlie Anderson sees encouraging signs from GoPro's approach to the holiday season.
LendingClub, the largest U.S. provider of peer-to-peer loans announced plans Tuesday to raise $500 million in an IPO.
The sky-high valuations of some tech start-ups have yet to be justified, says investor Roger McNamee.


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MasterCard's PayPass -- and are meant to act as companions to existing credit and debit cards. To commemorate the launch, Visa passed out 1,000 Tags pre-loaded with $15 at yesterday's San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park, encouraging fans to purchase the fatty stadium concessions that could perhaps lull them into the false notion that this is a completely secure payment method.
Visa rolls out payWave-enabled Micro Tag key fobs
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.


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Whether or not you’re interested in buying NIO stock, you should be aware of the risks involved. This is especially true if you’re considering making a purchase that has a high risk of losing value. The best way to protect yourself is to find a brokerage that offers a free market analysis of the company. The analysis will tell you how NIO’s shares should trade.
EV stocks are here to thrive
EV stocks are in a bear market. They have fallen in price by 25%-75%. The bear market is driving investors out of growth names and into cheaper value stocks.
Despite the bear market, there is tremendous momentum in the pure-play EV stocks. The global climate summit and Biden’s infrastructure bill are boosting investor optimism.
There are three main players in the EV race, Tesla, Lucid Group, and Nio. These three companies are developing next-generation technologies in autonomous driving and batteries. These technologies will help these companies to gain a strong position in the EV industry.
The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2030, 145 million electric vehicles will be sold worldwide. These vehicles include cars, vans, trucks, and buses. These vehicles will play a major role in reducing the carbon footprint.
EV stocks aren’t on the list of stocks that are better buys
EV stocks have lagged in recent months as investors have rotated out of growth names, and have embraced cheaper value stocks. Despite this, pure-play EV stocks are still making a strong impact in the market. These companies are benefiting from massive demand from automakers and electric charging station companies.
The global EV market is expected to double to 6.6 million vehicles by 2021. Global EV sales will continue to grow in 2022. Many automakers are in the process of expanding their EV lineups.
One of the biggest challenges for a carmaker is balancing meeting strict emissions standards and generating revenue from EV sales. As the market gets more competitive, a company must prove it can consistently post profits and meet production targets.
NIO’s EPS is forecast to be -$0.63 for 2022
Having been in business for over five years, NIO has already established a robust reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality electric vehicles, and the company is planning to release a series of high-end electric vehicles, including the new ES7 mid-to-large five-seat SUV. In addition, the company will also unveil the world’s first electric vehicle that features the latest in battery technology.
While the company hasn’t revealed its earnings plans, analysts are still speculating on what the company will deliver in the coming quarters. In the meantime, however, NIO is making headlines for its impressive product line, which includes the aforementioned ES7, and the new EP9 supercar. With that said, the company hasn’t exactly been quiet on the public relations front, as COVID-related constraints were enforced in China over the weekend. In fact, the company did issue a press release on May 1, highlighting the supply chain and logistical challenges posed by the new model.
NIO’s battery-swapping strategy sounds good, but it could weigh on the stock
EV startup Nio is a disruptive force in the EV industry. Not only does the company offer an all-electric SUV, but it has also developed a business model that makes owning an EV more affordable. In addition, it has a battery-swapping strategy that could weigh heavily on the company’s stock price.
The company has established a network of 700 battery-swapping stations in China and plans to add another 600 sites. It also hopes to install a total of 4,000 stations by 2025.
With the next iteration of its swapping station, Nio plans to cut the costs by half. Currently, the cost to build a swapping station is around $500,000, but the company says that costs will be halved with the next iteration. The company will also start building EVOGO stations throughout China, and plans to open 10 stations in the first year.
Among the numerous new entrants to the automotive scene, the Chinese electric vehicle maker is a notable contender. After rolling out the first ET5 tooling trial builds in late April, the company plans to deliver its fifth-generation car by the end of the year. The ES7 is slated to feature the company’s signature NIO Technology 2.0 (NT2) system.
While the NIO ES7 may be the cheapest EV on the block, the company’s SUV boasts a price tag of half that of the Tesla model. The company is slated to unveil a new mid-sized five-seat SUV in late May of next year. A digital cockpit upgrade program is also in the works for existing users. The EV maker has also secured a license to test autonomous vehicles in Shenzhen.


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Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange:
Toronto Stock Exchange (15,028.12, up 47.40 points):
Kinross Gold Corp. (TSX:K). Miner. Down two cents, or 0.66 per cent, to $3.03 on 16.3 million shares.
B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO). Miner. Up three cents, or 1.48 per cent, to $2.06 on 8.4 million shares.
Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Aerospace, rail equipment. Up 13 cents, or 5.10 per cent, to $2.68 on 7.7 million shares. The Quebec-based company, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of planes and trains, is cutting about 1,750 employees in Montreal, Toronto and Ireland over the coming months because of weak demand for its largest business jets.
Legacy Oil + Gas Inc. (TSX:LEG). Oil and gas. Down two cents, or 0.72 per cent, to $2.75 on 4.7 million shares.
Semafo Inc. (TSX:SMF). Miner. Up three cents, or 0.78 per cent, to $3.88 on 4.2 million shares.
Ram Power, Corp. (TSX:RPG). Utilitties. Down half-a-cent, or 50 per cent, to half-a-cent on 3.8 million shares.
Companies reporting major news:
Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A). Retailer. Up $1.67, or 1.32 per cent, to $128.11 on 205,813 shares. Its president and CEO Michael Medline says the days of telling customers the ways they can shop are over and that his company needs to become more flexible in how it sells products in both its stores and online.
Gildan Activewear (TSX:GIL). Apparel maker. Up $2.25, or 6.06 per cent, to $39.36 on 1.4 million shares. The company says it’s getting an early buzz from the first commercials featuring country music star Blake Shelton, one of the coaches on “The Voice.” Gildan CEO Glenn Chamandy says the singer resonates strongly with its target consumer market — women.


