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“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things we know that we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” Donald Rumsfeld
As is customary at the turn of the year, predictions abound from commentators as to what the next 12 months might have in store. In relation to the wider economic environment, the consensus among the vast majority of economists appears to be that the Bank of England has not only reached the end of its hiking cycle but that the pivot is clearly in sight. Financial markets are now pricing in four quarter percentage point reductions to the base rate by the end of the year, with the first reduction currently expected to come in May.
Of course, this assumes that UK inflation will continue its path steadily downwards towards the 2% target. Recent outlooks published by three leading forecasters – Oxford Economics, Deutsche Bank and Investec – even suggest that this could be reached as soon as April. But no matter the eminence of their source, no forecast can ever anticipate the unknown unknowns. After all, virtually every historic market crash or event preceding some significant economic turbulence or other was not forecast six months in advance. Who would have seen, for instance, the pandemic coming? Or 9/11? Or (aside from a few shrewd short-sellers) the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent global credit crunch?
The impact of any global instability – whether foreseen or otherwise – may yet, therefore, weigh heavily on these predictions.
Zooming in on the microcosm that is the credit hire market, that is probably even more so. Only a week or two ago, one might have cheerfully predicted that the worst of the unprecedented levels of inflation impacting the credit hire space so severely throughout 2022 and 2023 was over. Taking basic hire rates for instance – arguably the most significant single factor impacting hire spend, both directly in terms of settlements and indirectly through upward pressure on protocols – unique inflationary factors which drove rates to eye-watering levels never before seen appeared to be firmly in the rear-view mirror.
As a result, over the last six months, the industry has seen a sharp decrease in BHR since a seasonal mini-peak in July 2023 to levels which, as of November 2023, are on a combined average basis back to levels not seen since February 2021. While some groups remain problematic and are likely to remain at elevated levels – very high-end prestige and most of the M category for instance – there is every reason to expect that BHR might stabilise in 2024 with a reduction in the huge levels of volatility seen over the last two or so years. Moreover, with the lag between the BHR and settlement usually being in the region of 6–18 months, there may well even be reason to speculate that 2024 may bring meaningful deflation in credit hire spend, as opposed to steady disinflation.
The recent escalation of the Red Sea crisis, as the UK and US seek to protect a vital route for world trade, may yet jeopardise this. While retail hire company fleets appear now to be finally back in balance with demand following the post-Covid vehicle manufacturing crunch, many manufacturers – including Volvo, Tesla and Suzuki – have already temporarily ceased production as a result of the inability to ship essential parts from Asia via the Suez Canal. Given that it is reported that approximately 70% of components in the European vehicle manufacturing sector traverse the Red Sea waters from Asia, should the crisis persist for any length of time there is a real prospect that this could impact new vehicle supply and, in turn, result in increased fleet costs and – ultimately – renewed BHR inflation.
Further, with parts delays already still impacting claims significantly following the well documented post-Covid shortages, any further meaningful and ongoing impact on shipping parts from Asia – whether that be increased costs, delay or a complete inability to source – is far from welcome and likely to further impact key to key times and hire durations to some degree as we head into 2024.
In relation to vehicle damage, there does not appear to be an ABP pricing menu uplift currently scheduled for 2024, although this cannot be ruled out. Whether this happens or not will have a large bearing on what repair inflation ultimately looks like, although the continuation of a steady creep upwards is in any event likely in this space, as more subrogation models begin to adopt the previous ABP uplift and even more electric vehicle repairs feed into the mix.
Further, many analysts seem to expect that used car prices are likely to remain at elevated levels throughout 2024, particularly for newer used vehicles manufactured during the Covid years of 2020–2021 as demand continues to outstrip supply here, causing prices to remain particularly elevated. This again has the potential to be exacerbated significantly by any ongoing escalation of the situation in the Red Sea.
With all that said, given the propensity for known unknowns, and indeed unknown unknowns, to scupper even the best thought-through forecasts, those among us more inclined to believe such things may consider it just as worthwhile to look to Nostradamus for a steer. Reportedly, his predictions for 2024, as well as the dethroning of King Charles and a naval war, include storms and extreme weather – another ‘Beast from the East’ anyone?!
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Samsung to open new R&D Center in the Netherlands
Do you recall the story I broke last month about Samsung buying Liquavista? Well, today Samsung officially announced the opening of their new R&D Center in the Netherlands which will be focused on the work already started by Liquavista.
On February 15, 2011, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. held the opening ceremony of the Samsung LCD Netherlands R&D Center (SNRC) to strengthen its technology portfolio for the next generation display and its R&D capability in Europe. SNRC, as Samsung’s European display R&D center, will focus on developing future display technology including Electrowetting Displays (EWD).
Over 60 executives and staff members of Samsung Electronics and SNRC attended the opening ceremony, including the president of LCD Business Wonkie Chang (5th from right), CEO of SNRC Johan Feenstra (6th from right) and the senior vice president of the LCD Business Jootae Moon (3rd from right).
I’ve learned from my contact with Liquavista (now SNRC) that the sale wasn’t supposed to have been announced until the formal launch today. They were a little put out and flabbergasted when I broke the story (I love doing that).

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Luxury handbag retailer Michael Kors (KORS) is reportedly looking to acquire Italian luxury brand Versace for around $2 billion. There is no official confirmation yet, but more information on the deal might become available during this week.
The Versace family owns an 80% stake in the company while private equity firm Blackstone owns the remaining 20%. Following the acquisition, the family will retain a role in the company while Blackstone will exit its entire holding.
This deal is part of Michael Kors’ efforts to strengthen its position against its rivals which include Tapestry Inc. (TPR). Both companies made significant acquisitions last year with Michael Kors purchasing Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion and Tapestry picking up Kate Spade.
The purchase of Jimmy Choo helped boost Michael Kors’ growth, and the company topped analysts’ expectations on revenue and earnings for its fourth quarter of 2018. Michael Kors saw a 10% growth in revenue during the quarter.
The purchase of Versace is expected to help improve Michael Kors’ competitive strength in the current retail environment. Some experts believe the deal will benefit both companies regarding broadening distribution and this could lead to some changes at Versace concerning pricing and assortment as well to appeal to the younger generation.
Investors, however, did not take too kindly to the news and sent the stock dropping over 7% during Monday trading.
Cargo giant FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) Thursday reported a decline in first-quarter adjusted earnings, despite an increase in revenues. The company also provided guidance for fiscal 2023. Net income, adjusted
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) reported first quarter 2023 earnings results. Total sales increased 6.1% year-over-year to $2.4 billion, driven by blended same-restaurant sales growth of 4.2%. Net earnings amounted to
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) reported fourth quarter 2022 earnings results today. Total revenues were $15.4 billion, up 15% year-over-year in US dollars and up 22.4% in local currency. Net income attributable


