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Internet Users In Kenya Most Careless, Says New Report
A new global survey carried out by a UN agency has ranked Kenyans as the most careless internet users in the world. According to the report only 4 out of 10 internet users in Kenya care about safety of their data and their privacy online, this is the lowest in the World.
“While there appears to be increasing concerns about data privacy and online security around the world, there is somewhat a ‘data privacy paradox’, as users continue to give away personal data and thus their privacy in exchange for different services,” the UNCTAD Digital Economy report states.
“The lowest level of concern was noted in Kenya at 44 percent.”
Kenya lacks data protection law which makes internet users vulnerable to their information getting into the wrong hands. In many instances internet users in Kenya are quick to give away their privacy details without asking how it will be used. The recent huduma number was a good example of how easily private data is collected and


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Social media can be a great tool for a small business. It can also bring a business down. Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream in Livingston, Montana, sparked a flurry of angry comments on Facebook after it insulted on of its Muslim customers.
The Huffington Post reports that the incident occurred on September 21 when a customer asked about the ingredients in Wilcoxson’s Cookies And Cream gelatin.
The customer asks:
“Hey saw ur cookies and cream has gelatin in it. Does it contain pork? I am a Muslim and love your ice cream and when I read it today I was shocked. I look forward to you writing me back. Thank you. If possible if it does have pork gelatin please tell me what flavors do so I can avoid the. Thanks again.”
That was a very polite question, right? Here’s how CEO Matt Schaeffer responded:
“We don’t deliver outside of Montana, certainly not Pakistan.”
Schaeffer told the Daily Chronicle that the incident was a simple misunderstanding. Schaeffer claims that the Facebook user had a Pakistan article next to his name and thought that the customer was posting from Pakistan. Schaeffer said that he read the message quickly and misunderstood the message.
“I thought he was making this comment from Pakistan … It wasn’t a racist comment … It was just an honest mistake. I apologize if he took it wrong, that’s not what I meant by it. I guess I didn’t read the whole thing.”
Do you think the comment was an honest mistake?

domain: news


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Man arrested for PE cellphone shop robbery
One of the men who allegedly held up workers at the Cell C store in the Cleary Park Shopping Centre in June has been arrested.
The robbery happened on June 10 when three men, two of them armed with handguns, entered the shop and held three staff members and a customer at gunpoint.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said members from the Port Elizabeth Flying Squad had followed up on a tip-off that led them to a street in Kwetyana Street, Motherwell on Sunday.
“Members raided that house and found a 24-year-old suspect hiding inside. A search of the premises led to four cellphones, a camera and various other accessories being recovered. Almost all the items are believed to have been stolen from the Cell C shop in the Cleary Park Shopping Centre last month,” she said.
Naidu said the man was arrested for being in possession of stolen property as well as the robbery of Cell C in Cleary Park.
The other men involved with the robbery are still on the run and being sought by detectives.
The man is due to appear in the Motherwell Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.


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BENGALURU: Passengers using ‘BMTC Namma Pass’ will now be eligible for a cashback
of 25% up to Rs 30 for each transaction for those paying through Amazon Pay.
A BMTC Vajra
AC daily bus pass costs Rs 147 and the offer is valid till September 30. It can only be availed twice per user during the offer period and cashback will be credited to the user’s Amazon Pay account within three working days.
In June, BMTC along with city-based startup Series-5 Labs Private Ltd launched digital pass facility ‘BMTC Namma Pass’. Passengers can visit the webpage www.nammapass.series-5.com, enter personal details, upload a selfie
and pay for the daily pass through digital wallets like PhonePe, Paytm
and Amazon Pay.
Saro Chandra Bhooshan
, CEO of Series-5 Labs, said they have added new wallets like Paytm and Amazon Pay so it will encourage more passengers to use the facility.
Everyday around 50 BMTC passengers
are using the facility. The firm is also planning to introduce monthly digital bus pass and more payment options for passengers.


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Apple has expanded iPadOS 14's Apple Pencil writing feature to include support for French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish languages. Here are all the details on this.
Apple has shared updated iOS 14 install numbers with 86% of iPhones now updated to the latest version. Here are all the details on this.
AltStore 1.4 for iOS 14 has just been released, and best of all, no jailbreak is required for this. Here are all the details on this.
YouTube Picture-in-Picture has returned as a free feature on iOS 14, but only if you use Safari. Here is everything you need to know about this.
Apple's Craig Federighi has explained in an interview how Apple Pencil's Scribble feature for iPadOS 14 came into being. Here is everything you need to know about this.
Here's how to fix iOS 14 Could Not Activate iPhone Activation Error right after the update on your compatible iPhone device.
Here's how to fix iOS 14 OTA stuck on "Preparing Update" issue on your compatible iPhone or iPad device the right way.
Here’s how you can fix iOS 14 OTA Update Requested stuck issue on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch device.


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Marvel’s svp of sales David Gabriel has confirmed that STAR WARS #1 will sell 1 million copies. And already my inbox is jammed with missives from Brandon Schatz and John Jackson Miller.
It ddoesn’t appear that Loot Crate is part of the reason for the record sales. However, at least 38 variant covers and a switch to some new distribution outlets:
We’ve seen Marvel explore new ways of getting comics exposed to potential new readers. Everything from strong retailer support, to unconventional methods of sale like LootCrate & GameStop. Can we expect new and different outlets for the comic to be sold through?
There are a number of new outlets that we’re working with here in terms of the folks purchasing and selling a large number of exclusive covers, which in the end means that this very large number of comics will be sold in places where we haven’t necessarily had comic sales. We’re confident we’ll have lots of new fans reading issue #1. And the great thing about this for all our comic retailer friends is that they’ll be able to sell those new fans the second, third, fourth issues and on and on.
Gabriel went on to say that even without all the variants, this would have been a best selling issue:
I can safely say that even without the massive variant plan on this first issue, the numbers on the regular cover alone would make this the highest selling debut of 2015. When you add in the astounding numbers from the variants you’ve got one huge launch, unseen in the direct market for two decades or more! And I should also give a quick thank you to all those retailers who are showing the support for this launch and the launch parties. They’re all really taking this to new levels and making history with this issue.
MIller has some context and thoughts here.
I have written a lot about the history of Star Warscomics in the past (including having written quite a few of them myself), and the million-copy mark bears a particular historical importance for the line.Star Wars #1 in 1977 was the first comic book since Dell‘s Uncle Scrooge in 1960 to top a million copies sold. Star Wars #1 did that in 1977 not through its initial sale to newsstands, but also through a newsstand reprint and at least three waves of bagged reprints offered to department stores through Western Publishing‘s Whitman arm. Sales of the bagged editions of the movie adaptation were so strong, according to former Marvel Editor in Chief Jim Shooter, that Western temporarily suspended its program of printing variant editions for other Marvel titles to focus solely on Star Wars reprints in late 1977. At least the first three issues of the 1977 series all would have topped a million copies, and possibly more.
Just throwing in my own two cents, places where these comics might be distributed:
Disney theme parks
Toys ‘r’ Us
…and so on. Just guesses but all could contribute to the massive sales. Comics at theme parks have a long tortured history; when I was at Disney Comics 20 years ago many thought this would have saved the line, but stores didn’t like replenishing small budget items that had to be moved every month. Also, giveaway comics were often discarded in trash bins….although that mind set may have changed since then.
I hope we do find out more about where and how this comic is being sold. No matter how it worked out, it’s a real achievement for Marvel. COngrats to Jason Aaron, John Cassaday, Laura Martin and editor Jordan B. White on the huge commercial success.


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Charlotte, N.C. — Electrolux will launch the first TV ad campaign for the Frigidaire brand in decades next week.
TV spots employ a 90-year
Stockholm, Sweden – Electrolux has slated early 2013 for the U.S. launch of its new Grand Cuisine ultra-luxury range.
Washington – Weak demand for room air conditioners kept factory shipments of major appliances essentially flat in August.
According to the latest
Irvine, Calif. – A new nationwide survey by premium majap maker Thermador shows that 93 percent of homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens are
Ann Arbor, Mich. – Major appliances continue to earn kudos from consumers a new report shows, with Electrolux challenging Whirlpool for the top slot in
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It was just a little over one year ago that former 3M executive Jack Truong took the helm of Electrolux’s North American operations
Louisville, Ky. – GE Appliances has introduced a new majap finish designed to challenge stainless steel’s grip on the premium market.
Anderson, S.C. – Electrolux has opened a $6.3 million research and development center at its refrigerator plant here.
The 43,000-square-foot lab,
Washington – LG Electronics and Sears are voluntarily recalling about 21,000 gas dryers in the wake of 141 reported incidences of overheating.
Washington – A mid-summer surge in room air demand prompted by a blistering July contributed to a 6.3 percent spike in unit factory shipments of major
New York — The Anti-Defamation League’s National Consumer Technology Industry divisio
Los Angeles — Fifteen industry leaders were inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of
Dallas – The NATM Buying Group was optimistic during its annual meeting here, with members
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Amazon has announced its game and movie streaming device, after rumors of its development for what seems like months.
Gaming and specs
Fire TV plugs into your HDTV, has 2GB of RAM, a dedicated GPU similar to those found in smartphones, and a quad-core processor. It also has dual-band, dual-antenna WiFi, high definition 1080p video and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound.
It has three times more power than the competition such as Apple TV, Roku and is as tall as a dime, according to Amazon.
Fire TV includes full games support. According to Larsen, game consoles are priced too high.
Mike Frazzini from Amazon Games took the stage to discuss the developers on board with Fire TV, including Mojang, Ubisoft and Take-Two. By next month, thousands of games will be available to play.
Minecraft Pocket Edition, Gameloft's Asphalt 8 was shown, as was Monsters University and The Walking Dead, and 2K's NBA 2K14.
Earlier, it was reported in the live blog that a Fire TV specific version of Minecraft was coming to the system. Mojang told VG247 that Minecraft Pocket edition "is the version that's playable on the Fire TV."
Amazon's also making games, one of which is called Sev Zero, a third-person shooter developed through the firm's internal game developments studio. More than a dozen games are in the works at Amazon.
The average price of games will run between $1.85 and $2. You can play games with the remote or using the Amazon Game Controller, which will run $39.99, includes Amazon Coins to get you started.
The Fire TVis remote controlled and has a microphone embedded for voice search "that actually works." Users can search for media by actor, title or genre.
Other apps and features
The main screen TV features: Home, Movies, TV, Watchlist, Video Library, Games, Apps, Photos, and Settings, according to Engadget.
Fire TV is Android and HTML based, allows porting of apps, and the main streaming services are Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video with more on the way. The latter will also receive 10 original shows.
Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, HBO Go, SHO Anytime, Pandora, RedBull TV and others will be released on the device as well. It includes instant access to over 200,000 TV episodes and movies, allowing users to "watch what they want, when they want."
Amazon Prime members will be granted unlimited access to thousands of popular movies and TV shows, including exclusives. An exclusive new feature called ASAP predicts what movies and TV episodes you'll want to watch and gets them ready to stream instantly.
Photos taken with your smartphone can also be loaded to Amazon Cloud and loaded onto Fire TV.
A second screen option called X-ray was shown, and it seems to work similar to Microsoft's SmartGlass as users can start watching something on Fire TV and pick up where they left off on a tablet.
Amazon Fire TV will run you $99 and is available from today.


