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As if banks lacked enough to worry about, up comes the issue of intellectual property. Thanks to a two-year-old change in policy at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, people outside the banking industry now can patent business practices that banks have always taken for granted - everything from the way credit cards are processed to how checks are handled.
Both the banking industry and the patent office are waking up to this problem, and both seem to be taking steps to correct it. BITS, the technology arm of the Financial Services Roundtable, has set up a working group to study the issue and make recommendations. Officials of the U.S. Patent Office have acknowledged that some patents it has granted may be problematic in their breadth.
Congress has taken some corrective action in the form of the American Inventors Protection Act, which was signed into law late last year. It protects companies that have used computerized processes for at least a year from being sued for infringement by a latecomer who patents the existing process.
But it is still an issue to which bankers should pay attention because it could potentially cost them a lot. Entrepreneurs who are seeking patents on business methods - or have already won them - are doing so largely to get licensing fees from the banks and other institutions that already use unpatented versions of the method.
Though no egregious example has arisen of what might amount to intellectual extortion, the potential is alarming enough that the industry should be acting in concert to protect itself.
Until 1998 the general rule was that a method of doing business was not patentable. A patent-seeker had to prove that his or her submission was an invention, machine, or device. But the advent of patents on software began eroding this rule, and the landscape changed that year when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group Inc. that software inventions embodying business models - such as a mutual fund management model - should not be excluded from the scope of patentable subject matter.
This ruling broke the dam, leading to a string of successful patent applications that previously would have been rejected summarily.
One example - and a case study in why the industry should sit up and take notice - is a patent granted to Steven I. Weissman, a 47-year-old corporate attorney in Florida, for a credit card scheme that sounds suspiciously similar to a purchasing card system.
As Mr. Weissman explains it, early in his practice as a lawyer it occurred to him that it would be useful to have a credit card that would keep track separately of expenses incurred for each client. If all the travel and other business-related expenses for Client A were stored on the card separately from expenses for Client B, he said, it would make billing much simpler.
As Mr. Weissman envisioned it, the credit card itself would have a keypad, display, and microprocessor chip so that the lawyer could enter a client code at the point of sale and the device could store all the information. All the lawyers working on a single case would use the same client code so that charges would be gathered in one place.
The system would be useful for people other than lawyers, Mr. Weissman said. An example he cited was property managers, who could go to a home supply store, buy lighting fixtures or toilets for various rental buildings, and charge the items to different cost centers.
Ten years ago Mr. Weissman consulted a patent lawyer about this idea and was told there was no way he could patent it. But in 1998 after Mr. Weissman read of the State Street Bank case, he went back to the patent lawyer and filed a successful application.
The patent granted Mr. Weissman, he said, covers a "system of making an allocation at the point of purchase, without really specifying how to do it." A second patent application, which Mr. Weissman said is pending, would cover the devices used to enter the billing code.
The system, which still exists only in theory, would seem to accomplish the same ends as a purchasing card system - something banks, and American Express Co., have been offering for many years. Modern purchasing cards, which do not require the use of chips, can sort and aggregate employees' business-related expenses. Some travel-and-entertainment card systems can do the same.
Nonetheless Mr. Weissman - armed with his patent - has been trying to get Visa U.S.A. and American Express, among others, to pay for his system. "The goal is to sell it or license it," he said. "I'm positive that over the next several years, as all of the systems and point-of-sale terminals are converted to smart card technology, this system is going to be in demand without my having to do anything. If one of the credit card companies obtained exclusive rights to this system, it would have a big impact in the overall marketplace."
"A company like American Express would seem to be at the most jeopardy" from his system, Mr. Weissman said. With the growing adoption of smart cards, "even if I did nothing, in five to 10 years, all the credit card companies are going to want to use it."
Mr. Weissman, who put out a homemade press release about his patent and its potential reach, said American Express, Visa, and several smart card companies that he declined to name are studying his proposal. "I've had feedback that says they've got people looking at it," he said. "I haven't found anybody who has a reason or explanation of why the system wouldn't work or isn't feasible."
The industry should be wary. Technologists say many newly granted patents seem to coincide with products or processes already established at banks. No one wants to incur a patent infringement suit for doing something that has been done unobjectionably for years, and no one wants to be coerced into paying fees to opportunists.


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'Captain Marvel' is the latest movie to be attacked by online trolls, but it probably won't hurt its box-office opening
Friday, 8 March 2019 () · "Captain Marvel" is the latest blockbuster to be targeted by online trolls who are taking to Rotten Tomatoes and other review-aggregator sites to tank user scores.
· Rotten Tomatoes changed its policy last week so that users can't review movies prior to their release, but now that "Captain Marvel" is in theaters, it has the...
Captain Marvel is helping the Marvel Cinematic Universe soar ever higher at the box office.Captain Marvel is set for a $455 million global opening weekend, the biggest global opening ever for a female-led movie. That's also the second-largest global opening ever for a Marvel Studios film, behind only...
DUBAI - "Fashion is very important in the Middle East and I think people out here are very fashionable and I'm very happy to bring a brand so that they can come and visit the I Love Fashion boutique in..
Marvel's newest movie, Captain Marvel, opened in theaters this past weekend, and it enjoyed a massive, record-breaking debut at the box office. According to Deadline, the movie made $153 million in the..
Success for Marvel Entertainment most always means a plus for Atlanta's film industry. But that's not the case for Marvel's latest blockbuster. In its first... bizjournals Also reported by •Just Jared •Independent

domain: news


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Audi Q7 - Credit: Audi
Audi has confirmed that it will be creating a new flagship SUV model, badged Q8, Autocar has reported.
The company's technical boss, Ulrich Hackenberg, broke the news at this week's Los Angeles motor show. The new model will rival sporting, coupe-styled SUVs such as the BMW X6 and Range Rover Sport, as well as the forthcoming Mercedes MLC.
It will share its underpinnings with the new Q7, which is due to make its public debut at the Detroit motor show in January.
Speaking to Autocar, Hackenberg said: "The Q8 will come. It will be something new, following designs established on the Prologue concept. It will be positioned as something more emotional and more sporty than the Q7. The Q7 will be a car for seven people, the Q8 will be more coupe like."
However, while the Q8 will crib the design of the stunning Prologue, the new Q7 will be the last to exhibit Audi's current design language, the brand's new chief designer, Marc Lichte, having arrived at the company too late into the car's development process.
Having been given the green light for production, the Q8 is currently undergoing development and is expected to reach showrooms within the next three years.
The Q8 forms part of Audi's ambitious plan to increase its product portfolio by 20 per cent over the next three years, with 10 brand new models due to reach showrooms. Joining the Q8 will be further SUVs, including smaller Q1 and Q2 models.


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WASHINGTON -- A full-court effort by U.S. auto makers to secure federal aid appeared to be on the rocks after the companies failed to convince lawmakers of the urgent need for a rescue.
Late Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid backed away from efforts to force a vote this week on a Democratic-backed bill. The Nevada senator said he might move a Republican alternative proposal Thursday, but suggested it faced strong opposition. "We have to face reality," he said.
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Diageo quarter growth boosted by U.S. spirits
LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Global drinks group Diageo said a strong performance and higher prices in U.S. spirits, its biggest business, led it to a 4 percent growth in organic net sales, balancing out consumer weakness in Brazil and Nigeria.
The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness stout said overall volumes were down 1 percent in the three months to end-March but that it had benefitted from a strong price/mix and a small positive impact from foreign exchange.
"Given our market positions and geographic diversity we remain confident that Diageo's performance continues to be in line with our medium term guidance," said Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh in a statement on Thursday.
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- New York Mayor-elect's reputation for lateness parodied on Twitter


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Subscribe to the Restaurant Business newsletter
Search Restaurant Business
Consumers have no shortage of options when it comes to choosing where they dine.
Fast-casual Shouk gets consumers to eat more plants by turning vegetables into accessible, familiar favorites.
Chains are launching special deals and menu items Wednesday to celebrate wings.
A consumer survey reveals what Americans are cooking and ordering for takeout during the first six months of the year.
Foods to-go continue to trend and breakfast makes a comeback.
Andrew Darneille had to overcome countless obstacles, but he wasn’t going to let a pandemic stop his dream from coming true.
The Mexican fast-food chain will change its menu next month, saying the simplification will improve speed and open possibilities for innovation.
A report on Reddit suggested a handful of items could be on the chopping block, and the company acknowledged it is working to simplify operations.
Food and beverage managers have to balance staffing with uncertain occupancy rates.
Restaurants are driving consumer interest with lots of new launches.
These emerging chains are the growth vehicles to watch—the ones poised to be major industry players in the coming years.
Food trends and recipes to keep menus fresh
New restaurants and soon-to-open concepts worth monitoring
RB’s exclusive ranking of the highest-grossing independent restaurants
Peter Romeo highlights the moments restaurateurs miss at their own peril
Ideas from the field you may want to borrow


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Mercedes-Benz recently announced pricing information of its Smart Fortwo electric drive for 2013.
Read This Article
You’d be mistaken in believing they don’t sell Smart cars here anymore.
Check out what to expect on the next-generation Smart ForTwo.
What's more awesome than a Smart ForTwo?


