text:
For loyal Netflix users who have been booting up the Big N since before Blockbuster went the way of the Dodo, it must feel like deja vu. If you go to your streaming app right now in the U.S., the available movie selection is still dominated by Netflix originals that the algorithm desperately wants you to be aware of. Maestro; Society of the Snow; maybe the new Dan Levy project, Good Grief. However, if you scroll past those—or look simply at the top 10 movies on the app at the moment—you see a more striking story being told.
The Equalizer 3; The Meg 2; The Super Mario Bros. Movie. All are major studio-released intellectual property, and all of the films came out in the last year—in the last six months in the cases of The Equalizer 3 and The Meg 2. And if you broaden the net to 18 months ago, Warner Brothers’ Oscar-nominated blockbuster Elvis was also in the top 10 this week, alongside some of WB’s most popular (and IP-branded) brands from the last five years: Joker, Aquaman, and Justice League (whose appearance in the top 10 suggests users are starting it before realizing 10 minutes in they’re not watching the Max exclusive Zack Snyder’s Justice League from a few years ago).
Together, this collection of relatively recent IPs tell a story: one that should feel good in the short term for Netflix users who want a wider variety of new movies. Yet for the industry that makes those movies, it paints a bleak picture. The results are in from the streaming wars that began about five years ago. And the only victors are the companies who were only ever in it for the streaming.
Of course Netflix was always going to be one of the winners. As the company that reached the promised land first, Netflix built the most popular service around the globe for on-demand video content. Their success was a bit like when James W. Marshall came down from the mountains of California and cried, “There be gold up in ‘em hills!” There might be, but it turned out to be a fool’s gold for the old school movie studios—or “legacy media” in the parlance of Netflix’s Silicon Valley brethren—who rushed after Netflix into the brush, pick ax in hand.
Over the past decade, nearly every studio with a “content library” rushed to build their own streaming service: HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+ all launched inside the past five years. One of the few “Big Six” who didn’t, 20th Century Fox, sold itself to the House of Mouse, which paid $71.3 billion because they were sure some X-Men movies, The Sound of Music, The Simpsons, and Home Alone would be just that valuable to Disney+ (plus a couple Alien flicks and maybe Fight Club on Hulu and Disney Star).
Elsewhere, WarnerMedia (as it was then known) became so thirsty to up its HBO Max subscribers (also an antiquated brand name now) that they burned bridges with numerous filmmakers so they could put their entire 2021 film slate day-and-date on what is today a defunct service. This even cost them a 20-year partnership with Christopher Nolan, whose next film, Oppenheimer, outgrossed all of WB’s superhero product in 2023.
Perhaps that is why David Zaslav, the CEO of the restructured and retitled Warner Bros. Discovery, broke new ground in 2023 when he revealed he was essentially giving away WB’s crown jewels to the highest bidder (so Netflix). Last November, the same executive who shelved the nearly completed Batgirl for a tax write-off explained he would be licensing pieces of WB’s coveted superhero movie library because it would supposedly make consumers desperate to subscribe to Max in order to watch more.
“People come back and then want to see the full bouquet of DC movies,” Zaslav said, “and the only place to do that is with us. Or it enhances the quality of the DC library.”
Uh huh. It’s hard to figure why a Netflix user who can watch last year’s The Batman on Netflix right now—or the DCEU’s biggest success stories like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Joker—would feel the need to pay another $10 a month so they can watch the Christopher Nolan Batman movies too (or $16 to do it without ads). Even if that is true though, the benefit Max might glean from some of WB’s priciest newest releases like The Meg 2 and Shazam! Fury of the Gods appearing on Netflix is inscrutable—never mind Universal putting its biggest film of the year, Super Mario Bros., on Netflix less than six months after it premiered on the vulnerable Peacock.
In truth, these studios are looking more like the other majors, or mini-majors, that didn’t pursue a streaming service or a Disney buyout. Sony shares its wares with Netflix and Disney+ both. Right now you can also watch their biggest hits of 2023, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Equalizer 3, No Hard Feelings, and The Pope’s Exorcist on Netflix. Meanwhile Lionsgate has put the entire John Wick library on Netflix, except the new Chapter 4, which you still have to pay at least $6 to rent on VOD. By not having a service, these studios can act as mercenaries, selling content to whichever bidder they prefer, and using it to advertise new product that has a longer shelf life as a VOD rental.
But for WB to undercut Max, and Universal to kneecap Peacock, confirms a tacit admission: the streaming wars are over, and in the aftermath there is more money to be made by selling their supposed must-see content to the same handful of tech companies they were hoping to compete against: Netflix, Amazon, and Apple. There’s even been talks now to kill another major studio, Paramount, because boardrooms believe that by combining Paramount+ and Max’s libraries, WBD might finally be big enough to compete with the tech giants.
The irony of this is that so many of these companies undercut the theatrical model that had been their bread and butter for a century in order to chase the mirage of streaming gold. For nearly two years, including well after the worst restrictions of the pandemic faded, Disney continued putting their animated films, particularly Pixar, on Disney+ on the same date the movies opened in theaters (if they had a theatrical release at all). Consequently, families were trained to begin thinking of Disney’s animated films as disposable content they can wait for at home—a problem Universal’s Illumination Entertainment avoided by holding onto its most valuable animated franchise in Despicable Me until COVID anxieties subsided.
Disney’s strategy to (over)saturate the market with Marvel TV shows on Disney+ during the last three-plus years also more than likely contributed to now demonstrable superhero fatigue which turned The Marvels, a sequel to a billion-dollar grosser, into one of the biggest flops of 2023. The fallout from going all-in on streaming even caused renewed Disney CEO Bob Iger to concede in November that “quantity in our case diluted quality, and Marvel has suffered greatly from that.”
The movie studios accelerated—if not arguably engineered—the downturn of the theatrical exhibition model over the last decade by conditioning audiences to only be excited by the prospect of IP blockbuster “events,” and to wait until everything else came to streaming. Now many of those same blockbuster events, be it DC superhero movies or Indiana Jones, are floundering, and the streaming services the studios bet the future on have turned into such financial quagmires the studios would rather lease their most valuable new IP to Netflix than try to waste it on a money-loser.
There is something deeply ironic about this. But for Netflix, the company which made it their business strategy to disrupt movie theaters—the one avenue most traditional studios can still rely on to generate major revenue—it must be quite funny to see all the white flags going up.
The post Netflix’s Top 10 Movies Reveal Who Won the Streaming Wars appeared first on Den of Geek.


text:
SUBURBAN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A three-month investigation into the suspected sale of illegal "synthetic marijuana" resulted in the arrests Thursday of a suburban West Palm Beach smoke shop owner and a shop employee, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies took shop owner Monica Lee, 37, and employee Hope Shipley, 27, into custody after alleging the two openly sold banned synthetic substances to undercover agents at A Hidden Treasure Smoke Shop in the 4400 block of Purdy Lane.
"Essentially, what it is is synthetic marijuana," said Lt. Dennis St. Cyr, of the sheriff's narcotics division, which started the investigation after receiving complaints about the store from area residents.
"In some cases, actually, what it is is like a potpourri that is sprayed chemicals, typically in China, and then they bag it up, send it over, and then they sell it as a legal alternative to marijuana," St. Cyr said.
Lee is charged with one count of unlawful possession of property for sale of a controlled substance, and one count of sale of a controlled substance.
Shipley is charged with three counts of sale of a controlled substance.
All of the charges are felonies.
The shop was openly selling banned products such as the incenses Mr. Nice Guy, Spice and K2, St. Cyr said. It also allegedly kept what St. Cyr described as a "house blend" smoking product behind the counter that was only sold to customers who asked for it.
Synthetic substances can pose health risks, said Tate Yeatman, a sheriff's office forensic scientist. In March, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency placed several synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants into the Controlled Substances Act.
These substances are "much more potent" than THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, Yeatman said.
"They're made illegally, so there's no quality control. There's no telling how much of these compounds are on the material that you're smoking. So that combination makes it a dangerous mix," Yeatman said.
St. Cyr said he couldn't comment on whether either Lee or Shipley knew that the products were illegal. The store's website lists hookah and glass pipes, vaporizers and gas masks among its products.
"If they weren't aware before," St. Cyr said, "they certainly are now."
Julius Whigham II
WPTV News 28th Oct 2011
Dear Drugs-Forum readers: We are a small non-profit that runs one of the most read drug information & addiction help websites in the world. We serve over 4 million readers per month, and have costs like all popular websites: servers, hosting, licenses and software. To protect our independence we do not run ads. We take no government funds. We run on donations which average $25. If everyone reading this would donate $5 then this fund raiser would be done in an hour. If Drugs-Forum is useful to you, take one minute to keep it online another year by donating whatever you can today. Donations are currently not sufficient to pay our bills and keep the site up. Your help is most welcome. Thank you.
Two women arrested in designer drug raid at smoke shop

domain: news


text:
Actress Uma Thurman has become the latest superstar to front a campaign for Italian drinks company Campari.
The “Kill Bill” star follows in the footsteps of Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes and Benicio Del Toro, who have all previously posed for the liqueur’s annual calendar.
The blonde beauty has posed for a series of striking images for the 2014 edition, including snaps inspired by Mexican and Japanese culture.
Thurman says, “To be a part of such a globally-renowned project for an iconic worldwide brand like Campari is a true pleasure. I particularly admire the Campari Calendar theme this year as I am able to share a worldwide journey of discovery, passion and style with Campari lovers around the globe.”


