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Some 45% of passengers won’t remain loyal to their preferred airline if it doesn’t provide the best wi-fi. That is a finding from a recent Honeywell survey of more than 1,000 Americans who have used inflight wi-fi in the past 12 months. Of those passengers, 68% said they book their flights based on wi-fi availability, and a whopping 84% said it’s important for inflight wi-fi to offer an experience “identical to what they have at home or in the office”. Any way you look at it, that’s a tall order, especially for airlines who have already been struggling to keep up with tech-savvy passengers’ demand for faster, stronger connection speeds to run their increasingly data-hungry apps, games and AR/VR devices of choice during flights.
Hoping to get a better handle on exactly what sort of mobile apps and/or devices will be taking flight with passengers in the not-too-distant future, and how airlines can best prepare themselves for the data-gobbling, new media onslaught to come, we asked some of the industry’s leading tech trend soothsayers to look into their virtual crystal balls and tell us what they see. And the results might just surprise you.
For while boosting wi-fi connection speeds is obviously a given, Emmy award-winning Transmedia producer/new media pioneer Jay Bushman says the first thing airlines need to do is take a cue from the old Apple slogan and “think different”.
New media state of mind
“The internet, mobile, smartphone and tablet revolutions have utterly changed the way people consume information and entertainment. The industry has been very slow to adapt to this new playing field, and most of their attempts can be lumped together as attempts to jam the old ways of doing things into new platforms,” explains Bushman.
“What is required and what is in short supply is an appetite for risk and the ability to back a number of projects and approaches without requiring a guarantee of success. New media is, by definition, new and uncertain. And most of the airlines and big entertainment companies are dedicated to mitigating risk and not rocking the boat.”
Bushman says this approach flies directly in the face of what younger, app-happy passengers, and especially millennials, are looking for in a connected aircraft.
Veteran travel industry analyst and Atmosphere Research Group founder Henry Harteveldt seems to agree. “The types of apps will likely be similar to what we see now: gaming, entertainment, social media, communication, productivity, retail and travel. However, it will be how those apps work that will be different. This isn’t about the connected aircraft, it’s about the connected consumer,” says Harteveldt. “Video will be increasingly important, as will ‘conversational commerce’ using natural language processing (think Siri or Amazon Echo), text/SMS and chat. Location-based communication, aided by beacons and other types of technology will also enable greater precision.”
And with insanely popular AR apps like Pokémon GO already revolutionizing the way we think about mobile gaming, Harteveldt says the lines between the virtual world and the real world will continue to blur in flight.
The virtual conference room
“Virtual reality will, in time, become a major factor [for airlines], especially as VR devices become less expensive, smaller, and more aesthetically attractive. But it won’t all be fun and games. Business travelers will soon want the ability to participate on video calls with colleagues or clients, listen to webinars, and whatever else is required for them to be productive.”
In fact, Patrick Johnson, the director of business development for San Francisco-based AR smartglass firm the Osterhout Design Group (ODG), says the trend to continue to add available bandwidth, both on the ground and in the air, will enable loads of very cool features and apps specifically tailored for business travelers.
“Today’s inflight wi-fi systems support email, which is forgiving in terms of unreliable and slow connections. For example, the original Gogo system supported about 3Mbps for the entire aircraft, while most of those in service now are closer to 10Mbps per airplane. The next generation of systems will do better, aiming to deliver about 70Mbps per airplane,” says Johnson, which could allow for “participation in virtual meetings with material being reviewed in multimedia where the meeting supports collaboration, screen share, 3D model display, and manipulation, etc.”
And although Harteveldt says he also has his eye on next-gen mobile innovations such as rollable tech – super-thin tablets, laptops and other devices that roll into a cylindrical shape – and Johnson predicts a day will soon come when increased bandwidth will afford passengers and crew wearing AR smartglasses the ability to translate inflight safety manuals, magazines and menus into different languages via object recognition software, even Johnson freely admits that some of these things are more than a few years off.
“With the slim profit margins of airlines, I understand why they are slow to move when it comes to adopting new, disruptive technology,” says Johnson. “It is going to be a while before there is any mass adoption of new tech such as smartglasses for airlines, but it won’t be too long before smartglasses become the status quo device for consuming media and entertainment.” So, ultimately, Johnson says it’s going to be passenger demand that gets smartglasses onto the airplane.
And when it comes to passenger demand, SITA’s director of market insight, Nigel Pickford, says the airlines are definitely listening.
“Mobile and the use of apps is without a doubt the biggest focus area for airlines over the next few years,” says Pickford. “SITA’s Airline IT Trends Survey 2016 indicates that mobile continues to dominate airlines’ IT investment agenda for passenger services. Nearly 80% of airlines plan major investments in passenger services via smartphones over the next three years, while 71% of airlines expect to do the same for tablets. Looking more specifically at the services to be delivered, airlines are using mobile to offer duty-free shopping and other commercial offerings that can be managed from the palm of your hand. Providing personalized information on the move through airline apps is also a huge focus for airlines, helping deliver a more intimate passenger experience.”
“In their everyday life, passengers are increasingly adopting new technologies such as wearables, artificial intelligence and, to some extent, virtual reality,” adds Pickford. “Airlines are following this trend and increasingly investing in new products using these technologies in the cabin. Among the emerging technologies starting to appear in the industry are passenger wearables, such as smartglasses or smartwatches – which are seen as having the most potential over the next five years. Currently 11% of airlines are in the process of trialling services for these, with another 28% expecting to over the next five years. And in the next 10 years, just over half of airlines (54%) plan to evaluate wearable technology, while 43% will do the same for artificial intelligence (AI).”
And although AI apps such as the recently launched social media sensation Candid – which filters out hate speech and “enforces civility” through its algorithmic AI – sound very cool, and the idea of being able to use robot assistant apps like Amazon’s Alexa and the upcoming Viv (from Siri co-creators Dag Kittlaus and Adam Cheyer) in flight will surely appeal to many passengers, Harteveldt says it is important to remember that all of this mobile app awesomeness is contingent on bandwidth.
And according to Gogo’s chief commercial officer, Ash ElDifrawi, that’s not as far off as some might think. “There’s no doubt that there are more and more applications that are being used in flight, and many of them are consuming more and more data. Snapchat is a great example of an application that uses a surprisingly large amount of bandwidth and we are seeing usage increase in flight, especially in the USA,” says ElDifrawi.
“For Gogo, the only real answer to this is to bring more bandwidth to the aircraft and create an experience that is comparable to the ground. As an industry, we are fortunately on the cusp of an era of bandwidth abundance. 2Ku in particular gets us there in terms of delivering lots of bandwidth anywhere an airplane flies. We also have a pathway to bring even more bandwidth with this technology to accommodate the data consumption trends we are experiencing on the ground. The other way we are looking at this is to try and build an environment where we are developing applications and services specific for aviation that are not only more compatible with inflight connectivity, but are unique to the travel experience itself,” ElDifrawi explains.
“The development of unique connected applications and experiences in flight, whether for consumers or airline operations, has always hinged on a few things – an abundance of lower cost bandwidth that’s comparable to what you see on the ground, seamless connectivity anywhere an airplane flies around the world, and a digital platform to allow for application integration with various data points on the aircraft,” says ElDifrawi. “We now have the technology that brings a lot of bandwidth in 2Ku and we’ve built the digital ecosystem where these experiences can be developed. Now, the sky is literally the limit.”
Many airlines do seem to be rising to the challenge, with more than half of the carriers responding to SITA’s Airline IT Trends Survey 2016 reportedly having “major wi-fi projects in the works”, with nearly three-quarters (74%) of them on track to offer inflight wi-fi to their passengers by the end of 2019. However, Pickford says the issue of whether or not the service on offer will be fast enough or come soon enough for some passengers remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Bushman suggests that what airlines should really start thinking about are all the shiny mobile apps and new media gadgetry that hasn’t even been dreamed up yet. “With the proliferation of different devices and screens for consuming entertainment on land and in the air, we’re going to see some radical changes in how entertainment programming is delivered, which will require a whole new language and a whole new framework to evaluate, along with some new business models,” predicts Bushman. “I think we’re about to see an explosion of content of all kinds that will totally rewrite the rules.”
In other words, to steal a line from my new Oscar Wilde daily quote app, “Expect the unexpected.”


