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Mushrooms and their parent fungi are shaking up food ingredients, sprouting up as the primary ingredient in a myriad of products across numerous categories, ranging from shelf-stable packaged food and drink, to refrigerated alternative meats and dairy.
Technology also is playing a major role in the “shroom-boom”. For example, a host of innovative fungi-based (fungi includes mushrooms, yeast and molds, while mushrooms are the fleshy above-ground part of the fungus) start-ups like Atlast Food Co. and MycoTechnology are producing mycoprotein, using it as the protein source or primary ingredient to create animal-free meats and dairy products. Mycoprotein is produced from mycelium, the root-like threads of fungi that live below the ground.
US food and beverage ingredient and product development firm Mattson, which works with ingredient and consumer packaged goods companies, calls mushrooms a major emerging food-ingredient trend.
“There’s an opening for new options to the usual plant-based [ingredient] suspects. Mushrooms are coming to the rescue, with companies like MyCoTechnology, Meati Foods and Atlast Food Co. making functional ingredients from both the mushroom and the mycelium,” Mattson executive vice president Barb Stuckey says.
Springing up across categories
Kroger Co., one of the largest grocers in the US, included “mushroom mania” as one of its “top seven food trend predictions” for 2021. This recognition by a major food retailer, which also sells billions of dollars a year of its own-brand packaged foods products, is helping to spur the proliferation of new fungi-centric food and beverage products.
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“2021 will be a breakout year for mushrooms,” Kroger said when it announced its predictions list. “The versatile vegetable is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and can easily elevate everyday recipes with its warm umami flavor. Consumers should expect to see mushrooms play a starring role in a variety of new products in 2021, including blended plant-based proteins, condiments, spices, seasonings and more.”
Kroger has launched numerous mushroom-based products in various categories under its private-label brands, including a line of quick-cook mushroom risotto, organic mushroom umami herb seasoning rub, beef and mushroom blended meat patties and a grilled mushroom and truffle oil thin-crust pizza, as well as others, Stuart Aitken, the retailer’s chief merchant and marketing officer, says.
According to a May 2021 research report from Grandview Research, the global mushroom market, which includes packaged food and drink products made from mushrooms, is expected to reach US$95.24bn by 2027, expanding at a healthy CAGR of 9.5% over the forecast period.
Mushrooms are also riding the growing interest in functional and adaptogenic foods, which has been accelerated by the pandemic as consumers seek out more products said to have health, wellness and immunity benefits. The ingredients are being rapidly incorporated into stress-reducing food and beverage products, according to a recent report from Allied Market Research. This growth is evident on grocery store shelves and online stores where innovative food and beverage products made with mushrooms are literally sprouting up across numerous product categories.
For example (and this is a small slice of the new product development that’s happening in 2021), in the tea category there’s Republic of Tea Beauty Brain Tea, made with lion’s mane mushrooms and ginkgo biloba; Pan’s Mushroom jerky, which is made with shiitake mushrooms and has a texture that’s very similar to beef; B.T.R. Bar Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bliss Bars, made with reishi mushrooms and pumpkin seed protein; Tessemae’s Mushroom Ginger Immunity vinaigrette, made with lion’s mane mushrooms; Nature’s Fynd fungi-based cream cheese; and Atlast Bacon, an animal-free bacon alternative made from mushrooms.
Additionally, non-alcoholic beverages (coffee is a big one), including many that blur the line between a drink and a food, as well as functional and adaptogenic mushroom-based protein powders, are booming categories in the mushroom-based product space.
Mark Gallo, a California-based CPG industry veteran and angel investor, says he expects the mushroom-based food and drink trend to continue to grow.
“It’s all about consumer experimentation, which we’re in the era of, and the growing popularity of functional foods and beverages,” Gallo says. “It’s a healthy category. People like mushrooms – they’re nature’s medicine – so now they’re going to experiment with and buy and eat products made from mushrooms, particularly those that include other good ingredients added to enhance taste.”
The use of mushrooms as a key ingredient in packaged food and drink products is the first wave of mushroom mania in the food industry.
The next wave, which is being led primarily by a handful of technology-based startups like Sweden’s Mycorena and US-based Atlast Food Co. is the focus on the use of fermentation technology to transform fungi into an alternative protein to create animal-free meat and dairy products. Fungi are not plants. They have their own distinctive classification.
By fermenting the root-like spores of specific mushroom species, these fungi-focused startups are producing a protein-rich and primarily flavourless food ingredient called mycoprotein.
Once processed, the mycoprotein is used to make a variety of alternative meat and dairy products. The companies say mycoprotein’s naturally meat-like structure provides both a cost and texture advantage over the plant-based proteins used in most of today’s plant-based meat products, which go through additional processing to reproduce the texture of meat.
Fermented fungi proteins aren’t brand new. UK company Quorn Foods has been producing alternative-meat products using the process since the 1980s. But the company’s patents have expired, which has opened the door for start-ups to adopt and tweak the technology, and enter the fungi-based food ingredient and branded consumer products space.
Atlast Food Co. (a fungi-based bacon called MyBacon) and Nature’s Fynd (meatless breakfast patties and dairy-free cream cheese) have both launched consumer packaged food brands and products. Meanwhile, MycoTechnology is focused on the B2B market, producing mushroom mycelium-based ingredients at scale for use as an alternative to animal protein, a sugar substitute and other uses, for branded food companies. All three companies have as their overall mission to establish fungi as a major food ingredient, including as an alternative to plant-based and cultured meats.
Investors taking notice
Nature’s Fynd recently raised US$350m in a Series C investment round, more than tripling the funding it’s received to date. The US company is selling its products directly to consumers online and, last month, via independent US grocer Berkeley Bowl. Atlast Food Co., which received a fresh $40m investment round in April, is also on the move.
“This investment will allow us to meet the incredible demand we’ve felt for our product,” Atlast Food Co. president Stephen Lomnes said when the funding was announced. “We are building the largest mycelium production facility in the US to provide consumers nationwide with a tastier alternative to their favourite animal proteins.”
MycoTechnology is going big and moving beyond using mycoprotein for alternative meats. It’s also turning fungi into a flavor enhancer that blocks taste receptors on the human tongue, masking the bitter taste often associated with some plant-based proteins. It’s CEO, Alan Hahn, said in a recent statement: “We’re focusing on driving sugar, salt and fat out of foods.”
The use of mushrooms as a primary ingredient in packaged food and drink products and as the protein source for alternative meat and dairy products is in its early stage but it’s a trend with staying power.
For example, Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market, like Kroger, named mushrooms as one of its top ten food trends for 2021 and the grocery chain’s buyers are adding mushroom-based food and drink products in numerous categories.
CPG industry veteran and investor Gallo sees a bright future and continued growth for mushroom-based food and drink products.
“Consumers are exploring new ground in food and beverage and mushrooms and mushroom-based food and drink products fit right into this exploration,” he says.
“For example, performance-based and relaxation-based foods and beverages, along with alternative meat and dairy products that taste good, are in high demand and mushrooms fit this demand nicely as an ingredient. Functional foods and beverages. Adaptogens. Personalisation. Mushroom-based products fit right into these areas, which are only going to grow.”


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The retail sector has been slow to embrace living infrastructure and biophilia, but given the research on the subject, it's only a matter of time.
Technology has freed “knowledge workers” from the tethers of place. Software developers, writers, designers, and many others can now work anywhere and any time they have internet access.
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domain: news


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Google is changing the way Play Store ratings are being calculated for apps and games. At Google I/O Developer conference, Milena Nikolic, an engineering director heading Google Play Console, explained how Google’s new Play Store rating system would work.
Google is not alone when it comes to revamping its Play Store rating system. A couple of years ago, Apple revamped its app store ratings by rolling out a new feature to developers, letting them decide whether their app’s rating would reset with their most-recent app update.
Apparently, the way Google is changing its Play Store ratings is different than what Apple did two years ago. Google, on the other hand, is bringing these major changes all by themselves. Going forward, Google Play will give more weight to the most recent ratings.
“Many of you told us that you want a rating that reflects a more current version of your app, not what it was years ago — and we agree,” Nikolic said.
“Instead of a lifetime cumulative value, your Google Play Store rating will be recalculated to give more weight to your most recent ratings,” Nikolic added.
Nikolic explained all Android apps on Google Play will display recalculated rating going forward. Although new ratings will not be displayed to end users until August, app developers can preview updated ratings in Play Store Console.
Up until now, Google used to calculate average app rating based on the app’s lifetime cumulative value, which doesn’t necessarily reflect the current state of the app. Google is now looking to change it. However, it remains to be seen how it impacts the presence of a particular app on Google Play.
In addition to updated ratings, Google is making it easier for developers to respond to reviews with a new feature suggested replies. While responding to a user review, developers can choose from suggested replies generated automatically based on the content of the review.
“Every day, developers respond to more than 100,000 reviews in the Play Console, and when they do, we’ve seen that users update their rating by +0.7 stars on average,” Nikolic said.


