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With a lovely array of new season apples available in shops, Hort Innovation’s marketing team has been busy making sure consumers are reminded to Get Their Crunch On… Marketing Manager Olivia Grey reports on the latest apple marketing activity, timed to coincide with the availability of new season apples.
Apples – TV
With most varieties of new season apples available in stores, the first burst of television activity for the Aussie Apples ‘Get your crunch on’ campaign launched on 29 April 2018 with 30 second and 15 second spots in both metro and regional markets, as well as subscription TV.
To ensure strong reach, the Aussie Apples TV commercial will be featured in a variety of peak high rating programs including Masterchef, The Voice and various news programs.
In 2018, Aussie Apples will be on TV for eight weeks of the year. With four weeks on air at the height of the apple season and another four weeks on air in the second half of the year, it will ensure that apples have strong visibility throughout the year.
Apples – Digital media
The Aussie Apples digital campaign commenced on 1 April 2018. The activity commenced before the first TV burst due to the school holidays, which is a period where TV viewership is traditionally down.
The Aussie Apples TV commercial has featured in key online sites, including a number of catch up TV networks (9now, 10play and plus7), along with premium placements on news and entertainment sites.
The first 4 weeks of the campaign have delivered over 300,000 views, with a video completion rate of 88.21 per cent and a viewability rate of 89.88 per cent, well above the industry benchmark of 70 per cent for each measure.
These great results can be attributed to the performance of catch up tv, with the Aussie Apples TV commercial being placed in popular shows like Bachelor in Paradise and My Kitchen Rules. We were also able to be amongst the Commonwealth Games.
These industry marketing initiatives are managed by Hort Innovation and are funded by the apple and pear marketing levy. This content has been prepared by the Hort Innovation apple and pear team, with growers welcome to contact Relationship Manager Mark Spees (email@example.com, 0439 574 173) with any questions relating to the program or levy-funded R&D.


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During their launch last year, Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI) - the official importer and distributor of Peugeot vehicles in the country - committed to open 12 full service dealerships in the Philippines within 2013. We honestly thought that they were just being cocky, especially for a newcomer in the industry, and weren't really that serious about the plan. Well, we thought wrong.
The growing demand for Peugeot vehicles in the Philippines has grown so much that EDI was forced to put up a 'temporary' sales outlet in Metro Manila. Now open for business is Peugeot C-5 Libis.
Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), the official importer and distributor of Peugeot vehicles in the Philippines, has a very unique way of celebrating Mother's Day. They've set up a two-week mall display to bring the Peugeot experience closer to their customers, which includes mothers, sisters, wives, aunts, and what not, even if the special occasion is still weeks away. Why? Well, because we're pretty darn sure that they'd love to drive, or be driven around, in one of these very pretty French cars.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look younger and fresher, than to age like wine. Take it from the French and their quest for aesthetics and romanticism. It’s no surprise that the ‘Spirit of the Snob Appeal’ is translated to their cars as well. At the recently-concluded 2013 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), Eurobrands Distributor Inc (EDI), the official distributor of Peugeot in the Philippines, unveiled their newly refreshed sports coupe, the RCZ.
While Peugeot - through its official distributor Eurobrands Distributors Inc. (EDI) - officially arrived in the country late last year, it is only now can they truly start serving their customers as they open their first two dealerships in the Philippines. Now open for business is Peugeot Las Piñas and Peugeot Cagayan de Oro.
Located along Zapote Road in southern Metro Manila and Mastersons Avenue in Cagayan de Oro City, Peugeot Las Piñas and Peugeot Cagayan de Oro both offer full sales, service, and after-sales services. They aim to provide the full Peugeot ownership experience to their customers while ascribing fully to Peugeot international standards. Go for a quick visit and check out Peugeot's full lineup: the 3008 crossover, 5008 compact MPV, 508 executive sedan, and RCZ sports car.
Previewed back in May, we're glad to announce that French automaker Peugeot has finally made landfall in the Philippines. Well... sort of. While Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI) is the new local exclusive importer and distributor of Europe's second-largest selling automotive brand, they don't exactly have any physically-built dealerships yet to sell their cars in. But at their media press conference earlier this week, they revealed that they already have plans to open 12 dealerships in the country in 2013. Not only that, they also gave us the green light to let everybody know what the first four models they're brining in will be.
Before anything else, lets get one thing straight: Peugeot, being a French car maker, is properly pronounced as 'pew-shjo', but some British motorsport commentators prefer to call it as 'pur-zhoh' so don't be confused.
Brought in by the Alvarez Group of Companies, the same people behind the KIA (Columbian Autocar Corporation) and BMW (Asian Carmakers Corporation), Eurobrands Distributor Inc. - otherwise known as Peugeot Philippines - is all set to open its doors to business in just a few months’ time. Although they've already divulged to us which models they're bringing in this year, we've been asked to keep mum until the brand's official launch at the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) in August. So, to tickle your excitement, here are some things you need to know about the brand.

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Warby Parker’s only scratching the surface. Here’s what true disruption will look like.
David Barton, CEO of high-end eyewear brand, David Kind, discusses the ‘dark triangle’ holding back eyewear disruption.
It’s been a big summer for disruption. Since April, Elon Musk’s Space X has landed a rocket on a drone ship in the middle of the ocean , not just once, but three separate times––something NASA has never done in its 58 year history. With Tesla, he’s released a self-driving, $35k electric car, taking in $14B in pre-orders in the process––something GM could only dream of doing. Everything Musk does seems to zip from zero-to-60 faster than anyone would have expected. This is a man who makes the seemingly impossible…possible.
We eyewear industry disruptors could learn a lot from Musk. Because while he’s continued to reach new heights in 2016, the eyewear market has missed the disruption boat. Luxottica and VSP, a vision insurance company, continue their dogged fight to preserve their inflated margins and market share, and they’ve got a fenced-in network of online sales, brick and mortar, and insurance arms that continues to define the operational standards of the industry. As successful as they’ve been over the last six years, new companies like Warby Parker and Zenni are just scratching the surface of the low- to mid-level eyewear market. Their high valuations are indicative of the opportunity at stake, but with Luxottica’s deep-rooted system in place, they’ve yet to steal as much market share as most people imagine.
I agree the industry desperately needs change as Neil Blumenthal and the media have often said — but the story being told is the wrong one. Truthfully, the vast majority of consumers aren’t in a better spot than they were 5 years ago.
Let me simplify what is happening in the industry that I love. The bad guy isn’t your eye doctor or a few big eyewear brands. Rather, it’s a twofold problem: one, an ecosystem controlled by vision insurance plans; and two, the running storyline the most visible new companies have been feeding the press. This storyline gives consumers the illusion of having more choice than they actually do. Both significantly slow the pace of progress. Remember, over 96 percent of eyewear is still sold through the same traditional channels. Here’s why:
There’s a “Dark Triangle.”
Your employer, along with your vision insurance provider and the retail eyewear brands keep your purchases within what I call a “Dark Triangle.” If you’re one of 121 million Americans with a vision plan, it’s hard to escape from this system because it ties up money that you feel obligated to use. To “maximize” your plan benefit you’re directed to your in-network eye doctor by your plan. Your eye doctor relies on in-network patient flow directed to them from the vision insurance plans. Those doctors are obligated to sell products that are artificially inflated in price to be “discounted” as a requirement by your insurance plan. It may sound somewhat complicated, but the key point to remember is this: You’re trapped in this triangle the moment you, or your employer, commit cash to your vision plan.
The Current Disruption Narrative is Weak.
Although heavily covered in the media, Warby Parker still accounts for less than 1 percent of the US eyewear market after six years. It took Apple a year to achieve 1 percent of the handset market with the iPhone. After five, iPhones were over 10 percent of the market. Not to put too fine a point on it, but having the narrative dominated by a single player means that fewer consumers are escaping the “dark triangle” because they aren’t aware of just how many alternatives there are.
Consumers need to be informed of their options — from low end to high end. The vast majority of retail brands — from large to small — design their pricing to sell within the triangle, and consumers won’t forego their vision plan if they’re not aware of the wealth of choices outside of the triangle.
They need to be told the whole story. At that time a tipping point can then happen within the industry and consumers will win. Until then, the “disruption” story will remain a misleading one, and true, transformative change won’t happen.
Advancing the conversation.
This narrative is causing confusion, and is hindering competition. To push things along, we need to start with a basic question: What’s the “street value” of a pair of glasses? In other words, what’s the full price consumers would have to pay if insurance pricing was eliminated?
To demonstrate, I’ve drawn a comparison between common “insurance priced” brands and “direct priced” brands. By simply removing the fat (vision insurance plan premiums), the price of comparable product drops by 50 percent or more ––or to “street value.” There’s no magic here, just transparency, logic, and math––none of which has ever been presented in any story in any publication that I’m aware of.
In the graphic above, the top row features direct priced disruptors and the bottom row features insurance priced incumbents. It’s a snapshot of the greater market as it’s actually represented.
So how do we increase the pace of disruption? Quite simply, it starts with the press digging a little deeper, and exploring the triangle. Furthermore, the media should shine light on the wider spectrum of businesses in this industry — showing their readers the real choices they have.
We must also help employers offer employees better alternatives to vision plans, like Flexible Spending Account, for example, and access to direct priced eyewear brands. Doctors, meanwhile, should be fairly compensated for services separate from the products they sell. Vision Insurance companies should be shuttered, and those dollars put directly back into consumers pockets to be used to pay fair, transparent prices for products and services.
It’s time a different story is told. One that speeds up the pace of disruption ––or at least running at the proper pace.
Dave Barton is CEO of David Kind, an eyewear company based in Santa Monica, CA. The views reflected here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lean Luxe. This is an edited and slightly rewritten version of a piece that first appeared on Medium.


