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While there's a lot of focus on how certain video game companies like PlayStation will respond to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard (valued at close to $70 billion), it seems Xbox might be focused on much bigger threats.
According to The Washington Post, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is supposedly concerned about "other big tech competitors" (e.g. Google, Amazon, Netflix and Meta) entering the games industry and causing harm, unlike Xbox's experienced competitors - Nintendo and Sony, who take great care, because "that's the business they're in".
As a result of this looming threat, Xbox is seemingly wanting to build up a portfolio to ensure it can distinguish itself within the global gaming space, and use "gaming" to compete against other leaders within the tech industry - potentially even fending these other tech giants off from buying up the entire industry.
Phil goes on to mention how he already has plenty of faith in Nintendo, Sony, and other long-running game companies like Valve, and knows they all have the game industry's best interests at heart.
“They have a long history in video games... Nintendo’s not going to do anything that damages gaming in the long run because that’s the business they’re in. Sony is the same and I trust them. … Valve’s the same way. When we look at the other big tech competitors for Microsoft: Google has search and Chrome, Amazon has shopping, Facebook has social, all these large-scale consumer businesses. … The discussion we’ve had internally, where those things are important to those other tech companies for how many consumers they reach, gaming can be that for us.
“I think we do have a unique point of view, which is not about how everything has to run on a single device or platform. That’s been the real turning point for us looking at gaming as a consumer opportunity that could have similar impact on Microsoft that some of those other scale consumer businesses do for other big tech competitors. And it’s been great to see the support we’ve had from the company and the board.”
Phil sort of illustrated how Nintendo and Sony are on the same side as Xbox (within the gaming eco-system), in a recent tweet about how Microsoft would honor all existing Activision Blizzard agreements with Sony, and how Xbox had a "desire" to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Well, that's if you don't read into it too much, but only time will tell...
How do you feel about the idea of Microsoft using Xbox and gaming to compete with other tech giants? Tell us below.


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Results For "MOMS-Outdoor-Media-Solutions"
57 News Found
MOMS rolled out 3 back-to-back campaigns for USPL
In OOH News By Nibedita Saha - October 27, 2016
Wrogn, Imara and Ms Taken are all breakaway youth fashion brands, inspired by the distinctive sense of style targeted towards the open minded and progressive youth, those who like to make their best choices in life.
Livon reaches out to the young in Gujarat with promise of salon finish
In Campaigns By Nibedita Saha - October 26, 2016
MOMS Outdoor Media Solutions planned and executed the campaign, covering key cities of Gujarat -- Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Rajkot. The OOH firm used a mix of large formats, bqs and other formats like mall media to help the brand connect with the target audience
Dr. Fixit goes outdoor with waterproofing solutions
In Campaigns By Nibedita Saha - September 29, 2016
The OOH campaign, spanning two weeks, has been planned and executed by leading specialist agency MOMS Outdoor Media Solutions covering cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Surat
Kotak Securities urges investors to'Trade with the best'
In Campaigns By VJ Media Bureau - April 09, 2015
MOMS Outdoor Media Solutions planned and executed the campaign in Mumbai
Lodha Group builds domineering OOH presence for'The Park'
In Campaigns By VJ Media Bureau - April 08, 2015
MOMS Outdoor Media Solutions executed the campaign in Mumbai, targeting the A+ category audience
The 'Why' and 'How' behind Mushrooming specialist agencies
In OOH News By Reena Mehta - June 21, 2013
Last few years have seen a sudden mushrooming of specialist agencies in the outdoor space. Outdoor Asia puts agency wallas - big and small - in an analytical mood to reason out this trend and suggest the way forward.

domain: news


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Uniply Industries has received an approval for the Scheme of Arrangement/Amalgamation of Vector Projects (India) (The Wholly Owned Subsidiary) with itself and with their respective shareholders and Creditors. The Board of Directors of the company at its meeting held on December 16, 2017, approved the same.
Uniply Industries was established with the belief that it could provide Indian consumers with the best in quality plywood and other panel products. With this as the echoing inspiration Uniply has marched on towards greater success. The brand name is now synonymous with quality and reliability.


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Blue Highway Pizzeria is among the nation’s best-performing pizzerias, according to Pizza Today magazine, the leading publication of the $37 billion pizza industry. The magazine, which annually ranks the largest independent operations in the U.S. based on sales, named Blue Highway number 58 on its prestigious Hot 100 list this month.
Based in Micanopy, Blue Highway also operates locations in the Tioga Town Center and Ocala. Its success has enabled its family-oriented owners to offer employees benefits atypical of a pizza establishment, including full healthcare, dental and vision plans, life insurance, and paid time off. “We owe our success to our team. We couldn’t do any of this without their passion and dedication. Happy cooks cook with love, and our crew knows the value of serving our community. When you combine that with quality ingredients, the result is magic,” said Layla Ruffino.
“Making our list is quite an accomplishment,” said Pizza Today Editor-in-Chief Jeremy White. “Each year our readers await the release of the Hot 100 list anxiously. Making it here isn’t easy — it’s a testament to many factors such as great food and service, solid marketing and old-fashioned hard work. The pizzerias on our Hot 100 list have managed to really set themselves apart from the competition.”
Founded in 2004, Blue Highway Pizzeria is operated by the Ruffino family. For more information, visit bluehighwaypizza.com.


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Australia’s booming media buying market faces a bit of a shake-up with thanks to a US company.
Developed in Silicon Valley, Origami Logic is an advanced marketing performance measurement platform that delivers real-time insights into what is working and what isn’t.
The platform is tailored to match a business’ unique characteristics, KPIs and measurement requirements.
Using artificial intelligence and automated processes to track and evaluate marketing performance, Origami aggregates and normalises all types of marketing performance data and generates actionable insights.
This approach eliminates the guesswork from the process, using real-time business data to allow marketers to refine their investment strategies and generate higher returns on marketing investment.
Australian-based company Informatic Communication Investment (ICI) has signed exclusive rights with Origami Logic to bring the platform to Australia.
Vaughan O’Connor, director of ICI, said: “As an industry, we aren’t using information science and interpreting data quickly enough.
“We believe we have a real game-changer with Origami Logic, as it is more advanced than any other product currently available.
“It will bring complete transparency back into the client-agency relationship and, more importantly, give marketers the power of knowing what’s working the best in their marketing mix.”
ICI is currently working closely with Queensland’s Bond University to develop additional insights into how the data captured and harmonised with the Origami Logic technology can then be used for advanced predictive outcome ROI modelling for clients.
Using the work being undertaken with both Bond University and Origami Logic, ICI’s mission is to create a unique and tailored data-led marketing investment tool for the Australian market that makes using big data to drive competitive advantage a daily reality for marketers and not just data scientists and analysts.
Several Australian-based clients have already started onboarding the software, with the company currently investing heavily in establishing its staffing and services capabilities for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Today, Integral Ad Science (IAS), a global leader in digital ad verification, released its Media Quality Report (MQR) for H2 2020, providing transparency into the performance and quality of Australian digital media, alongside global comparisons. Integral Ad Science’s H2 2020 MQR highlights brand safety, ad fraud, and viewability trends across display, video, mobile web, and […]
Quintis Sandalwood has appointed Illuminate as its global PR partner following a competitive pitch process. Proudly Australian, Quintis produces and markets Indian Sandalwood oil, logs, chips and powder products across the world to major companies in industries such as fragrance, aromatherapy, cosmetics, handicrafts and Traditional Chinese Medicine industries. Illuminate will be responsible for a global communications […]
Hopefully the weekend has given everyone enough time to recover from B&T’s 30 Under 30 awards and prepare themselves for our official photo dump! We shared some of the highlights last week, and now you can peruse all of the pictures taken on the night. Thank you to everyone for attending this year’s awards, and […]
Kinderling Kids Radio (Kinderling) has announced the completion of its move from DAB+, where it launched six years ago, to a direct-to-consumer streaming model, accessible online or through the Kinderling Kids iOS and Android app. The Parent Brand, the parent company of Kinderling Kids and Babyology, made the decision to shift as streaming and on-demand […]
Most people over 60 stay on top of their health with regular check-ups. Whether it’s eyes, prostate or breasts, they realise at their age it’s important. But one that gets ignored is hearing. They’d rather live with gradual hearing loss, and continually ask what, huh, pardon or sorry until it seriously impacts their life and […]
Creative communications agency Connecting Plots has been appointed by Casella Family Brands to handle the social media accounts for [yellow tail] wine in Australia. The win follows an audit of the Casella Family Brands social activities, which led to [yellow tail] rethinking its approach to social media and how it aligns with its overall marketing […]
v2food, has appointed HERO’s B.B.E as the lead strategic and creative agency for the brand following a competitive pitch process. v2food is an Australian pioneering food technology business with a global vision to feed the planet sustainably. After launching nationally in 2019, v2food has been on a mission to offer Australians an easy alternative to meat […]
Magnite (Nasdaq: MGNI), the largest independent sell-side advertising platform, today announced it has been working with Adform, the only independent global ad management platform covering all aspects of the digital campaign lifecycle, to scale first party identifiers in privacy-safe ways. With the pending elimination of third-party cookies, the industry must establish future-proof identity solutions for publishers and buyers.
The Commercial Producers Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Box (pictured) as its new Co-Chair, effective immediately. Box, Head of Production at Airbag, joins Co-Chair Pip Smart, and fills the vacancy left by Lucas Jenner who steps aside from the Co-Chair role after four years of service, in accordance with the CPC’s […]


