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Acorn Sales Shortens Supply Chain, Strengthens Market Position with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer
Family-owned company controls quality and price by deploying smart automation with Sawyer
BOSTON – May 18, 2017 – Acorn Sales Company, a specialist in customized, handmade rubber stamps and embossing seals, has significantly shortened its supply chain by deploying Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer at its facility in Richmond, Va. Family-owned and operated for over three generations, Acorn is a self-described “small business operating in an Amazon world.” With Sawyer, the company has maintained throughput, improved quality and reduced its reliance on outside suppliers, results that even five years ago would have been nearly impossible for a company of its size to attain affordably.
The Acorn team has deployed Sawyer operating a band saw, where the robot transfers, aligns and cuts pieces of wood to be used as mounts for rubber stamps. Sawyer cuts, drills and inserts the wooden handles for the stamp mounts, effectively automating a complicated, multi-step process.
Before Sawyer, Acorn purchased pre-cut stamp mounts with handles from a third-party supplier, which led to variable pricing, shipping delays and inconsistent stamp mount quality. The company has long sought an option for bringing this process in house, but doing so was too expensive to automate and tedious for human workers. Upon discovering Sawyer, the Acorn team knew it had identified a solution that could shorten the supply chain.
“As a family-owned business, one of our main concerns is creating a business that can be sustained through future generations. When we first heard about collaborative robots and saw Sawyer, we knew he was part of our answer. Since deploying Sawyer, we have drastically reduced the length of our supply chain, which has saved us money, and given us more control over the quality of our products,” said Holly Raidabaugh, vice president, Acorn Sales Company. “The market has changed significantly, and customers have more expectations for customization than ever before. Having the ability to ensure quality without sacrificing flexibility or affordability has been a huge win for us.”
Founded in 1964, Acorn Sales specializes in stamps, seals, name badges, stock certificates, corporate kits and more. By bringing the fabrication of stamp components in house, Acorn can keep its prices in line with competitors, a critical factor in a price-driven market. Moving forward, Acorn hopes to deploy Sawyer on a variety of tasks, including a potential overnight shift.
“Traditionally, automation has been exclusively available to larger manufacturers, but the benefit of flexible and affordable collaborative robots is that small and mid-size manufacturers can take advantage of automation as well,” said Jim Lawton, chief product and marketing officer at Rethink Robotics. “For manufacturers like Acorn to stay competitive, they need to find ways to shorten supply chains, increase product quality and drive competitive pricing in the market. Sawyer enables manufacturers to be innovative and creative, and gives them a real competitive edge.”
For more information, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com.
About Rethink Robotics
Rethink Robotics is transforming the way manufacturing gets done, with smart, collaborative robots able to automate the 90 percent of tasks that until now, have been beyond the reach of traditional automation. Its Baxter® and Sawyer robots, powered by the Intera software platform, adapt to real-world variability, can change applications quickly and perform tasks like people do. The result: manufacturers of all shapes, sizes and industries get the fast-to-deploy, easy-to-use and versatile automation solution they need to increase flexibility, lower cost and accelerate innovation.
Based in Boston, the Rethink product suite is available in Asia, Europe and North America. The company is funded by Bezos Expeditions, CRV, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, DFJ, GE Ventures and Goldman Sachs. For more information about Rethink Robotics, please visit www.rethinkrobotics.com and follows us on Twitter @RethinkRobotics.
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The source highlighted a recent speech by Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, in which he questioned the wisdom of US aid to foreign companies.
“Foreign chipmakers fighting for US subsidies will keep their valuable intellectual property on their shores, ensuring that the most profitable and advanced manufacturing stays there,” the source said.
Gelsinger’s discontent was a decision by Washington to subsidize a $ 12 billion chip factory that is being built in Arizona by TSMC, a technology competitor to Intel.
The US has seduced TSMC with the promise of generous support as part of its efforts to break its dependence on overseas supply of critical products. But Intel – the leading US chipmaker with factories in Arizona and plans to build new ones – couldn’t ignore the actual funding of foreign competitors from American taxpayers.
“We need to go beyond short-term concerns and seriously think about what US chip leadership really looks like,” Gelsinger wrote in an article published by Intel.
“The federal government needs to invest in American intellectual property and capabilities,” Gelsinger continued. “He should invest US taxpayer dollars in companies that are based here and hold their most important assets – including patents and people – domestically.”
He noted that the 5nm manufacturing technology that will be used at TSMC’s Arizona facility, while currently the most advanced, will not be the same in 2024 when the plant goes live.
Two weeks earlier, the US Senate passed a bill providing for the allocation of $ 52 billion to semiconductor enterprises in the form of subsidies.
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The average consumer will spend $7041 on holiday related purchases. Debt consolidation loans represent 51% of all loans on Prosper, and have shown consistent growth over the past 5 months. Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending can replace high credit card interest rates and constantly changing monthly payments with lower rates and fixed, predictable payment terms. Data shows that even as consumers were preparing to spend money on gifts for this year, more than 14.1 million of them were still paying off holiday-related spending from last year, up from 13.6 million in 20092. Interest rates on Prosper.com start at 6.59%4 APR for best borrowers. Fixed rates range from 6.59% to 35.84% APR.
Celebrating its 5-year anniversary, Prosper.com will run a special one-day promotion for borrowers, holding all for new loans submitted on February 17, 2011, the Company will cover the borrower’s second month’s payment up to $300. Intent on removing barriers for borrowers, the website offers social and financial benefits for individual investors. Prosper lenders and borrowers have more than 1 million members and approximately $220 million in funded loans. Prosper’s five years of experience and actual P2P lending data and risk management team lets borrowers get rates as low as 5.9% APR.
Twitpay social media payment technology now has money to grow thanks to TomorrowVentures and CompuCredit Holdings. Having secured its undisclosed growth funding, Twitpay can expand its existing service offerings and continue its focus on serving nonprofit organizations looking to raise funds directly over Twitter, social gaming developers offering virtual currency and retailers facilitating social commerce. This is in conjunction with its recently announced a partnership with Incomm to offer social gaming publishers access to a customized promotion and lead generation platform designed specifically around the social gaming model. The first social gaming campaign is due out in early 2011. Twitpay ultimately touts itself as a provider of payment systems solutions for social media networks.
Prosper.com peer-to-peer lending marketplace with over one million members and $214 million in funded loans announced that interest rates have been reduced on many loans. With this, rates on new loans for Prosper borrowers with better Prosper Ratings will be significantly lower by as much as 2.66%. Loans listed by borrowers on the site are funding at a rate of nearly 100%, allowing for the lower rates. Prosper Marketplace peer-to-peer lending marketplace has over one million members and more than $214 million in funded loans.
George Coutros has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) with FSV Payment Systems prepaid debit card products and processing services. Bringing with him 20-years’ financial services experience, Coutros will manage FSVâs overall operation and will help shape the companyâs strategic direction. Throughout his experience, George has served in senior executive positions most recently with CompuCredit, NetBank, Bank of America and Equifax. He holds a BA in mathematical sciences from Johns Hopkins University and a MS in statistics from North Carolina State University.
Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the ratings on three classes of asset-backed notes issued by the
CompuCredit Acquired Portfolio Business Trust (“APBT”). Placed under review for downgrade four classes
of notes issued by the APBT, and all five classes of rated notes issued from the CompuCredit Acquired
Portfolio Voltage Master Business Trust (“Voltage MBT”), these notes are all backed by revolving pools of
primarily sub-prime, unsecured, general purpose VISA credit card receivables. Collateral performance has
deteriorated since 1H/09 and the company’s ability to renew one of its key funding sources remains in
question. CompuCredit filed WARN notices with several state labor departments, indicating the company’s
intention to reduce headcount across its servicing and customer service call centers. CompuCredit
reductions in staffing or
disruptions in operations may further compromise the ability to collect outstanding
receivables and a subsequent increase in charge-off rates.
Debt collector Encore Capital Group posted a 29% increase in gross collections for the third quarter of $125.7 million. Net income was $9.0 million, compared to net income of $3.0 million in the same period of the prior year. Investment in receivable portfolios was $77.7 million, to purchase $2.2 billion in face value of debt, compared to $66.1 million, to purchase $1.8 billion in face value of debt in the same period of the prior year. Revenue from bankruptcy servicing was $3.9 million, a 3% increase over the same period of the prior year.
During the third quarter, ECG settled a pending legal dispute with Jefferson Capital Systems and its parent, CompuCredit. Under the terms of the settlement, all of the parties’ obligations relating to the purchase and delivery of accounts under a 2005 deal were satisfied through Encore’s purchase of a large portfolio of charged-off credit card accounts on commercially reasonable terms and the resumption of the balance transfer program with Jefferson Capital. For more details on Encore Capital’s third quarter performance visit CardData (www.carddata.com). (CF Library 9/9/09)
San Diego-based debt collector Encore Capital Group has settled a pending legal dispute with Jefferson Capital Systems and its
parent, CompuCredit. Under the terms of the settlement, all of the parties’ obligations relating to the purchase and delivery of accounts under a 2005 deal were satisfied through Encore’s purchase of a large
portfolio of charged-off credit card accounts on commercially reasonable terms and the resumption of the balance transfer program with Jefferson Capital. Encore last month reported $78.0 million in revenues and $6.6 million in net income for the second quarter, a year-on-year gain of 11.4% and 6.5%, respectively. Investment in receivable portfolios was $82.0 million, to purchase $1.9 billion in face value of debt, compared to $52.5 million, to purchase $1.8 billion in face value of debt in the same period of the prior year. For complete details on Encore Capital Group’s second quarter performance visit CardData (www.carddata.com). (CF Library 7/31/09)
GA-based branded card marketer CompuCredit and CompuCredit Holdings
Corporation have completed a reorganization establishing CompuCredit
Holdings Corporation. as a Georgia holding company. Under a plan of
reorganization approved by CompuCredit Corporation
shareholders on June 29, 2009, CompuCredit Corporation became a wholly
owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Holdings
Corporation and the former shareholders of
CompuCredit Corporation became shareholders of CompuCredit Holdings
Corporation, with the same number and percentage of shares of
CompuCredit Holdings Corporation as they held of CompuCredit Corporation.
The common stock of CompuCredit Holdings Corporation will commence
trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on July 1, 2009 under the
ticker symbol “CCRT”
Atlanta-based sub-prime card specialist CompuCredit reported a first quarter 2009 GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interests of $112.5 million and a first quarter 2009 managed loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interests of $121.6 million, or $2.59 per fully diluted common share, which compares to first quarter 2008 managed losses from continuing operations attributable to controlling interests of $103.3 million, or $2.21 per fully diluted common share. On January 1, 2009, CompuCredit implemented FASB Staff Position APB 14-1 “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” to account for CompuCredit’s outstanding convertible senior notes. As a result, prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to present them as though APB 14-1 were effective in those prior periods. CompuCredit’s management, analysts, investors and others believe it is critical that they understand the credit performance of the entire portfolio of CompuCredit’s managed receivables because it reveals information concerning the quality of loan originations and the related credit risks inherent within the securitized portfolios and CompuCredit’s retained interests in its securitization facilities. For complete details on CompuCredit’s fourth quarter performance, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com](http://www.carddata.com)).
Atlanta-based sub-prime credit card specialist CompuCredit reported a
net GAAP loss for the fourth quarter of $26.8 million. Total managed
receivables dipped by 32% year-on-year for the fourth quarter ending at
$3,121,682,000. The issuer says it is focused on capital preservation,
account management, and expense reduction. CompuCredit’s net interest
margin was 13.8% in the fourth quarter, as compared to 17.8% for the
fourth quarter of 2007 and 15.1% in the previous quarter. The adjusted
charge-off rate was 14.2% in the fourth quarter, as compared to 13.2%
for the fourth quarter of 2007 and 14.2% in the previous quarter. As of
December 31, 2008, the 60-plus day delinquency rate was 16.3%, down from
18.4% as of December 31, 2007 and up from 13.1% as of September 30,
2008. At the end of the quarter, CompuCredit had 3,993,000 accounts,
compared to 5,306,000 in 4Q/07. For complete details on CompuCredit’s
fourth quarter performance, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com](http://www.carddata.com)).
COMPUCREDIT NET INCOME (GAAP)
4Q/06: $ 9.7 million
1Q/07: (-$ 2.5 million)
2Q/07: (-$11.0 million)
3Q/07: (-$53.2 million)
4Q/07: $15.8 million)
1Q/08: ( -$2.5 million)
2Q/08: (-$44.9 million)
3Q/08: (-$32.3 million)
4Q/08: (-$26.8 million)
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)
While some top issuers have pulled back on the marketing of business
cards, the performance metrics of a business card specialist reveals the
rapid meltdown during the current 15-month old recession. Advanta, with
one million business credit card accounts and about $5 billion in
outstandings, has progressed in four quarters from an issuer with
charge-off ratios below industry averages to an issuer plagued with
charge-offs about twice the industry average. As a matter of fact
compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, Advanta’s charge-offs have
nearly tripled. According to CardData (www.carddata.com), Advanta’s
quarterly charge-offs for 2007 hovered between 3.3% and 4.1%. In 2008
charges-off exploded from 6% in Q1, to 8% in Q2, to 10% in Q3 and to 12%
in Q4. During the same period in 2008 average charge-offs for the
industry increased from 4.6% to 6.0%. In response, the issuer has
tightened underwriting, closed accounts more than 30 days past due and
is now charging interest rates as high as 37.18%, (the highest APR ever
charged by a non sub-prime issuer.) Among sub-prime issuers, CompuCredit
has charged rates above 40% for some of its card products, according to
CardTrak ([www.cardtrak.com](http://www.cardtrak.com)). For complete details on Advanta’s latest
performance visit CardData ([www.carddata.com](http://www.carddata.com)).
4Q/06: 3.4% 3.8%
1Q/07: 3.3% 3.9%
2Q/07: 3.5% 3.7%
3Q/07: 3.9% 4.1%
4Q/07: 4.1% 4.2%
1Q/08: 6.4% 4.6%
2Q/08: 8.4% 5.3%
3Q/08: 10.0% 5.5%
4Q/08: 12.0% 6.0%
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)