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Transform Holdco LLC, the new owner of the former Sears and Kmart chains, recently announced that they will be closing an additional 26 stores (5 Kmart stores and 21 Sears stores) by the end of October 2019. This is the first set of store closures since Sears Holdings was acquired by Eddie Lampert’s hedge fund earlier this year. Read the full article here.
These closures come as no surprise – there is no reason to believe that, in the long run, Sears/Kmart is any more viable an entity than they were prior to declaring bankruptcy last year. The company has tried to provide some reason for hope in early 2019, including a new logo and a new small store concept (“Sears Home & Life”) with three initial locations in Anchorage, AK; Lafayette, LA; and Overland Park, KS. However, opening 3 stores with a combined square footage of ~45,000 gross square feet is but a drop in the bucket compared with 26 stores closures, which likely represent more than 2 million gross square feet of retail space.
You have to give Eddie Lampert credit for doubling down on Sears/Kmart, even if it’s difficult to understand why on earth he would do so.


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A version of the hit game Angry Birds: Space that's been seeded with malware has been discovered in the wild, although only the adventurous may risk being infected.
SophosLabs analyst Graham Cluley said that his organization discovered versions of Angry Birds: Space that made their way into "unofficial Android app stores," according to a blog post Cluley authored.
It wasn't immediately clear what "unofficial Android app stores" to which Cluley was referring; he was unable to be reached after hours in England. Technically, there is only one official Android app store: Google Play, formerly known as the Android Market.
To enable purchases and download apps from alternative stores like Amazon, for example, users need to check the box marked "Unknown sources," allowing installation of non-Market applications. Cluley did not identify Amazon as a source of the malware-infected app, however.
If a user does download a version of the game from a unauthorized site, this is what the user risks, according to Cluley:
"The Trojan horse, which Sophos detects as Andr/KongFu-L, appears to be a fully-functional version of the popular smartphone game, but uses the GingerBreak exploit to gain root access to the device, and install malicious code."
The Trojan communicates with a remote website in an attempt to download and install further malware onto the compromised Android smartphone, hiding its payload at the end of a JPEG image file.
"Effectively, your Android phone is now part of a botnet, under the control of malicious hackers," Cluley wrote.
Angry Birds: Space, designed by Rovio, reached 10 million downloads in three days, and 20 million downloads within a week, according to Rovio.
For more from Mark, follow him on Twitter @MarkHachman.


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While Microsoft is formally unveiling Windows 11-powered hardware, as well as consumer versions of its latest Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 suites, the much-anticipated operating system arrived a few hours ahead of schedule.
This indicates that a small number of customers may be able to begin upgrading to Windows 11 right now.
Windows 10 machines should be eligible to receive the Windows 11 update by mid-2022
The deployment of Windows 11 will, nevertheless, be gradual for the vast majority of customers around the world.
All eligible Windows 10 machines should be eligible to receive the Windows 11 update by mid-2022, according to Microsoft, however new hardware (newly bought computers) may be able to receive the update sooner.
How to Upgrade to Microsoft Windows 11
Windows 11 comes with a new modern user interface (UI), a redesigned start menu with snap assist multitasking, a revamped Microsoft Store, Widgets, Microsoft Teams integration, and much more.
As per The Verge review, Windows 11 feels a lot faster and much more responsive on newer hardware; the firm appears to be trying to persuade Windows customers to buy a new PC, whether or not they need one.
If you recently acquired a Windows 10 computer, you may be able to update to Windows 11 straight away. Here’s how to go about it:
1. Determine whether or not your computer is officially supported for the Windows 11 upgrade. You can use the official Microsoft PC health check app to do so.
2 Ensure that all vital data, documents, and apps, if any, have been backed up.
3. Go to Settings Update & Security Windows Update on your computer.
4. Press the ‘Check for updates button and wait for the system to look for a possible Windows 11 update.
5. If the Windows 11 update is available, you’ll be able to download and install it for free.
A few customers may be able to get the Windows 11 update for free right now.
Features of the Office in 2021
On Tuesday, Microsoft Office 2021, the most recent edition of the family of productivity programs (known as an office “suite”), will be available to enterprises, clients, and consumers. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Project, Publisher, and Visio are among the latest apps, and they’ve all been given a makeover.
Microsoft demonstrated the new dynamic arrays and XLOOKUP features in Excel, dark mode compatibility across several apps, and many performance-related enhancements in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook in a preview earlier this year.
The new Office 2021 suite, according to the Redmond-based corporation, is for users who don’t wish to use Microsoft 365’s subscription-based service or web-based cloud apps.