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Toy recalls for excessive lead and other hazards are down this year, but consumer advocates warn that potential dangers to children remain on store shelves.
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group analyzed 50 toys for its annual safety report and found lead, loudness and other violations in just under a dozen toys.
The consumer advocate group said that a Captain America Soft Shield purchased at Toys R Us had 29 times the legal limit of lead. The report said a package of toy jewelry rings from Dollar General tested positive for lead at twice the legal limit. Other concerns in the report included small parts that could cause a child to choke and some toddler toys that were too loud and exceeded federal safety limits.
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A nonprofit has filed a federal lawsuit to force the U.S. government to block imports of cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. International Rights Advocates say that were left with no alternative but to file this lawsuit due to the lack of a response to their petition submitted over over three years ago. That petition, to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, called for a ban on the import of Ivorian cocoa due to “the irrefutable evidence of forced child labor”.
The Tariff Act of 1930 prohibits the importation into the U.S. of any goods made “wholly or in part” using forced, indentured, or convict labor, in any part of the world. Nonprofits have increasingly used the petition mechanism to invoke this law and drive better labor practices in the production of a variety of goods. Many of these petitions remain unanswered.
Empty promises and tired excuses
Extensive evidence has been published over the past few decades shining a light on children working on cocoa plantations in West Africa, some of whom have been trafficked from neighbouring countries. The region produces 70% of the world’s cocoa supply.
Major chocolate companies such as Mars, Nestle, and Hershey agreed to stop purchasing cocoa produced by child labor in 2001, but did not follow through. Then they pledged to end their reliance on child labor in 2005. Now they are saying they will ensure forced child labor does not feature in their cocoa in two years’ time, in 2025.
International Rights Advocates say the aim of their action is to exert legal pressure on leading cocoa corporations, namely Nestle, Cargill, Mars, Hershey, Mondelez, Barry Callebaut, Olam, and Blommer Chocolate to end their dependence on forced child labor.
Their executive director Terry Collingsworth told The Associated Press:
“They will never stop until they are forced to”. He added that the U.S. government has “the power to end this incredible abuse of African children by enforcing the law.”
Putting his views to Customs and Border Protection Associated Press reports:
Spokespeople for CBP declined to comment on the suit, which was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade. When asked more generally about cocoa produced by child labor, the federal agency said it was “unable to disclose additional information or plans regarding forced labor enforcement activities due to protections of law enforcement sensitive and business confidential information.”
How much proof will it take?
The U.S. government recognises child labor as a major problem in West Africa, reporting in 2021 that:“Children in Cote d’Ivoire are subjected to the worst forms of child labour, including in the harvesting of cocoa and coffee.”
Terry Collingsworth traveled to cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast where he documented children chopping through brush and harvesting cocoa. His evidence includes interviews with children as young as 12 who said their wages were being withheld, and they had been tricked by recruiters into working long hours on a false promise they would be given land of their own.
The international Rights Advocates’ lawsuit includes this evidence as well as the lengthy petition from 2020 detailing how the companies are violating the law.
Call for ethical cocoa production
It is not just major chocolate companies that source cocoa from West Africa where child labor and abuse is rampant. Other companies, not primarily known for chocolate products, like Starbucks use substantial quantities of cocoa in over 23 products they sell.
Freedom United this week launched a new action calling on Starbucks to take steps to ensure their cocoa is sourced ethically. This follows a petition launched two years ago calling on major chocolate companies to undertake practical steps to address child slavery and exploitation.


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Zimbabwe’s annual inflation for the month of March raced to 676,39% compared to 540.16% in February, the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstat) announced on Tuesday.
The month on month inflation rate in March was 26.59% gaining 13.07 percentage points on the February rate of 13.52%, Zimstat said.
This is Zimbabwe’s highest inflation rate since hyperinflation forced the country to abandon its currency in 2009.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has set a target of 50% for inflation by year end, but this seems fanciful, as the rate at which prices go up continues to skyrocket.
This is the second in 12 months that Zimbabwe is publishing annualised inflation results, after Finance minister Mthuli Ncube suspended the announcements for a year following the re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar.
There was optimism in official circles that the reintroduction of the local unit will stem inflation and boost production, but a shortage of foreign currency continues to place upward pressure on prices.
Last month, when Zimstat said inflation was at 540%, economist Steve Hanke, using his own model, estimated that it was 1 096%.


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Knitters across the country are making baby clothes in the wake of Jacinda Ardern's pregnancy - but the tiny garments won't be going to Parliament.
Instead people are donating handmade clothing to the children's ward at Middlemore Hospital so babies in need will have warm woollies for their first few weeks of life.
The crafty movement began with a tweet posted on Saturday by Kiwi expat Heather McCracken.
Others were keen to join the movement, which quickly became known as #KnitForJacinda.
Some posted photos of their creations, which included hats, boots and even a mini replica of the Prime Minister herself.
Users from New Zealand and abroad expressed amazement at both the creativity and generosity of the knitters.
Ms Ardern's pregnancy has been greeted with congratulations from around the world, including from other leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Nicola Sturgeon and former Prime Minister Helen Clark.


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Japanese chemical company Tokuyama Corporation and South Korea-based polysilicon producer OCI have signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a 10,000 MT polysilicon factory at an unspecified location in Malaysia.
“In light of expansion in the semiconductor market and subsequent forecast increase in demand for polycrystalline silicon, Tokuyama is looking to explore possible collaboration with OCI to build a production and supply facilities for semiconductor-grade polycrystalline silicon using clean energy, and promote accelerated business expansion in the electronics field while controlling increases in CO2 emissions,” Tokuyama said in a statement released, without providing further details. “Each company plans to conduct final process and sales as is currently the case.”
OCIM Sdn Bhd (OCIMSB), the Malaysian unit of OCI, is currently operating a 35.000 MT polysilicon factory in the Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, Malaysia, which it bought from Tokuyama in 2016.
With this factory, the group's total annual polysilicon output – including its 3,000-MT factory in Gunsan, South Korea – currently amounts to 38,000 MT.
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New Delhi, Jan.14 (ANI): Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan will address the inaugural session of the second edition of the international conference on ‘Illicit Trade- Threat To National Security and Economy’ on Friday.
The event is being jointly hosted by FICCI and the Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) at The Lalit here.
Najib Shah, Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC); Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Immediate Past President FICCI; Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE will also address the session.
A FICCI- Grant Thornton study titled ‘Emerging Challenges To Legitimate Business In The Borderless World’ will also be released by the minister.
A recent FICCI CASCADE report has estimated that on account of illicit trade in select seven manufacturing related sectors, the total loss of revenue to the government was Rs. 39,239 crores in 2014.
The conference will, therefore, deliberate on the issue of illicit trade and find out ways and means to mitigate this challenge.
The conference is also aimed to design tangible solutions to countering illicit trade in strategic markets. (ANI)


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With Apple all set to take the wearables market by storm when it announces details on its range of Watch devices, other companies that already have a range of smartwatches have released or about to release new models. A fine example if this is the Pebble Time Steel, which comes at an impressive price that is $50 less than the plastic strap version of the Apple Watch.
The Pebble Time Steel is to cost $250 for those that get the device early on Kickstarter, although its full price will be $299, which is $70 more expensive than its plastic version.
As for the Pebble Time Steel features, these consist of a large battery offering up to 10 days of life between chargers. To help give it a more premium feel is its CNC-finished 316L stainless steel casing, stainless steel strap and leather strap. It’s clear to see that Pebble is worried of the threat from Apple, which has to be a reason why the company is to offer the Time Steel version.
Some people have already said the Pebble Steel design is poor and was something back from the 80s, although we find it hard to believe that seeing as though people have yet to even get their hands-on one.
You have to admire Pebble for releasing this new model, although we do find it hard to see them selling as well seeing as though it is just $70 less than the cheapest Apple Watch made from aluminum, but with plastic strap.
*Identifying Monetised Links - outgoing links that we monetise are marked with an '*' symbol.