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As per the policy, bulk customers who do more loading than they did last financial year will get 30 per cent concession on incremental loadings.
Aiming to increase its share in transportation of goods, the Railways has decided to give 30 per cent discount to the bulk customer on incremental loadings. “We have empowered zonal General Managers to give concessions to existing bulk customers under the newly launched liberalised station to station freight rates policy,” said a senior Railway Ministry official. As per the policy, bulk customers who do more loading than they did last financial year will get 30 per cent concession on incremental loadings. “We are expecting an increase of loadings by 10 million tonnes in the current year through the liberalised policy,” said the official. In order to enable the Zonal railways to garner more traffic from road and other modes, broad guidelines are being issued to all zones for finalising station to station rates.
The targeted customers for railways are foodgrain, cement, limestone and steel companies while commodities such as coal and iron ore are not included in the new policy. Railways is expecting it will help it to get more traffic from road and other modes. Currently railways is exploring various ways to expand the freight basket by looking beyond transporting coal. The freight target for the current fiscal is 1,200 million tonnes. Railways had recently rationalised its coal freight rates so that loading could be increased.

domain: news


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| Jan 10, 2014
| 10:23 AM
The standard consumer advice for car buying is to purchase as close as you can to the end of the month, quarter or year. Dealers, the thinking goes, are more eager to make deals later in the month to make sure they achieve manufacturer quotas that pay...
| Apr 15, 2014
| 6:00 AM
Sitting on the deck of the aircraft carrier Intrepid in Manhattan on Monday night, Land Rover’s Discovery Concept SUV previewed much more than just a future vehicle from the historically British brand.
It signified a major reorganization for...
| Apr 15, 2014
| 1:55 PM
Are you noticing more BMW models on the road? Car enthusiasts and car shoppers alike may be wondering why there are so many.
The simple answer is that there are nearly 50 more trim levels from 7 years ago across a half-dozen more models, or double...
| May 8, 2014
| 11:52 AM
Now that the excitement of auto show season is over, the anticipation to drive 2015 models begins.
There's plenty to look forward to, because there are almost too many new vehicles to choose from such as the redesigned, more modern Ford Mustang and...
| Feb 5, 2014
| 8:47 AM
Tesla, the California-based electric brand behind the Model S, stormed into the top five automotive brands in a recent survey by Consumer Reports, the organization announced Wednesday.
The company rounds out a group led by Toyota, Ford, Honda, and...
| Feb 25, 2014
| 11:42 AM
While Telsa’s cars run on electricity, its stock price seems to defy gravity. Shares of Tesla rose 17%, or $37.65, to a record $255.30 in midday trading after a Morgan Stanley analyst said the stock could hit $320.
Tesla, which sold fewer than 23,...
| Jan 3, 2014
| 3:05 PM
Final auto sales numbers for 2013 make it easy to pick out the industry’s winner and losers.
At the top of the heap is Ford’s F-Series pickup truck — with 763,402 sales last year, more than any other vehicle in America, a title it has...
| Jan 14, 2014
| 6:05 AM
Not content with letting German rivals have all the high-performance fun, Infiniti is hinting it may soon get into the horsepower wars with its existing Q50 compact sedan.
Nissan’s luxury arm used Tuesday’s Detroit auto show to debut to...
| Jan 23, 2014
| 7:05 AM
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit has always been known for power and performance but in 2014 the industry was also showcasing technology that includes alternative sources of power.
Though they weren’t front and center, auto...
| Jan 13, 2014
| 8:45 AM
Porsche is bringing back a classic 911 body style — the open-topped Targa — in the image of the original, with a metal-plated roll bar perched just behind the driver.
The Targa debuted Monday at the North American International Auto Show...
| Feb 10, 2014
| 8:45 AM
Same great hatchback flavor. Now with less fuel!
That’s the theme behind Audi’s forthcoming 2015 A3 Sportback e-tron, a compact hatchback due in early 2015 that will be the first ever plug-in hybrid from the German automaker.
Audi A3 fans...


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Steve Jobs on Wednesday resigned as chief executive of Apple Inc., marking an end to his 14-year reign at the consumer electronics giant he co-founded in a garage.
While the future of the company is not immediately known, investors are still positive about the direction Apple is taking, especially given that Jobs was involved in the current five-year plan guiding the company.
Our view has been and remains that Mr. Jobs' reduced involvement does not change the long-term fundamentals,
explained Bill Shope of Goldman Sachs.
Apple's platform is now stronger than ever and can be successfully managed by Mr. Cook and Apple's deep bench. Apple should enjoy a rich set of near-term catalysts, including a new iPhone and fully available iPad 2 as we head into the peak consumer season.
Investors took the shift in stride, with shares recovering from most of the after-market sell-off last night to close down less than one percent on Thursday.
They also expressed confidence in Apple's team, and the new CEO, Tim Cook, who promised the company would stay the course.
I love Apple and I am looking forward to diving into my new role, Cook wrote to staff. I am confident our best years lie ahead of us and that together we will continue to make Apple the magical place that it is.
Jobs' resignation isn't the first time that Cook has had the helm. In recent years, Jobs' battle with pancreatic cancer and other ailments has forced him to take a leave of absence three times.
Each time, then COO Cook took the reigns, leading the company through successful milestones, such as the launch and continued success of the iPad.
We believe new CEO Tim Cook is well qualified for the role as he has led Apple as interim CEO on two occasions during Jobs' medical leaves of absence, said Mike Walkley of Canaccord Genuity.
Mr. Cook is a universally regarded as a strong leader and supply chain expert, and we believe he is well suited to lead Apple to significant growth over the next few years due to Apple's leading iOS developer and application ecosystems and differentiated products.
Analyst compared the departure to that of Henry Ford, and Walt Disney - unique creative forces whose companies carried on for years after they left.
But the retirement doesn't mean that Jobs will go on vacation. He will also continue to serve as the company's chairman, a role that insiders have characterized as active, with input still given to products and trajectory.
His reduced role could even help the stock, according to Mark McKechnie of ThinkEquity.
Steve Jobs' health issues have been weighing on the stock in our view for several years, he told investors. We argue his departure removes a significant overhang on the stock.


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BERLIN (Reuters) - The German industry remains in recession but is no longer in free-fall and an improvement in the sector's prospects is coming into view, the Ifo economic institute said on Thursday.
Ifo reaffirmed its 2020 growth forecast of 1.1% and increased its 2021 outlook for Europe's largest economy to growth of 1.5% from 1.4% previously forecast.
"While the performance of domestically oriented service providers and construction companies continues to improve, industry remains caught in recession," Timo Wollmershaeuser, head of forecasting at Ifo, said in a statement.
But the institute added: "The most recent order intake levels, business expectations in the manufacturing sector, and a further increase in goods exports in October indicated that the free-fall has stopped and that, gradually, light is appearing at the end of the industrial economic tunnel."Original Article


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Filipinas: Filipino food program helps potato farmers raise yields
A new project, initiated by Universal Robina Corp. (URC) in collaboration with the Filipino government, will allow the nation’s potato growers to thrive during the current pandemic.
In support of the Duterte administration’s major initiative of fostering a more productive and progressive agriculture sector through inclusive growth and sustainable development, URC, one of the country’s largest food firms, and the Department of Agriculture agreed in 2018 to work together to provide farmers with quality potato seeds, training, and research access.
Since then, potato yields from the program have grown by more than fivefold. Farmers are now able to harvest 10 - 15 kilos a year out of a kilo of seeds from just three to four kilos previously. Last year, they were able to harvest some 1,258 tons of potatoes. That has helped tide them over amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has disrupted food supply chains. It also guaranteed a stable supply of potatoes for consumers.
URC has been providing imported Granola potato seeds from Canada to farming communities in Benguet, Mt. Province, Bukidnon, and Davao del Sur under the “Sustainable Potato Program”. According to pna.gov.ph, last year, the company was able to donate up to 135 tons of Granola Elite 3 table potato seeds imported from Canada to over 1,000 farmers.


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Hannah-Beth Jackson is a Democrat who served in the California State Assembly from 1998-2004 and State Senate from 2012-2020. Jordan Cunningham is a Republican who served in the California State Assembly from 2016-2022 and was a co-author of the California Age Appropriate Design Code.
Big Tech is one of the most powerful forces in Washington, DC and state capitals around the country. Using their armies of lobbyists and the power of campaign contributions, major technology companies routinely sway public policy decisions in their favor.
If that wasn’t enough, an organization representing tech giants including Amazon, Meta, and TikTok announced in late March that it is setting up a “litigation center” to fight new regulations and lawsuits that seek to hold them to account for harms to children.
The evidence of tech’s malfeasance is overwhelming: A recent CDC study found that one in three girls reported seriously considering suicide in the past year – a 60% rise from a decade ago. Hospitalizations among kids under age 19 increased 61% from 2016 to 2021 – and the connection to social media is increasingly stark. Tech companies have made children the most tracked, profiled, and monetized generation; childhood happens increasingly online, without any rules.
As lawmakers who worked for a combined 20 years to enact privacy protections for consumers, it’s appalling to see Big Tech companies use their power and money to attempt to wipe their hands clean of the harms their products have inflicted. But that shouldn’t stop us from continuing to fight for creating responsible design and safe digital products and services.
The law is not static. It must be reformed and modernized to keep pace with market conditions and changes in technology, just as it has in the past. We require product safety guardrails on every other set of products our children consume — including food, toys, and even TV advertising. So why not digital products? The simple reason is that Big Tech has successfully lobbied to prohibit consideration of child safety.
There is one exception. Last year, California legislators unanimously passed the Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC): a law focused on holding tech companies accountable by designing products with children’s privacy and safety at the forefront.
Throughout the history of this country, we have updated our laws to address previously unforeseen risks caused by innovative products. In the late 19th century, courts initially refused to hold manufacturers liable for harms to consumers caused by defects in product design and manufacturing. In the early 20th century, however, American courts instituted product liability rules that held companies liable for defective designs. This forced companies to take responsibility for the risks caused by their products to design safer products and services. The result was a safer world for all of us.
Similarly, car manufacturers initially resisted implementing seatbelts, but as it became apparent that they saved lives, laws were updated to incorporate this critical feature. But even as we’ve learned that social media companies possess internal research that their products are harming our kids, we have failed to take necessary action as a country.
When the market doesn’t self-correct, the government must act. Now, as then, the law must be reformed to keep pace with market conditions.
It was a paradigm shift last year when California passed the AADC to create safety standards for our kids. The AADC requires companies to stop unnecessarily collecting children’s data and profiting from their digital identities. It puts an end to a model that incentivizes companies to use, share, or sell children’s data for all kinds of purposes.
Instead of recognizing their responsibility to protect our children, certain Big Tech companies are placing blame on parents, suggesting ludicrous “solutions” such as genius bars for parents, and filing lawsuits claiming First Amendment and other legal violations. But it’s not parents’ fault that these platforms track their children’s movement for profit. And it’s not parents’ responsibility to design products that are safe for kids to use.
Importantly, the AADC is not a bill about content – indeed, it doesn’t dictate anything about third-party content, or whether companies should put up or take down content. Instead, it incentivizes heightened safety and privacy for children upstream, at the point of design. The AADC focuses squarely on product features within platform control, such as algorithmic design, prioritization mechanisms, and information collection and use. It appropriately encourages platforms to make choices that prioritize child safety over wringing out every possible dollar of profit regardless of the human cost.
The California AADC is the first attempt in the United States to put the responsibility back on companies for designing digital products that take child safety into consideration from the start. It is not meaningfully different from demanding that companies drilling for oil take precautions to prevent spills, or that shipping companies try to prevent derailments that risk entire towns, or requiring car manufacturers to install seat belts and other safety features.
Not surprisingly, the bill has caught the ire of Big Tech and its “litigation center” – which filed a lawsuit to halt the California AADC just months after it was signed into law. But we cannot let Big Tech firms bully lawmakers and courts into submission — with our children as the ultimate victims.
California lawmakers stepped up last year in passing the AADC. Big Tech should step down — for once. Or, even better, Big Tech should step forward by embracing the opportunity to make online platforms safer for children. Our children deserve nothing less.


