text:
The Electronic Fund Management System (e-FMS) has been rolled out for all types of payments like wage, material and administrative expenses under MGNREGS
GN Bureau | February 17, 2017
In Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the average persondays generated at the national level is 39 days per rural household in the financial year (FY) 2016-17 (as on February 1, 2017). During the same period, 21 states have reported average persondays per household lower than the national average, the Lok Sabha was informed.
MGNREGS Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Read: No compliance yet of SC order on drought-affected states, say activists
A written reply said that awards have been given to four States viz. Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for better implementation of scheme under different categories during the financial year 2014-15.
The Electronic Fund Management System (e-FMS) has been rolled out for all types of payments like wage, material and administrative expenses under MGNREGS.
The e-FMS credits the wages directly into the respective beneficiary’s account. As of now, the e-FMS has been implemented in 92% of the Gram Panchayats and more than 95% of the wage payments are done using e-FMS.
In Mumbai, the ninth most populous and congested city on the planet, high rentals compel citizens to spend five hours on an average travelling to work every day. Mumbai’s Metro Rail System extending towards Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will not only provide East-West connectivity
Tourism is a huge part of global culture nowadays and is also one of the biggest sources of revenue across the world. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2019, the tourism industry contributed $8.9 trillion or 10.3% to the global GDP. The industry witnessed a massive lull in 2020 d
The Life and Times of George Fernandes By Rahul Ramagundam Penguin/New India Foundation, 624 pages, Rs 799 Amer
After years of intense preparation, India is about to take the next step in information and communication technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 5G services in India on October 1 and also inaugurate the 6th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2022 to be held till October 4, at Pragati Maidan, Ne
There is this popular saying that epics are never told, but always retold. Ramayana is one such epic and needs no introduction. Its plot is grounded in sacrifice and the end brings out hope that the good always wins. But how is a centuries-old tale of the prince of Ayodhya still relevant for today’s
In pursuance of the pro-people announcement made by the prime minister in 2021 and successful implementation of additional food security under PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, the union cabinet has approved its extension for a further period of three months, from October to December 2022. At a ti


text:
Becoming a new parent can be a tough feat. On top of your world being turned upside down by 8 pounds of pure bliss, and the unprecedented sleep deprivation, the financial burden of bringing home baby can often be one of the most difficult tolls that new parents face.
A California couple who “struggled to make ends meet” after welcoming their first child is looking to help lift the financial burden and spread kindness among new parents in a sweet and surprising way.
Krystal, who is the founder of Milky Mama, a company that provides breastfeeding support to parents around the world, first shared about the couples’ special trip to Target in an Instagram post in April.
In the post, Krystal explains that she knows first-hand the financial struggles that often come with welcoming a baby. Now that she owns a successful business, she and Patrick decided to give back in a special way.
View this post on Instagram
The video shows the couple slipping cash into diaper boxes and unopened formula lids.
“We hope that the parents that purchase these items have a brighter day when they find our gifts,” she wrote in the caption.
In the month since Krystal first posted about their efforts to spread kindness, the video has gone viral, racking in hundreds of comments full of praise, gratitude, and stories of similar struggles.
“Wow! That is so awesome! Bless you and your family! This is beautiful. We need more people like you in this world,” one commenter wrote.
“This is absolutely incredible! It gives me tears to think of a potential parent in need opening this. You’ve inspired me to do the same! God bless you!!” added another.
According to the video, Krystal and Patrick made trips to three different Targets in the SoCal area.
“We really wanted to make things a little easier,” she told KABC. “Hopefully brighten their day and hopefully inspire others to kind of, you know, spread joy and kindness.”
Krystal says she hopes their gesture will inspire their children, and people everywhere to be kind to one another.
“As parents raising two young children, it’s really important for us to let our children know… kindness matters and that you never know what somebody’s going through,” she told KABC.

domain: news


text:
Plastics. They can be found all around us. From LEGO®toys to car engine fuse covers, they have become the material of choice due to the ease with which they can be molded, cast, or drawn into a variety of [...]
STATIC SIMULATIONS At Immensa Technology Labs, when designing molds for the construction industry, we use static simulation software to estimate the maximum stresses and displacements that will be produced in the 3D printed parts under operating conditions. [...]
INTRODUCTION Often times, when planning the shape of concrete structures, Architects are forced to modify their creative designs due to the inability of current construction methods to bring their ideas to fruition. Even in cases where [...]
Watch the CEO of Immensa Technology Labs, Fahmi Al-Shawwa, share his thoughts on what is most valuable about additive manufacturing and the benefits of partnering with 3D printer manufacturer, EOS.
Immensa Technology Labs (Immensa) has announced its partnership with Dubai-based Monogram Eyewear to present the first high-end, 3D-printed eyewear product line in the UAE. After over a year of internal tests and prototypes, the frames are now [...]
Dubai’s RSA Global has become the latest logistics company to adopt on-demand 3D printing services. In a new partnership with Immensa Technology Labs, RSA Global plans to develop a ‘Virtual Warehouse’ for 3D printable parts. Abhishek Ajay Shah, Co-Founder and Group [...]
Immensa Technology Labs has submitted the first 3D printing related patent from a UAE-based company. The patent — an Immensa proprietary method for the production of moulds for concrete and other aggregates utilizing 3D printing — is an [...]


text:
Then came the phone, followed by the laptop, then people got cocky and send ‘hey! Let’s create a bridge of some sorts for both a laptop and a phone to meet, we’ll call it a pill, nope, I got, we’ll call it the tablet’.
Did you ever fancy a tablet?
And so when tablets initially came out together with their brother from another mother – the iPad, everyone fancied one. I mean it was portable, it could receive and make calls and it was extremely lightweight compared to the hunky laptops we used to have in the system, plus a bigger screen as compared to phones. Yes, this was indeed the invention of the moment and it should have been onward. Fast forward a couple of years into the future and now according to data released by IDC, tablet sales have been steadily declining for years.
Did Apple cause this?
Of course, the superpower, Apple, managed to increase its market share slightly in the last quarter, though this is because of low sales across the board — Apple’s overall sales remained roughly the same. Now if even Apple is struggling with sales when it comes to the iPad then this begs the question: is the tablet on its way out?
Are we the cause?
Honestly, this isn’t breaking news. People have been naturally and slowly nudging the tablet off the market because of how much patronage they give to it; the tablet has become a thing of luxury and not of necessity.
Because its original intent and purpose which fostered its creation that is, to bridge the gap between the laptop and the phone, is fortunately or unfortunately a gap that has steadily been closing, with the advancement and improvement in cellular technology and laptops in general. For a first, phones aren’t that small anymore and can basically do what a laptop can do if not almost all. CNET and TechCrunch and other organizations have already declared the destiny of the tablet in the near future, predicting the worst.
The Tablet’s Kryptonite
Truth is it’s the same people who helped create this piece of tech who have created the kryptonite to deal the tablet this deadly blow. While Apple’s sales are holding steady, Amazon has seen a spike in its tablet sales, jumping up to second place, replacing Samsung just behind Apple. Nevertheless, the overall numbers paint a bleak picture for tablet manufacturers. One or two companies may be holding steady or even growing, but the bulk of consumers are dropping off the tablet bandwagon fast.
The sad part is that Android tablets haven’t had significant support from manufacturers or from app makers, and that’s left them in sort of a limbo. Holding the belief that the rise of the tablets would have it more engaged but these things don’t usually follow the trajectory we think they should. If anything, it forced PC makers to offer more tablet-like experiences in smaller-form factors. If this was football that would be a swift counter-attack after soaking so much pressure.
The honest truth is it wasn’t because of the function that people went in for tablets, that wasn’t the core of its bedrock, it was the little perks it gave a user; the bigger screen and laptop – like manner of use. Once those things were eliminated it found itself wanting. Unlike phones, it isn’t necessarily a need to purchase a new brand or version of a tablet because you could pretty much update your OS and keep up with the times.
Maybe people have been calling time on its lifespan but it may yet still have some fight in it. Sales are dipping, the figures are there to prove it. These facts, however, don’t mean tablets have been rendered useless. To a lot of us, we’d think twice about getting a tablet, and so the concept is a bit obsolete already in our minds but tablets are still smaller and lighter than laptops. They’ll likely continue to be, even as laptops evolve. They’re also still bigger than a phone and better at mimicking standard computer functions.
Maybe the tablet’s days are numbered, but no one will say it didn’t serve us well when death finally gives its blow.
Submitted by: Kweku Diaw
Image: Anomaly (@anomaly)


text:
Universal Sports Signs Deal With NCTC France Reaquires Five Star Athlete Management NBC Has Sold 70-80% Of Super Bowl Ads Verizon CEO On Domestic Violence In NFL El Al To Sponsor Maccabi-Nets Game NCAA Launches Exec VP Search Classified Advertisements Executive Transactions Vegas PGA Tour Event Adding "Dayclub" Arizona State To Build Student-Athlete Center
Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBD/Issue 154/Sponsorships, Advertising & Marketing
Nike Exercises Option To Extend USA Track & Field Deal Through '16
Published April 23, 2010
|Nike Extends USA Track & Field
Sponsorship Through Rio '16 Games
Less than a year after renewing its partnership with USA Track & Field, Nike has exercised an option in its contract to extend its sponsorship through the '16 Rio de Janeiro Games. The extension option was included in the four-year agreement Nike and USATF negotiated last June. USATF CEO Doug Logan in a statement said, "Nike has recognized the value in track and field since its founding, and they have been a great partner to USA Track & Field for nearly two decades. That they exercised this option so early into our contract is a big boost of confidence and a testament to the strength of our relationship." Nike has been a USATF partner since '91.