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China’s ride-hailing market hits a speed bump after subsidies cut, regulations imposed
Didi Chuxing and other ride hailing apps in China are poised for slower growth amid the end of generous subsidies for passengers and drivers
Yu Xinghua, a young man in his 20s who used to work for Uber and now drives for Didi Chuxing – the two major car-hailing and ride-sharing apps in China – is thinking of quitting the industry.
Yu said drivers could earn up to 30,000 yuan a month in 2015 with the companies’ subsidies but now have to work more than 10 hours a day to earn 7,000 to 8,000 yuan per month.
China has become the world’s largest online car-hailing market in recent years, but the development of the sharing economy seems to have hit a speed bump lately, even after the government formally legalised online car hailing services earlier this year.
Many drivers are weighing up whether to quit the industry, amid concerns about pay cuts and unfriendly local regulations, as customers use the apps less frequently because of reduced subsidies and higher prices.
This follows the merger of the industry’s two biggest players, Didi Chuxing and Uber China, in August. In October transport authorities in big cities released strict local regulations on qualifications for vehicles and drivers who provide ride-sharing services.
Next year, the market will likely see moderate growth in terms of daily orders and new users, as the high-water mark for growth appears to have peaked during the last two years, industry insiders and analysts say.
The ride hailing services will also likely experience a drop in the supply of vehicles and the number of rideshare drivers, following the introduction of stricter local rules, Zhang Xu, an analyst at Beijing-based consultancy Analysys International, said.
Up until July, China’s ride-hailing industry was believed to be growing faster than industry insiders had predicted, with billions of yuan being poured into the sector following Apple’s US$1 billion investment into Didi, and a US$3.5 billion injection from Public Investment Fund, a sovereign investment fund owned by Saudi Arabia.
The industry’s prospect were seemingly upbeat in March when the central government liberalised regulations, giving local governments the discretion to allow for competition with licensed taxi drivers within their city limits.
The four major players in the mainland market at the time, including Didi, US-backed Uber, Ucar and Yidao Yongche, had ample funding to expand to new cities and connect with more users, offering subsidies to users and drivers.
Didi announced in July that it processed over 16 million orders a day, compared to 10 million per day in March, making it the second-largest online transaction platform in China. Didi’s portfolio of services include carpooling, shuttle buses, taxi-hailing, chauffeur services and shuttle buses.
Uber and Didi had been fierce rivals at the time, spending billions of yuan to acquire customers and drivers. The result was roughly 21 million rides daily, 16 million from Didi and 5 million from Uber, representing a more than 90 per cent share of the market. Ucar claims its daily orders reached over 260,000 in the first quarter of this year.
In June, only four years since its inception, Didi achieved a valuation of US$28 billion, according to mainland media.
More than 10 million private drivers had been recruited to work within the ride hailing industry across the country, servicing about 400 million registered app users, laying a solid foundation for the burgeoning Chinese sharing economy.
Meanwhile, the development of the sharing economy took a sudden U-turn on August 1 when Uber announced it would sell its Chinese operations to rival Didi in exchange for a 20 per cent stake.
Following the Uber China buyout, Didi passengers have faced higher charges for trips after the company started raising prices and reducing cash subsidies for several services across the country, such as ride hailing and carpooling.
As a result, in the four months since the merger, there’s been little growth in ridership figures.
Didi said it now processes an average of 20 million daily rides from the Didi and Uber China apps, representing little change from its daily average in July.
In addition, in October municipal authorities in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou launched tough draft regulations on the ride-hailing industry that seek to cut the number of drivers and vehicles on major platforms, including Didi, by half or more. Earlier this month, the new rules took effect in Beijing and Shanghai, which feature restrictions on drivers’ place of residence, car registration locale, vehicle model and age, and insurance.
“In Shanghai, for instance, less than 20 per cent of existing ride share vehicles meet the proposed wheelbase requirements,” Didi said in a statement. “Of more than 410,000 activated driver accounts in Shanghai, fewer than 10,000 are residents with a Shanghai residency registration.”
Didi spokeswoman Sun Liang said the company is still encouraged by the central authorities’ efforts to legalise the industry.
“China is the first country to legalise car hailing companies…We are seeing some local governments like Chengdu, Shanxi, Guangdong, Shenzhen, relaxing restrictions on the local ride-hailing market after consultation among industry insiders,” she said.
New government regulations against ride-sharing businesses are not just a problem for the mainland market but other parts of the world as well, Sun added.
“We remain optimistic and constantly communicate with local authorities. Ultimately it is about serving users better and to become a pillar of a robust, fluid and sustainable urban transportation ecosystem.”
Sun said technology development and adaption is a priority of the company. Along these lines, she said Didi is seeking to maximise efficiencies among part-time and full-time vehicles and drivers, predict demand more accurately, and achieve real-time and advance ride dispatching.
But some drivers and passengers are unsatisfied with recent developments.
“Last year, both Didi and Uber offered huge subsidies for drivers, up to 50 yuan extra for each ride. It was a really good time for me to earn between 20,000 yuan and 30,000 yuan monthly,” Yu said.
Monthly incomes have declined dramatically without the subsidy, he said, adding that Didi takes about 25 per cent of income derived from each ride.
“Drivers in Shenzhen will get a 70 yuan subsidy only if we finish 28 rides in a day. It’s very hard to fulfil the target. ”
“I will quit the industry. It’s easy to earn 7,000 yuan in Shenzhen by being a bus driver or courier,” he said.
Wendy Liu, 22, a Shenzhen-based resident says there is no longer much of a cost saving when using ride-hailing apps. A taxi ride from her home to her office typically costs 43 yuan, while Didi’s service would have cost 41 yuan, Liu told the Post.
“It’s almost as expensive as a taxi” she said. “Before we thought taxis were expensive because it’s a government-backed monopolistic industry. If the car-hailing industry is about the sharing economy, why does it cost so much? It’s becoming meaningless,” she added.
Beijing-based consultancy Analysys International predicted the size of the mainland’s ride-hailing market would reach 52 billion yuan annually by 2018. “We still think the market will reach the expected size by 2018 or even bigger. The demand is booming because Chinese people are getting rich,” said Zhang Xu, a spokesman for Analysys.
In early December, Didi begun to offer short rides to commuters on minibuses, expanding its ride-sharing service to the public transportation system.


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The cereal box functions as an amiibo, and is set to hit stores on 11th December
My Hero Academia: One’s Justice is set to release on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, but we have no release date yet
Users of the Nintendo Switch’s online app can now use the voice chat with their devices locked, with some minor issues
Nintendo is once again giving away free items in Pokemon Sun and Moon.
The Nintendo Switch Online app is now available to allow social connectivity and voice chat for multiplayer games, but the functionality is a little
This weekend, I was lucky enough to get some hands on playtime with Super Mario Odyssey, courtesy of the Nintendo booth at Hyper Japan
Super Mario Odyssey developers opted for removing the iconic Game Over screens to offer a different type of gameplay.
The folks over at ColorWare have created a set of Joy Cons themed around the classic NES system!


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PH interested in contact tracing system of Google, Apple
The Philippines expressed interest in tapping the new software jointly developed by Google and Apple to help in contact tracing efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.
StaySafe.ph would incorporate the newly launched Exposure Notification technology once it is made available to the Department of Health, a representative confirmed to The STAR.
Developed by PLDT-backed Multisys Technologies Corporation, StaySafe.ph was previously adopted by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases as the official social distancing, health condition reporting and contact tracing system to assist the government in responding to the pandemic.
On Thursday, Google and Apple released the software it jointly developed to support contact tracing apps developed by or for public health authorities.
In a joint statement, the two companies said the Exposure Notification technology would enable contact tracing apps to work more accurately, reliably and effectively across both Android phones and iPhones.
“What we’ve built is not an app – rather public health agencies will incorporate the API (Application Programming Interface) into their own apps that people install,” read the statement. “Our technology is designed to make these apps work better.”
Representatives said the two companies worked together to respond to challenges in using technology for contact tracing, such as interoperability between devices, battery life and privacy.
Various governments have turned to technology in responding to the pandemic, such as through Bluetooth-supported contact tracing apps that inform users if they have come in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
In the Philippines, StaySafe.ph was developed to create a community-driven contact tracing, health condition reporting and social distancing system.
It enables users to report their health conditions without disclosing sensitive information, with the data added to a dashboard that visually shows the areas with increasing or improving rate of COVID-19 cases.
In addition to the StaySafe.ph website, a mobile app has been developed for Android users, with an iOS version soon to be made available. Details on how Exposure Notification would work on StaySafe.ph have yet to be released.
According to Google and Apple, the technology-based exposure notification will augment but not substitute traditional contact tracing efforts. They also said that the technology could expand reach and rapidly notify unknown contacts of a COVID-19 patient.
The new system will not collect or use location from the device and would allow users to decide whether or not to opt-in to exposure notifications, they added.
“User adoption is key to success and we believe that these strong privacy protections are also the best way to encourage use of these apps,” said the two companies. “Today, this technology is in the hands of public health agencies across the world who will take the lead and we will continue to support their efforts.”
Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda revealed that social media platforms, search engines, live-streaming and online shopping apps have been raking in billions of pesos from Filipino netizens and it would be fair and best for the government to tax them.
“Facebook and Google earn P50 billion from ads catering to and paid by Filipinos and they don’t pay VAT (value added tax) and income tax. Is that fair?” asked Salceda, chairman of the ways and means committee of the House of Representatives.
As per records culled from government, he added, the popular online shopping app Lazada pays a hefty P15 billion in taxes on a yearly basis, but that “the other half (sales of sellers) do not pay.”
“So we make Lazada a withholding agent. Is that a new tax or a tax increase? No, we just make their overseas sellers pay VAT,” Salceda said, saying his House Bill 6765 (Digital Economy Taxation Bill) is “clear and simple.”
“Make Lazada or e-commerce platforms as withholding agents for VAT on imports from its sellers, mostly overseas. Require digital service providers like Facebook Google and Netflix to be domiciled before offering their services so they are subject to VAT and CIT,” he said referring to the corporate income tax.
As for the very popular live-streaming app Netflix, Salceda also disclosed that the internet-based TV films and shows app earns P5 billion “from subscriptions paid by Filipinos.”
“OK fine, but why do Filipino firms like DCTV (local cable TV providers) and Skycable pay VAT and income taxes? And Netflix does not, but it does in other countries like India, Indonesia and Europe,” he argued.
Salceda’s HB 6765 aims to raise about P29.1 billion in new revenues to help the country cope with the pandemic.
“No new taxes here, we just want them to pay their fair share. Assuming you’re a company that sets up in the Philippines and you do video-streaming or music-streaming services, you will definitely pay taxes. But companies like Netflix and Spotify don’t,” he pointed out.
Salceda said the measure “will capture the value created by the digital economy better in the country’s tax system, plugging loopholes due to ambiguities in what kind of taxes digital services are liable to.”
“That’s obviously not fair. When you’re a network in the Philippines, advertising services paid to you will be subject to VAT. But Google and Facebook are not subject to VAT for advertising. They have been raking in millions, if not billions, in behalf of the Filipinos, but not a single cent from the value added tax. Zero,” Salceda insisted.
He emphasized that these are not new taxes but are mere tax administration measures “that we hope will capture the value more fairly.”
“Internet marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee are growing very rapidly due to COVID-19, but there may be issues of tax compliance among its partners too,” he added. “These companies are making a killing because of isolation, but are not paying enough taxes.”
“And we are not able to capture that because our current definitions do not include them as withholding agents even if they already have the money,” Salceda lamented.
Albay second district Rep. Joey Salceda joined other congressmen who withdrew their vote for the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill for lack of a meeting with senators to thresh out what he calls vague provisions. “Without a bicameral conferenc...
The Philippine Army (PA) supports the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, saying it will allow them to neutralize terrorists before they can conduct deadly attacks. "We are optimistic that the Anti-Terror Bill (ATB) will enable us to go after ...
Taguig City reminded constituents that coffee shops, bake shops and similar establishments remain closed under the general community quarantine (GCQ). In a Facebook post on June 1, Monday, the local government of Taguig issued the reminder. &ld...
The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) “worked” in containing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infection, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Roque made this comment as the Metro Manila and other areas transitioned from mo...
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso placed Barangay 847, Zone 92 in Pandacan under "hard lockdown". Executive Order 24 signed by Domagoso imposes hard lockdown in the said area for 48 hours, from 12 a.m. of June 1 unt...