text:
Industry News | March 2, 2010
Dayton International Airport Offers More Food Options
HMSHost Corporation, a world leader in travel dining and shopping, and the City of Dayton, Ohio, last week celebrated the opening of three new food and beverage brands at Dayton International Airport. The enhancements to the airport’s concessions program are the result of a five-year contract extension awarded to HMSHost last year.
“HMSHost has delivered on its promise to make the traveler’s day better at Dayton International Airport," says Iftikhar Ahmad, director of aviation for the City of Dayton. "These new restaurant brands are what travelers told us they want, and we are very pleased to offer them to pre- and post-security visitors, whether they’re arriving or departing the City of Dayton.”
Post-security travelers to Concourse C are enjoying two new options, including, Starbucks Coffee and 12th Fairway Bar & Grill.
On Concourse B, post-security, Quiznos is now an option for travelers. Pre-security will offer Boston Stoker Gourmet Coffee.
“An airport known as the birthplace of aviation deserves to be distinguished by excellence in service to travelers, highlighted by an outstanding food and beverage concessions program," says Stephen Douglas, vice president of business development for HMSHost. "We are privileged to partner with Dayton International Airport to provide its travelers such an experience with the dining brands they prefer."
Food & Beverage
Thank you for signing up to receive QSR's flagship e-newsletter, A.M. Jolt. To help us better serve the information needs of our audience, please complete the information below.
In addition to A.M. Jolt, we also offer the following e-newsletters and communications. Please mark those you would like to receive.
- Business Services
- Cleaning & Sanitation
- Computer Systems/Software
- Dispensing Equipment
- Disposables, Packaging, Plastics
- Equipment Installation/Repair
- Financial Products/Services
- Food Products
- Franchise Opportunities
- Kitchen Equipment
- Safety Services/Products
- Security Systems


text:
RadioShack, US states reach agreement on sale of customer data
RadioShack has reached agreement with U.S. states over the sale of customer data, by consenting to limit the number of email addresses to be sold, and giving customers the opportunity to be removed from the list.
A coalition of 38 U.S. states, led by Texas, objected to the sale of personally identifiable information by the bankrupt electronics retailer, citing its online and in-store privacy policies. The customer data, which was withdrawn from an earlier sale of assets that included RadioShack stores, was included in a second auction this month.
The bulk of the consumer data will be destroyed, and no credit or debit card account numbers, social security numbers, dates of birth or phone numbers will be transferred to General Wireless Operations, the winner of both auctions, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a statement Wednesday.


text:
Willie Nelson has announced the 2015 date for his 30th annual Farm Aid, which helps support family farmers and raises awareness of the importance of locally grown and organic foods. The all-day 2015 event filled with food and music will take place on September 19th .
Farm Aid is the longest-running benefit concert in America, and past performers include: Garth Brooks, Waylon Jennings, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Kenny Chesney, Alabama, and many other country stars.
More details about the 30th anniversary Farm Aid event will be announced soon, and you can stay up-to-date by visiting their website, http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723595/k.EE67/Family_Farmers_Good_Food_A_Better_America.htm.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/ThinkStock)


text:
As Gamespot notes, Layden said in 2014 (yes, 2014) that Sony had to take steps to prevent griefing. It didn’t want trolls to cause havoc in one game, change their name and promptly ruin someone else’s play session. There’s also the matter of making sure that all your friends see the change. It’s unclear whether […]
Wipeout isn’t the only PlayStation 4 game getting a new VR mode soon. A free VR demo for The Last Guardian is due out on December 12th, allowing players to get up close and personal with Trico. Also announced at PlayStation Experience, Firewall Zero Hour is a team-based, multiplayer shooter heading exclusively to PSVR in […]
Sony has only hinted at the surprises it’s bringing to PlayStation Presents, saying, “Expect to listen in on candid discussions with some of PlayStation’s top developers, get updates on key titles, and be a part of some special announcements.” Sony has sold 70 million PlayStation 4 consoles since they hit the market in 2013, and […]
Sony’s PlayStation 4 continues to dominate Microsoft’s Xbox One and Nintendo’s Switch. As of December 3, the PlayStation 4 reached 70.6 million consoles sold. That puts Sony in the lead by a mile. More specifically, Sony’s PlayStation 4 sales are more than double that of the closest competition — the “closest competition,” of course, being […]
The biggest additions: more rewards. There’s a new “Masterworks” weapons tier that gives your armaments random bonuses, stat trackers and other perks. You’ll also get a Heroic Strikes playlist with “more generous” Strike rewards, armor ornaments and more ways to spend your pile of legendary shards (such as faction gear). You can buy gifts that […]
If the standard Xbox One controller just isn’t enough, gamers with a little extra cash have the option of stepping up to the Elite gamepad, designed with hardcore and professional players in mind. The shoulder buttons are clicky, and the entire pad is heavier, thanks to its metal thumbsticks, which we described in our review […]
Gazillion, the studio behind the embattled Marvel Heroes, has apparently been shut down today, with all staff laid off the day before Thanksgiving. As a result the game will also be closing early; originally due to end in December, it’ll now cease operations on Friday.
A PlayStation Plus subscription is essential if you want to play PS4 games online, but how do you convince your friends that it’s worth the outlay? Sony has a…


text:
Consumer supporters talk about durable reforms are essential to better control the payday lending field in Michigan, therefore may just possess reports to show it.
Another state from the heart for Responsible loaning found out that prior to now five-years, payday creditors took more than half a billion funds in charges from buyers in Michigan, like $94 million in 2016. Senior Policy expert making use of society money advancement relationship of Michigan Jessica AcMoody stated with annual percentage rate during the multiple digits, low income clientele commonly battle to repay loans on time.
“a standard charges equivalent about 340 percentage APR nowadays. And 91 per cent of payday loan online individuals in Michigan re-borrow within 60 days,” AcMoody said. “what exactly we actually need much better limitations on cash advance loans.”
The state mentioned over two-thirds of payday loan shop in Michigan include held by out-of-state loan providers
which AcMoody defined ways vast amounts become leaving Michigan each year. According to the customer financing coverage Bureau, the common cash advance shoppers draw 10 lending during one year.
AcMoody explained the investigation additionally explains that pay check financial institutions tends to be especially focusing on Michigan networks with greater density consumers of color and those with reduced earnings.
“payday advance loans include a high-cost means to fix a short term problem and they’re truly created to capitalize on debtor’s monetary weakness,” she mentioned. “Just what these are starting try discovering in communities just where capable victimize monetary weak folks. “
Beyond coaching consumers about payday loaning, AcMoody argues policymakers have to analyze APR hats, and rethink procedures to expand pay day loan choices. “a bundle of invoices in Senate would expand payday products and allow money of up to $2,500 for 2 yrs with charge exact carbon copy of to 180 per cent APR,” AcMoody explained. “So a $2,500 finance would wind up charging the consumer over $8,000 at the moment these people pay it off.”


text:
Even after the pandemic struck, the world seemed to be running on coffee, which is why the trade survived COVID-19. According to CNN Trusted Source How the coffee trade survived Covid-19 One of the world’s most popular beverages has overcome remarkable hurdles to carry on during the pandemic. What does it take to make a cup of coffee in 2020? www.bbc.com , over 125 million people depend on the coffee trade, and even though the pandemic posed strict restrictions, they went the extra mile to ensure you get coffee at your doorstep. This is why it’s so exciting that the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) will be launching a WOC ( World of Coffee) trade show from 12th to 14th January 2022. This trade show will be taking place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, at the fairly new Dubai Exhibition Centre, and it’ll be the first of hopefully many World of Coffee shows that the SCA takes to the middle east.
The SCA has historically held 2 yearly flagship trade shows: the World of Coffee and the Specialty Coffee expo that’s North American Based. During the Dubai show in 2022, the Dubai World Expo 2020 (the name was carried over from the COVID-19 period) will also be going on, which will then be followed by 2 top events; the 2022 Specialty Coffee Expo and the 2022 World of Coffee event which will occur in April (Boston) and June (Warsaw, Poland) respectively.
Even though the Dubai event will bear the World of Coffee name, it will be operated by the Dubai World Trade Centre’s events agency, SCA UAE Chapter, as well as DXB Live, that’s a local partner. The SCA personnel will not be involved in the on-site management of the event, but the association will provide promotional support and branding via a licensing arrangement.
Traditionally, all WOC events are held in European cities annually. However, reports state that the WOC Dubai chapter will be happening in the city every year and will eventually coincide with the GulfHost hospitality trade show that takes place annually.
Most competitors at the time wanted to put off their participation in the event until the next year, when it would be held in a different location, prompting the SCA to issue a deferment policy. This led to a series of formations of Adhoc and town hall committees as the association still tried to proceed with the event in Dubai, despite the heavy public pressure from renowned groups such as the former Barista Guild of America, private companies such as Blue Bottle Coffee and their own Canadian chapter. Eventually, the SCA had no option but to relocate the championships from Dubai and refine the criteria it uses for site selection to ensure future locations promote inclusivity. It also signed a contract allowing future WOC events in the UAE.
According to The National News Trusted Source UAE consumes more coffee than anywhere else in Gulf UAE residents drink the equivalent of 3.5kg of coffee each a year – nearly twice as much as people in any other GCC country. www.thenationalnews.com , UAE residents consume more coffee than anywhere else in the gulf. This is why it’s not surprising that the WOC will still host annual events in the country. Vicente Partida, the SCA Community Experience Officer, highlighted that even though this move won’t sit well with some people, it’s mainly aimed to support the specialty coffee professionals in the MENA (Middle East / North Africa) region.


