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SINGAPORE: Staycation packages with more perks and safety measures that are part of a “new normal” have been put in place by coronavirus-battered hotels in Singapore, after being given the green light to reopen their doors this month.
Hotel operators that CNA reached out to say they have seen positive demand for staycations from the local crowd so far.
Hotels in Singapore have had to stop taking in guests since authorities imposed a “circuit breaker” in early April to curb the coronavirus outbreak. The circuit breaker restrictions ended on Jun 1 after nearly eight weeks, setting Singapore on a phased and gradual reopening of its economy.
As part of the second phase of the reopening, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Jul 3 that hotels will be able to resume two activities – providing accommodation to guests for leisure purposes such as staycations, and opening recreation areas for children – after getting approval from the authorities.
Since then, STB has received applications from more than 100 hotels. Thirty-five hotels have been approved to resume staycations as of Wednesday (Jul 15), a spokesperson said.
That includes Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, which said that it has received 1,000 calls and emails on “days with higher volume of enquiry” since announcing its reopening on Jul 10.
But the hotel is capping its occupancy at 50 per cent for the time being to comply with mandatory safety requirements for both its staff and hotel guests, said general manager Piotr Kupiec. With that, it is now fully booked for most weekends until mid-August.
Far East Hospitality, whose hotels such as Oasia Hotel Downtown have been approved by authorities, is also limiting occupancy to no more than 50 per cent during peak periods such as weekends.
It has seen “more than 80 enquiries per day” across its various platforms and an increase in bookings, especially from couples and families looking to celebrate special occasions like anniversaries, said CEO Arthur Kiong.
Hotel Yan, a boutique hotel located along Tyrwhitt Road, said it saw around 90 bookings within a day after it announced its reopening.
As part of safety requirements, the hotel is releasing up to 20 per cent of its 59 rooms for staycation guests, and is now fully booked “for the month of July and some dates from August”.
“Given the approval from STB that only came in earlier this week, we are strongly encouraged with the number of bookings received,” said a hotel spokesperson.
With travel restrictions still in place, people unable to travel overseas will opt for short stays in local hotels “as a means of a short getaway”, she added. “This might indicate a strong demand for staycation among Singaporeans.”
SAFETY MEASURES A “NEW NORMAL”
Hotels that reopen for staycations will have to follow the safe management measures laid down by the authorities.
According to the STB’s advisory, these include the screening of every individual before allowing them into the hotel premises, requiring everyone to wear a mask and implementing the SafeEntry digital check-in system.
As part of reducing capacity and intermingling at hotel lobbies, they have to ensure staggered check-in and check-out timings for different groups of guests and limit occupancy to no more than 1 person per 10 sqm in public spaces accessible to guests at any point in time.
Hotels also have to keep the records of guests for at least 28 days after they check out.
Other mandatory safety measures include rigorous cleaning and disinfecting regimes throughout the property. For instance, hospital-grade disinfectants have to be used when cleaning frequently-touched areas and equipment in the guest rooms.
Even after getting an approval, STB said hotels will be subject to continued checks and are required to submit weekly updates.
Such strict safe-management measures will be ‘part of the new normal” for hotels, said the STB spokesperson.
Hotels reopening said they have these in place, with some like Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa taking it a step further by leaving guest rooms vacant for at least 24 hours in between occupants.
“Contactless” services are also available at several hotels. For example at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), payments, as well as the delivery of luggage and other hotel amenities, will be “contactless” so as to minimise physical interactions.
Guests may also have to make reservations and adhere to time limits at facilities such as spas, gyms and pools.
At Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore, a maximum of five people are allowed to use its outdoor infinity pool at any given time, meaning that guests will have to pre-register for their preferred slots. A similar rule applies for its fitness centre where only three people will be allowed at any point in time.
The hotel located in Chinatown has also added a new room service called the Oakwood Mobile Bar, which allows hotel guests to enjoy cocktails and canapes in their rooms.
“We believe having a satisfying stay begins from a safe sanctuary that you can trust,” said regional general manager Roy Liang who oversees Oakwood’s hotel properties in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
The list of approved hotels also includes those that are used as dedicated facilities for individuals serving their 14-day stay-home notices.
These hotels have in place “strict protocols” to segregate those on stay-home notices from the other guests, STB said. This includes housing individuals who are there because of COVID-19 on segregated blocks or floors.
“The first-hand experience gained by handling various accommodation needs over the past few months has been invaluable for our hotels and their staff. They are now familiar with areas such as infection controls and sanitisation – skills which will help them lead the way in safe hospitality,” STB added.
One of these hotels is MBS, which has been housing guests on stay-home notices in its hotel towers 2 and 3. They are required to stay inside their designated rooms at all times, and are not allowed to use common facilities in the property.
MBS said in a press release that its reopening will begin with “a limited number of rooms” in tower 1, with a hoarding to be set up in the hotel lobby.
DISCOUNTS AND OTHER PERKS
Hotel operators have also come up with a slew of staycation packages that include attractive discounts and various perks targeting families and couples.
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, for example, has three packages with one being priced at a close to 50 per cent discount. The “Blissful Escapes” package, usually priced at S$720++, now costs S$380++.
Other perks include flexible check-in and check-out timings, credits that can be used at the hotel’s food and beverage (F&B) outlets and for in-room dining, as well as complimentary parking, said the hotel’s director of sales and marketing Alvin Lim.
At Far East Hospitality, its Oasia Hotel Downtown is targeting wellness-conscious guests with a package that includes a one-hour fitness session, while those staying at the Barracks Hotel, which is housed in a colonial house on Sentosa, can enjoy a personalised tea tailoring experience.
Smaller hotels are also ramping up their offerings to fight the competition.
Apart from attractive room rates, Hotel Yan is in the midst of planning tour itineraries with travel operators for its staycation packages.
Latest figures from the STB showed international visitor arrivals plummeted 43.2 per cent to 2.7 million in the first three months of 2020. January alone accounted for about 1.7 million tourists, as arrivals plunged to 732,757 in February and 239,899 in March.
This has pummeled the hotel industry, with average occupancy rate down 27.2 percentage points to 58.6 per cent in the first quarter. Gazetted hotel room revenue for the same quarter fell 30.9 per cent year-on-year to S$687.3 million.
These figures are likely to fall even more for the second quarter going by the latest monthly tourist arrival figures from the STB.
A ban on short-term visitors that took effect on Mar 24 have taken the monthly arrival figure to a historic low of 748 in April before rising slightly to 880 in May.
“With global travel restrictions still in force, domestic tourism will give a much-needed financial boost to hotels in Singapore,” said Ms Kwee Wei-Lin, president of the Singapore Hotel Association.
“As we gradually prepare for the return of international travellers, staycations will pave the way to better the financial health of our industry,” she added.
Hotel operators said they are glad to be able to reopen for staycations but they also recognise that this is only a short-term survival strategy.
Mr Kiong from Far East Hospitality said: “Unless international travel is able to resume fully soon, depending on staycations to uplift the industry is neither realistic nor sustainable. This reliance will close hotels and cripple our tourism infrastructure and capabilities over the long run.”
Even with encouraging figures at the moment, it will “be hard-pressed to match the figures” it saw before the outbreak. “In 2019, 10 per cent of our total room nights were made up of staycations, equating to almost S$8 million in revenue,” he added.
Similarly, the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel said it sees “strong demand” for staycations for now, given the packages rolled out by hotel players and a “pent-up demand” for travel among Singaporeans. However, it is “unable to predict the demand in the long run”.
As part of its other survival plans, it is looking at boosting its F&B revenue through takeaways and bento catering, as well as organising virtual conferences and small-scale solemnization ceremonies.
“As the situation is constantly evolving, we are constantly reviewing our strategies and initiating new plans,” said Mr Lim.
Several hotel players also said they are looking forward to receiving business travellers who will be entering Singapore under the “green lane” arrangements.
“We are hopeful on several fronts, especially to welcoming business travellers who are coming into Singapore for essential travel as well as continuing to accommodate local guests,” said Mr Kiong, noting that Far East Hospitality will still be going ahead with the opening of a new hotel in November.