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Shoppers interested in getting their hands on one of Ford’s re-incarnated Broncos will have a chance to secure their orders next week. Dealers were informed that order banks for the 2021 Ford Bronco would open in the afternoon of January 19, with proceedings starting in earnest on January 20. What that actually means though is that reservation holders will be able to confirm their order, finalize dealer selection, and agree on a selling price.
Order banks for the 2021 Ford Bronco were supposed to open in early December of last year but the automaker was forced to push that date back due to supplier-related issues stemming from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Speaking of the pandemic, Ford says the Bronco’s 2021 model year will be shorter than initially planned. As a result, dealerships will not receive excess stock outside of vehicles that were pre-ordered.
According to Ford, the priority is converting the 190,000 2021 Bronco reservations into orders. However, reservation holders who do not convert reservations into orders by March 19 will have their reservations converted into an order for the 2022 model year. Full-scale production of 2021 trucks is expected to begin in May at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, the same plant where the Bronco was manufactured for 30 years before the model was discontinued. Trucks are expected to begin reaching customer hands by summer of this year.
Ford is still uncertain just how many 2021 Bronco SUVs will be produced, but the automaker has certainly sweetened the pot for anyone willing to wait until 2022. We already knew the option to pair the Sasquatch off-road package with the manual transmission won’t arrive until 2022, additionally, those who wait the extra model year can expect new roof options, paint colors, options, and special editions.
Along with announcing the opening of order banks, we were also treated to a full break down of the Bronco’s included content, along with a much-anticipated accessory list, including prices and availability. With its robust capabilities and exhaustive accessory list, Ford is looking for the Bronco to go tête-à-tête with the ever-popular Jeep Wrangler.


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2. Tech Fail
The problem is that this thing just doesn't work.
— a Morgan Stanley brokerage executive told the FOX Business Network, referring to the technology system for the brokerage sales force. It has so many glitches that brokers can’t sign up new clients, according to FBN.
Greg MacSweeney is editorial director of InformationWeek Financial Services, whose brands include Wall Street & Technology, Bank Systems & Technology, Advanced Trading, and Insurance & Technology. View Full Bio


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Higher costs are expected to hit McDonald’s in more ways than one this year.
The burger giant on Tuesday warned that “macro-related pressures will continue to weigh on both our consumers and our business,” with profit margins at corporate stores expected to be lower this year than in the last three months of 2022.
But inflation pressures are causing enough of a problem for its franchisees, particularly in Europe, that the company expects to pay $100 million to $150 million to provide “temporary and targeted support” to those operators. Ian Borden, McDonald’s CFO, said the cost environment is “impacting restaurant cash flow for our franchisees, particularly our European markets.”
“Particularly across Europe, we’re seeing some quite strong headwinds due to the levels of inflation on things like commodity costs, energy prices and, of course, labor,” Borden said. “I think the pace and scale of inflation mean those headwinds are creating relatively significant levels of short-term impact to our margins and then, of course, to our franchisee cash flows.”
The warning on inflation came during a fourth-quarter earnings report in which McDonald’s reported results across the board that bested investors’ expectations, including strong sales globally and higher earnings. It also continued a strong run coming out of the pandemic for the company, which has increased system sales by $20 billion globally despite the closure of some 800 Russian restaurants. System sales at the burger giant neared $110 billion in 2022.
But the inflation warning kept investors at bay, at least to a degree. The company’s stock fell nearly 2% on Tuesday on inflationary concerns.
Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s CEO, reiterated the company’s belief that a recession is in the offing in the U.S., though it would be “mild to moderate.” It will be worse in Europe, he said.
That problem will be more severe in Europe, he said. And inflation has already taken its toll across the Atlantic. Inflation hit 10.6% in Europe in October, though it has fallen to 9.2% in December.
“We’ve seen significant levels of food inflation, significant levels of energy inflation,” Borden said. “The pace and scale of that impact is creating quite a bit of pressure on margins and cash flow.”
McDonald’s comments on inflation are mindful of executives’ comments in 2020 when, shortly after the pandemic first hit, they expressed a willingness to help operators make it through that period without shutting down.
They noted on Tuesday that helping operators through difficult times is a reflection of the brand’s “size and scale,” and that such assistance could prepare franchisees for a speedier recovery.
“If you remember, during COVID, we did provide support to our system,” Borden said. “It was critically important because it allowed all of our system to stay focused on our plans and was really fundamental to the accelerated momentum that we saw through and then coming out of the pandemic.
“This is a very similar situation. I think that’s really going to help us stay focused on the category-leading momentum we have and make sure we’re in the strongest possible position.”
The economy and inflation are benefiting McDonald’s in other ways, however. The company is likely pulling in customers that might otherwise dine at more expensive restaurants. Company executives said that lower-income consumers are coming in more often but buying less when they do, a sign that those diners are looking for value.
But any benefit is “on the margin,” Kempczinski said. “Overall, the consumer, whether it’s in Europe or the U.S., is actually holding up better than what we would have probably expected a year ago or six months ago,” he said. “The question is, as we go into 2023, there is going to continue to be inflation. The environment is going to continue to be challenging. So, do you reach a point where maybe it does start to materialize around the consumer?
“But we’re not seeing it right now.”
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Owners of BlackBerry mobile handsets in the US and South America have been hit by service problems for the second time in less than a week.
Users across a range of mobile networks complained of being unable to access the internet or personal email accounts on Tuesday. Phone and text service are not believed to have been affected.
A similar network issue occurred last Thursday, leading to questions being asked over the stability of the device. BlackBerry manufacturer, Ontario-based Research in Motion (RIM), has apologised for the connection problems, but would not say how many customers had been affected.
RIM said the problem, which may be linked to recent versions of the smartphone’s Messenger programme, has now been addressed.
Sky News reported that some BlackBerry owners were venting their anger on the social messaging website Twitter.
One said: “RIM needs to hurry up and fix the problem. If these BlackBerry outages start happening too frequently, I’m going to get an iPhone.”
“All BlackBerry services were down all day over North America. No tweets, no email, no bbm. I felt so ancient,” another posted.
In the UK, mobile network operator O2 was forced to apologise earlier this week after some customers were unable to make calls or connect to the internet for up to 36 hours.


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Syria’s Rebellion Not Hurting Tourism in Neighboring Countries
By James Ruggia
July 30, 2012 10:48 PM
Before the rebellion that began in March 2011, Syria was on its way to building a healthy tourism industry. In 2010, the country reported a 40 percent growth in arrivals coming mostly from other Arab nations. Syria borders some very important tourism destinations including Israel, Jordan and Turkey, all popular with Americans, as well as Lebanon and Iraq.
Tourism was being called the “new Syrian oil” as a plethora of hotels had begun to open with the promise held forth by such attractions as Palmyra, Damascus and Aleppo. In recent months, the situation in Syria has escalated to the point where at least 20,000 Syrians have died in the fighting and thousands more are pouring into Southeastern Turkey and Jordan.
Several tour operators who specialize in the region have said that the situation has had little or no impact on business to the region yet. According to Ronan Paldi of Y’alla Tours, “I watch it very closely because of my personal connection to the region, but it hasn’t hurt my business. I have a group in Jordan right now.”
“It’s not a problem for Turkey,” said Ebru Ejder, the director of New York’s Turkish Tourist Office. “Americans like to go to Istanbul, Bodrum, Cappadocia and other parts of Turkey that are hundreds of miles away from Syria. The part of Turkey that borders on Syria, our southeast, will one day be an important destination for American tourists, but not yet. All is well in Turkey.”
Koray Edeman, the president of Key Tours, said business has not been affected yet, but “I’m concerned that it may become so. Things are building up in Syria and they’re getting out of hand. We’ve had a great year, selling Turkey especially, but if the media coverage of Syria escalates it could hurt that business.”
Few today remember the days before World War II, when Syria was an essential part of the region’s most popular tourism itinerary. The tour was run by train from Istanbul to Cairo, calling at Lebanon, Israel (then British Palestine), Jordan, Syria and Egypt. “It was a classic seven-week experience,” said Paldi. “I’d love to see that itinerary come back, but it’s not possible now and the future in Syria, even if the regime falls (and that seems inevitable) will probably just mean internal war for the country as we see in Iraq.”
Thus far, the political turmoil of the Arab Spring has impacted the American traveler by compelling them to choose their destinations carefully within the Middle East, but not to avoid it altogether. The turmoil in Egypt has given Turkey a bumper year and even helped Greece as many tourists who might have gone to Egyptian Red Sea resorts have opted for the Greek Islands, or the Turquoise Coast instead.


