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26 Mar AT&T to Biden: Don’t leave 5G out of infrastructure spending frenzy | Light Reading
The Biden administration is reportedly preparing an infrastructure spending plan that could top $3 trillion. An unspecified portion of that is expected to be directed toward crossing the digital divide.
Not surprisingly, telecommunications providers and vendors of all sizes and types are jostling for a chance to grab a portion of that spending for themselves. After all, how can the government make sure all Americans have access to a speedy Internet connection without ultimately directing money toward the companies that will build and deliver those connections?
However, there’s a brewing battle over exactly how Biden should allocate all that spending spending that could top $100 billion, based on some of the preliminary legislation that may underpin the president’s ultimate proposal.
Should Biden go “full broadband” and require that every government-funded connection support 1 Gbit/s connections both on the uplink and downlink? Some former FCC officials argue this is the only way to “future proof” Biden’s spending.
Others though argue that a “good enough” effort should be used in locations where Gig connections would undoubtedly cost tens of thousands of dollars to deliver.
AT&T which is building 1 Gbit/s fiber connections to millions of new locations this year has added its voice to the “good enough” camp.
“Fiber is the most ‘future-proof’ approach, but it is commonly accepted that it is not practical to assume fiber can or should serve every household in rural America,” wrote AT&T’s Joan Marsh, EVP of the company’s federal regulatory relations, on the company’s website. “Some flexibility must be preserved, particularly for the next generation of fixed wireless technologies likely to be deployed in the recently auctioned C-band that will easily deliver performance at 100Mbit/s down.”
Marsh’s comments are noteworthy considering her boss CEO John Stankey has argued that widespread deployments of 5G fixed wireless Internet services working in the C-band “starts to put a real tax on a mobile network.” Similarly, AT&T networking chief Jeff McElfresh said the company will only engage in “niche” fixed wireless buildouts in locations mostly adjacent to AT&T’s fiber network.
To be clear, AT&T is not averse to fixed wireless. The company already covers 1.1 million rural locations with 4G fixed wireless Internet services. However, some critics claim the company isn’t putting much effort into signing up customers to that service.
AT&T has not disclosed the number of its fixed wireless customers. But the company certainly is not chasing the 5G fixed wireless opportunity in the way that Verizon and T-Mobile plan to.
Nonetheless, AT&T isn’t alone in its calls for a “good enough” definition of broadband.
“Funding programs should recognize that just as consumer demands evolve, so too will the networks that drive them,” wrote the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association in its latest legislative push. The trade group is essentially arguing that wireless technologies will eventually be able to support Gig connections, but not necessarily everywhere right now. “Evolving speed standards means a consumer can have robust connectivity today, and the provider can continue upgrading its networks in anticipation of future consumer demands.”
Both AT&T and WISPA are also eyeing the question of “symmetrical” broadband, or the ratio between upload and download speeds. Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has argued that broadband networks of the future will need to support 1 Gbit/s speeds on both the uplink and the downlink. But AT&T and WISPA don’t agree with that.
“Wireless networks are not built to deliver symmetrical speeds, so any mandate around symmetrical performance could undermine delivery of these efficient and robust technology solutions in hard to serve areas of the country,” AT&T’s Marsh wrote, adding that symmetrical speed requirements could also end up wasting money on the construction of telecom networks across locations that are already served by fixed wireless or other, non-symmetrical technologies.
WISPA offers a similar argument: “Since the dawn of the Internet, consumers have used more download bandwidth than upload bandwidth, often by a factor of 10:1. Funding programs should recognize that just as consumer demands evolve, so too will the networks that drive them,” the group wrote.
AT&T recently disclosed that it’s seeing data demands among its current Internet customers becoming increasingly symmetrical, expecting the ratio of downlink to uplink usage moving from 10:1 today to about 5:1 by 2025.
President Biden is widely expected to unveil at least some portions of his infrastructure plan in the coming weeks. Exactly how he will address the digital divide remains unclear, as well as whether he will be able to pass such legislation through a divided Congress. But the decisions he makes in the allocation of that spending could have significant implications for AT&T and a wide range of other telecommunications providers.


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It’s been around for 50 years and has been known variously during that time as telecommuting, dominetics (a combination of domicile, connections and electronics) and remote working. In its latest and most widespread iteration, it’s known as WFH and the fledgling technology that first made it possible, the personal computer, has grown legs and become both an enabler and a drawback.
Specifically, it’s the video conferencing bit of the equation that seems to be causing the most pain, but sit tight. The tech boffins are on it and plan to turn the ugly duckling into a swan.
"The problem I have with Zoom and other versions of video calls is their fixed focal point. It makes everything so much more formal and prescribed," says industrial designer Will Howe, whose interest in intuitive technology puts him in a better position than most to do something about consigning the stilted video call to history.
Howe is a director of the UK-based tech/industrial design company, Map, and he told The Irish Times that making video calls easier and a lot more intuitive will be a key factor in ensuring people are willing to work from home in the long term.
“Personally, I couldn’t wait to get back to the office because, with a ‘normal’ meeting, there are rituals we all go through that break things up and allow you to express yourself in a more creative and coherent way. You also benefit from those serendipitous moments that take you down an avenue that hadn’t even entered your mind before,” Howe says.
“With video calls as they are now, you’re not looking at the person, you’re looking at the screen or, if you’re looking at the camera, then you’re not looking at the screen. It never feels like a proper connection because you’re not eye to eye. That’s got to change to make remote working more appealing.”
Before the pandemic, Howe was already working with a leading tech company on a new camera to make video conferencing “less painful”. That project has now been accelerated and Howe says the first major change we’re likely to see is the demise of the single fixed camera.
“As the technology evolves, we will see the use of multiple cameras that will represent the environment in a more natural way to capture a more immersive experience,” he says.
“To give you an example, look at how the automotive industry is already using multiple cameras to let you see all around the car while you’re still sitting inside it. It’s about creating experiences that are a bit more natural and derived from other senses rather than just the visual.
“We will see the emergence of more ambient technology where it will be possible to ‘read’ the situation through a series of subtle signifiers that are providing information in a different way, maybe through movement or light or sound.
“From an industrial design point of view, this is an exciting time because we are going to start seeing completely new archetypes for products that don’t exist yet,” says Howe who adds that the tech giants are already pushing ahead with these developments.
It’s not only video conferencing that’s ripe for disruption in this brave new world of home working. Howe predicts that office furniture is also going to get a major makeover as many people need a suitable working surface combined with storage but they don’t have the space for a regular home office.
“We’re going to see micro furniture and furniture that can change mode or pack away so that people are not constantly confronted by work,” he says.
“Another problem that has to be tackled for a better working from home experience is the control of ambient noise and noise pollution. For example, it’s annoying and possibly problematic if you can hear spillover from someone else’s calls or meetings. This sound control could happen through analogue objects, such as noise-absorbing panels or furniture to create more of a secluded zone, or maybe through using the kind of tech already found in noise-cancelling headphones.
“These products don’t really exist yet for the smaller spaces typical of the home working environment.”
The most striking statistic to come out of working from home so far is the exponential rise in Zoom usage. It may not be the perfect way to communicate but its number of active daily users has skyrocketed from 10 million to 200 million in three months.
Tech writer Paul Boutin points out that, although AT&T first demonstrated a video call back in 1927, it took decades for video to catch on as popular means of communication. Early video phone products flopped and one of the suspected underlying reasons was that people felt uncomfortable about being seen while talking.
The ubiquitous camera phone has helped to change that and video has become an important platform that can keep remote workers connected. However, the problem with it Boutin says is that it’s still too much like early Hollywood movies which were shot with a stationary camera.
What will make a real difference is adding advances in virtual and augmented reality (enabled by the advent of 5G) to the mix to create a better feeling of remote presence. This will also overcome some of the technical glitches that currently derail video conferencing so that, as Boutin puts it, “we can at least pretend for an hour that we’re in a real room with real people”.

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If the tablet has a strength, it’s in re-imagining software as something truly immersive – no knobs, no switches, just a futuristic wash of visuals and sound, like touching noise with your fingertip. Borderlands (soon to have a slightly different name) hints at that promise. We took a look inside the idea behind the app and the thought process that led to its design in April:
But now the video teaser above is probably enough to really whet your appetite. And there’s good reason to be excited. There’s a step-by-step tutorial coming launch day. I’ve seen it, and I think you’ll like it a lot. And some intrepid readers have already built the free and open source on Mac – and they’re in love.
So, when is Borderlands coming to you? Well, it’s awaiting Apple approval – yes, it seems naming your music app with the same moniker as a hit video game isn’t the greatest idea. But developer Christopher Carlson tells CDM he’s working on an altered submission and will get this all sorted. Stay tuned here for that tutorial and news once it hits. In the meantime, sweet granular dreams.


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Previously at the annual conference held in Aug Jio revealed that they have partnered with Google to launch some affordable 5G devices in India. Later we got some leaks revealing the plan details of the next gen of telecom aka 5G. Later we probably got leaks revealing that Jio might launch 5G with completely made in India equipments.
Now RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani has just announced that Jio will launch the 5G services next year in India. Yes, the roll-out of Jio 5G services will begin as early as the second half of 2021. Further, RIL Chairman touted that the new Reliance Jio 5G will be part of Atmanirbhar Bharat policy and use the majority of Made in India equipments.
Further speaking, Mukesh Ambani also revealed that to speed-up the 5G roll-out Indian policy steps needed. Adding to this he said “I assure you that Jio will pioneer the 5G revolution in India in the second half of 2021. It will be powered by an indigenous developed network, hardware, and technology components.”
So with success of 4G networks in India Jio lead and made history, will the same going to repeat next year have to wait and watch. With the 5G announcement we think Jio is way ahead than its competitors Airtel and Vi.


