text:
Last January 8, PepsiCo owned Tropicana rolled out their stunningly bland new corporate look, a makeover fashioned by Omnicom owned NYC shop Arnell, at a campaign launch cost pegged by some at no less than $35 million. A little less than two months later, PepsiCo couldn’t shovel dirt on it fast enough. The funeral was February 23.
That little detour down “Don’t Even Think About It” Lane has now, according to the April 2 issue of AdAge, reportedly cost the powerhouse beverage brand 20% in unit sales, 19% in dollars ($33 million) and unknown market share damage. Ka-pow! For those who still think packaging’s no big deal and brand management is way overrated, this Oh-Jay’s for you.
During that time frame – 47 days – competitors like Florida’s Natural (my brand – see below: notice the orange segment screw cap and the orange blossom apostrophe), Coke brand Minute Maid and others gained double-digit upticks, and private label juice wasn’t far behind. In other words, there was a vacuum to fill, and nature obliged.
Not too surprisingly, PepsiCo’s suits don’t see a connection. (It’s said distant relatives were lookouts on the Titanic.) Try telling it to a judge. In the court of public opinion, where the swap out of just right traditional kitsch for a flavorless, colorless, passionless, humorless replacement was immediately hammered with righteous contempt. They call this voting with your pocketbook.
There’s a vid-clip of slightly condescending Peter Arnell defending his shops work. Meanwhile, this consumer struggles to understand what was so urgent about rebranding Trop’s Gatorade beverage to the vague and distant “G”?
Our takeaway lesson, then, is 1) never sell brand image power – in this case, packaging – short, and 2) test your theory first – on strangers, not kiss-up underlings – before monkeying with that brand. Unless you’ve got nearly $70 million to burn. And orange juice drinkers aren’t even done counting.


text:
With the aim of transforming Philippine exports into a globally competitive sector and delivering exporting breakthroughs, Secretary Fred Pascual emphasized the importance of pursuing an industry development-centric approach to export development during the National Export Congress (NEC).
The Congress was held on 7 December 2022 at the Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC) and was jointly organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Export Development Council (EDC), and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT).
While the export industry indeed encountered setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trade Chief shared that last year, the Philippines has seen a steady rise in its total exports of goods and services. He further highlighted that leveraging on existing capabilities and assets would allow the Philippines to open broader horizons and maximize opportunities for industry development.
“Industry development means addressing constraints to both scale and scope of production—particularly in innovation and value addition, human resource development, business environment, finance, and infrastructure. It means competing beyond pricing and amplifying the quality, value-addition, sustainability, and reliability of Philippine exports in the global market,” Pascual said.
By developing and expounding the country’s skills and capabilities, its competitiveness in the global value chain (GVC) will also be amplified. This is why the government is undertaking a cluster approach to developing and promoting export priorities.
Aside from industry development, Secretary Pascual also shared that the Philippines is adopting a Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI)-driven industrialization strategy, which aims to attain a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy by 2028. This provided attendees an overview of DTI’s industrialization plan and various initiatives aimed at repositioning the country in the GVC.
Despite the contracting effects of the pandemic towards the export sector, Secretary Pascual boasted that “In 2020 and 2021, over 3,000 exporters managed to grow despite the global trade slump. Of this number, 403 exporters in 2020 managed to increase their export sales by more than USD1 million compared to their previous year; this number almost doubled to 742 in 2021”, a testament to the effectivity of the government’s economic recovery initiatives.
The Trade Chief delivered a keynote messaged on the topic Pursuing an Industry Development Centric Approach to Export Growth, Sustainability and Competitiveness. In closing, he assured exporters that DTI stands ready to support the sector and aspiring exporters in their journey from product development to economic success.
The Congress was also attended by other esteemed guests and speakers including Senator Mark Villar, DTI-CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, DOF Undersecretary Zeno Ronald Abenoja, DA Assistant Secretary Noel Padre, BSP Managing Director Benjamin Marcelo Thomas, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Chambers of Commerce, and partners from the private sector and the exporting community.

domain: news


text:
Samsung Group vice chairman Jae-yong Lee has confirmed Samsung Mobile chief executive JK Shin will get to keep his job, as the tech giant moves to shut down app development in South Korea.
According to reports in Maeil Business Newspaper and the Korea Times, Shin and other senior executives were spared, with a major reshuffle at Samsung Electronics on hold until after a leadership transition from chairman Kun-hee Lee to his son Jae-yong.
However, the company is not promoting any new vice presidents this year and a number of junior executives, especially in the company’s mobile division, are set to go. These include strategic marketing chief Don-joo Lee, global operations boss Kim Jae-kwon and Lee Chul-hwan from the company’s development centre.
Get daily business news.
The latest stories, funding information, and expert advice. Free to sign up.
The reports also confirm earlier speculation the conglomerate will replace the chief executives at a number of its underperforming affiliates, including battery maker Samsung SDI, Samsung Securities and component maker Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
Meanwhile, the Joongang Ilbo has confirmed Samsung’s Mobile Solution Center (MSC) app and services arm will bear the brunt of the cuts, with the division shutting down entirely in South Korea. The move that will see it kill off the company’s mobile video (Samsung Video), e-book (Samsung Books) and instant messaging (ChatOn) services.
Instead Samsung will expand its San Jose, California-based MSC America app studios from 140 staff last year to 400 next year. It is also looking for office space in New York ahead of a merger of two US subsidiaries, New Jersey-based Samsung Electronics America and Dallas-based Samsung Telecommunication America.


text:
A shareholder advisory service is recommending that Target shareholders vote in favor of a plan to replace some board members.
The recommendation from Proxy Governance gives independent support to Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman in a heated battle with Target. Proxy Governance is advising shareholders to support two of the five proposed board members on Ackman's slate of nominees.
The service is also recommending that shareholders vote against Target's plan to reduce the board from 13 to 12 members.
Target said it's disappointed with the recommendation.


text:
Written by: Stuart Foxman
When Ju Young Yoo, was studying in Toronto to become a naturopath, he shadowed a number of health care practitioners. He noticed that a lot of people don’t like to take their medications. “There’s a concept of pill fatigue,” he says. In fact, he says studies show that 40% of adult Canadians have trouble swallowing pills.
Yoo became interested in the power of vitamins, and realized that getting people to use them can be a hurdle too. He was never a fan himself. Sure, there are plenty of gummy varieties on the market, which are easier to take. But he says they’re typically full of sugar and gelatin. “They’re not a clean product,” Yoo says.
So he took a break from his studies, and with childhood friend Elton Tang decided to see if he could build a better vitamin. The result is SUKU Vitamins (sukuvitamins.com), which the partners started working on in 2018 and launched in April 2019.
Yoo has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia, specializing in analytical and theoretical chemistry. He says SUKU is about “vitamins redesigned”. He worked with a team of food scientists and researchers to come up with made-in-Canada gummy vitamins that are sugar-free, gelatin-free, non-GMO, free of artificial colouring and flavours, and bursting with great taste.
SUKU wants to make vitamins that people would take consistently, and make vitamins fun. The product packaging, which includes vibrant colours, doesn’t have a pharmaceutical look. There are seven products in the SUKU line to date: multi-vitamins (adult and child varieties), vitamin D (adult and child), and three special formulas designed to enhance the health of skin, the quality of sleep, and the radiance of complexions.
The products are already in more than 100 stores nationally, and are also sold via The Shopping Channel. Sales have come largely through word of mouth, as SUKU has yet to ramp up its promotional efforts.
“We’re scaling fast, and trying to expand product lines and start on marketing,” Yoo says.
A few months after SUKU started, Yoo started to get timely support from LaunchYU (launchyu.ca/). That’s York University’s entrepreneurship unit, which assists founders and their ventures at the school and in the community.
LaunchYU, which is part of Innovation York, helps entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses. That happens through learning about all aspects of entrepreneurship, connecting with mentors, and networking with potential partners and funders.
Thanks to LaunchYU, Yoo got involved with the first ever YSpace Food Accelerator, and SUKU became part of the 2019 class.
It was also through LaunchYU that Yoo met the York Angel Investors. With the right advice, “We were able to structure the business in an attractive way for people to invest in.” SUKU is trying to pitch to various angel group, including the York Angels.
Yoo says the most fun about this business stage is the innovation. “Whatever we do now is new.”
Given the pace of starting a business and the need to stay sharp, Yoo is also a SUKU customer. He takes the restful sleep vitamin. “I love it,” he says. “It tastes good, and it guarantees I get a good night’s sleep.”
Photo credit: Zlatko Cetinic, Images Made Real


text:
Zara is opening its 17th store in Australia in Parramatta on the weekend, which will be the first store in Sydney’s western suburbs. This is welcome news for people who live in the area as they’ve previously had to travel to the city, the closest store, to get their hands on Zara goods.
When Zara opens in Westfield Parramatta on Saturday, September 24th, there will be a free Instagram booth from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. so shoppers can share their new purchases on social media, but that won’t be as exciting as the actual shopping.
Here are the must-know details.
Location: Level 3, Westfield Parramatta (near centre court)
Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.