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In this screenshot, Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel takes the stage during the virtual Snap Partner Summit 2021 on May 20, 2021 in Los Angeles.
Snap Partner Summit 2021 – Snap Inc | Getty Images
Snap shares plunged more than 25% on Monday after CEO Evan Spiegel warned in a memo to employees that the company will miss its own revenue and adjusted profit targets in the current quarter.
The social media company will also slow hiring through the end of the year as it seeks to manage spending, Spiegel wrote. A portion of the letter was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Today we filed an 8-K, sharing that the macro environment deteriorated further and faster than expected when we released our quarterly guidance last month,” Spiegel wrote in the note. “As a result, while our revenues continue to grow year over year, they are growing more slowly than expected at this time.”
In April, Snap announced first-quarter results that beat Wall Street expectations for sales and earnings. At the time, the company said it expected revenue growth of 20-25% year-over-year. It projects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of between $0 million and $50 million.
“We believe it is now likely that we will report revenue and adjusted EBITDA below the low end of the guidance range we provided for this quarter,” Spiegel wrote in Monday’s update.
Snap’s industry peers plummeted on the news. Shares of Meta, Facebook’s parent company, fell 7% in after-hours trading. Twitter fell almost 4%, while Pinterest slid 12%.
Spiegel said Snap will continue to recruit new employees, but will slow its pace of hiring for the rest of the year. It still expects Snap to hire 500 new employees before the end of the year, according to the memo. The company has hired approximately 2,000 employees over the past 12 months.
“Our most significant gains over the next few months will come from improving the productivity of our existing team members,” Spiegel wrote.
As of Monday’s close, Snap shares were down more than 50% for the year, compared to a 17% decline for the S&P 500. After hours, the stock fell 28% to $16.15 . If it were to fall more than 26.6% on Tuesday, it would be the worst day for the stock since the company went public in 2017.
LOOK: Snap may need template change like Meta
#Snap #plunges #CEO #warns #company #revenue #profit #estimates #slow #hiring


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UK broadcaster Channel 4 has launched a new interactive VOD format that lets advertisers address viewers by name.
Using data provided by the 15 million people registered to Channel 4’s digital and on-demand service All 4, advertisers will be able to incorporate the individual names of viewers into the audio of their ads.
Launch partners Foster’s, 20th Century Fox and Ronseal will be the first advertisers to launch audio-personalised, targeted digital campaigns on All 4 this month.
“The most attention grabbing word for anyone to hear is without doubt one’s own name, so to be able to offer advertisers the chance to speak directly to our millions of viewers is not just unique, but an immensely powerful marketing tool which adds even more value to All 4’s increasingly personalised experience,” said Channel 4’s digital and creative leader, David Amodio.
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23 July 2021 @ 16:35:00 UTC


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Acer has become the latest manufacturer to stop shipping products with faulty Intel Sandy Bridge chipsets, and has issued a recall of machines that might be affected. In a statement to V3.co.uk, Acer...
IBM has fit 20 billion more transistors onto a chip than it achieved with 7nm tech in 2017
The plans will create 700 new permanent jobs in New Mexico
Jaguar Land Rover has suspended production at two plants due to a shortage of computer chips
Moving to remanufactured laptops could save the UK a million tonnes of carbon and £1bn a year, says Circular Computing
Because the reconditioned units reuse much of the original device, emissions, water and raw materials are significantly reduced, with costs 40 per cent less
West Sussex-based start-up Sees.ai will conduct trials at three locations in the UK


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“Copper River Salmon”
by Catherine Schmitt
I recently spent a week on vacation touring the state of Alaska. My tour featured two days in Valdez, a fishing port which is also, as the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, an oil port. The port was the destination for the tanker Exxon Valdez, which ran aground on Bligh Reef and spilled more than 11 million gallons of oil into wildlife-rich Prince William Sound in 1989. The oil never made its way into Valdez Harbor.
This is fortunate for the town of Valdez, which welcomes tourists with fishing derbies, glacier tours, and the small but impressive Whitney Museum. Fish are everywhere here: etched in the sidewalks, forged into bike racks, and hoisted above town. Valdez also is home to a processing plant for Copper River Salmon.
I spoke to Beth Poole, Executive Director of Copper River Marketing, at the Boston Seafood Show in 2009, for a story on the history of seafood marketing for Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine. According to Poole, “Copper River Salmon” was one of several brands that emerged out of fishermen’s concerns about processors controlling the market. State legislation in 2004 enabled them to assess a one-percent regional seafood development tax, in this case on the regional drift gillnet fleet to fund the Copper River Marketing Association in 2005.
Today, Copper River Salmon has successfully branded itself as distinct from the same species of salmon found in other rivers throughout Alaska (something about fat needed to travel the river’s 300-mile length). See for example, mentions in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Sacramento Bee, among others.
In 2011, Alaska led all states in volume of fish landings at 5.4 billion pounds (dominated by pollock and salmon) and value of landings with $1.9 billion (dominated by crab and salmon). Yet only a small percentage of annual landings makes it onto American dinner plates, as we import 86 percent of our seafood.
While there seems to be a lot of talk about seafood marketing these days, we can’t market what we don’t have. According to Erik Chapman of New Hampshire Sea Grant, “We need to transition to food systems that can support lower volume, higher value species, more and different kinds of fish.”
The rarity of local seafood (when compared to the volume of imports nationally) is enough to make local seafood taste good, but if that local seafood happens to be Copper River salmon, cooked over a campfire on a narrow shelf between the Chugach Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, well, it might taste even better.