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Tallinn, Estonia, twenty second November, 2022, Chainwire
Zonda, the main cryptocurrency in Jap Europe, will slash maker and taker charges by 50% for one week.
Zonda is the most important cryptocurrency change in Jap Europe. It serves dozens of cryptocurrencies and continues to make inroads throughout Central Europe.
A part of the Zonda development plan is growing the person base and the upcoming 50% discount in maker/taker charges is a part of that technique. Customers can pay much less to finish trades on the platform, permitting them to make use of their capital extra effectively.
The 50% discount goes into impact on November 22, 2022, at 12:00 UTC, till November 29, 2022, at 12:00 UTC. All verified Zonda customers will robotically profit from these decreased buying and selling charges, besides these with a devoted payment plan. Furthermore, the low cost applies to all buying and selling pairs on the change.
Zonda has been operational since 2014 and serves over 1 million merchants globally. As well as, the change holds a Finance Intelligence Unit license and conducts thorough AML procedures.
The unique firm was based in Poland in 2014 by native crypto fans to function a platform for getting and promoting cryptocurrencies. Within the following years, it has dominated the Polish market, changing into an emblem of cryptocurrency exchanges in Poland by ceaselessly upgrading its platform, making certain an intuitive and state-of-the-art expertise for traders. In November 2019, the corporate moved to Estonia. BB Commerce Estonia OÜ turned the operator of the change platform, and the platform gained its Finance Intelligence Unit (FIU) license. The corporate rebranded to Zonda in 2021 with the objective to increase past Poland and Jap Europe.
Mark Hartley[email protected]


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ELLSWORTH — Work on the planned Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in the Maine Coast Mall complex has restarted after a months-long hiatus, according to owner Christopher Thorne of Ellsworth Soft Serve LLC.
“It’s still happening,” said Thorne, who did not yet have an opening date for the restaurant. Paperwork and regulations held up the project, he said.
“The issue was environmental work,” Thorne said. “Nothing was wrong with it — it was just a paperwork issue going back to the 1950s. Things take time.”
The restaurant was slated to open in December 2017, according to a timeline provided to The American by Maine Coast Mall spokesman Dan MacIntyre last August. Thorne said he doesn’t anticipate any big hang-ups going forward.
“We’re quickly reaching back out to all of contractors to get the ball rolling again and at least get the construction done,” Thorne said. “We’ve probably got four months construction to do.”
The roughly 2,600-square-foot building will be situated next to McDonald’s on the site of the former Darling’s auto dealership. Ellsworth Soft Serve LLC also runs Dairy Queens in Brewer and Waterville.
In a previous interview, MacIntyre told The American that the chain will offer burgers, hot dogs and other sandwiches in addition to its ice cream menu. It also will have a drive-through window.


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Blockchain Transaction Record
With a 25-year legacy, the company excels in guiding solar journeys, offering innovative racking for streamlined installations and top-notch performance. Explore their renowned brand offerings, driving accessible and efficient solar solutions.
Exclusively at Newsworthy.ai — Newsworthy registers every press release distributed through this service on the blockchain so that we can provide verification services and make features such as the self-hosting of press releases available to our customers. The blockchain provides an immutable record of the press releases issued by this service. Immutability gives readers the assurance that the news they are reading has not been altered from the source document that this service distributed. We have shifted the Source of Truth to the blockchain for added protection.
Moving the Source of Truth to the blockchain improves transparency and increases trust between organizations submitting news and readers.
Key Takeaways (TLDR)
- Solar Electric Supply, Inc. introduces Easy-to-Install Ground Mounted Solar Systems, combining user-friendliness with cost-effectiveness.
- Streamlined installation and cost-efficient racking technology make Solar Electric Supply's systems accessible and convenient.
- Solar Electric Supply offers reliable, scalable, and aesthetically pleasing solar systems with renowned brands for optimal performance.
|NWAI Digital Fingerprint
Solar Electric Supply does not have any other recent news to report at this time.


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The once most powerful man in the world describes his old job as 98% talk and 2% action.
That's Ben Bernanke, former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Officially the Fed's job is to stabilize the economy – controlling inflation and encouraging growth – by setting the country's monetary policy. When you oversee the world's largest economy, at roughly $21 trillion GDP, that easily makes you one of the most influential people in the world.
But Bernanke's comments acknowledge the job is as much about managing the public's mood as it is about manipulating interest rates and money supply.
Bernanke, his successor Janet Yellen, and current Fed Chair Jerome Powell have communicated relentlessly with the public. The Federal Reserve signals every step it takes for months before it makes a move.
We've seen this recently... The Fed has been very transparent about when it plans to raise interest rates. In short, it won't be for a couple of years. And with that knowledge, folks have felt more comfortable buying into this expensive market.
The central bank takes this approach to avoid dropping surprises on the markets in the hopes they'll function more smoothly with notice – at least as far as reactions to Fed operations go.
The Fed prioritizing communication reflects the fact that the economy and financial markets are made up of people.
When the Fed wants to, say, boost growth and inflation, it can reduce interest rates as far as it wants... but inflation won't move until the public is comfortable enough to spend that money.
Similarly, the Fed can bail out every bank in the nation... but a credit crunch won't stop until everyone believes their money is safe and stops pulling it back in.
Cold, hard transactions make up the economy. And behind every transaction is a human decision. Consumers buy and businesses invest when they are optimistic about the future. Nothing can get an economy humming again like a widespread belief that the economy is improving.
Right now, you should look at the best indicator that explains the condition of the economy: the behavior of consumers.
Consumer spending makes up around 70% of our economy. It determines the decisions of virtually every business. It's the key driver in investment returns.
When you look at consumer spending, it's hard not to be optimistic. Spending has quickly rebounded from the pandemic, and it just recently hit a new high of roughly $15 trillion...
You can also look at consumer confidence. The chart below shows the Consumer Confidence Index, which is a survey administered by the Conference Board. It's a measure of how optimistic or pessimistic folks are regarding their expected financial situation. As you can see, confidence plunged last year. But it has been heading higher in recent months...
You should think of the behavior of consumers as the one indicator that explains it all.
Right now, things look good. Consumers are flush with cash, and they are spending.
And we'll likely see this spending continue. The progress with the vaccine has been incredible. That means people can begin to plan vacations and start to travel more.
As long as folks are out and spending, things look good for the economic rebound.
What We're Reading...
- Fully vaccinated Americans can travel with low risk, according to the CDC.
- Americans are ready to spend again as consumer confidence hits pandemic high.
- Something different: Fast food struggles to hire as demand soars, U.S. economy roars.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
April 7, 2021


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Next iPhones expected to be biggest ever
Think big. Really big.
If you think iPhones are too small, get ready for this – the next crop of iPhones are expected to go larger than ever.
Apple will officially announce the 2018 crop in early September, but analysts we’ve spoken to are firm in what to expect, based on intelligence from the supply chain. Analysts expect three new iPhone models.
• The big news will be the successor to the iPhone X, with an iPhone X Plus of sorts, which is expected to have a 6.5-inch screen. That would make it the largest iPhone ever, larger than even the just released Samsung Galaxy Note 9, which has a 6.4-inch screen. The current iPhone X has a 5.8-inch screen.
• The iPhone X is expected to be updated, with the same screen size and new features, and potentially a new name, such as the XS. Apple has used the S name in past years on models that have had slight updates.
• A third iPhone, with a 6.1-inch screen, is expected to have a lower price than the other two, in the $800 range, and a lower-resolution LCD screen. The other iPhones are expected to have more pricey OLED screens.
So what’s up with the bigger real estate?
It's all about video, says Tim Bajarin, an analyst with Creative Strategies. The primary audience for the phones, young people, "spend much of their days watching video on their phones, and they demand larger screens," he says.
If you’re a fan of the older iPhones, with the Home button that got replaced on the iPhone X, bad news folks. Apple is expected to use the Face ID system on the three new phones and ditch the Home button for the premium models, Bajarin says.
The good news for people who don't like Face ID is that along with the new phones, Apple will still have older models available that will be upgraded with lower prices. Apple is expected to continue selling the older iPhone 7 and 8 phones, which still do have the home button.
The iPhone X was the most expensive iPhone ever, starting at $999. Bajarin sees the top two new premium phones in the $1,000 range.
Follow USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham (@jeffersongraham) on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.


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Samsung has posted a new teaser video on Twitter about its Unpacked 2015 event which will happen during Mobile World Congress 2015 on March 1. The video talks about inspiration from a “Great vision” and “A unique view” for #TheNextGalaxy, which is nothing but Samsung’s upcoming flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S6. The short 17 seconds long video ends showing the camera lens of the device, so we are guessing that Samsung will focus a lot on the camera quality and features of the device.
Earlier this week, we exclusively reported that Samsung will use either a 16-megapixel or a 20-megapixel camera on the Galaxy S6, which would be coupled with OIS (optical image stabilisation). We also mentioned that the new camera app on the Galaxy S6 would be based on Android 5.0 Lollipop’s new camera API. Even DongHoon Jang, senior vice president and head of Camera R&D Group at Samsung Electronics, mentioned that the camera on the company’s flagship device will be far more intelligent which allows users to click “amazing pictures under any conditions, without having to worry about more than just pressing the shutter button.”
Update: Looks like Samsung can’t stop talking about the camera on its next flagship smartphone. A new tweet from Samsung’s official Twitter account hints that the camera on its upcoming device can “Find clarity in darkness.” According to us, either the camera will be equipped with optical image stabilisation, as we reported earlier, or that the size of the camera sensor will be larger than any other existing devices from Samsung, or both. Whatever it is, the camera on the Galaxy S6 ought to be special as Samsung has never boasted so much about the camera on its previous flagship smartphones, but they were still one of the best in the industry. We guess that we will have to wait and see until the official unveiling of the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge.