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When SeaWorld Entertainment (NYSE:SEAS) opens its new penguin-themed Antartica attraction in Orlando on Friday, it won't leave park guests thirsty.
The theme park operator is teaming up with Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) in introducing Vanilla South Pole Chill -- a vanilla-infused carbonated beverage -- that will only be available at the Freestyle self-serve fountains inside SeaWorld Orlando.
We've got a trend, folks. Every time a major theme park attraction is added in Orlando, it seems to be accompanied by an exclusive beverage.
- Comcast's (UNKNOWN:CMCSK.DL) Islands of Adventure started the trend two years ago, introducing the wildly popular Butterbeer when its Harry Potter attraction opened. The beverage is essentially a butterscotch sweetened cream soda that is available chilled or frozen.
- When Disney (NYSE:DIS) opened its New Fantasyland expansion late last year, it did so with LeFou's Brew, a proprietary frozen apple juice concoction with passion fruit. It's only available in Gaston's Tavern inside the new attraction.
- Comcast introduced Energon -- an orange-flavored energy drink -- when it opened Transformers at Universal Studios in California last year. The Florida park will get Energon when its Transformers ride opens next month.
Regional amusement park operators haven't been as ambitious, but isn't it just a matter of time? Building unique attractions have always created unique merchandising opportunities, but now there's a way to derive incremental revenue through signature beverages.
We live in the golden age where everyone's a mixologist. Why not spin the flavor wheel to create something distinctive, especially if you can get a beverage giant to play along?
Butterbeer has developed cult-like devotion, and the other beverages may stick in time. The exclusivity may not result in increased attendance. Would someone really pay $80 to visit a theme park just for a beverage that they can only get there? No. However, it definitely adds to the mystique of the experience, and that can only be a good thing.


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Unveiling Toshiba’s new range of smart TVs at an IFA press conference, Bart Kuijten, the company’s European Sales and Marketing Director, Toshiba, said: “With our 2020 series we’re continuing our commitment to make innovative TV technology accessible to all, by offering connected home integrations with Amazon and Google. By collaborating with these smart ecosystems we’re offering the choice to connect your home in the way that best suits your lifestyle, while ensuring an exceptional viewing experience through enhanced visual and audio technologies.”
The 2020 series of Toshiba TVs continues to employ the TRU Picture Engine, a picture quality chipset made up of three powerful image processing technologies, plus Dolby Atmos for enhanced sound quality. The TVs work with Google Assistant to serve as a hub for the connected smart home, while the 2020 Toshiba Connect TV with Alexa reduces the need for a physical remote control, using voice recognition through a far-field microphone. The new Toshiba Android TV provides a customisable user interface with Android smartphones and has Chromecast built-in so customers can cast movies, shows, and photos from Android or iOS devices to the TV.
> HALL 8.2, STAND 101
Photo: Bart Kuijten, European Sales and Marketing Director, Toshiba TV


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Did you know that competition in the global battery market is heating up? Well, it is.
Commonly used in portable electronics like cellphones, lithium-ion batteries are set to become extremely valuable in the coming years thanks to the next-generation of cars (and other technological advancements, of course).
Knowing there's going to be an increasing demand for batteries, China and the United States are scrambling for a piece of that pie, leaving them locked in a race to construct what’s being dubbed as ‘megafactories.'
To learn more, watch the video above.


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To further meet demand for its specialist aerospace logistics services, B&H Worldwide has moved its New Zealand operation to a new on-airport site at Auckland Airport.
The B&H team, which has been operating in the country since 2012, can now be located on the Airport Industrial precinct, alongside some of the world’s largest freight and logistics companies.
The company said this will allow easy access to all facilities at the largest and busiest airport in the country.
Alongside manned 24/7 global AOG and aerospace logistics, the team in Auckland will also offer specialist Dangerous Goods services. The new site also has ample yards for devanning.
“Auckland is becoming an important forward stocking location for a number of our customers and the move to this on-airport site enables us to cater to their ongoing requirements,” said B&H head of operations for Oceania, Colin Kaltner.
“They will be able to have global visibility of their inventory through our unique, cloud-based track and trace platform FirstTrac,” he added.


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BENGALURU, July 5 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government unveiled the budget for 2019/2020 on Friday, seeking to reverse weakening growth and investment that threaten to take the shine off a recent landslide election victory.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the annual budget statement to parliament, said the government planned structural reforms to kickstart foreign and domestic investment.
COMMENTARY DEEPAK JASANI, HEAD OF RETAIL RESEARCH, HDFC SECURITIES, MUMBAI "The budget is not very different from the interim budget even as market participants await fiscal deficit proposals."
"Trade will be fluctuating. Until the fiscal deficit proposals are heard, one should not jump to conclusions." (Reporting by Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)