text:
World Trade Organization
US backs Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead WTO
President Joe Biden's administration on Friday offered its "strong support" to Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO). The move marks another sharp split with former president Donald Trump who paralyzed the organization and opposed the former Nigerian finance minister who was backed by many other countries. The US Trade Representative in…
'I feel the wind behind my back': Nigerian WTO candidate
Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala voiced confidence Friday in her quest to lead the crisis-wracked World Trade Organization after all of Africa backed her candidacy, vowing she would champion reform.
Trump threatens not to recognize China's special status at WTO
President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to withdraw recognition of the special "developing nation" status of China and other relatively rich countries at the World Trade Organization....
Coding holds key to unlocking Africa’s $300b Internet revenue
With research showing that if governments harness the full economic potential of the Internet, Africa could add $300 billion to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, and other experts have charged Africans to embrace technology. According to them, with 70 per cent of all…
US issues trade challenge at fraught G20
The United States on Saturday challenged long-standing global principles surrounding free trade, refusing to renew past anti-protectionist pledges and threatening to reopen negotiations on World Trade Organization deals.
WTO chief says no 'indication' US will quit body under Trump
The head of the World Trade Organization said Thursday he had received no indication the United States would move to leave the WTO under Donald Trump's administration.


text:
Although SNK surprised fans with the Team Awakened Orochi announcement for The King of Fighters 15 this morning, there was another reveal that caught the internet by surprise arguably even more — and not in the best way.
A new Twitter account called CryptoKOF suddenly appeared last night claiming to be working on an “officially authorized” NFT project for SNK based on their fighting game franchise, which has since all but disappeared following online backlash from fans.
The original post and attached video didn’t really give away hardly any details about what this CryptoKOF is all about aside from showing an arcade room featuring machines with the title King of Fighters Crypto on the screens.
People quickly took to the comments and other parts of the internet to share their displeasure with the announcement for a handful of reasons including the negative perception of SNK hopping on the NFT bandwagon, especially at a time when the crypto market has been in a rough spot for the past month or so.
Others were wondering if the project was an unofficial scam, but considering the SNK Global account initially retweeted the CryptoKOF post (before removing it), this does appear to be legitimate.
After only a few hours up, however, the CryptoKOF Twitter account (which had only a handful of followers and no other posts) changed its status to protected, so the announcement can no longer be accessed by the public.
You can't go angrily attacking SNK or the people who made KOFXV for this. Shareholders more often than not in companies have more pull in decisions such as this. Just like executives making the fandom U love into a bad show or movie. Like She Hulk being skinny or ugly Sonic.
We have uncovered a website that appears to be created for CryptoKOF, but only the homepage is available and none of the buttons work.
There’s currently little else known about the project except it’s connected to a Shanghai-based NFT marketing firm called Metawave.
It’s also unknown whether the announcement’s removal was in response to the negative fan reception or not though the timing is at least peculiar.
This wasn’t the first time SNK partnered up to try and get into cryptocurrency either.
The makers of King of Fighters Allstar, Netmarble, teased a King of Fighters Arena NFT project back in May, and SNK also joined with OnBuff to sell NFTs based on their popular fighting game and Metal Slug characters.
Pulling off something related to crypto after they are crashing and everything related to it is giving a negative feedback?
I mean props on being ballsy about it but besides that…yeah no man pic.twitter.com/cpa5ZnUM9u
It is important to point out that the actual developers at SNK likely had little to no input on these crypto deals, so it’s not like these NFTs are connected to KOF15 or their other main titles.
These types of partnerships would likely be worked out by the company’s licensing department and potentially other higher-ups at the corporation.
so this is how you guys will go broke for the 3rd time
Considering the CryptoKOF Twitter account is only protected and not deleted, the NFT project will probably pop back up at some point in the not too distant future with more information.
The ultimate worry would be that these types of NFTs find their way into SNK’s main console / PC titles although there’s no indication that’s happening any time soon.
Tweet image via Siliconera.


text:
Emily Badger at the NYT has an article up on the trends of urban divergence which are further revealed by Amazon’s choice of cities for new major offices.
A small number of rich and internationally connected cities keep increasing their economic advantages — and as a result, the inequality widens between them and everywhere else.
Because of the pull of “superstar” cities, economists and policymakers fear what will happen elsewhere if the winners keep winning while many smaller communities are left behind. It’s possible Amazon executives genuinely believed a year ago that they might find a more surprising home (many observers are not so charitable). But, ultimately, the superstar magnet pulls them, too.
“It’s just absolutely hard-wired into technology economies,” said Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “It’s not just a sort of interesting thing that happens — it’s inherent to the technology.”
Tech companies feed on highly educated and specialized workers, specifically dense clusters of them where workers and companies interacting with one another are more likely to produce new ideas. Washington and New York, as it turns out, are two of the most highly educated regions in the country, with already large pools of tech workers.
By choosing to go where high-skilled workers and other prosperous companies already are, Amazon will effectively ensure that more companies follow it in turn. Opportunity will concentrate further. The differences between, say, New York and Scranton, Pa., will widen. This divergence, underway for about 30 years, has accelerated since the Great Recession.
Drop a big Amazon headquarters into Washington or New York, and economists expect the 50,000 workers there to be more productive than if the same 50,000 jobs were dropped into Indianapolis. Simply putting them in New York, near so many other tech workers, increases the likelihood that Amazon invents more services, connects to more markets, makes more money.
Those added benefits are so strong, economists say, that it’s worth it to companies like Amazon to pay more — a lot more — for office space and employee salaries in New York City.
There’s a lot more in there and I don’t want to quote the entire thing. But one stat the really caught my eye is that NYC and DC alone accounted for half the net increase in national business establishments between 2007 and 2016. That’s insane.
Between 2010 and 2017, according to Brookings, nearly half of the country’s total employment growth occurred in just 20 large metro areas (places that are home to about a third of the population). The Washington and New York regions alone accounted for about half of the net increase in business establishments across the country between 2007 and 2016, according to the Economic Innovation Group, which tracks economic inequality across the country.
Click through to read the whole thing.
The Financial Times also adds some perspective.
“All these finalists have talent [but] the greater Washington DC area and the greater New York area have more existing talent in areas where Amazon is headed in the future,” said Matt McIlwain, managing director of Seattle’s Madrona Venture Group, an early Amazon investor.
“This is not just one but two places that Amazon had been drawing talent from to Seattle,” said Jeff Shulman, a marketing professor at the University of Washington’s business school. “There are people in New York, DC and elsewhere who want to work for one of the biggest companies in the world, and now they don’t have to move to Seattle to do it.”
Google is getting ready to expand its New York City footprint to handle another 12,000 workers. This would give Google 20,000 total employees in New York.
New York in particular has been a big winner because it’s so huge and thus able to handle companies hiring 20,000 and 25,000 highly skilled workers in a way that other cities can’t really do.
Looks like as of now space constraints and high costs are not forcing elite sectors out of these coastal metropolises.


text:
City Bank Texas in Lubbock has chosen Allied Payment Network's mobile bill payment tool.
The $2 billion-asset bank now offers Picture Pay, an application that allows customers to pay bills by taking pictures of them with their mobile phones, the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Allied said Tuesday. The application reads the bill, confirms with the biller and automatically transfers the money through Allied Payment Network.
The application also allows customers to set up automatic payments and to expedite payments, the release says.
"We needed a bill pay solution that embraced the mobile platform to ensure our user experience met our customers' evolving needs," said Jim Simpson, chief technology officer for City Bank, in the news release. "By implementing Picture Pay, we're able to achieve that goal with a unique offering that will set City Bank apart from other financial institutions in our competitive market."


text:
RoboK raises $2.1m to boost industrial safety & efficiency
RoboK, a startup applying AI-powered computer vision to logistics & industrial workplaces, has announced $2.1 million in funding, making it $4 million to date, for accelerating commercial expansion.
The company is on a mission to deliver significant value to customers and unlock the often-overlooked potential of their existing industrial CCTV cameras. This is achieved with their proprietary computer vision solutions that are privacy-preserving and cost-effective, allowing the company to offer secure, always-on and proactive insights with deep sector operational knowledge.
The funding round was led by Cambridge Enterprise with participation from new and existing investors including the Bristol Port Company, U-blox AG, Amadeus Capital Partners, Martlet Capital, the University of Cambridge Enterprise Fund managed by Parkwalk Advisors, Deeptech Labs, and a number of angels. The company has also secured grants from funders incl. InnovateUK and the Department for Transport.