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Games Promise to Come Alive: Super Nintendo World to Open in February 2021
~Admissions will be restricted through steps such as distributing numbered tickets to allow for COVID-19 mitigation measures~
Nintendo’s first theme park, Super Nintendo World, will open its doors on February 4, 2021, the operator of Universal Studios Japan (USJ) announced on November 30.
Featuring Nintendo’s legendary character Mario, the theme park was originally scheduled to open this summer in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. Like so many things, it was postponed to next spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Super Nintendo World will provide a life-sized experience of the Nintendo game world, including recreations of buildings and vehicles that will be familiar to Nintendo lovers everywhere. The press were given a sneak peek during the announcement, revealing the world’s first Mario Kart-themed ride, located inside Bowser’s Castle, where Mario’s nemesis lies in wait.
A gigantic statue of Bowser can be found inside Bowser’s castle, along with a shell-patterned floor reminiscent of the turtle-like Koopa race. It also has a sharp iron fence, creating an imposing structure that would make anyone’s hair stand on end with anticipation.
Another must-see is the “Mario’s Kart: Koopa’s Challenge” ride, with its four-seater carts fitted with steering wheels and headsets. The attraction’s appearance and technology ensure visitors will have a truly immersive experience through augmented reality and projection mapping technology.
Executive producer Thomas Geraghty, who was in charge of creating the Mario Kart ride, said, “Through innovative technology, one can experience the game world with their whole body.”
USJ invested a record ￥60 billion JPY (about $577 million USD) in development of the new area, including the construction of “Princess Peach’s Castle,” home to the famous heroine, and a ride based on popular character “Yoshi.”
According to USJ, the opening date is scheduled for February 2021 because “the facilities are ready” after a delay prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Universal Studios expects the attraction to be packed, as was the case when the Harry Potter area opened in 2014. Admissions will be restricted through steps such as distributing numbered tickets to allow for COVID-19 mitigation measures.
Unfortunately, the reality of a COVID-19 third wave is looming as well. Hideyuki Araki, a senior researcher at Resona Research Institute, a management consultancy firm, expressed concern over expectations about the opening. “The risk of infection will still be high in February 2021 because of the cold weather. It could be difficult to attract visitors if the grand opening coincides with a major surge in coronavirus cases,” he said.
With this in mind and the rising number of cases worldwide, it is unclear if the theme park opening will be able to attract as many visitors as hoped.
(Find the articles in Japanese on which this report is based here and here.)
Author: Keiko Tamura, Staff Writer, Sankei West (NEW AUTHOR)
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A pair of Canadians placed third and fourth on Forbes’ ranking of top influential gamers, a list meant to provide insight into how game loving heavyweights within the often hazy world of online and social media are wielding the power of influence.
The Canadian ranked third is Toronto-born Evan Fong, who goes by the name VanossGaming. He’s best known for creating videos of him and his friends playing games including Grand Theft Auto V in which the group delivers humorous commentary. Each video typically earns millions of distinct views – more than most cable TV shows.
The second Canadian on the list is fourth-ranked Sonja Reid, also known as OMGitsfirefoxx. Her videos, which often record her adventures in shooters like Counter Strike: Global Offensive, earn fewer views – usually in the hundreds of thousands – but she has taken advantage of her YouTube success by partnering with brands ranging from Loot Crate to Audi.
Both Canadians are part of a prestigious group led by American Mark Fischbach (A.K.A. Markiplier), whose “let’s play” style videos on YouTube have garnered some 7 billion total views – or roughly one view for each person on the planet – since beginning just five years ago. He’s most famous for recording his shock filled and profanity-laden reactions while playing horror games, like this spring’s Prey.
Just how influential are these people who record themselves playing video games? Adding up their followers, subscribers, and likes on sites including Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, they reach a combined audience well north of 200 million people. Several of the personalities on Forbes’ list have signed deals with publicity agencies ranging from the gaming-centric 3BlackDot to Hollywood’s William Morris Endeavour, famous for representing global celebrities including Denzel Washington, J.J. Abrams, and Taylor Swift.
The real question is how these stars – or the brands that decide to partner or in some other way throw in with them – can leverage their popularity. Markiplier, among the humblest of the bunch, has made clear that he’s not interested in turning his YouTube channel into a traditional business. He uses the millions he’s made to hire his friends to help him out and buy better equipment to improve the quality of his videos, but he expresses little interest in monetizing his channel beyond the money that flows in via ad revenue.
And even if gaming influencers do exploit their popularity by tethering themselves to sponsors, the inherent lack of control and safeguards within their preferred platforms means there’s a real risk that they could damage those brands.
Take PewDiePie, who ranks second on Forbes’ list. The Swedish video game personality is almost certainly the best known social media video game influencer on the planet. His channel has more than 55 million subscribers, and he’s frequently appeared in mainstream media as a prime example of the celebrity and success that’s possible on platforms like YouTube.
However, he lost several of sponsors – including a lucrative deal with Disney – last winter when he posted a series of videos containing anti-semetic imagery. What’s more, this came after a controversy earlier in his YouTube career that saw the online celebrity forced to apologize for making jokes about rape in his streams.
And just because a YouTube star is recognizable and good at what they do on their platform doesn’t mean they can be easily shuffled into the role in which a sponsor needs them. Game publisher Electronic Arts learned this the hard way earlier this month when it hired Jesse Wellens – a YouTube celebrity with more than 4 billion views on his PrankvsPrank channel – to introduce a game live during its E3 press conference. When it came time for him to read his lines he froze up (thanks in part to a teleprompter mix-up) and became a running joke throughout the conference about using untrained and undisciplined online influencers as presenters.
So while online video game personalities might be relied upon to capture the attention of huge numbers of people, their general lack of mainstream media savvy and in some cases self-control – which, it’s worth noting, is often among the facets of their personalities and videos that makes them so appealing in the first place – also makes them risky bets for any businesses that consider hitching their trailers to them.
There’s no questioning these social media stars’ massive potential to influence the public, but effectively harnessing that power is an altogether different – and sometimes dangerous – task.


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T here are indicators the state’s tight labour market is shifting, a survey of businesses discovered. Aussie borrowers can breathe a sigh of reduction because the RBA retains the money price on maintain at 4.10 per cent for a 3rd month working. Approximately 80 of Grindr’s 178 workers have been pressured to leave as of August 31, the CWA stated Wednesday. Commonwealth Bank business customers might get a impolite shock when they go to make deposits from next month.
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With Its Flat Payment, Full-service Method, New Period Real Estate Is Changing The Market
Perth’s super-rich Wright family has reaped a further $235 million in income from iron ore royalties, however essentially the most revealing number in their household firm accounts was the massive spend on attorneys. Facility operator Compass Group plans to add tons of of rooms in a $79 million growth of a Port Hedland accommodation, to house employees of BHP’s port debottlenecking project. National union SDA has lodged a $150 million class motion lawsuit towards grocery store giant Aldi, potentially impacting about 1,800 workers in Western Australia. Investors are starting to avoid firms promoting their environmental, social and governance credentials. Premier Roger Cook will meet with firms together with Mitsui & Co on the primary day of his mission to Japan, as the government looks to promote its imaginative and prescient for the state’s renewable sector. A development assessment panel has accredited an lodging plan to accommodate Kalgoorlie-Boulder staff, in its third meeting over the $6.5 million proposal.
Uk Mortgage Approvals Fall To Five-month Low As Price Hikes Hit Demand
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World Shares Retreat, Economies Rattled As Israel-hamas War Threatens Global Development
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Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and more are all participating in the Black Friday TV deals extravaganza, and there have already been some incredible offers with record-low prices on a broad variety of displays. The greatest 2023 Black Friday TV discounts and today’s hottest deals have been culled by our deals specialists, so you don’t have to.
We’ve found some fantastic offers on TVs ranging from cheap models beginning at $99 to high-end OLEDs from Samsung, LG, and Vizio during this year’s Black Friday sales bonanza. A brand-new 65-inch 4K TV from Toshiba is now on sale for $499.99, while this Samsung 55-inch 4K Cyrstal has been reduced to an unbelievable $399.99 in honour of Black Friday. Also, LG’s magnificent C1 OLED display is currently on sale for $1,549, which is a new record-low.