text:
At least 19 people have been sickened by E.coli linked to rotisserie chicken salad made and sold in Costco Wholesale stores.» Read More
The E. coli outbreak at Chipotle has many people wondering just how safe our food supply really is. Tim Love, host of CNBC's Restaurant Startup, discusses.
Despite what your economics professor told you, megamergers are good for investors, says trader Jack Ablin. Here's why.
The chain is beefing up its shrimp.
According to a a new study, the drinking habits of American men and women are becoming more similar. NBC News reports.
CNBC's Jim Cramer said Monday he is at a loss with regard to Chipotle Mexican Grill's situation.
Data from USDA show the most recalled foods in the U.S. going back several years. Pork, beef, chicken are among the big culprits.
Procter & Gamble should consider breaking up the company to improve its beleaguered performance, Barron's financial newspaper said.
Major sugar companies and corn refiners, including Archer Daniels Midland, have settled litigation over an ad campaign about high fructose corn syrup.
Three states have been added to the E. coli Chipotle outbreak. CNBC's Dom Chu reports the latest developments.
Chipotle stock dropped after a CDC post about an E. coli outbreak reported three more states reporting people being infected by E. coli.
When food trucks began popping up in US cities more than a decade ago, no one expected this craze would turn into a billion-dollar industry.
Thanksgiving means turkey. But after a rough year for poultry farmers, that traditional dinner table centerpiece will cost more.
Tim Hortons abruptly closed 21 restaurants ahead of the holiday season, according to reports.
Tyson Foods, the biggest U.S. meat processor, said it would stop operations at two of its plants in the United States, affecting about 880 employees.
The Oreo mashup list seems endless: cookie dough, s'mores, red velvet, birthday cake…and now new churro products.
On Thursday Jared Fogle was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for trading in child pornography and paying for sex with underage girls.
This lavish feast includes caviar, an engagement ring and more.
McDonald's has been ordered to pay $355,000 in civil penalties as part of an immigration related discrimination case.
AquaBounty has received approval from the FDA to sell its AquAdvantage salmon in the US, but critics have denounced the 'frankenfish.'
The cost of Thanksgiving has crossed $50 for the first time, but the headlines are worse than they sound.
The high-profile 2014 hack revealed personal info for tens of thousands and exposed embarrassing email exchanges between actors and executives.
Bill de Blasio said that Amazon should remove subway advertisements for its new TV show featuring Nazi-inspired imagery.
In an effort to make money, brands experiment with all forms of content creation. Here's what the future holds for digital advertising.


text:
General Motors' faulty ignition switches were responsible for at least 124 deaths and 266 injuries, according to a fund set up to compensate the victims.
Actuation technology provider Bimba adds a mechanical automation provider, expanding its electric actuator offering.
A California beach fouled by an oil spill will reopen to swimmers and campers two months after a pipeline ruptured and spewed thousands of gallons of crude along the coast, officials said.
U.S. wholesalers boosted their stockpiles in May by the largest amount in six months, while sales rose by a modest amount.
The snack and beverage maker said last Thursday that revenue rose for each of its Frito-Lay North America and PepsiCo Americas Beverages units during the second quarter, despite flat volume.
The last flight for US Airways will take place this fall, and one more name in airline history will disappear.
Fiat Chrysler is adding more than 88,000 Dodge Challengers to a recall of cars with potentially faulty Takata airbags.
Takata Corp. says a compensation fund for people hurt by exploding airbags isn't needed at this time.
Nations belonging to the International Organization for Standardization face a September deadline to approve the final draft of a new quality management standard.
The bill, introduced Thursday by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, says companies must tell consumers about the recall notices in writing if they don't intend to fix the cars first.
General Motors is recalling nearly 780,000 crossover SUVs mainly in North America because the rear power lift gates can suddenly fall and hit people.
IBM says it has achieved a breakthrough in making computer chips even smaller, creating a test version of the world's first semiconductor that shrinks down the circuitry by overcoming "one of the grand challenges" of the tech industry.
Fracking operations in northern Texas are emitting much more of a potent greenhouse gas than previously estimated, according to new research by University of Houston chemists.
A newly released survey of industrial machinery manufacturers suggests that those companies could utilize post-sale service to generate additional revenue growth.
Federal regulators on Thursday alleged that DuPont maintained a failed safety plan at a Texas plant where four workers died in November 2014.
Ford will move U.S. production of the Ford Focus and C-Max small cars in 2018.
A global shift away from the "traditional family" structure is likely to profoundly impact manufacturers in coming years, according to an analysis by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation Foundation.
A recent report pins continued problems with chemical industry regulators on actions taken in the wake of a 2012 refinery fire in California.
The recalls at Honda Motor Co. over defective Takata airbags have grown by another 4.5 million vehicles, raising the tally at the Japanese automaker to 24.5 million.
The U.S. economy's stumble at the start of 2015 is dragging down the world's growth to the lowest level since the Great Recession, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.


text:
Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have jointly sent a letter to the Trump Administration, asking for their game consoles to not be targeted in the next wave of tariffs in the ongoing price war, due to kick off in the near future.
The Consumer Technology Association has released a report quantifying the damage to the US economy if the Trump Administration goes ahead with proposed tariff increases. Laptop, cell phones, and tablets could all become significantly more expensive, if the projection is accurate.
Huawei has been cut off from most of the major CPU architectures in existence. If the company can’t negotiate its way out of the problem, what practical recourse does it have?
Subscribe Today to get the latest ExtremeTech news delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our


text:
Staff swift to evacuate shoppers after Gillingham Co-operative fire
SHOPPERS were evacuated as a devastating fire took hold at the Co-operative store in Gillingham on Saturday.
It took 42 firefighters and seven fire engines to contain the blaze that started at around 5.45pm at the shop on High Street.
It is believed the blaze started with an electrical fire in a freezer.
The fire was put out by 7.40pm but crews continued to dampen down hotspots for several more hours. No one was hurt, but the store has sustained extensive smoke and structural damage and could be closed for months.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.ukView details
Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
A spokesperson for the Co-operative Food said: "Staff were quick to react and followed the fire safety procedure to evacuate the store before the fire brigade attended.
"The store has been seriously damaged and will remain closed until further notice while substantial repairs are carried out.
"We apologise to customers for the inconvenience this may cause over coming months."
Staff member Holly Hunt said: "It really was heartbreaking to see my work place burn like it did, but I'm just glad everyone got out as quickly and safely as we all did. It is so scary to think that things could have ended a lot worse."
Shopper Ryan Samuels, 27, of Gillingham, said: "I was just in the shop with a mate getting some coffee. We were just about to pay when we were told to get out. We turned round and realised why when we saw flames by the fridges at the back of the shop. We all got out and stood outside. I filmed some of the fire on my phone – loads of people were stood around watching it go up."
A spokesperson from Dorset Fire and Rescue said the fire had escalated in a matter of minutes. Firefighters will be outside the shop between 11am and 3pm tomorrow and from 10am to 2pm on Saturday to raise public awareness of how to react if they are confronted by a fire.
GILLINGHAM CO-OP FIRE - VIDEO


text:
Vietnam’s largest mobile phone operators are seeking governmental consent for a new series of numbers, saying they are running out of numbers for their fast-growing customer base.
VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel have requested the Ministry of Information and Communications for a new 11-digit number series each, local newswire VnExpress reported Thursday.
According to the report, 21 series of mobile phone numbers, equivalent to 168 million subscribers, are on the verge of being used up by the seven telecom companies operating in the country.
The three largest telecoms alone have reported between 100,000 and 130,000 new subscribers a day. They’ve estimated that available phone numbers in hand can only meet the growing demand for only the next two or three months, the report said.
The service providers said they planned to recycle inactive phone numbers in their systems to deal with the current situation, which they described “very tense.”
Analysts meanwhile said it’s not right for a country of 80 million people to need more than 170 million mobile phone numbers. They said the government should tighten control over the market to prevent waste.
Mobile phone users account for 86.9 percent of Vietnam’s nearly 100 million phone subscribers, VnExpress reported, citing figures from the Ministry of Information and Communications. However, about 50 million mobile phone numbers are inactive, waiting in the systems of telecom companies to be deleted soon.
Minister Le Doan Hop told a National Assembly meeting on Tuesday that his ministry would take aggressive measures to control prepaid phone users. Right now it’s even easier to buy a new SIM card on the street than buy vegetables, he said.
Hop said the fast growth of the market was “not real” and telecom companies should stop targeting huge numbers of new subscribers.
In Vietnam the number of new SIM cards sold are not necessarily equal to the number of new subscribers. Many phone users, instead of recharging their existing account, choose to buy new SIM cards as they are often filled with more money, leading to many disposed phone numbers.
Source: Thanh Nien


text:
Nike Strikes Back at 'Sustainable' Clothing Deception Suit
Nike Inc. units disputed allegations that it deceptively markets its “sustainable” clothing line to attract environmentally conscious shoppers, urging a federal court to throw out a proposed class suit.
The customer who sued didn’t provide enough detail to satisfy the heightened pleading standard for her fraud-based claims, the company said in a filing Thursday.
Maria Guadalupe Ellis sued the subsidiaries earlier this year in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, raising various consumer protection claims.
Although Ellis generally alleged she saw misleading “hangtag labeling, marketing, and advertising,” statements, she didn’t specify which statements she actually saw ...
AI-powered legal analytics, workflow tools and premium legal & business news.
Log in to keep reading or access research tools.