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Thu, Apr. 23, 12:20 PM
- While the Nasdaq is up 0.3%, chip stocks are selling off (SOXX -1.8%) after Texas Instruments, Xilinx, and Qualcomm all provided soft calendar Q2 guidance. TI and Xilinx also missed Q1 sales estimates, while Qualcomm beat.
- Decliners include Avago (AVGO -3.7%), Qorvo (QRVO -2.5%), Freescale (FSL -3%), STMicroelectronics (STM -3.6%), Atmel (ATML -2.3%), PMC-Sierra (PMCS -2.5%), Fairchild (FCS -2.2%), Cypress (CY -2.1%), Audience (ADNC -6.6%), IDT (IDTI -4.5%), Vishay (VSH -2.9%), AppliedMicro (AMCC -2.3%), and Cavium (CAVM -4.4%). NXP, ON Semi, Linear, Microchip, and Maxim remain lower after falling AH yesterday.
- With the decliners including many microcontroller, analog/mixed-signal, and telecom equipment chipmakers, TI (TXN -7.3%) might be the biggest culprit: The analog/DSP giant blamed soft telecom equipment and consumer electronics demand for its numbers, with particular weakness in mobile infrastructure (a 2014 strong point) and PCs; auto and industrial demand was healthier.
- On its CC (transcript), TI attributed the mobile weakness to delayed carrier capacity upgrades. This morning, mobile infrastructure giant Ericsson posted a Q1 miss blamed in part on weak North American 4G spending.
- Likewise, Xilinx (XLNX -1.3%), which has strong 4G infrastructure exposure, stated on its CC (transcript) wireless sales were weaker than expected due to "continued softness in North America and a weakening in China LTE business." Wired infrastructure sales were in-line, and other markets outperformed.
- Qualcomm largely blamed its guidance on the iPhone 6's share gains and a loss of chip share at Samsung, rather than industry demand issues. Altera, Freescale, Maxim, Microsemi, and Synaptics report after the close.
- Chip ETFs: SMH, XSD, PSI, SOXL, USD, SOXS, SSG
- 8 days ago: Chip stocks rally following Intel/Linear's earnings
Wed, Mar. 25, 12:03 PM
- Chip stocks are particularly hard-hit (SOXX -3.6%) on a rough day for tech. The Nasdaq is down 1.3%, and the S&P 0.7%. Going into today, good earnings reports and ongoing M&A activity had led the Philadelphia Semi Index to rise 10% from its Jan. 30 close; the index remains up nearly 2x from its fall 2012 lows.
- AMD (AMD -7.2%) is a major decliner following a UBS downgrade. AMD rival/GPU giant Nvidia (NVDA -5.2%) and memory giant Micron (MU -3.7%) are also selling off, as are merger partners NXP (NXPI -3.8%) and Freescale (FSL -3.4%), RF chipmakers Avago (AVGO -5.2%), Skyworks (SWKS -5.3%), and Qorvo (QRVO -7.1%), LED/RF chipmaker Cree (CREE -4.1%), and high-flying video processor developer Ambarella (AMBA -4.3%).
- Other decliners include telecom chipmakers/ARM server CPU vendors Cavium (CAVM -4.8%) and AppliedMicro (AMCC -4.4%), microcontroller vendors Atmel (ATML -3.5%), Cypress (CY -5.5%), and STMicroelectronics (STM -3.5%), voice processor developer Audience (ADNC -3.7%), analog/mixed-signal chipmakers Linear (LLTC -3.7%), Maxim (MXIM -3%), and Intersil (ISIL -3.5%), FPGA maker Lattice (LSCC -3.9%), and mixed-signal/wireless charging IC developer IDT (IDTI -5.4%).
- Chip equipment, IP, and foundry providers are also underperforming. Big decliners include ARM (ARMH -4.4%), KLA-Tencor (KLAC -4.2%), Lam Research (LRCX -5.4%), ASML (ASML -4.1%), TowerJazz (TSEM -4.3%), Mattson (MTSN -4.5%), Ultratech (UTEK -4.7%), and Tessera (TSRA -6.1%). ASML has been downgraded to Hold by Banco Santander.
- TSMC (TSM -4.6%) is among the decliners in spite of a Digitimes report stating the foundry giant's sales are expected to rise 0%-5% Q/Q in Q2 - consensus is for a 2% drop - with strong Apple A8 CPU orders offsetting soft Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 orders.
- Chip ETFs: SMH, XSD, PSI, SOXL, USD, SOXS, SSG
Mon, Feb. 2, 5:47 PM
- IDT (NASDAQ:IDTI) has guided on its FQ3 CC for FQ4 revenue of $154M-$162M, well above a $141.9M consensus. Consumer, computing, and telecom chip sales are respectively expected to rise 8%, 6%, and 3% during the seasonally weak quarter.
- CEO Greg Waters: "We have become the clear leader in the latest generation of DDR4 memory interface, and our [Serial RapidIO] business is benefiting from the continued deployment of 4G LTE base stations on a global basis." He asserts IDT gained share "at key customers across all of our key business lines" in FQ3. No "meaningful contribution" was provided by IDT's wireless charging IC business, which is expected to ramp in 2015.
- Gross margin was 61.5%, up from 61.2% in FQ2 and down from 62.4% a year ago. R&D spend rose by $400K Y/Y to $29.7M, and SG&A spend by $2.8M to $23.9M.
- Shares are up to $19.92 in AH trading. The 52-week high is $20.41.
- FQ3 results, PR
Mon, Feb. 2, 5:35 PM
Wed, Jan. 7, 6:11 PM
- Clobbered yesterday amid wireless charging-related concerns, IDT (NASDAQ:IDTI) closed up 5.9% today after Stephens and Craig-Hallum came to the company's defense. The former hiked its target by $6 to $25.
- Both Stephens and CH argue concerns about the inclusion (per Dougherty) of ON Semi (NASDAQ:ONNN) wireless charging ICs in a Qualcomm reference design - IDT has been a Qualcomm partner since 2012 - are overblown. Stephens' Harsh Kumar: "We fully expected the inclusion of other vendors such as ON Semi. It doesn't mean that other vendors are kicked out."
- CH asserts the ON design has been available for months, and has gained little traction. ON rose fractionally yesterday and 1.6% today.
Tue, Jan. 6, 11:06 AM
- Two of the standards bodies battling for the future of wireless charging - A4WP/Rezence and PMA - have announced at CES they're burying the hatchet and plan to form a single entity that supports each group's charging technology.
- A third group, the Wireless Power Consortium (Qi), remains out of the picture, though talks to add it to the alliance are believed to be in the cards. PMA and Qi, which have made the most real-world progress to date, can only support the charging of a single device at a time. Rezence solutions could potentially recharge multiple devices at once.
- Starbucks recently began a rollout of PMA-based wireless chargers. Meanwhile, a number of Android and Windows Phones support Qi.
- IDT (NASDAQ:IDTI), which has developed wireless power transmitter and receiver ICs for all three standards, has sold off hard; a cautious Dougherty note on CES developments is contributing.
- Energous (NASDAQ:WATT), which is working on a proprietary charging solution (still in development stage) that doesn't require mats, is also off. Energous joined PMA last month as the chair of a new Uncoupled Power Working Group.
- IDT rolled out new Qi and PMA transmitter ICs in November, including a dual-mode solution. The company says it's "working cooperatively with prominent industry players" to create Rezence products.
- Update: Dougherty believes ON Semi's wireless charging ICs have been included in a Qualcomm reference design, and views this as a negative for IDT.
Oct. 28, 2014, 12:46 PM
Oct. 27, 2014, 6:58 PM
Oct. 10, 2014, 1:42 PM
- Following Microchip's warning and related prediction of a chip industry correction, Goldman's James Covello thinks there's 15%-20% downside in industry names.
- Covello, who lowered his industry view to Cautious in August: "The last time Microchip negatively preannounced was October 15, 2012 (3% sales miss). Between October 1 and December 31, Street 2013 sales estimates for the Semi group were revised down 6% on average."
- He adds several datapoints suggest the industry has been overheating. Among them: Semi revenue growth has outpaced end-market growth, and supply chain inventory dollars rose 3% more than their 3-year average in Q2.
- "Nobody will be spared," predicts Hedgeye's Craig Berger. Benchmark's Gary Mobley observes 5 of the 6 chip stocks to have made Q3 pre-announcements have thus done so to the downside.
- Worth noting: Mobile chipmaker Silicon Motion (SIMO -8.9%) is the one chipmaker to have positively pre-announced. It might not be a coincidence that Microchip has relatively low mobile exposure.
- Observing U.S. macro data remains positive even as China and Europe soften, Longbow's JoAnne Feeney remains bullish long-term on select names. However, she has cut her short-term rating on Linear (LLTC -3.8%) to Sell, and removed IDT (IDTI -7.1%) from her trading long list.
- In addition to the names previously mentioned, the following chip stocks are seeing steep losses: AMD -5.1%. FCS -13.6%. NXPI -11.2%. CODE -11%. LSCC -9.6%. SIMG -8.1%. IPHI -7.7%. ISIL -9.5%. CY -6.9%. RMBS -7.1%. QUIK -5.7%. SQNS -5.1%. IMOS -6.5%.
- Foundries and contract manufacturers are also selling off: TSM -3.9%. UMC -2%. SMI -2.4%. SANM -11.7%. FLEX -6.8%. JBL -4%.
- Chip ETFs: SOXX, SMH, XSD, PSI, SOXL, USD, SOXS, SSG
Oct. 10, 2014, 9:59 AM
- Microchip's (MCHP -12.5%) calendar Q3 warning, which was accompanied by a declaration that it believes "another industry correction has begun and that this correction will be seen more broadly across the industry in the near future," is taking a heavy toll on chip stocks (SOXX -5.5%).
- Intel (INTC -4.2%) and many other chipmakers have joined the several firms that sold off AH yesterday in going in the same direction as Microchip: MU -5.8%. FSL -8.5%. BRCM -3.6%. SWKS -7.5%. RFMD -6.2%. XLNX -4.9%. MXIM -5%. AMBA -5.5%. IDTI -6.7%. CAVM -7.4%. AVGO -10.2%. SMTC -4.3%. SYNA -4.1%. POWI -6.9%.
- Chip equipment makers are also getting hit: AMAT -3.5%. KLAC -3.3%. LRCX -2.3%. UTEK -2.5%. KLIC -2%.
- As Microchip noted in yesterday's warning, the company's very diversified customer base, together with its recognition of distributor revenue on a customer sell-through basis rather than a distributor sell-in basis, often allow it to see industry changes before peers.
- The microcontroller vendor added its warning was driven by a September decline in sales to Chinese clients, and observed it has typically "returned to sequential revenue growth after two quarters" during past downturns.
- Chip stocks have had a good run over the last 12 months, aided by healthy mobile demand and the industry's consolidation wave.
Aug. 4, 2014, 10:00 AM
- OTR Global reports GT Advanced (GTAT +0.4%) will most likely provide sapphire cover glass for the iWatch, and that IDT (IDTI +0.9%) will most likely provide wireless charging ICs.
- GT's win is believed to be worth $4.50/watch. There have been varying reports (previous) on whether the company is supplying sapphire glass for the iWatch to go with its (widely reported) supply work for the iPhone 6.
- GT posts its Q2 report this afternoon. Last week, IDT cited growing wireless charging IC sales as one of several factors behind its FQ1 beat; the chipmaker formed a wireless charging alliance with Intel in 2012.
Jul. 29, 2014, 12:47 PM
Jul. 29, 2014, 11:44 AM
- IDT's (NASDAQ:IDTI) RapidIO, timing IC, and RF component sales are benefiting from the global 4G infrastructure buildout, the company states while discussing its FQ1 numbers. Ericsson and Nokia have already reported seeing strong Q2 demand for 4G base stations.
- Meanwhile, IDT's memory interface IC sales are benefiting from the transition to DDR4 from DDR3, and wireless power IC demand is boosting consumer sales. An IDT wireless power receiver has been designed into LG's flagship G3 phone.
- FQ1 gross margin was 61.9%, up from 61.1% in FQ4 and 58.6% a year ago.
- IDT guided on its CC (transcript) for FQ2 revenue of $130M-$136M and EPS of $0.17-$0.19, in-line with a consensus of $132.6M and $0.18. GM is expected to come in at 61.2% (+/- 0.5%).
Jul. 28, 2014, 4:15 PM| Comment!
Jul. 23, 2014, 12:25 PM
- Among the year's best tech performers, chip stocks are selling off (SOXX -1.8%) on an up day for the Nasdaq following weak numbers from FPGA giant Xilinx (XLNX -14.5%).
- Xilinx missed FQ1 revenue estimates by over $18M, and also guided for FQ2 revenue to be well below consensus. The company blamed the FQ1 shortfall on soft defense and wireless sales. BMO and BofA/Merrill have downgraded Xilinx; the former thinks Xilinx's 28nm share might be peaking.
- Xilinx stated on its CC (transcript) the wireless weakness was mostly due to soft 28nm chip sales to Chinese 4G base station vendors; Chinese 4G rollouts have long been viewed as a catalyst for both Xilinx and Altera (ALTR -4.7%). Aerospace/defense sales were hurt by program timing issues.
- Meanwhile, switch/router vendor Juniper offered light Q3 guidance to go with a Q2 beat. The company noted on its CC (transcript) "market dynamics" for U.S. carriers, including M&A activity, are affecting project rollouts.
- Also: Analog/mixed-signal IC vendor Linear (LLTC -4.1%) is selling off in spite of beating FQ4 estimates and guiding in-line (8%-11% Y/Y FQ1 rev. growth vs. 9.1% consensus).
- Notable decliners: FSL -5.3%. IDTI -6.4%. EZCH -3.3%. PMCS -4.3%. LSCC -6.8%. CAVM -4.7%. SMTC -4.1%. ATML -3.2%. TQNT -3.1%. RFMD -2.9%. IRF -2.9%.
- Qualcomm, NXP, TriQuint, and Cirrus Logic report after the bell.
- Chip ETFs: SMH, XSD, PSI, SOXL, USD, SOXS, SSG
Jun. 27, 2014, 6:53 PM
- Joe Najarian has given IDT (IDTI) a favorable mention on CNBC's Fast Money. (video)
- Najarian highlighted strong buying activity in November $15 IDT calls. Today's volume (4,509) was over 6x the open interest (680) going into today.
- Shares have made new 52-week highs AH. Nomura recently named IDT one of the "sub-scale" chipmakers it thinks could be acquired as the semi industry continues to consolidate.
IDTI vs. ETF Alternatives
Integrated Device Technology Inc designs, develops, manufactures and markets low-power, high-performance mixed signal semiconductor solutions for the advanced communications, computing and consumer industries.
Other News & PR


