text:
Google Assistant, which was first showcased at Google I/O 2016, debuted with Google Allo last year. Later, it was also used in Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. Currently, Google’s conversational AI-powered virtual voice assistant is used in the new Nvidia Shield TV as well as Google Home Wi-Fi speaker. The search giant had announced a few months ago that its virtual assistant would also come to Android TVs. It is now being reported that Sony’s Android TVs would be the first to receive Google Assistant.
According to a report from Wired, Sony has confirmed that its 2017 lineup of Bravia 4K TVs would be the first ones to feature Google Assistant. However, there’s a catch (like always). Even if you buy one of those shiny new 4K Android TVs from Sony this year, you won’t get Google Assistant out of the box. The service will be added to the TVs via a firmware update sometime “later this year.” Once it is enabled, it can be accessed by pressing a special button on the remote control for a compatible Sony Android TV.
Google Assistant would have some special tricks up its sleeve for Sony’s Android TVs. For example, you can change channels, control the volume, change input sources, launch apps, or ask Google Assistant to start a specific TV show, just by using voice commands. That’s great, isn’t it? It is being reported that Google Assistant might be rolled out to non-Pixel smartphones, including the Nexus devices, via a software update to the Google Search app in the near future.
Google Assistant will have competition from Fire TV-powered TV sets later this year. Fire TV would bring Amazon Alexa’s AI-powered brains to TVs powered by it. Apple TV already features Siri, which competes with Alexa and Google Assistant.


text:
Netflix, Inc. and Comcast Finally Reach a Truce
Late last week, a few observant -- and tech-savvy -- Netflix users noticed that something had changed in how they were receiving Netflix streaming video. It appeared Netflix was now exchanging traffic directly with Comcast in what is called a "peering" arrangement.
This was noteworthy because Netflix users with Comcast Internet had experienced deteriorating performance recently. Poor Netflix streaming quality was becoming a flashpoint in the net neutrality debate. Some people feared that ISPs like Comcast would use their market power to disrupt services like Netflix in order to keep users attached to their cable TV subscriptions.
Netflix just removed one potential business risk, but at what cost?
On Sunday, Netflix and Comcast issued a press release confirming that they had established a more direct connection to improve Netflix streams. This arrangement will help Netflix and Comcast by mitigating risks for both companies. However, the financial impact of the deal will be hard to assess until Netflix reports its Q1 results and provides new cost guidance.
Why a deal was essential
While Comcast and Netflix stated in their press release that they've been working together on this solution for many months, it's no surprise a deal got done now. Both companies have very good reasons for coming to a long-term agreement that allows Comcast Internet subscribers to get good-quality Netflix streams. The crux of the problem can be seen in the following graph.
Comcast and Verizon streaming throughput has been deteriorating. Source: Netflix.
Over the past year, streaming performance has continuously improved for customers of Cablevision, which uses Netflix's "Open Connect" system to improve streaming throughput. By contrast, Comcast and Verizon Internet subscribers have seen decaying streaming speeds in the last few months.
By January, Comcast's average throughput had deteriorated nearly to the level that Verizon DSL subscribers had achieved a few months earlier. Many Comcast customers and public interest groups accused Comcast of foul play.
From Comcast's perspective, getting a deal done with Netflix was essential in light of the company's plans to buy No. 2 cable operator Time Warner Cable. Regulators are sure to scrutinize the purchase carefully. Now that Comcast has a long-term agreement in place specifying how it will carry Netflix traffic, regulators may be less concerned that Comcast will slow or block Netflix traffic to protect its cable TV business.
From Netflix's perspective, it was important to reach a deal with Comcast as soon as possible, too -- before frustrated customers started dropping their Netflix service. Netflix is likely paying more for its new arrangement with Comcast than it did when using third parties to deliver its traffic to Comcast; one analyst estimated that Netflix will now pay $25 million to $50 million annually.
Just last month, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings told investors that ISPs wouldn't slow down Netflix streams because their customers would protest such a move. This seemed to imply he wasn't willing to pay Comcast at all for the privilege of sending traffic over its network.
The problem is that one of Netflix's big selling points is that it "just works." Netflix customers don't want to become leverage in a battle between Comcast and Netflix -- they just want Netflix to work. Thus, it's worth it for Netflix to pay extra if it can guarantee better service.
Death by a thousand cuts?
After bouncing around the flat line early Monday morning, Netflix shares shot higher during the day to set a new all-time high just below $450. While the deal with Comcast helps Netflix by removing the risk of subscribers getting frustrated with low-quality video, investors shouldn't necessarily pop the champagne cork.
Netflix stock, 2013-present. Source: YCharts.
As I have highlighted in a series of articles here, Netflix investors seem to be underestimating the probability that cost increases will continue to nearly mirror revenue growth. Netflix has made it clear that content costs will keep rising rapidly as the company continues to invest in original and exclusive content. The company also plans a rapid international expansion starting later this year, a process it calls "expensive."
If Netflix's paid peering agreement with Comcast adds to the company's costs -- while most analysts believe it will, a few disagree -- content delivery costs will become yet another drag on Netflix's profit growth. (Other ISPs including Verizon and AT&T have already expressed interest in similar paid peering arrangements.)
Whatever the cost of the Netflix-Comcast arrangement, it's unlikely to stop Netflix from growing its profit rapidly over the next five years. However, investors need to think about just how fast Netflix will grow its profit. The difference between growing EPS tenfold to $20 by 2018 or growing EPS "only" fivefold to $10 could be the difference between Netflix stock being worth $500 today and it being worth $250 or less.
Netflix's April earnings report should provide some more detail about how the new arrangement with Comcast will affect Netflix's costs. Netflix shareholders should hold off on celebrating until they get that information.
The best way to profit from the Internet TV revolution
Do you know how to profit from the demise of traditional TV? There are potentially trillions of entertainment dollars out there to be had! Currently, cable grabs a big piece of it, but that won't last. And when cable falters, three companies are poised to benefit. Click here for their names. (Hint: They're not Netflix, Google, and Apple!)
The article Netflix, Inc. and Comcast Finally Reach a Truce originally appeared on Fool.com.
Adam Levine-Weinberg is short shares of Netflix. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Netflix. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2014 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

domain: news


text:
SilverWiz has announced MoneyWiz 2.0 for Mac OS X. The update to this personal finance software introduces more than 130 improvements and worldwide online banking integration.
MoneyWiz can now connect to more than 2,200 financial institutions in 41 countries. It’s personal finance software that allows people to manage accounts, budgets and bills, generate reports and more.
It requires Mac OS X 10.8 or later and normally costs US$49.99. However, you can buy it for 50% off until mid-February. It’s available at the M


text:
Apple Tops List of Canada’s “Leading Edge” Brands
What does it take to be a brand on the leading edge? According to Canadians, Apple knows better than anyone. In a recent survey of online adults, Canadians chose Apple as the number one ‘Leading Edge’ brand in Canada for its innovation, originality, and the way it has forever changed the consumer landscape.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid as a part of its Ipsos Influence Index study, identifies the six key factors that drive brand influence and will be presented in full as a part of the organization’s 2012 Advertising Week session. The nature of an organization’s “Leading Edgeness” is one of the six factors that drive brand influence.


text:
- 2 min read
With new real estate partner, Signum Hotels & Resorts eyes major domestic expansion
Signum Hotels - IQI India JV has identified 45 Indian destinations for acquisitions and partnerships
Signum Hotels & Resorts, a relatively new Indian hotel company with presence both in India and a couple of overseas markets, has announced a Joint Venture with IQI India, a real estate investor and advisory firm, to explore new and emerging market expansion opportunities in the Indian hospitality market. The Joint Venture company proposes to invest US 150 million (INR 1100 cr) in the Indian hospitality sector over the next couple of years to acquire hotel assets, take over hotel assets on lease, management contract, revenue share.
Announcing the joint venture in Delhi this week, Mehul Sharma, Founder & CEO of Signum Hotels & Resorts, and Pankaz Jaiin, CEO, IQI India, the India arm of the Malaysian company IQI, have said that they have identified around 45 destinations in India for investment opportunities in the hospitality sector over the coming years.
Talking to ET TravelWorld, Sharma said that they are expecting the bulk of the proposed investment to happen over the next two years as there will be a lot of distressed assets available with the right valuation in the market looking for investors. He said that there are so many such cases open before them for negotiations.
Sharma said that they are hopeful to add at least 40 to 45 properties to their portfolio in the first year itself, followed by another 60 to 70 properties in the second year. Signum Hotels & Resorts have six hotels under operations in India currently, and a couple of properties in London.
Jaiin of IQI India said that although the company has presence in 17 countries of the world, India is the first country where IQI is venturing into hospitality JV investment. He said the over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate of IQI and the hospitality domain expertise of Signum Hotels promoters will give the joint venture a head start in the India market.
He said that a lot of sovereign funds are looking for real estate investments which will give them steady rental income. Similarly, a lot of private equity investors have no issues in investing in the hospitality sector if they are presented with right projections on RoI. The domain expertise of Signum Hotels will help give right market projections, he said.
Entered into the India market in August 2020, IQI had already announced investment of INR 100 cr to acquire Grade A commercial and retail assets earlier this year. Jaiin said that the proposed Rs 1100 cr investment under the new hospitality JV will remain exclusively for hospitality development.