text:
Jargon is Holding Indian Businesses Back from New Technology Investment, says Epicor
CIOReview Team | Thursday, 14 September 2017, 09:40 IST
With technology jargon constantly changing, business professionals around the world are struggling to gain a proper understanding of the technologies they need to embrace, to shape the future of their businesses. This is one of the findings of a study from Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth. The global survey of business decision makers and employees, which set out to understand the key drivers for business growth, has found a worrying lack of understanding around industry terminology in India.
15% of Indian business leaders admitted they had heard of, but were not familiar with, common technology terms such as big data and cloud software-as-a-service. This is despite the fact that many technologists moved on from talking about these as trends years ago, and are now exploring the strategic use of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, and conversational systems.
Applied AI, advanced machine learning, and intelligent things made the ‘Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2017’ published by Gartner, yet Epicor research suggests Indian users are just as unfamiliar with these terms as they are with cloud and big data. More than one-in-ten, for example, admitted to not fully understanding technology trends such as the Internet of Things (12%), 3D printing (19%) and machine learning (17%) and many had never heard of these innovations at all.
A prolific amount of jargon in the fast-changing technology world might account for the fact that so many business professionals are unfamiliar with the key innovations affecting their sector, as they happen, despite recognising the important role technology has to play in business.
Although they find the jargon baffling, business professionals do recognise the importance of technology investments for driving the growth of their businesses. The same research found that 88% of fast-growing businesses consider IT investment to be a high priority, compared to just 41% of businesses experiencing weak growth. In addition, half (47%) agree that IT will help their organisations overcome future challenges in the market, work more efficiently (38%) and plan better (33%).
“It appears that many businesses are convinced of the importance of technology investments—and many are reaping the rewards. Yet some are not fully aware of the latest technologies available to them, and it’s possible that the complex terminology and fast-changing landscape could be factors here,” said Celia Fleischaker, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Epicor Software. “This is concerning because if business leaders cannot tell their AI from their IoT, or see the potential of a smart and connected factory, they may hold back from investing in the latest technologies. Businesses are tired of being baffled by buzzwords and jargon and we believe that it is time vendors and the technology community did more to engage with distributors, manufacturers or retailers in their own language. Talking about the business benefits that new technology can bring will help organisations to make critical decisions for the future.”
John Preiditsch, president at Six S Partners Inc. said, “The customers we work with on a day-to-day basis are more concerned with the business outcomes of the technology we sell, rather than the precise details of the technology itself. Businesses need to justify every investment in new technology and talking in jargon or technical terms can put decision makers off and make that justification challenging when there is a disparity over language. During my last 30 years in the ERP market -- 10 years as an Epicor value-added ERP reseller partner -- I’ve found that talking the language of business and about the impact and payback of the investment, rather than the language of AI, IoT or technical terminology, is much more effective when it comes to helping our customers fully embrace and envision the use of the latest technologies.”
The research, conducted by Morar Consulting on behalf of Epicor, questioned 2,450 business decision makers and employees in businesses in 12 countries across the globe, about their growth performance in the last 12 months.


text:
Trade shows can be tedious, especially when everyone begins to sound like a broken record. Dozens of times a day, buyers must repeat which trends they need and how large, or small, their budget is as vendors flip through their collections piece by piece.
But headwear licensor Hyp has turned a major trend, the trucker cap, into a solution. The company created hats with a plastic display window and interchangeable cards with sentiments including “No new vendors,” “I need markdown money,” “Out of business cards” and “Already have dinner plans.” Intended to be given to 50 buyers at WWDMagic, the concept is sure to keep conversations short and sweet.
“These are things we’ve heard from buyers over the years at trade shows,” said president Howard Levy, adding that the idea was originally meant to be a convenient way for retailers to display their show badges. But with the addition of the phrase cards, the hats have become a unique way “to save buyers’ time by helping them to avoid frivolous conversations.”
The hats come in black and white with cards in an array of colors. For now, the run of 50 will be only for buyers at the show, but Levy would like to bring the concept to the consumer market for fall.
Hyp licenses headwear, cold weather gear and socks for Mudd, Disney, Caribbean Joe and It’s Happy Bunny, but Levy could not say under which brand he plans to produce the caps, which would be sold with 10 interchangeable cards.
“[The hats are] something that’s great for ID cards, or hunting and fishing licenses. But we’re taking it one step further and will be playing on whatever the hottest graphic trends are.”
EXCLUSIVE: @tomford is opening its first-ever beauty store. The boutique, which opens November 20 in London’s Covent Gardens, was designed with the over-the-top glam Ford is known for. Read the full story on WWD.com, link in bio. #wwdbeauty #wwdnews (📷: Simon Wagner) #TomFordBeauty
New York-based DJ @harleyvnewton threw a party to celebrate the holiday collection of her dress and pajama line @hvn at the Ladurée Beverly Hills. It Girls @katebosworth, @rashidajones and more joined in on the fun, which included cocktails, croque monsieur sandwiches and a photo booth. #wwdfashion (📷: Owen Kolasinski/BFA.com)
For the holidays, @Burberry partnered with 20-year-old artist @blondeymccoy on a series of three outdoor murals in downtown Manhattan. The murals are McCoy’s interpretation of a Christmas eve party, the idea of charity and the spirit of family. His third mural, pictured here, is the most personal. The image depicts McCoy’s grandparents and father in London’s Trafalgar Square in the Seventies. “My work often features lots of sentimental objects.” #wwdeye
For spring 2018, designers applied bold colors and cartoonish motifs on everything from sneakers and belts to key chains. See all the top men’s accessories trends on WWD.com. #wwdtrends (📷: George Chinsee; Prop Styling by @rnasti; Market Editor: @luiscampuzano)
The @dior-sponsored @guggenheim international gala pre-party has a history of drawing cool-girl musical acts to serenade the crowd –– and last night was no exception. @haimtheband performed songs both new and old, and lured a star-studded audience with the likes of Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Mamoudou Athie and more. #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)
In a partnership between the @metopera and the @englishnationalopera, “Marnie” was born. The opera, with costumes sponsored by @mrporterlive, is an adaptation of the 1961 thriller by Winston Graham. Arianne Phillips, who created the costumes, is no rookie: She’s styled Madonna for her tours and created costumes for a myriad of films in the past. Read WWD’s interview with Phillips, where she talks about her inspiration for the opera’s costumes on WWD.com #wwdfashion
@barneysnyc took a different approach to their holiday windows this year. Instead of Christmas decor, Barneys tapped @thehaasbrothers to tell a story of positivity, gratitude and inclusivity via heartwarming silliness and humor. “It’s about kids and it’s about coming together and being family and loving each other,” said Simon Haas. #wwdfashion (📷: @joshuascottphoto)
Beauty influencer @kandeejohnson makes her foray into hair care with a collaboration with @ogx_beauty — making it the first time that OGX has teamed up for a product creation. The collab includes shampoos and conditioners in three scents. At 39 and a mom, Johnson is a different profile than the emerging social media stars, but is considered one of the pioneers of the digital beauty influencer world. Read WWD’s interview with her on wwd.com, including the strangest beauty product she’s ever tried #wwdbeauty


text:
Spare has set a new record as the fastest-selling non-fiction book published by Penguin Random House.
Prince Harry's tell-all is said to have sold over 400,000 copies in the UK.
Combined with sales in US and Canada, the total copies sold have passed over a million.
"Spare is a book that demands to be read, and it is a book we are proud to publish," said a showrunner at the publishing house.
The book was first announced by the publishers in 2021 and has since generated several discussions online.
The book's snippets leaked before its release detailed several bombshells about the royal family.
Prince Harry also shared in an interview that the book's purpose was not to hurt his family.
"None of anything that I've written, anything I've included, is ever intended to hurt my family," said the Duke of Sussex.
Harry shared that he still loves his brother despite their differences over the years.


text:
Hyundai’s N performance subbrand is not big on concept cars, at least not in the traditional sense. Rather than the superficial glitz of auto show mockups, the group prefers its science projects to have the substance of rolling development platforms. Witness the evolution of its RM prototypes, which the company has utilized since 2012 to refine its performance ethos and flesh out new technologies, largely with a focus on mid-mounted internal-combustion powertrains. But to show how its RM program relates to an automotive world that is quickly going electric, Hyundai invited us to drive its latest version, the 799-hp RM20e—on a challenging racetrack no less.
Seeing as we were already at California’s undulating Sonoma Raceway for the launch of the 276-hp 2022 Elantra N sedan, the timing of our drive was convenient. But it also was significant: Hyundai has numerous EVs in its product pipeline, including at least one dedicated performance model, and the company has struck up a significant development partnership with Croatian EV startup Rimac, maker of the impressively powerful Nevera hypercar.
In Hyundai-speak, RM stands for a rear-midship powertrain placement, which lends these prototypes a favorable weight distribution and agile handling. They’ve historically used Veloster hatchback body shells with adjustable control-arm rear suspensions and transverse four-bangers stuffed into where the rear seat and cargo area used to be. Recent iterations have taken the form of captive competition vehicles; the RM19 we previously drove is a modified version of the company’s TCR race car, featuring a 390-hp turbo four mated to a six-speed sequential manual. But the RM program has been instrumental in developing new production components, including active exhaust systems, electronically controlled limited-slip differentials, and the current eight-speed dual-clutch automatic found in a few Hyundai Motor Group vehicles.
For the full story, check out this article from Car And Driver.


text:
Dollar Tree reports record sales
- February 5, 2010
Consumers continue to turn to Dollar Tree Stores’ discounted goods.
The Chesapeake-based retailer reported record sales for 2009 of $5.23 billion, up 12.6 percent from $4.64 billion the prior year.
Revenue from existing stores was up 7.2 percent.
During the fourth quarter, Dollar Tree reported sales of $1.56 billion, up 12.2 percent over the fourth quarter 2008.


text:
Go to International Business Times Mainpage l Skip to Main Content
Get News Video Feed
Use this mRSS feed to stay informed of new content:
| Feb 6, 2013 11:46pm EST | 2min:39sec
Supermodel Miranda Kerr speaks with AAP during rehearsals for the David Jones Autumn/Winter 2013 fashion launch in Sydney
We value your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.