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Three men robbed a supermarket in Granton yesterday afternoon, escaping with a three-figure sum.
The incident happened at Iceland on West Granton Road around 5.15pm, when the first suspect approached the till with an item to buy. He indicated to the two other suspects, and one of these men reached over and grabbed the cash from the till.
The three suspects ran from the store in the direction of West Granton Road but were lost to sight.
This incident comes after a similar robbery at Gregg’s Bakery on Crewe Road North on Tuesday, around 3pm, which may be linked.
All three suspects are described as white, and around 26 to 27 years old.
The first suspect is described as 5ft 10in tall, stocky build, wearing a dark coloured hoody, black scarf over his lower face, dark joggers, and white Nike trainers.
The second suspect is described as slim build and wearing a dark hoody, with grey hoody underneath, grey joggers, blue sandshoes.
The third suspect, who took the cash from the till, is described as slim build, gaunt face, and wearing a dark coloured hoody with hood up and grey hoody underneath, dark joggers, light coloured trainers.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “This robbery was distressing for those who were in the supermarket at the time, and we are keen to hear from anyone who was on West Granton Road around 5.15pm yesterday who may have information that can assist. We believe there may be a connection to the robbery at Gregg’s on Tuesday, and if anyone recognises the description of the suspects, they are urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”


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Yahoo! Inc. and Tumblr Inc. announced that they have reached a definitive agreement for Yahoo to acquire Tumblr, a company that provides a microblogging platform and operates a social networking Web site, for $1.1 billion.
Per the agreement, Tumblr will be independently operated as a separate business, according to Yahoo. The product, service and brand will continue to be defined and developed separately.
With more than 300 million monthly unique visitors and 120,000 signups every day, Tumblr is one of the fastest-growing media networks, Yahoo says. It says the combination of Tumblr and Yahoo is expected to expand Yahoo's audience by 50 percent to more than a billion monthly visitors, and to increase traffic by about 20 percent.
The agreement offers unique opportunities for both companies, Yahoo says. Tumblr can deploy Yahoo's personalization technology and search infrastructure to help its users discover creators, bloggers and content. And Tumblr brings 50 billion blog posts to Yahoo's media network and search service. The two companies will work together to create advertising opportunities.
"Tumblr is redefining creative expression online," Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, said in a statement. "On many levels, Tumblr and Yahoo! couldn't be more different, but, at the same time, they couldn't be more complementary. Yahoo is the Internet's original media network. Tumblr is the Internet's fastest-growing media frenzy.”
"Our team isn't changing,” David Karp, CEO of Tumblr, said is a statement. “Our roadmap isn't changing. And our mission — to empower creators to make their best work and get it in front of the audience they deserve — certainly isn't changing."
The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second half of the year.
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Epic Games has announced it will shut down its free-to-play MOBA game Paragon. The game was announced in 2015.
According to the announcement, the MOBA game was unable to attract enough players to be sustainable.
The studio further notes that it "has failed" the game's playerbase because it "didn't execute well enough" to deliver on the promise of Paragon.
When the game launch in 2016 it received above average press coverage because the game provided a unique flavour to the MOBA genre. However, after its release popularity slowly faded away due to the studio's average marketing campaigns.
The studio will provide a full refund to every Paragon player for every purchase on any platform. The refund will come directly from Epic Games instead of platform providers or retailers.
The Paragon servers will shut down on April 26, 2018.