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The deal will see Fanattik develop licensing opportunities for gaming franchises including “Streetfighter,” “Monster Hunter,” “Resident Evil” and “Megaman.” Products in the collections will retail for £10 - £20. They will retail across Europe at online retailers and for mail order to the brick-and-motor stores.
“Our relationship with the CAPCOM team goes back many years; they have always been very supportive,” says Anthony Mark, chief, Fanattik. “As Fanattik product continues its advance into gift retail, we wanted to make sure we secured Capcom, we foresee their titles playing a big part in our future growth.”
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Nine has today launched a new pop-up store, The Big Ideas Store by 9Powered, which will host a series of events, workshops, research studies and guest speakers that demonstrate how Nine’s integrated business works to formulate better solutions to the challenges facing marketers.
Over the next two weeks, The Big Ideas Store will highlight how 9Powered, Nine’s strategic client solutions division, can create strategic solutions for marketers across areas including production, talent, content and integration strategy.
“It is great to be able to invite marketers and agencies behind the ‘shopfront’ of Nine’s content and day- to-day trading,” said Michael Stephenson, Nine’s chief sales officer. “The Big Ideas Store will help us demonstrate how we can help them our clients, with a firm view on driving real business outcomes.
“Marketers today are looking for media to be real partners, and to recognise their business challenges and provide meaningful solutions across a number of areas. The Big Ideas Store will help us to facilitate meaningful discussions with clients around these areas and drive a deeper conversation.”
The Big Ideas Store will host a second tranche of Nine’s Cultural Conversation Series with the launch of three insight studies conducted in conjunction with The Lab, which are designed to help marketers better understand key the trends that impact content. These studies are:
- Women in the Driving Seat: Women are a force of economic growth in the automotive category, but how do we engage them at every stage of the car-buying journey? We explore women’s levels of confidence in purchasing a car, their decision-making process, and where and who they turn to for help and advice. We discover what women really want from their cars and how automotive marketers can engage them from the TVC to the dealership interaction.
- The Great Australian Dream Reimagined: This study features a range of experts across design, architecture, the connected home and regional living as we delve into what the Australian dream of property ownership means today, and what marketers need to do in this category to remain relevant with their customers.
- Love is a (New) Battlefield: As marketers we often explore and celebrate the relationships of our target audiences. But do we accurately portray what it means to be single or in a relationship within contemporary culture? Or do we reinforce the unrealistic ideals of love and relationships created by Hollywood? We uncover the changing mindset of Australian singles, how technology has forever changed the dynamics of a relationship, and why married Australians believe their “happily ever after” is never guaranteed. Together we’ll discover that Love is a (New) Battlefield.
“9Powered is all about helping marketers find solutions to their business challenges,” said Melissa Mullins, Nine’s director of strategy. “The Big Ideas Store is a one-stop-shop that will enable us to have real conversations with brands around their business and also allow us to help them better understand key audiences across key sectors, including the automotive and property space.”
There will also be the opportunity for marketers to get hands-on in sessions dedicated to creating an integrated piece of branded video content. From scripts and storyboards to the shoot, each team will get the chance to create their own piece of video content and preview the finished work in this exciting half-day session.
Nine will also unpack data and how brands can get more mileage from the way they are using it. This session will bring together leading industry data experts and marketers as they share insights on the latest developments within the fast-moving space of data-led marketing. Topics covered will include:
- The growing focus on identity over cookies
- How advertisers are using second-party data sharing
- What tools and data sources are needed for better measurement and attribution
- Plus, what you need to know when it comes to privacy compliance in 2018
The two-week activation will culminate in two guest-speaker evening events, including Gruen regular and behavioural strategist, Dan Gregory, as we examine the virtues of collaboration for brand building and demonstrate how we can move you from being great storytellers to standout story-doers. And in a session with leading future trends analyst, Michael McQueen, we demonstrate what brands and organisations need to do to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
The Big Ideas Store will also be used to conduct deeper one-on-one 9Powered hacks with a number of clients, bringing together stakeholders from across the Nine business, along with agency executives and marketing teams relevant to the clients’ brands to solve a communication issue.
The Big Ideas Store can be found at 17 Oxford Street, Paddington, from June 18 to 29. There are limited spaces still available for the insight studies and guest speaker sessions.
Sustainable soap brand Single Use Ain’t Sexy has been greeted with a huge influx of support after raising over half a million dollars in funding via a crowdfunding campaign. The brand has launched itself into the ‘green economy’ by calling on the Australian public to financially back them and their mission to get Aussies to […]
Queer Artist Ryan James Caruthers has publically slammed software company Unfold after it asked to use the artist’s work for free as part of its Pride Month social media campaign. Caruthers took to Instagram to show screenshots of the conversation he had with Unfold after it asked the artist to share 12 of his images […]
After relaunching in September last year, TWOOBS has become a ‘kinda’ shoe brand by also focusing on making the world a ‘kinder’ place and creating more consumer-conscious shopping. The vegan shoe brand founded by sisters Jess and Stef Dadon changed its marketing approach last year and stopped using social media to push sales the old-fashioned […]
Highly experienced tourism marketer Kelly Ryan has been appointed to lead the marketing efforts at Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC). During the past 12 years, Ryan has supported Canberra’s tourism industry in senior marketing roles, including as director of strategy and insights as well as director of marketing at VisitCanberra. Most recently, Ryan has been working […]
GHO Sydney has developed a new educational platform for Family Planning NSW to help parents and carers of children with disabilities navigate the changes to their bodies, emotions and social interactions. The project, ‘Planet Puberty’, was made possible through funding from the federal government’s Department of Social Services, and was co-designed with people with disability […]
JCDecaux today announced conservation organisation, Bush Heritage Australia, as its major charity partner for 2021. The partnership is part of a series of ‘social impact’ initiatives the business is launching this year, under the banner of JCDecauxHEART. JCDecauxHEART focuses on three areas of social impact: health and mental health, environmental sustainability, and enriching urban communities. […]
Shameless Media’s Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald’s latest podcast, The Books That Changed My Life, will launch exclusively on LiSTNR on Tuesday, 15 June. Throughout the series Michelle and Zara will talk with guests including Kevin Kwan, Laura Henshaw, Jock Zonfrillo, Susan Carland, Hamish Blake and Delta Goodrem about the books that have had a profound impact […]
In celebration of Pride Month, cult streetwear brand Champion has announced an Australia-and New Zealand-first Pride range, Champions of Pride, and ongoing partnership with the Queer Sporting Alliance. Championing a cause, celebrating community, and aiming to create real change, the capsule collection proudly heroes the Pride colours in a selection of signature Champion tees, iconic […]
Following the successful deployment of BankiFi’s technology platform at The Co-operative Bank in the UK, BankiFi has appointed Lloyd Parata to lead their expansion into the Australian Financial Services market. BankiFi’s technology platform ensures banks remain relevant by offering SMEs an innovative solution to operate their business, whilst avoiding common challenges like late payment. Parata, […]
Mars Wrigley 5 Gum has partnered with Twitch to launch Team CLUTCH, a team of Twitch streamers who will assemble on for three live squad streams tackling popular games like Fortnite while embodying the brand’s ethos of ‘life happens in 5’. This partnership builds on 5 Gum’s 2020 Twitch activation, and is set to create […]


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The Game Awards 2023 dazzled with world premiere trailers, including the mysterious title OD, a collaboration between Kojima Productions, Xbox Studios, and Jordan Peele.
Other celebrated titles included: Jurassic Park Survival, a new AAA game set in the original film’s timeline, thrilled fans with its immersive experience. The trailer is available here.
SEGA’s showcase revealed the development of classic games like Streets of Rage, Shinobi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, and Crazy Taxi. Watch the announcement here.
Baldur’s Gate 3 clinched the Game of the Year award. The launch trailer is here, and it’s now on Xbox Series X and S.
Game On Cancer’s Record-Breaking Giveaway
Game On Cancer hosts the Great Gaming Giveaway, the largest in Australian history. Donate $50 or more to Cure Cancer by December 16th for a chance to win prizes from brands like Xbox ANZ, EA Games, and more. Visit Game On Cancer for more details.
New Game Releases and Updates
This week brings Alan Wake 2: The Final Draft with New Game + and an expanded ending here. God of War Ragnarok gets free DLC, Valhalla, with a roguelike-inspired adventure here. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2, the sequel to the VR survival horror game, arrives on December 14th here.
The gaming community is buzzing with excitement as these releases, updates, and charitable initiatives unfold, adding to the festive spirit for gamers worldwide.
SpaceX funded flying car company boasts huge pre-orders
Alef Aeronautics, a pioneering flying car company backed by SpaceX, has announced a significant milestone in its journey towards revolutionizing personal transportation.
The California-based firm revealed that preorders for its futuristic electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle have surpassed 2,850, signaling robust demand for its innovative technology.
The Alef Model A, a two-seater flying car, has garnered widespread attention, with eager customers securing preorders by placing a $150 deposit online.
Alef aims to offer customers flexibility by allowing them to withdraw their deposits at any time, ensuring they’re not committed to the purchase.
With a planned price tag of $300,000 per vehicle, the cumulative order value from the preorders has exceeded $850 million, underscoring the significant market interest in Alef’s groundbreaking offering.
Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics, expressed pride in achieving this milestone, highlighting the Model A’s position as the bestselling aircraft in history, surpassing established aviation giants like Boeing and Airbus.
Despite the substantial investment required from prospective buyers, Dukhovny emphasized the necessity of the higher price point for Alef’s startup operations.
Alef is committed to delivering cutting-edge technology and ensuring the utmost safety and performance standards, factors that contribute to the pricing strategy.
The Alef Model A, showcased as a half-size model at the Mobile World Congress, distinguishes itself from competitors with its innovative design.
Unlike traditional eVTOLs, which often resemble drones or helicopters, the Model A bears a closer resemblance to a conventional car, with a mesh shell housing rotors that facilitate vertical takeoff and landing.
Apple unveils M3 powered MacBook Air
The unveiling includes updated models in both 13-inch and 15-inch variants, showcasing Apple’s continued innovation in the laptop market.
The M3 chip, initially introduced in October alongside versions for the iMac desktop and MacBook Pro laptops, aims to enhance performance and user experience across Apple’s product lineup.
The introduction of these new MacBook Air laptops comes as Apple reported $7.78 billion in Mac revenue during its fiscal first-quarter earnings, reflecting a modest growth of less than 1%. With the latest computers boasting advanced features and capabilities, Apple anticipates a potential boost in sales.
Key enhancements in the new MacBook Air lineup include sharper 1080p webcams, support for faster Wi-Fi networks, and an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours.
Design is consistent
Despite these improvements, the design of the laptops remains consistent with earlier models.
Notably, the M3 chip enables users to connect up to two external displays, a notable improvement from previous chip iterations which supported only a single screen.
Apple’s marketing strategy around artificial intelligence (AI) takes center stage with the new MacBook Air release.
The company brands the MacBook Air as the “world’s best consumer laptop for AI,” signaling a heightened focus on AI capabilities. This shift in language suggests Apple’s intent to compete with emerging Windows laptops marketed as “AI PCs.”
Headache for Musk and Tesla as Chinese EV slashes prices
China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has unveiled a new version of its best-selling car at a price lower than its predecessor.
It signals a fierce price battle in the world’s largest automobile market.
In a bid to maintain its competitive edge, BYD has slashed prices for several models, following similar moves by rivals.
The price change represents a significant 12% reduction compared to the final sales price of its predecessor.
Analysts suggest that BYD’s aggressive pricing strategy aims not only to capture a larger share of the domestic market but also to enhance profitability through increased exports.
As competition intensifies and consumer preferences evolve, manufacturers like BYD are strategically adjusting their pricing strategies to remain competitive and sustain growth both at home and abroad.
Taylor Swift’s concert deals spark international trade dispute
FAA uncovers Boeing quality control issues
Can U.S. Moon lander Odysseus recover from it’s dormancy?
Crypto.com accidentally transfers $10.5m to woman instead of $100
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3M Opens Innovation Center in Washington, D.C.February 28, 2018
3M opened a new innovation center in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.
The facility will serve as a hub for 3M to interact with policy makers and politicians and includes an exhibit hall showcasing the company’s products and solutions. The innovation center’s opening ceremonies were attended by 3M CEO Inge Thulin and several prominent U.S. congressmen and senators, including Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan.
With global sales of US$25 billion, 3M is a leading producer of thousands of products ranging from chemicals, filtration systems, and safety and protection equipment to office, graphics, and health care equipment. For more information, visit www.3m.com.