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According to data from the EV maker’s most recent earnings report, Tesla incurred a $34 million impairment charge on its bitcoin holdings in the most recent quarter. The company’s holdings of 10,725 bitcoin remained constant in the fourth quarter due to no purchases or sales. The value of Tesla’s bitcoin dropped from $218 million to $184 million at the conclusion of the previous quarter.
— Sir Doge of the Coin ⚔ (@dogeofficialceo) January 26, 2023
Current Status of Tesla’s Bitcoin Assets
The collapse of FTX caused a 20% decline in the price of bitcoin over the final 2 months of 2022. Even though bitcoin has increased 38% since the beginning of 2023, the event contributed to a sharp decline in the value of cryptocurrencies on the worldwide market.
It implies that, barring a further sharp decline in cryptocurrency prices, Tesla’s accounting may vary in the upcoming quarter. Tesla’s bitcoin assets are now worth $248 million, just at the current price of $23,124 per bitcoin.
Tesla is one of the top five publicly traded corporations that own bitcoin, and CEO Elon Musk is a fervent supporter of cryptocurrencies. Before Tesla disclosing a $1.5 billion investment in cryptocurrency in 2021, he publicly considered transferring a sizable portion of the company’s balance sheet into bitcoin or dogecoin while praising them to his Twitter users.
However, Tesla has reduced its exposure to bitcoin due to Musk’s later criticism of bitcoin’s excessive carbon emissions. Early in 2021, the business liquidated 10% of its bitcoin holdings, and by the middle of last year, it sold off 75% of Tesla’s bitcoin holdings.
According to its latest earnings report, Tesla sold none of their $218 million worth of Bitcoin in Q4 last year.
It doesn’t take a lot to love or hate Elon, but he’s clearly walking the talk.
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 26, 2023


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My thoughts on live streams, ‘Let’s Play’ videos, countless internet walkthroughs and why they could mean the end of single player games
What characters like Lara Croft, Ellen Ripley and Katniss Everdeen can teach us about women in media
What I would want to see in a game based on one of the best sci-fi universes of all time
Gamers deserve a show of reverence for what is becoming a more important pillar of popular culture
Sac City Gamer casts its votes The air date for the 2013 Spike TV Video Game Awards has been announced, as well as the list of nominees for each category. The three-hour show, dubbed VGX because, you know, it’s next-gen, will air on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. Pacific Time. According to Spike’s official website,Continue reading “Spike TV Video Game Awards (VGX) 2013 information and predictions”
Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Hall and Jake “The Snake” Roberts step into the virtual squared-circle 2K Sports posted a video today via its Facebook WWE 2K page featuring wrestling legends Diamond Dallas Page, better known as DDP, Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Scott “Razor Ramon” Hall. In the video, originally posted on YouTube by DDP, HallContinue reading “This WWE 2K14 video is full of bang, Chico”
Did Sony delay its PlayStation 4 racer on purpose to help GT6’s sales?
New GTA game blows sales records out of the water
Another awesome Google Easter egg to try out!
Viral ad for the app takes viewers on an emotional journey


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Delta Comfort+ Expands to Asia, Latin America and Caribbean
Delta announced this week that it's expanding Comfort+ to all destinations in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
In 2015, Delta introduced Comfort+ seating on its aircraft. It slowly rolled out the product as part of a wider upgrade of cabin interiors.
You can now buy Comfort+ fares on the new routes for flights departing from September 20, 2017 and onward.
According to Delta, Comfort+ fares are available on routes between these regions:
- Between the US and Canada and Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile
- Between the US and Canada and China and Hong Kong
- Within the Asia-Pacific region, now including China
- Between Asia-Pacific region markets, and Latin America / Caribbean markets, now including China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile
Delta Comfort+ fares offer the following perks: Sky Priority boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, extra legroom, superior snacks, free drinks and complimentary premium entertainment. On long-haul international flights, Comfort+ passengers are also given sleep kits.
Comfort+ should not be confused with Premium Select, Delta's premium economy product, which launches later this year. Travelers with Delta elite status also are eligible for upgrades to Comfort+, and you can earn more MQMs and SkyMiles when purchasing a Comfort+ fare.


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City Club Apartments has executed a lease for a 6,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant and bar at the mixed-use City Club Apartments CBD Cincinnati apartment and penthouse community at the corner of Third and Vine.
Scheduled to open in Spring 2019, the 10th floor restaurant and bar will include indoor and outdoor seating with panoramic views of the city, stadiums and riverfront. The concept will additionally feature eclectic culinary offerings and a full bar with handcrafted cocktails, wine and craft beer.
Earlier this month, City Club Apartments CBD Cincinnati announced a first-to-Cincinnati market and café concept slated to open in Spring 2019 on the first floor of the building. Both the market and café will feature locally sourced mea
The apartment development includes 294 apartments and penthouses. It also features a 24-hour concierge, underground valet parking, Sky Club, Sky Park, Bark Park, tranquil Zen Garden, indoor and outdoor movie theaters, rooftop pool and hot tub, wellness center, conference and business center and fiber technology.


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Fast Forward was founded in 2014 to bring the same level of support found in for-profit incubators and accelerators to tech non-profits. The firm provides its members with grants, pro-bono support, and a network of mentors and colleagues. It was founded by successful Kevin Barenblat, a successful entrepreneur who founded Context Optional which was later to sold to Efficient Frontier which then got bought by Adobe, and Shannon Farley who previously founded Spark, a marketplace for millennial philanthropists.
Earlier this week, Fast Forward presented its 2016 cohort at its annual Demo Day. In true NewCo fashion (Fast Forward has been showcased at NewCo SF), each of the nine companies shared their purpose and demoed their products. Although the focus was more on potential lives impacted rather than potential market share, like other high profile start up pageants like Techcrunch Disprupt and Y Combinator Demo Day, the goal of the presentations was to recruit investors.
One can’t help but root for all the companies who participated. You can see all nine demo videos here. Fast Forward looks for companies working on education, environmental, health, and human rights issues. The challenge, of course, is finding an economic model that gets these solutions to market. Without equity to give, non-profits rely on the generosity of donors and foundations — Fast Forward Demo Day was supported by Google.org, the Omidyar Network, and Black Rock. Google.org announced $25k grants for all participating companies and offered to match individual donations up to $100k.
This seed-stage accelerator looks beyond product to help startups differentiate themselves
The Brandery, a seed-stage accelerator, is utilizing Cincinnati’s unique resources to help startups turn minimally viable products into sustainable businesses. What resources are those? Marketing and branding agencies have grown alongside Cincinnati-based Fortune 500 Companies like Procter & Gamble, Macy’s, and Kroger. As the barriers to entry for starting companies decrease, The Brandery believes startups focused on their brands can differentiate themselves and increase their probability of success.
The accelerator accepts 10 companies into its four-month program each year. In return for a 6 percent equity stake, startups receive $50,000, access to mentorship, pro-bono work from branding agencies, and a chance to work with companies like Procter and Gamble. Those resources have helped The Brandery become one of the top accelerators in the nation. The Seed Accelerator Rankings Project lists The Brandery at the Gold tier, just under Platinum where you’ll find 500 Startups and Y Combinator.
Altaeros Energies worked on the world’s first airborne wind turbine at Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA, just outside of Boston. Autonomous Marine Systems used the Labs’ shop to work on its sailing drones, fleets of which now collect data on our oceans. Accion Systems set up shop there to ready its smaller, safer, and less expensive ion-based propulsion system for satellites. Between its founding in 2011 and the end of 2015, Greentown Labs has been home to 103 small businesses.
Today, roughly 50 companies pay rent in exchange for access to desks, lab space, equipment, and software. All of those startups are developing hardware-based clean technologies to solve the world’s largest energy and environmental challenges. Greentown Lab provides the resources startups need to help launch their companies quickly — not just tools but also education programs and access to investors.
Cincinnati-based accelerator First Batch isn’t helping companies develop apps, platforms, or services. It’s focusing exclusively on startups that want to scale the production of physical products. They want to make things. Companies with a prototype can apply to the 20-week program to learn how to navigate the manufacturing, branding, and marketing resources Cincinnati offers. Why Cincinnati? Ohio ranks third in the nation in manufacturing, and the Cincinnati metro area is second in the state.
First Batch is part of Cincinnati Made, a platform for makers to share knowledge and leverage resources to grow Cincinnati-based businesses. Up to eight startups receive a maximum of $10,000 per founder, space in the Losantiville Design Collective, mentorship, and free legal services from University of Cincinnati’s College of Law.


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A report from the UK suggests that as many as one in five drivers that avail of car finance do no research into their options, with half simply picking a scheme on the spot at the dealership. A further 41% don’t bother getting any car finance at all.
The analysis by parkers.co.uk suggests that many drivers are paying too much for their car funding because they are oblivious to what they’re signing up for, as well as putting themselves at risk of PCP finance mis-selling by failing to do any research.
Furthermore the research reveals that nearly half of car finance buyers ignore excess mileage charges, with one in four unaware how long their contract is, while more than one in 20 motorists don’t even bother to check how much their monthly payments are.
There’s also a significant lack of understanding about how PCPs work with 22% of respondents to parkers.co.uk‘s survey who have used finance saying they have little or no idea what PCP is. A further 37% is unsure what leasing is.
Parkers.co.uk finance editor, Christofer Lloyd says: “You wouldn’t sign up for a mortgage without comparing prices or shopping around, so why accept the first finance deal you’re offered when getting a car? There may be some unscrupulous sales people out there, but car buyers can can do much more to get themselves the best deal.”
Keith Adams, Parkers.co.uk editor adds: “Hysterical stories around car finance, especially when people are nervous, are never a good thing. We should educate around ensuring that PCP can be a good thing, but only if you go into it with your eyes open and don’t over-extend yourself. Lenders should be responsible, but equally borrowers should be well informed.”
Parkers.co.uk has a number of tips on how to get the best finance deal, including haggling on the list price before haggling on the finance details, choosing an in-stock car for a bigger discount, not being coerced into a longer contract as longer contracts mean more interest, and not being fixated on monthly prices as the scheme with the lowest monthly payment isn’t necessarily the best value.


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After making a success of its presence in agribusiness, Tingo Pay, a Nigerian tech company, has made an ambitious move into the Nigerian football league space with the newly introduced pre-season tournament, Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup.
The pre-season tournament is offering N100million as prize money which is the biggest prize money ever in domestic football.
Nigeria’s most successful quartet of Enyimba, Rangers, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars are competing in the tournament which kicked off, on Tuesday.
In addition, the quartet received N10million each as appearance fees.
Launched in March this year, Tingo Pay is an all-in-one financial solution application aimed at addressing challenges for small and medium scale business and in extension all bank customers with smart phones.
The brand is determined to dominate the fintech market in Nigeria.
Tingo Pay is offering a “Predict & Win” trivia with matches of Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup.
It can be used to pay for Cable.TV, Airtime and Utility Bills.
The arrival of Tingo Pay has increased the number of fintech brands in Nigerian football.
About Ojeikere Aikhoje:
Aikhoje is a Nigerian football journalist cum PR expert, who works for Lagos based Sports PR and Sponsorship Activation agency: www.matchroom.com.
He writes about strategic sports communications/marketing and is a part-time lecturer in Sports Business.