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The Internet of Things (IoT) poses a cyber security risk that could leave businesses and consumers open to both cyber and physical crimes because connected devices aren't designed with privacy or data...
Malware found to be contacting servers in Russia thought to be Gamarue.I worm
No quick fix to massive hack say security experts as a fourth malware strain is discovered
The big topics will be the cloud, social engineering, automation and security budgets, as firms work to address corners cut in the pandemic
The EMA says hackers changed some emails before releasing them online
SEPA's email system is still down almost a month after the initial breach


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Manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin increased for the fourth straight year, adding 6,516 jobs from July 2014 through July 2015, according to the 2016 Wisconsin Manufacturers Register published by Manufacturers’ News Inc.
“Wisconsin gets high marks for its low business costs, solid infrastructure and ease of logistics,” says Tom Dubin, president of Manufacturers’ News Inc. “In addition to gains recorded in the state’s major industries, such as food processing, big strides were also seen in many other sectors over the year.”
The food processing sector led job growth in the state, up 2.8 percent from the previous year. Wisconsin’s food processing industry now accounts for the second-most factory jobs, employing 69,663, according to analysts.
More on the report can be found here.
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Chloe Moretz has long been proving she can give more seasoned stars a run for their money on the red carpet, and it's paid off in the form of a starring role for Aeropostle.
Chloe sent an excited Tweet to break the news saying: "I'm so happy to announce that I am the face of #Aero. So proud to be a part of a brand that wants every girl and boy to be stylish inside and out."
She also revealed a first glimpse of the campaign which shows her sporting the brand's preppy sportswear and leopard denims.
The label's Senior Vice President, Scott Birnbaum added: "We're introducing exciting new fashion and Chloe is the perfect role model to showcase these great looks. She has amazing style and has quickly become a fashion icon for today's teens."
We're sure there'll be many more stunning campaigns to come from Chloe.
By Hayley Spencer


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United Rentals Inc. (NYSE: URI), Stamford, CT, reported second quarter sales of $1.6 billion, up 12.4 percent over the same period a year ago. Rental revenue was $1.4 billion, up 13.6 percent year-over-year. Profit increased 5.2 percent to $141 million.
For the first six months, sales were $3 billion, up 8.1 percent year-over-year. Rental revenue increased 9.1 percent to $2.5 billion. Profit grew 10.6 percent to $250 million.


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When Pasta Sisters welcomed guests back into its Culver City, California, location on June 15, the brand looked quite different. Tables were socially distanced. The patio was bigger. Face-shields, masks, and gloves were commonplace. Self-serving stations were gone. So was tap water. A hostess waited outside to take guests’ temperature and coordinate the line to order.
Then July 1 arrived and the fast casual was forced to shutter again due to the state’s decision to roll back its reopening. Pasta Sisters pivoted yet again. It relaunched a food truck, driving to apartment complexes and residential areas. This also proved challenging as complex managers requested a percentage of fees for Pasta Sisters to park out front.
From the outset, the family-run and operated Italian brand has proved its mettle in ways restaurants never have before. And there’s plenty of uncertainty ahead.
The Pasta Sisters team shared its journey with QSR, from the start of the crisis to the current state. How it’s survived and what it’s going to take to navigate the crazy COVID-19 climate.
Tell us a little bit about The Pasta Sisters and its history.
Pasta Sisters is the story of a family. This story begins in Padova, a small town in Northern Italy, where Chef Paola Da Re, her older sisters Luisa and Patrizia and their brother Carlo used to spend their afternoons helping their mother Maria Giovanna in the kitchen. Cooking and baking were not only Maria Giovanna’s passion, but also her way to spend quality time with her kids, teaching them recipes, sharing the importance of tradition and encouraging their creativity.
At the end of 2014, after Paola moved to Los Angeles to help her older son Francesco in his new adventure as a father, the family’s passion for good food started to take the shape of a business. Paola’s cooking ability, her son Francesco’s entrepreneurship, and her daughter Giorgia’s creativity were the perfect ingredients for a successful family business. Even though many didn’t believe in the vision, the family started by opening up a small hole-in-the-wall deli in Koreatown backed by investments from a few close family friends and Italian investors. When the business started growing, the family decided to expand into the Helms Bakery District to a much bigger location, and after almost two years, they also launched a Pasta Sisters food truck.
Let’s go back to the beginning of COVID-19. How did the restaurant respond to the pandemic in the early days? What were some of the first steps?
Francesco Sinatra, CEO: We were quick in responding to the pandemic. Following the news in Italy, we knew it was a matter of time for the virus to hit the U.S., and in early March, I had already planned a meeting with the managers of our locations to discuss next steps. We all agreed on a safety plan for employees and customers, a reduction of hours and shift for the staff, and a plan B in case the restaurants had to close (totally or partially with new rules to follow to keep the customers and employees safe). When we received the news that we had to close for dine-in service, we were 90 percent ready.
The guidelines provided by the Health Department helped to better shape our safety plan that was already put in place, and our managers did a great job keeping everyone calm and working efficiently, even with a reduced staff.
How did you fare during those March-April months when the lockdown was in full effect?
It was stressful, and it almost felt like a bad dream. Even if we had a plan, and we were ready to change our regular work life to accommodate the new rules, the situation hit our morale pretty hard. When you are used to seeing a couple of hundred people per day in your restaurant, and suddenly you see 15–30 people max in a full day, it feels weird, something feels wrong and off. Everybody around was in a bad mood, and we did our best to cheer them up. Our thoughts were with our employees that we ultimately had to furlough. We did feel very sad for them.
Our first thought and priority was our employees. In our Pico location, only one person was furloughed, but in Culver City, we had to furlough almost 80 percent of the employees. The two people who worked our food truck went to work in Culver City, and Francesco and Paola decided to help the employees without a job with donations and food during the duration of the pandemic/dine-in closure.
What were some wins for the restaurant? What was the biggest challenge?
The only win for the restaurants were the loving messages from our loyal customers, the support the community gave us, and the tireless effort of our employees. One other win is the fact that we were able to continue working with online orders and to-go only amidst months of being closed for dine-in.
The biggest challenge was working in a deserted city … it is not natural, especially when you live in a hub like Los Angeles.
First on the June 15 reopening, share some of the main changes Pasta Sisters made as dine-in returned.
When we reopened the restaurants and the food truck, the main changes were in the organization of our dine-in/al fresco setup and the protocols that we had to follow for the dine-in customers and pick up customers. We had to create new positions and systems in the restaurant to guarantee the safety of the customers (hostess taking the temperature of the customers, a dedicated to-go station attendant, no crossover between servers and those cooking in the kitchen, etc).
Elaborate on the hostess taking guests’ temperature. That’s a really interesting element I haven’t heard before. How did customers respond?
Ninety-nine percent of our guests responded well and they are cooperative with the safety procedures that we have put in place. A few people did not want us to take their temperature, and they left. But it seems that the majority of guests appreciate this policy.
Come July 1, the store had to reclose again and pivot to outdoor service. Do you think people and officials grasp just how challenging this is for a restaurant?
We got very lucky. We had only four tables set up in the indoor area of the restaurant, and we had already set up the rest of the tables on the two outdoor patios and the front pedestrian street (with permission from the landlord). We just moved the tables outside and that was it. Nothing changed for us. But I know friends in the restaurant business that have no outdoor space, who have had to close their restaurants for good, and others that are struggling to reinvent their concepts. I would have preferred for the authorities to keep all the restaurants closed for a longer period of time and avoid this extra stress for the food service industry.
For instance, while some think operating under COVID restrictions is cheaper (fewer employees, etc.) the opposite is often the case. How much effort (and money) is it taking to operate at high efficiently to stay open while also keeping the environment safe for guests and staff? What’s an example of this?
What many people that are not in this sector don’t understand is that restaurants work with their vendors on a net30 or net60, and this pandemic started when tax season was in its apex. We found ourselves with hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay out, and little to no income. We are grateful to those vendors that gave us some extra time, to our landlord who helped reduce the rent during this very challenging time, and with the injection of the PPP loan, we were able to survive, or else we would be one of the front-page restaurants that closed for good. The number of employees is proportional to the income, so if the restaurant loses 90 percent of the income, it is difficult to work with only 10 percent of the staff. One big problem that we faced was that some of the vendors started charging 30 percent extra because of limited quantities … I personally didn’t sleep for weeks thinking about how to keep the restaurant operative with not enough money coming in.
What’s the journey been like since? Have you been able to reopen? How has the customer demand changed, or has it held steady?
This year has been like sailing a boat in an unknown ocean—we don’t know the winds, the geography, the currents … we are a little lost and we need to make decisions day by day in order to prepare for the unknown. The big change that we are seeing is the amount/influx of online orders, which is much higher than before, and as much as we are putting in our 100 percent and the same effort as we put in pre-COVID, the delivery companies are unfortunately trying to cut on drivers and the quality of their services, and as a result, customers get hungry at us, the restaurants, not understanding the global difficulties we are currently facing every single day!
Talk about the food truck relaunch and some of the challenges there, especially with complex managers requesting a percentage of the fees.
I need to confess that the reopening of the truck has been easier than we initially expected. And the results are better than expected, too. The food truck location organizers and apartment managers have been very understanding and accommodating for the truck and the staff! They waived their fees for many locations, and they are trying to collaborate in a positive and constructive way with us which is great and we really appreciate.
How has Pasta Sisters taken care of its employees during the pandemic?
Although we had to furlough many of our employees, we offered them to come to the restaurant to get lunch or dinner for free, and we donated money for their essential expenses. We tried to get those of our staff most in need back to work as soon as possible, and when we had the chance to reopen, we rehired everyone.
What are some additional ways the concept is getting food to customers? Have you added new tech and channels?
One new initiative we have taken on is working with Feed Culver, an organization that provides food for the people in our neighborhood that are in need, and we have donated ongoing meals to them to help support the community.
While there’s undoubtedly a ton of uncertainty ahead, are there some changes you think restaurants can bank on?
I think these policies surrounding cleaning and sanitizing the restaurants should have been the standard even before the pandemic, and Pasta Sisters followed the same rules even before, so not much has changed at the restaurants around this particular matter. But I wish and hope that we can go back to a normal life soon!
How do you think the guest has changed? And how is Pasta Sisters preparing?
Our customers have always been fantastic, polite, and respectful. I noticed a change in the people that order food online … they are more impatient, complain much more, and the third-party delivery drivers often times showed a bad attitude and rudeness. It is not easy to deal with them sometimes.
What do you think the biggest change to emerge will be? Is there opportunity on the other side?
The biggest change will be to predict how many people will go back to their offices and how many will continue to work from home, and that will affect so many restaurants reliant on neighboring foot traffic from offices/businesses. It will also be interesting to see how the catering business will change considering the demand, and this will change the dynamics inside the restaurants, and ultimately how/if the restaurants will survive. Many places are closed, and others will close soon, and the survivors will most likely prosper for the next couple of years with no competition around, but developing new strategies and menus to satisfy the new way of living and working is the opportunity. It is sad, especially for the new restaurants almost ready to open before the pandemic—they never had the chance to serve their delicious food in the world we came to know as “normal” before all this. Opportunities are always there if you know where to look, and as much I would love to talk about it, all I can say right now is that Pasta Sisters will surprise many with the next project we are working on.