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One of the world's biggest doughnut and ice cream makers, Dunkin' Brands, admits it markets products to mothers of young children while claiming to advertise responsibly and offer lighter alternatives.
Dunkin' has also defended its approach towards childhood obesity as the multinational giant seeks to expand its Baskin-Robbins ice cream franchise in Australia.
The company is also running the rule over the local pastries market.
Dunkin' Brands global chief executive Nigel Travis says he takes a "considered view" about advertising during children's television programs, amid a global debate about the effect of advertising on childhood obesity.
"We see mum as our main customer," Mr Travis told AAP during a visit to Australia last month.
"We see that here in Australia, we see that in the US.
"We do avoid direct advertising on children's programs."
Dunkin' Brands is pleased with the progress of its ice cream business, but it has no immediate plans to reintroduce its Dunkin' Donuts franchise to Australia, despite conceding that the local market is "interesting".
Following a tour of Perth and Sydney to examine growth opportunities for the Baskin franchisees, Mr Travis said Dunkin Brands approached the advertising issue "responsibly".
"We're very involved with the First Lady in the States, Michelle Obama's childhood obesity program.
"Secondly, we have on both brands (Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream), a number of products that are much lighter and better for you," he said.
"We like to think we are very responsible.
"We actually have a pretty considered view about advertising in children's shows."
Mr Travis' comments come as debate about the nation's childhood obesity epidemic heats up with the release of new academic research on food monitoring.
A joint university study released last week shows that targeting parents rather than children is the key to combating childhood obesity.
The results of two-year study, undertaken by researchers from the universities of Newcastle and Wollongong and funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), showed swipe-card technology at cafeterias could be a useful weapon in the war against childhood obesity.
"The results indicate that by targeting the parents predominantly, we can make a huge difference to this global epidemic," Associate Professor Tony Okely from the University of Wollongong said.
It follows the federal government's launch of a $41 million healthy eating campaign in March.
Late last year the Krispy Kreme Doughnut chain closed nearly half of its Australian stores and entered administration as low sales, high rents and high distribution costs saw the company unable to meet its financial obligations.
In November 2010, Allied Brands Ltd, the franchise holder for Baskin Robbins and Cookie Man, called in voluntary administrators after losing its licence to operate the branded ice cream stores Australia wide.
Despite the recent industry problems, Mr Travis is upbeat about the future of Baskin-Robbins in Australia as it edges towards opening its 90th outlet.
"I'm optimistic we'll open many hundred stores in Australia over time in Australia," he said.
"We've got no specific plans to come here with Dunkin' Donuts."
But he left the door open for a possible move to the Australian pastries market in the future.
"We think the market's interesting, but there is a fair amount of competition," Mr Travis said.
He said the company was focusing its resources on China and India.
"It wouldn't surprise me if Australia was on the list fairly quickly but at the moment, here in Australia we're very focused on Baskin and we don't want to deflect anyone off from Baskin."
Dunkin' Brands distributes products in 52 countries and operates almost 10,000 Dunkin' doughnuts stores and 6,500 Baskin-Robbins stores worldwide.


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Shipping-industry leaders are scrambling to solve the crisis of thousands of maritime workers who have been stranded because of the coronavirus pandemic. Global attention on the Suez Canal blockage last month gave them a new chance.
Unions, seafarer ministries and multinational ship owners and charterers — odd bedfellows in normal times — all seized the moment to raise awareness of the plight shipping workers face due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
"We spend most of our time arguing with ship owners but the reality is on this one is we've really pulled together because it is a humanitarian crisis," said Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). "The irony of the Suez situation is one small incident generates enormous coverage."
As countries closed borders last March, many decided not to allow seafarers to get off ships at port. And the maritime workers who managed to get on land often weren't able to book plane tickets home because of other restrictions.
At the peak, about 400,000 maritime workers were unable to get off ships and get home, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. That number of workers struggling to repatriate now stands about 200,000.
Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Inc.'s ocean transportation unit, took the opportunity in a recent Star Tribune interview to vent his frustration about the lack of interest in seafarers' well-being during the pandemic.
"Because they were not deemed essential workers, they've had to abide by every single country's laws like everybody else," Dieleman said. "Nobody has been able to solve this. Everyone is looking for someone to blame, but as an industry, as a society, we need to do better."
A complex patchwork of government rules limiting the cross-border movement of people continues to be a challenge, Cotton said. The growing prevalence of coronavirus variants is now leading to new lockdowns that could strand more workers at sea.
Compounding the issue, demand for shipping grew during the pandemic, said Jason Zuidema, executive director of the North American Maritime Ministry Association.
First came the surge in demand for personal protective equipment. Then came North American consumers and their online shopping that stressed the industry as their home, garden and office supplies filled containers floating aboard vessels from Asia to Los Angeles.
"[The companies] were still desperate to keep up the flow of essential goods and [personal protective equipment]," Zuidema said in an e-mail. "Keeping our store shelves stocked came at the expense of not allowing seafarers to go home for many additional months beyond the end of their contracts."
Three-month contracts turned to six months, six-month contracts turned into eight months. And even though 11 months is the longest amount of time a seafarer is supposed to be working aboard a ship, according to standards set by the International Labor Organization of the United Nations, there were cases of crew members unable to disembark for 17 months during the pandemic.
Cargill, which has between 1,400 and 1,500 seafarers working its chartered vessels, tried to redirect its ships to ports where crew changes were allowed, Dieleman said.
The shipping industry is filled with shadowy middlemen who aren't always held accountable, Cotton said. Many charterers refused to detour to crew-friendly ports, prioritizing on-time delivery of their cargo instead, he said.
And while some were stuck at sea, the restrictions put on crew changes meant other workers were unable to earn an income by not being able to board.
By mid-July 2020, 13 nations, including the United States, signed a joint statement acknowledging seafarers as key workers in the pandemic efforts and pledging to improve conditions for the workers.
The U.N. General Assembly in December adopted a resolution that all nations should extend that status to seafarers. The International Maritime Organization, the U.N.'s maritime agency, reported last month that less than 60 had done so.
"There is still a long way to go before we are back to a normal crew change regime," Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the IMO, said in a statement last month. "As vaccination is rolled out in many countries, I urge governments to prioritize seafarers in their national COVID-19 vaccination programs."
The shipping industry continues to press national governments on seafarer stranding and vaccination. More than 750 organizations signed the Neptune Declaration for Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change early this year.
"Seafarers should be recognized as essential workers by governments around the world," Zuidema said. "They need to get priority access to vaccines."
About a quarter of global seafarers who have so far responded to an ITF survey said they are considering leaving the industry after the negative experience of this past year.
"Some seafarers are reconsidering going back to sea," Cotton said. "How do you explain to your partner, children, parents that you don't know when you'll be home?"
Kristen Leigh Painter • 612-673-4767


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1 Popular Kia Sedan Is Flying Off Dealership Lots
Kia has been making big strides in the American car market. Notably, the South Korean automaker has done that by building award-winning SUVs. But the company doesn’t just focus on crossovers — its sedans are also doing well. Here’s a look at one popular Kia sedan flying off dealership lots right now: the Forte.
The Forte is the best-selling Kia sedan this year
Kia recently reported its latest car sales data, and the best-selling model in May 2023 was the Sportage. The company sold about 12,900 units of the compact SUV that month. The race for second place was close between the Forte and the Telluride. But the Forte won, selling 10,023 units. Meanwhile, the midsize SUV sold 10,005 units.
The Forte’s brisk sales reflect a continuation of a year of success. So far in 2023, the Sportage remains the best-selling Kia model overall, selling about 58,000 units. Meanwhile, the Forte sits comfortably in second place with about 52,000. That’s much better than the Telluride’s 46,000 units.
Those numbers make the Forte the best-selling Kia sedan and mark a sign of growth. Compared to the same period in 2022, Kia has sold about 22% more Forte units. And Kia’s entire lineup has sold about 21% better than last year. That means Forte sales are growing faster than the average Kia model.
The Forte’s success might be related to the overall sedan market
The year isn’t over yet, but if the Kia Forte continues its momentum, it should end 2023 strong and ahead of its 2022 performance. If this Kia sedan can do that, that’s further evidence the segment is rebounding. After the Great Recession, many shoppers chose smaller cars, primarily sedans.
However, when the economy recovered, more consumers began buying SUVs and trucks, leading to a decline in sedan sales. That’s a likely explanation for why Kia sold about 95,000 Forte units in 2019, a drop from the six-figure sales the sedan saw in 2016 and 2017. At the Forte’s current pace, it should sell more than 100,000 units by year’s end.
As during the Great Recession, many consumers are concerned about the current economy. That might be a significant reason sedans like the Forte seem to be bouncing back, as small cars are cheaper than SUVs or trucks. However, the Forte is also a solid car all around, so that’s another possible explanation for its success.
Why the 2023 Kia Forte is the best Kia sedan in sales performance
The popular 2023 Kia Forte is a compact sedan that starts at around $20,000. That low sticker price makes it one of the cheapest new cars and explains why this Kia sedan is performing so well.
It starts with a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. That engine allows the car to get excellent gas mileage of 30 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined. The automaker also offers a 201-hp turbocharged engine for drivers wanting more power.
On the inside, the Forte is comfortable and decently equipped. It has an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and numerous advanced safety features.
It’s not hard to see why the 2023 Kia Forte is the best-performing Kia sedan. What remains to be seen is if it holds the lead for the rest of the year.