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baggl, the innovative business-to-business (B2B) online marketplace, today launched its first ever marketing campaign encouraging businesses ‘not to be beaten by Covid-19’. With a refreshed website and captivating Covid-19 themed mobile app game ‘Virus Slayer’, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the marketplace which helps UK businesses boost revenue by bartering goods or services with larger brands.
baggl has partnered with Appetite Creative to develop the attention grabbing, retro-style mobile game. Mystery prizes, some of which were procured via baggl, are available for the top 10 ‘Virus Slayer’ scores. Each leaderboard winner will receive one of a selection of business-related prizes available until 17 May.
“As a start-up ourselves we understand first-hand the challenges businesses face during a less buoyant economy, which has been compounded further by Covid-19. Most businesses we deal with are keen to barter, whilst still getting their hands on some cash at the same time,” said Paul Grundy, CEO at baggl. “In the past, the combination of barter and cash transactions was complex, especially for SMEs and now baggl has simplified the whole process, overcoming limitations of barter due to what’s known as a ‘double coincidence of wants’, by implementing a blockchain ledger system for managing barter payments, combined with regular money.”
“This has allowed baggl to help put a number of businesses on TV as part of an advertising initiative supported by AdSmart from Sky, assist SMEs such as media tech business Rezonence secure office space in central London, and help Wine & Something sell stock to new customers during lockdown. The possibilities, and benefits of using baggl are infinite. If you can buy it or sell it, you can baggl-it. We’re on the brink of a new and exciting bartering era.”
“We’re pleased to have brought this brilliant marketplace to life through a very topical and fun mobile game, which we hope will encourage lots of friendly competition. We even bartered and haggled ourselves over the cost of producing the game in collaboration with baggl,” said Jenny Stanley, Managing Director at Appetite Creative. “The refreshed website now clearly reflects the business values and benefits through an eye-catching simple-to-use and easy-to-understand interface. We hope this refreshed B2B marketing approach will deliver value for both baggl and its barter-friendly customers.”
Helping UK businesses to stay ahead of the competition, the easy-to-navigate online barter site enables small businesses to find new customers, reduce cash expenditure and improve trading efficiency. Offering direct access to brands willing to accept barter as part or whole payment, baggl ensures bartering is an efficient way for small businesses to sell products to companies who need them, but can’t always afford to pay 100% in cash. Transactions can include a combination of cash and barter trade credits, with members negotiating and haggling directly, via the secure and transparent B2B marketplace.
Post Covid-19, many businesses are facing obstacles which include excess or unsold products and this can have an impact on cash flow. With baggl, they can trade excess inventory and services for items required, including tech skills, consumer and electrical goods, accommodation, hospitality and events.
Source: Appetite Creative


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Masks selling out at some Toronto stores amid coronavirus concerns
TORONTO -- Toronto drug stores say they are selling out of surgical masks and hand sanitizer, despite experts saying the items will not help guard against the novel coronavirus.
Starkmans Health Care Depot near Bathurst Street and Davenport told CTV News Toronto that masks are flying off the shelves. Warehouse supervisor Pearson Fyffe added that the N95 respiratory mask, which is more effective at blocking viruses, is “most difficult to get a hold of.”
“As soon as it came, it went out the door,” he said.
On Tuesday morning, Starkmans store manager said he had 10 boxes of regular surgical masks and was expected to sell out in about an hour—and he isn’t the only one. According to the Ontario Pharmacists Association, other members have reported they are low in stock.
A customer in line to buy a couple boxes of the masks at Starkmans said this was her third attempt at making the purchase. While she said she isn’t concerned about the novel coronavirus, she is being “cautious.”
In two other stores in midtown Toronto, the shelves are bare, with no surgical masks or Purell in sight. A Shoppers Drug Mart near College Street and Ossington Avenue notified customers of the shortage using a paper sign posted on the window.
“Masks are sold out. Sorry for the inconvenience,” the sign reads.
Surgical masks are becoming a common sight on Toronto streets, especially on public transportation, but experts say they will not protect people from the coronavirus.
Health officials believe the coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, is spread similarly to other respiratory illnesses—through droplets when someone sneezes or coughs. Masks purchased at a pharmacy are meant to help contain a virus from an already sick patient by preventing droplets from spreading.
Joe Cressy, Chair of the Toronto Board of Health, said that coronavirus is scary “because it’s new,” but that the city is prepared and there is no need for further preventative measures.
“Public health officials have advised us that there is no need to wear face masks. In fact, it doesn’t help. And so, what we would say is ‘listen, we know this is new and for many Torontonians this is scary, but we have a public health system in place to deal with communicable diseases for just this reason.”
Meanwhile, Toronto’s Medical Officer has said that the risk to other Torontonians “remains low.”
Toronto Public Health has set up a hotline for people who were on the same flight as the man diagnosed with 2019-nCoV at Sunnybrook Hospital where travellers can ask questions. Other members of the public will also be able to also be able to get information about the illness from the hotline.
“I want to remind residents that the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus with prevention measures including wash your hands frequently, covering your cough or sneeze and staying home if you are ill.”
More than 4,500 people around the world have been diagnosed with 2019-nCoV and more than 100 people have died in China, where the virus originated.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Janice Golding


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Rising Caribbean football nation Curaçao debuted its 2022/23 Nike home and away kits during its CONCACAF Nations League matches against Honduras on Friday and Monday nights.
The Curaçao 22/23 jerseys are in home blue and away white. They use recent rounded neck designs from Nike’s teamwear catalog. The primary jersey features a light blue outline of the island on its front. A white contoured graphic runs down the middle of the away shirt.
Much improved in recent years thanks to the recruitment of Dutch players with familial ties to the country, Curaçao is pooled with Honduras and FIFA World Cup bound Canada for the 2022 Nations League.


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Subaru of America opened its new $118-million headquarters in Camden, N.J. today, and plans to move more than 550 employees into the location next month, the automaker announced.
The new facility provides 250,000 square feet of space plus an adjacent training center that will double the size of the automaker's operations. Subaru, which is leaving a site in suburban Cherry Hill, is consolidating four sites into one campus with the move.
The company has seen record growth in recent years as its sales have risen to 647,956 vehicles in 2017. In 2013, the company sold 424,683 vehicles.
Subaru will donate 50 cherry trees to the city of Camden. In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms represent both the fragility and the beauty of life and are symbolic of new beginnings.
Subaru has been selling vehicles in the U.S. since 1968, when the company opened its first headquarters in Philadelphia. The company moved to New Jersey in 1969 and Cherry Hill in 1986.
Related: Subaru Breaks Ground on New HQ
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet


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BEIJING (REUTERS) - China and the United States are in touch over the signing of their Phase 1 trade deal, China's commerce ministry said, which will see lower US tariffs on Chinese goods and higher Chinese purchases of US farm, energy and manufactured goods.
The Phase 1 deal was announced last week after more than two years of on-and-off trade talks, although neither side has released many specific details of the agreement.
Both the Chinese and US trade teams are in close communication, Mr Gao Feng, a spokesman at the Chinese commerce ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing on Thursday (Dec 19), adding there is no specific information on the deal to disclose currently.
"After the official signing of the deal, the content of the agreement will be made public," Mr Gao said.
US officials say China agreed to increase purchases of US products and services by at least US$200 billion (S$271 billion) over the next two years.
According to Washington, that would include additional purchases of US farm products of US$32 billion over two years.
That would average an annual total of about US$40 billion, compared to a baseline of US$24 billion in 2017 before the trade war started.
Chinese officials have so far not publicly confirmed much of Washington's version - especially on goods purchase commitments.
But China said last Friday when the deal was announced that it will import more US wheat, rice, corn, energy, pharmaceuticals and financial services.
Earlier on Thursday, China unveiled a new list of tariff exemptions for US imports, mostly chemical products, days after the world's two largest economies announced the Phase 1 deal.
China said the second part of the waiver list will be released at an appropriate time.
Washington said the deal also includes stronger Chinese legal protections for patents, trademarks, copyrights, including improved criminal and civil procedures to combat online infringement, pirated and counterfeit goods.
The two countries have reached a consensus over the protection of trade secrets, guarding intellectual property rights for pharmaceutical products, and cracking down on counterfeits and pirated goods on e-commerce platforms, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said on Friday.
China will step up protection of intellectual property but at its own pace, Mr Wang said.


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None have just launched their third audio product, Ear (2), to the market. These are the successors to the Ear(1), which launched in 2021, and are a premium option compared to the Ear(stick), which the brand launched last year.
But according to the latest leaks, the brand’s next headphones will be very different from what they’ve already released.
New Nothing earphones could launch under XO sub-brand Particles
A few months ago, rumors circulated that Nothing could launch a sub-brand called “Particles by XO.” And the certification just revealed indicates that it could be the first product of this sub-brand.
This discovery was made by MySmartPrice through certification by South Korea’s National Radio Research Agency (NRRA). The model number of the headphones is B154, which identifies them as being made by Nothingge and having a very unique design.
The best way to describe them is that they are shaped like peanuts. But there is nothing of this format on the market.
They’re not transparent, which makes it clear that they could even be part of the headphones of the aforementioned sub-brand. It is good to take into account
It will have support for Bluetooth 5.2, LHDC and active noise cancellation. The official name and date of hitting the market are still unknown.
4gnews Editor’s Recommendation:
Source: 4G News
I am James Novak, a passionate and experienced news writer with the ultimate goal of delivering the most accurate and timely information to my readers. I work in the news department at a website dedicated to providing reliable and up-to-date information about technology. My articles are widely circulated, often featured on major publications, and have been read by millions of people around the world. With over four years of writing experience in various fields such as tech startups, industry trends, cybersecurity, AI/ML advances, and more, I bring an informed perspective to all topics I write on. Beyond my published work online and in print media outlets, I’m also an avid speaker at local events where I share my insights on current issues related to technology.