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Policymakers should ensure that cash is always acceptable before its use in retail transactions is further threatened by technological advancements, a new study urges.
The use of cash continues to decline, eclipsed by the growth of debit and credit cards and online transfers. There are now retailers that elect to not accept cash for in-store transactions. Canadian research group Options consommateurs’ report Will Cash Soon Be a Thing of the Past recommends that the Currency Act require merchants to accept cash offered by consumers before the practice of cashless stores becomes more widespread.
The cashless retailer has become more common in the United States, so much so that policymakers have begun to react. New York recently announced plans to ban cashless businesses, following the example of San Francisco, Philadelphia and the State of New Jersey which now require brick-and-mortar retailers to accept cash.
The advantages to “cashless” businesses are reduced transaction costs and better security, since electronic transactions would become more traceable. Report author Alexander Plourde suggested the real winner in cashless economies would be the financial institutions. “Banks will make more money from the fees generated by electronic transactions. And they’ll save money because there will be fewer paper bills in bank machines and banks to manage.”
The report notes that the end of cash would risk excluding economically disadvantaged people, as the biggest users of cash are low-income consumers and those with lower levels of education. It would effectively discriminate against people who do not have access to, or do not wish to use, cards: seniors, people without bank accounts such as many indigenous people and the homeless, recent immigrants and refugees.
While many consumers believe laws are currently in place to require merchants to accept cash, Plourde notes it is not that clear. Although Canadian laws may state that cash is legal tender, in common law, a transaction is interpreted as a contractual agreement between parties, so one of those parties could state in the contract that they would not accept money.
Moreover, Plourde said: “A merchant who refuses cash won’t suffer any consequences. Canada has no legal sanctions in place for a merchant who refuses cash.”
To effect the recommendations in Canada would require a more integrated approach. Monetary policy is a federal responsibility, while merchant refusals to accept cash would involve both provincial contract law and federal regulations, as well as an assortment of consumer protection provisions that could apply.


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Connecticut Governor Dannel P Malloy has announced that he is not interested in bringing online gambling into the state. Although Connecticut has had a difficult time with finances recently, the governor does not believe that it should turn to gambling to solve the problem.
The main concern for the state is that legalizing and regulating online gambling would cut into profits from local lottery retailers, who also contribute to government tax revenue. According to the governor, it would take at least 5% away from these outlets. The government also wants to encourage general sales for local retailers, as lottery customers also use the opportunity to buy tickets to pick up other items.
Governor Malloy also states that keeping underage players from accessing online gambling websites would be a difficult feat. He does not believe that the government would be able to adequately protect these individuals from gambling online and does not want to take the risk at the moment.
Connecticut is one of many states that have adopted this stance on online gambling. It seems that many others have changed their minds about the option of legalizing and regulating online poker.


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Are federal authorities finally taking the idea that a few companies shouldn’t be allowed to dominate the food system seriously?
Well, the Federal Trade Commission recently blocked Whole Foods from gobbling up rival natural foods marketer Wild Oats. Congratulations to the FTC for busting up the natural-foods trust!
But even combined, Whole Foods and Wild Oats would account for only 15 percent of natural-foods sales. Meanwhile, Smithfield Foods alone now controls 30 percent of the pork market after acquiring Premium Standard Farms a month ago — a deal that the Department of Justice waved on. In fact, our food production system is full of examples of market concentration that make the Whole Foods/Wild Oats tie-up look like small (organic, heirloom) potatoes.
Given such brazen inconsistencies, Congress needs to step in and give the executive branch some direction when applying antitrust theory to food companies. Adding a Competition Title to the Farm Bill would do just that.
In the last two decades horizontal consolidation combined with vertical integration through ownership or supply chain management has occurred at an unprecedented rate in the livestock industry. In two recent policy issue briefs, Elanor Starmer, a research consultant for the Agribusiness Accountability Initiative, explains why that matters. She explains that market concentration is a problem because it “limits the information and choices available to farmers and consumers, making it difficult for both groups to make informed, responsible decisions about our food system.”
Starmer explains that farmers living in an area dominated by one or two company buyers are often left with no other option but to sign production contracts. Many times the contracts written by large livestock companies prescribe practices that wind up having negative environmental and health impacts. Market concentration negatively affects consumers as well by leaving them with fewer choices about the kinds of foods they can purchase. Eventually an uncompetitive market can lead to higher retail prices.
Economic theory suggests that a market is concentrated when four firms control over 40 percent of the sector. In a recent article over in Victual Reality, Tom Philpott cited the newest market concentration ratios from Mary Hendrickson and William Heffernan of the University of Missouri.
Hendrickson and Heffernan’s recent work finds four-firm market ratios for livestock packing and processing sectors ranging from 58.5 percent to 83.5 percent.
You would think whatever criteria the federal government uses to investigate antitrust might be triggered by such figures, but it hasn’t. So why doesn’t the government intervene if such figures suggest a breakdown in the competitive market system? And what government agency is responsible for dropping the ball on farmers and ranchers?
Michael Stumo of the Organization of Competitive Markets explains that both the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice have jurisdiction over and responsibility to enforce antitrust laws in the food production sector. To avoid duplicate analysis of the same merger, however, food retailers seeking to merge have to get FTC approval (thus the FTC intervened in the case of Whole Foods/Wild Oats), while meat packers seeking to merge file for DOJ approval. Stumo says that dividing up this responsibility makes sense, but that the DOJ approving every merger it sees does not.
He thinks part of the difference lies with the head honcho. Thomas Barnett is the current antitrust chief and comes from the same law firm that defended Microsoft from past federal antitrust prosecutions. According to Stumo, “Barnett is killing competition in America one merger at a time.”
In recent years, the DOJ has approved a number of mergers between large meatpacking and processing companies. Just last month Smithfield Foods, the largest processor and marketer of fresh pork and processed meats in the U.S., as well as the country’s largest producer of hogs, acquired Premium Standard Farms. PSF was the second largest pork producer and the sixth largest pork processor when it was bought out. Post-merger concentration ratios are not available, but in 2006 the top four firms controlled 65 percent of the pork production market.
Yet the Justice Department’s antitrust investigation of the proposed acquisition concluded that it was “not likely to harm competition, consumers, or farmers … and not likely to substantially lessen competition in the Midwest.”
In a press release issued after the DOJ’s approval of the Smithfield/Premium merger, OCM commented that, in realty, the merger between Smithfield and Premium Standard left southeastern hog farmers with only one packer to buy hogs and predicted that Midwest producers would also see lower hog prices.
John Crabtree of the Center for Rural Affairs closely follows market consolidation and its impact on farmers and ranchers and says that the responsibility also lies in the hands of USDA. In his recent testimony to the House Agriculture Committee hearing on agriculture concentration, Crabtree stated that the mergers that have been allowed by the DOJ over the last ten years combined with lack of enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have resulted in high levels of market concentration. He suggests that part of the solution is for Congress to define the rules of livestock market competition and provide clearer direction for USDA’s enforcement.
USDA enforcement is where the 2007 Farm Bill comes in.
The 2007 Farm Bill is an important opportunity to make sure farmers and consumers are protected against market concentration and that production contracts that farmers enter into are fair. A Competition Title would essentially do three things:
- Diminish the power of the dominant food companies through steps that affect the structure of the industry.
- Increase the power of producers through collective bargaining.
- Improve the enforcement of existing agricultural antitrust laws.
Legislation that would be part of comprehensive Competition Title has been introduced in the House and the Senate, but it is going to be a tough fight. The large livestock companies have plenty of clout and were able to block a Competition Title from passing in 2002.
With the full House Agriculture Committee set to meet the week of June 25, now is the time to demand a Competition Title in the 2007 Farm Bill.