text:
Shady’s Fine Ales & Cocktails, a beloved neighborhood staple for nearly two decades, has been acquired by Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment. The renowned Phoenix-based hospitality company is behind local favorites, Century Grand and UnderTow.
The acquisition of Shady’s by Barter & Shake marks an exciting new chapter for the dive bar, as it sets the stage for a renovation and rebranding. Under the guidance of Barter & Shake’s experienced team, the historic charm of Shady’s will be preserved while incorporating the unique flair that Barter & Shake is known for.
As the summer continues, Shady’s will temporarily close its doors to undergo the transformation. The team at Barter & Shake is hard at work, ensuring the renovation proceeds smoothly. The bar will be ready to welcome back its loyal customers later this summer.
“We’re excited to continue the legacy of that great location and what it has meant to the F&B industry of Phoenix over the last two decades,” says Mat Snapp, EVP of Operations at Barter & Shake, in a press release.
For years, Shady’s has been the go-to spot for locals seeking an inviting and laidback atmosphere to enjoy cold drinks, listen to great tunes on a jukebox and play pool. The venue is expected to broaden its horizons, offering a concept that aligns with Barter & Shake’s portfolio.
Barter & Shake has set up a new Instagram @drinkmoresayless, where followers can catch a sneak peek as the renovations unfold.
Barter & Shake Cocktail Entertainment recently made waves in the industry with its Platform 18 concept earning a spot on the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, and Century Grand was just named “Best U.S. Cocktail Bar” at the prestigious 2023 Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards.
For more information, visit www.bartershake.com.
2701 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016


text:
By GameFront.com 11 years ago, last updated 5 years ago
This article is really old. Formatting may be broken as a result. If this article is un-readable please report it.
Posted on December 19, 2012, Ross Lincoln Zombie Studios Next Game Uses Unreal 4
Zombie Studios has licensed the Unreal Engine 4 from Epic Games. In a press release, the Seattle studio confirmed they’re making a “psychological thriller” for PC, due in Q2 2013.
What could it be, you ask? We have no idea. This isn’t exactly earth shattering in terms of novelty, of course. “We have used Unreal Engine technology for almost a decade,” Jared Gerritzen, Creative Studio Head of Zombie Studios said in the press release. “And after previewing Unreal Engine 4 at this year’s Game Developers Conference, we knew we would be building our next games on it.” But it is interesting nonetheless.
My guess? They’re making a game that combines the shaving and tooth brushing of Heavy Rain with the puzzle mechanics of Tetris.
Because we love you, here’s that press release:
SEATTLE, WA – Zombie Studios is excited to announce licensing of the groundbreaking Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) technology from Epic Games, Inc. The Seattle-based independent developer is working on an UE4-based psychological thriller game for the PC that will release in the second quarter of 2013.
“We have used Unreal Engine technology for almost a decade and after previewing Unreal Engine 4 at this year’s Game Developers Conference, we knew we would be building our next games on it,” said Jared Gerritzen, Creative Studio Head of Zombie Studios. “Epic has provided a wholly new kind of foundation for artists and designers. We’ve been able to work in ways we have only dreamed about with UE4, which will be a fundamental benefit to our studio as we move into the next generation of games and take our studio to the next level.”
“For years Zombie has achieved great results with our technology and tools, and their enthusiasm for UE4 is infectious,” said Joe Kreiner, Epic’s head of North American licensing for the Unreal Engine. “UE4 is a next-gen engine in terms of workflow, productivity and scalability – not to mention the creative freedom it gives developers. We can’t wait to see Zombie’s vision for its newest project come full circle.”
About Zombie Studios
Formed in 1994, Zombie Studios has designed and produced over 28 games for worldwide distribution on virtually every major gaming platform including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PCs, iOS and Android. In addition to entertainment games, Zombie Studios has been at the forefront of Serious Games developing simulation, education and training applications. For additional information, please visit http://www.zombie.com and follow @ZombieStudios.
About the Unreal Engine
Developed by Epic Games, the award-winning Unreal Engine is known for its cutting-edge graphics, best-of-breed toolset and scalability across major platforms. Operating on PC, console and mobile devices, Unreal Engine 3 is designed to accelerate developers’ productivity for creating high-quality games, applications, training simulations, 3D visualizations, digital films and animated entertainment. Powering hundreds of games and integrated with two dozen leading middleware technologies, Unreal Engine 3 holds more than 20 technology awards, including seven Game Developer Front Line Awards and five Develop Industry Excellence Awards. The Unreal Engine also holds a seat in the Front Line Awards Hall of Fame. Epic recently revealed Unreal Engine 4, winner of multiple Best of E3 2012 awards, which offers unprecedented workflow improvements and graphical capabilities that provide unparalleled accessibility for developers building the next generation of games and applications. For additional information, please visit http://www.unrealengine.com and follow @UnrealEngine.
About Epic Games
Established in 1991, Epic Games, Inc. develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company is responsible for the bestselling “Unreal” series of games, the blockbuster “Gears of War” franchise and the groundbreaking “Infinity Blade” line of mobile games. Epic’s award-winning Unreal Engine technology has won dozens of awards and is available for licensing. Epic is continually recruiting top talent for its studios located in North Carolina, Washington, Utah, Maryland, Poland, Korea and Japan. Additional information about Epic can be obtained at http://www.epicgames.com and follow @EpicGames.
Epic, Epic Games, Gears of War, Infinity Blade, Unreal, Unreal Engine, UE3, UE4 and Unreal Tournament are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
There are no comments yet. Be the first!


text:
Helsinki Fashion Week ditches leather in stand against animal cruelty
The event showcases cutting-edge design in a renewable energy-powered Eco-Village that is also zero waste. Now event bosses have pledged to take their ethos step further by dropping animal skin, after vegan charity PETA supplied them with a letter that 'extensively cites information about the leather industry'. In its letter, PETA wrote that leather is a lucrative co-product of the meat industry, which is one of the world's biggest polluters and contributors to climate change. "Tanneries - which use formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, cyanide-based dyes, and other dangerous chemicals - are notorious for polluting nearby water and soil." It added that a number of innovative designers refuse to use the fabric, opting instead for new alternative materials.
- Plant Based News -


text:
Brad Keselowski took the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship when second-place-in-points Jimmie Johnson retired early from Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 with driveline problems. The title is the first for both Keselowski and for team owner Roger Penske.
McLaren’s 12C GT Can-Am, shown as a concept in Pebble Beach, will be put into limited production. Only thirty customers will be lucky enough to put one of the track-only supercars in their garage.
You'll find all of this and more in today's car news headlines here at Motor Authority.
2014 Maserati Quattroporte gets new engine options.
Brad Keselowski takes the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.
McLaren to build track-focused 12C GT Can-Am.
Mercedes-Benz tests the new S Class’ autonomous steering.
Fiat teases the upcoming 500 Abarth Cabrio in a new video.
Lewis Hamilton wins the inaugural United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
We bring you spy shots of the 2015 BMW 5-Series Touring.
Charity auction sees $1.25 million for the first Ferrari F12 Berlinetta in the U.S..
Audi’s Q8 luxury crossover has reportedly been approved for production.
Nissan gives details on one-off “Bolt Gold” edition GT-R auction.


text:
A tailored loop of Jetix content will be streamed to Orange mobile phone users in the UK, while a bespoke package of on-demand content will be made available to Orange customers in Portugal. Localised Jetix channels will be streamed to Orange customers in Poland, Romania and Moldova.
The deal means Orange customers with access to mobile broadband services will be able to watch Jetix series such as Galactik Football, Pucca and Yin Yang Yo! on their mobile phones
This article was first published on Media Week


text:
After coming under criticism on BBC Watchdog for its lack of user-accessible internal storage on the Galaxy S4, Samsung has said that it is “reviewing the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimisation.”
Speaking to CNET, Samsung said it is “committed to listening to our customers and responding to their needs as part of our innovation process.”
Previously Samsung has defended the amount of internal storage that is taken up by the system install and preloaded apps, which equates to around 7GB out of an advertised 16GB, leaving 9GB available to the user. Samsung’s custom Android skin, TouchWiz, comes with a host of new features and this is the reason that so much of the internal storage is already in use out of the box.
It sounds as though Samsung may push an update out at some point that condenses the system files and therefore frees up more space for the user. How much this will equate to is as yet unclear, but needless to say even a small improvement will be welcome.


text:
Ian Simpson Reisner of Parkview Developers has announced plans to open a $30 million, 90,000-square-foot hotel-bar-wedding venue on the west end of 42nd Street in New York City aimed at gay patrons. The complex, called Out NYC Urban Resort, will have restaurants, bars, a spa, a reception hall, retail stores and a huge seven-nights-a-week dance club, along with a 127-room hotel.
The hotel will be a part of the Axel boutique hotel chain, which caters specifically to gay travelers. A night’s stay at the Axel Hotel Barcelona was all the impetus Reisner needed to look into opening a branch in New York City.
“I called them up and said, ‘We have to bring this to New York,’ ” Reisner, a managing partner of Parkview Developers said of the Axel’s owners. “They said, ‘Find a location and we’ll talk.’ ” Reisner found the location, and the complex is now set to open in stages starting in early 2011.
The Out NYC announcement follows one earlier this year by G Worldwide, the “first ever luxury resort brand catering to the LGBT community and their friends, families, and supporters.” The company revealed plans to open 4 resorts across the U.S., with an $80 million, 700,000-square-foot complex in Wilton Manor’s, Florida set to be the first to break ground. After running into issues with the first site G Worldwide targeted, the company has secured 4 acres at the site of the First Church of Religious Science.