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American auto giant General Motors (GM), which was one of the first brands to set up a car manufacturing plant in India in 1996, has now decided to shut down its operations in the country a day before Christmas. The American company ceased its domestic operations in 2017, and now they have decided to wind up operations at their only remaining plant in India.
According to a report, GM’s Talegoan plant near Pune will be shut down a day before Christmas. The company has been using this facility to manufacture cars for their international markets. The report also cited that the primary export from the Talegaon facility was used to manufacture the Chevrolet Beat hatchback for Mexico.
GM had already sold its Kalol plant, near Gujarat to Chinese company SAIC, which the company now uses to manufacture cars under the MG brand.
The General Motors India and China’s Great Wall Motors deal was announced in January this year, but amid the raging border tensions between the two Asian neighbours, the deal has hit a roadblock as India has not cleared it yet.
GM wanted to sell its Talegaon plant to Great Wall Motors, China’s largest maker of SUV’s for over Rs 2,000 crore. However, the death of 20 Indian soldiers in an encounter against the Chinese earlier this year has not only soured relations with China but has also led to escalated tensions between the two nations. Since the incident, the Government of Maharashtra has put the deal between General Motors and Great Wall Motors and two other deals (worth over Rs 5,000 crore) on hold.
Amid the border hostilities, the Centre has placed stricter rules for investments from China and other neighbouring nations. This didn’t help the case as it forced GM to shut down its operations with no deal in place with Great Wall Motors.
With the forced shut down and the absence of no deal with Great Wall, GM will now have to fund the closure formalities, including liabilities, on its own. As per the report, the Talegaon facility currently employs close to 1,800 salaried and hourly workers. They will be paid salaries till January 2021, while their legal and administration personnel will be with the company until March next year.
GM India, however, remained hopeful of a solution to get the deal a closure and said, “Both companies continue to work with all relevant authorities to secure necessary government approvals to support the transaction, which will deliver future jobs at the site.”
The company has also assured its employees that it will support the impacted workers with severance packages and transition support. It is to be seen how it rolls out, especially with the job scene looking bleak, there is a chance of workers challenging it for the severance package.


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As part of different measures to help the country better weather the Covid-19 Pandemic, Safaricom PLC announced the temporary zero-rating of M-PESA transactions in March.
The regulator, the Central Bank of Kenya under the leadership of Dr. Patrick Njoroge has been instrumental in the formulation of this and other measures across the financial sector which have resulted in significant gains in the form of the ongoing economic recovery.
As guided by the Central Bank of Kenya and taking into account the Principles on the Pricing of Mobile Money Services, Safaricom PLC has taken the decision to reduce M-PESA tariffs by up to 45% for lower value transaction bands. This is in consideration of the expiry of the period for the zero-rated M-PESA transactions and the ongoing Covid-19 and economic circumstances.
These tariff reductions will affect more than 90 percent of all customer transactions when sending money. It will now cost KES 6 to send between KES 101 and KES 500, down from KES 11. Transactions of between KES 1,501 and KES 2,500 will cost KES 32 down from KES 41.
All transactions of KES 100 and below will remain free. In addition, all M-PESA customers will continue to enjoy free transactions between M-PESA and bank accounts.
The price cuts are permanent, effective 1st January 2021 and will enable our more than 26.8 million customers to continue enjoying lower costs whenever they send money.
Our new, reduced tariffs will equally apply to transactions for micro-Businesses under our new Pochi La Biashara service, and for Lipa Na M-PESA businesses using the Transacting Till to make payments.
As part of our Customer Obsession strategy, we maintain our commitment to continue to introduce new measures and innovations that meet the needs of our customers.
CEO, Safaricom PLC
Here are the new M-PESA Tariffs shown below:


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A study carried out in 2013 by GfK showed that nearly 31% of under 35-year-old would buy a new car directly via the internet (the percentage is probably more in 2015).
This study show us that the online communication is more and more assisting the consumer to research about a product and make the decision to buy.
A survey conducted by Deloitte titled “New Digital Divide Survey” revealed that more than a third of in-store purchases are heavily influenced by digital touch-points, and 1 in 4 shoppers are spending more as a result;
Bringing the digital inside the showrooms, and making it available to the visitors of the showroom is a natural decision for brands and showroom owners.
Showrooms are looking for ways to sell an immersive customer experience, which is less focused on directly making an immediate sale.
A number of showrooms and malls have turned to the multi-touch digital displays; these displays make a hard impact that is hard to miss when in-store.
The content of these touch displays can range from videos, interactive games, competitions, ads, virtual tours, and offers; All of this type of content help the marketers create a storytelling environment where consumer can relate to;
Think of it as a theater, where there are different parts of the story found in the showroom.
The showroom, will expand, it will not be limited to the physical space it has, rather to the content on the screens and digital surfaces.
Cre8mania, is creating, and innovating new products and displays, that enhances the experience and the customer journey, inside showrooms and for brands.


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Bury-based law firm Clough & Willis has undertaken a comprehensive research project looking at how many SME owners in the north west are planning to sell their businesses within the next five years.
They approached 450 firms across the region operating in various sectors including Construction, Financial Services, Engineering, Property, Retail, Agriculture, Transport and Manufacturing.
It showed that 65 per cent of respondents are planning to sell their business in the next five years and believe they know what its true market value is.
However, only 45 per cent had sought professional advice in determining that figure.
In terms of the type of sale, 87 per cent are expected to conduct a trade sale whilst only 13 per cent thought an MBO was likely.
Guy Lachlan, corporate lawyer at Clough & Willis said: "The findings of this survey are fascinating as they show there is still confidence and optimism in the marketplace amongst business owners despite the uncertainties as to how Brexit will unfold.
"The key for any business owner who is looking to sell is thorough reviews of all areas of their business before inviting approaches from potential buyers.”


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Naomi Osaka expands her reach in a different type of climate
Naomi Osaka is excelling in the barbie game. Osaka, who has won four Grand Slam singles titles in her career, has had a second Barbie doll designed in her business.
The first version that came out in 2019 was introduced to celebrate Mattel doll's 60th anniversary. The latest Osaka doll is a part of the Role Model Series and features the tennis players likeness. The doll is dressed as Osaka during the 2020 Australian Open.
“It’s such an honor to be a part of the Barbie Role Model series to remind young girls that they can make a difference in the world,” she said in a statement. “I want young girls everywhere to feel empowered to dream big and to know that if they believe in themselves that anything is possible!”
The Barbie is dressed in a flared white skirt, colorful tank top, and white visor while carrying a tiny tennis racket. The back of the box is a biography of Osaka that mentions her activism. There is also a photograph and a quote by her that says, “Don’t compare yourself to anyone because the path that you’re on is yours and yours only.”
We are incredibly honored to spotlight Naomi Osaka as part of our Barbie Role Model series,” Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie dolls for Mattel, said in a statement.
The series also honors female Paralympic athletes and women who have made a mark in fashion, journalism, modeling, space exploration and other professions. The Barbie Doll is already sold out just hours after it's launch.


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Ambitious fiscal year end sales target would mean Sony would have to sell over a million consoles a month.
During its keynote at the Tokyo Game Show, Sony outlined its ambitious sales goals for the Playstation 4: five million consoles sold by the time its fiscal year ends on March 31.
To put this goal in context, the PS3 sold 3.55 million units between November 2006 and March 2007. Microsoft, in comparison, took an entire calendar year — 12 months — to sell its first five million Xbox 360s.
What makes Sony’s targets particularly ambitious is the fact that it won’t be available in most of Asia until December, and Japan until February. Sony is relying heavily on a strong launch in North America and Europe to meet this target.
Microsoft hasn’t yet announced sales targets for the Xbox One, which launches on November 22.
The PS4 launches in North America on November 15 and Europe on November 29.


