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The overcapacity problem in China created by booming economic growth in recent decades resulted in even lower utilization in the manufacturing sector in 2012 than during the global financial crisis in 2008. But things may now be on the mend, analysts at UBS wrote in a report Thursday.
“Owing to a moderate demand-led recovery in gross domestic product in 2013, lack of desire and capability to grow capacity further, and rising depreciation, we believe the overall capacity utilization rate bottomed in 2012, with gradual improvement likely going forward,” UBS analysts led by Weiqi Fu wrote in the report.
The analysts recommended avoiding investment in industries with large oversupplies and falling utilization levels, such as shipbuilding, shipping, chemicals, paper and power equipment. But surprisingly, the steel and cement sectors don’t look as bad as the market had feared, and are witnessing rising utilization levels, they added.
Referring to the Chinese auto industry, the analysts said their research indicated that autos and machinery have “higher capacity elasticity,” and that those industries only faced a limited risk of overcapacity, even if demand slowed down.
– V. Phani Kumar
Follow the Tell on Twitter: @thetellblog
Follow this reporter on Twitter: @MktwKumar


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Charles Brown will take over as chief executive when Stephen Light retires later in July.
World's second-largest Coke bottler outside the U.S. buys newly constructed facility near Moscow for $261 million.
Pumps, seals and valves producer transferred the plant and its 23 employees to cut down redundant production.
United Steelworkers union served 72-hour strike notice to association reps after contract talk failures.
By Randy Littleson, Vice President, KinaxisToday’s industrial manufacturing industry is not for the passive player—it requires the utmost in competitiveness, innovation, speed and agility. As distributors and customers push industrial manufacturers to increase their flexibility, the rules of engagement are altering and the factors upon which companies compete are changing.
Domestic automakers were helped by crossover sales, but still posted declines as Toyota continues to gain ground on GM.
Workers helped create the seat, designed so they could work inside vehicles on the assembly line with less strain.
Excessive amounts of additives and preservatives found in children's snacks and hundreds of bottles of fake human blood protein seized from hospitals.
Analyst says he expects already-struggling U.S. automakers to report declines in June auto sales.
Electrical component maker buys Danaher’s Joslyn Hi-Voltage and Power Solutions businesses for $280 million, and Drilling Technical Supply SA for $20 million.
As workers stage the first of two planned, eight-hour strikes in a bid for higher wages, Kia's production loss would be 1,900 vehicles valued at $30.5 million.
To meet growing demand for boats 45 feet and larger, company will expand Navassa, N.C., facility and add 600 jobs.
Sale includes brands LU, Petit Dejeuner, Tuc, Mikado and others; Danone to concentrate on its dairy products and water divisions.
Robert's American Gourmet Inc. recalls a second popular snack food over fears it could also be contaminated with salmonella.
European Commission approved the deal automatically after receiving no complaints from rivals and identifying no antitrust problems.
Anglo-Australian miner looks to double production at Queensland refinery to 3.4 million metric tons by 2011.
Cook was previously president and chief operating officer of Colgate-Palmolive and will replace Reuben Mark.
Laurence Winoker senior vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer, replacing Robert McNally, who is retiring.
Strength in new orders and production signal strength in the sector in the coming quarters.

domain: news


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And while we’re currently months away from a release, we do have a pretty good idea about how the iPhone 5 launch and release will play out this fall.
Apple is widely expected to be releasing an iPhone 5 with 4G LTE capabilities, a 4-inch display – up from the usual 3.5-inches, a new front-facing camera, a thinner design, and of course, iOS 6. Those features, especially the screen size and 4G LTE data speeds, have drawn lots of interest from consumers, many of whom are likely waiting (painfully) for news about a release.
Update: Catch up on the iPhone 5 in one page.
Again, we don’t have a specific release date to look at just yet. However, we just so happen to have a crystal ball and here is what we expect from the iPhone 5 release date this fall.
September or October Release Date
Now that WWDC 2012 has come and gone without an iPhone 5 announcement, we know that Apple is likely going to be announcing the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5 release date sometime this fall. When exactly unfortunately remains a complete unknown.
There have been numerous reports pegging the iPhone 5 release date as being in either September or October. A specific date in either month has not yet been rumored.
October seems to be the month that is the front-runner at this point though. Apple, although very secretive, is fairly predictable when it comes to its release cycles.
Previous to last year’s October launch of the iPhone 4S, the company had launched its iPhone during the summer. And now that that cycle has changed, we expect Apple to stick to it.
Keep in mind, Apple announced and released the iPad 2 in March of 2011 and it did the same with the new iPad this year. It’s a creature of habit.
The iPhone 4S launched on October 14th and we fully expect Apple to launch the iPhone 5 on a date close to that.
Release After iOS 6
Apple sticks to a similar release structure with its mobile hardware and software. Last year, Apple announced the iPhone 4S and its release date at its fall event. In addition, it also announced the final version of its iOS 5 software and gave it a release date as well.
The iOS 5 release date came on October 12th, a couple of days before the release of the iPhone 4S, which meant owners of Apple’s previous devices got their hands on the new software a little bit earlier than new iPhone buyers.
We fully expect the same to happen this year with Apple announcing the final version of iOS 6 and its release date alongside the iPhone 5 and then releasing the new software a few days before it releases the new hardware.
Release Date Given at Announcement
Many manufacturers and carriers announce a new smartphone or tablet at a large media event but fail to give it any sort of pricing or a release date. For instance, when Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy S III in May, it failed to give many consumers a specific release date for the device opting to give a launch month instead.
Believe it or not, this can deter some consumers from buying the device. It also leaves open the possibility that consumers will choose another device between the announcement and the eventual release date.
Fortunately, Apple does not do this and it’s one of the reasons that its media events are so widely watched and covered. It’s also probably a reason why the iPhone sells so well right off the bat.
At the iPhone 5 event, expect Apple to announce an official release date for the next iPhone. Additionally, expect it to tack on pricing as well.
Same Date for Three Major Carriers
Again, Apple is vastly different from many of its competitors when it comes to release dates and pricing for its products. Using the Samsung Galaxy S III as an example again, the device, like the iPhone 5, will be headed to multiple carriers in the United States.
However, the device has different release dates on different carriers. It will be hitting Sprint and T-Mobile on June 21st. AT&T around the same time. And U.S. Cellular and Verizon in July. It’ll also come to C-Spire at some point as well.
Pricing is also bound to be different as well.
With the iPhone 5, we expect to see a release date across the board for its major carriers which should include AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. We also should see the same pricing at all three carriers as well.
Barring a surprise, we expect the iPhone 5 to start at the usual $199.99 and then progressively get more expensive when the internal storage space is increased.
Last but not least, we expect the iPhone 5 release date to be chaotic. Earlier this year, when the new iPad launched, it took many consumers many hours to lock down an order for the device. Apple’s site was finicky and it buckled under the amount of interest in the iPad.
That happened to the iPad, just imagine what’s going to happen with the iPhone, especially if it sports 4G LTE and a bigger screen.
Last year, AT&T’s website crumbled under the load of the iPhone 4S and Verizon’s site was slow as well. We expect the same, if not worse when the iPhone 5 arrives.
That being said, those interested in the new iPhone 5 should expect the release date to be a stressful one filled with sites crashing, extremely slow order processing, and loss of hair.


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Below, a photo I recently took in a warehouse roughly 80 km from an inland Chinese city with a population around 8 million people. If it’s not clear in the image, those are televisions. Tens of thousands of scrapped, no-longer-wanted televisions.
So let me ask a question of you, dear reader: based upon the information just given, from which country do you think those scrap televisions originated?
If you are an environmentally aware European or American, your likely answer is … the United States or Europe! After all, two decades of extensive (if often shallow) reporting by journalists and activists have created a very compelling and believable story whereby the developed world “dumps” its so-called e-waste on developing countries like China. It’s a compelling narrative, and one that appeals to the developed world’s outsized need to feel guilty about its presumed effects upon the developing world.
The only problem is: that narrative is no longer the only one available to explain why a warehouse on the outskirts of a major Chinese metropolis is teeming with tens of thousands of televisions (the frame of this photo excludes perhaps another 40% of the inventory present).
That other narrative, which journalists and activists in the developed world have failed to tell (for reasons of their own) is this one: China has grown rich enough to start throwing away its own e-waste. According to China’s National Development and Reform Commission, China is now throwing off 160 million appliances (computers, televisions/monitors, washing machines, air conditioners, and refrigerators) per year that must be recycled, and that number is growing by 20% annually.
In other words: the scrap televisions in this warehouse were all used, and then thrown away, in China. There isn’t an imported – an allegedly dumped – scrap television in the entire lot.
But here’s the important thing: what you see in this warehouse is just a fraction of what’s been generated over the last couple of months in one metropolis in a country that has several dozen of greater size and wealth. You can multiply what you see here by 10,000 and you wouldn’t come close to approximating the number of Chinese-generated waste televisions and other appliances currently being generated, warehoused, and recycled, across China at this very moment. Imported scrap televisions don’t come close to equaling these kinds of volumes.
In Junkyard Planet, my upcoming book with Bloomsbury Press, I’ll explain the process by which these particular televisions are recycled. The technology is Chinese-developed, environmentally secure, and it actually recovers more re-usable metals, plastics, and glass that comparable systems in the so-called developed world. But more than that, it re-writes the very tired, very incorrect narrative that the best means to recycle old televisions, computers and other appliances is to keep them in the developed world at so-called environmentally secure recyclers (“environmentally secure” being a term that developed countries implement and expect developings ones – with less experience and resources – to follow). That’s simply not the case, anymore. China, the world’s second largest consumer of consumer electronics, is very quickly figuring out how to be one of its best recyclers of them. The thousands of televisions in this warehouse are just the start.