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JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) "For every thousand dollars you are in debt, credit card debt, it could take you a year to pay that thousand dollars off," said Financial Specialist, Susan Campbell.
Before you dig yourself into debt during the holidays, experts say have a plan of action, a spending plan, before you hit the stores.
"Have an idea of what you're going to be spending whether it's for gift giving, travel, and food expenses," said Campbell.
Financial specialist Susan Campbell says it needs to be an all inclusive holiday budget. She adds, know your limits, and track what you're spending so you don't overspend. Campbell adds when you're ready to make a purchase, she says use cash.
"Cash is a little bit harder to let go of than credit cards. You swipe those credit cards and you don't think about the limits," said Campbell.
Campbell says if you would rather use a card, make sure it's one with a lower interest rate and try to pay it off the following month.
"That's going to avoid getting all of those finance charges and getting you in debt," said Campbell.
Campbell says start shopping and comparing now to find the best deal. She says waiting too long might lead to desperation and spending more than you planned to.
"You have to know how many people you're going to buy for. If it doesn't fit in with the budget you have set forth, you just have to start scaling back a little bit," said Campbell.
Campbell says don't be swayed by the holiday sales hype. She says make a plan and stick to it, and she says this is one of the most important things to remember--
"...know your limits, know what you can afford to spend," said Campbell.