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“Virtual currencies”, and bitcoin in particular, continued to attract a lot of attention. The sudden shutdowns of Mt. Gox (Japan), a large bitcoin exchange, and Flexcoin (Canada), a bitcoin bank, led to renewed and intensified calls for government authorities from around the world to start regulating virtual currencies. This eUpdate is the eighth part in a series of eUpdates on bitcoin-related topics. The first part of the series described what bitcoin is. The second part explained the legal status of bitcoin and how it is approached in different countries. The third part analyzed the effects of the Chinese demand on bitcoin, as well as how bitcoin is approached in China. The fourth part analyzed risks which virtual currency users may encounter. The fifth part discussed further steps taken by the Chinese government towards regulating virtual currencies and their impact on the bitcoin market. The sixth part discussed continuing concerns about bitcoin and updated on developments in the bitcoin market. The seventh part discussed Mt. Gox’s demise and its effect on the bitcoin market.
Calls for regulation
The recent shutdowns of Mt. Gox (Japan) and Flexcoin (Canada) have led to renewed and intensified calls for government authorities in Japan, China, Hong Kong, India, the United States and other countries to start regulating virtual currencies.
Japan is considering regulation of bitcoin and other virtual currencies.1 In the beginning of March 2014, the Japanese Cabinet declared that bitcoin should be classified as a commodity rather than a currency, taxes on gains from trading in bitcoin should be introduced, and banks and securities firms should be prevented from entering into bitcoin-related businesses.2 “We haven’t yet thoroughly grasped the situation, but some kind of regulation is needed from the perspective of consumer protection, and we will also discuss [bitcoin] from the perspective of imposing an asset tax,” said Takuya Hirai, head of an IT panel in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.3
In China, an erroneous post published on a large Chinese social network Sina Weibo (but since retracted) indicated that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) set a deadline of April 15, 2014 for all firms to halt bitcoin trades. This caused bitcoin prices to tank on March 21, 2014.4 The PBOC later clarified that it did not issue any new statement, and Sina Weibo referred to the PBOC’s notice issued on December 5, 2013.5
The Hong Kong Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) joined regulatory authorities from around the world in issuing cautionary notices to the public against transacting in virtual currencies. The FSTB warned the public about trading in bitcoin as it may involve risks related to consumers’ protection, money laundering and illegal activities.6 The FSTB reiterated that virtual commodities are not regarded as legal tender in Hong Kong, and their prices are susceptible to significant fluctuation due to speculation. The FSTB added that virtual commodities pose considerable risks to consumers, and as they are not backed by any physical items, issuers or the real economy, their value is volatile and can cause significant monetary losses to consumers. It also said that the anonymous nature of virtual commodities poses potential risks with regard to money laundering or even terrorist financing. Consumers and businesses dealing in virtual commodities are also exposed to cyber-crime risks. The FSTB underlined that Hong Kong does not regulate virtual commodities specifically in terms of their safety or soundness, but the existing Hong Kong laws provide sanctions against money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud and cyber-crime. The FSTB further said that it will closely monitor developments in the world of virtual commodities, the evolving regulatory consensus at the international platforms, as well as regulatory and enforcement actions in other jurisdictions to consider further actions in protecting the public.
The Reserve Bank of India followed up with a public advisory warning that virtual currencies are risky and not part of the traditional banking system.7
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently announced that it will regulate virtual currency intermediaries in Singapore to address potential money laundering and terrorist financing risks. The MAS will introduce regulations to require virtual currency-related businesses, including bitcoin exchanges and other intermediaries, to verify identities of their customers and report suspicious transactions.8 Singapore’s decision to impose anti-money laundering regulation on bitcoin-related businesses marks a reversal from its previous stance, announced just a few weeks ago, coinciding with the installation of the first bitcoin ATMs in Singapore.
In the United States, Mt. Gox’s shutdown also shifted focus of bitcoin regulatory efforts from exclusively anti-money laundering to consumer protection. The New York State Department of Financial Services, headed by Ben Lawsky, announced that it will accept proposals to establish regulated exchanges in the state of New York. Ben Lawsky mentioned “the urgent need for stronger oversight […] including robust standards for consumer protection, cyber security, and anti-money laundering compliance” in his solicitation for applications and proposals.9 With respect to anti-money laundering regulation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury may have concluded, however, that bitcoin is unworthy of extra regulation for the time being. In a speech given on March 18, 2014, David Cohen, the U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said: “Terrorists generally need ‘real’ currency, not virtual currency, to pay their expenses.”10
In addition, on March 25, 2014, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service issued a notice11 providing information on the U.S. federal tax implications of transactions in, or transactions that use, virtual currencies. According to the notice, virtual currency is treated as property for U.S. federal tax purposes, and general rules for property transactions apply. Payments made using virtual currency are subject to information reporting requirements to the same extent as any other payment made in property. The character of gain or loss from the sale or exchange of virtual currency depends on whether the virtual currency is a capital asset in the hands of the taxpayer. When a taxpayer successfully “mines” virtual currency, the fair market value of the virtual currency as of the date of receipt is to be included in the taxpayer’s gross income.
Bitcoin family growth
While bitcoin has been witnessing tremendous price volatility, operators and users are looking for newer and other alternatives that they perceive as safer.12 Notwithstanding the growing regulatory concerns about bitcoin and other virtual currencies, the world now has a larger number of virtual currencies than the total of 180 recognized currencies in different parts of the world. Within an earshot of the 200-member mark, a total of 193 virtual currencies are currently being traded across the internet, although none of them carries an official stamp from any government or banking regulator. For comparison, at the end of December 2013, there were 67 virtual currencies in total in the market, while their number was in single digits about four years ago, when virtual currencies could not strike a chord among users amid the global financial crisis. According to some market estimates, the current aggregate valuation of all virtual currencies is approximately US$10 billion, representing a drop by US$3 billion as compared to the beginning of 2014.
Apart from bitcoin, other virtual currencies such as ripple, litecoin, auroracoin, peercoin and dogecoin have been steadily picking up in volume as well as market value. Most recently introduced virtual currencies include teacoin, aliencoin, magic internet money and heisenberg.13Steady growth of the “bitcoin family” indicates continuing support by enthusiasts who see the benefits of and the future in virtual currencies regardless of regulatory warnings.


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Apple filed a patent application 18 months ago for software that detects when an iPhone is recording a LIVE event and shuts down the camera function. Infra-red sensors will be installed at the venue to detect the device. Only the camera function will be disabled. All other junctions of the iPhone will still be usable including text, email, and phone services.
Everyone involved at the event will greatly appreciate this technology. No longer will your view be blocked by people holding up their cell phones to take pictures and record video. Also there are many large companies who purchase the exclusive rights to broadcast the events who are getting upset with amateurs uploading and streaming the content to the rest of the world.
It may still be a few years before this technology is set into place, so for those of you who rely on streaming sites to view live events better save up the money to attend them or purchase the pay-per-view.


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Mr. DeRose got the job in 1990 and soon found himself in New York with Jupiter's founder, Josh Harris.
RESEARCH DIRECTOR TO CEO
Mr. Harris (now at Pseudo Programs, New York, which he founded) hired Mr. DeRose as research director; nearly a decade later, Mr. DeRose heads one of the most prominent consultancies focused on Internet advertising and commerce.
Joining Jupiter was a bit of a stretch initially for the English major.
'CONSUMER MEDIA JUNKIE'
"I have a classic liberal arts background," Mr. DeRose says. "So everything I learned about the Internet industry I learned here."
But Mr. DeRose -- a self-described "consumer media junkie" -- says his unique perception of media's value has aided him in transforming Jupiter from a two-man shop to 70 research associates and analysts as well as a company that hosts 14 industry conferences and publishes 130 research reports each year.
Jupiter completed its initial public stock offering last month. The market early last week valued the company at $437 million. Gardner Group is the biggest owner with a 28% stake; Mr. DeRose owns about 17%.
"My media background was important in understanding that [the Internet] was an important medium that would cut right through to business, that it would cut right into the financial, media and advertising communities," says Mr. DeRose, whose father-in-law is Internet veteran Robert Kavner.
NOT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
Mr. DeRose's philosophy that the Internet is transforming everyday business has rubbed off on all of Jupiter.
"We've invented a kind of research that is geared toward senior marketing and business executives," he says. "What we focus on is not technology or the Internet per se, but rather how it is changing media, commerce and advertising.
"We've been defining [interactive media and commerce] since it's been invented.


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| A new micro-loan program announced in Regina last week will help Saskatchewan exporters finance one-time or smaller sales that may not interest conventional lenders.
The Saskatchewan and federal governments and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, or STEP, will assist exporters to get financing before and after a shipment.
STEP will operate the Nextrade program. The province will contribute $1.2 million over three years to the loan fund and Ottawa will provide $525,000 for operating costs.
Provincial industry and resources minister Eric Cline said small- and medium-sized businesses in particular need this program.
“Smaller exporters are sometimes forced to access personal credit,” he said. Sometimes, they have to walk away from a sale.
| Through the pre-shipment financing program, Nextrade will offer companies with confirmed export orders access to $20,000-$150,000 to help fill those orders. The capital is available for 60 days.
The accounts receivable program allows sales valued at between $20,000 and $150,000 to be turned into cash immediately.
Nextrade will advance the money to the exporter and be paid by the buyer under 90 day terms.
“The money will act as a revolving fund,” Cline said, noting that interest will be charged at commercial rates.
It will help businesses get to the point where they don’t need the program, he said.
Glen Millard, Nextrade managing director, said the program should become self-sustaining over time.
| Duncan Werner, who attended the news conference, could already see the benefits.
“We can spend our working capital building our business, instead of mortgaging our receivables,” said the operations manager of CanMar Grain Products Ltd., a Regina-based flax processor.
“We’re just starting out and you’re always spending money on unforeseen things. This will help our cash flow… and ease stress.”
Keith Brown, chair of the STEP board of directors and president of Trailtech Inc. in Gravelbourg, Sask., said the lack of available capital has been a concern for many exporters.
Cline added that the program could particularly help rural companies that are developing niche markets.


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Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Lindsey Vonn, the 29-year-old world champion Alpine Ski racer, has teamed up with fashion designer Cynthia Rowley for her gear at the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia, which begin February 7th. Rowley has created an exclusive helmet for Vonn which, as you can see, channels a fierce snow leopard in design.
Rowley created four different helmet designs for the event and Vonn took to Facebook on December 26th to ask her fans to vote for the winner. Of the styles, which included gold and floral patterns, the animal print took the medal.
"I wanted to find a way to involve the fans in this exciting chapter in my life. Partnering with Cynthia on the design component was such an obvious choice for me given her talents and our friendship," Vonn said of the collaboration.
Vonn on the slopes. Photo via Getty.
The two met earlier in 2013 when Rowley invited Vonn to attend the CFDA Awards with her, where the two "hit it off immediately," according to Vonn, and have stayed friends ever since.
While the gold medalist spends most of her time in training gear, she said she enjoys fashion. "I still spend a lot of time in workout clothing, but I really also love dressing for the red carpet and experimenting with hair and make up," Vonn said. "I like a little edge or adding something unexpected to my outfits."
Vonn will cruise down the Olympic snow after recovering from devastating injury back in February, when she crashed at the World Championships in Schladming, Austria, tearing two ligaments in her right knee and fracturing a bone in the same leg. Earlier this week, however, the Washington Post reported Vonn was back and triumphing ahead of the Olympics.
· Sochi 2014: Lindsey Vonn continues to triumph as brand with Olympic future in question [Washington Post]
· Ralph Lauren Pledges To Make 2014 Olympics Uniforms in the USA [Racked]


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Skyrim Dragonborn DLC officially revealed, dated - trailerSkyrim Dragon born dlc revealed dated trailer
Bethesda has announced the next Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim DLC add-on, titled Dragonborn.
Read below for more details
It will launch first on Xbox 360 on December 4, priced at 1600 Microsoft Points (£13.71).
Here's the first Dragonborn trailer:


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Aug. 31, 2012
-- Nissan Motor Co. is retooling the Sentra for 2013 with an all-new platform, lighter body and 1.8-liter engine to elevate its appeal in the compact sedan segment now dominated by the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
The 2013 Sentra, which will reach showrooms this fall, sheds the radical styling of the outgoing model and is aimed squarely at the sales-rich center of the compact segment, where fuel economy is a top purchase consideration.
Nissan anticipates that sales of the new Sentra will far exceed the current model's volume -- nearly 115,000 units last year.
The compact sedan, which features a combined fuel economy of 34 miles per gallon, is the third of five all-new or redesigned vehicles being introduced in a 15-month period.
"The 2013 Nissan Sentra is the most revolutionary design in the nameplate's 30-year history, a worthy addition to what is without question the most innovative, highest quality, highest value sedan lineup in Nissan history," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager of Nissan Division of Nissan North America Inc.
The all-new Sentra will be available at Nissan of Elk Grove, conveniently located in the Elk Grove Auto Mall in Sacramento. For more information, visit us online at http://nissanofelkgrove.com
SOURCE Automotive News


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Nestle Adds New Topping to Global Food Offering
Nestle has agreed to acquire Kraft Foods' frozen pizza business in the US and Canada for $3.7bn in cash.
The business includes brands such as DiGiorno, Tombstone, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack’s and Delissio.
The business will come under Nestle US.
Nestle said the frozen pizza business provides a strategic pillar to its frozen food portfolio in the US and Canada, where it already exists in domain of prepared dishes and hand-held product categories under the Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine, Buitoni, Hot Pockets and Lean Pockets brands.
Nestle said the acquisition also strengthens its position in the frozen pizza category, and builds on its existing pizza capabilities and operations in Europe.
Nestle CEO Paul Bulcke said the acquisition will enhance Nestle's frozen food activities in North America, bringing together a selection of US and Canadian brands, research and development and route-to-market capabilities, which complement Nestle’s existing ice cream direct-store-delivery.
”With total sales of around Sfr3bn, Nestle will become the world leader in the attractive, fast-growing frozen pizza category," Bulcke said.


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Dubai, UAE, 03 March 2021: Arabian Automobiles, the flagship company of the AW Rostamani Group and exclusive dealer for Renault in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, is proud to launch the new 2021 RENAULT MASTER, a fleet vehicle that offers you all of the style and design of a passenger car with no compromise on utility.
Catering to the diverse transportation needs, the new 2021 RENAULT MASTER features a range of interior layouts, with loading volumes ranging from 8 to 17 cubic meters, and its cabin is designed for your comfort, with ergonomic controls and steering wheel to adapt to driving positions, adjustable seats, air conditioning, optimised soundproofing, and multiple storage compartments.
Salah Yamout, COO of Arabian Automobiles, said: “The UAE’s consistent support for SMEs and small ......read more
The legendary Supra joins Dubai Police’s extensive line-up of Al-Futtaim Toyota vehicles
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - March 03, 2021: Dubai Police has recently acquired the legendary Toyota Supra to be added to its globally acclaimed super car fleet. The inclusion of the 2021 GR Supra in the awe inspiring fleet, which is used to promote the Dubai Police both locally and internationally, reinforces its position as one of the most sought after sportscars since its return after a 17-year wait. The Supra was provided by Al-Futtaim Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE, and a long-term partner of Dubai Police. Living up to the heady expectations of some of the world’s most devoted enthusiasts, the Supra with a 3.0L powerhouse hits the 100km/h mark in just 4.1 seconds and easily ......read more
• Receive up to AED 10,000 above current market value with Nissan’s value-driven trade-in campaign
Dubai, UAE, 03 March 2021: Arabian Automobiles, the flagship company of the AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for Nissan in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, is bringing back the market’s premier trade-in campaign, Automania Exchange, that will provide drivers the opportunity to exchange their cars, irrespective of make or model, with a brand-new Nissan.
From 2nd – 6th March, customers will receive up to AED 10,000 above market value for their current vehicle in exchange for a brand-new Nissan, along with the expert support that Arabian Automobiles ensures every customer with every deal as well as the already exciting value offers on new vehicles, including 5 ......read more
United Arab Emirates - March 03, 2021: Fresh design accents and the unique Multitone Roof enhance the appeal of the first five-seater in the British premium brand‘s small car range. Already more than 500 000 units sold worldwide. Market launch of the new edition begins in March 2021.
Munich. In the MINI premium small car model range, the MINI 5-door is the prime example of how creatively space can be used in typical MINI style. The MINI 5-door combines characteristic driving fun and individual style with a large dose of functionality. Now, fresh design accents, the Multitone Roof, which is unique in the competitive environment, a high-grade refined interior and additional equipment features make the five-door body variant of the MINI even more attractive. The market launch of the new ......read more
• Sam Bird wins the second Diriyah E-Prix Formula E night race – his first victory for Jaguar
• Jaguar Racing leave Saudi Arabia leading the ABB FIA Formula E Teams’ World Championship by seven points
• Sam Bird retains his streak as the only driver to have won a race in every Formula E season
• Teammate Mitch Evans retired after a collision
• The lights turn green for the third round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on the streets of Rome on 10 April 2021 where both drivers have been victorious
Saudi - 28 February 2021: Sam Bird won the second round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship under the lights of the streets of Diriyah. Jaguar returns to the podium for the second time this weekend. Briton, Sam Bird, secured his debut victory for ......read more
- Customers can now gain access to the Kia Carnival through local distributors
- Spacious interior and best-in-class cargo space distinguishes the Carnival as a minivan for modern families
- Known as the first ever ‘Grand Utility Vehicle’, the Carnival combines Kia’s high priority in safety with an easy-going ride
- The fourth-generation Carnival has a stronger design presence and SUV style
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 28, 2021: The fourth-generation Kia Carnival arrives in markets within the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Customers can learn more about the brand's next generation flagship SUV, which has captured the attention of customers of the MEA region since its unveiling in 2020. The new Carnival is designed to appeal to progressive young families through ......read more
Building on decades of Land Rover V8 heritage, the powerful Defender V8 joins the range of Plug-in Hybrids, and efficient Ingenium petrol and diesel powertrains.
• Defender V8 90 and 110: New 525PS supercharged engine powers fastest and most powerful production Defender ever made; 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, 149mph top speed (Defender 90)
• Power meets durability: Bespoke chassis settings and transmission tuning combine to make Defender V8 the most capable and dynamic example of Land Rover’s award-winning 4x4
• Potent new flagship: New Defender V8 Carpathian Edition combines the power and capability of Defender V8 with a unique combination of design elements
• New special edition model: New Defender XS Edition replaces the successful First Edition and features tough exterior design ......read more
Abu Dhabi, UAE, - 24 February 2021: Al-Futtaim’s Trading Enterprises - Volvo has announced the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art aftersales centre in Abu Dhabi, renewing its commitment to better serve the brand’s customers in the UAE capital. Located on the popular auto stretch in Al Musaffah Industrial Area, the new Volvo Service Centre marks a new milestone in Trading Enterprises – Volvo’s customer care in the Emirate.
Committed to offering a premium ownership experience, Trading Enterprises – Volvo’s new service facility will boast the brand’s global standards. Providing Volvo’s exclusive SERVICE 2.0, the new facility promises Volvo car owners an unbeatable combination of quality, reassurance and expertise including a personal service contact, Volvo genuine ......read more
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 24 February 2021: Day 2 of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) kicked off with a bang and the launch of four brand new vehicles by UAE-based STREIT Group.
The unveiling ceremony was hosted by STREIT Group’s Chairman - Guerman Goutorov where he explained the huge achievements of the company and its efforts over the last 30 years to support governments in crisis situations and to save lives.
At the ceremony actor and STREIT Group’s Brand Ambassador Steven Seagal unveiled STORM - a fully electric multi-purpose tracked vehicle; DHABI - a state-of-the-art MRAP; NISR - a mounted infantry troop carrier and ground support vehicle; and CONDOR – a cost effective MRAP.
The brand-new STORM is the first tracked vehicle for STREIT Group and the first tracked ......read more
United Arab Emirates - February 24, 2021: Starting from Maserati’s roots to plan its future: the values of exclusivity, unique design and 100% Italian DNA of cars of the past are renewed today in the models that mark the Brand’s New Era. It is in this spirit that Maserati celebrates the 70th anniversary of the A6G 2000.
The first A6G 2000, a car representative of the A6 series, built by Maserati from 1947 to 1956 and named in homage to Alfieri Maserati (hence the letter A) with a 6 indicating the engine type (straight 6) was delivered exactly 70 years ago, in February 1951.
The new model was the replacement for the A6 1500 series sports car, and its name referenced the cast iron (or “ghisa”) of its crankcase (“G”) and its engine displacement of 2,000 cc.
The need to ......read more
- K8 exterior design fuses innovation with elegance to create a sleek and futuristic sports sedan profile
- Bold new design embodies the premium qualities of the K8
- Progressive but graceful front-end featuring a frameless ‘tiger nose’ grille is complimented by a muscular ‘fastback’ rear with strong, dropping shoulders
- First sedan to sport the all-new Kia logo at the front and rear
- K8 represents a new model name for Kia and epitomizes Kia’s new brand direction
- K8 will build on the huge success of the K7 model and establish new benchmarks in premium quality
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 23, 2021 – Kia Corporation has today revealed the first official images of the K8, the first model for the rebirth of Kia brand to exemplify its new purpose and ambitions for ......read more
Dubai, UAE - 23 February 2021: Arabian Automobiles (AAC), the flagship company of the AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for INFINITI in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, is launching a customer-centric, walk-in-walk-out experience, whereby customers can drive their very own premium, power-packed INFINITI with ease.
INFINITI’s renowned annual trade-in campaign works effortlessly every year to provide an added incentive of pure convenience for its customers. This year, take charge of 2021 with style and enjoy world-first technologies and perfect engineering by trading in your car at up to AED 15,000 above market value for a brand-new INFINITI.
Taking place from the 25th – 27th February, the process is quite simple – trade in the car you have for the car you love. All you have ......read more
Dubai, UAE, 22 February 2021: Juma Al Majid Est., the exclusive distributor of Genesis in the UAE, has launched an exclusive campaign for it new best-in-class model, the G70. Under the offer, the 4-door sedan, comes with free registration, free insurance, and free LLUMAR window tinting.
Additoinally, customers will get 5 year or 100,000 KM service contract, and 5 year or unlimited manufacturer warranty, along with roadside assistance service for consecutively 5 years. Terms and conditions, however, apply.
The G70, with its lustrous headlamps and wide hood lines has exteriors that create a lasting impression complementing an ascending trunk end that completes its dynamic beauty. The comfort of the interiors, the space and the ease of getting in and out and the peace of mind that comes with its automitve features ......read more
• Jaguar Racing welcomes Micro Focus as its official Digital Transformation, Business Resiliency and Analytics partner
• Micro Focus will provide Vertica advanced analytics and machine learning to deliver insights at speed and security assessments to ensure cyber resiliency – delivering on a “High Tech, Low Drama” promise
• Jaguar Racing returns to electric racing on the 26 and 27 February 2021 on the streets of Diriyah for season seven of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
Dubai, UAE, 21 February 2021: Jaguar Racing announced that it has partnered with one of the world’s largest enterprise software providers, Micro Focus, ahead of the lights going green on season seven of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Joining as the team’s official ......read more
- Kia displays Light Tactical Cargo Truck and Bare Chassis concepts at the IDEX defense exhibition in the UAE
- Unique design optimized for military use offering superior mobility, durability and functionality
- Modular platform can underpin mobile workshops, communication hubs and troop and cargo carrying capabilities
- Four-wheel drive, independent suspension and run-flat tyres ensures enhanced usability in harsh environments
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 21, 2021: Kia Corporation has showcased two light tactical defense vehicle concepts at the 2021 International Defense Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) in the UAE, the largest international defense exhibition in the Middle East and Africa.
Kia has been supplying its light tactical vehicles to the South Korean army since ......read more
United Arab Emirates - February 21, 2021: A prototype of the new Grecale SUV has been photographed outside the historic Maserati plant on Viale Ciro Menotti in Modena. The employees were the first to diffuse these images on the social networks.
Innovative by nature, Maserati decided to share the photos of the new model exclusively with the Maserati Family.
The prototype cars are currently undergoing a period of intensive road, circuit and off-road tests, in various conditions of use, to acquire vital data for the preparation of the new SUV's final setup.
The Grecale will be built at Cassino (Italy), where an investment of about 800 million Euros is planned.
The Maserati Grecale will receive its World Premiere before the end of 2021.
United Arab Emirates - February 21, 2021: Each car carries its own distinction and caters to an audience or a purpose, but there is one model out there that is engineered to make your life easier and a lot more fun. After all, driving is an integral part of everyday life, and given the long hours we spend inside cars, why not enhance that in-cabin experience to be bolder, better and more enjoyable overall?
Today, with so many brands and options in the market, choosing the right car for you may be a challenge. So, how can you be sure you’ve picked the right automotive companion for you? Is there a car that packs it all into one vehicle?
Meet the new INFINITI QX50 that was crafted with YOU in mind.
From a cabin that was inspired by the captivating Maldives to quilted leather seats hosting ......read more
Rally roars into FIA cross country record books across Al Qudra desert
United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi dominated the opening leg of the Dubai International Baja with a stunning drive today while UAE-based South African rider Aaron Mare moved within reach of back-to-back bikes victories as the rally entered the motor sport record books.
Reunited with long-time British co-driver Michael Orr, Al Rajhi took his Toyota Hilux Overdrive into a lead of 21mins 31 secs over fellow-Saudi Yasir Seaidan, accompanied by Aleksei Kuzmich in a Mini John Cooper Works Rally
The UAE’s Khalid Al Qassimi and German Dirk Von Zitzewitz were just four seconds further adrift in third place in an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR in the second round ......read more
Hiroshi Tamura, Chief Product Specialist of the Z Proto
Since 1969, the venerable Fairlady Z has enthralled sports cars enthusiasts the world over. While there have been many iterations of the model through the years, it has constantly maintained its identity as the archetypal Japanese sports car. So, what is the secret to its success? What has made this model so special over the years?
To find out, we looked within, asking Nissan employees what they thought were the qualities that defined the Z, what “Z-ness” meant to them.
Kicking off the series of exploration is Hiroshi Tamura, the Chief Product Specialist (CPS) of the Z Proto and next Z. After graduating from university, he joined Nissan in April 1984, where he spent his early years as an engineer, along with stints at Autech Japan and Nissan Prince ......read more
United Arab Emirates - February 17, 2021: As the world looks forward positively in 2021, Al Habtoor Motors, the official dealer of Mitsubishi in the UAE, brings alive one of the most exciting offers. The Big Bigger Biggest Offer packs many benefits for Mitsubishi customers promising excellent value for their money than ever.
The monthly prices of the stylish Montero Sport start at AED 1,460. The legendary Pajero starts at AED 1,818, the 7-Seater Outlander from AED 1,255, the feature-packed Eclipse Cross from AED 1,093, the cross-over ASX from AED 981, the new stylish 7-seater Xpander from AED 935 and the compact eco-sedan Attrage from AED 660 per month.
Apart from the great prices, customers can look forward to a host of bundled benefits. They include cashback up to AED 10,000, Free Service, Free Insurance ......read more
Dubai, 17 February 2021: Juma Al Majid Est., the exclusive distributor of Hyundai cars in the UAE, has announced the arrival of all-new Elantra in the UAE market. The seventh-generation of the Elantra is longer, wider, and equipped with the latest tech features designed to deliver the most progressive in-vehicle experience one can ask for. The new variant has undergone significant changes and is equipped with a wide range of advanced technologies and features – taking the 1990 born model to another level.
The premium finishing, the exceptional interiors, and the top in class automotive features- together bring Elantra to a renewed life. The perfection in the sedan is reflected through Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design identity and its stand-out presence on the roads. The new improvements make ......read more
• MoU will see UAE’s national carrier collaborate on the distribution of vaccines, and essential medicines, medical devices, and humanitarian supplies
• Initiative to support UNICEF’s Immunisation Programmes for world’s most vulnerable children
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to support its Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative.
Under the MoU, Etihad Cargo will aid the worldwide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices, and other critical supplies to respond to the pandemic, managing all requirements through its dedicated COVID-19 Workforce. The UAE’s national ......read more
• New global strategy – Reimagine – announced for the British company under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Thierry Bolloré
• A sustainability-rich reimagination of modern luxury, unique customer experiences, and positive societal impact
• Start of journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039
• Reimagination of Jaguar as an all-electric luxury brand from 2025 to ‘realise its unique potential’
• In the next five years, Land Rover will welcome six pure electric variants as it continues to be the world leader of luxury SUVs
• All Jaguar and Land Rover nameplates to be available in pure electric form by end of the decade; first all-electric Land Rover model in 2024
• Clean-hydrogen fuel-cell power being developed in preparation for future ......read more
• Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell vehicle, NEXO, is awarded ‘Alternative Energy Car Of The Year’ Award at annual GQ Car Awards 2021
• British GQ praises Hyundai for: “boldly going where only a few manufacturers have gone before”, and comments on how they believe hydrogen could be a “more efficient and practical automotive power source”
Dubai, 15 February 2021: Hyundai Motor’s NEXO Fuel Cell, , has received the ‘Alternative Energy Car Of The Year’ Award at annual GQ Car Awards event, this year held digitally.
NEXO is the technological flagship of Hyundai’s growing eco-vehicle fleet. Known as a ‘future utility vehicle’, it combines the practicality of an SUV crossover with advanced electrified ......read more
Dubai, 14 February 2021: Al Tayer Motors, the official Ferrari importer in the UAE, has begun the year on a winning note picking up two awards, including the prestigious ‘Best Ferrari Importer 2020’ and the ‘Best Showroom Experience 2020’.
The UAE dealership won both awards for the second consecutive year among all dealers in the Middle East region.
Speaking about the wins, Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Al Tayer Motors said; “These awards, coming at the end of an extremely challenging year for everyone, remind us that there are no short cuts to success. We need to continue to put in our best efforts always to innovate, exceed customer expectations and believe in ourselves to achieve our goals.”
This year’s award takes Al Tayer Motors’ ‘Best Importer in the ......read more
TECHSYN combines chemically optimised synthetic rubber with tailor-made silica to create tyres with up to 30% better wear efficiency and a rolling resistance that is reduced by up to 6%.1
As a result, TECHSYN reduces overall fuel consumption and CO2 emissions2, enhances tread mileage3 to extend a tyre’s designed life and cuts raw material consumption in the long term.
TECHSYN went ......read more
February 23, 2021 – Bridgestone Middle East has announced a new promotional campaign ‘Be Everywhere’ to encourage the UAE residents to discover the country’s landmarks while showcasing about the company’s range of 4x4 tyres which offer a superior on and off-roading experience. The campaign includes a radio competition that will run on both Virgin Radio and Al Arabiya ......read more
Abu Dhabi, February 22, 2021 - Al Masaood Power Division, an expert in marine propulsion and power generation systems, and Nidec Leroy-Somer, a global leader in industrial alternators, electric motors & drives recently joined forces to establish a one-stop service workshop in the Gulf region and provide aftersales support for alternators that are manufactured under Leroy-Somer and Kato ......read more
- 'Plan S' updated with three core pillars:
··· Advancing EV transition – complete 11 model EV lineup with 7 dedicated
EVs by 2026; sell 1.6 mil eco-friendly vehicles annually by 2030
··· Strengthening PBV business – launch first PBV model in 2022; sell 1 mil
units annually by 2030
··· ......read more
Land Rover Classic will build 25 re-engineered Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles for an adventure event at Eastnor Castle in 2021
Land Rover Classic is building 25 adventure-ready Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles in 2021, paying tribute to the iconic 4x4’s enduring expedition legacy
Works V8 Trophy purchase includes entry to an ......read more
F3 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND F4 UAE FORMED PART OF THE EVENT AT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
BOTH HAMDA AND AMNA AL QUBAISI WERE COMPETING FOR ABU DHABI RACING
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 10, 2021: Hamda Al Qubaisi secured her second victory of this year’s Formula 4 UAE Championship as part of Yas Racing Series Round 2, which took place at Yas Marina Circuit.
The home of ......read more
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 09, 2021: Juma Al Majid Est., the exclusive distributor of Hyundai cars in the UAE, has announced the arrival of the latest model of its much loved mid-size crossover SUV Santa Fe. The classic blend of style and power, Santa Fe has been redefining driving experience since its inception and the recent model is dotted with amazing ......read more
- All-new Kia Sorento takes home the ‘Large SUV of the Year’ award
- Sorento praised for its fuel economy, driving dynamics and well equipped interior
- Sorento highly praised since launch in 2020
United Arab Emirates - February 07, 2021: Kia’s flagship SUV, the all-new Sorento, has made a strong start to the year, being named ‘Large ......read more
2021 model expands Nissan’s SUV line-up in Middle East
Abu Dhabi, February 3, 2021 - Al Masaood Automobiles has announced that the all-new Nissan X-Terra 2021 is now available at its showrooms located across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western region. The announcement came following the sleek model’s recent launch in the Middle East as part of Nissan’s move to bolster its ......read more
Your mantra is to seize the day, you are a power player who seeks the finer things in life, and when it comes to style, nothing short of perfection will do. Perhaps you are a technology aficionado, who, when you get into the driver’s seat, wants to be surrounded by genre-defining systems. Maybe you are career- and family-oriented and are just seeking the best for the comfort and safety of ......read more
50 exclusive units available through Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors
Dubai 03 February 2021: Special UAE Edition 2021 Range Rover Vogue vehicles celebrating 50 years of the Union of the United Arab Emirates have arrived at Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors showrooms. The vehicles also pay tribute to 50 years of the iconic Range Rover celebrated last year.
Inspired by the ......read more
>The brand out-performed 2019 sales results with a growth of 16% in Q4 2020
>The flagship Navigator model remains Lincoln’s most popular offering, followed closely by the Aviator
United Arab Emirates - February 02, 2021: Despite a challenging year that brought unprecedented events, Lincoln Middle East achieved a significant 11.7% sales growth in 2020, and ......read more
• Unprecedented eight consecutive victories for Land Cruiser in Dakar Rally
• Auto Body’s Land Cruisers secured a 1-2 victory in the Production Car category
• GAZOO Racing’s Hilux claimed second place in the Four-Wheel Drive category
2 February 2021: Toyota has proved once again the capabilities of its vehicles on all terrains, and ......read more
• Select Renault Megane and unveil exclusive offers at Arabian Automobiles Renault
• Offer includes free insurance and a choice of 0% interest or 3 years of service
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 31 January 2021: Marking its 26th partnership this year with Dubai Shopping Festival, the much-anticipated annual shopping extravaganza is being accompanied by an ......read more
Introducing Lumada Asset Performance Management, Enterprise Asset Management and Field Service Management
DUBAI - January 29, 2021: Hitachi ABB Power Grids and Hitachi Vantara today announced the integration of Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Digital Enterprise (DE) flagship solutions within the Lumada portfolio of advanced digital solutions and services for turning data into ......read more
• MG sales up by a remarkable 72 per cent to 27,595 units
• British-born car brand registered sales growth in all of its regional markets
• MG’s biggest market, Saudi Arabia saw sales rise by 89 percent to take a 4.2 percent market share
• Compact sedans and subcompact crossover SUVs prove most popular among MG customers in the ......read more
New truck series to further bolster waste management services across UAE
Dubai, January 25, 2021 – Al Tayer Motors, the official Ford Trucks importer-dealer in the UAE, delivered Ford Trucks’ vehicles to Imdaad, a Dubai-based group of companies that provides integrated, sustainable Facilities Management (FM) services that enhance operational efficiencies of physical assets, to ......read more
ABU DHABI RACING’S AL QUBAISI SECURED TWO PODIUM FINISHES
THE CIRCUIT ALSO HOSTED HANKOOK 6H ABU DHABI AND GULF RADICAL CUP ACTION
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25 January: Hamda Al Qubaisi secured her maiden victory of the 2021 F4 UAE Championship, as part of the first round of Yas Racing Series, at Yas Marina Circuit.
The second of five rounds of race action took ......read more
• Hyundai Motor and Rhizome of the New Museum will collaborate on platforms purpose-built to exhibit digital art by leading international artists
• The partnership will be anchored by ‘World on a Wire,’ a new group exhibition premiering in Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing and online, January 28, 2021
• Additional exhibitions will be held at Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul ......read more
Dubai - 24, January 2021: Al Majid Motors, the sole distributor of Kia passenger and commercial vehicles in the UAE, has announced the arrival of Kia’s fourth generation flagship SUV, Kia Sorento 2021, across its showrooms. The Sorento 2021 is a carefully engineered, powerful blend of technical and automotive features aimed at realising the family-friendly ......read more
SHEIKH KHALID AL QASSIMI AND CYRIL DESPRES FINISHED SEVENTH AND TENTH RESPECTIVELY
THE EVENT WAS WON BY STÉPHANE PETERHANSEL
ABU DHABI, January 21, 2020: Abu Dhabi Racing secured two top 10 finishes in the Dakar Rally 2021, which recently came to a conclusion in Saudi Arabia.
The 43rd edition of the rally raid was staged over a 14-day period in Saudi Arabia, which was hosting ......read more
• The draw is the second of three taking place throughout DSF
• Ten winners were rewarded 50 g of gold each
Dubai, 20 January 2021: Arabian Automobiles, the flagship company of the AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for Nissan in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, is announcing the winners of the second draw of ‘A Golden Start to 2021’ ......read more
● Jaguar Land Rover car owners now have the option to extend the warranty to 10 years or 275,000 km
● New programme created to ensure greater peace of mind; especially during uncertain times
20 January 2021, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Jaguar Land Rover MENA has announced a new optional warranty extension to ensure longer lasting peace of mind for its ......read more
New 2021 MG ZST orders doubled since its launch across the Middle East as customers take a massive liking to this compact SUV
MG runs fun, interactive social media campaign focused on the new MG ZST's power, hi-tech features, and ability to thrill
Social Media content creators across the Middle East connected through #MGTakeItToTheMax challenge to bring ......read more
• Available in three grades, LX, EX-L and Touring, and boasting refreshed exterior design and luxury interior refinements
• An ideal family vehicle, featuring Magic SlideTM second-row seat, advanced connectivity, and a child-friendly rear entertainment system
• 10-Speed Automatic Transmission mated to a 3.5-litre direct injected i-VTEC 24-Valve SOHC V6 engine with variable ......read more


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Triple-fan cooler, mild overclock, basic RGB - worth it over Founders?
Who do you think deserves the crown for 2019?
Can the new Asus monster ROG board handle AMD's mighty 3rd Gen Ryzen Threadrippers?
Investors not impressed.
Investors antsy despite record revenues.
Electronic Arts has been hit by a class action lawsuit due to the buggy state of Battlefield 4 and titles in its Playstation 4 library.
Ballmer's exit whets the appetite.
Exiting the DRAM market not such a good idea after all.
Investors are expecting Facebook to hit a $100 billion valuation.
The CEO of DSG International - the company which runs high street PC retailer PC World - has announced a £30 million drop in pre-tax profits.
November 22 2019 | 13:00
Copyright © 2000 - 2019, bit-tech.net. All rights reserved.


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August 28, 2020 – Retail sales (excluding auto sales) rose 1.9 percent from June’s level of sales and now stands 1.9 percent above last July’s levels. The closely-watched control group (which feeds into the calculation of GDP growth) rose a more modest 1.4 percent month-over-month (MoM), following a 6 percent rise in June. Personal disposable income growth remained robust in June, rising 8.9 percent year-over-year (YoY), as enhanced unemployment insurance benefits continued to more than offset the 2.4 percent year over year (YoY) decline in wage and salary growth. Government transfer payments, which capture unemployment benefits, social security payments and other income assistance, remained at 59 percent over last year’s level, highlighting the impact of the federal stimulus.
Overall consumer confidence fell 5.7 points from June to July. Confidence in current business and labor market conditions rose 7.5 points, which was the third straight month of increases. However, future expectations fell 14.6 points since June. Confidence fell across all age ranges, and among all household income levels of $50K and above.
In July, the pace of the labor market recovery slowed significantly, with roughly 1.7 million new jobs added. The economy is still down by roughly 12.9 million jobs since February. The unemployment rate fell 0.9 percentage points to 10.2 percent in July. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics still believes this number is understated due to changes in unemployment insurance requirements.
"A surge in COVID cases in July across a large number of states led to a slowdown in the pace of reopening. The result was a more modest pace of consumer spending," according to Michael Brown, Principal U.S. Economist, Visa Inc. “Services spending on the part of consumers continues to lag the recovery in goods spending.
“Job gains moderated in July as economic activity slowed due to a spike in COVID cases,” said Travis Clark, Associate U.S. Economist, Visa Inc. “This spike also led to a pullback in consumer confidence for the month as consumers became more pessimistic about future economic conditions.”


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Computers have come a long way since wireless technology was introduced at the end of the 90s, and now as we get half way through 2012, Netgear is leading a charge to be the first hardware provider with the future of wireless technology.
“Three weeks ago, we introduced the 802.11ac technology, and we believe that Australians are the fastest adopter of technology,” said Patrick Lo, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Netgear.
According to some research shown by the company, 55% of Internet video currently goes to devices that aren’t desktop or notebook computers, with the list including smartphones, tablets, TVs, and video gaming consoles. Within two years, that number is expected to rise to roughly 80%, making the devices we use and carry every day with us casually and for entertainment the main place where we rely on wireless streaming video.
“Eventually every single device that needs power will be connected to the Internet,” said Mr. Lo. “So people will be able to access the Internet from anywhere on any device.”
To make this happen, wireless routers need to improve to support more devices spread out over a longer distance with faster speeds, and that’s exactly what 802.11ac does.
While still technically not yet finalised, the 802.11ac wireless standard aims to improve the speed from where 802.11n was by as much as six times, with most increases doubling or tripling performance.
The speed increases are obvious, with as much as 1.3 Gigabit speeds, essentially making wired Gigabit networks a thing of the past and offering as much as three times the speed of the fastest 802.11n networks.
The catch in all of this is how you connect to the new networking technology, and while the WiFi routers will be backwards compatible with past standards – 802.11/a/b/g/n – this won’t bring you the amazingly increased speeds. Instead, most people will have to wait for new versions of the gadgets to feature chips able to jump onto the new network.
Smartphones and tablets seem like the ideal candidates to receive 802.11ac, too, but your next purchase is unlikely to see the technology unless you buy towards the end of the year.
However, according to Mr. Lo, the reason to upgrade is more than just higher speeds.
“Not only are you getting three times the speed, you use half the energy and then use a lot less power, that’s why this is ideal for mobile environments,” he said. “The saving in battery life goes anywhere between thirty and seventy percent, that means you can extend the battery life of your smartphone and tablet.”
Computers will have an easier time taking advantage of the high speeds, with a USB dongle (A6200) set to become available in the next few weeks.
“We expect lots of devices with 802.11ac embedded by Christmas,” said Mr. Lo, telling us briefly that Asus already had one laptop with the technology announced last week at Computex.
Meanwhile, the first routers are now landing in Australia, with Netgear launching the initial 802.11ac model R6300, which should arrive in stores this week.


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This year has redefined how we work and how we interact with one another. There is no doubt it will change the creative industry forever.
If there is one thing we know for sure is that 2020 has been a defining year. So much of what we do today is already different than before the pandemic started. And among other things, this year will redefine the creative industry entirely.
Related | Pinterest Introduces Story Pins And Other New Features For Creators
To measure the real impact of months of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and on-going social issues, Adobe surveyed 600 creatives from around the world and discovered there was a complete shift in how creativity comes to life, and that this year’s events will permanently change the creative industry.
Here is the highlight of what they found:
- 87% agree that most work will be done remotely or virtually for the remainder of 2020
- 87% agree that 2020 will have lasting impacts on creative businesses
- 91% feel the events of this year have inspired them to incorporate real-world issues into their creative work
- 90% agree trends and topics in visual culture are evolving faster today than ever before
- Over half have seen a desire for content that is more culturally relevant
The COVID-19 pandemic especially will have a lasting impact on the creative industry. It worked as an accelerator, promoting remote work like never before. As a result, we have all discovered the advantages of working from home, making going back to the office and the commute that comes with it, something very few are wishing for.
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Motel 6 reboots its security platform with Crossbeam Systems, Inc.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. launched a $10 million advertising campaign on Sept. 16 to spread awareness of its new brand positioning. The Marriott-owned hotel chain created the effort, which includes direct mail, email, social media and banner ads, with Los Angeles-based agency Team One.
The amount of money spent at US merchant locations increased by 8.8% in June, compared with the prior year, according to First Data Corp.'s SpendTrend analysis for the month. The report measured credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks spending.
Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa will launch a campaign this fall using direct mail, email, social media and banner ads, said Michael Winfield, president and CEO of the company. The Bermuda resort is working with Merge Consumer Marketing, which it selected last month as its AOR after an RFP process that included five agencies.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is allowing Priority Club Rewards members to use their points at competitor hotels through its "Hotels Anywhere" program. The company introduced the initiative May 18 after an April soft launch.
Company of the week
Data Services, Inc. meets the needs of today's data-driven marketer by providing front-end database management and data analytics platforms alongside our expertise in global contact data quality, database building and ongoing maintenance that comes with our 45+ years in business.


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Mitsubishi is giving the 2019 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid a long list of upgrades, which will be revealed next month at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2019 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid gets some subtle styling upgrades, but the more significant updates are what’s now under the hood.
The 2019 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid is now powered by a 2.4 Atkinson cycle engine that replaces the previous Otto cycle 2.0 liter. The plug-in hybrid system’s battery capacity has increased 15 percent, while its battery output has increased by 10 percent. The rear motor also has 10 percent more power and the generator’s output has increased by 10 percent.
The 4WD system also gets two additional drive modes: Sport and Snow.
On the outside the 2019 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid gets new LED headlights, restyled fog lights and a new grille. New 18 inch alloy wheels and a larger rear spoiler complete the updates. Inside there are new leather seats, revised gauges, a new instrument panel and rear A/C outlets.


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Local businesses taking steps to fight coronavirus
COLUMBIA - Valhalla's Gate Game Store is encouraging customers not to come to the store.
Katie Burton is the owner of the shop. She said they are doing their part to stop the spread of the virus even if it hurts her business.
"We wanted to... flatten the curve, get ahead of it and so we cancelled our events," Burton said. "It will hurt but we would rather everybody be safe."
About 30 people were expected to attend the event planned for this weekend.
Burton said there are sunken costs as supplies were already purchased for the event, but they have back funds that will help over the coming weeks.
The shop is offering curbside pickup for customers if they need supplies from the shop. Customers call, pay ahead and employees will bring their orders to their cars.
Other businesses do not have a set plan for how to handle the outbreak.
Alli Phaep is the assistant store manager at Glik's, a clothing boutique downtown.
"We are just taking it day by day," Phaep said. "We don't really know what's going to happen."
Phaep said the safety of their employees is a top priority.
Ice Cream Designer Jackson Reeder said Sparky's is a downtown staple and is going to be fine.
"No one should be worried about Sparky's," Reeder said.
Reeder is not concerned about Sparky's closing.
"I certainly like paying my rent so I hope it doesn't get that far, but we're going to do our best to stay open through it," Reeder said.


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Apple Is Charging $149 to Fix iPhones with a Known Design Flaw
If you’re the owner of an iPhone 6 Plus, your device probably struggled with a periodically locked screen -- a known flaw you could secretly exploit. This issue, known as “touch disease,” has ballooned in its scope, with scores of customers complaining of randomly unresponsive devices. Finally, Apple is dealing with the problem through a repair program, but will charge customers $149 to participate, no pittance for an already expensive phone.
“Apple has determined that some iPhone 6 Plus devices may exhibit display flickering or Multi-Touch issues after being dropped multiple times on a hard surface and then incurring further stress on the device,” the company’s website reads. “If your iPhone 6 Plus is exhibiting the symptoms noted above, is in working order, and the screen is not cracked or broken, Apple will repair your device for a service price of $149.”
Apple’s motive for charging a fee for the repair service speaks to the long, winding fallout stemming from the “touch disease” issue. The problem was discovered after the hardware gurus iFixit released a report, explaining that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus’ suffered from faulty Touch IC Chips, which are meant to respond when a user touches the phone screen.
Previously, Thrillist learned that Apple had an unadvertised policy of replacing items with defective hardware free of charge. Customers would occasionally exploit that rule though, using it as a loophole fix for more common problems, such as phones with cracked screens. But given how the company’s been sued over the “touch disease” issue, it’s now a big enough controversy that Apple has been forced to acknowledge it and charge for fixes.
The tech giant adds that it will reimburse customers who’ve already paid for a repair related to the issue, noting that “the reimbursement amount will equal the difference between the price you paid for the original service to your iPhone 6 Plus and the $149 service price.”
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Sam Blum is a News Staff Writer for Thrillist. He's also a martial arts and music nerd who appreciates a fine sandwich and cute dogs. Find his clips in The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The A.V. Club and Vice. He's on Twitter @Blumnessmonster.


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Jimmy Clyne of Clyne Partners chatted with Andrew Hewitt from the Reece Group about the $688 million HomeBuilder package announced yesterday.
The Federal Government has unveiled a plan for Australians to receive $25,000 to build or renovate a home starting today (4 June).
We explain the government’s new JobKeeper payment scheme — a $1,500 per fortnight wage subsidy for employers affected by the coronavirus, including sole traders!
We thought we’d break down everything you need to know as an apprentice during the coronavirus crisis.
We cut through the spin to explain what the latest economic relief packages mean for tradies.
We’ve dug a little deeper into each of the measures to figure out exactly what is on offer and how the payments will be made if you are eligible.


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Written by Riyana Razalee
As we wrap up the holiday season, a time where many of us break bread with our loved ones, there’s no better time to critically assess if we managed our food waste effectively or if we fell prey to the same practices as before.
Food Waste Keeps Piling Up
Before we do that though, it’s worth understanding the food waste journey over the years. Over the last five decades, the industrialization of agriculture in the US has enabled farmers to implement production efficiencies to drive down food costs. Today, U.S. consumers spend over 40 percent less of their disposable personal income on food than they did 55 years ago. As food costs have declined, consumers have become less concerned about food waste. At the same time, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, food portion sizes at restaurants have more than doubled since 1950.
Now, as cities continue to grow, a few other aspects will grow in tandem, namely:
- The constant need for availability and relatively low cost of food
- The higher incomes of city dwellers compared to rural areas
- The lower understanding of food production systems and their environmental impact (compounded by the lack of refrigerated storage in developing countries)
It’s not all doom and gloom though. The good news is that a lot of good work is already being done to guide stakeholders on how to handle food and repurpose food otherwise lost. Nevertheless, the current situation showcases the urgency of employing a closed loop agriculture system which will keep as much food as possible in the human consumption chain and help maintain a sustainable supply of good quality food. So, what other trends can help push this further?
Trend #1: Branded Produce Tying Themselves to Food Waste Reduction
Take the example of Petes, a hydroponic farm that has partnered with 1% For The Planet, pledging 1% of greenhouse fresh sales to the recycling partnership in an effort to help improve the recycling system. By doing this, they’re making it very clear what they stand for and how they’re attempting to fix the food loss problem. For B2C, Ikea’s in-home hydroponic system is a good example of an indirect indoor growing trend that will reduce food waste. Consumers will make a concerted effort to grow produce themselves, rather than leaving it forgotten in a crisper drawer, thus it's more likely to get eaten.
Trend #2: Community Stakeholders Growing Food in Small Spaces to Meet the Needs of Food Banks
With food banks, communities must be mindful of the demographics that are being served and what they will consume which essentially will reduce food waste because they’ll actually want to and know how to use the food that’s available to them. However, in order to achieve this, it needs quality work to be done on an individual level. Time and effort must go into understanding the communities that we participate in which will then equip us with better knowledge regarding the people who may benefit from these food banks. Soulfood Greenhouse is a prime example of this. They realized that the food bank close to them needed more vegetables, specifically tomatoes. Using their greenhouse, they were able to fill this gap and address actual market needs through innovation.
Trend #3: Usage of Agriculture Analytics to Cut Food Waste
When used effectively and ethically, agriculture analytics can cut food wastage by reducing mismatches in supply and demand. “Technology is the force multiplier that helps both the people who grow the food and the people who eat it,” says Andre Zhu, senior vice president of Pinduoduo. Agri analytics also allows us to take food waste and turn it into organic hydroponic nutrients, recirculating it within the food system. At Re-Nuble, this is very much part of our technology which has enabled us to play a part in the reduction of food waste while recirculating food back into the system in a healthy and ethical manner. Let's collaborate.


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Fonterra Chairman John Wilson, Director Blue Read and European Policy and Advocacy Manager Francis Reid recently met with the Board of the International Dairy Federation in Brussels.
Fonterra is a long-time member of the IDF, an organisation that represents the global dairy sector to ensure the best scientific expertise is used to support high quality milk and nutritious, safe and sustainable dairy products.
Fonterra’s Chief Technology Officer Jeremy Hill, who is the current IDF President and Chairman of the IDF Board, was on hand to welcome the Fonterra contingent and thanked our Co-op on its on-going commitment to IDF.
Jeremy also highlighted that Fonterra’s commitment to IDF has created significant value for the Co-op including the recent update to the international standard method for measuring protein in powdered milk products*.
John thanked the IDF for the key role it plays in standards development and best practices for the dairy industry. He also emphasised the importance of the IDF and its science based influence of intergovernmental organisations such as Codex, FAO, OIE and WHO, who help set standards and policies on dairy safety and quality globally.
*Fonterra Lead Chemist Chemist Richard Johnson was recently awarded the IDF Prize of Excellence for his work on validating the Kjeldahl method, typically used for measurement on liquid whole milk, for a range of powder products. Richard worked with a group of international experts through the IDF and the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO).


text: Apple reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $430 million (E358 million), or 50 cents (E0.42) per share, on revenue of $3.68 billion (E3.06 billion). That compares with earnings of $106 million (E88 miillon), or 13 cents (E0.11) per share, on revenue of $2.35 billion (E1.96 billion) for the same period a year earlier. The most recent quarter’s earnings included a benefit from tax-related issues. Excluding that benefit, Apple would have had earnings of 38 cents (E0.32) per share. Sales were somewhat less than some analysts were projecting, and investors sent shares down more than 10 percent in after-hours trading. Apple said it sold 1.24 million Macs and 6.45 million iPods during the past quarter.


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That means that even in normal times, gasoline is no small part of this small independent florist shop’s budget. When gas prices spike to all-time records, like they did across Canada this week, the impact on the business is significant.
“I would say we’ve seen our gas costs go up by about $200 to $300 a month,” said Flower Chix owner Monique Britten. “I am actually looking for either an electric or a hybrid vehicle right now for the shop, and that’s pretty much a direct result of the cost of the deliveries, including gas.”
From coast to coast this fall, businesses that have already dealt with surging prices on everything from heating to building supplies to labour are now facing a new headwind – the price at the pump.
Highest weekly average on record
Data from Natural Resources Canada, which tracks fuel prices across the country, shows the average weighted national retail price for regular gasoline in Canada hit $1.45 per litre this week. That’s up more than 40 cents year-over-year and the highest weekly average price on record, according to fuel price consultancy firm Kalibrate, which has data all the way back to 2007.
The gasoline price spike is leading to higher shipping and inventory delivery costs for businesses of all types. And for those for whom driving is part of the job – everyone from food delivery gig workers to cab drivers to realtors – high fuel prices are a direct hit to the bottom line.
“As a real estate agent, you are a sole proprietor or self-incorporated. So those are your expenses to pay,” said Jared Chamberlain, broker-owner of Chamberlain Real Estate Group in Calgary.
“I’d say 90 percent of our team is doing between 20 and 30,000 km a year on their cars. And there’s really nothing we can do about it.”
Corinne Pohlmann, senior vice-president of national affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said businesses will pass rising input costs along to customers when they can. But in many cases, like when a small business is competing on price with a larger competitor, that’s just not an option.
The result, Pohlmann said, is that many Canadian businesses are facing inflationary pressures at a time when they are still trying to emerge from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, it is making it difficult – at an already difficult time – for small businesses to rebound,” Pohlmann said.
But it’s not all bad news, said Pedro Antunes, chief economist with The Conference Board of Canada. The majority of the gasoline price increase is being driven by the price of crude oil, which is at seven-year highs due to increased demand globally as pandemic restrictions ease and economic activity picks up.
“We still think that for Canada as a whole, (high gasoline prices) are slightly positive,” Antunes said. “And that’s because it lifts profits, specifically in the three oil-producing provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.”
If energy companies in those provinces reinvest the cash flow from higher prices into new projects and hiring, the result will be economic growth for the country. But it’s unclear just how much oil and gas companies will be willing to spend and hire after seven years of depressed prices, Antunes said.
The potential economic gains also don’t negate the impact of higher gasoline prices on individual consumers and businesses.
“We’re a low-density and widespread economy, so it does cause us pain,” Antunes said. “We’re going to see the implications of higher gasoline prices eroding our purchasing power.”


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America’s best airways are taking a stand in opposition to smart luggage. In a uncommon little bit of unity, a choice of the rustic’s best carriers have introduced rules that may restrict the usage of high-tech luggage, over worry of possible battery combustion.
American Airlines led the fee at the ban. On Friday of remaining week, the service famous a coverage exchange set to enter impact simply after the busy vacation season. “Beginning Jan. 15, customers who travel with a smart bag must be able to remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked at any point in the customer’s journey. If the battery cannot be removed, the bag will not be allowed,” the corporate wrote in a commentary.
The airline cited the possible chance of lithium battery combustion. The transfer echoes remaining yr’s issues round Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 — even though not like that transfer, that is extra of a proactive step. The corporate cites normal possible issues, quite than explicit incidents. The ban is targeted in particular on checked luggage, positioned in the shipment grasp of a aircraft.
Interestingly, the selective ban does now not observe will have to the buyer convey the luggage into the principle cabin as a elevate on. Once checked, alternatively, the luggage will handiest be allowed if the battery is got rid of from the bag. That possibility isn’t to be had on all items of smart luggage, rendering them necessarily nugatory.
Both Delta and Alaska have launched equivalent languages set for a similar time period, and CNN is reporting that United Continental and Southwest are set to practice swimsuit quickly. As the web site notes, that covers kind of 80-percent of air visitors in the States, which, naturally, places the nascent smart luggage business in a lovely tough spot. These sweeping adjustments have left some startups feeling singled out.
“The latest changes are an absolute travesty and is a huge step back not only for travel technology but it also presents an obstacle to streamlining and improving the way we all travel,” Bluesmart CEO Tomi Pierucci mentioned in a strongly worded be aware to TechCrunch. “If they are going to ban smart bags, then they should be banning cameras, laptops, and phones being checked in or carried on. All of these have at some point caused issues with exploding batteries and yet it is smart bags and Bluesmart that is getting punished for this.”
The strikes stems from the International Air Transport Association. Though the IATA doesn’t keep watch over those types of rules, not like, say, the FAA. Rather, the airways have carried out particular person, however in large part constant variations of the rules.
Some corporations in the distance seem to have ready a ruling alongside those strains. In a commentary equipped to TechCrunch, Away CEO Steph Korey touted the corporate’s luggage design. “All Away Carry-Ons have batteries that can be easily removed. It’s a feature we thoughtfully designed, in part, because customers were asking for a charger that could be kept with them and used during flight.”
If the legislation remains in position, it’ll most likely motive different avid gamers to put into effect equivalent capability. In the intervening time, alternatively, it leaves a choice of corporations in a tough spot. In a commentary equipped to TechCrunch, Away CEO Steph Korey touted the corporate’s luggage design. “We create the category from an old industry which hasn’t had any innovation in the last 50 years,” says Pierucci. “And now they are trying to eliminate us and the category. By making a removable battery, the suitcase will become stupid.”