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- The danger warning, based on the Thailand SEC, should be both obvious and prominent.
- The Thailand SEC stated that promotion should be conducted via approved means only.
The Thailand SEC has recently reexamined advertising rules and enforced certain new guidelines, together with a mandate for businesses to tell consumers of investing dangers.
A press statement from the Thailand SEC on Thursday detailed the brand new rules for commercial promotion. To ensure an unrestricted advertising strategy, the SEC has underlined a couple of criteria that digital asset companies must observe. Information mill forbidden, amongst other things, to preface advertisements for his or her products having a disclaimer concerning the potential risks of investing.
Stringent Rules Over Ads
The SEC has noted that several cryptocurrency organizations routinely include warnings about potential harm within their product promotions. Investors are tempted to purchase the merchandise despite their incomplete knowledge of the risks connected with this particular deliberate omission.
The danger warning, based on the Thailand SEC, should be both obvious and prominent. Organizations also needs to provide any unfavorable product details with warnings. The Thai government finds that crypto advertising frequently excludes any reference to the dangers connected with investing. Due to this, the real extent from the risks continues to be performed lower.
Thailand has produced several advertising limitations additionally towards the risk notice guideline. One of these simple standards is the fact that no false or misleading statements might be produced in the ad. The SEC has issued an announcement emphasizing the significance of not coming to a false or misleading claims.
The Thailand SEC stated that promotion should be conducted via approved means only. This can aid the regulator in monitoring the type of assets that information mill selling, letting it get rid of those that pose probably the most danger to investors. However, the governing body did observe that companies can promote their choices using whatever ensures they think fit.
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Profits slip for Friends Provident
Life assurance firm Friends Provident has announced a three per cent drop in pre-tax profits which could impact upon its 2008 target.The firm saw profits slump from £524 million in 2005 to last year's £509 million, despite new business profit growth in the UK reaching close to 70 per cent.However due to the "challenging protection market" the London-based insurer operates in, the firm warned that it may struggle to meet the targets it set in October last year.Six months ago, the company announced a "demanding" 2008 target of £180-£200 million in new business profits, a goal it may not meet."Although we remain committed to achieving this target, the product mix and, in particular, the level of protection sales, which has been subdued in recent months, will be critical," said Philip Moore, the group chief executive."It is early days, and we are making progress towards our goal, but the prospects for a more challenging protection market, and the impact on our 2008 target, will not be fully understood until later in 2007."The announcement of last year's profit slide caused the firm's shares to dip by seven per cent on Tuesday morning.
Simple ways to cut your car insurance
There is no doubt that all drivers in the UK dread their renewal date for car insurance as premiums continue to move higher and higher. However, there are a number of simple ways to reduce your car insurance premiums to a level which reflects your risk and your annual mileage. One of the best ways to reduce your car insurance premiums is to limit the mileage which you clock up each and every ye...Read More
Have you been tempted by the doorstep lenders?
With news that Provident Financial has increased its profits by 3.5% in the first six months of 2009 the doorstep lending industry has again hit the headlines. Despite the fact that Cattles, another of the U.K.'s more prominent doorstep lenders, is itself in serious financial difficulty the situation does not appear to be the same at Provident Financial. Have you ever been tempted by the doorstep...Read More
Are we seeing a recovery on the UK high street?
A number of UK retail companies have, over the last few days, published suggestions that life on the high street could be improving with sales set to rise in the short term. While we await official retail figures from the various retail agencies and more detailed guidance from retail companies, it does appear as though the last couple of weeks have seen an increase in activity on the high street.<...Read More
House-building figures highest for nearly two decades
Homes in the UK are being constructed at the fastest rate for nearly 20 years, according to newly released figures.Statistics released by the National House-building Council (NHBC), whose warranty covers 80 per cent of all new houses in the UK, showed that 185,000 new properties were finished last year - the highest figure on record since 1989.After that year's high of 191,800 house construction d...Read More
Payday lenders lack competition
11/06/2014 The Payday loans market lacks competition and is resulting in many customers paying more than they need to, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA found that this lack of competition could be resulting in a typical customer’s annual bill increasing by around £30 to £60. The regulators will need to look at the possibility of implementing various so...Read More


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SINGAPORE, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BingX, a global leading cryptocurrency exchange, proudly announces its strategic sponsorship of the upcoming Future Blockchain Summit, a cutting-edge event set to revolutionize the world of Web 3.0, Blockchain, Crypto, NFT, Metaverse, and Gaming. The summit is scheduled to take place from October 15th to 18th, at Dubai Harbour, promising an immersive experience like no other.
As the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region's most immersive large-scale blockchain event, Future Blockchain Summit is poised to be a game-changer, with a fresh and empowering concept aimed at emboldening disruptors, empowering change-makers, and inspiring innovators across various tech domains. Over the course of four dynamic days, industry leaders, enthusiasts, and visionaries will converge to engage in an array of activities and opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to showcase their potential and expand networks through countless connections and interactions, gain valuable insights from a thought-provoking agenda.
BingX officially announced its strategic expansion in MENA region in this June, which aligns with its commitment to connect with users from diverse backgrounds and promote cryptocurrency adoption. Later in August, the introduction of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) trading services for a range of MENA and Turkish fiat currencies further exemplified its dedication to enhancing accessibility and convenience. BingX's journey in the MENA region has just begun, and it looks forward to continuing to foster the crypto ecosystem in this dynamic and promising market.
Nicholas Lo, BingX Head of Business Development for , together with Abdulla Hesham Khalifa, MENA Head of Community at BingX, and Markose.C, MENA Brand Representative for BingX, will be among the distinguished speakers at this prestigious event. They will contribute their insights and expertise, sharing their vision for the future of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and the broader tech landscape. And Nicholas will provide an in-depth analysis of how centralized exchanges play a pivotal role in fostering the expansion of Web3 within the MENA region.
"In recent years, the MENA region has witnessed remarkable growth in its Web3 and crypto user base, and BingX has been proud to be part of this transformative journey. We see tremendous potential for Web3 technologies in MENA, and our sponsorship of the Future Blockchain Summit reaffirms our commitment to fostering innovation and driving the prosperity of Web3 in this dynamic region. We look forward to joining hands with visionaries, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs at the summit to explore new horizons and unlock the full potential of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in MENA." Nicholas added.
The MENA region has evolved into a hub for Web3 technology, driven by factors including a substantial and youthful population, pervasive mobile and internet adoption, rapid digitalization, a burgeoning fascination with cryptocurrencies and blockchain, and a robust entrepreneurship. This integration of elements has created a fertile environment for the advancement of Web3 technologies. Meanwhile, Dubai is emerging as a prominent crypto center, supported by its strategic geographical positioning, regulatory receptivity, ample resources, and dynamic entrepreneurial vibes. With BingX's sponsorship and support, Future Blockchain Summit 2023 in Dubai is expected to elevate this to new heights.
BingX is a leading crypto exchange that offers spot, derivatives, copy, and grid trading services to over 100 countries and regions worldwide with over 5 million users. BingX continues to connect users with expert traders and the platform in a safe and innovative way. Please visit https://bingx.com to learn about BingX.
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The launch of a low-cost version of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system in India has been postponed due to delays in adapting it for local users, a senior company official said Tuesday.
The keenly awaited launch of the Windows XP Starter Edition will happen in June, not during the first quarter of 2005 as earlier promised, said Ranjivjit Singh, the marketing and business operations director of Microsoft's Indian subsidiary.
"We are still working on providing Indian language capability," he told reporters in the southern city of Bangalore. "You can't underestimate the huge development work involved."
India is the largest of the five emerging computer markets that Microsoft is targeting with its stripped-down operating system. The company already sells the starter edition in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand and has plans to launch it in Russia.
(MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)
India has only 16 million computers for more than a billion people, but sales are growing 35 percent each year.
U.S.-based Microsoft enjoys 90 percent market share in India. It hopes that cheaper software will help reduce piracy in a country where only 2 of 10 computers use more expensive licensed software.
The XP Starter Edition enables users to run only three programs concurrently and offers lower resolution graphics. It also lacks capabilities for home networking and multiple user accounts.
Singh said the Indian version will support India's dominant Hindi language initially, adding that nine other languages will be added later.
Microsoft has not yet announced the price of the starter edition. Windows XP's full version sells for about $85 in India.


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Start holiday shopping at Les Boutiques de Noel
Rounding a corner at Les Boutiques de Noel, shoppers are likely to see people crammed into Kathy Tobler's silver booth looking for silver for themselves, their children and friends.
You may have to dig to find it, but this booth is likely to have it — traditional pieces and unusual servers like lemon forks — for they cater to their customers.
For 44 years, locals have started their shopping season with a stop at Shreveport-Bossier City Opera Guild's Les Boutiques.
The idea for the event came from Shreveport Opera supporter Delton Harrison, who was inspired by the concept he saw at a New York hotel.
The 2019 edition is Nov. 15-18 at Bossier Civic Center. It is decorated to fit the theme "A Classic Southern Christmas." There will be over 100, according to official Adrienne Frierson.
In addition to the main event, there will be a private shopping time from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 15, when ticketed guests will have exclusive access to all shopping, said Frierson. The event will include special breakfast bites by Delish Artisan Marketplace and libations by Thrifty Liquor.
Les Boutiques is the major fundraiser for the Shreveport Opera, where all of the event’s proceeds are dedicated. This support allows the Shreveport Opera Express (SOX), a touring group of the Shreveport Opera, the ability to conduct nearly 100 educational performances every year for over 50,000 school children in Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, and Webster Parishes," said Frierson.
“Many of these schools ... have little or no music program,” said Guild President Lara Yerger.
A glance at vendors:
- Art by Lauren Ross. Hand painted purses and one-of-a-kind-art-work. Lauren combines textiles and bright colors with edgy pop starts and icons
- Magnolia Creative Co. Collection of hand-drawn original goods with a Southern charm, including hand-drawn calendars, southern-themed Christmas ornaments, stationery.
- Britches & Bows Boutique. Children’s holiday clothes.
- Simply Chic Boutique. Trendsetting clothes for women.
A testament to its continued success: The market’s vendor slots are sold out and will feature a variety of merchants from all over the area, said Les Boutiques Chairwoman Jamie Morgan.
Special Les Boutiques de Noel notes:
- Performances of scenes from "The Nutcracker" by the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
- Delish Artisan Marketplace lunch sales. “Each day, Delish will offer a different menu that will include a daily signature salad, soup and sandwich option, as well as their specialty teas,” says Morgan.
If you go
What: Les Boutiques de Noel.presented by: Shreveport-Bossier City Opera Guild.
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Nov. 15; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 16 and 17; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 18 at Bossier Civic Center. Private shopping, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Nov. 15.
Admission: $10 individual; $25 four-day pass; $5 senior ticket; $5 with valid/current military id; free for children under 12, all at the door.
Private shopping experience: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Nov. 15 is $40, in advance at lesboutiquesdenoel.com or 227-9503.
Information: lesboutiquesdenoel or 227-9503


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In early August, while presenting Mastercard’s financial results to shareholders, the company’s CEO, Michael Miebach, spoke about the prospect of developing new financial products, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and CBDCs (digital currencies issued by central banks).
“We want to play a relevant role in all technologies since people are looking for answers”, Miebach said, according to CoinTimes.
According to him, the company is enabling new technologies to facilitate the integration of cryptocurrency wallets through pilot projects with networks such as Paxos, Circle, and Evolve Bank & Trust. The intention is that they will simplify the conversion of crypto assets into fiat currency.
To this end, the executive highlighted the partnership with Consensys, a software engineering company based on the Ethereum network. In addition, Mastercard has already partnered with Wirex and Bitpay to provide cards linked to the cryptocurrency market. “The move to support digital assets directly will allow more traders to start accepting them”, Miebach explained.
Stablecoins are in Mastercard’s sights
As for stablecoins, Miebach said he is negotiating with the private sector and regulators to reach a consensus. According to him, it is essential that the development of new projects conforms to three criteria: regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and stability.
Regarding central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the executive highlighted the importance of technology and market advancement for the safety and dissemination of its use.
It is worth noting that Mastercard had already announced its intention to integrate cryptoassets into its means of payment. “This year Mastercard will begin supporting selected cryptocurrencies directly on the network”, said the Executive VP of Blockchain and Products Raj Dhamodharan in February this year.