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Porsche Panamera Development
The Panamera made its official debut in April at this year's Shanghai Motor Show, after nearly three years of spy shots and heavily disguised prototype photos began showing up on the Internet.
The car is built on an all-new platform that shares some components with the Cayenne SUV, including similar engines. The long-wheelbase sedan features two seats up front and two full-sized seats in the rear, with plenty of trunk space.
As it's only the fourth model in Porsche's current lineup, the manufacturer went through great pains to make it more than just an ordinary sedan. What they wanted was a true "sports car for four," said Gary Fong, a spokesman for Porsche Cars North America.
Fong said the company expects the Panamera to appeal to existing Porsche loyalists -- people who already own Porsche Boxsters or 911s -- but need a more practical car to fill out their garage. The same kind of person is also a Cayenne buyer, so Porsche hopes the sedan will achieve similar success as their SUV.
"We believe this car will do much of the same [as the Cayenne]," Fong said. "It allows the owner to share the sports car experience with three others."
So, Porsche needs a sedan to broaden their appeal beyond sports cars. But why would one of the world's foremost performance car companies need to build a hybrid?
Again, Fong says it's about ensuring that Porsche fans can have the cars they want -- like more practical, eco-friendly models -- without having to buy from another automaker.
"We can't survive by being a niche manufacturer," Fong said. In addition, the money generated from making cars with more mass appeal -- like the Cayenne -- allows Porsche to do what it does best: build performance machines like the 911 GT3 and compete in auto racing.
So now we know what role the Panamera Hybrid will play in Porsche's lineup, but in the next section, we'll look at what makes it tick. Can a four-door Porsche live up to the brand's go-fast reputation?


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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.48%) was trading 19 points lower, or 0.12%, by mid-afternoon despite a new government report showing a 2.2% month-over-month increase in February in orders for durable goods -- vehicles and other products meant to last more than three years. That was the strongest reading since November, although it was driven in large part by aircraft orders. Excluding the volatile transportation segment, durable goods orders rose only 0.2%. After adverse weather conditions seen throughout early 2014, and businesses selling through inventories, economic growth in the first quarter is expected to slow from last year's fourth quarter. With that in mind, here are some companies making headlines today.
It's been a rough go for some automakers for the first quarter of 2014. Merely a few weeks into Mary Barra's new role as CEO of General Motors (GM -0.64%), the company began recalling 1.6 million small cars due to a faulty ignition switch tied to at least 12 deaths. GM shares have slid roughly 15% under Barra's watch, and the problems go further than vehicle recalls.
GM's most important vehicle, the Chevrolet Silverado, saw sales decline 15% over the first two months of the year compared to 2013. Investors are awaiting sales results for March, when the company offered its steepest discounts on the Silverado to date; if sales still struggle, it'll be a very bad sign for America's largest automaker. Also of interest to investors is General Motors' Cadillac brand, which was a big success story last year, but which has witnessed a sales decline of nearly 8% so far this year.
GM isn't the only automaker having problems early in 2014. Nissan is recalling over 1 million vehicles globally to fix a software glitch that could deactivate the front passenger airbag. The Japanese car maker is expected to begin updating the software for free by mid-April, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Meanwhile, despite multiple smaller recalls of Ford's (F -0.26%) Escape, sales continue to surge. The Blue Oval said retail registrations of the Escape are up 81% since 2009, which is higher than the overall industry growth.
"While Escape is a compact utility built for everyone and we're seeing strong sales across the board, sales are really being driven by these active adults in the 55- to 64-year-old range," said Erich Merkle, U.S. sales analyst for Ford, in a press release. "It's no secret baby boomers are playing a large role in the compact utility vehicle segment, and will continue to do so well into the foreseeable future."
What's good about this trend for Ford and its investors is that baby boomers have the cash and are looking to spend it on premium trims and technology options -- a profitable sales mix.
"Trendy baby boomers want to downsize their homes and their vehicles, but they're not willing to give up premium content in either case," said Amy Marentic, marketing manager for Ford's global car and crossover group.
Last year, Ford gained more market share in the U.S. than any other major automaker. It hopes to take even more share after GM's massive recall this year.


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Agency executives say Twitter's introduction of a new algorithm for the top of the news feed could be the beginning of a series of bold moves for the platform.
The algorithm, officially introduced today, reorders tweets at the top of a user's timeline with tweets determined by criteria such as account interactions, engagement and network activity. The feature is optional and is followed by the traditional reverse-chronological feed that for years has made the platform stand out from others. Execs, including some who received briefings ahead of time with details of what to expect, said the update could be just what the platform needs to win new users and generate more revenue.
"This is a smart move for them to increase and surface better content and engagements and a better user experience," said Noah Mallin, senior partner and head of social in North America for MEC. "They've walked a fine line in not alienating existing users while also not making this a clunky experience that would require something like toggling between multiple tabs."
At the same time, Mallin added that Twitter has "really picked up the product pace," which should translate into more opportunities for marketers to continue experimenting with the platform.
Chris Tuff, director of business development and partnerships at 22squared, said the algorithm very well might be the renaissance many have been looking for from the company.
"Look at the history of Facebook—it simply wasn't sticky enough without their algorithm," Tuff said. "Remember the backlash they saw? Twitter needs to focus on their differentiators—and one of those is real-time—but it's too noisy for brands and users to break through the feed right now."
Tom Hyde, social strategy director at Droga5, said Twitter's challenge has always been "balancing signal to noise" for users. Even as it has released new features over the past year–products such as tailored trends, Moments and "while you were away" tweets—new features have felt cluttered and complex. However, Hyde said, if the algorithm surfaced more relevant content for users, it could significantly help them manage the hundreds or thousands of tweets that endlessly scroll by.
"The introduction of an algorithm, front and center, might not be what the die-hard users want, but it's what the platform needs," he said.
The algorithm comes as Twitter works to grow its user base, which totaled about 320 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, according to its quarterly earnings released today.
While many Twitter users took to the platform over the weekend to complain about the idea of an algorithm, Andy Amendola, director of digital strategy at The Community, said power users need to remember that Twitter has to take bold steps to grow its user base if it's going to survive.
"How can using data to better serve personalized content to users be a bad thing? And what took Twitter so long? If Twitter gets this right, it will be better for everyone involved—but that's a big 'if,'" Amendola said.
Moment Studio CEO Ken Kraemer said Twitter's time-based feed is central to what makes it Twitter. However, he added, the changes were bound to happen.
"It is inevitable that Twitter will need to create some scarce, attention-rich inventory it can sell to advertisers if it is going to survive on an ad-rich model," Kraemer said. "That means controlling the feed. Depending on how well they do it, it could destroy the timeline experience dedicated users love."