text:
There are plenty of items which are described as horrors, yet one nomination seems like it will receive across-the-board applause for its hardline stance against one development in the world of hosiery
That's because Charles & Marie, a company from the US, has decided to fashion knee-high socks
into leg warmers for chairs, in turn inventing the "chair personality socks
", according to Lisa Petty of NBC Dallas Fort-Worth, who declared the news with a level of cynicism.
For around £13, people can invest in a set of four stylish cosies which are able to transform regular boring seats into a clever conversation piece.
Ms Petty said: "'Oh, my,' your guests will exclaim, 'They look just like those borderline-creepy girls on the American Apparel billboards!'"
One person who was accused of wearing unfashionable socks
recently was Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud, who the Daily Mail accused of wearing unforgivable sheer black socks
.Organic and Natural, Environmentally Friendly Socks
News brought to you by SockShop. Go On
Treat Your Feet


text:
Lee and Associates Names New President
SAN DIEGO—Steven M. Malley, is a 12-year veteran who joined Lee in 2008 as a partner. He specializes in the sale and leasing of office, industrial and retail properties.
The 1950s saw the birth of the shopping mall across the nation, yet the era of destination retail stores, especially clothing stores, has been on a…
This past weekend I visited Minneapolis and experienced the stark differences between a withering downtown retail center and a boomtown retail experience.…
DALLAS—A FelCor spokeswoman says the REIT is reviewing Ashford Hospitality Trust’s proposal. Separately, AHT has also named a new CEO.
OAKVILLE, ONT.—The owner of Burger King and Tim Hortons is adding a quick service chicken concept to its portfolio of more than 20,000 locations globally.


text:
Jun 2, 2020
Goodwill donation centers and stores in Michigan announced safety plans and precautions as they plan for reopening June 4, 2020, following Governor Whitmer's order. Ten independent, community-based Goodwill 501c3 organizations operate in 82 Michigan counties. They have joined together to ensure the health and safety of shoppers, donors and employees at Goodwill locations statewide.
Every Goodwill store and donation center in Michigan is taking stringent precautions to protect against exposure to COVID-19. The following measures, in line with the Center for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines, are in place at all Michigan Goodwills:
Goodwill fills critical needs in local communities. Many Goodwills help individuals overcome barriers with workforce development programs including training and career opportunities. Others support people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
Sales of donated items at Goodwill retail stores provide major funding for these programs. Merchandise for Goodwill stores come through generous donations from the community. These donations are critical to the Goodwill mission. Support programs that serve neighbors in need throughout Michigan, comes from donations or shopping in Goodwill stores.
“In response to Governor Whitmer’s lifting of her “Shelter in Place” order the ten independent Goodwill organizations located in the state of Michigan are grateful for the support of our residents for their donations and purchases at our locations throughout the entire state. Each Goodwill organization wants you to know your safety, and the safety of our employees, is first and foremost on our minds. Each organization has agreed to employ common-sense standards derived from the CDC guidelines to ensure best practices are used as we begin to reopen our operations in each of Michigan’s 82 counties,” said Kenneth C. Bauer, chairman of Michigan Goodwills and president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland.
Whether shopping at Goodwill locally or throughout the state, check out the following Websites for donation and store locations and hours:
Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan's Heartland
Headquarters: Battle Creek
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
Headquarters: Grand Rapids
Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan
Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan
Goodwill Industries of St Clair County
Headquarters: Port Huron
Goodwill Industries of West Michigan


text:
And, yes, it's called "refrigerdating."
Electronics giant Samsung has launched a dating app called "Refrigerdating" that runs on smart refrigerators — and connects eligible singles based on the compatibility of their food choices.
"We hope people can meet under more honest or transparent circumstances with the help of the contents of the fridge, because that can tell you a lot about the personality," Samsung PR manager Elin Axelsson told CNET.
The app is available on the Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator, which costs $4,000 — so even if the food algorithm isn't perfect, Refrigerdating will at least connect mates in the same socio-economic sector.
CNET describes the app as working much like Tinder, giving lonely hearts the opportunity to swipe right or left on the contents of their peers' fridges.
If the idea sounds silly, it could be because the app is likely a marketing stunt.
"Let’s be honest: this service isn’t strictly altruistic," wrote Digital Trends. "Samsung is using it to promote its Family Hub line of smart fridges, and you’ll need to own one in order to participate."
READ MORE: Samsung Tries to Turn Your Refrigerator Into Tinder [CNET]
More on online dating: Facebook Makes Dating Service “Facebook Official”
Share This Article


text:
Droid DNA - News, Features, and Slideshows
There has been no shortage of hot new Android phones lately, but the LG Nexus 4 and HTC Droid DNA are undeniably the most talked-about, and for good reason. In their own ways, both are groundbreaking devices that push the envelope of what's possible on the Android platform.
By Jon Gold | 16 November, 2012 19:57
HD televisions were one of those inventions that ruined me for older technology -- the first time I saw a football game in HD, with lights gleaming off players' helmets and individual blades of grass visible on the field, I knew I'd never want to go back to standard definition.
By Jon Gold | 15 November, 2012 22:49
Verizon announced today that it is planning a live unboxing of the latest "Droid"-labeled smartphone on Monday, Nov. 19, at noon EST, to be streamed live on Google+. The new device is widely believed to be the HTC Droid DNA, a U.S. version of the Taiwanese company's cutting-edge Butterfly J, currently available only in Japan.
By Jon Gold | 12 November, 2012 19:04
The following report, is based on a global survey of 706 IT and security professionals conducted in the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The goal of the survey was to capture data on current attitudes and trends with mobile devices and IT security. This is the third survey on this topic and this report evaluates differences in responses to similar questions asked over the past two years.
Databarracks wanted to provide better, faster, more reliable disaster recovery for customers—and at lower cost. This winning combination could provide a huge competitive advantage.
- To control your phone, just keep tapping it
- Huawei plans to offer public cloud service in China
- Nuage Networks launches SDN services in Australia
- Government just doesn't 'get' startups, says StartupAUS
- Microsoft, Yahoo search deal amendment makes termination easier
- Business as usual for Optus, Singtel says
- Qualcomm looking to fast-track Snapdragon 820 with help from Samsung
- Appeals court rejects man's claim he owns half of Facebook
- Victorian government to establish $60m startup strategy
- Pushdo spamming botnet gains strength again
- Great customer experience is an elusive goal
- Sydney to be home to Microsoft flagship store
- IBM sales dip 12 per cent despite lift from new mainframe
- Singtel to exit ASX
- VMware prepares its virtualization stack for Docker


text:
Who: Second Harvest
What: The food rescue organization is launching $22.7 million in new funding for non-profits and charities across Canada to purchase food, grocery gift cards and food vouchers, as well as provide support for food distribution.
This funding is made possible by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Food Security Fund, which was launched in April 2020 to support six national food organizations, including Second Harvest, to improve access to food during COVID-19.
“The pandemic has placed a heavy burden on the thousands of small non-profits across Canada trying to provide healthy food for people struggling with hunger in their communities,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, in a press release.
“We are not out of the woods yet and we need to keep these organizations well resourced so they can provide hope and stability to the people they serve. We thank the Government of Canada for their continued support as we work together for a better future for Canadians everywhere.”
Community groups that provide food support can apply for funding at SecondHarvest.ca/Funding until Nov. 25.


text:
Consumer Experience is the Key
Shopping activity has rapidly picked up with offices and social activities resuming in full swing. The industry is expecting, FY2022-23 to be extremely good for the shopping malls, retailers and brands across categories . Consumers are loving to visit malls and markets to shop new-season collections to refresh their outdated wardrobes and homewares and also for outdoor dining & entertaining experiences. An accelerated rebound in footfalls and occupancy is being witnessed and consumption has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The business has bounced back in a healthy fashion and the pent-up shopping experiences that consumers had missed during the pandemic have been observed.
Going ‘Omnichannel’ became an integral part of strategies of all successful brands and retailers across the globe during this pandemic period. Shopping centres too are partnering with their tenants to give a cohesive user experience to consumers at all touchpoints. Many mall owners are today proactively adapting properties to generate growth in today’s ommnichannel era. Omnichannel allows retailers to achieve more availability, drive sales and trafic, and integrate digital touchpoints. An omnichannel retail strategy improves the customer experience and providesmore channels for customer purchase––whether it is on mobile, web, or in stores.
The cover story of the July edition explains ‘The Omnichannel Way’ so far for the shopping malls. How has the graph of success been with this Omnichannel approach, as shopping mall developers reshaped their strategies, and incorporated new features into their business structure, throughout the pandemic period. As always, we hope to find this issue informative and useful. Log on to https://www.indiaretailing.com/category/ shoppingcentre for more features, analyses and opinions.


text:
For years, technologists have predicted that virtual-reality applications are right around the corner—apps that can provide an immersive 3-D experience to enhance students’ learning, allow a customer to try products, or provide employee training. At long last, they may be right.
Most of the virtual-reality applications so far have dabbled in gaming. Microsoft has been trying to scare up companies to develop more practical software for its augmented-reality headset known as HoloLens. Last week, one company stepped forward with plans to build apps for HoloLens with businesses in mind.
Object Theory, whose founders include a former Microsoft engineer and an entrepreneur who created mobile apps for Starbucks and Whole Foods Market, told the IDG News Service it expects to leave the gaming apps to the entertainment industry and instead focus on business needs.
“High-end jewelry and fashion stores and car dealerships could use HoloLens to show customers products that are customized to their specifications,” said IDG’s article in PC World. “Holograms can help retailers plan store layouts and shelf placement, among other in-store uses.”
Recent advances in the technology that underpins augmented reality are making it more commercially feasible to develop apps that businesses could actually deploy.