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Microsoft most favourite word in year 2015 was “soon”. Whenever Windows Phone users asked when their devices are actually getting Windows 10 Mobile update. The company says the word soon and last year Microsoft confirmed the roll will begin in early 2016, but still they did not provide any exact month or date.
Vodafone UK has finally finished Windows 10 Mobile testing for Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735 and Lumia 930 devices. However, the company is now waiting for confirmation of rollout schedule. According to Vodafone UK Representative, they are ready to release Windows 10 Mobile update, but they are still waiting for Microsoft to announce the release date.
Vodafone UK also said they will not ask Microsoft for exact release date and they will tell when the update is coming after Microsoft. The reason of delay is Microsoft failed to provide final Windows 10 Mobile software.or if they post before we do; from Microsoft over here.


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As we continue to push further into the scorching period of mid-summer, some out there are still curious to know when we’ll finally hear an official word regarding the release of the LG Optimus 3D
. Already, we’ve seen the handset listed and sold on eBay
, but now we find it listed over on Amazon UK
with an interesting piece of information attached to it.
From the looks of it all, the SIM-free
handset is available for pre-order through Amazon UK, but more importantly, it’s graced with an expected release date of June 20
. Needless to say, it’s super pricey
right now at £600
($980), but nonetheless, it’s one handset that’s sure to impress many with its dual-core processor, glasses-free 3D display, and its ability to capture 3D videos as well.
Obviously, the anticipated release date can always change unexpectedly, however, its arrival seemingly falls in line to what T-Mobile UK and Three are aiming for – which is of course, a release time period of June and July respectively.
source: Amazon UK
via Android Central


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Apple has been producing goods in India for a while now, and it appears that the company’s gamble has paid off. Recent sources indicate that between April and August, Apple’s iPhone exports from India doubled, showing a considerable surge in demand.
Apple’s attempts to increase local production appear to be paying off, as evidenced by the sharp increase in exports. This is great news for India’s economy, since the government has been working to boost domestic production and exports.
This article will dive deeper into the causes of this expansion and analyse its implications for both Apple and India’s economy.
History of Apple’s Indian Factory
Since 2017, when it began producing the iPhone SE, Apple has had a manufacturing presence in India. Since then, Apple has increased local production to include not only the iPhone XR, but also the iPhone 11, and the iPhone 12 series.
Since labour and production expenses in India are often lower than in other nations, the corporation has decided to manufacture there in order to save money. This shift would also help Apple comply with local sourcing regulations in India, which mandate that foreign corporations produce a minimum amount of their goods domestically.
When did iPhone exports start skyrocketing?
As was previously indicated, Apple and the Indian economy might take heart from the recent uptick in iPhone exports. This expansion can be attributed to a number of factors:
Producing and Purchasing Closer to Home
Exports from India have increased significantly because to Apple’s local manufacture there. Exports have increased as a result of the company’s increased reliance on domestic production and its decreased reliance on foreign suppliers.
The company has also been able to cut expenses and increase local production by purchasing more components locally.
Grow ing Interest
The increasing demand for iPhones around the world is being felt in India as well. Apple’s market share and exports have grown as the company’s products have become increasingly popular in the country.
In addition, the growing popularity of telecommuting and online learning has raised the need for mobile devices, such as smartphones, which has in turn boosted sales for Apple.
Apple is one of the businesses that has benefited from the government of India’s efforts to encourage domestic production and exports.
The government of India offers advantages to businesses like Apple that choose to manufacture in the country through programmes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Because of this, the business has been able to cut costs and become more competitive in the Indian market.
What Implications Does This Have for Apple and the Indian Economy?
Apple and the Indian economy may both rejoice on the rise in iPhone shipments out of India. Apple sees the increase in exports as proof that its efforts to increase domestic production and sourcing are successful.
India’s attempts to boost domestic production and exports have paid well, as seen by the country’s recent export boom. India has the potential to become a manufacturing hub for electronics and other items, promoting economic growth and creating jobs, if more corporations, like Apple, invest in local manufacturing.
Apple’s April-August growth in iPhone exports from India is encouraging for the company and the Indian economy as a whole. More businesses are likely to invest in India as a result of the government’s efforts to encourage domestic production and exports; this should stimulate the economy and lead to the creation of new jobs.
Rene Bennett is a graduate of New Jersey, where he played volleyball and annoyed a lot of professors. Now as Zobuz’s Editor, he enjoys writing about delicious BBQ, outrageous style trends and all things Buzz worthy.


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Palatine mom starts fitness blog to review fitness and yoga studios
- Orange Theory Glenview2/14/2017Jennifer Smith, Edan Joy Gelt, Alla Berkun, Angela StrugachEdan Joy Gelt
PALATINE, IL — 30 Studios in 30 Days is the mission of Edan Joy Gelt, an ordinary, 40+ year-old mom of two who recently started the blog www.edajoygelt.com and the Joy of Fitness Facebook page. Her goal is to attend the diverse group of classes and live to blog about it.
Gelt discovered the therapeutic effect of exercise when her 4.5 year-old daughter Kennedy was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012. Instead of being subscribed meds for her depression-like symptoms, she turned to fitness with activities such as boxing, yoga and cross training to help her through. Gelt’s daughter Kennedy beat the disease and is now a thriving 9-year old but the impact of fitness on Edan Joy’s life persevered.
“Through the darkest period of my life, fitness was my crutch — some experiences better than others”, she said. “Instead of heading out for a girl’s night to drink away my angst, I gathered friends and neighbors, sometimes up to 8 of us, to take a fitness class — it really got me through it all”.
Gelt is experimenting with classes close to her Palatine home and has already blogged about Flo Fitness in Palatine, Bikram Yoga of Rolling Meadows, Freedom Yoga Center in Arlington Heights, JC’s Ultimate Personal Training in Schaumburg and Bright Blue Sage Yoga in Buffalo Grove. She’s also visited others including Orange Theory in Glenview but the class she is most excited to try is Phoenix Dance and Fitness, which combines pole dancing with the strength and flexibility of gymnastics.
“The experience so far has been amazing”, Gelt said. “The studio owners have been welcoming and the opportunity to try different genres of fitness has been eye-opening”.
For moms or anyone looking to incorporate fitness into their daily routine but afraid to try something new, this blog provides a unique perspective to local offerings and what it feels like always being the new person in class.
Edan Joy Gelt is being sponsored by Trainer.ly, a local start-up fitness platform, that offers last-minute classes for up to 50% off.
Follow the local fitness blogger mom at www.edanjoygelt.com or @Joy of Fitness on Facebook. Last minute classes of most of the studios she reviews can be found on trainer.ly.
Originally published at www.dailyherald.com


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Facebook changed its mind on its cryptocurrency advertisement ban. Now advertisers can apply to advertise on the platform.
The California-based social network enacted a ban on all crypto ads in January in a bid to cut down on scams and misleading information.
At the time, Bitcoin — the cryptocurrency that started it all — was at its height. The price of a single coin was almost $20,000 USD. This caused a mad craze around the currency as consumers rushed to get a piece of the pie.
Some of that rush came in the form of scammy and misleading advertisements on social networks. These ads aimed to lure people in with great “discount” offers on initial coin offerings (ICOs), among other tactics.
Facebook lead the charge by placing an all-out ban on cryptocurrency. The company acknowledged there were legitimate advertisers affected by the ban, but it insisted that a broad approach was the best way to go. Furthermore, the social network said the ban was temporary.
Weeding out the troublemakers
Facebook now asks advertisers to go through an application process in order to promote crypto products. However, the company is still strict regarding some advertisements. Bans on ICOs and ads promoting binary options are still in effect. This way the company can weed out the troublemakers without hurting the legitimate advertisers.
Crypto advertisers may have to show Facebook licenses, prove whether they’re traded on public stock exchanges and other relevant background information.
It’s good to see this change from Facebook. While there were a number of fraudulent advertisers taking advantage of the crypto craze, there are many legitimate advertisers as well. Cryptocurrency is a burgeoning industry with an exciting future ahead.
Additionally, Facebook is reportedly on board with crypto. Former Messenger executive David Marcus left the standalone messaging platform to head up Facebook’s blockchain research division.
This marked shift towards cryptocurrency from Facebook is a good sign for the crypto industry. Cryptocurrency has struggled with a reputation of being illegitimate. If Twitter and Google follow suit and implement strict controls on crypto advertisements, it could go a long way to improving the reputation of this new industry.
For those interested in advertising crypto on Facebook, the company has an application page here.