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‘There’s an awful lot of showmanship’: Confessions of a publishing consultant on Facebook’s news feed changes
Facebook’s announcement about its news-feed changes in January continues to have ripple effects across the media industry. But whether this has a lasting impact on publishers’ strategies is debatable. In the latest installment of our Confessions series, where we trade anonymity for candor, we spoke to a publishing consultant specializing in social media, who advises legacy publishers in Europe. The conversation has been edited and condensed.
What are publishers saying about Facebook’s news-feed changes?
There’s a lot of shock and floundering and not knowing what to do inwardly, while outwardly, there’s a lot of posturing and big statements from publishers saying, “This is our new course of action; this is what we’re going to do.” It’s far too early to know what the path forward is. Of course, this will have an impact — we’re just not sure what.
What’s an example?
Publishers that are pulling their content from Facebook — it’s pointless, [like Brazil’s largest newspaper Folha de S.Paulo]. It’s a knee-jerk, posturing reaction. There’s an awful lot of showmanship right now. Publishers want to scare Facebook because there have been so many different gripes. Pulling content is a symbolic rather than strategic move.
What’s the problem with publishers’ response to the changes?
One major publisher said to me, “So, video is dead now. We should all forget about video because of the changes.” If you’re only making video in order to get Facebook views, then you’re doing something wrong. The smartest publishers are the ones who aren’t 100 percent sure what they are going to do, the ones that will test out 10 different new things over the next few months and see what works.
Are publishers reducing their reliance on Facebook, though?
Publishers are more cautious, but history could repeat itself. Publishers feel like they have to start a Group because Facebook has told them to. If they’re not starting these things to create value for people, they’ll be in a tricky situation down the line when they have staffed it with people, and it’s not something Facebook wants to prioritize. One legacy publisher said to me they would see if Groups make sense, and if it doesn’t, they won’t do it.
What’s the issue with Groups?
Groups are not traffic-driving. They are great if your goal is to increase hyperlocal engagement with readers, but the problem is they are not transferable: Groups don’t replace a page or a video strategy; they are not a one-to-one trade-off. If you lose 10 million views a month but you gain 10,000 comments, is that a net positive or a net negative? How do you communicate that to your higher-ups? Making a one-year detailed social media projection for benchmarking when all this change is happening is difficult, when you don’t even know if these metrics will be relevant in a year’s time.
How can publishers handle that challenge?
There’s a difference between strategy and trends or innovation. A lot of publishers have got very good at following trends and have lost track of their strategy. A publisher like Great Big Story will have an easier time navigating these changes than a generic platform-agnostic, social-only news publisher without a strong brand identity. No one wakes up in the morning and really wants to see one-minute videos on Facebook, but they do want to talk about documentaries, stories with strong characters or things they have learned.
Are publishers kidding themselves when they say the changes will ultimately be beneficial?
There’s a difference between saying, “this isn’t going to affect us” and “this is going to be good for us.” There’s a number of reasons why this will be good for publishers. For instance, having internal pressure to make content for Facebook, now there is a reason to focus on something people care about. Ultimately, anything that forces publishers to make better content will be better for readers and publishers themselves. Publishers have also remembered there’s more than Facebook out there. They are exploring YouTube, Apple News and working search engine optimization.
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domain: news


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MetroPCS announced their first Android smart phone today, the Optimus M for availability later this week. Starting November 24th, the nation’s fifth largest carrier will offer the Android 2.2 handset for $229 outright. The Optimus M closely resembles other Optimus series phones with a 3.2-inch touch screen and 3.2-megapixel camera. This device should do well to help LG continue the momentum behind the Optimus line, especially when paired with the $50 unlimited calling, texting, and data plan.
A lucrative Microsoft Server Management career begins with this 53-hour bundle that offers more than 200 lectures. Save 96% on the kit and kick-start your new career!
Google has announced upcoming plans to integrate Rich Communication Services in Android Messages, with the help of a service called "Chat". This is expected to become available later this year.


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Lesa and Brad Wood, who’ve built a reputation for high-quality coffee roasting over the past four years and opened a coffeehouse, 8th & Roast, in a charmingly renovated storefront on Eighth Avenue in November, always seem to be coming up with new twists to make their ventures more interesting.
By next month, 8th & Roast will be serving both beer and a wider selection of food, prepared in a new kitchen that’s being installed in the 100-year-old building — with a popular local chef at the helm.
The Woods just secured a permit from Metro to serve beer, which will add a welcome accompaniment this Sunday, March 17, when the coffeehouse hosts a pop-up dinner with Otaku South, Sarah Gavigan’s gourmet ramen operation, from 4 to 9 p.m. (No reservations are necessary; it’s a walk-up event.)
Lesa Wood said 8th & Roast’s beer selection is a work in progress, but it will be geared toward products from smaller craft breweries, like the Lily Flagg Milk Stout from Straight to Ale brewery in Huntsville, Ala.
Meanwhile, work is under way on that new kitchen. The Woods are teaming up with respected local chef and baker Sam Tucker, most recently of Watermark, to expand the cafe’s food offerings. The menu is still being developed, but Tucker said he’ll be baking bread and pastries and preparing items for breakfast and lunch, including sandwiches and soups. On Friday and Saturday evenings, he’ll cook up family suppers at the cafe.
Just as the decor delivers a nod to Nashville history with furniture made from wood salvaged from a bygone bowling alley and a downtown lunch counter, Tucker expects his cuisine will acknowledge Southern foodways. But he’s also planning healthy country European options like roasted vegetables. Fresh local ingredients are a given. (“Farm to table is the new norm,” he said.)
Tucker’s known for his skill with gluten-free baking (his wife and son are celiac sufferers), and he said we can expect gluten-free and dairy-free options. It’s part of his philosophy of inclusion when it comes to cooking for people.
“Food is supposed to be a reality show where you’re voted in, not out,” he said, laughing.
8th & Roast is at 2108A Eighth Ave. S. The phone number is 730-8074. The new menu is expected to roll out in mid- to late-April.
• Last month I told you about The Row, a Music Row-themed restaurant and bar in the works to replace Pie in the Sky Pizza in Midtown.
The Row is now a go. It opened Saturday, March 9, after about a month of renovation. The owner is Kelly Black, who also owns Pie in the Sky. He decided to change the site to a concept celebrating the space’s long history as a Music Row hangout.
The Row has a draft wall of local and regional brews, and a “classic and Nashville-themed mixology menu” along with Southern-inspired fresh cuisine.
The Row is at 110 Lyle Ave. The phone number is 321-1224. It serves lunch and dinner daily and brunch on weekends. The patio will open soon.
• Over at the Nashville Scene, my colleague Chris Chamberlain notes that Off the Bone BBQ has taken over the former King Fish space on Monroe Street, just off Eighth, in Germantown.
Ribs, chicken wings, pork shoulder and a less-common specialty, rib tips, are all smoked on the premises. Though King Fish is gone, the Off the Bone menu also includes a whiting sandwich, along with catfish and tilapia.
Off the Bone BBQ is a 708 Monroe St. The phone number is 915-1406.
• Finally, a reminder. The window is closing on the voting for Food & Wine’s People’s Best New Chef awards. Two Nashville chefs, Roderick Bailey of The Silly Goose and Matthew Lackey of Flyte, are in the running. Go to the Food and Wine website if you want to cast a ballot, but act soon. Voting ends Monday, March 18.
POSTDATA: WARRANTY DEEDS


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In the February 2022 period, Malang City experienced inflation of 0.18 percent (mtm), 0.70 percent (ytd) and 2.41 percent (yoy) with a Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 106.59. The Bank Indonesia Malang Representative Office assessed that inflation in Malang in this February is still under control.
However, observers warn that the inflation rate in April is expected to rise due to pressure from administered prices and volatile food due to pressure from global conditions and the momentum of Ramadan – Eid al-Fitr.
Malang City’s inflation realization is higher than East Java and Nationally, by 0.05 percent (mtm) and -0.02 percent (mtm, respectively).
“In general, inflation in February 2022 was driven by rising prices for various expenditure groups,” said Head of the BI Malang Representative, Samsun Hadi.
These groups are the household equipment, equipment and routine maintenance group with a share of 0.11 percent, the personal care and other services group at 0.09 percent, the transportation group at 0.05 percent and the housing, water, electricity and fuel group. stairs by 0.03 percent
Based on commodities, he said, the five commodities that contributed to the largest inflation were cars with a share of 0.06 percent (mtm), powder/liquid detergent soap at 0.06 percent (mtm), chicken meat at 0.05 percent (mtm). ), shallots by 0.05 percent (mtm) and security costs by 0.03 percent (mtm).
The increase in car prices is in line with the continued price correction after the end of the government-borne luxury goods sales tax incentive (PPnBM-DTP), especially for cars with sales prices above Rp. 250 million.
The higher inflation, said Samsun, was restrained by the decline in the prices of several commodities, such as cooking oil by -0.15 percent (mtm), chicken eggs by -0.09 percent (mtm), cayenne pepper by -0.05 percent. (mtm), and air transportation by -0.03 percent (mtm).
Bank Indonesia Malang remains committed to maintaining price stability and strengthening policy coordination with the Regional Government as well as consistently directing inflation expectations through TPID programs to control inflation in 2022 according to the target range of 3.0 percent ± 1 percent. In addition, BI Malang and the Regional Government also continue to strive to encourage economic activities while still paying attention to health protocols and increasing people’s purchasing power in line with the acceleration of Covid-19 vaccination as part of efforts to support the National Economic Recovery (PEN) program.
Future inflationary pressures will not only come from administered prices but the potential for inflation from volatile foods will continue to haunt. Prices of meat, soybeans, and cayenne pepper which have started to creep up have the potential to skyrocket due to increased demand ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
In addition, global uncertainty due to the Russian invasion will put pressure on energy commodities (oil and gas) and CPO as raw materials for cooking oil and biodiesel blends.
It is observed that several cities in Java, such as Kediri and Solo, also experienced inflation. The main cause is the same as what happened in Malang City, namely the increase in the prices of some basic food ingredients along with the arrival of the month of Ramadan.