text:
Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - July 14, 2017 04:07 PM (EDT)
White House Relents, Will Sign EU Covered Agreement
Following months of debate, the Trump administration announced it will sign the covered agreement with the European Union, siding with trade groups who argued it would protect globally active . . .
-- This content requires a subscription --
Already a subscriber?
Log in Register your purchase
Not a Subscriber?
Best's News & Research Service
A subscription includes:
- Best's Review
- Best's Journal
- Best's Special Reports & Commentaries
- Best's Rankings
- and more...
More from Best’s News


text:
December 1st, 2017
Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd.
Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd.
Microwave Chemical signed a strategic alliance with Futamura Chemical
- New partnership to develop innovative engineered materials utilizing novel microwave manufacturing process -
Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd., Head office: Nagoya-city, Aichi; President: Yasuo Nagae; (“Futamura Chemical”) and Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd., Head office: Suita-city, Osaka; President: Iwao Yoshino; (“Microwave Chemical”) have signed a strategic alliance for product and process innovation.
Futamura Chemical is a chemical manufacturer and leading provider of food packing films. The company’s other product line ups are carbon, cellulose films and nonwoven fabrics.
Microwave Chemical is an innovative company which has developed novel process utilizing microwave technology.
The technology is applicable to a wide range of products such as pharmaceuticals, electronic materials, food and fuel. Microwave Chemical has Joint Development Agreements with various companies including overseas companies .
Futamura Chemical would invest in Microwave Chemical and together develop various products including films and inorganic materials using leading-edge manufacturing processes enabled by novel microwave technology.
For Futamura Chemical, this is the first time the company has invested into an early stage company. Both companies will co-develop the technology in multiple areas and introduce Microwave Chemical’s equipment to Futamura Chemical’s own manufacturing plant.
【Press & Media Inquiries】
Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd.,
Mr Hidetoshi Nakane, Director of Department of General Affaires and Human Resources
Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd. Administration Department
Phone: +81-6-6170-7595 E-mail: email@example.com


text:
BEIJING (AP) -- Medical agencies prepared Tuesday to treat more sickened babies as an investigation by China's Health Ministry linked contaminated milk powder to the deaths of two infants and the illnesses of more than 1,200 others.
The official Xinhua News Agency quoted the ministry as saying the agencies were setting up a treatment system for affected infants.
The company at the heart of the widening food scandal, Sanlu Group Co., has apologized for the tainted milk powder, which the Health Ministry says was spiked with the industrial chemical melamine. The company says suppliers who sold the raw milk apparently added the chemical, normally used in plastics, to make the milk seem higher in protein.
Zhang Zhenling, Sanlu's vice president, apologized Monday but did not explain why the company took so long to inform the public about the contamination despite receiving complaints as early as March and having tests confirm the presence of the chemical in early August.
The company went public with the information after its New Zealand stakeholder told the New Zealand government, which then informed the Chinese government.
"The serious safety accident of the Sanlu formula milk powder for infants has caused severe harm to many sickened babies and their families. We feel really sad about this," Zhang said, reading from a prepared statement.
Chinese health officials said 1,200 infants have been sickened by the tainted milk powder, and police announced they had arrested two more milk suppliers from northern Hebei province late Monday.
In total, four men have been arrested, spokesman Shi Guizhong with the Hebei Provincial Security Department was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday. The newly arrested dealers were only identified by their surnames as Ma, 40, and Zhao, 43.
Earlier, police said they had arrested two brothers, surnamed Geng, who ran a milk collection center in Hebei province and are accused of adding melamine, Xinhua said. They sold about three tons of contaminated milk a day, the report said.
On Monday, the Health Ministry said a second infant from Gansu province had died of kidney failure after drinking the milk.
Vice Health Minister Ma Xiaowei told reporters that 1,253 infants had been sickened -- mainly after developing kidney stones -- more than twice the number previously acknowledged. Of those, 913 of the infants were only slightly affected, while 340 remained hospitalized and 53 cases were considered especially severe, he said.
It is the second crisis to raise questions about government accountability in China since the Beijing Olympics ended Aug. 24. At least 254 people died last week when a retaining wall of a waste dump at an illegal mine in northern China collapsed. The Shanxi provincial governor resigned and his deputy was fired.
The incident is an embarrassing failure for China's product safety system, which was overhauled to restore consumer confidence and preserve export markets after a string of recalls and warnings abroad over tainted toothpaste, faulty tires and other goods.
It is also the second major case in recent years involving baby formula. In 2004, more than 200 Chinese infants suffered malnutrition and at least 12 died after being fed phony formula that contained no nutrients.
The discovery of the tainted milk is especially damaging because Sanlu Group Co. is China's biggest producer of powdered milk and such large companies are expected to act as industry role models for safety and quality.
Shoddy and fake goods are common in China, and infants, hospital patients and others have been killed or injured by tainted or fake milk, medicines, liquor and other products.
None of the milk powder was exported to Europe or the United States, although Sanlu is 43 percent owned by a New Zealand dairy farmers' cooperative, Fonterra.
Fonterra, the world's biggest milk trader, says it urged Sanlu to recall the product as early as Aug. 2. Sanlu did not order a recall until last Thursday, after the New Zealand government took up the issue with China.
Chinese officials have defended their response but blamed Sanlu Group for delays in warning the public. Officials say they were not alerted until last Monday.
Details of the children's deaths show the problem appeared to have gone undetected for months. The first victim, a five-month-old boy from the western city of Lanzhou, died May 1, ministry officials said. The second, an eight-month-old girl also from Lanzhou, died July 22.
China's quality watchdog has sent officials to Hebei, Guangdong and Heilongjiang provinces and the Inner Mongolia region to inspect dairy companies. Inspectors will check the country's 175 baby milk food factories and their findings are expected within the next several days, Li said.