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When the Mazda RX-8 ceased production several years ago, its departure represented not only the end of an era for Mazda, but also seemingly sealed the fate of the rotary engine, which was once seen as a novel solution for higher fuel economy by automakers back in the 1970s. However, recent comments by a high ranking Mazda executive appear to suggest that the rotary could be making a return to production automobiles, albeit in an unexpected role.
In a recent interview with the folks at Automotive News, Mitsuo Hitomi chief of Mazda’s powertrain division revealed that there could be a very good chance that the next iteration of the rotary engine could appear as a range extender for electric automobiles. While this would be a dramatic change in role for an engine that once defined the pinnacle of Mazda performance, its potential shift in function could help the novel powerplant fulfill its original green intentions, especially when one looks at prior efforts at this idea by Mazda.
Back in 2013 Mazda was already working on a rotary engine equipped extended range EV, with this early effort materializing in the Mazda2 RE Range Extender concept car. The tiny concept had a 250 mile driving range with half of it coming from its battery, while the other half was supplied by a 330 cc rotary engine which was hooked up to a 2.6 liter fuel tank. More recently, the RX-Vision concept also teased a rotary powered performance vehicle that could also add electrification to its list of tricks if it ever makes its way into formal production.
With all that said, its important to look at the finer details into how such an idea is possible. While the rotary engine has never been known for its efficiency (a key trait that made automakers such as GM and AMC abandon the idea for their lineups,) it is a very smooth running engine, and is also reasonably compact when compared to a conventional engine. Modern technology could allow Mazda engineers to make the engines even smaller than before, which will not only improve overall fuel economy, but also improve space and weight savings for the vehicle at the same time. These latter two traits would allow Mazda to add more batteries, or simply keep the car lightweight, and use this newfound lightness to retain the spirited handling that Mazda models have been long known for.
While this news might not be encouraging to rotary die-hards eagerly awaiting an RX-8 successor, Hitomi also revealed that a bigger rotary engine is also in development with the engine being tuned towards formal sports car applications. However, like many good things in life, the engine is reportedly being stonewalled by management that want a better business case for offering such a model in the first place. If we were in the board room, we would highlight the lack of a formal halo entry in Mazda’s lineup, which would help create a halo effect for other Mazda models including its growing CUV lineup. Either way, it looks like the humble rotary has a strong chance at catering to a new era of buyers if all the cards are right.
The current generation MX-5 Miata is already a stunning example in lightweight handling prowess with the car already benefiting from a weight savings suite. However, a more drastic weight loss plan could be in the works for the next generation Miata according to a recently published report.
The report which was released by the publication Autocarreveals that Mazda engineers are considering lightweight materials including carbon fiber and aluminum versus shrinking its overall footprint.
“The size is right” revealed Nobuhiro Yamamoto program manager for the MX-5 Miata in remarks to Autocar. “But in the future lightweight materials will be very important and will be used in this car. Now carbon fiber is very expensive, but we have in development affordable carbon fiber, so the MX-5 will be lighter in the future.”
In addition to the obvious improvements in fuel economy and handling. The lighter weight would also allow the Miata to be equipped with smaller engines. There have been rumors of a three cylinder engine that is possibly under development, but it is unclear if it will remain naturally aspirated or if Mazda will equip it with a turbocharger.
“It’s a simple concept” Yamamoto revealed. “The vehicle weight gets lower, there’s a smaller engine, smaller tire. It’s a lightweight sports car.”
While all of these changes do sound promising, don’t expect them to come to the Miata for a very long time. The current model was just launched over a year ago and Autocar suggests that the next generation model will not make its apperance until 2021. This is admittedly a long wait, but it will certainly be worth it when the car eventually makes its apperance.
Mazda is always looking for even more ways to squeeze performance out of its products and has unveiled the updated Mazda3 which heralds the arrival of an all new driving technology.
Dubbed G-Vectoring Control (GVC) this technology integrates control of the engine, transmission, chassis, and body into one system. The end result provides the compact with sharper handling manners while also making it more enjoyable to drive at the same time.
GVC is also the first in a series of new SKYACTIV Dynamic Vehicle technologies that aims to provide drivers withands greater amounts of feel as well as a more enjoyable driving experience (which is already great to begin with.)
“Mazda is striving to become an irreplaceable presence in the lives of our customers, to create a special bond with them, and to be a ‘one and only’ brand that they will choose again and again.” Mazda CEO Masamichi KogaI revealed in a statement.
Other than the new technology, the rest of the Mazda3 is virtually unchanged for the new model year with light tweaks for the front and rear fascias. In fact the only other notable change is a new term with Mazda claiming that the car is based on “Jinai Itatti” which is supposed to signify oneness between the car and the driver. That started with the launch of the CX-5 and look for it to define other new models in the future.
The updated 3 is expected to go on sale here in the U.S. later this year, but Mazda did not reveal a formal launch date in its release.
With the wildfire of rumors surrounding the upcoming replacement to the RX-8 a recent statement from a key Mazda executive has added fuel to the flames, with the possible addition of a turbocharged engine to the company’s upcoming rotary powered sports car.
“Personally I think that a rotary with some turbo or compressor would be good” stated Mazda drivetrain and powertrain assistant manager Tetsushi Marutani in an interview with Australian publication Motoring. “Because a rotary in my opinion, they require more [torque at] low speed, more low down torque. So if we have some small compressor or turbo it would help.”
The addition of a twin-turbocharger would allow the model (tentatively dubbed the RX-9) to not only make about 450 horsepower, but also be cleaner which will help the RX-9 comply with stricter emissions standards. A separate report claims that engineers on the project are taking it a step further, and are allegedly working on a new hybrid-compressor setup for the engine. The unique setup is supposed to take advantage of an electrically driven compressor that would eliminate lag at low RPMs. When pushed to higher revs, a conventional exhaust driven blower takes over, and allows the engine to make maximum horsepower. This would allow the RX-9 to have a solid performance foundation, while also allowing it to stay a step ahead of rivals, especially those that also use forced induction technology for their engines.
This follows up on Mazda’s recent increase in talk regarding its rotary technology ever since the firm debuted the RX-Vision concept at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Show. During that event, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai revealed that a production version of the car (if approved) could ride on the same platform that is used on the current generation MX-5. If true, then this would be a drastic shift from past RX models which used bigger platforms in their construction.
If the engineers behind the project can meet both their emission and performance goals, a production RX-9 could appear as early as 2017 but look for that timetable to possibly change if any hurdles or obstacles arise during its development.
In a surprise announcement at the Tokyo Auto Show, Mazda revealed that it intends to resurrect the iconic rotary engine, previewing the possibility in a new concept car that also showcases an evolution of the brand’s current design language.
Dubbed the RX-Vision concept, it shares some of its basic profile with the departed RX-8 coupe. Unlike the RX-8, the RX-Vision did not inherit that model’s awkward styling and incorporates many of the cues that made their initial debut on the Kodo concept. This is especially true when viewing the front fascia which adopts the concept’s shield shaped grille as well as its thin headlights. The rear fascia features four round taillamps that incorporate a razor thin spoiler with dual round exhaust tips rounding out the package. Overall it is a massive improvement over the RX-8 while also evoking memories of the RX-7 at the same time.
The interior of the RX-Vision was designed with driver-centric ergonomics and performance in mind with seating for only two passengers available. The cabin itself features only the bare essentials, and tosses many typical luxury features to the curb. Mazda designers opted for a retro theme with a meaty deep dish steering wheel and three pod gauge cluster loudly broadcasting its performance intent. A slick metal gear shifter rises from the center stack while leather door pulls substitute for formal door handles in a bid to shed precious ounces. The interior features red and black upholstery with subtle splashes of carbon fiber adding a dash of contrast to the overall aesthetics.
Details about the performance hardware for the RX-Vision are a little murky with Mazda opting to keep many technical aspects under wraps. What we do know is that the engine is an evolution of the brand’s iconic rotary engine dubbed the SkyActiv-R. It’s unknown how many rotors it has, nor the overall displacement of the engine itself. But the use of SkyActiv technology would seem to suggest that the engine will produce better fuel economy and fewer emissions than its predecessors. Mazda was also quick to point out that development of the new rotary is still moving forward, and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
After it serves its time under the lights in Tokyo, look for this concept to possibly make its debut in the U.S. at either the Los Angeles Auto Show, or the North American International Auto show in January.
With the company’s SkyActiv line of engines gradually making their way into more models, Mazda has formally unveiled plans as well as goals for next generation of SkyActiv technology which will be mated with Toyota’s hybrid technology in the near future.
According to a report obtained by members of the Japanese press, the second generation of SkyActiv technology will arrive in production cars at the start of 2018. This is two years earlier than initially speculated and could be a sign that the company is pushing the project forward to try and capitalize on the increased demand for higher fuel economy and performance. Hitomi Misuo a lead developer on the project claims that the new engines would deliver a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy versus the current generation SkyActiv system. What this means is that the engine will be able to deliver fuel economy that is on par with conventional hybrid engines, but without the complex engineering and higher development costs that are associated with a hybrid power-plant an alleged goal of Misuo’s.
There are many ways of reaching this ambitious goal, but one way that the company intends to accomplish this is through the use of homogenous charge compression ignition or HCCI. This process uses extreme high pressure to squeeze the fuel air mixture causing it to ignite without the need for a formal spark-plug assembly. However a key flaw with this approach is that it generates higher levels of heat and as a result, the process cannot be sustained across the wide range of engine speeds that are encountered by many passenger cars. It is rumored that Mazda engineers are currently working on eliminating these issues, and it is hoped that the final production version will feature technology that will allow it to sustain the process at all engine speeds. Despite these key flaws, there are some positive traits to this setup. For instance, this method of compression uses less fuel versus a traditional engine and it also produces cleaner emissions as well. The latter item is very important since it will allow the new engines to comply with stricter European 2025 emissions standards.
In addition to these efforts, a separate set of plans calls for the new engines to be mated with Toyota’s hybrid technology. This unique paring is the result of a deal that was recently signed between the two companies, and is a strong sign of the firm partnership that now exists between Toyota and Mazda, and also allows both companies to have an edge over their respective rivals when it comes to fuel economy and hybrid technology.
With the fourth generation Miata promising to redirect its focus towards lightweight sports car fun, it is no surprise that even the sound system is getting in on the “better than eve”r act too. Mazda released the technical details regarding this unique sound system, and it promises to be quite a treat for audiophiles and enthusiasts alike.
Unlike the mediocre system that provided the tunes in the previous generation MX-5, this new Bose derived system was designed for a convertible, and was engineered to take on an acoustic environment that can drastically change when the roof is raised or lowered with ambient noise increasing or decreasing depending on roof position. Bose engineers tweaked the system to have two distinctively different equalizer settings one for when the roof was down, and the other for when the roof is fully raised. This made possible thanks to the company’s “AudioPilot” technology which monitors noise levels in the cabin, and can provide an additional level of active noise compensation to negate excessive amounts of wind and road noise.
While this particular technology has already made its appearance in several other automobiles over the past few years, Bose claims that in the case of the fourth generation Miata, a brand new type of speaker technology will play a big role in revolutionizing the audio experience. Known as the “UltraNearfield” system, this innovative hardware actually steals a page or two from the Pontiac Fiero’s acoustic playbook when it comes to its placement in the seat headrests. However unlike the Fiero and its 1980’s era standard speaker technology, Bose designed two-inch “nearfield” drivers that help allegedly improve audio performance when placed as a pair in each headrest.
Further enhancing sound quality is Bose’s “TrueSpace” technology that helps create a wider stage for sound despite the relatively short distance between the speakers and listeners. The audio giant claims that “the music envelops the driver and passenger, it’s spacious and natural, and remarkably, it doesn’t fade in the breeze.” In addition to the fore-mentioned headrest mounted speakers, the Miata also comes equipped with 6.5-inch drivers in each door, as well as a pair of high tech neodymium tweeters located in each A-pillar. Meanwhile low end bass frequencies are delivered by a 5.25-inch woofer assembly that is housed in a six liter enclosure that is built into the front passenger footwell. Rounding out the package is a seven channel amplifier that takes up real estate in the storage space for the convertible top.