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Pioneer DEH-X4600BT faceplate. This one is unused and working condition.
Faceplate Replacements for Sale
Suzuki Grand Vitara Facelift revealedSun, 15 Jul 2012
Suzuki in Japan has revealed a facelifted version of the Escudo in Japan, better known in Europe as the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has been with us since the dinosaurs ruled the earth. Well, it certainly seems that long and the Vitara was pretty much in at the start of the sales phenomenon that is the compact SUV.
Pebble Beach bound: Delage D8S gives new meaning to eleganceTue, 10 Aug 2010
In perhaps the strangest paradox of the 1930s, as the worst depression the world had ever known was putting millions of people out of work, extraordinary design flourished. Bauhaus architecture by the likes of Mies van der Rohe and LeCorbusier gave us functional homes described as "machines for living." Art deco and art moderne set new standards of interior d
Nissan Qazana (2010) caught testingMon, 14 Dec 2009
The Nissan Qazana shot testing - complete with what looks like bin-bag disguise I know, it’s not the easiest thing to work out from the picture above, but this is Nissan’s sub Qashqai Crossover – the Nissan Qazana – caught out testing recently. Which goes to show that the Qazana is well on track for amid 2010 launch and production at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. The Qazana – when it debuted at Geneva this year – was a daring concept, to say the least.


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It is understood that the price of the Mavic 2 product line has increased by 13%, slightly lower than the 15% tariff announced by Trump at the end of last month. The Mavic 2 Pro is now priced at $1,729, up from $1,499. The DJI Mavic Air Arctic White is currently priced at $919, up from $799. DroneDJ pointed out that most of Mavic 2's models did not re-list until last weekend after a few weeks of downline, just before the tariffs announced by Trump on September 1.
In other markets outside the US, such as Canada, the Mavic 2 Pro is still priced at $1,499. In European countries like France and Germany, the price of DJI products there is still the same as before Trump announced the implementation of new tariffs. The price of professional products such as professional Inspire and industrial Matrice 600 Pro in the United States has increased by nearly 17% and 14% respectively compared with Canada.
In addition, DJI has also removed some of its merchandise in its mall, and it is not clear whether this is related to tariffs or because of company inventory or product routes.
Recommended use China IT News APP
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Huawei Mate 40 Screen protector unveiled suggested a curved display panel
Huawei’s upcoming flagship smartphone, Huawei Mate 40, is going to be unveiled; meanwhile, the device is expected to launch in between early September to end of October this year. Not to mention, the device seems to be quite promising so let’s take a closer look toward the device and know more about it.,
Huawei Mate 40 Key Specification and Highlights
There is a long gap between the launch of the device, while the device likely to be a premium flagship smartphone. The early leaks of the device surfaced online on Chinese Weibo suggested the method to include a curved display panel.
The device is also going to feature a curved display panel identical to the Huawei Mate 30 Pro. Further, it is going to be improved a lot as far as the device considers performing better than. Notably, the device is going to be more functional, includes a curved display panel.
Huawei Mate 40 is going to be housing a punch-hole camera cutout replacing the top-notch design. According to reports, the device is going to having a 120Hz of screen refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is going to be powered by Huawei in-house Kirin 1000-Mobile platform integrated with AI and 5G Connectivity.
Thanks for being with us. We would like to know your valuable opinion and feedback. Suppose there is any query share with us in the comment section down below. Stay tuned for more further updates in the future on the same.
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- Galaxy AI will be integrated with Bixby and the Galaxy Watch for advanced assistants.by Love Adhikari
- Samsung rolls out AI features to older devices: List of Eligible Galaxy AI Devicesby Mehak
- How to Install Windows 11 24H2by Romeshwar Prasad
- Does Rice a potential solution for Wet iPhone?by Akhil Sharma


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With the help of this deployment Flipkart can focus on core business without worrying about disruptions to critical processes. The deployment has enabled the online retail outlet to scale on-demand in terms of servers and storage growth. Further, Flipkart was able to manage the data center remotely allowing quick power up/down. The solution would be able to prevent potential data losses and guarantee business continuity in the future.
“Agility is a key business differentiator when it comes to encouraging the India market to shop online. With Dell, we can add hundreds of virtual machines within a couple of minutes to meet a predicted increase in traffic volume, then automatically reduce the number to ensure we maintain our energy efficiency at all times.” said Sumeet Ghosh, Head of Engineering, Operations and Infrastructure, Flipkart
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com
Flipkart is a leading destination for online shopping in India, offering some of the best prices and a completely hassle-free experience with options of paying through Cash on Delivery, Debit Card, Credit Card and Net Banking processed through secure and trusted gateways. Flipkart went live in 2007 with the objective of making books easily available to anyone who had internet access. Today, it is present across various categories including movies, music, games, mobiles, cameras, computers, healthcare and personal products, home appliances and electronics, stationery, perfumes, toys, apparels, shoes – and still counting!