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Customers Tolyattihimbank can pay with Visa using the contactless payment service Apple Pay. About it reported in a press release of the credit organization.
Data is not stored on the device and not sent anywhere when you pay using the service.
To use the map, it is necessary to add to the Wallet app by scanning with the camera of a smartphone or other device.
Read more •••
Video of the day. Slaves were sold via Instagram and Facebook


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Published on 28 Oct 2022 | Team ConsCent | 5 mins read
If you are a publisher of a newspaper or a magazine, chances are that you already have a digital edition of it, or are already contemplating to create one. E-papers – while being around for more than a couple of decades – have gained massive popularity during the pandemic when physical distribution across the world stalled. The electronic versions of newspapers and magazines became the go to destination for news consumers – and for many, who bought physical copies, it was an irreversible shift to reading the newspaper and magazine on their handhelds and computer screens.
Here are some facts:
> More than 80% of all digital subscriptions sold in India are for E-Papers.
> Online versions of Indian newspapers are read in 62 countries.
> 47% of readers visit online editions to access archival material.
> 14% use online newspapers as a tool to overcome homesickness (i.e. when they are out of the country).
(Source: JuxtConsult’s India Internet report)
Still, e-paper is one of the most undervalued products. Publishers lose thousands of crores because they either let users access the e-papers for free or many don't even have an electronic version.
As the number of digital news consumers continue to grow, and so does their time spent, publishers can look at a better monetisation opportunity of the e-paper. Overtime, e-papers have become the most appealing way not to loose print consumers, who have shifted to digital modes of consumption. Also, electronic versions are more affective for the millennials and Gen-Z who don't buy physical copies anymore.
Let's look at it from the revenue diversification lens – the e-newspaper can bring in new users who are not exposed to the physical format of the newspapers or magazines. It allows publishers to expand the reach without spending millions of dollars in building a physical distribution network, and above all there is no newsprint cost (one of the biggest expense in physical news printing).
For users, the benefits are multifold, too.
You don't have to carry the newspaper – and it doesn't matter if you are travelling, taking public transport, or even lazing in the park – the e-paper is always available on your phone.
Apart from having the digital paper available anytime, it allows users to pull out an archival issue (even if it's from 30 years ago) anytime in just a few clicks.
E-Paper overcomes the limitations of physical world. It allows access to readers from anywhere in the world via any device: desktop, mobile, or tablet. For publishers specifically, e-papers are a useful way to expand the reach of the content published and increase engagement far beyond regular users.
As technology advances, e-papers now offer a responsive user interface, support interactive content, and rich media integration, such as audio, video, animation files, and slideshows. All these add-ons make the reading process a delightful experience.
In the last five years, there has been a drastic change in the way people consume content. As smart mobile devices are now readily available to users across age groups, people prefer to consume news online rather than buying a physical copy of the newspaper or the magazine.
The younger generation is overwhelmingly mobile-first and, in many cases, mobile-only. They prefer digital media as their go-to news source which is making it hard for publishers to get their attention.
A recent survey on reading preferences conducted by the Reuters Institute demonstrates that merely 16% of individuals under the age of 35 prefer to get their primary news from print. This number is far from the 56% who identify digital platforms (search engines, social media, video streaming and news aggregator platforms) as their primary news source.
For individuals over 35, these numbers are 27% for print news and 38% for online media. These figures show that although most people over 35 prefer newspapers as their news source, the safety buffer of older, committed, legacy users of print media has significantly weakened over time.
Since its inception roughly 25 years ago, e-papers have improved for end users in terms of appearance and functionality, but the same can not be said in the case of publishers. The existing e-reader solutions in the market lack innovation and do not offer enough flexibility to publishers in terms of monetisation, understanding of the user or even ways in which a users can be engaged.
Moreover, the cost of publishing an e-newspaper daily is not inexpensive. Currently, a publisher uses multiple layers of vendors to create, publish, and then take the e-newspaper live. There are only a handful of top e-reader solution providers that offer the technology for publishing e-newspapers. The publishers frequently outsource these service providers on a revenue-sharing basis of up to 40%–50%. This amount accounts for a significant portion of the overhead expenses for publishing an e-paper.
Another drawback of the current set up is the loss of crucial data which is rarely ever passed on to the publisher. From tracking anonymous user footprints to getting data on the subscription sold via multiple platforms, there is huge gap in acquiring and understanding the user data.
And if that't not it. Publishers continuously face the challenge of leakage where the digital copy of the paper is passed on to communities via multiple social messaging apps even before it is published.
Over the years, the e-reader solutions have not been able to solve these challenges for the publishers. Which has given rise to the need of an e-reader solution that brings back power to the publishers – right from publishing, to understanding the users, engaging with them effectively and monetise efficiently while ensuring no data loss, minimise leakage and bring in cost efficiency.
In an age where news publishers around the globe are leveraging sophisticated technology and experimenting with several e-products to gain subscribers, e-newspapers and e-magazines stand a fair chance of acquiring the right audience that will later pay for your content or even subscribe to your publication.
Imagine getting the paying intent right of your e-paper reader and serving them with the fresh copy of today's newspaper right in their inboxes every morning. Learning reading habits and serving them with the best subscription offer when the time is right.
While the present technology overlooks the aspects of understanding and engaging the audience, monetising them, and delivering personalised experience. An e-reader solution for tomorrow will combine intelligence, engagement, retention, and payment solutions under one roof, enabling publishers to leverage their e-papers and e-magazines as a way to build their subscription business.


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GST on healthy foods 'would make Australia sick'
The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is urging state and territory leaders to reject the idea of applying the GST to fresh food when they discuss their response to the federal budget this weekend.
"Now is definitely not the time to be considering a GST on healthy foods," according to Professor Heather Yeatman, President of the PHAA.
"This week has already seen massive cuts to preventive health programs and policies that assist low income earners and the vulnerable in our community. The budget announcements threaten to further erode the low incomes of many families. Making healthy food more expensive would make it unaffordable to many, adding an unwanted burden and health risk. When the Premiers and Chief Ministers meet on Sunday to consider their response to the federal budget, the PHAA urges them not to make matters worse.
"Diet-sensitive chronic disease due to unhealthy eating is now the greatest factor affecting overall burden of disease in Australia, greater than tobacco or overweight and obesity. We need incentives to eat healthy food – not disincentives.
"When the Assistant Minister for Health released the first National Nutrition Survey results last Friday, she confirmed that Australian adults get around 40 per cent of their daily energy intake from discretionary foods – those unnecessary for a healthy diet. These 'junk foods' – soft drinks, cakes, snacks, crisps, lollies and alcohol are bad for health. They are also cheaper. When budgets are tight, people fill up on cheap food, not healthy food.
"In Australia since 2000, the cost of basic healthy foods has been increasing at a much faster rate than unhealthy foods and CPI. Over the last three years the cost of fruit and vegetables rose by 8-13 per cent compared to only a 3 per cent increase in price for snacks and confectionery.
"Some states are even worse off: vegetables increased in price by 24 per cent in Canberra, 16 per cent in Brisbane and Sydney and 11 per cent in Perth. The cost of fruit went up by 19 per cent in Perth, 16 per cent in Canberra and 12 per cent in Brisbane. And this is without a GST on top. In contrast, the price of junk food only increased by 1-6 per cent in these cities over the same time period.
Silly or sensible?
"WA Premier Colin Barnett yesterday claimed that 'it's just silly' not to apply the GST to healthy foods. This is a very simplistic economic view with potentially catastrophic consequences for the most vulnerable in our society and for our health system. Even now, some people simply cannot afford to eat a healthy diet. Already welfare recipients in WA would need to allocate half of their disposable income to buy exclusively healthy food, while the average income earner would need to spend about 16 per cent of their income.
"We cannot ignore the economics of increasing health care costs from the chronic diseases directly linked to poor diets. State Premiers know their hospital costs are increasing. Farming families also rely on Australians buying fresh foods – not the cheaper processed and unhealthier options.
"When funding has already been cut to many of our preventive health programs, now is not the time to add further to the burden of disease. All Australians are affected. The GST exemption for healthy foods in Australia must be retained," said Professor Yeatman.


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The World Cup may be over but the beer shortage which was originally reported during the games is still going on.
While there are enough hops and barley in Europe, brewers are running short of carbon dioxide – the gas used to make the bubbles in beer.
According to news reports, multiple CO2 plants around the E.U have been shutting down production in the early summer months to make repairs. The UK is going to be hit the worst, so if you love your beer, you may want to stay away.
The news is also bad for beer drinkers in the USA, where new tariffs are expected soon which will cause beer prices to rise.


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News and Local Shopping at the Farmers Market
We had our general news roundup plus special guest Molly Notarianni with us in the studio. Molly is the manager of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and spoke of the environmental benefits of shopping locally at a farmers market among other things.
Shannon Brines, aka Brines.net, aka Brines Farm, aka Dj Local joined the show for his first stint as full Senior CoHost in charge of Environmental Talk Radio and Farming. Always smooth, never gritty.