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School was out for summer
Pope's words by SMS
Pope John Paul II's teachings may soon be popping up as daily text messages on mobile telephones.
The Vatican and an Italian mobile phone company, TIM, have announced that mobile phone clients can subscribe to a new SMS service called Thought of the Holy Father.
For 25 cents a day, subscribers receive an inspirational quotation chosen from one of the Pope's sermons, messages or documents,
The service, available only in Italian now, is to be offered in other languages.


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All walks of life in Taiwan accelerate digitalization, and all people work together to fight the epidemic Today, 25 new local cases and 46 imported cases were added. Chen Shizhong: Riyi Logistics is the case that needs the most attention at present When considering micro-unblocking or full unblocking, there are two important factors that need to be carefully considered Taiwan's epidemic heats up, AVerMedia's remote solutions help enterprises and schools to transform digitally The epidemic is so severe, do you still need skin care?
Text: Matthew Fulco Translated by: Wang Guozhong old picture restoration Domestic competition has become increasingly fierce and geopolitical risks have continued to rise, making this China-dependent electronics foundry leader encounter an unprecedented crisis. Hon Hai Technology Group, also known as "Foxconn", is China's largest private company and has long used China as its main production base. In 2018, half of the world's iPhones were assembled by Foxconn at a large factory in Henan province. In recent years, however,
Chinese manufacturers have aggressively entered Apple's supply chain dominated by Taiwan, especially Foxconn. According to Nikkei Asia, the number of Apple's Chinese suppliers surpassed Taiwan's 48 for the first time in 2020 with 51. "The Chinese manufacturer Luxshare has been Foxconn's strongest competitor in Apple's supply chain," said Rachel Liao, senior industry researcher at the Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute, a semi-official organization. The proportion of electronic components in Watch is expected to continue to increase in the next few years.” For example, Luxshare is responsible for the production of AirPods, and they also received 3% of iPhone 13 Pro assembly orders in 2021, and the order ratio is expected to increase to 5% in 2022.


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Jeff Bezos was at that point the world’s most extravagant man. Presently his total assets has soar indeed, establishing another new precedent.
On Wednesday, the Amazon CEO’s riches arrived at an expected $202 billion, as indicated by the Bloomberg Billionaires file, as the organization’s offers took off. That is up about $87 billion since January.
The hazardous development in Bezos’ fortune is being driven by his possessions in Amazon (AMZN). The organization’s stock is up about 25% in the course of the most recent three months and 86% so far this year, as indicated by information from Refinitiv.
Bezos, who established Amazon in 1994, continues breaking records with his riches. In 2017, he turned into the most extravagant individual on earth. What’s more, a month ago, his assessed total assets bounced to nearly $172 billion, denoting another worldwide high.
The very rich person isn’t the only one — other tech magnates have been getting a lot wealthier all through the pandemic as interest for their organizations’ merchandise and enterprises keep on developing.
Prior this month, Facebook (FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg was named a “centibillionaire,” as his riches outperformed $100 billion. Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk, with a total assets of $96 billion, is near accomplishing that remarkable status. Microsoft (MSFT) organizer Bill Gates has just made it.
Furthermore, Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook additionally turned into a tycoon as of late as portions of his organization — presently the world’s generally significant — have taken off. Cook is an uncommon case of a leader who didn’t help discovered their organization breaking into the positions of the too rich.
In spite of the fact that Amazon is Bezos’ greatest resource, it’s by all account not the only enormous brand he manages. Outside the organization, Bezos additionally claims Blue Origin, the space travel organization he established in 2000, and The Washington Post paper, which he obtained in 2013.


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According to news reports, the Balenciaga fashion house has cut ties with Kanye West.
The move comes after the rapper, now known as Ye, made several offensive remarks, including Anti-Semitic posts that got him suspended on Twitter and Instagram.
“Balenciaga no longer has any relationship with the artist and has no plans for any future projects,” parent company Kering told Women’s Wear Daily in response to an inquiry.
West, who has legally changed his name to Ye, has worked with Balenciaga and its artistic director Demna Gvasalia in various fields.
Balenciaga also has a positive relationship with the rapper’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian, who has appeared in their ad campaign.
The controversial music star has also previously suggested slavery was an option, calling the COVID vaccine “the mark of the beast.”
In response to being locked out of social media platforms, West offers to buy right-wing-friendly social network Parler.
West is active on Parler, which positions itself as a “neutral social media app dedicated to freedom of expression, civic discourse, and user privacy.”
The app, which returned to the Google Play Store only last month, was removed after the January 2021 Capitol riots for allowing posts that sought to “incite continued violence in the United States.”
During Paris Fashion Week, the rapper modeled at Balenciaga’s ready-to-wear runway. He then appeared in the Givenchy collection wearing black braces from the Balenciaga brand.
West made a splash that week by wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt at Yeezy’s fashion show in Paris, which also appeared on the runway. White Lives Matter is a neo-Nazi group, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.
In recent weeks, West ended Yeezy’s partnership with Gap and told Bloomberg that he planned to cut ties with the company’s suppliers.
Adidas is reviewing a sneaker deal with Yeh, and JPMorgan and Yeh end their business relationship – Although the disintegration of the banking industry was already brewing long before Ye’s anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Kering did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment. A representative for Ye also did not respond to a request for comment.


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Mitsubishi Motors Philippines is touring the country to bring its latest midsize SUV closer to shoppers through a test-drive event called "Mitsubishi Montero Sport Head-To-Head Test Drive Challenge." This Independence Day weekend, Davaoeños will experience this activity at SM Lanang Premier (Parking B).
In addition to the special test-drive activity, MMPC and its Davao dealership are also putting on display its vehicle lineup at the Activity Area of said mall from June 9 to June 12. Because Filipinos usually spend the weekends with their families, the automotive activity is family-friendly with games and activities. Exclusive offers will be awarded to customers who will reserve units--in case other family members need convincing.
According to the press statement sent to us, customers and visitors get "to test-drive the all new Montero Sport and the competition." Will we see other brands at the venue? One way to find out is to check out the first leg happening in Davao. The event will also make rounds in select cities and towns in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Photo by Christian Halili


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When you're buying your lunch today, you might want to take a moment and spend a little more. Gizmodo's Lunch Time Deals posts point out any particularly good bargains for Aussie bargain hunters around the 'net. Today, JB Hi-Fi has an email coupon for $800 off the Yuneec Typhoon Q500 drone, a 4K-recording monster with a great-looking handheld controller.
Everybody knows by now that the delivery drone ambitions of companies like FedEx and UPS amount to marketing stunts. But what happens when those stunts don't go quite as planned? UPS knows because it recently crashed a delivery drone in front of a bunch of reporters.
Sonos is getting ready to expand its home theatre lineup, according to multiple leaks that surfaced in the past few days. Photos of a new Sonos product called the "PlayBase" speaker have been featured in a B&H Listing, several tweets and a FCC listing. Base speakers of this kind — which sit directly under a TV — have typically received poor reviews from audio fans, but Sonos' proprietary sound-tuning software could give this thing hope.
In March of 2014, Sony announced it would stop supporting its impressive line of AIBO robot dogs, leaving many owners heartbroken. Countless toy companies have tried to create similarly capable robot pets since AIBO's demise, but they have all been a disappointment — until now. Despite being a Star Wars toy, Spin Master's new life-size BB-8 might just be the zero-maintenance pet you've always wanted.
With the release of Spectacles, its first piece of hardware, Snapchat also announced that it was renaming its corporation Snap Inc. — a move that would position them as a broader tech enterprise. After months of restricting supply to IRL pop-ups, Snap will now sell the video-recording sunglasses online in the US.
The world's richest man and quite possibly the world's first trillionaire Bill Gates reckons the robots that will eventually steal your job should pay tax for the privilege.
I can imagine quite a few horror scenarios onboard an aeroplane. Looking outside your window and seeing fighter jets is definitely at the very top of that list. That was the reality this week for passengers aboard an Indian Jet Airways flight bound for London that lost contact with air traffic controllers in Cologne, Germany, leading German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons to scramble and intercept the plane.
We've known since San Diego Comic-Con that Kurt Russell is playing Ego the Living Planet, but we haven't actually seen a snippet of him in any of the big trailers we've had for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. So yes, for now, your best look at him will have to be as part of this new action figure two-pack revealed at Toy Fair.