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The Oppo Find 5 is one of the most anticipated Chinese phones of the year thanks to it’s high specification coupled with it stunning design. Today Oppo released a video confirming the Oppo Find 5 1920 x 1080 resolution along with other details.
The video mainly focusses on the development of the mobile phone screen over the past 30 years, starting with the basic yuppy phones to the upcoming 5 inch 1080p 1920 x 1080 resolution display which boasts 441ppi!
Gizchina News of the week
Along with details of the screen the promotional video also hints at a possible 16 mega-pixel rear camera!
The Oppo Find 5 is expected to launch on the 12 December and is expected to have a Qualcomm S4 quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.


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Louis C.K. adds Montreal to the list of surprise pop up shows!
Up until now, this year’s Just for Laughs festival in Montreal was sans Louis C.K., but that’s all changed. Louis will be doing a solo performance on July 28th at 9pm. Actually C.K. hasn’t been at the Montreal festival since 2011.
Louis is always experimenting with marketing and distribution; last month he announced a surprise pop up show in Boston at the Paradise Rock Club that sold out in two hours. Just a few years ago Louis pioneered the self-distributed $5 special, sold through his website and of course this year he made headlines all over the world for creating, directing, writing, starring in, and secretly and mysteriously distributing his own TV show, Horace and Pete. Expect this pop up show to sell out quick.
Catch six-time Emmy Award winner Louis C.K. when he performs at Maison Symphonique at Place Des Arts on July 28 at 9:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now at hahaha.com
Read more comedy news.
The post Louis C.K. Announces Surprise Show at Just For Laughs appeared first on The Interrobang.


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Egyptian consumption and production of butane decreased in July 2017. The country pumped approximately 1 million cylinders per day, a decrease of 35,000 tons of butane per month.
Butane consumption dropped slightly after the price increase for petroleum products, the Head of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), Abed Ezz El Regal, told Amwal Al Ghad, adding that total butane sales for the first half of 2017 averaged 1.1 million cylinders per day.
Butane monthly production is estimated at around 165,000 tons, which is around 50% of local consumption, Ezz El Regal noted. He added expansion of the national gas grid to new households and commercial and industrial units will eventually decrease the need to import butane.
The price of butane cylinders rose 100% after the government’s recent decision to hike fuel prices. They now cost EGP 30 per cylinder, compared to EGP 15 per cylinder before the increase. Despite the higher consumer prices, the government still pays a subsidy of EGP 115 per butane cylinder


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Neolith completes the launch of its new Six-S range with food bank donations for every kilogram sold
Neolith sintered stone has marked the launch of its new ‘Six-S’ range of surfaces with a campaign to give 1kg of food to food banks for every 1kg of the surfaces sold.
For the Six-S series Neolith says it has is has drawn inspiration from the natural world.
The company says the Six-S slabs evoke the brand’s underlying philosophy of delving deeper than a superficial aesthetic, embodying six essential characteristics of wellbeing, community and sustainability, represented by the six 'S' initials of solidity, sanitary, strong, stylish, sensory and sustainability.
Neolith says the launch of these six surfaces is being accompanied by a number of initiatives throughout 2020 and 2021 that will demonstrate how Neolith is able to transform its core values into positive activities to benefit the global society.
Mar Esteve Cortes, Neolith's Chief Marketing Officer, says: “Amid these challenging times we felt it was more important than ever before to create a highly-personal range that would demonstrate our cerebral, emotional and worldly approach to business.
"However, a new range alone is not enough to communicate this ethos, hence the wider campaign.
“Words are admirable, but action on them is essential for authenticity. As such, we are launching an initiative for each of the six principles. The latest is 'solidary', which we hope will champion how, against the backdrop of Covid-19, we are doing something worthwhile to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.”
The 'solidary' (or solidity) initiative aims to help those whose lives have been so severely impacted by coronavirus that they have had to resort to food banks. Until the end of 2020, for every square metre of these new surfaces sold, Neolith will donate 1kg of food to food banks within the country of sale.
Most of the six new surfaces are available in slab sizes of 3,200mm x 1,600mm and 3,200 x 1,500mm. Some are available as 6mm thick, some 12mm and some 20mm, or a choice of thicknesses.
Layla is in two finishes: Décor Polished and Slate in 6mm, 12mm and 20mm thicknesses.
ABU DHABI WHITE
Abu Dhabi White is in two finishes: Décor Polished and Silk in 6mm and 12mm thicknesses.
Amazonico is offered in two finishes: Décor Polished and Slate in 6mm thickness and 3,200 x 1,500mm format only.
WINTER DALA / SUMMER DALA
Winter and Summer Dala are in a Silk finish in 6mm and 12mm thicknesses.