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Here is a great piece of news for the Indian biking industry. The very much awaited BMW bikes are here. Yes you heard it right, the new premium bikes from the BMW group will be sold in India like the company sells its cars. One tiny catch here is that these bikes will only be available in the selected dealerships. They will be imported as CBU units from the company’s factories in Berlin, Germany.
The waiting period of these premium bikes may range from anywhere between a week to 3 Months depending upon the availability and the import time of the bikes. As far as the bikes being offered are concerned, BMW is offering variety of bikes viz. naked bikes, Sports bikes and touring bikes.
The prices of these bikes are also quite high like those of BMW cars. The R1200R the naked street bike comes with a price tag of Rs.16,06,419 and its upgraded the sports full faired version, HP2, sports a price tag of around Rs. 25,35,187 (All prices based on Mumbai OTR ).
Apart from these above mentioned models, the company also has certain models of price ranging from 16 to 25 lakhs that includes R1200GS and its high end variant R1200GS Adv. There are also naked bikes introduced by the company viz.K1300R and K1600R GTL.
BMW might have decided to go ahead with this plan because they found India as a developing market for premium bikes with too many bike makers launching their bikes every now and then. All in all, one can only say that the market is flooding itself up with lot of premium bike makers to choose from.


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Cygnus promotes Blair Johnson to executive vice president of digital and strategic business development
In his new role, Johnson will lead Cygnus’s entire digital effort, including product development, process improvements, and technology and website design effort
Milwaukee, WI – December 17, 2013 — Cygnus Business Media, a technology business-to-business media company, announced the promotion of Blair Johnson to executive vice president of digital and strategic business development.
In his new role, Johnson will lead Cygnus’s entire digital effort, including product development, process improvements, and technology and website design efforts, with an emphasis on implementing the latest technology. One example of this innovative technology is the relaunch of all of the company’s websites using responsive design that enables a consistent and enhanced user experience across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. Blair’s new role will allow him to supply vision to existing practices to continue expanding the innovative technology created by Cygnus Business Media.
“I would like our group to always be pushing the envelope and thinking a couple of generations ahead. I want us to think not necessarily about today’s products, but the products of the future,” said Blair Johnson.
In his current role, Blair manages strategic initiatives to help drive company growth. He will continue to work closely with senior management to develop sound business strategies that will foster company growth. Blair joined CBM in January 2011 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Business Development.
“In his new role, Blair will help define our strategic vision and ensure the tactical delivery of digital support to our brands,” said John French, CEO of Cygnus Business Media.


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Mayor Bloomberg’s top lawyer yesterday said the eBay online auction site could be slapped with a lawsuit if it continues the “morally repugnant” sale of Sept. 11 items.
But eBay officials weren’t budging – insisting they won’t reinstate a nearly four-month ban on the items.
And while they said they had taken down items at the city’s request, some of them were still listed yesterday.
Told that eBay officials ended their self-imposed ban on Dec. 31 because enough time had elapsed since Sept. 11, Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo said they “couldn’t possibly have that attitude” if they lived here.
Cardozo said he’s looking at all legal options against eBay – including trademark infringement for selling products bearing the city’s logos.
Selling off “such ‘memorabilia’ insults all New Yorkers and belittles the memory of those who died on Sept. 11,” he wrote in a letter to eBay president Margaret Whitman, adding it’s “morally repugnant and totally inappropriate.”
All sorts of items have cropped up on eBay since Dec. 31, from FDNY badges to a dusty pair of boots supposedly worn at Ground Zero.


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Sony Ericsson took the wraps off two new phones today, the K800 and K790, each of which feature cameras good enough to carry the Sony Cyber-shot brand name, and come with built-in Blogger software from Google to enable users to create and post pictures to the Internet. The K800 is a dual-mode UMTS/GPRS mobile phone, while the K790 is a Tri Band EDGE mobile. Sony Ericcson says both units will be available in the second quarter of 2006, but they won’t come cheap: expect U.S. prices to be over $400.
“With the Cyber-shot phone we aim to create a new lifestyle of ‘imaging communication’ by combining Sony Ericsson’s unique mobile applications and Sony digital imaging technologies,” said Rikko Sakaguchi, Sony Ericsson’s Senior Vice President of Product and Application Planning. “Our aim has always been to innovate and create new values for the mobile life, and with the Cyber-shot phone we will enable anyone to enjoy an entirely new level of communication


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SEOUL, Jul. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — LG Electronics Inc. said Friday it introduced commercial robots to Incheon International Airport, announcing the move will work as a stepping stone for the company to tap deeper into the industry.
The South Korean tech giant said it deployed five cleaning and information robots, respectively, to South Korea’s main gateway. The move came in line with the airport’s drive to adopt a “smarter” environment.
LG Electronics said the deployment will also be an opportunity to advertise its robot businesses to the 57 million people who use the airport every year.
The company first clinched the deal with the airport in July 2016, and has been conducting various tests to produce optimized robots that can handle obstacles and other unexpected situations.
The information robots come with a unique voice recognition system developed by LG Electronics that is capable of understanding Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.
The robot connects to the main server of the airport, providing it with information like the locations of boarding gates. It is also capable of escorting visitors to their destinations.
The cleaning robot can also find the most efficient routes to sweep floors based on a database of the airport’s floor plan.
Earlier this year, LG Electronics vowed to expand its robot business as one of its new growth engines. The company is currently conducting research in two areas, namely for household and commercial purposes.
LG Electronics introduced robot vacuums for the first time in South Korea in 2003, and since then has focused efforts to develop various technologies for robots, including the artificial-intelligence platform DeepThinQ.


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Baum Realty Group, LLC is now celebrating more than just its 25th anniversary this year. The firm recently announced it has added 15 new tenants to its list of clients.
According to Baum’s new President, Mike Demetriou, the firm’s site selection experts have been in hot demand recently.
“Our Tenant Representation division represents several amazing, new brands beginning their expansion into Chicagoland. Blo, Honeygrow, Massage Heights, New York Kids Club, PDQ and YellowKorner are just a few of the brands that have chosen Baum to help site their first Chicago locations,” Demetriou said,
Glaze Teriyaki and Naf Naf Grill, which were already operating in Chicago, recently selected Baum as their exclusive tenant representation team.
Three additional clients, who are not yet seeking publicity, have also selected Baum for their Chicago roll-outs.