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Apple CEO Tim Cook fired a shot over the bow of Microsoft and PC vendors during his company's special event on Tuesday.
Standing before a street sign with a squiggled arrow, Cook said that his company's competitors are "confused."
"The competition is different...they are confused," Cook said. "They chased after netbooks. Now they are trying to make PCs into tablets and tablets into PCs. Who knows what they will do next? I can't answer that question, but I can tell we have a very clear direction and very ambitious goals. We still believe deeply in this category and we are not slowing down on innovation. We have been really hard at work on the Mac and we have exciting new products."
Cook's comment didn't specifically mention competitors, but it seemed clear that Microsoft and PC vendors -- the companies that invested in Netbooks before they were all but killed off by tablets -- were the target for his jab.
That comment came after Cook announced that 64 percent of users are currently running iOS 7 -- a figure he says, stands in stark contrast to the initial adoption rates of its competitors.
Apple - USE TAG
reading•Apple's Cook on competitors: 'They're confused'
Nov 20•How to see how much time you waste on Facebook
Nov 20•Adjust the blur of portrait mode photos on any iPhone with Google Photos
Nov 20•Apple Watch 3 vs. Fitbit Versa: Which smartwatch should you buy?
Nov 20•Black Friday 2018 Verizon deal offers up to $400 off a new phone


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Flood of pink slips coming, warn startups
Much of the layoffs will stem from distress sales and company closures.
Re-commerce startup Cashify to get into branded accessories
"Buyers for used phones range from - first-time users who want to upgrade from a ...
Refurbished phones demand surges amid supply crunch for new devices
“We have been witnessing a sudden increase in demand for refurbished phon...
Refurbished, pre-owned smartphones rack up numbers as incomes shrink
Omni-channel goods’ resellers such as OLX, Quikr, Cashify and Yaantra are witnessing a flow in demand towards the organised refurbished and pre-owned smartphone market in just over a week of easing of lockdown restrictions.
Cashify gets $12 million in Series-C
The Series-C round was led by CDH Investments and MorningSide Group, with Chinese recommerce firm AiHuiShou participating as a strategic investor.
Starved of openings, Chinese Cos cross Great Wall to India
Fewer Chinese startups going public, uncertainty after trade spat with US & sobering of valuations post WeWork.
China’s recommerce giant AiHuiShou looks to cash in with Cashify deal
The partnership will enable Cashify to tap into AiHuiShou’s technology as also bring about operational efficiencies into its business as it looks to expand to international markets like Indonesia and Middle East as a joint entity by next year.
Non-financial firms chase digital verification startups
These companies are using the services of startups such as IDfy, VerifyDigital, inVOID and Yoti to identify employees, run checks on gig economy workers and providers of shared services like bike rentals, car rentals, and for dating and marriage services.
Chinese Venture Capital funds rush to buy stakes in Indian startups
Nearly half-a-dozen venture capital funds from China are looking to buy stakes in Indian startups across financial and education technology, ecommerce, content and online classifieds.
Used handset sellers expect panic selling of Huawei phones
Word is spreading that Google services will not be available for Huawei. A panic situation may soon arise.
What to do with your old mobile phone? Mandeep Manocha will give you cash in exchange
"Currently, we are handling 150,000 phones per month. Last year in May, this number was at 50,000 and in the next 12 months we plan to double it," said Manocha.
Shunwei’s slowly taking capital spot in Indian startup ecosystem
With eight investments closed in less than 10 months, the firm is leveraging its learning from the Chinese market and betting on companies which can gain from the mobile-internet boom.
Xiaomi, VC arm to pick 10% in mobility startup chalo.com
The deal, which is part of Xiaomi’s efforts to increase its presence in the Indian mobile application space, values chalo.com at around Rs 500 crore.
China’s Shunwei Capital raises $1.21 b for its latest global fund
Chinese early-and growth-stage venture capital fund Shunwei Capital has raised one of its largest funds yet at $1.21 billion.
Noida-based Moglix the fastest growing Indian tech company: Deloitte India’s Technology Fast 50 2018
The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 India program ranks the fastest growing technology companies in India based on their percentage revenue growth over the last three financial years.


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|Africa Forum at Gallup Organization HQ in Washington|
Sponsored by several organizations – FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative, Gallup Poll, The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, AllAfrica.com, and Operation Hope – the forum was held in the headquarters of the Gallup Organization and featured three panel discussions, three shorter presentations, and remarks by five African ambassadors to the United States.
The first panel, on U.S. and African perspectives on African trade, was moderated by Ambassador Robin Sanders, CEO of the FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative, and featured remarks by Florie Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa; Jean-Louis Ekra, president of the Africa Export-Import Bank, and Ambassador Tebelelo Mazile Seretse of Botswana.
The stage had been set for the discussion on trade issues by Nigerian Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye in his welcoming remarks, when he said that Africans “don't want aid anymore. We want trade; we want access to the market” in Europe and North America.
Ambassador Sanders had pointed out that the U.S.-Africa leaders summit had been authorized in the original AGOA (Africa Growth and Opportunity Act) legislation nearly 15 years ago, so the summit itself is deeply connected to trade.
Ekra offered some general points to begin the discussion, such as how 70 percent of African trade is in commodities. For example, he said, virtually every country on the west coast of Africa exports oil, and more than 70 percent of all the cocoa in the world is produced in four West African countries. Trade in the southern part of the continent is dominated by minerals, while East Africa is producing natural gas and tea.
Ekra's larger point was that all these products are mostly unprocessed and that processing commodities adds value to them, and value-added, in turn, creates jobs.
One barrier to developing value-adding industries, he said, was the lack of infrastructure, starting with unreliable sources of electrical power – despite huge deposits of energy such as oil, gas, and coal – but also including a deficit in roads within and between countries.
The lack of infrastructure means a lack of intra-African trade, a point taken up by Liser, who explained that African regional trade is the smallest in the world. Only 11 percent of trade is among people on the continent, compared to 30 percent of trade in Latin America and 60 percent in Europe.
Despite this, she noted, six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies are in Africa. The barriers to regional trade have an effect on the competitiveness of African businesses. It's difficult, she said, to become competitive globally if you are not first competitive locally or regionally.
That is one reason that African countries have set a goal of continent-wide free trade, so that “if you invest in one country, you have access to an entire continent.”
For her part, Ambassador Seretse agreed on the importance of infrastructure development, something particularly significant for landlocked countries like Botswana. One of the top priorities of SADCC – the southern African customs union and trade area – is to improve infrastructure, transportation, and clearance systems in order to facilitate trade across the subcontinental region.
Liser also pointed out that the U.S. policy emphasis on trade and investment over the past few years is a “change in paradigm” that acknowledges how “Africa is the place to go to if you want a high return on investment” (ROI).
American policymakers have come to realize, she said, that AGOA's focus on reducing tariffs was not sufficient to make African businesses competitive. The problem was not asking, what do Africans have to sell to Americans? The United States would import African oil even in the absence of AGOA, and probably most other commodities, as well. But finished or semi-finished goods need a boost. “Unless you have the capacity to produce competitively,” she said, “duty-free [status] doesn't matter.”
She also noted that utilization of AGOA remains low even after more than a decade since its initial implementation. Forty countries, she said, “exported $4.9 billion in non-oil” products. The focus has to be on more productivity to sell more value-added goods to Europe, the United States, “and each other.”
Every AGOA-eligible country, she added, should have a national export strategy, identifying the top three products it would like to export and then develop public-private partnerships to make that sector more competitive.
As for recommendations for changes in policy, Ekra said that countries have to stop being afraid of the trade treaties they sign but don't implement.
He gave the example of ECOWAS, one of the earliest such treaties. The other countries in the ECOWAS zone were afraid of being overwhelmed by Nigeria. They feared an influx of immigrants from Nigeria if the borders were opened. What happened was the opposite, however. Ghanaians, for instance, who had gone looking for work in Nigeria had a reason to return home once the barriers were lifted and new opportunities became available within ECOWAS but outside Nigeria.
Ekra said there is a need to foster entrepreneurship and to support the building of a regional value-chain. He reiterated the necessity of building infrastructure and said “Power Africa has to be non-stop.”
He also said there has to be a reduction of non-tariff trade barriers in agriculture because, when it is fully developed, “Africa can feed the world.”
Sanders then posed the question: What about China?
Liser replied that the “essence of the U.S. government position on Africa” is that the continent needs “many partners.” Different partners bring different facets to the mix, she said.
“We are not in competition with China in Africa,” Liser said. “We hope Africans are establishing the best deals for themselves” with Chinese partners, because if Africa is benefiting from relationships with China, “it's good.”


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Foreign firms to gain greater footing in petrol retail market New policies are in the making to allow foreign firms to gain greater footing in Vietnam’s petrol retail market, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Government Decision 83/2014/ND-CP, for the first time, considers giving the green light to domestic petrol retail firms to sell up to 34 percent of their shares to foreign buyers. The sales must also be inspected and approved by the MoIT before taking effect. In recent years, as domestic firms pushed for equitisation many have become part-owned by foreign firms including the Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) with 8 percent owned by foreign partners, PetroVietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL) 20 percent and Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical 34 percent. Tran Duy Dong, head of the MoIT’s domestic market department, said while the country encouraged foreign firms to invest in the domestic market, the Government must reserve the role of market management, explaining the MoIT must inspect and approve sales of shares by domestic firms. The 34 percent ceiling posed little threat to national energy security as domestic firms would still control the businesses, said expert Dr Dinh Trong Thinh. Meanwhile, having foreign firms in… Read full this story
- VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES OCTOBER 16
- VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES OCTOBER 17
- VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES OCTOBER 17
VIETNAM'S BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES AUGUST 12 have 215 words, post on vietnamnet.vn at December 8, 2020. This is cached page on Vietnam Art News. If you want remove this page, please contact us.


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On October 17, 2018, the Trudeau government decriminalized marijuana. The mainstream media rejoiced, claiming, without any scientific evidence, but with remarkable confidence, that marijuana was safer than alcohol, was not addictive, or harmful to health. The media celebrated that, at last, the myths surrounding marijuana had been dissolved.
The media narrative was supported by multinational corporate interests whose only concern was profit. These corporate interests lobbied against any restriction on the amount of THC (the intoxicating component in the drug), but were not successful in this regard. Presently in Canada, legally sold edibles such as Gummy Bears and Brownies, as well as smoked marijuana are limited to 10% THC.
Reputable Research on Marijuana
Since marijuana’s decriminalization, many reputable institutions have been researching the drug and are finding some alarming results. The institutions conducting this research include the Canadian Department of Health, Harvard University, the American Board of Pain Medicine, Columbia University, and New York School of Medicine.
This research has disclosed that marijuana, far from being harmless, is quite the opposite. For example, problems caused by marijuana include depression, suicidal thoughts, high anxiety, and addiction, (between 10% and 30% of marijuana users become addicted). Memory loss, poor executive decision skills, diminished ability to learn and retain information, lowered IQ, severe vomiting, and fetal development impairment are also caused by marijuana use. The Canadian Department of Health Science Advisory Committee has warned pregnant and nursing mothers against marijuana use. Increased risk of heart attacks, lung damage, and shorter life expectancy can also result from marijuana use.
Black Market Flourishing
When Justin Trudeau legalized marijuana he claimed that one of its objectives was to curb the illicit market or black market sales of marijuana. This has not happened. The federal Financial Transactions Centre (FINTRAC), which is responsible for implementing the “Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act”, issued a report, in February 2022, stating that the market for illicit marijuana continues to exist and is flourishing. It estimated that at least 37% of marijuana sold to Canadians is purchased on the black market. It is significant, however, that Statistics Canada states that the black market contributes 43% to the marijuana sales. Despite this discrepancy in the amount of black market sales, it is clear that the black market has continued to flourish after decriminalization. The FINTRAC report stated that illegal sales have resulted in the increased funding of criminal activity for crime groups, as well as decreasing tax revenue for the government.
Further, FINTRAC states that illegal marijuana is being sold through front companies from a wide range of businesses laundering proceeds of illicit sales. It gave examples of e-commerce businesses in the beauty and wellness industry, food and beverage wholesalers, automotive-related businesses, electronic repair businesses, and construction related businesses. Often, there were little or no other business-related transactions in the accounts of these front companies. The Department of Justice cheerfully stated, however, that “full transition to the new market will take time before licensed dealers can compete with the drug dealers”.
Federal Panel on Marijuana
The 2018 legislation decriminalizing marijuana provided that the federal government review the impact of the legislation within three years after its enactment. Four months past the deadline, the Liberal government finally established the panel, in February 2022.
Liberal Government will be Unmoved by Recommendations of the Panel and the Harms Caused by Marijuana
Regardless of any recommendation from the federal marijuana panel, it is likely the Trudeau government will ignore them. It will not revoke or amend the legislation for the following two reasons:
- Government Profits from Marijuana Sales:
The Trudeau government will not likely limit the sales of marijuana because, even with the presence of the black market, the government is still making huge profits on the sale of marijuana. According to a comprehensive report released on February 1, 2022, by Deloitte Canada, between legalization in October 2018 and 2021, Canada’s marijuana industry contributed $43.5 billion to the economy. This sum included $15 billion in taxes for the government, increased consumer spending, as well as the employment of 43,479 people, and capital expenditures provided by the production and sale of marijuana. Statistics Canada reported sales of marijuana in June 2022 jumped 23% over the same month last year. Simply put, the contribution to the economy by the marijuana industry is a large source of money for both the government and the economy.
This increasing use of marijuana is attributed to the fact that the threshold to marijuana use and its effects must be maintained by more frequent consumption, and that the easy availability of the drug increases its consumption.
- Government wants to keep “progressive” voters on side:
The Liberal government will not limit sales, despite the harms caused by its use, because of its desire to keep the “progressive” voters on side. The Trudeau government’s voter support comes mainly from left and left-of-centre voters, i.e. the woke, progressive voters who regard marijuana use as reasonable and an acceptable lifestyle choice. The Liberal government does not want to risk losing these votes, and so will be unlikely to restrict the sale of marijuana in Canada.
Canadians will have to wait for a saner, more responsible government to be elected in order to restrict the use of this harmful drug.


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San Antonio-based online learning solutions provider Inspired eLearning is unveiling a new virtual reality (VR) training demonstration at the information technology security-focused RSA Conference in San Francisco this week.
The demo will take visitors through a variety of virtual security and compliance scenarios, based on Inspired eLearning’s security awareness content, to demonstrate the benefits of VR over traditional training.
John Trest, chief learning officer at Inspired eLearning, said VR training is superior to traditional methods because it “better simulates actual memories for the learner, as if the virtual experience was their own and creates stronger emotional reactions than with traditional training, all of which increases retention of the information”.
“It’s also a great way to break up the standard e-learning course experience to help increase interest and motivate learners.”
“We’re incredibly excited to unveil this new age of security awareness technology to the audience at RSA,” added Kyle Metcalf, chief executive officer of Inspired eLearning. “I can’t say enough about the great work that our team is doing and their commitment to our mission of delivering best-in-class content, which includes finding new ways our customers can increase the effectiveness of training and retention.”


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Fortune Magazine is reporting that "PayPal tells users it will fine them $2,500 for misinformation, then backtracks immediately." Candace Owens mentioned it on Instagram.
"Next time you’re clicking through one of those impossibly long and impenetrable legal disclaimers to a company’s terms of service, it may be time to have a closer look.
A new policy in PayPal’s fine print triggered a storm of outrage over apparent plans to impose, starting on Nov. 3, a hefty fine of $2,500 any time one of its 429 million consumers and merchants expressed what the corporate brass deems to be misinformation.
PayPal quickly apologized over the weekend for what it called 'confusion,' claiming it was all just an error, but not before a a deluge of criticism from a number of high-profile individuals—including its own former president, David Marcus."
Reuters claims that it was a *error* - not a false report but a true report of what they claim was an error. Ya no kidding. Kiss your company goodbye. They actually put that in their terms and conditions. That is insane and clearly shows how ridiculous big tech has become.
When rich capitals fund and enforce Communism, it's not to share their wealth. It's to increase their wealth by turning consumers into slaves.
Pride cometh before the fall so it does.
This is like how Twitter deleted a tweet by the Florida Surgeon General Joe Ladapo then restored it after backlash. That kind of medical censorship is completely unacceptable.
Right before that Twitter suspended the account of another medical doctor named Peter McCullough. So what did he do? He instantly went over to Substack just like Dr Robert Malone did. No lie can live forever and big Tech sucks. Corporate monopolies are bad for consumers and for civil liberty.


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Ideate if you could interact your phone like a piece of stuff. Folded, dropped, tucked into a packsack, or trampled but plant not halting.
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But there are reports evoke that Samsung give be the front accompany to represent it chance.
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The obturate present be "doubled, coiled and much, and enables upper strength finished the use of plastic plaster that is thinner, device and solon versatile than orthodox LCD discipline ...," said a spokesman for Samsung.
But there are many opposite technologies that can play your canny sound can be grass or snaky. Withal, the construct of creating a supple and join electronics on negotiable impressible that also has been discussed since the 1960s.
In 2005, Philips demonstrated the first paradigm of the representation can be bound up.
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But according to a Land skilled in discipline, Samsung is quite far upfield in this land.
Some the bailiwick, it seems that presently we module human a phone that is not exclusive fashionable, but also can be endowment.


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Blockbuster health care acquisitions involving two Connecticut insurers could reduce competition in prescription drug pricing and deal a blow to consumers, Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said as he asked the U.S. Department of Justice to take a closer look at the corporate deals.
Regulators are reviewing a $69 billion acquisition of Hartford-based Aetna Inc. by CVS Health Corp. and the $67 billion purchase of Express Scripts Holding Co. by Cigna Corp. in Bloomfield.
Grassley, R-Iowa, on Tuesday cited a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation detailing industry concentration. The proposed mergers of CVS Health and Aetna and Cigna and Express Scripts would result in further consolidation of the Part D marketplace,” the Kaiser report said.
Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug program.
“If these mergers go through, four firms — the two merged firms plus UnitedHealth and Humana — would cover 71 percent of all Part D enrollees and 86 percent of stand-alone drug plan enrollees, based on 2018 enrollment,” it said.
Grassley said in a letter to Makan Delrahim, the assistant attorney general who heads the Justice Department’s antitrust division, that over the past several years, consumers “have faced substantial increases in drug prices across the board.”
He warned that the transactions would result in substantial integration with insurance companies in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The three largest pharmacy benefit managers, which help employers manage costs, are integrated with insurance companies, Grassley said.
Carolyn Castel, a spokeswoman for CVS, said the intent of the Aetna deal “is to create a new health care model that will help consumers improve their health by focusing on prevention and primary care, simplifying their health care experience and reducing costs.”
CVS is in “productive discussions” with regulators, including Department of Justice officials, she said.
Cigna said that with Express Scripts, “we will expand choice, improve affordability, increase innovation that is needed in the U.S. health care system and enhance alignment and transparency for customers, clients and health plans.”
The insurer said it’s optimistic regulators will back the deal.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an emailed statement he will try to make sure Justice Department officials ask the “right questions,” such as what impact the deals will have on prescription drug prices, competitors, hospitals and other industry players.
Grassley said Congress has a role in encouraging “new strategies and experimentation” among hospitals, physician groups, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies, wholesalers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and others in the supply chain to help reduce costs.
The proposed transactions may improve efficiency but also could lead to increased barriers to entry for competition, Grassley said.
Critics of the deals have cited competition and consumer choice. The American Medical Association criticized the Aetna-CVS deal, saying it will leave consumers with fewer health care choices.
Cigna and Express Scripts have defended the deal, which supporters say could help control health care costs as consolidation picks up in the insurance and pharmacy benefits management industries.
Executives say the CVS-Aetna deal will integrate the work of doctors, pharmacists, other health care professionals and health benefits companies to establish an easier-to-use and less expensive platform for consumers.


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TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - If you’ve purchased any ready-to-cook chicken products from Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc., you might want to do a double take at the label.
The Arkansas-based company recalled more than 2 million pounds of poultry products due to possible contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture rated the recall as a class-I recall, meaning that there is a “reasonable probability” that the product could cause serious health problems or death, according to the USDA website.
The recall is specifically for products produced from Oct. 21 to Nov. 4, 2019, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Effected poultry products bear the establishment numbers “P-1949," P-486″ or “P-5837” in the USDA mark of inspection.
Officials are concerned over possible exposure to “extraneous materials, specifically metal,” according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The items in question were sent to “institutions” in Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, according to the USDA press release. There have not been any reports of “adverse effects” due to possible contaminated products, but the USDA urges any customers who purchased recalled Simmons products to not serve them.
Anyone who might have purchased the recalled items should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions can call Simmons at (888)-931-7007 or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-(888)-674-6854.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.


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May marks the beginning of the busiest moving season for Texans. It is also a time when unscrupulous and unlicensed operators are most likely to take advantage of consumers.
Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin, along with the Southwest Movers Association, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Association of Realtors, will kick off National Moving Month at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 4 at the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
In order to educate Texans on the importance of hiring a trustworthy mover, State Representative Celia Israel (District 50-Austin) will kick off National Moving Month with Better Business Bureau (BBB), Texas Association of Realtors (TAR), Southwest Movers Association (SMA), Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).
Rep. Celia Israel, who owns a consulting firm focusing on public affairs and real estate, will join these industry experts to share important consumer tips on how to avoid moving scams, along with information on increased penalties for rogue operators.
SMA’s Pinnacle Movers, an elite group of companies adhering to high ethical standards and professional competence, will be on hand with moving trucks for on-site demonstrations of best practices. These movers are also BBB Accredited Businesses, adhering to BBB’s eight Standards for Trust, which includes advertising honestly, honoring promises and safeguarding privacy.
Consumer victims who have been taken advantage of by rogue operators will also be on hand to share their personal stories.


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US Orgs Not Ready to Comply with CCPA
Protecting consumer privacy has become a top priority for legislators as candidates launch their 2020 campaigns and try to win over voters. According to research findings revealed in the new CCPA and GDPR Compliance Report, however, US companies haven't made privacy regulations a top priority.
The online survey, conducted by TrustArc, reflects responses from 250 IT professionals who represent a wide spectrum of industries and company sizes. Of all the participating organizations, half were impacted by both General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), while half were impacted only by CCPA. The report found that 88% of companies need help complying with California’s new privacy regulations.
According to the findings, only 14% of companies are currently compliant with CCPA, despite its deadline being less than 10 months away. Additionally, survey results revealed that 84% of respondents have started the CCPA compliance process, though only 56% have moved forward to the implementation stage.
Even though fewer than half (44%) have not yet started the implementation process, 64% of companies said they need help developing their CCPA privacy plan. However, compliance readiness varied depending on whether companies have already worked on GDPR compliance.
Responses from those companies that were not impacted by GDPR showed that 79% will need to spend more than six figures to comply with CCPA, while only 61% of companies that have worked on GDPR compliance will need to spend as much.
“At TrustArc, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of customers coming to us for support to comply with CCPA,” said CEO Chris Babel. “Companies that took the steps to comply with GDPR are already ahead of the game and will have an easier path to meet the requirements of CCPA. The companies that did not work on GDPR compliance will be under the gun to implement scalable compliance processes by the January 1, 2020, deadline.”
Source: Information Security Magazine


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Governor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation to increase civil and tax penalties for the unlicensed and illicit sale of cannabis in New York as part of the FY 2024 Budget. The legislation, first proposed by the Governor in March, provides additional enforcement power to the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance to enforce the new regulatory requirements and close stores engaged in the illegal sale of cannabis.
"As New York State continues to roll out a nation-leading model to establish its cannabis industry, these critical enforcement measures will protect New Yorkers from illicit, unregulated sales," Governor Hochul said. "Unlicensed dispensaries violate our laws, put public health at risk, and undermine the legal cannabis market. With these enforcement tools, we're paving the way for safer products, reinvestment in communities that endured years of disproportionate enforcement, and greater opportunities for New Yorkers."
The legislation empowers the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance to curb the sale and/or gifting of cannabis from unlicensed storefronts and trucks across New York State. Specifically, this change to state law will allow the Office of Cannabis Management to assess civil penalties against unlicensed cannabis businesses that would undercut their efforts, with fines of up to $20,000 a day for the most egregious conduct. This legislation also makes it a crime to sell cannabis and cannabis products without a license.
Additionally, this legislation will bolster the Office of Cannabis Management's ability to conduct regulatory inspections of businesses selling cannabis and cannabis products, as well as businesses that sell and give away cannabis and cannabis products in indirect ways, such as so-called "sticker shops." The Office of Cannabis Management will seize untested cannabis and cannabis products from unlicensed businesses, and will seek court-orders, closing orders, and removal of commercial tenants who are selling cannabis and cannabis products without the appropriate license.
The Department of Taxation and Finance will now be able to conduct regulatory inspections of businesses selling cannabis to determine if appropriate taxes have been paid and will be able to levy civil penalties in cases where appropriate taxes have not been paid. The legislation also establishes a new tax fraud crime for businesses that willfully fail to collect or remit required cannabis taxes, or knowingly possess for sale any cannabis on which tax was required to be paid but was not.
Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander said, "Today, the State took a necessary step to protect the public health of New Yorkers and to support our state's growing cannabis industry. I appreciate Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for demonstrating their commitment to establishing the most equitable cannabis market in the nation. Today's legislation will further those goals by giving the Office of Cannabis Management real power to shut down businesses trying to flout our laws and ensure that communities who were promised reinvestment dollars are not shortchanged."
New York State Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Amanda Hiller said, "Strengthening tax laws as they pertain to the cannabis industry and providing for robust and fair enforcement will help the industry to be successful over the long term."
OCM has awarded 165 licenses to date with more to be awarded this month at the Cannabis Control Board meeting. There are currently eight successful dispensaries and one delivery operation in the State, including non-profits, entrepreneurs and a woman-owned business in Manhattan and Queens, entrepreneurs in Ithaca and Schenectady, a non-profit in Binghamton and the state's first delivery business in Albany, with more dispensaries to open in the coming weeks and months. All regulated, licensed dispensaries must post the Dispensary Verification Tool near their main entrance.


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Deal marks first time the two global brands have collaborated
BEIJING, Sept. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Universal Music Group for Brands (UMGB China), the global brand partnerships division of Universal Music Group (UMG), today announced that it has signed an agreement with leading carmaker Shanghai General Motors Buick (Buick) for a first-of-its-kind collaboration that will see the companies launch a new original musical project inspired by the carmaker, titled “Guang Zhi Suo Xiang (Where Light Lives)”. The song has been released globally on Republic Records China.
The iconic automobile brand officially debuted the song during its “2022 Buick Owners Day” event in late August, with the highly anticipated music video released on September 5th, performed by Buick’s newly announced “Friend of Buick Brand“, renowned Chinese musical performer Liu Lingfei (Liam Liu).
The song, entitled “Guang Zhi Suo Xiang (Where Light Lives)”, is dedicated to Buick drivers for the “2022 Buick Owners Day”, the annual celebration gala for Buick in China. The song and its accompanying music video are crafted to depict Buick owners’ lives and deepen their pride of Buick ownership.
The song’s performer, Liu Lingfei, is a leading actor in Chinese musical theater, who has starred in dozens of musicals, such as the original Chinese musical “White Night” and “The Lost World”, as well as the Broadway musical “Cats” and “The Changeling Doctor”.
Aaron Wang, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Brand Partnerships for UMG Greater China, said, “Buick and UMGB China are both dedicated to building a stage for outstanding music performance that can resonate with people. The co-creation of the theme song explores the possibility of harnessing music as a powerful medium to connect with targeted audiences. We are thrilled to help Buick infuse their brand concept through music, and to create culturally relevant and artist-driven content that will resonate with current and future Buick owners in China.”
The collaboration involves a full spectrum of integrated marketing, from the customization of the music release, artist endorsement, creative visuals, online and offline events, to a series of publicity stunts, as well as the vinyl production of the song.
Notes to Editors:
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About Universal Music Group for Brands
Leveraging the power of music and culture to accelerate business, UMG for Brands offers a unique global approach to making brands culturally relevant and brand marketing, with teams across 74 global markets. Whether a brand is looking to shift perception, reach a new generation, boost sales or build loyalty; UMG for Brands helps define a brand’s authentic voice in culture. Recent CLIO and Cannes Lions wins are a testament of the true synergy that can be achieved between culturally relevant artists and brands.
SOURCE Universal Music Group for Brands UMGB China


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SEATTLE (AP) -- Washington state's minimum wage will rise to the highest in the nation on Jan. 1.
The Seattle Times reports (http://bit.ly/1dcGPu6) that the minimum wage in the state will hit $9.47 an hour then. The minimum wage in neighboring Oregon will rise to $9...
Most Overpaid Athletes. Here’s a list of athletes that most people say they are overpaid for their profession. It’s not always the team that pays them, most of their money comes from endorsements.
Many of them sign contracts worth millions of dollars, but their celebrity status ends getting them lucrative endorsement deals. To wear a pair of Nike sneakers might mean another six or seven figures in


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The editors at Fortune published a story I wrote for them today on a certain level of caution that investors should use when relying on fundamental analysis as a tool to make short or intermediate term price projections for Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) or any other company. Though valuation proves very useful for making long-term predictions, history has taught us that patience is key when making investment decisions.
Even today, Apple has been very range bound largely due to the sizable market correction that began on April 26 suggesting that Apple, like nearly every other company, is at the whim of the larger concerns of the broader market at least in the short-term. As I noted in the article, I'll be running a second piece on Apple's long-term valuation this week, but I had to stress just how important it is to have a long-term horizon on the company when relying on valuation as a basis for investment decision. So much so that it warranted a full article on the subject. You can read the full piece here.
Disclosure: Disclosure: All Cash.


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Site Search Results
Results for: openflow/intel-vt-vs-amd-pacifica/172302134
May 17, 2013From software-defined networking to fabrics to powerful new switches, network vendors are fighting for a revitalized market.
May 16, 2013Fusion-io CEO David Flynn and CMO Rick White have departed the flash memory company just weeks after acquiring NexGen Storage, a startup. Reports say Fusion-io's board wasn't satisfied with revenue growth.
May 14, 2013Google shared details on its production use of OpenFlow in its SDN network at this spring's Open Networking Summit.
May 06, 2013EMC's ViPR, a new software-defined storage platform, is a big bet on virtualized storage services. ViPR borrows from the SDN playbook with a controller and APIs.
May 03, 2013
Intel on Thursday announced that Brian Krzanich, the chipmaker's current COO, will replace Paul Otellini as CEO, effective May 16.
The news arrived only hours after the company released data to tout its forthcoming Haswell chips' improved graphics power and energy management. The new processors have been widely linked to the sagging PC industry's chance for resurgence, and to Intel's continued dominance. But with Intel playing from behind on the mobile scene while also feeling pressure on its server business, Krzanich will face several challenges as he takes the reins.
In a statement, Krzanich emphasized Intel's desire to infiltrate the mobile market. "We have amazing assets, tremendous talent, and an unmatched legacy of innovation and execution," he said. "I look forward to working with our leadership team and employees worldwide to continue our proud legacy, while moving even faster into ultra-mobility, to lead Intel into the next era."
This focus on mobility is nothing new. Tablets and smartphones, most of which run on ARM processors, have cut deeply into the market for traditional PCs. Last fall, prior to the release of Windows 8, Intel representatives argued that thin form factors, low power consumption and robust graphics performance were prerequisites to the PC's resurgence, and that the company's Ultrabook line was intended to deliver precisely these qualities. The Ultrabooks that followed, however, have failed so far to reverse the declining sales of traditional computers, making Haswell one of several key factors -- Windows Blue, Microsoft's upcoming update to Windows 8, is another -- in the PC market's future.
May 02, 2013InteropNet, the production network for Interop Las Vegas, is testing and showcasing a variety of technologies, including a network fabric from Avaya and network configuration software from Tail-f Systems.
May 01, 2013Brocade is releasing new hardware and software to support its On-Demand Data Center strategy, which aims to help customers build a more agile, scalable data center for the virtualization age.
May 01, 2013Arista Networks’ 7500E makes switches exciting again. New line cards support 10, 40 and 100GbE mix-and-match ports and offer outstanding port density. Arista’s per-port pricing is also compelling.
April 25, 2013BitTorrent is throwing its hat into the file sync game with an alpha version of a new, free service that uses P2P networking to let users synchronize and share files among mobile devices and PCs. Good luck with that, IT.
April 24, 2013The Nexus 6004 is a 10-Gpbs/40-Gbps data center switch. While a bit of a power hog vs. competitors’ boxes, it promises line rate forwarding on all ports, with 1-microsecond latency. I look at the architecture that makes this possible.
Best of the Web
VXLAN is an Experimental IETF draft of protocols to enable the creation of a large overlay, multi-tenant network.
: OpenFlow is poised to reach over-hyped status, yet there are practical, useful reasons for keeping an eye on Openflow. The biggest cloud players are involved and driving the feature creation.
Get a primer on the Openflow protocol and what it can do for networking.


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There are not many store managers who would just shrug their shoulders upon hearing that one of the employees would be late for a shift. But Moran Goldfine – manager of The Women’s Courtyard at the Port – knew exactly with whom she would be working when she accepted the challenge to manage this social-venture boutique a few months back.
The store was opened in 2012 by the Women’s Courtyard, a multicultural organization that provides support and assistance for young-adult women in distress and at-risk who reside in the cities of Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Bat Yam.
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Organization heads decided that an upscale clothing store selling top designer wear was a great way to offer these women a chance to enter the workforce on the right footing.
It is fashion and compassion combined: Brands like Banker, Top Shop, Billabong and local designers donate previous seasons’ wear to the store and proceeds go to at-risk youth.
“It’s a different experience to shop here,” Goldfine tells ISRAEL21c. “It’s a relaxed experience. We don’t pressure customers. You buy and donate.”
A visitor to the store would find it difficult to imagine that the shop staff hails from the extreme margins of Israeli society. Thanks to Goldfine, who has more than 10 years of experience in store management, the first cohort of eight trainees has learned how to do everything from greeting customers to operating the cash register.
This is the first job they’ve ever held and while it is their lifeline out of poverty, distress, discrimination and abuse, these young women are not “regular” employees. They come late for work or not at all, or may leave in the middle of a shift to run an errand.
But Goldfine encourages them to do their best.
“It’s a confidence boost for them,” says Goldfine. “It gives them hope to wake up in the morning and know that they have a place to go. The salary also gives hope and puts them in another position. These young women are amazing and what they’re doing is really admirable.”
“It is empowering beyond belief. Some of the young women can already hold a shift by themselves. It is beyond what we expected,” says Noa Turgeman, co-executive director of the Women’s Courtyard.
Social workers Mirit Sidi and Leora Kessel started the Women’s Courtyard in 2003 because they saw the need for a safe, female space offering emotional support, educational activities, vocational services and crisis intervention to disadvantaged young women in the Jaffa area.
The Courtyard is located in the middle of a poor neighborhood, in a small free-standing building with a kitchen, living room area and a big courtyard. Therapists help the clients, aged 13 to 25, cope with everyday challenges.
“The organization promotes social justice, equal opportunities and the right of every woman and girl to achieve self-fulfillment in accordance with her will, aspirations and needs, independent of national origins or ethnicity,” the mission statement reads.
When they opened the store last year, Kessel and Sidi also set up a 24-month course to train the boutique workers in all aspects of the fashion business.
In addition to having a personal mentor, these 18- to 25-year-olds are learning about styling, design and sewing as well as how to run a store. The 6B Design College and Shenkar College of Engineering and Design donated free courses. “Fashion makes most women happy,” says Goldfine. “The women who work here love it. It’s a hobby that becomes an occupation.”
A new year of Courtyards
The organization opened a new Haifa Courtyard in January based on the Jaffa model. They hope to raise enough funds to open two other Courtyards in other parts of Israel this year to offer more opportunities to girls and women living on the margins of Israeli society.
“This target group is particularly complex because of the disadvantages that they face because of their gender, challenges reinforced by ethnic, social and geographical considerations,” reads the organization’s mission statement.
The eight women working at the store are among the success stories, yet they, too, are still reliant on the organization for therapy and a listening ear.
“Their life doesn’t stop just because they’re working,” explains Turgeman. “They still have challenges.”
The Courtyard gets financial support from municipalities, the Welfare Ministry, private foundations, local business and private donors, and collaborates with organizations such as Israel’s Social Security program for Employment, Yedid, the Doula program of Diada, Peres Center for Peace, schools in Jaffa and others. The majority of proceeds go to training and supporting the Foundation for Children at Risk and the Dualis Israel Social Venture Fund.
“We’re very unique in that we work inside the neighborhood. We work with everyone. We welcome everyone. We’re very tolerant and very patient,” says Tourgeman. “From a grassroots place to now owning a store and with more Courtyards on the way, it’s just amazing.”


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Chico’s FAS Inc. says it will sell Boston Proper, the women’s apparel catalog company turned e-retailer it acquired in 2011 and developed into a fledgling chain of 20 retail stores closely tied to the brand’s website and online inventory. Chico’s, No. 88 in the Internet Retailer 2015 Top 500 Guide, made the announcement about Boston Proper in its Q2 earnings release and investor call Wednesday. “I love Boston Proper,” said CEO Dave Dyer. “It’s a great direct business, but in the scope of our megabrands without the stores, we think it would get lost in our company.” Dyer was at the helm of Chico’s when it bought Boston Proper for $205 million four years ago and is scheduled to retire next spring. There is no word of a buyer.
RH reported first-quarter sales and earnings that beat expectations and raised its full-year forecast, expressing confidence that its strong performance will continue through the rest of the year and in 2022 and beyond.
The luxury home furnishings company (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) cited a number of factors for its positive outlook, including a strong housing and renovation market (both with pent up demand and a long tail), a record stock market, low interest rates and the reopening of several large parts of the economy. It will also launch the largest new product introduction cycle in its history, beginning this fall.
“Additionally, the un-masking of the general public could lead to a Roaring Twenties type of consumer exuberance,” CEO Gary Friedman wrote in his quarterly letter to shareholders.
more detail at: https://chainstoreage.com/rh-q1-sales-soar-78-will-open-uk-paris-2022


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Singapore — The Singaporean arm of automobile manufacturer Audi has unveiled that their premium mobility concept, Audi on demand, has announced its latest initiative – AOD advantage. This new initiative is Audi on demand’s solution to monthly car bookings and offers exclusive savings advantages when cars are rented for longer periods of time.
With AOD advantage, customers can choose their preferred Audi models for periods longer than one month, accompanied by greater convenience and significant cost savings. AOD advantage keeps salient features from the Audi on demand concepts, namely the seamless online interface and complimentary concierge services – and adds to this with affordable, long-term car bookings.
On the Audi on demand website, customers can access the AOD advantage section and select a car, rental dates, as well as delivery and retrieval locations according to preference. AOD advantage rates come inclusive of insurance, regular servicing and maintenance, as well as 24-hour roadside assistance. Longer-term rentals also feature periodic checks on car mileage, with complimentary car pick-ups and replacements as and when servicing is required.
Markus Schuster, managing director of Audi Singapore, said, “Since its launch in 2018, Audi on demand has been well received in Singapore, offering the latest Audi models for our fans and customers here to experience our cars on their own terms. We are excited for the launch of AOD advantage, which will provide our customers with more flexibility and options to immerse themselves in the Audi experience of premium mobility.”
The longer rental periods offered by AOD advantage allow customers to test a variety of Audi vehicles across an extended period of time as the previous offer only lasted 28 days. The exclusive Audi service also allows additional authorised drivers to participate in the promotion as long as the driver is over the age of 23, has a valid Singapore driving license and has at least two years of driving experience.
Those who have an interest in Audi’s new AOD advantage initiative can schedule a booking or learn more about it at Audi Singapore’s website (sg.audiondemand.com.sg/Vehicle/AODAdvantage).
Last February, Audi Singapore also announced the appointment of Jasmine Toh as public relations manager.


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Korean organisation T1 has announced sports apparel giant Nike as its exclusive apparel partner.
The deal will see Nike design uniforms for all of T1’s rosters, including its team in the LCK.
Joe Marsh, CEO of T1 discussed the partnership in a release: “Partnering with Nike marks a historical moment in our organization’s history as we work to transcend esports and further cement T1’s position as a global brand. Together we are thrilled to bring innovation to the next level through Nike’s premier training programs and performance wear that will help maximize our players’ potential and strengthen the longevity of their careers. Nike is renowned for supporting elite athletes of all types and we are excited to collaborate on apparel for our teams and fans to celebrate T1 in every corner of the world.”
Nike will provide “cutting-edge training facilities” at T1’s headquarters in Seoul, which is set to open in 2020, to aid in “empowering” the organisation’s players. It will also create training programs, including both physical and mental strength, for the players to go through.
Brant Hirst, Marketing Director at Nike Korea commented on the decision: “We’re interested in understanding and learning more about the relationship between improved physical fitness and athleticism as it relates to gaming. These athletes have unique skill sets that we believe we can help them improve through tailored training methods.”
In 2019, Nike established two long-term partnerships in esports. It joined forces with TJ Sports to supply the LPL with kits for four years in February and followed that up in July by partnering with Brazilian organisation FURIA.
Esports Insider says: Seeing Nike continue its exploration into esports is a good sign, especially when it comes to the performance of players and how it can be enhanced through means used in traditional sports. Having Nike as a major partner can only be a good thing, you’d imagine.


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- Raw rubber prices have already gained by nearly Rs.100 a kilo or 33% since July
- Ban on rubber-based product imports likely to stay until local production increases
- Ban on raw rubber imports unlikely as they aid local value addition and exports
Sri Lanka’s raw rubber prices, which remained depressed for many years, could see a rebound from the current import controls in place for rubber-based products, enhancing prospects for plantation companies and smallholders alike.
The government has restricted imports of rubber-based products, including tyres, as part of its broader curbs on non-essential imports, to contain the pressure on foreign exchange.
A recent plantation sector update released by equity brokerage SC Securities said “the import ban on rubber-based products will boost the demand for domestically produced rubber products” and thereby “will attract higher prices for locally produced rubber”.
According to SC Securities, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, the import controls on rubber-based products could stay for some time, as the government is keen on providing assistance to local rubber-based producers, to ramp up their production.
For instance, the local tyre producers this week requested the government to continue with the current restrictions on two-wheeler and three-wheeler tyre imports,
citing they have adequate capacity to meet the local demand and could also produce for foreign markets, adding more jobs at home.
The prices of raw rubber have already gained in recent months, providing some relief to the battered regional plantation companies and the smallholders, with continuously depressed natural rubber prices remained for about eight years.
According to the auction prices available on the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka website, the Latex Crepe 1X category, which averaged at Rs.275 a kilogramme on July 2, rose to Rs.335 a kilogramme, at the auction held on August 27.
In the most recent auction held on September 17, the price gained by a further Rs.30 a kilogramme to Rs.365.
However, these prices are far from their peak of nearly Rs.600 reached in 2012.
Nevertheless, these high prices remained only for two years, before declining to around Rs.200, which made the industry unsustainable and sent many smallholders out of production.
Smallholders account for 65 percent of the rubber production.
According to Planters’ Association (PA) of Sri Lanka Immediate Past President Sunil Poholiyadde, the regional plantation companies were forced to offer work, as they had a permanent workforce and harvest latex in order to keep the workers employed, even though the cost of production was much higher than the sales average at the auction.
Speaking at the PA’s Annual General Meeting held last week, he said he negotiated three wage increases, despite the prices remaining largely static.
The government last month said it was considering limiting imports of raw rubber used in local value-added industries, to encourage and promote local rubber cultivation and thereby afford the growers a higher price.
It has been proposed to look at a model for rubber imports, by matching the imports by a value-addition company with the amount of rubber it procures domestically.
But such a model could hamstring the industry, as local rubber production is nowhere near what the manufactures consume, since production cannot be ratcheted up immediately and the sector woes run deep.The local rubber production is half the local demand. While the annual demand for both Latex and RSS categories is 150,000 metric tonnes, the local production is only 77,000 metric tonnes, forcing the rubber-based manufacturers to import the shortfall.
The manufacturers and exporters of rubber products in Sri Lanka charged that a mafia of middlemen was trying to artificially manipulate the prices of raw rubber, by hoarding stocks and lobbying the government to control imports, so that their stocks could be sold at elevated prices.
SC Securities said such restriction on raw rubber imports is unlikely, as such imports are used for local value addition, which generates jobs and export earnings.
For instance, the brokerage cited the improved demand for rubber gloves from Sri Lanka, during the pandemic.
“COVID-19 is driving the global demand for rubber gloves. Sri Lanka being one of the leading rubber glove producers, local demand for rubber is increasing, fetching higher prices,” SC Securities noted.


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After the smartphone boom got kicked off way back in 2007, various platforms including the iOS and Android have taken their birth. As time passed, newer versions and updates were introduced. And, in the meanwhile, we also saw some of the platforms completely disappearing from the scene.
So what is in store for Android? Has anyone thought on those lines? Android, the successfully running OS platform as of now, is likely to reach a peak point in 2012.
As you know, the open source operating system introduced back in 2008, is now ruling the US smartphone market share. So does this statement give you the jitters?
Predictions are that, after the current Ice Cream Sandwich version, Android will reach its peak and that will happen next year itself. After attaining the highest slot possible, the operating system might get into a disintegration mode, gradually.
Till now, six major and minor updates have been made on Android, after its first release. Starting from Cupcake (1.5), Android has undergone many transitions and reached Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) now. With every update, the platform has been delivering improvements in usability, interface design, and performance.
Going by this pace in bringing new updates, bug fixes and features, it is considered that Android will be reaching its maximum limit in the coming year. In addition, Android has been suffering from occasional hiccups in comparison with Windows Phone and iOS, when it comes to daily use.
With the arrival of new platforms, it is believed that Android is nearing extinction! Microsoft, abandoning their first mobile operating system Windows Mobile, has switched on to their new platform Windows Phone in 2010.
May be 2012 is so close a date for the complete vanishing of Android, but it is indeed believed that one day it will reach that situation. All platforms including iOS, Windows Phone and the like could also reach the peak point and bow out gradually.
But, it’s really hard to believe that the current successful running platform like Android will reach its peak and then bow out in the coming days. Don’t you also think so?