text:
In a special advertising section produced by Hollister Publication Services, Inc. for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Century Associates President David Allen talked about the qualities that define a good salesperson. The article, "What makes a good salesperson? Sensitivity to the customer's needs", is excerpted below:
Utilize your Contacts
David Allen stresses networking for the experienced sales applicant seeking a new position. "Utilize your contacts," recommends Allen, president of Century Associates, a center-city Philadelphia firm that specializes in information technology, health care and insurance sales jobs.
Many technology companies have cut back on sales jobs because business has been off, and this type of company would sooner curtail sales than cut jobs in product development. But there has been a recent increase in technology sales job opportunities, Allen notes. "It looks like we're coming out of it."
He recommends that inexperienced sales people seeking their first position, start with an "inside" position or try to get into a company's sales training program.
Allen suggests another way to break into sales might be by spending a year or two employed by a distributor or reseller, before moving on to a more demanding job with a manufacturer or vendor.
The successful salesman, Allen says, is one with "persistence, intelligence [and] the ability to communicate with customers on the customer's terms, to help solve problems in a positive way."
Memberships in numerous technology, Manufacturing and HR organizations have provided additional exposure to high-profile candidates.


text:
Top tech startup news stories you need to know this Monday, April 23
Good morning! Here are some of the top tech startup news stories today Monday, April 23.
Walmart doubles down on India with purchase of Flipkart for over $12 billion. The retail giant is close to finalizing a deal to buy a majority stake in India’s leading e-commerce company, FlipKart, for at least $12 billion, as it goes head-to-head with Amazon in the subcontinent of more than 1 billion consumers. The company plans to complete the agreement in the next two weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone invests in Indian AI-based health startup Visit. Twitter, Medium and Jelly co-founder Biz Stone has invested in a Delhi-based artificial intelligence-powered chatbot startup, Visit. Founded by students from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Visit helps to connect patients and doctors via an AI-powered chatbot. Users here can get health advice, and assistance, and information from noted doctors
Someone transferred $99 million in litecoin and paid $0.40 in fees. An unidentified person transferred $99 million worth of litecoin in a single trade on Thursday. However, the transaction took just two-and-a-half minutes to clear and cost only $0.40 in fees. This is the lightest fee ever paid for a crypto transaction. Crypto fans are saying the trading as evidence that cryptocurrency is better for sending money than traditional payment systems.
Y Combinator alum Slite raises $4.4 million to create a smarter internal notes tool on Slack. Paris-based Slite has raised $4.4 million to continue the development of its tools and hire more staff. The funding was led by Index Ventures, one of Europe’s most influential VC firms. “This product has to have a high level of expectations,” said Slite founder and CEO Christophe Pasquier. “We’re competing against Google Docs.”
Alibaba moves into cars. Is Alibaba trying to rule the world? The Chinese e-commerce king has gotten its Smart AI assistant, Tmall Genie, into around 100 automobile brands, including Chinese Mercedes, and Audis. So far, Alibaba has sold more than 2 million speakers featuring its Tmall Genie, a digital assistant that is modeled on Amazon’s Alexa. The Smart Assistant offers voice-controlled services from music streaming to newscasts and calendar-booking.
Binance and Ugandan blockchain startup partner to create employment opportunities. Binance has reached a partnership with Ugandan blockchain startup, Crypto Savannah. Zhao Changpeng, Binance CEO, met with Blockchain Association of Uganda to discuss how the startups would work together to transform Uganda economy. He also confirmed in a tweet that Binance and Ugandan blockchain startup, Crypto Savannah will partner to improve the economy of the country which will see increased job openings in a country that has high poverty levels. “Binance will partner with Crypto Savannah to support Uganda’s economic transformation and youth employment through blockchain, embracing the 4th industrial revolution. We will do this by creating thousands of jobs and bringing investments to Uganda,” Zhao said.


text:
Google finally launched Stadia, its all-new cloud gaming platform, today. Gamers all over the globe have been waiting to try out this all-new gaming experience by Google. And the wait is finally over; the services are rolling out now.
Well, Google Stadia is live now. And a lot of users are having issues in understanding this new platform. Some of the users are asking about the procedures, whereas some are facing problems with Chromecast. Here, we will be discussing a recently asked question. Several users are asking why their Chromecast Ultra is not working with Google Stadia.
Stay tuned if you are facing the same issue with your Chromecast and Stadia, as we have mentioned the solution for this issue too.
Google has officially posted about this issue right after the launch. According to the official statement, not-bundled Chromecast devices will not support the Stadia services as of now. But, the devices will support Stadia after the update, which will be rolling out next week.
You can check if your Chromecast Ultra can work with Google Stadia. For this, you just need to check out the current version of your Chromecast device. If the current version of your device is 1.42.180348 or above, it will support Stadia for sure.
But, if the Chromecast device is not running the latest version, you have to wait till the Stadia update rolls out for your device. Google recommends using the Chromecast Ultra in the bundle to run Stadia.


text:
New marijuana supermarket in Boston is biggest dispensary on East Coast
The newest marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts is located in the heart of downtown Boston and the company said it is poised to be the biggest on the east coast.
Ascend was recently licensed to open a 16,000-square-foot dispensary on Friend Street, near North Station and the TD Garden. The store covers several floors of the building.
"It's nice and clean, the products are very good," said Kurt Bowes, who shopped during the soft opening of the store on Thursday. "It's more convenient it's going to be more convenient for a lot of people, to be honest."
"This is great. I'm surprised the lines aren't packed," said a man who identified himself as M-Ezy, another customer. "It's dope to know that there's going to be a dispensary right next to my job."
While the store is beginning to do business now, it is planning a formal grand opening in mid-May. NewsCenter 5 was not allowed inside the facility on Thursday.
Ascend is also planning to open stores in New Bedford and Newton.
The company also has locations in Illinois and New Jersey.


text:
Released by ZPLAY Games, Beat Racer is a new rhythm based game for the Android platform. In Beat Racer, players will be charged with completing levels, while avoiding the various pitfalls inherent to them.
Released by Fully Bugged, Little Cells is a new, casual game that's recently been released on the Android platform. In this game, players will be tasked with removing different colored cells, by matching those of the same color.
Just over a month ago, hot on the heels of the Ashworld announcement, OrangePixel also teased a complete remake of the 2011 platformer game Meganoid. In that span, the development has rocketed through production and already has a release date.
Released by Capcom, 1941 is a top down, bullet hell style game that's been release on to Android. Players are tasked with piloting the "Super Ace" (akin to a P-38 Lightning), and will be flying sorties over the Pacific Ocean, in World War 2.
Marvel Future Fight's big update last month brought us a slew of new Inhumans, as well as some new costumes related to the Monsters Unleashed comics. The upcoming 2.9.5 update has already had some teases as to what we'll be getting.


text:
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A new report from CargoNet documented 1,778 supply chain risk events — most notably thefts — across the United States and Canada in 2022, an increase of 15% from 2021.
Supply chain disruptions were one of the main concerns of the year because of their effect on inflation, the report noted.
“Scarcity and cost drove illicit market demand for goods that were most affected, such as computer graphics cards and raw beef, poultry and pork. Available capacity eased in the later months of 2022, but theft remained a prominent threat,” the report stated.
CargoNet’s 2022 data indicates that events involving the theft of at least one heavy commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck or semi-trailer, increased by 17% year-over-year, while events that involved theft of cargo increased by 20% year-over-year.
The report stated that “a single event record could involve theft of one or more vehicles or shipments.”
CargoNet estimates that $223 million in cargo was stolen across all cargo theft events in 2022, and the average value of cargo stolen in an event was $214,104.
Increases in theft activity around major intermodal hubs were significant.
California remained the top state for reported events in 2022, and theft in the state increased 41% year-over-year.
Computer and green energy components were some of the most frequently stolen items of the year and California is a major logistics hub for these items. Theft in Georgia increased by 34% year-over-year, due in part to organized crime groups that took advantage of increased traffic to the Port of Savannah. Georgia shut down a state task force to investigate cargo theft in 2020.
Household items were the most stolen commodity in 2022.
“This is a diverse category that includes appliances and furniture which often get targeted during long haul and final mile distribution,” according to the report.
There was also a notable increase in theft of shipments of tools and toys. Household items were closely followed by electronics. Theft of computer electronics decreased by 37% from 2021, but we note theft of these products reached unprecedented highs in 2021 and theft was still elevated compared to baseline. Additionally, theft of televisions and other displays nearly doubled from 2021.
“As we begin the new year, all industry members should take steps to mitigate fictitious cargo pickups, a blend of identity theft and cargo theft that can affect all parties in a supply chain,” according to the report.
CargoNet recorded 96 more fictitious pickups in 2022 compared to the year prior, a 600% increase year-over-year.
Most fictitious cargo pickups occurred in California (74% of total), but the crime is spreading across the country and CargoNet has recently received reports of similar fictitious pickups in Washington State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas and others.
Shipments of solar modules, auto parts and vehicle maintenance products like engine oil are most at risk, but the threat extends to most categories of goods.
“This style of fictitious cargo pickup relies heavily on subcontracting the shipment to a legitimate motor carrier and having the shipment misdirected to another address,” the report stated. “Logistics brokers and shippers can help prevent fictitious cargo pickups by verifying any bids on shipments with the motor carrier through their contact information on file with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and verifying the name of the motor carrier and driver matches who the shipment was tendered to. Motor carriers should be wary of new customers that offer payment through peer-to-peer money transfer apps if their business would haul a blind shipment delivering to an address different from the bill of lading, especially if the address is a public warehouse or cross-dock in California.”
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.


