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Online games have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with millions of people playing them every day. They offer a unique form of entertainment that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from all over the world. From casual games to massive multiplayer online games (MMOs), there is a game for everyone. This article explores the rise of online games, their impact on society, and why they are here to stay Newsmartzone.
The Rise of Online Games
Online games have been around for over 30 years, but it wasn’t until the late 1990s that they became mainstream. The release of games like Ultima Online and Everquest paved the way for a new era of gaming. These games allowed players to connect with each other in a virtual world and work together to complete quests and defeat enemies newspaperworlds.
Since then, online gaming has continued to evolve, with the introduction of social games like Farmville and Candy Crush. These games allowed players to compete with their friends and family, and share their progress on social media. Today, online games are more popular than ever, with games like Fortnite and Call of Duty breaking records for the number of players they attract timesofnewspaper.
The Impact of Online Games
Online games have had a significant impact on society, both positive and negative. On the positive side, they have brought people together from all over the world. Online games have created communities of players who share a common interest and can connect with each other, regardless of their location or background newspaperworlds.
Online games have also been used for educational purposes. Games like Minecraft and Kerbal Space Program have been used in schools to teach children about science, engineering, and other subjects. They offer a fun and engaging way to learn, and can help children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills Newsmartzone.
However, online games have also been criticized for their negative impact on society. Some people argue that they are addictive and can lead to social isolation and mental health problems. There have also been concerns about the violent content of some games, and the impact this can have on children.
Why Online Games Are Here to Stay
Despite the criticisms, online games are here to stay. They offer a unique form of entertainment that cannot be replicated by any other medium. Online games are constantly evolving, with new games and updates being released all the time. This means that there is always something new and exciting for players to explore.
Online games have also become an important part of the entertainment industry. They generate billions of dollars in revenue every year, and have created thousands of jobs. The gaming industry is now a major player in the global economy, and is set to continue growing in the coming years.
Online games have come a long way since their early days, and have become an important part of our culture. They offer a unique form of entertainment that can bring people together from all over the world. While they have been criticized for their negative impact on society, they have also been praised for their educational and social benefits. Online games are here to stay, and will continue to evolve and innovate in the coming years.


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If you were at all connected to the popular media in the early part of this decade, you may recall seeing regular advertisements about the computerized brain training product Lumosity. The claims made in those ads boiled the blood of many clinical researchers and neuroscientists who were engaged in painstakingly testing the efficacy of various strategies to improve cognition, and caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission, which concluded that Lumosity’s claims were false and imposed a $50 million judgment against them, although that amount was suspended once they paid $2 million to the commission (1). “Lumosity preyed on consumers’ fears about age-related cognitive decline, suggesting their games could stave off memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But Lumosity simply did not have the science to back up its ads” (1).
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A U.S. government agency will start its third attempt to develop voluntary privacy standards for an emerging area of technology, this time with a series of meetings on drone privacy scheduled to begin Aug. 3.
Nine privacy groups plan to withdraw from U.S. government-hosted negotiations to develop voluntary facial-recognition privacy standards because the groups feel the process won't lead to adequate privacy protections.
The six-week-old YouTube Kids service is a "hyper-commercialized" environment that intermixes advertising and other programming in a way that deceives its target audience, a coalition of privacy and children's advocacy groups said in a complaint to t...
U.S. businesses that collect personal data would be required to describe their privacy and security practices and give consumers control over their personal information under a proposed privacy bill of rights released Friday by President Barack Obama...
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission should launch an investigation into the growing consolidation of big data analytics firms and digital marketing companies, a coalition of four privacy groups said Friday.
Thirty U.S. data brokers and data management firms, including Adobe Systems, AOL and Salesforce.com, are violating privacy promises they've made regarding their handling of the personal information of EU residents, a privacy group said in a complaint...
A facial recognition trade group's proposals for privacy standards are an "extreme" departure from U.S. expectations on how personal data should be handled, a privacy advocate said Tuesday.
Data brokers should give consumers more control over their personal information, and Congress should consider legislation that reins in the ways data brokers can use that information, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is recommending.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission should investigate Facebook's proposed US$19 billion acquisition of mobile messaging app WhatsApp -- and possibly block it -- because of the potential impact on users' privacy, two privacy groups said in a complaint ...
A coalition of consumer and privacy groups will ask a U.S. court to reject a settlement that allows Facebook to use minors' pictures in advertisements on the site without their parents' consent.
Apple will pay at least US$32.5 million to customers in a settlement over a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that the company allowed children to run up huge in-app purchases on the company's devices.
Google will feature users in advertisements that run on its suite of websites when those users recommend products or stores.
Six privacy groups have asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to strike down proposed changes to Facebook's policies, as they violate a 2011 settlement with the agency over user privacy.
Lobbyists derailed an effort by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration to create mobile privacy standards, a privacy group charged on Thursday, while some participants in the process conceded it lacked focus.
A proposed code of conduct for mobile app developers intended to make them explain how user data is collected and used does not have a clear enforcement mechanism, one privacy advocate said.
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ITN has signed up Midlands News Association as the first regional publisher to use its online premium video news network.
The owner of the Shropshire Star and the Express and Star newspapers will imbed a specialist player into its websites enabling them to carry video news content from ITN On – the TV news firm’s multimedia division.
The news clips supplied by ITN will be funded through advertising provided by sales teams working for its partner Blinx, the video search engine business. The three companies will then share profits.
John Hardie, chief executive of ITN, said: “I’m delighted to announce this new deal. It shows in practice how a national TV news provider can work with regional and local news suppliers allowing them to enhance their online output.”


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The Swedish engineers at Haldex can finally add an Asian automaker to the ever-expanding list of companies using the firm's all-wheel-drive systems. Haldex currently supplies systems to the entire Volkswagen consortium (from Audi to Bugatti), as well as Land Rover and Volvo. Additionally, the Haldex XWD system that's finding its way into Saabs will likely spread across much of the GM range in the future. That same AWD setup is the basis for a system that will be employed on some Hyundai models in the coming years.
Haldex announced the partnership late last week when it received a prototype order from Hyundai, which includes the development and installation of the fourth generation "Limited Slip Coupling" and electronic LSD. The XWD system has the ability to sense a loss of traction and then distribute power to either the front or rear axle and on to an individual wheel.
There's no word on what vehicle will be used as a drivetrain guinea pig during testing, but the smart money is on some form of SUV or large sedan.