text:
May 19, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (May 19, 2014) – Buffalo Wild Wings®, Inc. today announced the highly anticipated opening of its multi-level, approximately 15,000 square foot restaurant in Times Square, bringing its passion of wings, beer and sports to Manhattan residents and visitors from around the world. Celebrating the opening today at 11 a.m., Buffalo Wild Wings will team up with Pepsi to give away t-shirts and Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards to fans outside the restaurant and in Times Square between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
May 14, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (May 14, 2014) – Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD), known for its restaurants focused on wings, beer and sports, is heating up the PizzaRev-olution with the grand opening today of its first PizzaRev franchise in Hopkins, Minn., in suburban Minneapolis. The new restaurant is the first outside of California for the build-your-own artisanal pizza concept, and the first of several PizzaRev locations that Buffalo Wild Wings plans to open throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul market.
May 13, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (May 13, 2014) — Buffalo Wild Wings® along with the Brewers Association invite America to celebrate the growing craft beer industry during American Craft Beer Week® May 12-18. In addition, its Beer of the Month program will focus on local and regional craft beer features in each restaurant on tap throughout the U.S. the entire month of May.
May 12, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (May 12, 2014) – Buffalo Wild Wings® restaurants across the country raised nearly $370,000 on Community Day to support their local Boys & Girls Clubs as part of the Team Up for Kids™ initiative. Six hundred participating restaurants donated 10 percent of their total in-restaurant sales during the April 9 fundraiser to a Club in their local community. Guests also had the opportunity to make additional donations.
March 31, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (March 31, 2014) – As part of the Buffalo Wild Wings Team Up for Kids™ initiative, nearly 600 Buffalo Wild Wings® restaurants across the United States are inviting local Guests to join them for a Community Day on April 9. The restaurants will donate 10 percent of total sales that day to a local Boys & Girls Club in their community. Guests can support their local area Boys & Girls Club by dining at a participating Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, and may add a personal donation to their guest check if desired. Participating restaurants may also host a variety of fun Guest activities to promote Community Day in the restaurant.


text:
PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- At the height of the pandemic, when pasta was scarce at grocery stores, Allison Arevalo started making her own.
"I started ordering these big bags of semolina and I was making way more pasta than my family could eat so I just started sending around emails to my neighbors to see if anyone wanted pasta," Arevalo said.
And they did. So much so, a mini-business was born. Soon, she was selling pasta from her Park Slope stoop.
"Twice a week, I send out an email on when ordering opens, and it literally sells out in four minutes now," she said. "It's amazing. I wish I could make more."
She's been making plenty, 64 pounds of pasta twice a week. She sells it for $6 per pound.
This is really about more than pasta. It's about community.
"Yesterday, I had one mom pick up pasta, she's like you've given us such joy during the pandemic being able to walk out and pick up pasta from your stoop, it's been amazing," Arevalo said.
Her stoop sales are now relocating to the restaurant Allison had planned to open when the pandemic hit.
"In essence selling pasta on the porch has been a soft opening?" Eyewitness New asked.
"Absolutely, I didn't intend that but now so many people know about the restaurant," she said. "I'm excited about the opening."
It's something they chat about at the stoop.
Customers have been showing their support by buying Arevalo's cookbook and gift cards to Pasta Louise, which is named after her grandmother.
"She really kept the whole family together and was always feeding us, you could never leave her house without eating," Arevalo said. "She taught me the importance of family and cooking."
A grandmother's legacy, that is at the heart of Arevalo's pasta, whether she's selling it from her stoop or her restaurant.
abc7NY Phase Tracker:


text:
Unitas launches Digital Excellence Academy
Members of Unitas Wholesale will soon be benefiting from a raft of digital advice after a new initiative was launched.
Delivered in partnership with Lumina Intelligence, the Digital Excellence Academy will offer advice and support to Unitas’s 165 wholesalers across several digital-related subjects.
Members will also be given the chance to get a digital health check on their business, which will rate and benchmark their online capabilities, while also identifying opportunities to grow sales.
To get the ball rolling on the Digital Excellence Academy, a Unitas member-exclusive virtual event will be held on 2 February to focus on best practice for B2B wholesale transactional websites and apps.
The launch comes on the back of news that Unitas’s union with another industry specialist, TWC, has created member sales topping £250 million with its Unitas Data Service.
The initiative, which was launched nine months ago, has seen key suppliers – including JTI, PepsiCo and KP Snacks – sign up to get insight on more than 30,000 SKUs.
As of 1 December, 25 wholesale members are signed up to the bring the total read of the service to £1.35 billion, with further additions agreed for 2021.
“Clearly 2020 has been a challenging year for the whole industry,” said Unitas Managing Director Darren Goldney.
“However, one where data has been an imperative in understanding fast-moving trends and changing consumer behaviours which have impacted our members and the supply chain, enabling them to respond quickly to either drive opportunity or mitigate risk.
“And we appreciate that our data service has represented an investment for suppliers, however, one that has paid significant dividends this year in keeping ahead of market turbulence, especially bearing in mind that we have seen far less ‘feet on the street’ over the last few months.
“We continue to be impressed by TWC’s ability to analyse data and provide valuable insight, in addition to the easy to use reporting solution which suppliers have found straightforward to access.
“The platform, which can be accessed by central office, members and suppliers is, without doubt, driving commercially robust decisions based on sector leading insight. This, combined with apps, is playing a pivotal role with both members and customers to drive engagement, best practice and loyalty.”Darren Goldney data digital Lumina Inteliigence TWC Unitas Wholesale


text:
A Multnomah County jury awarded $105,000 to a 59-year-old African-American woman who was secretly followed by video camera in the Clackamas Town Center H&M clothing store before she was swept off to a back room and falsely accused of shoplifting.
Brenda Moaning was one of hundreds of excited shoppers to flock to the opening days of the mall’s H&M store in May 2011, but she was singled out by loss-prevention officers.
During a five-day trial, she claimed it was because she is black. Monday, jurors said Moaning didn’t prove racial discrimination, but at least nine of 12 agreed H&M had committed false arrest of Moaning and acted with malice. Jurors also found H&M committed battery for temporarily taking her purse.
Moaning said she had mixed feelings about the verdict, feeling vindicated on some points but disappointed that jurors found race didn’t play a role.
Moaning said store security had no reason to watch her before she was apprehended: Moaning had all necessary receipts for items in her bag, but she testified that loss-prevention officers grabbed her by the arms and pulled them behind her back, told her she looked like a “common thief” and wouldn’t let her go.
Sweden-based H&M has 3,200 stores worldwide. “How do we let them know that’s not who we want to be?” said one of Moaning’s attorneys, Greg Kafoury. “How do we get that message all the way back to Stockholm, Sweden? They may be in 54 different countries, but I’m sure there’s one language they understand. The language of money.”
One of H&M’s attorneys, Katie Buxman, contended that Moaning was not grabbed or called a thief — and that race had nothing to do with the May 13, 2011, incident.
Source: The Oregonian | Aimee Green | firstname.lastname@example.org


text:
The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has warned shop owners in the country against selling of rotten foods.
The development comes at a time when Malawians are bracing persistent blackouts that have seen businesses not running due to lack of power supply.
Among the businesses include shops that sell foods which require very low temperatures for them not to go bad.
MBS managing director Davlin Chokazinga has since advised shop owners in the country to dump all food items showing signs of going bad in their cold room.
Chokazinga added that the body is to take measures if shop owners are seen defying the order from MBS.
Concurring with MBS, Malawi’s health ministry said people are not supposed to take rotten foods as this puts lives at risk.
Following blackouts in the country some people are reported to have bought and eaten rotten foods from shops, a development that has led to health problems such as food poisoning.


text:
New certification norms issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) require batteries used for devices and laptops to be separately certified. Smartphone makers might face delay in launching models as a result of this move, said a new report from the Economic Times.
The new norms which came into effect from June 1 will impact smartphone makers that assemble phones locally as batteries are imported as a separate component. The delay will be mainly due to the fact that these components would now require certification, said industry insiders and analysts. The norms are not applicable for completely built-in units. Analysts expect that smartphone makers may face inventory issues because the product will take some time to get to the market.
The rules also mandated BIS authorized imprinting on device, box and the carton from July, which will have to be done on the assembly line. It must be noted that government had issued new norms in November 2014, which required ‘secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes for use in portable applications’ to have compulsory registration under the BIS rules. The implementation was then delayed two times in 2015.
The industry is also trying to delay implementation of BIS authorization on the devices which could result into escalation of cost of compliance for all companies. Cost of compliance is expenditure of time or money in conforming with government requirements such as legislation or regulation. Experts are saying that the rise in cost of compliance will affect smaller handset makers than larger players like Samsung or Micromax , as they may not be able to sustain the cost of certification because they operate on lesser volumes.
The requirement of separate certifications for batteries may lead to smartphone companies loose valuable time in launching their phones in the current fierce market.


text:
The IPL Bonus Recharge provides full talk time and offers bonus minutes equal to the highest runs scored by a batsman in an IPL match on the previous day.
The CDMA operator will roll out services in Andhra Pradesh in the second quarter, followed by Uttar Pradesh (West), Uttar Pradesh (East) and Gujarat.
Gurudas Kamat said that at a teledensity of almost 48 per cent, the mobile subscriber base has reached the anticipated level.
The GSM brand of Tata Teleservices has announced an offer that will enable prepaid subscribers to choose a new plan every day.
The company has already launched its service in Coimbatore on March 15 under the brand name Videocon Mobile Services.
Circle A registered 3.7 million new subscribers, circle C saw 2.8 million additions and the metros registered the least number of additional subscribers at 1.1 million.
The company plans to introduce TD-LTE technology in the Indian market, with the help of local network operators.
The GSM operator will roll out its services in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan by July. Aircel has also launched 3G handsets geared for social networking.
Tata Photon plus is already present in Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur and Goa.
The GSM company has set up a network of assistance booths at the Maha Kumbh site that will provide free emergency calls and maps of the area.
The Rollover Plan allows enterprise customers to pay on a monthly basis and carry forward their unused free talk time and SMS for a period of three months.
The company's pan-India GSM service rollout is expected to be completed this year.
This is the largest deployment of BlackBerry smartphones for a police department in India. The officers are not only equipped with a BlackBerry device but also a Bluetooth supported printer.
Loop Mobile vans to travel across city providing customer services and support as Loop Mobile outlets would.
Tata Teleservices has announced that it will guarantee compensation for Tata Indicom customers if the pre-determined service levels are not met.