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Gates, Jobs Make Rare Joint Appearance
Legendary technology rivals Bill Gates and Steve Jobs made a rare joint appearance Wednesday and wasted no time making nice.
"Bill built the first software company in the industry," said Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. "Bill focused on software before anyone."
Gates, the Microsoft Corp. co-founder, hailed Jobs for taking big risks and developing products with "incredible taste and elegance."
"What Steve has done is quite phenomenal," Gates said.
That set the tone for a 90-minute chat in which the two computer industry icons fielded questions from Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg and technology reporter Kara Swisher at the newspaper's "D: All Things Digital" conference.
Jobs and Gates reminisced about early days working together in the 1970s, interspersing their views on the current state of technology.
When Swisher asked for the greatest misunderstanding about their relationship, Jobs joked: "We've kept our marriage secret for over a decade now."
Gates added: "Neither of us have anything to complain about, in general. It's been fun to work together."
The two briefly discussed the 2008 elections. Gates said candidates should be measured on their ideas for improving education.
Gates and his wife, Melinda, created the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, which is now the world's largest philanthropic foundation. The foundation gives a majority of its grants in the areas of world health, global development and education.
Although the two companies worked together in the 1970s -- Microsoft even invested in a struggling Apple in 1997 -- they have remained fierce rivals.
Gates dropped out of Harvard University in 1975 to found Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen and turned the company into the world's largest maker of computer software.
Jobs and friend Steve Wozniak founded Apple in 1976, five years before IBM Corp. jumped into the personal computer market. Jobs left Apple in 1985 following a struggle with the company's board but made a triumphant return in 1997 when Apple was struggling to survive.
Jobs is widely credited for Apple's renaissance with a string of innovative products -- the iMac computer for consumers, the powerful PowerMac and PowerBook, and more recently, the iPod digital music player.
Microsoft has long dominated with its Windows operating system and software programs like Word and Excel, but Apple scored big with its iPod, introduced in 2001, and its iTunes online music store. Next month, Apple introduces its much-anticipated iPhone mobile handset.
Microsoft released the Zune music player in November to compete with iPod.
An audience member later asked the two men what they learned from each other.
"The way he does things is just different. It's magical," Gates said.
Jobs said he admired Microsoft's ability to collaborate with other technology companies.
"They learned how to partner with people really well, and I think if Apple could have had a little more of that in its DNA, it would have served it extremely well," he said.


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After a distinguished 26-year career at Nissan, Mark Grimm will retire from the company and be replaced by Allen Childs.
Childs, the current vice president of parts and service will succeed Grimm as president of NCI and a member of the management committee – Americas (MC-A).
In his new role, Nissan says Childs will take on responsibility for all aspects of Nissan’s operations in Canada.
Since joining Nissan in 1990 as a regional operations manager, he has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing.
During his Nissan tenure, the outgoing Grimm held a variety of sales management positions. Most recently, he led the NCI team in building market share and expanding its dealer network through strategic growth, resulting in three consecutive years of record market share.
“Mark has made a significant contribution to sales and marketing within Nissan and we wish him our very best for a happy and healthy retirement,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, MC-A.
The management shuffle did not stop at the very top though, as James Morton, currently vice president, administration and finance for NCI, will be transferred back to Nissan North America as director, NMAC financial products.
In his new assignment, Morton will report to Mike McConnell, vice president of sales, financial products and corporate planning office, and will become a member of the NMAC operating committee and leader of the NMAC pricing committee.
Jay Cook is named director, finance for NCI, taking on the responsibilities previously managed by Morton and reporting jointly to Jett Johns, vice president, finance, and Childs. Cook is currently completing a foreign-service assignment at Nissan Motor, Ltd. in Yokohama, Japan, as senior manager of executive reporting.


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As right-to-repair laws gain momentum, consumers are gaining more power to fix the products they own. However, repairability does not equate to ease or affordability. DIY auto repairs have declined, leaving local mechanics as a potential solution. Yet, for Tesla EVs, some insurance companies are reportedly opting to reject covering low-mileage vehicles as repairs for these cars can be exorbitant. While some luxury car brands are known for their high repair costs, insurance providers are becoming more selective in covering these expenses, especially for low-mileage Tesla EVs, as reported by Reuters.
A recent Reuters analysis of salvage auction listings for Model Y electric vehicles revealed that most of the 120 listed cars had fewer than 10,000 miles on the odometer. Despite their relatively low mileage, the high cost of repairs will keep these EVs off the road. An example of this was a 2022 Model Y Long Range, which had been in a front collision and would have required a repair cost exceeding $50,000, had the insurer approved it. The cause of the damage was not specified by Reuters, but it was reported that well-known insurance companies, including State Farm, Geico, and Progressive, declined to cover the repairs.
Tesla owners are not shirking from paying insurance premiums for their vehicles. In 2022, Nerdwallet reported that the average yearly insurance cost for a Model Y for a Tesla owner with good driving record and credit was around $2040 and up to $3044 for a Model X. The average cost of insuring a Model 3 was almost 30% higher than the national average. The exact difference in repair costs between a Tesla and other electric or ICE vehicles after an accident is uncertain, but Tesla is aware that its EVs incur higher insurance costs compared to industry averages. In late 2019, Tesla started offering its own insurance policies with a promise of reduced costs for its drivers. Lower insurance costs would certainly benefit customers, as demonstrated by a case reported by The Drive in 2021, where a Tesla service center quoted a Model 3 owner $16,000 to fix a battery pack coolant leak caused by road debris, but the issue was resolved for $700 by an independent mechanic, highlighting the significance of the Right to Repair for EVs.
Tesla’s insurance subsidiary is benefiting the automaker by reducing future repair costs, as stated by company executives. During a recent earnings call, CEO Elon Musk explained that the insurance business provides valuable feedback on minimizing the cost of repairing Teslas worldwide. Prior to Tesla’s insurance, the company lacked insight into repair costs, which were often unreasonably high, as covered by other insurance companies. Musk also mentioned that Tesla’s insurance is informing changes in vehicle design to further decrease the cost of collision repairs. According to Musk, small design changes in the bumper and providing spare parts for repairs can greatly impact repair costs, as most accidents are minor such as a damaged fender or scratched side of the car.


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Around 66 percent of the total spending made using Visa debit and credit cards during the Diwali festive season was recorded at physical points of sale (POS), said global card payment company, Visa.
The finding is based on data of consumer spending patterns via Visa payment cards (debit and credit), both for face-to-face (F2F) and online shopping across cities and different shopping categories during the week leading to Diwali this year, it said.
“While e-commerce continues to make strong inroads in India, for key occasions and festivities citizens still prefer a personalized experience, accompanied by ‘touch-and-feel’,” group country manager, India and South Asia, Visa, TR Ramachandran, said.
During the week leading to Diwali, Visa recorded 7.9 crore transactions, up 49 percent from last year, amounting to Rs 15,300 crores, up 37 percent, year-on-year. While the average spend was 1.48x times more than that during a normal week, it doubled (to Rs 2900 crores) on Dhanteras.
Breaking down the spends via payment cards, there was a 40 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in credit spend as against a 35 percent YoY increase in debit spend. Of the total spends, credit contributed to 50 percent and debit to 48 percent, respectively, this year.
“The higher debit penetration by spend from the smaller cities, validates the healthy progress of the nation towards a less-cash society,” added Ramachandran.
While top 5 cities — Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai–contributed 46 percent of total F2F spend, the city of Chandigarh, with a 34 percent change, recorded the highest growth in F2F spend. Chandigarh, along with other smaller cities like Coimbatore and Pune, showed increase of up to 64 percent in debit spend.
While jewelry, home improvement and apparel and accessories were the top 3 categories in F2F spend; electronics and discount stores led in online spend.
According to Ramachandran, this inforces the confidence that the citizens of India are adapting to digital payments, thereby reducing their dependence on cash. — Livemint


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AD Merchandise plans 20% expansion ahead of office move
Trafford-based AD Merchandise has announced plans to grow its headcount by 20% over the next 6 months.
The firm, which specialises in promotional products, celebrates 10 years in business this month and will be moving to larger premises, near MediaCityUK, in February.
“The company’s decade of success is thanks to our hard-working team, all of whom have a big role to play in the future. We’ve worked together to build a new company vision in line with our growth plans – we have, and will always remain, a people-focused brand. Our people are the reason we’ve come this far and will be the foundation upon which we continue to grow sustainably for years to come,” said Managing Director, Amo Singh.
“Lots of big changes are happening, but I want us to remember who we are. This is joyful industry to be in – the products we produce put smiles on people’s faces. We should never lose sight of that.”
Singh founded the company in 2009 with David Moodie and now has a turnover of £4.3m. He added that one of the key plans for the short term was to reduce its carbon emissions and single-use plastic waste:
“It’s our responsibility as a supplier to make more sustainable merchandise available to customers, as well as improving our own processes as a business. We’ve increased our eco-friendly product range by 50 per cent over the last 12 months and hope to build on this further in 2020.”


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Only 25 percent of Greeks will go on vacation this summer according to a nation-wide survey published on Monday.
The survey was carried out by INKA consumer protection group between June 2 and June 16 on a sample of 791 people. Only 198 of those surveyed said they would go on holiday.
Of those who are staying at home, 75 percent said the decision was made for financial reasons, 15 percent because of income instability, while 10 percent cited professional obligations.
Of those who said they were planning to go on holiday, 40 percent said they would take a maximum 5 days of vacation.


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Companies often use so-called brand ambassadors to spread positive word of mouth about their products and services. But according to a new study by
WPP’s TNS and business social network LinkedIn, companies often overlook and underutilize the best available source for such advocates -- their own employees.
A TNS global survey of nearly 11,000 employees found that fewer than half who were asked about their previous employment understood the behavior required of them to help deliver on a company’s brand promise.
“With the rise of social media and mobile technology, it’s harder for companies to control the brand image in the public’s eye,” the joint TNS-LinkedIn study notes. A potential solution per study suggests “proper training and increasing the engagement of employees can increase talent brand ambassadorship.”
Mike Schroeder, CEO of TNS Employee Insights, stated: “Potential business partners, clients and customers are turning to social networks to learn about brands. A company’s brand reputation, whether employer or corporate, is a direct reflection of the culture and values of a company. The best way to increase awareness is through your employees.”
TNS and LinkedIn have scheduled a Webcast on the subject on Tuesday Jan. 29. Titled “4 Essential Tips to Convert Your Employees to Talent Brand Ambassadors,” the companies will discuss employee engagement and brand ambassadorship, and how it relates to talent recruiting, and provide steps to achieving better employee brand ambassadors.