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With England starting a four week embargo and instructing people in Wales not to vacation outside of the country, many potential travelers have something to look forward to.
The travel industry, devastated by the coronavirus pandemic and government restrictions, is desperate to make bookings on a reasonable scale. Businesses hope to harness the appetite of frustrated vacationers to travel.
Accordingly, numerous flights, package tours and cruises can now be booked for 2021 and even 2022.
What are the current travel rules?
People living in England cannot start their vacation before December 3, 2020. Wales is currently on a “fire lockdown” which will wane on November 9th. From then on, international travel is still prohibited for Welsh residents.
Travelers from Scotland can travel abroad, including from airports in England.
By November 13th, the people of Northern Ireland should “avoid all unnecessary travel”.
The Foreign Office has issued a warning against non-essential travel to most destinations and anyone returning to the UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
In the meantime, there are a number of restrictions on international visitors abroad, from pre-departure testing requirements to total prohibitions.
There remains a lot of uncertainty as to whether a lot of meaningful travel will be practical in the final weeks of 2020.
The travel industry hopes to convince customers that they can safely embark on vacation for the next year and beyond. Be warned, however, that the range is narrower and prices are likely to be higher than in previous years.
A New Year’s city break?
British Airways is offering three night stays in Barcelona with dozens of hotels to choose from at a fixed price of £ 159 per person for the weekend of January 8-11, including flights to and from London Heathrow (with checked baggage) and, at some hotels, breakfast.
From Manchester, easyJetidays is offering three nights in Paris from January 22nd to 25th for £ 188 per person – including checked baggage but excluding breakfast.
But can I travel?
Not if the current rules apply. Both Spain and France, the two most popular international destinations for British vacationers, are currently on lockdown. The Foreign Office warns that they represent an “unacceptably high risk”.
If you book now and are unable to travel due to government restrictions, you can cancel without penalty with these and other companies that offer proper package tours – flights and accommodations purchased at the same time.
Note that some online travel agents, including On The Beach and Love Holidays, which offer scheduled low cost flights with accommodation, have declined refunds for the fare portion of the offer. It has yet to be decided whether this is legal.
What are the new blocking rules?
The transport secretary Grant Shapps told the virtual meeting of the Abta Travel Association: “We are looking for agreements that maintain connectivity.”
However, there is currently no legal framework for flights scheduled to continue next year.
Can i go skiing?
The leading winter sports companies believe you can. Neilson spent a week at the 24-room Chalet Hotel Edelweiss in the Italian resort of Sauze d’Oulx for £ 755 per person, including flights from Manchester to Turin, transfers, breakfast and afternoon tea daily and six dinners with wine. The next lift is only 50 m away.
Although in Italy the ski slopes are currently closed due to local restrictions.
If the trip goes on, you can switch your vacation to an alternative winter vacation free of charge up to two weeks before you travel.
Many people believe that limitations will wear off over time. Since Easter Sunday 2021 is relatively early (April 4th), it offers opportunities for skiing. The same Neilson holiday only costs £ 635 if you depart on March 28 and return on Easter Sunday.
We need a family vacation in February with some sunshine
A package tour to the Canary Islands is usually the obvious choice. In late October, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and their sister islands were opened to British tourists, but English and Welsh vacationers are currently unable to travel there.
In addition, the Canarian Government is introducing mandatory pre-departure PCR tests for arriving visitors planning to stay in registered accommodations (including all holiday hotels).
For many schools, the bank holiday is February 13-21, 2021. Tui has a week in Fuerteventura departing from Birmingham on February 13 for £ 569 per person based on a family of four at the self-catering hotel Broncemar Beach.
What about the summer?
According to Tui, the UK’s largest holiday company, prices for summer 2021 are higher than last year. The reason: Demand from vacationers who couldn’t travel in 2020 and postponed their trips instead of canceling a refund.
However, there are some competitive deals out there for those willing to commit. Jet2 Holidays has a week on the Be Smart Terrace in the village of Porches in the Portuguese Algarve for £ 469 per person based on a family of four, including flights from Leeds Bradford, checked baggage and transfers.
Is Florida an Option?
President Trump’s March 14 proclamation banned Florida and the rest of the US, but that is likely to change by next summer.
A half-time break from Heathrow to Orlando on May 22, 2021 with Virgin Holidays costs just £ 501 per person based on a family of four, including flights with luggage and accommodation at Champions World Resort in Kissimmee – convenient for most theme parks.
Can i take a cruise?
Logistically, the complexities of the cruise industry, involving crew members and customers from around the world, and trips that typically stop at many destinations have made them particularly vulnerable to the tangle of restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
It also has an image problem. Diamond Princess became a standalone coronavirus hotspot while quarantined in Japan while several countries – including the UK – are warning their citizens not to board cruise ships.
Cruise lines may insist on “official trips only” which may put some people off.
But the die-hard cruise lines have some great deals. P&O offers a week-long flight cruise on Azura that begins with flights from London to Malta and flies to Athens and the Greek islands of Crete, Santorini and Rhodes for £ 949 per person.
Should I wait until the last minute?
Many travelers will do just that to reduce the margin for unexpected events and thwart plans.
You will surely reduce the risk. You could also get a deal, but conversely, you might find that prices drop sharply as availability decreases.
What type of insurance should I take out – and when?
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will no longer be valid from January 1, 2021, so British travelers to the European Union will no longer receive free medical treatment.
My passport expires in 2021 – when should I renew it?
Now might be a good time; The collapse of tourism means online renewals are fast right now. From January 1, 2021, strict new rules will apply to the validity of passports for British travelers to the EU.
Should I seriously book now for 2022?
Some people do, with the UK’s largest vacation company, Tui, having trips for sale through October 2022.
Cruise ships also want to bring customers on board. Royal Caribbean is offering a week-long Western Caribbean cruise from New Orleans on April 30, 2022 for £ 503 per person – but does not include flights.
To build confidence, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your sailing date, you will receive “Future Cruise Credit” that is valid for up to one year from the original sail.


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It’s been a massive year for Audi, and one that promises to get even bigger at the 2007 Sydney motor show. The hard-charging German brand will show off its R8 supercar, the all-new S5 coupe and the best seller in its line-up, the new A4.
|Audi launches Prius-rivalling A3
Audi Australia has launched its most fuel efficient vehicle yet, and there are more 'e' models to come, writes JEZ SPINKS. more
|We will overtake BMW, says Audi
Audi Australia says it believes it can become the German car maker's first subsidiary to beat BMW in the luxury-car market. JEZ SPINKS reports. more
Welcome to the club: Audi R8 first drive


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As we previously presented, BMW prepared a special M4 Coupe for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. After few days of waiting, we get the opportunity today to see photos and details on the specila model. The BMW Individual M4 Coupe sports a Tanzanite Blue metallic finish, revised front splitter, rear diffuser and spoiler made of [...]
BMW is on a constant development with different series to be put on tests and then on a public display with the occasion of different worldwide auto shows or events. This might also be the case of the rumored BMW M4 Convertible that has been caught in some tests twice, as the vehicle might hit [...]
The British department of BMW Group announced that the all-new BMW M5 F10 will be fully revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an event which takes place in the UK between 1 and 3 July 2011. BMW UK released plenty details about what will happen at the event which starts early July, models such [...]
Following immense speculation, hundreds of renderings and millions of opinions on what Alpina’s B5 Bi Turbo will look like we finally have something to clear things up. The image you see above is an official teaser of the specialist BMW tuner’s future creation that will be based on the new F10 BMW 5 Series.


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Giving Tuesday is a movement to celebrate giving of all kinds. It is observed on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday; this year it falls on Nov. 28.
Just as Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season, Giving Tuesday is the opening day of the giving season.
Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity now in its fifth year in Canada, continues to gain traction across the country, with thousands of partner organizations and millions of Canadians expected to take part.
Since 2013, Giving Tuesday has united millions of Canadians to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
The impact of Giving Tuesday goes well beyond charitable donations, inspiring giving in all its forms. From coast to coast to coast, people are embracing this day as an opportunity to raise money for local charities and non-profits, run food and clothing drives, give blood, encourage kindness, help a neighbour and celebrate generosity.
So far, more than 6,000 Canadian charities, businesses and community groups have used Giving Tuesday to rally generosity and help make the world a better place in countless ways. The movement was launched in Canada in 2013 by GIV3 and CanadaHelps.org, and founded in the U.S. in 2012 by 92nd Street Y in partnership with the UN Foundation. Around the globe people are participating in Giving Tuesday activities in 98 countries including Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Slovenia, Tanzania, the UK and more.
“There are many worthy causes in our community,” said Joanne Wiens, executive director of Volunteer Comox Valley. “Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to donate to a charity you feel passionate about. Every dollar you give has an impact on someone’s life.”
To learn more about Giving Tuesday visit GivingTuesday.ca.


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I have no idea what the story title means (just thought it was catchy), but one game I’m excited to play is the Coffee Crisis, a beat ‘em up brawler with an interesting premise.
I woke up this morning to one of the most amusing press releases I’ve seen in years. Hipster Attack is just around around the corner, and I’m loving the game’s original approach to the well worn Tower Defense genre.
One has to give props to a game that, in its press release, directly says it was “inspired by the beloved Mega Man series.” Bottom line is transparency is a good thing, and hopefully that homage leads to a deep adventure with the “roguelike action platformer” 20XX which hits XBox One July 11. Details on the title, which is now out on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC, is below!
Great news for gaming and especially diehard RPG fans as Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition will feature bonus content and also be available for the Nintendo Switch!
It’s been nearly five years since I played the first rate Steampunk Tower on iOS, and the great news is Steampunk Tower 2 is hitting that platform, Android, and PC come April (exact date TBD).
Chasing Carrots released their arcade style game Pressure on PC over four years ago, and now the Stuttgart based studio has come back with its higher octane and overhauled sequel Pressure Overdrive. Details on the driving/shoot’em up title is below!


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Chris Johnson, D.R. Barton, Jr., and Shah Gilani – think stocks are likely to experience more pain to come. And why gold (and.
Ukraine To Regulate Bitcoin Exchanges Under Proposed Law 13 Apr 2020. The company has agreed to assist Ukraine in putting together new. A joint working group will be set up on future crypto regulation and the. "The legalization of cryptocurrencies and corresponding adoption of progressive laws on this.
[2018 Data] 200000+ people have saved $6.1M on Amazon with Purse, a 20% average discount! Spend Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash. Save $$$ on Amazon.
A conversation about the latest market-moving news, including a surge in oil prices and the latest unemployment data.
Google has developed a tool that it says can protect people from online scams, which have dramatically risen now that so much.
At the first family Zoom meeting in late March, my wife said, “Wow, these guys must be making a killing – time to buy some.
Moon is a browser extension that offers an alternative payment method when shopping online. Pay with Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ether or Bitcoin Cash. Install. After.
Marcus Hutchins put a stop to the worst cyberattack the world had ever seen. Then he was arrested by the FBI. This is his.
However, the world's largest retailer has remained quiet about the possibility of direct cryptocurrency payments. Even though it does not accept bitcoin, Amazon .
The process of price increases bringing on more price increases is something inherent to investment bubbles, and like many.
21 Oct 2019.
Meet Moon, a three-person startup that lets you pay for stuff on Amazon using bitcoin via the Lightning Network, bitcoin, Litecoin or Ether.