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Only 20 years old, Mr. Dixon has been arrested 19 times over the last four years. With his attitude, I am not sure how managed to get all that time outside of jail.
Friends and neighbors have set up a GoFundMe for the victim.
A Raleigh man was arrested Wednesday, less than a week after a woman was stabbed six times outside a Food Lion in Raleigh, police said.
Khawan Dixon, 20, of Milbank Street in Raleigh, is charged in connection with the attack that happened around 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the parking lot of a Food Lion in the 1100 block of N. Raleigh Boulevard, police said.
Police said the woman was near her car when a male suspect came up to her and tried to rob her.
He then stabbed her three times in the head and three times in the back, police said.The suspect left the scene and was able to get away with nearly $1,000 worth of property, according to a Raleigh Police Department report.
Source: Arrest made after woman stabbed 6 times at Raleigh Food Lion | WNCN
Amazon has a transparency problem.Three years ago, the retail giant became the last major tech company to reveal how many subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders it received for customer data in a half-year period. While every other tech giant had regularly published its government request figures for years, spurred on by accusations of participation in government surveillance, Amazon had been largely forgotten.
Eventually, people noticed and Amazon acquiesced. Since then, Amazon’s business has expanded. By its quarterly revenue, it’s no longer a retail company — it’s a cloud giant and a device maker. The company’s flagship Echo, an “always listening” speaker, collects vast amounts of customer data that’s openly up for grabs by the government.
But Amazon’s bi-annual transparency figures don’t want you to know that.
Source: Amazon won’t say if it hands your Echo data to the government | ZDNet


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Pet grooming is back in business in the city of Fresno.
On Monday, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced that pet grooming is allowed as an essential business under California’s shelter-in-place order.
Brand made the decision after discussing it with his Fresno Recovery Committee on Monday.
“I’ve been considering this decision, and it’s time to start the gradual process of economic recovery,” said Brand in a statement. “I’m thankful for the exceptional advice provided by the committee and input from the public during this challenging time.
“This announcement will be joined by others in the future, as we move forward in a deliberate and reasonable way to return to normal routines without jeopardizing the health of our residents.”
The city determined that Governor Gavin Newsom’s emergency order does not prohibit pet grooming since it is a form of animal care. The city will inform pet groomers that they can operate immediately.
Brand and the city reminds pet groomers that the current health-safety guidelines – such as wearing personal protective equipment and abiding by social distancing and disinfecting protocols – must be followed.
Fresno’s shelter-in-place order is set to expire on May 6.


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Tag: ibookstore australia
Just over six months have passed since the launch of the iPad, and today, the iBookstore has now officially opened in Australia. Quoting an Apple spokesperson, The Age reports that the good folks down under now have access to "thousands" of new titles from a wide array of publishers including ...
Deals of the Daymore deals
Software Updatesmore updates
- Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 Update 14.3.4
- Pixelmator 2.2 available with over 100 new features and improvements
- DabKick for iPhone lets you share photos, watch videos and now listen to music in real-time
- Google Now added to search app on iPhone, iPad
- GateGuru for iPhone has been updated and greatly improved
- Twitter updates its OS X client
Featured Storiesmore stories
I'm never leaving home without my pogo connect again. Love this thing.


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Vibra (styled VIBRA), a crypto trading app launched by African Blockchain Lab, has started a programme to reward “VIBRAnt Stars.” VIBRAnt Stars are volunteers from the Vibra community who will provide assistance to users with questions and other concerns.
Vibra claims that its mission is to empower Africans with their finances and as such it makes cryptocurrency easy enough for beginners to understand, invest and trade cryptocurrencies. Vibra wants to build a community of people who are interested in crypto and that will help Vibra move to the next level. Vibra has opened up an invitation and says that anyone can participate.
The belief is that having a “welcoming community” that is available to assist beginners or new users will facilitate the adoption of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, and Africa.
Vibra plans to reward the most active VIBRAnt Stars with a range of benefits. The benefits are financial and non-financial; VIBRAnt members will earn points upon completion of given tasks, which will be accumulated by the end of that month. A VIBRAnt star can also make up to 1,000 naira for every 2 people referred. The tasks include referring new users to download the Vibra app and join the Vibra community, as well as onboarding.
The VIBRAnt Stars programme is part of a larger Vibra partnership programme wherein Vibra seeks publishers, promoters, influencers, agents, and merchants.
African Blockchain Lab recently raised $6million in a Series Pre-A round to fund the launch of Vibra. Vibra is the first product from African Blockchain Lab, as part of its mission to “drive the mass adoption of digital assets and blockchain technologies in Africa,” as articulated by Vincent Li, the co-founder of African Blockchain Lab.


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Last year marked the pont at which that narrative finally collapsed. The existence of internet skeptics is nothing new, of course; the difference now is that the critical voices increasingly belong to former enthusiasts. “We have to fix the internet,” Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs’s biographer, wrote in an essay published a few weeks after Donald Trump was elected president. “After 40 years, it has begun to corrode, both itself and us.” The former Google strategist James Williams told The Guardian: “The dynamics of the attention economy are structurally set up to undermine the human will.” In a blog post, Brad Burnham, a managing partner at Union Square Ventures, a top New York venture-capital firm, bemoaned the collateral damage from the quasi monopolies of the digital age: “Publishers find themselves becoming commodity content suppliers in a sea of undifferentiated content in the Facebook news feed. Websites see their fortunes upended by small changes in Google’s search algorithms. And manufacturers watch helplessly as sales dwindle when Amazon decides to source products directly in China and redirect demand to their own products.” (Full disclosure: Burnham’s firm invested in a company I started in 2006; we have had no financial relationship since it sold in 2011.) Even Berners-Lee, the inventor of the web itself, wrote a blog post voicing his concerns that the advertising-based model of social media and search engines creates a climate where “misinformation, or ‘fake news,’ which is surprising, shocking or designed to appeal to our biases, can spread like wildfire.”
For most critics, the solution to these immense structural issues has been to propose either a new mindfulness about the dangers of these tools — turning off our smartphones, keeping kids off social media — or the strong arm of regulation and antitrust: making the tech giants subject to the same scrutiny as other industries that are vital to the public interest, like the railroads or telephone networks of an earlier age. Both those ideas are commendable: We probably should develop a new set of habits governing how we interact with social media, and it seems entirely sensible that companies as powerful as Google and Facebook should face the same regulatory scrutiny as, say, television networks. But those interventions are unlikely to fix the core problems that the online world confronts. After all, it was not just the antitrust division of the Department of Justice that challenged Microsoft’s monopoly power in the 1990s; it was also the emergence of new software and hardware — the web, open-source software and Apple products — that helped undermine Microsoft’s dominant position.
Find a gap in the market, or a problem that needs to be fixed, and solve it has long been the maxim entrepreneurs follow. There is no doubt social media is both a boon and curse for many people most especially the young. My wife and I were at a friend’s house for New Year’s Eve and their early ‘20s niece was hanging out with some friends before heading out to a party. They were all sitting in a circle, bedecked in holiday finery, with heads down staring at group chats they were all a part of until they decided where to go first which seemed to be an interminable process. They eventually left the house at 11:30 to go to a party. To my eyes this seems like an odd way to live but then I am twenty years older than they are.
The larger point is that in an age where we are assailed with automation and innovation, our individuality is one of our more prized possessions which we all too cheaply share with all and sundry by engaging with the internet. Awareness of the value of this person asset is still low so there is no groundswell of support for change. Since the value of our personal information is most acute for us as individuals, there is no monetary value to it unless we are willing to share it. Technology companies would argue that we get a substantial value from search engines, shopping sites and social media in return for the marketing we accept in return and there is a certain amount of truth to that. The hard fact is that companies will always find a way to market to consumers and if not through social media then a way will be found through the blockchain.
The fact that around 10% of cryptocurrency wallets have been hacked and stolen from is not a comforting statistic for those proselytizing the rise of cryptocurrencies, yet blockchain does have real world applications. IBM is working with Maersk to streamline global logistics using the blockchain. This is a real-world practical example of how the technology can be used to help businesses reduce costs. This application of the blockchain is not especially reliant on the monetary value of the underlying block token and that is perhaps the most important point of all. The monetary reward for mining has not yet been commoditized but it will be if blockchain does in fact become more widely available. That is the nature of technological evolutions.
Right now, there is no killer blockchain app that solves for all problems. Eventually there will be and the vast majority of investments in the space will be worthless. The number of companies that survived the TMT bust from the bubble peak in 2000 is comparatively small. Amazon is the most notable success story, Google didn’t even IPO until 2004 while Facebook only started in 2004. The technology behind blockchain is evolving at blinding speed with proof-of-work (mining), giving way to proof of stake (landlords) which is now being challenged by Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) which eradicates the need for miners.
I believe blockchain will evolve to become an important part of the global financial architecture but most of the coins minted in the last years will end up being worthless.Back to top