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The top produce story from around the web this morning may be the approaching deadline for food safety comments. Checking in at regulations.gov this morning, we find the site is up and running. And yes, that qualifies as a news flash considering the headlines the site has grabbed after many hours of downtime in the past week.
Here is a summary of comments received:
Produce safety rule, deadline Nov. 15: Comments received 4,226
It is obvious that the FDA is far behind in posting the public comments it receives on the regulations.gov website. While it says it has received thousands of comments, only a few hundred are currently posted.
Preventive controls rule, deadline Nov. 15: Comments received 2,428
No sign yet of comments from industry heavyweights such was Western Growers, United Fresh and PMA.
Other FDA regulations have deadlines that aren’t quite as urgent:
Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors, deadline Jan. 27. Comments received: 49
Foreign Supplier Verification, deadline Jan. 27 Comments received: 84
Also on regulations.gov this morning, a strong and unexpected voice of support for the Arctic apple from what appears to be an everyday parent.
From Rachel Holierhoek
I am in favor of the arctic apple. I look forward to purchasing and consuming this apple. I will feed it to my children. I will use it in fruit salad. I will finally be able to slice apples and put them in my kids’ lunches without them turning brown and being thrown out because of the browning. Please approve them!
Arctic apple developers must dream of a world when all consumers should be so straightforward, so simply convinced of the merits of the GMO non-browning apple.
Did you see that Prince Charles took a swipe at UK supermarkets recently?
From the CNBC, Charles is quoted:
“Small farmers find themselves in the iniquitous position of taking the biggest risk, often acting as the buffer for the retailer and consumer against all the economic uncertainties of producing food, but receiving the least return,” he wrote on Wednesday.