text:
|By Marketwired .||
|December 26, 2012 12:02 PM EST||
NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/26/12 -- Beauty Research, a beauty blogging web site, recently discussed the issues of weight gain and poor skin health as a result of holiday indulging and recommended supplements from beauty brands Perricone MD and PRIORI. While many consumers are familiar with topical skin care from Perricone MD, many have not explored the vast offering of supplements, including those which promote healthy weight and metabolism. PRIORI also offers topical skin care in addition to supplements which boost the health and beauty of the skin with a combination of essential nutrients which are often lacking in the diet during the holidays.
"We all love the holidays and all the goodies that go along with the lovely season; however, we're not so crazy about the price we typically have to pay afterwards. Oftentimes, all that fun and indulgence comes with a price. After weeks of excess eating, drinking, staying up late and the stressors of finances and holiday shopping can bring about a number of problems such as, weight gain, metabolic changes, changes in our skin and hair and can even bring about a compromise of our immune system. Along with our typical New Year's resolutions such as resolving to be more organized, or heading to the gym at least three times a week, we should also add a provision to give ourselves a boost in our health and well-being. Vitamins and supplements are fast becoming one of the most respected ways to not only boost our wellness, but are perfect to counter the ill-effects of over-indulgence and to live a healthier, happier 2013. Perricone MD and PRIORI are two well respected brands that offer superior supplemental nutrition that is highly effective, easy to use and quite affordable." -- Writes Karen of Beauty Research
See the full blog posting recommending Perricone MD and PRIORI at BeautyResearch.com.
Supplements for Weight Management and Skin Health - Perricone MD and PRIORI
Beauty Research covers a variety of topics on the subject of beauty and health. Check out these recent blog postings:
VelaShape -- Does it Work?
"Most all of us have tried endless types of creams, products, tools and potions to banish unsightly cellulite...and typically what we have ended up with is the same cellulite we started with or with very minimal results. Cellulite is so difficult to treat that it's rare to ever hear of any product, tool or treatment that the FDA has ever actually given the A-Okay to. But just recently I heard about the new medical treatment, VelaShape which is the only FDA-cleared device that is used to safely shape, slim and contour the body in as little as 3 or 4 treatments. Finally...we can reduce our cellulite and firm up those problem areas with just a few trips to your medical spa!" -- Writes Karen of Beauty Research
Expert Care for Combination Skin from La Roche Posay and LightStim
"Those who have combination skin know only too well that good skin care management is crucial in order to keep both dryness and acne in check, all whilst striving for the perfect complexion. And to throw even more variables into their already polarized skin indications and issues; they, like most any of us want to also address anti-aging. So for all of you who are in this combination skin category, I'm pleased to tell you...there is indeed hope and some steadfast solutions! La Roche Posay and LightStim are two brands that will bring balance and brilliance to your otherwise ambiguous skin." -- Writes Karen of Beauty Research
Beauty Research is a beauty blogging web site started by two experienced skin care enthusiasts wishing to share tips and suggestions. The Perricone MD and PRIORI article as well as a Perricone MD and PRIORI forum can be found at BeautyResearch.com.
Traditional on-premises data centers have long been the domain of modern data platforms like Apache Hadoop, meaning companies who build their business on public cloud were challenged to run Big Data processing and analytics at scale. But recent advancements in Hadoop performance, security, and most importantly cloud-native integrations, are giving organizations the ability to truly gain value from all their data. In his session at 19th Cloud Expo, David Tishgart, Director of Product Marketing ...
Sep. 25, 2016 05:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,719
SYS-CON Events announced today that Bsquare has been named “Silver Sponsor” of SYS-CON's @ThingsExpo, which will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. For more than two decades, Bsquare has helped its customers extract business value from a broad array of physical assets by making them intelligent, connecting them, and using the data they generate to optimize business processes.
Sep. 25, 2016 04:15 PM EDT Reads: 2,527
SYS-CON Events announced today that Commvault, a global leader in enterprise data protection and information management, has been named “Bronze Sponsor” of SYS-CON's 19th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Commvault is a leading provider of data protection and information management solutions, helping companies worldwide activate their data to drive more value and business insight and to transform moder...
Sep. 25, 2016 03:45 PM EDT Reads: 2,343
DevOps at Cloud Expo – being held November 1-3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA – announces that its Call for Papers is open. Born out of proven success in agile development, cloud computing, and process automation, DevOps is a macro trend you cannot afford to miss. From showcase success stories from early adopters and web-scale businesses, DevOps is expanding to organizations of all sizes, including the world's largest enterprises – and delivering real results. Am...
Sep. 25, 2016 03:15 PM EDT Reads: 4,380
Almost two-thirds of companies either have or soon will have IoT as the backbone of their business in 2016. However, IoT is far more complex than most firms expected. How can you not get trapped in the pitfalls? In his session at @ThingsExpo, Tony Shan, a renowned visionary and thought leader, will introduce a holistic method of IoTification, which is the process of IoTifying the existing technology and business models to adopt and leverage IoT. He will drill down to the components in this fra...
Sep. 25, 2016 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,564
The vision of a connected smart home is becoming reality with the application of integrated wireless technologies in devices and appliances. The use of standardized and TCP/IP networked wireless technologies in line-powered and battery operated sensors and controls has led to the adoption of radios in the 2.4GHz band, including Wi-Fi, BT/BLE and 802.15.4 applied ZigBee and Thread. This is driving the need for robust wireless coexistence for multiple radios to ensure throughput performance and th...
Sep. 25, 2016 02:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,507
SYS-CON Events announced today that Pulzze Systems will exhibit at the 19th International Cloud Expo, which will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Pulzze Systems, Inc. provides infrastructure products for the Internet of Things to enable any connected device and system to carry out matched operations without programming. For more information, visit http://www.pulzzesystems.com.
Sep. 25, 2016 02:15 PM EDT Reads: 1,794
SYS-CON Events announced today the Kubernetes and Google Container Engine Workshop, being held November 3, 2016, in conjunction with @DevOpsSummit at 19th Cloud Expo at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. This workshop led by Sebastian Scheele introduces participants to Kubernetes and Google Container Engine (GKE). Through a combination of instructor-led presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on labs, students learn the key concepts and practices for deploying and maintainin...
Sep. 25, 2016 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,596
Enterprise IT has been in the era of Hybrid Cloud for some time now. But it seems most conversations about Hybrid are focused on integrating AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google ECM into existing on-premises systems. Where is all the Private Cloud? What do technology providers need to do to make their offerings more compelling? How should enterprise IT executives and buyers define their focus, needs, and roadmap, and communicate that clearly to the providers?
Sep. 25, 2016 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,513
SYS-CON Events announced today that SoftLayer, an IBM Company, has been named “Gold Sponsor” of SYS-CON's 18th Cloud Expo, which will take place on June 7-9, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York, New York. SoftLayer, an IBM Company, provides cloud infrastructure as a service from a growing number of data centers and network points of presence around the world. SoftLayer’s customers range from Web startups to global enterprises.
Sep. 25, 2016 01:00 PM EDT Reads: 825
There is little doubt that Big Data solutions will have an increasing role in the Enterprise IT mainstream over time. Big Data at Cloud Expo - to be held November 1-3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA - has announced its Call for Papers is open. Cloud computing is being adopted in one form or another by 94% of enterprises today. Tens of billions of new devices are being connected to The Internet of Things. And Big Data is driving this bus. An exponential increase is...
Sep. 25, 2016 12:45 PM EDT Reads: 2,440
Digital innovation is the next big wave of business transformation based on digital technologies of which IoT and Big Data are key components, For example: Business boundary innovation is a challenge to excavate third-party business value using IoT and BigData, like Nest Business structure innovation may propose re-building business structure from scratch, as Uber does in the taxicab industry The social model innovation is also a big challenge to the new social architecture with the design fr...
Sep. 25, 2016 12:15 PM EDT Reads: 1,100
DevOps at Cloud Expo, taking place Nov 1-3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, is co-located with 19th Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. The widespread success of cloud computing is driving the DevOps revolution in enterprise IT. Now as never before, development teams must communicate and collaborate in a dynamic, 24/7/365 environment. There is no time to wait for long dev...
Sep. 25, 2016 12:15 PM EDT Reads: 3,375
Data is an unusual currency; it is not restricted by the same transactional limitations as money or people. In fact, the more that you leverage your data across multiple business use cases, the more valuable it becomes to the organization. And the same can be said about the organization’s analytics. In his session at 19th Cloud Expo, Bill Schmarzo, CTO for the Big Data Practice at EMC, will introduce a methodology for capturing, enriching and sharing data (and analytics) across the organizati...
Sep. 25, 2016 11:45 AM EDT Reads: 1,643
IoT is fundamentally transforming the auto industry, turning the vehicle into a hub for connected services, including safety, infotainment and usage-based insurance. Auto manufacturers – and businesses across all verticals – have built an entire ecosystem around the Connected Car, creating new customer touch points and revenue streams. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Macario Namie, Head of IoT Strategy at Cisco Jasper, will share real-world examples of how IoT transforms the car from a static p...
Sep. 25, 2016 11:30 AM EDT Reads: 1,510


text:
UK Seeks To Form Wine And Spirit Trade Partnerships Post-Brexit
The UK government is striving for a deep partnership with the EU post-Brexit with a comprehensive customs agreement, free trade and continued ability to advance negotiations with third countries, according to a Minister of the the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Defra minister for food and drink, George Eustice, assured representatives of the UK Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) that even a hard Brexit would not be a 'disaster' for the industry.
“For business, day one of being outside the EU should feel very similar to the final day of being in the European Union, because the legal system and the laws that we have in place will be the same,” said Eustice, speaking at a week-long Brexit workshop with the WSTA in Westminster.
The minister and MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, delivered a 30 minute address to an audience of wine and spirit producers, importers and logistic companies. He attempted to alleviate fears that if faced with a ‘cliff edge’ Brexit this would not lead to disaster.
Preparing For The Worst
Eustice told the WSTA that the government is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best and wanted to get a free trade agreement to allow them to move forward and provide business with the certainty that it wants.
“Whichever side MPs were on in the referendum we have now got to pull together, rise to the challenge and put the country back together again,” he said.
The minister joined the workshop seminar to answer questions on what government is doing to support trade, following a morning of discussions among representatives of the UK wine and spirit trade on how the industry could best prepare for Brexit.
Members participated in two roundtable discussions with WSTA experts on trade opportunities and contingency planning. Attendees asked for an implementation period to be confirmed as soon as possible and called for the UK to join the World Wine Trade Group, according to the WSTA.
However, Eustice admitted that the government are not taking anything for granted and that they had to be ready and planning for all scenarios.
Uncertainty over the outcome of the Brexit negotiations prompted the WSTA to organise a comprehensive seminar for its members to plan for different scenarios with experts on hand to advise, according to the group.
“The Brexit workshop gave members an opportunity to discuss problems which might be heading their way,” said Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA. “What everyone wants to know is how to plan ahead, what is the timetable and what is the government doing to address their concerns?”
Beale added that the "workshop gave everyone an opportunity to make sure the pitfalls that Brexit would bring were on their radar as well as any opportunities. It also gave them a chance to tell the Defra minister first-hand what the concerns for the wine and spirit trade were. We have always said it is important for industry to lead and ensure politicians are working in our best interests.”
The WSTA is a British organisation for the wine and spirit industry, representing over 300 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wine and spirits. It states that it works with its members to promote responsible production, marketing and sale of alcohol.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Kevin Duggan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.


text:
(RepublicanReport.org) – In April, Bud Light partnered with social media superstar Dylan Mulvaney. The backlash that followed was harsh. Many Conservatives didn’t like the company bringing in a transgender woman to promote the beer and made big moves to tank the product’s popularity in protest. Anheuser-Busch InBev stock didn’t immediately take a tumble but dipped to its lowest point all year before climbing again.
On July 28, Fox News reported that Anheuser-Busch was making some moves that could stem from the whole Mulvaney controversy and the aftermath. The beer maker is reportedly laying off about 380 employees in the US, which represents less than 2% of the company’s American workforce.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth released a statement saying the decision wasn’t easy but necessary for the organization’s “future long-term success.” A spokesperson for the company also spoke out, saying the layoffs were only affecting “corporate and marketing roles.” They said Anheuser-Busch is reorganizing to simplify its business model. Those laid off will receive a generous severance package.
Executive Director of Consumers’ Research Will Hild said now that customers realize how much impact they can have on a brand, they’ll be more likely to use that power to “make their voices heard.” He believes consumers are tired of politics and Bud Light’s troubles should serve as a “cautionary tale” for businesses.
Some believe the move is the company’s attempt to boost lagging sales and help recover the stock. Currently, BUD stock is higher than a year ago and is on the rise. It’s unclear if the actions will impact the overall company, but analysts predict the beer maker won’t suffer for long. Experts believe Anheuser-Busch will still grow by nearly 20% in 2024.
Do you think Bud Light will shy away from politics going forward? Do you believe the company’s move will bring people back to the brand?
Copyright 2023, RepublicanReport.org


text:
Ford India is recalling 3072 units of the Classic TDCi sedan. The company will replace the Glow Plug Control Module free of cost.
It seems that recalls are a part of the bundle and package of almost every vehicle that manufacturers sell throughout the globe. While some companies choose to issue a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure, some choose to recall their vehicles only after receiving several complaints from disgruntled customers. There have also been times when companies have never issued any official recall despite being aware about the issues plaguing their vehicles and only replacing parts free of charge for those who actually turn up with complaints. So anyways, Ford India has now issued a recall for the Classic sedan.
The recall is only for Classic TDCi variants for a faulty Glow Plug Control Module. The glow plug is a component that is used to heat the engine during cold starts. The company had earlier issued a similar recall for the EcoSport in July 2013. Company officials are in the process of contacting Classic owners to notify them about the recall which affects vehicles manufactured between October 2010 and December 2011. The glow plug module will be replaced with a new waterproof design and the replacement will be carried out free of charge.
The Ford Classic comes with a 1.4-litre TDCi diesel engine that puts out 68 BHP of power and 160 Nm of torque. The oil burner is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It competes with the Chevrolet Sail, Toyota Etios, Fiat Linea Classic and sub 4-metre offerings from various car makers. The Classic is all set to be replaced by a new sub 4-metre sedan next year which Ford previewed in the form of the Figo Sedan earlier this year. The number of recalls in India has increased ever since SIAM issued the voluntary recall code in 2012.


text:
BOP businesses win big
The Mount Hot Pools and BayStation have been awarded the 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, ranking them in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
Each year Tripadvisor combs through reviews, rating and saves from travellers worldwide; using this information to award the best tourism activities with the Traveller’s Choice award.
This award was formerly known as the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence award.
It acknowledges businesses that receive consistently great reviews; including the quality and quantity of traveller reviews.
These businesses make up the top 10 per cent of businesses on Tripadvisor.
The Mount Hot Pools has been recognised seven years running with the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence award and in August 2019 was inducted into the Tripadvisor Hall of Fame for this achievement.
“This result is a great acknowledgement of the hard work our team put in every day to create a fantastic all-round customer experience,” says Mount Hot Pools manager Matthew Strange.
“The reviews noting things like ‘clean’, ‘friendly’ and ‘safe’ make us proud to contribute to the experience of people visiting the beautiful Bay of Plenty.”
Research conducted by Tripadvisor in 2019 confirms the value travellers place on ratings and awards such as the Traveller’s Choice.
“Travelers told us that these recognition programs are tremendously influential in consumer decision-making.
“Winners of the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” says Tripadvisor spokesperson Kanika Soni.
“Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners' achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality.”


text:
Here's a shocker - Apple's on a tear lately. iPhone's, iPad's, even Mac's, their sales are exploding. Apple has had the uncanny ability to push their financial figures north, defying the growth rules which mandate Apple must flatten out the larger they become. Will Apple succumb to these laws? Perhaps, but it's not likely to occur in 2011 based on recent estimates. According to DigiTimes, Apple's on pace to ship more than 20 million iPhones in 2011, along with new iPads shipping in the quarter. Throw in a newly rumored 65 million iPads for the new year and 2011 is covered.
Apple will defy Wall Street in 2011, but what will Jobs magically produce to keep the numbers piling up for 2012?


text:
Windows Phone gains market share from Android & iOS
The majority of smartphone users have chosen to purchase a device on either the Android or iOS platforms, with the likes of BlackBerry and Windows Phone picking up the small amount of consumers left. Now it is being reported that Windows Phone gains market share from both Android and iOS in the UK at least.
According to recent research both Android and iOS are starting to lose market share in the UK to Windows Phone, with seventeen percent of users having left Android for the platform from Microsoft. It is believed that the company has added 700,000 users to the platform over the last year, and in the three months leading up to the end of January had achieved 6% of all smartphone sales compared to 2.4% last year.
The Nokia Lumia 800 leads the way with the HTC 8X also fairing well and the figures reveal that almost one in five users were once Android owners, which compares to two percent that dumped the iPhone in favour of the platform.
Some users had also made the switch from Nokia’s aging Symbian OS and BlackBerry, but it has to be remembered this is before the launch of the BlackBerry 10 OS in the country. It seems the Windows Phone is gaining users that have never owned a smartphone before as 47% of all users on the platform are made up from these customers.
Samsung still has a tight stranglehold on the British smartphone market though with 36.8% of handsets bearing the company’s name sold in the last three months to the end of January, while 62% of the UK now owns a mobile phone with 83% of these being smartphones.
Do you think Windows Phone can seriously challenge Android and iOS long term?


text:
Ubisoft has officially revealed the Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake at today’s Ubisoft Forward showcase. We got a look at the game’s reveal trailer and a confirmation that it will release on January 21, 2021 for PS4.
The trailer gives us our first look at the remake of the beloved classic, with updated visuals, textures and more.
You can watch the Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time Remake on PS4 below:
This announcement came from Ubisoft Forward which took place on September 10, at 12 PM PT, 3 PM ET, 8 PM BST, 9 PM CEST. This remake leaked earlier today on the Russian Uplay store and a retail listing for it previous went up on a Guatemalan retailer and Amazon.
This was one of a number of announcements from today’s Ubisoft Forward event. In case you’ve missed out on even a single Ubisoft Forward announcement, you can catch every piece of news in our Ubisoft Forward hub.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is set to release on PS4 on January 21, 2021


text:
£30bn price of joining the euro
Business could face a bill of more than £30bn if Britain joins the single currency, MPs have warned.
The Commons Trade and Industry Committee set out to investigate the cost of converting from pounds to euros, but complained they were hindered by Government secrecy.
Research by accountants Chantrey Vellacott for anti-euro group Business for Sterling found the cost to the private sector would be £32bn. The Labour-dominated committee backed the figure. Around 85% will be spent on updating computer software and keyboards.
Most watched Money videos
- VW launches clever new 'Caddy California' compact campervan
- Tesla's Autopilot discourages drivers for engaging when driving
- New £250,000 Ghost 'most technically advanced' Rolls-Royce ever
- Rolls-Royce release new £250,000 limo called Ghost
- The Shelby SuperCar Tuatara is the world's fastest road car
- Porsche has given the iconic Panamera a mid-life refresh
- Maserati's back! Italian brand releases first supercar for 15 years
- Morrisons CEO reveals opportunities given to those out of work
- Blue Whale manager: Facebook is good value but not Tesla
- Experts urge Government not to go ahead with hands-free driving
- Mercedes-Benz shows how hands-free Drive Pilot system works
- Renault reinvent The Lollipop Man to test for air pollution


text:
Writers tend to be introverted, so I have no problem working mostly online. (As you get older, it’s harder to be social in the conventional sense—many of your friends and colleagues have passed on, after all. The crowds in the pubs are younger; if you go to church, you only see irascible oldsters like yourself worrying about their mortality; and so forth) But three news items from the business world caught my attention recently. First, venerable Macy’s is closing a slew of stores. Second, bookstore-barn-giant B&N just fired their CEO. And third, the Trump casino in Atlantic City will file for bankruptcy. What do these news items have in common? Their cause, the internet. At least partially. Let me explain.
People are spending more time online, whether via smartphones or computers (their distinction is only semantical now), and whether buying, playing, or socializing. All department stores from Macy’s to Wal-Mart have been affected by online buying. People don’t go out and buy as much anymore. And if people get out to shop in these hectic times when you might not be sure you have a job next week, they often don’t buy; they just look (window-shopping is the old descriptor), assess their options, and go home and order the goods online. Some pundits call this the Amazon effect, usually in a pejorative sense, but that gives that retail giant way too much credit.
B&N bookstores’ problems are just bigger ones that every bookstore shares and are comparable to the department stores’—online buying is preferred by many customers. The B&N bookstores are big barns for books; the department stores are big barns for clothing, home furnishings, and other goods. The merchandise is different, but the effects of the internet are the same. There are other effects, of course. B&N has been in a downspin since they spun off the Nook business. Macy’s has been hurt from the top and the bottom—your elite stores like Nordstrom’s and Lord and Taylor’s pretend to have better quality merchandise and your Targets and Wal-marts the same products at better prices. And then there’s Amazon.


text:
Several senators from the State of Wyoming have just introduced a bill to gradually end the sale of electric cars on its territory by 2035, while an increasing number of nations have pledged to outlaw the use of thermal cars within the next 20 years. But this state, which depends heavily on the extraction of oil and gas, truly has severe worries hidden beneath this stunning news.
As you may be aware, numerous nations have pledged recently to stop selling thermal automobiles in favor of electric vehicles. This is the case, for instance, in Europe. Where the ban on gasoline and diesel vehicles in EU Member States beginning in 2035 was established in June 2022.
Electric vehicles adoption
Many automakers have already begun their energy transition in order to comply with this law, such as Renault. It plans to have 100% electric vehicles by 2030, and Volkswagen, which wants to stop making thermal vehicles by 2035. Similar attempts have been taken by several luxury manufacturers, such as Porsche. It plans to have 80% of its fleet comprised of electric vehicles by 2030.
The Biden administration in the US has likewise promised that by 2030. Half of all new vehicles produced will be electric. Some states in the United States didn’t wait for this White House order before acting. California prohibited the sale of internal combustion vehicles in September 2020, with New York State following soon after.
It should be emphasized, however, that Washington has not yet taken any federally level restrictions on the use of electricity. Actually, the decision to implement this motorization is up to each State. Now, we’ve learned that a number of Wyoming senators have just introduced a bill. It would ban the sale of electric vehicles within their state’s borders by 2035.
Senator Jim Anderson, a Republican, said he submitted the resolution “to fight for restrictions on new sales of internal combustion engine cars in areas like California or New York,” according to the Cowboy State Daily.
The switch to electricity
This resolution, titled “Phasing out sales of new electric vehicles by 2035,” was introduced this Friday, January 13. But has not yet been passed. It already has a sizable amount of support from members of the Wyoming Senate and the House of Representatives. The senators’ arguments for this piece of legislation include various elements. For the following grounds, they are committed against electric motorization:
Gizchina News of the week
- Wyoming’s oil and gas industry has created countless jobs and brought revenue to the state of Wyoming throughout its history
- Since its invention, the gasoline powered vehicle has enabled state industries and businesses. To trade and transport goods and resources more efficiently across the country
- Wyoming’s vast stretches of freeways, coupled with a lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, make widespread use of electric vehicles impractical in the state
The effect of electric vehicles on a country whose main source of income is the exploitation of oil
The senators also draw attention to how challenging it is to recycle batteries for electric vehicles. In part because of the rare materials required in their production. However, as our friends from the InsideEVs website remind us. At least 90% of today’s electric vehicle batteries are made to be recycled. Additionally, this work is already being done by numerous companies in both the USA and Europe.
Last but not least, the lawmakers guarantee that the democratization of electric vehicles “would have detrimental impacts on the communities of Wyoming and undermine the economy” of the State. It is important to keep in mind that Wyoming is the eighth largest oil producer in the nation. Given this, it makes sense why these political figures have such serious reservations about electric motorization.
Be cautious though, as we can see from sections 1 and 2 of the law. This is only a symbolic action and not a true ban. In reality, the legislature does nothing more than “promote” businesses and state residents. To restrict the creation and purchase of electric vehicles. In other words, everything points to the fact that the goal of this measure was to inform the federal government. Particularly the White House, of the real worries about how a state with a heavily reliant economy on petroleum use might manage its ecological transition.
Key electric car stats and figures
- The launch of the first electric car took place in 1890 by William Morrison in the US.
- In 1996 General Motors launched the EV1, an EV with a range of 100 miles.
- The interest in electric vehicles began to grow at the beginning of the 21st century.
- In 2008 Tesla Motors released its first completely electric car – Roadster.
- Since 2009 Tesla has made a total of 1.91 million electric vehicles.
- In 2021 global electric vehicle sales reached over 6.5 million units.
- 55% of all new car sales in Europe will be fully electrified by 2030.
- Revenue in the Electric Vehicles market is to reach US$457.60bn in 2023.
- Revenue to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 17.02%, A market volume of US$858.00bn by 2027.
- Electric Vehicles market unit sales to reach 16,206.9K vehicles in 2027.
- The volume weighted average price of Electric Vehicles market in 2023 to amount to US$53.19k.
- From an international perspective, the most revenue will be in China (US$190,400.00m in 2023).


text:
“The HomePod is coming Friday, and with it, even more attention is being paid to Siri, Apple’s voice assistant that serves as its primary interface,” Jason Snell writes for Macworld. “The early HomePod reviews are in, and most of them suggest the device is an excellent speaker that’s hampered by Siri’s limitations.”
“I haven’t used a HomePod yet, so I can’t speak to that, but as someone with a constellation of Apple devices, it does seem to me that Siri could stand to use some improvement,” Snell writes. “When I asked a bunch of dedicated Apple users what they’d like to see changed in Siri, I (unsurprisingly) stepped into a long list of grievances.”
“As has been exposed in initial reviews of the HomePod, Siri doesn’t support multiple named timers, which is a problem — especially if you’re cooking. The single most used feature of our Amazon Echo is timers, believe it or not,” Snell writes. “It’s incredibly useful to be able to call out with your voice as you’re moving pots around on the stove and chopping vegetables, and Siri would benefit from this feature across all its platforms.”
MacDailyNews Take: We just say “Hey Siri, set a timer for [number] minutes,” and our Apple Watches – which are always right there on our wrists – do the rest. No Echo – or HomePod – required. Of course, the ability to do multiple timers on a single device would be useful. Right now, we just set another timer on our iPhones or iPads. But, of course, Apple is too cash-poor and short-staffed to spend the three hours it would take to add multiple timer capability.
“Siri’s palette can be dramatically expanded by opening up to web services, not just apps resident on an iOS device,” Snell writes. “In true Apple fashion, such a move wouldn’t come via a wide-open skills market like Amazon’s. Instead, I assume Siri web integrations would need to be approved by Apple before being placed in the Siri equivalent of the App Store.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple released Siri, the first modern digital virtual assistant, in October 2011. Amazon released Alexa in November 2014. Google Assistant was released in May 2016.
So, why are we even talking about this? Why is Siri not regarded as far and away the best, but rather as notably worse than those later entrants?
Mismanagement of the project from the software to the marketing.


text:
NEW YORK — Le Tigre has wooed Jenny La Fata away from Sean by Sean Combs.
After less than a year as the vice president of design for Sean Combs’ women’s collection, La Fata is moving on to Le Tigre as fashion director of the women’s and men’s collections, a new post.
“Le Tigre is more my style,” said La Fata, adding that her aim is to update the retro brand’s fits and silhouettes, starting with the holiday collection. “I want to give it more of an elitist fit and a luxe, modern edge. I also want to launch new categories like dresses and bottoms.”
Today is La Fata’s first day on the job, but she claimed to have “severed ties” with Sean by Sean Combs a few weeks ago. “It was not a great fit anymore,” she said.
A representative for Sean by Sean Combs said a replacement has not been named. Combs was unavailable for comment.
Prior to joining Sean by Sean Combs last April, La Fata designed the contemporary collection LaRok from its inception in October 2004.
“Her work at LaRok speaks for itself,” said Ryan O’Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of Le Tigre. “It translates well. While it was contemporary, it had a men’s assimilation to it. She’s going to make the classics modern.”
La Fata said she’s been sifting through Le Tigre’s archives and is eager to get to work. “We’re going to make it sexy and cool and basically just give it a more contemporary feeling.”


text:
PARIS — Johnny Depp and Chinese singer and actress Denise Ho show that celebrity tie-ins for beauty brands can be a bane as well as a boon.
The furor over Lancôme’s association with Ho, a known supporter of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, continued to grow Wednesday when the actress herself criticized the brand.
“I am quite shocked that a global brand such as Lancôme [would succumb to] the pressure from Chinese tabloid news or the Chinese market,” Ho said in an interview with the BBC, adding that Hong Kong celebrities are feeling fearful about speaking out on their views in a climate marked by tense relations between Hong Kong and mainland China.
The L’Oréal-owned brand faces threats of boycott and backlash in Hong Kong and mainland China over its association with Ho, who was slated to perform at an event sponsored by Lancôme on June 16.
On Saturday, Chinese state-backed newspaper Global Times posted a message on Sina Weibo that sparked thousands of negative responses on the social-media platform about Ho’s connection to the brand. Subsequently, Lancôme Hong Kong posted messages on its Facebook account stating that Ho is not a spokeswoman for the company and canceled the event, citing “safety reasons.”
You May Also Like
Panpan Au wrote on the platform: “Obviously Lancôme as a company do not care for the Chinese market…why would any Chinese support Lancôme… when Lancôme is supporting (con)artist like hocc? [sic] #neveruselancomeagain.”
Leely Ngim added: “There are so many products in the market. From now on, I’m not going to buy any of your product.”
Some went even further than simply venting on social media. On Wednesday, dozens of protesters and a group of pro-democracy politicians gathered outside Times Square mall in Hong Kong to protest Lancôme’s cancellation of the concert, according to the South China Morning Post. According to news reports, all of Lancôme’s counters throughout the city were shuttered and Times Square counters for other L’Oréal brands such as Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, Helena Rubinstein and Shu Uemura were closed. One photo published in the South China Morning Post showed the Lancôme Times Square counter plastered with signs bearing phrases like “Boycott! L’Oréal Paris No to Self-Censorship!” and “Kowtow to Beijing” with an X over it.
L’Oréal’s retail operations in Hong Kong appeared to be open and running again on Thursday.
Spokeswomen from Lancôme Hong Kong and L’Oréal in Paris declined to provide further comments beyond Lancôme’s Facebook statements.
But Lancôme isn’t alone when it comes to controversy. Dior is finding its relationship with Depp under scrutiny after domestic abuse allegations launched by Amber Heard, his soon-to-be-ex-wife. Depp, who is the face of Dior’s Sauvage scent, has denied Heard’s allegations.
Nonetheless, Twitter erupted with chatter, and opinion, when the Depp news broke.
“Surprised @Dior didn’t pull their #johnnydepp #sauvage ads” wrote Laurent Zinn, regarding Heard’s allegations.
“Um. Just saw the Johnny Depp/Dior #sauvage poster and talk about poor timing in light of recent events,” added Craven Maven.
“There’s a bit of irony here #Dior #Sauvage or #Savage?” wrote JP of Tarth, who accompanied the tweet with a photo of the still advertisement showing Depp rolling up his sleeve.
Women’s groups have also pushed back against Dior.
“If the allegations were proven to be true, we would hope that a responsible fashion house would indeed stop working with a perpetrator of domestic abuse,” said a spokeswoman from Women’s Aid, a charity organization in the U.K.
“The allegations of domestic abuse against Johnny Depp are extremely serious. If they are found to be true, we hope that he faces the consequences of his actions as any other perpetrator should have to — regardless of the fact that he is wealthy, powerful and famous,” said Polly Neate, chief executive officer of Women’s Aid.
“As I have stated before, the ‘hero culture’ that can surround famous men should not distort our reactions to abusive actions,” she continued.
Dior could not immediately be reached for comment.
At least Dior and Lancôme can take comfort in the fact that it isn’t only beauty brands having problems with their celebrity tie-ins. Nike said Wednesday it would continue to stand by Maria Sharapova even though the Russian tennis star has been banned from the sport for two years by the International Tennis Federation for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, meldonium.
A Nike spokesman said Wednesday: “The ITF Tribunal has found that Maria did not intentionally break its rules. Maria has always made her position clear, has apologized for her mistake and is appealing the length of the ban. Based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her.”
Whether NetJets and other companies that have endorsement deals stand with Sharapova remains to be seen. With $20 million in endorsement deals and $1.9 million in salary and winnings, Sharapova ranked 88th on this year’s Forbes list for the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes.
The stances of Lancôme and Nike show the approaches brands can take when their celebrity tie-ins blow up in their faces.
“Most brands will do a quick analysis of whether the celebrity is bigger than the scandal,” said Louise Rosen, founder and ceo of The Message Inc., a Paris-based consultancy for luxury brands. “Being seen as fair is vital. Fair-weather friends make bad friends, and a brand should never been seen as a bad friend. Due process is therefore essential before any decisive action.”
Yet information — and judgments — travel at lightning speed today when everyone, everywhere has a voice thanks to social media.
“In this hyper-transparent, digital age, it’s very difficult to have any control as a brand,” noted Lucie Greene, worldwide director of The Innovation Group at J. Walter Thompson. “Celebrities are sharing on social media channels in a way that they didn’t necessarily before — as are brands themselves now — and vocalizing opinions in a way that is difficult for a beauty brand to control beyond tightly mediated press junkets.”
Information about celebrities is among the most shared and viewed content on the Internet, amplifying the potential backlash in the case of a transgression.
“There’s a volume of output, and then if that gets attention, it spreads incredibly fast and is outside what the brand is sharing, which can be great — if it’s positive for the brand. But it’s also negative — if it’s controversial,” Greene explained.
The Depp situation does not mark the first time a Dior face has stirred up controversy. In 2008, its then-ambassador Sharon Stone during the Cannes Film Festival said “the Chinese” had been unkind to Tibetans, and that the devastating Sichuan earthquake may have been karmic retribution for China. As a result, Dior immediately withdrew in China advertising and marketing and commercial activities featuring the actress for select cosmetics product lines.
In another highly media-tized situation, Kate Moss in 2005 was immediately cut loose by fashion advertisers such as Burberry and Hennes & Mauritz, while Rimmel stood by her, after a photo in the London Daily Mirror allegedly showed her doing lines of cocaine. But Moss’ mea culpa and rehab stint prompted a quick re-embrace by the fashion world.
Rosen said she believes that despite the media hubbub surrounding a celebrity-related crisis, most brands can withstand a little association with a “bad boy or girl.”
“Signing a model doesn’t mean you endorse everything they do,” she said. “Most international brands have had to accept the fickle nature of social-media love, and the equally short cycle of the media surge.”
Yet times are changing in regard to who fronts a brand and how it’s done.
“I think the era of celebrity endorsements is in flux in general, because the consumer knows the relationship is somewhat transactional — so it seems less authentic,” said Greene. “Also, our relationships with celebrities are changing, particularly when you look at Millennials and Generation Zs. If Millennials loved reality TV stars, Generation Z has gone a stage further.
“They see themselves as brands and content creators, whether it’s on YouTube or Instagram or Snapchat, and seek peerlike celebrities that have grassroots followings on these mediums or want to be celebrities/brands themselves,” she continued. “They’re also very brand-critical of being over-marketed to, and the much-vaunted influencers — the new celebrities — from this group are cautious of being too branded or endorsed for this reason, because it alienates their fan base.”
Greene noted Generation Z online influencers share unfettered, real, quirky imagery, which is different from the glossy, airbrushed images of big-name celebrities that brands tend to use today.
“Look at Gen Z influencers Miley Cyrus, Belle Throne, Willow Smith, Cara Delevingne or Cameron Dallas, and the images are often silly. They’re often pulling silly faces, calling out causes, performing to the camera,” said Greene. “It’s a radical departure to the kind of visual language and conservative, sparkle-bedecked approach we’re used to seeing from blue-chip beauty brands.”
She deems the best celebrity tie-ups are those with an attitudinal synergy in execution, such as Chanel using Kristen Stewart to front its eye makeup.
“They celebrated her personal style in images, which is somewhat grungy, rather than trying to make her too polished,” said Greene.


text:
Steam Deck is the new handheld gaming PC from Valve that plays your entire Steam library on the go; like a Nintendo Switch but without its exclusive library of games. But since the announcement, all I can think about is how this is such a missed opportunity for Xbox.
Thanks to the optimised Steam OS, Steam Deck's interface is pleasantly console-like, and the entry-level model's price tag is just $399/ £349 (approx. AU$538). That's just $50 away from the Nintendo Switch OLED – which is already five years into its lifecycle, and the news of its price tag is causing problems of its own. But considering the Steam Deck is basically a PC – and can be used as such – that's not too shabby at all!
In fact, you can load third party programs and game launchers on it, like the Epic Games Store, Origin, and uPlay. You can even wipe the OS entirely and install Windows, which means access to Xbox Game Pass and all of your Xbox Series X games. It also means you can play those titles on the go using a device that's a significant step up from a smartphone.
Your Steam Deck can be turned into a portable Xbox, is what I'm saying, so why has Microsoft been so reluctant to enter the handheld space when such an addition to its console family would be the perfect delivery system for Game Pass?
- Nintendo Switch OLED warning issued by screen specialist
- Steam Deck pre-order guide: how to reserve Valve's handheld PC (it's complicated)
- Nintendo Switch OLED price hike leaves gamers facing critical question
Microsoft seems to have put its Xbox Game Pass eggs in the mobile gaming basket, doubling down by partnering up with Samsung on a Game Pass Ultimate promotion for the Galaxy S21 series launch. And let's not forget the Designed for Xbox mobile gaming accessories range revealed last year that includes Bluetooth and mobile gaming controllers. Microsoft has apparently washed its hands of the notion of making its own handheld, and spent it's efforts perfecting its cloud gaming service instead.
I'm not saying it hasn't been worth the effort, by any means. Xbox Game Pass seems to be going from strength to strength, and I don't doubt that it's had an integral part in the surging sales of the Xbox Series X|S. Just last month, Xbox hit a home run by becoming the best-selling console in the US; although that was on dollar sales with the Switch beating it out on units, and the continued shortage of the PS5 has most likely contributed as well. But it's an impressive feat nonetheless, setting a record high for Xbox console sales that last peaked in June 2011 (via VentureBeat).
The stellar success of the Switch has proven that gamers are very much into handhelds, with some clamouring for a PSP 5G even now. This is the perfect time to strike with a handheld console – or hybrid – that's powerful, and has a price point that makes it a legitimate contender to the Nintendo Switch.
Valve's handheld PC has generated a huge buzz and has already sold out within 24 hours of Steam Deck pre-orders going live. It's not too late for Microsoft to jump on the bandwagon but after Nintendo has dominated the space for so long, it's a shame that Xbox and its 'play anywhere' mantra hasn't translated to a proprietary portable gaming device of its own.


text:
This article was updated 16th December 2020.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. By some estimates, internet-connected gadgets already outnumber people and by 2025 there could be as many as 21.5 billion ‘things’ in use around the world.
But for all the promises that this technology is set to revolutionize the way we do business and manage our everyday lives, many developments are still short of maturity. Therefore, it pays to take a look at what some of the world's biggest tech companies are doing with the technology for an idea of what we can expect to see in the coming years.
Here are what four of the biggest have been up to:
Amazon is perhaps one of the most familiar tech giants in the IoT space, thanks mainly to its Echo smart speaker, but as well as its consumer-facing products, behind the scenes is where much of its IoT investments have made a difference.
For all its diversification into areas such as AI and cloud services, Amazon is still the world's biggest online retailer - and this means it has a huge amount of warehouse space to manage. IoT plays a key role in keeping this working efficiently, monitoring the thousands of robots that help fulfil orders.
More controversially, it also recently applied for a patent for a new type of smart wristband intended to help monitor its warehouse staff. This can track the position of a worker's hands to spot errors and monitor performance, but it has raised questions about potential privacy issues.
Google is another firm focusing on smart home IoT products. Like Amazon, its smart assistant (Google Home) can play music, answer questions and control a room's lights. It also owns Nest, a maker of smart thermostats, video doorbells and security systems. Ultimately, it seems Google's goal is to offer consumers all the technology they need to control every aspect of their home from a central hub.
Elsewhere, the firm is also experimenting heavily in driverless cars. The technologies being used in these machines - including a wide range of sensors, machine learning and artificial intelligence - are central to many IoT deployments, so the lessons Google learns from these efforts could have significant impacts far beyond automated vehicles.
Apple's consumer efforts in IoT may have been rather limited so far - its most familiar product is probably the Apple Watch, which for most is still a niche piece of tech - but unusually for a firm that has a reputation for focusing on home and creative users, it is in industrial applications where Apple is making its biggest strides.
Late last year, for example, it teamed up with GE to work on apps that will be used in the industrial IoT (IIoT) space. Instead of making new IIoT hardware, Apple's role will be to turn its iPhones and iPads into tools that can collect sensor data and help workers interpret it in a clear, easy-to-understand form, allowing employees to manage everything from power plants and jet engines to medical equipment.
Rather than focusing on devices themselves, Microsoft's interest in the IoT space is primarily about delivering the underlying infrastructure that supports and connects the various sensors businesses use. Its Azure platform is at the heart of this, and is already used for connected cars, smart cities, healthcare organizations and on factory floors.
This highlights the fact that IoT is about more than just data and analytics. Without the right infrastructure to get that information where it needs to go and respond quickly to queries from users and other machines, much of the value of the technology will be lost. And Microsoft clearly sees itself as the key supplier of the bridges that connect everything together.


text:
When did you last visit your bank? Odds are it was some time ago. Today, many people rarely go near a retail banking outlet, and some have never even been to one. A generation ago, taking a trip to the...
The NHS has been ridiculed for its continued use of outdated equipment but it lacks the funding to improve
Telcos and platform providers to be given 10 days to hand over data or face fines
Experts disagree on NHS use of legacy communications technology
Cloud-based platform from Cyclia will be used to put small-molecule therapies to the test