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They're not moving quite as briskly as Sony's new PlayStation2, but Microsoft will take it.
The Lords of Redmond said Tuesday that more than 1 million copies of Windows 2000 have been sold since the new OS went on sale last month.
Those figures include worldwide sales for all three versions: Professional for desktop computers, and Server and Advanced for the powerful corporate computers that run business networks.
"Reaching 1 million units so quickly is testimony to the high quality and reliability of Windows 2000," enthused Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer.
It's good to be the king.
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Nasdaq to NYSE: 'Drop Dead': Has it come to this?
The New York Stock Exchange – the BIG Board – going hat in hand to the Young Turks at the Nasdaq to inquire about the possibility of discussing a merger?
According to Alfred Berkeley, Nasdaq's president, that's exactly what happened. Berkeley said he was approached by NYSE officials, but told them the Nasdaq was not interested.
Berkeley made his remarks Monday, the same day the Nasdaq's parent company, the National Association of Security Dealers, was pitching a spinoff to members of the electronic market. He was asked if there was a possibility of an NYSE merger after the spinoff was completed.
"I don't think so," Berkeley said.
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Banking you can touch: ETrade Group, indisputably a pioneer of e-commerce, is conceding that an online presence is not enough. You've got to have both feet on the ground, too.
With that in mind, eTrade has cut an all-stock deal to buy Card Capture Services and its 8,500 automated teller machines.
The acquisition would give the online financial-services company one of the largest networks of ATMs in the United States. While eTrade would still be well behind Bank of America's 14,000 machines, it would be larger than either Wells Fargo (6,300) or Citibank (1,900).
More importantly, it would give eTrade a real-world presence in an industry where customers tend to be leery of the Internet.
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The futures is now: After three years of deliberation, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is green-lighting FutureCom Ltd. as the first online U.S. futures exchange.
The new exchange will start by offering cash-settled live cattle futures and options contracts, but plans to add a range of other products as it gains its sea legs.
FutureCom will compete head-to-head with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which dominates cattle futures trading in its open-outcry pits. FutureCom will have no central trading floor.
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Big ideas: Idealab, the technology incubator which has helped nurture a handful of startups into companies worth an estimated $10 billion, said that it has secured $1 billion in financing to take its strategy global.
Idealab will use the new funding to set up incubators around the world, with Europe likely to be the first target.
In making the move, Idealab joins a growing number of of venture capitalists who have left their Silicon Valley roots as e-commerce begins booming outside the narrow confines of the tech industry.
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Branching out: Inktomi, which used to be a search engine before becoming a Web portal, is adding mobile wireless to its portfolio through a series of strategic alliances, the company said Tuesday.
Inktomi said in a statement that the wireless effort would encompass its portal services and network products as it strives to become a wide-ranging Internet service company.
Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems are two of Inktomi's prominent new partners.
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Keep on truckin': Six U.S. trucking firms will band together to create a Web site to handle logistics for shippers and carriers.
Each company – Covenant Transport, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, M.S. Carriers, Swift Transportation, U.S. Xpress Enterprises, and Werner Enterprises – will toss in $5 million to get the project going.
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Briefly told: Xerox will join Sharp and Fuji Xerox in a $2 billion alliance to produce cheaper inkjet printers for small businesses and home offices.... Nortel will buy Xros, an optical switching firm, for $3.25 billion in stock.... Sun Microsystems and an outfit called Cambridge Incubator will collaborate on helping fledgling businesses get off the ground, the companies said Tuesday.
Reuters contributed to this report.


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China’s imports, exports exceed forecasts
CHINA reported stronger than anticipated exports and imports for last month despite falling commodity prices, suggesting the economy is holding up better than expected despite rising lending rates and a cooling property market.
Concerns over China landed squarely back on global investors’ radar after Moody’s Investors Service downgraded its credit rating last month, saying it expects the country’s financial strength will erode in the coming years as growth slows and debt continues to rise.
China’s imports have been strong in recent months, driven largely by iron ore and other commodities used to feed a year-long construction boom, while exports have rebounded from several years of contraction thanks to improving global demand.
While the strength of the May import data surprised economists, and suggested domestic demand remains solid, analysts still expect the world’s second-largest economy to lose momentum gradually over the course of the year due to policy tightening.
Government measures to cool heated home prices are expected to dampen property investment eventually and a crackdown on riskier types of lending is pushing up financing costs.
“The current strength of imports is unlikely to be sustained if, as we expect, slower credit growth feeds through into weaker economic activity in the coming quarters,” Capital Economics’s Julian Evans-Pritchard said.
“Export growth is also likely to edge down but should fare better than imports given the upbeat outlook for China’s main trading partners.”
Growth in both exports and imports accelerated from April, defying expectations of a slowdown.
Exports rose 8.7 percent from a year earlier, while imports expanded by 14.8 percent from the year earlier, official data showed yesterday.
That left the country with a trade surplus of $40.81 billion (R526.2bn) for the month, the General Administration of Customs said.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected May shipments from the world’s largest exporter to have risen 7.0 percent, easing from 8.0 percent growth in April.
Imports had been expected to have climbed 8.5 percent, pulling back from 11.9 percent in April.
That was expected to produce a trade surplus of $46.32bn, widening from April’s $38.05bn.
Sources at two steel mills said they expect output to remain high as profit margins and demand are still strong


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Like to play Fortnite or League of Legends? You’re in good company, because esports have become hugely popular. And esports investing and esports stocks have benefited.
Gaming and esports have grown rapidly—driven by consumer demand, new distribution strategies, and new technology, according to research firm GlobalData. Gaming has transformed into a service model rather than just a product model. As that interest has grown, so has interest in esports investing.
Like everything else, esports have been affected by the sudden, global spread of the novel coronavirus. ESPN.com reported that dozens of live esports tournaments, such as Dota Pro Circuit, have been canceled or postponed indefinitely. Some events that were supposed to be held in stadiums, such as League of Legends, have moved online to support social distancing guidelines.
The Meteoric Rise of Esports
Before the global outbreak of COVID-19, games and esports analytics firm Newzoo forecast that global esports would


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Millions of Facebook users have no idea they’re using the internet
It was in Indonesia three years ago that Helani Galpaya first noticed the anomaly.
Indonesians surveyed by Galpaya told her that they didn’t use the internet. But in focus groups, they would talk enthusiastically about how much time they spent on Facebook. Galpaya, a researcher (and now CEO) with LIRNEasia, a think tank, called Rohan Samarajiva, her boss at the time, to tell him what she had discovered. “It seemed that in their minds, the Internet did not exist; only Facebook,” he concluded.
In Africa, Christoph Stork stumbled upon something similar. Looking at results from a survey on communications use forResearch ICT Africa, Stork found what looked like an error. The number of people who had responded saying they used Facebook was much higher than those who said they used the internet. The discrepancy accounted for some 3% to 4% of mobile phone users, he says.
Since at least 2013, Facebook has been making noises about connecting the entire world to the internet. But even Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s operations head, admits that there are Facebook users who don’t know they’re on the internet. So is Facebook succeeding in its goal if the people it is connecting have no idea they are using the internet? And what does it mean if masses of first-time adopters come online not via the open web, but the closed, proprietary network where they must play by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s rules?
This is more than a matter of semantics. The expectations and behaviors of the next billion people to come online will have profound effects on how the internet evolves. If the majority of the world’s online population spends time on Facebook, then policymakers, businesses, startups, developers, nonprofits, publishers, and anyone else interested in communicating with them will also, if they are to be effective, go to Facebook. That means they, too, must then play by the rules of one company. And that has implications for us all.
Measuring Facebook penetration versus internet penetration is tricky business. Internet penetration numbers come from national regulators and from estimates by the International Telecommunication Union, a UN body. These are generally months if not years old. Facebook numbers come from Facebook’s advertising platform. These can be tricky, too. Some people have more than one account. Some accounts are rarely used. And some people access Facebook through phones with only the most basic of online features, in which case it is hard to argue that they really are using the internet in any meaningful way.
In an attempt to replicate Stork and Galpaya’s observations, Quartz commissioned surveys in Indonesia and Nigeria from Geopoll, a company that contacts respondents across the world using mobile phones. We asked people whether they had used the internet in the prior 30 days. We also asked them if they had used Facebook. Both surveys had 500 respondents each.
It would appear, on the surface, that more people use the internet than use Facebook, a perfectly sensible outcome.
But a closer look at the data (available in full here) shows that 11% of Indonesians who said they used Facebook also said they did not use the internet. In Nigeria, 9% of Facebook users said they do not use the internet. These are largely young people; the median age of respondents with this combination of answers is 25 in Indonesia and 22 in Nigeria.
It would be silly to extrapolate this to the entire population of Nigeria or Indonesia. But the survey does provide replicable evidence of the behaviors described by Stork and Galpaya. Considering the substantial percentages—about 10% of Facebook users in our surveys—the data suggest at the very least that a few million of Facebook’s 1.4 billion users suffer from the same misconceptions. (Quartz commissioned limited surveys in just two countries; we encourage researchers and other journalists to conduct more large-scale studies.)
The effects of the misconception also are visible in the survey results. We asked respondents whether they follow links out of Facebook. In both countries, more than half of those who don’t know they’re using the internet say they “never” follow links out of Facebook, compared with a quarter or less of respondents who say they use both Facebook and the internet. If people stay on one service, it follows that content, advertisers, and associated services also will flow to that service, possibly to the exclusion of other venues.
How Facebook became the internet
At Davos this year, Sandberg told the well-heeled crowd (paywall) that in the developing world, “people will walk into phone stores and say ‘I want Facebook.’ People actually confuse Facebook and the internet in some places.” Or as Iris Orriss, Facebook’s head of localization and internationalization, has put it, “Awareness of the Internet in developing countries is very limited. In fact, for many users, Facebook isthe internet, as it’s often the only accessible application.” (Emphasis inthe original.)
Facebook is “often the only accessible application,” as Orriss puts it, but that’s because Facebook—which did not respond to requests to comment on this story—has worked to ensure that it is the easiest and cheapest to access. The company backs internet.org, an initiative to “bring the Internet to the two thirds of the world’s population that doesn’t have it.” Yet internet.org’s showpiece, an app now available in nearly half a dozen countries, provides free access only to Facebook, Facebook messenger, and a handful of other services (the precise lineup varies by country).
Most of these other services are well-meaning and related to development: Women’s rights. Jobs. Maternal-health information. An Ebola FAQ. The only concessions to the wider web are Wikipedia and Google search. But clicking through on a Google search result requires a data plan—and that must be paid for by the user. (Despite the name, internet.org is not a non-profit concern, but very much a part of Facebook Inc.)
Telecom operators across the developing world also contribute to the confusion—though this is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Mobile web users spend a lot of time on Facebook and WhatsApp (also owned by Facebook). Mobile networks see this and offer these customers social-only plans.
In India, you can get a Facebook-only data plan for $2.50 a year (the cheapest full data plans cost about $10 a year.) In the Philippines, Facebook-only plans cost a fifth as much as data plans. In Ghana, telecom operator Tigo once sold a Facebook phone. It looked like a Blackberry with a big blue “F” as the central button. Even in America, Sprint offers a data plan (paywall) solely for access to Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook bosses generally dismiss suggestions that the whole internet.org project might be self-interested. Writing in Time, Lev Grossman was granted access to Mark Zuckerberg when the Facebook CEO went to India to promote internet access. When Grossman asks whether internet.org is self-serving, Zuckerberg allows only that it may, one day, several decades down the line, pay off: “If you do good things for people in the world, then that comes back and you benefit from it over time.”


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Oluwapelumi is a believer in the transformative power Bitcoin and Blockchain industry holds. He is interested in sharing knowledge and ideas. When he is not writing, he is looking to meet new people and trying out new things.
While Puma’s decision to sign in to the metaverse comes with an element of surprise, it is not the first one in the industry.
Puma has submitted trademarks marking their intention to enter into the metaverse. According to the reports, the giant retail company intends to include virtual products as part of its catalogue and targets local as well as international customers.
The official launch date however remains unknown as Puma is yet to disclose any information about the digital products to be retailed.
Under the filed trademark, the design company has committed to providing an intuitive website together with PC application software.
Per reports by Blockworks, among the services customers are bound to enjoy include virtual reality games and related entertainment modes.
Quoting Josh Gerben, “Puma’s offerings will include online but non-downloadable virtual footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys, accessories, digital animate and non-animated designs and characters, avatars, digital overlays, and skins”.
It was also added that the company was looking to bring in a managing partner to coordinate with Web3 companies. Candidates are expected to be conversant with all things DAOs, NFTs, and the metaverse at large.
Josh, who is a trademark attorney working with the Gerben Intellectual Property, also sighted in the trademark that the catalogue features would be used explicitly within the digital space.
Reports suggest that the company could benefit from its athletic library featuring the likes of LaMelo Ball, Mikey Williams, and Deandre Ayton, among others who would be instrumental in drawing Puma’s youthful market to the Metaverse.
Puma Follows A New Metaverse Trend in the Clothing and Design Industry
While Puma’s decision to sign in to the metaverse comes with an element of surprise, it is not the first one in the industry. The design company comes third after rivals like Nike and Adidas embraced similar trademarks in 2021.
Adidas Design Company first entered the metaverse with their NFT launch and has since obtained a portion of the digital space within The Sandbox. The Sandbox is an ETH-based decentralized non-fungible token gaming metaverse. The design company has aspirations to celebrate original and new-age concepts.
Adidas Originals’ marketing and communications vice president explained that the company is taking the front-row seats in the Metaverse’s creative arena. According to Erika Wykes-Sneyd, this is an unavoidable direction for Adidas Originals as the company has always envisioned an adventurous world with endless possibilities.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office also records the swoosh filing similar trademarks for the logos of different brands, including but not limited to “Nike”, “Jumpman”, and “Air Jordan”.
Beyond that, the footwear manufacturing company, Nike, has also held job postings under the Virtual Material Designer I, Virtual Material Designer II, and Footwear titles.


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A surprise stinger in the E3 Direct showed us the next step for Zelda. ...
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New Report: 2020 Wellness and Functional Beverages in the U.S.: Market Essentials
BMC is pleased to announce the publication of its Market Essentials Report Wellness and Functional Beverages in the U.S.: Market Essentials.
This report from Beverage Marketing Corporation presents BMC's research on wellness beverages and functional beverages industries to provide insights into the increasingly intertwined world of healthful beverages that offer a specific functional benefit to consumers. In this study, we examine trends and issues in this multi-faceted market, covering beverages aiming to aid health, quench thirst and provide specific benefits. The report also distinguishes between the traditional and new-era wellness beverages industry, looking at the various segments and types. Market drivers and need states are discussed and data and forecasts are provided. The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry are also discussed.
For more information, or to purchase this report, please click here.


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The custom folder printing company is relocating from Keego Harbor to grow and get in on the Oakland County city's revival.
Women entrepreneurs pitched their ideas for feedback and funding Wednesday night at NextEnergy in Midtown in an event hosted by the Michigan Women's Foundation.
Under the new agreement, the Detroit-based finance company will make the funding available to the online used car dealer for financing and bulk purchases of contracts. The move expands Ally's online initiatives.
Crain's Senior Reporter Chad Livengood talks about businesses, economic development and public policy issues that affect commerce and the city's workforce. This week he talks with Mike Rafferty of the DEGC and Narrow Way Café co-owner Jonathan Merritt.
The partners plan to invest $400,000 to open a shop in the NW Goldberg area, with a percentage of sales to be donated to the community.
After a $7.5 million renovation, the innovation center in the city's downtown opened officially Monday with the goal of serving as a bridge between ideas and business success in the community.
The Ann Arbor company, which started as a UM class project to produce nonelectric warming blankets, has survived mainly off grants but recently scored its first big deal.
Kickoff event Nov. 15 will celebrate the initiative that also aims to expand TechTown Detroit and boost the school's technology commercialization efforts.
Thirty women around the state — including 10 in Detroit — will compete for more than $100,000 in cash to boost their startups.
The program is part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative and a way to share unique stories and products.
One Stop Property Maintenance earns the largest grant of $75,000 in the program's ninth round, with 13 businesses sharing $500,000 in cash awards.
Jesse R. Brown has grown his business over 30 years by staying focused, knowing his clientele's needs and expanding into training.
Crain's Detroit Business Editor and Publisher Ron Fournier talks with Paul W. Smith on WJR AM 760 about stories from the Oct. 30 issue. Listen to the interview, then read the stories.
Get a roundup of important news that happens each day.


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Thankfully, many great campaigns are underway to get clean water to those who desperately need it.
But what about getting water to those who need it in a chic, well-designed container? Isn’t design-lifestyle snobbery one of the factors that’s spurred the rise of premium bottled waters?
Perhaps a good strategy is to “fight fire with fire.” The 2008 London On Tap competition teamed London’s mayor with Thames Water to draw designers into the tap water vs. bottled water struggle via a contest to create the ultimate water carafe. The winning design, “Tap Top,” (created by Islington industrial designer Neil Barron) went on sale last week for £10. (£1 of each sale will be donated to the charity WaterAid.) The goal is to get every London restaurant to serve tap water in this beautiful, chic carafe.
To kick the campaign off, at least 1,000 restaurants are receiving a carafe; the campaign hopes to ride the coat-tails of a previously successful campaign that convinced thousands of restaurants and bars to actively offer free tap water. (Did you notice that the Tap Top’s top mimics the shape of a old-school tap handle?)
Tap Top edged out some truly worthy entires, including these two shortlisted designs:
“Tap” by Adam White of London’s Factory Design Ltd.


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Just after LG launched the G Pro 2 at Rs. 51500, Samsung has announced a buyback scheme for the flagship Galaxy S5 in India to help compete better in the local market.
Samsung has announced a buyback offer for the Galaxy S5, which is currently priced at Rs. 51500 in India. The offer provides a rebate of Rs. 7500 on exchange of an old smartphone. After applying the offer, the handset is available at Rs. 44000. The scheme is valid till May 31, 2014. Also Samsung would give vouchers worth Rs. 5000 on purchase.
The vouchers can be redeemed on the eStore for purchasing accessories and other purchases. There is also an existing EMI scheme which can be used to purchase the Galaxy S5 by paying just Rs. 2444 per month for 18 months. However the offer is available only to HDFC credit card holders.