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- Parisian climate activists are taking a stand against energy waste by turning off shop signs and advertising screens at night.
- Municipal authorities in Paris have ordered lights out for signs and advertising from December, but activists say that’s not soon enough.
- The French government is urging citizens to reduce their electricity consumption this winter amid the energy crisis.
- For more financial news, visit The front page of News24 Business.
Parisian climate activists have found a new way to get their message across against energy waste in the City of Light – turning off shop signs and advertising screens that stay on all night, despite the government urging people to reduce their electricity consumption.
At 9:00 p.m. on a recent evening, around 20 members of Extinction Rebellion gathered for a tactical briefing before dispersing on another nighttime raid.
If the police spot them, “we absolutely do not run away”, assures “Joad”, a 32-year-old veteran of the movement, detailing the legal risks and advising those who could be arrested.
“There are 12 million people who are cold in France because they cannot heat their homes, and on the other hand we waste this energy in billboards which are completely useless consumption”, he explains. at AFP.
READ | France exits fossil fuel treaty to boost renewables momentum
After distributing posters and materials, including telescopic poles to reach outdoor light switches, Joad’s team headed for the lively Marais district, a magnet for both Parisians and tourists, where dozens of traders have points of sale.
Click, and off goes a Levi’s sign. On other storefronts, the group sticks posters saying “It’s not Versailles!” – the scolding heard by generations of French children when they leave the lights on unnecessarily.
The team targets opticians, jewelers, perfumeries and mattress stores as well as the many illuminated signs, opening the frames to turn them off and replacing the advertisements with their own posters.
The government, under pressure as Russia limits its gas exports to Europe, has urged people to exercise energy ‘restriction’ as winter approaches, including lowering home heating thermostats to 19 degrees Celsius.
It also issued an executive order that neon signs and advertising must be turned off from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., starting in June 2023.
The town hall of Paris went further by ordering the extinction of signs and advertising from 11:45 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. from December.
For climate activists, it’s not soon enough.
“We know it’s very symbolic because the electricity used by illuminated signs is only a tiny fraction of the energy used by the country,” said “Pikou”, a 36-year-old man who also used a pseudonym.
The biggest problem for Pikou is the government’s “double talk”.
“What angers me, and that’s why I’m here tonight, is that the government is asking ordinary people to show restraint, with small gestures like turning down the heat or turning off the Wi- Fi, but he doesn’t have the political courage to demand the same restraint from companies,” he said.
As the activists progress through the winding streets of the Marais, their actions are often applauded by passers-by.
“I totally agree with them,” says Federica, a tourist from Milan. Anna, who also stops to watch, calls the neon signs “a disgrace.”
One store in particular has drawn the wrath of activists. It’s a clothing store touting its environmental credentials with the slogan ‘Because there is no planet B’ – alongside three large advertising screens.
The screens are quickly covered with posters.
“It’s the first phase. It’s about awareness and prevention,” says Joad, adding that some store owners are responding with messages of support and promising to turn off the lights.
“For those who keep the lights on and continue this waste, we will move into phase two, which will be a little bolder, starting in December.”


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It is said that Inidan poultry production is cheapest in the world .. True? why?
A survey was conducted to study the prices of eggs and prices of poultry feed in 45 countries. The prices were converted into U.S. dollars. Conversion ratio that is an index of conversion of feed into eggs was given due weightage. In was certainly an in-depth study of poultry business in the world. The report points out that eggs are cheapest in India, even though feed costs are not cheapest.
Many countries have to import feed for their poultry industry. India is lucky. We export 24 million tonnes of soyabean cake to Europe, which is the main ingredient of poultry feed. We can export eggs or chicken meat instead of soyabean-cake.
Hongkong and Taiwan poultry industry has recently faced this problem. Belgium poultry industry faced a different type of crisis. Their feed was contaminated.
Many countries are exporting eggs at prices lower than production costs. Poultry industry with high investments in these countries is under t ...more


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Hatch Exhibits recently made headlines as CBS News Baltimore, from WJZ-TV, took an exclusive look into their innovative approach to 3D printing. In an engaging interview, Marty from CBS met with Chris McCormick, the visionary behind Hatch Exhibits, inside their cutting-edge facility, both standing inside of a Massivit printer, McCormick showcased the power of the Massivit 5000, an industrial-grade 3D printer propelling the future of custom manufacturing.
Hatch Exhibits, known for its commitment to turning concepts into reality, employs a fleet of about 13 3D printers, each specializing in different applications. The Massivit 5000, with its Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) technology, allows Hatch Exhibits to create large industrial parts at 30 times the speed of other technologies. The advanced features of the Massivit 5000, including the Dual Material Mechanism and user-friendly slicing software, contribute to unparalleled workflow efficiency and flexibility.
As a company dedicated to building visually impactful custom exhibits, events, and retail environments, Hatch Exhibits leverages the Massivit 5000 to offer clients a revolutionary way to tell their stories. The Massivit 5000’s ability to produce full-scale end-use parts and functional prototypes aligns seamlessly with Hatch Exhibits’ goal of maximizing brand presence at trade shows and events—this intersection of creativity and cutting-edge technology positions Hatch Exhibits at the forefront of the exhibit design industry. Watch the full CBS News feature here to witness the future of 3D printing in action.


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The most recent update to the Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft apparently introduced a bug that prevents players from playing the game.
The update went live earlier this week on Tuesday and contains fixes for “more than 30” issues, as well as content in preparation for the upcoming 1.20 update.
Unfortunately, it also added the bug mentioned above, which left some players unable to load their save games.
The players have been reporting the bug on social media and the official Minecraft forum where the game will get stuck loading the game at 66 percent and then hang infinitely.
Some players on Xbox consoles and iOS devices have reported running into the same issue, though most of the affected players are on Switch.
Mojang has confirmed that it is aware of the issue, and the issue is currently listed on the Minecraft Jira dashboard. Many players have shared their attempts to find a workaround while Mojang works on a fix in the ticket comments, though as of this writing, it appears that none have been found.
Minecraft update 1.20 was officially called Trails & Tales earlier this month and it will finally add the long-awaited archeology system to the game.


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The FAU-G teaser is filled with mottos that try to awake the “Indian” as a patriot.
Fearless And United – Guards, FAU-G, is an upcoming Indian action game that claimed wide attention soon after its announcement that followed the ban of Chinese apps, which included PUBG. It is a single player action game, with possible support for online multiplayer mode. The term FAU-G is inspired from the Hindi word “Fauji”, meaning soldier.
While much details about the technical as well as gameplay aspects are still on the way, the teaser that was released hints towards the possibility of a more “Non-PUBG” like game. The game is being created by nCore Games, a Bengaluru based company, under the guidance of Vishal Gondal.
FAU-G vs PUBG
Upon drawing a comparison between FAU-G and PUBG, Gondal denied the notion that the former is India’s alternative to the Chinese latter. “FAU-G’s gameplay will not come with a battle royale mode upon release. Instead, the gameplay will be based on India’s recent armed conflict against China at the Galwan Valley border”, Gondal quoted.
However, the difference in genre cannot entirely cover up the fact that such a game, with such closely resembling title, announced at such an intriguing time, could never set free from being compared to Player Unknown’s BattleGrounds (PUBG).
After an initial possibility of release in October 2020, latest rumors suggest that FAU-G will be released within a few weeks, i.e., in November 2020
The Government of India took tough measures on banning Chinese related apps, software and social media platforms following the diplomatic standoff between the two countries which erupted due to the border clashes.
After banning Chinese apps such as TikTok, SHAREit and Helo, PUBG was also banned along with other 117 Chinese apps on 2 September 2020 in an unprecedented move by the Indian government which eventually triggered anger and shock among the gamers in India.
PUBG Ban and Prospect
PUBG’s servers were chiefly based outside of India. All the user data were transmitted to those servers in an unauthorised manner, something which fell into the accuse of stealing. Prior to the indefinite ban, India was regarded as the largest and prominent market for PUBG with the country accounting for 175 million downloads and 24% of global users.
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India, the number of users and number of playing hours also surged gradually.
FAU-G is speculated to have developed as a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which was proposed by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an effort to make India a self-reliant and self-sufficient nation.
Suggestive FAU-G Gameplay
The trailer envisions the Galwan Valley border, where the Indian soldiers are seen vigilant to the movement of cross-border troops. A tussle follows where the border country’s soldiers provoke the Indian Army and attempt to engage in hand-to-hand combat. The Indian soldiers fight back to withhold the glory of the land, with which the teaser ends.
Throughout the teaser, captions and mottos, invoking patriotism and valor are flashed. All these clearly point towards the fictitious representation of what happened between India and China at the Galwan Valley a few months back, as suggested by Gondal.
The graphics need more improvement, something which the company too is keen on.
According to nCore Games, around 20% of the total net revenue would be donated for the Bharat Ke Veer: India’s Bravehearts initiative, a collaborative effort to support the families of Indian armed forces.
The gaming market, which is wide open after the ban of PUBG, is the target for FAU-G’s creators. PUBG is trying to make a comeback, with the parent Korean company terminating its tie-up with Tencent Games and thereby cutting off the Chinese relations.
While the trick would take time and lacks surety of return, FAU-G has got a really good opportunity of taking control over the minds of starved games, who are in search of an alternative for PUBG. Thus, the game has high chances of achieving the success it ought to achieve.