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Rick Bergman, SVP of the AMD Products Group was on hand to give the first public demo of the Fusion APU that brings “power-efficient processors that combine CPU, GPU, video processing and other accelerator capabilities in a single-die design to efficiently power the most popular and demanding consumer experiences, from HD video applications to media-rich Internet experiences to DirectX 11 games.” Bergman suggested with the continued migration of users into multimedia consumption and media creation roles the need for the Fusion-based APU has increased dramatically.
AMD hopes that the “PC experience will evolve dramatically” when the first Fusion APUs are formally announced in the first half of 2011.
A generic APU design
Specifics were light, but I do know that the APU being shown was not the desktop variant built on 32nm technology but rather was the 40nm Ontario core built at TSMC and aimed at the Atom markets. AMD obviously feels they have a strong advantage in this market with the APU as they are putting focus on it rather than the Llano-based notebook and desktop parts that were originally billed to be the first Fusion parts available. If you were reading this hoping to get a hint of the clock speeds, die sizes or shader counts for Ontario you and I are both disappointed – AMD continues to hold that very close to the chest.
Bobcat cores will be used in the Ontario APU
AMD’s APU demonstration comes one day after Intel’s Dadi Perlmutter went on stage at Computex and briefly showed the upcoming Sandy Bridge CPU+GPU chip at work. Though details were light, the Sandy Bridge GPU performance was compared to a “current generation mainstream discrete graphics card” and the side by side comparisons of Mass Effect 2 were honestly impressive. Though no more specs were given (frame rate, the discrete GPU being used as comparison) the fact is that after seeing the gaming demonstration I think AMD will have a run for its money in 2011 to have the fastest integrated processor for graphics.
Details were light, but in real time the graphics on this demo looked great on both systems
The demonstration of the APU hardware wasn’t the only point brought home by AMD at the press conference. The company also announced the formation of the AMD Fusion Fund that would be making investments in companies that display an innovative solution to take advantage of AMD Fusion APUs and their unique hardware capabilities. By simply submitting an application to AMD a software development house that can showcase the ability to drive demand for the combined CPU+GPU product could get funding to continue their work.
Obviously AMD’s intent is to increase the demand for both GPU-accelerated applications as well as heterogeneous programs that could take advantage of both CPU and GPU components of the APU. Even though we are essentially combining a current generation processors with the integrated graphics of an IGP motherboard chipset (in very basic terms) there are new complications and new benefits this merger provides and AMD is demonstrating the desire to find them.
Fusion has been a long time coming and the product as we know it now is very different from our first glances of it back in 2006. A shift unlike any other in the consumer market is about to take place and the world of the discrete graphics card will never be the same. But we are also hopeful that the world of computing will never be the same as well as the APU (and Intel’s versions of a similar idea) will drive innovation in a market that desperately needs it. It might be uncertain for consumers right now but for AMD the future is most definitely Fusion.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — June 2, 2010 — At Computex 2010, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today delivered the first public demonstration of an AMD Fusion processor, initiating the accelerated processing era. The AMD FusionTM Family of Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) represents a significant shift in processor architecture and capabilities, combining high-performance serial computing and parallel graphics processing cores onto a single die to improve visual and data-intensive tasks that are pervasive in today’s computing environments. A video of today’s demonstration can be found here.
Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, AMD Products Group, provided an APU technology demonstration during a press conference today. This demonstration provided a sneak peek into the upcoming seismic shift in the computing industry: power-efficient processors that combine CPU, GPU, video processing and other accelerator capabilities in a single-die design to efficiently power the most popular and demanding consumer experiences, from HD video applications to media-rich Internet experiences to DirectX 11 games. The AMD Fusion Family of APUs represent a distinctly powerful processing approach to the evolving digital consumer landscape, where more than 28 billion videos are watched each month online and a thousand pictures are uploaded to social networking sites every second.
“Hundreds of millions of us now create, interact with, and share intensely visual digital content,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, AMD Product Group. “This explosion in multimedia requires new applications and new ways to manage and manipulate data. Low resolution video needs to be up-scaled for larger screens, HD video must be shrunk for smart phones, and home movies need to be stabilized and cleaned up for more enjoyable viewing. When AMD formally launches the AMD Fusion family of APUs, scheduled for the first half of in 2011, we expect the PC experience to evolve dramatically.”
Consumers are hungry for applications that run faster and make digital media easier to enjoy, and a new wave of software innovation is taking place as AMD software partners take advantage of AMD APUs and GPUs to enable better experiences across an ever-widening set of content. Microsoft joined AMD on stage at Computex and discussed how AMD Fusion APUs can enable improvements to applications such as Microsoft Windows 7 and DirectX 11, and how CPU and GPU collaborative computing can enable superior PC experiences.
“While visual computing has made incredible strides in recent years, we believe that the AMD Fusion family of APUs combined with Windows 7 and DirectX 11 will fundamentally change how applications are developed and used,” said Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president, original equipment manufacturer division, Microsoft. “Applications such as Internet browsing, watching HD video, PowerPoint and more can enable more immersive, visually rich, and intuitive experiences for consumers worldwide.”
In addition to Microsoft DirectX with DirectCompute, software developers can also build enhanced applications using OpenCL via the ATI Stream SDK, which further underscores AMD’s commitment to industry standards.
AMD Fusion Fund
At Computex 2010, AMD also unveiled the “AMD Fusion Fund,” a vehicle to make strategic investments in companies developing innovative solutions that will take advantage of the forthcoming AMD Fusion family of APUs. Additional details were disclosed on the AMD Fusion Fund in a separate announcement.
Extending Consumer and Graphics Leadership at Computex
With the launch of the AMD Fusion Family of APUs planned for the first half of 2011, AMD is positioned to extend the leadership it already has in the consumer PC market with VISION Technology from AMD and in the graphics market with the award winning ATI RadeonTM family of GPUs. At Computex, both product lines were on display for attendees, including many of the brand new VISION-powered SKUs recently launched by OEMs. In May, AMD announced a significant platform refresh for its VISION Technology, with as many as 135 new ultrathin and mainstream notebooks arriving on the market.


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The LA Fashion District has long been a center of creativity and a welcoming home for artists and galleries. Fashion is after all, often considered an art form. Most recently, Hong Kong-based Avenue des Arts opened at the corner of 8th and Los Angeles Streets and installed five new murals behind its new location. You can see the murals at 8th and Werdin Place. Late last month, Jeff Hamilton Studios hosted an international street art fair pop-up at 935 S Wall St, which the gallery plans to make a monthly event, and earlier this year Mugello Gallery opened at 818 Spring St. Currently there are at least 11 art galleries operating in the Fashion District and 11 large-scale murals, most of which are located in the northwestern quadrant.
Unsurprisingly, Eighth Street has become the connecting thoroughfare between the galleries and murals. The street itself boasts Pskaufman Gallery and seven murals, starting at Werdin Place and ending with Etam Cru’s Mr. Rooster at 8th and Wall Street. Eighth Street connects to the Santee Village courtyard, where REN Gallery and Diego Cardoso Gallery are located, and serves as a hub for residential life. Fashion District artists can be seen hanging out at No Ghost Bears (formerly Coffee Colab), their art is displayed at Cleaners LA, they walk across the street to grab tacos at Sonoratown from which anyone can enjoy an unobstructed view of Teddy Kelly‘s colorful abstract, (8th and Los Angeles St) or head over to Wild Living Foods (8th and Main St). The health food spot has an equally colorful mural inside. Nearby, there is another project by a Fashion District artist in the works.
Art is all around us. But in a place like the Fashion District, where the air buzzes with creativity and color and texture abound, it feels especially at home. The art here is vibrant, colorful, reflective of its urban location, and often culturally significant. It’s representative of the district. We highly recommend it.
Check out Fashion District galleries during the next Downtown Art Walk, on the second Thursday every month, 6-10 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of Fashion District murals using the map above.


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The City last night forecast that Kenneth Clarke, the Chancellor, will resist raising interest rates for the time being and brazen it out with the foreign exchange markets despite the worst inflation news for two years.
Retail price inflation last month climbed above 3 per cent for the first time in more than two years. At the same time, an unexpected sharp fall in retail sales confirmed the recovery was weakening, putting the Government in a dilemma over interest rates.
Figures on the labour market highlighted the same contradiction between higher inflation pressure and a weaker economy. Unemployment fell by 27,500 to 2.4 million, or 8.5 per cent of the labour force. Although this is the lowest rate since August 1991, the drop in joblessness was far smaller than in recent months.
On the other hand, unit labour costs in manufacturing rose 0.7 per cent in the year to December - the first rise after seven monthly declines.
The mass of economic statistics left the financial markets concerned about how the Government would react. They concluded that, on balance, the next rise in base rates had retreated but would still need to take place by early summer.
The pound drifted above DM2.35, a psychologically important level, after the turbulence earlier in the week. Gilts and short sterling, used to bet on short-term interest rate moves, rallied. Shares closed slightly higher, helped by a record day on Wall Street.
Geoffrey Dicks, chief UK economist at NatWest Markets, said: "The interest rate decision is finely poised. The odds moved in favour of a rise after disturbing producer price figures on Monday, but they have now moved back again."
Either way, currency analysts could find little reason for optimism about the exchange rate, which has been weak since the new year. Neil MacKinnon, Citibank's chief economist, said: "Sterling is the fall guy." Higher interest rates would dent the economy and renew concerns about the Government's political viability. But a delay in raising base rates would make the pound less appealing to international investors.
David Owen, UK economist at Kleinwort Benson, said: "There is a lot of feedback from overseas investors that they are worried about politics and economic policy in Britain."
Kit Juckes, currency analyst at SG Warburg, agreed that the outlook for sterling was depressed: "This is not a crisis but the foreign exchange market will struggle to find anything positive in the news that inflation is going up and growth is slowing down," he said.
The FT-SE 100 index ended the day a fraction higher. Alison Southey, equity strategist at Nomura, said: "Equities are poised to go lower. There is bad news about inflation that is not already priced into the market."
Mark Brown, at Hoare Govett, said: "Shares are trapped in no-man's land between inflationary pressure and weaker demand." But he thought a favourable results season would help share prices recover.
The real surprise in yesterday's array of figures was a 0.9 per cent drop in the volume of retail sales in January. There was some caution about the one-month figure because of the difficulty of adjusting for Christmas and the dismal weather last month. Even so, the underlying rate of growth in sales volumes - the change in the latest three months compared with the previous three - was the lowest since April 1992, the depth of the recession. Sales fell in all categories except household goods.
Retail price inflation rose to 3.3 per cent last month from 2.9 per cent in December. Almost half the jump in this year-on-year rate was accounted for by a fall in mortgage rates in January 1994. The RPI was unchanged during the month: higher excise duties announced in the Budget and mini- budget and higher prices for some foods were cancelled out by January sales.
The increase had been expected but nevertheless worried some economists. Keith Skeoch, chief economist at James Capel, said: "There was much less discounting on the high street than there was last year."
There was also some consternation that the Central Statistical Office is to drop the old tax and price index from its news release on inflation in favour of the measure excluding mortgage payments and indirect taxes known as RPI-Y. The tax and price inflation rose 3.9 per cent in the year to January, while inflation measured by the RPI-Y is below 2 per cent.
Yesterday's information on the labour market brought some bad news on wage costs. Underlying average earnings growth was estimated to be unchanged, at 3.75 per cent. But earnings in industry rose 5.7 per cent in the year to December. Labour costs per unit of output in manufacturing were 0.7 per cent up over the same period, after falling since the spring.
The buoyancy of manufacturing was confirmed by a 15,000 rise in jobs in December. In the fourth quarter employment in manufacturing increased by 37,000, the biggest rise since 1978. But total joblessness fell 27,500 in January, after seasonal adjustment, below the average of 40,000 a month in the past six months.Reuse content