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Fighting Corona Virus! Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 with Advantech’s Video AI Solutio
Advantech's Video AI solution is aimed at precise facial recognition and temperature scanning
Advantech joins hands with NextWarehouse to establish a fully automated intelligent factory
Introducing Advantech’s WISE-PaaS IoT Cloud Platform and NextWarehouse – a system integrator/distributor of information technology (IT) and Industrial Operational Technology (IOT)
Advantech is Taiwan's 5th Best Global Brand for two years in a row
Advantech has again been ranked in the top five of Taiwan international brands for 2019.
Advantech collaborates with IIJ to launch industrial IoT platform
Advantech and the Internet Initiative Japan Inc. are pleased to announce their collaboration on the promotion of Advantech's WISE-PaaS industrial internet of things (IIoT) platform in Japan.
Advantech promotes IIoT industry chains with solution-ready packages
Advantech has announced plans to aggressively promote its Solution-Ready Packages (SRPs) and continue working with partners in co-creating the industrial ecosystem for the remainder of the year.
Advantech satellite distributor opens in Western Cape
Tactile Technologies has teamed up with Gauteng-based Centurion Micro Electronics (CME).


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Binance to Launch its First Fiat Exchange in Africa
Up until now the world’s largest crypto exchange by daily volume has only permitted crypto-to-crypto trading. This will soon be changing for Binance when it opens its first fiat-to-crypto platform in Uganda.
Binance currently handles just over a billion dollars a day in trade volume according to coinmarketcap.com, and around 20% of that total is on the BTC/USDT pair. By offering fiat transactions Binance would be expanding its services further and joining the ranks of Coinbase which does just that.
According to Cointelegraph the new platform, Binance Uganda, will be operating for the first time using fiat, in this case the Ugandan Shilling. CEO and founder, Changpeng Zhao, explained that the company is not just chasing more developed markets and sees promise in lesser developed ones;
“We think that crypto has a very strong use case in less developed countries… there’s more money to be made in a more developed country, but we want to distribute crypto to the rest of the world.”
Known on social media as CZ, the Binance boss went on to state that Africa is a big market for crypto since so little of the population has access to a bank account;
“Uganda [is a] really interesting situation, only 11 percent of the population has bank accounts. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity. So it may be easier to adopt cryptocurrency as a form of currency instead of trying to push for bank adoption. It’s an interesting experiment – Africa’s a big market, that’s why we’re there.”
When fiat is involved the KYC and AML regulations have to be adhered to, regardless of the country so Binance will need to work with the framework already put in place by the government. The new exchange will be a separate platform to Binance as we know it but will retain strong links with the mothership.
When questioned about the current state of the markets and falling trade volumes Zhao remained unperturbed putting it down to market over reaction adding that he has seen it happen five to six times per year. He also said that volatility will continue until total market capitalization increases and opening more fiat channels is a path to that increase.
At the time of writing crypto markets had shed another $10 billion on the day, falling to $236 billion.


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The second generation of Samsung’s foldable smartphone has been all-but-confirmed for a 2020 release, with evidence of an imminent launch for the Galaxy Fold 2 having shown up on official channels in recent days.
We got this official sneak peek of the Fold 2 last month at the Samsung Developers Conference. We still have a lot of questions about the device, starting with the name (we’re calling it the Galaxy Fold 2 for now, until Samsung decides on the official branding it will go with). The early hints suggest the design will be similar to that of the new Motorola Razr and be a bit of a departure from the initial version of the Fold that launched in September.
Meanwhile, one Instagram account has gone ahead and released a concept image that tries to visualize what the next version of Samsung’s experimental foldable phone might look like, which you can check out below.
Check out the image below from @samsung.unleashed:
One of the biggest changes on the design front that common sense would dictate in a second-generation edition of the Galaxy Fold next year is it should be more durable than its predecessor.
We’ve extensively covered the Galaxy Fold’s shortcomings along these lines, and it should go without saying that if you’re shelling out almost $2,000 for a smartphone, that sucker should be able to last you a long time. Going by the concept image above and the assumptions that likely fueled it, it’s likely we’ll also see Samsung try for narrower bezels and maybe an even less-obtrusive cutout for the front-facing camera. More


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MANITOBA’S crackdown toward pay day-collectors three-years in the past enjoys unfairly hurt a and as an alternative delivered many of its customers discover short money from unregulated, high-prices Websites loan providers, a public Tools Panel panel heard Wednesday.
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Hello there, date traveller! This particular article are typed (3324 months back), so information with it may no lengthened become current.
MANITOBA’S crackdown to your pay day-debt collectors three years back has actually unfairly harm the and you will instead delivered quite a few of their users to track down small funds from unregulated, high-rates Websites lenders, a community Resources Panel panel heard Wednesday.
That’s the unintended consequence of the brand new Selinger government’s capping of one’s limitation interest rate to the payday loan within 17 % – the lowest speed in the united states – and you may creating a keen eight-big date air conditioning-regarding months in advance of a customers can take aside some other mortgage. Probably the most which might be recharged on an online payday loan in Manitoba are $17 for each and every $a hundred and also the very which are often loaned by such as for example loan providers was 30 percent out of someone’s second web shell out.
Stan Keyes, chairman of your own Canadian Payday loan Connection, told the fresh new panel brand payday loans Maryland new NDP’s strategies, experienced the strongest when you look at the Canada, are creating a regulatory void where offshore Internet sites debt collectors is enjoying more visitors of the Manitobans who because of bad credit history, are unable to borrow cash off finance companies or borrowing from the bank unions. Manitoba’s rigid pay check-loan legislation has actually consumers maneuvering to unlicensed and you can unregulated lenders, considering Stan Keyes, chairman of your own Canadian Payday loans Association.»> MIKE Bargain / WINNIPEG 100 % free Force archives Manitoba’s tight payday-financing laws and regulations has individuals maneuvering to unlicensed and you can unregulated loan providers, based on Stan Keyes, president of your Canadian Payday loan Relationship.
“We’ve got indeed viewed what we label a good contraction of your own world,” Keyes told you, adding how many managed pay day-loan areas in town has actually dropped in order to 43 away from 77 over the past 3 years.
The guy told you within their set, loads of unlicensed retailers provides sprung upwards around offering effortless credit in the high charge, however, efforts away from provincial rules as they are not strictly payday-debt collectors.
“That which we look for is good famine regarding enforcement,” the guy told you. “It will be the unlicensed, online, offshore Internet loan providers, simple fact is that providers off pay day loan-eg products which are performing company throughout the state out-of Manitoba open-ended and you can chuckling in the state as well as their statutes. They’re laughing as high as the financial institution. Stan Keyes: ‘contraction of industry’
“I am stating that the latest signed up, legitimate payday lenders within province is tired of as the whipping-boy within this process.”
Keyes expected the 3-affiliate Bar committee to level the fresh play ground from the loosening limitations into legitimate companies so that they can contend and become running a business. Complete with raising the 17 per cent limit therefore it is way more in accordance with the national mediocre off twenty two per cent.
Keyes is the first presenter off a two-go out hearing being held by Pub to review brand new perception of your own provincial guidelines. The newest Bar will send their recommendations to your state in the a great later on date.
“Discover a large prospect of damage for all of us to access a volitile manner from debt with pay day loan,” he said. “While they are controlled, there’s absolutely no controls when it comes to just how many pay day loan you could potentially take out. We seen people which have five otherwise six an excellent funds.”
Silver and you will Gloria Desorcy, of your own Manitoba Branch of one’s People Association, said the province’s laws getting payday-collectors should be expanded to take in the straightforward-borrowing from the bank stores.


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The new iPad Pro with M2 chip
Back in June, Apple unveiled the new M2 processor along with the redesigned MacBook Air. The report by Bloomberg reveals that an all-new iPad Pro with the M2 processor could be just a few days away. Apple isn’t expected to redesign the iPad Pro — unlike the MacBook Air. Instead, the new iPad Pro is rumoured to come in the existing 11-inch and 12.9-inch display variants. Powering the new iPad Pro will be the M2 processor. Little is known about the price of the iPad Pro models but sometime next week, the new iPad Pro could very well be unveiled.
The entry-level iPad
What’s also expected is the new entry-level iPad (10th-generation). Rumours suggest that the 10th-gen iPad will be powered by the A14 processor — the same is found in iPhone 12 and iPad Air (fourth generation). The entry-level iPad is expected to get a new design as speculation is rife about Apple replacing the lightning port with a type-C port. Also, it has been suggested that the entry-level iPad could offer 5G connectivity.
What else can we expect
Bloomberg’s report says that though it was expected Apple could unveil new MacBook Pro models but that’s not on the horizon as of now. Apple, as per the report, could launch the M2 MacBook Pro later this year. However, we can still get to see iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura — the two big OS updates from Apple.