text:
The Iceland boss said it was not necessary for people to start panicking buying, but warned that a growing number of retail workers forced into self-isolation risked closing stores .
Managing Director Richard Walker said the photographs of empty shelves in supermarkets were “isolated incidents”.
While there have been “some uptime issues,” he said, “our supply chains are resilient.”
But he said the government must exempt retail staff from isolation.
Iceland, M&S and other companies have said a growing number of employees have been ‘pinged’ by the NHS Covid-19 app, meaning they have to self-isolate for 10 days. Companies want people doubly vaccinated or tested daily to be able to return to work.
However, the government says it is crucial that people isolate themselves when asked to do so to stop the spread of the virus.
Many front pages of Thursday’s newspapers featured images of empty shelves at some supermarket branches – some depicting panicking buying certain items – but industry sources told the BBC that so far, food shortages were not a systemic problem.
Mr Walker told the BBC’s Today program: “There is certainly no problem with supplying inventory and there is absolutely no need for people to panic to buy.
“We certainly don’t want to go back to the dark days of April 2020 because panic buying is only an option for those who can afford it and it often means others are going without it.”
But he said “the people who should be panicking are the government” because of the growing number of workers “pinched” by the NHS enforcement.
Around 1,000 Icelandic employees – nearly 4% of its staff – were currently absent for reasons related to Covid, with the north of England the most affected.
Of these, 27% tested positive for Covid, while 64% were ‘pinged’ by the NHS Covid app and ordered to isolate.
Mr Walker said: “It could get worse a lot faster unless the tracking and tracing system is fixed.”
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said stores were facing increasing pressure as they tried to keep shelves stocked with a growing number of employees self-isolating.
He said ministers must “act quickly” and allow fully vaccinated retail workers or those who have tested negative for Covid to go to work.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at BRC, said the growing number of workers being asked to isolate by the NHS Covid app “was putting increasing pressure on the ability of retailers to maintain opening hours and stocking shelves “.
He called for retail staff and suppliers to be allowed to go to work if they were doubly vaccinated or tested negative for Covid “to ensure there is no disruption in the capacity of the public to obtain food and other goods “.
“With cases in the community skyrocketing, the number of healthy retail staff needing to self-isolate is increasing rapidly, disrupting retail operations,” he added.
Mr Opie said a decline in the number of available heavy truck drivers, exacerbated by the growing number of individuals being forced into self-isolation, “was also causing minor disruption to some supply chains.”
The Road Haulage Association estimates there is a shortage of 100,000 heavy truck drivers in the UK due to workers returning to Europe after Brexit as well as delays in carrier testing for Covid.
Meanwhile, the British Meat Processor’s Association said some members are seeing between 5% and 10% of their workforce “pinged” by the app.
He said the shortage of workers affected products that required more manpower to produce, meaning those lines would be cut first.
Staff shortages due to isolation rules have impacted sectors such as hospitality, transport and the NHS.
BP said on Wednesday that the shortage of truck drivers and the isolation of staff had caused fuel supply problems at some of its gas stations.
The oil company said shortages of unleaded petrol and diesel resulted in the temporary shutdown of a “handful” of its UK sites.
Dozens of councils across England have also been forced to suspend garbage collection due to staff self-isolation.
Earlier this week, the government announced that a “small number” of fully immunized critical workers, including health and care workers, would be allowed to continue doing their jobs even if they were in close contact with a woman. person tested positive for Covid.
But the prime minister said he did not want to extend the exemption too widely in order to limit the spread of the virus.
The government argued that it was necessary to keep the isolation rules largely unchanged until August 16.
From that date, fully vaccinated people and those under the age of 18 will be able to avoid self-isolation by taking daily Covid tests.
Under current self-isolation rules in England, anyone identified as close contact of a confirmed positive case must self-isolate for 10 days, whether or not they have received both doses of a vaccine.
If someone is isolated by NHS Test and Trace, they are legally required to do so.
But if someone is “pinged” by the NHS Covid app, the requirement to self-isolate is just a notice.
Have you come across any stores that struggle to keep their shelves well stocked? Or do you work in a store affected by staff absences? Enter into a contract.
Or use this form to contact us:
If you are reading this page and don’t see the form, you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your comment or email it to HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any comments you send.


text:
An ongoing diplomatic stand-off between Turkey and the US may have sent the lira spiralling into crisis, but this has turned into a bonanza for British holidaymakers.
UK holidaymakers could get 880 lira for £100 on Tuesday up from 680 lira on August 9. As people flock to the country to make the most of the cheap exchange, here's what your money can get you now :
While soaking up the sun, you could enjoy a mid-range bottle of wine for less than £5 or spend as little as £1 on a pint of beer.
If food is more your thing, a fast food meal comes in at under £2.50 or you could dine with a friend over a three-course meal for less than £25.
A trip to the cinema could help you beat the heat as Istanbul's Pelican Mall Shopping Center is offering tickets for 15 lira which comes in at £1.90.
Post Office Travel Money have apologised as some branches struggled with the surge over the past week.
A spokesman for the firm said: “We currently have strong supplies of Turkish lira across the Post Office network, however a small number of branches may be running low on stock due to the unprecedented demand.
“We expect to replenish stocks over the next 24-36 hours to those branches with limited stock and apologise if any customers have experienced delays when purchasing currency.”
Thomas Cook Money, which is supplied by Travelex, has also been running low on lira.
Managing director Anth Mooney said: “With the lira in high demand across our stores, we’re advising customers to put money on a pre-paid card which locks in the unprecedented rates now to spend on holiday later.”
Turkey’s currency crisis has been triggered by concerns over president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s economic policies and a trade and diplomatic dispute with the United States.


text:
JUNE 27, 2017:
In a bid for further transparency following ongoing complaints and reminders from the Federal Trade Commission, Instagram is releasing a new tool to clearly differentiate brand-supported content from non-sponsored posts.
Currently in beta mode amongst influencers and publishers including BuzzFeed, you’ll see the words ‘Paid partnership with [brand name]’ in place of the geotag under the account name, alongside any paid-for content.
Speaking to The Drum, Instagram’s head of global creative platforms, Charles Porch said the company had developed the tool as a ‘first step’ towards increased visibility. But Porch also emphasized that creators should still defer to guidelines and rules from their local associations on the best practice for tagging and flagging content.
Why is this needed?
A new report from marketing firm, Mediakix revealed that 93% of posts promoting a brand from some of Instagram’s most-followed celebrities were not labeled sufficiently in line with FTC guidelines. This is the kind of thing the Kardashians got in big trouble for last year.
[Tweet “The 411 on The New Instagram Partnership Tag #ipsyOS”]
How will this be helpful to creators?
Until now, we’ve had to rely on hashtags like #ad or #spon when promoting brands – and this is not always enough to meet marketing requirements, especially when the rules vary from region to region. In the USA, the FTC demands that ads are signposted, while the legal requirements aren’t always as clearly defined in other markets.
To Matt Donegan of influencer marketing agency Social Circle, something like the partnership tag is beneficial. ‘Audiences are getting more savvier and an increasing number of brands are working with influencers,’ he explains. ‘There’s no space for inauthenticity anymore… In our opinion [the tool is] long overdue.’
Is there any reason to be worried?
There’s some speculation that Instagram might start using the tag in their algorithms – ‘an opportunity to get involved in the space of brands and sponsored content,’ said Collectively’s Alexa Tonner to Glossy – and that this might affect your ranking and/or appearance in feeds. As the tool is still in the test-and-learn phase, we have yet to see whether this is true.
What does the community think?
‘It’s important to remember that people react to the realness of you,’ said fashion blogger Aimee Song in a statement, after using the tag for her recent Volvo partnership. ‘Instagram’s new tagging tool will help show that my take on the [brand] is just that – mine.’
What do you think about the new Instagram partnership tag? Sound off in the comments!
Hey creators, are you a part of the ipsyOS community yet? If not, what are you waiting for!? Click here to apply -> JOIN HERE


text:
FHD version of the upcoming Oppo Find 7 flagship gets certified, device pictures in tow
Oppo, a premium Chinese manufacturer, has won itself a place on our radars ever since it launched the excellent Oppo Find 5 -- one of the very first smartphones with a 1080p display. The sequel to the Find 5, the Find 7, has been confirmed for a March 19th launch, and is once again bent on providing consumers with a 'wow' factor -- a Quad HD, 2560x1440 pixel resolution display.
Of course, this new tech is, for all intents and purposes, still an uncharted land, and there's no telling how well it's going to work out in practice. Concerns ranging from yields, through price, and down to battery life are predominant, and that's more than justification enough for Oppo to consider outing two versions of the Find 7 -- a 1080p one, and a more premium model with a QHD display. And that's exactly what Oppo is doing. Unfortunately, so far it looks like the latter, fancier version will come later, as the FHD model (X9007) has already been spotted on GFXBench and has just recently passed Tenaa certification (China's FCC equivalent). The 5.5-inch device is not going to be a complete departure from its predecessor, but while it looks somewhat similar, there's definitely a change, especially if you consider the wedge at the bottom part of the device. The Find 7 does appear to sport a dual-LED flash module, and we're likely looking at a typical polycarbonate shell.
Take a look.


text:
Bitcoin is like’ digital gold’ and also will not be worn the identical to a traditional currency in at least 5 yrs, billionaire investor Mike Novogratz claims.
Bitcoin is like “digital gold” and won’t be used within the very same way as regular currency for at least the following 5 yrs, billionaire investor Mike Novogratz told Bloomberg on Friday.
“I do not think Bitcoin is likely to be utilized as being a transactional currency whenever within the following 5 years,” the bitcoin bull said within an interview with Bloomberg TV in addition to the Radio. “Bitcoin is being utilized as a department store of value.”
Bitcoin is still a fairly little advantage type, mostly popular with millennial investors that are not as important in the monetary markets but, because the earlier decades who have typically selected physical yellow as being a store of wealth.
Novogratz, who has lengthy favored the widespread adoption of digital currencies, considers this while Bitcoin could view additional upside, it won’t be worn for day transactions in the near future.
Read more: BANK OF AMERICA: Buy these 11 under owned stocks ahead of their earnings reports since they’re the foremost probable candidates to beat expectations inside the weeks ahead “Bitcoin as an orange, as digital orange, is probably about to continue higher,” the former hedge-fund manager said. “More plus more people are going to need it as some portion of their portfolio.”
Bitcoin has surged over fourteen % within the last week, striking $13,169 on Monday. The rally was sharply driven by US digital payments tight PayPal announcing that it would permit customers to purchase and also keep cryptocurrencies.
The proportions of the cryptocurrency industry has grown to around $397.9 billion, from about $195 billion at the beginning of the year, according to CoinMarketCap.com. Bitcoin is actually, by far, the largest digital coin in blood circulation, and have a market place cap of $244 billion and also accounts for approximately 61 % of complete market.
Novogratz stated PayPal‘s determination last week was “the greatest news of the year in crypto.”
He expects all the banks to get set up in the race to service crypto products. Businesses like E*Trade Financial, Mastercard, Visa, and therefore American Express could be anticipated to stay within fit “within a year,” he informed Bloomberg.
“It’s no longer a discussion if crypto is a thing, in case Bitcoin is a resource, if the blockchain is actually gon na be part of the financial infrastructure,” he said. “It’s not when, it’s when, and so each and every company ought to have a plan now.”