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MTN Uganda through its promotion dubbed MTN MoMoPay X-mas is rewarding MoMoPay customers this festive season offering them a 5% discount capped at UGX5,000 on their daily shopping. Additionally, five lucky customers will win shopping vouchers worth UGX50,000 every week for the four weeks of the promo.
To enter the draw, simply shop and pay with MoMoPay, share a screenshot of your MoMoPay transaction on MTN Uganda social media platforms to stand a chance of winning the voucher.
Commenting on the promotion, Mr. Martin Mwesiga the Consumer Segment Manager at MTN Uganda said since the festive season is all about shopping, gifting and merry making, the telco wants to make it easier for its customers by giving them a discount on their festive season shopping payments made through MoMoPay.
“This year has been disrupted and the times have been tough. That is why we are bringing cheer to your festive season with MTN MoMoPay daily discounts. Simply make payments using MTN MoMoPay and get a 5% discount on your first payment every day.” Mwesiga said.
In adherence to the COVID-19 SOPs, payments done digitally through MoMoPay will further help in preventing the spread of the virus since payments don’t involve exchange of physical cash.
MTN launched MoMoPay in 2018 to allow merchants to receive payments safely and convenient. Available in supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, hardware shops, fuel stations, salons to mention a few across the country, the service allows merchants to receive payments from their customers using MTN Mobile Money. Additionally, merchants can also sell airtime and earn commission, pay suppliers and their workers’ salaries as well as transfer money to the bank.
The introduction of MomoPay is to combat the pain experience for customers while making transactions. Therefore, the telco through MomoPay is committed to simplifying financial transactions by enabling people transact comfortably and conveniently. The service is accessible through the MyMTN app or a USSD dial code *165*3#.


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Colorado has seen another of its municipalities approve the sale of commercial adult-use cannabis, as new figures confirm a significant decline in sales throughout 2023.
Brighton has now approved a new dispensary ordinance that will enable four stores to open in the municipality, with two licences being set aside for social equity business owners.
While Birghton’s former city council passed legislation allowing both medical and recreational sales to take place last October, the final reading was delayed until four new council members were able to take office, with the final vote taking place on February 06.
Applications for these licences are now set to open on March 01, but they will remain specifically for dispensaries, not cultivators, extraction facilities, or infused product manufacturers.
It comes as the state’s Department of Revenue published new figures for cannabis sales in December 2023, following four months of consistent decline.
Total sales rose from $110.3m in November, which marked the lowest level of sales since 2015, to $115.8m in December.
While this broke the run of declining monthly sales, it meant that sales for 2023 dropped to $1.5bn, down from $1.7bn in 2022, marking the lowest level of sales since 2017.


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From skyrocketing tuition to textbook expenses, college students have seen the cost of higher education continue to rise, making the “American dream” harder to achieve. In-state tuition and fees at public national universities have grown about 56%, adjusted for inflation, over the last two decades, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Many families are looking for alternative solutions, such as sending their children to community college, where students are estimated to save $8,000 per year compared to a public four-year in-state college.
But for students currently attending college, traditional money-saving strategies such as loading up on AP or dual-enrollment courses are no longer an option. While becoming a resident assistant (RA) is a great way to save money on room and board costs, many Miami University students have expressed concerns about inadequate compensation and a higher workload than other universities.
So, how can current college students save (or even make) money while not having access to these traditional strategies?
1. Avoid credit card debt and take advantage of rewards
Building credit in college is a great way to kick-start your financial future and procure better loans after college. However, credit card debt can quickly weigh you down with high and compounding interest.
According to Forbes, the average annual percentage rate (APR), the interest on unpaid debt, of student credit cards for the week of Jan. 22 is about 27%, making credit card debt more of a burden.
If you use credit cards in college, pay the card in full every month. Doing this ensures that you won’t incur additional debt in interest and can get a better credit score.
While credit cards may be unwise for some, those who use them responsibly can reap many benefits through credit card rewards. Many student and secured cards offer rewards such as cash-back on restaurants and gas. Some companies, such as Discover, give cardholders a cash-back match at the end of their first year.
Cash-back can quickly add up and save you hundreds of dollars per year. Remember to spend only what you typically would on debit and ensure you meet the sign-up bonus requirements.
2. Invest extra money
If you have a chunk of cash sitting idly in your checking or savings account that you will not need in the next six months to a year, it may be wise to invest that money into a certificate of deposit (CD) or a major index fund.
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With a current annual inflation rate of 3.4%, the money in your checking account is losing value. Investing in CDs and low-risk index funds is a great way to ensure your savings aren’t losing value.
As of January, CDs can offer interest rates of up to 5.51% with little to no risk for the lender. Index funds, such as the S&P 500, average annual returns of up to 10% but with the risk of market volatility.
To mitigate the risk of market volatility, only invest money you will not need soon and hold your assets as long as possible.
3. Take advantage of student discounts
One of the benefits of being a college student is the numerous student discounts. Whether talking about subscription services or even mainstream brands, there are many ways for students to take advantage of these discounts.
Sites such as UNiDAYS and StudentBeans make it easy for students to find deals and save money. Apple Music and Spotify offer student subscriptions, and many other services, such as newspapers and video platforms, are free if you are a Miami student.
4. Delete Doordash and Uber Eats
In a late-night study crunch, delivering food may be convenient, but doing this too often may lead to financial disaster.
With services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, you pay for the food, the driver, high delivery and service fees, and occasionally fees to the merchants. According to the New York Times, price markups can be as high as 25% to 91% for certain orders.
Not only do high fees hurt the consumer, but they also hurt local restaurants. According to CNN, delivery services charge restaurants up to 30% per order, leaving profits laser-thin or red.
A better alternative to delivery apps is to order pickup from the restaurants directly, avoiding high fees and saving money.


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Bilateral deal-making involving governments of Africa and the Middle East.
The FTA initiative should be seen in the context of the Trump administration’s determination to pursue bilateral deals to enhance reciprocity and American gains.
Kenya’s proposed free trade deal with the US has put it in the crosshairs as critics say the planned bilateral agreement would be a breach of regional and continental trade protocols.
Kenya surrendered its customs space to the bloc in 2005 when it signed its customs union protocol. The rulebook compels member states to negotiate all trade pacts jointly.
President Donald Trump has announced the United States intends to initiate trade agreement negotiations with Kenya.
The US and Kenya are expected to announce negotiations on a free-trade agreement, America’s first such deal with a sub-Saharan country.
Mauritania will soon implement the free trade agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President El Ghazouani has said.
Resolving these issues is crucial for EAC’s approach to opportunities from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as a bloc.
An Iranian official said an accord between Tehran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries will turn into a free trade agreement within the next two or three years.
The working group is exploring ways to deepen the trade and investment ties between the two countries and lay the groundwork for a stronger future trade relationship.
The GCC states are drawn to the African states’ promise, especially as the new continental trade deal will facilitate opportunities and unlock growth in parts of Africa that were previously difficult to access.
Tralac’s page on the African Continental Free Trade Area
The Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) is a regional non-governmental organization founded in 1996 soon after the WTO Singapore Ministerial Conference — mainly focusing on WTO, but also bilateral and regional trade negotiations in Africa.
The Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) is an African initiative to strengthen Africa’s capacity to take a more effective part in the emerging global trading system and to better manage the process of globalization.


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The past few years have seen Kia show off some sports car concepts and many have been wondering if Kia would actually build one. Well according to Autocar, Kia will be doing just that.
Kia UK boss Paul Philpott revealed that the Korean automaker will launch a new sports car “by the end of the decade”. Not many details about this new car are known since it is still in the planning stages. What is known is that the new model will take ideas from the GT and Stinger GT4 concepts, and not be based on any other Kia model.
This comes at an interesting time since earlier in the week, Hyundai President & CEO Tony Whitehorn told Autocar that they don't have any plans to build a sports car.
“Not many people make money out of sports cars. The sports car market is shrinking dramatically, and even firms with heritage and a great product are struggling. Aside from the Audi TT and Mazda MX-5, it is a tough place to be,” said Whitehorn.


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- The CryptoPunks NFT was “sold” for $532 million worth of Ether and would have been the single highest NFT sale.
- It was later revealed to have been a flash loans sale and as such, illegitimate
The Twitter CryptoPunks Bot account announced the sale of NFT CryptoPunk #9998 for over half a billion dollars on Thursday. The Tweet contained a link to the CryptoPunks creator Larva Labs’ page for the female, wild white-haired CryptoPunk. The transaction history on the site showed that the NFT had been bought for 124,457.07 ETH (the equivalent of $532,414,877.01 at that time).
— CryptoPunks Bot (@cryptopunksbot) October 28, 2021
NFTs, usually in the form of digital art or virtual representations of real-life items have sold astronomical amounts before. In fact, some have been bought for millions of dollars. The highest-grossing CryptoPunk sale, for example, was the $11.8 million purchase of the ‘alien’ CryptoPunk #7523 by DraftKings board member Shalom Meckenzie.
The current record for the highest single NFT sale is $69 million after the sale of digital artist Beeple’s ‘5000 days’ collage. So when such a sale was announced, many were suspicious. Some speculated that someone was trying to cover the tracks of their ill-gotten crypto.
sale of CryptoPunk or flash loan experiment?
It later became evident that the sale was not legitimate. It was as a result of someone using DeFi recently introduced flash loans. These non-collateral cryptocurrency loans were introduced to the Ethereum blockchain in January last year largely due to the efforts of lending platform Aave. Larva Labs explained in a follow-up tweet;
PSA: This transaction (and a number of others) are not a bug or an exploit, they are being done with “Flash Loans”. In a nutshell, someone bought this punk from themself with borrowed money and repaid the loan in the same transaction. Some recent large bids were done the same way. The ether is offered and removed in a single transaction. So, while technically briefly valid, the bid can never be acceptedSome recent large bids were done the same way. The ether is offered and removed in a single transaction. So, while technically briefly valid, the bid can never be accepted,
Research organisation Flashbots’ Robert Miller also threw in his thoughts and explained how flash loans worked and made the transaction seem legitimate. According to the detailed tweet, one contract punk up the NFT for sale. A second contract took out a flash loan and bought the NFT from the first. When the first contract received the Ether, it instantly sent it all back and the second contract used it to repay the loan. So, for just a brief time, the transaction seemed valid.
Larva Labs revealed that it will add filtering that will prevent notifications for such transactions from being generated. NFT analytics platform CryptoSlam announced that the transaction would be erased from their system.


