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EA is banking on Star Wars: The Old Republic being the next big thing, and quite literally at that.
The game has reportedly cost the publisher about half a billion dollars to develop, and that’s on top of the $775,000 EA paid for BioWare in the first place. Not even Jabba the Hutt has that kind of cash to throw around.
“I think it’s safe to say that the total all-in investment in Star Wars is probably approaching half a billion dollars,” Doug Creutz of financial analyst firm Cowen & Co told MarketWatch. “EA has minimized its risks as much as it can on this bet, but it’s still a risky bet. To the extent that any one game defines [EA CEO John Riccitiello’s] tenure, it’s going to be how Star Wars performs.”
Back in May 2010, EA themselves confirmed that the game was the company’s most expensive project ever.
“It is the largest R&D project EA has ever undertaken in terms of total dollars that we expect to spend bringing the title to market,” said chief financial officer Eric Brown.
A few months after that, a disgruntled employee writing under the alias “EA Louse” went public with a disparaging rant about working for the publisher.
“They’ve spent more money making the Old Republic than James Cameron spent on Avatar. More than $300 million! Can you believe that? They are most proud of the sound. Something like a 20Gig installation, and most of it is voiceover work. That’s the best they have. The rest of the game is a joke. EA knows it and so does George Lucas, they’re panicking, and so most of Mythic has already been cannibalized to work in Austin on it because they can’t keep pushing back launch,” he wrote.
“Old Republic will be one of the greatest failures in the history of MMOs from EA. Probably at the level of the Sims Online. We all know it too.”
SWOTR launched in December last year, with over one million subscribers signing up in the first three days. So it’s doing a bit better than Sims Online – for the moment.


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Allison Transmission to highlight latest off-highway smart controls at CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Leading manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions will also display H9610 model, offer incentives for construction fleet investments
INDIANAPOLIS – Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ALSN) will participate in CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the leading showcase for new products and technologies in the construction industry, being held this week in Las Vegas (March 4-8). Allison, the world’s largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, will discuss the features and benefits of its latest electronic controls technology for on- and off-highway vehicles in Booth 85430, South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Allison’s CEC3 upgrade is all about maximizing productivity and cutting fuel costs by adapting the vehicles to actual working conditions,” said Chris Vargo, director of global off-highway marketing, sales and service for Allison Transmission. “And we are also making life easier for drivers – with a more convenient, time-saving oil level sensor, and of course, the control and handling of a fully automatic transmission.”
The new generation of Allison’s Commercial Electronic Controls (CEC3) features a remote oil sensor diagnostic that allows drivers to check oil levels from the cab, as well as two new pre-programmed shift schedules that provide owners with greater flexibility to optimize performance and fuel efficiency based on vehicle weight and terrain.
The CEC3 system is being integrated into select models by OEMs, and owners should see features being released in new vehicles throughout 2014. For on-highway construction models, Allison’s 5th Generation electronic controls are also designed to get the most from every drop of fuel: 5th Gen controls automatically adjust shift schedules, acceleration limits and engine load based on weight, grade and other factors, while reducing downtime with advanced diagnostic and prognostic displays.
“Our controls – CEC3 and 5th Gen – are designed to keep trucks working harder and smarter,” Vargo added.
While CEC3 represents Allison’s latest innovation aimed at off-highway mining and construction trucks, it will not dominate the company’s exhibition. That honor will undoubtedly belong to the H9610 model, on display to the public for the first time. The 4,000lb (1814kg) automatic transmission is used in 100-ton mining trucks. Booth visitors will have an up-close look at the Allison transmission that allows superior performance from these behemoth earth-movers.
“At Allison, we are proud to manufacture superior transmissions for nearly every possible vocation, from hybrid buses carrying urban commuters, to construction trucks hauling tons of dirt and overburden,” said Vargo. “The H9610 demonstrates our continued commitment to the mining and construction industry – to engineering performance for heavy-duty trucks that work in some of the toughest conditions imaginable.”
Trucks with Allison automatic transmissions will also be exhibited by Mack, Navistar, Hitachi Construction, Kenworth and others.
About Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) is the world’s largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and a leader in hybrid-propulsion systems for city buses. Allison transmissions are used in a variety of applications including refuse, construction, fire, distribution, bus, motorhomes, defense and energy. Founded in 1915, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and employs approximately 2,700 people worldwide. With a market presence in more than 80 countries, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Hungary and India. Allison also has approximately 1,400 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit allisontransmission.com.
Allison Transmission Inc.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plans," "project," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," “intend,” “forecast,” “could,” "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar terms or phrases. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks. Factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made include, but are not limited to: risks related to our substantial indebtedness; our participation in markets that are competitive; general economic and industry conditions; our ability to prepare for, respond to and successfully achieve our objectives relating to technological and market developments and changing customer needs; the failure of markets outside North America to increase adoption of fully-automatic transmissions; the discovery of defects in our products, resulting in delays in new model launches, recall campaigns and/or increased warranty costs and reduction in future sales or damage to our brand and reputation; the concentration of our net sales in our top five customers and the loss of any one of these; risks associated with our international operations; brand and reputational risks; our intention to pay dividends; and labor strikes, work stoppages or similar labor disputes, which could significantly disrupt our operations or those of our principal customers. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. All information is as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in expectations.

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Ramada Plaza hotel in Jeffersontown gets $6 million upgrade
New owner starts focus on social travelers
- By John R. Karman III, Staff writer
Jeffersontown’s largest hotel and conference center, which struggled in recent years under an out-of-town ownership group, has gotten a $6 million overhaul that its new owners believe will bring guests back.
The owners, a group of eight local doctors led by Mushtaque Juneja, a Louisville anesthesiologist and developer, also have created a new family-focused business plan for the hotel, which was rebranded in January as a Ramada Plaza.
Since buying the 39-year-old property a year ago for $2.5 million, Juneja’s group has worked with Louisville hotel operator LTS Hospitality Management LLC on a complete interior and exterior renovation, according to LTS president John Lott. LTS also manages the hotel.
The owners have added a Wick’s Pizza Parlor & Pub and a Tazza Mia coffee shop and brought on Masterson’s Catering to handle food and beverage services for on-site events.
They also have cut the number of available rooms to 300 from 398, Lott said, and are converting the unused space into 50 office suites that can be rented to companies and small-business owners. Ten of the units have been leased.
Social travelers targeted
In addition, the Ramada Plaza has changed its target audience, according to Lott. Instead of going after traditional business travelers, the hotel is being marketed more toward guests booking rooms for social reasons, such as family reunions, association gatherings and sporting events, he said.
To better serve those guests, an arcade and play area have been added, and the fitness center has been updated with new equipment. The idea, Lott said, is to bring the property back to being “that fun hotel that it always was.”
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For the month of April, an ABB robot will be 3D printing designer furniture, houseware and other objects in a window at Selfridges in London.
Urbx leverages Celestica’s experience to meet rising demand among retailers for faster, more efficient, cost-effective order fulfillment and delivery systems
Bossa Nova said the pace of robotics adoption by retailers is too slow for robotics to be the only focus.
The patent clearly outlines the new functionality helps Simbe on its path to commercializing fresh food tracking and management.
PackExpo 2021 was an opportunity to check out the latest in packaging automation. Check out this recap of the latest innovations that were presented at the show.
Hy-Vee is deploying Tally inventory scanning robots in stores in the mid-west.
GroceryShop is a great event if you want to reach buyers from national and regional grocers.
Investment will enable Zippedi to expand its market into the U.S. to meet the market demand in both the Home Improvement and grocery sectors.
Both companies develop automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and are pursuing the lucrative grocery automation market.
Bossa Nova Robotics, the Mountain View, Calif.-based developer of inventory control robots for retailers, recently shut down its European business unit. Headquartered in Sheffield, U.K., Bossa Nova Robotics Europe had its funding cut off from the parent company. Bossa Nova Robotics Europe is in the Administration phase, the U.K.’s equivalent to Chapter 11. In November…
Dexai Robotics has designed its Alfred 2.0 to offer a space-saving, sanitary alternative for dishing out meals.
Ayanna Howard, the first female dean of Ohio State University’s College of Engineering, discusses her new book on Sex, Race, and Robotics.
Badger Technologies’ in-store, multipurpose robots will complement the retail systems of STCR, which hopes to help independent grocers adopt automation.
As robotics and automation expand to new markets, startup Bobacino brings a customizable and futuristic splash to a time-honored tradition of bubble tea.
Walmart customers in Scottsdale, Arizona will be able to place orders that will be delivered contact-free by a Cruise autonomous vehicle.
Picnic said new executive appointments and improvements to its pizza-making robot are designed to help meet increasing demand.
In Episode 23 of The Robot Report Podcast, our editors discuss robotics in retail with the CEO of Simbe Robotics, autonomous vehicles in shipping yards with Outrider’s CEO, and some of the latest applications of the Spot quadruped.
Walmart has ended its five-year contract for inventory robots from Bossa Nova Robotics, reports The Wall Street Journal. This is a setback for robots in retail, as demand shifts and technologists seek to automate various tasks.
White Castle has ordered up 10 additional deployments of Flippy Robot-on-a-Rail from Miso Robotics after a promising initial test. The companies said the frying robot will improve customer and team member experiences.
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting Robots” is a new book co-authored by MIT Associate Professor Julie Shah and Motional CTO Laura Major that explores a future populated with robot helpers.
Simbe Robotics said its Tally 3.0 autonomous mobile inventory robot includes updated sensors for greater autonomy, as well as cloud/edge data processing for retail intelligence.
Avidbots’ founders said that the additional sensors and software integrated into the Neo 2 floor-cleaning robot will help it be useful in a variety of locations, from warehouses to airports and retail stores.