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NYC has a new Matcha hot spot that features a hot pink awning out front, and Instagram-worthy pink and green take-away cups. The menu includes straight matcha for the bold of heart, as well as matcha lattes, cappuccinos and lemonade. There’s also a concurrent coffee menu. Cha Cha teamed up with the Japanese dessert bar Chikalicious in the East Village, for baked goods – some matcha-infused, some not, like the vegan gluten-free banana bread – and frozen yogurt.
“We were like okay, what do we do to make this fun, chill, accessible to everybody, and quick?” says co-founder Matthew Morton, son of Hard Rock Café co-founder Peter Morton. A research trip to Asia last spring resulted in building a custom ceremonial-grade blend: “We wanted a really strong caffeine buzz because we felt we and New Yorkers as a whole want that extra kick and then we wanted something that had a really, really smooth flavor profile,” says Conrad.
The menu may expand, but for now it’s already drawing VIPS like Leonardo DiCaprio, Gigi Hadid and Paris Hilton, “We wanted to create a place that was free from the hustle and bustle of New York City that was warm and fun and bright,” says Morton. “Tea is too serious and coffee is way too serious too, so we want to serve a high quality, authentic product, but in a place where people can just have fun and relax.”
373 Broome Street, Manhattan, New York. 310-880-0364.
Monday to Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
For more info visit: chachamatcha.com


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Facebook's new groups can help enhance your privacy, but they're also a ridiculously easy way to spam other users on the social network. It's only a matter of time before the bad guys figure this out and start wrecking inboxes.
It's already begun happening to some power users. Longtime blogger Anil Dash wrote, " I wanted to like groups, but now I'm on 50 unwanted email lists. More incompetent defaults, or an attempt to undermine email?" Social media writer Laura Fitton asked, "Did Facebook simply 'forget' 15 years of email list best practices? I.e., email lists should be opt in, not opt out?" And branding executive Walter Elly quipped, "Facebook? More like automaticallyoptyouINBOOK." Zing!
The problem, in a nutshell, is that Facebook's new groups automatically email members about new postings. And you can be added to a group by any "friend," without permission. When you combine the policy of non-consensual group formation with the policy of sending everyone email notifications by default, you get a spam machine, which is what Facebook will soon become if the company does not take steps to fix this situation. (We've not been able to get comment from the company on whether that's in the cards.)
Web entrepreneur Jason Calacanis thinks Facebook has screwed up the details of groups so badly that it will soon face privacy lawsuits. After someone enrolled Calacanis in a group that implied he was a pedophile, as a baseless prank, he emailed Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to call the groups interface "troubling."
Luckily, there is a way for savvy users to avoid the group spam problem. Go to your Facebook page, then select the "Account" menu in the upper right corner, and go to "Account settings:"
On the "My Account" page, you'll see a variety of tabs on top. Select "Notifications:"
On the "notifications" settings page, scroll down to the "Groups" section. It's after the "Facebook" section and "Photos" section. You'll probably want to uncheck the last three types of notifications, at least, to avoid the most common types of group emails:
You should probably retain the first notification checkbox, "adds you to a group," if you want to be able to quickly un-join unsavory groups your "friends" might sign you up for.
[Pic: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg rolls out the new groups feature at company headquarters in Palo Alto, California this week. Getty Images.]


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Vertu chooses Android over Windows for luxury handset
The Vertu Ti costs 7,900 euros (£6,994) and is made at the firm's headquarters in Church Crookham, Hampshire. The device had a titanium frame and sapphire screen but was not 4G-enabled, said its designer Hutch Hutchison. Until last year the company ...
Vertu's £14000 Android phone
Vertu's £7000 Ti Android phone outperforms the Galaxy S3 on specs, sort of
Luxury Phone Brand Vertu Launches Its First Android-Powered Handset — For ...


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The MetroCard craze is becoming a thing. Whether it’s a marketing trick or just the MTA’s way of getting people not to hate them for five minutes, these cute new cards have people going nuts.
Just a few months after the David Bowie MetroCard was released, the newest edition to the limited edition cards has arrived! In collaboration with Paul McCartney and in anticipation of his newest solo album, the MTA has released a limited edition “Egypt Station” card. According to the MTA, 50,000 cards were printed and will be available Grand Central- 42nd Street Station while supplies last.
If the card didn’t have you excited, McCartney has announced that he will be playing a secret show in NYC tonight so keep your eyes peeled not only for the card but for the star himself wandering the streets of the Big Apple. The event is going to be live streamed so even if you don’t get to see it in person, you’ll be able to tune in.
Featured image: @paulmccartney via Instagram


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Android users with a Verizon subscription can now rejoice, as Google and Verizon are now allowing an app that lets people make Skype-to-Skype calls completely free.
This is the first time that a fully enabled version of Skype has been made available for Android customers. It works fine with the Droid and is available in certain countries. It does not work with every Android phone.
In fact, it is developed for Android 2.1. It works fine if your phone has Android 2.2, but it doesn’t take advantage of the new functionality that the latest operating system supports.
Customers can currently make Skupe calls over Wi-Fi or 3G if they have an unlimited data plan. It makes the need for an actual voice plan less and less relevant.
Verizon first made Skype available for the Droid and other Android devices earlier this year, but placed heavy restrictions on it that made it a very unreliable replacement for voice calls. A lot of those restrictions have been lifted.
Here’s a video that shows all the Skype features that can now be used by Android:


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Every few years someone claims that the world will be changed by a new technology. Google’s cooperation with Mozilla, however friendly, meant that it was ceding control of the Internet’s vital gateway technology — and the dominant supplier of that technology is its archrival, Microsoft. Business technology is developing everyday to help companies get an edge on their competition as well as bring more engaging products and services into the market place. Visit the Technology Update website and check out the latest internet news on Technology, games, social networks and more. Word of Intel’s lukewarm response to Vista appeared Monday in The Inquirer, an irreverent London-based technology Web site.
This Wall Street Journal Article introduces big data and describes both its benefits and risks for large companies. Robots, nanotechnology and other manufacturing of the future can reposition the U.S. as a global technology leader and revitalize the nation’s flagging economy, …Continue Reading


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Eventually there will be 6 body styles of the S Class.
Mercedes-Benz has hit a milestone today with its all new Mercedes S Class W222. The Stuttgart-based brand has revealed that its luxury sedan, regarded as the time machine of the auto industry, has achieved the 100,000 sales mark in just one year, which is a huge success for Merc's flagship model.
What makes the milestone very special is that it's the first time that the revered model series has scored such a target during its first year of availability. Mercedes-Benz attributes the success to the fast roll-out of the model from the factory, and effectively meeting strong demands from its three most important markets: Germany, China, and United States.
Here are the numbers: Mercedes-Benz delivered 75,391 units of the S-Class, which is more than double (105.8 %+) the cars sold during the same period last year. Last September, they sold 9,501 cars, which represents a massive bump of 139.3% compared to September 2013. In the first nine months since Mercedes-Benz introduced the W222 S Class, they sold more units of the S Class than they did with the previous generation W221 during 2012 and 2013 combined.
Banking on the standard and long-wheelbase variants' success, Mercedes-Benz will spawn six different versions, of which one of them -- the S-Class Coupe -- is currently on sale. What comes next is an even longer version that will revive the Maybach brand, which is expected to be unveiled at the 2014 Guangzhou Auto Show in mid-November.
Also Read: Comparo – 2014 Mercedes S 350 CDI vs 2014 A8 vs Jaguar XJ vs BMW 7 Series
If that's still not long enough, there is the S-Class "Pullman" version that will feature six seats arranged in three rows, and a cabriolet version of the S-Class Coupe.
Mercedes S Class 100,000 units sold - Press Release
[Can't see the press release above? Head to Slideshare]


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New Porsche museum slow and over budget
The opening of a new museum for German luxury carmaker Porsche in Stuttgart will be delayed and it will cost more than planned.
The museum, which was supposed to get rolling in 2007, will probably not be finished until the end of 2008, Porsche AG said on Wednesday in Stuttgart. However, the company did not name an exact date.
Porsche spokesperson Anton Hunger also said the €50 million the company had planned on spending would not be enough to cover construction costs. "The numbers will likely be on the higher end of double-digit millions," he said.
Some eighty Porsche models will be housed in the 5,600-square metre museum inside a futuristic exterior. The carmaker's old museum building only held 20 models.


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What you need to know
- Leakers have previously claimed the iPhone 12 Pro will have a 120Hz display.
- Display analyst Ross Young says he can't find a source that agrees.
- If it isn't 120Hz, what is it?
Over the past few weeks there's been one iPhone 12 Pro that everyone could almost unanimously agree on – that it would feature a 120Hz ProMotion display. But there was a dissenting voice in the form of display analyst Ross Young. And now he's added further fuel to the fire by again asserting his belief that we won't see ProMotion this year.
None of our contacts could corroborate iPhone 12 Pro models as 120Hz. They told us 2021. So, they are off our latest 120Hz list.. pic.twitter.com/uTQ7uinMUQ— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) July 1, 2020
The fact that Young can't find any sources that believe 120Hz is coming in 2020 is interesting considering the number of little birdies that seem to have been speaking with leakers. Only a few days ago we saw anonymous Twitter user Ice universe say that 120Hz is confirmed – assuming nothing goes wrong.
A reliable source, if there is no accident, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max have basically determined the maximum 120Hz refresh rate.— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) June 26, 2020
It was a similar story from YouTuber EverythingApplePro, too.
So what gives? Ross Young says that 120Hz will arrive in 2021 which might suggest that Apple has hit some of the snags Ice universe warned against. But at this point I'd have thought that these kinds of specifications would already have been ironed out.
Ultimately, we'll just have to wait and see how this pans out. Not all analysts and leakers can be right, meaning someone is wrong. For now, let's just hope it's the display analyst. You know, the one whose job it is to know what's happening in...displays.
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Go beyond the Wall in Apple Arcade's Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows
"Game of Thrones" fans can now explore the lands beyond the Wall on their iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
Review: The Porsche Taycan can stream Apple Music, no phone or data needed
The 2020 Porsche Taycan is a sweet ride, but it's also the first to fully integrate Apple Music into its own infotainment system — without your phone or data.
iPhone 12 lens supply delayed due to coating quality issues
A major Apple supplier is to delay shipment of its lenses because of quality assurance issues, forcing other manufacturers to pick up the slack.
Don't need fancy headphones? A good pair of cheap earbuds can do the trick
While fancy headphones have their time and place, having a cheap pair of earbuds can make travelling around a lot easier than carrying around big expensive headphones.