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Fiat Chrysler issues software update after hackers hijack Jeep Cherokee
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Wednesday released a software update for thousands of its vehicles after two professional hackers took command of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee while it was driving.
The hacking incident was reported in Wired magazine on Monday and included video evidence of hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek compromising the functions of a Cherokee driven by Wired journalist Andy Greenberg.
Working with laptops from their homes, the hackers blasted the Cherokees radio, turned on the wipers and washer fluid and eventually shut off the Cherokees engine while it was driving on a St. Louis highway, according to Automotive News.
Later, in a parking lot, the hackers demonstrated how they could take control of the Cherokees steering wheel while the transmission was in reverse and even disabled the brakes, Automotive News said.
Fiat Chrysler said the software updates will be available for free to the UConnect systems in 2013-14 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles, and some models of the 2015 Chrysler 200.
Although the company did not directly acknowledge the hacking event, it said in a statement that vehicle software can require updates for improved security protection to reduce the potential risk of unauthorized and unlawful access to vehicle systems.


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The first deliveries of the Model Y in Canada could begin this week as we’ve just learned that the first Model Y has officially arrived in Vancouver.
The Model Y, which according to our source was delivered to the Vancouver store on Saturday, June 6, 2020, has not yet been scheduled for delivery, but the lucky new owner is expected to be contacted soon.
UPDATE: We just received more information, the Model Y that has arrived in Vancouver is a blue Long Range Model Y with black interior. The delivery is expected to happen this week.
This news follows our breaking story earlier this week that deliveries of the electric SUV would begin this month.
Not long after, reservation holders across Canada were logging into their accounts to find they were now being asked to fill in their registration information (driver’s licence, trade-in, payment information, etc.).
Logged into my account today and was able to fill in my registration info here in BC pic.twitter.com/WF3swjAY8r
— ChrisY120 (@Psychosis120) June 6, 2020
So far the most concrete news we’ve heard is that of the first deliveries happening on the west coast. But it appears the east coast may not be far behind. A Model Y reservation holder in Nova Scotia contacted us to let us know his delivery advisor informed him his Model Y would be manufactured this week.
— Ben Wo (@BenWo10) June 5, 2020
To stay up to date on the latest news about Tesla and Model Y deliveries in Canada, check back often. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter.


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It would be unfair to exclude shops in malls from reopening during the first stage of relaxations, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) has said.
Malls closed in early December as part of the government’s attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with other retailers not situated in malls allowed to operate until the beginning of the January lockdown.
Keve argued that there is no study proving that shopping malls are hotspots for virus transmission, and no other EU country has shut the entire retail industry.
As a result of measures and lockdowns, Keve said, many shops located in malls have endured massive losses in the normally profitable periods of 2020 like Easter and Christmas, and January 2021. This has increased insecurity and uncertainty among shopkeepers and mall owners.
The decision to not allow all shops, regardless of location, to open at the same time is therefore anti-competitive and would mean even more losses for shops located in malls, Keve said.
The chamber proposed an increase in health and safety measures that if followed, could allow malls to reopen without increasing the risk of transmission. These include regular rapid tests for employees and more frequent checks to ensure shops adhere to rules.
It was also suggested that shoppers are more consistently monitored to prevent queues and crowds, proposing social distancing and temperature checks upon entry and exit.
Keve estimated that in keeping with safety measures and checks, shopping malls could and should reopen at the same time as other shops and urged the government to reconsider in order to maintain an equal market for all.
Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News


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The exhibitors of GreenTech submitted 21 innovations for the GreenTech Innovation Awards 2021. An expert jury selected 6 nominees from all entries in 2 categories namely ‘Innovation’ and ‘Concept’. The winners will be announced during the opening of the show on Tuesday 28 September 2021.
For the first time after the crisis hit the world, the horticulture industry will be reconnected face-2-face at the RAI Amsterdam. The ones who are not able to travel to Amsterdam can participate online via the virtual platform.
The nominees and entries for the Innovation Awards will be showcased and can be visited during the exhibition.
Liselotte de Vries (Chairman Innovation Award Jury, TU Delft AgTech Institute) explains why the jury selected the nominations below: “Submissions this year were very versatile and innovative. The jury tried to distinguish between interesting improvements of existing technologies, new innovations with a proven business case, and new concepts. Those submissions part of the latter two are nominated for the innovation and concept award.”
Nominations per category
– Van Iperen, GreenSwitch Original
– Visser Horti Systems, ViLab (Containerized Tissue Culture Laboratory)
– Biota Nutri BV, Biota Nutri Calculator
– Corvus Drones, Corvus Drones
– Ridder, Ridder CoRanger
– Van der Ende Groep, Nitrate recovery
GreenTech Live & Online 2021
GreenTech Live & Online will be held from Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 September 2021. The exhibition is a global meeting place for all horticultural technology professionals with the focus on the early stages of the horticultural chain and the current issues growers face. GreenTech is supported by AVAG, the industry association for the greenhouse technology sector in the Netherlands.


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November 22, 2017 1 min read
Congrats to our friends at Cosube Surf (@cosubesurf) on their 1-year anniversary!
In celebration of their 1-year, Cosube is hosting an anniversary party this Friday and will be offering exclusive custom Katin trunk orders to help prep everyone for those upcoming warm weather vacations in the New Year. Cosube event attendees will have the chance to have their trunks measured and fitted to their liking, with classic colors and fabrics to mix and match.
If you are in the Portland area, join them this Friday at their shop (111 NE MLK JR BLVD PORTLAND OR 97232), and grab your pair of custom Katin trunks.
See you out there!


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EU opens in-depth investigation into Bayer/Monsanto mergerEU opens in-depth investigation into Bayer/Monsanto merger
Commission has 90 working days to make decision.
August 31, 2017
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Bayer’s acquisition of Monsansto due to concerns that the merger may reduce competition in areas such as pesticides, seeds and traits.
The commission said the proposed acquisition would create the world's largest integrated pesticide and seed company because it would combine two competitors with leading portfolios in non-selective herbicides, seeds and traits and digital agriculture.
“Both companies are active in developing new products in these areas,” the commission stated. “Moreover, the transaction would take place in industries that are already globally concentrated, as illustrated by the recent mergers of Dow and DuPont and Syngenta and ChemChina, in which the commission intervened to protect competition for the benefit of farmers and consumers.”
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said seeds and pesticide products are essential for farmers and, ultimately, consumers, which emphasizes the need to be thorough.
“We need to ensure effective competition so that farmers can have access to innovative products, better quality and also purchase products at competitive prices and at the same time maintain an environment where companies can innovate and invest in improved products,” she said.
The European Commission has preliminary concerns that the proposed acquisition could reduce competition in a number of different markets resulting in higher prices, lower quality, less choice and less innovation. In particular, the initial market investigation identified preliminary concerns in the following three areas:
* Pesticides. Monsanto's pesticide product glyphosate is the most sold non-selective herbicide in Europe. Bayer produces glufosinate ammonium, also a non-selective herbicide and one of the very few alternatives to glyphosate. According to the commission's preliminary investigation, Monsanto and Bayer are two of a limited number of competitors in this field capable of discovering new active ingredients and developing new formulations, including addressing the growing problem of weed resistance to existing products.
In addition, the European Commission said it will further assess both Monsanto's activities in biological pesticide products that would compete with Bayer's existing portfolio of chemical pesticide products and the parties' overlapping activities in products that tackle varroa mites, a parasite affecting bee colonies in Europe.
* Seeds. Bayer and Monsanto are both active in the breeding of vegetable seeds. The commission's initial investigation showed that the parties have high combined market shares in a number of these vegetable seeds markets and that some of their products compete directly with each other.
Bayer and Monsanto are also active in the breeding and licensing of seeds for several field crops. Monsanto has the highest market share in oilseed rape seeds in Europe. Bayer, with the highest market share in oilseed rape seeds at the global level, is one of the few players with the means to compete intensively in this market. Furthermore, the commission noted that both parties are important licensors of cotton seeds to their competitors in Europe, and both are investing in research and innovation programs for wheat.
* Traits. The European Commission's preliminary investigation indicated that Monsanto has a dominant position in several traits markets worldwide. Additionally, Bayer is one of the few competitors to Monsanto in certain traits markets and has notably developed alternative herbicide tolerance traits to Monsanto's.
“The commission will investigate in particular whether the transaction could lead to a reduction of competition in these markets, taking into account the existing links between the few worldwide competitors through cross-licensing and through research and development cooperations,” it said.
The commission will further investigate whether competitors' access to distributors and farmers could become more difficult if Bayer and Monsanto were to bundle or tie their sales of pesticide products and seeds, especially with the advent of digital agriculture.
“Digital agriculture consists of the collection of data and information about farms with the aim of providing tailored advice or aggregated data to farmers. Both Bayer and Monsanto are currently investing in this emerging technology,” the European Commission explained.
Time frame for decision
The European Commission was informed of the transaction on June 30, 2017. It now has 90 working days, until Jan. 8, 2018, to make a decision. The commission said opening the in-depth investigation does not prejudge the final result of the investigation.
Bayer and Monsanto submitted commitments on July 31 to address some of the commission's preliminary concerns. However, the commission considered these commitments insufficient to clearly dismiss its serious doubts as to the transaction's compatibility with the European Union Merger Regulation. The commission, therefore, did not test them with market participants.
Given the worldwide scope of Bayer's and Monsanto's activities, the European Commission said it is also working closely with other competition authorities, notably with the U.S. Department of Justice and the antitrust authorities of Australia, Brazil, Canada and South Africa.
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Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online update out now (version 2.2.0)
Posted on February 17, 2021 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch eShop
There’s a new 2.2.0 update for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online app. As previously announced, three new games have been added: Psycho Dream, Doomsday Warriors, and Prehistorik Man.
Overviews for the full set of titles are as follows:
Psycho Dream – When Sayaka doesn’t return to reality after entering an immersive virtual world known as a D-Movie, the protagonists, Ryo and Maria, must progress through a terrifying fantasy game called Legend of the Fallen Capital to rescue her and bring her back to reality.
Doomsday Warrior – It’s the Doomsday Warrior versus the Doom Squad! This action game features an evil sorcerer who has recruited seven warriors to take over Earth. But one of the Doom Squad has resisted the influence and now stands against the rest as the Doomsday Warrior!
Prehistorik Man – Sam the caveman’s quest to save his village begins! Sam lives in a village whose food is stolen by dinosaurs. To get more, Sam must collect bones, which he can then use to buy food. On his way, he’ll need to make use of a variety of weapons, vehicles and attacks, including shouting, to attack all on-screen foes. Can Sam reach the dinosaur graveyard and collect enough bones?
Don’t forget that the Super Famicom equivalent of the app has also been updated, with Japan receiving Shin Megami Tensei II. Find the full lineup of games that have been added in the region here. Japan’s games can be accessed by making a Japanese Nintendo Account, registering it with your Switch system, and downloading the Super Famicom app from the eShop.