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Forbes January 31, 2024
It's hard to find a travel company that doesn't claim to offer the best customer service. But for those of us who travel, customer service is often lacking, and finding a company that will treat you with respect can be a challenge.
This year's Elliott Advocacy Readers' Choice Awards, which have just been released, are a roadmap for travelers who want an upgraded travel experience. Now in their 19th year, the awards poll readers of my nonprofit consumer advocacy site on the top airline, car rental company, hotel and travel insurance company.
For 2024, there are a few surprises in most of these categories. Here are the best companies for customer service, according to readers:
Delta surprised the airline industry last year by topping Southwest Airlines, which had been hurt by a string of unexpected holiday cancellations. But no one saw a repeat coming. Delta hung on by the narrowest of margins to capture the gold for a second year.
How did Delta do it? Excellent operation efficiency made it the most on-time major airline in the United States. It also added new in-flight connectivity options for passengers in 2023.
Sure, Delta made a few missteps along the way, including a botched rollout of a revamped SkyMiles loyalty program (the airline quickly backtracked). But even those problems weren't enough to make it fall from first place.
Korean Air unseated British Airways, which had won four years in a row, by doubling down on customer service initiatives in 2023.
Korean Air customers say they've been impressed with the reimagined cabin interiors and improved service, particularly on some of the newer planes. The airline also made some loyalty program adjustments last year that customers actually liked..
Korean Air's commitment to improvement goes beyond rhetoric. I visited the airline's headquarters in Seoul last fall. I spoke with executives who reiterated their deep commitment to improving service. And I found an airline that was in an almost constant state of improvement, right down to a top-to-bottom renovation of its corporate headquarters.
Enterprise raced ahead of Hertz to win in its category. It did so by opening new franchise locations and adding new multi-modal travel options, both of which customers wanted. It has also avoided the missteps of its competitors with a cautious approach to electrification. Enterprise offers EV options, but it does not impose high recharging fees and is taking more of a wait-and-see approach to electric vehicles.
Viking won in this category for a second year in a row. Last year was a surprise — some say a fluke — but this year the critics have been silenced. Viking has become a favorite of cruise passengers, who appreciate its reliably good service. It has also introduced new itineraries and new ships that have won critical acclaim.
Once again, Marriott claimed the top spot in the Readers' Choice survey — although second-place Hilton is steadily gaining on its rival. Customers say they've appreciated the flexibility of Marriott's loyalty program and a wide range of new hotel options where they can redeem their points. But mostly, there haven't been any complaints about Marriott. And sometimes, that's all it takes to be number one: No one is complaining about your service.
Expedia retook the lead from Booking.com for 2024. Expedia's biggest change for 2023 was a reimagining of its loyalty program. In mid-2023, Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo rolled their programs into One Key. Existing stamps and reward nights converted to OneKeyCash, which customers can use on all three brands, according to Expedia. Despite a few complaints from readers, it was not a disaster. (And besides, you can have a loyalty program disaster and still be number one; see Delta for details.)
Allianz won in this category again by relentlessly improving its product — and making sure all its customers are taken care of. For example, in 2023, it added 12 new covered events for trip cancellation and trip interruption. It also added new choices for customers, including a cancel-anytime option. Allianz is also one of the most tech-forward companies, having adopted advanced machine learning as far back as 2019 to speed up its claims process,
Airbnb remains the dominant vacation rental platform and a reader favorite because it's easy to use and offers quick customer support. It also has improved its product while other platforms have lagged. Among the most noteworthy upgrades: a new guest favorite option for people shopping for vacation rentals and new reservation screening technology that keeps out loud parties.
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Russian meat processor Cherkizovo Group has closed a deal to purchase two pig farms in the Penza and Lipetsk regions for U.S. $100 million, the company said in a statement Monday.
The group paid $19.2 million in cash for the deal and assumed the farms’ debts of $80.8 million.
The pig farms are expected to reach full capacity in 2012 and their combined output is expected to reach 25,000 tonnes of pigs in live weight. The acquisition is expected to increase the capacity of Cherkizovo Group’s pork division by almost 30% from the current level, the group said earlier.
Cherkizovo Group is one of Russia’s largest vertically integrated agricultural companies. It includes meat processing, pork, and poultry divisions.
Cherkizovo Group’s chicken and turkey products have once again been awarded the annual Product of the Year title, with flagship brands Petelinka and Pava-Pava winning two categories of the award.
Cherkizovo Group, Russia's largest meat producer, is taking part in Our Brand, an international food festival in Ufa. The Company showcased its products during a tasting session at its stand.
Cherkizovo Group, Russia's largest meat producer, continues to expand its turkey product line under Pava-Pava, one of its flagship brands. This fall, the Company has launched sales of spiced turkey filet, a perfect choice for holiday dinners.
Cherkizovo Group, Russia’s largest meat producer, has once again been praised for the high quality of its products, with the Petelinka, Cherkizovo, and Pava-Pava brands winning two gold and three silver medals at Quality Guarantee 2023.


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L Catterton Asia has raised $250 million for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will focus on high-growth consumer technology assets within the region.
BlackRock Private Equity Partners received proceeds of $936 million through a partial exit from Korean e-commerce business Coupang, which raised $4.55 billion in its US IPO. The stock gained 41% on debut.
My Food Bag, a cook-your-own meal kit delivery service backed by Waterman Capital, has raised NZ$342.2 million ($245.5 million) in New Zealand’s largest IPO since 2014.
Jianwei Li, founding and managing partner of Chinese venture capital firm Zhencheng Capital and previously CIO at ZhenFund, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
SciClone Pharmaceuticals, a Chinese drug developer privatized by a PE consortium at a valuation of $605 million in 2017, has relisted in Hong Kong and ended its first day of trading with a market capitalization of HK$12.7 billion ($1.64 billion).
Rocket Lab, a US-based space technology company that operates primarily in New Zealand, as agreed to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at an enterprise valuation of $4.1 billion.
The global SPAC craze is percolating into Asia, with private equity firms among the sponsors. LPs aren’t necessarily comfortable with the development, but there’s only so much they can do about it
Tuya, a Chinese software platform for internet-of-things (IoT) systems that mainly offers platform-as-a-service (PaaS) products is pursuing a US IPO.
Appier, a Taiwan-based advertising technology provider, has filed for a JPY26.4 billion ($250 million) Japan IPO. It sets up exits for several VC investors, including Sequoia Capital.
B Capital Group, a US-based venture capital firm with a presence in Singapore and a significant Asia portfolio, is looking to raise $300 million for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
New Horizon Health, a China-based and venture capital-backed cancer early screening company, rose 215% on its trading debut following a HK$2 billion ($258 million) Hong Kong IPO.
JD Logistics, a supply chain solutions and logistics provider that spun-out from Chinese online retailer JD.com, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO. The company has received $2.57 billion in private funding.
Nayuki, a private equity-backed Chinese teahouse chain also known as Naixuecha, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO. It comes on the heels of a $100 million Series C round.
Arohan Financial Services, an Indian microfinance institution (MFI) that was acquired by Aavishkaar Group in 2012 and went on to receive funding from several other PE investors, has filed for a domestic IPO.
New Zealand’s Waterman Capital will realize up to NZ$193.9 million ($140 million) through the IPO of My Food Bag, a home delivery service that provides customers with ingredients and recipes to cook their own meals.
Coupang, a Korean e-commerce business that has secured approximately $3.5 billion in private funding over the past decade, has filed for an IPO in the US.
CPE has backed a string of spinouts from Chinese medical device manufacturer MicroPort Medical. MicroPort CardioFlow Medtech’s Hong Kong IPO represents its first liquidity event
Cloud services provider Cloopen and biotech developer Adagene, both backed by Sequoia Capital China, have raised a combined $460 million in their US IPOs.
China is a global leader in robot manufacturing, but only in areas characterized by high volumes and low technology value. Can more start-ups climb from medium-tech to hard-tech?
Kuaishou, a Chinese video-sharing and social networking platform backed by Tencent Holdings, 5Y Capital and DST Global, started trading at nearly three times its IPO price following a Hong Kong IPO that valued the company at HK$1.1 trillion ($142 billion).
A special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) launched by Ravi Thakran, formerly head of L Catterton’s Asia operation, plans to merge with Wheels Up – a US-based aviation business described as Uber for private jets – at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
The Carlyle Group helps SBI Card win its place in the ongoing rise of digital India before realizing a landmark domestic IPO. Coordination with State Bank of India has been crucial
Ties between private equity firms and special purpose acquisition companies are not uniform – some are direct relationships, while others involve certain individuals. But proliferation is likely to attract more LP scrutiny
Aadhar Housing Finance, an Indian affordable housing lender acquired by The Blackstone Group in 2019, is looking to raise up to INR73 billion ($1 billion) through a domestic IPO.


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Tech executives Tom Siebel and Pat House jumped to prominence in the early 1990s, with the launch of enterprise software giant Siebel Systems. Several years after selling the company to Oracle, they partnered again to launch a new enterprise software startup called C3 IoT.
Today, C3 IoT announced it’s closed a Series E round of funding that values the company at $1.4 billion.
The Redwood City-based startup isn’t saying how much money it raised in its most recent round, which was led by Breyer Capital, with participation from TPG, Sutter Hill, Wildcat Venture Partners and the company’s two co-founders. In September, the company raised a $70 million round that valued the company at less than $1 billion.
C3 IoT, which had previously been called C3 Energy, makes a business analytics software platform that takes data from multiple sources, including internet-connected sensors, and helps companies uncover data-driven business insights. Its earlier iteration had focused on energy companies, and gathering data from the many sensors used in that industry.
C3’s genesis came in 2008, as part of a philanthropic exploration by Siebel into how to solve the world’s energy challenges using technology. C3 IoT says it currently has 20 industrial-scale deployments, with 100 million internet-connected sensors under management.
Siebel and House had both previously worked as executives at Oracle. In 2005, their former employer purchased Siebel Systems for $5.8 billion. Today, Siebel runs C3 IoT as its chairman and CEO. House serves as the executive vice chairman of the board.


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MIAMI—Seakeaper Inc. has expanded its line of roll stabilizers with a new model designed for boats measuring 27 to 32 feet. The Seakeeper 2 is being introduced today at the Progressive Miami International Boat Show on Virginia Key in Miami.
“We have a relentless drive to bring stabilization to the masses,” said Seakeeper chief operating officer Andrew Semprevivo in a statement. “The Seakeeper 2 is the first of our products to reach down into the 20-foot boat market and we will continue to expand into new areas to ultimately change the way the world boats.”
The Seakeeper 2 will run exclusively on 12-volt DC power and costs $22,700. The unit measures 24.8 inches by 25.5 inches by 20 inches, which allows for flexible installation locations on smaller boats. Seakeeper says many owners opt to mount it on a leaning post and the position doesn’t require modifications to the structure.
The new unit utilizes a touchscreen control panel that allows users to capture real-time performance information. Orders are currently being accepted and shipments will start in April.


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Although it is fair to say that the women's trouser suit has never, and will never, truly go out of style, the tailored two-piece certainly seems to be in favour with the A-list more than ever. Proving this yesterday was Kaia Gerber, who was spotted in the Big Apple demonstrating a very modern way to power dress.
Gerber was seen heading between meetings wearing a grey ensemble from Alexander McQueen's spring/summer 2020 collection, which looked, from the front, like a straightforward, albeit expertly made, trouser suit. From the back, however, came a modern touch in the form of a cut-out back detail, which the young supermodel showed off by wearing it bare underneath. She added a pair of snakeskin block heels and a chic top-handled mini bag.
While Gerber's styling was perfect for her outing, the cut-out suit could definitely work in a more conservative office setting too. Simply slip a block-coloured polo-neck underneath the blazer for a more modest, but equally modern, take on tailored dressing.
And, being that it is the beginning of New York Fashion Week and Gerber is one of the most in-demand supermodels of the moment, this was not her only stylish outing of the day. She was later spotted heading out to an event celebrating her new collaboration with Jimmy Choo, wearing a sheer, party-ready, chainmail frock, an echo of a look her famous supermodel mother, Cindy Crawford has nailed so many times.
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Those of you who buy a Samsung smart TV in 2014 should find it easier to flip channels, open apps, and run other tasks.
Samsung has fine-tuned its voice interaction service, which helps you control the TV through natural language voice commands. As one example, the current crop of Samsung smart TVs force you to utter two commands to change the channel: "Channel Change" and "Channel Number." Next year's sets will require you to speak just the channel number.
You'll also be able to use voice shortcuts to open a Web site or app, according to Samsung. And when you search by voice for certain information, such as weather, stock prices, and sports scores, a window will pop up with search results. The voice feature will expand to 12 more markets next year for a total of 23 countries.
Samsung's 2014 smart TVs also will incorporate finger gestures. You'll be able to change the channel, control the volume, stop the video, and return to the previous screen by moving your fingers.
"Samsung's 2014 Smart TV models deliver significantly improved voice interaction and motion control features so that our consumers will be able to enjoy our Smart TV more intuitively," Kyungshik Lee, senior vice president of Samsung's service strategy team of visual display business, said in a statement. "We will continue to develop content that integrates voice and motion recognition for added convenience."
Samsung will demo its new smart TVs at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which runs next month from January 7 to 14.


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By P.J. Huffstutter
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A Kentucky woman is suing the U.S. arm of Brazil’s JBS SA, alleging she was hospitalized after consuming ground beef produced by the company that was tainted with Salmonella, according to a lawsuit filed on Friday in Arizona state court.
The lawsuit comes one day after the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that JBS Tolleson Inc was voluntarily pulling 6.5 million pounds of ground beef and other raw beef products that had been shipped to stores across the country. JBS Tolleson is part of JBS USA, the U.S. arm of the world’s largest meatpacking company.
The meat had been processed through JBS’ Arizona plant, the USDA said. The agency later updated the volume of beef products being recalled, to 6.9 million pounds.
JBS USA could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
The complaint, filed in Superior Court of the state of Arizona in Maricopa County, said Dana Raab bought the JBS-produced ground beef from Sam’s Club in September and made meat loaf with some of it before freezing the rest.
Raab later fell ill, tested positive for Salmonella Newport, and was hospitalized for five days due to severe dehydration and a blocked bile duct, the complaint said.
Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and can be fatal to young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
U.S. investigators have identified at least 57 people in 16 states who have become ill due to consuming contaminated ground beef products made from meat traced back to JBS, USDA said.
“I expect that number is going to go up, because one of our clients is from Nevada – and the health department there has told him he is one of more than 200 people they’ve identified as being part of this outbreak,” said attorney William Marler, who is representing Raab.
Officials from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately return calls for comment on Friday.
The USDA had alerted JBS Tolleson Inc’s president Andre Noqueira in 2017 that there were problems at the Arizona plant, according to a USDA document and the Raab lawsuit. Federal inspectors in 2017 accused Noqueira of enabling “egregious” and “inhumane” livestock practices, according to the lawsuit.
“Officials found two ‘mentally incoherent’ cows laying on their side and ‘moaning as if in pain’,” the complaint said. “The inspector asked for the cows to be euthanized but one died in its pen before it could be put down.”
Federal inspectors deferred taking action against the company, according to the USDA document.
(Reporting By P.J. Huffstutter; editing by Caroline Stauffer)
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The coronavirus may have changed what Christmas looks like this year, but as long as you’ve adapted to the shifting trends and planned yourselves some savvy marketing, Toyologist, Peter Jenkinson believes the goose is still looking good and plump.
It’ll be a Yule like no other. That seasonal spike in toy sales in the final weeks simply won’t happen, there just isn’t the capacity across the delivery driver network for it to happen.
Some of us might have a cheeky trip to the high street to see the lights, perhaps pick up a few bits, but Covid is the nail in the cliché coffin. The high street will always exist but it’ll need to work as a complementary outlet to online – and here, the opportunities are huge.
“Christmas is far from cancelled, but what we are buying this year, and how, has seen a seismic shift.”
For this Christmas, far from being cancelled (although anything could happen) right now it’s not just the way we’re buying that’s altering significantly but what we’re buying that is seeing a seismic shift in 2020. We know that toy sales have been enjoying a lockdown lift, and that is bound to have an impact on Q4 sales. We’ve spent more time indoors with our families, we’ve got to know them a little more, and, as a result will be more bespoke in our buying for them. A big decrease in the piling of the present haul but more considered purchases, bigger ticket items even, very much reflected in this year’s Argos top toy list.
Creativity is going to play a part in gifting, a well-placed family picture in a hand painted frame for example, a retro toy for a parent, a game for the family to play together, something with a personal touch; gifting that makes a connection, tells a story or enables you to tell one. There’s also a trend towards pre-Xmas gifting, sending a box of crackers and fairy-lights, a stocking full of Christmas cheer to get folks in the mood, starting the spirit of Christmas a little earlier (and do send spirits, that always helps).
It’s been tougher than ever to get a real steer on what’s hot for the Christmas shop with no July based retailer events to talk the proverbial turkey with other journalists about their picks for gift guides. We miss the buffet food samples most of all. Gifting guides across press and broadcast will likely be much more considered too, much less “let’s fill these pages” and much more “now what would I buy for my mum/dad/insert other relative and or friend here”.
To this end don’t send your entire product look books with all your wares inside, try and be a bit more bespoke about it, target your editorial staff, they really do notice, and you’re only a click away from the trash folder if an email pitch looks too generic.
We did some work recently on the changing face of Xmas and the consensus was that this 25th December is a bit of a beacon, a chance to put a pin in the end of a rather average 2020, an outpost for us all to be optimistic about, it will certainly be a Christmas we’ll never forget.
Peter Jenkinson is a tech and toy journalist known for his toy buying guides with the national papers and television appearances with Philip Schofield


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Museum of The Future Launches Global Blockchain Coincil in Dubai
The Museum of the Future, an innovation center in the United Arab Emirates, has announced it creates the Global Blockchain Council, incorporating 32 members, including three blockchain startups, BitOasis, Kraken, and YellowPay.
Other members of the council are government entities and international technological corporations, like Cisco, IBM, SAP, and Microsoft.
The Dubai’s media office stated in a press release that the Global Blockchain Council intends to explore and discuss possible use-cases of blockchain technology seeking to reveal the ways it could be applicable in the country’s financial and non-financial sectors.
Saif Al Alieeli, CEO at the Museum of the Future Foundation, stated:
“The Global Blockchain Council will launch different initiatives under its umbrella to highlight and promote blockchain and digital currencies, and explore its advantages and disadvantages. It will also draw a roadmap for best uses of this emerging technology.”
He added that the organization would hold annual conferences.
According to the release, Aisha Bin Bishr, CEO at Smart Dubai Office, an organization engaged in work with smart cities, said:
“New technologies such as blockchain open significant opportunities for all service providers to reshape transactions, making experiences more seamless and secure for all customers.”
The organization also described its first intended pilot project, which would combine the efforts of BitOasis, a Dubai-based bitcoin services startup, and Dubai MultiCommodities Center, a commodities marketplace. The release states BitOasis will provide security for “flexidesk contracts and registration process using the blockchain ledger”. Another project implies participation from bitcoin exchange Kraken in attemp to “catalyze” blockchain technology in specific operations inherent in Islamic finance.
However, there are some issues in the release pointing that the organization may yet lack comprehension of blockchain-based innovations. For instance, it stated that blockchain “supports more than two million bitcoin wallets”, which may be a reference to Blockchain.info, a bitcoin service provider, but makes little sense when thinking of the blockchain technology. Other issues extend the confusion between blockchain technology and bitcoin. However, the release still states that bitcoin maintains a user’s “privacy and security”.
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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Associated Wholesale Grocers here said yesterday that it will begin supplying the Texas division of Albertsons LLC, and that it will also acquire 23 Albertsons in Oklahoma, to be divided up among four of its distribution customers. AWG also will acquire a 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center in Ft. Worth, Texas, from Albertsons LLC that it will use to supply the stores in the Texas division. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Albertsons’ Texas division currently encompasses 141 stores, including the 23 stores to be sold and three others that will be closed, a spokeswoman for Albertsons LLC told SN. RPCS Inc., an employee-owned independent based in Springfield, Mo., agreed to acquire nine of the 23 Albertsons locations that are being sold, plus three fuel centers; Williams Discount Foods, a 15-unit operator based in Oklahoma City, plans to acquire six of the stores; Reasor’s, Tahlequah, Okla., plans to acquire one location; and Homeland Stores, a subsidiary of AWG, plans to buy the rest. All of the stores are expected to be converted to the banners of their new owners.
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What you need to know
- There's a new face at Apple TV+.
- Alsion Kirkham is set to join the streaming service.
- She was previously factual controller for the BBC and was responsible for heavyweight documentary series including Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.
Apple has hired Alison Kirkham to join its Apple TV+ operation, in its first major hire for the service since 2018.
As reported by Variety:
BBC factual controller Alison Kirkham is set to join streaming platform Apple TV Plus.
Kirkham will join Apple TV Plus this summer, reporting into creative director for Europe Jay Hunt. Based in London, the executive will have responsibility in Europe for unscripted original series and films.
Kirkham is the first major hire for Apple's U.K. team since film producer Joe Oppenheimer joined the tech giant in 2018.
As mentioned, Kirkham will be based in London, and oversee unscripted original series and films in Europe. Alison joined the BBC in 2005, before becoming controller of factual commissioning in 2015. Whilst in that post, she helped commission BBC's smash-hit documentary series Planet Earth II, as well as Blue Planet II, both narrated by Sir David Attenborough. On her departure from the BBC, Charlotte Moore, the BBC's director of content said:
"I would like to thank Alison for leading factual during a period of such impressive creative success…She will be missed by us all and I hope you will join me in wishing her the very best in her new role."
There is no indication at this stage as to whether Kirkham's joining Apple TV+ could signal Apple is looking towards more documentary content on its streaming platform.
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Pablo Escobar's brother sues Apple for $2.6 billion over iPhone security
Roberto Escobar, brother of Pablo, is suing Apple over claims someone hacked his iPhone using a FaceTime vulnerability, finding his address in the process.
Apple loses number one tablet spot to Huawei in China
Despite a surge in demand for tablets, shipments in China fell by 30% in the first quarter of 2020, and Apple lost its top spot to Huawei.
Apple's Sydney store to reopen May 28
Apple's newly-renovated flagship store on George St. in Sydney will reopen from Thursday, May 28, in line with social distancing guidelines and for limited hours.
Get work done on the small screen with the best keyboards for iPad mini 5
Looking for some good keyboards to go with your iPad mini 5 (2019)? Here are some of our favorites!


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Apple released the iPhone 15 in September 2023, and rumors suggest it will be the first iPhone to be eSIM-only in the United States. This would be a significant shift for Apple, signaling a growing acceptance of eSIM technology.
What is eSIM?
eSIM stands for embedded SIM. It is a digital SIM card that is embedded in the device itself. This means there is no physical SIM card slot, and users can activate their cellular plan using a QR code or by entering a code online.
There are several advantages to using eSIM technology. First, it is more secure than a physical SIM card. eSIMs cannot be easily removed or damaged, which makes them more resistant to fraud. Second, eSIMs are more convenient. Users can easily switch between cellular plans by activating a new eSIM profile. This can be useful for travelers who want to use local SIM cards abroad. Third, eSIMs can support multiple cellular plans at the same time. This is useful for people who wish to have a work and personal number on the same device.
Why is Apple switching to eSIM?
There are several reasons why Apple might be switching to eSIM technology for the iPhone 15. First, eSIM is becoming more widely adopted by carriers. This means that more people will be able to use eSIM-enabled devices. Second, eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM card. This is important for Apple, as it is always looking for ways to improve the security of its products. Third, eSIM is more convenient for users. This is something that Apple always strives for, as it wants its products to be easy to use.
What does it mean for users?
The introduction of eSIM technology in the iPhone 15 means that users will require an eSIM-enabled carrier to use the device. While this is not an issue in the United States, where most significant carriers already support eSIM, it could pose a challenge in other countries where eSIM is less widely adopted. Nonetheless, Apple’s shift to eSIM is a positive development, as it is a more secure and convenient technology gaining broader acceptance among carriers. This will make it easier for users to maximize the potential of their iPhone.
In addition to offering enhanced security and convenience, eSIM technology can reduce e-waste. By eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, eSIM can help reduce plastic waste generated each year. This is a significant step for Apple, which has pledged to promote environmental sustainability.
Overall, the iPhone 15’s adoption of eSIM technology is excellent news for users, as it will make their devices more secure and convenient.


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The cryptocurrency ecosystem saw a difficult year in 2022 with the price of Bitcoin falling, non-fungible token sales failing, and the demise of numerous sizable crypto startups, but one investor told Fox News that the technology powering the industry has untapped potential.
Despite Lonsdale’s confidence, the value of Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, has fallen from about $48,000 per coin at the beginning of the year to roughly $17,000 today, a 65% decline. Fox Business reports that in 2022, the prices of practically all major cryptocurrencies will have decreased by over 50% annually.
Investor and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale stated to Fox News earlier in December that “there is still a strong use case for decentralisation and cryptocurrency.” I believe that over time, some of this ecosystem’s products will prove to be beneficial to everyone.
In January 2022, there were around $17.2 billion in transactions involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are digital assets like pictures or collectibles that are kept on blockchain. According to Dune Analytics, NFT transactions dropped to $414 million in November 2022, a 98% decline.
On November 11, FTX, formerly among the biggest cryptocurrency businesses, declared bankruptcy. Sam Bankman-Fried, the company’s founder, was extradited from the Bahamas to the United States on December 22 to answer to many allegations brought by the Southern District of New York and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Lonsdale earlier stated that “a lot of corruption” was to blame for the failure of several crypto firms this year.
Following the FTX collapse, Binance, a sizable cryptocurrency exchange that processes more transactions than all of its rivals combined, has come under fire for its lack of transparency.
Lonsdale once remarked that “Bitcoin has done a lot of good in the world.” “It has aided individuals in obtaining funds from China, Venezuela, and Russia. It gives the financial system a greater degree of freedom from seriously bad governments.”
So while there are positive aspects of cryptocurrency over the long term, the majority of what we observed over the last three, four, and five years was a speculative bubble, he concluded.
- Cryptocurrency had a turbulent year with collapsed exchanges and sharp price declines. Next, what?
- Check all news and articles from the latest Business news updates.


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Residents and Media Invited to Celebrate Grand Opening of Orem’s First Ever Trader Joe’s
July 27th celebration to include music, mascots, tastings and giveaways
WHAT: The wait is over! Trader Joe’s Orem will officially open its doors to customers on Friday, July 27th at 8am. A brief grand opening ceremony will take place moments before the grand opening, and the celebration will continue throughout the day with live music, food tastings, a balloon artist, giveaways and more. Store Captain Marjorie Huff —a nearly 16-year veteran of the company, and Trader Joe’s Crew Members will be on hand to greet customers. The new store will be the 3rd Trader Joe’s location in Utah, and the 479th TJ’s store in the U.S., overall. Open from 8am-9pm daily, the store will feature murals that highlight such landmarks as Bridal Veil Falls and Mount Timpanogos, as well as Orem’s history.
WHO: Store Captain (manager) Marjorie Huff, Crew Members and City Officials
WHEN: Friday, July 27, 2018
7:55am Ceremony begins
8:00am Store opens for business
WHERE: 440 East Park Avenue, Orem, Utah 84097
About Trader Joe’s:
Trader Joe’s is a chain of neighborhood grocery stores committed to providing value to its customers—great, high quality foods and beverages at great prices. Trader Joe’s (www.traderjoes.com) was founded in 1958 in the Los Angeles area. Since then, Trader Joe’s has expanded from one store to more than 478 stores in 41 states and Washington, DC. Trader Joe’s stores carry an extensive array of domestic and imported foods and beverages, including artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees, international frozen entrées, 100% juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items, vitamins, and more, including staples like milk and eggs. Trader Joe’s buyers travel the world, searching for unique products at a great value. In order for an item to be sold at Trader Joe’s it must endure the scrutiny of a discerning tasting panel. Thousands of items are sampled each year, in an effort to identify products that appeal to both the culinary adventurer and the microwave aficionado. Trader Joe’s introduces approximately a dozen new items every month, heightening the store’s adventurous appeal.


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StoreMore raises undisclosed seed funding from Bedrock Ventures
Self storage company StoreMore has raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Bedrock Ventures, reports VCCircle (paywall). The company, which currently operates in Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon and is co-promoted by the Burmans group, lets users look up storage space, check out the facility and arrange for pick up of their items from home for storage. It offers monthly, quarterly, half yearly and yearly billing plans and users can also reserve space through an advanced booking. The company claims that users can see their goods inventory online by logging into their accounts.
iOrderFresh raises seed funding from Best Foodworks
iOrderFresh, an online food and grocery retailer, has raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Best Foodworks. The company will use the funds for improving its technology, upgrade its service and acquire customers. Alkesh Tandon, founder of Best Foodworks, will join the company’s board.
The company was launched in December last year and lets its users order fruits, veggies, dairy and bakery products through the Android and iOS apps. It claims to offer delivery in 24 hours. It also claims to have 50,000 registered customers in the last 4 months, out of which 55% orders from the app are from repeat customers.
InkMonk raises $250,000 angel funding from LetsVenture and others
Chennai based InkMonk, an online marketplace for printing, has raised $250,000 in angel funding from the crowdfunding platform LetsVenture, led by Girish Mathrubootham, founder of Freshdesk, and participation from Phanindra Sama, cofounder of RedBus, Vikram Chachra of Eight Capital and other angel investors, reports VCCircle. The company will use the funds to hire staff, expand its product range and sales and marketing. It provides badge, mugs, tshirts and stickers printing from over 80 vendors.
My Taxi India raises $500,000 from Nihon Kotsu
Delhi based My Taxi India, an online car rental startup, has raised Series A funding worth $500,000 from Japanese taxi company Nihon Kotsu, reports VCCircle. The company will use the funds for scaling operations to other cities. Founded by Anshuman Mihir, Mohit Rajpal and Satyakam Rahul in 2012, the company offers local, outstation and railway station and airport drops. It claims to have 4,000 taxis across 100 cities in India. The company had raised $100,000 from Green House Ventures in June, for a 20% equity.
NightStay raises $500,000 from multiple investors
Mobile hotel marketplace NightStay has raised seed funding worth $500,000 led by Vivek Bihani from Bedrock Ventures, with participation from Rajesh Sawhney, founder of GSF and Shailesh Singh, executive director of SeedFund, reports VCCircle. The company will use the funds for its technology infrastructure, products and expand to 20 cities from its current 6 cities by December 2015. NightStay was founded in March this year by Deepak Negi and Nasr Khan.
Ketto raises $700,000 from multiple investors
Ketto, a Mumbai based social crowdfunding platform, has raised $700,000 in funding led by Chennai Angels, Calcutta Angels, ah! Ventures, Intellicap, Indus Age, Singapore Angel Network, India Internet Fund and Project Guerrilla, reports The Hans India. The company will use the funds to hire in its tech and business development department and expand operations to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia with other Southeast Asian countries. Ketto was founded by Varun Sheth, Kunal Kapoor and Zaheer Adenwala in 2012.
Last month, Ketto had raised Rs 4.4 crore in a round of angel funding led by Pradyumna Dalmia and with participation from Singapore Angel Network, LetsVenture, Indian Internet Fund, ah Ventures and Intellecap Angel networks. In November 2013, it secured an angel investment of Rs 0.77 crore from Calcutta Angels and Club Ah! investors, through ah! Ventures’s impact investing arm ah! Impact.