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Shares in white goods seller AO World took a sharp knock on Monday, after Argos cut its ties with the group, which it had been using for fridge and television deliveries.
AO dropped 8.7p, or 10pc, to 78.3p, after chief executive and founder John Roberts said Argos “wasn’t keen” to work with the company anymore, knocking its logistics revenues.
The share shift was the only double-digit percentage move across the All-Share index, as a quiet day for reporting led to solid performances across London’s top indices.
The FTSE 100 closed the day up 69.48 points, or 0.95pc, at 7,396.29, advancing despite a strong showing for the pound. It was the second strong session in a row for the blue-chip index, which recorded its best performance since July on Friday amid widespread hopes for a breakthrough in trade relations between the US and China.
Positivity was nearly uniform: at several points during the session, only three shares were not in the green.
Information technology was the best performing sector, followed closely by the consumer discretionary sector, which contains companies such as housebuilders and fashion retailers. Burberry performed well, basking in the glow of LVMH’s $16.2bn (£12.6bn) takeover offer for fellow luxury retailer Tiffany. The fashion house closed the day up 55p, or 2.7pc, at £20.88.
Tobacco firm Imperial Brands was among the biggest fallers, shedding 20.4p, or 1.2pc, to close the day at £16.69, The price is a new 52-week low for the company, and follows a long-term decline in its share price.
Shares in Royal Dutch Shell took a hit after the company lost out in a bid for Dutch utility firm Eneco, marking a setback as it tries to build up its renewable energy offering.
Chemicals firm Johnson Matthey, which dropped on Thursday and Friday after announcing a fall in first-half profits, managed a limited recovery, aided by Berenberg analysis that said the company’s earnings would likely improve in the coming months as investments pay off. Analyst Sebastian Bray said the way the market had punished the firm was “strange”, maintaining a buy rating on its shares. Johnson closed up 80p, or 2.8pc, at £29.26.
On the FTSE 250, which gained more than a percentage point during the session, Future and Marks and Spencer were the biggest risers, both riding out news from last week.
The magazine publisher closed the day up 66p, or 4.7pc, at £14.80, after positive analyst commentary and a snag-free annual general meeting.
M&S pushed up 8.85p, or 4.6pc, to 200.8p after naming Richard Price as its new head of clothing on Friday. It marks a homecoming for Mr Price, who worked for the high street stalwart before joining Tesco.


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Walmart is rolling out grocery pickup in the Twin Cities, even as Minneapolis-based Target discontinues its Curbside partnership.
Three locations in the area will offer the service. Shoppers can place orders online, select a pickup time and then collect their items at a reserved parking spot. A designated associate will bring out the order and load it into the car.
“Our customers have told us that grocery pickup is a game-changer,” Katie Vitela, a Walmart Minneapolis market coach, said in a statement. “They are now able to complete their grocery shopping in a matter of minutes – between errands or on their way home from an after-school activity – without even unbuckling their seat belts.”
Target had been testing a similar program with Curbside in several states, but ended the experiment in June.
Walmart has a variety of delivery and pickup tests running in several markets, including dedicated pickup facilities in Arkansas, and even a delivery test with ride-sharing services Lyft and Uber in Arizona and Colorado.


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SAN FRANCISCO — Memory chip technology developer Rambus Inc (NASDAQ:RMBS) said on
Wednesday a U.S. jury ruled it was not anti-competitive and did not not violate antitrust laws or commit fraud in its attempt to protect memory chip patents, sending Rambus shares higher 39 percent.
The verdict in the long-running case was that there was no anti-competitive behavior by Rambus in its activities with a memory chip industry standards body, Rambus General Counsel Tom Lavelle said by telephone.
“This was an important one for us,” Lavelle said, adding that it marks a first step toward Los Altos, California-based Rambus collecting royalties from other memory chip makers.
Micron said it planned to appeal the verdict.
Rambus shares jumped $7.25, or 39 percent, to close at $25.86 in Nasdaq trading. Options of the company were also actively traded throughout the day as investors speculated that Rambus would prevail.
At issue is whether the developer of a speedy new memory technology deserved to be paid for its inventions or whether the company misled memory chip makers.
Opposing Rambus in the suit are three large memory-chip makers, Hynix Semiconductor, Micron Technology (NYSE:MU) and Nanya Technology. They claimed Rambus deliberately misled the memory chip industry in the 1990s when new standards were being hammered out.
They claim Rambus failed to disclose it was seeking patents on the technology that was then being worked into standards for chip production.
“I think they (the jurors) misapprehended what the standards-setting organizations are about and the absolute need for good faith,” said Jared Bobrow, an outside attorney for Micron.
Damages had yet to be determined. Wednesday’s verdict comes after a judgment against Hynix in 2006 that resulted in a $133 million award to Rambus, Lavelle said.
“At this point, that figure will go up,” Lavelle said, because he said Hynix has continued to ship products that infringe Rambus patents.
Rambus has said that memory chip makers on the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council standards body knew about Rambus’ technology and designed them into their chips.
“Their attempts to invalidate our patents and find us violative of fraud laws and monopoly laws of the United States have failed,” Lavelle said on Wednesday.
Analysts have estimated that Rambus could eventually collect royalties of hundreds of millions to billions of dollars over the next decade.
Wednesday’s verdict is but one phase in a number of pending cases between Rambus, Micron and others, Micron said.


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The Samsung Gear VR now has now hit a million users, Facebook-owned Oculus announced.
“It’s been nearly six months since Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus launched worldwide,” Oculus revealed in a blog post.
No ad to show here.
“Over one million people used Gear VR last month to experience the incredible collection of immersive games, videos, and experiences available on the Oculus platform.”
The virtual reality headset, co-developed by Oculus, is quite the success story for both Facebook and Samsung. It’s indicative of how users of the latter’s smartphones are adopting virtual reality experiences.
Read our review: Is the R2000 Samsung Gear VR worth buying?
Oculus also revealed just how much content is consumed by Samsung Gear VR users: “Seven of the top 10 most used apps are videos and, on any given day, nearly 80% of people who use Gear VR watch video content.”
While the user figure isn’t quite indicative of how many consumers have purchased the Gear VR itself (Samsung did give the headset to those who pre-ordered the Samsung Galaxy S7), it definitely suggests that virtual reality is an ever-growing industry (especially for Samsung).


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Apple Watch wearers can earn two new problem badges in April by collaborating in Earth Day and Worldwide Dance Day Apple Watch Exercise Challenges.
Apple routinely encourages Apple Watch wearers to rise up, get out, and be extra energetic by providing limited-time awards by the Apple Health app.
In April, as first spotted by 9to5 Mac, Apple Watch homeowners will be capable of choose up two problem awards. The primary problem happens on Earth Day, April 22, and requires contributors to do any exercise for 30 minutes or extra.
The second comes on April 29, which occurs to be Worldwide Dance Day. Individuals can earn this award by doing a dance exercise for 20 minutes or longer.
Just lately, Apple launched Apple Health+, a streaming train service that makes use of the Apple Watch to supply real-time suggestions on a customers exercise. Customers can select from a broad class of actions, starting from energy, biking, strolling, and even dance-based workouts.


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What a surprise. Auromakes are ‘dissapointed’ by their sales of hybrids and EV’s. Customers blame the lack of an infrastructure for charging as the most important reason not to buy an EV. Not a surprise, there is simply no infrastructure for EV’s in China. For hybrids the reason not to buy is the high price, government subsidies did not help.
BYD only sold 54 of its E6 EV and only 290 F3DM hybrids from January to October. Eat that, Warren Buffet! Chang’an Auto decided to stop production of the Jiexun HEV after only one year because they “didn’t sell any”. More misery in the article from Global Times (state owned magazine) below:
“The development of new energy vehicles in China has been highly anticipated, but automakers are disappointed with the sales figures of green cars, after having spent millions of dollars in this field.
Due to its poor sales volume, Changan Auto said that its hybrid vehicle Jiexun HEV has gone out of production for one year. “The company didn’t sell any”, a senior executive was quoted as saying about the Jiexun HEV, according to a report in the China Business News on Monday.
In addition, BYD said that it has only sold 54 electric vehicles E6 and 290 F3DM hybrids between January and October. And the sales volume of Toyota’s Prius in China has been below 4,000 units for the past three years.
The Chinese government has released subsidies to boost sales of green cars, but that did not help much. And research company Dratio said that 89 percent of consumers are not interested in purchasing new energy vehicles due to their high price and the lack of supporting facilities.
A sales manager of a 4S store of Dongfeng Honda said that consumers are not buying new energy vehicles because they don’t trust the new technology and they don’t want to pay extra in order to save petrol.
The senior executive at Changan also said that though the subsidies for electric vehicles are as high as 60,000 yuan ($9,024), the subsidies for hybrid cars are only 3,000 yuan – and this has led to the plummeting sales of hybrid vehicles.
One BYD employee said that the government has not offered enough support in this matter.”
BYD will never succeed unless they start designing cars, instead of stealing them. (would buy that e6 if girl came with it)
Fear of the unknown is what it is. People are uninformed and confused about new energy vehicles. They are too conservative to enter unchartered territory. So the government will have to lead the way and set the example. For its official fleets China made a policy change to replace foreign venture-made cars with domestically-made ones, and now it needs to make another change, this time from fossil fuel cars to the new energy ones. Top party members and big city administrators seen grappling with the early problems of the new energy cars they drive, and are driven in, will go a long way in convincing the masses that China is serious about making the transition to greener transportation.
This good faith effort of the government needs to made even before the coming spiral upward of oil costs.