text:
Thursday 31 Jul 2014
Samsung Galaxy S4-powered Lego robot solves Rubik’s Cube in three seconds
March 17, 2014
Smartphones are getting ever more powerful, and British engineers Mike Dobson and David Gilday have decided to prove this by creating a robot that can break the world record for solving a Rubik’s Cube, which is powered by a Samsung Galaxy S4.
Read the rest of this entry
Intel Increases Investment and Focus on MobileJanuary 21, 2013 · No comments
Intel’s quarterly report was a mix of positives and negatives, but the most interesting nugget...
CES 2013: NVIDIA Reveals Quad-Core Tegra 4January 8, 2013 · No comments
Yesterday at CES, NVIDIA finally revealed their Tegra 4 chip, which they claim is the world’s fastest...
Independence Is Key To InnovationMarch 2, 2012 · No comments
The last twenty years has seen a huge consolidation of companies across almost all sectors,...
Mobile Devices To Soon Match PC PerformanceAugust 5, 2011 · 2 comments
UK-based chip designer ARM, that has its designs used in most mobile phones and tablet...
Samsung promises 2GHz dual-core processors for 2012 smartphonesApril 18, 2011 · 1 comment
Not content with the 1GHz dual-core processors in today’s smartphones, electronics behemoth and chip-maker Samsung...
Microsoft releases fix for Internet ExplorerMay 1, 2014
Facebook “accidentally” launches Snapchat competitor SlingshotJune 10, 2014
Starbucks to offer wireless charging with your coffee (in the US)June 12, 2014
UK Police to replace banner ads on piracy sites with copyright warningsJuly 29, 2014 ·
Budget laptop buying guide 2014July 15, 2014 ·
Netflix offers ‘dream job’ of being paid to watch TV and moviesJuly 8, 2014 ·
Time4Popcorn should not be trusted. I am the author of the reddit thre...
Add to that 4.56 for Lostwithiel Cornwall....
Ice Cream Sandwich
Windows Phone 7
What’s next for online gaming?Article Focus
The technology meeting our medical needsArticle Focus
There are more ways than ever to make deposits onlineArticle Focus
Follow me on App.net


text:
Wine, spirits, cocktails and beer aren’t an afterthought at One Fifth. They’re essential.
Wine director Matthew Pridgen has created a list featuring selections from around the world with an emphasis on Old World wines from France, Italy and Spain.
Bar director Westin Galleymore is creating a housemade version of Southern Comfort. The cocktail list features Southern classics, such as a Crescent City, and Westin’s take on drinks like Juleps, milk punches and Daisys.


text:
It’s time to pop open the champagne of beers, as the world’s two largest brewers celebrate a merger deal.
A week after SABMiller rejected a takeover bid from AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer, the two companies have agreed in principle to merge, creating a beer behemoth. That’s the culmination of about a month of talks between them. Last week, AB InBev went public with its frustration after three bids prior were rejected. While SABMiller’s board remained aloof, Altria—the American tobacco giant that is SABMiller’s biggest shareholder—issued a separate statement in favor of the deal.
On Tuesday, Altria (along with BevCo, another large shareholder) got its way, but the deal also required AB InBev sweetening its offer, giving SABMiller a slightly higher offer per share; the final deal will be worth $104.2 billion. Altria and BevCo will receive a special kind of share, locked up and non-tradeable for five years, which will help them dodge a tax bullet. Other shareholders can take cash or the same deal.
A partial list of the beers the deal will bring under the same roof would fuel a raucous weekend on any college campus: Bud, Bud Light, Corona, Michelob, Stella Artois, Becks, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Coors, Coors Light, Grolsch, Icehouse, Keystone, Milwaukee’s Best, Blue Moon, Foster’s, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni, Miller Lite, and High Life.
Analysts have long felt that a merger between the two companies was just as inevitable as regretting that Raz-Ber-Ita. The world beer market has been consolidating, and slowing economies in some of the places where the market has expanded most in recent years—especially Brazil and China—means brewers need new ways to grow. A map of beer dominance in both South America and Africa looks like a patchwork quilt, with SABMiller and AB InBev strong in different regions. A merger will allow them to exercise more influence across the map.
Shares in both companies rose on news of the deal. Like all the best celebrations, though, this one may leave the partiers with a hangover. While a merger will provide new reach and economies of scale, regulators in the U.S. and Europe may have reservations about the size of the combined company and force it to shed some holdings before approving the deal.
According to a Reuters report Monday, AB InBev may already be in American antitrust regulators’ sights. Craft brewers allege that as their market share grows, AB InBev is trying to hobble them by purchasing beer distributors, which creates a barrier between brewer and market that no amount of hopping—dry or otherwise—can overcome. The Justice Department has begun investigating the claim, and AB InBev confirmed to Reuters that it’s talking to regulators. Like other major brewers, AB InBev has tried other methods to tap into the craft market—notably buying up smaller brewers, including Goose Island and Blue Point.
But all that is a worry for tomorrow. Tonight, drinks are on Altria.


text:
Tesla can’t use Autopilot advertising in Germany, court says
Tesla Inc.’s ads for its Autopilot driver-assistance system were rebuffed by a German court, which said the carmaker misled consumers.
The Munich Regional Court on Tuesday ruled that the carmaker can no longer use the ads in Germany because they improperly claimed the vehicles have “full potential for autonomous driving." The judges also said Tesla wrongly promoted that its cars would be able to self-navigate in cities by the end of 2019.
Also Read : Free pizza and a 75-foot statue of Elon Musk: Battle for the next Tesla plant
“Using the term ‘Autopilot’ and other phrases suggest the cars were technically able to drive completely autonomously," the court said in an emailed statement. “Additionally, it is claimed that would be legal in Germany, which isn’t the case."
Also check these Vehicles
Representatives for Tesla didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The carmaker can appeal.
Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has long offered optimistic views on the capabilities of his cars, even going so far as to start charging customers thousands of dollars for a “Full Self Driving" feature in 2016. Years later, the company still requires users of its Autopilot system to be fully attentive and ready to take over driving at any time.
Also Read : Tesla shaves $3,000 off Model Y price months after sales start
The suit was brought by the Center for Protection Against Unfair Competition, a German non-profit financed by companies and industry groups. It argued that Tesla is promising customers more than its Autopilot system actually delivers.


text:
A previous version of this story listed the incorrect day of the week. It has been corrected.
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Global Payments Inc. shares rose in the extended session Tuesday after the company reported quarterly results above Wall Street estimates and boosted its outlook on plans for an accelerated share buyback.
Global Payments GPN, +1.58% shares rose 5.8% to $53.65 on moderate volume after the electronic transactions processor reported adjusted fiscal first-quarter earnings of $1 a share on revenue of $629.7 million. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings of 95 cents a share on revenue of $624.1 million.
The company also said it will launch a plan to buy back $100 million worth of shares this month. As a result, Global Payments bumped up its annual earnings outlook to a range of $3.98 to $4.05 a share on revenue of $2.51 billion to $2.56 billion. Analysts expect $3.97 a share on revenue of $2.53 billion.
Additionally, Global Payments announced company president Jeffrey Sloan will succeed Paul Garcia as chief executive, effective immediately.
Shares of Team Inc. TISI, +1.38% dropped 10% to $36 on light volume after the specialty industrial services provider cut its annual earnings guidance to a range of $1.55 to $1.85 a share on revenue of $765 million to $790 million. Analysts estimate $2 a share on revenue of $793.1 million. Quarterly results also fell short of Wall Street results.
Synergetics USA Inc. SURG, +1.38% shares fell 5.8% to $4.70 on light volume as the medical device maker reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of 6 cents a share on revenue of $17.9 million. Analysts expected 5 cents a share on revenue of $17 million. The stock closed up nearly 10% in the regular session.
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


text:
Following the conclusion of its thrilling third season, Killing Eve is preparing to join the beauty world. The popular BBC America series is included in a new licensing agreement between AMC Network, Sid Gentle Films, and IMG that would allow for the production of Killing Eve beauty items,The Hollywood Reporter shared.
As part of the deal, Killing Eve will now serve as the inspiration behind consumer goods including beauty items, fashion, travel, and games. In a statement, Sherikay Chaffee, VP of licensing, IMG, commended the show for its continued influence, saying, "Aside from being one of the most popular and loved shows on TV, it’s also one of the most clever and stylish. The dual aspect and opposing nature between its two lead characters can be used to tell a story about a product."
There's no word on what beauty items might be included in the future, and when anything would be available for purchase, but THR noted that IMG would work with other brands and collaborators to create any of the items.
IMG has worked with other popular entertainment icons in the past, including Queer Eye and the Care Bears. In a statement on its website, IMG notes that with the release of its products, fans can more thoroughly experience the world of the show.
Whether that experience includes the secret to Villanelle's always impeccable style remains to be seen, but the show has served as beauty inspiration in the past. During a 2019 Max Mara show, models, including Gigi and Bella Hadid, along with Kaia Gerber, wore dark lip colored, which took its cue from Killing Eve.
This article was originally published on