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December 14, 2006 |
The European Commission said Wednesday that it had withdrawn plans that could end copyright levies on electronic equipment but denied it had done so under pressure from the French government. Most European countries charge fees on music and video players and blank CDs to compensate artists and copyright holders for legal copying.
December 7, 2006 |
Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday that it would sell more than 1 million Zune digital media players by June 30, giving its first forecast for the device and showing how it plans to stack up against Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod. That tally should allow Microsoft to meet its goal of becoming the second-biggest maker of media players with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, said Bryan Lee, a vice president in Microsoft's entertainment business. Lee declined to say how many Zune players Microsoft has sold.
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
November 18, 2006 |
Dollar signs danced in the head of business student Julian Perry, 25, when he learned that the much-anticipated PlayStation 3 would go on sale Friday -- in limited quantities. As demand outstripped supply, Perry knew the video game console's price would rocket past Sony's $599 list price -- on EBay. So Perry hired seven people to get in line with him. It would be a long wait. They arrived Monday afternoon at the Circuit City in Torrance, where 100 machines were to go on sale at 12:01 a.m.
September 25, 2006 |
Sony Corp., the world's biggest maker of video game players, cut the price in Japan of its PlayStation 3 by about 20%, responding to complaints that it cost twice as much as rival consoles. The game player will retail for $430 when it goes on sale in Japan on Nov. 11, Ken Kutaragi, head of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., said Friday at the Tokyo Game Show. The company previously said it would sell models for $540.
September 21, 2006 |
Microsoft Corp. is introducing an external high-definition DVD player for the Xbox 360 video game console to compete with the Blu-ray disc player in Sony Corp.'s upcoming PlayStation 3. The rollout plans come as the Redmond, Wash.-based company tries to shore up sales ahead of the arrival this year of next-generation consoles by its two top rivals -- Sony and Nintendo Co. The Xbox 360's external player, to be launched in Japan on Nov.
September 18, 2006 |
RealNetworks Inc. is teaming with SanDisk Corp. to release a portable music player that more closely links with RealNetworks' Rhapsody online music service, the companies said. The deal, expected to be announced today, is the latest attempt to take on Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod and iTunes stronghold. Analysts see it as a way for SanDisk and RealNetworks to join forces against a new common foe: Microsoft Corp., which recently announced plans to release its Zune portable music player and service.
September 14, 2006 |
A top U.S. antitrust official urged foreign governments to think twice before interfering with popular new technologies, singling out overseas scrutiny of Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes online music service as an example of misguided enforcement. Justice Department antitrust chief Thomas Barnett cited proposals by some officials overseas to impose restrictions on iTunes as an example of overzealous regulation that he said could discourage innovation and hurt consumers.
September 7, 2006 |
The release of Sony's PlayStation 3 will be delayed in Europe until March because of problems with producing a key component, the executive in charge of the project said Wednesday. The much-awaited next generation of the popular game console will go on sale in November in the U.S. and Japan as planned, but fewer units will be available for the launch dates. The company is sticking to its initial global target of shipping 6 million PlayStation 3 machines by March.
July 28, 2006 |
Microsoft Corp.'s plans to offer an iPod competitor could take up to five years of investment, but the spending is worth it in part because it will help the software maker's broader entertainment agenda, a company executive said. Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices group, told financial analysts that the company's planned Zune product line would require millions of dollars in investment and would not pay off immediately.
July 10, 2006 |
Sony Corp. has patented technology that would prevent its PlayStation consoles from playing used, rented or borrowed video games -- raising questions about whether the electronics and entertainment giant may attempt to redefine what it means to own something in the digital age. Sony has said little about the technology, patented in Japan in 2000, or how it might be deployed.


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NZICT says patents 'integral' to software protection
- 16 April, 2010 08:01
IT vendor group NZICT is warning that a move to abandon software patents in New Zealand is "worrying".
A Commerce Select Committee recently recommended the government to remove patent protection for software. However, NZICT chief executive Brett O'Riley says the country's software development sector deserves the same protection as other sectors where invention and innovation occurs.
"Software patents, while acknowledged as a less than perfect solution in some areas, are none-the-less integral to an individual or company's right for commercial protection and essential for competing globally. We believe that it is very important that companies retain the option to protect their innovations under patent law, if that is their choice," he says in a statement.
O'Riley says he is perplexed by the recommendation, as it contravenes current New Zealand economic policy and contradicts the policy to continue software patents which had been confirmed in 2005 after industry consultation.
He also warns that the wider implications of such a law change is inconsistent with the policy of our trade partners and may have an impact on New Zealand's ability to negotiate trade agreements.
"New Zealand's ability to trade and compete internationally in the digital economy depends upon a supportive legislative environment that harnesses and recognises New Zealand ingenuity and innovation," he says.
O'Riley urges the government to rethink the implications of removing software patents if it is serious about supporting New Zealand's innovators and economic growth for the nation.
Abandoning software patents is a major policy change. NZICT is concerned that the software industry has not been consulted sufficiently on this change and recommends the Government be cautious to ensure that it is acting in the interests of the industry as a whole.


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Over the course of 2018, the IT and cybersecurity industries have endured some impressive highs, as well as concerning lows that include high-profile data breaches and hacks, major scams and exposed vulnerabilities.
Security and privacy issues remain a concern, and 2019 will see the industry finding ways to expand on major breakthroughs such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) while it copes with the security issues that arise from them.
As a seasoned marketer in the IT space, I’m currently witnessing many of these trends. Here are my picks for five of the biggest trends that will shape 2019:
1. Cars are getting smarter.
Driverless cars have been taking up most of the automotive industry’s headlines in the past year, and the sector has indeed advanced by leaps and bounds. However, the autonomous car is not the only innovation making vehicles smart. In 2019, the internet of things (IoT) will make it easier for cars to share and receive important data more quickly and accurately.
Vehicles will be able to effectively collect data about engine conditions, tire pressure, atmospheric characteristics and roads. Additionally, improvements in IoT will also make it easier for cars to offer more comfort by integrating services like Amazon’s Alexa and Microsoft’s Cortana directly into dashboards and stereo systems.
However, the impact of all this innovation will not be exclusively positive. Increased connectivity will also make cars easier targets for hackers and will require a serious reevaluation of the industry’s security standards.
2. Business intelligence keeps leaping forward.
The introduction of software as a service (SaaS) and other concepts such as cloud as a service and platform as a service have helped maximize business agility. More importantly, they have changed the way business intelligence works for organizations in any industry.
Now, companies such as Upsolver, which provides companies with a flexible data lake warehouse, provide enhanced and less resource-intensive data repositories. Cloud-based data lake platforms are built not just for the short term, but as a means for companies to future-proof their business intelligence.
Instead of filtering out data signals deemed to be irrelevant according to companies’ current analysis patterns, as older warehouse solutions have done, data lakes allow complete storage of unstructured data sets so that when organizations mature and analysis models evolve, all of the information they need will still be accessible.
3. Cybersecurity goes open source.
The open source movement has long been a staple of the tech world, with a strong push by developers and tech enthusiasts to share the knowledge they create. Innovations in connectivity such as the internet and blockchain have made it easier for open source to flourish, but it has taken slightly longer to reach the cyber security sphere.
For many, open source still has a big problem when it comes to security, as the publicly available code and sources mean that anyone can find workarounds to them. Currently, most developers do not have the time or infrastructure needed to effectively handle all the security issues open source code brings.
Despite this, open source is here to stay. In cybersecurity specifically, it’s becoming increasingly popular as an affordable and more transparent way to operate, and although open source remains vulnerable, it may be getting safer. Companies such as WhiteSource help developers automate the process of selecting open-source components and alerting developers with real-time reports and updates on their security. With the sector becoming safer and gradually maturing, open source seems like it will continue its march ahead unabated.
4. Phishing attacks are evolving.
The amount of time people spend online has steadily increased, with most U.S. adults using their mobile devices for roughly three and a half hours daily in 2018. People are using mobile for everything from browsing the web to paying for products at stores.
In parallel, phishing attacks continue to be a major problem, and users continue falling for them as they become more sophisticated and harder to track. With scaling back on connectivity being a non-option, the cybersecurity and IT industry will have to focus on education and prevention.
Companies like HoxHunt, for instance, are emphasizing a security approach based on education and preparation by gamifying the process of training users. Individuals receive simulated attacks and are scored on how well they detect and report these incidents. This model is more useful when it comes to phishing, as software alone can’t filter out many of these attacks.
5. AI will go mainstream.
Over the past year, artificial intelligence has made the move from a mainly theoretical field into one of the hottest industries in the tech sector to date. AI has become a buzzword in the business world, where the technology is being implemented in a variety of ways, causing many to take an active interest in exploring its capabilities further.
2019 will see the beginning of AI’s march into the mainstream. The industry is set to produce a total of $1.2 trillion in business value in 2018 according to Gartner, and in 2019, AI will move from the business backend toward the client-facing realm.
AI assistants will become ubiquitous, improving on technologies like Alexa and Google Voice, as well as taking advantage of machine learning. Instead of simply automating human tasks, AI will be used to take intelligence and knowledge further. AI will also become more accessible, with companies like Tatau, which offers crowdsourced computational capacity for AI on a decentralized marketplace, emerging to deliver these noteworthy technological advances for mass market consumption.
In the year ahead, we’re sure to see technology taking more quantum leaps forward, and these are just some of the biggest trends on the horizon. As we approach the new year, the tech sector will continue exploring new ways to improve existing solutions while closing gaps exposed by the biggest vulnerabilities facing us today.