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When the Galaxy S8 launches in 2017, Samsung will get praise for pushing boundaries and utilizing high-end specifications. There’s just one thing on paper that might not stand out but will make a huge difference to future owners of the phone. It has nothing to do with the display, processor, or battery. Not even the rear camera is involved.
One of the biggest changes for the Galaxy S8 could be in the front-facing camera.
According to Android Police, sources close to Cyanogen, Inc. are saying that the company will close its Seattle office before the year is out.
Join us after the break for details.
One of the most popular desires for smartphones these days, aside from longer lasting batteries, is a device with as little bezel as possible. Despite some usability benefits from having a bezel, a smartphone where the display covers all or most of the front gives off a very sleek and futuristic appearance, as well as allow for larger screens with a smaller physical size. If these new concept images for a nearly bezel-free Nubia phone prove to be true, then these wishes may soon be granted.
Join us after the break for more.
There wasn’t a whole lot wrong with the OnePlus 3, and our very own Jared Peters went as far as to say that the “Third time’s the charm” in his review. That didn’t deter OnePlus from retiring the OP3 from service, though, and replacing it with a slightly updated version called the OnePlus 3T that went on sale in the US on November 22, and has just been released in Europe. What better way is there to celebrate the European release of the OnePlus 3T than an unboxing video while on a MIG 15 fighter jet undergoing high-G maneuvers? Join us after the break for the embedded video. Read more
With big smartphone players like Samsung and LG dropping the ball on some high profile products this past year, the door seems to be opened for other players to jump in and establish a strong foothold in the smartphone market. One of those companies may have been Xiaomi, which received a lot of press in 2014 when it was valued at $46 billion during a round of fund-raising. However, Hugo Barra revealed in a new interview that the company is not making any profit on smartphone sales and is actually focused on other connected devices and their software services and ecosystem to help make the company profitable. Read more
Need to treat yourself to Google’s hardware? The Google Store is hosting a Black Friday 2016 sale on select devices.
The Gear S3 just arrived, and retailers nationwide are selling out of Samsung’s flagship smartwatch faster than expected. This is during Black Friday 2016, which is a given as the Gear S3 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier have 14% off discounts for a limited time.
With the advent of Google’s new Pixel range of smartphones in 2016, the Nexus line has been discontinued. The Nexus 5X was one of the last models in the line-up and it seems that the LG-manufactured handset has some boot loop issues, which is reminiscent of the LG G4. With the Nexus 5X no longer being produced, spare parts are either scarce or non-existent, resulting in LG taking the bold step of offering full refunds as opposed to repairing the affected phone or replacing it with a refurbished or even new handset. Read more
HTC in a tweet yesterday announced that Android 7.0 Nougat will be rolling out to the Unlocked HTC 10 starting today, November 25.


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‘Tis the season for crazy rumours, m’friends. Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) has barely touched down, but don’t let that rule out an even newer new version of Google's ubiquitous OS.
We’re hearing that Mountain View is testing Android 4.2 – and has been for a couple of months.
That’s the story according to Android Authority, thanks to – somewhat ironically – Google Analytics, in combination with data pulled from its own server logs.
The site appears to have had 48 visits from devices running Android 4.2, starting mid-August and spiking as we move into October.
Interestingly, AA is in a position to shed light on the individual Android 4.2 devices. We have the Google Nexus 7, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S.
The big surprise, however, is the entry-level Samsung Galaxy Y. Is it officially being upgraded to Jelly Bean? I guess so.
There’s also the mysterious Occam and Manta, thought to be a Motorola Razr smartphone (dare we say Nexus Razr?) and Motorola tablet respectively.


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Best of the Business Journal: New talk of 1,000-room Minneapolis hotel + U.S. Bank pushes 'on-site' growth
A few weeks ago the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported that Hennepin County is revisiting plans to build a 1,000-room hotel across the street from the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Supporters say the hotel, which would be the biggest in the Twin Cities, would attract larger conventions that the city can't compete for currently.
Local officials last considered the project five years ago — and then the recession hit. Is now the time to build it? It might be, but a non-scientific poll of Business Journal readers showed that they don't want taxpayers to foot the bill.
That story, along with several others, were published only for subscribers. They now are available to everyone.
Another one of the stories is a report about how U.S. Bank is expanding by adding branches at corporate offices, schools, hospitals and airports across the country.
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One of China’s leading finance publications has just released a far-reaching report on the state of the country’s fintech sector.
The “2018 China Fintech Development Map” (2018中国金融科技发展地图) released by 21st Century Business Herald seeks to provide a comprehensive portrait of the Chinese fintech space, examining 120 of the country’s leading fintech companies and conducting interviews with a slew of leading bankers and executives.
According to the report Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou have emerged as China’s leading hubs for the fintech sector.
Beijing is host to 37 of the country’s top fintech firms, with a significant number of internet giants, big data and risk control service companies.
Shanghai comes in second place with 33 fintech firms, with a focus on the banking sector and online wealth management companies.
In third place with 23 leading fintech companies is Shenzhen, while Hangzhou is host to 11, including P2P lending platforms and wealth management platforms.
The report points to Guangzhou, Nanjing and Chongqing as hosting rapidly emerging fintech companies.
According to the report a total of 484 fintech companies in China sought equity financing in 2017, for a year-on-year decline of 247 companies, raising a total of 35 billion yuan, for a YoY fall of 38.2 billion yuan.
With regard to offshore listing, in 2017 four of China’s top fintech companies were listed on the New York Stock Exchange, two on NASDAQ, and one in Hong Kong.
The report highlights six major trends for China’s fintech sector going ahead:
i) Trend towards mobile devices.
“Major multi-national financial institutions, as well as smaller municipal commercial banks and rural banks in China’s second and third-tier cities have all made mobile strategies part of their key strategic goals for the next three to five years.
“Mobile phones have become the number one channel – China has 800 million smartphone users, who on average look at their mobil advices 150 times each day.
“China’s per capital mobile payments rate is 70 times that of the US, with the era fast approaching when the mobile phone is a bank and an insurance company.”
ii) Banks focus more on retail services, data set to become growth driver.
“Data will become a strong growth driver…more and more banks are realising that a future driver of profit growth is retail services.”
iii) Further integration between banks and fintech companies
“Strict regulation clearly demarcates [finance and technology], while also creating the conditions for further co-operation and integration between the two.”
iv) Artificial intelligence will lead to “multi dimensional upgrade” of finance.
“AI will bring about a revolution in customer experience…facial recognition payments, voice recognition and machine interactions will make the customer experience more secure and convenient than ever before.”
The report expects AI to become a key driver of risk control, as well as new technologies such as deep learning to serve as a driver for innovation in banking services.
v) A rising percentage of non-core systems will shift to the cloud.
Chinese regulators have required that the banking sector “fully transfer key information systems for internet usage to cloud platforms, as well as transfer no less than 60% of other systems during the 13th Five Year Period.”
vi) The blockchain will become the standard technological benchmark for cooperation in the financial sphere.
“In future the blockchain will become the infrastructure for establishing trust links in the financial sector…in a multi-instituional and multi-organisational as well as cross-institutional and cross-organisational environment, blockchains can create a string of reliability.”


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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has long been tabbed as one of the—if not the most—exciting prospects of a generation. While Lawrence has yet to play a down of football in the NFL and has been a Jaguar for less than 24 hours, the anticipation around his arrival is already being seen ten-fold.
Fanatics, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise and NFL/Jaguars e-commerce partner, released Lawrence merchandise on Thursday night after the Jaguars used the No. 1 overall pick on the Clemson Tigers quarterback. And according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN, Lawrence quickly broke the record for sales by a draft pick on the first night of the NFL Draft.
Justin Fields, new Chicago Bears quarterback, had the second most in sales. Lawrence and Fields faced off in the first round of the 2020 College Football Playoff.
While Fanatics did not provide a public number, they did reveal Lawrence’s sales doubled the previous record holder, per DiRocco; 2020 No. 1 overall pick, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Lawrence and Burrow faced off in the 2019 National Championship.
Fanatics, which in a fortuitous stroke of luck is actually based in Jacksonville, Florida, also announced an exclusive deal with Lawrence on Friday morning, after Lawrence was selected. In a press release by the company, Fanatics announced they will be the lone provider of Lawrence’s autographs and memorabilia products, featuring footballs, helmets and jerseys, with multiple autograph and inscription options. The options will span Lawrence’s time at both Clemson and with the Jaguars.
Fanatics' current roster of NFL stars and professional athletes include Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Chase Young, Zion Williamson, Sabrina Ionescu, Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, and Alexander Ovechkin. Former NFL greats that have similar deals as Lawrence’s with Fanatics include Peyton and Eli Manning, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana and Charles Woodson.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Fanatics team, especially since they are based here in Jacksonville,” said Lawrence in the release. “Fanatics is the most trusted brand in the industry and together we get to give fans even more access to the game through memorabilia and exclusive signed items.”
The 2020 Heisman finalist led the Tigers to three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances and secured the program’s third national title as a freshman in 2018.
“As a Jacksonville-based company and the official merchandise partner of the Jaguars, it’s incredibly exciting to welcome Trevor to the Fanatics family,” said Fanatics executive vice president Victor Shaffer. “Following one of the most illustrious careers for a college quarterback ever, we’re looking forward to creating an unmatched shopping experience and opportunities for fans in Jacksonville, Clemson and beyond to celebrate both his time in college and the start of his NFL career.”
Jaguars fans can purchase Lawrence merchandise at Fanatics.com, NFLShop.com, shop.jaguars.com and shop.clemsontigers.com, as well as throughout Jaguars team stores and kiosks at TIAA Bank Field.
The Fanatics deal is the latest in what has become a laundry list of endorsement deals signed by the new Jaguars quarterback. He also inked deals with Gatorade, Bose, Adidas and Blockfolio. The latter is a mobile cryptocurrency investment app that allows consumers to buy, sell, trade and track cryptocurrency with zero-fee trading. Lawrence’s signing bonus was paid in Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as Solana.
On Thursday night, Blockfolio CEO Sam Bankman-Fried also surprised Lawrence with a draft night gift of $25,000, paid in Solana, one of the fastest rising cryptocurrencies.
Lawrence and his wife Marissa have arrived in Jacksonville Friday and according to Lawrence, he’ll be back in the facilities on Monday, ready to begin work as a Jacksonville Jaguar.