text:
Microsoft may launch the next big update for Windows 11 – touted as the version 22H2 on September 20th this year.
This comes from Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, who aligned the date with the regular hardware launch events of Microsoft from the past. Also, he noted that Microsoft is preparing to release the first “moment” – bits of feature updates to Windows 11 systems by fall this year.
Window 11 22H2 Launch Date
Microsoft is taking Windows 11 so seriously that it’s working hard to bring new features and settle any known bugs as per the community’s choice. And now, we’re expecting the company to roll out its next big update – Windows 11 22H2 on September 20th.
Though Microsoft didn’t mention any specific date yet, Windows Central’s Zac Bowden quotes this date by considering several assumptions – which seem considerable. One of the include the assumption that Microsoft mostly makes big announcements in the fall of every year, especially at the times of September or October.
We saw the official rollout of Windows 11 on October 5th last year. Also, this is the same time Microsoft announces new hardware devices like the Surface series. So having a new software handy for its new collection makes it better.
We can expect the company to launch Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5 between October and December this year. So a new feature update to Windows 11 in the form of 22H2 will improve the experience for the new Surface series.
Aside from this, Microsoft is also planning to release its first “moment” feature update for Windows 11 version 22H2 by the end of this year. Moments are Microsoft’s version of petty updates with new features, released 3-4 times a year. This should make the experience better, which can’t be achieved by the annual update plan.


text:
Kylie Jenner is one hot date.
The makeup mogul, 22, celebrated Valentine’s Day by slipping into a skintight red outfit from Body by Raven Tracy on Thursday night.
The brand’s “Body Love” bodysuit ($59) and matching leggings ($56), each of which are printed with the word “body” in all caps, quickly sold out following Jenner’s outing.
The star continued the romantic motif with her accessories, carrying a lips-shaped Judith Leiber Couture crystal clutch ($4,295) and adding further shine with an iced-out Patek Philippe watch, heart-shaped diamond earrings and PVC mules from Femme Shoes ($169).
“Someone said there was a vday party♥♥♥,” Jenner captioned her post.
The beauty billionaire’s family and friends shared plenty of love in the comments, with sister Khloé Kardashian exclaiming “Be mine!!!!,” and adding, “Holy wow wow wow.”
Kim Kardashian dropped a trio of heart emojis, while pals Yris Palmer and Malika Haqq both shared heart-eyed smileys.
It’s unclear whether Jenner spent the loved-up holiday with ex Travis Scott; while the couple decided to take a break back in October, they’ve spent plenty of time together since as they raise their daughter, 2-year-old Stormi Webster.
Last month, 27-year-old Scott joined Jenner and her family for a day at Disney World, and he was on hand to celebrate Stormi’s second birthday — whose “Stormiworld” theme borrowed from his own “Astroworld” album — in early February.


text:
Shoppers flocked to their computers to do their holiday shopping on Cyber Monday, which posted record online sales, according to the Wall Street Journal.
AT&T may be willing to give up as much as half of T-Mobile USA's customers to win approval of its bid to buy the firm, Bloomberg reports.
Amazon says that the Silk browser in its new Kindle Fire tablet does not violate user privacy but a key lawmaker is not satisfied with the company's claims, Ars Technica reports.
Google is expanding its mobile mapping services indoors to include maps of airports, shopping malls and other places, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Read all of today's e-Reads on our Tech page.
Don't Miss Today's Top Stories
Rick, Executive Director for Policy
Concise coverage of everything I wish I had hours to read about."
Chuck, Graduate Student
The day's action in one quick read."
Stacy, Director of Communications
I find them informative and appreciate the daily news updates and enjoy the humor as well."
Richard, VP of Government Affairs
Chock full of usable information on today's issues. "
Michael, Executive Director


text:
Samsung is reportedly making a huge investment in its next semiconductor production facility. According to ET News, the firm plans to sink $14.3 billion into new operations in Pyeongtaek City, South Korea. This will be the biggest investment in a single semiconductor production line, the site says, adding that Samsung plans to use the plant to produce DRAM along with chips for the Internet of Things.
The new installation is set to be the country's largest semiconductor production facility. It will reportedly cover over 30 million square feet—enough area for 400 soccer fields. The region is already being described as "Samsung Semiconductor Valley."
ET News doesn't have specifics on the process nodes Samsung is targeting with the new fab. However, it claims operations will begin in 2017, a timeline that could point to the production of 10-nm chips. Samsung's current South Korean operations include two semiconductor fabs, one of which is still under construction. The company also has a third fab in Austin, Texas.
Update: Samsung tells us that initial production at the new facility is expected to begin in the first half of 2017. However, the firm adds that "no final decision has been made on what specific products will be manufactured there."
|Razer Kiyo and Seiren X set the stage for streaming excellence||14|
|MSI Cubi 3 Silent and Silent S can be seen but not heard||10|
|Massdrop's Vast 35" VA display lives up to its name||23|
|Spitballing the performance of Nvidia's purported GTX 1070 Ti||17|
|Friday deals: a huge monitor, racing gear, audio, and more||20|
|G.Skill 3800 MT/s SO-DIMMs put lightning in tiny bottles||8|
|Cooler Master bedazzles the MasterLiquid Lite ML120L and ML240L||3|
|Razer Electra V2 offers affordable immersion||6|
|Samsung 360 Round camera captures the world from all angles||11|
|You should rename your account to punking.||+15|


text:
Teladoc accuses Amwell of patent infringement
Telehealth giant Teladoc has accused another player in the space, Amwell, of infringing on several of its patents.
As reported by STAT News, Teladoc sent a letter to Amwell representatives this past week alleging that some of Amwell’s products – including multiple telemedicine carts and peripheral devices for use with them, such as the Thinklabs One Digital Stethoscope and the Horus HD Digital Scope System – infringed on patents that Teladoc had acquired with its acquisition of InTouch Health earlier this year.
“Accordingly, we demand that Amwell immediately cease selling, offering to sell, making, using, and importing into the US the Accused Products,” wrote Teladoc’s representative Micahel V. Solomita, partner at Norton Rose Fulbright.
Solomita gave Amwell a deadline of this past Friday to do so, saying that Teladoc would otherwise move forward with enforcement of the patents.
WHY IT MATTERS
As the COVID-19 crisis has rocketed, the longevity – and potential profitability – of telemedicine back into the public sphere, Teladoc and Amwell have carved out large sectors of the virtual care market.
“While the telehealth market is in an early stage of development, it is competitive and we expect it to attract increased competition, which could make it difficult for us to succeed. We currently face competition in the telehealth industry from a range of companies, including specialized software and solution providers that offer similar solutions, often at substantially lower prices, and that are continuing to develop additional products and becoming more sophisticated and effective. These competitors include Doctor On Demand, MDLive and Teladoc,” wrote Amwell this past month in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission as it prepares to go public.
Amwell noted that electronic health record vendors such as Cerner and Epic could build telehealth functionality into their existing systems, and pointed to competitors such as Zoom and Twilio that have pivoted to providing telehealth amidst the relaxation of HIPAA requirements during the public health emergency.
In a subsequent filing, as reported by Exits & Outcomes and STAT, Amwell said that it believes Teladoc’s claims “lack merit” and that it intends “to defend against them vigorously.”
“Moreover, even if we were found to infringe upon any valid claim of these patents, our revenues from the Carepoints products approximated 5% of our revenues in 2019,” wrote Amwell.
In response to requests for comment, Amwell directed Healthcare IT News to its remarks in the filing. Teladoc did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
THE LARGER TREND
Amwell filed suit against Teladoc in 2015, accusing the company of using an online platform that was too similar to its own.
“While a transparent and competitive landscape is an imperative for innovation, Teladoc has unfairly disregarded American Well’s ownership rights to advance its business,” wrote Amwell chair and CEO Ido Schoenberg at the time. “We developed and patented these innovations and we owe it to our clients, partners and shareholders to protect them.”
Teladoc also faced a legal claim earlier this summer, with an individual accusing the vendor of allegedly making robocalls to consumers without their consent through a marketing partner. That lawsuit is ongoing.
ON THE RECORD
“We cannot predict with any certainty whether and to what degree the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and reactions thereto will continue, and expect to face difficulty accurately predicting our internal financial forecasts. The outbreak also presents challenges as our workforce is largely working remotely in helping new and existing health systems, health plan and innovator clients, many of whose employees are also generally working remotely,” wrote Amwell in its latest SEC filing.
Kat Jercich is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: [email protected]
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
Source: Read Full Article