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From the News published on Kendam June 25th, 2019
Jacquemus Spring Summer 2020 fashion show "Le Coup De Soleil". The 10 Year Anniversary show of Jacquemus in Valensole, France (June 24, 2019).
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Here is some pretty interesting automotive industry gossip. It seems three stolen Porsche engines, two of which are currently used by Porsche and one which is a prototype for future use, have shown up at the TechArt Garage. TechArt is a German tuner of Porsche vehicles, and if convicted, TechArt could ruin its relationship with Porsche and may be forced to go out of business.
According to a forum post on Final Gear:
“3 Engine prototypes have been stolen out of Porsches development center, 2 conventional engines and one “engine of the future”. The parts have been found in the Techart garage. four people are in jail, two leasing-managers of porsche, and two customers.
Porsche now sues Techart for theft, Techart says they bought the stuff with a bill and thought everything was ok, but found out, that the engine wasn´t the promised 997 Turbo engine, but something else (they were fascinated), so they gave it back to the dealer, and it was found there. If it´s true, Techart will be out of the buisness, because Porsche never delivers parts to someone who did something “strange” with them….Right now, the only facts are, the engines disappeared, popped up at Techart……that´s it.”
Source: Final Gear (via Jalopnik)
[tags]Cars, Car, Auto, Automobile, Vehicles, Technology, Auto News, News, Porsche[/tags]


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Leaders from four credit unions are participating with the two CUSOs on task force
Co-op Solutions and Constellation Digital Partners announced Tuesday that the two credit union service organizations have formed a task force of mutual clients to expedite integration of Co-op digital apps into Constellation’s online and mobile banking platform.
“Partnering with Constellation and our credit union clients on this task force will accelerate smooth integration of lifestyle-banking solutions,” said Gail Tofil, vice president, strategic business development, for Co-op. “This is about momentum in the digital space. The faster we reach our integration objectives, the sooner credit unions will reap the rewards of Co-op’s and Constellation’s investments in digital transformation.”
Leaders from Coastal Credit Union, Farmers Insurance Group Federal Credit Union, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, and Nusenda Credit Union serve with representatives of Co-op and Constellation on the task force.
Foremost on the list of solutions to be tackled through this collaboration is the support for card management and the capability to reveal card data to leverage the capabilities of fintech services already on the Constellation platform. Additionally, the credit unions will determine which Co-op digital payment solutions, like P2P, bill pay, and account access, will best benefit their members' needs.
Co-op is among Constellation’s original investors and has engaged with the fintech in different capacities since its founding in 2017. Constellation innovates to deliver on the promise that credit unions “don’t need big bank money to afford big bank technologies.” The task force will break down the “how” of that promise by setting and executing solution integration plans for connecting Co-op products to Constellation’s digital banking platform.
“To enable banking as members have come to expect, credit unions need to bring innovation to the market faster and with a more diverse set of solutions,” said Dawn Sirras, SVP, fintech partnerships for Constellation. “App diversity extends primary financial relationships by meeting members where they are across more of those sticky, everyday banking moments.”
Co-op intends to form additional task forces with other technology business partners to further help the industry meet modern members’ digital payments expectations.
“We believe strongly in listening to our clients through collaborative forums, such as our client co-creation councils and task forces comprising technology partners to provide the best experience for credit unions and their members,” said Tofil. “This is a real differentiator for Co-op in the market, and we will continue to dedicate resources to grow this service model.”
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PCG PROFIT JUMPS TO RM964M
Improvement attributed to, among others, higher output volumes from Sabah Ammonia Urea plant
PETRONAS Chemicals Group Bhd’s (PCG) net profit doubled to RM964 million in the second quarter ended June 30 from RM462 million a year ago.
The company attributed the improvement to the commencement of commercial operations at the Sabah Ammonia Urea (Samur) plant in May.
Group revenue rose 24 per cent to RM3.96 billion, mainly due to higher sales volumes and prices as well as a stronger| US dollar.
For the six-month period, PCG’s net profit also doubled to RM2.26 billion from RM1.05 billion in the same period a year ago due to higher volumes and improving product spreads.
Its revenue rose 36 per cent to RM8.65 billion from RM6.35 billion in the previous year’s corresponding period
PCG said the average product prices in its fertiliser and methanol segment increased five per cent, contributed by the higher volumes from Samur.
“While this continued to be a challenging period for the industry, we have delivered resilient performance to sustain healthy margins and returns, with earnings driven by the strong momentum of our growth projects,” said PCG managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Sazali Hamzah in a statement yesterday.
“Samur is a significant milestone for us and we are confident that it will continue to positively impact our bottom line,” he added.
Sazali noted that operational and commercial excellence remain PCG’s core priority to ensure long-term business sustainability.
“Importantly, the business delivered resilient Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) with a 40 per cent margin and sound improvements in cost efficiency. With this good performance, PCG is well-positioned operationally and financially to pursue its growth agenda,” he added.
The company remains cautiously optimistic about the outlook in the second half of the year, given the volatile crude oil prices and the oversupply situation in the petrochemical market.
Sazali said the third quarter would see PCG undertaking heavy statutory turnaround activities at several of its plants as planned, coinciding with bearish market conditions.
Datuk Sazali Hamzah


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DENVER, CO (BRAIN) — Panda Bicycles has opened a new boutique shop in Denver dedicated to the bamboo bike brand that could be the first step in establishing a network of concept stores.
"It’s a kind of an exploratory exercise for both of us,” Panda co-founder Jacob Castillo said in reference to both his company and Panda Concept Store proprietor Angel Cruz.
Up until now, Panda’s handmade steel-lugged bamboo bikes have been sold predominantly consumer direct on the company’s website and through its own boutique shop at its headquarters in Fort Collins. Early this year, however, framebuilder Castillo brought on two new staff members so he could focus more of his attention on sales and growth initiatives.
“The idea behind the new store is to get our bikes exposed to more people interested out there” and then develop a growth strategy, he said.
Denver was a natural choice since Panda already had a strong customer base there for its stock and custom bikes. Completes start at $2,500 for single-speed model The One; The Legacy, Panda’s geared road model, starts at $3,500.
Cruz is flooring six to eight bikes at any time, and has demos available for Panda’s full four-bike lineup. New kids’ bikes are expected to arrive in the next couple weeks. Turnaround on custom orders is about four weeks.
For more about Panda Bicycles and its growth plans, check out the Nov. 1 issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.


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Content: 2019 New Apple iPhone Phone Model review, features, photos, images, sizes and comparison.
Focus: Sharing of the basic features, New Android 2019 New Apple iPhone Phone Model review phone view, photo quality, processor speed.
2019 New Apple iPhone Phone Model
Apple Will Take Off 3 Cameras in 2019!
Apple may release an iPhone with three cameras in 2019, according to a new report. With the company's current array, both the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X company have a dual camera setup, while the smaller iPhone 8 has a more traditional camera setup.
However, according to a new report, this may change next year. The new information claims that Apple will market at least one triple-camera mobile phone model in 2019.
It will probably be the second-generation Apple iPhone X Plus, which will be the top-level. The report on how the installation actually will be quite uncertain. However, previous information claims that at least one of the lenses will have a resolution of 12 megapixels.
Apple iPhone's Optical image stabilization will also be available.
Combined sensors will have a 5x zoom capability like Huawei's flagship P20 Pro. It is not clear, however, which new feature the third lens will bring. Apple may choose to use a Huawei-like monochrome lens to enhance image detail, or it may prefer to use a wide-angle sensor as seen on LG's latest flagship gem.
Alternatively, the company may prefer to choose a brand new sensor type that can better distinguish it from competition. Nothing is clear at the moment. But these are the odds. The potential for the company's triple camera setup seems to be the end of the introduction of the Huawei P20 Pro.
As a result, the marketing potential and hardware capabilities behind the installation proves that consumers are clearly enjoying it. Huawei's flagship shipments increased 316% compared to P10 Plus, which was sold in Western Europe last year.
Still, Apple's plans can easily change at this point.
The details seem a bit more concrete if you come to the 2018 iPhone series. Particularly in the Silicon Valley, the company is expected to introduce the two flagship OLED model and a cheaper LCD screen phone in the new design philosophy that the iPhone X market has launched in September.