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A grand opening celebration of a large auto park is scheduled for Sept. 13.
The new Ray Price Pocono Auto Park, owned by Ray and Lynn Price, already is open and can be found on Business Route 209 in Hamilton Township, several miles southwest of Stroudsburg. It is visible from Route 33.
Noting that the dealership is one of the oldest in the nation – having opened in 1913, Ray Price said it was time for a new, bigger location that he hopes makes people rethink what an auto dealership looks like.
The $25 million auto park hosts five auto brands, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Lincoln and Volvo and more than 400 used vehicles, is environmentally friendly and features some of the latest customer amenities.
“There are some major green initiatives and a number of customer features that you simply can’t find at any other dealers,” Price said. His Honda/Mazda/Volvo dealership had been in the East Stroudsburg area and his Ford Lincoln dealership in the Stroudsburg area.
He said the first part of the new auto park’s green features is the use of light-emitting diode lighting, inside and out. He said lights on the inside are motion sensitive so they go on and off as needed, and the lights in the lot are light sensitive, becoming brighter or dimmer based on the amount of sunlight, saving energy.
One of the most interesting features is the green roof on the Honda building. The plant covering provides insulation, as well as improves drainage.
Drainage is assisted by large retention ponds under the car lots, which will hold rain water and let it gradually seep into surrounding land, which is better for the environment.
The dealership also is taking a waste-not-want-not attitude to the used car oil it collects during servicing.
“We will heat the dealership with the waste oil from oil changes by storing the oil in custom oil tanks and then burning it for heat,” Price said.
The green features are only part of what’s new and different at the auto park. There’s also a bit of nature for customers to hike or enjoy the view.
Price preserved more than a mile in length of green space on the 33-acre property, which includes a stream and a walking path. He said it’s a great option for people waiting for their vehicle to be serviced.
“You can spend the time walking through nature,” he said.
He also noted the fire pit in the preserved area when it’s chilly, so customers can warm up by the fire.
Price said because of its Pocono location, the land has a great deal of nature for people to enjoy. He said he’s seen deer, foxes and hawks on the property.
An eagle even stopped by the lot once. However – it didn’t buy a car.
For more information, visit www.raypricecars.com.
State Farm office
opens in Stroudsburg
A grand opening was held Aug. 27 for a new insurance agency in the Poconos.
Mike Peterson State Farm Insurance is open at 912 Main St., Stroudsburg.
Running the office are Petersen and his wife, Sheryl, who has 10 years in the insurance industry.
He comes from a corporate background, where for the past 25 years he has held various managerial roles in human resources and insurance-related fields.
The office sells all State Farm insurance products, including life, home and auto, and offers financial services.
For more information, call 570-421-8544.
Valley Wellness Center
opens for mind and body
Several years ago, Dr. Steven Mortazavi, medical director for Valley Pain Specialists in Bethlehem Township, was riding his bicycle along Airport Road when he came across an empty lot and saw the potential.
The Orefield resident had wanted to start a fitness center in the region that offered a wide array of services and decided to buy 14 acres and build his own facility at the site.
Flash forward several years later, and Valley Wellness Center, which opened July 19 in Hanover Township, Northampton County, offers a mix of fitness and wellness options in an upscale environment.
Near its entrance is a 35-foot climbing wall that opens to a two-story fitness area that includes cardio and strength training equipment, as well as a spin studio and classroom space for barre and Pilates, and an outdoor yoga balcony. The first floor also offers a registered dietitian and chiropractor, while the second floor includes a two-lane walking circuit.
The center has high-tech cardio equipment on both the first and second floors. Other features at the center include aerial yoga, an indoor turf activity room, small-group personal training options, full-size basketball court, full-service café, golf lab, child care services, full service salon and spa and indoor pool. Work is wrapping up on an outdoor pool.
New offerings are still in the works.
The center will launch a martial arts program for children, Mortazavi is hoping to eventually add medical spa services.
“The idea is to just have a lot of different services under one roof for the whole family,” said Mortazavi, the center’s president.
The large outdoor pool has two lanes for swimming laps, in addition to a zero-entry point portion, a hot tub and a two-loop waterslide.
Near the pool is an outdoor structure, similar to a stage, which Mortazavi wants to use for concerts and performances. Members can rent cabanas for outdoor dining and seating.
Serfass Construction of North Whitehall Township built the $16 million facility, while MKSD architects of South Whitehall Township designed the project, which is about 56,000 square feet for the interior and 80,000 square feet when including outdoor features.
Valley Wellness Center is at 4415 Innovation Way in Hanover Township, Northampton County. For information, call 610-443-2221.
– BRIAN PEDERSEN
Editor’s note: We want to hear about your new business or product. Contact Stacy Wescoe at 610-807-9619 ext. 4104 or send an email to SWescoe@lvb.com. To be considered, a new venture should be fewer than 60 days old or starting within 60 days.


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Polaroid SC1630 Brings 3x Optical Zoom to Android
Over the years, we’ve seen smartphones do their best to replace the need to carry around a stand-alone digital camera or camcorder. Today’s smartphone cameras come closer than ever to meeting that goal, with advancements like backside-illuminated sensors and growing pixel counts. While we’ve had our eye on improvements to the imaging systems of smartphones, what about approaching the creation of phone/camera hybrid from the other side? That’s what Polaroid’s been up to, today announcing the Android-powered SC1630 Smart Camera.
The big difference between the SC1630 and a smartphone is that Polaroid is not about to trade-out lens elements in order to slim-down the camera’s profile. No smartphone manufacturer wants a reputation for being the one making chunky hardware, but Polaroid has no such qualms. That’s enabled the company to put a sizable 3x optical zoom lens on the SC1630, providing light to the camera’s 16-megapixel sensor.
The SC1630 features a 3.2-inch display, but much of its hardware is still unknown. That includes the Android version, processor type and speed, memory, and display resolution. As you’d expect, there’s no cellular connection by default, leaving you with WiFi to get online, but it will be available as an optional upgrade.


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If an American automaker wants a lithium-ion battery today, it often has to turn to Japan. Perhaps it's time to create a home-grown lithium-ion battery industry that can compete with the Japanese. We need a strong government-backed program to develop a new line of green car batteries.
If you’re brave enough to venture into a toy store this time of the year, you’ll probably find a large display of batteries at or near the checkout counter. That’s because the toy industry is notorious for its “batteries not included” policy.
While reviewing the highlights of the $14 billion Big Three bailout plan, which is officially called the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act, I noticed that batteries are not included in any of the details. (Although recently killed by the Senate, this plan is reportedly serving as the basis for a bailout package from the White House.) Unless I’m missing something or not reading all the fine print, there does not appear to be any mention of developing a domestic infrastructure to mass-produce nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used to power hybrids and other green vehicles. Shame on you, Washington, for failing to take this into consideration. Maybe the new Car Czar will address this issue.
This oversight prompted me to wonder why we don’t have a much stronger advanced battery manufacturing infrastructure in the United States. Sure, there’s a lot of good work already being done in places such as Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL), which is a short drive away from ASSEMBLY’s editorial office. And, engineers at companies such as A123 Systems Inc. (Watertown, MA), AFS Trinity Power Corp. (Bellevue, WA), Cobasys LLC (Orion, MI), Farasis Energy Inc. (Hayward, CA), Firefly Energy Inc. (Peoria, IL) and Johnson Controls Inc. (Milwaukee) are busy developing some innovative technology.
But, if an American automaker wants a lithium-ion battery today, it often has to turn to Japan. The market is dominated by companies such as Panasonic Corp. (Osaka, Japan) and Sanyo Electric Co. (Osaka, Japan). And, to make matters worse, those two companies, which already have a strategic partnership with Toyota Motor Corp. (Nagoya, Japan), are currently in the process of merging their operations. Another player, GS Yuasa Corp. (Kyoto, Japan), is involved in a joint-venture with Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (Tokyo) and is currently building the world’s first mass-production assembly line for automotive lithium-ion batteries.
Isn’t it time we create a home-grown lithium-ion battery industry that can compete with the Japanese? How about a strong government-backed program to harness the power of nanotechnology to develop a new line of green car batteries?
Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE, Washington, DC) announced a small step in that direction. It selected three commercial R&D projects, involving 3M Co. (St Paul, MN), BASF Catalyst LLC (Iselin, NJ) and FMC Corp. (Charlotte, NC), in which it will invest almost $7 million. The projects focus on improving battery material performance and developing manufacturing processes to increase the performance and decrease the cost of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) batteries.
According to the DOE, the acceleration of lithium-ion battery technology is a key step in the successful commercialization of PHEVs capable of traveling up to 40 miles without recharging. I encourage DOE, and other government agencies, pump more funds into innovative battery manufacturing programs.
Batteries Not Included
By Austin Weber
Austin has been senior editor for ASSEMBLY Magazine since September 1999. He has more than 21 years of b-to-b publishing experience and has written about a wide variety of manufacturing and engineering topics. Austin is a graduate of the University of Michigan.


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- The Apple Watch is the most popular smartwatch in the world, but that wasn't always the case.
- It struggled to win over customers when after launching in 2015 and lagged behind Fitbit.
- But Apple in 2016 redirected its focus on fitness instead of fashion and sales started pouring in.
The Apple Watch has come a long way since it hit six years ago.
It was initially deemed a flop in 2016 and failed to win customers over in the months after it launched.
Now it's the most popular smartwatch in the world, with a 55% market share that dwarfs competitors like Google, whose $2.1 billion Fitbit acquisition gave it an edge starting in 2019.
Facebook is reportedly ready to launch its first-ever smartwatch in 2022 — it has its work cut out for it, given Apple's dominance.
Here's how Apple's smartwatch went from floundering to flourishing in the consumer wearables market.
Fitbit was once leading the race
Fitbit launched in 2007 and had set the stage for what would later become the booming wearables market when the Apple Watch launched in April 2015.
With a price range starting at $349, it required an iPhone to operate and was the company's first new popular product debut since the iPad in 2010.
Some, like Jean-Claude Biver — the CEO of legacy watchmaker Tag Heuer — doubted that it would endure over the years.
"Can it be repaired in 1,000 years or can it be repaired in 80 years?" he told CNBC in 2015. "Can your children wear the watch? No, because it won't work anymore. The technology will be gone." Less skeptical observers expected the product to be the death knell for existing market players like Fitbit.
But consumers were slow to adopt the Apple Watch as a must-have wearable. Some early reviews pegged the watch as hard to understand how to use, with a poor user experience.
The analytics firm Slice Intelligence released data three months after the Apple Watch launch that showed tanking sales. In mid-April, the company was selling about 35,000 watches a day. By July 2, Apple was selling around 5,000 per day. Analysts also noted that demand for the company's smartwatch had fallen sharply since it launched.
As Fast Company reported in July 2015, the Apple Watch appeared to be flopping.
Fitbit sold 21.4 million devices in 2015, which is also the year it went public, according to Wired, and 22.3 million in 2016. Apple shipped 7 million Watches from April to November of 2015, and Canalys estimated that the company sold 11.9 million units in 2016, as Fortune notes.
If the Apple Watch were to succeed, many speculated that it might just need time before it would become a hit — and that's exactly what happened.
Apple Watch began to pick up steam in 2017
Apple started focusing on fitness and health features in its watch instead of merely the fashion appeal of it.
Watch Series 2 was unveiled in 2016 with water resistance and GPS that people could use without an iPhone. Later versions had similar features, like being able to track your menstrual cycle and detect abnormal heartbeats.
Suddenly, people were clamoring for the products, which could efficiently track their health and fitness activity instead of merely serving as a luxury item. The company began to reinvent how people perceived watches and showed they could be even more useful than solely telling time.
It even leapfrogged Rolex as the number one watch in the world in mid-2017.
In September 2017, Apple unveiled its Apple Watch Series 3, which allowed users to make and receive calls and stream music without their iPhone.
Fitbit had previously held the record for the most wearable devices sold by a single company within a fiscal quarter, shipping 6.1 million units in Q4 during 2015. But in the fourth quarter of 2017, after the Series 3 was released, Apple shipped 8 million smartwatches and shipped 18 million units throughout that entire year.
"Apple has won the wearables game," Canalys senior analyst Jason Low said in early 2018, according to CNET.
Apple has since blown past legacy Swiss watch companies, like Swatch, TAG Heuer, and others, who are struggling to compete with the phone giant's hit fitness-oriented smartwatch. Apple shipped an estimated 31 million units in 2019, compared to the 21 million shipments that Swiss watch brands were collectively estimated to have made, research firm Strategy Analytics said in an early 2020 report.
Apple still 'in the early innings of the Watch'
Apple may be the world's leading smartwatch maker but Cook said in an April earnings call that "the number of new people that are new to the Watch is almost three out of four" and wearables remain "a long way from being a mature market."
The wearables market may be young, according to Cook, but it's crowded — Apple faces competition from the likes of Samsung, Fitbit, Fossil, Garmin, and many others. And soon, maybe Facebook.