text:
Recently, according to the analysis of China Industry Research Network, China's paper industry supply growth will continue to slow down. According to the project that the company in the industry put into operation and put into production in 2011-2015, it is estimated that in the next five years, the increment of papermaking in our country will be about 35 million tons. By 2015, the total output of China's paper industry will reach 135 million tons. And the average annual growth rate of cardboard production is about 6% -7%.
The slowdown in supply growth stems from the declining growth rate of the industry's future demand. Some people said that according to the paper consumption between 2000 and 2010 and its relationship with the economy, after 2007, the consumption of paper products declined year by year, significantly lower than the growth rate of GDP growth, and showed signs of accelerating decline. It is estimated that the annual average consumption of paper products will maintain around 6% in the next five years.
Despite the slowdown in the overall supply of the industry, the annual growth rate of "boom" paper products is still as high as 15% -20%. The development momentum is stronger than that of the general industry. According to reports, corrugated and cardboard annual growth rate will reach 18% -20%. It is predicted that in 2013, China will overtake the United States and become the world's largest producer of corrugated and cardboard paper.
At the same time, experts predict that the development of high-grade wrapping paper will also have more room for growth of up to 15%. Compared with the developed countries, the consumer spending on wrapping paper in China is very low. The cost of packaging per person in the United States is 311 US dollars per year, that of Japan is 460 US dollars and that of Europe is 385 US dollars, while that of China is about 12 US dollars, 3% -4%. As China's economy continues to grow, the process of urbanization continues to accelerate. The trend of consumption upgrading will push white paperboard to replace consumption of coated white paper. It is estimated that the CAGR will reach 15% in the next three years. Now that recycled tissue has enjoyed a relatively high penetration rate in developed countries, and our country is in the period of import and development, the industry expects that there will be a huge supply and demand gap of about 700,000 tons by 2015.


text:
The Taiwanese OEM Giant ready to unveiled its two smartphone in coming IFA Berlin next month. While previously rumor coming out that the device will be with Windows 10, but now it is confirmed that it will runs on Android 5.1 lollipop. The Acer Liquid Z530 and Z560 will budget friendly device.
The Acer Liquid Z530 is featured with 5-inch 720×1280 pixel resolution IPS display. It is runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop OS. The smartphone powered by 1.3GHz 64-bit quad -core MediaTek MT6735 processor with Mali T720 Graphics Processing Unit, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB internal memory further expandable via microSD card.
Acer Liquid Z530 sports with 8 mega pixel front and rear camera with auto focus and LED flash. The smartphone has GSM/3G/4G LTA connectivity options and other connectivity options are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Micro USB and OTG. The Acer Liquid Z530 has 4,000mAh battery for long time user experience.
For the pricing fact their is no any clear picture coming out from the sources, but the configuration and features says that it may come around EUR 150 or in INR Rs.11,200. The budget friendly Acer Liquid Z530 smartphone is really give a good competition in the market.
Antother device coming out in this IFA berlin from Acer is Liquid Z560. The Acer Liquid Z560 is same specification which equipped in Acer Liquid Z530, only difference is the display, it has 5.5-inch 720×1280 pixel resolution display and it may come under EUR 200 in INR Rs.15,000/-
At last I would like to say that, the Acer taking good move to introduced a budget friendly smartphone. It gives budget conscious costumer to get a smartphone with superb confg. in a affordable price. The Acer Liquid Z530 is fulfilling those aspect.
What do you think?


text:
New York Times is thinking of charging a whopping $19.99 a month for online paywall access. Sorry, but that's way too high.
New York Times is thinking of charging a...
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Al Gore on the future of our planet — and everything else
More "Innovators" »
My husband and I are business partners who just had our first child — here's how we make it work
More "What Matters" »


text:
Three months into leading Motorola Inc.'s mobile phone division, Co-Chief Executive Sanjay Jha has started some painful housecleaning that he hopes will restore the company's competitive standing.
The process requires thousands of layoffs, in addition to continued declines in phone sales over the next six months, steps that Jha believes are necessary to rebuild Schaumburg-based Motorola into the agile, innovative handset company it once was.
"The reality is there is no quick fix here," Jha told analysts on a Thursday conference call to discuss third-quarter earnings.
Motorola reported a net loss of $397 million, or 18 cents a share, in the third quarter, down from a profit of $60 million, or 3 cents a share, in the same period last year. Total sales fell to $7.5 billion from $8.8 billion, with handset sales dropping 31 percent on the year.
"Their thinking is they're willing to give up market share over the next three quarters in order to position themselves to be more profitable," said Matt Thornton, an analyst at Avian Securities.
The company's new focus on two main software platforms -- Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile -- will test the patience of investors who were expecting the company's recovery to bear fruit sooner. Jha has canceled several product launches scheduled for early 2009, and Motorola will have few smart phones to offer until later next year.
Oppenheimer analyst Ittai Kidron said this will make 2009 "another transition year" after a tumultuous 2008.
Moreover, tough economic conditions and the changes in the handset division have postponed the planned separation of the mobile phone unit from the company's other two businesses. Those segments, which make non-consumer communications equipment, are still profitable but vulnerable to slowdown if governments and businesses slash spending.
There is no new target date for the split, which was planned for the third quarter of 2009. Co-Chief Executive Greg Brown said the company felt it was better to conserve cash while financial markets remain dicey.
Jha said his decision to go full-tilt with Android and Windows Mobile was an extension of the turnaround strategy in place before his arrival. Motorola already was whittling its mobile phone software platforms, he said.
"I went further in making the consolidation happen faster," Jha told the Tribune.
Motorola will open a Seattle office to work with Microsoft on Windows Mobile. But 3,000 employees worldwide will be let go in the next two quarters as part of a plan to save $800 million next year. About two-thirds of the layoffs will be in the handset division, Brown said.
Jha said Motorola will use three operating systems for its cell phones, down from more than 20 combinations.
Jha said Android's open-source nature should spur faster innovation, with the release of its first Android phone scheduled for the 2009 holiday season. Smart phones with Windows Mobile 6.5 will be available in the second half of next year. For low-tier phones, Motorola is sticking with a proprietary technology called P2K.
"I would say it's a very well-considered choice that we have made, and in every choice there are some risks for sure," Jha said. "But I think the risks are manageable and that we can influence the outcome ourselves much more strongly. That's why I chose Android."
Motorola's transition period leaves room for its competitors that also are working on Android and Windows Mobile phones.
"The risky part of it is, it's unclear they can create a lot of differentiation in their handsets if they're using the same operating systems as other vendors," said Tavis McCourt, an analyst at Morgan Keegan.
As for the broader economy, Motorola Chief Financial Officer Paul Liska said the company remains in good fiscal health. Motorola has more than $2 billion in offshore funds that can be brought to the U.S. for liquidity needs, and the company has no big debt payments coming up.


text:
Exotic car manufacturer Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus is known for building some of the wildest and fastest vehicles money can buy these days. These include a few supercars, the Boot off-road beast, and even a Le Mans-spec race car. And, as we’ve seen a number of times through the past few years, the company’s founder James Glickenhaus likes to brag about his cars and discuss their capability on social media.
James took it to Facebook last night to compare the just revealed 2020 Ford GT with Glickenhaus’ 004 supercar. In a post titled “The Ford Glickenhaus Wars,” he compares the pricing, performance, and practicality of the GT’s new Liquid Carbon trim level and the 004S.
Gallery: SCG 004S
“Our V8 004S will have at least 20 more HP than the 2020 V6 Ford GT and even in tinted CF cost about the same as a painted Ford GT. Our tinted CF 004CS will have about 200 more HP than a cleared CF Ford GT and cost $100K (approx £75k) less. Our 004 will have 3 seats v Ford's 2 and unlike the Ford GT our Factory 004C will continue to race indefinitely. Our 004 will also weigh about 700 LBS less than the 2020 Ford GT.”
James Glickenhaus also used his Facebook channel to hint at the company’s 2020 Le Mans contender, saying more photos and official details are coming soon. Also, he revealed that the manufacturer’s productive capacity for the 004 in 2020 is now sold out and it plans to increase that capacity to about 100 cars from next year. Glickenhaus also promised it will bring the Boot and 003S at the 2020 New York Auto Show.
Gallery: 2020 Ford GT Heritage, Liquid Carbon Editions
Source: James Glickenhaus


text:
For the first time in generations Britain's ability to negotiate free trade agreements will be un-frozen. Proponents of free trade see in Brexit a global vision that could drive financial inclusion across the developing world and kick-start a new economic engine.
In order to be able to do these sorts of trade deals, Britain needs to free itself from the customs union — through which the European Union negotiates as a single entity in international trade deals — and from the EEA/single market.
Currently the EU has around 30 free trade agreements with over 60 third countries in the world and the UK is also party to all of those free trade agreements. But the EU still does not have a free trade deal with huge economies such as the US (worth 13% of the UK's global trade), China, Japan, India, or Australia.
According to Vincenzo Scarpetta, a senior policy analyst at Open Europe, Brexit will be neither apocalypse nor utopia. In terms of GDP impact on the UK, a realistic range is between a 0.8% permanent loss to GDP in 2030 – where the UK strikes a comprehensive trade deal with the EU but does nothing else; and a 0.6% permanent gain in GDP in 2030 – where it pursues free trade with the rest of the world and deregulation, in addition to an EU free trade agreement.
"If the UK after Brexit were to remain an open country and embrace free trade with the rest of the world, and embrace regulation domestically, the UK could see a permanent gain to its GDP of up to 2.2% in 2030. We are talking about a long term projection; 2.2% is like the best case scenario. The most politically feasible one is around 0.8%, so around 1% of GDP in 2030," said Scarpetta.
There are really no good stories out there about trade agreements of the sort that bring openness and liberalisation: Doha is dead, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is dying, and Donald Trump has now declared the Trans-Pacific Partnership is also finished. This creates a vacuum for countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore with which the UK could do deals, creating a prosperity zone of like-minded countries committed to eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers.
For Shanker Singham, chairman of the Legatum Institute Special Trade Commission, UK is in a privileged position. It has good relations with almost every country and plenty of soft power to boot and now must grasp the nettle of free trade.
"Britain cannot remain a member of the single market because some 80% of our exports are services, and no country will negotiate services access with you if you can't put your domestic regulation on the table," he said.
In handling its own domestic regulation, the UK will deal with the sorts of barriers to trade that are effective in the 21st century, such as behind the border barriers and regulatory anti-competitive market distortions. Alternatively, Britain could cling on to what it has and hope to do some goods agreements here and there, in the same way that Switzerland or Iceland has an incredibly one-sided deal with China, most of which relates to goods with hardly anything on services.
Freeing value chains
Singham is also enthusiastic about financial inclusion and the deals the UK could do with developing world countries once we are agriculturally open. "There are whole agricultural sectors where we don't produce the goods that a lot of these developing countries produce. Think of mangoes from India and rice from India and so on. We can have no tariff and no quota on those products, provided they are not directly competitive or substitutable with another product that we do produce."
The EU is closed on agriculture, but it takes pity on poor developing countries by giving them a generalised system of preferences (GSP), which means a preferential tariff of a certain percentage. However, the actual bound tariff that could be paid remains very high and the GSP can be withdrawn by the EU for any number of reasons, as has happened to countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, for example.
This type of thing happens because the EU does not like something else they are doing, perhaps to do with their rule of law, or perhaps they are not democratic, or had some problems with an election. Singham says the sheer contingency of such a system prevents farmers from moving up the value chain; as such he refers to supply chains in poor countries as "calcified".
"From a farmer's perspective, they can't rely on that GSP tariff. Say I produce coco beans; the chocolate tariff into the EU with the GSP rate is 4%; the non-GSP rate is 40%. But the farmer does not have any confidence in the 4% rate that their business is relying on. They may want to bring in dairy, make chocolate and sell it into the EU, paying the 4% tariff, but what happens if suddenly the EU decides it doesn't like an election, or a leader. The farmers lose GSP and now have to pay the 40% rate. This keeps supply chains calcified; you can't change them on this basis," he said.
The EU has been heavily criticised for this strategy and has promised to lower tariffs to an immutable zero for the least developed countries in the world, but it is a tiny group of countries that are eligible. As far as negotiating free trade agreements goes, the EU may put four or five agricultural goods on the table for a negotiation, as they have in the EU/Central America agreement.
CAP and subsidies
Leaving the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) allows the UK to tackle the full range of tariffs. This opens the thorny question of subsidies. The UK has little in the way of production subsidies. There are two programmes in Scotland: voluntary coupled support for sheep and beef farming, which is about £38m. By comparison the French voluntary coupled support is about a billion euro. It is not just tariffs and quotas that make life hard for developing world farmers, subsidies inside Europe distort pricing and excess production has to be dumped on world markets, lowering prices.
Direct subsidy payments to farmers, which are the first pillar of the CAP, are clearly dysfunctional and need reform. Open Europe's Scarpetta believes the CAP should be much more focused on boosting environmental stewardship and more modern agricultural development, rather than just paying farmers based on how much land they have.
"CAP has always been something the UK would have wanted to change, even from inside the EU. But there are likely to be pressures from British farmers to try and safeguard the subsidies they receive via the EU budgets. So that's something that the government will have to keep in mind and perhaps think of some kind of phasing out scheme," said Scarpetta.
An agricultural policy can be crafted that opens the UK to other countries while creating an environment where UK farmers can thrive. There are examples around the world of countries which transitioned from a highly subsidised, protected farming industry sector to a highly open one with basically no subsidies, no tariffs and no barriers. New Zealand is the best example of what can be achieved, where an incredibly efficient industry was created, now the biggest dairy exporter in the world.
"We would advocate firstly opening up on the tariff quota side," said Singham. "But for products we produce, we can maintain one level of tariff to protect our farmers. We also have to protect our farmers from imports of products from countries that distort their markets because, unlike New Zealand, we are sitting on the edge of the world's biggest agricultural distorter. There are going to be many products coming from Europe whose costs will have been lowered by all kinds of subsidies and distortions.
"We need a mechanism that protects our farmers from those, but doesn't distort trade from products that are coming in that are better quality and cheaper for reasons not related to government distortion," he said.
Moving away from direct transfer payments that simply pay farmers to farm, allows for a focus on environmental remediation. Bridging loans could be available to farmers to use their land for other purposes that might revolve around tourism or property development. Another idea is to create a retirement fund for farmers.
"There are lots of very specific, tailored measures we can do because we have a £2.8bn envelope under the CAP. We should certainly use that, but in a more focused and targeted way, and I think what you will find is most farmers in the UK, and most of the NFU would actually quite support that."
Singham says it is worth remembering that developing countries constitute most of the world. If the UK has a sensible partnership agreement with them it will affect the way those countries perceive Britain, not only in trade, but also in the UN and foreign policy circles.
"Typically a lot of developing countries are quite oppositional and adversarial with the developed world; they tend to call us hypocrites because we ask them to open up but are not open ourselves. Foreign policy is then viewed through the same lens. So now we can actually have a principles-based foreign policy, because we have a principles-based partnership agreement with these countries."
Creating free trade agreements with developing countries and prosperity zones with developed nations, plus sorting out our domestic regulatory policy, will result in a massive increase in global world products, states Singham.
"We are talking about a 1.5% - 2.5% injection into global world product year on year for 15 years, assuming that's how long it takes to reduce distortions to a certain level as a result of all these agreements. So it's transformational. It's creating a global economic engine that doesn't exist today."


text:
January 29, 2024
Steelcase, the global leader in office furniture, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its highly anticipated showroom in Coimbatore through its partnership with Imageicon. This new showroom at Imageicon, Coimbatore will showcase the brand’s best-selling seating collection, offering a first-hand experience of the future of workplace comfort and design.
The inaugural event will take place on 29 January 2024, and will be a celebration of innovation, wellbeing and ergonomic excellence. The showroom will provide a platform for professionals, architects and designers to immerse themselves in Steelcase’s signature blend of form and function. With a focus on enhancing workplace wellbeing and productivity, the Steelcase seating collection is set to revolutionise the way people work, collaborate, and thrive in their office environments.
“We are delighted to introduce our unparalleled seating collection to the vibrant city of Coimbatore,” said Mr. Tirthankar Basu, managing director of Steelcase SAARC. “This showroom represents our commitment to help people do their best work by creating places that work better. We invite the community to experience the future of seating first hand and explore the endless possibilities for creating inspiring workspaces.”
Imageicon’s CEO, Dr.Suresh Babu Rangasamy said, “the grand opening of the Coimbatore showroom marks an exciting chapter for us. Our partnership with Steelcase aims to inspire and empower organizations to create exceptional work environments that foster creativity, collaboration, and wellbeing.”
The launch event will feature exclusive guided tours of the showroom, allowing guests to interact with Steelcase’s expert team and gain insights into the design philosophy and human-centred research behind each seating innovation. Attendees will have the opportunity to test the comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of the seating collection, as well as the wide portfolio of Steelcase solutions, while networking with industry professionals and design enthusiasts.


text:
According to statistics, the Asia-Pacific online gaming market in 2019 reached US$15 billion. With the increase of Internet users, the popularization of mobile devices, the emergence of more online payment methods, and the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic restricting people’s going out, during this period in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia, and other countries, the online gaming industry ushered in leap-forward growth.
However, as the epidemic is gradually brought under control, looking forward to 2023, will the online gaming industry in Southeast Asia maintain the growth and prosperity of the past few years? Perhaps, we can see the clues from a piece of data. YouTrip, a well-known mobile wallet platform in Singapore, claims that their online transaction volume from January to September 2020 has increased by as much as 260% compared with the same period in 2019, which shows that gamers are changing and are spending more money.
Recently, there have been rumors that within the governments of Thailand and Malaysia, there are voices discussing whether to legalize domestic online gaming. Although the horoscope has not yet been written, it can also smell the changes in the views of Southeast Asian countries on the industry. How to get the most favorable seat in the highly competitive Southeast Asian market? No doubt, prepare more convenient online payment methods for players and create a safer and more trustworthy gaming environment. You can’t go wrong by doing these two things well.


text:
Selectable Media, which is looking to disrupt online advertising, has raised $2 million.
The Uptake: A company trying to break down pay walls on the Internet has raised the cash to give a new advertising model a try. Here's today's venture capital roundup.
Cebix, a San Diego biotech seeking treatments for vascular problems related to diabetes, has raised $30.9 million. Backers include InterWest, Sofinnova Ventures, and Thomas McNerney & Partners. (Press release)
Selectable Media, a New York firm that tries to get publishers to unlock premium content online in return for a user's promise to watch advertising, has raised $2 million from Avalon Ventures. (TechCrunch)
Founders Club, a startup that invites qualifying non-VCs to the table (you must make more than $200,000 a year and be worth over $1 million), just grabbed $6 million in a seed round that includes Y Combinator, First Round, Chris Dixon, and Box founder Aaron Levie. (TechCrunch)
Since coming aboard with Upstart’s parent company, Kent has covered sustainability and business, entrepreneurs, technology, and venture capital. Now, he covers all the ways upstart businesses get their money.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
Sign up to receive Upstart Business Journal’s free daily email newsletter, weekend edition and breaking news alerts.