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A white paper that explains how host card emulation (HCE) functions and examines its implications for the future of the payments industry is now available to download from the NFC World Knowledge Centre. More
The NFC and contactless technology specialist has developed a way to turn NFC phones into “secured antennas” that can securely pull down sensitive data stored in the cloud and present it to a POS terminal or a contactless door lock — without the need to include an NFC secure element in the phone. More
Feed for stories about Virtual secure element.


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From staff reports
ARGO — On Saturday, Dec. 6 Solid Rock Lutheran Church in Argo will hold its fifth annual free turkey, food and toy distribution.
The address of the church is 1935 U.S. Highway 11. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the distribution begins at 9 a.m.
Given away will be 15-pound turkeys; and a box of food that includes bread, milk, dessert, macaroni and cheese, canned foods and other various items.
In addition, toys will be distributed to children ages 12 and under.
Due to limited parking it is encouraged that people arrive early.


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Bankstown based Quickstep Holdings has received a $10 million government-backed loan to support its production of parts for the Joint Strike Fighter, the company says.
The funds will be used to upgrade equipment and purchase intellectual property as Quickstep upgrades its new plant at the Bankstown Airport, which is scheduled for a grand opening in December.
Quickstep is scheduled to begin delivering parts to principal F-35 JSF contractor Northrop Grumman in 2012. The parts include composite doors and panels.
The company says it is also working to secure long-term agreements to produce additional parts.
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If you’re like most people, creating and typing in different passwords for all the user accounts you’ve got is probably among the most tedious activities on-line, by far. What’s worse, passwords aren’t even all that secure, as the countless times they’ve been hacked and plastered all over the net proves beyond any reasonable doubt.
To circumvent the tedium and, more importantly, the security risks associated with passwords, Google is now offering no-password, fingerprint-based log-in option to some websites using nothing more fancy than an Android-capable device.
“This new capability marks another step on our journey to making authentication safer and easier for everyone to use,” said Dongjing He and Christiaan Brand in a blog post .
In addition to being invulnerable to “phishing” attacks, credentials used for the new authentication method can’t be intercepted or hacked off a company’s servers due to being stored locally on your device.
The service is now available for Google’s own Pixel devices and will shortly be rolled out for all smartphones running Android 7 or later. Authentication is done using either fingerprints or whichever method you’re currently using to unlock your phone.
For now, the functionality is only good for viewing and editing the passwords that Google stores for you at passwords.google.com, but should become available for many other Google and Google Cloud services in the near future.
The new feature was made possible with the open authentication standard called FIDO2 – all devices running Android 7 or later are FIDO2-certified – which Google developed in collaboration with a consortium called Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance.


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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz is known as a strong-willed and straight-talking leader, but some top money managers are betting she can mend fences and compromise with crucial partners in China.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Australia's state-owned National Broadband Network awarded a contract to Sweden's Ericsson worth up to A$1.1 billion ($1.2 billion), the latest in a string of contracts to build the A$35.9 billion network.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc has resolved a dispute with partner Alibaba Group over the Chinese company's transfer of its prized online payments unit to its CEO Jack Ma, two sources close to the matter said.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's third-largest online game operator Shanda Games is in acquisition talks with some social and mobile gaming firms in the United States and Asia, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc tried to partner with Facebook but was rebuffed, denying the search giant to the social network's trove of personal information, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Pentagon contractors have been bleeding secrets for years as a result of penetrations of their computer networks, current and former national security officials say.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Twitter has acquired the team behind a small Internet company whose tools helped manage advertising campaigns on Google Inc, stepping up the microblogging site's effort to generate revenue.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A U.S. judge approved a class action settlement over Google's Buzz social network, and awarded $500,000 to an Internet privacy group that had previously been left out of the proposed deal.
SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs leaps back into the spotlight next week to showcase the iPad maker's latest software and is widely expected to unveil an online music storage and streaming service.
HELSINKI (Reuters) - Mobile phone maker Nokia Oyj abandoned hope of meeting key targets just weeks after setting them, raising questions over whether its new boss can deliver on the turnaround he promised in February.


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Verizon Wireless said Friday it will allow its customers to opt out of an advertiser-friendly method of tracking their Web visits. The telecommunications provider has been employing a unique identifier for each customer since 2012, a so-called supercookie it uses to target advertising.
Verizon came under fire from privacy advocates late last year for the practice, which they said could expose customers’ Internet histories to both government spies and hackers. Verizon did not say when it would begin allowing customers to kill the supercookies, but the New York Times cited a company statement by representative Debi Lewis saying the change came as a result of listening to customer feedback:
Verizon takes customer privacy seriously and it is a central consideration as we develop new products and services. As the mobile advertising ecosystem evolves, and our advertising business grows, delivering solutions with best-in-class privacy protections remains our focus.
We listen to our customers and provide them the ability to opt out of our advertising programs. We have begun working to expand the opt-out to include the identifier referred to as the UIDH, and expect that to be available soon. As a reminder, Verizon never shares customer information with third parties as part of our advertising programs.
The supercookie is actually a unique identifier header that can’t be evaded by using “incognito” or “private” mode on Web browsers. The supercookie collects data on Web traffic for an individual customer and builds a pattern of interests and activities that would then be used for targeted advertising: Ad agencies pay more for these ads than they do for standard ads.
Verizon had allowed customers to remove themselves from the targeted advertising, but continued to track them with the supercookies. In November, it defended supercookie tracking by saying it notified all customers of the practice. However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a privacy-advocacy group that focuses on the Internet, said Verizon kept its users in the dark about the program by burying their notifications in long-form user agreements.
Verizon’s decision came hours after it received a letter from the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation that criticized the practice and demanded an explanation for it. The senators said Verizon was “doing nothing to stop third parties from exploiting” the supercookies.


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According to market tracking firm Mercury Research, Advanced Micro Devices managed to boost its market share a bit in the third quarter of the year, not at Intel's loss but because the remaining suppliers of...
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The Volkswagen Group has tasked Porsche with creating a new platform for electric supercars.
According to Automotive News Europe, Porsche is set to develop a platform for electric sports cars and supercars, which could possibly be used by Audi and Lamborghini. Reportedly called SPE, it would be the Volkswagen Group’s third purpose-built architecture for full-electric cars.
The new platform could be used to underpin an R8 e-tron replacement, if Audi decides to build another electric supercar. Lamborghini hasn’t been shy about the possibilities of going electric either, recently unveiling the Terzo Millennio concept last November.
SEE ALSO: Porsche’s All-Electric Sedan Hits the Snow for Winter Testing
The report says a senior Volkswagen Group executive confirmed Porsche has been assigned to develop an EV platform “for two-door sports cars and supercars.” It is however, still in the early stages as the first vehicles riding on the platform aren’t scheduled to arrive until after 2025.
Currently, the other dedicated electric architectures from the Volkswagen Group are the MEB and PPE platforms. The MEB will underpin Volkswagen’s upcoming I.D. family of vehicles, and will also be used by Skoda, Seat, and Audi. The PPE platform is being jointly developed by Audi and Porsche and will be used for three EV model families.
In the near future, Porsche is focusing on getting the Mission E to market, its first full-electric car.


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As earlier reported, the Sony Mobile has launched its latest flagship phone – Xperia Z3+, in India. The phone will be available for purchase starting tomorrow in Black Copper, Aqua Green, and White Colour options for a hefty price tag of Rs. 55,990 ($881).
For those are not aware, the Z3+ is an international version of Japanese Xperia Z4, which was unveiled back in April. The Xperia Z3+ bring few enhancements over the last year’s Xperia Z3, like latest Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 SoC, slimmer, and enhanced display which works better even with wet fingers.
Powered by a 64-bit octa core S810 processor, the phone packs 3GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via microSD card, and a 2,930mAh battery with quick charge feature. The company claims that phone can run for 5.5 hours in just 10 min of charge, or can be charged fully in 45 minutes.
The Xperia Z3+ is equipped with a 5.2 inch Triluminos display powered by X-Reality mobile picture engine, with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. It measures 146 x 72x 6.9mm with a physical weight of 144g and comes with IP65/IP68 equivalent certification for dust-tight and water resistance.
In terms of camera, the Z3+ features a 20.7MP autofocus primary snapper, similar to its predecessor, but this time comes with 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS BSI sensor, Bionz image processor, and a pulsed LED flash. On the front side, there is a 5 megapixel camera with 25mm wide-angle lens, Exmor R BSI sensor and electronic image stabilization.
The phone will be rolling-out to other markets in a week, as Sony just announced that it is starting the global roll-out of its latest flagship starting this week.