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The stars are forecasting lows in gold and the S&P 500, a high in soybeans and a shift in debt m...
2 Retail Bargains to Run All Summer
06/15/2011 10:18 am EST
The struggling home-furnishings industry is home to two uncommonly successful chains still overseen by their founders, writes MoneyShow.com senior editor Igor Greenwald.
It turns out the consumer isn’t dead—he was only face down on the couch mining the cushions for change.
US retail sales slipped 0.2% in May, as economic malaise and Japan quake disruptions clipped auto sales 2.9%. But the core retail trade—excluding auto sales and gasoline—proved surprisingly resilient, creeping up 0.2% from April, and rising more than 6% year-over-year.
And that was not the only bit of good news for the recently slumping retail sector Tuesday. Longtime underperformer Best Buy (BBY) topped profit estimates, thanks to rising tablet sales and share buybacks, and the CEO said on the conference call he felt “good” about sales trends over the last two weeks.
Best Buy’s beleaguered stock bounced 4%, but was overshadowed by another would-be Cinderella.
JCPenney’s (JCP) lackluster sales and frumpy brand had left its stock down 24% since May 4, amid the general disillusionment with retailers. But the stock recouped about half of that loss in one fell swoop, after a kindly wizard came along in the guise of Ron Johnson, the guy who turned Apple (AAPL) stores into places of worship.
Johnson’s hiring as the next Penneys CEO increased the company’s market cap by $1.1 billion in a day. Who would have thought poor, tired JCPenney was capable of that, just for starters?
We’re entering a season of traditional strength for retail stocks, lasting roughly from Independence Day to Black Friday. There are no guarantees that the broader market will be able to string together consecutive gains, much less an extended rally. But it’s certainly not overbought. So this could be a good time to shop for some other likely winners in the space.
I have two to recommend, and both happen to offer home furnishings. Both are highly successful companies mentioned three weeks ago in an Investor’s Business Daily story about improving home-goods sales.
But to understand just how successful they’ve been, let’s put recent gains by the home-furnishings sector into a longer-term context.
In April, home-furnishings stores nationwide rang up $3.1 billion in sales, out of the $347.8 billion US total, according to the Department of Commerce. That means home-furnishings receipts haven’t increased in 11 years, while total retail sales rose 45% over the same span.
Over the same 11-year span, sales at Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) have risen from $2.4 billion to $8.8 billion, sending rival Linens n’ Things into liquidation in the process. The company is still co-chaired by the founders who started it in 1971, and run by a CEO who’s in his 15th year on the job.
Back in 2004, an analyst told BusinessWeek that the chain’s “incredible run” was near an end, as saturation loomed. It had 569 stores then. Now the flagship chain is at 984, and aiming for 1,300 eventually.
Comparable sales in the last quarter were up 8.5%, on top of an 11.6% increase the prior year. Margins rose too, boosting net earnings 30%.
The company, which has no debt, sits on $1.8 billion in cash. It plans to buy back $2 billion of stock, representing 15% of the current market cap, over the next two years.
Buyout rumors pop up from time to time, because at less than eight times trailing cash flow and 15 times the current year’s earnings for the dominant player in its niche, it’s not hard to see a bid at a nice premium.
Management is famously conservative and low-key—and if the optimism it expressed in April has been tested since, the stock has been too, and yet shares sit just 5% off April’s peak. The company reports again in a week, and I don’t think it will disappoint.
Shares of Aaron’s (AAN), a chain that leases furniture, appliances, and consumer electronics, have been on an even bigger tear, doubling since the end of last August. The founder of the company—56 years ago—still serves as chairman of the board, with his son as CEO.
The stock fetches 14 times the current year’s estimated earnings, not bad considering earnings are growing more than 20%. But don’t take my word for it; the stock is held by top mutual-fund managers.
The top holder, the T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund (PRSVX), has returned 9.9% annually over the past decade under its current manager, outperforming its category by more than three percentage points a year, according to Morningstar. Aaron’s was its fourth-largest share holding as of March 31.
Next on the list is the Allianz NFJ Small Cap Value Institutional (PSVIX), a five-star fund that has returned 11.5% annually over the past ten years. And the next largest stake belongs to the Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX), which is more of a growth shop and has returned 9% annually for a decade.
Aaron’s is leasing expensive items at a juicy markup to customers—who are getting by without other credit, in many cases. Like Bed Bath & Beyond, it is a very strong player in a struggling industry, one poised to cash in once the housing market starts to recover.
That could take a while, of course. But as millions of households move into rentals in the near term, and eventually repopulate the millions of homes emptied by foreclosure, they’re going to need new sheets, towels, and furniture.
I think we know where they’ll be getting those.
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A recent survey carried out by UNLOCK online media publication revealed that 67% of those surveyed in the region do not fully understand Blockchain. Given that 40% of those surveyed will be implementing it in the near future, it is now time to see how Blockchain can be used to the best of its capability.
Blockchain will have a tremendous influence on the future of technology in the world, as it prohibits data manipulation, and allows safer transactions. Using the Blockchain, everything we do has a digital record. That means every process, transaction, task, and payment has a digital record. This will be useful in the exchange of payments and bonds and will enhance the quality of service delivery across many industries like social and healthcare, logistics, transportation, real estate while also reducing the possibility of security breaches…
Saudis have shown an early interest in the Blockchain in order to gain a better understanding of the technology or optimize its usage across different sectors. This was reflected in the interest shown by many Saudi businessmen, experts, entrepreneurs and startups participating in the UNLOCK Blockchain Forum taking place on January 14th and 15th 2018 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel DIFC.
UNLOCK Blockchain, organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal, will discuss Blockchain implementation across various sectors, including finance, health, government and Smart Cities. It will also be a stage to discuss the opportunities as well as challenges being faced today, and delve into which platforms will outperform others, as well as the regulatory and legal concerns pertaining to Blockchain.
As Mr. Walid Abou Zaki, Executive Director of Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Co. (the organizer) stated, “We are proud of the efforts we have taken to help build the Blockchain ecosystem not only in Dubai but also across the MENA region. We have a line-up of more than 45 prominent Blockchain experts speaking at UNLOCK and will have more than 60 Blockchain startups, exhibiting, speaking, and attending UNLOCK Blockchain. We are also expecting more than 350 delegates to attend. We look forward to welcoming all and we are confident that this forum will become the leading Blockchain event in the region for years to come”.
UNLOCK Blockchain has signed up sponsors that include Smart Dubai, IBM, DarkMatter, Emirates Airlines, Microsoft, Avanza Solutions, DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority), DU Telecom and Dubai Municipality. UNLOCK Blockchain Forum is also supported by Startupbootcamp, CrytpoValley Labs, and Careem as transportation partner.


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Speciality polymers company Kraton (Houston; Texas / USA; www.kraton.com
) said it has sold its Cariflex isoprene rubber latex business unit to petrochemical and engineering group Daelim (Seoul / South Korea; www.daelim.co.kr
) for USD 530m (EUR 478m). The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020. Cariflexs pro-forma adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2018 was USD 50.5m, with margins of more than 30%.
The US Company is planning for the sales proceeds to significantly strengthen its balance sheet and position it for future growth in its polymer and chemical businesses. Kraton said previously Cariflex has no revenue or cost overlaps with its polymer and chemicals segments see Plasteurope.com of 28.02.2019


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Rechtsanwältin, Senior Associate
Out-Law News | 26 Nov 2021 | 2:31 pm | 2 min. read
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) sets out what restrictions ‘gatekeepers’ – companies with significant online influence like social media companies and search engines – can impose on other businesses and consumers.
The DMA, drafted by the European Commission in December 2020, faced lengthy delays while MEPs on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) scrutinised its wording.
Commenting on the DMA’s passage through the committee stage, IMCO Rapporteur Andreas Schwab said current EU competition rules “cannot address all the problems we are facing with tech giants and their ability to set the rules by engaging in unfair business practices.”
“The Digital Markets Act will rule out these practices, sending a strong signal to all consumers and businesses in the Single Market: rules are set by the co-legislators, not private companies!” he said.
“The EU stands for competition on the merits, but we do not want bigger companies getting bigger and bigger without getting any better and at the expense of consumers and the European economy.”
Soon after the IMCO announced its decision, the DMA cleared another hurdle when ministers of the Council of the EU unanimously backed the Council’s general approach to the Act.
The decision provides the Council presidency with a mandate for further negotiations with the European parliament over the DMA next year.
The European Commission initially planned for the DMA to regulate so-called ‘core platform services’ that were most prone to unfair practices, including online intermediation services, social networks, search engines, operating systems, online advertising services, cloud computing, and video-sharing services.
At the committee stage, the IMCO broadened the definition of ‘core platform services’ to include web browsers, virtual assistants and connected TV.
MEPs on the IMCO also increased the quantitative thresholds for a company to fall under the scope of the DMA to €8 billion in annual turnover in the European Economic Area (EEA) and a market capitalisation of €80bn.
To qualify as a gatekeeper, companies would also need to provide a core platform service in at least three EU countries and have at least 45 million monthly end users - as well as more than 10,000 business users.
These thresholds, however, would not prevent the Commission itself from designating other companies as gatekeepers when they meet certain conditions.
Under the DMA, gatekeepers will be banned from imposing unfair conditions on businesses and consumers.
MEPs amended the legislation to include additional rules on the use of data for targeted or micro-targeted advertising.
The IMCO’s wording says that a gatekeeper shall, “for its own commercial purposes, and the placement of third-party advertising in its own services, refrain from combining personal data for the purpose of delivering targeted or micro-targeted advertising”, except if there is a “clear, explicit, renewed, informed consent”, in line with the General Data Protection Regulation.
It also stressed that the personal data of children should not be processed for commercial purposes.
MEPs agreed to empower the Commission to temporarily block the acquisition of any gatekeeper that engages in “systematic non-compliance” with the DMA.
Gatekeepers would also be obliged to inform the Commission of any intended concentration.
MEPs also proposed the creation of a “European High-Level Group of Digital Regulators” – a partnership between the Commission and EU member states to strengthen the DMA’s enforcement.
The IMCO increased the potential maximum fines faced by gatekeepers for refusing to comply with the DMA to 20% of its total annual worldwide turnover.
The DMA will now be put before MEPs for approval during the European parliament’s plenary session in December.
The approved text will then become parliament’s mandate for negotiations with EU governments, planned to start under the French presidency of the Council in early 2022.
The Council of the EU has also confirmed its negotiating position on the Digital Services Act (DSA), a parallel proposal to the DMA intended to regulate illegal content and algorithms online.
The IMCO said it will vote on amendments to the DSA at a future meeting.
17 Dec 2020
17 Dec 2020
Rechtsanwältin, Senior Associate


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Hemp State Highlight: Vermont’s hemp industry could see big changes from MJ, larger neighbors
(This is the second installment in a series that will look at hemp markets in U.S. states over the next few months. Previous installments: North Carolina.)
MJ Biz Daily / By Kristen Nichols / October 18, 2017
Vermont’s small hemp industry has cause for great optimism: The state has the nation’s loosest hemp regulations and a latitude that makes it an easy fit for hemp cultivars developed in Canada and northern Europe.
But Vermont’s hemp growers have reason to worry, too.
For one, the state’s few hemp producers are about to face increased competition from Vermont’s larger neighbors, New York and Canada, both of which are making big investments in their hemp markets.
And there are concerns from within the tiny state, too. If the state legislature and the governor can agree next year on legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, the resulting rules could give hemp producers a whole new set of guidelines, with uncertain implications.
“We’re at a pivot point,” said Tim Fair, a Burlington attorney who represents both marijuana and hemp businesses. “Things are about to change.”
Here’s what you need to know about Vermont’s hemp market.
Vermont has authorized hemp growing since 2013, a year before Congress enabled states to do so in a limited manner.
Notably, Vermont is out of compliance with those federal hemp rules. Vermont’s hemp growers do not have to participate in a pilot project or a research scheme with a university or state agriculture authorities – conditions laid out in the 2014 Farm Bill authorizing limited hemp production.
Interested hemp growers can get hemp licenses for $25 a year, with no background check requirements or acreage limits.
Vermont growers also have better access to viable hemp seeds than hemp farmers in other states. Because long-established hemp-seed producers in Canada and Europe are close in latitude to Vermont, seed acquired by Vermont growers can have higher germination rates than seed sown in states farther south.
As of this year, Vermont has:
- 90 licensed hemp growers
- 560 outdoor acres licensed for cultivation
That’s where official data about Vermont’s hemp industry ends. The state does not actively research or monitor the plant.
Vermont agriculture officials also don’t know how many licensed acres are actually in production, how much hemp its farmers are producing, or where and how they’re selling it, said Tim Schmalz, Plant Industry Section Chief for the Vermont Department of Agriculture.
Unlike other hemp states, Vermont does not require hemp plants be tested to make sure their THC content is below 0.3%, Schmalz said.
Instead, Vermont tests hemp’s THC content only at the request of law enforcement. That has happened only once, Schmalz said, and the plants in question passed inspection.
Vermont’s hemp entrepreneurs take pride in the state’s hands-off approach to the plant.
“Vermont’s hemp rules are intentionally vague,” said Joel Bedard, CEO of Vermont Hemp Co. in Jericho. Bedard’s company grew about 200 acres of hemp this year, mostly for fiber and seed. It also contracts with several Vermont hemp growers to provide raw materials for resale to other processors.
“We’re a small state,” Bedard said. “We don’t have a huge tax base to whimsically create new programs and new government jobs overseeing hemp.”
In keeping with its laissez-faire hemp posture, Vermont also has no rules for how hemp can be used. Growers report that hemp is being grown for:
- CBD extraction
- Seed or seed oil
Read more at mjbizdaily.com