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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US President Donald Trump said in an interview on Thursday that he might be open to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement if there were substantial improvements made to the deal.
“I would do TPP if we were able to make a substantially better deal. The deal was terrible,” Trump said in an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In November 2017, during the APEC summit in the Vietnamese resort of Danang, 11 TPP countries agreed to revive the free-trade deal which will be called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and signed in March. However, it still needs to be finalized since the countries’ ministers of trade announced a preliminary deal and there are some details to work out later.
The TPP agreement, which aims to remove trade barriers among its signatories, was originally signed in 2015 by Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. In January, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the US withdrawal from the agreement as he believes the deal is against American national interests.


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Worldwide Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software market has remained bellow $100m in 2011 with lack of awareness standing before the growth, according to a new report.
According a report by IMS Research, PSIM market has however more than doubled between 2009 and 2011.
Apart from lack of awareness, confusion over the definition of PSIM software and what its functions stands as a key barrier before its growth.
IMS Research manager and report author Niall Jenkins said growth forecasts for PSIM software revenues in 2012 and 2013 are lower than previously expected.
"In general, the industry has required time to get its message across to potential customers and this remains a challenge," Jenkins said.
"There has also been a lack of new entrants in the market to drive marketing and education of the potential benefits of the technology. This is unusual for new technology markets and is directly related to the upfront cost and resource required to build a PSIM platform creating a high barrier to entry."
"By 2014, the market is predicted to be back on track with previous forecasts." Jenkins added.
"Customer referrals will continue to be a strong sales generator with vendors specialising in specific vertical markets by accident as much as by design.
"A number of vendors have also identified healthcare and high-end commercial as emerging markets for the platform, offering new opportunities for well-placed vendors in the future."


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Zim gets first 4G service
BUSINESSBy BiztechAfrica - July 20, 2011, 3:07 p.m.
By Alfonce Mbizwo, Harare, Zimbabwe
New player Brodacom has launched Zimbabwe’s first 4G internet service, promising to bring the Southern African nation’s economy into the digital age.
The company, one of Zimbabwe’s 15 licensed IAPs, launched its product by running adverts boldly asking customers the question: What do you expect from your 4G network?
“We are coming into the market with voice, data and video services. We are able to provide voice services at home and office and on mobile platforms. We do not sell handsets, but our modems have the capacity and capability to provide voice services, sms, data and internet services. They support those kind of services whether its fixed telephony or mobile services,” the managing director of Brodacom, Parkvoo Mutendera told Biztechafrica.
“Most of our products are designed to make broadband accessible to more than just an individual so you buy one gadget and you give internet access to 10 or 20 other people and this is what is going to make the difference between what we are offering and what has been available on the market," he said.
“Because we have a very visual generation now we have gone into the video space where we are saying individuals can interface via video. We are putting up base stations so that such services can be accessible even in remote locations and even the media can broadcast live on internet using the backbone of our infrastructure. We cut across voice, sms, data and video,” Mutendera said.
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ODMA Fair will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017 with “the most comprehensive and dynamic conference offering since its inception almost 40 years ago”.
Taking place from 7–9 July at the new International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour in Sydney, ODMA17 will host an array of interactive features, major networking events and strong educational content, including revamped masterclasses and spotlight seminars.
Robert Sparkes, Chair of ODMA said the new Fair had been shaped by feedback from ODMA members. “ODMA17 is the most comprehensive exhibition of optical equipment, frames, sunglasses and lenses in the country. It is Australia’s key buying fair and the only one owned by the Australian optical industry.
“Providing valuable constructive feedback via surveys, ODMA members have helped reshape and improve outcomes of participation in the industry fair. These gathered insights are why ODMA17 will be the best event to date,” said Robert Sparkes, Chair of ODMA.
Providing valuable constructive feedback via surveys, ODMA members have helped reshape and improve outcomes of participation in the industry fair
ODMA17’s Vision Summit takes place on Friday, 7 July. Headlined by UK Professor and inventor of the revolutionary excimer laser, John Marshall, the Vision Summit is designed to deliver the latest developments in eye care with a focus on quality.
Joining Professor Marshall on the program are other highly esteemed world leaders in their respective fields: Rolando Toyos, M.D. (USA); and from Australia, Professors Minas T. Coroneo; Fiona Stapleton; Peter McCluskey; Paul Mitchell and Associate Professor Chew Tec Juan Paul.
In addition to the Vision Summit, ODMA17 will host educational Masterclass sessions, presented by Elaine Grisdale (UK Association of British Dispensing Opticians), Steve Daras (Tafe NSW – OTEN) and Dr. Leigh Plowman (Optomly). Topics will cover a mix of practical dispensing and the latest industry insights to help delegates improve their business strategy and function.
Design Junction will showcase premium high end international and Australian eyewear brands with exhibitors presenting their design capabilities and the very latest in optical fashion and innovation. Brands set to participate include Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna, Balenciaga, Roberto Cavalli and more.
Pre-bookings for masterclasses and the Vision Summit are essential. Visit www.odma2017.com.au


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In this brand-new PowerTalk interview series, I’ll take you inside today’s hottest companies, interviewing top management about how their business is going and what’s on the horizon for their companies. Plus, I’ll connect you with industry experts who will explain exactly what’s happening with today’s hottest trends — giving you the confidence to know when and where to invest your money.
This week’s PowerTalk interview is with Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, boasts more than 2,000 members — from startup entrepreneurs to Google. Gary is also the author of two books — The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream and the upcoming Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses, due out on January 8th.
These days consumer electronics make up what I call “the new fabric of our lives”, with the average American family having 25 consumer electronic products. In fact, data shows that 3 out of 4 holiday gift givers plan to buy an electronic product this year. Gary takes us through some of the big products of the season.
We’ll also talk about what to expect at the widely anticipated Consumer Electronics Show coming up in January. It’s the world’s largest annual trade show with 3,000 exhibitors and over 160,000 people from various parts of the electronics industry in attendance. This year’s hot topics are expected to include new “Ultra HD” high resolution TVs, wireless healthcare (a key driver of my Living Longer Lives PowerTrend), touch and gesture technologies and automotive consumer electronics.
Gary’s 20 years of experience with consumer electronics have given him some fascinating insights into the role technology and innovation plays in driving our country and our economy forward. The interview is a wonderful talk on how consumer electronics have come to permeate every facet of our lives.


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The Conversions API has other benefits, as explained by Facebook: It bypasses web browsers as the means of passing along data. Instead, data goes directly from the brand’s website to Facebook’s ad server. “The way that the Conversions API works is a direct connection between the advertiser and their server, and a Facebook server,” Mudd says. “It’s not going through the browser in the way that a pixel does.”
But what can the Conversions API do? Mudd says it is particularly useful for brands like automotive companies and financial services firms, which still transact much of their sales offline. Internet tracking tools can’t pick up an in-store event, but retailers can still collect that data offline and try to match those consumers to their online activity. That could also give the brands a way to identify similar consumers, and Facebook can help make those connections.
The Conversions API also is made for purely digital brands, according to Mudd. “Even an e-commerce company, when they see a new customer, they predict the lifetime value of that customer based on their behavior on the website, that’s a prediction that they make on their own,” he says. “They may want to tell us, ‘Hey, this is a particularly high LTV customer, please help me find more of those.’”
Amy Rumpler, VP of paid social at Centro, a Facebook marketing partner, says that the Conversions API also is useful because Facebook’s “pixel” technology is losing its effectiveness. Pixels are strings of code that brands place on their websites, and are a mainstay of the online ad ecosystem. Pixels help marketers retarget consumers outside of their brand websites—but not if the web browsers are erasing consumers' tracks. Facebook’s Conversions API is one solution, Rumpler says. “[Facebook’s] goal is to get that adoption up … because the pixel is less reliable,” she says.
“Right now, the recommendation is still to use the Facebook Pixel but also start to go down the road of enabling the Conversions API,” Rumpler says. “So that you have both in place and, thereby, get as much performance data as possible. And also, you can tap into as much audience data as possible to make sure that you still have the ability to do things like create custom audiences based off of different segments of people visiting your website.”
One of the challenges with the Conversions API is that it does require some technical engineering to implement, meaning it has mostly been adopted by the more-sophisticated brands and marketers. Meanwhile, many of Facebook's smaller marketers still rely almost exclusively on the pixel. “It is suited to larger clients,” Mudd says, although the idea is to make it accessible to more marketers over time.