text:
Comcast’s FreeWheel says it’s piloting capabilities that enable seamless connection of first- and third-party data to a variety of identity solutions.
The new identity capabilities, to be released later this year, include interoperability with publisher, operator and carrier data assets.
They connect household data with Blockgraph distributors and Experian, LiveRamp, OpenAP and TransUnion data assets, as well as allow direct connections with Merkle and other proprietary agency datasets.
The abilities will allow buyers and sellers to build target segments in nearly any ID space and lets marketers plan, target, pace and measure using their first-party data and major third-party datasets, according to the company.
“With cookie deprecations on the horizon and privacy regulation evolving at a rapid pace, companies are leaning into first-party data solutions, often built on proprietary identifiers,” added Jon Whitticom, chief product officer, FreeWheel, said in a statement. “As a result, the identity landscape has become highly fragmented.”
“We are doing this to simplify workflows and create scale by driving interoperability across many of today’s leading ID solutions,” added Mark McKee, general manager, FreeWheel.


text:
From A.I. to Blockchain: Korean robot café Lounge X begins accepting crypto payments via XPOS
Pundi X has partnered up with Lounge X, a robot-powered café located in the Gangnam N Tower in Seoul, South Korea, allowing it to accept crypto payments. This means that customers can use many popular cryptocurrencies to pay for their food and drinks.
“With Lounge X already applying robotics and artificial intelligence to their services, we’re excited to further its mission of being the most technologically-advanced café in Seoul with the addition of blockchain technology. We’re excited to work with Lounge X and look forward to seeing how blockchain will have a positive impact on their customers.” — Zac Cheah, Co-Founder and CEO of Pundi X.
Lounge X is now able to process crypto transactions through the XPOS, the world’s first blockchain-based point-of-sale (POS) device. With the XPOS, Lounge X will be able to accept payments made in BTC, ETH, BNB, DGX, KCS, KNC, XEM, and Pundi X’s own token, the NPXS. Lounge X’s customers will be able to experience instant, more secure, and more seamless payments powered by Pundi X technology.
“With Pundi X, the mission to strengthen the adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency payments has united our paths. Together with several great merchant features through the XPOS, we’re happy to provide valuable experiences to our customers.” — Hwang Sungjae, CEO of Food Tech Company Lounge Lab and co-founder of Yookgram
One of the main features of Lounge X is its robot-powered services. A robot barista specializes in drip coffee, and customers can watch it pour and prepare cups by itself. Another robot is tasked to serve food and drinks to customers around the café.
Lounge X is part of Regular Six, a 3,300-square-meter dining space with seven restaurants. Other restaurants in the space include Wolhyang, Sanbang Pig, Joseon Sushi Restaurant, Pyeonghwaok, Yookgram A.I. Aging Room, and Alcove, many of which are also powered by innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics.
With the installation of the XPOS, Lounge X joins Pundi X’s global payment ecosystem, becoming one of its partner merchants. It joins merchants present in over 25 countries, all of which can accept a variety of cryptocurrencies as payment options.
As a partner merchant, Lounge X will be able to accept payments from customers with the XWallet app, a mobile wallet making it easier for customers to store and transact with their crypto assets. Lounge X’s XPOS is also compatible with the XPASS card, a physical transaction card with NFC capabilities that enables crypto payments.
While Lounge X is already able to accept payments made through various cryptocurrencies, that list will continue to expand once more tokens join Pundi X’s global payment ecosystem through the company’s token listing service called Open Platform. This will allow Lounge X to accommodate even more cryptocurrencies in the future.
When you are in Seoul, Korea, come and use your cryptos for a cup of coffee made and served by Lounge X’s robots!


text:
South Africa, who’s viewed a good number of frauds linked to cryptocurrency is alleged to be putting a regulating timeline set up, that may produce a regulating structure. The greatest scam occurred in April 2021, where the a couple of founders out of an African-based cryptocurrency replace titled Africrypt, Raees Cajee and you may Ameer Cajee, disappeared with $step three.8 billion worth of Bitcoin. As well, Mirror Trading Global disappeared that have $170 million worth of cryptocurrency inside January 2021. Inside the Summer 2020, FATF updated the guidance to provide the new “Take a trip Rule” to have cryptocurrencies, an assess and that mandates you to VASPs obtain, hold, and change details about the new originators and you will beneficiaries away from virtual investment transmits.
- Evidence of work exploration try another interest, that have regulators within the common exploration regions mentioning using electricity made from extremely polluting supply such coal to help make Bitcoin and you will Ethereum.
- Considering a march 2018 report out of Fortune, Iceland has been a retreat for cryptocurrency miners in part because the of its cheaper power.
- Cryptocurrency prices are much more unpredictable than founded monetary property for example while the carries.
- Since the day reaches near out of a good halving the brand new cryptocurrency industry limit increases, followed closely by a downtrend.
Inside central financial and you may financial systems such as the Us Federal Reserve Program, corporate boards otherwise governing bodies control the production from currency. In the example of cryptocurrency, enterprises otherwise governments usually do not create the newest equipment, and also have not very far offered backing to many other companies, banking institutions otherwise corporate agencies and therefore hold resource value mentioned in it. The root technical program upon which cryptocurrencies is centered was made by the Satoshi Nakamoto.
Best echeck casinos: Banks
In the Oct 2011, Litecoin premiered that used scrypt as the hash form alternatively from SHA-256. Peercoin, created in August 2012, put a hybrid out of evidence- best echeck casinos of-performs and you will proof-of-risk. Inside 1983, Western cryptographer David Chaum conceived from a form of cryptographic digital currency named ecash. After, in the 1995, the guy implemented they thanks to Digicash, an early sort of cryptographic digital costs.
It’s “an open, distributed ledger that may listing deals ranging from a couple functions efficiently and you may inside a great verifiable and you may permanent ways”. To be used while the a dispensed ledger, an excellent blockchain is normally treated from the a fellow-to-fellow circle together sticking with a protocol for confirming the fresh blocks. Immediately after filed, the info in just about any offered cut off can not be altered retroactively instead of the change of all subsequent prevents, and that requires collusion of your own community bulk. Inside 2018, cryptocurrencies had been currently talked about as the a tool to help you avoid economic sanctions including up against Russia and Iran, as well as Venezuela.
Inside the March 2018, the phrase cryptocurrency is added to the newest Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The device allows deals getting performed where ownership out of the brand new cryptographic products try altered. A purchase report can only getting provided by the an organization proving the modern possession ones systems. “Cryptocurrency becoming selection for specific workers’ 401 later years arrangements, WSJ reports”. Critics have also understood a large electronic waste condition within the disposing out of exploration rigs.
On the long run, of your ten leading cryptocurrencies acquiesced by the entire value of gold coins inside movement inside January 2018, simply five (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and you may Bubble ) were still for the reason that status in early 2022. Jordan Kelley, maker of Robocoin, introduced the initial Bitcoin Automatic teller machine in the united states to the 20 March 2014. The fresh kiosk installed within the Austin, Colorado, is a lot like financial ATMs however, has scanners to learn bodies-given identification such a driver’s license otherwise a great passport to show users’ identities.
Some miners pool info, revealing its processing control of a system to split the brand new reward equally, according to the amount of works they lead to the probability of finding an excellent stop. A good “share” is provided to help you members of the newest mining pond just who introduce a good legitimate partial proof-of-work. Blockchains are safe by design and so are a typical example of a great delivered computing program with high Byzantine fault tolerance. In the event the the newest cryptocurrency systems will be created, the device describes the fresh items of its source and the ways to determine the fresh possession of those the brand new equipment. Inside June 2021, El Salvador turned into the first nation to just accept Bitcoin as the courtroom delicate, following the Legislative Assembly had voted 62–22 to pass a costs submitted by Chairman Nayib Bukele classifying the brand new cryptocurrency therefore.
The situation try such as vital inside the Korea while the crypto people was for the “committing suicide check out”. A cryptocurrency community forum to your Reddit actually already been getting suicide protection help in order to impacted people. The new log prompts experts so you can electronically sign a file hash of registered records, that can following be timestamped for the Bitcoin blockchain. Writers also are expected to incorporate a personal Bitcoin target in the the first page of its paperwork. Cryptocurrencies was than the Ponzi schemes, pyramid strategies and you may monetary bubbles, including housing marketplace bubbles. Ebony currency has also been streaming on the Russia because of a dark net marketplaces named Hydra, that’s run on cryptocurrency, and enjoyed over $step 1 billion in the conversion process within the 2020, based on Chainalysis.


text:
Grocery stores providing pay increases during COVID-19 pandemic
A Sobeys grocery store is seen in Halifax on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
WINNIPEG -- A number of Canadian grocery stores are giving their workers pay boosts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sobeys announced on Sunday it’s launching its ‘Hero Pay Program.’
Michael Medline, Sobeys CEO and president, said in a statement the company is humbled by the efforts its employees make every day.
“Our team is playing a vital role in providing Canadians with food, medicine and essentials they need for their families during this terrible crisis,” he said, noting the new pay program will be for frontline workers in stores and distribution centres.
As part of the Hero Pay Program: employees will get an additional $50 a week, regardless of the number of hours worked and all employees who work more than 20 hours a week will get an additional $2 premium per hour for all hours over 20.
This program is retroactive to March 8, 2020 and workers will get their first payments in early April. At the end of April, the arrangements will be reassessed.
Sobeys noted they are hiring more part-time workers, and top-up programs are in place for workers who are self-quarantining for a two-week period or for those taking time off to care for their kids.
“Our retail and distribution teammates are true local heroes working on the frontlines in their communities to deliver essential services to Canadians,” Medline said.
“In times like these, enhanced compensation and support programs for those who need to care for themselves and their families are simply the right things to do.”
On Saturday, CTV News reported Loblaws Companies Ltd., which includes Shoppers Drug Mart and Real Canadian Superstores, announced a pay raise for its workers.
Galen Weston, executive chairman of Loblaws Companies, said in a statement the company has decided to temporarily increase pay for its store and distribution centre workers by 15 per cent, retroactive to March 8.
“Unlike so many businesses across the country right now, our supermarkets and groceries are performing well,” he said.
Grocery store chain Metro also announced its increasing employee salaries. It’s giving workers in stores and distribution centres an extra $2 per hour, retroactive from March 8 until May 2.
“Our colleagues in stores and in distribution centres have been working very hard for many days now, doing a great job to support our customers as we face an unprecedented crisis,” said a statement from Metro released Saturday.
“They work in a particularly difficult situation and have been working very long hours to serve our customers.”
- With files from CTV’s Cillian O’Brien.


text:
More than 40 businesses will be illuminated when Light Up Cheltenham returns for three weeks from February 2.
Among the prominent buildings to be lit is the historic dome that now makes up part of The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie.
Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) is organising the three-week celebration, which will also feature a giant observation wheel, standing more than 35-metres high in Imperial Gardens.
Historic buildings on The Promenade and Clarence Street will also be taking part in Light Up Cheltenham for the first time.
Luc Morel, General Manager at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie said: “We’re looking forward to being involved in this year’s Light Up Cheltenham alongside many other local businesses and iconic buildings in the area.
“It’s an exciting local initiative and we can’t wait to see our beautiful building changing colour over the next few weeks.”
There will be a range of colours displayed and all the buildings will turn red for Valentine’s Day. As well as many buildings having floodlights for the first time, other permanently-lit businesses will change their colour schemes to be part of Light Up Cheltenham.
Spectacular street theatre drumming group Spark!, who were a massive hit at the first Light Up Cheltenham last year, will return to launch the event from 5pm on Saturday February 2. Further entertainment will be provided by the Photon Juggling LED Glow Show on Saturday February 16 at the start of the half-term holiday.
BID Director Kevan Blackadder said: “The response from businesses of all kinds has been fantastic. The community spirit has shone through, with so many people wanting to be involved.


text:
Toyota car parts stolen from Bordesley Green Birmingham in theft
Shameless thugs – nicknamed “car cannibals” – ripped off the hood, lights and signed the 2018 Toyota Yaris plate, leaving the vehicle naked on November 6. Noreen Begum, 43, was ‘devastated’ after waking to find the wreckage outside her home in Bordesley Green, Birmingham.
The theft happened hours after the car was returned from the repair shop following an accident.
Speaking to Birmingham Live, Noreen said: “I said to myself no. I walked out and that was it.
“Before this incident, I had been in a car accident and had my vehicle repaired – I just got my car back on Friday evening.
“At 3:20 a.m. my phone rang and my heart stopped. It was my neighbor who said you had to get out, someone stripped your car again.”
Other auto parts have reportedly been stolen from the same area in recent weeks.
“Apparently my car wasn’t the only one – two days ago another car was stripped of parts on another road. My neighbour’s catalytic converter was also stolen – so car parts theft is increasing now,” Noreen continued.
“I have to pay £250 to pay for the damage that has been done, which is not my fault.
“Whoever they are, I want them to understand that this is not acceptable and that more awareness is needed.
“I remember two years ago there were a lot of chop shops and garages that were raided – the police were on it. It stopped for a while, but now it’s back rising.”
Police are investigating the latest theft, which is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Saturday.
A West Midlands Force spokesperson said: “A front bumper was stolen from a Toyota Yaris in Pretoria Road, Bordesley green November 6.
“We understand how inconvenient this type of theft is and urge anyone with information to contact us through the live chat website.”


text:
ABF Freight System Inc. has promoted Russ Aikman to director of marketing and public relations effective immediately, replacing Danny Loe, who recently was named vice president of yield management for the company. Aikman now is responsible for market strategy, new product development, Internet and intranet initiatives, advertising and public relations.
Aikman has been with ABF for 11 years, most recently as manager of the ABF TurnKey, Information Center and ByRequest departments – centralized customer service groups that develop customized solutions for ABF customers. Aikman also served previously as a regional training specialist with ABF in Dallas and a management trainee in Kansas City, Mo.
“During his 11 years of service to the transportation industry, Russ Aikman has developed the skills and insights needed to guide the marketing and public relations efforts of our company,” says Roy Slagle, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Fort Smith, Ark.-based company. “Russ has worked closely with some of ABF’s largest customers to build unique solutions to some of the industry’s leading challenges, and I am confident that ABF and its customers will benefit as he brings this knowledge of the market to his new assignment.”


text:
San Diego brewpub chain buys old Stone Brewing plant
According to the Beer Yard, the Southern California brewpub chain Pizza Port has completed the purchase of the old Stone brewery this past Monday and is already in the process of brewing there.
Two distinct lines will be produced and bottled at the 30-barrel brewhouse. Port Brewing will produce draft and bottled versions of Pizza Port’s core beers while The Lost Abbey will do bottle-only versions of “Belgian-inspired ales.”
The first beers from the new brewery are expected to be released in California by March and in Arizona by summer.


text:
Philippines: Business optimism soars to 7-year high in Quarter 1
MANILA, Philippines – Business optimism in the Philippines soared to a new high seven-year in the first quarter, ranking as the second strongest among 36 economies worldwide, a new global survey showed.
Grant Thornton’s International Business Report revealed business leaders in the country are at their most confident in seven years, with optimism rising to a net 98 percent in the first quarter from 56 percent in the same period last year and 80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Based on data available since the fourth quarter of 2010, the highest business optimism which the country recorded prior to the latest results was in the third quarter of 2013, with a net rate of 96 percent.
The 98 percent optimism rate of business executives on the country’s economy over the next 12 months placed it second behind Indonesia’s 100 percent.
Malta placed third with 86 percent, followed by India and Netherlands at 85 percent and 84 percent, respectively.
Major economies like the US recorded a business optimism rate of 80 percent in the first quarter (ranking 6th), while China was at 48 percent (ranking 16th) and Russia at 14 percent (ranking 25th).
Japan and Greece were at the bottom with -25 percent and -52 percent, respectively.
The global survey covered 2,400 businesses in 36 economies.
“We’ve witnessed a split between the developed and emerging Asia-Pacific regions for some time now, so it’s encouraging to see the region’s developed economies experience a positive swing in the pendulum. With confirmation of a US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, at least businesses can now begin to manage the fall-out. Many will be looking to see how trade relations with the US pan out in the future and, in the meantime, the corridor to China for exports looks positive as its economy continues to recover,” P&A Grant Thornton chairperson and CEO Marivic Espano said.
For the Philippines, expectation for higher revenues in the next 12 months increased to 76 percent in the first quarter from 66 percent in the same quarter last year. Profitability expectations are also higher at 84 percent from 70 percent the previous year.
Meanwhile, businesses who have cited regulations and red tape as major constraint have declined to 28 percent in the first quarter from 52 percent in the same period last year.


text:
The Online Publishers Association threw down the gauntlet with a study released August 13 that questions the advertising effectiveness of ad networks and portals. As one ad network executive, Burst Media CEO Jarvis Coffin, put it, OPA “opted to set fire to the forest floor that … scorched the effectiveness of the entire Internet as a brand medium save for its 50, or so, members.”
The OPA study claims advertising placed through ad networks and portals generated the smallest change for branding metrics, and in some cases made no difference.
“Not all inventory is created equal,” said Pam Horan, president of OPA. “Different environments produce different results.”
Ad effectiveness scores on member content sites were numerically higher than ads placed on portals or ad networks. The findings are based on Dynamic Logic’s MarketNorms ad effectiveness data, and includes a global database of 5,000 campaigns and 7 million respondents.
But ad networks say this study is missing the point, suggesting there is a place for both ad networks and premium pricing. Many brands purchase premium content on publisher sites and fill in the blanks with remnant inventory.
MarketNorms calculates the average performance of all online campaigns on branded content sites, portals and ad networks.
The findings show that ads on OPA member sites were consistently effective in raising awareness, creating message association, generating brand favorability and driving purchase intent over portals, ad networks and the overall MarketNorms average.
In addition, online ad awareness metrics were 21% greater for ads on content sites than portals, and 50% more than ad networks; and purchase intent was about two-thirds higher on content sites than portals, and nine times that of ad networks. The study also found that video ads on content sites represented by OPA members have the greatest impact: purchase intent was 163% higher than overall MarketNorms data and 93% more than portals.
Some executives find the OPA study too simplistic. An investment banker and former online ad executive said, “I think the OPA is right at an oversimplified level, but the study ignored some pivotal factors. One is cost and the other is how skillfully one buys networks. A network will happily run many of your impressions on the cheapest & lowest value sites if you don’t know what you are doing.”
He added that premium content sites fall short of delivering the results commensurate with their premium price. “The OPA content sites are a lot more expensive and should deliver better results,” he said, concluding that “the study is a bit superficial.”
The contrast is stark, asserted Bruce Rogers, chief brand officer at Forbes. “This is about premium content with premium pricing vs. low prices devoid of content and context,” he said. “[The study findings] show advertisers why it makes sense to advertise in a premium environment.”
But John Ardis, VP of corporate strategy at ValueClick, disagreed with Rogers’ point of view. “To suggest that there is a different kind of experience is kind of missing the point,” he said. “What networks provide is a cost effective way to provide near real time business results and to allow their ad appear on a handful of sites across the Web.”
Not surprisingly, advertisers use both premium ad placements and network buys. “If an advertiser is doing more of a branding campaign, it will probably go to more name brand properties,” Ardis said. “They tend to spend as much as they can afford on the well-known publishing properties and… the rest on remnant inventory to get reach.”
Many publishers sell their remnant inventory through ad networks. “Many of the networks do have some of the same types of inventory as these publishers,” said Dave Moore, founder/chairman of 24/7 Real Media. “Some of the members of the OPA outsource a significant amount of their inventory to networks, so to say that there was a 21% difference in effectiveness is surprising.”
Indeed, media agencies tend to buy across various ad networks and select premium media to make sure that they are getting a little bit of everything.
For example, in a campaign that [email protected] did for the American Red Cross this past spring, the agency ran ads on more well-known sites, such as MenuPages, HopStop, Fandango, Bloomberg.com and NYMag.com, as well as lesser-known sites, to help reach their target audience across the Web. It worked with a slew of ad networks including AOL’s Platform-A, InterClick, Burst, Gorilla, Tribal Fusion and ValueClick, to make the reach as wide as possible.
Laura Scala, partner, group planning director, media [email protected], told DMNews that using ad networks helped get the best bang for their buck.
“In some cases, it is a gray area, and you might just use both. They do work in concert with each other,” Scala said.
For their part, ad networks have been evolving their tracking and adding tools such as contextual, behavioral and geographic targeting, as well as offering vertical ad networks based on specific industries to improve effectiveness.
“There are a host of networks that focus on adding value beyond supply aggregation in the equation that will not only exist, but thrive and grow,” said Michael Katz, founder and president of ad network InterClick, via e-mail. “It’s naive to underestimate networks, which tend to be hotbeds for innovation. And it’s instructive that the largest agency holding companies are all building networks.” l


text:
A driver in PPE moves a new Tesla passenger car from Shanghai off a ro-ro ship in the port in Yantai in east China’s Shandong province Monday, April 25, 2022.
Tang Ke | Aspect China | Getty Visuals
Tesla in June accomplished its highest regular monthly income of China-created autos since opening its Shanghai plant in 2019, info confirmed on Friday, as the U.S. carmaker ramped up output which experienced been strike by the city’s Covid-19 lockdown.
Tesla offered 78,906 China-designed cars in June, such as 968 for export, the China Passenger Car or truck Association reported. In Might it sold 32,165 cars and exported 22,340.
Tesla also achieved the greatest monthly output at its Shanghai plant in June, additional CPCA’s secretary common Cui Dongshu, without having offering a specific variety.
Covid limits in Shanghai in the April–June quarter experienced hobbled Tesla’s output there although its new factories in Berlin and Texas struggled to boost output.
CEO Elon Musk had urged team to get the job done more durable to make up for the losses at the conclude of the “incredibly challenging” quarter after China’s zero-Covid lockdowns brought on deeper disruptions to output than he had predicted.
The Shanghai plant, which manufactures Product 3s and Design Ys, reopened on April 19 but only resumed entire generation in mid-June.
China’s in general passenger auto revenue in June totaled 1.97 million, up 22% from a year previously aided by governing administration measures, CPCA claimed. Cui predicted vehicle gross sales in July to raise by around 20% from a yr ago, whilst demand could further improve in the fourth quarter, top to strong development for the complete yr.
Income of electric vehicles accounted for 27% of the full in June and greater 130.8%, CPCA extra.
With 52,557 sent in June, Tesla’s Model Y ranked the best-selling design amid all passenger cars for the initial time. It has a beginning price tag of 316,900 yuan ($47,311), surpassing the 28,800-yuan Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.
BYD, which would make both equally pure electrical cars and trucks and plug-in hybrids, led the EV players with 133,762 cars and trucks shipped in June.
Xpeng delivered 15,295 and Li Auto delivered 13,024.
China reduce the purchase tax for little-engined automobiles by half on June 1 and nearby governments which include Beijing and Shanghai have also presented subsidies or additional car possession quotas to boost profits.
China on Thursday announced a raft of new actions to spur demand from customers for cars and trucks, expressing it would think about extending a tax break for electrical motor vehicles and outlining options to build far more charging stations and inspire decreased charging charges.


text:
STARKE, Fla. (WCJB)- With the US-301 bypass open in Starke, downtown businesses are preparing to get there businesses seen.
"We've all complained about the traffic and in some cases, it's been a detriment to use some of our businesses because with all the semis that we've had on the streets it was difficult for people to navigate through town," said Pam Whittle, President and CEO of the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce
Whittle is working on several initiatives with business owners to improve their presence.
One initiative is to buy two billboards and place them at each end of the bypass that will say "Stop in Starke".
The other is stressing the importance of going digital.
"Whenever people do get reminded, hey stop in Starke, well then what is in Starke …Google? Siri?," said Kristina Libby.
Kristina Libby owns Libby's Massage and Wellness and has been a business owner in Starke for more than a year.
"Now that all the traffic is gone I think that I'm going to see an increase of clients that are willing to get out and about now," said Libby.
Whittle is arranging workshops for the downtown businesses and says the billboard will cost about $12000 for the year and will be up soon.


text:
It appears that Instagram is testing out a new feature to let users watch live streams on its web platform.
Up until now, users have only been able to view Instagram live streams on the mobile app. There hasn’t been an official announcement from Instagram yet, as the company could probably be testing out the feature right now.
This wouldn’t be unlikely since Instagram tested out web DMs for a while before making an official announcement. I was able to test out the feature on my account, and the web experience of watching live streams is similar to that of the mobile app.
The web platform takes advantage of the extra screen space by displaying live comments on the side. On the mobile app, comments usually take up half of the screen, which can be annoying.
It should be noted that you can’t start a live stream from the web platform, and that the feature only allows users to view them.
This is the perfect time for Instagram to roll this out worldwide since people are self-isolating at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous musicians and celebrities are doing frequent live concerts or chats with fans on Instagram, and it would be handy for people to be able to view them on the web platform.
It would also make sense to roll it out the functionality now since people are likely using their desktops more frequently than their phones.


text:
During a showcase broadcast today, Capcom revealed the latest information regarding Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy. This title, available on January 25, 2024 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, and PC (Steam), brings together three emblematic games from the series: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney™, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual DestiniesAnd Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice.
This compilation promises an improved visual experience with high definition resolution, smoother animations, and a 16:9 aspect ratio. A redesigned user interface and modern system features will allow players to immerse themselves in the world of trials.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy also offers new additions to delight fans of the series, including an Animation Studio featuring iconic characters from the saga, an Orchestra Room with 175 musical tracks, and an Art Gallery bringing together more than 500 artworks and illustrations.
A particularly notable aspect is the first availability of the entire trilogy in French, both in terms of text and voices.
To top it off, players will have free access to previously paid content, such as costume packs and special episodes.
Ace Attorney REVIEW: Apollo Justice – A reissue that doesn’t do Apollo justice
Apollo Justice Ace Attorney Trilogy Release Date Announced at TGS 2023
Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice is coming to Nintendo 3DS
The Ace Attorney Trilogy will launch on January 25, 2024
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy REVIEW – Brilliant and Exciting
The Ace Attorney trilogy is coming to Xbox Game Pass
Physical release of the Ace Attorney trilogy announced for Japan and Asia
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy launches on video
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice
Ace Attorney 6: Spirit of Justice will be released in the West in September 2016
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles arrives July 27
RE Village, Monster Hunter, Ace Attorney: all the info from Capcom’s leak
Ace Attorney 6: A date in Japan and two videos
An Ace Combat trilogy in preparation?
Ace in One Piece’s Tragic End: A Deep Dive into His Character’s Demise
OnePlus Ace 2: The brand is preparing for the release of a new generation
Ace Combat 7: Update Adds Content to Bandai Namco’s Game
DC Krypto and Ace: Super Dogs is coming to PC and consoles now
Ptron Unveils Reflect Ace and Zenbuds Evo TWS Earbuds: Key Specifications, Pricing, and Additional Features
Bandai Namco renews its iconic licenses like Soulcalibur and Ace Combat
Pennsylvania man accused of murdering wife during argument over cat’s veterinary care
Thai hostages expected to return after Hamas release
Beninese students defrauded by a fake business school
Billionaire Charles Koch bets on Nikki Haley to beat Donald Trump
Monique Olivier admits “all the facts” with which she is accused during her trial
Paris for beginners; a basic guide for visitors to the City of Lights
the UNI calls for demonstrations on Friday in Bordeaux
Deadly shooting at downtown restaurant prompts additional police patrols – KTLA 5
Kidnapped woman manages to escape and shows up at hospital with chain and padlock around her neck
Suika game reaches 4.4 million copies sold
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games Announced for December 2023
Montbrial’s vade mecum against insecurity and immigration
Elon Musk apologizes for anti-Semitic tweet but tells advertisers ‘ you’ during Dealbook Summit interview
What remains of Gaza: scenes of destruction and pangs of despair
Relaxation of Éric Dupond-Moretti, truce in Gaza and 2030 Winter Olympics… Franceinfo is informed of Wednesday November 29, 2023
Erdogan calls Netanyahu ‘butcher of Gaza’, hostage releases continue
After 50 years, the United States will return to the Moon on January 25
Sonic Superstars launch was ‘slightly weaker than expected’ according to SEGA
“But what happened? », the great battle of Gabriel against the Blood and Gold
The war on Gaza has sharpened the grievances of the Egyptian population – both towards Palestine and within the country | Reem Abou-El-Fadl
Source : zurchers


text:
Give us back the mark, say Germans
MOST Germans want the euro scrapped because unscrupulous traders have used its introduction to dramatically increase prices. In a poll, more than half said they wanted the Deutschmark back - just five months after it was replaced by the single currency.
Consumers have been outraged that staples such as bread, milk, cheese, meat, flour and sugar have gone up, while other items have doubled in price. And the problem is not limited to Germany. Watchdogs say that in the 12 countries which switched to the euro on January 1, more than 10,000 products now cost more.
Now some German politicians are calling for euro-zone 'police' with powers to fine retailers who have made exorbitant price rises. The development is embarrassing for a government which more than any other embraced the concept and birth of the single currency, which was championed by European Central Bank chief Wim Duisenberg.
Germany spent billions of Deutschmarks campaigning for the euro and persuading the public that it would be good for them. But now 54% of Germans polled by the prestigious Allensbach Institute say they want it replaced by the old and trusted mark. The response will send shock waves through Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's government, which is already trailing badly in the opinion polls ahead of September's General Election.
In the same poll, 81% said they still calculate prices in marks - perhaps explaining why so many have flooded the government with complaints about rising prices.
A separate survey in the east of the country found that 60% wanted the mark back and the euro consigned to history. That was 14% more than when the question was last asked in March.
Last week the German government and its national bank, the Bundesbank, finally admitted what the public had been telling them since January 1 - that the euro has sent prices through the roof. Finance minister Hans Eichel said: 'We made the mistake of allowing commerce to regulate itself and that was a blunder on our part.' He said that countries such as France and the Netherlands, where many price rises were outlawed with the introduction of the single currency, had fared better than Germany. He added: 'The mood among the people is depressed about this.'
Bundesbank board member Franz-Christoph Zeitler said: 'In particular goods and services in the regions have risen considerably. We can only hope that the rises have reached their peak.' The bank's president Ernst Weltke had even admitted before the euro was introduced that the switchover would be an opportunity for 'people to misuse it to increase prices'.
Christianne Schulz, head of a Berlin consumer group, said: 'Finally the government is waking up to what we have been saying all along. The euro is the biggest rip-off since the hyper-inflation of Weimar. We have all been had and the sooner it goes the better.'
The Office of Consumer Protection in Hamburg named and shamed several shops which had made drastic price rises. An official said: 'In some cases the Deutschmark sign was just exchanged for a euro sign which nearly doubled the price.'
Most watched Money videos
- Ferrari launches new green supercar: 296 GTB plug-in hybrid
- Land Rover unveil prototype hydrogen powered Defender
- Discover the water-resistant interior of the new Ineos Grenadier 4X4
- Take a look at £3.3 million Bugatti Chiron Super Sport hypercar
- Volkswagen reveals stylish hybrid, seven-seater, family bus
- E-Type UK Unleashed transforms classic cars using modern features
- Stunning Lotus Emira unveiled as company's last petrol car
- Vauxhall to make electric Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD concept car
- 1937 Bugatti Type 57: One of the most valuable pre-war cars
- Futuristic zero-emissions electric Ioniq 5 from Hyundai
- Are investors too worried or too complacent about inflation?
- Why UK smaller companies can profit in the recovery


text:
Further to my earlier post on Yahoo Messenger, For Yahoo, Mistrust Is Popping Up is a brand new article spotted via Slashdot from BusinessWeek covering recent hits Yahoo's taking on the installation issues front, the China censorship/privacy front and the spyware front. Yahoo says its reputation is safe. "Users can put their trust in us because that is what we're built on," Yahoo COO Daniel Rosensweig is quoted as saying. But the idea that Yahoo might perhaps pale "as rival Google Inc. holds itself up as a paragon of consumer friendliness." Many, many are no longer seeing Google as so friendly, either.
Meet Your Favorite Search Engine Watch Contributors
Many of SEW's leading expert contributors will be at ClickZ Live, the new online and digital marketing event kicking off in New York (March 31-April 3). Hear from the likes of: Thom Craver, Josh Braaten, Lisa Barone, Simon Heseltine, Josh McCoy, Lisa Raehsler, Greg Jarboe, Dan Cristo, Joseph Kerschbaum, John Gagnon, Eric Enge and more!


text:
Anticompetitive Conduct Delayed Generic Competition Causing Illinois Consumers to Pay More for Provigil
Chicago —(ENEWSPF)–August 4, 2016. Attorney General Lisa Madigan today joined with her counterparts in 47 other states and Washington, D.C. to announce a $125 million settlement with Cephalon Inc., a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and its affiliated companies for anticompetitive conduct to protect monopoly profits for its landmark drug, Provigil, a medication used to treat narcolepsy.
Madigan and other state attorneys general allege that Cephalon delayed generic competition for Provigil for several years by filing patent infringement lawsuits against all potential generic competitors and by filing for additional patents as the regulatory barriers that prevented generic competition to Provigil neared expiration. As a result, consumers and states paid hundreds of millions of dollars more for Provigil than they would have for generic versions of the drug.
Under the settlement, Illinois will receive as much as $5 million, which will be used to compensate Illinois consumers and state agencies that purchased Provigil.
“Illinois consumers significantly overpaid for a drug they should have been able to purchase at much lower generic prices,” Madigan said.
The settlement is subject to court review, and consumers will receive notice of eligibility and an opportunity to participate in, object to or opt out of the settlement.
Division Chief Robert Pratt handled the case for Madigan’s Antitrust Bureau.


text: “Symbian today said it will open most of the source code for its mobile operating system to third party developers, in its latest effort to encourage the creation of more software for the platform. The company also announced that German electronics giant Siemens has agreed to buy 5 percent of the company for more than 20-million euros ($17.8 million). The software company, which is co-owned by Psion as well as Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and others, already provides most of its code to its licensees, and will offer the same access to software developers through a new plan called the “Symbian Platinum Program”. A number of third parties have already committed to joining the program, including Intel, AppForge, Texas Instr. and UK chip-designer ARM Holdings.” Read the rest of the story at ZDNews.


text:
As part of the 2019 edition of the Nextv Series Colombia event, the leading conference developed last June 27th at the JW Marriott Hotel in Bogota, Marko Estacio, Customer Success Manager at Arris, was the protagonist of a one on one session titled ‘The future of set-top box, its role in the smart home’. The main topics analyzed were his vision of the trends that will reach households in the coming years, STBs evolution, the role of remote control against digital assistants and the operators obstacles and opportunities in this context to develop integration experiences.
When asked about trends that will reach households in the coming years, Estacio said that this year the first products with the Wi-Fi 6 standard are starting to come into the market, which, according to the executive, will work much better in very dense environments, and highlighted that it will have a better scope, will allow to save energy and incorporated technologies that will allow the connection of IOT devices as its main features. Estacio said the new standard is necessary because it will support ‘multiple 4K streams in homes, the Cloud Gaming application – which is believed to be very popular in the coming years – and the possibility of integrating more digital assistants and smart devices inside the house’.
Later, Estacio expressed himself on the evolution of STBs, and said that ‘although we have been talking for years that the STB is going to disappear, or that other devices can take their functions, it has been able to add different content experiences for the consumer and offer a safe environment for the integration of content providers video products’. This way, he said that, referring to the use of the STB, ‘consumers has become used to having these devices in multiple rooms within their homes, so, from our point of view, if we put this together with the use of connected devices inside the house, the explosion of applications available today, or the use of smart speakers to communicate with an assistant, these functions can be integrated into the STB hardware and, by its preferential location inside the house, the STB can reach several functions’.
Thinking about operators, Estacio said that they face ‘certain obstacles, in the sense that the way in which we traditionally hire x-play services, is usually a single service; device; and many times it is a support group within the operator that watches that device. And, on the other hand, as consumers, we are living in homes where there are more and more devices and experiences that require integration’. In this context, the executive said that ‘more than obstacles, there is an opportunity to start working on these devices, relying on this technology, and offer new services that basically integrate multiple technologies and devices, working in coordination’. As an example, the executive cited that, in video services terms, this is translated into making the STB a platform for multiple applications to run’.
‘I could not predict that the remote control will disappear, but it will probably be forgotten, and it is mainly because the digital assistants are taking a lot of strength, and how they have been developed is very interesting’, said the executive about the role of remote control in front of the new digital assistants. ‘Today, many operators are wondering if they have to develop their own digital assistant’, he added, and, about that, said that ‘a digital assistant is composed of three things: the ability to understanding spoken language, understanding the language and the skills or actions that the assistant will do with other integrated devices’. This way, Estacio said that ‘operators can develop skills, keep them in their private cloud and leverage all that artificial intelligence that already exists’.
‘There is definitely going to be an evolution of STBs to what, for example, we call ‘smart media devices’. For an average consumer, the integration of devices is complex, then there is going to be a consolidation, and we see an incredible opportunity for the operators, who must be avant-garde because they can develop this integration for the final consumer’, he said. Finally, he added that the opportunities are ‘to be able to take advantage of these new experiences, where, rather than being a specific services provider, the operator must be a provider of experiences that are delivered with broadband applications, which include multiple devices within the house operating harmoniously, and leveraged in technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital assistants, understanding the way to bring new technology to the subscribers homes has no need to be with the leasing model of the STB. I think there is a paradigm change in the way services and devices are delivered in homes’, he concluded.


text:
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Aims to Grab More of SSD Market In 2015 As It Is In Talks With Potential Customers Like Google, Amazon And Apple
Samsung uses a new SSD technology known as 3D V-NAND, which allows for stacking of more memory cells to give greater capacity while maintaining small size. The company is in discussions with Google, Apple and Amazon to use its SSD products in their datacenters. Samsung also hopes to make more SSD sales as demand remains high for mobile and servers.
There reports that Samsung is supplying its SSD to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for MacBooks.
Larger market share
According to IHS, Samsung will possibly control 35% of the SSD market share in 2015 and 2016, and its revenue will rise from just about $4 billion in 2014 to more than $4.57 billion this year. Revenue in the SSD segment is expected to rise further next year to about $4.9 billion. Overall, SSD market is expected to reach $13.12 billion in 2015, larger than $11.58 billion in 2014. Further growth of the market is expected, leading to market value of $14.26 billion in 2016.
Samsung controlled 34% of the solid-state drive (SSD) market in 2014, fetching nearly $4 billion in revenue in the segment. It closest rival Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) generated $1.99 billion in the SSD market.
Samsung boasts as the only company currently able to offer stacked 3D V-NAND SSD in large volumes, which allows the company to win more contracts.
Betting on semiconductor business
The company is looking for new growth and its semiconductor business is showing positive signs of growth. Business in the company’s mobile unit is longer what it used to be as competition intensifies from rivals Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Xiaomi.
Latest posts by Neha Gupta (see all)
- Is Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) Winning Or Losing In Virtual Reality Space? - May 27, 2016 07:35 AM PST
- No Growth In Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)’s 3Q Comps Explained - May 27, 2016 07:34 AM PST
- How Will International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)’s Big Data University Help? - May 27, 2016 07:33 AM PST


text:
Lagos -Some financial experts on Wednesday said the devaluation of Chinese Yuan would lead to more influx of Chinese goods and discourage manufacturing and patronage of locally made goods.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the development would worsen the challenges faced by the manufacturing industry in the country.
Malam Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd. Lagos, said the development would pose more threat to the local manufacturing industry due to high interest rate and unfriendly economic environment.
Mr Michael Oyebola, President, Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN), however, said the devaluation would make exports from China cheaper.
Oyebola said that government should map out blueprint aimed at tackling the nation’s infrastructure challenges to boost local industries.
China on Aug. 11, devalued the yuan by about two per cent after a run of poor economic data.
The central bank said the devaluation was due to its official guidance rate, which was down nearly 2 per cent to 6.2298 yuan per dollar – its lowest point in almost three year.
To revamp the Chinese economy, Beijing has redirected its focus on the tourism sector.
The government said it was aiming to double leisure spending to 5.5 trillion yuan ($886 billion) by 2020.
It said 10 new ports for cruise ships would be constructed by 2020 and state companies would be encouraged to build vacation boats to spur tourism growth.
In addition, around 1,000 camp grounds for recreational vehicles will be developed by 2020 and 57,000 toilet facilities for tourists will be built or renovated in the next three years.
“Wireless networks will be installed at top tourist spots to give visitors free Internet access at some 10,000 destinations.
“To pay for the new construction, funds will be created and private investors will be encouraged to become partners in projects,’’ the cabinet said.
Mr Olaleye Williams, the Managing Director, GlobalView Consult & Investments Ltd., Lagos, said that Nigeria should learn from the boldness of the Chinese in tackling its pressing issues.
Williams said that a blueprint was necessary because of China’s strategic importance to the nation’s foreign trade relations.
He said that “Chinese imports will be cheaper still while Nigeria’s oil exports will become less valuable”. (NAN)


text:
The volume of the advertising market in Russia will decline by 17 percent – down to 282.26 billion roubles - in 2015. This was reported in the forecast report of ZenithOptimedia, as TASS writes.
This decline will be the second in its scale since the beginning of the century after 2009, when the collapse made up 27.5 percent. In particular, the TV advertising market will shrink by 19 percent - down to 129.4 billion roubles, advertising in print media and on radio will fall by 35 percent - down to 21.5 billion and 11 billion roubles, respectively. The only market to show growth in the current year will be the online advertising (by 5 percent, down to 88.8 billion roubles).
The expenditures on global advertising will increase by a total of 4.4 percent. Initially ZenithOptimedia Group expected a 4.9 percent growth, but the situation was affected by the economic instability in Russia and Ukraine, as well as slowing of growth in China. It is predicted that in 2016 the global advertising market will grow by 5.3 percent in connection with the summer Olympic Games and presidential elections in the United States.
Author: Anna Dorozhkina


text:
Aldi is to open 130 new stores in the UK over the next two years, creating 5,000 new jobs.
Nearly 30 of those will be in Wales.
The German grocer said the move will help it move towards a previously set target of 1,000 stores by 2022.
The network will be supported by plans for three new warehouses.
Aldi opened a £59.5m regional distribution centre at Wentloog, Cardiff, in 2017, which created more than 440 jobs in the city.
The latest store expansion announcement came as Aldi revealed that sales grew 16.4% across the UK and Ireland to a record £10.2 billion in 2017.
Full-year operating profit rose 26% to £265.9 million.
Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, said the supermarket's investment signalled its "continued commitment to growing responsibly in the UK".
"That means having a positive and lasting impact on the economies where we operate and improving the lives of British people," he added.
"In 2020, Aldi will have been serving British shoppers for 30 years. In that time, we've become part of the fabric of British life.
"We're proud to be reaffirming our commitment today."
The grocer also outlined plans to boost its range of British suppliers, who already account for its core range of meat, eggs, milk butter and fresh meat.
Aldi said it currently spends more than £100 million each week with more than 1,000 local suppliers.
The discounter is now Britain's fifth largest supermarket with 775 stores, having attracted a further 1.1 million shoppers last year.
In August Aldi was named UK’s lowest priced supermarket by trade magazine The Grocer. It now accounts for 7.6% of all UK grocery store spending, according to Kantar Worldpanel data.
The results come as UK grocer Tesco tries to take on discounter Aldi and its German peer Lidl with the launch of its new store format Jack's.
Aldi and Lidl have eaten into the market share of Britain's so-called "big four" supermarkets.
Tesco plans to open up to 15 Jack's branches over the next year.
Mr Hurley said: "Savvy customers know they can swap and save with Aldi, thanks to great quality products at lower prices.
"This is happening on a massive scale, with more than 1.1 million new customers shopping with us throughout 2017.
"While other grocers introduced more complexity into their businesses in their struggle to win back customers, we stuck to our guns and focused on doing what Aldi does best - buying smart, staying lean, improving quality and keeping prices low."
Full list of target sites in Wales


text:
Google adds speaker support and new gestures to Android Wear
Although the smart wearable industry is still in its infancy and many users do not take smartwatches and fitness trackers seriously, Google seems to pay much attention to the Android Wear platform. Most smartwatches currently available on the market use Android Wear and seeing a new update for this platform is no surprise.
Not long after adding Wrist Gestures to Android Wear, Google provides a new update that brings new gestures, but also voice actions and speaker support. While the new gestures include push, lift, or shake, Android Wear now allows its users to send messages from apps like Viber, WhatsApp, or Google Hangouts. At last, users of watches with a speaker can use them to make and take calls over Bluetooth, but can also listen to audio/video messages using apps like Glide.
According to yesterday's official post about this update, the changes "are rolling out to all Android Wear watches over the next few weeks, including new watches like the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch and Huawei Watch for Ladies."


text:
ASDA was one of the first retailers to bring the Black Friday sales to the UK from the States but has steered clear from them in recent years.
Instead, the food chain, which is owned by US-giant Walmart, decided to focus on "lower prices all year round".
Black Friday has become the biggest shopping day in the calendar, with thousands of bargain hunters bagging deals online and on the high street.
It falls on the Friday after the US annual Thanksgiving holiday and this year it will be on November 27.
The day usually marks the start of the Christmas shopping - although if you're as organised as this mum then you would have started yours back in July.
Is Asda taking part in Black Friday?
Just two years after bringing the tradition to the UK, Asda stopped running the event.
But in 2018, it launched its own day of November deals and called it the "Green is the New Black" event.
Last year, it ran a "Roll Back" event with savings across tech, homeware and fashion.
The retailer is yet to announce what it plans to do this year - it's unlikely that it will take part in Black Friday.
We've asked Asda if it hopes to run a different day of deals in the line up to Christmas, so we'll tell you as soon as we know.
For the past two years, Asda has launched its festive discounts a week ahead of Black Friday.
Shoppers should keep their eyes peeled for discounts at the supermarket from November 16 this year.
What was in Asda's Roll Back sale in 2019?
While we wait for Asda to release details on this year's sale, we take a look at some of the best offers it ran in 2019.
Shoppers could scoop bargains online and in store, so this will hopefully give you an idea of what you can expect.
Huge deals were to be had on tech and homeware buys, as well as fitness products.
Budding chefs, or new homeowners, could kit out their kitchen with a complete set of Tefal pans for just £40, although it previously retailed for £90.
ASDA's discount on the Fitbit Inspire, which went down from £69 to £49, was ideal for those looking to start the New Year with a health kick.
And for those into tech, there was a range of smart entertainment options available.
The RCA Gemini Tablet was reduced from £129 to £89, while the NOW TV stick was half price and can be snapped up for just £15.
Shoppers could bag 20 per cent off the entire George fashion range, excluding sale items.
More Black Friday deals
Here's our guide to what to watch out for in the Ikea Black Friday sale too.
If it's an electric toothbrush that you're after, then this is where you need to look to get the best deals.


text:
The San Francisco-based disruptor for taxis is now making waves on the city’s culinary landscape, launching an aggressive marketing campaign to sign up the city’s Cantonese restaurants sought-after among Hong Kong foodies.
Among them is even Li Ka-shing’s favourite Sun Kee, a small eatery celebrated for its braised food in Sai Ying Pun. There are also a few dai pai dong restaurants with grassroots appeal, notably Chan Kun Kee which sells wasabi hand-shredded chicken in Sha Tin.
With the market share battle among food delivery services heating up in Hong Kong, major players Foodpanda and Deliveroo have been in a race to partner up with the most ubiquitous eateries. In the case of Hong Kong, many are family-owned businesses whose owners are only starting to embrace online food delivery.
“Our staff […]