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In addition to their opening at the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta next week, De Allende Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar has announced it will be opening at the Canton Exchange. Pita Street Food has also announced that they will also be opening in the same shopping center. Both of these businesses are first-time restaurants for Canton, although Pita has franchises across Georgia. Canton Exchange is anchored by Home Goods and Hobby Lobby.
Located at 2441 Cumming Highway, you will see this outparcel with other retailers, including a hair and nail salon. DeAllende is expected to open in early 2019. Earlier this year we reported that Your Pie had secured their outparcel in the Canton Exchange.
There are still outparcels available and others spaces are listed as “under contract”, according to the Dart Retail website, so stay tuned for information on those spaces. You can follow DeAllende Kitchen on Facebook for announcements regarding their opening.
Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates.


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Apple is reportedly scaling back one of its most ambitious healthcare projects. According to a new report from Insider, Apple is scaling back HealthHabit, an internal application that Apple employees can use to track fitness goals, talk to clinicians, and manage hypertension.
Insider offers some background on HealthHabit, which some employees believed could have been a consumer-facing offering at some point if it had been a success internally.
It’s an app called HealthHabit that Apple employees can use to log fitness goals, manage hypertension and talk to clinicians and coaches at AC Wellness, the doctors’ group that Apple works with.
Health Habit is part of Apple Health, an organization of several hundred engineers, program managers, data scientists, designers, and physicians that oversee Apple’s clinics, consumer features such as the heart rate and fitness tools, and secretive digital health bets.
Apple has been piloting coaching programs for workers with hypertension in tandem with AC Wellness for the past few years, and employees viewed HealthHabit as a logical next step to bring that work to life, three people said. If HealthHabit had success internally, it could have been a product for customers one day, the people said.
The report says that more than 50 employees were “spending a significant amount of time” working on the application. If those employees can’t find another role within Apple over the next several weeks, they will reportedly be laid off with severance.
The future of HealthHabit is unclear at this point. Insider speculates that the project could continue but with a smaller team, or it could be completely shut down.
The news comes after a report from the Wall Street Journal earlier this year shed light on the internal issues facing HealthHabit and Apple’s broader healthcare ambitions. That report also suggested that Apple had explored setting up primary care clinics, with Apple Watch relaying health data to Apple doctors.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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MOSCOW, 15 Jan – Some of the Russians are called by scammers more often, and some less often. Why this is happening and how not to attract the attention of intruders, explained in an interview with Sputnik radio, a professor at the Department of Security in the Digital World, Moscow State Technical University. Bauman Vitaly Vekhov.
The primary concern of scammers and advertising service providers is for people whose phone numbers are in poorly protected or public databases, he said.
“If a person is often called with advertising or intrusive offers, this means that he is not careful with his personal data,” Vekhov is sure.
Therefore, you should not share your real personal information with employees of various companies without extreme necessity, he continued. For example, when issuing discount cards in supermarkets.
“In such cases, it is better to enter fake data about yourself and your birthday. And those who enter real data and a real phone number are more likely to be scammed and various intrusive advertising,” the expert said.
You should also not publish your data on social networks, even in closed groups, he added. In addition, logins and passwords that allow you to enter your personal accounts or accounts on various Internet resources should be protected from intruders.
“If you work in a browser, then when you exit your personal account, you need to erase the password. Or, when you enter, do not check the “remember” box and do not save either your login or password. It is also worth clearing the browser history. Yes, this is inconvenient, but it is saves you from scammers to some extent,” Vitaly Vekhov said in an interview with Sputnik radio.
Useful information on how to protect the data of your bank or SIM card can be gleaned from contracts for these products, the expert concluded.


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U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with his top trade advisers on Thursday to decide whether to activate threatened tariffs on Chinese goods, a senior Trump administration official said, as China again urged talks to settle the dispute.
Trump is due to unveil revisions to his initial tariff list targeting $50 billion of Chinese goods on Friday. People familiar with the revisions said that the list will be slightly smaller than the original, with some goods deleted and others added, particularly in the technology sector.
Another administration official said that a draft document showed that the new list would still be close to $50 billion, with about 1,300 product categories, but both the dollar amount and quantity of products were still subject to change.
It remains unclear when Trump would activate the tariffs if he decides to do so. Several industry lobbyists told Reuters that they expect the move to come as early as Friday, with publication of a Federal Register notice, or it could be put off until next week.
If Washington implements tariffs, Beijing is expected to hit back with its own duties on U.S. imports including soybeans, cars, chemicals and planes, according to a list it released in early April.
Under the 1974 trade law that Trump invoked to pursue a tariff investigation into China’s intellectual property practices, he could delay the activation by 30 days. He can also delay the tariffs by another 180 days if the U.S. Trade Representative’s office finds that negotiations with China are yielding progress.
“The president’s trade team has recommended tariffs. If there are not tariffs, it will be because the president has decided that he’s not ready to implement tariffs,” a person familiar with the administration’s deliberations told Reuters.
But that recommendation came prior to Trump’s trip late last week to Canada for the G7 leaders summit and to Singapore for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to defuse a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula.
Trump returned to Washington early on Wednesday morning. In an interview aired on Wednesday, Trump told Fox News that he was “very strongly clamping down on trade” with China.
Asked how strong, Trump said: “Well, I think very strongly. I mean you’ll see over the next couple of weeks. They understand what we are doing.”
Trump did not specifically mention the tariffs and added that he has “a very good relationship with President Xi (Jinping) of China.”
The move toward activating U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods follows negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials centered on increased purchases by Beijing of American farm and energy commodities and cutting the U.S. trade deficit with China.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross earlier this month met with Chinese officials in Beijing and brought back a Chinese proposal to purchase around $70 billion worth of additional commodities and manufactured goods. But that offer has not been accepted by Trump, people familiar with the matter said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday that those talks had yielded progress, and reiterated China’s warning that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures.
“The essence of China-U.S. trade and business ties is cooperation and win-win. We have consistently upheld that both sides should appropriately resolve relevant trade and business problems … via dialogue and consultations,” he said.
The administration’s trade hawks, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and White House trade and manufacturing adviser Peter Navarro, have advocated a tougher approach to address U.S. allegations that China has misappropriated American intellectual property through joint venture requirements, state-backed acquisitions of U.S. technology firms and outright theft.
Amid the rising trade tensions, China’s commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said Chinese exporters have been front-loading their shipments due to changes in the international trade environment.
Reporting by David Lawder and David Shepardson in WASHINGTON and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore
‘Disconnected from reality’: NY Times editor ridicules Trump for being a ‘farce’ of a president
New York Times editorial board member, Michelle Cottle, released a scathing op-ed highlighting the president's tendency to give oxygen to his adversaries that no one else would be paying attention to otherwise.
In a piece relating the White House to a "three-ring" circus, Cottle called the president a "farce" for his new war with Anthony Scaramucci.
As the president tweeted, no one had heard of Scaramucci until Trump hired him and former chief-of-staff John Kelly fired him after only 11 days.
Ex-white nationalist issues horrifying warning Trump’s government is neglecting the ‘domestic extremism problem’
Former white supremacist Christian Picciolini noted in an interview with MSNBC Sunday that the United States is dealing with a severe domestic terrorism problem, but that the Donald Trump administration is asleep at the wheel.
Since the El Paso shooting, there have been more than 30 thwarted mass shootings and at least two of those were directly related to domestic terrorism. Luckily state and local police were able to step in, and Americans have been more likely to warn law enforcement about possible attacks.
Trump goes off on Twitter rant about ‘My Stock Market’ at nearly 2 a.m. in France
President Donald Trump has an early morning meeting Monday with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. He also has a full day of meeting with the G-7, but that wasn't his focus in the early morning hours.
"My Stock Market gains must be judged from the day after the Election (sic), November 9, 2016, where the Market went up big after the win, and because of the win. Had my opponent won, CRASH!" Trump tweeted Sunday night in the U.S., which was nearly 2 a.m. in France where the president is staying during the G-7 summit.
My Stock Market gains must be judged from the day after the Election, November 9, 2016, where the Market went up big after the win, and because of the win. Had my opponent won, CRASH!