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BREAKING: United States reaches deal with Canada and Mexico over tariffs
As the most reliable and balanced news aggregation service on the internet, DML News App offers the following information published by NYTimes.com:
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico to lift tariffs on metal imports, resolving a yearlong standoff that inflamed North Atlantic tensions and complicated efforts to ratify a revised trade deal.
“I’m pleased to announce we’ve just reached agreement with Canada and Mexico. We’ll be selling our product into those countries without the imposition of tariffs,” President Trump said on Friday.
He said that while the United States has a “great relationship” with Canada “they’ve been charging us extremely high tariffs.”
The article goes on to state the following:
In a statement Friday afternoon, the Canadian government said that the two countries had reached an agreement for American tariffs to be lifted on Canadian steel and aluminum imports. The retaliatory tariffs Canada had placed on American products would be lifted by Sunday, at the latest.
Instead of tariffs, the nations would set up a system for monitoring and enforcement in case of import surges.
The Trump administration has reached agreements with Canada and Mexico to lift import tariffs on metals, resolving a yearlong standoff https://t.co/vhcTaflNZ7
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 17, 2019
To get more information about this article, please visit NYTimes.com. To weigh in, leave a comment below.
DML News App offered you the above aggregated article preview as part of our ongoing effort to educate and inform people around the world about news, events, and politics. We encourage you to obtain additional information by visiting NYTimes.com
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The response to Apple's iPhone 7 has been lukewarm. Any other smartphone manufacturer would be excited to sell so many phones, but Apple has not seen the same enthusiasm for this device as it has lately. Next year will be a crucial moment for Apple and iPhone; It is the 1
The current rumor is that Apple could watch a larger 5.8-inch OLED panel for iPhone 8 (presumably a Plus model). The current iPhone 7 Plus has a 5.5 inch 1080p LCD. In the case of LCD monitors, Apple has always chosen very nice. However, OLED technology has come a long way in recent years, and is undeniably better. Colors, black levels and response time are noticeably better than LCD.
For the size, 5.8 inches sounds like a big phone. Although it is worth noting that the current iPhone 7 Plus has quite a big frame. A phone like the Galaxy S7 Edge has extremely small fittings in relation to the iPhone. Apple is rumored to be toying with "bezel-less" design, which could deliver a larger screen in the same footprint as the current iPhone 7 Plus. A view of that size will still be a bit uncomfortable, so it's all about going down to ergonomics and palm rejection (display ability to ignore accidental touches). Reports also indicate that Apple may look like using a curved OLED panel, a design by Samsung.
Whatever Apple has, we'll find out in the fall of 2017. Even though the way the latest Apple devices have leaked, you may not be able to wait a long time to get a good idea.


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Solar Module Super League (SMSL) member JA Solar achieved an operating revenue of RMB49.323 billion (US$6.8 billion) in the first three quarters on 2022, a year-on-year increase of 89%, according to the company’s financial results released yesterday.
Its net profit was RMB3.29 billion (US$450 million), up by 150% YoY, and net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses was RMB3.24 billion, up by 200% YoY.
JA Solar’s Q3 revenue exceeded RMB20 billion for the first time, reaching as much as RMB20.86 billion, up by 110% YoY. Its net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses reached RMB1.608 billion, up by 199% YoY.
JA Solar claimed the rapid growth was attributed to the consistent optimisation and upgrading of product structures and the continuous expansion of sales scale. The company has upgraded sales efforts, steadily implemented new production capacity construction and has optimised its supply chain management, it said in it results.
JA Solar’s global cell and module shipments in the first three quarters were 27.10GW (including 352.20MW for self-use), up by 68% YoY. Among them, the overseas shipment of modules accounted for about 64%, with distribution shipments accounting for about 37%.
In particular, cell and module shipments jumped significantly in the third quarter to 11.43GW, up by 89% YoY.
Delivery of n-type modules begins
With silicon material prices soaring this year, JA Solar has put its new N-type production capacity into operation, as planned.
Specifically, the company has put its Ningjin 1.3GW cell project into production and has started to deliver n-type high-efficiency modules. JA Solar has advanced several new manufacturing projects, including the 20GW Baotou ingot pulling and slicing facility, the 2.5GW Vietnam ingot pulling and slicing plant, the 5GW NingJin slicing and 6GW cell project, the 10GW Yangzhou cell project, the 10GW Qujing cell project and 5GW module project, the 5GW Xingtai module project as well as its 11HW Hefei module project.
JA Solar said its vertically integrated layout mitigated the impact of silicon material price increases, effectively hedging risks.
At the same time, JA continues to strengthen technological innovation and launched new products into the market. The company will launch DeepBlue 4.0X, a new generation of commercially manufactured N-type high-efficiency modules for the global market. It adopts high-efficiency N-type Bycium+ cell technology with higher matrix materials and structures.
According to the company’s existing planning, its production capacity will exceed 27GW by the end of 2023.


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Developer Blackbird Interactive is offering a special pre-order "VIP package" for strategy title Hardware: Shipbreakers including closed beta access and gameplay guides, the company announced today.
Those who purchase the First Wave VIP Package will receive previously-unrealeased concept art for the title, the official game's soundtrack by Strike Suit Zero composer Paul Ruskay, and access to a special closed forum and the First Wave VIP web chatroom where developers will share more game information.The first 2,000 buyers will also be allowed to name in-game land.
The VIP package also includes a special "Prospector's Guide" in line with the game's fiction, which includes introductory tutorials on in-game history, equipment catalogs and operating manuals for a number of in-game units.The guide will introduce the game's planet, LM-27, along with important characters, locations and historical points.
"We are pleased to announce this pre-sale campaign to open the doors to all the fans who are interested in supporting our efforts and want to enter a new era of RTS gameplay and deep fiction" said Blackbird executive producer Dan Irish in a press statement. Irish said the company plans to gradually release more guide videos for Hardware, such as the one posted above.
Hardware: Shipbreakers will be free-to-play. The game is in production with former members of Electronic Arts and Relic Entertainment and the creators of real-time strategy series Homeworld. There is currently no information on release date and platforms.


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Yellow and orange have overtaken black, white, and gray as the top color preferences for cars according to a new study by iSeeCars.com. There are also very strong gender differences when it comes to ar color choices. In a nutshell, men want to flaunt their plumage.
The iSeeCars.com study confirms something that Torque News recently learned at a Subaru Crosstrek media launch for the all-new 2018 Crosstrek. Orange has been the most popular color for that model, even beating black. Subaru has now been using the color on special edition WRX and Forester cars.
The study by iSeeCars.com looked at over 700,000 consumer inquiries on its site, as well as over 30 million car purchase transactions. It found that while men are going for yellow and orange, women now lean towards teal (pale green). However, men have the strongest color preferences with two-thirds of men wanting yellow and orange.
Subaru is not the only car company that has discovered the new formula. Dodge painted its muscle cars Go Mango orange in 2016. Trucks are also now coming in yellow as the new Ram 1500 exemplifies.