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Amazon considers adding Prime wireless service: Report
Amazon in Talks with Wireless Carriers to Launch Mobile Service for Prime Members
Amazon is reportedly in discussions with several wireless carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile, and Dish about the possibility of launching a mobile service for their Prime members. The move is seen as a way to attract more subscribers to their loyalty program as membership growth slows and competition with Walmart+ heats up.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the discussions have been going on for six to eight weeks and could result in Amazon reselling wireless service at a low cost or potentially for free to Prime members. Spokespeople for Verizon, T-Mobile, Dish, and AT&T have not commented on the reports.
This is not Amazon’s first foray into the mobile category, having launched their ill-fated Fire Phone in 2014 before discontinuing it a year later. More recently, they have focused on high-speed internet through their Kuiper program, which aims to build a network of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit.
“We are always exploring adding even more benefits for Prime members, but don’t have plans to add wireless at this time,” said Amazon spokesperson Bradley Mattinger.
What is Amazon’s Prime subscription service?
Amazon Prime is a subscription service offered by Amazon that allows members to access free two-day shipping on eligible items, unlimited streaming of movies, TV shows, and music, and other benefits such as discounts and special offers.
What is Amazon’s Kuiper program?
Amazon’s Kuiper program is a high-speed internet initiative that aims to build a network of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access globally.
What is a mobile virtual network operator?
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a company that offers mobile phone services but does not own its own wireless network infrastructure. MVNOs purchase data and airtime from large carriers and resell it to consumers under their own brand.
Who are Amazon’s competitors in the loyalty program space?
Amazon’s main competitor in the loyalty program space is Walmart+, a subscription service offered by Walmart that provides perks such as free delivery, fuel discounts, and access to their Scan & Go technology.
Report: Amazon Explores the Possibility of including Prime Wireless Service
Amazon is reportedly in talks with multiple wireless carriers to launch a mobile service exclusively for Prime members. According to a report from Bloomberg, negotiations have been ongoing for six to eight weeks with Verizon, T-Mobile, and Dish, though AT&T has also been involved in discussions. Amazon’s plan could include reselling the carriers’ mobile service to its Prime members either at a low cost or even for free. Telecom stocks such as Verizon and T-Mobile saw significant losses on Friday following the news, while Dish’s shares surged over 18%.
An Amazon spokesperson, Bradley Mattinger, stated that they are always exploring adding benefits for Prime members but do not have plans to add wireless at this time. Amazon had previously delved into the mobile category with the launch of its unsuccessful Fire Phone in 2014, followed by a shift in focus towards high-speed internet through the Kuiper program.
With rising competition from Walmart’s Walmart+ loyalty program and slowing membership growth, Amazon is actively seeking ways to attract more Prime subscribers. The company currently has over 200 million subscribers worldwide, as of April 2021. By partnering with a large carrier like Verizon or Dish, Amazon would serve as a mobile virtual network operator, buying data from carriers to resell to consumers.
As of now, representatives from Verizon, T-Mobile, Dish, and AT&T have not yet commented on the report.


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Publix Pharmacy ranks No. 1 in customer satisfaction
Boulder, Col. — Publix Pharmacy is North America’s favorite based on customer satisfaction, according to a new study of 3,600 consumers conducted by customer intelligence solutions provider Market Force Information. Target was a close second and Kroger ranked third. All three received high marks in operational attributes such as service, cleanliness, atmosphere and checkout times.
Walgreens and CVS/pharmacy ranked the highest when those consumers were asked to name their pharmacy chain, with 18% identifying Walgreens and 17% CVS.
Market Force’s study was designed to uncover which pharmacies consumers prefer for their health and wellness needs, as well as why they favor one pharmacy to another. When asked to rate their satisfaction with their most recent pharmacy experience and their likelihood to refer that pharmacy, consumers scored Publix above all others. Target, Kroger, Costco and Rite Aid also ranked high on the customer delight index, which reveals the intersection between overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending a pharmacy to friends and/or family.
“With national chains, grocery stores, wholesale clubs and mail-order options, there’s enormous competition for new customers," stated Janet Eden-Harris, Market Force chief marketing officer. "Faced with a plethora of choices, consumers seldom give a pharmacy another chance, so being adequate is no longer good enough.”
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OfficeMax opens digital collaboration center
Naperville, Ill. — OfficeMax has opened a digital innovation collaboration center (called Digital IC2) in its headquarters in Naperville, Ill.
“I am extremely pleased to introduce our new Digital Innovation Collaboration Center, yet another key milestone demonstrating the overall progress of our Digital initiatives," said Ravi Saligram, president and CEO of OfficeMax. “The new center is aimed at fostering the creativity, collaboration and real-time innovation needed to expedite the delivery of digital solutions that expand upon our multichannel capabilities to better serve the rapidly changing ways that customers shop.”
The Digital IC2 was designed with direct input from digital associates to create a space that facilitates team communication and creativity based on the digital teams’ work styles to help bring innovation to market.
“OfficeMax is committed to expanding upon the award-winning digital experience that our customers have come to expect,” said Jim Barr, OfficeMax executive vice president and chief digital officer. “The OfficeMax Digital Innovation Collaboration Center is a highly interactive working environment that enables real-time innovation and ideation to help strengthen our position within the e-commerce and omni-channel landscape.”
TGI Fridays unveils redesign
Braintree, Mass. — TGI Fridays in Braintree, Mass., has reopened, revealing a new contemporary design being implemented at Fridays restaurants throughout the country.
The space has a fun, energetic vibe with a dramatically redesigned bar as its focal, complemented with an open kitchen.
The redesign is tailored to the Braintree community and location, and is part of a larger re-imaging campaign that Fridays will roll out over the next three years. Boston is among the first locations to undergo the process, along with Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Miami, with all locations expected to be redesigned by the end of 2015.
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December 8th, 2017
When it comes to being on the water, the BVI will definitely be open for business this season. A majority of the yacht charter companies in the BVI have already announced that they will be back in business for the winter 2017/2018 season. Charters are booking now and some companies have even had boats going out in November. To help with their recovery, most charter companies have new boats on the way. Most notable is The Moorings with 70 new boats that are due to arrive by year end. To help plan your next sailing vacation, BVI Traveller has compiled a list of over 40 charter companies, marinas and watersports companies who are or plan to be operational this season. With less boats in the water, sailing the BVI’s this season will be a unique experience. You just might find a private cove with blue skies, turquoise water and a white sand beach… all to yourself!


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These international covers commanded our attention in 2019.
IMAGE: The fashion influencer and Internet celebrity broke the Internet as she bared all on the cover of Maxim Mexico's November 2019 edition.
In an interview with the mag, Olivia revealed that she 'was a little nervous to post the second photo because it's a bit nude and I get insecure when people comment on me showing too much skin'.
Photograph: Courtesy Maxim Mexico/Instagram
IMAGE: All eyes were on Deepika Padukone as she graced the fall 2019 digital cover of Harper's Bazaar USA.
'Meet the woman who became one of the world's biggest stars while you were sleeping,' wrote the mag as they unveiled the cover.
Photograph: Courtesy Harper's Bazaar USA/Instagram
IMAGE: Angelina Jolie's bold Harper's Bazaar cover, where she posed in just a veil, made headlines this year.
Setting the temperature soaring on the November issue, the actor opened up about her parenting style, being unpopular in school, and dealing with her emotional scars in an interview with the mag. Photograph: Courtesy Harper's Bazaar/Instagram
IMAGE: Jennifer Lopez graced the cover of GQ's 2019 Men of the Year issue and the Internet couldn't get over it.
While fans were excited to see JLo pose on the black-and-white cover, they were also curious about why the singer featured on the issue.
Dressed in leather, JLo stunned on the cover as she rocked a soft perms and a make up free face.
Photograph: Courtesy GQ/Instagram
IMAGE: Plus size model Ashley Graham rocked her baby bump as she made her debut on the cover of Vogue USA.
Her baby is due on January 11, 2020 and Ashley flaunted her growing bump in an all-gold gown.
Photograph: Courtesy Vogue USA/Instagram
IMAGE: Rihanna served us some serious fashion inspiration as the cover girl of Vogue Australia.
The singer flaunted her larger-than-life sartorial choices on the cover, cementing her place as the style queen.
Photograph: Courtesy Vogue Australia/Instagram


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Amazon (AMZN 0.01%) is holding a media event next Wednesday to provide an update on the company's video business. Many reports have indicated that it will be launching a free, ad-supported TV service separate from Amazon Prime. Is this the right move for the company, or does it take away from the Prime service already offered?
In this segment of Friday's Investor Beat, host Chris Hill and Motley Fool analyst Ron Gross take a look at the potential move by Amazon, and what it could do for the company's business. Ron sees room for both the subscription service and the free ad-supported television service, and notes the enormous amount of advertising dollars out there, that could be a big win if executed well.