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My latest piece for Glass Almanac, if you’re so inclined. 🙂
Babak Parviz, one of the leaders behind the Google X project and Google Glass, confirmed his move to Amazon on his Google Plus profile over the weekend.
The only time I ever hear of anyone using Google Plus, btw: its own employees. 😛
There is little detail on what Parviz may be doing over at Amazon, but people who have been paying attention to Amazon’s new product announcements may be able to guess. On June 18, Amazon announced that it will be releasing the Amazon Fire, its first smartphone. Optics designers like Parviz can could help propel these type of devices.
I can see Amazon having interest in tapping into the wearables market, whichever direction that ends up going. Amazon has shown a propensity for exploring the same kind of potential moonshots as Google has (albeit to a much smaller degree) with delivery drones, on-demand delivery etc.
“I’m sure Google would love this to be a consumer technology, from a scale perspective, but I’m just not sure it is,” said Chris Curran, chief technologist for the United States advisory practice of PwC, a business consulting firm. “It’s a technology that’s searching for problems to solve, and it’s really a matter of where do the problems emerge?” he added.
I don’t agree. I think the problem of smartphone/device distractibility is an acute problem that becomes more pressing with every day that passes as we become more and more reliant on pulling out the phones in our pocket. Wearable technology in general (smartwatches, bands etc.) is an attempt at solving that so that we can make use of the technology at our fingertips in a more perfunctory way. So is Glass.
Unfortunately, Glass doesn’t solve that problem well enough (and at low enough cost) for it to make sense for 90% of consumers. At least not yet.
From the Designers of Things blog:
It’s interesting to see a heads-up display specific for driving in light of the backlash Google Glass has received when used in the car, but this isn’t the first wearable HUD for people on the move. Vancouver’s Recon Instruments has already seen success with its HUD for snowboarders and skiers, the Recon Snow. And Recon’s upcoming wearable for bicyclists, the Recon Jet, is a much anticipated device for later this year.
(added the below as a comment while it’s pending moderation on the Glass Almanac site)
I think this is interesting but largely inconclusive. We all know the texting-while-driving statistics are through the roof (6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk, if you go by NHTSA’s data) but while it may be safer to operate Glass than a smartphone, the litmus test ought to be whether or not its still safe to drive with period.
The criteria for the study also matters greatly in terms of activity. Was he simply getting information relayed to him passively through Glass’ text-reading functionality? Or was he actively using the device to cycle through cards or browse e-mails/tweets & other content? The latter isn’t just something that can be noticed peripherally: it requires you to actively look at it. Which of course means you’re looking away from the road.
Perhaps a “Driving Mode” that limits functionality would help alleviate these concerns for people driving. But unless there’s a signaling mechanism by which the device makes this clear to traffic & highway patrol, that doesn’t solve the issue. Which of course goes back to privacy concerns over law enforcement knowing what you’re doing with the device etc. etc.
As usual, Glass is asking questions of society faster than society can answer those already in the queue. It’ll be interesting to see how this progresses.
Harrowing privacy concerns have been a staple of Glass since it came into being. There are going to be people who avoid it simply because of matters like this. Hard to blame them. It doesn’t help that the founders of the app aim to make this opt-in by default. Conversely, something like this really would be helpful for networking in the context of big events. For years, startups have been trying to find something that would kill the business card. This could potentially do it. But do the shady use cases outweigh the useful?
Investor Fred Wilson spoke at the Le Web conference in Paris last week and one of the topics brought up was whether Google Glass was ready for mainstream adoption yet. He argued that it wasn’t, as it was “too primitive and awkward,” and that most people weren’t comfortable enough wearing it around. This is a common point of contention and one that’s grounded in at least a modicum of truth. Yet at the same time, I also feel it’s slightly overblown. In Fred’s defense, he did intimate that Glass (or something eventually baked into current eyewear) would catch on eventually. Which is more than can be said of many Glass critics who feel its perceived dorkiness will ever prevent it from becoming a mainstream technology. That it isn’t fashionable enough etc. I think that analysis ultimately misses the mark.
This will sound like a geek’s oversimplification of fashion. And it is to a degree. But bear with me and think about this. How does anything become fashionable or trendy? Two things:
1.) There’s an underlying utility with what’s being worn, whether that be real or perceived
2.) There are a lot of other people wearing/using it, particularly those who are known in the public eye as early adopters or trendsetters (often celebrities)
The first is where Glass, in its current incarnation, is more likely to fall down. There needs to be enough utility and functionality in the device to get people using it on a regular basis the same way they use a mobile phone. In fact, this was a common refrain for years as to why smartphone adoption lagged until the iPhone’s arrival: for most people, there just wasn’t enough that the early smartphones provided to justify the mark-up over a feature phone.
However, the issue of “dorkiness” is nothing new when it comes to adoption of technology. Everyone thought cell phones were ridiculous at the time; think of that Michael Douglas photo from Wall Street of the huge brick cell phone.
Same goes for Bluetooth headsets. Nobody in their right mind would be seen with one of those things. Until one out of every five people you ran into on the street was wearing them.
The most prominent example I can think of in today’s landscape is the phablet. You know, those awkward handsets that have a form factor somewhere between your standard smartphone and a full-sized tablet. And surely no one wants to be awkward. Even Flurry said back in April of this year that its data supported phablets occupying a very small portion of the smartphone landscape. However, fast forward to last month and while they still seem to be a comparatively small piece of Samsung’s overall smartphone business, it looks like phablets as a whole are going to occupy a heck of a lot more than just a niche portion of the market, especially in fast-growing economies like China.
Dorky technology can become non-dorky very fast if there’s a compelling reason to use it and if people you know and respect use it, be it your immediate social network or those who may otherwise have a high degree of influence on your purchasing behavior. Most of you reading this will cringe but if it was a Hollywood celebrity or famous artist caught in an awkward position wearing Glass instead of Scoble, I think you’d be hearing a different conversation right now.
What do you think it will take for Glass to gain mainstream acceptance?
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll laugh at the irony of the Dolphins being involved here, considering the Richie Incognito brouhaha. And of course the remarks are similar to the cultural reactions Glass gets everywhere, especially with regards to recording, since the tell signs are more than capable of being obscured, especially in a crowded setting. But I think these questions get especially meaningful when it comes to the relationship between the press and those in the public eye, whether they’re athletes, CEOs, politicians etc. If Glass or some other eyewear-centric wearable computing reaches critical mass, what impact will that have on information sharing in interviews and the like? Obviously, pocket recorders and other methods have been around for generations but the hands-free nature of eyewear computing makes it a bit easier to do something nefarious.