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It's Tuesday afternoon. Delhi's heat is unbearable and I plan to book an air-conditioned radio cab for myself. Alas, I don't get anywhere beyond imagining what those plush seats must feel like because, 30 minutes later, I'm negotiating prices with an irate auto driver.
None of the radio cab services (I called leading players like Mega Cabs and Easy Cabs) could provide me a ride from ITO to Saket, saying the earliest they could send me a car was two hours.
An hour later, I face the same problem: this time for commuting from from Saket to Greater Kailash. So what's the whole deal with these call-taxis, especially as most players claim to have no less than 250 cabs each on Delhi's roads?
"At any given point of time, not all cabs will be on the roads," reveals C B Singh, GM, customer relations, Mega Cabs, the oldest player in the radio-cab market (since 2001). With 280-odd vehicles (the company uses models like Indigo and Marina from Tata Motors), Singh says that realistically, he has no more than 80-100 cabs plying at a time.
That's because most companies face an acute shortage of drivers. "Our training process alone takes 7-10 days. Training the staff in English, getting drivers who are familiar with Delhi's roads and screening them is a mammoth task," says Singh.
He adds, "While the government has instructed radio cab companies to add 500 cabs to the roads by the end of this year, it needs to realistically look at manpower too."
The capital investment in setting up a radio cab service (cars??) is around Rs 6 crore (Rs 60 million)."Getting a fleet of cars is not that difficult. Getting drivers is a big task, especially now, as most trained drivers get poached by rival companies," laughs Singh, who says that drivers earn Rs 8,000-12,000 depending on the number of years they've been in service.
Most experts in the industry agree that there is an imbalance in demand-supply as far as radio cabs are concerned.
According to Rajiv K Vij, CEO, Carzonrent India, which has a total of 250 taxis - Easy Cabs uses Maruti's Esteem model - and plans to add another 450 in another two months and 5,000 before the Commonwealth Games in 2010: "It is impossible to keep up with the demand at all times. We are fielding as many as 10,000 calls every day from customers," says a source from Easy Cabs, which launched in 2006.
Easy Cabs is also planning to introduce credit card swipe machines in its cars by the end of this month.
Orix Auto Infrastructure Services (OAIS), a joint venture between Orix Corporation, Japan, and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), a week-old entrant in radio cab services in Delhi under the Delhi Cabs brand, will also be installing such credit card swipe machines.
"It's too early to give details, but we promise to provide a world-class public car hire system to Delhiites with our service," says Neeraj Kumar, CEO, OAIS.
But first, you have to get one in the first place.
Book your ride
Easy Cabs: 43434343
Mega Cabs: 41414141 and 1929
Delhi Cabs: 44333222
Approximate number of calls made to companies: 8,000-10,000
Peak hour rush time: 8.30 am-11.00 am and 5.30 pm-10 pm
Radio cabs' features include GPRS technology, AC, swipe card machines (only Easy Cabs has it so far), digital fare meters and printers to issue bills
A tip: It's safer to call at least one hour in advance


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Calling all Digerati,
Having run a "soft launch" during the Rugby Sevens earlier this year, Uber has officially launched in Hong Kong last month. Sign up for Uber HK here (https://get.uber.com/go/WebWedHK) to get HK$100 off your first ride! The event will be far more interesting if you've given Uber a shot.
Essentially a private car service managed conveniently from a mobile app, Uber is here to disrupt the closed nature of this city's taxi services.
Originating in San Francisco in 2009, Uber has entered more than 60 markets worldwide. A June 2014 round of funding placed the company's value at an estimated US$18.2 billion!
They've started the PR machine by tapping into actor Carl Ng and socialite Amanda Strang, who took black "secret Uber" sedans during the launch.
Join fellow internet entrepreneurs and digital media executives as we invite Sam Gellman (http://hk.linkedin.com/pub/sam-gellman/4/339/45), the head of growth for Uber Asia, to take the hot seat at Web Wednesday Asia on 6th August, 2014.
Spread the word as Uber will be giving away special benefits that night for all attendees.
Your host and chief connector,
Founder - Web Wednesday (http://www.webwednesday.hk/)
Commercial Director - Bolei Digital (http://www.boleidigital.com/)


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Cloud gaming service Google Stadia will shut down on Jan. 18, the search giant said in blog post Thursday. Google will refund all Stadia hardware purchased through the Google Store, along with all the games and add-on content purchased from the Stadia store.
The company aims to have all the refunds completed by mid-January.
People using Stadia will still to be able to access to their game libraries, including Pro games if you had an active Pro subscription as of Thursday. In an email sent to players, Google warned that publisher support for games may vary, and it’s possible that your gameplay experience may be affected during the shut-down period (suggesting that some games could vanish or lose features early).
Explaining the move, Stadia vice president and general manager Phil Harrison noted Google’s investments in gaming through its Google Play digital distribution service, its cloud tech and YouTube streaming.
“A few years ago, we also launched a consumer gaming service, Stadia,” he said in the blog post. “And while Stadia’s approach to streaming games for consumers was built on a strong technology foundation, it hasn’t gained the traction with users that we expected so we’ve made the difficult decision to begin winding down our Stadia streaming service.”
Many employees on the Stadia team will be reassigned to other roles within Google, the blog post noted.
The cloud gaming service launched in November 2019 to a mixed reception.
“Stadia isn’t delivering new games [at the moment], it’s just trying to deliver a new way to play through streaming. One that you can already get from other providers,” CNET’s Scott Stein wrote at the time. “Until Google finds a way to loop in YouTube and develop truly unique competitive large-scale games, Stadia isn’t worth your time yet.”
Despite having some, Stadia failed to evolve. Google in 2021, hinting that its gaming ambitions were shifting away from Stadia.
Stadia also had plenty of Nvidia and all offering alternatives., with , ,
It hasn’t been a total bust for the company, with Harrison saying the tech can be applied to YouTube, Google Play and its augmented reality projects.
That tech will also be made available to Google’s industry partners. Sony gave its own streaming service a headstart in 2015 by— an — shortly before the once-promising startup shut down.


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Most Internet sites that give away free stuff have long since gone the way of the dinosaur. But eight-year-old Allrecipes.com is enjoying steady revenue growth, having found more than one way to make money from offering free recipes and cooking advice.
Prime among these methods is offering advertisers a crack at Allrecipes' 4.5 million meal-planning visitors, who arrive each month to peruse the site's 30,000-plus recipes. The recipes are posted by everyone from stay-at-home moms to major food-product corporations. The company also licenses its recipes to others, publishes cookbooks and sends out cooking-advice newsletters by e-mail to paid subscribers.
Company President and CEO Bill Moore said he expects even faster growth this year than in the past few years, with revenue projected to top $7.5 million, up about 56 percent from last year. Pretax income is forecast to be $1.5 million.
Allrecipes cooked up its first net-profit year back in 2003. Moore said the company is the second largest provider of online recipes, after FoodTV.com.
Several new marketing agreements that will put Allrecipes' name in front of millions of potential site visitors are expected to spice up revenue this year by drawing more of the shoppers advertisers crave.
In the past few months, the Seattle company has struck several new agreements. The most significant was a marketing pact with USA Weekend -- a magazine with nearly 23 million circulation that appears in newspapers in the Gannett Co. Inc. chain.
The USA Weekend agreement will expose the Allrecipes brand to the publication's massive audience, Allrecipes' Moore said. He hopes that will bring more visitors to the Allrecipes Web site, and in turn the company will have more to offer advertisers.
"It's about visibility," Moore said.
Other new partners include search-portal Ask Jeeves and weight-watching site eDiets.com. The online deals will pay Allrecipes as shoppers click on its recipes.
Food companies such as spice-maker McCormick & Co., Sara Lee and Mann's Fresh Vegetables are current advertisers on Allrecipes. Other paid advertisers include Cooking Light and Southern Living magazines.
At Hunt Valley, Md.-based McCormick, Jack Spaulding, the company's interactive marketing manager, said Allrecipes is his preferred online advertising site because of the many ways the company can present information to shoppers.
McCormick can insert its branded spices into recipes on the Allrecipes site and send out e-mail newsletters to Allrecipes' visitors. It has posted 100 of its own recipes using McCormick ingredients. The spice-maker also has its own "Herb & Spice Advice Central" department on the site.
"We're able to showcase how our company can solve those mealtime dilemmas," Spaulding said.
Allrecipes' audience is exactly the people McCormick wants to reach, he added.
"We view Allrecipes as one of the top guns in the recipe-site arena," he said. "Other sites like Epicurious are less mainstream. What we like about Allrecipes is they are tapped into a tremendous consumer base of home cooks."
To keep those cooks coming back, Allrecipes is beefing up its offerings of how-to articles and cooking advice. In August, the company hired former Health magazine Managing Editor Jerry Gulley to oversee the Web site's content. He serves as editor-in-chief, a new role at Allrecipes.
Gulley was brought on to develop a unique "voice" for Allrecipes, which in many ways resembles a vast, online food-and-lifestyle magazine. There are already more than 500 articles on the site, providing advice on topics from how to start an herb garden to how to roast a chicken.


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Allied Corp. announced that following an extensive regulatory review, it has received ANVISA approval for Brazilian importation.
On April 27th, 2022, Allied announced the signing of a forward purchase agreement for the manufacturing and sell-through of medical products destined for Brazil. On June 9th, 2022, Allied further announced the successful initial shipment for this forward purchase agreement. By way of this announcement, Allied has now obtained ANVISA approval for these transactions.
The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) controls the importation of medical products to the Brazilian market. ANVISA’s role is to promote the protection of the population’s health by executing sanitary control of the production, marketing, and use of products and services subject to health regulation, including related environments, processes, ingredients, and technologies, as well as the control of ports, airports, and borders.
Allied has now met the required regulatory requirements for Brazilian ANVISA and is now importing into the Brazilian medical market.
“This is an exciting day for Allied. With ANVISA’s recent approval of our products, it opens the Brazilian market for Allied. Through partnering with large medical groups in Brazil, we will now be able to bring the Allied products to the patients that need the medicine. The area of Sao Paulo serves over 22 million people. Given this size, we will be focusing on developing recurring sales into this area and also expanding across the Brazilian national market,” said James McMillan, Chief Commercial Officer for Allied Corp.
For more information: