text:
According to new industry forecasts, there will be a drop in the global smartphone production in the first quarter because of the coronavirus crisis. The report also noted a drop in confidence of consumers in Europe because of the impact of the spread of the virus on other industries as well.
Temporary shutdown advice by Chinese authorities for smartphone factories across China to prevent the spread of the virus has impacted a number of smartphone makers. Chinese authorities have also imposed strict restrictions on traveling in many parts of the country as well as banned large gathering of people at any place.
Compared to the first three months of 2019 at 310 million units, production of smartphones in the January-March quarter will be down by 12 per cent at 275 million units, predicted the analysis firm TrendForce. The report also predicts a 10 per cent drop in production of iPhones Apple and a 15 per cent drop in smartphone production by Huawei.
“Delayed resumption work and uncertainties in employees’ returns will cause the monthly delivery of key components to be postponed, thus affecting the progress of smartphone production,” TrendForce said.
In a separate report by the research firm Canalys, analysts have forecast that during the first quarter, the sale of smartphones in China will drop by at least 50 per cent because a large number of retails stores remain shut while production of phones have also been hit.
Chinese authorities on Monday granted permission to the Apple supplier Foxconn to start production in one of its factories in the city of Zhengzhou even as the company has transformed some of its production lines to manufacture surgical masks for its own staff. However Foxconn’s other production units, including its major production unit in the Longhua district of Shenzhen, still have not been allowed to resume production.
There are poor airflow and central heating systems at Foxconn’s factories which make them a place for “high risk of coronavirus infection”, fear government officials in China, according to a report published in the Nikkei business daily.
According to the research group Sentix, anxiety about the impact on global trade of the virus outbreak has resulted in a drop in investor morale for the first time in four months in the eurozone.
“While at the beginning of the year there was still a clear upswing scenario for the global economy, the outbreak of the coronavirus in China has changed the situation significantly. The drastic measures taken by the Chinese government for the Hubei region show the danger to the global economy if the outbreak cannot be limited regionally,” said Sentix managing director, Manfred Huebner.
The temporary shutdown in China has affected a wide range of industries – from fashion to restaurants to the global auto industry, because most of these industries have major production operations in China or depend heavily on parts manufactured in factories in China.
(Adapted from TheGuardian.com)


text:
While Amazon’s Scarborough fulfillment centre has yet to open, another Ontario location is now up and running.
According to Amazon Canada, on September 22, the company opened its newest fulfillment centre in Bolton, Ontario. And with the opening, the company said it is hiring for more than 800 full-time seasonal jobs, this in addition to the 800 permanent roles they’ve already hired for.
Associates at the new facility will pick, pack and ship customer orders like books, children’s toys, and smaller electronics.
“We’re excited to bring on more than 800 new associates from Bolton and surrounding communities to support growing customer demand and launch of the new site,” said Anshuman Kumar, general manager of Amazon’s Bolton fulfillment centre, in a statement.
Amazon’s starting wage for the jobs is $15.75, and the company said there is a $1,500 signing bonus for all new hires.
- See also:
Last month, the tech giant announced it is building a new one million sq. ft. facility in Scarborough, which will be Amazon’s twelfth fulfillment centre in Canada, and seventh in Ontario, alongside existing Ontario operations facilities in Brampton, Mississauga, Milton, Caledon, and Ottawa.
In total, Amazon employs more than 10,000 employees throughout Canada working at corporate offices, development centres, and other facilities.

domain: news


text:
Northzone, the Scandinavian VC that was an early backer of music streaming service Spotify and other notable startups out of the region, today announced that it is raising a new, €200 million ($272 million) fund, which it will use to invest in more startups with “Nordic DNA”. It says that €150 million ($204 million) has been secured so far.
Northzone VII is the VC’s biggest yet. That is a measure not just of Northzone’s own track record, but also of the growing interest among investors to tap into more startups outside of their traditional heartland of Silicon Valley, which is overcrowded not just with companies but also sharp-elbowed VCs jockeying for pole position to fund them.
In many cases, that will mean Northzone will be focusing on founders building companies in countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark; but it can also mean startups in cities like London that have been established by people who cut their teeth working with Nordic-influenced startups. (For example, one of the Northzone’s recent investments is London-based SpaceApe Games, co-founded by the ex-head of product for Playfish, and former head of monetization for Skype in its more formative years).
The unifying themes of these companies also extend into a distinct set of characteristics, Northzone says. “Three key components stick out when it comes to companies from this region: they think global from day one, they’re lean, and they put a user-friendly design at the forefront of their agenda. This makes the products and businesses scalable from very early on,” the VC writes.
“Over the past eighteen years, we have been fortunate to be involved in the growth of companies such as Spotify, Avito, Tobii, Pricerunner, iZettle and many more,” said partner Pär-Jörgen Pärson in a statement. “We see many attractive investment opportunities driven by an increasing rate of innovation and a large and growing pool of dedicated and talented entrepreneurs coming out of the Nordic region. Thanks to the commitment of new and longstanding limited partners, we will continue to play a key role in this development.”
Northzone says that existing investors have participated in the fund, alongside a few notable new additions, SEB Pension Fund and AP6.


text:
Nationwide Launch of Forkify’s Forklift Hiring and Sales Platform
Forkify, a leading UK startup, announces the national rollout of its bespoke online platform aimed at transforming the forklift hiring and purchasing landscape. By harnessing proprietary technology, Forkify connects consumers with a vast network of forklift suppliers, ensuring the best deals in the market.
With its official expansion on 20th February 2024, Forkify extends its reach from London to cater to the entire UK, offering a user-friendly solution for sourcing forklift services.
Users can specify their forklift needs on the platform, which then pairs them with a suitable dealership to fulfil their requirements.
Capitalising on its London success, Forkify has established connections with leading dealerships across the UK. Its sophisticated technology ensures users are matched with dealerships that meet their specific needs and location.
Will Bradley, Co-Founder and CEO, highlighted the platform’s efficiency: “Finding the perfect forklift can be an expensive and time consuming process. Forkify allows you to do it in under two minutes and gives you peace of mind you’re getting value for money.”
Forkify has generated interest across a range of industries – namely warehousing, construction and manufacturing, where forklifts are integral to day-to-day operations. It has already matched a number of businesses with forklift deals in London and hopes to replicate this success across the country.
Jake Dickerson, Co-Founder and CTO, expressed confidence in the UK market: “The UK is a really strong market for the materials handling sector. Everyone always wants the best deal possible, and with forklifts that’s no exception.”
Suppliers have welcomed Forkify’s platform as it opens up opportunities to capture online demand.
For further details, visit https://forkify.com.


text:
You didn't actually expect to have to wait until Apple's Thursday event to know what they company is going to announce, did you?
The rumors have been flying for a while, and now a trusted analyst has chimed in with more expectations for the tech giant's big event. So what is on the docket?
In IT Blogwatch, we already know.
So what exactly is happening? Ketan Pratap gets us started:
Apple...started sending media invites with the tagline "hello again" for a Thursday event where the company is expected to update its Mac lineup. The...event is said to end long drought of Mac updates...KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will make various announcements to the Mac lineup.
Before we go any further, what is the significance of the "hello again" invitation? Jonny Evans breaks it down for us:
The word “hello” means something in the Apple universe. It was the first word on the first Mac, the first word on the iMac, and was part of the company’s WWDC invitation, where it announced...the name “macOS” to replace OS X.
That Apple is saying “hello” must be significant, especially with some Mac models having seen no upgrade for...three years.
And what updates to the Mac lineup will we see? Jake Smith has some details:
According to Ming-Chi Kuo...Likely the headliner of the event, the 15-inch MacBook Pro will feature a Retina display, Touch ID, an OLED function row above the keyboard, and upgraded internals...It's not clear what upgrades the 13-inch version of the MacBook Pro will see.
Interestingly, Kuo said Apple won't ship its rumored iMac upgrade or external 5k display until the first half of 2017...The 5k display...is rumored to have an integrated GPU.
All this is great, but we need more details! You can't expect us to actually wait until the event to know what Apple is going to announce. Luckily, Yoni Heisler has a few:
Consumers can likely kiss the beloved MagSafe adapter and traditional USB ports goodbye and instead say hello to new USB-C and Thuderbolt 3 ports...With respect to internals...the new MacBook Pros will reportedly house Intel Skylake processors...On the graphics front, don’t be surprised to see a GPU which takes advantage of AMD’s Polaris architecture.
So, are Apple users excited? You bet they are! Timmy Trumpet had this to say:
Can Apple pls bring out the new Macbook Pro already?


text:
Dentsu International announced the launch of dentsu health, a global solution. Drawing upon the expertise of dentsu’s global network of 2,000 health marketing experts across 85 markets in EMEA, APAC and the Americas, dentsu health is poised to become one of the top global healthcare agencies. By aggregating and mobilizing dentsu’s health marketing expertise powered by its market-leading capabilities, dentsu health will provide a single point of contact now required by many of the top brands across pharma, payer, provider, device and OTC.
Marketing Technology News: Challenger Inc. and Tethr Sign Strategic Partnership
Formed to leverage dentsu’s transformed business model and reinforce its offering to health brands and industries, while navigating the rapidly changing digital economy accelerated by COVID-19, this solution combines health capabilities from across dentsu including strategy, creative, media, customer experience, analytics, technology and fulfillment.
“Across dentsu, we have always had significant, world-class health and wellness business globally and, while not necessarily known for it, are actually among the top players in the vertical. The launch of dentsu health is deeply rooted in our mission to connect health and wellness brands with their most important stakeholders through trust and empathy, radical collaboration and connected intelligence,” said Jeff Greenspoon, President, Solutions, dentsu. “
Marketing Technology News: Brand Wings Software Takes Flight-New Platform Is Poised To Disrupt Through-Channel Marketing…
By creating a new, connected network of health experts, we can activate our deep medical, pharma and consumer-focused capabilities at-scale, in any market, and bring a diverse set of talent together to service clients more seamlessly, igniting innovation and driving more meaningful solutions that will lead to better health outcomes and patient experiences. Health innovation does more than power a multi-billion-dollar industry — It has the power to move society forward and gives hope for a better tomorrow.”


text:
Birmingham rap duo Bad Neighbors is not wasting any time releasing new content in 2021. They just dropped Kill Streak a few weeks ago. Kill Streak comes on the heels of Blackout released in late 2020. Bad Neighbors has been making music for some time, with a track record of songs & visuals to support it. The duo is part of the rising music collective Pure Sinners. Bad Neighbors’ shocking image is just as much of a statement as their music is and that is why they are simultaneously making an impact in the fashion world as well. The alternative rap group is set to release more music later this year. To keep up with them, you can follow them on IG @yourbadneighbors.
Read Time:39 Second


text:
Before COVID-19 became a part of our lives, community organizations were picking up plastic bottles, cigarette butts and fast food litter. We were fighting for Bottle Bills, Bag Bans and declaring war on plastic straws. Current trends during COVID-19 show a different future coming for litter cleanups. We are seeing more and more personal protective equipment (PPE) littering our parking lots and roadways. Instead of bottles, butts and bags, we could be picking up gloves, masks and wipes during the next Great American Cleanup.
Keep America Beautiful began sharing these concerns in early April. “We have been hearing from more and more people who are seeing wipes, gloves, and other related items on streets and walking trails, or being left behind near supermarkets and pharmacies. The basic rules for proper trash disposal are taking on greater importance, given the COVID-19 virus. These materials are being used to protect us from possible contamination from COVID-19. If they are not disposed of properly, we are risking the spread of this life-threatening virus.”
Disposable gloves come in many colors and materials; vinyl, latex, nitrile. None of these materials can be recycled and they should not be reused. They do not belong in our parking lots, though. The images to your left show the proper way to remove these gloves to prevent cross contamination and, as seen in the final image, you should always dispose of them in a trash receptacle. If you are using gloves to do simple chores outside the house, like grocery shopping, filling your car up with gas or picking up a take out order, please dispose of your them properly. Throw them away in a trash receptacle outside the store before you get into your car. If you feel the need to wear them until you get in the car then bring a bag with you and put them in the bag for home disposal.
Throwing used gloves in a parking lot or on the side of the road is never an option, not only does it create a litter problem, it can also spread the virus. COVID-19 can survive on different materials from hours to days. If a good samaritan or store employee picks up your gloves they can become infected themselves. This is a scary and uncertain time, but we do not have to turn into litter bugs.
Masks are not as widely littered as gloves, but we do see them lying on the street. As with gloves, disposable masks are not recyclable and should not be left as litter for others to handle. Many people are making their own masks or buying reusable versions. For the average citizen these are good options that save stronger, disposable options for healthcare workers and can prevent littering issues. Make sure to wash your cloth masks in hot water after each use and don’t share them with others. Everyone in your family should have their own mask and wear it when out in public. If you don’t have a mask, you can make your own using these guidelines from the CDC. Can’t sew? You can also wear a bandana, face coverings meant for hunting/fishing/cold weather or try this no sew DIY version from Good Housekeeping.
Hand Sanitizer and Antibacterial Wipes
Another common COVID-19 item that is not always properly disposed of is antibacterial products. Hand sanitizer is in high demand these days and people are using it up like crazy. When you finish a smaller travel bottle, consider refilling it for continued use. If you empty a larger bottle, make sure you rinse it out for recycling.
Antibacterial wipes are also hard to come by and often disposed of incorrectly. If you wipe your cart at the grocery store, the wipe should go in the trash can, not in the parking lot or left in your cart for others to touch. Using wipes at home? Make sure to throw them in the TRASH ONLY. Wipes cannot be recycled and should never be flushed down the toilet. According to an article by CNN, with national shortages, people are using wipes as a toilet paper alternative. We are also using them to disinfect and eliminate the virus from our homes and offices. Many are flushing them down the toilet and clogging up sewer systems all over the country. Even so called “flushable wipes” should not be flushed and can clog up our sewer system. The EPA urges us to “only flush toilet paper” and nothing else!
This pandemic is serious and we all agree that PPE and disinfecting is necessary to stop the spread and protect ourselves. What we don’t need to do is turn it into a new series of problems. “No one should be leaving used plastic gloves or masks on the ground, in a parking lot or tossing them into the bushes,” said David Biderman, SWANA executive director and CEO. “Discarded contaminated PPE on the ground increases the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and has negative impacts on the environment.” Please dispose of your PPE and disinfecting products properly, share this information with others and help us to keep the Great American Cleanup from becoming the Great PPE cleanup!
For more information on this and related topics please visit our COVID-19 resource page at www.ktb.org/COVID-19.


text:
The old Ford Motor Company assembly plant in northeast Southwold is rumored to be in Amazon Canada’s sights to develop a new warehouse, sorting and distribution centre.
Southwold Mayor Grant Jones today refused to confirm Amazon’s interest in the property, saying “sorry I cannot,” however, he also refused to deny it.
Ford’s former St. Thomas Assembly plant was closed in 2011, largely demolished by 2016 and decommissioned by 2019, when the 635-acre property was put up for sale. Back in the day, the 2.6-million-square-foot facility – opened in 1967 – was used to build the Ford Falcon, Lincoln Town Cars and the Mercury Grand Marquis.
“No matter what investment takes shape on the former site of the Ford St. Thomas Assembly Plant, it will be beneficial to the entire region,” said Sean Dyke, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
“That site is one of the best available industrial sites in the province and it would be wonderful to see it utilized to its full potential,” added Dyke. “ … Regardless of who invests there, the EDC will gladly work with both (Elgin) County and the company.”
In March, Amazon abandoned plans to build a large fulfillment centre in Pickering, Ontario. There were hopes that proposal would generate some 2,000 jobs, tens of millions of dollars in development charges, and millions of dollars in annual municipal tax revenues. However, the plan had also raised eyebrows because Premier Doug Ford’s government was prepared to use a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to skirt local environmental concerns.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Bezos launched Amazon in 1995. Its principal corporate offices are in Seattle and Washington. Amazon’s first quarter results, for the period ending March 31, 2021, included net sales of $108.5 billion, compared to $75.5 billion for the same period in 2020. Net income for the period was $8.1 billion, compared to $2.5 billion in 2020.
Amazon reports having made an $11 billion investment in Canada, with nearly $4 billion invested in 2019 alone. The firm has 23,000 full and part time employees in Canada and reports generating 67,000 jobs since 2010 at other companies in the construction, hospitality, professional services and retail industries. Amazon operates in 25 Canadian communities in five provinces, with two technology hubs, one regional data centre, 13 fulfillment centres, two sorting centres and 15 delivery stations.
In Ontario alone, Amazon reports making an investment of more than $5 billion in the last 10 years, with 13,000 full and part time employees.


text:
European inflation has reached a record high of 10.7%—a full two percentage points above what it is in the U.S.
- Shortly after the European Central Bank announced fewer interest rate increases, European inflation reached a record high.
- Much of Europe’s current economic trouble can be traced back to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has restricted supply chains and decreased the continent’s energy supply.
- European countries have found more expensive options for gas reserves and increased their storage, but household energy and food expenses are still high.
Why it’s news
Economists had predicted that European inflation would increase for the last month, but none had predicted such a significant increase.
As the cost of living rises in European countries, many citizens are now asking for higher pay in order to compensate for the crushing energy and grocery bills which could lead to overall higher costs.
Germany and Italy saw some of the highest inflation rates in October. Italy reached 12.8% and Germany 11.6%. Spain’s inflation rate actually fell to 7.3%.
The inflation rates warn of a potential recession in Europe. Interest rates in the eurozone rose to 1.5% on Thursday. Some investors were hoping that high interest rate hikes were going to fade away in the next several months, but continuing inflation leaves them with little hope.
European energy prices were 41.9% higher in October than the year before and food prices were 13.1% higher, according to Eurostat.
Some European governments have implemented price caps on goods and services in order to stop growing inflation. How much energy the country needs to use during the winter could play a role in how quickly inflation grows.


text:
Beacon Securities has initiated coverage of cannabis licensed producer CannTrust Holdings Inc. (CannTrust Holdings Stock Quote, Chart: TSX:TRST) with a “Buy” rating and 12-month target price of $21.00, representing a projected return of 66 per cent at the time publication.
Analyst Russell Stanley says CannTrust excels on a number of fronts. The company is a market leader in terms of revenue mix, he says, with sales from higher margin products like oils and extracts constituting about twice the weighted average of its major producer peers. And with 50,000 kg of current annualized cultivation capacity along with funding for expansion to more than 100,000 kg, CannTrust is a production heavyweight.
“In the immediate term, winning the shelf space battle will require producers to reliably deliver very low-cost production and/or commercially appealing value-added products for a market that is still evolving,” Stanley said in a coverage launch on Thursday. “We believe CannTrust is one of a handful of producers positioned to excel on both fronts. The Company is already one of the largest producers in the country and is currently winning a 36 per cent share of new medical patient registrations. It also leads its peers in terms of revenue mix, with 60 per cent of last quarter’s cannabis revenue coming from the sale of oils/extracts versus the 30 per cent average amongst its closest comparables.”
This article is brought to you by
PUF Ventures (CSE:PUF)
PUF Ventures is a biomedical ACMPR applicant with a production facility located in London, Ontario. PUF’s objective is to add shareholder value through cost efficient acquisitions, joint ventures and effective marketing while maintaining a lower risk profile through diversification and sound financial management.
Stanley sees CannTrust’s experience in the industry (founded in 2013) and management pedigree (CannTrust’s new CEO is Peter Aceto, former President and CEO of Tangerine Bank) as pluses, while at the same time he highlights the company’s beefed up balance sheet, slate of supply agreements (with eight provinces) and likely US Exchange listing in the near term.
Canntrust Holdings Stock Trades at Discount to Peers
The analyst also sees TRST as currently trading at a substantial discount to its peer group, saying that the discount has ballooned from 17 per cent to now almost 50 per cent due to rapid multiple expansion by its peers.
Stanley thinks CannTrust will generate revenue and EBITDA in 2019 of $175.8 million and $51.3 million, respectively, and revenue and EBITDA in 2020 of $306.2 million and $117.9 million, respectively. His $21.00 target is derived from a 20x EV/C2020 EBITDA multiple valuation.


text:
There has been an increase in research activity on the relationship between light and human bio-function, including a recent scientific study focusing on the effects of light spectrum on sleep quality, visual comfort, well-being and daytime alertness conducted by Prof. Christian Cajochen and his team at the University of Basel in Switzerland, entitled: "Effect of Daylight LED on Visual Comfort, Melatonin, Mood, Waking Performance, and Sleep."
It is well established that light is one of the strongest control factors for human circadian rhythms, such as the secretion of the sleep promoting hormone melatonin. Thus, optimal lighting condition during daytime are crucial to prevent circadian rhythm disturbances which can lead to sleep disorders and other life-style related diseases. Over the past ten years, there have been related scientific studies in the fields of sleep, chronobiology, physiology, as well as the impact of light quality in elderly care.
According to Prof. Cajochen's research, LED light sources with the same measured correlated color temperature (CCT) and intensity, but different spectral output, can have different effects on human behavior and physiology. LED light sources with a spectrum close to natural sunlight produced better visual comfort, more alertness, and happier moods in the morning and evening among the test participants, compared to those exposed to conventional spectrum LEDs. The research tested subjects' visual comfort, circadian physiology, daytime alertness, mood, cognitive performance, and sleep after being exposed to both conventional LED light, and natural spectrum LED light for 49 hours in a laboratory setting.
Quoting from the paper: "We have evidence that a daylight [natural spectrum] LED solution has beneficial effects on visual comfort, daytime alertness, mood, and sleep intensity in healthy volunteers. Delta EEG activity (0.75–4.5Hz) was significantly higher after daylight-LED than conventional-LED exposure during the post-light exposure night." [NOTE: Delta EEG (electroencephalogram) measurements record delta waves, the brain waves associated with Stage 3 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, or "slow-wave sleep" (SWS), and aid in characterizing the depth of sleep.]
By providing the same spectrum as sunlight and in the visible light range, SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs deliver benefits to human well-being, consistent with the mechanisms of vision that impact both image forming and non-image forming aspects of the eye, as well as the control of circadian rhythms. While the qualities of artificial light have been described primarily with color and intensity thus far, SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs have introduced light spectrum as another important factor in determining overall light quality.
"This research conducted by the University of Basel suggests another important aspect to the evolving direction of artificial light over the past eighty years. In addition to the properties of energy efficiency and long life, we have added the factor of 'human well-being' to modern LED light sources," said Nam Ki-bum, sales executive vice-president of Seoul Semiconductor. "As the world's first mass-produced LED devices to achieve natural sunlight quality, SunLike Series LEDs are advancing lighting technology in this important area as we continue to respond to market needs from our customers' lighting applications."
The results of a recent comprehensive sleep study conducted by scientists at the University of Basel proves according to Seoul Semiconductor that its SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs have been identified as a key light source for promoting human well-being,
Seoul Semiconductor developed SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs in collaboration with Toshiba Materials' TRI-R spectrum technology in 2017 as the first LED light source to closely match the spectrum of natural sunlight. The two companies have since promoted this natural sunlight spectrum technology through its favorable effects on human well-being and sleep as a key value in the evolution of lighting.
About Seoul Semiconductor:
Seoul Semiconductor develops and commercializes LEDs for automotive, general illumination, specialty lighting, and backlighting markets. As the second-largest LED manufacturer globally excluding the captive market, Seoul Semiconductor holds more than 14,000 patents, offers a wide range of technologies, and mass produces innovative LED products such as SunLike – delivering the world's best light quality in a next-generation LED enabling human-centric lighting optimized for circadian rhythms; WICOP – a simpler structured package-free LED which provides market leading color uniformity and cost savings at the fixture level, providing high lumen density and design flexibility; NanoDriver Series – the world's smallest 24W DC LED drivers; Acrich, the world's first high-voltage AC-driven LED technology developed in 2005, including all AC LED-related technologies from chip to module and circuit fabrication, and nPola, a new LED product based on GaN-substrate technology that achieves more than ten times the output of conventional LEDs. UCD constitutes a high color gamut display which delivers more than 90% NTSC.
The original article has been published on internet resource LED Professional


text:
3 Insurance Trends to Keep on Your Radar in 2018
The insurance industry is undergoing major change. Findings from Deloitte’s 2018 Insurance Industry Outlook highlight key opportunities and threats for insurers to consider—both now and into the future. These include:
- Evolving digital technologies and products.
- Shifting customer expectations.
- Emerging data and the Internet of Things (IoT).
As a result, insurers are now forced to rethink traditional models amid new competition and changing consumer needs. Whether you’re new to insurance in 2018 or a seasoned pro, we outline three insurance trends to keep on your radar in 2018 and beyond.
Digital transformation in insurance presents an immense opportunity to reshape how products and services are delivered. By embracing digital innovation, insurers are able to improve program efficiency and effectiveness in underwriting, customer service and claims management. Additionally, insurers that adopt a modern, digital program report a 65% reduction in costs and a 20% improvement in conversion rates.
On the consumer side, policy holders enjoy connectivity amongst smartphone, car, household and workplace devices. This interconnectivity enables industry leaders to streamline insurance operations, while modernizing and personalizing customer interactions.
For example, Ohio Insurance Institute member Nationwide tapped Amazon Alexa to encourage safe-driving habits, help drivers lower their insurance premiums and provide access to personalized driving information. Additionally, the program provides consumers with access to timely product and service information and ongoing communications with agents.
Insurers that can let go of dated, traditional methods in favor of a more digital landscape will have the upper hand against the competition.
2. Consumer Behavior
A growing reliance on smartphones, mobile apps, social media and chatbots has not only impacted the insurance industry, but also the consumer. Insurers are now faced with meeting the demands of millennials who make up the largest generation, and are in search of insurance plans and options.
Today’s digital-reliant consumers expect both convenience and personalization from their insurance providers. They seek high-quality customer service across the channels they frequent the most, not just the insurer’s website or an 800 number. And, millennials are spending more time researching online versus old-school tactics. Think a shift from calling a sales rep to 100% online transactions.
But according to Accenture’s report, Satisfy the Craving for Insurance Personalization, “only 22% [of insurance providers] have launched personalized, real-time digital or mobile services to date.” These include:
- Suitable offers and discounts based on consumers wants and needs.
- Relevant and timely messages that strengthen the consumer/insurer relationship.
- Dynamic pricing models for consumers’ habits and lifestyles.
- Applicable coverage recommendations and incentives for risk management.
Insurers that offer an array of interconnected services and products—online, over the phone and in-person—will differentiate themselves in the market, and attract and retain omni-channel consumers.
3. The Internet of Things
Historically, the insurance industry has relied on risk assessment to calculate policyholder coverage. The IoT, however, could change that. With in-home and automotive sensors, as well as mobile and telematics devices, insurers can transmit consumer data to more accurately access risk, manage claims and price policies.
As a result, insurers have a better understanding of consumer wants and needs, and can individualize service and product offerings accordingly.
As technology and consumer behavior continue to evolve, insurers’ business models must respond accordingly. What trends are you prepared to tackle in 2018? Share with us in the comments below.


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Career ladder primed for women in tech, but few are entering the field
(Page 3 of 4)
Societal change also is having some effect as technology is more pervasive now with young girls growing up and playing with iPads, mobile phones, video games and computers.
“Tech is moving in a direction where more and more people can do programming and designing without formal training,” Leighton said. “I think it’s critical that we start thinking about things in different ways.”
A continuous problem is not only getting women into the tech fields, but getting them to stay, Leighton said.
“A majority of tech companies were started by men, and most of them still follow the male model, which doesn’t look for a lot of women,” she said. “Women get frustrated and leave the company. The companies and the women lose. More women would stay if the companies would start redefining the organization by bringing in women at every level. Once you get women at the executive, board and mid-management level, there is a shift we see, and they are able to retain women.”
The WITI message has been that hiring and advancing women is good for business, Leighton said.
“We’ve always believed that when you bring women into the company, everything is different,” she said. “Women are the largest section of the consumer market. If you know that the fastest-growing segment is women, then to not include women in the design and management and execution of your product makes no business sense.”
Josette van Stiphout, president of Kin-etik IT Inc. in Phoenix, has worked in technology for 25 years. She started as a software developer as the only woman among 60 men at a credit insurance company in Amsterdam. At the time, no woman had a lead role in technology, she said.
Hayley Ringle covers technology and startups for the Phoenix Business Journal.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
- Most popular
- Redesigned Hyundai Sonata exceeds expectations (Video)
- Starting a Row: Chandler chooses developers for entertainment project
- Grocery chain Haggen plans massive expansion across the western U.S.
- Shut down Tempe plant to be converted into Class A office space
- Harkins to show 'The Interview' in Tempe
- Tech predictions recap: IPO, Apple deals kaput, but Intel goes mobile
- Broome headed for Sacramento; Chris Camacho to take GPEC reins
- "The Interview" could be seen online if a Phoenix tech company gets
- Note to Kurt Warner: 'Business Journal' readers want you to suit up
- Retail makeover planned for historic grocery in downtown Phoenix
US – Director of Sales (Coated Label Products) Green Bay Packaging Inc. | Green Bay, WI
Faculty/Computer Information Systems (Occupational) Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix, AZ
Audience Development Salesperson Phoenix Business Journal | Phoenix, AZ
Customer Service Representative Supervisor/Personal Banking Officer Western State Bank | Sun City, AZ
Mergers & Acquisitions Intermediary (Phoenix Metro Area) LINK Business | Scottsdale, AZ


text:
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy showed fresh signs of vigor in November as retail sales surged and wholesale price pressures resurfaced, according to two government reports released yesterday.
The Commerce Department said retail sales jumped 1.2% as consumers continued to snap up automobiles and other high-priced durable goods. The increase, double what analysts expected, followed a revised gain of 1.3% in October sales to mark the sixth straight monthly rise.
In a separate report, the Labor Department said its producer price index rebounded 0.5% last month as higher energy prices took their toll. The gain followed decreases of 0.5% in September and October that had fueled optimism that inflation was under control.
Despite the November increase, producer prices were up only 1.3% from a year ago.
Analysts said the strength in retail sales increased the likelihood that economic growth will turn out to be strong in the final three months of 1994. Some estimates for gross domestic product range as high as 4%, about the pace cited for the year by Fed chairman Alan Greenspan in his recent testimony to Congress.
"Consumers have their wallets wide open, and they're using a lot of credit," said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist for PNC Bank Corp.
According to the Commerce Department figures, sales at auto dealerships jumped 2.0%, sales of building materials and hardware jumped 2.9%, and sales at furniture stores advanced 2.3%. Similarly large gains were posted for autos and other durable goods in October.
Sales of nondurable goods were softer, rising 0.4% after a gain of 0.3% in October. However, clothing stores saw sales rise 0.6%, and gasoline service station sales rose 0.9%, apparently reflecting higher prices of reformulated gasoline that dealers are introducing to meet Clear Air Act requirements.
According to the Labor Department, gasoline prices shot up 4.5% after falling in September and October and were a large factor in the overall increase in producer prices. Excluding food and energy, prices rose only 0.1% -- which was less than analysts expected and provided support to the bond market.
Still, analysts said other aspects of the producer price report suggested that pressures continue to build below the finished goods level. Prices of intermediate goods jumped 1.1%, and crude goods prices surged 1.0%.
Compared with a year earlier, prices of intermediate goods were up 3.9% in November, the biggest year-over-year increase so far in 1994.
In his recent testimony, Greenspan noted that manufacturers have been holding off from passing on higher materials costs to their customers. But, he added, "with demand for their output strong, finished-goods producers may soon attempt to pass on their higher costs."
"All the signs are right for inflation to intensify," said Debbie Lee, senior economist for Stein Roe & Farnham Inc., in Chicago. Equity analysts at the firm have found that suppliers of paper goods, as well as glass goods and jars, are ready to pass on higher prices that they believe will stick, she said.
Lee estimated that inflation will be up next year somewhere from 3.5% to 4%, which would not be high by recent experience but would be an upturn from this year's expected increase of 3% or less.
Despite the continued strength in the economy, many analysts expect Fed officials will refrain from raising shortterm rates again at the Dec. 20 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee in order to have more time to gauge the impact of their earlier credit tightenings. Their last move on Nov. 15 boosted the federal funds rate to 5.50% from 4.75%.
In addition, Fed officials are believed to be anxious not to want to roil financial markets that are already under stress from the Orange County debacle. "They have a three-month pattern in rate changes, and with all the anxiety over Orange County, discretion is the better part of valor," said Ray Worsek, chief economist for A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc., in St. Louis.


text:
Immediately following Microsoft’s announcement of their Surface tablets, LG has taken a bold step in announcing that it would focus less on tablets and shift toward smartphones. While it’s a surprise to see them come out and say it, it’s not a surprise that their mobile division isn’t where they want it to be. LG have had trouble breaking into a competitive smartphone space, and with the tablet wars being even more fierce it’s hard to believe they would have had success any time soon. [Bloomberg via The Verge]
stars Popular this Weeklaunch
High-res press renders of the LG V30 have finally leaked, showing the upcoming phone from just about every angle. It looks absolutely gorgeous.
We’ve seen countless Galaxy Note 8 leaks in recent weeks, but if you were looking for something a little more “official,” this leaked brochure confirms many of the devices noteworthy hardware features.
more_vertCelebrate the Eclipse with Android O
Google has confirmed that Android O will be announced on Monday, August 21st during a special event which will be live-streamed from New York City.
more_vertGoogle Bisto Bluetooth headphones
The Pixel 2 is rumored to not have a headphone jack, but Google may have their own answer to Apple AirPods ready to swoop in and save the day.


text:
America Online Inc. has signed a bundling deal with eMachines Inc., including a package in which consumers get a free system when they sign up for CompuServe service. AOL will also take a minority stake in eMachines. Specific financial details of the deal were not released.
"Consumers are increasingly purchasing PCs for the sole purpose of getting online, and when they do, they want easy access to the leading online brands like AOL and CompuServe. Participating with eMachines in this rebate program will give computer buyers even more incentive to sign up for the new CompuServe 2000," AOL marketing president Jan Brandt said in a release.
Starting this weekend, AOL will offer a limited-time program where consumers who sign up for a three-year CompuServe 2000 service contract get a $400 (£245) rebate on an eMachines system. The rebate program covers a $399 eMachines tower system, AOL officials said.
The CompuServe service costs $21.95 per month for unlimited usage. As part of the marketing program, AOL and CompuServe icons will be featured on eMachines desktops. AOL's interest in cheap PCs should come as no surprise. The company was rumoured to be looking to acquire Microworkz, maker of a $200 computer/Internet appliance. Microworkz denied the acquisition rumour, but said that it was talking to AOL about a possible deal.
But the deal with eMachines simply represents "a good investment" said AOL spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg. "We invest in a lot of different companies. We see it as a great company to work with," she said. She said that AOL plans to offer the CompuServe rebate package with other PC makers and retailers.
AOL and eMachines aren't the only ones with this idea.
Microsoft Corp. is offering a similar rebate deal with computer chain Micro Centre. Consumers who sign up for a three-year ISP contract with Microsoft's MSN service will get a $400 credit voucher good toward the purchase of any computer at the store, including the $449 PowerSpec system.
Microsoft and Micro Centre had been testing the program, and on Wednesday announced it would be available at all of its stores and through its mail-order subsidiary.


text:
After years of updating the company’s aging technology, introducing a guest booking fee and persuading reluctant hosts to handle transactions online, HomeAway’s profit doubled in the second quarter from the same period a year ago. The performance of the unit helped push Expedia’s earnings, excluding some items, to $1.38 a share, the Bellevue, Washington-based company said Thursday in a statement. Analysts had projected 89 cents. Shares jumped about 11 percent in extended trading.
Expedia bought HomeAway for $3.9 billion after Airbnb ushered in a new era of travel by convincing millions of homeowners to let strangers stay in their houses. HomeAway, and its subsidiary VRBO, are mostly focused on traditional vacation rentals, but under Expedia the unit has pushed into the urban areas dominated by Airbnb. It’s part of a three-way battle in the fast-growing market that also includes Booking Holdings Inc. HomeAway added about 100,000 new listings in the quarter, and now has 1.7 million in total.
Revenue increased 11 percent to $2.88 billion in the quarter, in line with the average estimate of analysts, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The number of room nights booked through Expedia gained 12 percent from the same period a year earlier, outstripping the 8 percent estimated by Susquehanna Financial analyst Shyam Patil. Gross bookings, the total amount of travel booked through Expedia’s many websites and apps, were $25.9 billion, compared with $22.8 billion last year.
Earlier, Expedia’s shares closed at $125.80 in New York. The stock has gained 5 percent this year.
©2018 Bloomberg L.P. This article was written by Gerrit De Vynck from Bloomberg and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
* iPad mini is Apple's first foray into small tablets
* Amazon, Google helped force its hand-analysts
* Price a little on high side, concerns about iPad
By Poornima Gupta and Noel Randewich
SAN JOSE, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Apple Inc will begin
to sell an 8-inch version of the iPad on Friday to compete with
smaller tablets including Amazon.com Inc's Kindle, but
set a higher-than-expected price tag of $329 that Wall Street
fears could curb demand.
The 7.9 inch "iPad mini" marks the iPhone-maker's first
foray into the smaller-tablet segment. Apple hopes to beat back
incursions onto its home turf of consumer electronics hardware,
while safeguarding its lead in a larger tablet space that even
deep-pocketed rivals like Samsung Electronics have
found tough to penetrate.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and marketing chief Phil
Schiller took the wraps off the new tablet, which essentially
has most of the functions and features of the full-size iPad but
in a smaller package.
Priced at $329 for a wi-fi only model, the iPad mini is a
little costlier than some predicted, but some analysts see that
as a bid to retain premium pricing levels. Others fear the
gadget will lure buyers away from the $499 flagship 10-inch
iPad, while proving ineffective in combating the threat of
Amazon's $199 Kindle Fire and Google's Nexus 7, both of which
are sold at or near cost.
"Apple has always been a premium hardware manufacturer. It's
basically a hardware company and they don't have Google
advertising or Amazon's online store to fall back on," said
Destination Wealth Management CEO Michael Yoshikami.
"But people are happy to pay a premium because it's quality
hardware, and the ecosystem (of content and apps) cannot be
The focus on growing competition was evident as Schiller --
at a launch event held in San Jose's California Theatre --
compared the iPad mini with Google's popular 7-inch Nexus 7
tablet, citing feature by feature why the new Apple device was
superior. It is unusual for Apple to single out a specific
competitor in its product launches.
"Theirs is made of plastic," Schiller said, referring to the
Android tablet. "The entire Android product is thicker and
In a surprise move, Apple also announced a fourth-generation
full-sized iPad just six months after unveiling a third
generation device to much fanfare. The latest tablet, which
again goes for $499, is faster and slimmer and comes just days
before Microsoft is due to show off its own "Surface"
Wall Street analysts have said for months Apple was planning
a less expensive version of the iPad to squash cheaper rival
devices, a move they say might hurt its margins but prevent its
rivals from dominating an increasingly important segment.
"It's coming in the range that most were grumbling about and
that, quite frankly, we're a little bit concerned about," said
JMP Securities analyst Alex Gauna. "It's a little confusing at
this juncture to try and figure out how it fits into the
line-up. Is it going to cannibalize the more expensive iPad?"
"It is worth noting that there are zero-margin products out
there competing with them now ..., and that is presenting some
challenges to Apple."
Apple's shares ended regular trading down 3.2 percent at
$613.36, after gaining 4 percent on Monday in the run-up to the


text:
Further investigations into the Volkswagen Group’s diesel scandal have led to the arrest of a former Audi manager as well as a probe into Porsche by investigators in Germany. Both instances involve allegations of fraud and false advertising relating to diesel emissions.
In the case of Porsche, Stuttgart prosecutor Jan Holzner confirmed to Reuters that there were grounds to suspect potential fraud and false advertising by certain Porsche employees in Germany and the United States. More details couldn’t be released as the probe is ongoing.
News of the probe comes a month after it was reported that Germany’s official transport authority, the KBA, was investigating Porsche over the use of defeat device software in a 3.0-liter diesel engine to hide emissions from European regulators. Porsche, together with fellow VW Group brands Audi and Volkswagen, has already admitted to using defeat device software in the U.S., in Porsche's case in the Cayenne Diesel.
The 3.0-liter engine is the same unit used by Audi, which the KBA already determined was fitted with defeat device software. Vehicles fitted with the engine emit excess nitrogen oxides when the steering wheel is turned more than 15 degrees, the KBA said. As most vehicle testing is done on a rolling platform where steering isn’t required, the software determined when the vehicle was being tested based on the steering wheel angle.
Munich prosecutors are separately investigating Audi about its role in designing the engine. They arrested a former Audi manager this month for fraud and false advertising. The manager is believed to be Giovanni Pamio who was accused earlier this month by U.S. authorities of giving the orders to develop the defeat device software. The arrested manager is the eighth person charged in various cases related to the VW Group’s diesel scandal.
In the U.S., the VW Group has already agreed to pay more than $20 billion in penalties and settlements and pleaded guilty to three felony charges over the diesel scandal.


text:
When the American Desire shopping mall, a massive procuring and leisure complicated up coming to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., eventually opened its doors to the general public final Oct, its owner, the Triple 5 Team, was keen to verify naysayers erroneous.
Skepticism had abounded in the 15 many years considering the fact that construction first began on the venture, which was initially recognized as Xanadu Meadowlands and promised extravagances like an indoor ski slope. But the shopping mall cycled by builders and billions of pounds in funding, and faced quite a few delays.
The moment Triple Five, the Canadian genuine estate agency driving the Mall of The us in Minnesota, took above in 2011, it was identified to reignite enthusiasm for the job. It modified the title from Xanadu to American Aspiration, altered an exterior that then-Governor Chris Christie had known as “the ugliest” in the point out and promised even more marvels, like an indoor h2o park and supplemental roller coasters.
But only months following parts of the complicated started opening, setting up with its ice-skating rink and a Nickelodeon amusement park, the pandemic strike.
“It was extremely, particularly unlucky, the timing of it all,” Don Ghermezian, main executive of Triple 5 and co-main govt of American Dream, explained in an interview. “The shutdown came in March, only a pair of times ahead of we were being scheduling to open up the stability of the heart.”
Mr. Ghermezian stated he was upbeat about the long term of the shopping mall, which reopened some of its points of interest on Oct. 1. But the pandemic has battered numerous merchants and purchasing malls and still left numerous consumers skittish about substantially of what Triple 5 was betting on — vacation, crowds and the allure of indoor areas. It has also put a spotlight on the income tied to the good results of the intricate, which is now facing the risk of still an additional shutdown all through the all-significant holiday purchasing year as coronavirus scenarios spike once more.
“It definitely is tremendously bad luck,” reported Vince Tibone, a retail analyst at Inexperienced Avenue, a business actual estate analytics business. “Until there’s a common vaccine, and the two domestic and worldwide journey rebounds to what it made use of to be, it’s going to be tricky for this mall to get the foot visitors it was hoping for.”
Triple 5, which also owns Canada’s West Edmonton shopping mall, experienced expected 40 million people a year at American Dream, a notably bold figure that would set it on par with Walt Disney Earth in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Tibone observed that the sophisticated was presently going through questions all-around how it would shuttle vacationers amongst Manhattan and northern New Jersey. And further than pandemic-pressured keep closures, American Dream is struggling with the problem that its sights — from its ski slope and caviar bar to its roller coasters and DreamWorks-themed drinking water park — are indoors at a time when community overall health officials are telling people to remain outdoors.
All a few of Triple Five’s malls have suffered this year due to the fact of the pandemic, which include the Shopping mall of The us, which reportedly entered a dollars-administration arrangement last summer immediately after lacking months of house loan payments.
The organization projected that the American Dream elaborate would at some point assistance far more than 20,000 employment and deliver almost $150 million per year in condition and neighborhood taxes, a law firm for Triple 5 wrote in an April letter to the Federal Reserve about its so-referred to as Main Avenue lending program for midsize businesses. But the shopping mall was nevertheless in the system of opening in phases it named “chapters” and its mid-March shutdown arrived just times just before the centre could open its most normal supplying — its retail stores.
Because the mall was to start with conceived, it has experienced to grapple with a rapidly-shifting buying landscape and the bankruptcies of introduced tenants like Barneys New York and Toys “R” Us, as perfectly as the point that the county exactly where it is centered prohibits retail profits on Sundays. This calendar year has spurred one more wave of bankruptcies from main chains, together with announced tenants like Lord & Taylor and Century 21.
Mr. Ghermezian claimed that the searching centre lost “very, pretty handful of tenants” and that people that had exited for the reason that of the pandemic had been changed. He reported that if not for the shutdowns, as numerous as 200 of the mall’s retail and food tenants would most likely have opened this thirty day period. As of very last week, he claimed, about 90 have been open, which include the most significant Zara in the United States and the flagship for the rapidly-vogue chain Primark.
Traders and area politicians, like in the borough of East Rutherford, have been concerned about the potential of American Dream.
The $5 billion development has gained hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer incentives and promised thousands and thousands of pounds in payments in coming decades to East Rutherford, which has been observing the site’s progress for what has felt like an eternity.
“We considered the Xanadu job would be open up by 2007,” mentioned James Cassella, the previous mayor of East Rutherford who retired in 2019 right after much more than 20 decades in the part. Even just after Triple Five entered the image, he explained, “there were being much more opening dates on this than you could envision.”
“There was normally a thing that delayed it from Working day 1,” he said. “Building, financing, economic climate, curiosity prices — you identify it.”
Mr. Cassella explained that East Rutherford negotiated once-a-year payments from American Aspiration that went out for decades, with further dollars coming in after the mall opened. The borough was also looking forward to positions established by the advancement.
But community information demonstrate that American Aspiration is powering on its payments to East Rutherford. In January, East Rutherford voters also narrowly authorised a $35.5 million, 20-year bond to fund enhancements at its schools immediately after officials said funds from the American Dream progress would enable mitigate the tax burden for citizens. The bond grew to become a issue of competition during community elections this yr as worries constructed around the procuring complicated. East Rutherford associates didn’t react to requests for remark.
When the shopping mall reopened for organization on Oct. 1, Lisa Washburn, an analyst for Municipal Industry Analytics, took a analysis vacation to see what the initially back-to-small business working day seemed like. The crowds had been sparse, she mentioned, and many outlets experienced much more workers than clients. (She purchased $14 truly worth of gummy bears at the IT’SUGAR sweet shop.)
The advancement sits on point out land and was in a position to get tax-no cost credit card debt financing by a sequence of bonds that could carry threats to investors.
Ms. Washburn reported there was really minor transparency into the mall’s finances for bond investors to seem at so it was challenging to obtain an correct image of its problem. “The disclosure is incredibly very poor,” she said.
Traders are also watching a $27 million financial debt payment that is thanks upcoming thirty day period.
When questioned irrespective of whether the credit card debt payment would be manufactured, Mr. Ghermezian said, “We are working with our creditors on a frequent foundation to set a approach in spot that permits the centre to keep on to flourish.” American Aspiration is also performing out other payments, which include these to East Rutherford, he said.
“Yes, there’s some funds that is owed,” he explained. “But once more, not in contrast to any other developer in the region that has experienced their initiatives shut down throughout the board, we want to operate as genuine partners with the municipalities, with creditors, with tenants, to make absolutely sure all people is having a good situation and honest share in how to handle this pandemic.”
Mr. Ghermezian stated that Triple Five nevertheless supposed to construct out “a pair million more sq. feet” in the Meadowlands, with designs in area for a conference middle and about 3,000 to 3,500 resort rooms. The company anticipates that after tourism recovers, people today, primarily family members, viewing New York would stay at American Aspiration in advance of traveling into the town.
Triple Five, which is named for 3 generations of the Ghermezian family and its 5 founders, is also continuing to pursue a equally ambitious shopping mall task in Miami, though most likely at a slower tempo than it did prior to Covid-19, Mr. Ghermezian mentioned. Although he acknowledged the worries going through purchasing facilities, he reported that initiatives like American Aspiration stood aside from normal malls and suppliers.
“You’re going to see a hell of a lot of buying facilities foreclosed on this yr,” he said. “The past guys remaining will be thriving and we firmly think, 100 %, that is American Desire in this industry.”
He additional, “We’re heading to very own American Desire for the future 100, 200 a long time or regardless of what it is.”
For now, American Desire is working to persuade people to pay a visit to. Due to the fact reopening, it has waived its parking charges. In ads on social media it has highlighted its social-distancing and virus-basic safety pointers. The adverts urge individuals to shop, visit people like SpongeBob SquarePants at the Nickelodeon theme park and escape the cold in the mall’s drinking water park, where by the temperature is taken care of at 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
“If there was no pandemic, I would be worried we’d be receiving way too much targeted visitors in American Aspiration,” Mr. Ghermezian said.
Joel Brizzi, a former East Rutherford councilman, explained that even though he experienced lengthy been optimistic about the project and Triple 5, he was involved about the shopping mall and regardless of whether it could face up to a next pandemic-related shutdown.
“How extended can you preserve heading devoid of any earnings?” Mr. Brizzi claimed. “The jury’s nevertheless out on whether it’s likely to survive.”
Mr. Cassella, the former mayor, reported that he was also fearful about the mall’s capacity to weather the pandemic.
“There are often persons that say, ‘I hope this position fails,’ but it wouldn’t be good for anybody if this thing fails,” he claimed. “It would be an complete catastrophe for the condition for sure, the advanced, and really frankly, East Rutherford would get rid of out due to the fact we’ve gone so much with it. It would be a major earnings decline.”


text:
The first earnings report from BlackBerry since its new phone launched is mostly good news—the company reported $94 million in profit and $1.2 billion in revenue—but there is one alarming figure: the 3 million customers the company has lost over the last three months. Even with a million Z10 devices sold, the company "lost about a million more subscribers" than analysts were expecting, according ...
This Post sponsored by:
Inspetta: Proving complete consulting, marketing, advertising, software and product developmetn services for business.
Contribution by: Scott Leonard
See Scott Leonard's G+ Profile for more contributions.
Scott reminds you that this is an exerpt. Visit the publisher's link to read the full story.
Connect on Google+
Connect on Facebook
Connect on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn


text:
Horrifyingly true, there is now a drinkable rotten cheese on the market. The world's first Blue Stilton milk shake is being sold at Moo Juce in Brighton. The smoothie and milkshake specialists wanted to concoct a unique beverage that would be odd yet delicious.
Food and drinks on the go are a booming, as is dairy... and apparently, that encompasses the blue cheese market. People are also intrigued by the offbeat and bizarre, so really, shocking products like these shouldn't be, well, shocking at all.
There isn't just one standard blue cheese flavor -- believe it or not, there are variations. Taste-bud torturing combinations include peanut butter and blue cheese and heated Jamaican ginger cake to spice up the fermentation factor.
"Through listening to our customers and accommodating modern consumer trends such as the smoothie, we're strengthening Stilton's position as the King of English cheese" said Nigel White of SCMA.
"Creating the Stilton smoothie, or smooth-shake as we like to call it, was no easy task. But through vigorous blending and sampling, Moo juce were able to create not only one but four recipes that have been instant hits."
This sounds down right disgusting to me. Rotten cheese... as a drink. I'll pass, but for those who like Stilton, this could be oddly tasty.
Blue Stilton Milk Shake
1. Drinkable Dairy Innovations - The market for unique and unconventional dairy beverages is thriving, presenting opportunities for innovative dairy products like the Blue Stilton milk shake.
2. Unconventional Flavor Combinations - Consumers' interest in offbeat and bizarre food and drink experiences opens up possibilities for taste-bud torturing combinations like peanut butter and blue cheese.
3. Customized Blended Beverages - The popularity of smoothies and blended drinks creates a demand for personalized recipes, driving the development of hits like the Stilton smooth-shake with multiple flavors.
1. Dairy - The dairy industry can explore unique and unconventional dairy products, such as drinkable rotten cheese, to cater to consumers' evolving tastes.
2. Food and Beverage - In the food and beverage industry, the rising demand for odd and offbeat experiences presents an opportunity for creating unconventional flavor combinations like peanut butter and blue cheese.
3. Smoothie and Milkshake - Smoothie and milkshake specialists can capitalize on the popularity of blended beverages by offering customized recipes, such as the Stilton smooth-shake, to cater to individual preferences.


text:
The awesome Ectomobile 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor is back from the dead in Lego’s 30th anniversary set.
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the epic blockbusterGhostbusters, Lego has just announced it will release a special edition boxset based on a fan’s idea. Brent Waller’s design incorporates the Ghostbustersbuilding, the various ghost-fighting characters - including Ray, Egon, Winstonand Peter - and above all, the unforgettable Ectomobile, Ecto-1, which was the ‘bustersmain form of transportation.
The car in the movie was a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteorambulance, converted to fight ghosts whenever the team was called. When RayStantz buys it in the movie, he says it needs a little bit of work, including:"suspension work and shocks, brakes, brake pads, lining, steering box,transmission, rear end... new rings, mufflers, a little wiring...." Fromthe looks of it, Lego has got the car already fixed up and ready to be drivenby customers - who will presumably all be above the age of 30.


text:
Officials at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard have developed a robot they say can teach even young children to code. The robot, Root, looks similar to a vacuuming bot and is intended, its creators say, to make coding fun for students and teachers who may not be familiar with it.
Upscale eateries that once adhered to strict dress codes for their guests now vary much more in their expectations, a change driven in large part by restaurateurs' personal preferences along with corporate America's relaxation of old rules. "I just think it all depends on the individual restaurant, and a lot of restaurants have evolved to be more casual," said French Laundry general manager Michael Minnillo.
Quick response codes are popping up everywhere, and experts say smart businesses can be in the vanguard of an important marketing trend. Whether it's real estate or restaurants, business owners use QR codes to offer more information to customers -- and get more information in return. QR codes "bring interactivity to (print) ads and facilitate all kinds of advanced engagement," notes Mike Ricci of Webtrends.
Victor Petit says he was looking for an internship at a communications agency, and he turned to digital technology to stand out. The back of his paper résumé included a picture of his face with a QR code in the middle. Scanning the code with a smartphone links to a video that further elaborates on his skills.
California's first-in-the-nation Green Building Code could become a model for other states grappling with soaring energy costs and growing environmental concerns. Starting in 2010, all new construction in California will be required to reduce energy consumption by 15% and increase water efficiency by 20%. Property-management associations were largely supportive of the code and provided input on specific requirements.


text:
Trackmania Turbo has been revealed at the Ubisoft E3 press conference, marking the franchise’s first trip to consoles.
According to the information revealed at the press conference, Turbo will include 200 tracks across four environments, five difficulty levels and four gameplay model. Most excitingly, the press conference showed off a procedural track generator
Trackmania has been renowned for its precision racing, highly customizable tracks, and massively multiplayer community with titles like Trackmania Sunrise and Trackmania 2. Turbo marks the first time Trackmania will foray onto consoles, taking the cult following of the PC version to Xbox One and Playstation 4 for the first time.
A release date for Trackmania Turbo is as of yet unannounced, but the game already looks to have the classic Trackmania craziness to it.


text:
You have searched for "Huazong"
Showing 1-10 of 132
THE Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) is urging the government to reconsider its recent decision to curb the sale of hard liquor in sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine shops in Kuala Lumpur, reports Oriental Daily.
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) president, Datuk Ong Seng Khek, has gone on leave pending trial related to the recent pollution of Sungai Kundang in Rawang.
A WOMAN from Negri Sembilan has won a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Chinese Language at a university in China, reported Sin Chew Daily.
PETALING JAYA: Offices in conditional movement control order (MCO) zones are emptying out, as many firms align with the government’s Work-From-Home (WFH) policy.


text:
A concept of upcoming iPhone 7 has revealed and it has got a full screen display. Check out the video to get concept of next iPhone which is published by DeepMind.
Watch the Concept iPhone 7
In this concept video, DeepMind has shown a device that can display full screen images. The concept was created along with SvetApple where they feature the potentially of enlarging any images beyond the typical display boundaries.
There was a rumor for bringing a full screen iPhone before Apple released the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus on the last month. Apparently nothing like that happened.
However, have a look on the video and let us know what you think through the comment section.


text:
The 2018 FIFA World Cup ended with France being victorious and a new star player emerging among the winning team – young footballer Kylian Mbappé
Following the 1 July match against Argentina, during which Mbappé scored two goals, a staggering 169 trademark applications were filed as several Chinese companies and individuals applied to trademark his name. At last count, 189 trademark applications had been filed with the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of China (SAIC). Of these 189 applications, 159 used the Chinese transliteration of Mbappé’s surname, while 30 applications were filed for MBAPPÉ in roman letters. In addition to sports companies, the list of applicants includes fertiliser, clothing, building materials, animal feedstock and food production companies.
None of these applications has yet been approved. However, the Chinese transliteration of ‘Mbappé’ was registered in 2017 by a clothing company in Jinjiang, Fujian province, and an eyeglasses company in Danyang, Jiangsu province. Both companies can legally use this registered mark on their products for a period of ten years, unless their registrations are successfully invalidated.
The business community has noticed the speed with which Chinese companies and individuals are seekingto trademark Mbappé’s name; more importantly, the filings highlight the country’s longstanding trademarksquatting issue. Trademark trolls are rushing to register variations of Mbappé’s name to potentially benefit when the footballer or any of his licensees are prevented from adopting the marks in China because the rights are already held by third parties.
It is possible that some of these trademarks will be approved: due to the volume of filings in China, some of these marks may slip through the cracks of an overly-burdened Trademark Office. According to data released by the SAIC, last year applications for trademark registration reached 5,748,000, an increase of 55.7% year-on-year. China is a first-to-file country and the Trademark Office will grant trademark rights to squatters regardless of whether they are using the mark, as long as they are the first to submit their applications.
The amount of filings for Mbappé’s name serves as an important and necessary reminder that celebrities and businesses should have a strategy in place to protect their trademarks in China. Early registration is essential in the world’s second-largest economy. Many firms will anticipate expansion into China at some point in their corporate cycle and should consider filing trademarks as early as possible.
Registering a Chinese-language mark is just as important, or even more important, as Chinese consumers almost exclusively know foreign brands by their Chinese-language versions. This is evidenced by the factthat there are 159 applications using the Chinese transliteration of Mbappé’s surname, but only 30 applications for MBAPPÉ written in roman letters. It is also essential to apply for as many relevant classesand sub-classes as possible to prepare for a potential expansion of products and/or services in the future.
Finding on-the-ground and knowledgeable representation that can strategically advise on protection, monitoring and enforcement (mainly through oppositions and cancellations, and/or litigation before the courts and/or administrative actions) is the only way to ensure that the value of a trademark portfolio is protected. Businesses should also prepare themselves for settlements. Given the lengthy, expensive and often unfavourable adjudicatory process in trademark disputes, it may make more commercial sense to negotiate with the squatter to purchase the trademark directly in an out-of-court settlement.
In the case of Mbappé, it is possible that several of the Chinese companies and individuals rushing toregister the mark are hoping for this outcome. Given China’s position in the world, celebrities and businesses cannot afford to wait when it comes to trademark registration. Internationally-recognised brands such as Michael Jordan, Apple, Google and New Balance have all faced similar challenges and lost millions of dollars as a consequence. Vigilance is thus essential. Proactive filing and monitoring, together with suitable and timely enforcement actions, will keep squatters, opportunistic trolls and infringers at bay, thereby helping to protect the value of trademark portfolios.
This article first appeared on WTR Daily, part of World Trademark Review, in July 2018. For further information, please go to www.worldtrademarkreview.com


text:
The US Congress has passed a bill that significantly restricts imports from China’s Xinjiang region. The law aims to prevent US companies from using products made through forced labor by Uyghurs.
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives actually voted in favor of the bill, and now the Senate has done so as well. The law now goes to President Biden. He had already said that he would put his signature on it.
The United States has long held that China is committing genocide against the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. In addition, many of the exported products are said to have resulted from forced labor. This includes cotton, gloves and silicone products.
The bill was negotiated for several months. Republicans accused Democrats of not wanting to introduce stricter rules because they would hinder President Biden’s sustainability plans. Many raw materials for solar panels come from Xinjiang.
Submitting the guide
There is no mention of a complete ban on import in the final invoice. It states that US companies wishing to import products from Xinjiang must demonstrate that the goods do not arise from forced labor.
As far as is known, China has not yet responded to the US decision. The state has long denied any wrongdoing in Xinjiang. And politics there, according to China, is necessary to combat terrorism.
“Avid pop culture junkie. Alcohol nerd. Award-winning problem solver. Wannabe writer. Baconaholic. Typical creator.”


text:
Beginning Monday, Jan. 24, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will adjust daily opening hours to noon at its 395 stores.
Increasing numbers of ABC’s retail employees continue to be affected by COVID-19 making staffing in stores difficult. This change in hours will enable Virginia ABC’s limited workforce to better serve its customers. Store closing times will remain the same.
“Like other retailers affected by pandemic-related staffing shortages, we are modifying our store hours to reduce the need to close stores because of employee quarantines,” said CEO Travis Hill. “Opening at noon meets the needs of the majority of our customers, most of whom prefer to shop in the afternoon.”
Virginia ABC continues to follow safety measures recommended for retailers by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All ABC stores are equipped with Plexiglas shields at registers and undergo daily cleaning and sanitizing with particular attention to the most frequented areas. All store employees are required to wear face masks. For everyone’s health and safety, customers are encouraged to also wear face masks when shopping in an ABC store.
As an alternative to in-store shopping, customers can place orders online at www.abc.virginia.gov for curbside pickup or home delivery in nearly all areas of the commonwealth.
ABC continues to monitor information coming from the CDC, VDH and the governor’s office regarding COVID-19. Future decisions related to ABC store operations will be made with guidance from these official sources and implemented on a case-by-case basis.


text:
Vodafone UK and Germany announces the availability of carrier billing with Android Market purchases
0. phoneArena 19 Aug 2011, 15:00 posted on
Great news coming to Vodafone UK and Germany customers as the wireless operator announced the availability of carrier billing with Android Market purchases. That surely sounds awesome for many people who are less willing...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here
1. dmakun (Posts: 320; Member since: 06 Jun 2011)
How I'd love this service to come to Vodacom SA.


text:
? Well, unless you and your elected officials are ready to cough up billions more for better roads and proper preventive maintenance, buckle up, 'cause it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Britain's signals intelligence division is stealing screenshots from hundreds of thousands of innocent Yahoo users' webcam videos, according to the Guardian newspaper, which also reported that the
The Chilean unit of Spanish bank BBVA is launching a service that lets people transfer money using Facebook.
Sony Corp. says it is closing about two-thirds of its U.S. Sony Stores is part of a wide-ranging company restructuring it announced earlier this month.
Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks admitted in court Thursday that she sometimes paid public officials for information, but insisted she only did so when it was in the public interest.
Many people use their smartphones to watch video, play games and wake them up in the morning. Some even use them to generate digital boarding passes to fly. So why not use phones to buy stuff at
Tear apart an electric car's rechargeable battery and you'll find a mineral normally associated with No. 2 pencils.
South Korea's top court on Thursday upheld a suspended prison term on disgraced cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk on criminal charges related to faked research.
Expect sharper, clearer selfies this year.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S5 smartphone will be at least the third to have a fingerprint sensor for security but it's alone in letting you use that for general shopping, thanks to a partnership


text:
Sign up for the TODAY newsletter
You have successfully subscribed to the TODAY newsletter.
Subscribe now and get trending stories, celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.
Battle brews between beer giants and craft breweries
Craft beer sales were up an estimated 5 percent in 2017. Now, big beer giants are getting into the craft market, but some millennials aren’t sold. NBC’s Kerry Sanders reports for TODAY.
Hoda Kotb shares her delicious mojito recipe (with sound effects!)01:36
Starbucks to eliminate plastic straws in stores by 202002:35
Serve these boozy, easy cocktails at your July 4th party04:28
Hoda Kotb and Jason Kennedy sample summertime wines02:55
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager celebrate National Martini Day00:44
Kelly Clarkson to Hoda Kotb: ‘I don’t work out, but I do wine instead’02:22


text:
IPG Photonics surprises investors
Oxford fiber-laser maker IPG Photonics, whose shares were recently added to the S&P 500 index, has had an up-and-down year in the stock market. Between Jan. 1 and April 30, its shares fell about 6 percent. But that was before May 1, when it announced boffo financial results and its stock soared 9.5 percent to $233 a share.
That’s good but still below its all-time high of $264 on Jan 31.
That’s because IPG beat and raised. More specifically, IPG’s May 1 report on its first quarter 2018 performance was better than investors had expected for revenue: Sales of nearly $360 million were nearly $15 million more than expected and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.93 came in 7.2 percent above analyst estimates. What’s more, IPG raised its second quarter EPS forecast to a range between $2.05 and $2.35,while the consensus estimate was $2.16.
The increase in its share price may also have been spurred by a big increase in the number of shares borrowed to bet on a decline in the stock, so-called short interest. According to Morningstar, since March 29, the number of shares sold short has increased nearly 17 percent, to about 7.6 percent of the company’s publicly traded shares.
To explain why high short interest would help IPG’s stock it helps to understand how short selling works. Simply put, to profit from an expected drop in a company’s price, an investor can borrow shares from a broker, sell them in the open market, and hope to repay the loan by repurchasing the shares at a lower price in the future.
This works out well if the stock drops and poorly if it rises. That’s because if the stock price rises above the price at which it traded when the short seller borrowed the shares, the broker demands immediate repayment of some or all of the shares borrowed. That forces the short seller to buy shares, which further reinforces the rise in price caused by the unexpectedly good news. And once the share loan is repaid, the short seller can calculate his losses — the difference between the price he sold the shares for minus the higher price at which he bought them back.
IPG is proud of its expectations-beating results, which looks to me as having surprised short sellers and caused the big price rise — known as a short squeeze — May 1. As CEO Valentin Gapontsev said in a May 1 statement, "The momentum that carried IPG through an outstanding year in 2017 continued in the first quarter of 2018. We delivered record first quarter revenue and net income, driven by the rapid adoption of IPG's high power products within our largest market segments and geographies.”
IPG achieved better than expected growth along two of the five dimensions — product and geography — that I highlighted in my book “Disciplined Growth Strategies.” (The other three are customer group, capabilities, and culture).
As Mr. Gapontsev explained, “First quarter revenue of $359.9 million increased 26 percent year over year. Materials processing sales increased 28 percent year over year and accounted for approximately 94 percent of total sales driven by strength in cutting and 3D printing applications. Sales to other markets decreased 5 percent year over year. High power CW laser sales increased 37 percent year over year, representing 64 percent of total revenue, with even stronger growth in sales of ultra-high-power CW lasers with power levels of six kilowatts and above. By region, sales increased 29 percent in China and Europe, 39 percent in Japan, and 3 percent in the United States, on a year over year basis.”
If all is great at IPG, why did investors increase their short positions in IPG stock? Based on questions from analysts during IPG’s May 1 conference call, it looks like the biggest concerns might be uncertainty regarding the global trading climate and the drop in demand from the smartphone market.
During the conference call, IPG declined to update its guidance for investor, citing the political situation. As Mr. Gaponstev said, in halting English, “We [are waiting to update guidance] for longer time because you know how unstable now the political situation, the trade war, open question and so on. So, we could not work to make forecast for the longer time that demands today.”
An analyst asked whether IPG is seeing customers delaying purchases due to that political uncertainty.
Specifically, Joe Wittine of Longbow Research LLC asked, “Are you seeing any form of hesitation at all among the major OEM [original equipment manufacturers] customers or the major integrators as it relates to the trade headlines that you mentioned, Dr. Gapontsev?” To which he replied, “We don't see now the serious signs, but it can — situation now is changing very fast.”
Another sour point in the first quarter report was a decline in demand for IPG products used in making smartphones. As IPG said, “QCW sales of $16 million declined 24 percent year-over-year due to the expected reduction in demand related to the smartphone investment cycle. We benefit from the purchase of QCW lasers used in the production of new smartphone models [which are redesigned] every other year.”
Analyst Mark Miller of The Benchmark Co. asked whether IPG sees a “significant uptick in orders coming in the second half [from smartphone suppliers]” but IPG said it’s not seeing it. According to CFO Timothy Mammen, “Nobody has visibility. I'd say that every company that's reported that has exposure to this market, Mark, has had a negative — at least in the near-term, their outlook is impaired.”
Another uncertainty that might concern investors is who will succeed Mr. Gapontsev as CEO (he turns 80 next February). Could IPG’s next CEO be 69-year-old chief operating officer Eugene Scherbakov?
Despite these uncertainties, it looks like betting against IPG is a losing proposition for now.
Peter Cohan of Marlboro heads a management consulting and venture capital firm, and teaches business strategy and entrepreneurship at Babson College. His email address is firstname.lastname@example.org.


text:
The first round goes to the computer.
Apple will reward the customer who downloads the 10 billionth app from the iOS App Store with a $10,000 iTunes gift card, the company said today.
Government-funded researchers in Taiwan have developed a vending machine that recommends purchases based on people's faces, one of the inventors said on Friday.
The cadre of volunteer developers behind the Cassandra distributed database have released the latest version of their open source software, able to hold up to 2 billion columns per row.
Google is modifying its Apps service level agreement in ways that increase the company's accountability whenever the hosted collaboration and communication software experiences downtime, the company plans to announce on Friday.
Having difficulty getting your message across? Try an uglier font.
Have you ever wanted to explore the moon? With the free Moon Maps Android app, you can. You can choose between imagery from the Clementine Mosaic or the Lunar orbiter Mosaic--though the Clementine imagery is generally better.
Wikipedia will celebrate its 10th birthday on Saturday, with founder Jimmy Wales having built the site from nothing to one of the most influential destinations on the Internet. Wikipedia's goal may be to compile the sum total of all human knowledge, ...
In line with receding flood waters in Queensland, Telstra has advised customers that it will now be able to restore broadband, wireless and mobile services in more affected areas.
It will take three months to fully restore Telstra’s communications infrastructure, the telco indicated this week.
Canon has announced what the company describes as its smallest professional digital video camera ever. The Canon XA10 is a Full HD (1080p) digital camcorder with a HD CMOS Pro 1/3in sensor; according to Canon, the sensor is 260 per cent larger than t...
Intel on Thursday said it wrapped up a strong fiscal 2010 with profit and revenue gains in the fourth quarter, and predicted a strong fiscal year 2011.
Google has launched a Crisis Response site to provide the public with up to date information on the current Queensland floods.
Remember the hack for the Apple TV that allowed you to use Last.FM and browse the web? The guys over at FireCore are back with a whole new free hack, this time aimed at simplifying the jailbreaking process for the second-generation Apple TV.
Apple isn't wasting any time getting to work this January after bringing the iPhone to Verizon earlier this week. The company released the first beta version of iOS 4.3 for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Apple TV on Wednesday night. The new version of ...
Enhance your TV experience with extra channels, on-demand movies and more
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen) review: Raising the bar
- 2 Xiaomi Mi4 review: Xiaomi's best yet
- 3 Samsung Galaxy Note Edge review: Lightly flawed, Undeniably special
- 4 Sony Xperia Z3 review: The no-frills flagship
- 5 Samsung's Galaxy Alpha review: A peek into the Galaxy S6
Best Deals on GoodGearGuide
Latest News Articles
- Blackphone super-secure communications app had serious flaw
- Alibaba clashes with Chinese regulator over online sales of fake goods
- Cisco integration gives Samsung Knox users more options for secure connectivity
- The Upload: Your tech news briefing for Wednesday, January 28
- France wants to hold social media networks accountable for hate speech
GGG Evaluation Team
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


text:
According to Prosser, the Pixel 4a will arrive in two colorways: "Just Black" and "Barely Blue.".
The Pixel 4a might be on the horizon, but the Pixel 3a is still a fantastic phone, and one you should consider if you can get it for a good price - like these deals from Amazon and B&H, which slash 30% off both variants of Google's baby Pixel. Jon Prosser, a Tech Analyst, has said that the release date has been pushed to July 13 which is a two-month delay than they originally planned.
The Pixel 3a features a capable Snapdragon 670 processor, colorful OLED display and a 12.2-megapixel rear camera that can pull off numerous same photography tricks as the newer, more premium Pixel 4, like Night Sight and Portrait Mode. The USP of Google's Pixel devices is their cameras and vanilla Android experience with regular software updates. For now it looks like the Pixel 4a has been delayed until mid-summer, so if you still need a phone during the lockdown, now might be the time to act. The Snapdragon 730, which powers the Pixel 4a, has nearly the same CPU and GPU (though at lower clock speeds) and an older modem compared to Snapdragon 765.
The smartphone will sport a 5.81-inch OLED screen with FHD+ resolution and will have a 3,080 mAh battery under the hood. But the main differentiator between these phones and the Pixel 4a will be the price; Pixel 4 starts at $799, and the Pixel 4a is likely to start at $399.
Prosser shared a few details about the new phone.
While Google Pixel series gained the appreciation of users especially with its camera, it can not be said that it makes users laugh about processor preference. Google might follow a similar approach with the Pixel 4a XL.
Cuomo Issues Order To Allow Gatherings Of Ten Or Less
The forecast appeared less than ideal for the holiday weekend, however, with rain expected Saturday and clouds on Sunday. The move comes after a previous order this week allowed similar-sized gatherings for Memorial Day or religious events.
Stardom's Hana Kimura Passes Away At Age 22
However, reports claim the wrestling star had been the victim of cyber-bullying. "We offer our honest condolences to her family". Kimura joined the Netflix Japan reality show " Terrace House " late past year .
Priti Patel defends her handling of migrant boat crossings
Exemptions for road hauliers and medical officials will apply, while the common travel area with Ireland will be unaffected. She said: "It is to protect that hard-won progress and prevent a devastating resurgence in a second wave of the virus".


text:
Blendtek Ingredients adds store brand baking mix supplier
Blendtek Ingredients has acquired Tri-Blend Bakery Mixes, a bakery and confectionary supplier out of Ontario, giving Blendtek entry into more categories including private label, while bolstering Tri-Blend into a full-service food industry partner.
Tri-Blend Bakery Mixes specializes in bakery mixes for cakes, pastries, pancakes and cookies, servicing Canada and the U.S. It will operate as a division within Blendtek and combined with Blendtek becomes a full-service supplier that can manage formulations, strategic sourcing, product design, manufacturing and packaging.
With the integration of Tri-Blend, Cambridge, Ontario-based Blendtek extends its current offering to support functional ingredient blends, bakery mixes, private label solutions and custom dry-blended products such as plant-based meat texturizers and emerging gluten-free alternative blends.
"With the current market landscape, the addition of Tri-Blend allows us to deliver on increasing consumer demands and support our customers on another level by taking the manufacturing process under our control," said Steve Zinger, president of Blendtek Ingredients.
"Tri-Blend was founded with a focus on blending high-quality ingredients to create value-added bakery products," says Doug Crone, founder, Tri-Blend Bakery Mixes. "Our integration into the Blendtek organization is a perfect match and will help us to compete in the ever-changing global food landscape."