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Money transfer service provider MoneyGram has partnered with PicomoPay to enable US consumers to send funds to any of MoneyGram’s 336,000 agents around the world from the social payments provider’s Facebook application. “We are giving our consumers innovative options to send money for life’s essentials, however they want, wherever they want, whenever they want,” says MoneyGram’s Alex Hoffmann.
- ECB survey reveals Europeans expect digital euro to be private, secure and easy to use
- Hong Kong and Macau to distribute stimulus payments to citizens’ digital wallets
- Emirates NBD rewards customers for adopting contactless payments
- Russia to create digital ruble prototype by December
- Fidesmo Pay launches in Russia
This article is more than six years old


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“Stop being nice – or risk return fraudsters” is the warning from a University of Southampton professor, after research shows a link between the “season of good will” and return scams.
As the retail sector seeks to recover from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, business owners have been stepping up on their customer service standards in a bid to increase footfall and reputation.
However, as the battle continues, Dr Regina Frei, associate professor of operations and supply chain management at the Russell Group University, believes that retailers must be more assertive if they are to survive.
She explains: “Our research has shown that in pursuit of good customer service, many retailers have been found guilty of not asking enough questions when it comes to returning goods so as not to upset the customer.
“This can lead to a significant increase in returns fraud – an online or offline scam that occurs, for instance, when a person buys an item from a shop with the intent to use and return it, or use duplicate receipts to get their money back twice.”
Returns fraud has increased significantly and retailers are seeing higher returns than pre-pandemic, which Dr Frei says could be linked to the cost of living crisis as people seek to recoup costs wherever they can.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have identified three types of criminal profiles that business owners should know about. Firstly, there is the one-off or “opportunistic” crimes, where an individual may have no criminal history and may innocently (or even accidently) come to benefit from a product return.
Secondly, there is the serial abuser who thinks that it’s ok to commit fraud because retailers are big companies who do not get hurt by small-scale actions and hence it’s a “victimless” crime.
Finally, retailers need to be aware that it could be organised crime and large gang circles.
It’s this third category that Dr Frei can be the most dangerous, because these individuals are very clever professional criminals who can be very difficult to spot.
Dr Frei adds: “There are also professional “refunders” out there, who offer to obtain refunds on behalf of a customer for an agreed fee. These individuals operate as part of a larger outfit and you will unlikely ever know who they are, but they know all about you.
“If your retail policies are not robust, then you risk opening yourself up to fraudsters. In fact, they are more likely to target a retailer that is ‘too willing’ or ‘too nice’ in their returns policies, because they know they can exploit them.”
Habitual fraudsters, the second category, can be deterred by increasing the probability of getting caught, and retailers creating an image of being “tough on fraud”.
Following its findings, the University has gathered advice on how business owners can tackle the new year – as well as the cost-of-living crisis – without being stung.
Dr Frei concludes: “Retailers shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions and implement robust returns policies that are watertight against opportunist criminals. This is really important if retailers are to prevent losing money unnecessarily – and weather the storm of the next few months in the face of the cost of living crisis.”


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Recently the Georgetown County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs tasked Solutions! Ink with updating their logo and website. A new corporate identity was created for the agency and the look transferred to a new website design.
The new logo, which was a vast re-imaginging of their previous logo, has two ‘helping hands’ stretching out over the shape of Georgetown County. With new, fresher colors, the logo’s life has been extended for years, and applied to new business cards, letterhead and envelopes.
Additionally, a new content-managed site with matching graphics and colors has been implemented, giving the GDDSN room to grow.


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PETALING JAYA: Essential services such as electricity should not be subjected to the increase in the service tax, says Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said electricity has already seen several hikes, such as the one in July 1 last year in which high-consuming domestic users who used above 1,500kWH (kilowatt-hours) or at least RM708 a month saw an increase of at least 25% in their bills.
Dr Wee also said there was another hike in January this year, where 1.2 million consumers using between 600kWH and 1,500kWH were no longer eligible for a rebate of between RM12 and RM32.
“Water and electricity are essential services that people cannot live without. It would be perfect if a 6% service tax rate is implemented across the board with no hike,” he said when contacted.
He was commenting on a Finance Ministry announcement that the 8% service tax would apply for domestic users using above 600kWH of electricity monthly.
Consumer groups, when contacted, suggested the implementation of the new tax be postponed.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah said tax hikes would inevitably increase the cost of living and reduce the people’s purchasing power.
This, he said, was on the back of stagnating wages, inflation and rising food prices.
“Again, any increase of tax will definitely be a burden to consumers,” he added.
On the 8% tax on electricity usage above 600kWH, Saravanan said only those whose electricity bills are above RM600 should be taxed.
“If your bill is more than RM600, then of course you are a heavy user,” he said, adding that with a 6% service tax, 600kWH usage would cost RM219.80.
Saravanan said there must also be stringent enforcement as businesses may take advantage of the situation by hiking up prices exorbitantly.
The Finance Ministry said in a statement yesterday that close to 85% of electricity users would not be affected by the two-point increase in service tax for electricity. The service tax will also not be imposed on treated water supply.
Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor president Datuk Seri Dr Jacob George said there should have been more engagements with consumer groups prior to the implementation of the tax hike.
“I would encourage the government to push back the date of implementation.
“Will there be a U-turn when there’s a public backlash, which has always been the case?” he added.
Jacob said the government should also spend more prudently instead of resorting to tax hikes to increase its coffers.
SME Association president Ding Hong Sing said the supply chain would be affected with the tax imposed on the logistics sector, adding that the cost would be passed down to consumers.
“Product prices too will increase,” he said, adding that higher electricity bills was another added cost component.
“I hope the government will understand that (this will affect) the supply chain. The economy is bad and our margins are low. The ringgit is also weak,” he added.
Pertubuhan Mesra Pengguna Malaysia deputy president Azlin Othman said the association wanted the implementation of the tax hike to be postponed.
“The hike in tax at this time will further burden the people, especially with the cost of living already a burden,” she said.
Azlin said the measure can be revisited later once the cost of living issue is addressed.
“Tax hikes should be considered based on current developments and if there needs to be a hike, it has to be at the most minimum rate,” she said.


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Latest Research Coverage (3 items)
5 News Items of Interest for the Week of Aug 23rd
Posted on 08-27-2010
Following is the latest update to VideoNuze's new Friday feature, highlighting 5-6 of the most intriguing industry news items from...
Interview with Will Richmond on Beet.TV
Posted on 02-04-2010
For those of you who read my words each day, but haven't actually heard or seen me, Beet.TV has a short interview with me below. Daisy Whitney asked...
4 Items Worth Noting from the Week of September 14th
Posted on 09-18-2009
Following are 4 news items worth noting from the week of Sept. 14th: 1. Ad spending slowdown continues - TNS Media Intelligence reported that 1st half '09...
Video Research Around the Web
- New Research Shows That In-Stream Video Ads Outperform Preroll Adweek
- Nearly Half of Broadband Consumers Subscribe to a Video OTT Service: Study Multichannel News
- Facebook Says Users Turn to the Platform During Commercial Breaks When They’re Watching TV Adweek
- YouTube Says Esports Tournament Watch Time Has Grown 90% Over Past Year Tubefilter
- Analyst Warns of Possible Recession in TV Ad Market Multichannel News
- TV Screen Dominates Adult Viewing in Q4, Nielsen says Multichannel News
- Netflix Data Reveals Viewers’ Distinct Genre Preferences at Different Times of Day Variety
- Broadcast TV Maintains Media Dominance mediap


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FORTUNE – Recruiters can certainly poke around a job seeker's Facebook or LinkedIn profiles to weed out undesirables, and plenty do. But some companies are finding that using online game techniques to recruit and screen applicants is a more productive, faster route to scouting out stellar hires.
Businesses that at one time might have considered such games a major employee distraction are finding that using competitive, and positive, screening tools can help pinpoint potential hires who may lack the obvious pedigree, but have the skills to succeed. Since young adults often play online games in their everyday lives, they are open to embracing competitive screening approaches
Such "social recruiting" can also expand brand awareness and encourage interest in working at lesser-known companies. People clamber to work for star companies like Facebook, which has posted programming puzzles that have attracted significant participation and has led to some employee hires.
Jockeying for top talent has gotten more intense as companies look for more varied and sophisticated skill sets from candidates, according to a survey by Deloitte Consulting. The survey, which was released last month, found that 25% of corporate human resources professionals were worried about skilled worker shortages, up from 16% last year.
Even so, companies still hew to traditional resume screening, interviews, and reference checking, tasks that are time consuming and often fail to produce the right match. These conventional methods were not working for Upstream Systems, a mobile marketing firm based in London and San Francisco, which struggled to find global marketing managers with the right mix of analytical, marketing, and technology savvy to work with its clients in 40 countries. More
|GM's recalled Cobalt was a failure from the start|
|Michaels hack hit 3 million|
|Ousted Yahoo exec gets $58 million golden parachute|
|Hybrid laundromat-cafes are popping up across the country|
|Canadians arrest a Heartbleed hacker|


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In a statement the Swiss Government said it wants to roll-over the existing trade deal Britain currently enjoys as a member of the EU.
It said it “wishes to ensure that the existing mutual rights and obligations will continue to apply after the UK leaves the EU”.
And delivering a major win for the UK and a blow for Brussels, the statement added it wants to “expand these rights and obligations if possible”.
The Swiss Government has set up a new group to fast-track a bumper trade deal.
It came as the European Commission lashed out at Britain’s trade chief Liam Fox for failing to do enough work to roll-over the other free trade agreements Britain enjoys as part of the EU.
Mr Fox has previously promised that the 40 EU free trade agreements would be copied and pasted after Brexit.
But according to Business Insider the EU Commission has expressed “deep concern” about the UK’s incompetent handling of trade deal rollovers”.
And in a damning verdict on Britain’s International Trade Secretary, they accused Mr Fox of a “failure to grasp basic concepts and trade-offs”.
A spokesman for the Department for International Trade denied it was unprepared for preparing the roll-over agreements.
Source: Read Full Article


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It’s that time of year again. The time to spend with loved ones eating home cooked meals until our pants won’t button anymore. Even more importantly, it’s that time of year when retailers roll out their end of the year deals. That’s right, Black-Friday and Cyber Monday.
Many have pre-Black Friday deals while others open just a few hours after Thanksgiving is officially over. Despite all the Black Friday hype, is the shopping holiday still relevant in 2017? According to a survey conducted by Accenture people are less inclined to partake this year compared to other years. Out of 1,500 participants, 52% admitted they were less than interested.
Several factors can be blamed for the indifference. 64% said they were less than thrilled about having to deal with large crowds. Retailers also have the habit of having a limited supply of doorbusters, which could result in fights, but physical and verbal. Another issue retailers are creating is the promotional periods. Consumers usually get good deals before and after Thanksgiving making them not want to go out and wait in long lines for similar pricing.
E-commerce retailers like Amazon are also becoming a bigger threat. Shopping extravaganzas like Prime Day cut prices on thousands of items allowing consumers to take advantage year-round instead of having to wait. Online retailers also offer free shipping and the convenience of shopping at home or on a mobile device. Because of this, brick-and-mortar retailers are having to create new ways to lure people in. With so much competition and high expectations from consumers, drastic changes will have to be made to keep Black-Friday alive.


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Demand for warehouse and distribution space has spurred industrial land sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) throughout the COVID-19 upheaval, keeping deal volume almost on par with 2019 activity. CBRE reports 507 acres at a total value of $342.2 million transacted during the five months from April to August, compared to 560 acres at $362.4 million in the same period last year.
Logistics and e-commerce fulfillment operators with aggressive timelines to get their facilities built are snapping up sites that can be developed within the next 18 months, while institutional investors with longer horizons appear content to acquire well-located properties that may not be ready for build-out until later in the decade. Either way, CBRE executive vice president Matt Brown suggests it illustrates confidence in e-commerce that could see it nudge out bricks-and-mortar retail as the perceived highest and best use for development land.
“End-users are really pushing the market, competing with developers and driving up pricing,” he notes. “Owners are now looking at retail centres and saying: I can convert some of this into warehousing and lease it to industrial tenants.”
Residential land sales also quickly pulled out of a COVID-19 inflicted stall early in the lockdown to eventually tally $1.2 billion for the April to August period. Nearly 880 acres traded across the GTA, with low-density tracts for single-family residential emerging particularly strongly. Some market observers speculate that COVID-19 is undermining the allure of denser downtown living and, through its work-from-home regime, convincing prospective homebuyers that it is possible to live at a long distance from their employment base, and recent new home sales trends line up somewhat with that theory.
“People are out there buying homes, virtually and in person. They must have faith in their jobs and in the overall economy if they’re buying single-family homes,” muses CBRE executive vice president Mike Czestochowski. “This is giving developers a push to buy the land to build more of them.”
Still, it doesn’t appear that high-rise condominium developers are running scared.
“The market was operating closer to normal than you would expect,” reports CBRE executive vice president Casey Gallagher. “Condo developers were contracting sales in core and non-core locations at market pricing, which has given confidence to others.”


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The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India has taken action against telecom companies. TRAI has issued a new order for telecommunications companies.
In it, it is stated that companies should come up with a plan that is valid for the whole month. Telecommunication companies have been given 60 days to do so.
Telecommunications companies are required to have at least one plan, a special tariff voucher and a special recharge plan valid for one month, TRAI said.
Companies have been given 60 days to implement this. A 1-month plan is required from June 1, 2022.
Most telecom companies offer only 28 days validity to customers in the name of one month recharge. Although Geo is launching the plan, other telecom companies such as Vodafone-Idea and Airtel are expected to announce new plans within 60 days.
TRAI continued to receive complaints from customers. According to customers, companies reduce the validity of the plan / fee and buy 28 days instead of one month.
This was followed a few days ago by TRAI, which said it had received complaints from consumers about plans offering a 28-day validity offered by telecommunications service providers.
TRAI has stated that with this amendment, telecom subscribers will have additional options to choose the service offers that are valid and valid.


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New ruling in Beijing declares that Chinese phone maker Shenzhen Baili's patent infringement claim is unfounded.
A Beijing court has overturned a previous ruling that Apple infringed a design patent of Chinese company Shenzhen Baili and has declared Baili's claims to be unfounded, reports the AFP.
Apple didn't have an easy time in China last year. In 2016 the Chinese government shut down Apple's Movies and iBook services on iTunes. Apple lost its exclusive right to the "iPhone" brand when a Beijing court ruled that a leather goods maker could also sell its products as "iPhone" last May. And the company saw its sales dip by 23 percent.
Baidu-backed phone maker Shenzhen Baili, a company that "barely exists" according to reports, accused Apple of violating its design patent in 2014. It claimed that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus look too similar to its 100C phone model. The Beijing Intellectual Property Office ruled in its favour and banned Apple from selling the phones in the city last May. Sales were allowed to continue following Apple's appeal.
The new ruling, however, deemed Baili's claim to be unfounded and recognised that the iPhone 6 has features that "completely change the effect of the entire product [...] and both phones are easily distinguishable in the eyes of consumers."
An Apple representative declined CNET's request for comment.
Technically Incorrect: Bringing you a fresh and irreverent take on tech.
Virtual reality 101: CNET tells you everything you need to know about VR .


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New Home Store Gives Barrow B&M Boost
04 June 2015
B&M celebrated its latest store opening today, cutting the ribbon on a new Home Store & Garden Centre in Barrow.
Situated at the former Homebase on Hindpool Road, the new store has seen the creation of 40 jobs in the town.
As a result, the pre-existing bargains store at the Hollywood Retail Park has closed, with all 20 B&M colleagues transferring to the new and improved store.
B&M’s other Bargains store in Barrow, on Dalton Road, has not been affected by the changes and continues to trade as normal.
As part of B&M’s Local Hero initiative, representatives from Great North Air Ambulance were present to help cut the ribbon, receiving £250 worth of B&M vouchers as a thank you for attending the ceremony.
A B&M Local Hero is nominated by the store colleagues themselves and can be an individual or organisation who has made a positive impact on their local community, through their charity work or otherwise.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service operates three helicopters, 365 days a year, across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Their crews respond to around 1,000 call outs each year with on board specialist trauma doctors and paramedics bringing accident and emergency expertise to the scene.
To commemorate the opening B&M invited Mayor of Barrow, Councillor Mrs Ann Thomson, Mayoress Mrs Margaret Garrett and Deputy Mayor, Mrs Anita Husband, who all kindly accepted the chance to be part of the new store opening.
Mark Finan, store manager at B&M Barrow Hindpool said: “We are really proud to have created another 40 jobs across Barrow this year and to continue playing our part in the local community.
“We have been excited to get the doors open after a long wait, and we look to continue providing great value products and world class service to B&M customers.”
The new Home Store & Garden Centre will provide local shoppers with all of the products available in a Bargains store, alongside an extensive non-food section including toys, home furnishing, seasonal ranges and outdoor items.
Children of all ages will have plenty to look forward to over the course of the weekend, as B&M’s opening activities extend to Saturday.
Anna and Elsa from Disney’s hit film Frozen will be on hand to add a touch of sparkle to the day, while a face painter will ensure that the children are thoroughly entertained.
B&M, one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers, now has its 450th store coming ever closer; with no signs of the expansion slowing.


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Owings Mills, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/15/2011 -- Millions of people watched as Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries walked down the aisle this past August. With three wedding dress changes and all the glitz and glam everyone expected, the couple tied the knot in front of numerous celebrities and family at a private estate in Montecito, CA.
And by now, most people have heard the celebrity couple has decided to call it quits after being married for just 72 days. But what will happen to Kim’s 20.5 carat diamond engagement ring worth a reported $2 million?
GGC & Diamonds, the nation’s No. 1 diamond wedding ring purchaser, is offering to purchase Kim Kardashian’s diamond engagement ring. The company specializes in purchasing wedding rings from recent divorcees and offers more than 80 years in the diamond-purchasing industry.
Kim Kardashian received the gigantic diamond ring in front of the world as Kris proposed to her on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. In the last 72 days, the celebrity couple went on their honeymoon in Europe, celebrated Kim’s 31st birthday with a big bash in Las Vegas, filmed a season of Kourtney and Kim Take New York, and filed for divorce.
The couple’s marriage ended so quickly, E! Network is still playing the two-part wedding special on television repeatedly.
With the offer for GGC to purchase Kim Kardashian’s wedding ring on the table, the company is waiting with baited breath to see if the star will choose to sell her ring or return it to Kris.
Every major news station is currently covering the story as to whether Kim should ethically keep the ring or give it back to Kris, so the jury is still out.
GGC & Diamonds said if it ends up with the Kim Kardashian wedding ring for sale, they hope she decides to sell the ring to them as they offer top-dollar and expert appraisals. “Whenever somebody is looking to sell diamonds either in person or online they come to us first,” according to Ryan Kaplan whose family has been in the jewelry business for over 80 years.
According to GGC & Diamonds, “If Kim takes up the offer to sell the ring to GGC, she will certainly get an excellent deal as all of our diamonds are appraised by a certified GIA Diamond Specialist. Plus, Kim would get her money wired to her bank or get a certified check in the mail in just 48 hours.”
With the Kim Kardashian wedding ring for sale, GGC said they are ready to buy the ring immediately.
The company adds if Kim decides to give the ring back to Kris, he should contact them for GGC to purchase Kim Kardashian’s wedding ring by calling 1-877-909-4653.
About GGC & Diamonds
With more than 80 years of experience, GGC & Diamonds is the nation’s No. 1 diamond ring purchaser, specializing in wedding rings from recent divorcees or widows. GGC is headquartered in New York’s Diamond District with offices in California and Florida, and offers appraisals by GIA Certified Diamond Specialists. For more information about the sale of Kim Kardashian’s wedding ring or for a free diamond price quote, visit http://www.ggcdiamonds.com