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Apple iPhone SE 3, iPad Air 5th Gen Launch Updates: Apple's ‘Peek Performance’ event is scheduled for Tuesday. It will begin at 11.30 pm in India
On Tuesday, Apple Inc held its Spring event “Peek Performance" where the company announced a several new products. Hosted by CEO Tim Cook, the event primarily focused on Apple’s powerful chipsets, wherein they also introduced a new M1 Ultra. This new chipset is also present on the new Mac Studio desktop.
The event commenced with a new show being announced on Apple TV+, Friday Night Baseball'. Then they moved on to showcasing the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro in new ‘green’ colour.
This was followed by the much awaited iPhone SE (2022), which now has a slightly higher starting price at $429. In India, the new iPhone SE starts at ₹43,900, which is actually in the same range as the iPhone SE 2020. The new iPhone SE is powered by the A15 Bionic chipset along with 5G connectivity and an improved camera and battery life.
The iPad Air was announced as well. The iPad Air is now powered by the M1 chip and comes with 5G connectivity as well.
Here are all the announcements made during the event
There's more! Apple Studio Display unveiled
With a host of features, the Studio Display is here.
The entirely new system has an all-screen design with narrow border, an aluminium body. The stand allows users to tilt the screen up to 30-degree.
Users will have the option of wall mounting the display in either portrait or landscape mode. It has Nano Texture glass option. It also has 12 MP Ultra Wide camera with Centre Stage for FaceTime calls. It has high-fidelity six speaker sound system with Spatial Audio along with Dolby Atmos.
This is a 27.5-inch display and Apple is calling this a 5K Retina Display. It comes with an anti-reflective coating. It has an A15 Bionic chipset inside as well.
Studio Display has 3 USB-C ports to connect to peripherals. It has a Thunderbolt port as well, which when connected to a MacBook Pro, it can also be used to charge the MacBook at 96W.
Mac Studio is here
Apple announced a new desktop -Mac Studio.
This will come with M1 Max and M1 Ultra chipset option.
This high-performance desktop comes with a single aluminimum body in a small compact form factor. It has a double sided blower to handle the thermals.
The Mac Studio has four thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports at the back and 2 USB-C ports at the back, a 10G Ethernet port, an HDMI port and an audio jack as well. The Mac Studio comes with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 built in. The M1 Ultra version's ports are Thunderbolt 4 as well
This is a desktop aimed at professionals such as artists, musicians, designers, 3D artists, scientists.
It starts with $1599 for M1 chipset variant and $3999 for M1 Ultra chipset.
Apple announces M1 Ultra chipset for desktops
Apple announced the release of M1 Ultra chipset for desktops.
The M1 Ultra is building on the M1 Max and allowing Apple to connect two M1 Max processors. The reason Apple can do this is because M1 Max has a special design that allows for this connectivity with another M1 Max.
M1 Ultra has a 114 billion transistors, which Apple claims is the most on a personal computer. M1 Ultra has a 20 core CPU and 64core GPU. It has a 32-core Neural Engine. It is nearly 8 times faster than the M1 chipset.
iPad Air gets a host of new features
The new iPad Air came with a host of new features. 2022 ‘got’ Apple iPad air 5G, along with a 12megapixel ultra wide front camera. It has an M1 chipset, which is an 8-core CPU. The M1 chipset has a 16-core neural engine on the iPad Air. The iPad Air also gets support for Second Gen Apple Pencil.
The iPad Air is made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium, according to Apple. The new iPad Air is up for pre-order at $599 and is available in 64Gb and 256 Gb variant. It is also support both Wifi and cellular. The device can be pre-ordered from this Friday and will be available in the market from 18 March.
It is available in 5 new colours, new pink, blue colour options along with space grey.
The device will be priced at ₹54,990
Apple iPhone 13 in Green variant
The much rumoured green colour iPhone 13 and ‘Alpine green’ for the iPhone 13 Pro is now official. This variants will be up for pre-orders starting today.
iPhone SE Launched
The budget iPhone SE will come at a price of USD 429 and will be available for pre-order. The device will be available from 18 March, said Apple. Packed with A15 bionic , 6-core CPU, 4 Core GPU, 16 core neural engine, Live Text, 4.7" Retina Display, water resistance, this phone is sure to make your experience better. This device will also have a 12MP rear camera.
Friday Night Baseball to now stream on Apple TV +
Tim Cook announced the commencement of ‘Friday Night Baseball’ on Apple TV +. Viewers can tune in on Friday nights to watch two games exclusively available on Apple TV+ on iMac, iPhone, iPad or anywhere that Apple Tv is available
Apple event starts
Watch the event here www.apple.com
Apple CEO Tim Cook addresses the virtual event, announcing new upcoming projects on Apple TV+.
iPhone SE 5G: What we know
The successor to the iPhone 2020 is expected to bring in an updated Apple A15 chipset and support for 5G networks. It is rumoured to be priced at around USD 399 (around ₹30,692). The phone might also come with a 4.7-inch display.
5th Gen iPad Air to be launched?
Apple is likely to unveil the 5th Generation iPad Air with an M1 processor, 5G, Center Stage support for audio calls and more features. The device may come with a host of camera improvements and 1080p video recording in 25fps and 30fps. The device is expected to feature a camera module similar to the iPhone 13.
Apple to launch a new Mac-mini
Apple is rumoured to launch a new Mac-mini with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips during their spring event. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the “mostly aluminum" device “could invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube," suggesting it might resemble a taller Mac Mini.
He also claimed, in January, that an Apple M2 chip-powered Mac is being tested, which will have an 8-core CPU along with up to 10 GPU cores
When, Where to watch the live event
The Apple's spring event “Peek Performance" is set to start at 10 am PST (11.30 pm IST). The event can be viewed online at apple.com or on the Apple TV app.
Apple may launch a green variant of iPhone 13
If rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 13 could have a new colour variant, green. Apple had launched a new colour variant of the iPhone 12 during their spring event last year. The iPhone 13 is currently available in red, black, white, blue and pink.
Apple Store down ahead of event
The Apple store seems to be getting updates ahead of the "Peek Performance" event scheduled to start later today. As is the norm before every event, Apple loads their retail website with new products and adjusted prices of the old devices.
Apple expected to upgrade its low-cost iPhone SE at product event
A 5G budget-friendly iPhone and a new iPad top expectations from analysts for Apple Inc's spring product launch event on Tuesday.
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At a time when the automotive aftermarket is churning out unprecedented business, consumers in the U.S. are less satisfied than they used to be with the service they’re getting.
The J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) found that overall satisfaction declined year-over-year in the three segments that make up the report.
On a 1,000-point scale, satisfaction with quick oil change dropped 18 points, full-service maintenance and repair fell seven points and tire replacement took a six-point fall. The study further observed that customer satisfaction is lower when grading service advisor performance, noting increased wait times, fewer advisors providing helpful advice and a decrease in service advisor courtesy.
The study measures the ease of scheduling/getting vehicle in for service; fairness of charges; service advisor courtesy; service advisor performance; service facility; time to complete service; and quality of work.
For quick oil change, which saw declines in all areas, the biggest pain point for consumers was the service facility. Full-service shops saw just one increase, that being ease of scheduling. Tire replacement shops saw their only positive score in time to complete service.
“Independent service providers must remain focused on retaining their customer base,” said Leonard Martin, director of automotive retail at J.D. Power. “Aftermarket service facilities can increase customer loyalty and revenue by taking advantage of what they do best — being easier to do business with. Convenience, speed and price are very attractive to today’s vehicle owners who are looking for excellent service, and aftermarket service providers can leverage those factors to stem the tide of owners going to dealerships.”
The study noted several ways the aftermarket can improve satisfaction quickly, such as complimentary snacks or electrical power for customers’ electronic devices. Satisfaction rose for those facilities that offered such options. As another example, giving customers a workspace to plug in computers is another easy way to boost satisfaction, J.D. Power noted, but is currently provided only 7 per cent of the time.


