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Suzuki is unlikely to launch the GSX R250 and the V-Strom 250 in India. The manufacturer wants to focus on volume products for now.
The newly unveiled Suzuki GSX R250, V-Strom 250, which were made official at the 14th China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition are not going to be launched in India. Suzuki has conveyed that they have no plans of launching the motorcycles in India anytime soon.
After the success of the Gixxer twins, the motorcycle maker was expected to move a segment up and launch a product in the 250-300cc segment which is currently being intensely contested. Developments for same were also confirmed but Suzuki has stepped backwards. The company officials now claim that they want to focus on volumes only.
Instead, the company is expected to launch the 2017 Suzuki GSX R1000 in India soon after its international launch. The 250cc twins come powered by the same Inazuma engine putting out 24.7 HP of power and 23.3 Nm of torque. While the GSX R250 is a full-faired motorcycle with aggressive styling, the V-Strom 250’s design is inspired by the the V-Strom 1000. It comes with 790 mm of seat height and 15-litres of fuel tank capacity.
The GSX R250 is the heaviest and least powerful in its class. But it is high on the style quotient. Both the motorcycles are suspended by telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are handled by 290 mm front single disc with two-piston caliper and a single 240 mm disc at the rear. The quarter litre offerings have clip-on handlebars, tall windscreen, digital instrument cluster borrowed from the Indian Gixxer and split seats.
Suzuki seems to refrain from launching the motorcycles in India after the failure of the Inazuma. The Inazuma was a good product but could not keep up with the other competitors in the segment. Probably, Suzuki cannot undercut rivals like the KTM 390 twins on the basis of price as the motorcycles are not manufactured in India.
Suzuki GSX R250, V-Strom 250 India launch
– Both the bikes carry forward the Inazuma engine without any changes
– Instead, Suzuki will launch new models of premium bikes in India
– Both bikes look impressive design wise
Source – Auto.NDTV.com


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Wednesday March 3, 2010
Sarris Candies Co-Founder Dies
Canonsburg, PA — Frank Sarris, co-founder of Sarris Candies Inc., died Monday night at his home in Southpointe, PA. He was 78.
Fifty years ago, Sarris started the company with his wife, Athena. Today, its products are sold at fundraising events and more than 500 Hallmark stores around the country.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sollon Funeral Home in Canonsburg.

domain: news


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BREWSTER — Traffic was the biggest concern of the Planning Board as it started its review of a proposed retail marijuana shop on Route 6A.
The Haven Center went before the board Wednesday as part of the site plan review process.
The company estimated that at its peak use, the new facility at 4018 Main St. could attract 112 people per hour, and that most transactions would take 15 minutes.
The company set aside 31 parking spaces at the location near the Orleans town line. It also has an agreement with a nearby property owner to provide parking for employees, said Benjamin Zehnder, the attorney representing the Haven Center.
To alleviate some concerns, Zehnder proposed having the shop be appointment-only at first. The shop would then operate as appointment-only during peak hours and then not at all.
The board wanted to get a peer review on the company’s traffic projections.
“I think we definitely need other eyes on this,” board member Elizabeth Taylor said. “I think traffic is going to be a big deal.”
Town staff will put out a request for quotes for a peer review. The Haven Center is back before the board on Dec. 18.
The company hopes to be the first marijuana store to open in Brewster. On the Lower Cape, there are proposals for retail marijuana shops in Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown, but none have opened.
The Haven Center, which plans to open in the former For the Love of the Breed building, also needs approvals from the Board of Health and the Old King's Highway Historic District Committee.
Follow Ethan Genter on Twitter: @EthanGenterCCT.


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Nine years after Apple opened a store in the Village at Corte Madera, its rival, Microsoft, will open its own retail outpost Saturday just steps away in the same mall.
The software giant, based Redmond, Wash., will open its third Bay Area store to much fanfare, including a concert by singer Kelly Clarkson on Saturday and an appearance on Sunday by former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice. The store will feature Windows PCs from a number of manufacturers as well as Microsoft-made products such as the Xbox video game system and the new Surface tablet.
"What we are doing here is providing a great experience for customers, be it consumers or be it small businesses, to experience our products," said Jonathan Adashek, general manager of communications strategy for the company's retail stores. "We're trying to build a connection with our customers, build a deeper relationship."
The approximately 2,600-square-foot store will have 40 to 50 employees. It will be Microsoft's 28th since the first opened in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 2009.
The store will open amid a push for a rebirth of the company's famed Windows software as the rise of mobile computing eats away at the market for traditional PCs.
Last week, Microsoft launched a dramatically redesigned version of its flagship software, Windows 8, which is designed to be used on touch-screen devices. The company also launched the Surface, a new tablet billed as a more versatile alternative to Apple's iPad and other products.
As Microsoft fills sleek new stores with shiny gadgets, many observers have noted similarities with Apple's retail approach. For example, Microsoft stores offer technical help at an "answer desk," an answer to Apple's "genius bar."
"Emulation is the greatest form of flattery," said Buford Barr, who teaches marketing and communications at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.
Barr said Microsoft could benefit if curious customers wander in from the nearby Apple store.
"Their experience at Apple will get them to come into the Microsoft store," he said of the customers. "Once they are in there, Microsoft products are going to have to attract them and get them to stay and buy the products."
Microsoft will hold a grand opening ceremony at the store with events Saturday and Sunday.
•9:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony with Panos Panay, general manager of Microsoft Surface, who will present more than $1 million in software grants to nonprofit groups.
• 10 a.m.: Doors open. Free Kelly Clarkson tickets and gift bags will be given away.
• 4 p.m.: Kelly Clarkson performs.
• 1:30 p.m.: Jerry Rice will play Kinect, a hands-free xBox video game feature, with customers.


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Apple and Epic have begun a court trial that could decide the future of technology.
On the one hand, the trial – and the very public fallout that preceded it – is very simple. Epic argues that the rules that govern the App Store are unfair, and that apps like its own Fortnite should be allowed to behave differently.
But, at the same time, the fight is incredibly complex. It revolves around the rules that underpin much of the technology that people use each day, and suggests they should be changed.
Though the disputes at the centre of the fallout stretch back for years, the real beginning of the current trial can be traced back to the moment last year in which Epic added a new system into Fortnite that allowed the developers to get around the 30 per cent commission that Apple charges on every digital purchase made in an app downloaded from its store.
In doing so, Epic broke Apple’s rules. Fortnite – and Epic generally – were removed from the App Store, in keeping with its rules.
The legal and publicity campaigns then began, with Epic suing Apple. Its arguments not only related to that specific event, but were much more general: Epic argued that Apple was abusing its power over developers, requiring them to commit to unfair rules if they want access to the App Store.
That campaign did not only include the legal routes that began in this week’s trial, which will run for three weeks in Oakland, California. It also led to complaints with regulators in the US and Europe, and a marketing campaign that included an ad that made fun of Apple’s own output.
Epic says that it wants “changes to Apple’s behaviour” that will allow the company to not pay the current commissions and have their apps distributed through the App Store. But if Epic is awarded that, it could change some of the central governing principles not only of Apple’s App Stores but other distribution platforms too.
The court discussions are likely to take a similarly broad approach….


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LAS VEGAS — GMAC and CitiFinancial walked away with top honors in F&I Management and Technology magazine's Captive and Non-Captive of the Year awards, sponsored by RouteOne LLC. The two companies were handed their awards at the fifth annual F&I Conference and Expo in Las Vegas.
Readers of F&I magazine elected GMAC and CitiFinancial Auto the winners of the award, which honors the finance sources' support of the auto dealer community. Both finance sources are fully integrated with the RouteOne platform.
"It's definitely a challenging time for the automotive retail industry, but it's clear by the results that GMAC and CitiFinancial have done what it takes to help dealers during this period," said Gregory Arroyo, executive editor for F&I Management and Technology magazine. "It was also clear the role finance companies play in our business by the more than 1,600 votes cast by readers of the magazine."
"We are proud to sponsor this award, which recognizes the outstanding service and excellence these finance sources provide to their dealer customers," said Mike Jurecki, RouteOne CEO. "Now more than ever, dealers need to be able to rely on their finance source partners to help navigate through these challenging economic times. Congratulations to GMAC and CitiFinancial Auto, both of whom are great customers on our platform, for being selected by their customers to receive this celebrated award."
Votes were cast via F&I magazine's website from July to August 2008.


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Apple and Google have been named the world’s most valuable brands for the fifth consecutive year.
Interbrand raised the value of Apple’s brand to $184 billion last year. Amazon, Facebook and Netflix also crept higher in its rankings.
Five British brands made the top 100, with Smirnoff, the vodka range owned by Diageo, valued at $4.3 billion. Burberry, HSBC, Land Rover and Johnnie Walker also made the cut.
Interbrand assesses a brand’s financial performance, influence on consumer choice and ability to command a premium price.


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CHINA ON TRACK FOR BIG TRADE SURPLUS AFTER EXPORTS SURGE
c.2013 New York Times News Service
HONG KONG — China’s exports rose more than expected last month, government figures released Sunday showed, as resurgent demand from consumers in the United States and the European Union helped put the Asian manufacturing juggernaut on track for its biggest annual trade surplus since 2008.
China’s exports of goods rose 12.7 percent in November compared with a year earlier, while imports increased 5.3 percent, resulting in a trade surplus for the month of $33.8 billion, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.
The reported export growth outpaced expectations for a 7.1 percent increase, while the rise in imports was slightly less than the 7.2 percent economists had forecast, according to the average estimates from a survey of economists conducted by Thomson Reuters.
Analysts said that although the yearly comparison figures were partly bolstered by companies’ overinvoicing — an anomaly of Chinese trade data — the underlying export trends were encouraging.
“The year-on-year growth data overstates the actual export momentum,” Louis Kuijs, the chief China economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Hong Kong, wrote Sunday in a research note. “Nonetheless, there are signs that the global activity and trade cycle is gaining momentum, driven by the recovery in high-income countries, and China’s exporters are benefiting from that.”
Improving demand in the West for Chinese goods saw growth in shipments to key trading partners outperform expectations. China’s exports to the United States rose 17.3 percent last month, while shipments to the European Union rose 18.5 percent, customs data shows.
As a result, China’s trade surplus is soaring to levels not seen in years — a development that could draw scrutiny from Western trading partners.
Liu Li-Gang, the chief economist for greater China at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, wrote Sunday in a research note that China’s trade surplus was likely to exceed $240 billion this year, the highest level since 2008.
This, Liu wrote, is “contrary to the fact that renminbi appreciation has significantly eroded trade competitiveness.” A stronger currency makes the goods that Chinese manufacturers export relatively more expensive to foreign buyers.
China’s currency has risen more than 16 percent against the dollar over the past five years, strengthening to about 6.08 renminbi per dollar now from around 7.3 per dollar at the beginning of 2008.
The stronger currency, coupled with rising wages at home and weak demand from overseas, have made profitability more difficult for Chinese manufacturers and trading firms in recent years. For example, shares in Li & Fung, the Hong Kong merchandiser that is one of the biggest sourcing agents in the world, are down around 25 percent this year, compared with a 4.8 percent rise in the benchmark Hang Seng Index.
Still, appreciation of the currency has slowed dramatically in recent months, which could be seen as contributing to China’s growing trade surpluses. The renminbi has strengthened only about 0.7 percent against the dollar since May.
Analysts were quick to caution that China’s monthly trade figures could not be taken entirely at face value.
Chinese officials have been working in recent months to compile more accurate trade figures after having reported widely aberrant monthly export and import data early this year and late last year — irregularities that analysts have said were due to companies seeking to evade taxes, known as “round-tripping,” or to disguise capital inflows to China by falsifying the invoiced value of the goods they were shipping abroad.
“The data in January-November suggest that China could achieve the 8 percent trade growth target for the whole year,” Liu wrote. “However, we cannot be overly optimistic, as the overinvoicing and round-tripping clearly inflated export growth in the first half of the year.”


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These are the best of times, these are the worst of times.
I doubt Dickens knew much about the equipment rental industry when he penned those immortal lines two centuries ago, but according to some RER 100 executives, the sentiment fits.
These are indeed exciting times for the equipment rental industry. The economy is continuing a solid upward trend, consolidators have provided exit options for hundreds of owners, and in most of North America, construction is vibrant if not booming, contractors are busy, and rental business is steady and consistent.
More customers are discovering rentals than ever before as an outsourcing trend takes hold in American business. The wisdom of renting rather than owning equipment is becoming increasingly clear to many companies that, in the past, considered rental only in an emergency. Electronic commerce promises easier, more efficient methods of doing business for this industry and opens horizons not even dreamed about a year or two ago.
Yet, storm signals on the horizon cannot be taken lightly. Rental rates face severe downward pressures - despite a healthy business climate, supply seems to be outpacing demand in many regions, and the tendency to market based on price rather than service is still often seen as the path of least resistance. Many markets are growing overcrowded with rental companies as national players enter all major metropolitan areas and vie for secondary market penetration as well.
"The Wall Street Journal reports rates being about 5 percent down, but I'd say they're the worst I've ever seen since I've been in the business," says Michael Watts, CEO of Phoenix-based Sunstate Equipment Corp. (No. 12 on the RER 100), who has been in the rental business since the 1970s. "I see 50 percent discounts in many places. We're living in the best of times we'll ever see in our lifetime for this particular business, but [low rates] are driving it downward. Contractors are busy, but they have no margins in their industry, and we seem to be heading that way, too."
Although not all RER 100 executives agree that rates are a serious concern - some claim they are no worse than usual - many share Watts' views. "Utilization is as good as it has ever been for us, but we have to rent 20 or 30 machines to make what we used to be able to make on 10," says Don Ahern of Las Vegas-based Ahern Rents (18). "Nobody will pay the rates they used to pay when [rental companies are] chopping them 30 percent. And customers expect us to improve service, which is hard to do when rates are so low."
A serious labor shortage is causing concern among many executives as well (see story, page 54). As unemployment reaches low levels, rental companies find it difficult to recruit qualified personnel, especially on the technical end. The allure of high-tech companies, particularly Internet suppliers, is limiting the appeal of the blue-collar equipment field, even though equipment itself constantly is becoming more computerized. Far too many rental companies recruit by raiding other rental companies, while far too few take a long-term, far-reaching approach to the problem by developing and training their own people or working with educational institutions to prepare people for careers in equipment-related industries.
While these problems must be addressed by an industry that aims for greater professionalism and maturity, growth is still the major theme defining the RER 100 companies, many of which enjoyed double-digit gains this past year.
The leading drivers of the industry's growth continue to be the consolidators and other national chains. Look at the top 10, which grew in rental revenue from $3.16 billion in 1998 to $4.94 billion last year, a rise of 56 percent. While much of that growth came about through acquisition, the major publicly traded companies - United Rentals (1), HERC (3), NationsRent (4), and National Equipment Services (5) - consistently rang up same-store growth of about 20 percent.
Those companies also demonstrate the benefits of consolidation as they save money on equipment expenditures and improve their ability to share equipment among branches, showing that improved internal organization is in fact a revenue producer. The national chains also are improving margins by cutting costs on office supplies, travel, telephone bills and a wide range of other expenditures.
Although smaller RER 100 companies can't maximize economies of scale to the same degree, many owners say their buying power is not a vulnerability. Many benefit from dealer discounts and relationships with suppliers that date back decades. And while they lack the ability to do large-scale national-account business with major corporations seeking outsourcing agreements, they compete by levering long-established relationships with local customers.
Increases among the smaller RER 100 companies were not as dramatic as the bigger players' gains - generally in the 5-10 percent range - but there was significant growth.
Take, for example, Vancouver, Wash.-based Western Power & Equipment (39), which rose from $19.4 million to $26.2 million in rentals. While an increase of $6.8 million (35 percent) pales in comparison to United's rise from $895 million to $1.58 billion (77 percent), it is still major growth achieved without acquisitions and in a flat sales market.
Komatsu dealer Furnival Machinery Co./FMC Rents (68), Hatfield, Pa., which increased from $7.9 million to $12 million, a 52 percent hike, demonstrates equipment distributors' growing vitality in rentals. While the category of equipment distributor vs. rental company becomes increasingly difficult to define, the number of RER 100 companies that in the past would have been labeled "traditional distributor" has never been higher as distributors find the short-term rental niche necessary to doing business.
The trend among distributors to get into the rental business has intensified the past few years. Caterpillar and Komatsu dealers have brought particular vitality into the rental market. Almost one-third of this year's RER 100 are dealers for Caterpillar, Komatsu, Deere or Case, although most are expanding their inventories to other lines.
The big question many are asking about business in the coming years is what kind of margins they should expect. Most RER 100 executives predict the economy will remain strong for the foreseeable future. Most report that their customers expect to be busy with a variety of jobs. Most expect to improve the degree and scope of the services they offer their customers. The expansive possibilities of e-commerce invite growth and improved service as more companies take advantage of the Internet to offer greater convenience and service for their customers.
All of those conditions continue to offer the best of all possible worlds for the rental industry. But nagging questions about rates, labor difficulties and an increasing, disquieting sense that supply might be outweighing demand in many markets raise concerns about the margins rental companies will face in the coming years.
The larger companies appear confident that public awareness of the rental alternative and a growing impetus toward outsourcing will grow the market by 20-25 percent per year, expanding the pie to make it big enough for everyone. Everyone, large and small alike, hopes they are right.


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US Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin has said that he does not "think you can call [bitcoin] a currency, although it has certain aspects of a currency," and that the digital asset is "obviously one of the most volatile investments you've ever seen." He made the remarks at an event hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on February 26.
One of the US government's major concerns around virtual currency is finding ways to prevent terrorist groups from using the funds to finance their operations, he related. Along those lines, he said, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, which he chairs, has "set up a specific subcommittee to look at cryptocurrency."
According to Mnuchin, bitcoin transactions are easy enough to track within the US, but "there are other areas of the world where you can't monitor anything and it is the equivalent of an old Swiss numbered bank account."
The US government is therefore "very focused" on working to find solutions to this issue alongside other G20 members, who generally agree "that we need to be able to make sure that all the different major countries can monitor these transactions so that it's just not used for illicit transactions of bad guys."
He qualified his somewhat negative characterization of cryptocurrency as a means of terrorist financing by opining that, in a more general sense, distributed ledger technology is "very important." He also acknowledged that "people have talked about … digital dollars and digital euros."


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By Mohamed Alaa Eldin
Etisalat Egypt aims to achieve growth rates of up to 10% in the Egyptian market over the next year, according to Engineer Saeed Al-Hamli, CEO of Etisalat Egypt.
In an exclusive interview with Daily News Egypt, Al-Hamli said that the growth rate targets come as the company plans to invest at least EGP 10bn over the next five years.
Al-Hamli revealed that his company will invest approximately EGP 2.5bn annually to modernise its networks infrastructure. This move seeks to improve the level of service provided to customers, while the company plans to raise its investments in the local market to EGP 5bn annually.
How does founding company, Etisalat Emirates, view Egypt’s communications market?
The Emirates Communications Group considers its branch in Egypt, represented in Etisalat Egypt, as one of the most important companies in the group that owns operators in 19 countries across the world. Etisalat Egypt is one of the best three companies in the group. The Egyptian market is a big one. It is diversified and highly competitive, and is thus full of investment opportunities that will enable companies to provide multiple services that benefit consumers.
What is the added value and interest Etisalat seeks to achieve in the Egyptian market?
At Etisalat, we seek to provide the latest technologies that add to our customers and meet their needs. We are leading the market in the field of data, in which the company sought to intensively invest since it started its operations in the market. Recently, we have invested in the area of cloud computing, to be the first company in the Egyptian market that offers this service to its customers.
What are the challenges facing Egypt’s telecommunications market?
The telecommunications market is currently highly competitive, and this is a positive factor as it falls in the interest of consumers. The most important thing the Egyptian market needs right now is the improvement in the level of services provided. There are several challenges in the sector that must be eliminated. The most important of these challenges is the presence of disputes between companies working in the sector, especially in the area of infrastructure, and the issues that arose from steps taken by Telecom Egypt (TE) towards improving it.
We hope that a clear working plan would be announced, with precise time frames in order for market trends to be clear during the upcoming period, most importantly, the activation of the fourth network and new frequencies of 4G, in addition to the unified licence, to provide an atmosphere of transparency and fairness in the competition, which allows companies to provide the best services to customers. We also hope to develop a system that ensures charging companies operating in the market equally in order to provide equal investment opportunities, as well as addressing any monopolistic practices by any company operating in the market, especially in services that can be provided exclusively.
What alternatives are the company considering to get new funding to cover its expansions?
The company has already obtained a new credit facility, in addition to the current one, worth EGP 7bn, in order to cover our growing needs for the development and continuous expansions of our networks.
How much is the amount of funding the company is trying to obtain during the next phase?
The required amount to finance the company’s expansion plans is linked to the size of continuous developments and the need for them, especially in the field of technology. There is a growing need for new financing with the launch of new services, such as the 4G services. It is expected that at least EGP 10bn would be invested over the next five years, and this amount may increase if attractive investment conditions were available, supported by encouraging laws and legislations.
What are Etisalat’s target growth rates next year?
Etisalat Egypt is one of the best models of third entrants in the world, in terms of operational results achieved. The company is seeking to achieve high growth rates that guarantee it an influential presence in the Egyptian market, which is part of the group’s strategy. We aim to reach a growth rate of 10% next year.
What is the share acquired by the networks sector (maintenance and establishing new networks) out of the size of your investments?
The networks sector needs investments on an ongoing basis, whether to maintain and develop existing networks or to create new expansions. This is estimated to be around EGP 2.5bn annually.
Has Etisalat negotiated with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to expand funds transfer services?
We are continually working closely with the CBE through the National Bank of Egypt, in order to expand cooperation and allow transferring funds from outside the country to Etisalat’s customers locally. We also seek to recognise the controls that organise these processes, in order to achieve better customer service.
What are the new services the company is considering offering in the local market?
We are waiting for the launch of 4G, which will enable us to serve our customers better and introduce new services that can keep up with the rapid developments in the field.
How was the company affected by the rules introduced by the National Regulatory Authority (NTRA) for selling lines?
We are committed to the NTRA’s regulations in the Egyptian market, and the market was generally affected without a doubt. We were the fastest to take proactive steps that enabled us to have the most widespread network of retails stores all over the country. The number of our branches and outlets has increased, reaching more than 1,100 branches and outlets in 26 governorates, which created 3,000 job opportunities. These branches sell the company’s lines according to procedures set by the NTRA.
How will you improve the quality of your services locally?
We pay great attention to the level of services provided to our customers in terms of both data and voice services. We have made significant investments in this area in order to improve the service level. Sometimes we face some problems in obtaining permits and licences to expand our network coverage, and the frequency problems still exist. We hope to resolve these matters as quickly as possible to be able to serve our customers the way we wish.
What is the value of new Etisalat Egypt investments in 2016?
There are plans to reach investments worth EGP 5bn per year in order to keep up with the constant evolution of technology and the need to expand and develop networks, especially with our expectations of launching of the 4G services.
Is the company’s fixed-Internet activity achieving profits? If not, then what are the solutions Etisalat is considering to make the activity profitable?
Fixed internet mainly depends on the infrastructure that the company is renting from TE. Currently, we are negotiating with TE in order to reach a reasonable price for renting the infrastructure, which will have a positive impact on the prices offered to customers.
Has Etisalat offered solutions to limit the effects of voice-call application on the Internet?
Solutions to face any problem in the sector fall under the responsibility of the NTRA, not ours. But we can offer suggestions to deal with these applications, especially since we are present in 19 markets around the world, with some of them keeping up with these applications. We believe in the professionalism of the NTRA in learning from global experiences in dealing with this phenomenon, which must be dealt with properly.
What do you think about the reductions in rental prices of TE’s infrastructure?
The lowering of prices by TE is definitely a positive step. But these reductions do not benefit all Internet companies. For example, companies that rely on large capacities (STM4 and STM16) will benefit more, compared to companies that rely on smaller capacities. We hope that TE reconsiders reducing the prices of the rest of the capacities so all companies can provide users with offers of lower prices.
What do you think of the decision to retreat from the establishment of a national entity for the infrastructure?
This mainly depends on the suggested alternative for the entity and how much it can provide infrastructure services in better ways and more competitive prices that help companies offer improved services to users.
Do you expect the 4G technology to be launched next year, as promised by the Communications Minister?
We trust in the ministry’s ability to implement its commitments. And we hope to launch the 4G frequencies soon. We are ready to offer 4G services immediately.
What are the developments of the negotiations to obtain extra frequencies to accommodate the increased usage of the network?
Until now, we have not obtained all the frequencies we requested. We are waiting for a solution to this matter as soon as possible, in order to enhance our ability to serve our customers better.


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Samsung lifted the edge of the future of its virtual payment system, Samsung Pay, which after five years in the market is preparing to evolve in what it calls a new and innovative experience in the use of credit cards. The manufacturer, which competes with Apple, Google and Huawei in contactless payment solutions via smartphone, has established a partnership with the financial startup SoFi, in the development of a new technology.
So far, very little has been advanced, and it is promised to become official in the coming weeks. However, the manufacturer explains that the next generation of its technology will expand the service of making purchases and payments, in the same rewarding way through its system of points for transactions, which gave discounts on its partnerships; for a whole context of users' money management.
For a year now, the Korean manufacturer has been working on the new finance management platform for smartphones. The notion is to help consumers better manage their money, so that they can achieve their dreams and goals, he said in the statement, noting that now, more than ever, money management tools make all the difference during the pandemic of COVID-19.
In this sense, the partnership with SoFi will allow it to combine its payment technology with a debit card supported by a cash management account. More information promised in a few weeks.
At the end of last year, the company introduced Samsung Pay Cash, an application feature that makes it easy to manage budgets, keeping the money available, just as if it were in your wallet, only being able to spend the amount there is. Users set the budget and can add funds weekly, for example, by forecasting what they can spend.


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Entries in 'sales' (438)
Nintendo’s 3DS is back in front in Japan.
EA is to stop selling physical PC games through Origin. Yes, EA sold physical PC games through Origin.
Sony’s PS4 exclusive InFamous: Second Son has managed a second consecutive week as UKIE GfK Chart-Track No.1.
Global games retailer GameStop has reported a like-for-like sales increase of 7.8 per cent for the quarter ending February 1st.
Sales of the PS4 were up 15 per cent but it’s the Vita that has claimed the weekly Japanese hardware sales crown, Famitsu sales data has revealed.
This month has seen both next-gen consoles finally get their hands on a big exclusive, but what do the arrivals of Titanfall and InFamous: Second Son reveal?
The release of InFamous: Second Son has given PS4 hardware sales a big jump in the UK.
Microsoft’s Xbox One has been the best-selling games console for four weeks in a row, MCV understands.
Sony has to date sold around 900,000 PlayStation Cameras designed for use with PS4.
Virtual reality hardware will need to hit the seven figure sales milestone before it becomes a realistic proposition for triple-A publishers.
Cult RPG game Dark Souls II has debuted at the top of the Japanese charts, the latest Famitsu sales data has revealed.
Indie platformer Rogue Legacy reclaimed its development costs after one hour on sale, selling 100,000 copies in its first week.
Naughty Dog's PS3-exclusive The Last of Us has surpassed 6m copies sold, Sony has announced.
Sony continues to dominate the next-gen hardware market in America, NPD numbers show.
PlayStation 4 is still the best-selling games console in Japan.
Pre-owned games are currently available for 75 per cent off at HMV stores.
Studio Ghibli RPG Ni No Kuni has joined the million sellers club on home consoles.
A year after it was released the Tomb Raider reboot has at last exceeded Square Enix’s sales estimates.
Credit-card sized computer Raspberry Pi has sold 2.5 million units around the world.
Almost 15 months after it was released in the territory, Nintendo’s Wii U has finally overtaken Xbox 360 in Japan.
Steam developers can now set sales periods and discounts on their own, Valve has revealed.
The PS4 arrived in Japan on Saturday and has already sold in excess of a quarter of a million units.
Football Manager 2014 has broken the record for the most consecutive No.1s in the PC charts.
Microsoft is banking on EA’s Titanfall to help Xbox One fight back against PS4.


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Police recover remains of pet thrown from vehicle during May car theft
MADISON, Wis. — A Madison Police Department property room clerk discovered the lost ashes of a woman’s pet while taking inventory of the items recovered from an abandoned backpack that was found on North Segoe Road.
In May, thieves stole a Jeep from an Island Drive home and took it on a joyride across the Odana Hills Golf Course. The owner of the Jeep had the cremated remains of her two Scottish Terriers in the Jeep when it was stolen.
The thieves who stole the car tossed the pets’ remains out of the window during their joyride. The remains of one pet were found within days of the incident at the golf course.
The victim had been hoping to recover the remains of the other pet until the property room clerk discovered them.
The clerk called the cremation company that had its name attached to the ashes in an attempt to identify the owner of the remains. A Burglary Crime Unit detective subsequently contacted the victim to let her know the good news.
COPYRIGHT 2020 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.


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BlackBerry's revenue dropped 34 percent during its fiscal third quarter, posting a net loss of $148 million, ending Q3 with $3.1 billion in cash. It may seem like a major financial loss, but the Canadian smartphone maker lost $4.4 billion during Q3 last year, and was a slightly smaller loss than reported during Q2.
The company expects it to take a "couple of quarters" before sales begin to increase, as BlackBerry still struggles to compete against the Apple iPhone - and smartphones from Samsung and other manufacturers using Google Android.
Here is what Chen said during the financial call: "Things are happening. I'm encouraged that they are happening, but I wouldn't say that all things are well. I mean we still need a lot of work and a lot of attention and working well together and that's what I'm spending most of my time on."
- > NEXT STORY: Miyamoto says Nintendo currently working on new consoles for gamers
- < PREVIOUS STORY: Sony admits US console fight growing as Xbox One price cuts working


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The Cigar Industry Report is a one stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop and Stogie Geeks. It is a combination of our news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. We will also recap what happened on our Stogie Geeks show. Finally, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern time.
Our 2014 IPCPR Digest is now live. Follow this to keep track of all products and news related to this year’s trade show in July.
We have commenced our IPCPR Preview Series with our initial installment – the our annual feature, “The Five Boutiques to Watch.”
Feature of the Week: New CEO for IPCPR
It’s been 273 days since IPCPR has been without a Chief Operating Officer. That all changed Friday when the it was announced that Mark Pursell was named CEO. We were the first media outlet to report this news. Pursell comes from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) where he was a Senior Vice President. Pursell played a key role in the NAHB’s Trade Show – which is one of the largest in the light construction industry.
The big news this week is that the period for Public Comment to the FDA’s Deeming Document has been extended 30 days until August 8th. If you are looking for guidance on how to comment, follow the links below:
- Consumers: Guidance from the CRA
- Retailers: Guidance from the IPCPR
We have a digest below of our links and other useful links when making your response:
- White House Issues Response and Rejects Petition to Not Allow The FDA To Regulate Premium Cigars
- CRA Issues Guidance for Public Comment to Proposed FDA Regulations
- FDA To Ask for Public Comment on Premium Cigar Exemption from Regulation
- How Will a Premium Cigar Be Defined in the Eyes of the FDA?
- Cigar Association of America to Continue to Work Closely with FDA in Light of Pending Regulations
- IPCPR Responds to FDA Deeming Document
- Cigar Rights of America Issues Statement on FDA’s Deeming Document on Regulation of Premium Cigars
- IPCPR Issues Guidance to Retailers on Public Comment to FDA’s Proposed Regulations
- FDA Extends Public Comment Period 30 Days
- Small Business Administration Says Economic Impact to Proposed FDA Regulations Underestimated
News and Previews.
Without a doubt, this was the busiest week of news in the cigar industry. Many companies are now starting to make their product announcements for the IPCPR 2014 Trade Show.
- Ocean State Cigars: Paul Joyal’s company formally announced its fourth line and first Connecticut Broadleaf, the J. Grotto Anniversary.
- 7-20-4 Cigars: Kurt Kendall’s company announced its fifth line, the 7-20-4 Factory 57.
- CAO Cigars: The CAO Art of Craft Sampler Pack is heading to Total Wine shops.
- Credo: The French company will launch three new cutters at 2014 IPCPR Trade Show.
- Davidoff: The company announced its 2014 nominees for its 3rd Annual Golden Band Awards.
- Drew Estate: The company announced that MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured Flying Pig is going to be released this summer. We also learned that the Undercrown Flying Pig was brought to an event in Louisville Kentucky.
- E.P. Carrillo: We previewed the long awaited Perez-Carrillo La Historia. 60 ring gauge Line extensions are also coming to the Cardinal and E-Stunner lines.
- Gran Habano: The company will be launching the new S.T.K. Miami Barracuda Maduro at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show.
- JM Tobacco: We previewed the JM Tobacco Havana Preferred.
- MGM Cigars: After disappearing from the U.S. market, the company announced that its Buena Vista Cigar Brand and Buena Vista Reserva 2008 cigar are returning.
- Ortega Premium Cigars: The company teamed up with Tobaccology in Manasses, Virginia for “The Glynn Loope Project” – a project where proceeds will support Cigar Rights of America.
- Regius Cigars: The Regius Seleccion Orchant is returning for 2014 and a new vitola is being added.
- Sindicato Cigars: The company officially announced the Sindicato Maduro.
- Table 36: We previewed the Table 36 Peacemaker.
- Tatuaje: We took a look at the new Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters – which started making its way to retailers this week.
- Villiger North America: The company announced its Brazilian puro, Tobajara by Villiger is heading to U.S. Market.
- Zander-Greg: The company will introduce the Nat Cicco HHB Habano and line extensions to Nat Cicco Aniversario 1965.
Legislative News (Other)
- FDA: One new co-sponsor was aded to HR792 as Rep Henry Cuellar [D-Texas] has signed on. The total remains at total of 156 co-sponsors (157 total sponsors). Meanwhile the American Academy of Family Physicians signed on to a letter sent to the leaders of the House Committee of Appropriations opposing any exemption for premium cigars from FDA regulation.
- Kentucky: The State Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a smoking ban approved three years ago by the Bullitt County Board of Health. The court ruled that the board does not have such authority to make a ban, therefore ruled the ban invalid.
Part 1: Conversation with Glynn Loope
Part 2: Conversation with Glynn Loope
- June 21st 2012: We assessed the Quesada Q D’Etat Howitzer.
- June 21st 2012: We posted a press release on the Sosa Classic 6 x 60
- June 21st 2012: We posted a feature story (featuring video from Steve Saka) on “The Origins of Criollo Seed Tobacco“.
- June 21st 2013: We assessed the Atabey by Selected Tobacco
- June 21st: 2013: We previewed the Ortega Mini Cigars line.


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According to a press release, restaurant operators can add an extra level of customer service with the e-mail order confirmation feature in the Phoenix Point-of-Sale system. This capability is available in the newest release of the Phoenix POS software.
When taking an order, the system prompts cashiers to ask for the customer’s e-mail address, which is saved in the customer database. Phoenix POS automatically sends an electronic copy of the receipt to the customer. The system can also send another confirmation when the order is assigned to a driver.
“We are very excited to offer this new feature to our community of Phoenix users,” says Duessa Holscher, FireFly’s director of product development. “It’s a simple thing with huge customer-service benefits. Customers can feel confident about the service they are receiving, and store employees won’t have to face a barrage of ‘Where’s my order?’ phone calls. Plus, all those e-mails that Phoenix saves can be used for future marketing promotions.”
“The e-mail confirmation of receipts is truly a breakthrough for our industry, especially the way Phoenix is set up,” says Moe Taleb of Zig Zag Kitchen in Chicago, Ill. “The system requires the staff to ask customers if they would like an e-mail confirmation, assuring the customer that the order has been placed correctly. On a daily basis, we gain five to eight new e-mails from 90 to 120 calls.”
Taleb says corporate customers use their e-mail confirmations to complete expense reports. For the catering portion of their business, the feature ensures the customer and restaurant both have the correct date and time of the event. “E-mail order confirmation gives our small catering company a professional image,” he says.
Using Web Technology for Greater Convenience and Service
Integrated e-mail features are just one advantage of the Web-based technology on which Phoenix POS is based. In addition, Phoenix offers complete integration with multiple online order providers; instant, real-time access to manager alerts; sales and labor data via your mobile phone’s Web browser; and schedule notifications to employees via text message.
“Because the Phoenix POS system is based on a current, Web-oriented technology, we can incorporate these convenience features that really enable owners to get away from the restaurant, manage multiple locations more efficiently, and service their customers more effectively,” Holscher says.
About FireFly Technologies
FireFly Technologies develops, markets, and supports the Phoenix Point-of-Sale system, a full-featured delivery, table-service, and multi-store management solution that goes beyond the ordertaking and cash management capabilities of traditional POS systems. With thousands of installations across the country, FireFly has been named to the Inc. 5000, an “elite” list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Contact FireFly at 866-678-6781 or visit www.fireflypos.com.


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Two internet service providers backed by Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang are set to merge and list on the ASX through a reverse takeover of Sydney-based outfit Stemify.
This merger will be supported by a $20 million capital raising, set to open next month, for the purpose of expanding infrastructure and making acquisitions.
Shares will be issued at 50 cents each with the public offer closing in April, with the listing, subject to Stemify shareholder approval, to be finalised later that month.
Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang outfit retains an interest in both companies, with Amcom founder Anthony Grist, who is involved with Swoop, Stemify and Tattarang, to join as a director of the newly formed entity.
Mr Grist told Business News that the new business would benefit from the knowledge of internet infrastructure that Swoop chief executive Alex West and NodeOne Internet chief executive Richard Whiting can provide.
“The modern iteration of that has been fixed wireless, which is a point-to-point, high-speed solution that delivers much higher speeds than the NBN provides," he said.
“While the core offering of both companies is what you would call an NBN alternative, because you’ve got high-speed, last-mile solutions for small businesses and consumers that do 100 megabits to 200 megabits, up to a gigabit versus the standard NBN solution, which is 25 or 50 megabits.
“You’ve got a very high technology, high-speed offering on your own network and we’ve got our own network in metro Perth and regional towns, and in Sydney and Melbourne, of fixed-wireless towers that provide these high-speed, point-to-point links that bypass the NBN.”
Mr Spenceley said he appreciated the opportunity to return to the telco industry.
"Additionally, to be backed by one of Australia’s richest men and have an ever-growing team of high calibre Industry veterans in the business, makes this a very exciting journey ahead," he said.
Mr Whitling said the newly formed outfit would allow for better internet services for Western Australians.
He confirmed NodeOne Internet would continue to operate under its current brand in WA.
News of this merger follows Osborne Park-based cloud, network and security outfit NEXION Network’s ASX debut after having raised $8 million through its IPO at 20 cents a share.
Co-founder and chief executive Paul Glass said capital raised during the IPO would help the company expand globally.
Shares in the group were trading at 24 cents each at 4pm AEDT.


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A new Bank of America (BOA) research study has found that both central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and private digital currencies hold “a lot of potential” for increasing financial inclusion in developing countries. In the report, the bank also argues that such “digital currencies could reduce transaction costs and allow more economic activities in emerging market economies.”
Still, the study findings show that while digital currencies are likely to “boost economic growth” in developing countries, their adoption will carry some risk. In addition, the study also finds that the rise of digital currencies “could lead to inflation and dollarization.”
Meanwhile, a separate report quotes David Hauner, the BOA’s head of emerging market cross-asset strategy and economics for EMEA, explaining why digital currencies could be pivotal in emerging market countries where more than 50% of adults lack a bank account.
“Digital currencies have the potential to address many practical constraints on financial services in poor countries,” said Hauner.
The report also lists the reduction of cross-border payment costs as well as the reduction of corruption and other illegal activities as some of the constraints that can be addressed by digital currencies.


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Mr Christophe STENER, StenerConsulting Chairman, China France eForum Founder & Organizer
Mr Paul JEAN-ORTIZ, France President diplomatic Counsellor
Mrs Laurence PARISOT, Medef Chairman
HE Mr KONG Quan, China Ambassador in France
Mrs Sybille DUBOIS-FONTAINE TURNER, China France Committe General Secretary
SHANGHAI Nov 27 (Reuters) – In a small research lab in Palo Alto, California, flanked byHewlett-Packard Co and Stanford University, China’s largest electronics retailer is learning how to compete online.
Shenzhen-based Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd is looking to tap Silicon Valley nous to help it with a formidable challenge: succeeding in China’s booming e-commerce market in the face of the behemoth that is Alibaba.
“If you’re going to enter the online market and are thinking about competing with our Tmall and Taobao, that’s already a mistake,” Alibaba’s Chairman Jack Ma recently said at the firm’s Hangzhou headquarters.
“Instead you should be trying to fill in the gaps that Alibaba hasn’t done so well.” Continuer la lecture


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Innovative new RF Noise Cancellation Technology for Wireless Handheld Devices
December 8. 2006 Quellan today announced the extension of its innovative Wideband noise cancellation technology to mobile handsets and consumer devices. Successfully used in data center applications to improve the crosstalk, speed and reach of interconnects, these smaller and lower power consumer devices reduce noise in wireless handsets, laptop computers and game consoles. Unlike filters, these devices cancel wideband noise in the receivers' input spectrum. By dropping the noise floor at the receivers input, a substantial improvement in signal-to-noise ratio is achieved, resulting in fewer dropped calls, continuous video capability and GPS location locks in high density urban areas.
"It's very clear that Quellan's innovative noise cancellation techniques will have significant quality of service benefits in numerous wireless systems such as cellular, GPS, and digital terrestrial television systems," said Dermot Nolan, Director of Telecommunications & Broadcast Services in London, England. "For carriers and operators, the improvement in overall end-to-end link budgets if Quellan's techniques are implemented in receivers may lead to significant network cost savings and a massively enhanced customer experience."
While the technology operates in a similar fashion to Noise Cancelling Headphones, Quellan's noise cancellers operate at one million times higher frequency and are embodied in tiny, ultra-low power CMOS silicon.
"Quellan's noise cancellation is an enabling technology for adding wireless capability to high density, small mobile systems," said Robert Dobkin, CTO of Linear Technology Corporation. "Today's mobile systems have fast digital processors that step on low level wireless signals, diminishing performance or even rendering mobile operation unusable. Quellan's noise cancellation technology can get the signal back."
Quellan's noise cancellers are just a few square millimeters in size -- yielding tens of thousands of devices on a single silicon wafer -- making them very inexpensive and embeddable in any consumer device.
"Noise is one of the main performance limiters for leading consumer electronic products, especially within digital wireless devices," said Bill Byun, Partner of Samsung Ventures America. "Quellan has a unique solution to this problem that triggered our investment."