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Id leadership corporate Okta introduced plans on Thursday to put off kind of 300 workers, sooner or later after FedEx, DraftKings, cloud knowledge corporate NetApp and automaker Rivian all introduced main rounds of layoffs—the newest U.S. firms to put in force process cuts as recession fears proceed into 2023.
submitting on Thursday, bringing up a duration of over-hiring over the last a number of years that didn’t account for the “macroeconomic fact we’re in these days.”Okta CEO Todd McKinnon unveiled plans to scale back the tech corporate’s group of workers through 5% (kind of 300 positions) in a Securities and Trade Fee
SEC submitting to put off 8% of its personnel (estimated to have an effect on 960 workers) through the top of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 “in mild of the macroeconomic demanding situations and diminished spending surroundings.”NetApp, a San Jose, California-based cloud knowledge corporate, introduced plans in an
Boston Globe reported.Boston-based on-line sports activities making a bet corporate DraftKings additionally mentioned it plans to chop 3.5% of its international group of workers, in a cost-cutting transfer anticipated to have an effect on roughly 140 workers, the
introduced it’s going to slash 10% of its officer and director workforce and “consolidate some groups and purposes”—4 months after the supply massive unveiled plans for a hiring freeze and that it will shut 90 place of job FedEx Place of business places—in a transfer CEO Raj Subramaniam mentioned was once essential to make the corporate a “extra environment friendly” and “agile group” (FedEx employs kind of 547,000 other folks, in step with PitchBook).FedEx
Reuters, simply over six months after the corporate laid off some other 5% of its kind of 14,000 workers (Rivian didn’t in an instant reply to an inquiry for extra main points from Forbes).Electrical automaker Rivian Car will reduce 6% of its personnel, CEO R.J. Scaringe mentioned in an electronic mail to workers noticed through
introduced it will reduce 7% of its international group of workers (2,000 full-time positions) amid a “aggressive panorama” and a “difficult macro-economic surroundings,” CEO Dan Schulman mentioned.In a commentary on Tuesday, on-line fee corporate PayPal
Related Press reported.Publishing massive HarperCollins introduced it will slash 5% of its personnel within the U.S. and Canada because the writer struggles with declining gross sales and “exceptional provide chain and inflationary pressures;” HarperCollins is estimated to have kind of 4,000 workers international, with greater than part of them operating within the U.S., the
submitting, as a part of a restructuring plan, with CEO Yamini Rangan telling personnel it follows a “downward pattern” after the corporate “bloomed” within the Covid-19 pandemic, with HubSpot going through a “quicker deceleration than we anticipated.”HubSpot, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based tool corporate, mentioned it will reduce 7% of its group of workers through the top of the primary quarter of 2023 in a Securities and Trade Fee
mentioned it will reduce 3,000 jobs international in 2023 and six,000 overall through 2025 after the Dutch electronics and clinical apparatus maker introduced $1.7 billion in losses for 2022, as CEO Roy Jakobs added the corporate will now center of attention on “strengthening our affected person protection and high quality leadership.”Philips
mentioned it will reduce 15% of its international group of workers this 12 months (affecting kind of 1,000 full-time workers), because the toymaker’s earnings fell 17% over the last 12 months “in opposition to the backdrop of a difficult vacation shopper surroundings,” CEO Chris Cocks mentioned in a commentary.Hasbro
introduced it will reduce 2,000 positions globally in a cost-reducing plan geared toward saving $1 billion, as CEO Jim Fitterling mentioned the corporate navigates “macro uncertainties and difficult power markets, in particular in Europe.”Michigan-based chemical corporate Dow
fourth quarter 2022 effects on Thursday, however didn’t specify the place the ones cuts could be made. The German undertaking tool company—whose U.S. headquarters are in Pennsylvania—mentioned the layoffs had been a part of an effort to chop prices and support center of attention on its core cloud computing industry.SAP, mentioned it’s going to lay off 3,000 staff—round 2.5% of its international group of workers—in its profits name pronouncing its
SEC submitting, mentioned it will scale back its head depend through 500 workers, globally, in its 2nd main spherical of cuts in fresh months, after the e-commerce corporate reduce some other 500 positions final August.Groupon, in an
submitting because it strikes to scale back prices and “center of attention on being a winning corporate,” 3 months after it introduced it will reduce some other 6% of its personnel.Vacasa, the Portland, Oregon-based holiday condo leadership corporate introduced it will slash 1,300 positions (17% of its personnel) in a SEC
monetary record, as chairman and CEO Mike Roman mentioned the corporate expects “macroeconomic demanding situations to persist in 2023.”3M, the maker of Submit-it Notes and Scotch tape, introduced it will reduce kind of 2,500 international production positions in a
CNBC and The Knowledge, with layoffs estimated to have an effect on 100 of its kind of 1,000 workers—its newest spherical of cuts after it slashed 7% of its personnel final July, and some other 10% final Might.Cryptocurrency alternate Gemini is making plans to chop 10% of its group of workers, in step with an inside memo noticed through
9,800 full-time staff it had as of a September 30 submitting) and stocks of the company rose greater than 5% in early buying and selling as traders proceed to in large part digest tech layoffs as certain information for backside strains, whereas the corporate’s leader content material officer Morning time Ostroff will go away the corporate as a part of the reorganization.Spotify will lay off 6% of its group of workers (kind of 600 workers, according to the
mentioned, bringing up the desire for “tricky possible choices” to be able to “absolutely seize” the large alternatives mendacity forward.Google father or mother Alphabet plans to chop round 12,000 jobs international, CEO Sundar Pichai
introduced it will reduce 10% of its international group of workers (1,750 workers), together with 1,200 company positions, in a transfer to “get rid of leadership layers and reorganize to be extra agile” amid diminished gross sales—the corporate’s newest spherical of process cuts following it’s choice to chop 870 workers final August.Boston-based furnishings e-commerce corporate Wayfair
Bloomberg—Capital One didn’t verify the choice of positions that might be reduce, despite the fact that a spokesperson instructed Forbes that affected workers had been instructed they may observe for different roles within the corporate.Capital One slashed 1,100 era positions, a supply aware of the subject instructed
introduced it’s going to let pass of 350 mates employed over previous subsequent six months, whereas some other 210 can be reduce for “efficiency causes,” telling Insider the cuts come as President Joe Biden’s scholar debt forgiveness program continues to stall after going through criminal demanding situations from conservative teams adverse to the measure.Pupil mortgage servicer Nelnet
cuts, which have an effect on 10,000 workers (not up to 5% of its group of workers), come 3 months after the Washington-based corporate performed some other spherical of layoffs affecting not up to 1% of its kind of 180,000 workers, with CEO Satya Nadella announcing in a message to workers that some staff can be notified beginning Wednesday, and the layoffs can be performed through the top of the 3rd fiscal quarter in September.Microsoft’s
message to personnel previous this month from CEO Andy Jassy, who mentioned the corporate is going through an “unsure economic system” after hiring “unexpectedly” over the last few years.Amazon, one of the most greatest firms within the nation, had defined a plan to get rid of greater than 18,000 positions (together with jobs that had been reduce in November) beginning January 18 in a
monetary record on Wednesday, because the New York-based telemedicine corporate makes an attempt to scale back its working prices amid a “challenged financial surroundings.”Teladoc Well being will reduce 6% of its personnel—no longer together with clinicians—as a part of a restructuring plan the corporate introduced in a
submitting, amid a “difficult financial surroundings,” because the San Francisco-based corporate makes an attempt to “align its operations to diminished market earnings” following seven rounds of Federal Reserve rate of interest hikes final 12 months and as considerations persist of a possible recession.LendingClub introduced it will lay off 225 workers (kind of 14% of its group of workers) in a SEC
introduced the corporate, which had greater than 2,500 workers as of October, in step with PitchBook, will reduce 20% of its personnel in a message to workers, as the corporate faces “ongoing financial headwinds and unforeseeable trade occasions—together with the cave in of Sam Bankman-Fried’s cryptocurrency alternate FTX overdue final 12 months, which “considerably broken consider within the trade.”Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek
CNBC, as the corporate struggles with an building up in the fee to “safe and distribute programming,” and after the corporate misplaced just about 3% of its subscribers (400,000) within the 3rd quarter of 2022, in step with the Leichtman Analysis Team.DirecTV’s cuts may have an effect on masses of workers, basically managers, who make up just about part of the corporate’s 10,000 workers, resources instructed
Bloomberg, CEO Larry Fink and President Rob Kapito mentioned the transfer comes amid “uncertainty round us” that necessitates staying “forward of adjustments available in the market.”BlackRock officers reportedly instructed workers the New York-based corporate plans to scale back its headcount through 2.5%—the corporate didn’t in an instant reply to a Forbes inquiry for additional main points, however in an inside memo received through
In a memo to workers, Flexport CEOs Dave Clark and Ryan Petersen introduced plans to slash 20% of the corporate’s international group of workers (estimated to have an effect on 662 of its greater than 3,300 workers, in step with knowledge from PitchBook), announcing the availability chain startup is “no longer immune” to a world the “macroeconomic downturn.”
weblog put up, announcing the corporate grew “unexpectedly” over the last a number of years, however faces a macro surroundings that has “modified dramatically in fresh quarters.”Synthetic intelligence startup Scale AI introduced plans to chop one 5th of its personnel, CEO Alexandr Wang introduced in a
Wall Boulevard Magazine, which spoke to unnamed resources—the corporate’s 2nd spherical of cuts since August, decreasing its personnel to 145.Crypto lender Genesis Buying and selling reportedly laid off 30% of its group of workers, in step with the
letter, amid a “difficult” financial local weather and as shoppers take a “extra measured solution to their buying choices.”San Francisco-based tool massive Salesforce will scale back its headcount through 10%, or 7,900 workers, CEO Marc Benioff introduced in an inside
introduced its 2nd spherical of cuts prior to now six months, which have an effect on 11% of its group of workers (kind of 150 of its 1,400 workers, in step with knowledge from PitchBook), with CEO Anjali Sud attributing the corporate’s choice to a “deterioration in financial stipulations.”On-line video platform Vimeo
Just about $70 billion. That’s how a lot marketplace capitalization Alphabet, Spotify and Wayfair tacked at the day they introduced their respective cuts, because the marketplace in large part cheered at the wide-scale headcount discounts.
Greater than 120 huge U.S. firms—together with tech startups, main banks, producers and on-line platforms—performed main rounds of layoffs final 12 months, slicing just about 125,000 workers, in step with Forbes’ layoff tracker. The most important got here from Fb and Instagram father or mother corporate Meta, which laid off kind of 11,000 workers in November. The corporate with probably the most rounds of cuts was once Peloton, which underwent 4 separate rounds of layoffs, together with one who affected greater than 2,800 staff.
In spite of the high-profile layoffs, the U.S. unemployment price is soaring close to a multi-decade low at 3.5%, in step with the newest govt knowledge, because the exertions marketplace stays tight.
How the newest sackings affect affected firms’ quarterly monetary experiences as profits statements warmth up. Microsoft experiences profits Tuesday, whereas Meta, Spotify, Alphabet and Amazon record subsequent week.
Supply Via https://www.forbes.com/websites/brianbushard/2023/02/01/2023-layoffs-rivian-automotive-cuts-6-while-fedex-slashes-10-of-management-jobs/