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Renders of the Vivo Xplay 3S leaked ahead of today’s launch
Vivo are all set to launch the Vivo Xplay 3S later today, but has the cat been let out of the bag early with these leaked Xplay 3S renders?
8″ Tongfang P80 with voice calling goes live in China
China’s fascination for ‘double’ dates like 11-11 and 12-12 gets highlighted once again as an array of low-cost devices hit the market today, i.e., 12-12-13. The Tongfang P80 is among those devices, and with a special price tag for the day.
Gionee Elife E7 Mini render looks like a low-cost Oppo N1 with rotating camera
Gionee’s next mini phone based on the new Elife E7 may actually be more than just a shrunken down phone. Renders of the Gionee Elife E7 Mini show a 4.7-inch device with Oppo N1 inspired rotating camera!
Vivo Xplay 3S renders show colour options
Could the Vivo Xplay 3S be available in a number of colour options? Well this render suggests it will, more details after the jump!
Dakele 3 to be a Snapdragon 800 phone?
Remember a few months back when we heard all those rumours about the Dakele 3 only to have them launch the Dakele 2S? Well the reports might have been true after all!
8-core Beidou Little Pepper 3 renders and possible specification include Android 4.3
Beidou haven’t launched a new phone in to their flagship Little Pepper range for some time, so let’s start things rolling with leaked renders and purported specification of the Beidou Little Pepper 3.
7.8mm T-Win packs, quad-core processor and NFC in a waterproof body
The above renders of the T-Win Android smartphone from China look similar to the Huawei P6, but this handset is designed to be waterproof and boast NFC into it’s slender chassis.
Vivo Xplay 3S renders show off rotating camera and narrow bezels
Could Vivo be preparing to take on the Oppo N1 with the Vivo Xplay 3S with rotating camera? These renders suggest so.
Oppo N1 spy photos look similar to recent renders!
Insiders have leaked spy photos of the Oppo N1 to Chinese tech sites, giving us an idea of the overall shape and look at the rear of the device.
Oppo N1 render has a mighty thin, almost bezel-less design!
Yesterday we learnt the official size of the Oppo N1 will be 5.9-inch, pretty huge! But with bezels as narrow as the ones on this Oppo N1 render it still might be less than a handful.
Exclusive! UMi Cross official renders, pricing, specification and launch date!
Chinese phone maker UMi are ready to launch the next phone and first phablet. We have UMi Cross official renders, specifications, pricing and launch details here!
Another possible Xiaomi Mi3 render appears with evidence!
The Xiaomi Mi3 launch is under a week away, so there is still plenty of time for speculation, rumours, renders and photos!
TCL Idol X successor will be the nearly borderless TCL N3!
TCL are working on a new flagship phone to replace the successful TCL Idol X, what they have come up with is the very stunning TCL N3.
Oppo N-lens, a Chinese Nokia Lumia 1020 alternative?
Next month Oppo will unveil their latest and boldest creation, the Oppo N-lens! A device which will take on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and the Nokia Lumia 1020!
OPPO N-Lens N1 Android Camera renders
Remember the rumour that Oppo were working on an Android based camera? Well the rumour is back in the form of the Oppo N-Series Lens N1!
UMi Mini renders appears, but what exactly is it?
Earlier this year we posted a roadmap showing what UMI planned to launch this year. One of the proposed devices was the UMi mini, well there is the first render, but what exactly is it?
The G Five Kivu is an 8-core, Mediatek MT6592 Oppo Find 5 look-a-like
G Five are better known for their range of Android tablets, but they are gearing up to give the phone market a crack with the G Five Kivu, 8-core handset!


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Krispy Kreme's sales turn soggy
The Wall Street Journal
Krispy Kreme's doughnuts might win raves, but sales at some of its stores are surprisingly soggy.
The company is one of the great fast-food stories of the past decade, garnering raves for its signature hot-glazed doughnuts and a devoted circle of Wall Street fans.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. shares are up eightfold since the Winston-Salem, N.C., company went public in 2000, defying the market's drop since then, and have gained 26 percent this year.
But there are new signs that the company's numbers may not be as sweet as many investors have thought.
Internal figures reviewed by The Wall Street Journal cover results for roughly 40 Krispy Kreme outlets that opened between September 2002 and April 2003. On average, the stores posted weekly retail sales of about $35,000 during the 13 weeks ended Aug. 4, below what the company says is the norm for its newer outlets, and well below what some investors expect for a retailer whose new stores tend to open particularly big thanks to the company's large following.
Then there is the company's biggest franchisee, Great Circle Family Foods LLC, which has 22 stores in Southern California. People who have examined Great Circle's books say its same-store sales, including wholesale shipments from those stores, fell 10 percent in its latest quarter.
During its fiscal second quarter ended Aug. 4, Krispy Kreme's same-store sales rose by about 10 percent.
While overall revenue at Great Circle rose due to its fast-growing wholesale business, guest counts at its outlets, a key restaurant-industry measure of the number of transactions per store, declined by nearly 20 percent.
Krispy Kreme, which has 313 outlets, generally confirmed the new-store retail-sales report. But the company says the numbers are fragmentary and don't provide a complete picture of a company that has reported stunning growth in recent years, including an average 63 percent quarterly growth in operating earnings during the past 10 quarters.
But they do give ammunition to an argument circulating among Krispy Kreme bears: As the fast-expanding doughnut purveyor adds multiple outlets in the choicest markets, average-store sales are slowing and new stores aren't performing strongly. The company's strategy of offsetting slowing retail sales with wholesale shipments to supermarkets and other outlets, these bears argue, is inherently less profitable -- and may be tricky to execute.


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Snaxshot #07: Convenient Cocktails
they pack a punch!
A newsletter on upcoming food and beverage trends that offers a curation of brands and aesthetics written by Andrea Hernández.
🔮 Peek into the future:
What’s boosting these spirits?
Snaxshot of market + who’s making moves.
Favorite brands in the space.
Market challenges + opportunities.
Don’t be shy, the water’s warm, don’t forget to hit the subscribe button below.
Pre-pandemic most millennials would arrive home from their Instagrammable venues after spending a night at an actual bar with friends in boozy bliss, probably staring at a semi-empty bar cart because who makes cocktails anyways? Then Covid came along and with it began an endless drinking game, that so far, is being won by RTD spirits.
Leave it to the generation of instant gratification to revive a category that saw its decline before most of them were even born. RTDs are perfect for millennials who are very keen to cleaning up not only their pantries, but their bar carts as well, looking for lower-calorie drinks that are readily accessible, without additional fuss, and that offer the same Instagrammable vibe as a craft cocktail.
Resurgence of RTD 🍷
—Market size of US RTD spirit product in 2020 is of $4.9 billion.
—In 2020, alcohol sales online experienced triple digit growth! These numbers are the fastest-growing sector Nielsen measures in the alcohol space.
—For alcohol delivery startup Drizly, new customers have doubled in 2020 and currently make up 33% of the company's total sales! The RTD segment has grown 416% in share of sales year-over-year.
—In the US alone, the RTD sector is expected to report volume growth of 21.8% CAGR from 2019-2024, stealing market share mainly from beer. (Beer sales have experienced steady decline for the past 5 years.)
—Data from IWSR shows that RTD sales volume increased 43.2 % in 2019, nearly tripling 2018’s 16.9 % growth.
—Over the past 5 years, volume consumption of tequila in the US grew by more than 40%. In 2020, tequila saw biggest spike, up more than 75%, now fastest growing spirits segment in the U.S
—From summer 2019 to summer 2020, hard seltzer category saw $2.7 billion in sales as consumers decreased spending on beer and wine.
—According to Nielsen at the beginning of 2018, just 10 hard seltzer brands were on the market, rising to 26 a year later and now more than 65 brands exist, half using a unique brand name, and the other half pivoting off an existing beer brand name.
—Global sales of canned cocktails are predicted to surpass $146 billion over the next 10 years .
—According to Euromonitor, sales of RTD cocktails in the U.K., are about 2.6 times greater than in the U.S.


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SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Klondike Pizza in Santa Maria raised over $5,000 to support Santa Barbara Humane through a month-long fundraising campaign in March.
The restaurant, owned by Mike and Pam Dennis, is Alaskan-themed and holds the campaign each March to coincide with Alaska’s famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Their two locations invite visitors to donate and buy a “paw” in support of a local animal welfare organization, said Marissa Miller, spokeswoman for Santa Barbara Humane.
This year, customers were also able to vote for their favorite pets with a Santa Barbara Humane character pin-up card that was displayed in the restaurant. The restaurant raised a record-breaking $5,126 in this year’s fundraiser – which is more than double the amount raised in 2020, Miller said.


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The HTC One M9 Hima has apparently turned up in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it leak, mere weeks before the expected launch date.
The latest sneak peek at HTC’s upcoming flagship this time comes courtesy of a reflection in an Xperia Z2 screen.
That’s right – a snap-happy HTC employee seems to have inadvertently revealed the new device via a Sony smartphone.
The pictures were part of a series of shots apparently taken with a HTC One M9, reported last week by Phandroid.
The model number of the phones used for those snaps were OPJA10 and OPJA13, which gels with an early @upleaks suggestion that the HTC One M9 would land as part of the 0PJA series.
More notable however is the fact that the device pictured seems to sport a more squared camera module, as opposed to the decidedly circular offering from its HTC One M8 forebear.
Previous leaks have also suggested that a squared-off snapper will ship with HTC’s next smartphone, so it’s looking good for the reliability of this latest tease.
Related: Best Cheap Mobile Phones
HTC also seems to have confirmed rumours of the One M8’s dual-lens system being eschewed, although dual-flash appears to remain.
Otherwise, the handset appears to look largely similar, with the slightly curved metallic chassis seemingly returning for another round.
So when will this mystery finally be unravelled? All tech fingers point to March 1, right in the throes of this year’s Mobile World Congress over in Barcelona.