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Future Retail Limited (FRL), which is known to operate a couple of India’s popular retail chains, including Big Bazaar, on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it is hanging by a thread and is in a really bad position. Not just that, the statement from Future Group also states that Amazon is the one who has destroyed them.
In order to have a much better understanding of the topic, let’s start from the very beginning, shall we? So, firstly, Future Group is nothing but simply a popular Indian conglomerate founded by Kishore Biyani and is known to be based out of Mumbai, Maharashtra. In addition to this, the company is said to have rather significant prominence in the fashion as well as Indian retail sectors, with popular supermarket chains like Food Bazaar, Big Bazaar, and Lifestyle stores like Central, Brand Factory, and more.
Now, as far as the recent decline of the Future group goes, the gist of it is that nearly twenty months after announcing that it would actually purchase Future Group’s logistics, wholesale as well as retail businesses for 24,713 crores, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries is reported to have backed out of the deal.
For this, Reliance said that the deal cannot actually be implemented after the secured creditors of the Future Group’s flagship firm Future Retail voted against it. What once was recognized to be the country’s second-largest retailer with more than 1500 stores nationwide, Future Retail along with other group companies are now expected to soon go out to the National Company Law Tribunal as lenders in order to seek recovery for their dues of about 29000 crores under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency code.
Having said that, if some of you are wondering as to what role does Amazon has to play in the entire scenario? Let me tell you that, in August 2019, amazon had actually invested a sum of nearly Rs. 1500 crores for a 49 percent stake in Future Retail’s promoter entity Future Coupons, indirectly gaining a 4.8 percent stake in the former of course.
Furthermore, Amazon boldly says its 2019 deal came with an agreement that explicitly bars Future Group from selling its so-called retail assets to Reliance without its permission. Apart from this, it is probably worth noting that, Amazon was looking to expand its foothold in India’s vast retail market during this time.
In 2019, private equity firm Samara, as well as Amazon, bought grocery and food retail chain ‘More’ from Aditya Birla Group supporting their statement. However, when it comes down to tapping India’s consumer base, companies just like Amazon have hurdles.
It is seen that Foreign Investment in offline multi-brand retail is controlled tightly and as a matter of fact, India is a country that allows only 51 percent FDI in Multi-brand retail under the government route, which is obviously subject to the investors fulfilling several conditions. Also, states in the country have the power to decide whether to allow foreign-owned multi-brand stores.
As covered in a report by the Business standards, India’s retail market was worth $883 billion in 2020, according to Forrester Research. The market size is expected to grow to $1.3 trillion by 2024, dominated by the grocery segment and With the Future Group’s retail, wholesale, logistics, and warehousing units, Reliance was aiming to bolster its JioMart app and increase its presence in the online grocery delivery space.
Now, even though the deal fell through, Reliance can be seen in a really sweet spot after taking over bout 947 stores of Future Group, citing non-payment of rent, after transferring the lease to itself of course. these surely includes 112 Brand factory and Central outlets of Future Lifestyle Fashion.
Not just that, shares of crisis-hit Future Group companies plunged up to twenty percent in early deals as of Monday after Reliance Industries (RIL) called off the Rs. 24,713 crore deal with Future Retail. Weighted down by the development, RIL’s share price dropped by nearly 1.75 percent to hit an intraday low of Rs. 2,710.15 on the BSE, in line with the weak broader market, as noted in a report by Fortune.
As discussed, Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s RIL, in exchange filing said that the so-called deal with Future Retail cannot be implemented as lenders to the Future group company voted against the whole proposal.
“The Future Group companies comprising Future Retail Limited (FRL) and other listed companies involved in the scheme have intimated the results of the voting on the scheme of arrangement by their shareholders and creditors at their respective meetings. As per these results, the shareholders and unsecured creditors of FRL have voted in favor of the scheme. But the secured creditors of FRL have voted against the scheme. In view thereof, the subject scheme of arrangement cannot be implemented,” RIL said in a filing on Saturday.
Following the said announcement, the shares of Future Lifestyle Fashions hit a lower circuit of about 20 percent at Rs 29.40 apiece on the BSE, while on the other hand, the Future Supply Chain Solutions locked at a twenty percent lower limit at Rs. 37.30.
On a similar note, Future Retail dropped by five percent to Rs. 27.8, while Future Enterprises dived at about ten percent to Rs. 5.66 apiece. However, know that, the majority shareholders as well as unsecured creditors of six listed Future Group companies- Future Enterprises, Future Consumer, Future Lifestyle Fashions, Future Market Networks, Future Retail, and Future Supply Chain Solutions are said to have voted in favor of the said deal to sell their assets to Reliance Retail, a Retail arm of RIL, during the meeting on April 20.
Though the major lenders to the Future Group companies had rejected Reliance Retail’s takeover bid, stating that Reliance lowered the deal value. State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Union Bank of India, and IDBI Bank are among the key members of the consortium.
This decision is said to have been taken in a so-called meeting of unsecured creditors of Future Retail Limited held on April 21, in accordance with the directions issued by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench in an order dated February 28, 2022.
So, we know by now that, Future Retail told the Supreme Court that “Amazon wanted to destroy us, and it succeeded,” as the bitter and long-running legal battle continues, with the next hearing scheduled for April 4.
Know that, after the talks between Amazon Inc. as well as the Future Retail Ltd. (FRL) in order to resolve and come to a settlement outside court, failed, and as Reliance Industries Limited took over about hundreds of stores of the Kishore Biyani-led group last month on unpaid rents summing up to nearly ₹4,800 crores, the accusing-and-the retort continues.
Also, it has been stated by reporters that, while Amazon has also managed to accuse Future Retail and RIL of “fraud”, Future group said on Thursday, “for ₹ 1,400 crores (worth of the Amazon-Future disputed deal), Amazon has destroyed a ₹ 26,000 crores company. Amazon has been successful in what it wanted to do.”
The company also made a statement recently saying that, “Our bank accounts are frozen and I can’t even pay rent. Due to the second wave of covid infection and other associated issues, the retail sector has taken a solid knock. Amazon wanted to destroy us, they have destroyed us. If reliance doesn’t extend our scheme after three months then what will we do? We are on oxygen now. We have only 374 stores and over 800 have shut down due to non-payment of rent,” senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for Future retail submitted before the court.
He further added that it had not transferred its stores on its own accord but was done on the insistence of the landlords who hadn’t received their rent and Amazon has destroyed a Rs 26,000 crore company for Rs 1,400 crores, as mentioned previously as well.
Reading so far, I believe that, you now have gotten a fair insight into the whole deal and what is going on between these two industry giants and I think now you will be able to decide on your own whether or not you think it was the right thing to do and who’s side you are on!
In conclusion, what are your thoughts on How Amazon destroyed a 26000cr company? Do let us know in the comments area below. To know more about such reports, do check out other articles we have on our website. Thank you for your time & if you found our content informative, do share it with your investor friends!


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In Italy, the usage of payment cards has historically been lower than in other European countries, with cash continuing to be the preferred payment method among consumers, influenced by several cultural factors. However, payment card usage has increased- from 13% of the total consumer transaction volumes in 2019 to 26% in 2022. Elisabetta Nadal (Business Analyst, London) reviews the dynamic changes in payment acceptance trends in Italy within the broader context of the evolving payment landscape in Europe.
Tue To (Manager, San Francisco) dives into the ways in which BigTech giants are reshaping finance, blurring boundaries, and disrupting traditional banking with innovation and embedded financial services.
Pre-pandemic, merchants in Europe were falling over themselves to accept Chinese payment methods both in store and online. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), there were 141 million Chinese visits to Europe in 2019. Also, according to UNWTO, Chinese tourists spent an average of €1,919 per day in Europe in 2019, which is significantly higher than the average spending of other nationalities. The affluence of the Chinese middle class continues to grow rapidly, meaning the segment has more disposable income to spend on travel. In 2022 we only saw 25 million Chinese visits to Europe, representing a 44% compound decrease in visitor numbers between 2019 and 2022. As more global travel restrictions are relaxed, Mark Beresford (Director, London) has looked at the importance of accepting Chinese payment methods for merchants across Europe.
Last month, the UK saw the closure of an innovative mobile payment method. Paym, the mobile payments service, that was born in 2014 and was finally laid to rest on 7th March 2023. Pay.UK announced that Paym would be closed permanently. Mark Beresford (Director, London) has looked at why Paym didn’t quite make its 10th birthday.
A long-awaited innovation in SoftPOS is expected to be launched in 2023. The retail and hospitality industries can finally let go from the constraints of traditional POS devices and make a massive leap forward into the 21st century. There has been the advancement of software-based POS security, namely, the Mobile Payments on Commercial off-the-shelf (MPoC) standard, which builds upon and learns from the Software-Based PIN on COTS (SPoC) and the Contactless Payments on COTS (CPoC) standards. MPoC enables contactless payment (NFC) acceptance and PIN cardholder verification methods to support further development of mobile payments infrastructure. The first MPoC certified solutions are expected to be seen on the market in Q2 2023. Expectations are high, and Mark Beresford (Director, London) has looked at how SoftPOS can help solve the six main pain points that many retailers experience with traditional POS.


text: As the peak holiday season approaches everywhere in Europe, the European Commission is warning consumers about the high cost of using their mobile phones while abroad. Known as “international roaming charges”, these prices have been a concern for some time already. However, Martin Selmayr, a spokesman for Viviane Reding, the commissioner in charge of telecommunications, said a crackdown is not what Brussels has in mind: “We believe that a competitive industry should allow consumers to use international mobile roaming as an attractive service and not consider this as an annoyance. This is certainly something that we are going to look into. However at the moment, regulation is not what we foresee. We hope that the market with a little push and strong transparency initiative will make its work and see that it is better to offer consumers a service than to have to recommend to them to switch off their mobile phone when travelling abroad.” The prices for calling your home country from abroad vary greatly in the EU, starting from 58 eurocents per minute (from Cyprus to Finland with a Finnish subscription) and reaching more than five euros per minute (from Malta to Poland with a Polish subscription), according to the Commission. It aims to publish samples of operators’ retail tariffs for international roaming, starting this autumn.


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Xiaomi AX1500: Low-cost WiFi router with WiFi 6 and mesh gets a global launch
At the end of last year, Xiaomi launched the AX1500 router onto the Chinese market. This model has also been available to European customers for a few weeks now, but currently only as a direct import from Chinese stores such as AliExpress.
Official availability outside of China is now on the horizon, as Xiaomi recently listed the AX1500 on its global website. All the products officially sold outside of China can be found there. Whether this will result in a sales launch in Europe or North America is not necessarily guaranteed. Nevertheless, the chances are good, especially since Xiaomi already sells a number of routers in these markets.
Information on a possible launch date or price is still lacking. In China, Xiaomi sells the AX1500 router for the equivalent of less than $20, while it costs around $25 on AliExpress. It can be assumed that the official price will probably be higher, but still quite reasonable.
As the name suggests, the new Xiaomi AX1500 is a router with WiFi 6. It supports IEEE 802.11ax as well as the older IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards. According to Xiaomi, data rates of up to 1500 Mbit/s are possible via the two frequency bands at 2.4 and 5 GHz, which is probably also the reason for the router's model number.
In addition to the usual WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK/WPA3-SAE encryption standards for secure WiFi networks, the Xiaomi AX1500 router supports mesh technology, IPTV and also provides four Gigabit LAN ports for wired networking.