text:
Despite South Africa creating opportunities for women to start businesses, the country is low on an index of women entrepreneurs.
This emerged at the India-South African Business Summit in Sandton this week on developing business opportunities between the two countries. Women were asked whether enough was being done to support female entrepreneurs.
“It’s not easy being a female entrepreneur and I think government can do a whole lot more to support us,” Hilda Sibanyoni said at the summit. “For instance, I have recently gone into farming but I do not have information and skills to support my business.”
Busi Mabuza, the chairperson of South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), said there was an opportunity for women to launch more startups but access to information was a barrier. “This summit is most opportune as it tells women how much space is out there.
“The IDC has committed between R3.7-billion and R4.6-billion for women-owned enterprises over the next three years but I find that people do not know anything about it and we need to do more to change that.”
Data shows that women own fewer companies than men, despite commitments made by the Indian and South African governments to align policy and funding to create more female entrepreneurs.
South Africa ranked 44th and India 49th out of 54 countries surveyed in the 2017 Mastercard index of women entrepreneurs. The index tracks the progress of women entrepreneurs through indicators such as being able to borrow or save to fund their businesses.
New Zealand tops this survey, where business ownership by women is among the highest in the world.
The Dell women entrepreneur cities index measures a city’s ability to attract and support high-potential women entrepreneurs. Johannesburg and Delhi, ranked at 28 and 49 respectively, were the only cities from South Africa and India that were named as being open to women doing business.
The top 10 cities in the Dell study were New York, the Bay Area in California, London, Boston, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Singapore, Toronto, Seattle and Washington, DC. They are all known as emerging hubs of innovation and geographical diversity.
Latha Reddy, a former ambassador for India who herself is an entrepreneur, said women made up only 6.7% of the total number of businesses, despite India being perceived as an entrepreneurial country.
“Ninety-nine percent of entrepreneurs in venture capital are men. It could be that women think to start small and are very risk-averse,” she said.
Aditi Balbir, chief executive of V-resorts, an India-based holiday company, said fewer than 10 women in India were funded by venture capital last year. “If you look at their background, they are more or less in the venture capital industry or their husbands are in the venture capital space.”
In South Africa women are required to present collateral. “How could women be expected to have collateral … given where we come from, where historically as a black person you were not formally allowed to own land?” said Seapei Mafoyane, the chief executive of nonprofit enterprise development incubator Shanduka Black Umbrellas.
Mafoyane said counselling was sometimes needed for men who felt outperformed by their spouses.
Lucia Hlongwane of EY said women needed to be self-confident and have confidence in their ideas. “I say, before you come with a business idea, you need to come as a whole person and the right attitude and say I want this opportunity.”
She added that women often lacked good presentation skills, which put them at a disadvantage.
Melanie Hawken, the chief executive of Lionesses of Africa, a blog that celebrates women startup successes, said: “We need to see how we can move the needle forward [to] getting more women in Africa and India from survivalist entrepreneurship to opportunity entrepreneurs.”
Thulebona Mhlanga is an Adamela Trust financial reporter at the M&G


text:
For over 30 years, the annual Cersaie exhibit in Bologna, Italy, has been an important showcase for the latest trends and innovations in ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. Although economic hardships around the world have impacted various trade shows and conferences, this year’s Cersaie, held in late September, demonstrated serious staying power with its more than 75,000 visitors. The show revealed bold new directions for ceramic tile, including startling mix-and-match patterns, heavily textured wall surfaces, and illusory designs that have tile looking like anything but ceramic.
A country at the forefront of design, Italy has long struck a unique balance between innovation and tradition, and that mastery is evident in the country’s manufacture of ceramic tile, a process that dates back to antiquity but has come a long way. From Cottovietri’s boutique handcrafted collections to machine-made, digitally printed faux bois and faux marble styles, to flashy, glitter-infused selections from famous fashion houses including Roberto Cavalli, Versace, and Valentino, there were more than enough options on display to satisfy the purist, the minimalist, or the risk taker.
Click through the slideshow above to read more about each product.


text:
MG’s fortunes still reside with the British market, even though it has Chinese patronage today, so we’re not surprised the company is previewing a new model in the popular subcompact crossover segment.
The firm’s latest model will be a small SUV, previewed recently through a design sketch – with the rumor mill claiming it will share at least one powertrain option with the bigger GS, but also pave the way for new units into the range. The model will be officially introduced in front of the audience of the Guangzhou motor show on 18 November from where it’s expected to soon start sales in China but also in Great Britain. The model sits in the company’s lineup under the GS, but the new SUV set to rival offerings such as the Nissan Juke has a much bolder design with the Anglo-Chinese company’s new Jaguar-inspired grille, headlamps that extend into the grille frame and an intricate front bumper.
The new SUV has been penned by SAIC Design – a division of MG’s parent company, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, with influence from its design studios in China and the UK. The British availability is only set for 2019, and the model will carry the 1.5-litre engine from the MG GS – where it develops 164bhp and 184lb ft of torque. Other carry over’s might be the six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – with prices set to compete other affordable models – such as the SsangYong Tivoli – which is considerably cheaper than a Nissan Juke.


text:
Industry insiders and experts are calling on the government to rewrite local tax rules to force major Internet companies to pay tax on profits they make from the Vietnamese market.
As a major driver behind the growth of the Vietnamese garment industry, VTG has been recognised by many renowned international brands as a useful conduit to tap into the booming Vietnamese market.
Seventy-six new products of Japan have recently been brought into the Vietnamese market, according to the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).
Miniso, a Japanese lifestyle brand, has announced it is increasing the number of shops in Vietnam by 10 times through franchising, according to vtv.vn.
Technology giants Alibaba and Tencent are trying to penetrate the Vietnamese e-payment market.
Gold prices slumped in the Vietnamese market on September 12 morning. On the Hanoi market, selling price of one tael, or 1.205 ounces, of State-owned SJC’s gold declined by VND190,000 (US$8.3) to US$36.75 million.
Russian firms are intrigued by the Vietnamese market, given that the ruble is falling and Russian manufacturers are eyeing international markets, said Olga Koshev, President of the Inter-Regional Organisation for Support and Protection of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
VOV.VN - The flagship branch of Inditex group, Zara has announced it will make its retail debut in Hanoi with the opening of a store at Vincom Center Ba Trieu in Hanoi in October, reports VN Economy.
E-commerce is forecast to hit US$10 billion by 2020, accounting for 5% of the country’s retail market.
VOV.VN - Vietnam spends millions of US dollar every year importing many types of fruit from many countries in the world like US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia to meet its domestic rising demand.
Numerous firms in Germany’s Bayern state expressed their interest in the Vietnamese market during a business gala on February 8 in Coburg city.
Despite stiff competition and high operation costs due to high rent, more and more coffee chains, both foreign and Vietnamese, have opened recently.
The Truong Hai Automobiles Joint Stock Company (THACO) will partner with the LS Mtron Corporation from the Republic of Korea to manufacture and distribute agricultural machines on the Vietnamese market.
Pharmaceuticals distributors from the Republic of Czech are targeting the Vietnamese market, according to Prague radio on January 11.
The Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) and the Andersen Consult Group of Denmark co-hosted a networking programme on January 10 to boost partnerships between Vietnamese and Danish enterprises.
Imported meat has been forecast to prevail in the Vietnamese market, posing challenges for domestic products and businesses.
Kamaz has announced it will continue assembling trucks in Vietnam, a move which may help dislodge Chinese trucks from the Vietnamese market.
The Vietnamese market is warming up as local customers have been paying more attention to decorative products to prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, while more businesses have geared up for the festivities.
Thai, Japanese, American and French retail giants are speeding up their plans to conquer the Vietnamese market.
Over the past year, capital flows from Japan, Singapore and the Republic of Korea have been heading for the Vietnamese market.


text:
Motorola introduced its latest Google Android smartphone to the world, the Motorola Backflip. Scheduled for a global release at the beginning of Q1 2010, Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha said the device would be available in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America but would not disclose any carriers. Oh gee, it couldn't possibly be AT&T, which announced five upcoming Android smartphones, including one from Motorola, could it?
The Motorola Backflip is a quad-band GSM phone with support for the 850/1900/2100MHz 3G bands (coincidentally, AT&T's 3G bands), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The smartphone's design is really what sets it apart, however. At first glance, the Backflip looks like a sleeker, smaller version of the Motorola Cliq, but instead of a slider design, the phone opens up like a book. In addition, in its closed state, the full QWERTY keyboard is located on the back. For those concerned about durability, Motorola said the keyboard is strong enough to take a beating and keep on clicking, but of course, that remains to be seen.
Another unique feature of the Backflip is the trackpad, which Moto calls Backtrack, located on the back of the display (when the phone is open). It works just like a traditional trackpad, allowing you to navigate through menus, flip through photos, scroll through the home screen panes, and more. It's certainly an interesting twist, but we're not completely sold on it. You can also interact with the smartphone through the 3.1-inch HVGA touch screen. For More Detail


text:
Facebook F8 Keynote; UK Tells Zuck Show Up or Subpoena; 2 Bigger Samsung Galaxy Phones; Another Hint Apple May Roll Without Qualcomm or IntelPosted: May 1, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, F8, Facebook, Galaxy S9, Instagram, Oculus Go, Qualcomm, Samsung, UK Leave a comment
Mark Zuckerberg dropped a big bombshell in his F8 keynote this morning….a Facebook dating app! Businessinsider.com reports that the social network will also launch a possible rival to Apple’s FaceTime…video chat via Instagram. WhatsApp will be getting video calling, and Messenger will get simplified, and some AR camera tools are coming. As for VR, the Oculus Go, Facebook’s new standalone VR headset ships today. It’s $199, a big drop from the present $399 Oculus headset (which you need a high end PC to use!) A crowd pleaser—Facebook is handing out a free Oculus Go headset to everyone at F8! FB will also be adding upvotes and downvotes to comments, like Reddit. Also, Stories will be opened up to third party developers. They are also adding ‘live commenting’ to videos…they will appear in a video alongside the video and narrate it in real time.
The UK Parliament really wants to hear from Mark Zuckerberg in person. According to techcrunch.com, they have let Facebook know that since Zuck is giving evidence to the European Parliament in May, if he lands in Britain, he will be hit with a summons.
Up to now, you have only been able to get Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones with 64 gigs of storage in the US, but starting May 18th, you can go crazy with more space. Bgr.com reports that both phons will add 128 and 256 gig capacities by then. Preorders are open now. The 128 gig S9 runs $769.99, with the S9+ gobbling up $889.99 of your bucks. For the maxed out 256 gig S9, expect to drop $819.99, or pony up $939.99 for the S9+ .
A job posting was dropped from Apple’s site that some say points to the company rolling their own modem chips and dropping Qualcomm. Businessinsider.com says the gig was for a ‘mmWave IC design engineer.’ That would appear to indicate that Apple was wanting to design in house its own chip for next gen 5G networks. Although Apple is locked in a courtroom battle with Qualcomm, this shouldn’t be a stunner…they have been running iOS mobile devices on processors of their own design for a decade.
Galaxy S10 3D Face Recognition; Galaxy S9 Easter Egg Health Feature; Nest Temp Sensor & Video Doorbell; Apple Patents ‘Keyless Keyboard’Posted: March 15, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D Face Unlock, Apple, Blood pressure monitor, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9, Hello, Keyless keyboard, Nest, Samsung, Temperature sensor, Video doorbell Leave a comment
The Galaxy S8 and the new S9’s have face unlock, but it’s 2D, not 3D. Now, according to 9to5google.com, Samsung is working on a true 3D system like Apple’s iPhone X on the S10. If the trials pan out, you may not need to combine the face unlock with either a fingerprint or iris reader to access things like your bank and credit accounts when the S10 comes out next year.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ are out tomorrow, and have a heart rate sensor on the back. That’s nothing new for Samsung, but this one has an added trick that never got covered in all the leaks or even the rollout. Bgr.com says Samsung has managed to fly a feature of it under the radar. In February, at the rollout, Samsung also announced an app called My BP Lab. The app transforms the Galaxy S9’s heart rate monitor into a blood pressure monitor. Preliminary tests by journalists that have tried it out indicate that the readings are extremely accurate! Right now, the feature is a bit of a beta, and isn’t incorporated into the main Samsung Health app, but it likely will be before long.
Nest has rolled out a temperature sensor that works with its smart thermostats to keep rooms in your home closer to the ideal temperature. Theverge.com reports that the #39 sensor will be shipping in April, and there’s a preorder now for a 3 pack for $99. It does require the latest-generation Nest Learning Thermostat or the Thermostat E, and won’t work with first or second generation Nests…so I’m out of luck for now.
Nest has also released the Hello video doorbell for $229, and the long time coming Nest x Yale door lock…which is $249 or $279 if you get Nest Connect. The video doorbell does require a wired connection with power, but it is a direct shot at the Amazon Ring from Google.
Apple has applied for a patent on a ‘keyless keyboard,’ one that would basically use another touchscreen with haptic feedback to allow for a more versatile (and liquid and crumb-proof) keyboard. Appleinsider says it would allow for moving the trackpad into the middle, or changing the layout of the keyboard to an ergonomic one, and even specialty keyboard layouts using just software. As will all patents, and especially Apple’s, there’s no telling when or if this might hit the market.
Galaxy S9+ Cam Best Yet; Carriers Tout Phone # App Authentication; Uber Health LaunchedPosted: March 1, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: App authentication, Apple iPhone X, AT&T, Camera, Galaxy S9, Google. Pixel 2, HIPAA, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Samsung, Sprint, T-Mobile, Uber, Uber Health, UberCENTRAL, Verizon Leave a comment
It will probably only last until the new models of their competitors come out, but Samsung’s Galaxy S9+ camera has snagged the highest DxOMark score ever at 99. Fortunately for the cellphone makers, the scale doesn’t end at 100! Bgr.com reports that the Galaxy has narrowly eclipsed the cameras on the Google Pixel 2, which had a 98, and the iPhone X with a 97. Huawei’s Mate 10 Pro also scored a 97. No matter how objective these test try to be, with photos, there’s still a subjective element…just like a painting, the art is in the eye of the beholder…but for now, Samsung reigns supreme!
The 4 major US phone carriers, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, & T-Mobile, have rolled out plans for an authentication platform that would add extra security for people downloading apps to Apple’s iPhone and other handsets. Appleinsider.com says the tech uses a ‘cryptographically verified phone number and profile data’, info such as how long you’ve had the number, the account type, IP address, and SIM card info. The carriers plan to trial the system in the next few weeks, and launch it later this year. It is hoped the extra layer of security will help counter fraud and identity theft.
Uber has launched Uber Health, a new ride hailing platform for healthcare. According to techcrunch.com, the service is like UberCENTRAL, their ride-booking service for business customers. With the service, the riders don’t have to have the Uber app, the healthcare provider can book rides to and from appointments. Uber says it is HIPAA compliant, and can be used by the clients via a landline. The ride hailing company points out that the service is just for appointments, and is not designed to replace 911 or ambulance rides for emergencies.
Samsung Galaxy S9 is Here; Sony Xperia XZ2 Gets 3D Scanning; Nokia Bows Retro Matrix Banana Phone; Apple Working on High End Over Ear HeadphonesPosted: February 26, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D scanning, Apple, Banana phone, Dual aperture camera, Feature phone, Galaxy S9, Nokia 8110, Over ear headphones, Samsung, Sony, The Matrix, XperiaXZ2 Leave a comment
With all the leaks, there was precious little unknown about the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, but they were finally shown over the weekend at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. 9to5google.com notes that we did get the pricing, which isn’t as bad as predicted. The S9 will be $719 unlocked, and the S9+ weighs in at $839. They can be preordered March 2nd, and will be out March 16th. As predicted, it has a dual aperture camera, with the settings f/1.5 and f/2.4. The larger S9+ has the dual rear cams, too. Both phones have Face Unlock as well as IrisScanning. Samsung’s ‘Intellegent Scan’ turns out to actually just be a way to fallback to IrisScan if Face Unlock can’t be used. IrisScan and your fingerprint are still used for secure authentication, like Samsung Pay.
Sony has really never been able to gain traction in smartphones like they have in other electronics, so with the Xperia XZ2, they tout features ported over from their other devices. Zdnet.com reports that the phones have added 3D scanning to the front cam. This isn’t a huge feature now, but can create 3D selfies that can be uploaded to Facebook and be for avatar creation…which could be used in gaming features later. Sony has added a vibration system that they say adds to the ‘feel’ of bass heavy music, and they claim the screen tech comes from their Bravia TVs.
Once dominant, Nokia has been an also-ran in the era of smartphones. Now owned by HMD, the Nokia brand is re-introducing the Nokia 8110 from the 1999 movie ‘The Matrix.’ It comes in black like the movie, and banana yellow. Theverge.com says t’s still just a feature phone, not s smartphone, so you can’t run all your Android apps on it, but on the plus side…25 days of standby battery and it will be on sale in May for only $97. Use it and throw it in the trash when you’re zapped back to the Nebuchadnezzar.
A world away from smartphones….Apple is working on some high end over hear headphones to be released later this year. They will be Apple branded, not Beats, according to macrumors.com. The rumor is that they will have the ease of use of AirPods only with better sound. The leak indicates that the ‘cans’ will be more expensive than AirPods, but not as pricey as some super premium headphones, so may be in the price range of Apple’s Home Pod…under $400.
WWDC; SpaceX Broadband Sat Launch Delay; More Galaxy S9 Leaks; Starbucks Digital Guru to J. CrewPosted: February 19, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Broadband satellites, Galaxy S9, J. Crew, Samsung, SpaceX, Starbucks, WWDC Leave a comment
It looks like some folks have figured out the dates for Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference. Apparently, there are events all through June at San Jose’s McEnery Convention Center…….EXCEPT for Monday June 4th through Friday, June 8th. Macrumors.com says a reliable source has told them WWDC will again be in San Jose like last year. Previously, it was at Moscone Center in San Francisco from 2003 to 2016. With the exception of last year, Apple has released the date officially in April, so we won’t know until then. Usually, there around 5,000 developers and a thousand engineers for the event. Tickets go via a random lottery, and have been $1599 a pop.
There’s a lot of interest in SpaceX’s internet satellite launch. Now, the launch has been delayed for a few days. According to engadget.com, they want to run further final checkouts on the farings used to protect the Falcon 9’s payload. the Launch had been scheduled for February 17th…… now it will be on the 19th. The rocket will be taking up a Spanish radar imaging satellite, but most of us are interested in the Microsat-2a and 2b internet satellites. They would be the first of a number which would provide gigabit internet speeds around the globe.
Samsung will roll out its latest…the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus… next week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Of course, there was a huge leak yesterday, so much of what we had heard about the handset was confirmed, plus more. German site WinFuture says both phones will have variable aperture cameras…which should make them better than ever for low light pictures. The Plus gets a dual lens cam, the S9 a single, but both are 12 megapixel. The selfie cam is 8 megapixel with autofocus. That all-important battery capacity….it will be 3000 mAh on the S9 and 3500 on the Plus. Both phones have iris and face recognition, as well as a fingerprint sensor for biometric unlocking, and the Samsung version of Apple’s Animoji. The screens are the same as on the S8, all changes are ‘under the hood.’ They will be available in Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, Lilac Purple, and Coral Blue.
The man who headed up Starbucks digital business, including its Mobile Order and Pay features and in-store Wi-Fi efforts, is leaving the coffee retailer to work his magic in apparel business. Adam Brotman, has jumped to J. Crew to help lead the struggling retailer as president and chief experience officer. Geekwire.com notes that Starbucks is perceived as one of the most forward-looking companies when it comes to the use of technology in its operations. J. Crew needs the help… same store sales dropped nine percent during the third quarter of 2017, and its net loss jumped to $17.6 million for that period. Before Brotman joined them, J. Crew had pitched selling themselves to Amazon.
Galaxy S9 Will Clone Apple’s Animojis; Twitch Has Viewer Numbers of Cable News Nets; Amazon Rolling Own AI Chips for Alexa; Facebok Launches ListsPosted: February 13, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AI chips, Alexa, Amazon, Animoji, Cable Networks, CNN, ESPN, Facebook, FOX, Galaxy S9, Google, Lists, MSNBC, Pixel, Samsung, Twitch Leave a comment
Call it practical or insulting, but Samsung has done best with smartphones when they’ve stolen liberally from Apple. Now, macrumors.com says the Galaxy S9 will copy the iPhone X’s Animojis. Samsung teases that theirs will be 3D and be ‘more advanced’ than Apple’s. They will reveal the name of their clone when the phone rolls out on March 16th. The Samsung version, like Apple’s, will be powered by the Galaxy S9’s facial recognition system. Samsung’s facial recognition isn’t expected to be as secure as Apple’s, but Samsung will also include a rear fingerprint sensor and iris scanner.
Twitch has now become as big as the big cable nets in viewership. According to businessinsider.com, the Amazon-owned streaming service had 962,000 average viewers last month (January 2018). ESPN and Fox News have 1.5 million, MSNBC has 885,000, and CNN 783,000. Twitch channels are not all just gaming…there are also IRL streams (in real life) with massive amounts of content covering all sorts of subjects. Find them on the web at Twitch.tv.
Amazon has started designing its own AI chips to work with Alexa devices. Engadget.com says the custom silicon should enable the virtual assistant to respond more quickly by baking speech recognition into the devices that use it, rather than having to bounce to the cloud then back with a response. Alexa would still need to touch base with the cloud for more complex inquiries, but for simple requests, the chips will make it responses quicker.
Because they can never have enough of our information to sell, Facebook has launched ‘Lists.’ The new feature is rolling out today. Techcrunch.com reports that Facebook sees it as a way to get users to share more personal content. The lists can be To Do lists, Resolutions, eateries to try, bucket list travel destinations, or whatever. To entice usage, Facebook has included choices of colored backgrounds and emoji. It will appear in the ‘What’s on your mind’ status update box along with the other options.
Google sold 3.9 million Pixel phones in 2017. If that doesn’t sound like a record shattering number to you, you’re right. According to theverge.com, that’s about what Apple sells in iPhones in a week. The good news is, with the Pixel 2, the sales pace has doubled. If they can keep doubling periodically, it should be a success.
1st Phone With Diamond Screen Coming; Intel Smart Non-Glasshole Glasses; Galaxy S9 to Get Price Jump; iPad Crushed Competing Tablets Last YearPosted: February 5, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Akhan, Amazon, Apple, Diamond Screens, Galaxy S9, Glassholes, Gorilla Glass, Intel, iPad, Samsung, Smart glasses, Smartphones, Tablets, Vaunt Leave a comment
Cracked screens are a constant worry…even if low level…for everyone who carries a smartphone. Now, cnet.com says something better than either Gorilla Glass or sapphire crystal is on the way. It’s Akhan Semiconductor’s Mirage Diamond Glass. It can be layered on top of screens, much like Gorilla Glass, but is of course, stronger…being made from lab grown diamonds. Akhan will initially work with just one smartphone maker in each category. They are still working on minimizing glare, and pricing, but again…if all works out, we would have the much less breakable screens on phones by next year.
Two of the bigger complaints of GoogleGlass were the way they looked and the fact that ‘Glassholes’ could have the video on at any given time, which was way creepy. Now, theverge.com reports that Intel has a prototype called the Vaunt that may be what we all would have liked in smart glasses in the first place. They use a very low power laser to project the images right into your eyes…it looks like what’s on a screen, but the plus is, the glasses look just like regular…albeit….nerdy…black glasses. According to a Verge reporter who tried them out, they are comfortable enough to wear all day, and Intel says they will come in several styles and work with prescriptions. The electronics and batteries are built into the stems and frames of the glasses. Basically, they are more simple than GoogleGlass. They just display a small heads up display with simple messages or notifications, transmitted by Bluetooth from and Android or iPhone…a lot like how the Apple Watch works. Intel will launch an ‘early access’ program this year. No details yet on getting in that or cost yet.
Another rumor about the imminent Samsung Galaxy S9, and this one is about pricing. According to a leak in Britain, it will sell for £100 more than the S8. The S9 will be £789 in the UK, while the S8 was £689. converting currency, that’s $1114 in the US, with the S8 at $973. Of course, checking actual pricing in the US, the retail is $750, so expect the S9 to be set at more like $850 in the US. Still, a $100 (or £100) bump is not insignificant. It will bet interesting to watch and see how preorders are affected by this increase.
Apple’s decision to release a lower cost but upgraded iPad last year apparently hit the public’s sweet spot. Macrumors.com says Apple’s tablet sold more than Samsung and Amazon’s offerings combined in 2017! Apple pumped out 43.8 million iPads, while Samsung sold 24.9 million and Amazon 16.7 million…even put together, that’s 2.2 million less than Apple’s iPads. Apple grabbed 26.8% of the tablet market last year.
Samsung Galaxy Invite/Cam Tease; Porsche Plans ‘More Super’ Superchargers; AT&T’s ‘Internet Bill of Rights’ PloyPosted: January 25, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AT&T, Barcelona, Facebook, Galaxy S9, Google, Internet Bill of Rights, Mission E, Model S, MWC, Porsche, Samsung, Superchargers, Tesla Leave a comment
Samsung has sent invites to the Galaxy S9 launch, which is February 25th in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress. It will be at noon Eastern time, 9am Pacific. The invite teases cam improvements with ‘Camera, reimagined.’ It’s expected to have improved battery life, in addition to whatever camera tricks are announced. The verge.com notes that the event will be live streamed on Samsung’s website.
With most auto makers racing to produce many electric and hybrid models, you can expect fast ones from Porsche. Speed on the highway is apparently not all, according to bgr.com. Porsche’s head of Electrics/Electronics Development, Uew Michael said in an interview that the upcoming Mission E (which will start at $85,000, right in the breadbasket of the Tesla Model S) will not only be fast, but charge fast. Porsche is going to put out its own supercharger recharging stations that will give you 250 miles of range on a 20 minute charge! Right now, Tesla can get you a half charge in 30 minutes and it takes 75 minutes on a supercharger for a full charge. The Porsche Mission E will have a max range of 310 miles, and do 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph!
AT&T is running ads saying it is pro net neutrality, and always has been. Techcrunch.com reports that they are pushing for an ‘internet Bill of Rights’ for users. If that sounds like the opposite of what they have favored to you, you’re right. It’s really just a sneaky way to try to get Congress to tightly regulate Facebook and Google. Even the FCC noted in a report that AT&T favored content at its own DirecTV over other content providers. Of course, what the phone company doesn’t come out and say when they call for control of these internet companies. is that they are content providers that furnish content ON the internet, they don’t provide ACCESS to the internet like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon. The ISPs would love to kneecap content providers besides them…it’s good for their business and bad for Facebook, Google…and users.
Bitcoin Tanking; 1st Million Apple HomePods Shipped; Galaxy S9 Release Date LeakedPosted: January 17, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Ethereum, Galaxy S9, HomePod, Ripple, Samsung Leave a comment
As correctly predicted by ‘the Oracle of Omaha,’ Warren Buffett, Bitcoin is crashing. It’s now under 10,000, half of it’s high, according to bgr.com. Investors are selling off massive amounts of the virtual currency. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Ripple are also slumping. While this sounds apocalyptic, keep in mind that even of Bitcoin traders, most is held by a group of people numbering in the low single digits. It’s not going to trash lots of 401(k) accounts or the like. Much of the drop is based on worry of stricter regulations being considered by South Korea and China.
After missing the important holiday shopping season, Apple’s home pods have started shipping from supplier Inventec. 9to5mac.com reports the first million are on the way, with an expected run of between 10 and 12 million this year. Hon Hai Precision Industry is also making the HomePods for Apple. The delay has been blamed on fine tuning software and hardware integration. No release date from Apple yet, but it should be soon for the $350 smart speaker.
Trusted leaker Evan Bless Tweeted yesterday that a C-level executive at a major case maker spilled the beans on the release of Samsung’s Galaxy S9. The handset will launch on February 26th, pre-orders will open on March 1st, and the new hero phone will ship on March 16th. Limber up those fingers for some fast ordering!
Galaxy S9 Gets FM Radio; Shortage of Apple Replacement Batteries; Connected UnderwearPosted: January 11, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Batteries, Connected underwear, FM chip, Galaxy S9, IoT, Myant, Samsung, Skiin Leave a comment
Another feature has leaked out about the Samsung Galaxy S9 that debuts next month. According to bgr.com, Samsung will unlock the FM chip on phones sold in the US and Canada. While you can get radio and internet radio over apps, this might come in very handy in emergencies like hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes. The FCC recently called on Apple to do the same, and in fact to activate FM chips in existing iPhones (although the latter isn’t technically possible.)
On the topic of Apple, there’s the ongoing saga of the slowed down, older iPhones due to batteries failing. Macrumors.com says those $29 replacement batteries promised by Apple may not be here in enough volume until March or April for the iPhone 6 Plus. The delay is only a couple weeks for the iPhone 6, and Apple says batteries should be available right now for iPhone 7, 7 Plus, and SE.
In a sure sign that the Internet of Things has gone too far….smart underwear! Mashable.com reports that the skivvies come with sensors woven into the fabric of the undies, and the have a small, rechargeable module that can be removed for recharging….and of course, washing. The Skiin bras and underwear from Myant have 6 different sensors that track heart rate, temperature, pressure, motion, body fat, and hydration levels. All the data is sent to your smartphone app. Pricey? Of course! $279 for 4 pairs of undies.


text:
Facebook Inc. has disclosed plans to offer $100 million in grants and ad credits, as the novel Coronavirus ravages around the globe.
In order to address the economic impacts of the pandemic, Facebook will make the grants and ad credits available for up to 30,000 Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in over 30 countries.
It was gathered that the majority of the beneficiaries would get a cash grant.
Facebook will disclose any moment from now, how businesses can apply for the assistance regarding the offers.
In a post made available to the public, Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, said the economic disruption poses a severe risk to small businesses.
Sandberg’s post read, “We’ve listened to small businesses to understand how we can best help them. We’ve heard loud and clear that financial support could enable them to keep the lights on and pay people who can’t come to work.”
Sandberg said companies would be able to use cash to pay rent, cover operational costs or run advertising on Facebook. She added that Facebook was going to make it easier for small businesses to get training and support from its teams.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has confirmed five new cases of the coronavirus.
The new cases brought the total confirmed cases in Nigeria to 8. Four of these cases are in the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State, while one is in
Amid Coronavirus spread, Facebook to offer SMEs $100 million funding
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook
“Of the five new positive cases, 3 of them arrived from the United States of America while 2 came in from the United Kingdom. We are still collating information from the travellers, but we know that two of the cases of the US are Nigerians, a mother, and 6-week old baby, making this baby the youngest case of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“The third case is an American tourist who crossed the land border and became the first covid19 case that did not arrive by air. The two cases from the United kingdom are both Nigerians,” Minister for Health, Osagie Ehanire was quoted as saying.
For context, the $100 million Facebook said it has earmarked for small business owners represents 1.4% of the company’s net income for the fourth quarter of 2019. The social giant didn’t disclose how businesses can apply to receive the funding or ad credits, saying it will announce more details “as they become available.” The program will be available in over 30 countries.
According to Facebook, more than 140 million small businesses use its services for marketing, the vast majority of which do not pay anything.
COO Sheryl Sandberg announced the program in a Facebook post. “We’ve listened to small businesses to understand how we can best help them,” she wrote in part. “We’ve heard loud and clear that financial support could enable them to keep the lights on and pay people who can’t come to work.”
Facebook also has added information to its Business Resource Hub site about managing business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. That will include “new virtual training to support businesses operating in this new and unsettling environment,” according to Sandberg.
In addition, the Facebook Journalism Project announced that it will offer $1 million in grants to U.S. and Canadian local news organizations covering the coronavirus crisis, in partnership with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the Local Media Association (LMA). The fund will provide grants of up to $5,000 to local newsrooms to “help cover unexpected costs associated with coronavirus reporting.” Organizations can apply for the grants at this link.


text:
I don’t know if you have heard this or not, but May 12th – 16th is National Small Business Week.
Read on to learn more about it…
What It Is
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
Online and Offline Events
Monday May 12 in San Francisco http://www.sba.gov/nsbw/locations/san-francisco (NOTE: This event is sold out.)
Tuesday May 13 in Kansas City http://www.sba.gov/nsbw/locations/kansas-city
Thursday May 15 in Boston http://www.sba.gov/nsbw/locations/boston
Thursday May 15-Friday May 16 in Washington, DC http://www.sba.gov/nsbw/locations/washington-dc-0
Click here to register for a FREE online event during National Small Business Week.
- The Small Business Administration Has Revised Small Business Size Standards (baybusinesshelp.com)


text:
Verizon disappointed Wall Street and the stock ended Friday down - the company didn't add subscribers as fast as expected. Today's results were the flip side of AT&T's success yesterday - the launch of the iPhone 4, exclusive to Apple . Verizon reported a net addition of 584,000 contract customers, fewer than expected and fewer than AT&T's(T) net addition of 745,000 customers. Despite not having the iPhone, thanks to the successful Android launch, Verizon is still the nation's largest wireless carrier with 93.2 million customers.
Excluding one-time charges Verizon earned 56 cents per share, beating Wall Street expectations by 2 cents a share. Operating revenue fell 3 percent to $26.5 billion, though it was still a hair more than analysts expected. Verizon is earning more per subscriber -- monthly data revenue per user rose 17.6 percent to $18.20, with some of the highest margins in the industry.
Bernstein Research analyst Craig Moffett issued a report titled "A Glimpse into Live after FiOS" that shines the spotlight on Verizon's wireline business. Despite all the attention on smartphones, Moffett wisely reminds readers that Vodafone owns 45 percent of Verizon Wireless, so investors in Verizon should pay close attention to the wireline business. The enterprise business is recovering - down just .8 percent after dropping 6.2 percent a year ago. The rest of the wireline business saw revenue drop 5.2 percent, the steepest decline in almost two years. Moffett also warns that FiOS expansion "has slowed to a crawl."
The outlook for the rest of the year is improving, much like it is at AT&T: Verizon says earnings in the second half of the year will be 5 to 10 percent higher over the first half of the year. But Verizon's CFO said the wireless units would add 550,000 to 600,000 net new monthly bill paying subscribers in the current quarter. A year ago it added 1.2 million subscribers, so Wall Street see that target as a disappointment, especially since the fourth quarter is traditionally strong.
Questions? Comments? MediaMoney@cnbc.com


text:
“More and more of us spend time going places. Always having access to your favourite drink makes the dull hours pass a little faster,” says Kevin Verheyen, one of the members in the team behind UPPLADDA and IKEA 365+ bottles. “And if you want to avoid single-use plastic and bring your own bottle, it ‘s good if it lasts longer and can take untender treatment in harsh environments.”
For UPPLADDA and IKEA 365+ bottles, Kevin and his colleagues used plastic that stays clear and see-through, even after many tough cycles in the dishwasher.
“We know from research that people tend to throw out food containers when they become milky and scratched. We believe it’s the same with bottles. Therefore we used a more durable material to avoid waste,” says Kevin.
UPPLADDA and IKEA 365+ bottles don’t contain any harmful bisphenols, and like all IKEA cooking and eating products, they’ve been tested to meet the highest quality and safety standards.
“They’re light-weight companions that can withstand everyday wear and tear for many miles and many years,” says Kevin.


text:
Master Don Juan
- May 31, 2020
- Reaction score
Both beer brands have faced outrage over ad campaigns. But a leading brand strategist said the companies' responses "could not be more different."
Fucck Miller Lite!
They have outright refused to fire Elizabeth Hitch and her woke views from her elitist universities.
I hope consumers treat Miller Lite in the same way that they have treated Bud Light. They'll get the message that Elizabeth Hitch needs to be fired if sales drop off dramatically.


text:
$60 Billion Valuation
Didi is reportedly seeking to snatch a valuation of over $60 billion through the IPO, which is supposed to launch in the first half of next year. Many investors are seeing this as a great opportunity to cash in as the transport company started making strong profits, particularly in Q2 2020.
Didi started considering an IPO after it abandoned discussions with the domestic competitor Meiutan over a potential merger. The two companies disagreed on the valuation of the merged business.
Furthermore, Didi is looking to launch a new fundraising round before the IPO in an effort to elevate its valuation, sources said. Shares of the ride-hailing company are trading south of a valuation of $56 billion in a private market.
When asked to give a comment on the matter, the company said it has no “definitive” plan or timeline regarding its IPO. Such plans might easily change with different market conditions. So far, there have been no new reports on the new timetable regarding Didi’s IPO and fundraising round.
In 2015, Didi merged with its main competitor at the time, Kuaidi, to create a ride-hailing giant that offers its services through a mobile app that clients use to hail taxis, private cars, or even buses.
Before it started considering launching an IPO in Hong Kong, the company had been preparing to list in New York for years because of a larger capital pool and presence of similar rivals such as Uber and Lyft.
Back in 2016, Uber sold a business to Didi in exchange for a 17.5% stake, which made a $1 billion investment in Uber in return. Last month, Bloomberg reported that Uber is exploring options to sell part of its $6.3 billion stake in Didi Chuxing to raise cash.
High China-US Tensions Impacted IPO Decision
Didi has now decided to list in Hong Kong, mainly due to rising tensions between the United States and China that negatively affected many China-based companies, including TikTok and ByteDance.
Furthermore, Chinese firms listed in the US also have to deal with increased scrutiny and more rigorous audit demands. According to Reuters, a weak stock market performance of Uber and Lyft have further discouraged the Chinese transport giant from listing in New York. For instance, shares of Lyft are over two-thirds lower since its IPO.
Apart from Didi, Alibaba’s affiliate company, Ant Group, is preparing for its dual IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai. It is expected to secure around $35 billion in what many anticipate to be the largest initial public offering ever.
The Trump administration has been considering adding the Ant Group to the US “Entity List,” which is a blacklist that bans American companies from collaborating with firms or individuals on the list. However, blacklisting Ant Group may not significantly affect its business as most of its consumers are in China and its products target the domestic market.
According to data by Refinitiv, $28.8 billion worth of initial and secondary listings have been conducted in Hong Kong year-to-date, and Didi’s listing in the city would represent another major contribution.
Even after taking heavy blows from coronavirus and anti-government protests, Hong Kong managed to snatch second place among top global stock exchanges, behind Nasdaq.
Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing is considering launching its IPO in Hong Kong in the first half of 2021. The company has been considering a listing in New York for years but has now reconsidered mainly due to escalating US-China tensions. Didi is reportedly looking to reach a valuation of over $60 billion through the IPO.
About the Author
Luigi Wewege is the Senior Vice President, and Head of Private Banking at Caye International Bank. Outside of the bank, he serves as an Instructor at the FinTech School which provides online training courses on the latest technological and innovation developments within the financial services industry. Luigi is also the published author of: The Digital Banking Revolution.


text:
- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Tumblr
LONDON _ U.S. and French advertising agency conglomerates Omnicom Group and Publicis Groupe said Sunday that they would merge to create an ad giant with annual revenue of $22.7 billion and a stock market value of $35.1 billion.
The merger of equals will see shareholders of both companies own 50 percent each of the combined firm that will be called Publicis Omnicom Group. It will be bigger than Britain’s WPP, which has been the ad industry’s biggest player so far.
So far, Omnicom and France’s Publicis had been the second- and third-largest ad companies, respectively, based on revenue. The companies own such well-known ad agencies as BBDO, TBWA, Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as Publicis’ media buying firm Starcom MediaVest Group.
Analysts have in the past said that any ad industry consolidation could have an effect on media and entertainment industry companies given that they would deal with bigger entities with more leverage.
“I suspect most folks don’t have any sense of what could hit them,” said Pivotal Research analyst Brian Wieser. “There are now material risks to revenue growth forecasts for any media company whose revenue base is dependent on ad revenue, large brands and ad agencies.”
Pointing to an ad buying giant that has bought big ad inventories to get good rates and then allocated it to clients, he added: “There is the risk that they could embrace a GroupM-type media buying style. The merged company has opportunities to secure superior pricing if they organize things differently. Most marketers are focused on driving cost down.”
In U.S. network TV ad buying, fewer than 200 companies account for 90 percent of revenue, Wieser explained. “Almost all work with global agencies, of which this is now 40 percent,” he said.
The two companies represent such big-name advertisers as tech giant Apple, beverage powerhouses Coca-Cola and PepsiCo and consumer products conglomerate Procter & Gamble. Some of them have been big regular advertisers during the Super Bowl. And Pepsi and Coke have been sponsors of The X-Factor and American Idol.
John Wren of Omnicom and Maurice Levy of Publicis will serve as co-CEOs.
Regulators in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the French government, must approve the deal. The French government recently blocked an attempt by Yahoo to acquire a majority stake in French online video giant Dailymotion, saying it didn’t want a French success story to fall into foreign hands.
That could affect the ad revenue of media and entertainment companies. “Omnicom and Publicis Groupe are reshaping the industry by setting a new standard for supporting clients with integrated messaging across marketing disciplines and geographies,” said Wren in a statement.
The deal would give the combined company more leverage in getting clients better ad rates for TV, online and print campaigns, said one industry observer.
Wieser, in a first comment, also suggested that WPP, U.S. ad giant Interpublic, France’s Havas and Japanese ad company Dentsu might now explore possible deals.
“The communication and marketing landscape have undergone dramatic changes in recent years, including the exponential development of new media giants, the explosion of big data, blurring of the roles of all players and profound changes in consumer behavior,” said Levy.
He added: “This evolution has created both great challenges and tremendous opportunities for clients. John and I have conceived this merger to benefit our clients by bringing together the most comprehensive offering of analog and digital services.”
Among other digital deals, Starcom signed a multi-year ad and data tracking deal with Twitter earlier this year.
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day


text:
Aston Martin reveals divine-looking DB4 GT-inspired DBS GT Zagato
As Aston Martin’s DBZ Centenary Collection nears reality, the British luxury high performance brand has released images of how the DBS GT Zagato part of that £6 million ($7.5 million at today’s conversion rate) commemorative pairing will look in production form.
We already know how the other half of the Collection will look—the form of the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation car has been known since the original Zagato-bodied DB4 was made in the 1960s. Just 19 pairs of the double-bubble-roofed cars will be made, and the two vehicles cannot be bought separately. As you may be able to guess from the name of the Collection, it is intended to celebrate Zagato’s 100th year in operation, and also commemorate 60 years of collaboration between the two companies.
To distinguish it from the more mundane V-12-powered DBS Superleggera on which the DBS GT Zagato, designed jointly by Aston Martin and Zagato, is based, the DBS GT Z will have a new grille and an electronic rear-view “mirror” to go with its full-length carbon-fiber roof.
Jaguar and Audi have been doing some startup sequence theater for the past few years, particularly on those firms’ higher-end vehicles. The car greets you, as it were, with vents and controls moving to operational positions. Aston Martin takes that a step further with what it calls a “dynamic grille.” When stationary, the grille’s 108 distinct diamond-shaped carbon-fiber elements lay flush with the car’s flowing lines, but will “flutter into life” upon startup, to allow air flow to the radiator and the V-12 engine’s induction system.
Marek Reichman, who heads design for Aston Martin Lagonda, said in a statement, “This is a car that is not only focused around beauty, but drama too. Our dynamic grille gives us an opportunity to provide the car with two very different identities. When parked, DBS GT Zagato will almost look like it’s resting, but with the rear of the car still appearing muscular and primed for action. Only on start-up will the car truly become alert and ready to perform, delivering both an aural and visual treat for onlookers.”
Since the full-length carbon-fiber roof is indeed full-length, that means there is no back window as the roof flows gracefully right to the rear deck lid. To provide for visibility, a rear-mounted video camera provides imagery to a digital screen where the rear-view mirror would normally go.
With Aston Martin concentrating on first completing the 19 Continuation DB4 GT Zagatos this year, production of the companion DBS GT Zagatos will begin in 2020.


text:
The enriched business ties between South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will provide substantial support for China's foreign trade and supply chain operations in the Asia-Pacific region, said government officials and business experts.
Given its status as the "foothold" of China-ASEAN cooperation, Guangxi is expected to play a vital role in supporting the growth of various economic initiatives, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, they said.
Launched in 2017, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is a trade and logistics passage jointly built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members.
Despite multiple challenges facing the global economy, Guangxi's continued efforts to stimulate its real economy and deepen cooperation with the ASEAN are expected to yield positive results, said Wang Guowen, director of the center for logistics and supply chain management at the China Development Institute, a Shenzhen, Guangdong province-based think tank.
"These efforts will not only alleviate pressure on China's foreign trade this year but also ensure the smooth operations of industrial and supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.
To further explore growth opportunities in ASEAN markets, Liu Ning, Party secretary of Guangxi, led a delegation to visit Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia from March 30 to Saturday.
During the recent visit, the delegation from Guangxi inked a total of 38 economic and trade deals with local business partners in Vietnam. With a combined amount of 36.8 billion yuan ($5.35 billion), the agreements involve trade in goods, industrial cooperation, cross-border investment and other business fields, according to data released by Guangxi's regional government.
Similarly, the delegation signed 30 commercial agreements worth a total of 13.1 billion yuan in areas such as trade in services, logistics, shipping and port operations, with various parties in Singapore.
The delegation's visit to Malaysia was equally fruitful, resulting in 17 cooperation projects for economic and trade activities. With a total amount of 39.2 billion yuan, these business deals cover the trade and production of nonferrous and recycled metals, cross-border logistics operations and cold chain, green energy development and new materials for environmental protection.
"Guangxi is the forefront and window of China's opening-up and cooperation with ASEAN and RCEP countries," said Liu. "We are willing to work with all related parties to seize opportunities to develop the Belt and Road Initiative, advance preparations for the further enhancement of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0), and promote the in-depth implementation of the RCEP."
The official said that Guangxi will rely on platforms such as the China-ASEAN Expo and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to further deepen cooperation in regional connectivity, economic and trade investment, industrial development and cultural exchanges with ASEAN countries to achieve win-win results.
Ong Tze Guan, chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, believes that China and Singapore will benefit from the multiplier effects brought by improved overall economic, trade and investment relations in the Asia-Pacific region.
As an important transit point in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, more than 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units of containers were handled by Guangxi's Beibu Gulf Port in the first quarter of this year, up 14.7 percent year-on-year, data from the local government showed.
The 20th China-ASEAN Expo, which will be held in September in Nanning, Guangxi's regional capital, is expected to host commercial events and a series of high-level forums to comprehensively upgrade the high-level dialogue mechanism, and economic and trade effectiveness, said the Guangxi government.


text:
Earlier this year the FTC launched the IoT Home Inspector Challenge competition to challenge innovators to create a tool that will help protect consumers from security vulnerabilities in the software of home IoT devices. Submissions were received in May and reviewed by a panel of five judges, including security experts from a range of private companies, universities and the government. The FTC announced the winners on July 26, 2017.
The FTC awarded Steve Castle the $25,000 prize for his proposal for a mobile app, “IoT Watchdog.” Mr. Castle’s proposed app would help users with limited technical expertise to manage the IoT devices in their homes by scanning their home WiFi and Bluetooth networks to identify and inventory connected devices. It would then flag devices with out-of-date software and other common vulnerabilities and provide instructions on how to update each device’s software and fix other vulnerabilities.
The FTC awarded an honorable mention and $3,000 to a team that proposed an alternative method of securing home networks from vulnerable IoT devices. That team was led by BJ Black and Michael Birmingham. Their proposal was a tool called “Persistent Internal Network Containment” (PINC) that uses virtual networks to isolate each device on a home network so that consumers can monitor and manage devices.
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.


text:
Luxury watch brand Zenith is marking its 150th birthday with a new version of its Christopher Columbus range of timepieces.
Baume & Mercier has teamed with Shelby to honor the 50th anniversary of Shelby American’s first FIA Sports Car World Championship at Rheims.
Ten years after introducing its first Tradition watch, Breguet is expanding the collection with the Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097.
Ahead of the October 2015 release of “Spectre,” the 24th Bond movie, Omega has unveiled a new watch dedicated to the secret agent.
The Première Rock watch collection combines the sophistication inherent to the Chanel name with a younger, more modern and more rebellious side.
Swiss watch exports last year ticked in at a historic 22.2 billion Swiss francs ($23.9 billion), the Customs Administration said.
Pianist Lang Lang is the new spokesperson for watchmaker Hublot.
Luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer has tapped fashion model Cara Delevingne as its new feminine ambassador.
Van Cleef & Arpels has revived a timepiece created in 1935, the Cadenas, which is said to have been inspired by the Duchess of Windsor.
At SIHH, Cartier will introduce a new version of its Astrotourbillon concept: the Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon Skeleton.
Switzerland’s luxury watchmakers are considering raising prices on their timepieces in the eurozone by up to 7% due to the ballooning franc.
For 2015, German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne decided to revise the design of three watches in its Saxonia line.
The Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap watches mix a connected bracelet with the stylings of the brand’s traditional Swiss watches.
Actress Sarah Gadon poses in watches from the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous collection.
HUBLOT has collaborated with cigar producer Arturo Fuente to create the Classic Fusion ForbiddenX, featuring a dial made with real tobacco leaves.
For the first time ever, the mechanical heart of the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 watch is revealed under a transparent sapphire dial.
A gold pocket watch made by Patek Philippe for a New York banker in the 1930s has sold for a record $24 million at auction in Geneva.
Vacheron Constantin presents The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – a series of captivating timepieces based on the 12-year cycle.
The MB&F Horological Machine N°6 ‘Space Pirate’ is being built in a limited edition of 50 pieces. Each will retail for approximately $230,000.
Vacheron Constantin has a new South American outpost, with its 47th store worldwide located at the Shopping Cidade Jardim in Sao Paulo.