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Google tried to settle the probe into deals made with Android manufacturers a year before its record fine, it has emerged.
Last week the European Commission ordered the internet giant to pay a €4.34bn (£3.9bn) penalty after finding it had illegally bound Android smartphone manufacturers to deals that forced them to install Google apps, such as its search engine and Chrome browser.
Android is Google's open-source operating system used in 80 per cent of the world's smartphones. Because Android accounts for such a large segment of the smartphone market, Google has a technical monopoly - even if many feel that the iPhone sets the agenda.
Bloomberg sources claim that the search engine giant had tried to settle with European Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager in 2017, broaching the subject of a settlement with promises to adjust contracts to loosen restrictions the EU didn’t like.
But Google waited "at least a year too long" to attempt a settlement, 50-year-old Ms Vestager said in an interview. She claimed that when a company wants to settle, it needs to respond immediately to the EC's initial complaint or statement of objections.
"That didn’t happen in this case and then of course it takes the route that it has now taken,” Vestager said to Bloomberg. “So no surprises."
At the time of the fine, Google’s chief executive Sundar Pichai warned that the decision “sent a troubling signal” that could lead to the company charging for its Android software.
Google has confirmed that it plans to appeal the decision, but this will not stop it from being forced to abandon its exclusive deals with Android manufacturers, which ensured the vast majority of Android phones come loaded with Google’s own apps including its dominant search service.
If the company fails to abandon these contracts within 90 days, it could face a fine of 5pc of its daily turnover.
Ms Vestager accused Google of using Android as a “vehicle to cement the dominance of its search engine”.
This is not the first time that Ms Vestager has targeted Google to try to rein in its power in the EU market.
Last year she penalised the company after years of allegedly abusing the power of its search engine to artificially boost its online shopping service, at the expense of small, independent price comparison services. The fine, which amounted to £2.1bn, forced the company to ringfence its online shopping business in an effort to placate the competition watchdog and avoid further fines.
This meant that Google Shopping was made into a standalone business, forced to compete against other websites for advertising in Google's search results.
A third case, into the company’s online advertising network, is expected to result in another financial penalty.
"Android...is a Vestager case, one not inherited," Nicolas Petit, a law professor at the University of Liege in Belgium told Bloomberg.
"Her incentives to make this case the emblem of her tenure were presumably higher. So the odds of a settlement were, to me, lower."
While these fines are a blow to business, Google is able to swallow them - the company's profits total $9.4bn (£7.1bn) in the first three months of 2018 alone.
The EU would be likely to say that breaking Google's contracts is a win for manufacturers, freeing them up and improving competition. But the result could potentially mean Google putting more resources into its line of Pixel smartphones, potentially restricting features to its own handsets instead of offering them to all Android makers.
Google was approached for comment.


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The HAX hardware accelerator held its 8th Demo Day in San Francisco yesterday. While all 15 companies in the latest batch hold promise, and encompass some very wild ambitions, these three stood out thanks to creative applications of advanced tech to sometimes overlooked, but truly massive potential markets.
Arlan Hamilton is founder and managing partner of Los Angeles-based Backstage Capital, which has invested more than $5 million in 100 startups whose high-potential founders are people of color, women or LGBTQ. Two of those startups are in Minnesota, including Minneapolis-based HabitAware, the winner of the $50,000 grand prize in the 2018 MN Cup entrepreneurial competition, and the developer of a smart bracelet to make users aware of hair-pulling and other unwanted repetitive behavior.
It's important that Keen fits snugly. Here's a quick guide to help you decide which bracelet size to order:
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Our 3-min email shares 1 actionable tip weekly to help you manage your hair pulling, nail biting or skin picking & CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.


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When shoppers hit the counter of their favorite retailer this holiday season, they may be asked to sign up for the store’s branded credit card in exchange for a discount on their purchase. The cards are often a better deal for the stores than they are for consumers.
There are some perks to consumers—store cards, or private label cards as they’re known in the industry, are a good starting point to build up credit score, and there can be rich rewards for frequent shoppers. In general, though, these branded cards carry higher interest rates than general purchase cards and have lower limits. That makes them more expensive for consumers.
For retailers, however, store cards are a growing profit center. Private label card use by consumers grew nearly 12 percent per year from 2009 through 2012, according to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve. They’re an easy way for stores to build loyalty, collect data, and—of course—earn revenue from consumers. Retailers are so invested in turning customers into private-label cardholders, that they often offer their sales clerks cash incentives for signing people up.
One big reason that retailers like store credit cards is that they encourage customers to spend more. More than 60 percent of consumers say that they shop more often with retailers with whom they have a store card, and they’re also more receptive to communication about events and promotions by that retailer, according to a market research report from Packaged Facts.
Not only do store cards encourage more spending and build loyalty for merchants, but they also give the stores access to valuable consumer data. Plus, they cost less to process than other forms of payment. They’re also often compatible with mobile pay systems, which are expected to grow more dominant in future years.
Since retailers often control the approval process, they’re able to give cards to consumers who might not qualify for general-purchase cards, and to charge them interest on the balance.
In 2014 private-label credit and debit cards generated $254 billion in sales, according to Business Insider. They account for a large share of purchases at major retailers, used for nearly 60 percent of sales at Kohl’s and nearly 50 percent of sales at Macy’s last year, per an analysis by credit card consultant Ryan Douglas at First Annapolis.
The growing importance of private-label and general credit cards reflects a shift among consumers, who shied away from credit in general after the Great Recession. The average number of credit cards held by consumers has been ticking up in recent years according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Those numbers could continue to increase as cashiers suggest new credit cards over the coming months.
Need help? Credit9 is here to help. When you need answers to questions or experts on your side, we are here to support you along the way.


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CHICAGO, NOV. 14 -- First the box. Now the burger?
McDonald's Corp., which is discarding its plastic foam cartons to please environmentalists, said today it is testing a low-fat hamburger to please waistlines.
One nutritionist hailed the announcement as an apparent breakthrough in the fight against fast-food fat.
The new quarter-pound hamburger is 91 percent fat-free and weighs in with 310 calories and 10 grams of fat, including the bun, ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato.
Dubbed the Lean Deluxe, it will be aimed at health-conscious consumers who love the taste of beef but want to cut down on fat, the company said.
The low-fat meat beef was developed at Auburn University under research sponsored by the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board. While some aspects of the actual McDonald's hamburger are proprietary, it basically involves the use of lean meat with carrageenan -- a seaweed derivative -- added to put back the moisture that fat normally provides.
Dale Huffman, an Auburn researcher who helped develop the product, said the result is a lean ground beef with not much more fat than what could be made from lean cuts of sirloin, round steak or chuck, which can have as little as 8 percent fat.
The sandwich is being tested at McDonald's outlets in Harrisburg, Pa. The company said consumer reaction, while hard to gauge, seems to be favorable but no decision will be made on expanding the test market or going forward with the sandwich as a regular product until next year.
"Our hamburgers are already classified 'lean' by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but when it comes to our ... sandwiches, we're never satisfied," said Ed Rensi, president of McDonald's USA.
Bonnie Liebman, a nutritionist with the Washington-based Center for Science in the Public Interest, told Reuter that McDonald's current quarter pounder has 410 calories and 20.7 grams of fat, including bun and dressings. "My guess is that this patty has about half as much fat as the previous one," she said.
"If that's true, this is a major breakthrough because people will still be able to get their hamburger but cut down on the fat. I don't know how they did it -- you could reach this fat content if you took round steak and cut off all the fat, but I don't know what they did," she said.
"It doesn't mean you can stop worrying about fat," she added. "You still have to watch out for the French fries, the fried apple pies, the cheese, the dressing on your salad."
Phil Sokolof of Omaha, Neb., who has conducted a one-man campaign against fat in the form of newspaper ads criticizing McDonald's and others, said the new hamburger would seem to be "a great product. If they come to market with it it could be great."
But he said test products sometimes take years to develop. Phil Sokolof of Omaha who has criticized McDonald's and others in newspaper ads in his one-man campaign against fat, said the new hamburger would seem to be "a great product. If they come to market with it it could be great."
But he said test products sometimes take years to develop.


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Samsung, Apple gain in US mobile marketAgence France-Presse
WASHINGTON— Samsung extended its lead as the top mobile phone maker in the US market and Apple moved into second place, an industry tracker said Friday.
A survey by comScore showed that in the three-month period ending in October, South Korea’s Samsung was the top manufacturer with 26.3 percent market share, up from 25.6 percent in the prior period.
Apple, which sells only smartphones, moved into second place in the US market for the first time, with a 17.8 percent market share, up 1.5 percentage points. South Korean maker LG was third at 17.6 percent, followed by Motorola at 11 percent.
The survey showed Google’s Android system gained ground as the leading smartphone platform, with 53.6 percent of the market, up from 52.2 percent.
Apple’s iOS platform for its iPhones remained in second place, and gained 0.9 points of market share to 34.3 percent, comScore said.
BlackBerry maker Research in Motion saw its share slip further from 9.5 percent to 7.8 percent in the period. And Microsoft, which released its Windows Phone 8 platform in late October, saw its share dip to 3.2 percent from 3.6 percent.
The survey found 121.3 million people in the US owned smartphones, or 51.9 percent of the mobile market.
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R&B icons Boyz II Men are set to delight fans by releasing their first album of new material in five years to celebrate two decades in the music industry.
The group, which began as a quartet, formed in 1988 and dropped their first album, Cooleyhighharmony, in 1991 and now remaining members Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman are marking the anniversary of their debut with the upcoming project, Twenty.
The double disc set will feature revamped versions of Boyz II Men classics, such as End of the Road, Bended Knee and I'll Make Love to You, as well as 10 brand new tracks.
The stars' last original album, The Remedy, was only physically released in Japan in 2006 and digitally in the U.S. the following year (07). Twenty will be Boyz II Men's first worldwide release of new music in 10 years when it hits retailers this autumn (11).
The anniversary album will cap off a big 2011 for the trio - earlier this year (11), they were announced as the part of the 2012 inductees on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


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In Brief: News
Del Mar Shores lobster dinner
The early bird deadline for the San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce’s Sept. 13 Lobster and Wine Festival at the Del Mar Shores Park has been extended to Monday, Sept. 8.
Discounted tickets are $95 per person, $125 per person after Sept. 8. Tickets include lobster dinner, wine and music. Forty percent of ticket proceeds will benefit the Campaign for Del Mar Shores.
For tickets call (858) 481-4201 or go to www.delmarshores.org.
Tribute at Powerhouse
On Sept. 11, a symbolic memorial service will be held at Del Mar’s Powerhouse Park, honoring those who perished in the 9/11 attacks on New York’s Word Trade Center. The event is open to the public.
Flag planters are needed and are asked to arrive between 8 and 10 a.m. Powerhouse Park is at 1700 Coast Blvd, in Del Mar.
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Short URL: http://www.delmartimes.net/?p=4364


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The mad rush to the cash register continues to sizzle in and around the city as Calgarians get ready to put a ribbon to this year’s Christmas shopping season.
Shops at several malls in the area are expecting throngs of customers during the three remaining days before Christmas Day.
James Moller, general manager at CrossIron Mills, said it’s been a very good season for the local retail industry.
“I’ve been talking to major retailers and they’ve been very pleased with the sales and the traffic so far,” he said.
Actual numbers aren’t yet available, but the trend shows a 10% increase in foot traffic and 9% increase in sales at CrossIron Mills.
Moller said that trend began to show during this year’s Black Friday sale, when a majority of shoppers began their quests for Christmas presents.
“Last year, Black Friday was the third busiest day of the year for us, after Boxing Day and Dec. 27.”
Moller said he expects this year’s Black Friday to rank about the same in terms of traffic.
“It’s an interesting phenomenon because Black Friday has only been around in Canada for a couple of years,” he said.
Krista Moroz, a spokeswoman for Southcentre Mall, said the shopping centre has been very busy as well, except during the winter storms that hit Calgary in early December.
“Overall, this weekend is the busiest weekend of the year, next to Boxing Day, which is the busiest shopping day of the year,” she said.
Moroz said this Christmas shopping season the mall saw an average of 12% increase in terms of traffic.
“We’re expecting traffic to be up and increase in traffic means increase in sales too.”
She said the upward trend began during this year’s Black Friday and it has continued well into Christmas.
Stacie Woolford, a spokeswoman for Chinook Centre, said the last weekend before Christmas has always been extremely busy and this year is no exception.
“I think a lot of people have left shopping for the last minute,” she said.
Woolford said to help customers with parking at Chinook, they’ve asked mall staff to take the transit or to park their vehicles off site.
In a survey conducted by the Harris/Decima for CIBC released Friday, 58% of Albertans said they’re yet to finish their holiday shopping as of Dec. 16.
Jeffrey Lowell, who was shopping for his family at CrossIron Mills Saturday, said he just started scouting for presents because he had been extremely busy at work.
“Now that I’m on holiday officially, I have all the time to pick out presents for my wife and kids,” he said.
“Shopping can be stressful and when you have a busy schedule it can be worse.”
As those shoppers hit the malls this weekend, Moroz said they’re reminding the public that it’s going to be a very busy and lineups can be expected.
“The stores will be busy, the malls will be busy, the parking lot will be busy — it can get very stressful,” she said.
“We just ask people to take a moment and remember the time of year.
“If you have to stand in line to pay for your purchase, the customer service staff will help you as soon as they can possibly can.”
On Twitter: @SUNRenatoGandia
Top three most sought-after presents according to local retailers:
3. Entertainment gift cards
Percentage of Canadians who say they haven’t completed their holiday shopping by region:
National average — 69%
Alberta — 58%
Atlantic Canada — 56%
Quebec — 70%
Ontario — 73%
Manitoba/Saskatchewan — 74%
British Columbia — 67%
What Canadians plan to spend for Christmas shopping? (November 2013)
National — $852
Alberta — $903
Atlantic Canada — $877
Quebec — $767
Ontario — $898
Manitoba/Saskatchewan — $868
British Columbia — $845
What Canadians already spent as of Dec. 16, 2013
National — $986
Alberta — $1,586
Atlantic Canada — $1,467
Quebec — $503
Ontario — $1,007
Manitoba/Saskatchewan — $1.016
British Columbia — $990
— source Harris/Decima poll for CIBC


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After seven years as a dinner-only chain, Darden Restaurants' Bahama Breeze is finally opening for lunch at all locations.
The Caribbean-inspired casual dining eatery already has tested a lunch menu with noon crowds in Phoenix, Dallas and Rochester, N.Y. Because the concept was welcomed by consumers there -- and proved to be profitable -- lunch hours will be added at other Bahama Breeze locations nationwide in coming weeks, the company said Friday.
The Bahama Breeze location in Altamonte Springs will open seven days a week at 11 a.m. instead of 4 p.m. starting July 28. Other chain locations on International Drive and in Lake Buena Vista will open for lunch crowds Aug. 11.
In addition to Bahama Breeze, the Orlando-based restaurant chain owns Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones BBQ and Seasons 52.
Seasons 52, which is located only in Orlando for now, is the only other Darden-owned restaurant with dinner-only hours.
Some Bahama Breeze locations previously opened at noon on weekends but served lunch from a dinner menu.
"Now is the right time," said Joe Chabus, a Darden spokesman. "Daily operations in the chain are to the point where lunch is feasible."
Offering a new and unique menu, while still staying true to the Bahama Breeze concept, was one of the most time-consuming challenges.
Researchers and nutritionists with the company spent more than a year developing new entrees, soups and sandwiches.
"We didn't want to just take our dinner menu, cut the portions and prices in half, and call it a lunch menu," Chabus said.
Items on the new lunch menu include a Bahama Breeze club sandwich, grilled grouper tostada salad and calypso shrimp linguini. Some dinnertime favorites, such as pizza, will be available at lunch as well.
"It's too early to tell how the change will affect our bottom line," said Bahama Breeze President Laurie Burns. "It's been profitable so far in our test markets, and we like what we're seeing."
Burns said the company also expects the lunchtime hours to attract first-time customers, who may return to the chain to sample the dinner menu.
The expanded hours also will create jobs. In the Orlando area, 120 to 180 new positions will be available.
The company has steadily opened a handful of new Bahama Breeze locations each year since the late 1990s. Four locations will open later this year, including one in Baltimore, two in the Philadelphia area and one in Pittsburgh.


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Paul Macpherson delivers some sound advice to help business owners avoid becoming victims of cybercrime.
An international study has put a figure on the cost of cybercrime and it’s enough to make your eyes water: more than $126 billion a year is lost globally and according to the Norton study it’s a growing problem.
Around 680 million people have been victims of cybercrime and we’re all at risk, but there is plenty people can do to protect themselves and their business, using some simple tips to stay secure online.
Xero is one of the country’s largest technology companies and we often see first-hand the expensive after-effects of cybercrime in New Zealand businesses.
It helps to start by understanding how vulnerable we are: hackers can crack a weak password faster than you can make a cup of tea. So, it’s essential to have a strong, long password and to choose a different one for each site you use. It means that if one password is cracked, the damage is limited to that site.
Many people use the same password because they have trouble remembering lots of different ones, but password manager software takes away that issue, helping to manage multiple logins and making it easy for you to stay safe.
When it comes to choosing a password, using personal information is a big no-no. You may be surprised at how many people use their name, pet’s name or birthday – information that hackers can easily find online, especially through social media.
A strong password includes numbers, letters and symbols and is at least ten characters long. With password manager software you can easily create strong, unique passwords and not have to remember them.
Even better is having two-step or multi-factor authentication, which is like having a second lock for your front door. It means you need to present at least two separate items to gain access. These could include a password, followed by a unique code that is generated by an app on your smart device or sent to you by text (SMS).
The people who are after your money are constantly finding new ways to attack, so it is crucial that you keep abreast of updates. Up-to-date operating systems and apps are your first line of defence against many bugs and viruses and keeping them updated is easy. Just make sure that when an update for an app or your OS pops up on any of your devices you install it straight away. You can even set your system preferences to install them automatically so you don’t have to think about it.
In a world where people are used to sharing personal information online, via social media, it has become easier for hackers to steal your identity and get into your online accounts.
Make sure your privacy settings only allow your friends and family to see your details. And if websites ask you to set account recovery questions in case you forget your password, make sure you don’t choose an answer that can be found online, for example the school you attended.
As Head of Security for Xero I come across many different forms of online crimes. But there are some common methods used by cyber criminals to defraud their victims.
Watch out for anyone who says you’re entitled to money, like an inheritance or lottery win, but asks for a payment in advance. You’ll never see a cent; instead forward the email to [email protected] or report it to Netsafe.
If you ever receive money into your bank account from someone you’ve never met and they ask you to send it to them in another country using Western Union, Moneygram, or other money transfer service, it’s very likely you’re laundering the proceeds of a crime. Chances are the money was stolen from another person’s bank account and you’re being a “money mule” to send the money to the criminal that stole it.
Finally, beware of cold calls. Whether it’s from someone claiming to be the “Microsoft help desk” telling you about a problem with your computer or someone with an investment opportunity too good to miss. Just hang up.
For more information about protecting yourself online visit the CERT NZ site.
Paul Macpherson is Xero’s Head of Security.


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Revelation Brewing to partner with Grandpa Mac at Georgetown site
Craft beer and homemade pasta has just formed the ultimate carb-heavy marriage in Georgetown.
Revelation Craft Brewing Co. announced in a video Thursday it was partnering with Grandpa Mac at its Georgetown site.
The family-friendly restaurant will be called "Grandpa's Kitchen at Revelation Brewery."
"You'll be able to get some of the pastas you know and love, but some really great beer-inspired cuisine as well," Grandpa Mac owner Hari Cameron said in the video.
Revelation co-owner Patrick Staggs teased fans in the video, saying "Look for us for an opening date of" before bleeping out the rest.
The news comes after Cameron announced the closing of a(MUSE.), his Mid-Atlantic-style restaurant of seven years in Rehoboth Beach. It closed New Year's Day.
Revelation purchased the Georgetown site from former 16 Mile Brewing Co. in late 2018. Revelation has been brewing craft beer in West Rehoboth since 2016 and plans to expand its brewing operations in Georgetown.
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Contactless transactions grew by almost 170% year-on-year in Q2 2015 across Europe and consumers already using contactless tapped 20% more often, research from MasterCard reveals. “Contactless spend tripled in Europe compared to Q2 2014,” the company says. “In Q2 2015, 1 out of 2 contactless transactions were done at food stores, followed by 14.5% at restaurants and bars and 10% at retail stores.” MasterCard will make high value contactless payments available across Europe by 2017.
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Syntegra is to launch a new Linux-based desktop multimedia device aimed at providing traders with the ability to manage all communications, including voice, video, instant messaging, e-mail and Internet, through a single console.
The ITS.Netrix device was developed in conjunction with Kinneir Dufort Design, and will be available to Syntegra customers in 2004.
Rod MacDonald, managing director of trading systems at Syntegra, says the firms has already pre-sold 1000 positions.
"We have been in constant dialogue with several of our key customers during the development stage to ensure that the end result is something they really want - something that will allow them to collaborate worldwide and push communication boundaries across all media," he says. "ITS.Netrix takes advantage of network-centric voice, video and data communications to empower users with instant access to clients, the market and business-supporting applications."
The system provides connectivity to IP (Internet Protocol) or traditional voice (TDM) networks and can be configured to alert users to high priority incoming instant messages or mails, key words appearing in chat rooms, clients accessing particular research on the bank's Web site or client orders reaching specified limits.


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If unicorn companies are rare, the newest member of the Chicago herd is one of a kind. SMS Assist, which wrangles maintenance companies like landscapers for businesses with lots of locations, is valued at $1 billion after a Goldman Sachs fund that backed Facebook and Uber invested $150 million.
Like Facebook and Uber, SMS is run by a college dropout whom investors laud as visionary; but that's where the comparison ends. SMS is an unsexy business-to-business services company that the average person has neither used nor heard of. It's 18 years old, nearly as old as Facebook and Uber combined. Michael Rothman, the 60-year-old CEO, isn't a young techie. He's been in the maintenance business all his life.
That's what investors like.
“He knows you get wax buildup on floors if you do it too often (and) what kind of wax to use,” says J.B. Pritzker, whose Pritzker Group Venture Capital has invested over $60 million in SMS.
Pritzker has been on sales calls with Rothman, whom he calls a bulldog. “He will not take no for an answer. He will not let you out of the room till he gets the sale. He's charming, not annoying.”
The pitch is simple: Through its size and technology, SMS can save companies 10 to 20 percent on maintenance. Considering the biggest companies—with thousands of locations—spend hundreds of millions of dollars on maintenance a year, “that's a lot of money,” Pritzker says.
Goldman Sachs bought into the story, seeing potential to be a winner in a $50 billion industry where spreadsheets qualify as state-of-the-art and pen and paper are the norm.
Christopher Dawe, co-head of the venture capital and growth equity team at Goldman Sachs Investment Partners, says he was sold on SMS after talking to several large retailers that managed their own maintenance.
“The aha moment came when we asked how (their process) worked,” Dawe says. “The retailer said it paid out of a cash register locally. In this industry, you typically have people who provide service or software, but you don't have both. SMS does both.”
The company has about 550 U.S. employees, most of them at its headquarters in the John Hancock Center. Its technology team is about 140 people, mostly in China, where it has added more than 100 coders in the past five years. SMS built a web platform that streamlines scheduling and tracks work between maintenance providers and customers. It moved quickly into mobile with an app that allows a maintenance provider to take before and after pictures of a parking lot or lawn at a customer's location, submitting an invoice instantly while giving the customer verification. Trouble-shooting software—which walks store employees through simple fixes, such as resetting controls, and avoids the need for a technician—saves customers an average of 11 percent.
SMS is also profitable, another rarity. It has been growing at 50 percent annually for the past five years. It has become one of the giants in a fragmented industry, competing with USM, a division of Emcor Group, and FM Facility Maintenance. Rothman won't provide specific financials but says revenue is in the hundreds of millions.
To catch up, and justify the billion-dollar valuation, Rothman will have to push harder than ever. Although he's built a strong executive team, with veterans of Oracle and Wal-Mart, Rothman's management chops will be tested in the next few years.
Andy Hoar, an Evanston-based e-commerce analyst at Forrester, sees potential competition from Jeff Bezos' expanding Amazon Home Services. “Right now it's (business to consumer), but there's nothing to prevent them from doing (business to business),” he says.
Of course, SMS has a valuable weapon. “Getting these companies to sign a contract and trust you—that's the barrier to entry.”
Rothman also is banking on data. With 20,000 maintenance providers serving more than 130,000 locations, SMS now finds itself sitting on a lot of data about buildings, the systems they rely on and the people who keep them running.
“We have data on all our customers, which helps us know better what it costs to replace things like blower motors,” Rothman says. “No one knows what (maintenance) should cost. We do.”
SMS has moved into residential, working with big real estate companies that own thousands of homes. It uses the same maintenance providers that work on commercial properties. Homes generate less revenue than commercial properties do. But they give contractors more business, which allows SMS to push for deeper discounts.
“The contractor who does five locations in 5 miles now can do five locations within five blocks,” Rothman says.
That has investors such as Dawe talking about platforms, flywheels and the virtues of scale.


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Impower Health, a start-up incubated by UNeTech, receives a patent for a new self-paced treadmill
Exercise equipment startup Impower Health Inc. has announced the granting of a new US patent (#11,185,740) for a treadmill that automatically adjusts to the user’s running pace.
The invention was originally developed as a potential therapeutic device to help stroke patients by three University of Nebraska Omaha students, William Denton, Molly Schieber, MD, PHD and Casey Wiens. The technology was later developed into a commercial product by Impower Health in tandem with UNeTech – the technology transfer arm of the University of Nebraska.
It’s called a free-paced or hands-free treadmill, and the technology promises to provide a safer and more intuitive experience for stationary runners. Rather than setting speed and intensity changes for a workout before you start, you just turn it on and start running.
Lidar sensors on the front of the treadmill monitor your run. Data from these sensors is transmitted through a custom algorithm that determines an appropriate speed and sets the movement of the treadmill belt accordingly.
The closer you are to the front of the treadmill, the faster it goes. As you move backwards on the treadmill, it automatically slows down. If you get off the machine, the walking belt automatically stops to prevent injury.
“It’s different from walking on a standard treadmill, but once you get used to using it, the response time is very quick.” says Stephanie Kidd, communications strategist for UNeTech.
“Motor response is highly regulated to ensure user safety. One of the many benefits of working with the biomechanics experts at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is their extensive knowledge of kinesiology and electrical and mechanical engineering. They know exactly how the body works and functions, and they helped us design a system that could maximize that interactivity with the machine,” adds Doug Miller, CEO of Impower.
The added safety of Impower’s design is sure to turn heads in an industry that has been outraged by preventable injuries. In 2012, nearly half a million people went to hospital for injuries related to exercise equipment. Last year, Peloton has recalled 125,000 treadmills following the death of a small child who was pulled under one of the company’s Tread+ treadmills.
OK Go could not be reached for comment.
“Several other manufacturers and research institutes have tried to create this same technology,” says Doug Miller, CEO of Impower, with varying degrees of success. “But none have succeeded with cost-effective technology [for] both consumer and commercial markets. »
Impower Health hopes to change that and is currently looking to partner with a treadmill manufacturer to bring their new technology to market.
This is one of those ideas that seems so obvious it’s hard to believe it didn’t already exist. Yet currently, if you want an experience similar to that offered by an Impower treadmill, your options are limited. There are some high-end manual treadmills like the $6,000 Woodway Curve, which are “effectively more like a hamster wheel,” says Miller. If you are, say, a Stanford kinesiology researcher, you can also choose to run custom software on your instrumented rehabilitation-grade treadmill in your lab. But these can cost up to $80,000.
However, when they hit the market, Miller expects the premium for an Impower-compatible treadmill to be “no more than a few hundred dollars.”


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Canon EOS 60D review: This digital SLR camera is perfect for anyone who's got more than just a passing fancy for photography
Canon has just announced pricing for its upcoming range of digital cameras, which will become available through March from Canon dealers around Australia.
Canon has just launched the EOS 1100D: an entry-level digital SLR camera that Canon claims is as easy to use as a point-and-shoot camera. This ease of use will stem from new Basic feature, which will allow users to adjust settings based on easy-to-un...
Canon has announced its new top-of-the-line entry-level digital SLR camera, the Canon EOS 600D. It has a whopping 18-megapixel CMOS sensor and uses Canon's DIG!C 4 image processor.
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Festive fun for everyone at Torque!
The Torque team have been getting into the Christmas spirit over the past few weeks, with festive fun and activities taking place across all seven of our sites.
To thank our hard-working staff for all their efforts this year, every site has been holding a weekly mini raffle leading up to the big day, with all members of the team entered automatically.
The Great Big Torque Advent Calendar
In addition to these site raffles, every employee has been entered into a Torque Advent Calendar, giving everyone a chance to win some amazing prizes from a pot of £4,000. So far, our lucky winners have received a range of exciting Christmassy gifts, including food and drink gift boxes, a Google Home Mini, an Amazon Kindle and a Fitbit. On the 25th, our Christmas Day winner will win a prize worth £1000!
On Friday 17th December, our sites in Heathrow and Bradford went one step further to spread some Christmas cheer, by dressing for the occasion with a Christmas Jumper Day.


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Well, this is certainly coming out of left field. We do know that Microsoft is scheduled to have an exclusive press event the day before the festivities for E3 begin and that all would be revealed. However, it seems as if Microsoft Saudi Arabia has jumped the gun.
They announced that Project Natal would be launching in October 2010, which matches Microsoft’s current window of Fall 2010. Gamespot managed to get in touch with Microsoft reps from the US and have received this comment: “As we confirmed earlier this year, Project Natal will launch this holiday. We have no further details to share at this time.” So it looks like we will have to wait till E3 to confirm every possible unknown detail about the upcoming hands-free experience.


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After being named the leader in the mid-range and high-end modular disk arrays last month by research firm Gartner,  NetApp (NASDAQ:NTAP) is now focusing on mid-market businesses in India and has plans to increase its revenue from the segment from 21 percent in 2011 to 30 percent in 2012. The company has strengthened its low-priced storage product and solutions portfolio for midsize businesses and aims to add about 250 mid-market customers in the next 12 months in India.  NetApp is currently the world’s third largest player in the external disk storage systems market behind EMC (NYSE:EMC) and IBM (NYSE:IBM).
We currently have a $46.73 Trefis price estimate for NetApp, about 30% above the market price.
High Demand for Affordable Storage Solutions in India
In 2011, NetApp’s market share stood at 13% of the total storage market in India estimated at $600 million. With nearly 23% of the IT budget of midsize businesses going into storage, the market opportunity is huge. However, with increasing business demands and the need to contain expenses they are still facing challenges and need affordable yet enterprise-class solutions that can be scaled rapidly.
NetApp aims to targets these businesses, particularly in the manufacturing, media and healthcare verticals with solutions that are priced and packaged to address this growing market.
Storage Hardware Worth 40% of NetApp
We estimate NetApp derives nearly 40% of its value from the storage hardware business as opposed to its rival EMC which is more reliant on storage software. This makes it all the more important for NetApp to make the most of growth opportunities in new and emerging markets even as demand in Europe slows down.
Given NetApp’s strong presence in the mid-range market, we believe, it’s rightly positioned to make the most of these opportunities.Notes:


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Mining and processing works of Ukraine now stock 700 thousand tons of iron ore raw materials with the norm of 150 thousand tons due to the difficulties with shipping via railroad.
In August the companies undersupplied $100 million worth of products.
“In September the goal will not be reached, thus, the companies will have to decrease output”, Ukrmetallurgprom president Alexander Kalenkov said. (Ukrainian metal)
Your advertisement under each post on this site. DETAILS


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GamersPortal is finally giving the gamer crowd a proper place to congregate.
We post stuff that the majority of our readers enjoy reading, and even so, Apple articles get bashed constantly -- mainly by just a select few. But what about the other way around? Are Apple-fans just as rabid? Apparently so.
Roughly 10 percent of people at Microsoft own iPhones. While most of them aren't shy about their choice of cell phone, some of them hide or disguise their devices while they're at work.


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The Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) has launched in the Philippines and is now available in stores nationwide. Here’s what you need to know about
Samsung just teased that the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be released next month, right before the Mobile World Congress.
A new Samsung ad was just released. In the video, the Korean giant once again throws shade at Apple and 10 years of iPhones.
Samsung, in partnership with 8telcom, just opened a new Samsung Experience Store at Victoria Plaza. Here’s how the event went.
The new Smartwatch from Samsung are now finally available for purchase here in the Philippines, the new and improved Samsung Gear S3.
The new Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge has just been launched and fans have been itching to own them. Fortunately Smart opens its pre-registration


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Unless you've been living under a very sad and lonely video game-deprived rock, you'll no doubt be aware that the Switch is selling like the very best hot cakes the world has ever seen. In a rather enticing statement, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has hinted at the possibility that the console may be able to take things one step further, potentially breaking the typical trend for console life cycles that we've seen for a number of years.
Dating all the way back to the release of the SNES in 1990, Nintendo's home systems have always released in five or six year increments; the Nintendo 64 arrived in 1996, the GameCube came five years later in 2001, the Wii was another five years down the road in 2006, with the Wii U launching six years later in November 2012. Of course, the Switch released last year in March 2017, just shy of the usual five year mark since its predecessor, but this was only caused due to the Wii U's disappointing sales. A very similar pattern can be found for the home consoles of Sony and Microsoft, too.
Miyamoto-san's statement came from a recent investor Q&A. When asked where he would place the Switch in terms of its life cycle, he responded with the following:
"When you think about what can be done with the Nintendo Switch as a device that can be taken on the go and that every person has in their hands to play, you realise it has many features not available on any other hardware to date," Miyamoto said. "Nintendo also has a system in place whereby the software developers focus on these hardware features in their development efforts for the continuation of the Nintendo Switch business. Up until now, the hardware lifecycle has trended at around five or six years, but it would be very interesting if we could prolong that life cycle, and I think you should be looking forward to that."
There is no doubt that we are currently witnessing a very exciting time for the industry as a whole; the Switch is breaking records left, right, and centre, and this new surge of popularity will only spur on Nintendo's competitors, too, hopefully resulting in bigger and bolder releases across the board.
How long do you think we'll be seeing the Switch on game store shelves? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.


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More About Car Leasing Cardiff
Aston Martin is set to open a new manufacturing plant at St Athan, about 15 miles away from Cardiff in 2020. It’ll be used to produce the new DBX crossover.
Gilbern, one of the only Welsh car brands, created kitcars and later factory-ready cars from their factory in Llantwit Fardre from 1959 to 1973.
Latest News & Guides for Cardiff Car Leasing
The Coronavirus pandemic has hit industry hard. As car manufacturers scramble to restart production, could the electric car emerge victorious?


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Millions of Aussies will struggle to cover the bills this holiday season, as households continue to feel the pinch from the rising cost of living.
New research by Finder revealed 53 per cent of Aussies would face bill stress this Christmas - equivalent to 10.6 million people.
Groceries were the biggest concern for Aussies (33 per cent), followed by petrol (24 per cent) and energy (19 per cent), the national survey of 1,114 Aussies found.
More than one in 10 (14 per cent) said they would face pressure with their rental payments, while 11 per cent would find it hard to pay off credit card debt.
Finder head of consumer research Graham Cooke said record inflation had left some Aussies in a difficult position.
“High household costs have left some Aussies with the tough decision as to whether they put food on the table or presents under the tree this Christmas,” Cooke said.
NSW households were expected to struggle the most (56 per cent), followed by Victorians (52 per cent) and Queenslanders (45 per cent).
Cooke encouraged Aussies to take a look at their upcoming bills and reach out for help if needed.
“Prioritise your bills and focus on paying the most important ones first,” Cooke said.
“If money is particularly tight, contact your creditors and explain your situation. They may be able to offer you a payment plan or temporary relief.”
Food and non-alcoholic-beverage prices increased by a whopping 9 per cent over the 12 months to September.
Recent research revealed Coles was the cheapest place for Aussies to do their Christmas shopping this year.
Frugl calculated Coles shoppers would spend about $143.75 on a standard Christmas basket, including staples like a ham, turkey, snacks, a pavlova and mince pies.
In comparison, Woolworths shoppers would be set back $147.56, and Aldi shoppers $149.03.


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Facebook begins to add tools to its small business pages, allowing users to interact with companies without having to exit the app.
We got to travel across to Italy’s fashion capital for OKI Europe’s Smart Colour Solutions launch to seek the reveals and demos of their new printers, marked to set the bar higher for the standards of LED printing.
The IT department was born in a different time. When it first came to be, technology was a scarce resource, controlled by a select few in an organisation from the inside out – and the average employee had little say in which coveted applications they’d be using to do their work. IT knows best, after all.
Apple launched its new iOS 10 operating system for iPhone & Ipad’s last week. It is most significant iOS revamp since the company overhauled its mobile design with iOS 7 in 2013 we look at some of the new features.
Technology has revolutionised the way companies can, and do conduct business. With the next generation of shopper ordering most of their products online, and expecting to receive them as quickly as possible, there’s pressure on retail businesses, in particular, to be constantly looking at new technology to be one step ahead of the game.
In the current business environment, change seems to be the new normal. In just ten years we’ve seen a huge amount of technical breakthroughs, and I expect there’ll be plenty more.
nuTonomy, the leading developer of state-of-the art software for self-driving cars, today launched the first-ever public trial of a robo-taxi service. The trial, which will continue on an on-going basis, is being held within Singapore’s one-north business district, where nuTonomy has been conducting daily autonomous vehicle (AV) testing since April.
A human instinct to keep hold of things ‘just in case’ is being blamed for Britain’s dark data mountain which is eating into the budget of businesses across all sectors.
Trinity College Cambridge today celebrated a major milestone in the construction of one of the UK’s largest innovation centres, delivered in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Central Working.
Thanks to the nebulous nature of the internet, crime committed on it is often viewed with a certain murkiness as though it’s somehow less real than other types of crime, more devoid of real-life risk and consequence.


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When Are The New Airpods Coming Out
When Are the New AirPods Coming Out?
Apple's AirPods have become a popular accessory for music lovers and tech enthusiasts alike. With each new release, Apple has continued to improve upon the design and functionality of its wireless earbuds. Many people are eagerly anticipating the release of the next generation of AirPods. In this article, we will discuss when the new AirPods are coming out and what changes we can expect to see.Release Date for the New AirPodsApple has not yet announced an official release date for the new AirPods, but there are several rumors and leaks that suggest they could be released later in 2021 or early 2022. One of the most reliable sources of information about upcoming Apple releases is analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has predicted that the third-generation AirPods will be released in the second half of 2021. However, other analysts have suggested that the release could be pushed to 2022 due to supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Expected Changes for the New AirPodsWhile we don't know exactly what changes Apple has in store for the new AirPods, there are several rumors and leaks that suggest some possible updates. Here are some of the changes that we might see:Design - The new AirPods are expected to have a shorter stem than previous versions, giving them a sleeker and more streamlined look.Improved Sound Quality - Apple is rumored to be using a new audio driver in the new AirPods, which could result in better sound quality and improved noise cancellation.Wireless Charging Case - Like the AirPods Pro, the new AirPods are expected to come with a wireless charging case as standard.Water Resistance - There are rumors that the new AirPods will be water-resistant, which would make them more durable and suitable for use during exercise or in wet conditions.
Will the new AirPods be more expensive than previous versions? It's unclear how much the new AirPods will cost, but they are expected to be similarly priced to previous versions. Will the new AirPods work with older Apple devices? Yes, the new AirPods should work with any device that is compatible with previous versions of AirPods. Can I use the new AirPods with non-Apple devices? Yes, the new AirPods can be paired with any Bluetooth-enabled device, although some features may only be available when used with an Apple device. In conclusion, while there is no official release date for the new AirPods yet, many people are eagerly anticipating their arrival. The new AirPods are expected to have a shorter stem, improved sound quality, a wireless charging case, and possibly water resistance. As with previous versions, the new AirPods should work with any device that is compatible with Bluetooth earbuds. If you're interested in the new AirPods, keep an eye out for announcements from Apple about their release date and features.


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The growing global demand for cocoa derivatives coupled with climate conditions threatening production in West Africa is pushing prices up with Beroe predicting the global cocoa market to reach $10 billion by 2026.
“Worldwide, we’ve seen demand for cocoa increase year over year for the past 10 years,” said Nagarajan S, Team Lead, Agro Commodities and Food Ingredients at Beroe.
“This demand, coupled with unfavourable cultivation conditions, is slated to drive up cocoa prices.
“Climate change is having a profound impact on crop yields, and cocoa has been one of the crops hardest hit.
“With insecure cocoa production on the horizon, procurement organisations must adopt assertive strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of cocoa supply chains.”
Demand for cocoa is projected to increase 30% by 2020, with chocolate production continuing to serve as the chief driver of global supply needs.
Strong forecasts for cocoa derivatives are further bolstering market demand; the US and Europe comprise the top consuming countries for both cocoa powder and cocoa butter, reflecting high market consumption of chocolate products.
In addition, cocoa liquor is positioned to experience accelerated growth at a CAGR of 4.5% until 2020, credited to its diverse utilisation and rising preference of its use in chocolate production.
The ability of cocoa producing regions to meet booming global demand remains uncertain. West Africa is the top cocoa producing region, with the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria holding nearly 70% of global production.
As climatic conditions threaten cocoa yields across Africa, estimated production is questionable through 2020.
Compounding this issue, labour shortages and the rising cost of labour are driving up the expenses associated with harvesting cocoa—leading many farmers to exit the cocoa farming business entirely.
Strengthening co-operatives presents one viable option for incentivising cocoa farming while ensuring cocoa price sustainability—by eliminating intermediaries in the supply chain, a focus on co-operatives has the potential to save 10–12% in cocoa procurement costs.
“Without empowering and investing in small-scale farmers, the cocoa industry will struggle to produce sufficient supply,” said Nagarajan.
“Investing in co-operatives is a win-win—it ensures farmers get a fair price for their yields while enabling procurement organisations to ensure the stability of cocoa prices and their supply needs over the long-term.”
Major trends governing the cocoa industry include a strong focus on organic cocoa and its nutritional benefits—both driven by global consumer preference.
While the market for organic cocoa is increasing, the smaller yields of organic cocoa farms are fuelling a shortage in organic cocoa supply.


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Bellperre launches new “affordable” ultra slim luxury phone
Luxury phone maker Bellperre has announced it’s launching a new handset that has a price level meeting “sincerely wider audience compared to current luxury phone brand offerings” – and I assume it’s referring to Mobiado and Vertu.
The phone is an “ultra slim”, highly customizable candybar: you can choose from brushed steel, polished silver, 24K yellow gold, or 18K rose gold finishes. Also, 125 genuine leather options are available (including black buffalo, brown lizard, red shark and pink crocodile).
- Quad-band GSM and tri-band HSPA (900/1900/2100) connectivity
- 2.2 inch QVGA display with 16 million colors (protected with sapphire crystal)
- GPS navigation
- Stereo Bluetooth
- FM radio
- Noise cancellation
- Email, Web browser, Outlook synchronization
- 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash, VGA video recording
- 111 x 45 x 11.2 mm
Judging by what we’re seeing in the press photos, Bellperre hopes to sell its new phone to businessmen and businesswomen. I wouldn’t buy the handset – even though Bellperre says it’s “affordable” – but then again, I’m not a businessman.
Customers can find out more about the new phone at Bellperre’s official website.
Via Press release (registration required)


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Total 6 Posts
Seller reports eBay Standard Envelope shipping option is being added to some items in categories that don't qualify, causing the seller to chose between losing money or disappointing the buyer.
Sellers report shipping problems as eBay expands Standard Envelope service to more categories.
eBay announced in February they were replacing "Fast n Free" badges with a new "simplified" badge that highlights the shipping speed. The Fast ‘N Free badge highlighted listings with shipping speeds of 4 business days or less, but didn’t include any other details that buyers look for. To help
eBay announced last week that it would be simplifying the way listings with fast shipping speeds are shown to buyers on the platform. What’s Changing?eBay is doing away with the “Fast n Free” badge and replacing it with a new badge that highlights the shipping speed. The Fast


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The newly-formed company seeks to disrupt the nutritional marketplace by creating brands that target various health conditions.
Hologram Sciences brands will offer consumer-facing personalised nutrition solutions that have been clinically proven to address a variety of health needs, including those related to immunity, the gut and brain.
Along with nutritional supplements and diagnostics, the company’s proprietary digital platform will provide consumers with access to registered dieticians.
Once validated in-market, the custom-formulated solutions will be available to DSM customers. Hologram will also work to incubate products with DSM customers and partners, based on the latest consumer insights.
The company will be led by Ian Brady, co-founder of US financial services firm SoFi.
“With a highly dynamic team combining expertise in tech, brand marketing, and the nutrition innovation and science power of DSM, we can reveal that our first solution will be a rapid immunity concept, addressing the current acute concern over the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” said Brady.
The start-up is backed by a $100 million investment by DSM, which has personalised nutrition as part of its core strategy.
Dimitri de Vreeze, co-CEO at DSM, said: “We’re thrilled to fund a powerful, data-driven platform that’s fused with DSM’s capabilities and product resources. With the help of key experts – including nutritionists, dietitians, scientists and advisors – Hologram Sciences will be taking personalised nutrition to a new level for consumers and DSM’s customers.