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Introducing the McWhopper. (Oh, nevermind.)
August 26, 2015
It seems more likely that cats and dogs would live together before McDonald’s joined forces with rival fast food chain Burger King.
Alas, it appears dog-cat cohabitation is not on the horizon, and neither is a McKing.
In an advertising stunt meant to raise awareness for Peace Day (Sept. 21), Burger King on Wednesday ran a series of print ads asking McDonald’s to join forces and create the McWhopper, a combination of the chains’ signature Whopper and Big Mac hamburgers.
The ads, which were placed in The New York Times and Chicago Tribune, read, “We come in peace. We know we’ve had our petty differences, but how about we call a cease-fire on these so-called ‘burger-wars’?”
Burger King proposed the two sides operate one restaurant together for one day, including staffs from both chains, selling the McWhopper hybrid and donating proceeds to the nonprofit group Peace Day One.
Unfortunately for those who were dreaming of the McWhopper, McDonald’s appears to have turned down the overture, but Burger King has got what it wanted.
The ads have generated a lot of publicity for Burger King, including stories on the websites of The New York Times, CNN and Time magazine.
McDonald’s said on Facebook that the idea was “Inspiration for a good cause,” but suggested they try a different idea.
“We love the intention but think our two brands could do something bigger to make a difference,” the post reads.
ABC and CBS tie for first on Friday night
Michelle Obama boosts NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’
Richard Beckman hops to a new media venture
Hacker hijinks: Station stuck with anti-Trump song
Trump inauguration draws 30.6 million viewers
CBS takes Thursday night with ‘Big Bang Theory’
Puzzling out Carlos Slim’s bold U.S. ambitions
New York leads the Ellie nominations, once again
CBS’s ‘Hunted’: Little hope of sustaining its big bow
Best of the week: On the origins of fake news
In this digital age, the allure of alternative OOH
Digital radio: A primer for media planners and buyers
Weekend TV: ‘Beaches’ for a new generation
- John Deschner becomes chief innovation officer at TBWA
- Tiffany Egan becomes Australia managing director at DWA
- Robert Langer becomes EVP and CFO at Disney|ABC Television
- Jim Fielding becomes president of consumer products at Fox
- Betty Chen and Tyler Massey join IM Global Television
- Nadine Santos rises to director of programming at Music Choice
- Jane Lynch joins the cast of Discovery Channel's 'Manifesto'
- Kristen Stewart hosting NBC's 'Saturday Night Live'
This week’s broadcast ratings
This week’s cable ratings
This week’s top-rated movies, songs and books
This month’s digital traffic data: November 2016
This week’s daypart ratings
Opening for a media planner at a top OOH agency
Orlando agency looking for a media planner/buyer
Freelance media planner/buyer available
Junior media planner/buyer position in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Media sales coordinator opening in New York


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The funeral of China giant’s company Huawei has come
Posted on August 21, 2019 Hoa Truong Posted in Published Articles
The giant telecommunication company owned by the People’s Liberation Army is Huawei returned to the communist paradise to reunite with its great leader Mao Tse Tung, Karl Marx, Lenin, Ho Chi Minh, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Fidel Castro, and the other evil comrades after the US commander in chief Donald Trump granted the Death Certificate 3 months ago.
The world and user knew Huawei is dead despite it still remains the body to somewhere else, actually, the homeland in China’s stores referred the death’s devices to its people. The domestic market couldn’t help Huawei makes the profit, therefore, Huawei became the telecommunication ghost, China communist and its owner is the People’s Liberation Army has tried to revive the dead body by any cunning tactics including hiring the left media to mislead the public. Unfortunately, Huawei is just a body without a soul, so the magician Xi Jinping surrenders to do something that he can not prove the potential leader of the Ape super gang, even he failed to make Huawei becomes a zombie. Moreover, the disgraced magician Xi Jinping faces the democratic movement in Hong Kong, actually, his actual zombie Carrie Lam is useless to impose the extradition bill, it causes Hong Kong’s unrest.
The world unmasked deposed magician Xi Jinping after his poor performance failed in the trade trap, debt trap, and the other cheating shows are one belt and one road, the piratical stations illegally built and militarized into the disputed waters ruined. The left media and the profit lover’s academics have tried to advertise the worst shows of magician Xi Jinping to the Western people, therefore, the world’s audience boycott when they discovered magician Xi Jinping and his deceived business is China communist appeared the real face of the Ape performers or circus performance with the monkey’s show.
Xi Jinping does nothing to revive Huawei and now, the burial time has come, China communist prepares to attend the funeral for their beloved child Huawei, the funeral function grieves the farewell of the child of technologic thieves and the thug of cyber. The honest people welcome the death of the thief but its owner loses the profit and the base of cyber spy that is well-known unit 61389. Certainly, China and its tool are Huawei always denied the cyber spy, therefore, at court, a criminal has never pleaded guilty until the judge and jury found guilty. Huawei has carried out the cyber spy from many decades, Huawei threatens the counterpart’s security, so the nation invited Huawei operates to spend money on fighting cyber spy. Annually, the Australian government must spend a hundred million dollars on national security. Huawei spread the cyber spy worldwide from Asia, Europe, America, Australia, and Africa being spied in the politics, actually, Huawei helped the pro-Beijing leaders spying the opponents.
After the deadline 90 days waiting for the miracle and the capacity of magician Xi Jinping who can deal. China’s telecommunication’s companies would only be permitted to buy the America parts before the ban, so any new products purchase must have permission from the US government. After the time expired, the US extends some parts to November, therefore, the global user doubt Huawei because of the uncertain future, it totally belongs to the US’s government, actually, the technology and the telecommunication providers as Google, Facebook and the others.
Eventually, the funeral of Huawei sets on August 19, 2019, with more than 70 affiliates deceased with Huawei including the other giant telecommunication ZTE owned by China government. However, the US government gives more time to bury to November 2019, but Huawei couldn’t revive. In the telecommunication’s history, it is the big funeral of China communist and its hand is the People’s Liberation Army. While the funeral is preparing, Miss Meng Wanzhou can not attend because she is detaining in Canada and waiting for extradition to the US.
The death of Huawei means the cyber spy network crippled and China loses a huge profit. Huawei’s body has been rotten while the major technologic companies in Western cut the chip supply. Huawei is the telecommunication’s ghost although the People’s Liberation Army launches the propaganda about the high technology and trying to cheat the customer, Huawei periled when its Smartphone P9, P10 has no internet access even connected to WI-FI, it is deep trouble, so the users are no longer trust Huawei.
The funeral of Huawei proved the failure of global hegemony and the cyber spy. The hoped fades after the time expired and the supporters are such as Senator Penny Wong who leads the Australian Labor Party vowed to permit Huawei operates 5G in Australia if Labor wins the federal election on May 18, 2019. Unfortunately, Labor lost the most hopeful election, so Huawei can not enter the Down Under.
The death certificate of President Donald Trump granted to Huawei that eliminated the giant telecommunication company owned by the den of thieves, the hub of counterfeit and the center of a cheat. The death of Huawei marked the end of China’s dream plus the profit lost and cyber spy declined./.


