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- Bitcoin steadies above USD 7,200 on the start of weekend trading
- Huobi crypto exchange expands in Indonesia with fiat-to-crypto gateway
- MenaPay enables stablecoin tipping for Twitch users
Bitcoin price is steadily creeping back up the hill beyond USD 7,200 on the weekend, as the final days of 2019 run out and the new year approaches. Despite the world’s most popular digital asset seemingly unable to shrug off the bearish trends marking lines all over technical analyses, price action continues to strongly favor the resistance from long traders.
For weeks now, the daily charts show a tightening range for Bitcoin, meaning that volatility is in store and monthly close fast approaching could propel the bulls to aim for the next resistance at USD 7,600. Without any notable volume though, change could just as quickly unravel.
Sentiment is lukewarm, but in Southeast Asia, crypto adoption is heating up with global names in crypto keen to make their mark. For instance, China origins crypto exchange Huobi has not launched a fiat gateway in Indonesia, enabling a fiat to crypto trading between the Indonesian rupiah (IDR) and stablecoin Tether (USDT).
A press release from the Huobi Group yesterday said this move would enable Indonesian investors to make use of their IDR holdings to freely trade over 250 digital assets on the subsidiary platform in the country, Huobi Indonesia. Huobi Cloud senior director David Chen stated:
“The new fiat gateway is part of Huobi’s global expansion strategy and reflects our ongoing commitment to working with strong local partners in key markets across the globe […] By continuing to add new fiat/crypto pairs for Huobi Cloud 2.0, we want to make it frictionless for investors anywhere in the world to trade digital assets on a trusted and proven platform.”
The crypto exchange sees one of the world’s most populous countries (Indonesia has a population of around 264 million) a “major opportunity to contribute to the growth of the greater blockchain community and help drive crypto adoption globally”. Huobi Indonesia CEO Xiong Dan also said that the company would not only expand in the new location but consolidate and improve service quality.
Huobi’s global expansion began with an inroad into Turkey earlier in the year, with a planned fiat onramp for Turkish lira still before the year’s end. Alphan Gogus had already been appointed for Huobi Turkey as a general manager and much is expected from crypto’s potential in a country where lira has been experiencing devaluation and constant economic sanctions.
Turkey, which is commonly associated within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is seen as a hotbed for mass crypto adoption. Recently, mobile payments service MenaPay also announced support for Twitch tipping with their MenaCash stablecoin. In a press release shared with CoinTelegraph, the company said that users of the popular livestreaming platform — typically gamers sharing livestreams of their gaming sessions — could now tip each other or their favorite players with MenaCash, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.
A week earlier, MenaPay apps could be used by streamers to seamlessly collect donations on the blockchain. It is thought that some 3.7 million streamers donate or subscribe to others on Twitch. MenaPay CEO Cagla Gul Senkarders reiterated her belief that the gaming community was core to the further development and recognition of blockchain technology, and that the new donation option was a “critical milestone” in that relationship. She said:
“Following the announcement, we saw incredible demand from Twitch’s viewer base, which also wants to use a simple means of donating. We made the necessary advancements and updated our app to support the gaming community further. Now, viewers can also integrate their MenaPay app with Twitch and make their donations from their smartphones in seconds.”
Turkey has been one of the surprise entrants in the blockchain and crypto space this year, with Binance calling it as a key target for blockchain development. Back in June, Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay announced its intentions to launch a digital lira by the end of next year, with trialing set to start early 2020.
Image Courtesy: Pixabay


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BRIGHTON, Mich. - Police in Brighton are asking the public to be on the lookout for counterfeit cash.
Someone is passing the funny money at area stores after two fake $100 dollar bills were found over the weekend.
Officers say this type of crime is more common around the holiday shopping season.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

domain: news


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As if the Jeep Grand Cherokee wasn’t already riddled with problems, FCA has had to announce a worldwide recall affecting some 1.1 million vehicles, including around 47,000 units in Australia.
The Grand Cherokee has already been recalled three times in Australia this year. In fact, it was the most recalled vehicle model in 2014, with a ridiculous 11 safety-related recalls.
Local product recalls, announced on the government website recalls.gov.au, are related purely to safety issues and do not say anything about overall vehicle reliability.
For the latest recall, related to the cumbersome gear shifter found on 2014-2015 Grand Cherokee models and 2012-2014 Chrysler 300 models, FCA is under serious investigation after the bodgy shifter caused one of its vehicles to crush and kill someone in the US.
That someone was actor Anton Yelchin, from Star Trek. His Jeep Grand Cherokee was parked, or so he thought, on his driveway when it slipped out of gear automatically and rolled down and crushed him to death.
On the Australian recalls.gov website, the warning, issued on June 22, is quite alarming:
“If the engine is left running, the PARK position is not engaged and the PARK BRAKE is not applied prior to the driver exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away striking and injuring the driver, passenger or bystanders.”
The consequences of a two-tonne SUV rolling out of control could be catastrophic for those living on busy streets, and not to mention those who live across the road from schools. It’s understood this issue has caused at least 41 injuries in the US.


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Shoe brand Crocs has announced it will be closing its last two manufacturing facilities in a bid to ‘increase profits’.
The comfortable foam clog has been a topic of many debates since they launched 16 years ago, with some people absolutely loving them, others asking: ‘What are those?’. If you know, you know.
Crocs has now announced it will be shutting down a factory in Mexico and another in Italy as it begins outsourcing production in the search for greater profits.
The brand also announced it will be closing its ‘less productive retail stores’ as their leases expire, and will be focusing more on online sales.
Crocs, which has closed 28 of its 558 worldwide stores, plans to close another 132 stores by the end of this year.
Chief Finance Officer, Carrie Teffner, announced she will be leaving Crocs at the end of March 2019 and will be replaced by Anne Mehlman, of Zappos.com.
Crocs were catapulted into the world of high fashion when Balenciaga started parading platform versions down the catwalk.
According to Balenciaga:
Balenciaga casts the classic Croc slipper in a punk-ish new light for SS18.
In a whimsical bubblegum-pink hue, the front is decorated with a selection of irreverent pop-culture charms including logo plaques, avocados, flags, and pug faces to create an effect like a fridge of souvenir magnets.
Take advantage of the high platform sole to lift an ankle-skimming dress.
The chunky Balenciaga/Croc collab saw pairs of shoes for £645, much more than the modest price-tag on a standard pair. But then they are Balenciaga, darling.
As well as the heavily-embellished platforms, Balenciaga also launched a Crocs stiletto fairly recently. They look like a rubbery, pink Barbie shoe with, yet again, heavy embellishment.
And here they are:
Designer Christopher Kane released his take on the Croc, adding gemstones and, later, fur linings.
It doesn’t stop there, though.
There are the Crocs Women’s Cyprus V Heel W Heeled Shoes.
According to the glowing Amazon description:
The Cyprus just keeps getting better. This version has an elegant strap design with a little more top-of-foot coverage and attractive metal hardware around the collar.
You’ll appreciate the subtle elastic on the straps for a more forgiving fit. And we know you’ll like the Croslite foam footbed for all of the cushion and comfort it delivers.
The heeled Crocs weren’t overly well-received, it’s safe to say.
One tired person wrote:
There are so many sad things going on in the world right now. We didn’t need to add high heel crocs to the list.
— StilettoNinja (@bonheurchasse) July 12, 2018
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected]


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For the second time in less than a year Illinois consumers—first in Central and Southern Illinois and now in Northern Illinois—face significantly higher electric bills because of a flawed power-pricing system. And while electric customers will take the hit, big power generators like Exelon, NRG and Dynegy stand to earn windfall profits.
“Illinois’ electricity market is not working well for consumers,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said in a statement.
On August 21, PJM Interconnection—the power grid operator for northern Illinois and 13 other states—announced the results of an electricity auction that will increase power prices in Northern Illinois three years from now. CUB estimates the price could jack up costs for typical homes by more than $80 from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019. The increase could be even higher for customers with electric heat. Alternative supplier customers won’t escape higher prices, either, although the impact will vary by company.
The increase is largely due to a change in rules in how electric “capacity” auctions are run by PJM. “Capacity costs” are what consumers pay to ensure power plants are able to deliver electricity on the highest-demand days. These costs show up in the “supply” portion of your electric bill.
This year’s auction was held under new “Capacity Performance” rules designed to spur power generators to provide electricity during extremely cold weather, such as the Polar Vortex in 2014. (PJM said 22 percent of generation was unavailable to serve customers on the coldest day of the year in 2014.)
Of course, keeping the lights on is important, but CUB has long argued that there are no guarantees that the extra money power generators receive will actually be used to make the system more reliable. One thing is for sure: Customers will be slapped with higher electric prices while generators are cashing their checks. (The Chicago Tribune cited industry experts who estimated that the higher capacity costs could bring ComEd-parent Exelon roughly $400 million in additional revenue over last year’s auction.)
The auction results come on the tail of a similar auction this past spring by the power grid operator in Central and Southern Illinois, MISO, that sparked a 30 percent increase in power prices in that region.
Given that Illinois has a surplus of power, these extreme prices are ridiculous. We need to figure out how to set prices more fairly.
For more information, visit StopIllinoisRateHikes.org, and read CUB’s Q&A on the electricity auction here.


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The following events have been reported to us by organizers or have been taken from websites. As far as we know, these events are still set to continue as planned. Events that have been canceled or postponed will be marked as such. If an event has been canceled due to the coronavirus, please notify us by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org.
–The Sutter County Museum will host a certified Farmers Market at the museum, 1333 Butte House Road, Yuba City, from 4-7 p.m. All shoppers must be wearing masks and social distancing will be enforced. For more information, call 822-7141.
– The Arbuckle Farmers Market, hosted by the Arbuckle Revitalization Committee, will be open at LaVanche Hursch Park, 308 Fifth St, from 4-7 p.m. Each Wednesday through Aug. 26, the market will be offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, nuts, eggs, olive oil, meat, hand-made crafts and community information. A weekly meal provided by Market Street Grill will also be available for purchase. For more information, visit the Arbuckle Revitalization Committee’s Facebook page.
SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
–Al-Anon will meet from 10-11 a.m. at The Bride Church, 1321 Peach Tree Lane, Yuba City. For more information, call 334-6734.
–The Colusa Certified Farmers Market will be open at Veterans Memorial Park, located on the corner of Tenth and Markets Streets in Colusa, from 4-7 p.m. Each Thursday the market will feature several local certified vendors selling a variety of fruit, produce and other local commodities. The Colusa Certified Farmers Market accepts WIC, senior vouchers and CalFresh as part of the Market Match Incentive Program. For more information, contact Market Manager Jennifer Diaz at 415-994-9082.
– POSTPONED: Thomas Rhett: The Center Point Road Tour 2020 at Toyota Amphitheater, 2677 Forty Mile Road, Wheatland, has been postponed until June 29, 2021. For more information, call 743-5200.


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As people worldwide practise social distancing, they are turning to their computers for entertainment — and Netflix is feeling the hit. People are working from home, trying to keep themselves entertained, or staying up to date with the pandemic, and internet usage has surged across the world. Video content already makes up around 70% of network traffic, according to analysts, so the question is: will streaming services like Netflix be able to keep up?
“Last week, the European Union asked companies like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube to ensure that we are using telecommunications networks as efficiently as possible given the unprecedented demand they are facing,” wrote Ken Florance, Netflix’s vice president of content delivery, on Saturday.
Netflix has found a way to reduce its traffic by 25% in Italy and Spain, Europe’s first two countries to enforce major shutdowns, the company confirmed in that same statement. Now, the company will begin utilising this strategy to reduce bandwidth across the rest of Europe and the U.K.
Here’s how it works: Netflix is removing the highest bandwidth streams for each level of resolution. Users may notice a slight decrease in quality, but should still be able to comfortably watch their programmes. The new reduction will be in place for the next 30 days. The move will primarily help internet service providers, which are experiencing unprecedented surges.
According to Netflix, providers in Latin America are pushing for similar reductions, but the company is prioritising countries with government-mandated lockdowns. That means that, should the U.S. enforce a nationwide shutdown, Netflix might impose a similar reduction — but as of now, Netflix is carrying on as usual in America.
Netflix isn’t the only streaming site making changes to accommodate the high demand. On Friday, both Amazon Prime and YouTube announced that they would be changing their default definition quality in Europe. Disney+, which will launch in the U.K and six European countries on Tuesday, also announced that it will lower bandwidth use. The streamer’s launch in France was also moved to April 7.
“Our goal is simple,” said Netflix’s rep. “To maintain the quality of service for our members, while supporting ISPs who are facing unprecedented strain on their networks.”


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Tesla isn’t the next Theranos — here are 6 reasons why
1. Nobody understood Theranos’ product.
Theranos’ small-sample blood tests were supposed to be executed using a device named “Edison” that accelerated diagnostics, lowered costs, and democratized lab work. But the device never worked, something that the company concealed. Holmes’ claims about the technology evidently confused experts for years.
2. Theranos never went public.
Tesla staged an IPO in 2010 and for nine of its 15 years in business has been compelled by law to expose its financials four times a year. Theranos was founded in 2003 and had no legal obligation to report its financials until it collapsed in 2018. An IPO isn’t a perfect mechanism to open up a company to scrutiny.
3. Theranos was the only thing Holmes had ever done.
Holmes dropped out of Stanford to start Theranos when she was 19. She had no background in business nor startups. Musk sold his first company in 1999 and parlayed that success into another company that would eventually become PayPal.
4. Theranos’ entire business model was about competing on price.
Holmes talked a good game about empowering the individual to control their own health, but Theranos’ entire business plan was essentially to make blood testing faster and cheaper. Its competition was the established blood-testing industry. Tesla hasn’t until recently tried to compete on price at all.
5. Markets couldn’t hold Holmes accountable for failures.
Theranos spent its entire existence taking investments, “growing,” and spending money on its operations. The markets never really got the chance to properly value the company based on any sort of traditional business metrics.
6. There isn’t much heavy science in Tesla.
Manufacturing an electric car isn’t that much different from making a gas-powered one. Sure, the propulsion systems aren’t the same, and it takes much longer to “refuel” an electric car by recharging than it does to pump 15 gallons of gas into a traditional automobile.


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Milk consumption to a minimum: people in Germany are drinking less and less cow’s milk. Consumption has fallen to its lowest level in decades. In the last 50 years or so, it has almost halved. The per capita consumption of all types of cow’s milk (so-called consumer milk) fell by 2.2 kilograms to an average of 47.8 kilograms in 2021, according to the Federal Information Center for Agriculture. This is the lowest milk consumption since there were all-German statistics (1991). Wednesday (June 1st) is Milk Day.
A possible reason for the downward trend in cow’s milk is the increased consumption of plant-based alternatives, such as oat, soy and almond drinks.
A quarter of a century ago (in 1995), the per capita consumption of drinking milk – which includes whole milk, skimmed, partially skimmed and premium milk – was still 62.4 kilograms in Germany. Ten years ago (2012) it was almost 52 kilos.


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The research segment of banking giant Citi in partnership with Inter-American Bank (IDB), has successfully completed a proof-of-concept project that enables cross-border payments using blockchain.
A press statement from IDB indicates that the project carried out alongside Citi Innovation Labs powered cross-border payments from the U.S. to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The project also used tokenized money that guarantees complete traceability of transactions, exchange rates, and fees.
The system uses the LACChian Blockchain Network with payments sent from IDB offices in Washington D.C. to Dominican Republic recipients.
IDB blockchain specialists and Technical Leader of LACChain Network Marcos Allende explains how the transaction occurred. According to Allende:
“For the proof of concept, the IDB deposited funds denominated in dollars in a Citi account, which were held, tokenized, and transferred using digital wallets. After tokenized, these funds were converted to local currency -Dominican pesos- with the exchange rate established by Citi. Exchange rates, payment status, and fees were traceable and transparent at all times. The transaction could be checked in the LACChain Blockchain.”
Furthermore, Piotr Marciszewski from Citi said it is possible to connect LACChain Network with WordLink APIs while leveraging blockchain technology.
IDB to keep exploring innovative technologies
The project leader from IDB’s Treasury, Rubén Gutierrez, stated that consequently, exploring innovative technologies is now at the bank’s core. Additionally, participants in the project note that vulnerable groups can benefit from timely remittances.
In general, the test explored opportunities and challenges faced by financial institutions in rolling out cross-border payments using blockchain technology.


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Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 8, 2022, cybercriminals compromised and harvested information from nearly 35,000 PayPal accounts in a credential stuffing attack, Paypal announced after an investigation into the incident. During the two-day window, the attackers gained access to highly sensitive information. This information included users’ names, dates of birth, postal addresses, social security numbers, and tax identification numbers. Plus, they might’ve gained access to transaction histories, connected credit/debit card details, and PayPal invoicing data.
Starting Dec. 20., Paypal started notifying affected customers of the attack, the Notice of Security Incident statement read, which was sent out on Jan. 18. Aside from this customer notification, PayPal hasn’t publicly commented on the incident, as of the time of this writing.
The attackers didn’t compromise any of PayPal’s internal systems or employees in this credential stuffing attack. Instead, they simply logged in to the PayPal accounts through easily purchased username/password pairs. Since the accounts didn’t have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, cybercriminals were able to break into and easily compromise them.
PayPal Provides Recommendations but Delays Reporting the Incident
In response to the security incident, PayPal has reset the passwords of all affected accounts. In addition, it has offered free Experian identity monitoring services. Free identity monitoring is becoming a standard response in the event of identity fraud. In terms of identity restoration services, this package offers up to USD 1,000,000 of identity-theft insurance coverage, lost wallet assistance, automatic fraud alerts, web scan notifications, and access to major credit reporting agencies.
Ironically, these credit agencies have themselves suffered compromises in the past. In 2015, an Equifax leak led to the theft of the personal information of over 150 million American citizens. Eventually, Equifax reached a USD 700 million settlement for the breach. In Equifax’s case, it took the credit agency three months to update the public about the breach. In Paypal’s instance, it concluded its investigations on Dec. 20. and updated users on Jan. 18.
According to the GDPR rules for reporting personal data breaches, affected companies must report any breach within 72 hours. Fortunately for PayPal, it’s headquartered in the US. Here, reporting laws for such incidents differ from state to state and are not subject to GDPR. Often, these state laws don’t put any concrete time limit on reporting.
PayPal Credential Stuffing Attack Was Avoidable with the Right Security Measures
As of yet, the attackers haven’t used the compromised data for any shady activities or transactions. Still, the data is likely to surface on some darknet forums sooner or later. PayPal has confirmed that none of its databases were breached.
As per the notification sent to affected account holders: “On December 20, 2022, we confirmed that unauthorized parties were able to access your PayPal customer account using your login credentials. We have no information suggesting that any of your personal information was misused as a result of this incident, or that there are any unauthorized transactions on your account. There is also no evidence that your login credentials were obtained from any PayPal systems.”
As recommendations to the affected account holders, PayPal suggested users change their passwords across platforms. The company further recommended that users ensure any new passwords are strong and complex. The online payments provider also recommends enabling 2FA across web services, particularly for financial transactions. Lastly, affected accounts should also take advantage of the identity monitoring services that PayPal offered post-incident and periodically check up on credit reports.
Credential stuffing and phishing attacks are on the rise. According to an F5 Labs Research report, credential stuffing and phishing attacks accounted for 50% of all publicly disclosed US data breaches between 2018 and 2019. The information cybercriminals steal from such attacks fuels the dark web economy. And malicious actors are always looking for stolen data to launch fresh attacks.
Credential Stuffing and Compromised Passwords
Financial institutions have always been prime targets for cybercriminals. Stolen user credentials offer cybercriminals an easy entry route to instigate phishing campaigns or other nefarious activities. Massive lists of user/password pairs are readily available on darknet forums for low prices. Since users typically reuse the same basic passwords across various devices and services, they leave themselves open to threat actors with access to these lists.
That said, favorable security developments are underway, like passkeys replacing passwords. Passkeys could signal an end to an issue that has plagued business owners, government departments, and individuals—password management and authentication verification. In October 2022, PayPal became one of the first companies to make passkeys accessible to the public. However, this support is currently limited only to the US and iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
Passkeys, as cryptographic pairs, can replace passwords completely, as they’re more secure and easy to use. The decryption key remains on the user’s device, barring threat actors from entry, even if a third-party service is compromised. With the introduction and widespread adoption of such a technology, username/password pairs leaked online will become a thing of the past.
As it stands now, password management is a resource-intensive process for business owners and network admins. Instead of making sure passwords are complex, changed regularly, and 2FA services enabled, passkeys forego such time-intensive considerations. This frees up network admins and business owners to give more attention to defending against the many other attack vectors deployed by cybercriminals.
The Severity of Authentication Fraud Operations
Despite best efforts, more firms are subject to data breaches through authentication fraud. It’s only a matter of time before the information cybercriminals harvested from these 35,000 PayPal accounts ends up for sale on the darknet forums, providing tinder with which to fuel more credential-stuffing operations.
The only viable solution here is the wide-scale and mandatory implementation of passkeys. Despite its simplicity, 2FA remains effective to a degree in thwarting such attacks.
Just last year, it was demonstrated how easy it is to employ publicly available username/passwords list in such attacks. A government watchdog used a software rig to crack passwords of accounts in a government department within 15 minutes. The username/password model is obsolete as a means of authentication security. Plus, password management is an annoyance for both businesses and individuals.
Credential stuffing operations on sites such as PayPal will continue to increase until businesses start to enforce effective solutions. While the transition to passkeys is underway, in the meantime, a well-implemented 2FA remains the best authentication procedure out there.


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Fashion Week 2019
Fashion Week Panama 2019 (FWP19) took to the ATLAPA Convention Center October 17th until the 19th, with more local and foreign designers than ever.
This year, there was everything. The catwalks, of course were a stand out and the afterparties, as always events not to be missed. It was really amazing to see how strong some our our national designers are becoming.
National Designers that were at this year’s event were:
Lidia Minota, Pilar Sainz, Marciscano, Sousa Pitti, Tatiana Uliantzeff, Valar, Darcé, Dayra, Natalie Müller, Moises Sandoya, Flamant Swimwear
And the International Designers showcasing there were in Panama were Lsla & White from the Dominican Republic Julia and Renata from Mexico, and Down to Xjabelle by Isabella Springmühl from Guatemala.
But this year FWP took on more than just the glamorous, it also tackled the idea of sustainability, which is currently having a big impact on the fashion industry. The 2019 edition held training areas that focused on ethical fashion. with topics like responsible marketing, production methods and empowerment and economic sustainability For the woman.
FWP19 also highlighted a ’Fashion Spot’, this is a space within the commercial area of the event used for the staging of commercial fashion runways, the area also exhibited plastic arts. This space offers the an opportunity to work with brands, that could not previously showcase their work at the show.
Finally one area of Fashion Week that continues to strengthen, but is not always talked about, the photography. This year behind the lens were some big name photographers and also some Coronado locals!
Among them, Coronado International School 12th Grader Farah Garibaldo @farahphotography and Frank Corbett @starfire.photography.panama. To see their work check out their Instagram pages.
To see a full gallery of FWP19 shots visit us on facebook.com/Playacommunity/


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Starbucks (SBUX -1.58%) is accelerating its growth plans in China, with a goal of opening nearly two stores there every day. The coffee chain intends to add 600 locations a year in the world's most populous country. And, with 100 new metro areas on its expansion list, customers will be able to grab a caffe Americano in 230 Chinese cities by the end of 2022.
These efforts, which are only part of the brand's plan for its second-largest market, would give it about 6,000 stores there by the end of 2022 -- twice the number it has now. The company expects its operating income from China to double over that time fame, and its revenue to triple.
"No Western company or brand is better positioned to evolve with the rapidly expanding Chinese middle class – and we continue to mindfully evolve a coffee culture in China where the reward will be healthy, long-term, profitable growth for decades to come," said CEO Kevin Johnson in a press release. "We are committed to long-term investment in China."
It's about more than stores
While adding locations remains the key part of the Starbucks expansion plan in China, the company also has big plans for its bottled, ready-to-drink beverages, which are distributed in grocery chains, convenience stores, and vending machines.
Between now and 2022, the company plans to bring its ready-to-drink line to more than 400 cities and 125,000 distribution points across China. However, Starbucks won't just be transplanting its U.S. offerings there: In June, it plans to introduce a chilled cup product unique to China. The new line, which will come in four flavors, will join its Doubleshot products, which are already available there.
Starbucks also plans to expand its single-serve presence in China through its new global partnership with Nestle. That recently announced deal will bring Starbucks coffee to the Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines.
Digital is key
Starbucks' mobile app and its associated loyalty program have been significant growth drivers in the U.S. market. That's been true in China as well, where nearly 7 million loyalty program members have used the chain's app within the past 90 days.
The company plans to grow that audience by rolling out new features including personalization, mobile order and pay, and delivery service. It has also expanded its "Say it with Starbucks" social-gifting feature beyond its initial home on WeChat, bringing it to Alibaba.
A localized approach
What's noteworthy about Starbucks growth strategy for China is that the company is not simply attempting to take what worked in its home market and transplant it directly to a new one. It's adapting its strategies to the country's unique needs and tastes.
In some cases, those changes are as simple as tweaking its beverage lineup to offer flavors and drinks designed specifically to appeal to Chinese consumers. But the chain has also worked to address cultural differences. For example, it's offering its Chinese employees critical-illness health insurance for their parents -- a perk that isn't found in its U.S. benefits packages.
By taking a slower approach to embracing the Chinese market, Starbucks has avoided some of the mistakes that have tripped up other Western brands. There may yet be stumbles now that it's accelerating those growth plans, but for now, the chain looks poised for significant gains in China.


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Update: A brand new song called One Hope by Knower is available starting today across all platforms!
Original: Planning on catch up with some missed VR games over the Christmas break? Bad news; there’s more Beat Saber to play instead.
Beat Games yesterday teased that it has some ‘Christmas gifts’ on the way to the ever-popular rhythm action game, which will arrive ‘earlier than you might think’. No word on exactly what these gifts are but the studio does say they’ll be available on all platforms, and not just debuting on PSVR or PC VR.
? Shh… Christmas gifts are coming to Beat Saber earlier that you might think. #staytuned
— Beat Saber (@BeatSaber) December 13, 2018
The smart money is on these being some new tracks to dig into, perhaps with a festive theme. No doubt a lot of VR fans are going to be showing relatives Beat Saber this Christmas so it’s a good opportunity to give them a reason to dive back in.
Given that these features are coming to all platforms you can probably rule out long awaited PC-exclusive features like the track editor and multiplayer support. Those are still coming but we wouldn’t expect them until sometime in 2019 at this point. We also wouldn’t expect any surprise ports to Oculus Go or other platforms.
Whatever it is we’d guess the news will be revealed in a matter of days.


text: Goertek Inc. Chairman Jiang Bin was evaluated as “Shandong Province industry leader entrepreneur”. Weifang network · Poster news reporter Man Qianqian Lv Le reported that “Goertek is a private enterprise growing up in Weifang, this time by the provincial party Committee, the provincial government’s recognition, is a great spur and encouragement to us.Jiang Bin, chairman of Goertek Inc., was awarded the title of “Leading Entrepreneur in Shandong Province” at the 2022 Work Mobilization Conference of Shandong Province.Recently, The world’s leading brand evaluation agency BrandFinance released the “2022 Global Brand Value 500” list, and Goer shares was listed.At the same time, The “world’s Most Valuable 100 Technology Brands 2022” list was released by BrandFinance, and Goer was listed for the second consecutive year, rising to the 76th place from the 91st place in the world last year.”If you want to do it, do it first.”Jiang Bin did what he said.After more than 20 years of exploration and persistence, The sales volume of Goer microphone and speaker has achieved the first place in the world.The shipments of micro speakers/receivers, micro microphones, virtual/augmented reality, smart wearables, smart headphones and gamepads topped the world;Among MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) enterprises in the world, Goer ranks 6th, the only One in the top ten Chinese enterprises, and has ranked first in China for many consecutive years.In the interview, Jiang Bin did not talk too much about the success of the past, but straight to the theme, clearly stated, “grasp the market opportunities of the meta-universe, promote the new generation of information technology industrial revolution, focus on the entrance of the meta-universe hardware, win the initiative by innovation, strive to make Goer to a new level.”Jiang bin explained that in the past, the hardware platform in the era of mobile Internet was mainly mobile phones and tablets, while in the future, it will be arranged on wearable products such as glasses, watches and bracelets.The future of mobile phones is likely to be foldable to replace our personal computers, and future VIR-related products will be increasingly small, miniaturized, and mature.Jiang Bin revealed that Ge er has carried out technical cooperation with the world’s leading enterprises. After ten years of preparation, related industries will be in an explosive period in the next 3-5 years.In fact, in the semiconductor industry, Goer Is a particularly “low-key” in the impression of consumers, but in the industrial chain well-known enterprises.It is not only an important supplier of Apple’s wireless headsets, but also manufactures 70% of the world’s AR/VR headsets. It has even won exclusive contracts for high-end headsets from Oculus and SONY, all of which make Goel shares inextricably linked with the universe.According to the report of the Sotuyuan Universe Research Institute, it is not so much that the universe opened the way of seeking change for Goer Shares, as that its seeking change “collided” with the universe.With the release of Oculus Quest2 in 2020, the VR market returned to positive growth, with annual shipments surging to 6.7 million units, up 72% year-on-year.According to IDC data, it is expected that during 2020-2024, the average annual growth rate of global VR/AR product shipments will reach about 81.54%, and the global market size will reach nearly 500 billion yuan in 2024, with a total sales volume of 70 million units.It is worth noting that Goer has been involved in THE VR field since 2012, and now it has increased investment in RESEARCH and development. It has fully covered the VR industry chain and has one-stop r&d and manufacturing capability of VR headsets and related equipment.As early as 2016, it has established good OEM cooperation with VR/AR major manufacturers including SONY, Oculus, Pico, Huawei, Samsung, Kopin, etc. It is the most major OEM supplier of VR equipment in the world.On December 28, 2021, The application for listing Goerwei, a subsidiary of Goerwei, on gem has been accepted by Shenzhen Stock Exchange.Speed tuyuan space Research institute believes that The spin-off of The plan to go public for The company is an important move into the universe.The reporter learned that in the past five years, Goer has invested more than 13 billion yuan in RESEARCH and development and applied for 25,000 patents. At present, the investment in research and development has seen a return.In 2022, Jiang Bin believes that the most important thing is to increase investment in research and innovation. This year and the next two years will be crucial for Goer, especially this year will be the start year for Goer to lay a solid foundation and make full preparations for the coming new changes in the meta-universe.


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In 2015, “white hat” hackers remotely attacked a Jeep Cherokee and left it paralyzed on the side of a highway. They returned in 2016 with an in-vehicle hack to prove that things could get much worse. In 2017, researchers from an IT security company analyzed some of the most popular mobile apps from car manufacturers to find that every app was vulnerable to attacks in some shape or form. In 2018, the number of Black Hat attacks overtook White Hat incidents for the first time in the history of Smart Mobility.
This is the second article in our 3 part review of trends in the Mobility market. If you missed the first part, you can find it here.
Electric vehicles (EVs), with a mere 1.7% market share in 2019, are still at least a few years away from going mass market. This segment is expected to hit mass market adoption by 2025 and then build up to a share of about half of all new car sales by 2040.
This is the first article in a 3 part review of trends in the Mobility market. The complete series can be found here.
The Mobility market has become a key sector for Approov deployment over the last few years. Therefore we thought it would be interesting to take a look at this market in detail, to understand its underlying forces and trends. This is the first of a series of 3 blog articles on the topic.
Last year, the global car market posted its sharpest decline in sales – by 3 million according to one study, 4 million according to another – since the financial crisis of the last decade. The worse news is that neither study predicts a quick return to normal growth any time soon. In fact, 2022 is the earliest estimate for a global recovery.
As APIs become a critical part of almost every business, the need to build a robust API security strategy grows infinitely. API calls account for 83% of web traffic, according to the Akamai 2019 [state of the internet] / security: Retail Attacks and API Traffic report. The largest API directory now lists nearly 22,000 public APIs, up from 12,000 in 2015. A majority of companies now consider APIs to be critical to business strategy and imperative for developing partner ecosystems, enhancing customer value and creating new revenue opportunities. Cloud Elements, in its third annual State of API Integration report, recently found that businesses planned to deploy an average of 18 new APIs in 2019, compared to just 11.5 in 2018.
Two particularly challenging forms of API abuse are Aggregation and Cheating as a Service. In both these cases your own users are enabling and sometimes funding the individuals and organizations abusing your APIs.
Our first batch of business level attacks are Data Scrapers and Account Hijack. We also take a look at the lucrative business of Fake Account Factories.
2017 has seen our customers tackling a wide range of abuse and misuse of their Mobile APIs. We are seeing multiple approaches where the business process transparency provided by APIs has resulted in exploitation. Time for a retrospective...
Once you've started using Approov, we find it unlikely that you will want to cancel. However, it is a legitimate concern for potential users and, as we have a quick and simple cancellation process, I am happy to address it here. First up, consider the following scenario at the point of cancellation:
Happy to announce that we are partnering with the great people at Positive Technologies to provide comprehensive protection across both Mobile and Web Channels. See the full press release for details on the API security partners.


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- Galaxy Note 9 may come with a bigger battery
- Samsung has suggested the feature in a teaser
- The phone is already tipped to sport a 4000mAh battery
Samsung will unveil its upcoming flagship – Galaxy Note 9 – at its Unpacked press conference to be held at Barclays Center on August 9. While ahead of the Galaxy Note 9 launch, there have been several leaks and speculations, Samsung itself has now started teasing the smartphone hinting at some of the specifications. As per previous reports, the battery life of the Galaxy Note 9 is expected to be a key highlight during the launch. Samsung’s latest new teaser for its upcoming handset could be a confirmation that the Galaxy Note 9 will pack a big battery.
The South Korean technology giant has released a 30-second video on YouTube teasing a smartphone widely speculated to be the Galaxy Note 9. In the video, one can see that a person is trying to meet up with another person using a handset that is on its last battery legs. The smartphone’s battery then drains from 50 percent to 4 percent and eventually to zero. The person is seen to be trying every method possible, such as lowering the brightness level and switching-off Wi-Fi, to prolong the battery life but to no avail.
Following this, Samsung flashes the words “Battery can’t keep up? A lot can change in a day” on the screen. The video then ends with the date of the Samsung Unpacked event, August 9, which is when the Galaxy Note 9 launch will take place.
As per previous rumours, the Galaxy Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is expected to pack a 4000mAh battery, which is a 20 percent boost over the Galaxy Note 8’s 3300mAh battery. This smartphone will also presumably support fast charging – possibly Quick Charge 4.0 support. A new wireless charger box has also been leaked earlier, indicating that Samsung will also introduce a new wireless charging pad at the event. Called the Wireless Charger Duo, this new Samsung device is expected to charge two Qi-compatible smartphones, and one Galaxy Watch – another product that is expected to launch on August 9.
Interestingly, the last time Samsung tried to upgrade the batter on a Galaxy Note handset, it did not work out so well. However, given the fate of the Galaxy Note 7 was a big price to pay for the comapny, it is expected that all will be well this time around. Meanwhile, we can expect more such teasers coming from Samsung in the run-up to the Galaxy Note 9 launch.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
- KEY SPECS
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (Maple Gold, 64GB, 6GB RAM) –Rs.55,900
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (Black sapphire, 32GB) – OFFERRs.28,999
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (Maple Gold)Rs.62,999


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On August 30, NewAge filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Noni by NewAge and Ariix, two MLM subsidiaries, are impacted by the petition.
According to information from NewAge’s bankruptcy petition, the business has $149 million in debt and $310 million in assets.
The breakdown of NewAge’s debt is as follows:
$1 million for NewAge
18 million dollars from NewAge Holdings
34 million dollars — Noni by NewAge
Ariix: 235 million dollars
TCI Biotech, the company that makes NewAge’s products, looks to be their biggest unsecured creditor. With $2.5 million in debt, TCI BioTech LLC is NewAge’s largest creditor.
Notable debts include $270,623 payable to MaVie and $1.6 million owed to Zennoa LLC. Before NewAge’s takeover, Ariix absorbed both businesses.
In April, Lawrence Perkins was named Chief Restructuring Officer of NewAge and its associated businesses.
Perkins’ declaration, which was filed on August 31st, sheds light on NewAge’s bankruptcy.
The Debtors have recently suffered several difficulties that together have forced them to file the Chapter 11 Cases.
The worldwide COVID-19 epidemic, supply chain concerns, uncertainties surrounding company operations in China, difficulties completely integrating various brands, management changes, and costs associated with an investigation and defense of a suspected FCPA violation are some of the hurdles.
When a US-based MLM firm bribes a foreign authority, the FCPA often comes into play. In return for authorization to defraud the local populace, this is done.
The MLM firm is shielded from domestic regulators and law enforcement by paying bribes to local politicians and officials.
Over the years, I’ve heard of three FCPA MLM-related cases:
Avon paid a $135 million fine in 2014; Nu Skin paid a $765,688 fine in 2016 (and also settled a class action lawsuit for $47 million); Herbalife paid a $122 million fine in 2020, and two former executives were charged with criminal violations in July 2022.
These FCPA corruption prosecutions were all based on MLM firms paying off Chinese authorities.
according to Perkins’ statement;
More than 400,000 Brand Partners were selling goods on the Petition Date in more than 50 nations, especially in North America, Japan, China, and Europe.
The NewAge Enterprise employs about 830 people worldwide. In the United States, there are around 170 workers.
The Sales Affiliate manufactures its goods in China that are then sold in the same nation.
The DOJ and/or SEC conduct investigations into FCPA charges. You presumably already know where this is headed, but specifics of the continuing investigation into NewAge’s potential FCPA infractions are being kept under wraps.
The corporation is overrun by MLM firms that pay off Chinese authorities. China gradually replaces other sources of income as the one that keeps the business afloat.
When Chinese authorities cut off the supply or US authorities open an FCPA inquiry, things quickly get worse for the corporation unless it is also making a sizable amount of money abroad.
Before its final collapse in early 2020, Avon suffered. Herbalife and Nu Skin are still operating in China.
Ariix’s increasing $236 million debt stands out like a sore thumb about NewAge’s commercial activities in China.
Through a partner in China, NewAge
Tahitian Noni Beverages Chia Co Ltd., NewAge Worldwide Hong Kong Limited, NewAge (China) Biological Technology CO Ltd., NewAge (Shanghai) Biological Technology CO Ltd., Ariix Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Ariix Hong Kong Services Ltd., Ariix CIS Limited, Ariix Hong Kong Ltd., and Ariix China Ltd.
Ariix is the subject of NewAge’s FCPA probe, which is not surprising.
based on Perkins’ assertion;
The global COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, uncertainty surrounding business operations in China, difficulties integrating new brands fully, management changes, and costs associated with an investigation and defense of a potential FCPA violation involving Ariix are just a few of the difficulties.
Another factor that has hurt (NewAge’s) operations is a stringent regulatory climate in China, where 20% of the company’s revenue is generated.
As an illustration, the Chinese government launched an examination of direct selling and healthy product enterprises in China in 2019.
The government sent orders to direct selling firms like the Debtors, who engage in this review, not to have sizable distributor meetings.
China has also stopped reviewing and approving permits for direct sales.
The NewAge Enterprise has also seen significant turnover, including the departure of the initial CEO and subsequent legal and regulatory proceedings involving actions taken while he was in that position.
Brent Willis (right) unexpectedly left NewAge on January 10, 2022, earlier this year.
At the time of his departure and ever since no official explanation has been offered.
I’m not sure if Willis’ behavior is connected, but Perkins also mentions the frequent changes in NewAge CFOs during “the previous three years.”
Returning to the FCPA, the situation becomes much murkier. Before NewAge purchased Ariix in 2020, it has likely participated in FCPA offenses involving China.
After it bought Ariix, (NewAge) launched an independent assessment of its worldwide business operations, including hiring external attorneys, accountants, and other advisers.
Following the identification of possible FCPA breaches, a voluntary self-disclosure was made to the US Department of Justice and the US Securities Exchange Commission in August 2021.
Reporting is ongoing as of the petition date, and no fines or penalties have been levied against (NewAge).
However, (NewAge) has expended considerable costs in conducting its research and collaborating with governmental bodies.
The other intriguing detail from Perkins’ affidavit is that NewAge contacted 18 possible purchasers through a hired third party.
Due to problems such as, but not limited to, failure to agree on non-disclosure agreement conditions, priming lien concerns, liquidity-driven scheduling restrictions, and inability to put up an executable plan, additional discussions and involvements with these parties did not emerge.
Nevertheless, a few of these parties have indicated that they would be interested in taking part in any prospective sale of the Chapter 11 Cases.
In any case, it seems that NewAge’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan is a complete sell-off.
To maintain the value of the assets in this case, the Debtors seek to sell nearly all of them at an early stage.
The Debtors intend to put out a chapter 11 plan soon after selling nearly all of the assets to transfer the revenues to the proper parties.
A publicly traded corporation is NewAge. In January 2019, NBEV shares reached a high of $7.11. They are now selling for 12 cents.
Additional motions asking the following are included with NewAge’s original Chapter 11 filing:
permission to pay $320,000 in taxes due before the bankruptcy filing, permission to pay $532,000 to “around 320 workers,” protection from utility providers shutting off access to the business, preservation of NewAge’s bank accounts, authorization to sell off the property;
On September 1st, the majority of the motions NewAge submitted were approved.


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Double Fine Productions had announced at E3 2019 that it was joining Xbox Game Studios, but we have always wondered how long it would take for the studio of Tim Schafer to announce Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fandango, and Full Throttle remasters coming on Xbox?
Coincidentally, the only three adventures created by Double Fine that had not reached the Microsoft console were already released on Steam, PS4, and PS Vita, with the addition of Nintendo Switch for the case of Grim Fandango in 2018.
However, today the CEO Tim Schafer confirmed to IGN that on the occasion of 25 years of Full Throttle all the three flagship game remasters will arrive on Xbox:
- Grim Fandango Remaster
- Full Throttle Remaster
- Day of the Tentacle Remaster
Not sure if this is breaking news, but @TimOfLegend told me during our just-concluded 25th anniversary livestream of Full Throttle that all 3 of Tim's adventure game remasters – Full Throttle, Day of the Tentacle, and Grim Fandango – are finally coming to @Xbox later this year!! pic.twitter.com/zyeroWLX9i
— Ryan McCaffrey (@DMC_Ryan) May 12, 2020
These three remastered versions were already released each on all the above-mentioned platforms a few years ago, so it was quite normal that the remasters will also end up coming to Xbox One, now that the company is part of the Xbox Games Studios.
It is worth mentioning that neither Double Fine nor Xbox Game Studios have announced anything about it, however, Tim Schafer’s company belongs to the new wave of teams that joined the Microsoft games division to strengthen its first-party lineup, so it wouldn’t be strange if these legendary graphic adventures hit Xbox One and are also available for Xbox Series X.
In recent news, it was rumored that the former Naughty Dog developer joined Double Fine for an unannounced AAA-game for Xbox Series X. On the other hand, Xbox Game Studios are reportedly working on 20 games, you can check the complete list here.


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Chevrolet recently pulled back the covers on the 2021 Colorado, debuting a whole new look for America’s favorite mid-size truck. The Colorado will officially make its first public appearance this fall at the 2019 Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic before heading to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
So what is new for the 2021 Chevy Colorado? For starters, it gets a new Sand Dune Metallic exterior color for Z71 and ZR2 trim levels. Chevy has also revised the bowtie emblem for the Colorado and added more differentiation among trims. For example, the WT, LT, and Z71 models benefit from new skid plates, lower fascias, and updated center bars. The bowties on the first two will be gold, while the Z71 bears a new black bowtie.
If you go with the ZR2 off-road Colorado model, you’ll get the Colorado’s new, exclusive front fascia. The ZR2 model will also now come standard with red tow hooks.
“We’ve sold 520,000 Colorado pickups in five years through a relentless, foot-on-the-gas approach to product and feature updates,” commented Bob Krapes, director of marketing, Chevrolet Trucks. “With its new-look front end and tailgate, Colorado will now have a more aggressive appearance to match its award-winning capability.”
We can’t wait to see you here at Sunrise Chevrolet Buick GMC at Collierville when the 2021 Chevy Colorado hits lots later this year.
Chevrolet recently introduced the long-awaited 2021 Tahoe and Suburban — and these two full-size SUVs are now bigger, better, and more advanced than ever.
Both the Tahoe and the Suburban are built on a brand-new platform that incorporates an independent rear suspension for a smoother ride and more responsive handling. There’s even an available Air Ride Adaptive Suspension that lets you raise and lower the vehicle’s height. To go with the new ten-speed push-button automatic transmission, you can choose from three engines: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a new Duramax® turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline-six.
The 2021 Tahoe and Suburban come with lots of fresh tech, including a standard ten-inch color touch screen, an available 15-inch Head-Up Display, available 12.6-inch dual entertainment screens for the rear seat, nine available trailering camera views, and up to 30 safety and driver-assistance features.
Each model boasts significantly more interior space than previous generations. The smaller Tahoe benefits the most, adding three inches of second-row legroom and ten inches of third-row legroom to accompany an expanded 122.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The larger Suburban adds more than two inches of second-row and third-row legroom and offers 144.7 cubic feet of total cargo space.
The redesigned Tahoe and Suburban also get striking new exterior looks, including standard LED lighting, standard 18-inch wheels, and nine paint color options. Six trims are available: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country.
Starting this summer, you can test-drive the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban here at Sunrise Chevrolet Buick GMC at Collierville.


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Google Launches New AR-Guided Navigation on iOS
Back in 2018, Google showed off a new Google Maps feature that uses AR to give you directions. It was a really cool idea that could make it much easier to get around different places. And after testing it for a long while, Google is officially launching the new feature today.
The company is publicly launching the new Live View feature in beta for Android and iOS devices today. The new feature allows you to simply hold up your phone and it uses your camera by placing directions into the real-world. So you can simply follow the arrows and get to your destination confidently without worrying if you are going in the right direction.
The new feature isn’t available for all phones. Google says it will only work with iOS devices that support Apple’s ARKit, and Android devices that support Google’s ARCore. That’s still a lot of devices, to be honest.
The company says it has tested the new feature with Local Guides and Pixel users over the past few months, so it’s pretty polished now. It is still a beta feature, though, and there’s probably still some rough edges. Either way, it’s really cool.
- Alibaba Pandora Lab Jailbreaks iOS 11.2 Successfully Rumor: Apple Blocks Activation on iOS 9.0-9.3.5 Firmware Qihoo 360 Vulcan Team has Achieved iOS 11.3 Jailbreak iOS 11.2.2 Jailbreak With Electra Might Be Possible, Here’s What You Need To Know Apple Still Signing iOS 11.3 Beta 5/6, Downgrade to It to Jailbreak Your iPhone iOS 11.1.2 Exploit async_wake ipa is Released iOS 10.3.X 64-Bit Jailbreak is Coming Soon Alibaba Pandora Lab Untethered Jailbreaks iOS 12 Successfully


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Two Australian retailers are giving in to customer demands and removing the Grand Theft Auto V video game from shelves.
Target made the first move, announcing on Wednesday that it would stop selling Rockstar Games's R-rated title. Kmart has followed suit.
"We've been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game, and there is a significant level of concern about the game's content," Target General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Jim Cooper, said in a statement.
As of press time, more than 45,790 of those customers voiced their concerns by signing an online petition(Opens in a new window).
Arguing that the game "encourages players to murder women for entertainment," the appeal asked Target to "immediately withdraw" the game from sale.
"This game spreads the idea that certain women exist as scapegoats for male violence," petition authors Nicole, Claire, and Kat wrote. "Games like this are grooming yet another generation of boys to tolerate violence against women. It is fuelling the epidemic of violence experienced by so many girls and women in Australiaand globally."
Kmart Australia has also moved to pull the game from its shelves, telling PCMag that, "Following a significant review of all content in Grand Theft Auto Games, Kmart has made the decision to remove this product immediately." The retail giant offered its apologies "for not being closer to the content of this game."
As Kotaku pointed out(Opens in a new window), Target and Kmart are owned by the same retail group, Wesfarmers.
Rockstar Games did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.
The manufacturer originally launched its next-generation Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in October 2013. The title then hit Sony and Microsoft's latest-generation consoles last month. PC gamers will have to wait until Jan. 27 to get their hands on the game.
And despite the backlash across Australia, there are plenty of folks who oppose the retailers' decision.
"We've also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue," Target's Cooper said. "However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA 5 is in line with the majority view of our customers."
Target will, however, continue to sell other R-rated films and games.
"While these products often contain imagery that some customers find offensive, in the vast majority of cases, we believe they are appropriate products for us to sell to adult consumers," Cooper added. "However, in the case of GTA 5, we have listened to the strong feedback from customers that this is not a product they want us to sell."
For more, see PCMag's reviews of Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, as well as the slideshow above.
Editor's Note: This story was updated Dec. 5 with comment from Kmart.
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Processors Stand Firm as Feed, Pig Price Gap Widens20 August 2012
UK - Another disappointing day for sellers in view of the ever-widening gap between feed costs and pig prices and the retailers seem to have their foot firmly on the throat of the British pig industry at present, writes Peter Crichton.
However there are signs that one or two of the more enlightened supermarkets might be prepared to follow the lead set in the dairy sector by upping their prices in the weeks ahead, but this could still be a case of too-little-too-late, even though as we well know, every little helps and very little hurts,
With the DAPP remaining almost static at 150.43p, it was no surprise that Tulip decided to stand-on and all the others followed suit with the result that the batting order remains as follows:
- 152p Woodhead
- 150p Gill
- 149p Tulip
- 147p Cranswick and Vion
The spot market remains subdued with prices drifting down by 1p–2p, although 150p was achievable for light bacon on a tighter spec and 148p proved to be the norm for heavy bacon.
Despite the much better weather, smaller fresh meat wholesalers reported another quiet week and although one commented in a delightful mixed metaphor that "legs were quickly changing hands", the loin remains the harder (and one of the most valuable) bits of the pig to sell.
The euro has remained in the doldrums all week and traded on Friday at 78.46p which is exactly the same as it was worth a week ago, although this time last year it was worth 87.57p giving imports a 12 percent advantage.
Signs are emerging however of better European pigmeat prices which have improved steadily since early July, more due to reduced live pig availability than better demand.
This improvement also featured in the cull sow market where despite a lacklustre euro export abattoirs were keen for the larger numbers now available as some producers clear out, with quotes generally in the 112p–115p range according to specification and load size.
Weaner producers continued to be hammered by high feed prices, with reports of very poor bushel weights and grain quality now that the British wheat harvest is underway between the showers doing nothing to help as far as local availability is concerned, with ex-farm feed wheat quoted at over £185/tonne and futures prices are painting an expensive picture with LIFFE quotes for November at £200/tonne rising to £206/tonne next July.
With soya trading at over £430/tonne and rape in the mid £350/tonne area there is no hiding place for producers looking to keep a cap on CoP levels.
As a result weaner prices are continuing to tumble with the latest AHDB 30kg ex-farm weaner average quoted at just £39.27/head and space very hard to find with some buyers reluctant to commit themselves until they have a better idea of finished pig margins and feed costs in the weeks ahead.
But it has to be remembered that without the primary producer there would be no supply chain and unless we see a rapid recovery in pig prices more producers will be forced to head for the exit door in the months ahead, especially if their not-so-friendly bank managers start turning the screw even tighter.
ThePigSite News Desk


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Google has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovation by expanding its suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven video ad solutions.
The introduction of Demand Gen and Video View campaigns aims to empower marketers, enhance audience engagement, and counter the recent decline in advertising revenue.
By leveraging AI extensively across its advertisement product portfolio, Google attempts to reassert its position as a leading player in the digital advertising space.
Performance Max, Smart Bidding, and automatically created assets (ACA) for ad search, are just a few examples of how AI technologies have been integrated to optimise ad campaigns.
AI integration in Demand Generation campaigns
Demand Gen campaigns reshape brand integration by seamlessly incorporating best-performing video and image assets across Google's visual and entertainment-focused platforms.
One noteworthy aspect of Demand Gen is its ability to provide marketers with previews of Google Ad image and video assets before launch.
This feature allows for careful scrutiny and optimisation, ensuring the highest quality and relevance for targeted audiences.
Moreover, Demand Gen harnesses the power of AI to pair tailored creatives with lookalike segments based on brands' audience lists.
This strategic approach enables advertisers to drive conversions with existing customers while simultaneously generating new demand by attracting new lookalike audiences through compelling offers.
By leveraging the potential of AI, marketers can create highly personalised and relevant experiences, resulting in improved ad performance and increased customer acquisition.
AI-powered Video View campaigns
Video View campaigns offer a novel solution to maximise views across various formats within a single campaign.
According to Google's early testing results, these campaigns deliver an impressive 40% more views compared to in-stream skippable cost-per-view (CPV) campaigns.
Such optimisation and increased visibility can significantly impact a campaign's reach and overall performance.
The success of the Video View campaigns is exemplified by early adopters like Samsung Germany.
During the 2022 Christmas holiday period, Samsung Germany achieved a remarkable 94% incremental reach.
This metric measures the total additional users reached in a specific time period who had not been served an ad during any previous increment of time.
Such outstanding results highlight the potential of Google's AI-driven video ad solutions to transform marketers' advertising strategies and unlock new avenues for success.
YouTube up, Google down: Adapting Advertising Revenue trends to Macroeconomics:
However, despite Google's ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt, the company has faced a decline in advertising revenue.
In the final quarter of the previous year, Google experienced a 4% decline in ad revenue, resulting in modest total revenue growth of just 1% for its parent company, Alphabet.
This decline persisted into Q1 2023, reflecting a slowdown on YouTube and broader macroeconomic pressures, as indicated by Alphabet's earnings report.
Although the drop in total ad revenue remains relatively small (US$54.55bn in Q1 2023 compared to US$53.66bn in Q2 2023), YouTube ad revenue has witnessed a 3% year-on-year decrease, amounting to US$6.69bn.
Google bets on short-form content and Generative AI to boost ad revenue
To counter this revenue decline and reshape the digital advertising landscape, Google is placing its bets on the rising popularity of short-form video content and generative AI.
The introduction of Demand Gen and Video View campaigns underscores Google's commitment to providing marketers with cutting-edge tools to optimise their ad strategies, maximise audience engagement, and ultimately boost revenue.
These AI-powered video ad solutions signify a significant shift in Google's approach to ad growth and reflect the company's recognition of the evolving trends and preferences of digital consumers.
The rise of short-form video content, particularly on platforms like YouTube and YouTube Shorts, has transformed the way audiences engage with advertisements.
Users now seek immersive and captivating experiences that align with their interests and preferences.
Google's video-first AI tools, such as Demand Gen and Video View campaigns, cater to this demand by enabling marketers to deliver highly targeted and engaging content to the right audience at the right time.
AI opens doors to new level of personalisation: Leveraging consumer groups
The integration of AI into these ad solutions introduces a new level of personalisation and efficiency.
With Demand Gen campaigns, marketers can leverage AI algorithms to analyse audience data, identify lookalike segments and generate tailored creatives that resonate with specific consumer groups.
This approach not only strengthens customer loyalty and repeat purchases but also expands brand reach by attracting new audiences through compelling offers.
By embracing generative AI, Google empowers marketers to make data-driven decisions and optimise their ad strategies for maximum impact.
Similarly, Video View campaigns harness AI technology to optimise views across multiple formats within a single campaign.
This streamlined approach not only enhances the user experience but also improves ad performance by maximising visibility and engagement.
Marketers can leverage valuable insights from early testing results, such as the 40% increase in views compared to traditional CPV campaigns, to fine-tune their video ad strategies and drive better results.
The implications of Google’s AI deep-dive go beyond individual marketing campaigns
The implications of Google's AI-powered video ad solutions extend beyond individual marketing campaigns.
The company's commitment to leveraging AI throughout its advertisement product portfolio signifies a broader industry shift towards automation and data-driven decision-making.
As AI continues to advance, marketers can expect more sophisticated tools and technologies that enable them to create highly targeted and personalised campaigns, ultimately driving higher ROI and ad effectiveness.
However, Google's focus on video ad solutions and AI-driven innovations also reflects the need to address the recent decline in advertising revenue.
The modest growth and decline in ad revenue experienced by Google and its subsidiary, YouTube, indicate a changing landscape influenced by macroeconomic factors and market saturation.
By introducing video-first AI tools, Google aims to reinvigorate ad growth by capitalising on the immense popularity of short-form video content and leveraging generative AI to deliver impactful and memorable advertising experiences.
Google's announcement of Demand Gen and Video View campaigns showcases the company's dedication to staying at the forefront of digital advertising innovation.
These AI-powered video ad solutions empower marketers to connect with their target audience more effectively, drive demand and counter the challenges posed by declining revenue.
As the digital advertising landscape continues to intractably develop, leveraging the power of AI and video content will be crucial for marketers to succeed in capturing the attention of today's digital-savvy consumers.


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CORNELIUS — The owners of Grande Foods told their employees Thursday morning that the business will close its doors.
Co-owner Larry Hering said the store will close after liquidating all its merchandise. Beginning today, Hering said, everything in the store is 30 percent off. All equipment in the store is also for sale.
The store employs 70 people.
“With the economy and people cutting back, all retailers have felt it,” Hering said. He said the store was hoping for more business with the opening of Walmart in town and more out-of-town folks coming into town.
“Walmart was the tip of the iceberg,” Hering said. “Walmart was a factor. Mainly it was the economy.”
Hering said he and co-owner Tom Evans made the decision to close last week. Grande Foods, located at 1619 N. Adair, opened in 2006 as a grocery store catering to the Hispanic population of western Washington County. The store featured a large produce section, a full-service bakery, a carniceria with specialty meats and a tortilleria with fresh-made tortillas daily.
Hering and three other partners own the Grande Foods building. There are four other businesses in the building, including Curves, Little Italy Pizza and a Mexican marketplace. Dutch Bros. opened a coffee stand in the parking lot on the Baseline Avenue side in July. Hering said those businesses have leases and will remain open. He said once the grocery store closes, the space will be leased.
Hering didn’t have an exact closing date, but said the store will close when all the merchandise and equipment has been sold.
“It’s hard,” Hering said. “We want to thank the community for supporting us. With this economy, it’s tough. The employees have been like family to us.”
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.


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Singapore Street Food Stalls Get Michelin Stars
Two modest food stalls in Singapore made history by becoming the first street vendors to be recognized by the Michelin Guide.
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle were among 29 dining venues to feature in the new Singapore guide. There are over 6,000 food stalls selling traditional food in Singapore, so the competition was tough.
The owner of Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle is excited to have gotten a Michelin Star and hopes that it will inspire younger chefs to keep the tradition of food and food stalls.
What’s great for tourists and locals alike is that they can now can Michelin Star food at food stall prices. So you can now get world-renowned traditional Singaporean food for about $3.00.
Overall, 29 venues in Singapore received Michelin Stars. The restaurants ranged from traditional ones serving Singaporean food to French cuisine.
All of the attention from the Michelin Guide has brought well – deserved attention to the country. It is no longer just a transit city just for business, it is a place where you want to stay and eat.
What are you waiting for? Travel to Singapore in Luxury
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Charlotte de Witte reveals that her ‘Apollo EP’ will be released soon
Charlotte de Witte recently took to social media to share an updating regarding the release of her upcoming Apollo EP. While her post simply promised users it would arrive soon, it appears that following the album link reveals that fans can expect the EP to be released on October 14th.
For Charlotte de Witte, this is just another milestone in what has been an incredible year for the techno superstar who has already shared one EP back in April, Universal Consciousness, and made history over the summer when she became the first female ever to close out the main stage at Tomorrowland. With the Apollo EP, de Witte will look to continue the sonic journey she has created in recent years, with her crisp production and commitment to celebrate the legacy of techno music even as she continues to evolve and redefine its boundaries. The EP will feature four tracks and will be released via her own label imprint, KNTXT, a brand which she continues to curate and expand beyond simply releasing music, but has hosted a stage at EDC Las Vegas year and looks to be an ambassador for fashion and culture as well.
While the album will be available across digital streaming services, fans can also look to grab a physical copy with two vinyl options available through a variety of retailers. The standard edition will come on a 12″ black vinyl, while a limited edition version will feature a picture disc and mirror board printed inner as well as a printed outer sleeve. Discussing the upcoming release, Charlotte de Witte said:
“The vastness and solitude of space always interested me. A compelling contrast between monumental power and the vacuum in between. This diversion can also be found in techno music, a pure simplicity divergent in power.”
— Charlotte de Witte (@CharlottedWitte) October 6, 2022
Apollo EP Track List:
1. Missing Channel
Image Credit: Charlotte de Witte (Press) by Marie Wynants / Provided by Electric Love Festival


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The growth in cyber crime and internet hacking has been so immense that governments are stepping in to curb the menace. Case in point is the announcement from the Technology Strategy Board of the UK government of providing up to £5000 for SME UK to improve their cyber security by inviting outside experts.
What is the Funding For?
According to government experts, the funding will help SMEs to improve security of their data, information, software, application, and other online assets so that UK-based organizations stay ahead from the rest of the competition around the world.
The UK government has set aside a fund pool of nearly £500,000 for helping SMEs tackle cyber crime. A scheme called ‘Innovation Vouchers’ was initiated by the Technology Strategy Board to help small and medium size businesses to grow their scope of business and activities by looking for innovative techniques and knowledge.
SMEs are businesses that have 50 or less people in their workforce. As a result, they are less likely to have the financial muscle to invest on ‘additional’ expenses like inviting internet security experts from outside the company.
Growing Incidents of Cyber Security!
The BIS or Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills has also recently published its guide for SMEs to improve their internet security and protect their valuable data. According to Mr. David Willets, Minister for Universities and Science in the UK, the safety and security of a company’s data greatly influences its profitability and survivability.
All types of companies, especially SMEs, are now facing an unprecedented amount of cyber security risk. However, there are step that can be taken by all business to protect their data.
According to a research funded by UK’s Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills and carried out together by PricewaterhouseCoopers and InfoSecurity Europe, has found that SMEs are facing the highest risk of cyber attacks in history. The fact that 2012 saw an 11% rise in reports of cyber attacks on SMEs as compared to 2011, from 76% to 87%, the research results above sound quite credible.
While large businesses always make the headline for a security breach due to the sheer size of the event, SMEs also suffer on an average of £35,000 to £65,000 due to a data breach incident.
According to Mr. Andrew Miller, Information Security Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the increase in spending for internet security by SMEs has increased this year to 10% from 8%; however, incidents of cyber attacks have also increased. This is an indicator of a long journey remaining for a decisive victory against cyber hacking attempts.
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The latest reading of the Atlanta Fed’s “GDPnow” forecasting model shows the economy expanding moderately in the current quarter.
That estimate can swing wildly as data evolves. Last week, it dropped to an annualized 0.5% from 1.3%. That’s due, in part, to a soft reading of the retail sales “control group” that feeds into GDP calculations. Other economists trimmed expectations for growth: Bank of America, for instance, nudged its Q3 GDP tracker down by 0.3 percentage points to 0.8%.
So combine that with the Fed’s move to increase interest rates again this week – and released new forecasts that show the central bank envisions higher unemployment and yet higher rates in the coming months in its campaign to bring down inflation.
Further quoting Axios, the signal of more rate increases ahead paired with pessimistic projections for the labor market is a clear signal of the Fed’s commitment to putting a lid on soaring prices — even if the broader economy takes a hit as a result.
In new forecasts, the median Fed official envisioned the unemployment rate rising to 4.4% late next year and staying there through 2024, a projected increase that Powell characterized as “relatively modest” by historical standards. They previously envisioned the jobless rate peaking at 3.9%.
Why do we care?
Two reasons. First, we care about the labor market, considering how hard it is to find tech employees. I’m not sure unemployment here will help – we’ll watch for analysis there. That said, it’s customers too who are impacted.
Second, if the cost of money goes up, anything around financing could be impacted. It’s budget time, so customers may be thinking a lot about spending for 2023. The cost of money will not be as low as it’s been. And that’s why we care.


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[TechSparks 2020] We want to build a world-class company that is profitable and sustainable, says Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal
At TechSparks 2020, Bhavish Aggarwal, Co-founder and CEO, Ola, spoke about the plan for the next ten years for the ride-hailing unicorn, and his take on the future of mobility.
Bhavish Aggarwal, the media-shy poster boy of the Indian startup ecosystem, is unapologetically ambitious. The co-founder and CEO of ride-hailing unicornhas already put India on the global mobility map, and is now aiming for more.
“We want to build a world-class company that is profitable and sustainable,” Bhavish said during a fireside chat withFounder and CEO Shradha Sharma at TechSparks 2020.
At the 11th edition of TechSparks, which went virtual this year due to the pandemic, Bhavish shared Ola’s story board, its plans for the next decade, and the trends that will define the future of mobility.
1000x growth in four years
Over the last 10 years, Ola has not just evolved to become one of the largest mobility companies in India, but has also given its global rival companies a run for their money. It has expanded its footprint globally, and is now offering services in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia.
Talking about Ola’s plans for the future, Bhavish said, “Our ambition is to play across the value chain of mobility...and we are building with a 10-plus year vision.”
He explained further that the most important step towards realising this vision was to get into the electric vehicle (EV) segment. The Bengaluru-based unicorn launchedin 2018 with the vision to bring one million EVs on Indian roads by 2021. Ola’s electric mobility wing, which is also a unicorn, further accelerated the vision by acquiring Amsterdam-based Etergo BV earlier this year.
“It was a challenge for us because manufacturing and automobile design is very different from software...but our approach is to catch the technology disruptions at inflection points,” Bhavish said.
Tracing the journey of Ola, Bhavish recalled and said he started Ola at the age of 24, right after college. While the first couple of years were spent figuring out the business model, Ola’s growth happened within a short span of time.
“We started off very organically...between 2014 and 2018, we grew, maybe 1,000 times, because of the adoption of technology. Maybe the same will happen with electric (EV),” Bhavish said.
He further added that in the next five years, the lighter vehicle formats -- two-wheelers and small four-wheeler vehicles -- will all get electrified. “We want to accelerate that adoption curve and make the most of that opportunity,” Bhavish said.
Future of mobility
Ola has been leading the way in the mobility segment by bringing the latest technology. When Shradha asked Bhavish what are the few trends that will define the future of mobility, Bhavish was clear about the opportunities that Ola is betting on.
First, he talked about servicification of mobility -- people wanting to use something versus buying something. “That’s a trend that Ola rode globally and the whole ride-sharing industry was built around this trend,” he said. Bhavish believes it will continue to be a strong trend in the future.
However, Bhavish said people will definitely want high quality mobility services unlike in the past when getting around meant either taking a public transport or getting one’s own vehicle. While this trend is already 10 years under development, Bhavish’s take was that it will take another 10 to 20 years to really flourish around the world.
Secondly, transformation of energy technology will define the future of mobility. “EVs and lithium-ion batteries are one part of that, and fuel cells and hydrogen will become more relevant in different parts of the mobility segments,” Bhavish added.
While it’s a global trend, the right kind of infrastructure will have to be built around it and the construction of the new industry will take another 20 to 30 years. “But it’s much earlier than its inflection, and we (Ola) want to play a leading role in that,” he revealed.
Additionally, Bhavish also mentioned about Ola's ambition to get Indians and individuals across the globe to get electric vehicles. In fact, Ola is trying to harness the potential of solar energy to charge batteries and make EVs 'accessible and absolutely clean'.
Third is the concept of mobility or vehicle is changing. “The whole notion of a vehicle is becoming more modern with digital technology. It is becoming a vehicle which knows you, is a smart vehicle, is your companion, keeps you much safer than before, and is more efficient and cleaner,” Bhavish said.
Finally, the fourth disruption in the mobility segment would be in the way individuals buy mobility products. “To buy a mobility product, we go to dealerships today. That is completely going to change,” he said. He feels that the business model of dealership and distribution of mobility will change and it will be a global trend.
“These trends will change how we consume, own, and buy mobility. The whole paradigm is going to change. It is once in a generation transformation of one of the largest industries in the world,” Bhavish said. “And we (Ola) are at the right place, at the right time,” he added.
With technologies and business models converging, the transformation of the mobility industry will be a global phenomenon, making it much more sustainable. Ola believes it is well positioned to build this future.
“We will create for India, and from India. A company which builds for India, can build for the world,” Bhavish said.
TechSparks - YourStory's annual flagship event - has been India's largest and most important technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship summit for over a decade, bringing together entrepreneurs, policymakers, technologists, investors, mentors, and business leaders for stories, conversations, collaborations, and connections that matter. As TechSparks 2020 goes all virtual and global in its 11th edition, we want to thank you for the tremendous support we've received from all of you throughout our journey and give a huge shoutout to our sponsors of TechSparks 2020.
Edited by Megha Reddy


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The shop has a policy of working only with three clients. One is long-time client Jack in the Box, where founder and creative director Dick Sittig handles creative and is the voice of Jack. The agency this year won work for 57 Honda dealer groups in Southern California. "We have a vacancy for a new third client we hope will be an even better match," said Mr. Adams.
Activision spent more than $70 million in 2005, but spending dropped this year as releases of new video games slowed. But next year, with the new Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft consoles on the market, the number of games -- and the advertising support -- is expected to return to 2005 levels.
Activision is expected to conduct an agency review. Activision executives did not return calls by deadline.


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If you know where to look, you can find exciting and innovative food and drink being served from tuk tuk’s, camper vans and carts across Britain – and now Oxted is set to join the street food revolution.
The inaugural Oxted Food and Drink Festival, on Saturday June 21, will offer tasty Thai food served from a tuk tuk, surf and turf wraps delivered from a vintage airstream bus, cocktails and ice cream from a camper van, and more.
“Oxted is a beautiful pocket of the Surrey Hills countryside but many residents miss the opportunity to sample the wonderful and exotic foods from the metropolis,” says organiser Kiera Roche.
“The festival was conceived to bring the smells and tastes of the city streets to the countryside, whilst also celebrating the best local produce –who’d have known that there was a gin company just up the road?”
For more details, visit oxtedfoodfest.com


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Tesla has featured heavily in the news over the past year, with announcements of an electric supercar and a semi-trailer truck (both with incredibly impressive speeds and ranges), activation of the world’s largest lithium ion battery built following a Twitter bet to reduce power outages in South Australia, as well as some less positive stories regarding car crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot technology. In May 2018, Tesla also faced some tough questions regarding their financials having reported record losses for the last quarter, and CEO Elon Musk’s dismissal of “bonehead” questions led to a sharp drop in their share prices.
Tesla is interesting not only because of their technologies and their eccentric CEO, but also because of their approach to IP. You may recall that Tesla, then Tesla Motors, made waves in June 2014 when Musk announced that they would no longer “initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use [their] technology”, effectively making their patents “open source” to interested parties in a bid to accelerate innovation in the electric vehicle sector.
The wording “in good faith” left some ambiguity around whether formal licensing agreements would need to be drawn up between Tesla and those wanting to use the technology, however this was later clarified by Musk and he confirmed that use of the relevant patents did not “require any formal discussions” and anyone can “just go ahead and use them”.
This may seem like an unusual patent strategy given that licencing fees are often used by companies as a mechanism to monetise an invention and thereby offset the costs invested in R&D; as a prolific innovator, Tesla invests heavily in R&D and would seemingly benefit from leveraging the monopoly rights afforded to them by their granted patents, especially in light of the questions around their financials.
However, it wasn’t long before other companies followed Tesla’s example. Only a few months after Musk’s announcement, Toyota, a previous collaborator with Tesla Motors, announced that they would also open up their patents related to their competing hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle technology.
Despite opting to make their patents “open source”, both Tesla and Toyota have continued to file patent applications worldwide and it seems apparent that their reasoning for doing so is tactical rather than altruistic to try and tip manufacturer and market adoption in favour of their respective competing technologies. As has been seen countless times with competing technologies (see, for example, the videotape format war of the 1970s and 1980s), the ease of adoption of a technology is at least equally as important as the technology itself in ensuring its success.
All this isn’t to say that Tesla are openly sharing absolutely everything that they have developed and innovated in a bid to make plug-in electric vehicles more attractive, to both manufacturers and consumers, than hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. What has been discussed less openly, quite understandably, is that not all of Tesla’s IP is protected by the patent system; rather, some of their IP is instead protected through trade secrets to give them a strategic edge over competitors.
For example, when in development it was known that the Tesla Model S would combine more than 7,000 conventional Panasonic lithium ion cells with nickel-cobalt-aluminium cathodes to give the car its impressive range of around 300 miles on a single charge; however, the layout, mechanics, and system management which allowed this feat to be achieved were protected as a trade secret.
Tesla takes the management of their trade secrets seriously; in 2017 they hit out at former Autopilot director Sterling Anderson who they alleged downloaded sensitive information to his laptop and attempted to recruit multiple Tesla employees before creating competing autonomous vehicle company Aurora with Google’s former autonomous car director Chris Urmson. The lawsuit was ultimately settled with Tesla withdrawing its claims, however in return Tesla will be able to conduct on-going audits of Aurora’s computers and reclaim its Autopilot data.
As touched upon in our recent article, some forms of IP do not fulfil the patentability requirements, e.g. customer lists, making the decision on how best to protect it simple, i.e. as a trade secret; however, when a company’s intellectual property does fulfil the patentability requirements, the decision on whether to pursue patent protection for the invention or keep it as a trade secret is critical to ensure that their IP can be exploited to the fullest.
Particularly for SMEs, trade secrets can seem, at first glance, to be a very attractive option for protecting IP given their potentially infinite duration of protection, lack of registration costs, and immediate effect. However, when your potential trade secret does fulfil the patentability requirements, two important questions need to be asked:
1) Can the innovation be reverse-engineered from the final product?
2) Will it be impossible to keep the innovation a secret outside of your organisation?
If the answer to either of these questions is potentially yes, and the associated risks outweigh the potential benefits, then the patent system is likely to be the most viable option to protect your innovation. Utilising the patent system does bear the price of divulging the crux of the innovation to the public, however it proves a useful tool as part of negotiations with other companies, to generate license fees, and to stake a claim on a given technology space.
All innovative companies face the major decision of whether to protect their innovations as trade secrets or through the patent system; as demonstrated by Tesla, this is not a binary decision and the two forms of protection can co-exist, even complementing each other as strategic tools. Using a multi-faceted approach to IP helps to give a company an upper hand over competitors in the same technology space, as well as those with competing technologies.
For more information on intellectual property strategy, see here. If you wish to discuss your IP strategy with us, call us on 020 7655 8500 or email us via firstname.lastname@example.org.