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The processing and packaging machinery industry was showing no sign of slowing down as the UK’s premier machinery exhibition, now in its 24th year, celebrated another success. 11,072* was the total attendance number over the three-days – in line with the 2009 edition. Exhibitors also reported an increase in the quality of visitors and key players from the industry coming through the doors.
Running from 27 – 29 September at Birmingham’s NEC, the show welcomed over 320 world-class suppliers, each dedicated to helping visitors improve their manufacturing productivity and efficiency in the food, drink, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. As the biggest industrial gathering to focus exclusively on these sectors, the show welcomed visitors from across the globe looking to source the latest processing and packaging machinery.
Neil Fowell, Managing Director of Yamato Scale Dataweigh, an exhibitor at the event, commented: "We had an extremely successful three days at the PPMA Show this year. The visitors were of a high quality and spot on in terms of target for us – plus there was a constant stream of them to our stand which is always encouraging. All in all, an impressive show."
The show also recruited a number of new exhibitors this year who were keen to showcase their range of products to the high-calibre of visitors attending. Anna Edwards, Marketing Manger of KDH Projects commented: "This is the first time we have exhibited at the PPMA Show and we’ve generated a lot of leads which is promising. We build and refurbish factories rather than supplying the equipment for them and this unique selling point has gone down very well with visitors – there’s no doubt that some of these customers will come back to us in the future."
Alongside the exhibition there were a number of new attractions to ensure both visitors and exhibitors were kept up-to-date with the latest industry developments and trends.
To celebrate the return of the exhibition this year, the organisers created the Ones to Watch Awards. The new competition recognised promising under 35 year olds who have made a real impression on the processing and packaging machinery industry. Nicola Swann from Videojet Technologies was named winner at the award ceremony on the opening night, with Sabine Fiehl from Busch UK and Greg Austin from Endoline Machinery Ltd also collecting Silver and Bronze Awards respectively.
As part of the prizes, the five shortlisted candidates were also presented with a free place on Festo Training & Consulting’s management training course, ‘Don’t just feed me chicken’, a unique programme that uses birds of prey to demonstrate how to encourage employee engagement.
The addition of the Manufacturing Forum to this year’s visitor programme also proved successful. The Forum consisted of seminars presented by some of the industry’s most influential packaging, processing, vision and robotics experts followed by lively and engaging debates on some of the hottest engineering and production topics affecting the sector. Organisations such as Marks and Spencer, The Packaging Society and sponsors B&R Industrial Automation Ltd were on hand to fully update machinery professionals on latest topics such as automating chilled ready meals to energy efficiency in motion control.
Bob Squirrel, Chairman from The Profibus Group and visitor to the Manufacturing Forum said: "I was impressed with Mike Wilson’s comments at the Manufacturing Forum on automation and vision technology. Overall, It’s been a thoroughly informative morning."
Drawing on the show’s success, Archana Sharma, Marketing Manager, said: "This year’s show has certainly lived up to expectations with a high volume of quality visitors coming through the doors of the NEC. As always, there was a real buzz on the show floor and it was wonderful to see the networking that was taking place between visitors and exhibitors. The addition of the Manufacturing Forum and Ones to Watch Awards this year proved successful and helped add a new edge to what is already a leading trade show."


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The Cardano Foundation just dropped a new exciting tweet about the fireside chat that’s been released on the future of the project. Check it out below.
The official notes in the blog post begin by saying “Throughout 2020, the Cardano Foundation’s Integrations Team has been working with Scantrust to develop a transactional metadata connector, which would use the Cardano blockchain as a public audit platform on which to verify supply chain data linked with physical products.”
The notes continue and reveal: “Here, we are pleased to share further details of this project with our community, as well as exploring the first proof of concept product to formally leverage transactional metadata on Cardano for supply chain tracking through Scantrust.”
We suggest that you check out the complete notes in the blog post in order to learn all the details.
Cardano in the news
Cardano has been making headlines a lot lately due to their various announcement about new achievements.
Just the other day, we were revealing that the Cardano Foundation is back with another post about the launch of KEVM Devnet.
Check out the recent tweet that they shared:
The official post notes that “On 17 December 2020, our engineering partner, IOHK, announced that smart contracts would soon be available to deploy on Cardano through the launch of the KEVM devnet 1.”
The notes continue and say that “Those of you who have been in the Cardano ecosystem for a while may remember the KEVM testnet 3 being operational for developers to explore and try out Solidity smart contract features.”
Source: Read Full Article


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Last week was all about the February employment report, which surprised to the upside for the second month in a row. This was the last remaining hurdle the economy needed to clear before a Federal Reserve interest rate hike, and the positive results essentially ensured that the hike will happen as expected this week.
A look at last week’s data
Trade deficit worse than expected. On Tuesday, the U.S. trade deficit was reported at $48.5 billion, against an expected decline from $44.3 billion to $47.0 billion. This was the biggest gap since March 2012, due to both a wider goods trade deficit and a smaller services surplus. Imports grew substantially faster than exports, and, overall, trade remains a drag on economic growth.
Jobs offer a very positive surprise. The jobs report, on the other hand, came in much better than expected for the second month in a row.
- The economy added 235,000 new jobs in February, against an expected increase of 180,000 and up from 227,000 the previous month.
- The unemployment rate declined from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent, as expected.
- Average wage growth for the month came in at 0.2 percent versus the expected 0.3 percent, but the year-on-year change moved up to 2.8 percent, beating expectations.
On the whole, the strong report should provide the final push for the Fed to increase interest rates this week.
The week ahead
The data slated for release covers most areas of the economy.
Consumer prices will be released on Wednesday. The headline rate is expected to be flat for the month, down from a 0.6-percent increase last month. Due to base effects, however, the yearly rate is expected to increase from 2.5 percent to 2.7 percent. Core prices, excluding food and energy, are expected to rise by 0.2 percent, down from 0.3 percent last month, but the annual rate should drop from 2.3 percent to 2.2 percent.
Also on Wednesday, retail sales are expected to decline by 0.1 percent, down from a 0.4-percent increase last month. This isn’t as bad as it looks, however, as a decline in gasoline prices would be the primary cause. Core retail sales, excluding autos, are expected to increase by 0.1 percent, down from an increase of 0.8 percent last month, also affected by the large gas price drop. The most economically representative number, core sales, which excludes autos, gas, and building materials, is expected to do better, with a 0.4-percent increase.
The National Association of Home Builders survey is also due on Wednesday, with a steady result of 65 expected as confidence slowly normalizes to the levels of last year. Another look at housing will come on Thursday, when housing starts are expected to show a small increase, from 1.246 million to 1.255 million.
On Friday, industrial production figures are expected to improve to growth of 0.2 percent from a previous decline of 0.3 percent. Again, this would be better than it looks, as stronger mining and manufacturing results are offset by weak utility production due to warm weather. The core manufacturing output, however, is expected to show faster growth of 0.3 percent, up from 0.2 percent.
Finally on Friday, we'll see the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, which is expected to improve slightly, from 96.3 to 97.0. This would be a 13-year high, consistent with the other major survey of consumer confidence produced by the Conference Board.
The other economic event this week will be the regular meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, which is widely expected to raise interest rates by another quarter point. If it does, the consequences should be minor, as the action is already fully priced into markets. Markets will still be watching closely, however, for any new information with respect to the pace of future rate hikes.
Have a great week!


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With the wide variety of premium cable subscription streaming networks available, such as HBO and Showtime, it doesn’t seem like viewers would need another.
However, the premium cable and satellite television network STARZ plans to do just that.
On Tuesday, STARZ announced its intent to join the streaming service game with the launch of its new app, STARZ.
For $8.99 per month, members can have access to STARZ original series, such as their upcoming show, “America Gods” and their popular series, “Outlander.”
STARZ will also provide a variety of blockbuster movies, including “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which will be available later this year.
This price is cheaper than both HBO and Showtime’s streaming service apps, and, according to Variety, will be free to existing STARZ premium cable subscribers.
“STARZ has entered the market today with an enormous value proposition for consumers,” CEO of STARZ Chris Albrecht said.
“Our programing will now be more widely available to the 20 million broadband only homes of cord nevers, cord cutters and cord shavers, including millennials and other underserved consumers who need other viable subscription service options.”
STARZ will also provide its members with an unlimited amount of downloads, so they can save and watch their favorite shows offline or on the go, given their device has the space.
In order to attract fans, STARZ will begin offering an early release of the second season of “Outlander” Thursday, for both streaming and downloading – two days before its television premiere date.
“Showcasing the rebranded STARZ offerings we announced last month, we believe this innovative app will also help fortify the broadband business of many of our traditional distributors and be even more appealing for inclusion in future video bundles,” Albrecht said.
According to its website, the STARZ app works as a central destination for users who wish to view the content. Subscribers to the company’s other networks, STARZ ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX, can also use the app to stream and download content.
STARZ is available now on Android and iOS devices through the Google Play Store and App Store, respectively.


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Please note that tax, investment, pension and ISA rules can change and the information and any views contained in this article may now be inaccurate.
Clear road ahead for Ford Motor as share price keeps rising
Ford Motor Company $20.50
Gain to date: 193%
Original entry point: Buy at $6.99, 13 August 2020
Saying to buy Ford shares in the middle of a restructuring during the pandemic was a calculated risk which has paid off.
The company has benefited from its own actions, refreshing the product range as it pivots to manufacturing more electric vehicles.
This seems to be working with Ford the top selling US automaker in the last two consecutive months boosting its market share.
This followed a strong third quarter earnings report where the company raised full-year guidance and restarted its dividend.
Ford has also made progress on repairing its balance sheet after a move to buy back expensive debt and improve its credit rating.
It also plans to issue green bonds to increase investment into battery technology and clean manufacturing. The bonds would have coupons of around 4%.
Furthermore, Ford holds a stake greater than 5% in electric truck maker Rivian which was scheduled to join the US stock market as Shares went to press.
SHARES SAYS: Although Ford’s shares have performed strongly, the fundamentals have also improved significantly. Remains a buy.


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Sticker prices for 2004 model year vehicles sold in the United States rose 1.6 percent over 2003 models, according to an Automotive News analysis.
That amounts to a $440 average increase in sticker prices for the industry.
The Big 3 normally lead this parade, but this time the Korean automakers - Hyundai and Kia - outstripped everyone. The Koreans raised sticker prices 4.5 percent, while General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler group raised prices an average of 1.9 percent.
In a few years, it may be a mistake to think of the Koreans as the bargain-basement badges.
Japanese automakers raised sticker prices a modest 0.9 percent, and European automakers boosted prices 1.2 percent.
Even though sticker prices are rising, customer rebates continue to head for the rafters. According to Edmunds.com, rebates rose $80, or 3.5 percent during the 12-month period ending in April.
Overall transaction prices are rising, according to the Power Information Network. For the 12-month period ending in May, the average transaction price for new vehicles rose 1.4 percent to $25,941.
How about SUVs, the darlings of today's buyers? Their transaction price held steady at $29,823, down $20.
So prices are up, even though rebates wiped out part of the sticker price increase. But there are two other factors: Some buyers are spending money to add bells and whistles to their vehicles. Others are moving upscale to buy more luxurious cars and trucks.
Buyer A may choose a Ford Expedition instead of an Explorer. Buyer B may stick with the Explorer but will deck it out with every option in the dealer's catalog.


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The car advertising market is in the midst of a renaissance.
With more and more cars available to rent, buy and rent, it is difficult to compete with the likes of Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services.
But this new era of car rental companies is starting to change.
And that means that car rental agencies are getting more creative.
In 2016, car rental services had a total market cap of just under $1.3 trillion, according to a report from research firm CB Insights.
This year, they are projected to reach $1 trillion.
So what does this mean for car rental industry?
The car rental market is currently experiencing some of the most robust growth in the industry.
According to a recent report from the International Automobile Federation, the average annual increase in car rental revenue is over 10% in the US and over 20% in Europe.
These are great numbers, and they are encouraging for the industry as a whole.
But what about the rental companies?
What does this trend mean for them?
What are their opportunities and challenges going forward?
What’s New in the Car Rental Industry?
The 2017 Annual Report from the CarRental Industry Association (CARIA) reveals the challenges that car companies face when it comes to the new era in car rentals.
According to the report, car leasing companies are having to adjust to new technology that is impacting their businesses and driving more demand for rentals.
The rise in digital media and apps such as Lyft, Uber and others have led to a significant increase in the rental industry, which is driving the increase in rental revenue.
The report states that while rental revenue growth is still strong, rental revenue has also declined compared to the prior year.
To be sure, car companies will continue to try to attract new renters and attract more potential customers.
Nevertheless, rental companies need to think carefully about how they manage their business, particularly when it is in a changing environment like the car rental business.
What Is the New Car Rotation?
Car rental companies will have to start thinking more strategically about how their car rental operations are being used.
For instance, the number of people renting cars is increasing, and there are fewer people who need to rent a car for longer periods of time.
It is important to understand how these trends impact car rental businesses and how they can impact rental revenue and the rental economy.
Additionally, some of these trends may impact rental companies by making it more difficult to retain renters who are not yet familiar with the rental experience.
Car rental services may need to consider the use of rental vehicles as part of the rental process, especially if they are operating on a seasonal basis.
How Can Car Renter Companies Address the Challenges of New Rental Technology?
For instance a rental company may need additional staffing to manage the rental environment, or may need a rental agent to manage a rental.
Other challenges may arise when it come to finding new drivers for cars, as car rental drivers are a relatively new market.
Some car rental providers may also have to look at whether or not to continue to rent cars out for short periods of times or if they will even lease cars at all.
When it comes down to it, car rentals can be a good and profitable business for car companies.
If you would like to learn more about car rental, check out these top resources: Car Rental Agency Business Model: http://www.carrental.com/business-model/business.html CarRental Agency Model for New Driver Growth: http://www


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Apple this week made its health technology debut with the launch of HealthKit for iOS 8.
The iPhone maker launched HealthKit at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California, and one analyst sees the initiative as just the beginning of Apple’s health care strategy.
“With HealthKit, Apple takes tentative steps once again to enter a new vertical, in a way that is reminiscent of how Passbook has been an exploratory foray into mobile payments,” said Enrique Velasco-Castillo, analyst for Analysys Mason’s Digital Economy research unit, in a client memo.
But for now, because of worldwide regulatory challenges governing remote doctor-patient interactions, Velasco-Castillo says Apple is staying focused just on enabling health technology. In the meantime, then, Apple is working “to ensure that the underlying infrastructure at the hardware, API, and cloud-services levels (e.g. in-device data compartmentalization, encrypted cloud services) is robust enough before considering venturing into health care services directly.”
On that note, Velasco-Castillo said Apple patents and rumors suggest that the company eventually will launch wearables related to fitness. As it’s pursuing that option, the iPhone maker “seems to be delegating the responsibility for compliance and data security to app developers and third-party device vendors,” said Velasco-Castillo.
HealthKit is a cloud service that logs data recorded by apps or gathered from mobile sensors.
"The big, one-stop-shop providers just can't keep up with this pace of change." goo.gl/fb/Ew3Lq2
March 22 2019 @ 20:35:09 UTC


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A brand new know-how has been launched at the moment which will flip right into a get up name for many people who use providers like Netflix. Synamedia debuted a brand new product at CES that makes use of AI to to restrict the quantity of people that can log in to a given account on any paid-for video streaming service. The new service apparently tracks down suspicious customers and flags them. The firm, which sells many various merchandise which all promise to monetize video-streaming, claims to "empower Pay TV operators to ship new or augmented video providers to drive revenues, boldly attain new markets, and ship distinctive subscriber experiences to customers." In what world is limiting our free entry to leisure "distinctive?"
Although many might argue that if you happen to use a service it is best to pay for it, that the $10 a month will not be the factor to ship you into the crimson, this isn't the purpose. Just hearken to the language that these folks use:


text: PREMIER Pacific Pharmaceutical Industrials (PPPI) is seeking to raise A$40 million (about HK$238 million) through a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange later this month. One of China's major integrated pharmaceutical companies, PPPI is the holding company for three businesses based in Tianjin. They include one of the country's largest wholesale pharmaceutical distribution firms and an interest in the SmithKline Beecham joint venture. PPPI has an 80 per cent stake in wholesale distribution company Tianjin Medical, which in turn holds a 20 per cent interest in a Sino-foreign equity joint venture with SmithKline Beecham. It also holds an 80 per cent interest in Hebei Pharmaceutical, a manufacturer of vitamin B2 and anti-cancer drug Bleomycin. The sixth company involving China or Hong Kong businesses to float on the Australian exchange, PPPI claims to be the largest and the market leader in its field.


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ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A big development is opening in St. Augustine after years of build up. It is 52,600 square feet and has 104 gas pumps.
The Texas chain Buc-ee's is bringing the saying "everything is bigger in Texas" to the First Coast.
The new location in St. Johns County near World Golf Village is the first Buc-ee’s in the state. It’s known for the odd combination of a gas station and a specialty food store, specifically the beef jerky and brisket made in house!
While the county was not involved in this project, Deputy County Administrator Joy Andrews says this is symbolic for the county.
"It’s really kind of almost a statement piece that St. Johns County is now, through a free market analysis, that it’s a destination where you’ll have the kind of volume that some businesses like Buc-ees would place a large facility," Andrews said.
While some critics see this as bringing too much traffic to the area, others see it as meeting the growing needs of this part of town. Andrews says more pumps means more gas tax for the county.
At one point in time, residents of World Golf Village created a petition against this development. Residents say they were concerned about what kind of developments this store would bring to the area.
Now they're facing more development. Andrews says Costco has preliminary designs for the area.
Andrews explains stores like this follow growth in populations and she thinks there is more to come.
“That whole area is really undergoing a tremendous opportunity for visioning and revisioning to really decide what we want to grow up to be," Andrews said.
The second Buc-ee's location in Florida is opening in Daytona later this year.


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Wallmart subsidiary also closing meat counters to focus on food-for-now offers including sushi.
The Grocer reports that Asda will plans to roll out at least 35 of the new ‘food to go” formats by the end of the first quarter and 150 by the end of the year.
The counters will be replaced by hot food stations selling a range of cooked meals including pies, peri-peri chicken, sushi and katsu curries.
The retailer has 631 stores, of which 339 are Asda superstores.
Asda is going down the same route as another supermarket giant. In January last year, SalmonBusiness reported that Tesco cut its fish as well as meat and delicatessen counters in a cost-cutting measure as part of chief executive Dave Lewis’ attempts to save GBP 1.5bn.
90 jobs at its fish counters were culled as they had high staff costs.


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M&A transactions in the cryptocurrency market reached $1.1 billion in 2020. According to PWC forecasts, 2021 will be able to surpass last year both in value and number of M&A deals.
M&A deals in the cryptocurrency world more than doubled in 2020 compared to 2019, reaching $ 1.1 billion. According to a report by the consulting giant PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), the United States became the leader in the number of M&A transactions in the crypto market ($785 million). But 2021 threatens to be even more overwhelming.
According to the forecast of PWC analyst Anri Arslanian, 2021 is on the way to "to significantly surpass it from every single metric."
The study says the data indicates the growth and development of the cryptocurrency market, which is increasingly gaining acceptance from major investors around the world. The PWC predicts that the crypto industry will become "more institutionalized" at some point.
PWC estimates that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), stablecoins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will help drive these M&A deals.
News.Bitcoin notes that the current PWC report is strikingly different from the report published in mid-2020. Then the company drew attention to the drop in the volume of M&A transactions in 2019 to $451 million from astonishing $1.9 billion in 2018.