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Entering the middle of 2022 as well its third year of operating, PT Fintek Karya Nusantara (LinkAja) successfully held the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGMS) on Tuesday (21/6). The results of this AGMS included the approval of the appointment of the new Board of Directors who will lead the company in the future, as well as reinforcing LinkAja's new business strategy which will focus on a two-sided business model, which is not only providing financial solution services for consumers in Indonesia, but also provides end-to-end financial solutions for both digital and traditional supply chains, especially those in the SOE ecosystem. With this business model strategy, LinkAja is optimistic that it will achieve optimal business growth acceleration and provide maximum benefits for shareholders and the Indonesian people.
LinkAja first arrived in 2019 through the synergy of ten state-owned companies that together want to encourage financial inclusion and encourage national economic growth. In its third year, in addition to continuing to develop digital financial services for Indonesian consumers, LinkAja sees an opportunity to sharpen its strategy and strengthen its steps in building comprehensive digital financial solutions for the ecosystem of SOEs in Indonesia.
This will be realized by making LinkAja an end-to-end digital financial solution for supply chains under the SOEs, through payment services, loans and other digital services. This step is believed to have a more significant impact in accelerating Indonesia's financial inclusion and uniting the various potentials that exist in Indonesia's vast SOE ecosystem.
To carry out this new focus and direction, the shareholders of PT Fintek Karya Nusantara at the AGMS have also decided on a new Board of Directors for LinkAja who will officially take office on June 21, 2022, namely:
- Yogi Rizkian Bahar, as the Chief Executive Officer
- Widjayanto, as the Chief of Operations
- M. Rendi Nugraha, as the Chief of Marketing Officer
- Andri Qiantori, as the Chief of Technology Officer
- Reza Ari Wibowo, Chief of Financial and Strategy Officer
As the new leader appointed through the AGMS, Yogi Rizkian Bahar conveyed his vision for LinkAja in the future, “LinkAja is the only digital finance company that has significant potential to target and support the Indonesian SOE ecosystem through comprehensive digital financial services. With the new business direction that is more focused and in building business fundamentals, we believe that LinkAja will grow more rapidly and optimally, and make a positive contribution to the process of accelerating financial inclusion in Indonesia.”
Since the beginning of its operation, LinkAja has facilitated programs run by the government, including as a medium for distributing salaries and incentives for BUMN employees, and distributing government aid funds such as the Pre-Employment Card incentive fund which covers 33 provinces and 514 regencies/cities.
In 2021 LinkAja has also received approval as an e-wallet from Bank Indonesia to be able to continue to develop more financial services, as well as an e-retailer license from the Ministry of Investment or the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) which allows the company not only as a payment service provider but also as an e-retailer license that can also continue to expand its business.
In addition, LinkAja has also received national and international awards, including 15 awards from Bank Indonesia, the Best PJSP QRIS and 9 awards at the Contact Center World Awards 2021. In the future, LinkAja will continue to move rapidly in observing, facilitating, and advancing the various potentials that exist for the more rapid and optimal progress of the Indonesian economy.
Supporting micro and ultra micro businesses, LinkAja has been used as an official payment tool by phone credit sellers on the DigiPOS platform throughout Indonesia. In addition, more than 9,500 grocery store/stall sellers under Sampoerna Retail Community have used LinkAja as a payment tool that connects businesses from shop owners to buyers. Another line of business that LinkAja is developing is capital lending services, as a result of its acquisition of the iGrow P2P lending service at the end of April 2021. Started as a funding business for farmers in Indonesia, now the service is dubbed Modalin.
This service will focus more on providing funding assistance for various businesses under SOE and in partnership with LinkAja. In addition, LinkAja is also developing its network to strengthen its position as a supplier of digital goods for both the SOE ecosystem and other digital ecosystems. In addition to the SOE ecosystem, LinkAja also collaborates strategically with various parties, for example with Grab and Gojek (through its affiliates), which are also LinkAja shareholders.


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Greenpeace today released an update to its “Clicking Clean: A Guide to Building the Green Internet” report, showing that Apple continues to lead among tech companies when it comes to renewable energy efforts. The report notes that Apple has been “most aggressive” with its renewable energy projects including a number of new initiatives and continuing to maintain “its claim of a 100% renewably powered cloud for another year.” Read more
After showing more journalists around its solar-powered North Carolina data center (where it is building a third solar farm), Apple says that its new focus for renewable energy is its supply chain. The Guardian reports that the sapphire factory in Arizona forms part of this initiative.
The company is also moving to install solar and geothermal power at a plant in Mesa, Arizona that has been manufacturing sapphire glass. Apple would not directly comment on the Arizona factory but the state’s governor, Jan Brewer, has publicly praised the company’s decision to relocate there and to use solar and geothermal in manufacturing.
Apple’s VP of environmental initiatives Lisa Jackson said that the company is conscious that its supply chain cannot claim the same green credentials as Apple itself … Read more
A report from the Daily Mail over the weekend claimed Apple is working with fuel cell company Intelligent Energy on a project that hopes to embed fuel cells in mobile devices “within a few years.” The Daily Mail doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to accuracy, but the report claimed “senior sources in the US” have confirmed the partnership between the two companies.
The technology could be rolled out in devices such as laptops and iPads, allowing them to run without being charged for days or even weeks…Intelligent Energy revealed upon floating that it bought a bundle of patents in tandem with a major ‘international electronics company’…It has kept the identity of its partner a closely-guarded secret. But a source, who has knowledge of the partnership, confirmed that Apple is the big name working with the Loughborough-based firm.
The report noted that Intelligent Energy already has ties to Apple with former Apple Computers product specialist Joe O’Sullivan sitting on the company’s board and a new office in San Jose not far from Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino. Read more
OregonLive notes that government filings from last week show Apple has taken over a hydroelectric project near its Oregon data center. Apple has previously reported that it powers its data centers entirely on renewable energy. The hydroelectric plant in Oregon will help maintain its 100% renewable energy rating. In fact, on Apple’s environmental website, the company notes that the Prineville site will source power from hydroelectric energy in addition to wind and solar.
Update: Apple has removed the job listing from its website, but we grabbed a screenshot below.
Apple appears to be investigating the use of thin film solar technology for future mobile products with a new job listing on the company’s website looking to hire an engineer with experience in the solar industry. The thin films engineer would join Apple’s Mobile Devices group and “assist in the development and refinement of thin films technologies applicable to electronic systems.” The job listing adds some proof to rumors in recent years that Apple was evaluating the use of solar panels for future products.
Wired just published aerial shots of Apple’s data center in Maiden, N.C. from Monday, when construction crews were in the midst of laying foundation for a large structure in a northwest sylvan area, and it appears the company has just begun assembling its Bloom Energy fuel cells for biogas conversion.
According to Wired:
Our flyover captured some pretty clear images of the tactical data center, the massive solar array, and, of course, this new mystery building.
— i_bad_apple (@i_bad_apple) August 2, 2012
Check out some closeups of the parts below, and Wired for full gallery and details.
Today’s updated Apple Headquarters Spaceship campus plans include a roof made almost entirely out of solar cells, according to details released today. With a building as large as Apple’s, that puts it in the top corporate solar installations in the world and the biggest in the US. The current title holder is the 4.26 MW system in Edison New Jersey and another being built by ToysRus in sunny NJ is rated 5.38MW
From today’s plans, we can estimate the roof surface area to be over 750,000 square feet. Assuming (conservatively) 2/3rds of that, or 500,000 square feet of that is utilized for solar, that gives Apple close to a 5MW installation on the amin building alone. On average or as a general “rule of thumb” modern photovoltaics (PV) solar panels will produce up to 10 watts per square foot of solar panel area. Since Cupertino is generally favorable in terms of weather and Apple will obviously use the latest Solar technology developed in the coming years, that could give Apple over 5,000,000 Watts of power to play with. Additionally, Apple has a few other buildings on campus that could be outfitted with solar roofs. The plans list a photovoltaic roof canopy of 320,000 sq.ft. just on the parking building. Read more
Interesting: it seems the first big deal component Apple may manufacture with its newly-licensed LiquidMetal alloys (beyond that SIM card remover shipped with iPhone before) isn’t the body or the antenna — it’s the battery! Read more


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More than a third (37 percent) of European internet users bank with their mobile devices, according to a survey of almost 12,000 web users across 12 European countries.
However, the UK is lagging behind most other countries when it comes to mobile banking.
Market research firm Ipsos was commissioned by bank ING to measure mobile banking penetration and what services were popular.
The research found that the Netherlands and Spain (both 44 percent of web users) and Turkey (49 percent) were the most developed mobile banking markets. The UK stood at just 35 percent - below the overall figure despite the UK market deemed to be a premium mobile banking market for many mobile players.
The UK was also behind Poland, Austria and Italy, although just ahead of Germany. Earlier this week Telefonica, owner of the O2 brand, inked a mobile payments and commerce deal with Monetise, with the UK the first target for introducing new services.
More than three-quarters of UK users who use mobile banking say they feel "more in control of their money". Although half of Germans who do not use mobile banking say they are put off by security fears.
“People who use mobile banking generally feel more in control of their money,” said ING senior economist Ian Bright. “Most of them say they pay their bills on time more often and are overdrawn less often. This is perhaps because 84 percent of mobile bankers check their balances more regularly since using mobile banking.”
Despite the gradual rise of mobile commerce half of European consumers surveyed preferred to use cash when shopping because "it is easier to see when they are spending too much".
When asked what they expected from banks on social media, the most popular of six options presented was banks giving tips for saving (70 percent). Communicating messages about the company and its corporate social responsibility (CSR) was also popular (61 percent), and information about “how the economy affects me” was the third most popular option (56 percent).
While making payments on social media was not high on the agenda for most respondents, almost 40 percent under the age of 34 years said they expected banks to make it possible.