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Food packaging once held little more purpose than protecting a product from the elements and catching shoppers’ attention, but the packaging revolution has arrived in full force. Functionality, creativity, digitization and sustainability now reign supreme as the packaging landscape continues to evolve.
Shoppers are most drawn to products that hold the claim of “recyclable,” according to the study “Packaging and the Digital Shopper: Meeting Expectations in Food & Beverage,” which was conducted by multiple companies and based on a survey of 4,000 shoppers. The claim “recyclable” was followed by words that elicit word association such as easy (simple) and colorful (bright and attractive).
On the other hand, according to the survey, shoppers most dislike packaging that is “bulky,” “heavy” and “plastic,” followed by packaging that is poor or low-quality, characterized by words such as “flimsy,” “ugly,” “cheap,” “dull” and “bland.”
Say Yes to Sustainability
Manufacturers are responding to this demand, with many launching missions to not only improve the appearance of their packaging but also ensure it meets modern shoppers’ sustainability values. For example, CPG giant Kraft Heinz, which manufacturers household names such as Lunchables, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer and Jell-O, has committed to offering on 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025.
The company will work with packaging experts, organizations and coalitions to make this happen. Kraft Heinz has already exceeded its goals to reduce the weight of its global packaging by 50,000 metric tons, and Kraft Heinz Europe is working on a recyclable Heinz Tomato Ketchup PET plastic container that is made using recycled material and can be once again recycled to create food-grade packaging.
According to insights from Amherst, Nova Scotia-based Emmerson Packaging, sustainable microwaveable packages are now a possibility with energy-curing technology, which reduces the number of films required for a given package. The process, which is free of volatile organic compounds, creates packaging materials that consumers can dispose of in regular trash; they can rest assured that the package will biodegrade in a landfill, leaving behind only biomass and methane gas.
“These products give consumers the environmental sustainability they’re seeking, with the convenience and quality they expect from a premium product,” Emmerson officials said.
Smaller companies are also popping up with sustainable packaging leading their products’ mission. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Boxed Water Is Better, for example, has been taking a stand against plastic bottles with its 100% recyclable paper packaging that is free of BPAs and phthalates. It also reduces its carbon footprint by requiring less storage space than plastic and therefore fewer trucks to transport it, the company says.
Consumers Also Want Convenience
In addition to sustainability, modern shoppers want foods that fit into their busy lifestyles and offer convenience, be it a full frozen meal that they can pop in the microwave and eat with the provided utensils and eat right out of the packaging itself or something that is specifically designed to take on the road.
To that end, Jeff Gehres, senior director of sales and product development for Holland, Mich.-based Request Foods, predicts a continued increase in trays and dishes that are designed to fit in the cupholders of cars, as well as single-serve bowl meals, which he says have been particularly influenced by Asian flavors and breakfast needs.
Also, Gehres says the growth of the frozen skillet bag meal has been prevalent. “Depending on the size of the bag, the consumer can use some of the components and then use the rest for another meal,” he says.
Recent advancements in microwaveable packaging technology include convenient innovations, such as built-in steam release vents made from microperforations created by a laser; and packaging that can cook different types of food that traditionally required separate cooking times all at once in the same package.
The Discovery Zone
The “Packaging and the Digital Shopper” survey also points out that shoppers’ path to the discovery of new products often starts right in the aisles of their local supermarket. Twenty percent of shoppers said they tried a new product specifically because of in-store taste samples or an in-store display, according to the study.
Twenty-two percent of the shoppers surveyed said they had made recommendations to a friend or colleague based on packaging they had seen on the shelves of a brick-and-mortar grocery store—but to that end, many shoppers are shopping online as they walk the aisles of the supermarket. According to the survey, many shoppers look at a product on the shelf and then search for it online to get more information, compare deals and read reviews. This where the digitization of packaging comes in.
The Digitization of Packaging
A misconception held by many retailers is that shoppers rarely pay attention to QR codes and other on-shelf scannable material. According to the survey, 16% of shoppers have used packaging with an augmented-reality app; 28% use a barcode to look up calories and other information; 23% of shoppers use their smartphones to ring themselves out at the store using a retail store app; and 32% use their smartphones to take pictures of products on the shelf.
One of the biggest players in digitization right now is the SmartLabel initiative, spearheaded by the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association, which allows shoppers to gain information—such as an extensive list of ingredients in a product and where the product came from—with a simple scan of a QR code with their smartphone.
Beer Packaging Feeds Turtles
Plastic packaging meant to hold six-packs of soda or beer cans have long been an enemy of the ocean, with horrible footage often widely circulated of dolphins, turtles and other wildlife being caught and injured by the six-pack rings.
However, several breweries are working to solve the problem with six-pack holders that act as food for sea turtles and other creatures if the products make their way into the ocean. The edible six-pack rings are made of barley and wheat ribbons that are byproducts of the brewing process and are still strong enough to hold the product.
Photograph courtesy of E6PR
While the six-pack holders at this time are being used only by Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Fla.; Soundview Brewing Co., Old Lyme, Conn.; and Final Gravity Brewing Co., Kalamazoo, Mich., the makers of the technology, dubbed E6PR, urge that if more companies adopt the packaging, it will drive down the cost of its production, putting it in competition with plastic and saving countless animal lives.
What Do Shoppers Look at First?
It may be surprising (or not) that the first thing consumers look at on a package is the last thing manufacturers stamp onto the product, but according to the Packaging and the Digital Shopper, freshness is top of the mind for most shoppers. Here’s the order in which consumers tend to navigate the contents of a package:
- Expiration date
- Ingredients and nutrition facts
- Size/weight, shape/form
- Material logo/brand recognition
- Touch/feel, photos/imagery


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Investment by leading European VC will help drive product development and opening of new markets
San Francisco, CA and Zurich, Switzerland – January 10, 2016: Scandit, the internationally acclaimed enterprise mobility and data capture innovator, has closed a $7.5m Series A funding round with Atomico, the leading global venture capital firm based in London.
The investment enables Scandit to further develop its software-based, hardware agnostic data capture platform and cloud services. The company also plans to expand its international footprint with new sales offices across the US and Europe.
Welcoming the investment, Scandit CEO and co-founder Samuel Mueller said: “Atomico is the perfect partner for us. They share our belief that the right product, backed by a team of innovative, dedicated people can change an entire industry. That includes an industry where a handful of incumbents hold three-quarters of the market share.
“Scandit offers power and flexibility that the existing players, despite their high price tags, simply cannot match. That’s due, in part, to our ecosystem of software and cloud services – including the Scandit Flow platform. Its versatility, combined with the efficiencies and cost savings associated with Scandit’s data capture solutions, is what our customers love and what enables them to fundamentally transform their businesses through the use of smart mobile solutions.”
Teddie Wardi, Partner at Atomico, said: “What Samuel and his team have achieved is testament to a winning combination of an exceptional product and team. They are exactly the kind of founders we look for, who have built a company that, through disruptive technology, is ready to expand and become a global category leader. We’re excited to partner with Samuel and the team as they develop their stronghold.
“There is a wave of founders and engineers in Europe using deep technology to unlock huge value in traditional sectors. Scandit is bringing that vision to life and we can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Scandit was founded in 2009, by a group of PhD graduates and former researchers from ETH Zurich, MIT and IBM Research. They realized that modern off-the-shelf smart devices, running sophisticated software algorithms, could replicate, and even exceed, the capabilities of dedicated data capture systems at a fraction of the cost. The founders saw that their innovative approach to data capture was capable of serving enterprise, employee and consumer applications.
Research carried out by Scandit, based on publicly available pricing data, found that legacy scanners offered by industry incumbents have a total cost of ownership (TCO) up to 5x higher than a Scandit-based system.
Today, Scandit is transforming the business operations of multinational companies, lowering TCO and establishing real-time operational visibility across healthcare, retail, logistics, manufacturing and government. Key clients include Coop group, GE Healthcare, Macys, Shell, PostNL and Verizon.
Scandit’s product portfolio has expanded beyond its successful Scandit Barcode Scanner software development kit (SDK), which allows companies to add scanning functionality to their own apps.
Enterprise customers can now select from a variety of workflow-based data capture solutions that best suit their business, such as proof of delivery, inventory management and order entry – all built on Scandit’s Flow platform, an array of powerful, customizable mobile development tools and cloud services, which facilitate large-scale mobile data capture on smart devices and deliver real-time operational visibility into enterprise business processes.
Scandit is the leading enterprise mobility and data capture company, specializing in barcode scanning solutions that transform business processes across industries including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and retail. Through its software technologies and cloud services, Scandit empowers organizations to rapidly build, deploy and manage mobile apps for smartphones, tablets and wearable devices. The resulting solutions offer a lower total cost of ownership than traditional, dedicated devices. Scandit’s solutions portfolio includes patented, software-based optical data capture technology, an innovative iPhone Case and rapidly deployable enterprise mobile apps. Built on its ‘Flow’ Mobile Application Development Platform (MADP) for Data Capture, the company’s cloud-based mobility solutions are enabling business transformation for thousands of businesses worldwide, including top brands Cardinal Health, Coop, NASA and Verizon Wireless.
Atomico is an international investment firm, focused on helping the world’s most disruptive technology companies scale and become global leaders, at any stage from Series A. Founded in 2006, Atomico has made over 75 investments with a particular focus on Europe – including Supercell, Klarna, and The Climate Corporation. Atomico’s team of investors and advisors includes founders of six billion dollar companies, and operational leaders who were responsible for global expansion, hiring, user growth and marketing at companies from Skype and Google to Uber, Facebook and Spotify.


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A camera lost during a shipwreck off the west coast of Vancouver Island two years ago was found by students conducting research dives. The camera is no longer working but they managed to retrieve the photos from the SD Card. The date stamp for the last photo is on 31 July 2012.
Yes, the camera was in the ocean for 2 years and the SD Card is still working. With a little help of Social Media, they managed to find the owner of the camera and return the photos that they took 2 years ago. And in case you are wondering, the SD Card is a 8GB Lexar Platinum II.
This is not the first time someone found a camera in the ocean after some time and still able to retrieve the photos from the memory card.
Canon recently announced that they have reached another milestone: the production of the company’s 100 million EF-series interchangeable lens.
The 100 millionth EF-series interchangeable lens is an EF200–400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x and was produced on 22 April 2014. The EF200–400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x was introduced in May 2013 and is the world’s first super-telephoto zoom lens with a built-in 1.4x extender.
Canon’s proprietary EF lenses, launched in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, have continued to evolve since their introduction, leading the industry through the incorporation of a wide range of innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts2 as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, and a multi-layered diffractive optical (DO) element.
Saw this interesting product on YouTube. It’s a Gel Stick for cleaning your DSLR sensor. Unlike other cleaning product, the Sensor Gel Stick does not use liquid or compress air to clean your sensor. It uses a special gel that pull the dust or dirt off your DSLR sensor when you stick it on the surface. The gel does not leave any residue on the sensor.
The best part is that the Gel Stick can be reused over and over again. You can easily clean the Sensor Gel Stick using the adhesive paper provided. The Sensor Gel Stick retail at $39.99 and can be ordered online here.
Do you dare to clean your DSLR sensor yourself using the Sensor Gel Stick? Or would you prefer to let the professionals do the cleaning for you?
Don’t be surprised if the person next to you is using a CANON DSLR. That’s because CANON film and digital EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras has surpassed the 70 million unit mark on 5 February 2014.
Production of Canon EOS SLR cameras began in 1987 at Canon Inc.’s Fukushima Plant (now Fukushima Canon Inc.) with the EOS 650, later moving to such production bases as Oita Canon Inc. and Canon Inc., Taiwan.
Following the spread of digital SLR cameras in the early 2000s, production rapidly increased, surpassing the 60 million unit mark in October 2012 and now, approximately one year and four months later, reaching the 70 million unit threshold. Canon also reported that they surpass the 80 million unit mark of EF Lenses back in August 2012 and is scheduled to pass the 100-million-unit mark in 2014.
I’m always busy on Chinese New Year eve doing last minute preparation and spring cleaning for CNY. But surprisingly I managed to finish everything early this year. So I grab my camera gears and rush down to The Float@Marina Bay to meet GengHui and shoot the CNY fireworks at the River Hong Bao.
Unlike National Day Parade and New Year Eve, there aren’t a lot of photographers and crowd for the Chinese New Year fireworks. I guess most people are at home or at Chinatown. We manage to find a good spot with some lanterns as foreground. This is the first time I shoot fireworks with something in the foreground. Love the results.
Continue reading → Fireworks at River Hong Bao 2014


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Walt Disney World Resort is known for hosting millions of Guests each year. Even with the pandemic shutdown, and subsequent health and safety crowd control measures, Disney Parks has rebounded rather significantly.
But with so many Guests stepping through the gates of one of the four theme parks on property, what would happen if just one — yes, one — took over the entirety of Magic Kingdom to film a YouTube video?
Central Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort is a massive, sprawling theme park empire. Opening in 1971, 16 years after Walt Disney himself opened Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Southern California, Disney World is any Disney fan’s dream vacation. From Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom to EPCOT’s World Showcase, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the African savannah in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Disney Resort caters to almost every possible taste and desire.
In recent years, The Walt Disney Company’s Parks division, as well as former CEO Bob Chapek, came under increasing fire over their magic-restraining antics. The implementation of the Park Pass reservation system alongside the 2 p.m. Park Hopper rule, as well as the eradication of FastPass+ in favor of the paid Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane systems, caused furor across the board with some Guests simply finding it too difficult, and pricey, to navigate a Disney World vacation.
With Bob Iger now reinstated as CEO of the The Walt Disney Company, all eyes are on whether Chapek’s successor (and predecessor) can ignite the magic many feel is missing from a Disney Park experience.
Despite this, though, Disney Parks have retained a strong attendance with some numbers exceeding those pre-pandemic. It’s evident that the Parks are busy, crowds are high, and wait times are long, so what would happen if one Guest wanted to remove every single person from Magic Kingdom to film a video?
The news that famous YouTuber MrBeast is taking over Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is false. The source, Mouse Trap News, is a comical and satirical Disney Parks news site that writes stories they wish were true — according to their own mission statement.
However, some Disney fans have caught the “scoop”, believing it to be true and causing conversations of MrBeast’s takeover online.
The article claims that to rent out a Disney Park at the Orlando destination it will cost anywhere between $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 depending on how busy and popular that specific Park would be on the chosen date. It goes on to say that MrBeast will bring 100 contestants to the gates of Magic Kingdom before giving them 100 seconds to find a hiding spot — the winner of the massive hide-and-seek competition will net themselves a whopping $1,000,000.
Sounds fun but unfortunately, MrBeast, known as Jimmy Donaldson, will not be shutting down the Magic Kingdom and Guests can rest easy knowing that their trip won’t be disrupted by the YouTuber.
It is not uncommon, however, that Guests (or celebrities) have shut down entire theme parks. Weddings, or wedding after parties, in front of Cinderella Castle are sometimes the cause or other special events such as Miley Cyrus’ closure of Disneyland Park in California for her 16th birthday party.
Would you love a massive game of hide-and-seek inside Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments down below!
Walt Disney World Resort boasts four theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park. It also features two Disney water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, and the retail and recreation area, Disney Springs. A valid ticket, as well as a Park Pass reservation, is needed to enter each Park and Park Hopper hours begin at 2 p.m. daily.


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Amazon Prime Inks Streaming Deal for ‘Veronica Mars’ TV Series9 Jan, 2014 By: Erik Gruenwedel
Amazon Jan. 9 said it signed a license agreement with Warner Bros. domestic television distribution for exclusive subscription streaming rights to former UPN/The CW Network series “Veronica Mars,” starring Kristen Bell as a high school sleuth.
Under the deal, Amazon Prime Instant Video has rights to all three seasons of the show, which ended in 2007. Warner is launching a Veronica Mars movie March 14 featuring the original cast.
The movie (after Warner declined to fund it) came about only after the show’s creator, Rob Thomas, initiated a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com — a strategy that generated $2 million in funding in less than 10 hours. Thomas ended up securing $5.7 million from 91,585 backers — the largest amount ever for a feature film, and the third highest amount in Kickstarter history.
In the movie, Bell returns to her fictional hometown of Neptune, Calif., 10 years later to deal with an ex-boyfriend and is soon embroiled in a murder mystery.
“The ‘Veronica Mars’ series has been popular on DVD and Amazon Instant Video for years, so we know how much Amazon customers love this iconic television show,” Brad Beale, director of digital video content acquisition, said in a statement.
Ken Werner, president of Warner Bros. domestic television distribution, said digital distribution platforms such as Amazon Prime allow both hardcore and casual fans to discover new (old) TV shows.
“We are thrilled to have Prime Instant Video as a digital distribution outlet for the ‘Veronica Mars’ TV series,” Werner said.


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Gateway Ticketing Systems, a leading provider of admission control systems, will be exhibiting at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe, which takes place in Barcelona, Space, from 28 – 30 September.
“We have a vibrant and engaged community of attractions across the UK and Europe, served by our team in London, our partner resellers across the continent, and our headquarters in Pennsylvania,” says Joe Marshall, General Manager of Gateway Ticketing Systems UK. “And we’re excited to show prospective and existing customers what we’ve been working on the past couple of years.”
Enhancements to Galaxy solution
Attendees at IAAPA Expo Europe will be able to visit the Gateway Ticketing Systems booth, in order to find out more about the latest enhancements to the Galaxy Ticketing and Guest Experience solution. New features offer a better guest experience and an improved sales interface, as well as enhanced data security.
Galaxy now integrates with Apple Wallet, and Gateway has been working on improved online fraud security, with reCAPTCHA and payment transaction fraud. In addition, the company has simplified the process of managing channels with third-party OTA distributors.
One new feature is Galaxy Contact Validation, which allows operators to validate the address and contact data of visitors, both on the web store and when staff enter the data at a POS. Expo attendees can also discover the next-generation custom Ticketing and F&B kiosks.
Gateway Ticketing Systems and Galaxy are now French tax certified, becoming the first certified company in the United States, and also complies with several national, regional, and industry-specific requirements, such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Swedish Fiscal Regulations, Czech EET and Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS.
Gateway has also made improvements to the CRM Plus module. With CRM Plus, operators can lift transaction data from Galaxy and transform it into actionable reports, helping them to make informed decisions. The company recently published a whitepaper, called Made-to-Measure Excitement, showing how Galaxy and CRM Plus can work together to perpetually engage guests and boost revenue.
IAAPA Expo Europe attendees can also find out more about Galaxy Connect, Gateway’s award-winning, cloud-based platform. This lets attractions connect with third-party distributors with a single integration, meaning they can sell live tickets around the globe.
Reengaging with the community
“This will be just our second tradeshow since the pandemic started and our first in Europe,” says Marshall. “We can’t wait to reengage with the community that we haven’t seen in almost two years and show them how the latest version of Galaxy will help them improve the operational efficiency and revenue at their attractions. We’ll see everyone in Barcelona!”
Gateway will be at Booth #2-1665, where attendees can meet Joe Marshall, Charlie Broschart at and Christopher Loader, Technical Support Analyst. The company is also a Gold Sponsor of the event.
Gateway Ticketing Systems will also be exhibiting at the US Travel Association’s IPW 2021, which takes place in Las Vegas from 18 – 22 September.