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It’s Paris style week and the streets of the town are full of celebrities, designers, fashions and journalists. Among the many crowds, eagle-eyed consultants are taking cautious notes. These are the style trade’s development forecasters. Their job is to get a way of the colors, cuts, materials and patterns within the designers’ new collections, within the hope of detecting rising tendencies.
Their notes will shortly be added to curated “development forecasts”, which will likely be bought to designers and excessive road retailers, who will use them to encourage new items and resolve what to inventory subsequent season – consider the “blue sweater” speech in The Satan Wears Prada, the place Meryl Streep’s character…
Learn Full Article Right here Supply hyperlink
The contents throughout the article have been provided through Newswire for Finencial.com, go to


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Mon, 19/07/2010 - 12:47
John Blake Publishing has bought a book that will examine "the full story behind Raoul Moat’s 10 days on the run".
Blake acquired world rights to Raoul Moat: His Short Life and Bloody Death directly from author Vanessa Howard for an undisclosed sum.
Blake said the book "traces his final steps in...
Mon, 19/07/2010 - 11:40
The winners of the inaugural Brit Writers' Award were revealed last week, with nine unpublished authors picking up £10,000 in categories that covered poetry, songwriting, short stories, novels, non-fiction and children's stories.
The Brit Writers’ Awards were set up last year to "throw the doors wide open on the...
Mon, 19/07/2010 - 09:25
Random House chief executive Dame Gail Rebuck and Pearson chief executive Marjorie Scardino have both risen in the ranks of MediaGuardian's top 100 media moguls.
Rebuck, who is the highest placed representative from a book publisher, has increased her ranking from last year, when she was placed at number 55. Scardino, who heads up...
Mon, 19/07/2010 - 09:22
Booksellers are placing their hopes on a stronger non-fiction for this year's Christmas period, the Daily Telegraph reports.
According to the paper, retailers are pinning their hopes on...
Mon, 19/07/2010 - 08:57
Granta has brought forward publication of the B-format paperback edition of Nothing to Envy to this month, after it won the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize.
The non-fiction work, subtitled Real Lives in North Korea, had originally been scheduled for paperback publication in January 2011, but was brought out this weekend. The...
Mon, 19/07/2010 - 07:40
Kogan Page has launched its first iPhone app for the bestselling Creating Success series.
The app, which is available free through the App Store, contains excerpts from nine of the titles in the series, accounting for roughly 1200 words each, including action tips, quotes and a selection of ideas to create success. The ...
Mon, 19/07/2010 - 07:30
The chairman of the London Library has stressed the proposed increase to members' fees is just one of four options being pursued in a bid to make up for the withdrawal of Gift Aid relief on subscriptions. The library has estimated this move will cost the service between £275,000-£300,000 a year, or 10% of its current income....
Sun, 18/07/2010 - 08:53
Literary scout Louise Allen-Jones is branching into the world of children's books, with the launch of a children’s scouting division.
Nicolette Jones, literary and arts journalist and author of The Plimsoll Sensation has joined Allen-Jones as children’s scout, and will work alongside Naomi Tongue. Jones will...
Fri, 16/07/2010 - 11:21
Hodder & Stoughton has bought a "hotly pursued crossover novel", tentatively entitled, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
Encouraged by "extraordinary levels of excitement" from within Hodder, Kate Howard, senior editor, flew out to Los Angeles to meet agent Jane Putch, president of Eyebait...
Fri, 16/07/2010 - 08:55
John Blake Publishing has made another acquisition for this autumn’s schedule, buying a collection of advice columns written by Graham Norton for his fortnightly slot in the Daily Telegraph.
Editor Michelle Signore bought world rights to Ask Graham via Norton’s agent Dylan Hearn. Ask Graham will...


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HAWICK Cashmere Company today became the first firm in the UK to secure a long-term licensing agreement to use the St Moritz brand name.
St Moritz, in Switzerland, was the first resort in the world to legally protect the use of its name and has selectively licensed its brand to luxury goods companies in the private sector.
The new knitwear collection will be sold in all nine of Hawick Cashmere’s stores in Europe and in over 100 retail outlets throughout Europe, the United States and the Far East.
Dr Hanspeter Danuser, managing director of the St Moritz Tourist Board, was set to formally sign the agreement with Hawick Cashmere managing director Jim Thomson at the official launch of the collection at the company’s newest store in St Moritz today.
Mr Thomson said: "Securing this licensing deal confirms our position internationally as a luxury brand leader in Scottish cashmere. The St Moritz name stands for style, quality, tradition and luxury and these are brand values very much in keeping with our company’s image."


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Showing 1 - 15 Articles out of 388
The Company has set up a R & D and product design centre in Delhi which is responsible for product designing and testing before it hits the market
In India, 68% of online shoppers are purchasing from a marketplace, as opposed to a shopping with an online brand.
Organised retail penetration expected to reach 10% 2020 against current 7%
According to the research, the biggest challenge that stands in the way of this adoption is disjointed technology & systems within retail enterprises.
From following a fitness model on whatsapp and a meal chart on app to calorie count on a smart watch, millennials do everything to ensure that they are fit.
Obtaining varied styles from different designers to cater to a fashion forward consumer base is one of the difficult parts of this industry. Staying up to date with the fashion world, understanding the current demand and predicting the future trends only
Many eyewear start-ups such as cleardekho, glassic, coolwinks amongst others are changing the eyewear industry forever.
Batra says that any traditional meal may have high proteins or vitamins, but not necessarily a balanced proportion as an adult would need, which Happy Ratio tries to fill the gap.
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the Indian retail industry clearly depicts an overwhelming growth of 10% every year. If every piece falls in the right place then India will surpass the capabilities of China by the end of 2025.
In the past, speaking to the media, Xiaomi India Head Manu Jain had said the firm would consider manufacturing TV locally but that would completely depend on the volume of order. "We intend to manufacture more products other than smart phones in India."


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SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – A Murrells Inlet man has filed a lawsuit against a Surfside Beach vape shop after alleging that a battery he purchased from the store exploded and severely burned his leg.
The suit, filed this week by plaintiff Neil Messer, claims that JP Ventures LLC, or IVape, was “negligent, reckless, willful,” in failing to warn him about the dangers of the lithium battery, failing to replace a defective product, and selling batteries that are known to cause fires.
Messer said he bought an IVape machine with a battery manufactured by Ampking from the Surfside Beach store on Sept. 3, 2018.
According to the plaintiff, he was carrying the battery loose in his pocket when it exploded and severely burned his leg on Oct. 28.
Messer states in the lawsuit that he had to have skin grafts and continues to need plastic surgery and physical therapy, while also dealing with continued pain and suffering.
The plaintiff is asking for unspecified damages, as well as attorney’s fees and costs.
WMBF News has reached out to JP Ventures seeking comment.


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Houston based developers Rockspring Capital have purchased the 23 acre commercial strip that fronts the Bella Colinas development on Highway 71 between Hamilton Pool Road and the LTISD Transportation Center.
Slated for a development to include banks, restaurants and other businesses, the City of Bee cave confirms it has received no planning or use application to date.
Facing the Covert and Nitro developments with their attendant traffic issues, this strip has the potential advantage of connecting to the Vail Divide light.
The buyer's release is here:
HOUSTON, January 27, 2014 – Rockspring Capital, a privately-owned real estate investment firm based in Houston, today announced the acquisition of a 22.52-acre retail site in Austin, Texas.
The property, which was acquired at an attractive price, is located on the heavily-traveled Route 71 in the Bee Cave’s area, just 2 miles west of the Hill Country Galleria. The firm plans to invest approximately $1.4 million to enhance the property’s value further.
“Austin’s booming economy and population growth is driving tremendous retail demand in this flourishing submarket,” said Jim McAlister, President and CEO of Rockspring Capital. “We were receiving a lot of interest from retailers even before the deal closed.”
Bee Caves plans to add more than 6,400 new homes, which will only increase the demand for the retail site. This property will serve future residents with several restaurants and banks, along with other service providers.
“We were aware of this opportunity before others and able to jump on it quickly because of our local real estate experts and all-cash model,” McAlister said. “We’re looking forward to selling off these pad sites soon which will quickly reward our investors.”


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Consumers are hungry for a plant-based diet
Consumer research from Innova shows that there is no single profile or definition of a customer of plant-based food. Instead of being a singular mass of people, perhaps envisioned as a puritanical and outspoken force of vegetarianism, the reality is that lots of different people are interested in plant-based foods. The evolving demands of consumers is leading to changes in the ways plant-based foods are developed and offered.
Whether they are consumers on a health food kick, fighters for the environment or just folks who are eager to embrace an ethical and sustainable diet, a large range of people are now turning to plant-based foods. In fact, 60% of people globally eat a meat-free meal at least once a week.
Product development is making advances in the plant-based category but not purely in the form of meat and dairy alternatives — sauces, dressings, spreads, prepared meals and snacks are also being developed with plant-based ingredients. While these products do not necessarily serve to replace any particular meat-based items, they still benefit from the advantages offered by plant-based food such as being more sustainable or healthy.
Innova’s research also shows that a hunger for product diversity is driving a change in ingredients. For instance, sustainable and high-protein crops such as legumes and marine plants are increasingly interesting to consumers. Moreover, fermentation technology is allowing for protein production to be found in new sources such as yeast and wood. One company, Air Protein, even says that it can use molecules found in the air, along with water, minerals and proprietary scientific principles, to produce high-protein flour.
Finally, cultured meat, grown from animal cells, can be of interest to ethically and environmentally attuned consumers but those who are purely health conscious may be less enticed by this source of protein. Hence plant-based consumers will continue to hold a strong presence in the market even as other technologically advanced trends emerge.
Plant-based foods will likely continue to grow and expand into new categories and regions as consumers are introduced to more and more options to catch their fancies. Manufacturers and suppliers paying attention to consumer trends and tracking the interests of plant-based consumers will be well equipped to offer foods that are appealing to a growing range of customers.
Genuine wasabi, brilliantly coloured apples and AI-designed milk are some of the products that...
From native-plant beer to a plant-based milk developed with the help of artificial intelligence...
From old favourites to vegan options, a range of new products is up for grabs this Easter.