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Quantify Technology awarded certification for Q Device, paving the way for rollout.
Quantify Technology Holdings (ASX: QFY), a unique and disruptive player in the multi-billion dollar Internet of Things (IoT) market, announced on Wednesday that it had completed Australian and New Zealand certification (AS/NZS CISPR 15 and AS/NZS 4268) of its flagship product, the Q Device.
This represents a major milestone in terms of commercialising the product, and it now allows QFY to further progress its strategy of securing large commercial and enterprise projects. However, it is important to note that the company is already on the front foot in terms of having its devices deployed with the delivery of the Q devices to a number of projects planned to commence in the second half of 2017.
These projects are in their early stages and investors should seek professional financial advice if considering this stock foe their portfolio.
Pending the award of projects that Quantify’s Q Device is currently being specified for, QFY said it remains on track with its commercialisation and product delivery pipeline and continues to receive strong interest in its target markets.
More specifically, the company is focused on generating sales into new construction projects including iconic commercial and enterprise projects. While QFY is also in discussions with parties looking to form strategic partnerships with systems integrators and channels, the company already has a number of committed projects on its books.
Upcoming projects in the pipeline
Earlier this month QFY announced that the Q Device had been included in the building specifications for three projects, two in Western Australia and one in New South Wales.
The two Western Australian projects are a medical and dental library and the Crest Apartment project in Burswood. The New South Wales project relates to the Lindfield Apartments in Sydney.
The Q Device has been specified for use in the electrical engineering plans for the projects. While firm contracts are yet to be negotiated, the specification of the devices represents an endorsement from both building contractors and electrical consultants.
Furthermore, construction work on the Wallaroo Shores project is expected to start in May. Wallaroo Shores is an 18.5 hectare development valued at $220 million and will feature a four-star resort, a residential component, a lifestyle village, and a commercial and retail sector.
QFY had previously signed an agreement with developer Copper Coast Investments for the sale and installation of its products for approximately 650 dwellings.
Copper Coast has agreed to exclusively promote and procure the purchase and installation of QFY’s products in buildings erected at Wallaroo Shores by incorporating a requirement that the owners use QFY’s products for dwellings erected as part of the project.
Q device aims to be the switches and routers of the future
The Q Device encompasses a range of products that provides the company with a distribution platform for the future evolution of Internet of Things technologies. This includes retrofittable switches and power outlets which are designed to provide real-time evaluation of environmental and risk factors for building occupants, as well as proactively managing services and utilities to ensure the highest levels of efficiency are achieved to create Truly Intelligent Buildings.
Included within each device is autonomous compute power allowing the delivery of advanced applications without the dependency on “Cloud Computing” applications or local gateways or servers.
Importantly, the certification conducted by Compliance Engineering in Victoria means that the AC modules in the Q Device are certified to the required Australian and New Zealand standard.
QFY is aiming to become one of the key infrastructure solutions to enable the future growth of the Internet of Things.
Management explained the company’s strategic position and the relevance of its products in the broader construction industry in saying, “Much as the Internet today is comprised of key devices such as switches and routers to allow it to scale to the size and performance we see today, Quantify’s intelligent devices aim to be the switches and routers of the future of the Internet of Things, allowing a simpler and more scalable architecture as IOT grows”.


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Financial global markets are drawing support from the effectiveness of ongoing vaccinations and improving economic indicators. Consumer sentiment is re-evolving, resulting in rising consumer demand as pandemic worries wane. Pent up demand from the past year is thought to be driving the bulk of economic activity.
Ransomware cyberattacks and internet crimes have been rising at an alarming rate according to the FBI, threatening companies, government entities and individuals. Digital currencies, such as bitcoin, are the primary form of payment utilized for ransom and extortion cases since payments can be made anonymously and are not traceable. The FBI encourages individuals, especially elders, to be aware of numerous online scams and phone calls by visiting its Common Scams & Crimes site https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and- safety/common-scams-and-crimes.
Escalating inflation concerns prompted Federal Reserve members to consider limiting purchases of Treasury and mortgage bonds, which is an indirect method of raising interest rates. The reduction in stimulus efforts, also known as tapering, last occurred in 2013.
The administration released a proposed $6 trillion federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year, expected to be funded by higher taxes for top earners and corporations. Analysts, as well as nonpartisan analysis, expect additional issuance of Treasury debt in order to help fund ongoing federal deficits.
Various states are ending supplemental unemployment benefits which were instituted during the early months of the pandemic last year. It is estimated that 3.7 million unemployed recipients will be affected. Some states eliminating unemployment benefits are instead offering financial incentives for individuals to find a job. The Department of Labor’s most recent data reveal that there were over 8 million unfilled job openings at the end of March, the largest number of openings since November 2018.
The upward trajectory of home prices has made it less affordable for many to purchase, forcing some would-be home buyers to rent instead. Rising home values have resulted in rising rent costs nationwide, as lacking home supplies have spurred demand for rentals.
An increase in travel has spurred higher fuel costs for airlines and automobiles as pent up demand and the summer months propel prices higher. The average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline rose above $3 per gallon nationally in May, the highest since 2014. Crude oil prices, which directly affect the price of gasoline, have risen over 80% in the past year. (Sources: FBI, Federal Reserve, EIA, Dept. of Labor)
Inflationary Pressures Affect Equities – Equity Market Update
Inflation pressures have been a minimal hindrance on the equity markets thus far, as many companies are passing along higher production and material costs to customers while still maintaining margins.
International equity markets, including developed and emerging, are recapturing momentum lost during the pandemic, elevating returns comparable to those in the U.S. markets.
Sectors leading the S&P 500 Index in May include energy, financials, industrials, and materials, representative of economic expansion as deemed by economists and analysts. Expansion in these sectors tend to influence other sectors as growth dynamics transition from industry to industry. (Sources: S&P, Bloomberg)
Fed Tapering is Concerning Bond Markets – Fixed Income Market
Comments by Federal Reserve members are hinting that the Fed is considering pulling back on Treasury and mortgage bond purchases, which is known as tapering. The last time the Fed slowed stimulus or pulled back on quantitative easing (QE), was in 2013, resulting in a so-called “taper tantrum.”
A curtailment in stimulus efforts by the Fed is expected to eventually result in rising bond yields, higher mortgage rates and increased loan expenses for consumers. Historically, rising interest rates have been the Fed’s most useful tool in mitigating inflationary pressures, which has recently become a focal point for the Fed. (Sources: Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury)
Travel Picks Up – Travel & Leisure
The proliferation of vaccinations, along with pent up demand for travel has driven Americans to finally leave home and head out. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) essentially tracks and counts every traveler passing through a TSA security checkpoint in every airport nationwide. The compiled data over the past year shows a dramatic downturn in travel in May 2020 with just over 176,000 daily travelers versus 1,500,000 daily travelers in May 2021.
Airlines, car rental agencies, restaurants, and hotels tend to benefit the most with an uptick in travel, which has been nearly dormant for the past year. The increase in travel also creates new jobs for the hospitality and travel industries, which were severely hit during the height of the pandemic.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is expecting U.S. highway travel to rise by 15% this summer, from last summer. The EIA also
forecasts that consumers will increase their spending on motor gasoline by
about 31% this summer due to increased travel as the pandemic subsides.
Source: https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput, EIA
How Inflation Creeps Up On Consumers – Consumer Behavior
Over the past year, global economies went from a slow expansion at the beginning of 2020, to an abrupt halt with the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Supply chain bottlenecks have become rampant as increasing demand has evolved from a slowly recovering global economy. Historically, rising producer prices have been a predecessor to consumer inflation when manufacturers and distributors pass along the higher cost of materials and labor to consumers in the form of higher retail prices. A lack of critical components for everything from automobiles to cellular phones brought about production shortages that led to decreases in supply simultaneously as demand fell across the globe. As demand has begun to rekindle, shuttered factories and supply chains have not been able to keep up with rising demand, resulting in order backlogs and higher prices. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis)
USPS Struggling – Government Agency Overview
The United States Postal Service (USPS) remains an integral part of the economy and the country’s infrastructure even as the popularity of electronic payments and digital transactions have dramatically reduced the volume of mail processed by the USPS.
Of the more than 129 billion pieces of mail delivered in 2020, the most widely used service of the USPS is its first class mail service. As the volume of all mail has been dwindling, so has first class mail, falling from over 103 billion pieces in 2000 to just over 52 billion pieces in 2020, roughly a 50% drop in twenty years. There have been numerous rate increases over the years, with the most recent rate increase up to 55 cents for a 1 ounce letter in January 2019.
What To Do With That Unused Travel Budget – Financial Planning
As millions of Americans stayed home during the pandemic and traveled nowhere as hotels, resorts, and restaurants closed, budgets created for travel and vacation went idle. Many are still deterred, if not discouraged, to travel in fear of another virus outbreak or simply out of paranoia. Travel has become a bit more complicated and burdensome, especially for the elderly who just don’t travel as easily as during their younger years.
With inflation the topic of concern, higher educational costs are an issue for recent grads. A consideration might be to migrate some of the idle funds in the travel budget to a grandchild’s college saving’s plan, such as a 529. Named after the IRS Code it falls under, Section 529 plans have amassed over $425 billion in assets since their inception in 1997. Their popularity soared over the years as parents and grandparents realized their favorable tax benefits while also saving for college expenses. These plans offer two primary benefits: assets grow tax deferred and come out tax free for qualified expenses; and, contributions made by parents and grandparents are considered a gift, thus proving a tax benefit for some contributors. Over the years, both wealthy and lower-income parents and grandparents have been the main contributors to these plans.
Any parent or grandparent can make gifts of up to $15,000 per year per individual person (child) and to as many individuals as they wish. Section 529 plans allow gifts to be made five years ahead all at once. Thus, a grandparent can gift $75,000 per grandchild at once for the next five years. If the grandparent has five grandchildren, then they have the ability to contribute $375,000 at once to the 529 plans, which are considered gifts. There would be no gift tax, assuming no other gifts were made to that child over those years. This is a strategy for parents and grandparents that may have estates valued at over $11.7 million, the current federal estate tax exemption level. (Source: www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self- employed/estate-tax)
Job Openings Surpass 8 Million – Labor Market Update
A growing demand for workers by eager companies to fill positions nationwide has led to unfilled job openings exceeding 8 million as of the end of March, according to the most recent data available from the Department of Labor. Economists and analysts believe that generous unemployment benefits along with stimulus payments have discouraged many of the unemployed from returning to work. Lower paying job positions are the toughest to fill as unemployment payments equal if not exceed regular pay. Various occupations in manufacturing, hospitality, transportation, and food services have seen the largest growth in openings since the pandemic began in March 2020. Some companies have announced higher wages and increased hourly pay in order to entice workers, yet still struggle to fill open positions.