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While many governing bodies features discussed using an application to trace the latest give away from COVID-19, just a handful of places posses composed you to. From inside the Qatar, this new application utilized by the us government to track COVID-19, EHTERAZ, is necessary. Sadly, on account of useless security measures, the application suffered a document violation adding the brand new delicate personal information more than one million owners .
Guidance such names, delivery dates, national ID wide variety, place, and wellness position had been all the obtainable. It is not familiar how much time these details are started for, but luckily for us the newest Qatari government was small to act.
dos.step 3 Mil – Indonesia,
The non-public data more than a few mil voters inside Indonesia is actually located obtainable to the black internet, in addition to a risk to discharge a deeper two hundred billion information. It is unclear exactly where the information and knowledge originated in, and just how it got taken, but some of records date back as much as 2013 . Information including household address, brands, and you can national ID amounts have been broken. The investigation continues to be constant.
9 Million – EasyJet –
European budget airline EasyJet suffered a primary infraction you to definitely began in the however, didn’t alert people until ongst the information which was breached, as well as over dos,100000 customers got the borrowing from the bank and you may debit cards info accessed.
EasyJet have rejected to say the assault took place, and whom enough time it. Due to the GDPR, EasyJet you’ll face a major fine when they discover in order to has inadequate security measures set up.
9 Million – C
Russian https://www.datingmentor.org/okcupid-vs-tinder beginning organization, CDEC Share, suffered a major breach in the event it are learned that brand new details off 9 billion users was indeed offered towards ebony internet. CDEC Share has refused which they was in fact those who have been broken , stating that personal information try amassed many companies and that they weren’t the main cause. Suggestions like the birth of goods, client advice, and you may taxation ID quantity was most of the broken.
step three.seven Million – MobiFriends,
The newest broken investigation comes with times out of birth, intercourse, site pastime, mobile quantity, usernames, emails and you will MD5 hashed passwords. The latest infraction is thought to own to begin with took place inside , but the suggestions has recently been available for sale (and now free-of-charge) towards black web.
21,909,707 – Unacademy,
One of India’s largest on line studying platforms, Unacademy, endured a giant breach once an excellent hacker attained use of a database and you can began selling username and passwords of greater than 20 mil pages . Brands, emails, passwords, and you may account hobby were one of many research which had been taken. Hackers provides said having taken far more research than associate suggestions, exactly what which may be (while it is a fact) continue to be to be noticed.
91 Mil – Tokopedia,
Indonesia’s biggest age-business program, Tokopedia, first started analysis shortly after safety scientists found a treasure-trove out of consumer data available toward ebony online . But not, the original infraction turned into much bad than simply envisioned. The initial quantity of 15 billion suggestions ballooned as much as 91 mil after the data premiered.
If you find yourself Tokopedia has stated once or twice you to passwords were not included regarding the data that was released , lots of other personal data try. Names, characters and you can birthdays was basically the you can purchase, so there was indeed at least one or two people of advice.
Not familiar – ExecuPharm,
Major United states pharmaceutical enterprise ExecuPharm sustained a primary research infraction in the February but did not alert individuals up until thirty day period later on. Malicious actors achieved usage of ExecuPharm’s machine and you will kept them to have ransom money. Additionally, the fresh hackers also transmitted phishing characters so you can ExecuPharm’s professionals.


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Tesla Motors is following up its well-reviewed, ridiculously expensive Model S by releasing the Model X, an all-electric SUV that is … even more expensive, with vehicles starting at a mind-blowing $132,000. This isn't an
Musk is, of course, aware that his vehicles are far too expensive to be mass-market successes. He has signaled that cheaper versions of the Model X will be "coming later," and promises that by 2017 there will be a car — the Model 3 — in the $35,000 range. But Tesla has missed deadlines before, so there is some reason to doubt that it will be able to deliver on that target.
But even more, the whole idea of starting with an incredibly expensive, incredibly high-end product flies in the face of a lot of emerging conventional wisdom about the process of technological disruption and the desirability of shipping "minimum viable products" that improve iteratively over time.
Yet there's a method to the madness. In some ways, the actual car is the least of the obstacles to creating a mass-market electric car. Under the circumstances, the focus on high-end products as a support system for the
Electric cars' chicken-and-egg problem
If electric cars were widely owned and nobody had a gasoline-fueled car, nobody would buy one. Getting regulatory approval to cruise past people's houses with such a noisy and toxic device would be a nightmare, of course, but it would also be really inconvenient. Where would you refuel?
In the real world, of course, the shoe is on the other foot: People with conventional cars can easily find a gas station, while electric car charging stations are few and far between.
Regardless of the price of gas, the volume of subsidy, or one's personal commitment to the
The Model S (and Model X)
Disruption from above
Like any good disruptive business strategy, Tesla's has the virtue of being essentially impossible for incumbent automakers to compete with. Companies that are already making money selling internal combustion engines aren't going to invest in a broad infrastructure that would make gasoline obsolete. Nor are they going to attempt to engineer a manufacturing breakthrough that would have the same impact.
The incumbents aren't dumb. They can (and do) make electric cars. But they make EVs that are designed to live in a world dominated by conventional cars — semi-affordable small cars useful for daily local driving by people with an eccentric interest in green living.
By contrast, Tesla, by simply accepting the reality that its early cars will be too expensive for the vast majority of people to even consider, has achieved something really impressive: near-universal acclaim for the quality of its products, including a determination from Consumer Reports that the P85 D variant of the Model S is so good that it broke the quality scale.* This is a kind of free marketing campaign for the eventual Model 3 that money can't buy.
Tesla's Achilles heel is speed
The strategy of starting from the top and then working down, though alien to the software-heavy business models that dominate the startup sector these days, makes perfect sense for the infrastructure-intense car industry. The real risk for Tesla is that its roadmap may be unfolding too slowly. The Model X was originally supposed to have shipped in 2013, and even with delivery of preordered vehicles beginning this week it doesn't think new orders will be fulfilled until the back half of 2016. In other words, Tesla is evidently facing significant production bottlenecks that make it difficult for the company to make cars in large quantities.
That's another good reason for the company to charge high prices, but it adds up to significant reason to doubt that it will really have a mass-market Model 3 ready in 2017. Tesla would need to develop the car, obviously, which is difficult. But it would also need to develop a process by which the cars can actually roll off assembly lines at mass scale. There's no point in selling a car that normal people would consider buying if you can't actually get them built.
This isn't a huge problem if you view the competitive set as legacy carmakers. A year or three, more or less, doesn't really change anything.
The problem is that other new entrants could attempt a similar strategy, and despite Tesla's years-long lead, the company's slow pace of execution means they're not un-catchable. Companies like Google and Apple that are known to be interested in the car market have much more free cash flow available from their existing businesses than Tesla can obtain by selling high-end cars. If they can manage to build a good car (admittedly a big if), then these companies have the ability to leapfrog Tesla in terms of capital investments in manufacturing and vehicle charging facilities with ease. To stave off that kind of competition, Tesla needs to rely on its actual expertise in building cars. And so far even though the cars it's built have been extremely well-regarded, it hasn't actually demonstrated the ability to make them at the kind of scale that a successful car company needs.
Correction: An earlier version of this article said it was the Model X, rather than the P85D, that broke Consumer Reports' quality ratings scale.


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Improving revenue and retention for wellness businesses.
GLP-1s are just the beginning.
Global obesity rates just topped 1B, and half of Americans could be obese by 2030.
Triggering a frenzy, “miracle” semaglutide weight loss drug sales surged 89% last year, and prescriptions have more than quadrupled since 2020.
Going direct to consumer, telehealth companies are slinging GLP-1s, and drugmaker Eli Lilly tapped Amazon for home delivery.
Creating societal shockwaves, pharma’s breakthrough is no panacea.
Classifying and treating obesity has culture divided.
Reminding people it’s a disease, Oprah is promoting use, WeightWatchers is fighting for mass coverage, and digital health companies are spreading ads to squash shame.
Arguing against shortcuts, others say weight gain is preventable, drugs aren’t economical, and lifestyle medicine is key to lasting change.
As the debate rages on, ripple effects will cross industries.
Fitness. With 42% of GLP-1 users upping activity levels, the industry stands to benefit. An on-ramp to exercise, gyms could welcome entirely new clientele.
Gearing up, Stifel analysts predict consumers on GLP-1s will 2x athletic apparel spending; spikes in equipment sales, sports, and recreation could follow.
Nutrition. As Ozempic cuts cravings, Big Food is reevaluating empty-calorie snacks.
Change in motion, Conagra is pushing portion-controlled frozen meals, General Mills is reformulating recipes with added protein, and Abbott launched GLP-1 complement shakes.
Healthcare. Prescribing all obese Americans could cost the US $1T annually. Dodging the expense, North Carolina defunded GLP-1s, while other states set restrictions.
As studies prove the drugs treat comorbidities, Medicare is starting to pay. A budgetary threat, treating just 10% of obese seniors could cost $26.8B.
Mental health. Free from intrusive food thoughts, 86% say GLP-1s changed them for the better.
Rewiring natural impulses, scientists say Ozempic works by affecting the brain’s dopamine pathways — implying they could treat addiction, depression, ADHD, and more.
A Pandora’s box, long-term “anti-desire” drugs could have unintended consequences.
Touting meds to the masses, influencers and marketers fail to mention they cause side effects, don’t work for many, and two-thirds quit use within a year — often regaining lost muscle as fat.
Pursuing adherence, drugmakers are developing pills, once-a-year “vaccines,” and muscle-preserving combo shots. A conflict of interest and red flag, if our world remains engineered for obesity, pharma profits in perpetuity.
Liable. Proof of a pervasive problem, childhood obesity has quadrupled since 1990.
Prescribing kids while ignoring factors like declining youth sports, lack of free play, nutritionally void school lunches, and social media’s effects on brain chemistry is a recipe for dependence, developmental problems, and continued systemic failure.
Punchline: A medical breakthrough with massive implications, GLP-1s aren’t a magic pill. Making sure consumers know that—and inviting them into fitness and wellness without stigma—will be the defining role of our industries.
🎙 On the Podcast
FitLab co-founder & co-CEO Brian Kirkbride discusses the company’s growing platform.
Scaling up, FitLab is integrating studios, equipment, and experiences. Its expanding portfolio includes Assault Fitness, XPT, Ragnar, McGregor FAST, and more.
We also cover: developing Nike’s boutique studios, acquiring vs. building companies, and uniting memberships across brands.
Listen to today’s episode here.
🚪 Longevity startup Modern Age shutters
Announcing the closure via email, founder and CEO Melissa Eamer told members the business could not secure the capital necessary to continue.
Forever young. Founded in 2021, Modern Age debuted its NYC-based “aging wellness destination” and telehealth platform the following year.
Seeking to maximize healthspan via preventative diagnostics, bone scans, blood draws, IV therapies, prescriptions, and more, the company attracted $33M in funding.
Pushing growth, it opened a second brick-and-mortar clinic in the Upper East Side last year, but the outlook wasn’t sufficient to sustain operations or attract additional capital.
Timekeepers. Zeroing in on subjective age—the concept that how you feel matters more than years alive—Modern Age was one of many upstarts rethinking chronological aging.
- Elysium Health, TruDiagnostic, GlycanAge, and others are leveraging at-home tests to optimize biological age (how old your cells are).
- Digital and in-person concepts—from Lifeforce and Tally Health to MIORA and Serotonin Centers—package lifespan-enhancing wellness services.
Punchline: The allure of more healthy years has piqued the interest of customers and VCs, but investors are cinching the purse strings amid economic uncertainty. Being default alive, as YC founder Paul Graham explains, is the only way for startups to avoid death.
Presented by Youll
📈 Improving Retention to Grow Revenue
Fitness studio, bathhouse, recovery center, supplement maker, health tech… you name it, Youll helps wellness brands launch a subscription-based app.
Developed by Headspace’s product and engineering squad, Youll’s no-code solution unlocks recurring revenue while boosting retention.
Purpose-built for wellness businesses, Youll is the easiest way to create an educational, content-driven digital experience.
Start now to increase earning potential by fostering deeper engagement and customer loyalty with users everywhere.
See transformative growth in just 30 days — book a demo here.
📉 US happiness levels hit new lows
For the first time, America is not among the top 20 happiest countries, primarily due to discontent among under-30s.
Checked out. Confronting tech addiction, isolation, and social issues, loneliness has become a public health crisis, increasing risk of premature death by >60%.
As layoffs feed literal and metaphorical resignation, cynical Gen Zers and millennials are disengaging. Choosing paychecks over purpose, they’re failing to find fulfillment at work.
Come together. Progressing on the wellness hierarchy of needs, many are willing to pay for social connections outside the office, giving rise to the anti-loneliness business.
- Making connection a habit, the Thoughtful app reminds users to reach out to loved ones.
- Uniting strangers, UK-based Timeleft organizes weekly dinners around the world.
- Giving remote workers a home, Groundfloor is a social club/coworking space.
Meanwhile, Matter Neuroscience raised $26M to “solve happiness” on a molecular level — infusing brain research into an app with personalized mood-boosting plans.
Takeaway: A new kind of preventative medicine, startups are using social connection to avert downstream health struggles. But, from gyms to activewear labels, all brands can benefit from building community.
📰 News & Notes
- Changing careers? Land your dream health and fitness job.
- Hydration platform Nix, Mayo Clinic collaborate on research.
- Aviron launches gamified rowing app, partners with Concept2.
- Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo readies wellness app ERAKULIS.
- L Catterton ramps up early-stage beauty and wellness investments.
- Startup Q&A: The business of ice baths with Plunge CEO Ryan Duey.
- FIIT unveils hybrid B2B platform targeting fitness, hospitality, and corporate.
- WB Discovery taps WHOOP for real-time biometrics on bike race broadcasts.
- Masimo eyes wellness wearables, will split medtech and consumer divisions.
- EGYM debuts AI-powered “Genius” training plans, Hip Thrust strength machine.
- Hiring? Tap into the Fitt Insider community by enlisting our recruiters for your search.
💰 Money Moves
- India-based smart ring maker Ultrahuman announced a $35M Series B with backing from Blume Ventures, Steadview Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and more.
- Sustainable plant-based protein bar brand ALOHA raised $68.5M in a new funding round.
- Chiyo, a food-as-medicine startup integrating TCM for maternal health, raised $3M in a seed round led by Bread & Butter Ventures.
- Eight Sleep received an undisclosed investment from tennis player and new brand ambassador Taylor Fritz.
- Wellness real estate developer Delos Living added $3.2M in funding.
- Mental healthcare provider Lightfully Behavioral Health secured a $50M investment from Regal Healthcare Capital Partners.
- Sausalito-based NA beer brand Best Day Brewing secured $10M from undisclosed investors.
- Coconut water company Once Upon A Coconut secured an undisclosed investment from Shark Tank’s Daymond John.
- A consortium including Group KPS, Bastion Capital, and one of the company’s founders acquired supplement brand Goli Nutrition.
- The Flex Company, makers of sustainable period care products, landed undisclosed funding from baseball star Justin Verlander and model Kate Upton.
- GNGR Labs, maker of functional ginger-based beverages, closed an undisclosed seed round.
- Elevance Health subsidiary CarelonRx acquired Kroger’s specialty pharmacy business for patients with chronic illness.
Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Anthony Vennare, Joe Vennare, Ryan Deer, and Jasmina Breen.


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The company recently acquired Burton Building Products of Little Rock, Ark., and will continue to operate the following centers: Hot Springs, Ark.; Austin, Texas; Jonesboro, Ark.; Ft. Worth, Texas; Harahan, La.; Houston; Tupelo, Miss.; San Antonio, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; Dallas; Jackson, Tenn.
The former Burton locations, which sold only siding and windows, will be expanded to include ABC Supply’s complete lines of exterior building products, as well as related tools and equipment for contractors. “The addition of Burton’s siding and window expertise will enhance the product mix we currently offer customers in the Southwest and Southeast regions,” said David Luck, president and COO of ABC Supply.
ABC Supply’s new locations in the following Midwest cities opened for business in early March: Aurora, Ill.; Rockford, Ill.; LaSalle, Ill.; Canton, Ohio; and Niles, Ill. “These are strategic locations for ABC. In many cases, we were already shipping into the area,” said Luck.
In addition, ABC Supply Co. Inc. recently purchased Jim Houk Seamless Guttering & Supply Inc. of Joplin, Mo., a company that supplies rainwear to seamless gutter contractors. The acquisition adds six new locations to the company’s growing network of supply centers across the country, as well as a manufacturing facility in Joplin. The new ABC Supply centers are located in: Joplin, Mo.; Springfield, Mo.; Kansas City, Kan.; Wichita, Kan.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Tulsa, Okla.
Houk has had a long-standing relationship with contractors, providing gutter coil and accessories in the area for several years. The acquisition will expand the line of exterior building products offered at all of the ABC centers, new and old, throughout the region.
This will be the second ABC Supply region to manufacture roofing-related accessories. The company plans to continue to expand this model to other ABC center locations on a regional basis in the future, according to Bob Bartels, senior vice president of operations for ABC Supply. “It will provide us with more control over the production of roofing-related accessories which the company currently purchases from hundreds of small suppliers in a very fragmented market,” said Bartels. “This will help us ensure we are offering a consistent, quality accessory product to customers regardless of the location they visit.”


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Tags: World of Concrete (WOC) 2011
The innovative engine technology on the new STIHL MS 261 and MS 261 C-Q chain saws are said to reduce emissions up to 50 percent and provide up to a 20-percent increase in fuel efficiency as compared to previous models, ...
Honda has launched its new mid GX engines line at the 2011 World of Concrete trade show being held in Las Vegas Jan. 17-21, 2011. Completely redesigned for 2011, the new GX120, the GX160 and the GX200 are single-cylinder, horizontal-shaft ...
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Since recreational weed became legal in California, the state has made changes to its laws in an attempt to ensure that cannabis and cannabis products are safe. In particular, the state has tried to eliminate the use of harmful pesticides and other chemicals often used in the growing process.
But according to a new independent analysis, many of these same chemicals continue showing up throughout the Los Angeles market. Interestingly, the new analysis also found that the shops selling contaminated weed were operating without the necessary licenses.
New Analysis Finds Pesticides in L.A. Weed
Local news company NBC4 I-Team recently published some of the results of its new independent analysis of marijuana in L.A.
As explained by local sources, the investigation aimed at seeing whether or not cannabis purchased at dispensaries in the city contained pesticides and other chemicals. Specifically, investigators were looking for instances in which chemicals that are banned by California law were present.
To carry out their test, investigators purchased THC cartridges as well as buds from 24 different marijuana shops and delivery companies. All of the products were then sent to Brightside Scientific for thorough chemical analysis.
According to lab results, seven of the 24 products tested by the NBC4 I-Team were contaminated with illegal pesticides. That equates to roughly 30 percent of all the weed the investigators purchased.
The team also found that many cartridges had illegal pesticides. In particular, there were cartridges that tested positive for myclobutanil.
This chemical is often used as a fungicide. Typically, it’s used to grow fruits and vegetables. And it’s generally considered safe for human consumption.
But that’s only in the context of growing produce. When it comes to weed it’s very different. That’s because myclobutanil turns into the dangerous compound hydrogen cyanide when it’s heated up.
Banned Chemicals Showed Up in Unlicensed Shops
The investigation wasn’t only checking for the presence of pesticides. It was also trying to determine if there were any trends in the retail locations selling a contaminated product. And it turns out there were some very clear trends.
According to the report, “all contaminated pot samples . . . came from stores and delivery serves that turned out to be operating illegally at the time of sale.”
Basically, the shops selling the contaminated weed did not have all the necessary licenses and approvals to be in operation. In some cases, shops might have been missing a state license. And in others, they might not have had the necessary city licenses.
But one way or another, the shops selling the tainted weed were not fully licensed for operation. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, there are somewhere around 175 fully licensed marijuana shops in L.A. Additionally, cops estimate another 350 or so that are unlicensed.
Since recreational retail began at the beginning of 2018, law enforcement in L.A. and other parts of California have tried cracking down on unlicensed weed shops. But many continue to operate today.
Although this most recent analysis turned up a significant percentage of contaminated weed, it appears that California is seeing some distinct improvement.
The NBC4 I-Team conducted a similar test back in 2017. At that time, lab results showed that 93 percent of all samples had pesticides.
Since then, California has instituted much stricter laws about which chemicals cannot be used during the growing process. And this year’s NBC4 I-Team investigation showed that the frequency of contaminated weed has dropped down to around the 30 percent mark.


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In a major leap for smartphone camera technology, Vivo has unveiled the X100 Pro Plus, equipped with a revolutionary 200MP periscope telephoto lens. This unprecedented sensor pushes the boundaries of mobile photography, offering photographers and enthusiasts unparalleled zoom capabilities and image quality.
- Vivo X100 Pro Plus boasts a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto lens.
- Delivers up to 10x optical zoom and a staggering 200x digital zoom.
- Large 1/1.5-inch sensor captures stunning detail even at extreme zoom levels.
- Expected launch in April 2024, alongside a 2K display and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
Zooming into the Unseen:
The 200MP periscope lens on the X100 Pro Plus boasts a massive 1/1.5-inch sensor, significantly larger than the sensors found in most smartphone cameras. This translates to superior light gathering abilities, resulting in sharper, more detailed images even at high zoom levels. The lens itself offers a powerful 10x optical zoom, bringing distant subjects closer without sacrificing image quality. But the true marvel lies in the 200x digital zoom, taking you closer than ever before to your subject without compromising clarity.
Beyond the Numbers:
While the impressive megapixel count and zoom range grab headlines, the X100 Pro Plus doesn’t rely solely on brute force. Vivo has incorporated advanced software algorithms and image processing techniques to ensure optimal performance. These include multi-frame noise reduction, pixel binning technology, and advanced stabilization systems, collectively working to minimize noise and maintain image sharpness even at the highest zoom levels.
A Complete Flagship Package:
The X100 Pro Plus isn’t just about the camera. It’s expected to be a fully loaded flagship smartphone, featuring a stunning 2K display, the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and an under-display fingerprint sensor for added security. While the official launch date is yet to be confirmed, rumors suggest an April 2024 arrival, potentially setting a new standard for smartphone photography upon its release.
Vivo’s ambitious X100 Pro Plus marks a significant step forward in mobile camera technology. The combination of a 200MP periscope lens, 10x optical zoom, and 200x digital zoom opens up exciting possibilities for capturing the world around us in stunning detail, regardless of distance. With its powerful hardware and intelligent software, the X100 Pro Plus has the potential to redefine mobile photography and become the go-to device for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike.


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Anchor Packaging weighs in with $40 million addition
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- Rick Desloge
Hermann Cos.' Anchor Packaging unit launched a $40 million expansion at one of its plastic production plants in Arkansas.
The addition is the biggest at the company in the last five years, said Robert Hermann Jr., chairman and chief executive of Anchor Packaging and Hermann Cos. Anchor acquired the 683,000-square-foot distribution center in Paragould, Ark., in 2003.
The additional capacity is expected to add 120 new jobs and $100 million a year in new sales, Hermann said.
Hermann Cos. is one of St. Louis' largest private companies, with 2007 sales of $200 million, and Anchor is its largest unit. In addition to Paragould, Anchor has plants in Marmaduke and Jonesboro, Ark., and in Argentina, and distribution operations in 18 countries.
The Paragould expansion will give Anchor a staff of 540 at its three Arkansas plants. Hermann Cos. reported 850 employees, including 60 in St. Louis, for the St. Louis Business Journal's ranking of the area's largest private companies earlier this year.
Construction Network Inc. of Jonesboro is building Anchor's 64,000-square-foot addition, said Plant Manager David Taylor. The project broke ground April 28.
The expansion will give Anchor more room to produce a growing line of storage and packaging products for its food industry customers, Hermann said. In the last three years, Anchor introduced 58 new products for the supermarket, food service and food processor markets.
"It would be hard for any of your readers not to come in contact with Anchor products at your favorite supermarket or restaurant," said Mike Thaler, Anchor's vice president of marketing. "Dierbergs, Schnucks and most other supermarkets are customers. We supply every major chain restaurant with something."
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Susan Salisbury – December 22, 2016
The Federal Trade Commission has charged the operators of a Florida-based timeshare reselling scheme with bilking at least $15 million dollars from timeshare property owners by imposing hefty up-front fees based on false promises that they would sell or rent their properties.
At the FTC’s request, a federal court temporarily halted the operation and froze the defendants’ assets pending litigation. The agency said Thursday it seeks to permanently stop the allegedly illegal practices and return money to consumers.
The defendants are Jess Kinmont, John P. Wenz, Jr., Pro Timeshare Resales of Flagler Beach LLC, Pro Timeshare Resales LLC, and J. William Enterprises LLC, doing business as Pro Timeshare Resales. They are charged with violating the FCT Act and the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule, including calling numbers listed on the Do Not Call Registry.
The defendants telemarket to timeshare property owners and falsely claim that they have a buyer or renter ready and willing to buy or rent their properties for a specified price, or they promise to sell the timeshares quickly, sometimes within a specified time period, the FTC’s complaint alleges.
The defendants charge property owners as much as $2,500 or more in advance but fail to deliver on their promises, the FTC alleges.
The FTC noted in the complaint that the defendants string some owners along with additional false claims, such as that they will soon send them money from a sale or rental, and often get them to pay extra for purported closing costs or other fees. Consumers’ requests for refunds are typically denied or ignored, according to the complaint.
The Commission thanks the Florida Attorney General’s Office for its contributions to this case.
The Commission vote approving the complaint was 3-0. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, entered a temporary restraining order against the defendants on December 13.


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Widows locks in its property cash
Tens of thousands of investors have been locked into Scottish Widows' commercial property fund as it tries to prevent further panic selling.
Around 35,000 investors in the insurer's £596million Life Property Fund will be forced to wait up to 180 days to get their money out.
This will give it time to sell off property at a decent price as it attempts to rebuild cash reserves to pay off investors, says the insurer. Widows introduced a similar lock-in in January 2008, but lifted it in August.
Lock in: Scottish Widows is trying to prevent panic selling
The fund has lost almost a fifth of its value since then, according to investment analyst Morningstar, and cash reserves have almost dried up.
Commercial property has been hit hard by the credit crunch and these once fashionable funds have been decimated.
Earlier this month Norwich Union and Standard Life had to take similar measures on their giant property funds.
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12 Oct #BigDNT October: Craig Fuller of TransVix
Following Cole Oliver’s presentation on CHDR financial at Dallas New Tech, Craig Fuller, presented about the Dallas-based company, Transvix. Transvix is one of the largest private technology investors in North America, where Fuller serves as the CEO.
Fuller explained that Transvix is building a futures exchange and derivatives market. Their goal is to convert transportation pricing into a trade-able commodity. Since this has already been accomplished in the maritime spectrum, Transvix believes they can accomplish this in the truck market as well.
At Transvix, Fuller said that they assembled a team people from the trading and trucking industry, to solve the issue of pricing volatility. They raised Series A funding 200M from Hunt Technology Ventures, believing that they could build a multi-billion dollar company by creating this new market.
Fuller explained that at Transvix, “we’ve assembled folks that can answer the question of: how do you create a trade-able commodity of something that is perishable and synthetic? But also – how do you solve this problem from an industry standpoint?”
There’s a market opportunity in the United States, since the trucking market is 700 billion dollars. Globally, the market is around 2 trillion, so the trucking market represents 12% of global GDP. Yet, this market as a commodity isn’t being traded, but priced as if it was. Transvix believes that the value of total volume that could be traded is 2.8 trillion dollars, based on the size of the Maritime market over a month-long period.
Simply put, Transvix is working towards giving trucking companies the structure, predictability, and transactional relationships so they can protect their positions in the market.
Below is Fuller’s entire presentation!