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To coincide with Chanel’s Cruise 2012-13 collection which was presented at the Chateau de Versailles (more on this later – stay tuned!) the French fashion House has decided to unveil[Read More...]
Post Tagged with: "Karl-Lagerfeld"
Top stories this week: Kate Middleton gets immortalised, Karl Lagerfeld gives Adele Chanel bags and Marc Jacobs is doing make-up!
Kate immortalised in wax! Madame Tussauds has unveiled four Kate Middleton waxworks this week, which apparently cost £150,000 each to make and took the pros about four months to complete.[Read More...]
As we tweeted yesterday morning, Karl Lagerfeld has apparently gifted British singing sensation Adele with various Chanel bags, as a way of apologising for the comments he made about her[Read More...]
Yep, Baptiste Giabiconi, the highest paid male model in the world and Katy Perry, the unstoppable popstar of the moment, are reportedly an item!
Karl Lagerfeld: “I sleep seven hours. I don’t wake up before – the house can fall apart, but I sleep for seven hours.”
Karl Lagerfeld’s work is meticulous, so why should his daily routine be any different eh?
It’s just been announced that French designer Jean Paul Gaultier will be the new creative director of Diet Coke – taking over from Karl Lagerfeld, and following in the footsteps[Read More...]
Kanye West returns to Paris Fashion Week Yes! And how hotly anticipated his return is at My Fashion Life HQ, we can’t even begin to tell you. We love a[Read More...]
Katy Perry’s always been a versatile – and frequent – dresser, with her multiple appearances in Paris yesterday proving why.


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LG G2 smartphone with price of Rs 38,804 for 16GB and Rs 42,456 for 32GB at Snapdeal.com – supports TD-LTE 4G network of Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm.
However, the Korean devices major is not expecting mass adoption of G2 phones in India as both Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel are not ready with 4G voice calls.
Bharti Airtel has 4G presence in 4 towns – Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune and Chandigarh — in India. The billionaire Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Jio Infocomm will launch 4G early next year. At present, there’s no guarantee that they will offer voice service on 4G network soon.
Last year, Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei launched its 4G phone in India, but it did not receive significant response from 4G users on Airtel network.
Amit Gujral, marketing head at LG Mobile, says the company will offer 4G phones in India once TD-LTE networks are ready for mass uses.
Telecom operators which got broadband wireless access license in 2010 did not launch 4G services on their TD-LTE networks for mass consumption. Bharti Airtel is currently struggling to meet its 4G targets.
Sandeep Sibal, vice president and country manager of technology for Qualcomm India and South Asia, says 4G smartphones will be available in India once telecom operators are ready with networks.
Qualcomm supplies Snapdragon 800 Processor for LG G2 smartphone that runs on Android’s old OS version.
LG is betting big on Indian smartphone market. However, the company does not talk about its poor performance in terms of market share. Despite huge marketing budget, LG could not increase smartphone market share to above 5 percent. Its main rivals include Samsung, Micromax, Apple, Nokia, Sony, etc.
The smartphone market in India is reaching newer heights, with a total of 9.3 million smartphones being shipped in the second quarter this year. “We will improve share since we focus on innovation,” LG’s Amit said.
LG Mobiles has earmarked Rs 100 crore for marketing and strengthening the retail and channel expansion. Sony Mobile, one of the rivals of LG, last week said it would spend around Rs 300 crore towards marketing and promotion. ( Sony Mobile India to increase retail presence to 8,000 this fiscal )
“With the launch of G2 our aim is of capturing 10 percent market share of the Smartphone category by the end of 2014. We are targeting 150 Cr turnover from G2,” said Soon Kwon, MD, LG India.
Analysys Mason says operators in all markets are in the process of implementing LTE, but the emergence of the APAC and LATAM regions is set to challenge European and North American operators’ early lead.
The largest number of LTE network trials is in Central and Eastern Europe (at 26), emerging APAC (24) and Western Europe (20).
Trials in the first two regions are being driven by adoption of the technology among regional operators, such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Infotel. Infrastructure vendors such as Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN), Samsung and ZTE are demonstrating the required network upgrade and transition options, including LTE overlay and single-RAN solutions.


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By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, savvy restaurants should see their online ordering spike during football season; the Obama Administration overtime pay rule has been nixed by a federal judge; and Starbucks has announced that it is closing its online operations for good.
Football Season Should Mean Boost In Online Ordering For Restaurants
As the temperatures cool and leaves turn, customers know that means the start of football season, a time when restaurants should be ready for a boost in online ordering revenue, according to business intelligence from orderTalk, Inc. Last year, orderTalk’s restaurant clients scored an average increase in revenues of nearly 10 percent compared to the rest of 2016.
“A restaurant ordering system, when seamless and efficient, drives sales,” explained orderTalk CEO Patrick Eldon. “Football season is a prime time for ordering food online as more and more fans stay home to enjoy the games. The good news for restaurants is that the playing field has expanded beyond diehard fans. Today even the casual fan who is entered in a fantasy football pool at work is now paying attention to scores and stats. A larger fan base potentially leads to more orders and that’s always good for business.”
Of course, football fans don’t always order in. For those restaurant operators hoping to lure fans to their tables, Technomic’s 2016 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report, powered by Ignite, offers some valuable tips for tweaking those fall menu offerings. Popular game time snacks include bar bites, wings, and popcorn chicken, and 68 percent of full-service restaurants offer breaded protein as an appetizer, according to the report. Chicken menu options continue to expand, as well.
This is good news for sales, since Technomic’s 2017 Center of the Plate: Poultry Consumer Trend Report found that 47 percent of respondents eat chicken as a snack at least once a month, up from 43 percent in 2015. That trend is even stronger among younger diners, where 59 percent between the ages of 18 and 34 eat chicken for a snack at least once a month.
Federal Judge Reverses Obama Administration Overtime Pay Rule
U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant in Texas has struck down a rule created by the Obama administration that extended mandatory overtime pay, siding with business groups and 21 states that had challenged the rule, according to Reuters. The rule, many restaurateurs had argued, would have a significant impact on their operating costs, driving up prices and lowering efficiencies. The move was taken by the same judge who blocked the rule from taking effect last year, pending his final decision.
Under the Obama rule, the maximum salary a worker could earn and still remain automatically eligible for overtime pay would have approximately doubled, to $47,000. The Trump administration also was opposed to the implementation of the rule as approved by the Obama administration.
Judge Mazzant argued that the salary level was so high that it could encompass certain management workers who should be exempt from overtime protections. Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who represented the 21 states suing over the rule, supported the decision, stating that the rule would have cost stated millions of dollars in overtime pay, leading to job losses in the private sector.
Angelo Amador, senior vice president of the National Restaurant Association, also approved the ruling, stating that the decision “demonstrates the negative impacts these regulations would have had on businesses and their workers. We will continue to work with (the Labor Department) to ensure workable changes to the overtime rule are enacted.”
Starbucks Plans To Shutter Its Online Store This Fall
Starbucks has announced that it will permanently end operations for its online store, effective October 1, according to Business Insider. Prior to the closure, the website is offering up to 50 percent discounts on items on the website. Starbucks will continue to make its products (including coffee brewers, espresso makers, glasses, mugs, coffees, and teas) available through other retailers, including grocery stores and Amazon.com, after the closure of its online portal, and Starbucks will remain committed to its most loyal online shoppers and will keep them apprised of the latest stock and inventory information, according to Starbucks’ spokesperson Maggie Jantzen.
Starbucks is shifting its emphasis, and anticipates replacing its online store format with new partnerships with digital firms. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson told investors last month, “these partnerships, we believe, will enable us to leverage our brand, our global retail footprint and the customer base in order to extend our reach.”
Starbucks is also expected to roll out expanded artificial intelligence technology as part of its enhanced Digital Flywheel Program this fall. These advances will help identify patterns in customer orders, suggesting new products or reordering favorite items and generating customized offers.
“Starbucks is one of the best companies in the world that connects brand, user, and consumer experience between digital, mobile, and the real world,” explained analyst Brian Solis. “they are still pushing forward, rolling out their Digital Flywheel strategy to be more dynamic and to further integrate digital and real world.”