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Japanese brand UNDERCOVER are back with their FW17 collection. The latest collection was subject to an editorial by online store HBX, who are allowing you a closer look at the pieces prior to their launch.
All of the streetwear essentials are here with tees, sweats, outerwear, bottoms and accessories on full display. The pieces are graphic heavy with phrases such as “BRAIN WASHED GENERATION” and “MEDIA IS GOD” playing prominent roles in the capsule.
Jun Takahashi’s brand has in your face bright motfis and we have to admit, this is a seriously strong collection.
What is your favourite Japanese streetwear brand right now? Let us know in the comments below.
Keep it locked to Above The Sole for all of the dopest news from the streetwear community.


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Luxury multibrand retailers are gaining ground in China thanks to their extensive portfolio of niche designer brands.
Mach & Mach’s crystal-encrusted shoes, Zimmerman’s fairy dresses, and Cult Gaia’s beach-style handbags are trending items on Chinese lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu. KOLs and local young women are increasingly looking for lesser-known brands to express their fashion taste and personality via their outfits.
Andrea Panconesi, president of multibrand retailer LuisaViaRoma, tells Jing Daily: “Chinese clients overseas are one of our main target groups. Chinese consumers have a strong appetite for luxury fashion, and we have witnessed their demand for niche designers grow strongly. While established luxury brands remain popular, there is a notable trend towards seeking unique and exclusive pieces.”
Luxury German e-tailer Mytheresa delivered solid results in Q1 2023, despite ongoing macro headwinds and competitors’ promotional activities. “The company [globally] has grown over 20 percent in recent years, and our expectation from China in coming years is to double that,” Mytheresa’s CEO Michael Kliger said in the business’ earnings report.
Local consumers are used to online purchases, including for high-end items. According to Yaok Research’s 2022 report 31 percent of luxury sales happened online in China in 2022.
“Mytheresa clients lead busy, professional lives and thus enjoy the convenience and efficiency of shopping online; our pre-selected curated offerings of only the best pieces meet their needs. Customers want products now, immediately, and hassle-free,” says Steven Xu, President for China and Asia Pacific at Mytheresa.
To stand out in the competitive online arena dominated by Tmall and JD.com, these retailers are redoubling their efforts to connect with domestic shoppers.
Courting China through events
With the pandemic ending, large-scale events are back, filled with Chinese stars.
In June, at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy, LuisaViaRoma staged its ‘Runway Icons’ show in partnership with British Vogue in front of more than 2,000 guests. The evening opened with a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. An A-list cast including Natalia Vodianova, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, and Chinese supermodels He Cong, Zhang Lina, and Wang Quyou walked the show sporting signature and new capsule pieces from both established and emerging designers.
Chinese influencers supermodel He Sui, and KOLs Declan Chan, Mayaoo, Michelle Song, and Molly Chiang sat in the front row alongside Leonardo Di Caprio.
“By inviting influential Chinese personalities, we aimed to establish a more personal connection with our target audience and increase our brand’s visibility in the Chinese market. Their presence greatly contributed to creating a strong resonance and forging meaningful connections with Chinese consumers,” says Panconesi.
In April this year, Mytheresa hosted a large-scale event at the Bvlgari Hotel in Shanghai to mark the launch of its project, China Designer Program by Mytheresa, which creates exclusive pieces in collaboration with Chinese emerging talents. “Many of the exclusive capsule collection pieces sold out right after the launch,” says Xu.
As well as online offerings, these luxury e-commerce platforms provide intimate offline experiences to their VICs (very important customers) to enhance relationships and secure loyalty. “We are trying to be wherever our clients are,” says Xu.
Examples of recent global top customers events include a dance party and Beverly Hills dinner in Los Angeles and a two-day experience in Venice with Jimmy Choo, including a gondola tour, and dinner in a private palazzo with the footwear’s creative director, Sandra Choi. “We plan to bring these experiences to our local clients in China to ensure that we are offering them ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences,” says Xu.
Similarly, Farfetch is hosting intimate VIC dinner galas across the globe. Last month it threw a roaring 1920s party in Beijing, a fashion exhibition in Shanghai, and a flowery dinner night at Gucci Osteria in Seoul.
Supporting Chinese designer’s collections
Domestic consumers are showing greater cultural patriotism, a trend dubbed guochao, or national pride. The shift has impacted companies’ marketing efforts in China.
International fashion and beauty giants like Canada Goose and Estée Lauder are tapping homegrown designers, such as Feng Chen Wang, Angel Chen, and Shushu/Tong, and making waves in China. But, multibrand retailers were among the first to experiment with this strategy.
“We understand the importance of customization and localization in the global fashion industry,” says Panconesi.
In 2017, LuisaViaRoma partnered with Chinese-born London-trained designer Angel Chen to release a capsule collection. During Paris Fashion Week in March this year, the multibrand retailer held a dinner to promote its collaboration with Taiwanese jewelry designer Yun Sun. The appearance of Fan Bingbing — China’s highest-paid actress — at the event made headlines on China’s microblogging site Weibo.
Mytheresa launched the China Designer Program by Mytheresa last year. Shortlisted designers Xu Zhi, Jacques Wei, Susan Fang, and Didu have created and released capsules on the retailer’s site. Additionally, Mytheresa boosted its collections’ exposure via launch events in Shanghai and Paris and partnerships with the Chinese version of T Magazine.
Multibrand retailers are building deeper bonds with patriotic local shoppers by showing respect and support for Chinese talents. Additionally, according to a recent McKinsey report, in 2021, 52 percent of surveyed Chinese consumers preferred local fashion apparel brands to foreign ones. In light of this, luxury e-tailers are looking to expand their portfolio of Chinese designer brands to stay relevant to homegrown consumers. For instance, Ssense has lately increased its stock of emerging local talents, such as Shushu/Tong, Shuting Qiu, and Yvmin.
Having an in-house China team
Operating an e-commerce platform in China entails numerous challenges. The competitive landscape, cultural differences, and regulatory complexities are among the key obstacles multibrand retailers must navigate.
“To overcome these challenges, we have implemented a comprehensive localization strategy and invested in a dedicated team that understands the Chinese market and its unique nuances,” says Panconesi, whose platform has operated in China for over a decade.
For newcomer Ssense, having Sequoia Capital as a shareholder and its partner and former Vogue China Editor-In-Chief Angelica Cheung as a board member provides valuable insights and resources that enabled it to consolidate its presence in China. After the venture capital firm’s $4.1 billion investment in the retailer to expand in China, Ssense enlarged its Chinese designer offerings and partnered with UnionPay to offer extra discounts for homegrown shoppers.
However, unlike its rivals Net-à-Porter, Farfetch, Mytheresa, and Luisaviaroma, Ssense has not established a presence on Gen Z’s beloved inspiration-sourcing platform Xiaohongshu.
“Building strong relationships with local partners and emerging Chinese designers, and continuously monitoring and adapting to market trends are also crucial elements of our strategy to thrive in the Chinese e-commerce landscape,” says Panconesi.


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TOA makes software that helps companies manage their service crews and dispatch them more efficiently.
TOA’s co-founders, Yuval Brisker and Irad Carmi, tell USA Today they founded the company after a “particularly frustrating wait for a guy to come and fix Brisker’s video on demand.”
“I thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way,'” Brisker told USA Today.
TOA polled more than 1,000 Americans who have waited for utilities, cable/satellite, Internet, home deliveries and other services.
They found that more than half surveyed (58 percent) had waited for an in-home appointment in the past year. TOA calculated the average individual cost of waiting to be nearly $250 annually.
In applying that to the entire American labor force, they found the potential loss to be $37.7 billion.
Those polled said they were forced to take wage, vacation or sick day losses in order to wait for an in-home appointment. They waited an average of four-and-a-half hours — which was two-and-a-half hours longer than expected.
On the flip side, the survey found that “long waits lead to bad business reputations.”
And patience is shrinking. Seventy percent of respondents said they would recommend a company based on if the serviceman is on time.
The largest medium used to complain and voice concerns is social media. Within a half-hour wait, almost half of those surveyed (49 percent) said they would have posted a complaint using a social media tool.