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At MWC (Mobile World Conference), we have been able to see a lot of technological advancements within the smartphone industry. And, this is where Samsung also announced the Galaxy Book Windows 10 2-in-1. Well, it clearly looked like a blunt answer to Microsoft’s Surface Pro line. But, we have not been able to hear any news about Galaxy’s Book release date after that.
Although the specifications of the device seemed superb, but the audience was unclear about its availability. However, now people have a reason to know more about Galaxy Book Windows 2-in-1 because its release date is officially confirmed.
You will be able to get your hands on the LTE model from 21st of April, while the WiFi version will hit the retailers on May 21st. The LTE version basically comes in two sizes, 12-inch and 10.6 inch, therefore the price also varies quite prominently. The model with 12-inch will be available for $1, 300, whereas the one with 10.6 inch for $630.
Have you heard about smart bandages before?
Well, this is the kind of bandage that has the ability to detect how speedily a hound is healing and sends a progress report to the doctor. Yes, it is true and this incredible technology will be exposed to the market from next year according to the scientists.
Let’s talk about how it works!
The entire bandage is occupied with very tiny sensors which are tailor-made to pick blood clotting and identity infections. And, it all gets done wirelessly.
Swansea University is the origin of these data driven bandages and hoping to make its first trial by the next year.
All in all, it would turn out to be an amazing help for physicians to customize treatments based on the progress of your wound. For instance, if you are healing well, you will be provided with a solution in accordance with your condition.
Prof Marc Clement, chairman of the Institute of Life Science at Swansea said: “This is a multi-technology approach, with nanotechnology, nanoelectronics, printing and coating biochemistry all interconnecting through 5G infrastructure to allow us tomorrow and in the future to deliver health care for a wound patient that delivers better patient outcomes and better quality of life.”
Scientists have been working so hard to integrate robotics into intricate medical treatments. Well, due to the reason, doctors now have tiny devices that are excessively used to inject drugs into an individual’s eye. Moreover, such devices are also used on areas which are hard to reach.
The good news is, scientists have recently come up with an effective way to combat cancer using magnetized swarm of microscopic robots.
A team of researchers at Phillips Innovative Technologies in Hamburg, Germany is the mind behind this innovation. They have created a way to place each robot in a swarm and provide them specific tasks through magnetic fields.
“Our method may enable complex manipulations inside the human body,” said study lead author Jurgen Rahmer, a physicist at Philips Innovative Technologies in Hamburg, Germany.
Such a group of scientists believes that treating cancer with this technology can protect healthy tissues and possibly lessen harmful side effects. But, I think it’s too early to say anything until we have some real-life examples.
It seems that McDonald’s is keen to make a solid impact with its scrumptious Shamrock Shake. And to boost its marketing campaign, the famous restaurant chain has decided to introduce a re-engineered straw.
Yes, you have heard that right!
The straw is not something out of this world thing in terms of its design and functionality. However, it has been created with a legitimate purpose. The Shamrock Shake is a combination of chocolate milkshake with a sizzling touch of mint flavor in it. Which means, enjoying both of the flavors together is merely impossible until the shack melts down. So, to overcome this problem, a team of robotic and aerospace engineers have reinvented the straw that you can see in the image above.
It comes with four holes that surely allow you to enjoy a delectable combination of chocolate shake with minty seasoning. But unfortunately, a fewer quantity of straws will be available in the market. Therefore, McDonald’s wants you to keep visiting its website to know where and how you can get the straw.


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Twitter again delayed the launch of its Twitter Blue subscription service—which allows users to pay $8 per month for a verified badge—in an effort to find a way to circumvent Apple’s 30% fee on all in-app purchases, the Platformer reported on Tuesday, as CEO Elon Musk engages in a public feud with the iPhone maker after it purportedly withdrew its advertising from the social media platform.
The Key Facts
The Platformer reports that Twitter won’t offer Blue subscriptions in-app on its Twitter iPhone app after it relaunches.
An internal message shared by a product manager on Tuesday said the launch has been delayed to “make some tweaks,” the report added.
Blue will see a price increase from $7.99 to $8, and it will require phone number authentication.
Musk was the first to realize this. intended to relaunch Twitter Blue—the rollout of which was suspended after it allowed the creation of a wave of impersonator accounts—on Tuesday, but this was delayed to a tentative date of December 2, last week.
With this latest delay, the date for Twitter Blue’s launch remains unclear.
Keep an eye out for these things
Twitter Blue is no longer an in-app buy and will therefore not have to pay Apple 30% for all subscriptions. This would likely mean the subscription will be accessible on Twitter’s website itself, opening the service to Twitter users on all platforms. Twitter Blue had been available exclusively to iPad or iPhone users prior to the suspension of its rollout. Apple’s App Store policies allow app makers to offer subscriptions and services outside the app. Apple has set strict guidelines for how apps should guide users in making external purchases. This has been criticized by other app developers.
Platformer also noted that Apple continues to lose ad revenue. Earnings from Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), are down 15% over the past year. Weekly ad bookings have fallen 49%. The company is reportedly anticipating a $12 million revenue loss from the U.K.—its largest market in the region. Several major brands have backed off from advertising on Twitter due to concerns about the platform’s failure to moderate hateful content.
The Key Background
Musk openedly feuded with Apple after Apple’s advertising ban was lifted on Monday. The loss of Apple’s advertising dollars is likely a big blow for Twitter as the company was the biggest advertiser on Twitter in the first quarter with a spend of $48 million, according to the Washington Post. Musk attacked Apple’s decision to pull its advertisements. accusing the company of “hating free speech.” The Twitter CEO eventually claimed that Apple had threatened to boot its app from the App Store and “won’t tell us why.” While Apple has not officially commented, Musk’s looser approach to moderation and his recent moves to reinstate several controversial accounts which were previously banned by the platform may run afoul of the iPhone maker’s app store policies. Apple requires all App makers to follow its stringent guidelines on content which require the removal of anything that is “offensive, insensitive, upsetting, intended to disgust, in exceptionally poor taste or just plain creepy.” Apple’s strict rules had previously led to right-wing Twitter-clone, Parler, being kicked off the App Store for failing to moderate “dangerous and harmful content.”
After Musk’s claims about Apple’s threat, several top Republican leaders criticized the iPhone maker and warned it could face Congressional action if it removed Twitter from its App Store. Florida Governor Ron Desantis said removing Twitter would be a “huge, huge mistake and a really raw exercise of monopolistic power,” and would invite a congressional response. DeSantis then speculated that Apple’s purported threat was due to Musk’s decision to reinstate accounts that were “unfairly and illegally suspended for putting out accurate information about Covid.” Since last week, Twitter has stopped enforcing its policy on harmful misinformation about Covid-19.
Apple engaged in high-profile legal battle against Epic video games publisher Epic last year. Epic had removed Fortnite from the App Store because it tried to bypass its rules regarding in-app payments. Federal Judge ruled in September that Apple had to provide app creators with an alternate way of making in-app payment than the company’s own, which costs 30% from developers. The court, however, also ruled that Apple was not “an antitrust monopolist in the submarket for mobile gaming transactions.”
Twitter’s advertising losses are piling up (Platformer)
Elon Musk Says Twitter Is Launching A New Color-Coded Verification Scheme Next Week — Here’s What We Know So Far (SME)

domain: news


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The amount SMBs spend on services and software is set to eclipse hardware spend in 2019, according to IDC. Research from the analyst claims that while hardware is currently the biggest area of technology...
One in seven UK firms planning to move their headquarters to an EU country, according to ThoughtWorks
Cybersecurity and workforce gap hindering business innovation, according to CompTIA
Cybercriminals are dropping 'spray-and-pray' tactics in favour of high-value targets, according to vendor research
SaaS saw revenues grew by $100bn in the last 10 years but still only accounts for 23 per cent of the total software market
AdEPT plans to raise up to £4m
Insight’s lead architect for AWS guides CRN through the process of winning the coveted status and the competitive advantage it brings
Average wage across UK's top 350 VARs, MSPs and tech consultancies growing just above inflation, according to CRN research


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Top-tier Web sites are getting viewers to watch entire videos, but still struggling to generate clicks, says TubeMogul, which found that overall, pre-roll video ads available for real-time buying
across devices continue to expand -- averaging over 211 million daily impressions, and growing by an average of 4.7% per month.
Despite click rates, CPMs for video ads are headed upward, growing at a rate of 2.5% per month -- peaking at $9.93 in June, the video ad-buying platform found.
Broken out by day, CPMs for pre-roll video ads tend to mirror video viewing. That said, some misalignment between price and viewing patterns emerges over the weekend, making it an ideal time for bidding.
Broken out by TubeMogul’s tiers for content quality, CPMs for pre-roll video ads are up slightly across the board, and are highest for tier one sites -- which grew to an average of $10.19 in the second quarter.
Also of note, tier two sites averaged only slightly higher ($0.14) CPMs than tier three sites, perhaps making them an overall bargain, the findings suggest.
At 81.3% overall, video ads run on tier one sites had the highest completion rates, while comScore100 sites differ little from the overall average, with completion rates for 30-second ads differing by only 0.1%.
Ad size was closely related to video watched. Indeed, TubeMogul considers video ad size is a near-perfect proxy for getting consumers to watch an entire video ad, with 96% completions for larger video players compared to 80% for smaller players.


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Yesterday, reports from The Wall Street Journal claimed the United States Justice Department was planning to launch an antitrust case against Apple and the country’s five largest book publishers related to claims of e-book price fixing. The European Commission announced in December that it would begin investigating whether Apple and book publishers “engaged in illegal agreements or practices that would have the object or the effect of restricting competition.” Many believe the probes are a direct result of Steve Jobs’ comments documented in Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs biography where the late CEO said: “Amazon screwed it up.”
“We told the publishers, ‘We’ll go to the agency model, where you set the price, and we get our 30 percent, and yes, the customer pays a little more, but that’s what you want anyway… They went to Amazon and said, ‘You’re going to sign an agency contract or we’re not going to give you the books.’ “
Today, new court documents from a request by Apple to throw out a class action case over e-book price fixing revealed Apple’s stance on the issue. PaidContent explained: “Apple argues that its business plan was to sell as many e-books as possible and that it had no incentive to raise prices.” Meanwhile, Apple argued: “Why would Apple offer Amazon’s Kindle app on the iPad.” The company’s comments sidestepped all claims about Apple allegedly conspiring to slow Amazon’s entrance into the tablet market with Kindle Fire:
But this allegation just strings together antitrust buzzwords.. Nor does this ‘Kindle theory’ make sense on its own terms. For example, if Amazon was a ‘threat’ that needed to be squelched by means of an illegal conspiracy, why would Apple offer Amazon’s Kindle app on the iPad? Why would Apple conclude that conspiring to force Amazon to no longer lose money on eBooks would cripple Amazon’s competitive fortunes? And why would Apple perceive the need for an illegal solution to the “Kindle threat” when it had an obvious and lawful one which it implemented – namely, introducing a multipurpose device (the iPad) whose marketing and sales success was not centered on eBook sales?
The report from PaidContent continued to claim that publishers rumored to be in talks with the government “may be seeking to obtain a lenient settlement in return for offering damning evidence of the conspiracy” on price fixing.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Sina Technology forenoon August 21st afternoon, Sina Technology exclusively learned this morning. Recently, the company has signed a new round of box cooperation with Taobao, including two parts, advertising and electricity suppliers. The scale of cooperation is over last year.
tiktok told Sina technology that Taobao and we have been good partners and will create more value for users in the future.
learned that in 2018, Taobao began to cooperate with the tiktok. The tiktok was prohibit tiktok by Tencent, and Taobao began to develop tiktok business by Taobao. Tiktok tiktok,
, had previously said that Taobao was in a trill and Taobao frame was expired. After July 1st, it was basically impossible to plug Taobao links. Jitter tiktok tiktok. After < / P > < p >, the two sides had many negotiations on whether to sign the new year box. Previous media reports said that the total amount of negotiation on the new year’s box agreement may be about 20 billion, three times the previous round of cooperation. However, this figure is not confirmed by Taobao and tiktok. (Yang Xuemei)


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ICSFS CEO Awarded As One Of The Top 20 CEOs For The Year 2017
- 10.04.2017 08:45 am
ICS Financial Systems Limited (ICSFS), the global software and services provider for banks and financial institutions, is proud to announce that its leader Mr. Robert Hazboun is recognized as one of the top 20 CEOs of the year 2017 by the CEO Insight Magazine.
The CEO Insight Global awards acknowledge best practice and innovation across the business community, the list reflects the best and the brightest pioneers in business today, they shine a spotlight on the people that lead the pack in terms of innovation. However, the best CEOs generally deliver strong performance over many years, and its list of top performers features the business leaders who have proved themselves over. the entire length of their tenure.
The publisher of CEO Insight Magazine, Mr. Jamie Harrison commented:
“Mr. Robert Hazboun has continuously demonstrated excellence over many years leading the global growth of ICS Financial Systems (ICSFS). His brand leadership, customer focus and corporate culture skill sets has advanced and accelerated the awareness of the ICSFS brand, the adoption of ICSFS solutions and the penetration of new products and new markets.”
Mr. Robert Hazboun, Managing Director of ICSFS, commented on this occasion:
“We are delighted to receive such an award, as we, at ICSFS have been considered as a global leader in embracing innovative technology, delivering superior services accompanied by strong performance.” Hazboun added; “I am proud of our achievements, where this award symbolises my contribution to ICSFS’ objective in offering bespoke state-of-art financial products and services.”


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Independent coffee chain Caffè Nero, is planning to open about 50 outlets in Ireland over the next five years in a €20 million investment, creating 320 jobs.
The news comes after the coffee house operator opened its first store in Ireland earlier this month on Merrion Row in Dublin.
Speaking about the opening of the store, Gerry Ford, chairman and founder of Caffè Nero said: “We are delighted to be introducing Caffè Nero and the entire Caffè Nero experience to Dublin coffee drinkers for the very first time. Our premises on Merrion Row allows us to begin the journey of sharing our award-winning blends and the hours of craftsmanship that go into each cup, with coffee lovers at the centre of this beautiful city. We plan to introduce further Caffè Nero coffee houses to Ireland over time.”
There are plans to open two more outlets to open in Dublin in the near future. Caffè Nero has 600 stores worldwide and employs over 4,000 people.


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The UK's anti-competition authority is opening up an investigation of continued allegations that Apple uses its App Store to restrict competition, and set "unfair terms" for developers.
Adding to the increasing number of international anti-trust investigations against Apple, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it is to examine the App Store. The CMA says it follows an unspecified number of complaints sent to it.
"Millions of us use apps every day to check the weather, play a game or order a takeaway," Dr. Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said in an official government statement.
"So complaints that Apple is using its market position to set terms which are unfair or may restrict competition and choice - potentially causing customers to lose out when buying and using apps - warrant careful scrutiny," he continued.
In response, Apple told BBC News that it plans to cooperate with the CMA over the investigation.
"We believe in thriving and competitive markets where any great idea can flourish," a spokesperson said. "The App Store has been an engine of success for app developers, in part because of the rigorous standards we have in place - applied fairly and equally to all developers - to protect customers from malware and to prevent rampant data collection without their consent."
"We look forward to working with the UK Competition and Markets Authority to explain how our guidelines for privacy, security and content have made the App Store a trusted marketplace for both consumers and developers," concluded the Apple spokesperson.
The CMA says that the investigation is only just beginning, "and no decision has yet been made on whether Apple is breaking the law." It also says that it intends to cooperate with the European Commission, which it notes opened four antitrust probes into Apple, before the UK's Brexit transition period ended.
International investigations into App Store all center on the issues of how much Apple charges developers, and how it requires them to use its own in-app payment systems. The most high-profile dispute regarding both of these issues is the ongoing battle between Apple and "Fortnite" developer Epic Games.


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A Florida woman Thursday pleaded guilty to federal fraud charge related to a conspiracy to import illegal, synthetic drugs.
Crystal Hope Henry, of Pensacola, admitted that she helped to manufacture and distribute more than 20 tons of synthetic cannabinoids. The drugs were labeled as "potpourri" and marked "not for human consumption," then shipped by a firm called ZenBio to customers in Tennessee, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, and other states, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Synthetic cannabinoids, more casually known as spice, have been called "probably the single most significant threat to the health and safety of our community that we've seen since the crack epidemic of the 1980s," according to Mobile Police Chief James Barber.
Henry worked as a bookkeeper for the company, writing checks to various suppliers and coordinating shipments to customers. In February 2013, Henry sent out the following email to several coworkers:
"Effective immediately, we need to discontinue to use the Wells Fargo bank account for depositing and wiring money. They have been giving us trouble the last week really investigating our account due to the nature of the large amount of money moving through. The end result is that wells Fargo is not welcome to banking with a business in our industry."
When Florida law changed to make certain chemicals illegal in December 2012, ZenBio relocated to Robertsdale and rebranded the company as BioZen. After noticing suspicious packages being shipped to the company, the manager of a UPS store in Daphne contacted Postal Inspector Bruce Allen about the situation. Allen discovered that each of these packages was addressed to Henry, and contained the illegal substance XLR11.
XLR11, also known as 5FUR144, creates a high similar to marijuana.
"The use of synthetic or designer drugs has a devastating impact on our communities," U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown said in a prepared statement. "Although synthetic cannabinoids are many times marketed as legal marijuana, they are not only illegal (but) are extremely harmful."
Because Henry was part of a conspiracy to deceive the FDA and DEA and distribute BioZen's product for human consumption, court records say, she is guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
While Henry has pleaded guilty, co-defendant Lydia Ruth Brown is awaiting the court's decision on a request to dismiss certain charges.


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Consumer prices, measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumer (CPI), rose by 0.2 percent in February after the CPI posted its biggest gain in four years of 0.5 percent in January. Energy price growth slowed over the month to 0.1 percent, from 3.0 percent in January. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes the more volatile energy and food prices, increased 0.2 percent in February following a 0.3 percent increase in January.
On a year-over-year basis, the CPI rose 2.2 percent, a slightly larger increase than the 2.1-percent rise for the 12 months ending in January. Energy prices contributed to the increase in the headline measure of consumer inflation, climbing 7.7 percent over the year. Shelter prices increased by 3.1 percent over the year, faster than overall inflation. Core inflation rose by 1.8 percent over the year. February marks the 10th consecutive month in which core inflation has risen by either 1.7 percent or 1.8 percent on a 12-month basis.
From a housing perspective, rental prices, a component of the Shelter Price Index, rose by 0.2 percent in February, a slight slowdown from the increase of 0.3 percent in January. Year-over-year, nominal rental prices, rose 3.6 percent in February, a slight decrease from the price increase in January of 3.7 percent. Over the past 12 months, real rental prices, rental prices adjusted for core-CPI rose by 1.7 percent but compared to January, it was a slight decrease from 1.9 percent. The month of February marks the 79th consecutive month in which rental price growth over the past year has exceeded core inflation. Real rental price growth remains near historically high levels, but the pace of growth has shown signs of a sustained deceleration.


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Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy and the global crisis that followed has led some in China to reassess their view of Wall Street, especially against the backdrop of their own country's remarkable rise.
"From a Chinese perspective, in the past people thought: 'Wall Street -- that's where people make a lot of money'," Leung said by telephone from Beijing."Now the Chinese might be thinking: 'Who knows? Maybe we can do better, we can create another Wall Street in China'," he said.
The accounting firm's name -- the surnames of its US expatriate founders -- attracted clients because it sounded "very American", Leung said, insisting the company had not just tried to copy the famous bank's similar moniker.
But bankruptcy carries a harsh stigma in China and now prospective clients could see it as unlucky, he admitted.
Though dented, "Brand America" remains much admired in China -- but at the same time the Chinese are keenly aware the tectonic shifts in the global economy may also be their break-out chance.
If the money trail is any indication, Chinese ties to the US are stronger than ever. The Chinese government remains one of the biggest financers of US debt and this month two Chinese banks opened their first US branches to keep pace with their clients' expansion into the United States.
Despite the turmoil, trust in American consumer brands is at an all-time high due to China's contaminated milk scandal, which led to more than 53,000 children falling ill, said Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research Group.
"They feel there is better quality control, people aren't going to cut corners, put in bad ingredients in order to make money," Rein said. "So on the consumer side, that 'Made in America' label is still very powerful."
But at the same time, confidence in US financial institutions has plummeted, Rein said, citing surveys his firm conducted in 10 cities across China.
"They want to take their money out of Citibank and they want to put it in Bank of China," he said. Chinese business schools will continue to study US case studies for best practices, said Liu Shengjun, assistant director of China Europe International Business School's Case Development Centre.
But US corporate governance cases are a different story, he said. The current meltdown and episodes like the collapse of Enron, amid some 40 billion dollars in hidden debt, had taken its toll on corporate America's reputation. "People here used to worship the US model, which seemed very successful," Liu said. "The image of US financial institutions is now a lot worse," he said.
But on a busy Shanghai street corner, Lao Li said the financial crisis had not hurt demand for the pirated Hollywood DVDs he sells from boxes on the back of his bicycle.
"In bad times people like to watch American comedies," he said. "They are selling really well."
As millions of Chinese move daily to cities from the countryside they arrive wanting cars, gadgets and appliances -- success as defined by American lifestyles, Martin Rolls, author of "Asian Brand Strategy" said.
"Brand America is still very strong and it will be for a very long time because it carries a lot of the connotations of dreams, of aspirations," Rolls told AFP.
"You can reach out for the skies, you can build something global. We still haven't seen truly global companies out of China."
Tian Bo, who repairs bicycles at the side of the road in the centre of Shanghai, agrees China is not yet ready to look away from the US.
"To me the United States is a place with many rich people that is advanced in so many ways," Tian said. "Even if they are having troubles, a skeletal camel is still bigger than a horse."
- Front Page
- FM Delivers Balanced Budget, Minus Freebies
The budget achieves the hat-trick of greatly boosting capital spending, slashing taxes, and reducing the fiscal deficit.Budget Envisages PM’s Vision of Amrit Kaal
The resolve to see India as a global superpower during the 'Amrit Kaal' is no castle in the air, as it might sound to naysayers.Adani Enterprises Cancels FPO, to Refund Investors
Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) unexpectedly called off its ₹20,000-crore follow-on public offer (FPO) on Wednesday evening, a day after the company closed the offer successfully.
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
ETPrime stories of the day
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People in the United Kingdom should be on the alert for a new SMS scam. Messages are sent to a number of people notifying them of a missed call. According to the text, the caller has left a message.The message asks the individual to click on the URL to play the voice mail. Unfortunately, there’s a terrible sting to the link – and it’s not voicemail.
Yes, instead of taking people to their voicemail, the link takes them to a website designed to steal sensitive personal information such as credit or debit card numbers, email addresses, and passwords. Hackers can then use this information to get into online accounts or to try a different fraud, such as posing as your bank.
Scammers can use some of the information you’ve given them, such as your credit card number, to trick you into thinking it’s a legitimate call from your bank and providing them with the last bits of information they need, such as the CVV number on the back of the card or the answer to a security question to gain access to your online accounts.
The texts stating that “you have got a fresh voicemail” are part of a wave of SMS frauds sweeping the United Kingdom. Millions of people have been compelled to work from home and modify their routines as a result of the epidemic. It has led to an increase in the use of web-based services such as online banking applications, online grocery stores, and other similar services. Scammers now have more opportunities as a result of this.
These text message scammers have already targeted nearly 60% of people in the UK. Hackers are now acting on an “industrial scale,”.


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Customer Case Study: NordicClick Interactive
With Gravie, employers save valuable time on benefits administration—time that can be put back into the business.
Before making the switch from a traditional group plan to Gravie, Jeff Nordeen, co-founder and partner at NordicClick, didn’t realize how much time he had been spending on benefits administration. Time that could have been better spent doing what he does best—running a growing digital marketing agency. “Handling all that myself was a burden I hadn’t realized I’d taken on,” said Jeff. In addition to freeing up valuable time, switching to Gravie saved the company money and, more importantly, helped them control costs.
With Gravie’s defined contribution approach, businesses set their own benefits budget so they know exactly how much they will be spending on their employees’ health insurance. According to Jeff, Gravie has made it possible for NordicClick to “future proof” their health benefits, meaning as rates change, they can continue to offer great health benefits at a cost they can afford.
“When I think of traditional health insurance, rate increases always come up. With Gravie’s approach, we’re able to define exactly what we want to spend.” – Jeff Nordeen
While Jeff and the other NordicClick senior executives were pleased with reduced administrative hassle and cost savings, their 20 employees were also happy about the switch to better insurance and a more personalized benefits experience. Prior to Gravie, NordicClick employees had access to only one plan. With Gravie, they get to choose from 10. Of the available options, NordicClick employees chose five unique plans that best fit their health needs, lifestyle, and budget, and “that’s a really cool benefit,” said Jeff.
Partnering with Gravie has helped NordicClick:
- Save valuable time by getting out of the hassle of benefits administration
- Save money and control costs
- Provide employees with better health insurance and more plan options


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FantasySalesTeam Secures Seed Financing
AUSTIN, TX, FantasySalesTeam, which helps companies of all sizes run more engaging and higher performing sales contests, has closed on seed financing.
FantasySalesTeam, which helps companies of all sizes run more engaging and higher performing sales contests, has closed on seed financing, funded by ATX Seed Ventures, the Central Texas Angel Network, Marvel Venture Partners, and select individual investors.
FantasySalesTeam has developed a powerful online platform which allows sales managers to drive increased activity and results through team based competition; all modeled on fantasy sports. FantasySalesTeam launched in June 2013, has 50+ customers and announced v2.0 of their platform earlier this week.
'The most rewarding part of starting this company has been the customer feedback. Sales managers and reps tell us all the time that this is the most fun sales contest they've ever run,' said Adam Hollander, CEO, FantasySalesTeam. 'Most importantly, they're seeing measurable increases in sales activity, engagement and results.'
Rick Hanson, VP Global Sales and Field Operations, Hewlett-Packard (HP) said, 'I've been an executive in sales for over twenty years and it's rare that you run across a technology like FantasySalesTeam that can have such an impact in a limited amount of time.' HP has run several FantasySalesTeam games, which are fully integrated with their CRM, Salesforce.com.
FantasySalesTeam was also recently named Top Sales Gamification Tool by Richardson, a leading sales training and consulting firm.
'The fact that FantasySalesTeam is flexible and customizable to fit any sales environment, can monitor dozens of performance metrics without operational hassle, and rewards competitive, as well as team based selling, appears to be a game changer,' said Jim Brodo, SVP, Richardson.
The term 'gamification' has really taken hold over the last several years. However, FantasySalesTeam's goal has never been to simply 'gamify' sales. It has always been to create a new breed of sales contest; one that solves the problems that cause traditional incentive programs to underperform. The company has published a video showcasing the top three reasons sales contests fail at http://www.fantasysalesteam.com/video.
'I'm a huge fan of bringing engagement and measured results to the workplace,' said Chris Shonk, Managing Director, ATX Seed Ventures. 'While 'gamification' may be uttered often in media it has rarely been executed well, and that is exactly what FantasySalesTeam has done. Traction speaks louder than any phase de jour, or board room zeitgeist; Adam and his team have developed a great product, with emphatic customers, in a massive and growing market. I'm elated to join the team and help take this Austin prodigy to the big leagues.'
'This is just the beginning,' said CEO Hollander. 'This funding will allow us to rapidly expand our client base across all industries, make a number of exciting enhancements to the product and most importantly, ensure customer success.' The company is already developing a mobile version of its application and will shortly be expanding its integration platform.
Lots of companies run sales contests - but few drive meaningful improvement or results through them. That's because there are a number of underlying problems with the way most traditional sales contests are designed. FantasySalesTeam is a web based software application that allows sales managers to run more fun, more effective sales contests that keep reps engaged and yield improved results. Learn more at http://www.fantasysalesteam.com.
About ATX Seed Ventures
ATX Seed Ventures provides capital, contacts and experience for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs. The fund's ATX A-Team is a cadre of Austin's most successful and influential entrepreneurs. We are hands-on partners for today's most passionate entrepreneurs, together forging the promising companies of tomorrow.
About The Central Texas Angel Network
The Central Texas Angel Network is one of the leading Angel Networks in the nation, with over 120 individual Angel Investors. In 2013, CTAN invested $9.7 million in 33 local startup companies.
About Marvel Venture Partners
Marvel Venture Partners actively drives technological disruption through proven methods of business incubation. Nationwide investments and early stage capital injection highlight our commitment to strategically developing innovative organizations while forming symbiotic, long-lasting partnerships.
>> Click here for in-depth research on 9,000 startups and 5,000 VC investors
(c)2011-2020 by Massinvestor, Inc. For contact info, please check out our about


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In a press statement released on Monday, he referred to research conducted by the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance and said that every 1 percent increase in the number of patents can push the national economy up by 0.06 percent.
"This means that if the number of patents can increase just by 10 percent, then Indonesia's economic growth can be 0.6 percent higher," he remarked.
Intellectual property can contribute to nation branding as well as give a competitive advantage to countries, especially those that have the advantage of communal intellectual property, Harris noted.
One of the potentials of communal intellectual property that needs to be encouraged in order to be competitive in the global market is manufacturing products that rely on the potential of Indonesia's geographical characteristics, or commonly known as geographical indications, he said.
"Geographical indications have proven to be a catalyst for nation branding and support the economic independence of a country," he remarked.
He cited the example of Gayo coffee from Aceh, which has become Indonesia's first geographical indication product to be accepted in the European Union.
In terms of price, Gayo coffee has been valued at Rp120 thousand (US$8.51) per kilogram upon registration. Prior to registration, it was only Rp50 thousand (US$3.55) per kilogram, he pointed out.
Another example is the registration of the Amed Bali salt geographic indications product in 2016, Harris said. It boosted the ecotourism potential of the Karangasem district area, where Amed salt originated from.
"The residents there use the area for their geographical indicator products to become a tourist attraction. Through the Amed salt festival, which presents a spectacle of producing traditional salt," he explained.
Another example of the use of intellectual property for nation branding has been the use of Balinese endek fabrics by the Christian Dior fashion house at the 2021 Paris Fashion Week. Nine out of the 86 designs of Christian Dior's latest collection incorporates Balinese endek fabrics, he noted.
Thus, intellectual property can be a very valuable economic asset if managed properly, he added.
"At the same time, it can shape the identity of the Indonesian nation to be known more widely by the international community," Harris remarked.
Therefore, it is necessary to have intellectual property management for economic and industrial development through a collaboration scheme that involves all stakeholders, he said.
"It must include the government, academics, industry, intellectual property activists, to creators and inventors, as well as law enforcement officers in the intellectual property field," he elaborated.
Related news: Govt urges content creators to register their intellectual property
Related news: Online requests for patents continue to rise: DJKI
Related news: Ministry highlights low intellectual property awareness among citizens


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Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has partnered with General Motors Co.’s (NYSE:GM) subsidiary Cruise LLC to pilot autonomous delivery service in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Walmart piloting autonomous delivery in Arizona
Under this pilot program, consumers can place orders from their local Walmart store and the delivery will be through Cruise’s self-driving elector Chevy Bolt cars. Although the cars will run autonomously, a human safety driver will be behind the wheel. The move is part of the retailer’s expansion of the pickup and delivery services to ensure customers receive their goods safely and in time.
In April, Walmart launched Express Delivery service currently available in over 2,800 stores after a successful initial pilot in 100 stores. The retailer stated that during the pandemic, there was a surge in the number of customers using delivery service. The Express delivery service offers deliveries in less than two hours for an extra $10 on top of the regular delivery fee.
Walmart partnership with autonomous car companies
The company has partnered with several other startups for autonomous vehicle and drone delivery services. Walmart is also running similar programs with Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQLGOOGL) Waymo and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F). However, the cruise partnership is different, considering all its cars are electric and they run on renewable energy. As a result, this is a massive boost to Walmart in its zero carbon emissions goal by 2040.
The companies dint offer details regarding the customer area to be served or the fleet size. The program expects to commence early 2021 with customers ordering from their local Walmart store and receiving deliveries through Cruise’s autonomous electric cars. According to Walmart’s SVP customer product in the US, the tech has the potential of saving customers a lot of time and cash. It will also be helpful to the planet on the road to zero carbon emission.
Due to the pandemic, some of the companies testing autonomous vehicles slowed down, but with social distancing concerns the future is looking at autonomous deliveries. Currently, most companies’ focus is developing mechanisms of contactless food delivery.


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On 25 January, Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay published a list of bilateral agreements that are almost ready to be signed or about to be concluded. Trade agreements have already been signed with respect to mutual recognition of compliance assessment with Australia and New Zealand, wine trade with Australia and trade in live animals and animal products with New Zealand. Along with the East and South African states, Chile, the Faroe Islands, Switzerland, the Caribbean and the Palestinian Authority, the signing of free trade agreements was about to be signed. The free trade agreement texts have been finalized with Israel, Canada, the Pacific States, SACU, Mozambique, Norway and Iceland. Mutual recognition agreements have also been concluded with the United States. Changes to the table “Trade Agreements outstanding”: “Percentage of total trade in the UK, 2018” has been updated following the publication of trade statistics from the Office for National Statistics. After 31 December 2020, EU trade agreements will no longer apply to the UK. Trade deals, of which the UK is a member of the EU, will no longer be valid if there is a Brexit without a deal. The UK currently participates in many international agreements with third countries as a member of the EU. The EU online treaty database lists 1,261 international agreements to which the EU is a member. Liz Truss Department for International Trade (DIT) is working to meet Wednesday`s deadline for submitting $80 billion in trade agreements to Parliament in time for them to enter into force in January under standard procedures. Confirmation that the UK would become an independent part of the GPA in the event of a non-agreement was announced on 27 February.
In February, several fisheries agreements were also presented to Parliament. The UK government has powers over trade agreements and international agreements, as well as the right and power to pass laws on all matters under parliamentary sovereignty, but the UK government will generally seek the compliant advice of the Devolved Parliament (s) when areas of agreement conflict with issues of decentralised jurisdiction. , regardless of its ability to legislate, there was initially less information on the government`s preparations to replace or address the agreements covered by the EU`s many international agreements on non-trade issues. The UK government is working on new deals that will replace EU trade deals after Brexit.


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Apple didn’t do the traditional beta seeding for this release, but there were hints that Apple was working on a new software version of iOS ahead of the much more anticipated iOS 15. And, it turns out that is indeed the case.
Today, Apple has released iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, watchOS 7.6.2, and macOS 11.6 Big Sur to the public. While the version number would suggest something big, that’s not really going to be the case. This is meant to be the final version of iOS 14 released to the public, so it’s not necessarily meant to add any major new features to the mix.
It’s also worth noting that Apple is changing things up this year as far as software updates are concerned. With the public launch of iOS 15, Apple is making a change to how updates work. iOS users on eligible devices will actually have the ability to choose to either update to iOS 15 right when it launches (or soon after) if they want to use the most up-to-date version of the platform, and use all those new features. Or, they can stick with iOS 14. If they choose the latter route, they will continue to get security updates, but not have to make the switch to iOS 15 if they don’t want.
As far as what’s new, it’s all security related. Apple says the update is recommended for all users. If you aren’t seeing it already, the update should go live on Apple’s servers soon enough.
If there are any major new discoveries made in iOS 14.8, though, we will update this post accordingly.
iOS 14.8 is available to download now, and it’s a free update. To get the new software on your eligible device(s), simply open the Settings app –> General –> Software Update and follow the onscreen instructions. If you have Automatic Updates switched on, your iPhone will handle the update process on its own overnight.
To update to the newest version of watchOS, open the Watch app –> General –> Software Update and follow the instructions. Automatic Updates will apply the update automatically overnight. The Apple Watch must have at least 50% battery, be connected to its charger, and also paired with an iPhone.
To update to macOS 11.6 Big Sur, open System Preferences –> Software Update and follow the installation instructions.
Are you planning to update to iOS 15 as soon as the software is available to the public later this month?


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US retail giant Wal-Mart has launched a large-scale video download service.
The company has started a beta version of a video download service that will feature content from nearly every major US movie and television studio.
"This marks a significant step for Wal-Mart in home video, and enables us to better serve our customers as they begin to complement DVD purchases with downloading digital video content," said Kevin Swint, divisional merchandise manager at Wal-Mart.
Movies will be available for download on the same day that the DVD is released in stores. New titles will cost anywhere from US$12.88 to US$19.88 and older titles will start at US$7.50. TV shows will cost US$1.96 per episode.
20th Century Fox, Disney and Warner Bros are among the eight major film studios that have committed to the new store. Comedy Central, MTV, Fox and Nickelodeon will be among the TV networks offering content.
The Wal-Mart service will feature a much larger video library than Apple's iTunes video store, which currently only has movie distribution deals with Disney, Paramount, Miramax and Touchstone.
Apple said that it expects to add more major studios to the iTunes store during 2007.
Although the Wal-Mart store features similar pricing and a larger library, analysts believe that it is unlikely to become an iTunes killer in the immediate future.
Jupiter Research analyst Todd Chanko told vnunet.com that, while the product is similar, the aim is different.
"Whether you're Apple or Microsoft, your main goal is to promote the [media player] device," he said. "Apple does not make that much money from the sales of songs or videos."
The analyst pointed out that, although Wal-Mart may link the service with a media player in the future, the retailer seems to be trying to leverage its video business in a new medium rather than poaching existing customers from Apple.
Chanko maintained that Apple has created a closed ecosystem safe from competing services by locking the iPod and iTunes together.
"I think that the iPod is in a whole category by itself, not because it is a better device, but because it has a very loyal user base," he said. "If I were Steve Jobs I would be interested, but he is not going to be worried."
The big question, according to Chanko, is not whether Wal-Mart can compete with Apple, but whether a company based largely in low-income rural and suburban areas will find a willing audience in the wealthier, primarily-urban tech-savvy market that buys streaming videos.
"The average Wal-Mart customer is probably not tremendously broadband connected," said the analyst. "So you have to ask how effective the Wal-Mart brand is going to be."
Wal-Mart storms video download market
By Shaun Nichols on Feb 8, 2007 9:50AM


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The Medical 3D Printing market was valued at US$1.868 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.17% over the forecast period to reach a total market size of US$6.762 billion by 2027.
3D printing is a method of creating solid objects in three-dimensional form, which is called additive manufacturing in the healthcare industry. Due to the manufacturers' embrace of 3D printing, medical devices created using this technology are becoming increasingly common. In order to provide essential concepts regarding the novel technology, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced the "Technical Considerations for Additive Manufactured Medical Devices". In that case, manufacturers intending to sell 3D devices in the US must familiarize themselves with the FDA's guidance and understand its concerns. Furthermore, 3D printers can be used to create medical devices that are individualized to meet individual needs, thus fulfilling an ever-increasing need for personalized healthcare. A 3D printer for manufacturing personalized drugs was introduced in April 2020 by the UK-based company FabRx. The M3DIMAKER is a printer that uses extrusion technology, allowing the print nozzle to be tailored to a variety of dosage requirements. Moreover, compared to traditional reconstructive surgery, a minimally invasive approach can lower operative risks, minimize infection risks, and reduce anesthesia exposure duration. The medical 3D printing market will experience significant growth in the forecast period.
The market growth of the healthcare 3D printing market is also driven by advances in technology, which result in the enhanced application and growing scope of bioengineering products. For example, 3D models appear to assist surgeons in studying the impaired organs before they decide which approach to take and to gain hands-on experience, according to a study published in the Missouri Medicine Journal in February 2018. This process reduces the time it takes to perform the operation, which ultimately benefits patients, surgeons, and other providers of care for the patient.
Public-private funding for 3D printing initiatives has significantly increased in recent years. Three-dimensional printing in healthcare is most useful for dental laboratories and hearing aid manufacturers. In current innovations and technological advancements, 3D-printed hearing aids are becoming more common, and this is projected to positively influence the market over the coming years. With Desktop Health, Desktop Metal will develop 3D-printed healthcare products with a clinical focus. The company will launch its clinically-focused subsidiary in March 2021. Furthermore, with Desktop Metal's acquisition of EnvisionTEC for $300 million, it gained access to a growing market for 3D printed dental materials, jewelry, and biotechnology. Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2021 will see the debut of 4Degra, 4D Biomaterials' new class of 3D printing resins for medical implants. Furthermore, Nexa3D, the start-up that makes ultrafast polymer 3D printers, Henkel, and French start-up WeMed came together to create the world's first additively manufactured, connected stethoscope. Ottawa has become the first hospital in Canada to launch a medical 3D printing system integrating surgical planning, education, and research. Moreover, health tech projects received £32 million investment from the UK government. An infra-red laser and artificial intelligence (AI) combination will be employed by a company called InlightenUs to generate high-resolution, 3D medical images. The company is led by the University of Edinburgh. Such developments will be beneficial to the medical 3D printing industry.
The financial constraints may make setting up 3D printing facilities unattainable for small and medium businesses. In order to avoid the financial burden, many dental and orthopedic clinics may choose to outsource production. In addition, the lack of a skilled workforce is easily the biggest barrier to the adoption of additive manufacturing and 3D printing. The medical device market for 3D printing is rapidly evolving in terms of technology and materials, creating a shortage of knowledgeable staff for 3D printing processes. An insufficient workforce with a complete understanding of design processes and production cycles may affect the final product quality.
A major global health epidemic has led to a variety of health systems being overburdened. Several medical devices and personal protective equipment were in short supply due to the high number of patients and the supply chain disruption. Guilherme Arthur Longhitano et al. reported in Progress in Additive Manufacturing Journal November 2020 that the additive manufacturing community emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to combat the lack of medical devices. In hospitals, patients and health workers are currently making use of a variety of designs. Also, 3D-printed devices have been growing in popularity, such as face shields, face masks, valves, and swabs, showing positive impacts on the market. In this respect, additive manufacturing is a rather recent technology that is increasingly used in medical applications, so we may expect similar applications to continue to aid mankind against pandemics in the future. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2020, one in every six COVID-19 patients has breathing difficulties. . Professor Kim Woo Soo led a team of researchers at Simon Fraser University in Canada that created a ventilation system with 3D-printed components to combat COVID-19. A portable mechanical ventilator contracts an origami tube 3D-printed by the device to assist breathing.
|Market size value in 2020||US$1.868 billion|
|Market size value in 2027||US$6.762 billion|
|Growth Rate||CAGR of 20.17% from 2020 to 2027|
|Forecast Unit (Value)||USD Billion|
|Segments covered||Type, Offering, And Geography|
|Regions covered||North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific|
|Companies covered||Stratasys Ltd., Envisiontec GmbH, 3D Systems Corporation, EOS Group, Materialise NV, General Electric (Owns 2 Companies, Acram AB and Concept Laser GmbH), SLM Solutions Group AG, Biomedical Modeling, Inc, ORGANOVO HOLDINGS INC., Carbon, Inc.|
|Customization scope||Free report customization with purchase|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What will be the medical 3D printing market size by 2027?
A1. The global medical 3D printing market is expected to reach a market size of US$6.762 billion by 2027.
Q2. What is the size of the global medical 3D printing market?
A2. Medical 3D Printing Market was valued at US$1.868 billion in 2020.
Q3. What are the growth prospects for the medical 3D printing market?
A3. The medical 3D printing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.17% over the forecast period.
Q4. How is the global medical 3D printing market segmented?
A4. The global medical 3D printing market has been segmented by type, offering, and geography.
Q5. What factors are anticipated to drive the medical 3D printing market growth?
A5. In current innovations and technological advancements, 3D-printed hearing aids are becoming more common, and this is projected to positively influence the medical 3D printing market over.
3D Systems Corporation
General Electric (Owns 2 Companies, Acram AB and Concept Laser GmbH)
SLM Solutions Group AG
Biomedical Modeling, Inc
ORGANOVO HOLDINGS INC.
All our studies come with 2 months of analyst support.
We are in compliance with the global privacy laws.


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Sustainability and security concerns feed Southeast Asia’s rice conundrum
The balance of food sustainability and national security of Southeast Asia hangs on a tiny white grain.
Rice is the daily staple of 3.5 billion people globally, providing about one-fifth of their calorie needs. It is the main food crop in Asia, which includes the world’s two largest producers, China and India, and the three largest exporters, India, Vietnam and Thailand.
But as rising demand clashes with environmental threats, Southeast Asia’s rice bowl economy is struggling to stay sustainable.
Southeast Asia accounts for 40% of the world’s rice exports and rice shortages resulting from lack of supply and price hikes have in the past led to civil disobedience in countries such as Indonesia and The Philippines.


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Tour operators should consider revising their terms and conditions in light of recent court judgments that have extended potential liability for excursions offered in resort.
Barrister Sarah Prager told a travel and law conference in London yesterday: “A couple of recent cases have changed the landscape on excursions. Liability is attaching to the tour operator.”
Until now tour operators have generally been absolved of liability for an accident to a client on an excursion sold in resort, so long as it was clear the provider was a third party.
Prager, of law firm 1 Chancery Lane, said: “If the documents are in line and the reps get it right [in the way they offer excursions], you should be able to avoid liability for an excursion provider.”
However, she told the LexisNexis conference: “The problem is the reps don’t do it. They sell fewer excursions if they say ‘I’m only booking this for you.’ Instead they say, ‘Come along with us – it’s all insured’.
“Tour operators may be careful to get their branding right, but then the rep photocopies excursion information on company-headed notepaper.”
She referred to a recent case, Moore v Hotelplan Ltd, in which the judge found the travel company’s standard terms and conditions applied to an excursion despite this not being booked as part of the package holiday in question.
The case left Inghams facing substantial damages, as reported in Travel Weekly.
Prager said: “It is a significant problem for tour operators where they sell excursions in resort. It suggests the standard terms and conditions should be applied to excursions and extends liability for excursions.
“Tour operators need to think about expressly prohibiting liability for excursions in their terms.”
Plexus Law partner Rebecca White agreed on the need to revise terms and conditions. However, she said: “It is probably going too far to say we are moving into an era of strict liability [for excursions].” She said defendants “have fairly consistent success” in defending such cases, but advised more training for reps.
Abta is understood to be preparing up-to-date advice on excursions liability.


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The early hours of Wednesday, August 23, 2017 in Abuja did not look anything like what the night became. Earlier in the day, the University of Abuja Mini-campus in Gwagwalada was calm, ordinary and quite scanty, a direct opposite of the heavily jivy, entertaining and hyper-active atmosphere the night of the same day turned out to be.
After throwing the mother of all parties in Lagos last Friday, TECNO decided to up the Spark Party tempo in Abuja even more – guess they say you save the best for the last. J Smartphone enthusiasts and fans of the mobile brand company all trooped into Abuja from neighboring states and converged at the Open Air Theatre of the University of Abuja for a night to remember. Several celebrities were seen grooving at the exotic party just as the different artistes shortlisted to perform at the event all got on the stage to hold the audience to breathtaking performances.
TECNO Mobile, Africa’s leading smartphone brand hosted the Spark Party to thrill her fans and also unveil her newest budget friendly range of smartphones the TECNO Spark and Spark Plus. The Spark and Spark Plus are very affordable multi-functional smartphones designed to arm consumers who have interest in photography and appreciate beautifully captured images with the right gadget that will not just meet their needs but surpass them.
With a 5MP front and 13MP rear camera, these stylish devices can capture remarkable pictures whether during the day or at night like a standard DSLR camera. Starring state-of-the-art 3-in-1 lighting technology, the device can detect when you are trying to take photos or shoot videos in a lowlight environment and then automatically enhance the image brightness for a crisp, clear and beautiful photo.
Popular Abuja disc jockey, DJ Hazan thrilled the fans to great party mixes and kept everyone asking for more, while the very youthful audience couldn’t hide their love for Northern music sensation, Classiq, as he hit the stage with aplomb. Opportunity was also given a number of student artistes to showcase their music talent. Unarguably, Abuja was lit and there must have been several people with hangovers by morning. TECNO had once again achieved the “Back to Back” feat through its Spark party, continuously taking the brand to consumer connections to another level.


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Gamers can rejoice this week as Respawn has finally given confirmation of the new Titanfall DLC, which is now known to be heading to the block buster online shooter next month.
Titanfall developer Respawn confirmed at PAX East and on their Twitter shortly afterwards that gamers can expect to see the DLC, which is called Expedition, some time in May. The DLC will be the first additional release for the title, but the developer has told us to expect a wave of updates as well, so expect some tweaks and performance improvements very soon.
Three new maps; Swampland, Runoff and Wargames are to introduced in the Expedition DLC, while the new updates are suggested to include “Burn Cards” and “hashtag” matchmaking filters, as well as a new 2 vs 2 Last Titan Standing game mode and limited time “riffs”, which are similar to L4D mutations.
Thank you Kotaku for providing us with this information.
Image courtesy of Kataku.


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Emission and safety regulations drive demand for automotive thermoplastics: DSM Engineering Plastics
Thermoplastics are gaining popularity in the Indian auto market due to their low weight that helps in increasing efficiency and lowering carbon emissions. Speaking to ETAuto, the global thermoplastic supplier, DSM Engineering Plastics top brass talks about how new generation plastics and lightweight components are helping OEMs to develop future of mobility.
New Delhi: Global automotive plastics supplier, DSM Engineering Plastics is working on new automotive business such as thermoplastic materials that are gaining popularity in the intricate automotive manufacturing processes.
Working largely on the targets to lower fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions, most of the automakers are increasingly using lightweight materials called thermoplastics in their vehicles to achieve CAFE-II fuel efficiency norms and meet other safety standards
Shruti Singhal, President, DSM Engineering Plastics told ETAuto, "The company aligns its goals by focussing on designing smarter, safer, and lighter components to meet emission norms and other standards that is helping to achieve higher fuel efficiency benchmarks. We are the first in the business to develop and roll out an entire portfolio of sustainable alternatives and light-weighting solutions for automakers across all passenger and commercial segments."
DSM’s engineering's plastic cover as high as 87 percent of all new generation cars, following the globally known practice of designing new parts whereby integrating functions into a thermoplastic part to cut assembly costs, leading to an overall beneficial effect on productivity.
Sanjay Jain, VP-Sales and Marketing, DSM Engineering Plastics said this increase in the adoption of plastic in different areas of a vehicle is driven primarily by new regulations. As emission norms and safety standards become stringent plastic adoption is becoming popular on its lighter weighting compared to steel or alloys like aluminum.
DSM’s engineering's plastic cover as high as 87 percent of all new generation cars, following the globally known practice of integrating functions into a thermoplastic part to cut assembly costs.~
"Safety regulations are helping plastic content to grow in new vehicles. Technologies such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and airbags use a significant amount of plastic for their covers and canisters. The ABS ECU housed in a plastic mould along with connectors and other electronic parts made from the same material plays a significant role in its successfully deployment." he added.
All these is a requirement to ensure that any composites used are of the necessary safety standards for today’s vehicles, along with the consideration of the environmental impact and recyclability of components due to End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) directives issued by the government
The company has introduced in its portfolio a new grade of plastics developed keeping in mind the high Indian temperature and the tendency of plastic parts such as door handles and other parts to fade in color over a period of time. A key area of innovation involves electric vehicles powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The plastics supplier claims high-performance barrier and uni-directional tape materials to develop safe, effective and very lightweight hydrogen tanks from their engineering plastics.
DSM had also acquired the chemicals arm of SRF Ltd where it bought the engineering plastics business for Rs 320 crore as a part of its strategy for organic growth as the global entity along with its associated companies netted an annual €10 billion in turnover in 2019 with 23,000 employees working worldwide.
In its bid to assuage restive customers, Ola has said it will honour delivery timelines and has given a fresh date--November 10, for the start of test rides of its elusive scooters. But the 15 day pushback has added to the odds against it as questions linger about the firm's ability to execute its own plans.
Videos of Epluto scooters on fire have gone viral on social media raising concerns over the safety aspect of EVs in general. If not nipped in the bud, it can potentially undermine India's nascent electric mobility revolution.


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'It's worrying that the fear of being scammed
is stopping New Zealanders going online.
Remember, anyone could fall victim and no one is too smart to be scammed
. Always ask yourself, could this be a scam?
"Remember, anyone could fall victim and no one is 'too smart to be scammed
People who think they have, or are being, scammed
online can now get help from its Scams Action group by calling its fraud team on 0300 3303003,or its online web support.
| Don't think you are immune to being scammed
or that it can't happen to you.
National Citizens Advice revealed a 17% rise during the first two months of this year in the number of people being scammed
after purchasing "phantom goods" - high value items purchased online which turn out not to exist.
And finally, if you've been scammed
, don't let it go - it's not embarrassing to say you were scammed
, and it will help prevent further scams if you act.
Earlier this month, dozens of people were arrested in India for running a (http://www.ibtimes.com/indian-fake-call-centers-scam-americans-millions-dollars-70-suspects-arrested-2427340) fake call center that scammed
Reasons for victims not reporting these scams can include not realising they are a victim of a scam; being embarrassed to admit they have been scammed
in this way; and valuing their interaction too much to report it.
HAVE you been scammed
? I'd like to ask for your readers' help to alert the general public to the dangers of scams against over 50s.
An estimated $1.7 billion is scammed
from American citizens every year, and that number is likely only a fraction of the actual amount since most scams are not reported to authorities, said Bill Warnisher of the Lane County District Attorney's Office.


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You will be able to buy Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte products in grocery stores this month!
If you want to make yourself more attractive to the opposite sex all you have to do is compliment them.
Utah State University- has determined - the perfect amount of time to dunk an Oreo cookie in milk before eating it is three seconds.
A mom in Texas asked honestly on social media if the upcoming eclipse could be rescheduled for that weekend instead because it’s a school day!
Now available: Lobster flavored potato chips...
Virginia has more vanity plates than any other state.
Today is Thursday, August 10th- It IS - Skyscraper Appreciation Day, Lazy Day, National S’mores Day
Preseason begins tonight at Browns Stadium. Saints in town.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's divorce is on hold!!
Fox has invented – The Four - a singing show to replace American Idol.
Tom Brady is set to host an Amazon talk show later this year.
Christmas Story the Musical - ABC this December starring Maya Rudolph as Ralphie's mom.
An all Cheetos- themed restaurant is opening in New York City! Orange fingers much!!
New- Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Cheese Curls.
Little Caesars has launched “Pizza Portals,” which are pretty much pizza vending machines.
Those 16-24, consider free Wi-Fi the most important factor when deciding where to go on vacation.
Today is Wednesday, August 9th- It IS - Book Lovers Day, National Shape Wear Day, National Polka Day, Rice Pudding Day
Glen Campbell died yesterday at 81 after battling Alzheimer’s disease.
NBC also wants to revive The West Wing and ER!
David Letterman will return on Netflix with a 6 episode “talk show series” in 2018.
HBO hackers threaten to release Game of Thrones episodes if not paid $7 million ransom.
Cynthia Nixon, Miranda from Sex and the City - she says she’s running for mayor of New York City.
Copper Moscow Mule Mugs could be giving you food poisoning…
Disney is pulling its new movies from Netflix and plans to launch its own streaming service.
Women think now that if you have a beard, you are a better chance of being in a long term relationship.
Big survey of Americans has concluded that if you make $425,000 a year and/or have a net worth of 5 million, you are “rich.”
Today is Tuesday, August 8th- It IS - International Cat Day, Happiness Happens Day, Zucchini Day, Tell Us Something Good Tuesday!
Luke Bryan is “95%” done with his next album.
Anna Farris is releasing a book that she wrote a while ago, and the forward was written by estranged husband Chris Pratt.
Taylor Swift will testify this week- in her groping case against a former radio DJ.
Just to show you there are no new ideas, NBC wants to reboot The Office and 30 Rock.
Coming soon- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup COFFEE CREAMER!!!!!
According to a new study, if there is a large age gap on your marriage, the less likely it is to succeed - in the long run.
New study shows that vegans and vegetarians are more depressed than meat eaters - lack of B-12
Most of us will move out of our house after about 9 years to another house of some kind.
Jhasmin the Giraffe - at the Cleveland Zoo - she had her calf on Sunday! A boy...
Scientists now say you can become addicted to travel!
Today is Monday, August 7th- It IS - Professional Speakers Day, Assistance Dog Day, Raspberries and Cream Day
Hidecki Matsyama won the Bridgestone – shot a Firestone course record - 61 yesterday!
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly threw a Hall of Fame party over the weekend that cost $16 million!
Justin Timberlake is releasing a lullaby album of his greatest hits.
Rumor has it Katy Perry is dating Robert Pattinson.
Chris Pratt and Anna Farris are separating after 8 years of marriage.
ABC has renewed Celebrity Family Feud and The $100,000 Pyramid.
While our fall will be warmer than normal, they say this August is going to chilly.
An exhaustive study shows that a huge majority of Americans favorite number between 1-10 is 7.
Fifteen percent of men don’t wash their hands, ever, after using the restroom, compared with 7 percent of women.
You do more shopping online more on Monday than any other day of the week.


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This will be the first time Emma, Geri, Mel B and Mel C perform without Victoria, who is thought to be concentrating on her fashion business.
"Victoria please, your fans need you on tour", a third added.
Get ready, the Spice Girls are BACK! Since that time, they have been frequently reassuring fans that a reunion is happening.
The much anticipated tour will also see British singer Jess Glynne supporting them on their stadium dates.
Amazon drops its $25 free shipping minimum for holidays
Millions of additional items on its website sold by third-party sellers will qualify for the free two-day shipping perk. Typically, Amazon shoppers have to spend $25 to qualify for free shipping or pay $119 a year for a Prime membership .
Legendary pop act The Spice Girls are set to spice up the Stadium of Light on a major comeback tour. "X vb #spicegirls #friendshipneverends".
They will perform at the Edinburgh BT Murrayfield Stadium on June 8, the Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium on June 10 and London's Wembley Stadium on June 15. "We all agree that there are many exciting possibilities that will once again embrace the original essence of The Spice Girls, while reinforcing our message of female empowerment for future generations".
Meanwhile, earlier today, Mel B appeared on Loose Women where she confirmed a world tour will follow the United Kingdom shows.
'I hope so, it'll be a shame if she didn't [come to the shows],' she continued. Tickets are on sale this Saturday (11/10) at 10AM EST.
During an appearance on Loose Women, she told the ITV panel: 'It's just the four of us that are fully confirmed, but Vic might join us at some point. Mel B recently appeared to confirm that Victoria wouldn't be taking part in the tour after dressing up as her for Halloween and holding a sign which read: "No I am not going on tour".


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Harare – The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has called the government to declare the lack of water a national disaster as a water summit is underway at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
Since December 2012, parts of the Greendale and Mandara areas in Harare have not had water while Matabeleland suffers perennial water shortages.
“…there are many other pockets of Harare which have gone without water for an eternity. Not having water has become a norm rather than an exception which consumers have meekly submitted to and accustomed themselves to, said the consumer watchdog in a statement.
“Repeated alerts to the City authorities to remedy the water crises in affected areas, has not merited any reaction. Not even a notice or an apology.
“It appears the City authorities have abandoned their duty to supply water to consumers and have left it to water merchants, who are peddling the precious commodity at obnoxious prices.
“Consumers have to live with paying twice for water services – buying water services from independent water suppliers, in addition to paying the city, for water which they are not getting and if they do not, they risk losing their property to the City.
“In the interests of justice, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe thinks it is about time that consumers united their voice in solidarity with each other and demand justice from the City authorities because consumers cannot continue to prop up the City when it is failing to supply basic amenities.
“If the City is failing to water provide as it has done for many years now, it must admit so.
“Despite being a consumer facing organisation, the City does not want to engage, and because of that, consumers are never fully apprised of why there is no water.
Engagement is very important when dealing with consumers. The CCZ is not so sure when was the last time the City held a public hearing to tap consumer views on a plethora of issues confronting them. Supposing they did, how much of what consumers have said has been implemented?”
“Instead arrogance and ignoring consumer complaints have become the trademarks of utility service providers.It is not the first time that CCZ has raised the issue of water and it seems that we are not being heard.
“The City authorities owe consumers an explanation as to why there is no water in their homes even during the rainy season. And let us not hear about Kunzvi Dam because that is a master and long term solution to the water crises, which is not going anywhere.
“Meanwhile, as a nation, are we going to watch our people die because they have no water while we wait for Kunzvi Dam to come on stream in 2025?”
Meanwhile government and water experts have been meeting at the ZITF to seek solutions to the country’s worsening water woes.
Water resources development minister Sipepa Nkomo said he was looking forward to more investors to water resources development and management after the summit.
Meanwhile the Bulawayo city council said it had suspended water cuts in the city, which is bustling with people from all walks of life, who are attending the ZITF. This was to minimise the risks of disease outbreaks.


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Harrods at Hamad:
Tea and tradition in good taste
Harrods Tea Room is the latest high-class addition to the food & beverage line-up at Hamad International Airport. Martin Moodie joined VIP guests and officials at the official opening.
Qatar Duty Free has brought a London institution to Hamad International Airport (HIA). The elegant 440sq m Harrods Tea Room is the first opening of its type in an airport in the world, and complements two Harrods signature stores at the Doha gateway.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the tea room, said Harrods was a “perfect partner” for Qatar Duty Free and the wider Qatar Airways group as it is “all about the customer experience from start to finish”.
Harrods Director Raj Assanand noted that the famous luxury store had “always been global in its outlook”. He said: “The new Harrods Tea Room is the next natural stage in our long relationship with HIA and Qatar Duty Free, a partnership which has allowed us to bring the Harrods experience to even more of our international customers.”
The Harrods Tea Room at HIA features bespoke dishes that fuse much-loved English classics with traditional Qatari flavours. A range of Harrods specialties, including an impressively diverse selection of teas from the Harrods Food Halls, are on offer alongside popular pastries. The tea room also features an ice cream parlour with an eclectic variety of local and international flavours.
The Harrods Tea Room, inspired by its counterpart in Knightsbridge, London, boasts classic-style furniture with elegant curved backs and stitching details, brass finishing on tables, and lighting. The Tea Room also features Herringbone timber flooring and classic traditional tiling with elements of abstract peacock theming to tie in with the London Food Hall.
London institution: The elegantly-designed tea room adds to the luxury experience at Hamad International
From left: H.E. Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani; Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker; Harrods Director Raj Assanand; Qatar Investment Authority Board Member H.E. Dr. Hussain Ali Al-Abdulla; and Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh officiated at the launch event
“With 10.7 million passengers travelling through Hamad International Airport in the last quarter of 2019, the Harrods brand is already reaching an audience of substantial proportions,” said H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker. “The new Harrods Tea Toom further complements the two Harrods signature stores already in operation in the airport.”


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As someone who has been using the iPad 8 since its release, I find myself questioning if Apple has done
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BMW is killing i3’s gas range extender feature in Europe due to battery pack upgrade
In a recently released statement via Autocar magazine, German automaker BMW has revealed that it is discontinuing the optional gas range extender feature of the BMW i3 all-electric car in Europe. The statement implies that only the ‘pure-electric version’ of the i3 will be available in Europe in the near future, without the optional gas generator which acts as a range extender.
In disclosing that the i3 electric car’s gas range extender feature is being killed in Europe, BMW said that the reason behind the move is that the new, September-unveiled 42.2 kWh battery pack upgrade for the vehicle has made the range extender irrelevant.
The new i3 battery pack upgrade, to be introduced by BMW in the forthcoming 2019 version of the i3, has increased the driving range of the vehicle to ‘over 160 miles’ (260 km). The increased battery range is apparently killing the demand for the gas range extender in Europe
Therefore, in its recent statement, BMW said that “the Range Extender i3 will cease production,” and further explained: “With the gains in pure-electric range, together with the increasing availability of rapid charging facilities we believe the customer demand is shifting to a pure-electric model.”
However, in revealing that the i3’s optional gas range extender is being killed in Europe, BMW also said alongside that the feature will still continue to be offered for the i3 in North America and Japan.
In a recent announcement, FedEx has confirmed that it has placed orders for 20 Tesla Semi electric trucks which will be used in the ‘FedEx Freight’ fleet.
According to reports, the new 2018 Nissan LEAF electric car apparently has a fast-charging problem.
In a recent announcement, German premium automobile company Audi AG has revealed that the company’s Board of Management has approved a new €14 billion investment plan, which will focus on electric vehicles (EVs).
At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, Gaius Auto unveiled a revolutionary new commercial vehicle --- the RAPIDE 3 electric cargo scooter.
Hong Kong-based company RevoZport has announced a new aftermarket racing body kit for the Tesla Model 3 electric car.
In a move which underscores Tesla’s latest effort to expand its Supercharger network for electric vehicles (EVs), the company has started working on the much-awaited Trans-Canada Supercharger route, for enabling coast-to-coast travel by EV owners.


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A popular shopping street in a Welsh town could be pedestrianised in a bid to help shops cope with social distancing as we continue to venture slowly out of lockdown.
Carmarthen ’s King Street, which is lined on both sides with independent shops and cafes, as well as a few bars, could be blocked off to cars and other vehicles.
Due to the street's narrow pavements, any two-metre social distancing can be difficult to maintain, with shoppers often having to step into the road.
Shops and firms across the town started to open their doors last week to a very different world following some easing of lockdown restrictions, but it is clear that challenges remain to get shoppers back into the town centre in a safe and responsible manner.
Town leaders want to help as much as possible over the coming months, and one idea being put forward to help with that aim is closing off King Street.
Carmarthen mayor Gareth John said: "What you’ve got in King Street are narrow pavements which means if shops are to have limited numbers and queues outside, then it won't be easy for shoppers to queue or for others to also walk down the pavements.
“So what we are looking at is making the street pedestrianised to assist social distancing and for people to stay safe while shopping, because that is important.
“We want footfall back in the town and we also want to build the confidence of shoppers while doing that.
“Those involved in the work coordinated by Carmarthen Town Council have already made the county council aware that there is an urgent and immediate short-term need to redesign our existing public spaces within the town, including the reconsideration of pedestrianising King Street for a limited time.
“Carmarthen is fortunate that we have ample public spaces in the centre of town such as Guildhall Square, Nott Square and other areas, and these need to be urgently made available for existing businesses - especially the hospitality sector - to operate from.”
It’s not the first time the idea of pedestrianising one of the Carmarthen’s main streets has been mooted.
In 2016, plans were outlined to close off the street to vehicles for a certain number of hours each day, with loading bays being created in nearby Spilman Street, which is accessible from King Street via two small lanes, to allow for deliveries.
The idea never really got off the ground after a number of businesses expressed concerns, including one hotel that needs to provide 24-hour access to its guests, with its only car park entrance being in the centre of King Street.
The previous plan had the need to increase footfall at its heart, but the coronavirus pandemic has reignited the pedestrianisation discussion within the context of health and safety.
Like most things connected to the pandemic, the road to boosting local economies is uncertain, and it is unclear at this stage what could constitute a “limited time” for King Street to be closed off to vehicles, if indeed the plan gets the go-ahead.
Carmarthenshire Council has confirmed that it is undertaking a number of town centre infrastructure audits as part of its plans to recover from lockdown. These will be announced if and when decisions are made.
Meanwhile, a huge effort has already been made to welcome shoppers and visitors back to Carmarthen town centre safely. A comprehensive toolkit of resources has been prepared by Carmarthenshire Council along with support from Carmarthen Town Council to support every retail and business premises, providing advice to help them restart trading.
Currently, non-essential retailers and markets are allowed to reopen, although cafes, restaurants, pubs and services such as hairdressing and beauty salons are not yet permitted to open.
As well as some shops, public conveniences are open again and parking remains free in Carmarthen at county council-owned car parks.
The town, as with many up and down the UK, will look and feel a little different with queuing systems, sanitisation stations and sneeze screens in place in shops to protect staff and shoppers.


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Pre-employment background checks are a part of everyday business and common to most employers in 2013. Some companies conduct background checks with no charge to the candidate, but others will impose the cost on the potential candidate. And who wouldn’t comply with a “small” fee, as long as it promises a job in the near future. Unfortunately, some unsuspecting candidates in desperate need of work are at risk for scams like this one in St. Louis.
You've probably heard the story, or rather a story like this one before-a company advertises work and lures in hopeful job candidates who soon find out the company is little more than a fake. The St. Louis Better Business Bureau reported that a company called Bio Advocate Pro has been taking $89 payments from job candidates for a criminal background check. As mentioned above, this might be standard for some companies that cannot afford to do a background check on every candidate. The problem is the job candidates handed over the money for a criminal background check...and never heard from Bio Advocate Pro again. Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO commented:
“To take money from people who are struggling to support themselves and their families is reprehensible. These thieves and others like them are using bogus job offers to draw people into their scams specifically to steal whatever they can get."
According to the BBB in St. Louis, job seekers should be suspicious of any potential employer requesting payment by prepaid cash cards or electronic wire transfer systems.
Unfortunately for some, it would have been helpful to know that it is simple for job seekers to prevent this kind of theft by doing a quick search online. Typically, if a scam has been discovered, a quick search on Google or other search engine will provide the information that could protect job seekers from being deceived. Some simple research tips:
- Search for the company's website and verify the address and phone number
- Check the Better Business Bureau website for alerts and see if the business is listed as accredited
- Do a general search for the company to find out if anyone has posted a review on the company
Read the full article here.


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Pakistani singers and actresses Haniya Amir and Ali Rehman roamed the streets in an open truck.
Haniya Aamir and singer Ali Rehman’s first song ‘Pela Ring’ was released today, which they advertised in a unique way.
Ali Rehman and Haniya got into an open truck from Clifton with their companions and reached the shopping mall in Federal B Area.
Citizens were shocked to see singers and artists riding in trucks on the streets of Karachi and they also took pictures. A short video of the trip on the truck has surfaced, which was liked by the fans of the singers.
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Elecom today announced a pot-shaped rice cooker that can cook one cup of rice at a time. The rice cooker will be launched in Japan in early June for approximately 12,800 yen($95)…
To celebrate the first anniversary of dog-friendly hotel Inumo Shibakoen by Villa Fontaine in Tokyo, the hotel is offering a special cherry blossom-viewing bus tour for pups and their owners. The tour..
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Canon developing world’s first ultra-high-sensitivity ILC equipped with SPAD sensor featuring the world’s highest pixel count of 3.2 megapixels
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An on board courier (OBC) service is a specialized logistics solution that provides the transportation of time-sensitive, confidential, or valuable cargo by having a dedicated individual carry the package personally as hand..
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Mitsubishi Electric announced today that it has developed a 200Gbps electro-absorption modulator laser diode (EML) chip. The new chip doubles the speed of the company’s existing 100Gbps EML chip thanks to a..


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Automated ad buying costs more than the traditional methods and is going to get exponentially more expensive.
AOL CEO Tim Armstrong in his talk during the Advertising Week stated that marketers should not be surprised by how much more automated ad buying costs than traditional methods today. This is only due to the fact that it gets that much harder for marketers to persuade consumers into a switch of product each time e-commerce makes another purchase routine and that is particularly true with the rise of subscription services and the integration online physical buy buttons.
“Advertising is going to get exponentially more expensive” Mr. Armstrong said.
Persuading shoppers to try something new when they’re strolling aimlessly checking out shelf promotions in the supermarket with an empty cart is one thing. But it is a more challenging thing for advertisers to convince a shopper whose cart is always already full to try a new product and remove the tried and tested one.
“You are going to have to pay a lot of money to convert someone. AOL is working on a “bunch” of e-commerce ad units itself” Mr. Armstrong noted.
Mr. Armstrong in his insights on the ad blocking issue stated that Ad blocking isn’t likely to help the economics for marketers and the industry has to approach the said challenge right away.
“Everyone is spending all their time talking about ad blocking right now, yet everyone should be spending more of their time to talk about why consumers feel the need to block ads” he said.
AOL on advertising issues, reviewed the kinds of ads it should be serving to consumers and how to do it. According to Mr. Armstrong, ad blockers are deemed to be the big disruptors of the moment but in the future, this will be some company that figures out how to do advertising differently.
“We’re all going to live in an invisible prison if we think ads are going to stay the way they are today.” he said.