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Dubai Food Festival announces line-up for Made in Dubai, 27 – 28 February
Closing event of Festival will celebrate Emirati cuisine and culture
Dubai UAE, 9 February 2015: The diverse and delicious 2015 edition of the Dubai Food Festival launched on Friday as the ever-popular Beach Canteen opened the doors to 11 homegrown restaurants on Kite Beach, with Saudi Arabian Super Chef Yousef Khumayes cooking up a weekend of treats. The Emirate’s much-loved weekly farmer’s market, Ripe Food & Craft Market also launched its new Deli Section and the maiden voyage of the Festival’s Food Truck Convoy took place, with a fleet of trucks visiting Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard on Sunday. With the Festival under way, organisers revealed details about the closing event, the new-for-2015 Made In Dubai, which will celebrate Emirati hospitality and cuisine over the course of the weekend of the 27 and 28 February.
Following 21 days of foodie-inspired fun, the free-to-attend Made In Dubai will see Emirati tradition come alive, with authentic local cuisine, appearances from the city’s very own chefs and culinary celebrities and Emirati-inspired performance, fashion and film on offer. Taking place at Zabeel Park between 10am – 9pm on 27 and 28 February, the event will celebrate the 96 dishes synonymous with local cuisine, including Luqaimat and Machbous. Emirati chef and blogger Shaikha Al Ali will also be on hand to showcase traditional dishes as part of an interactive cookery masterclass.
Speaking of the event, Her Excellency Laila Mohammed Suhail, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, organiser of the Dubai Food Festival, said: “To experience Dubai is to experience its food. As a city home to more than 200 nationalities and 5,000 eateries, Dubai’s residents and visitors can eat their way around the world in our Emirate. This year’s Dubai Food Festival is set to celebrate this eclectic offering, and as part of this we are delighted to be showcasing the vibrant and rich culture of the UAE. Emirati cuisine will feature in events and pop-ups throughout the Festival and over the final weekend, the Made In Dubai event will provide a special focus and honour the flavour of Dubai.”
The first day of the inaugural Made in Dubai will also play host to a Junior Chef Cooking Challenge, supported by the School of Culinary and Finishing Arts, Scafa. Continuing throughout the two days, the young victor will be announced after six grueling rounds at 6pm on Saturday 28th. Guests can also look forward to a number of Emirati films, including a screening of Middle Eastern comedy, The President’s Chef, as part of the Dubai Food Festival’s Food & Film season. Emirati singer/songwriter Hamdan Al Abri and Dubai’s first local professional comedian Ali Al Sayed also join the tasty line-up, as well as THE MAZE series – four extensive panel discussions looking at the styles and future of Emirati fashion, as supported by Dubai Design District.
Local motorcyclists, the Emirates Riders, will also commence a one-off morning ride on 27 February from the event’s location at Zabeel Park, before circling the city and returning to the venue, ahead of doors opening to the public at 10am. A small 5AED charge applies to enter Zabeel Park.
The first weekend of the Dubai Food Festival 2015 has set the precedent for the remainder of the 23-day culinary extravaganza. In the following week, Dubai’s residents and visitors can look forward to foodie-inspired movies as part of the Festival’s Food & Film season, Mystery Dining Tours will take place across the city and the popular Dubai Food Carnival will return. Similarly, Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food, beverage and hospitality trade show, will arrive at the Dubai World Trade Centre until 12 February. The Festival’s Food Truck Convoy is also well underway, which will continue to supply key business districts with street food fare on weekdays throughout the Festival – with the trucks situated at Academic City today, before moving onto JLT Park tomorrow.
The Dubai Food Festival’s ‘Journey across Dubai’s food scene’ video and a selection of Dubai Food Festival images are available for download at THIS LINK. The Dubai Food Festival runs from 6 – 28 February 2015. All Dubai Food Festival ticketing, timing and programming information can be viewed on the Dubai Food Festival website at www.dubaifoodfestival.com.
Key Festival Dates and Venues
- Beach Canteen, 6 – 28 February, Kite Beach, Jumeirah
- Ripe Food & Craft Market – Deli Section Launch, 6 February, Zabeel Park
- Food & Film, 8 – 28 February, Various outdoor locations throughout the city
- Food Truck Convoy, 8 – 12 February, 15 – 19 February, 22 – 26 February – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Academic City, JLT Park, Knowledge Village, Studio City
- Gulfood, 8 – 12 February, Dubai World Trade Center
- Mystery Dining Tours, 9, 14, 17, 18, 23 February, Various locations
- Dine On The Creek, 10, 18 and 23 February, Dubai Creek
- Dubai Food Carnival, 12 – 14 February, Dubai International Marine Club
- Taste of Peru, 12 – 14 February, Madinat Jumeirah Amphitheatre
- Street Food Photography Exhibition, Dates throughout February, Dubai Airport
- Global Restaurant Investment Forum, 16 – 18 February, Conrad Dubai
- 2015 Middle East Food & Travel Blogger Conference, 20 February, A4 Space and Gulf Photo Plus, Alserkal Avenue
- Fatafeat Kitchen, 20 – 21 February, Lafayette Gourmet, Galeries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall
- Street Nights, 20 – 21 February, Street 4B, Al Quoz
- Masala! Food Fair, 20 – 21 February, Zabeel Park
- What’s On Black Hat Guide Launch, 22 February, Cargo – Pier 7
- Made In Dubai, 27 – 28 February, Zabeel Park
- Urban Farm, 28 February – Creekside, Bur Dubai
About Dubai Food Festival
Dubai Food Festival is a citywide culinary celebration that showcases the Emirate’s emergence as a gastronomy destination through a 23-day programme of food-related consumer and trade events, activities, promotions and appearances by food celebrities. The Festival promotes the diversity, creativity and multicultural nature of Dubai’s culinary offering – from five-star gourmet dining to everyday restaurants and cafés for all budgets; international brands to a burgeoning scene of home-grown concepts influenced by traditional Emirati cuisine and the flavours of the 200 nationalities that live in Dubai.
Dubai Food Festival is organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM); and is part of a broader strategy to develop a year-round programme of citywide festivals that acts as a major contributor to the ongoing growth of the tourism and retail sectors.
The Dubai Food Festival also has a Flavour Matching App; a deliciously addictive matching game to test players’ culinary memory and reflexes. The App is live on the Dubai Food Festival 2015 Facebook Page from 1 – 15 February 2015. Huge prizes are on offer, including an iPhone 6, iPod Nano, and three tickets to Dine On The Creek.
Etisalat is the UAE’s leading telecommunications operator and one of the largest corporations in the GCC. As well as establishing several “firsts” over nearlyfour decades of operations, Etisalat has deployed many innovative mobile and fixed technologies in the country. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Etisalat serves nearly 11 million customers in the UAE.
Etisalat is providing both the stage entertainment and free Wi-Fi at the Beach Canteen as part of the second edition of the Dubai Food Festival.
For more information visit www.dubaifoodfestival.com or find DFF on social media, using the hashtag #DubaiFoodFest:


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The European Social Innovation Competition selects 12 Judges every year to sit on the Judging Panel. As a group, these Judges offer a wealth of experience and insights, covering social innovation and entrepreneurship as well as technical expertise addressing the year’s theme. Through their collective voice they review applications and determine which entrants are taken forward to later stages of the Competition, firstly as Semi-Finalists, then as Finalists, and ultimately as winners. This year is no different and we are again excited to be working with an excellent panel of judges, all of whom are leaders in their fields, offering vital expertise that covers all aspects of our Challenging Plastic Waste theme.
The 2019 Judging Panel came together for the first time this week to choose this year’s 30 Semi-Finalists.
Our 30 2019 Semi-Finalists will be announced soon, make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter to receive the announcement.
Read more about the Judges below:
Antonia is an expert on clean energy and environmental and sustainability policy. She has previously worked for the International Energy Agency (IEA), as well as in Bhutan, where she advised on clean energy programmes. She now heads up the World Economic Forum’s Circular Economic Initiative.
Carolien is Founder and Director of Finest Ventures Holding and Just Strategies Consultancy. She supports sustainable development by providing impact finance and strategies for businesses across a variety of sectors.
David is a founder and director of Plastic Energy. His company has developed a revolutionary technique that can transform previously unrecyclable plastic waste into a valuable resource. He has a significant experience in waste treatment and has been a sustainability entrepreneur for more than 20 years.
Esra leads the Zero Waste Cities programme that brings together civil society organisations, local authorities and businesses for a transition towards Zero Waste. In a former role, Esra co-funded and co-directed a social enterprise promoting energy efficiency and co-housing programmes in France.
Ladeja Godina Košir
Ladeja is Founder and Executive Director of Circular Change, an organisation that promotes circular economies through conferences and networking events. In her work as an entrepreneur, marketing-communications professional, speaker, moderator and lecturer, Ladeja is empowering a new narrative around circular culture.
Johannes is Technical Director of alchemia-nova, a research institute that is renowned for unconventional thinking in the pursuit of circular systems. A chemical engineer by training, Johannes brings a high level of expertise in circular economies.
Milena is founder and owner of Original Unverpackt, a supermarket free from disposable packaging. She is also founder of Ein guter Plan, a publishing house that focuses on books and calendars about mindfulness and healthy lifestyles.
Luis is Executive Director of B Lab Portugal, an organisation that recognises businesses for their sustainable practices. He is also founder & Managing Partner of Less, Lda, a consultancy that supports companies to manage their activities with fewer resources.
Fabrizio is the Public manager of the Innovation European Funds Department for the Municipality of Turin. In his role he supports the city’s thriving start-up and social innovation community.
Mircea is Sustainability Leader at IKEA Romania. In his role, he focuses on reducing waste in the supply chain and other business processes. He also co-founded ViitorPlus, an association that promotes sustainable development.
Niall is CEO of Polymateria, a company that is developing a new standard in biodegradable and compostable plastic to help nature deal with plastic pollution. He is an advocate of businesses aligning behind an inspiring purpose.
Dr. Sarah MillerSarah is an environmental scientist and experienced social enterprise development manager. As CEO of the Rediscovery Centre, the National Centre for the Circular Economy, Sarah has overseen the development of a creative national movement connecting people, ideas and resources to support sustainable living.


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Thousands of people recently streamed into an arena in Lexington, Ky., to receive Covid-19 vaccines, but it wasn’t a hospital or health company managing the event. It was Kroger Co., the biggest U.S. supermarket chain.
The Cincinnati-based company, which put up signage around the arena, has administered about 28,250 doses at the mass-vaccination site since February. Kroger hopes to boost its health business through its pandemic efforts. It aims to deliver millions of vaccinations to people nationwide and create more repeat customers for its pharmacies and supermarket offerings.
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If you’re looking at footage from your Nest Cam and the quality seems a bit lower than normal: it’s not your eyes.
In an email to users, Google says it is temporarily lowering the video quality of Nest Cams in an effort to limit how much bandwidth each camera uses and, in turn, “conserve internet resources.” The adjustment is rolling out over the next few days, and Google says anyone who has their quality settings adjusted will get a notification in the Nest app.
It’s the latest in a series of moves made by tech companies in an effort to keep the internet stable through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More people are at home during the day than ever before, video calling for work and school, or streaming content to pass the time — and that all requires bandwidth. Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube have each taken steps to limit the strain they might be adding to the network, while Sony has been capping PlayStation game download speeds.
While Nest cameras aren’t inherently using more bandwidth right now than they otherwise might, each camera already used a good amount of bandwidth day to day. A Nest Cam IQ, for example, uses roughly 400GB of data per month at its highest settings; cutting this down to medium high shaves that down to 300GB.
Google confirmed their plans with TechCrunch, with a Google spokesperson adding:
To answer the global call to prioritize internet bandwidth for learning and working, in the next few days we’re going to be making a few changes. We believe these changes have the potential to help make it easier for communities to keep up with school, work, and everything in between.
While they’re automatically making the change on behalf of the user (a move some owners are complaining is an overstep), Google notes that you’re able to bump your cameras back up to their highest settings should you see fit. They’re not capping the quality, instead just lowering settings by default — so if you’ve got a camera in a setting where every pixel counts, know that you’re going to need to adjust accordingly.


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TRACE is happy to announce the imminent launch of a new channel dedicated to African music. TRACE Africa will feature videos of Africa’s best contemporary music hits, exclusive specials and documentaries.
From Kwaito House to Coupé-Décalé, from Afro-Pop and Rumba to Ndombolo, whether they are from English, Portuguese or French African genres, TRACE Africa will have them all! Flagship programmes will include “African Hit 10” with the best current tracks, “Live” with the hottest live performances of African artists or “Planete Mode” dedicated to African trends and fashion.
TRACE has already launched TRACE Urban, TRACE Tropical and TRACE Sports. TRACE Africa is the 4th channel of the group, with many more to come!
TRACE Africa – HD Trailer from nadeige Tubiana on Vimeo.


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Salvage cars are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. Auto auctioneers have taken a note of increasing public interest in salvage cars and organize a number of… Continue
Added by Denis Lilleus on July 8, 2018 at 10:30pm —
According to the 2017 JD Power CSI survey, only 13 percent of consumers scheduled their vehicle service online.
The progress toward online scheduling has been glacially slow, rising only two percentage points over the past three years.
This is despite the fact that… Continue
Added by Scot Eisenfelder on June 5, 2018 at 6:00am —
If it is time to get a new-to-you car, then you will want to do your research. Continue
There are plenty of sources available to help you. Here are some things you will want to research…
Added by Hannah Whittenly on May 3, 2018 at 8:30am —
Accounting service providers not only provide accounting related services but also provide help in terms of running a business. Accounting service providers come in handy in terms of bookkeeping, tax management, and stock control. Small businesses can benefit quite a lot from hiring accounting… Continue
Added by K Benjamin on March 12, 2018 at 4:00am —
When you give someone the power to give their honest opinion without consequence, you get the truth.
It’s why studies like the AutoTrader Car Buyer of the Future study are so important. It says that just 17 of more than 4,000 people surveyed… Continue
Added by CPI Results on March 6, 2018 at 9:21am —
A recent news report on CNBC claims that 75 percent of Americans regularly shops online at Amazon.com.
That online shopping trend is carrying over to automotive sales, according to a survey by Chase, which says that 47 percent of Americans would be… Continue
Added by CPI Results on March 3, 2018 at 10:57am —
Imagine searching online for weeks, trying to find your ideal guitar, travel trailer, video game console, or whatever else you’re passionate about.
Finally, after weeks, you find it. It’s right there, available at the click of your mouse. You add it to your cart,… Continue
Added by CPI Results on February 24, 2018 at 12:00pm —
DUBLIN, CA – February 13, 2018 – TagRail™, the creator of DealerTag™ and the Lexus Plus CEM App, announced today the integration of Market Scan and F&I Express services into its new Digital Retail Platform.
Now TagRail’s platform provides… Continue
Added by Jim Leman on February 14, 2018 at 11:30am —
TagRail™, the creator of DealerTag™ and the Lexus Plus CEM App, announced today the general availability of its Digital Retail Platform. Continue
It is a dealer-customizable and brandable online car-buying tool to help dealerships attract, engage, and close more…
Added by Jim Leman on January 19, 2018 at 1:00pm —
We all know how classy Japanese cars are. Their rapport is attributed to just nothing. Rather it has credible backstory and over the years have won the trust of customers worldwide. Japanese cars are very technologically advanced cars and it is ingenious of Japanese to come up with such cars.…
Added by Rahul Paul on January 9, 2018 at 10:11pm —
It’s hard to create an online presence these days. Continue
The swell of affordable technology and software makes it feasible for anyone to produce near-professional-quality photos, audio, and video. You’re seemingly competing against everyone in the world. All hope is…
Added by Brooke Chaplan on January 9, 2018 at 12:30pm —
Have you ever suspected that a process is broken, but you're not sure what to fix?…
Added by Kip Miles on November 3, 2017 at 6:30am —
Mercedes-Benz is a force to be reckoned with in the automobile manufacturing industry. Continue
As the longest established automaker, the brand commands unparalleled respect and patronage. The cars manufactured by the global giant are a complete package and include an…
Added by SalvageBid, LLC. on October 7, 2017 at 10:30pm —
Swapalease.com, the nation’s largest online car lease marketplace, today released its quarterly lease trends report for the second quarter of 2017.
Added by John Sternal on August 24, 2017 at 6:30am —
Ask anyone in the industry who’s paying attention and they will tell you that the future of the auto sales industry is online. While auto dealers have long resisted the shift to online sales, it’s not immune, and everyone from established online retailers to tech disruptors have their eye on one of the biggest markets in America. Given how much money Americans spend every year on vehicles, it’s incredible how resistant to change the industry has really been. But that’s finally changing, and… Continue
Added by Kenneth Garcia on July 7, 2017 at 1:52pm —
is it accurate to say that you are prepared to begin offering and elevating your items to a large number of clients? We realize that yes and unquestionably you are pondering which the best places to acknowledge free promotions are. For used car sales, there are a number of websites that are the guarantee of success due to the large number of interested users who use them such as… Continue
Added by Awais Ahmed on June 24, 2017 at 3:57am —
When dealerships first start their video marketing programs, one of the most common questions I am asked…
Added by Timmy D. James on June 22, 2017 at 6:18am —
You have been making a lot of effort in researching the car you want to buy.
Different brands, models, performance, there are so many factors to consider before buying a new car. But do you know, what all things you need to know before availing a loan for your new car?
Added by Jessy johnson on May 20, 2017 at 10:00pm —
If you're in dealership management you're probably familiar with the routine. No matter how great your intentions are to keep a steady sales pace all month, it’s month-end and you're playing catch up. Even worse, sometimes you believe it's going to be a great month until a nasty number shows up on your balance… Continue
Added by Josh Blick on May 18, 2017 at 6:47am —
Hey Car Dealer: Stop Letting Carvana (and Everyone Else) Define You!
If you believe the corporate manifestos and marketing pitches of every automotive retail-related startup for the last twenty years, then you’d think America’s car dealerships are staffed by a bunch of puppy-kicking thieves… Continue
Added by Steve Stauning on March 27, 2017 at 12:00pm —


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On Monday, Microsoft announced a new home-made tablet that is clearly targeted at the lucrative market currently dominated by Apple’s iPad.
Unlike several previous tablet launches, this time there doesn’t seem to be a mad rush in the media to call these new devices, branded Surface, the next iPad killer. This is understandable. The iPad has shown a remarkable tendency to stay alive in the face of waves of competing devices, most of which have faded into obscurity almost immediately.
However, Microsoft’s decision to enter the market with in-house devices has interesting implications not just for the tablet market but for the broader technology business.
For years Microsoft has preferred to make money by creating software and selling it to end-users, or licensing it out to companies that made computers and mobile phones. This is not because Microsoft can’t make hardware. It can. And as the Xbox gaming consoles and Kinect peripherals show, it can make very good hardware indeed. But this is the exception.
Even when the company recently launched the very well received Windows Phone 7 (WP7) operating system it preferred to work with phone makers rather than make a device outright. WP7 was reviewed well but continues to sell very poorly. Perhaps it is this experience with the WP7 OS and troublesome hardware makers that has convinced Microsoft of the need make the Surface itself.
Also Microsoft is borrowing from Apple’s playbook. Apple is a shining example of how selling an integrated, finely tuned, house-labelled product works for customers and for the balance sheet.
If the strategy works for Microsoft, it could make things very awkward for the company’s partners. Especially those who pay Microsoft a licence fee to make tablets with the same software that powers the Surface device—thus automatically putting them at a price disadvantage. Success will embolden Microsoft further. If they can make a tablet that sells, why not a proper phone that does justice to WP7 OS?
The Surface could well be the signs of a new hardware strategy for Microsoft in what Steve Jobs famously called the post-PC world.
However, in-house is not an automatic recipe for success. For evidence to the contrary Microsoft need only look at that once-great Canadian company that makes phones and tablets in-house and is now rapidly running itself into the ground.
Can a software manufacturer successfully transform into a hardware company? Tell us at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
£50 million data innovation hub for manufacturers to accelerate digital tech
UK manufacturers are to have their productivity and competitiveness boosted thanks to a new data innovation hub and testbed led by Ulster University.
- £50 million data innovation hub at Ulster University to support UK manufacturers to accelerate development of digital technologies
- dedicated grant funding will be provided to manufacturers to implement expert recommendations from data scientists
- adoption of digital technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things and artificial intelligence is key to driving manufacturing productivity, sustainability and competitiveness
UK manufacturers are to have their productivity and competitiveness boosted thanks to a new data innovation hub and testbed led by Ulster University, Industry Minister Lee Rowley announced today (Wednesday 18 May).
The £50 million Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH) will support small and medium size manufacturers to capture and better utilise their data, helping them increase productivity, growth and sustainability. Businesses in sectors spanning from food and drink, aerospace and many more will be supported to develop, test and adopt the latest data-driven technologies.
Nearly 10,000 manufacturers are expected to benefit from the hub and 13,000 jobs will be supported, helping to boost economic growth and level-up regions across the UK. The hub will be supported by £20 million from the UK government backed Made Smarter Innovation Programme, along with £30 million of business co-investment.
UK Industry Minister Lee Rowley said:
As we embrace the digital manufacturing revolution, it is vital manufacturers across the UK can capitalise on the productivity and growth gains that come with the adopting the latest data-led digital technologies.
The Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, backed by £20 million of government funds, will support companies to implement cutting edge production and process techniques themselves, helping bring the next generation of products to our shelves in a more efficient and sustainable way.
The hub will host an online Manufacturing Data Exchange Platform that will enable companies to submit their manufacturing data and receive recommendations in return, helping to improve their products and processes. A dedicated £5 million fund will then provide companies with grants to make further improvements in areas of critical importance to their business.
Virtual manufacturing testbeds will allow companies to create a ‘digital twin’ to simulate the implementation of digital technology on their own processes, harnessing data from other manufacturers that have already adopted the technologies to encourage investment.
The SMDH will also provide manufacturers with expert analysis of their emissions and energy data from support staff specialising in data analytics and engineering, which will help them target reductions in waste, energy use and ultimately improve sustainability.
Pro Vice Chancellor Research at Ulster University Professor Liam Maguire said:
Made Smarter provides the opportunity for innovative collaboration that will be transformative in driving industry competitiveness. At Ulster University, we have a strong track record of collaboration; using our research and technology to act as a catalyst for change, innovation and positive economic, social and environmental impact. Made Smarter is another important project in the broader realisation of the Derry and Strabane City Deal agenda, further enhancing the attractiveness of investment and driving economic growth.
The SMDH will first be accessible by small and medium size manufacturers in Northern Ireland in the coming months, before going live for companies across the rest of the UK. The programme will be supported across the rest of the UK by 12 delivery partners, including the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing, Industry Wales and Scottish Engineering.
The funding comes as part of the £300 million Made Smarter Innovation Challenge, a collaboration between UK government and industry designed to support the development and increased use of new and existing industrial digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
The challenge aims to deliver a resilient, flexible, more productive and environmentally sustainable UK manufacturing sector. It will also develop new technologies that can be exploited commercially across the manufacturing industry, worldwide.
Today’s announcement builds on the government’s Help to Grow schemes, which are helping smaller businesses to boost their productivity with training and software that is proven to get results.
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Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has put into place a strategy to capitalise on a “connected world of digital data”.
However, bringing this to bear in China has presented with a different set of challenges. While the likes of Facebook, Google and Yahoo share this vision of connected data underpinned by technology, and can replicate this through almost any market in the world, Doug Pearce, CEO of OMG Greater China admits that the Chinese media giant equivalents — such as Baidu and Tencent — are somewhat different.
“It’s about deepening partnerships and relationships with them and gaining their trust, which is a very important aspect when doing business in China,” explains Pearce. “It’s also a matter of what we can get, what we can access and what we can’t — we have to be consistent with privacy laws, for example.”
Such a situation means that OMG and its Chinese partners are very much on a level playing field — and they face the same task of learning quickly, but taking cautious steps at the same time.
In April, Omnicom Media Group launched two proprietary industry ad tech services to help clients better exploit data and produce what it terms cutting-edge marketing and effective development for brands.
Annalect Data Cloud Services is aimed at giving marketers the right tools to target the right consumers, personalise their experience and measure the effectiveness of that engagement, while OMG’s programmatic trading platform maximises opportunities across publishers, campaigns and objectives.
In practice, this connected world of data means that if you were looking to buy a car, you no longer face an onerous and long process — involving several visits to dealers among several competing brands, and then arranging finance over a period of a few weeks. With refinements in data and the technology, such processes are being speeded up — to the point that dealers and brands will know what you want before you’ve even taken a model for a test drive.
Pearce admits that this connected world of digital data is likely to result in the cost-per-thousand rates becoming more expensive, when set against cost per impact. However, he adds that overall expenditures are likely to fall as efficiency improves.
“We are creating this eco-system of connected data insight and buying together in one — performance management is where we are heading,” Pearce says. “Clients want digital people, analysts and technology experts.”
Single business units
The importance OMG’s leadership places on this data eco-system is a reflection of how the agency is moving towards a single business unit model. Over the last three to four years, OMG has focused on building specialist digital capabilities, in areas such as search, analytics and ecommerce.
Pearce says that such a model has proved very successful but adds that he wants to integrate these various disciplines within the agency, to present a single integrated solution. The more mainstream these disciplines become, the more they need to go back into the brand.
“Clients want one person in charge — they don’t want five different business units,” adds Pearce. “As a result, we need to ensure that we are able to cover the entire spectrum of communication. We try to avoid terms such as ‘digital strategist’ — it’s all just strategy.”
Having previously spent four years at Accenture, Pearce believes that consultancies will increasingly become their competitors, and that OMG needs to ensure it stays ahead with regards to data management, consulting and analytics.
“We want to be seen to more consultancy based, more accountable and more measurable,” says Pearce. “Looking back at my time at Accenture, consulting companies have a higher seat at the table [than agencies].”
Pearce believes that today’s advertising professionals need to have the right attitude and passion, be fully digital enabled and focussed on delivering improved performance outcomes for clients. “Connected data,” he adds, “will enable improved measurement of the campaign effectiveness and therefore evaluation of the work.
“We have an exciting future ahead, we are building an infrastructure; we have excellent partners and are now focused on upskilling and training our teams to maximize the opportunity to be the best we can be for our clients.”


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Automotive News reports on Ford's plans to use its four-cylinder EcoBoost engine through more models.
DETROIT--Four-cylinder engines will reign in Ford Motor's lineup.
In a bid to boost fuel efficiency, Ford intends to double four-cylinder engine volume and offer a four-cylinder option for each car and crossover by 2013.
"We're all about the smaller displacement as a way to drive significant fuel economy without sacrificing performance," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of global product development.
Ford's EcoBoost engine technology, which combines turbocharging and gasoline direct injection, is a striking example. EcoBoost improves fuel efficiency and combustion, allowing a smaller engine to generate horsepower comparable to a larger conventional engine.
With EcoBoost, Ford says it can replace V-8s with V-6s, V-6s with four-cylinders, and large-displacement four-cylinders with small-displacement four-cylinders.
Ford hasn't released output for its EcoBoost four cylinders. But in the Lincoln MKS, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 will produce 355 hp and 350 pounds-feet of torque--equivalent to the power of a normally aspirated 4.6-liter V-8, Ford says.
By 2013, Ford plans to sell 750,000 EcoBoost engine systems annually in North America. Four-cylinders will account for nearly two-thirds of the mix, a Ford official said.
EcoBoost debuts this summer with the sale of a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 in the Ford Taurus and Flex and the MKS. Kuzak won't say when the first four-cylinder with EcoBoost goes on sale.
CSM Worldwide powertrain analyst Eric Fedewa expects it to arrive in 2010 beginning in the Ford Focus. Four-cylinder engines with EcoBoost are expected to quickly follow on other nameplates such as the Ford Fusion.
Going forward, V-8s will have a place in pickup trucks, large SUVs, and the Mustang sports coupe, Kuzak said. But the dominance of V-8s even in pickups will ebb. Ford has announced a 3.5-liter V-6 with EcoBoost for the F-150 beginning in 2010. Kuzak also says a four-cylinder with EcoBoost is possible for Ford's flagship pickup.
Quick deployment across a large number of nameplates is key to Ford's strategy.
(Source: Automotive News)