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October 27, 2017 – Fans will be able to meet Marvel super heroes for the first time exclusively at Disneyland Paris in summer 2018 in a special Marvel Summer of Super Heroes season. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord and Black Widow will appear in the Walt Disney Studios Park for meet and greets and new shows from June 10th through September 30th. There will also be a new immersive 360 experience for Marvel fans to take part in.
Vice President Franchise Creative and Marketing for Marvel Studios, Dave Bushore, and Mark Huffman, Creative Director of Disneyland Paris, made the announcement at MCM London Comic Con today. The pair also confirmed the re-imagining of Disneyland Paris’ Hotel New York starting October 2018. Renaming it The Art of Marvel, the resort will reopen in 2020 and “transport guests to the action-packed, inspiring world of Super Heroes including Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spider Man”.
Disneyland Paris website


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What’s the Problem?
This CPSC Recall began on March 3, 2021, and affects:
- 2017 Haro Masi Evoluzione Dura Ace (gloss UD carbon/blue/red)
- 2017 Haro Masi Evoluzione Ultegra (gloss white/blue/red)
- 2017 Haro Masi Evoluzione Ultegra Di2 (gloss black/charcoal/white)
- 2017 Haro Masi Evoluzione 105 (gloss black/blue)
- 2017 Haro Masi Gran Corsa (gloss black/blue/red)
- 2018 Haro Masi Evoluzione Dura Ace (gloss TeXtreme carbon/solar chrome)
- 2018 Haro Masi Evoluzione Ultegra (gloss grey/red-orange (Roarange))
- 2018 Haro Masi Evoluzione Ultegra Di2 (gloss TeXtreme carbon/cyan)
- 2018 Haro Masi Evoluzione 105 (gloss Limpet blue/black)
- 2018 Haro Masi Gran Corsa (brushed alloy/black)
- 2019 Haro Masi Evoluzione Dura Ace Disc (chrome/black)
- 2019 Haro Masi Evoluzione Ultegra Disc (teal/fluorescent fade/carbon)
- 2019 Haro Masi Evoluzione 105 Disc (satin black/gloss red)
- 2019 Haro Masi Gran Corsa SL (brushed alloy/black)
- 2020 Haro Masi Evoluzione Ultegra Disc (Antracite/copper)
- 2020 Haro Masi Evoluzione 105 Disc (matte TeXtreme/gloss black)
- 2020 Haro Masi Gran Corsa SL (brushed alloy/black)
“The firm has received five reports of the bicycle forks breaking, including three reports of minor injuries including bumps, bruises and scrapes,” CPSC said.
The recalled Haro bikes have carbon frames with carbon fiber forks and carbon steer tubes. The “Masi” logo is on the frame and forks and the model name is printed on the frame.
Affected bicycles were sold at bicycle specialty stores including Sun and Ski and Erik’s Bikes and Fitness stores nationwide between Dec. 2016 and Feb. 2021 for $1,400 to $6,200.
Consumers who purchased a recalled Haro bike should contact their Haro dealer for a free inspection and repair.
The CPSC Recall Number for these items is 21-090.
Do I Have a Haro Bike Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Haro Bike Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a recalled Haro bicycle, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.


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A series of leaks suggest that US President Trump will fail to certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear accord today, but will also ask Congress not to impose sanctions yet. Congress may have refused to impose sanctions anyway, as everyone else thinks Iran is compliant. This creates uncertainty for business.
Leaks also suggested that the US proposed a "sunset clause" for NAFTA. NAFTA would expire in five years without an agreement to extend. The advantage is that most of the costs of ending NAFTA (falling mainly on low income Americans) would occur after the president's current term. The disadvantage would be massive business uncertainty.
US retail sales and consumer price inflation numbers both show the effects of hurricane damage. Retail sales should bounce back after August's distorted numbers, and as replace-and-rebuild spending starts to occur. Consumer price inflation should rise on energy costs and supply chain disruption.
As Bitcoin moves higher, UBS has published a white paper on crypto-currencies "Beneath the bubble". We believe the recent rise in prices to be a speculative bubble, and doubt crypto-currencies will ever be currencies. The underlying technology of blockchain offers long-term opportunities.


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ARM is targeting midrange smartphones and tablets priced starting at US$200 with its Cortex-A17 processor core, announced Tuesday.
Microsoft has joined a new project to accelerate the development of ARM-based servers, suggesting ARM versions of products like Windows Server and Hyper-V could be in the works.
Imagination Technologies, which designs graphics chips used in the iPhone and other top mobile products, is promising "console quality graphics" with an updated GPU lineup announced on Monday.
To make its mark in the mobile gaming industry, ARM acquired video game lighting effects company Geomerics.
Boston Limited has announced a new server based on ARM processors and certified to run Ubuntu Linux 13.10, a move that could further stir up growing interest in ARM servers.
Smartphone vendors will rely on upgrades such as full-HD screens and more powerful yet more frugal processors to entice customers to buy new phones in 2013.
Chip design firm ARM grabbed the spotlight at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week when Microsoft announced that its new Windows OS would work on the ARM architecture. ARM processors go into most of the world's smartphones and tablets...
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The Prophix is going to empower people to take better care of their health, said Onvi founder Dr. Craig S. Kohler.
In fact, there s a whole wave of them either on the market or coming soon.
They are all based on a similar proposition; by connecting your toothbrush to a smartphone app — iOS only for now, but the Android app is on the way — your toothbrush will be able to get more data on how you brush, which can help users and their dentists take better care of their teeth.
Where many of the connected brushes, including a Bluetooth-enabled model by Oral-B, simply projects user brushing data on a chart, the Prophix lets you modify and spot clean your teeth based on what s actually there.
In addition to the standard electric toothbrush, the Prophix comes with interchangeable heads that offer other dental tools, such as a mirror, a prophy cup that cleans under the gum line, and a rubber gum stimulator tip.
If the prospect of using all those tools seems daunting, that s OK: The Prophix tracks your brushing and offers tips on how to brush more effectively.


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The fresh capital will be used to scale Dr. Sheth’s business and also, strengthen the leadership of Honasa Consumer
The acquisition will help Honasa Consumer strengthen its position in the personal care segment
As a part of the deal, Dr. Aneesh Sheth will continue to lead the business and product innovation space of Dr. Sheth’s
Mamaearth’s parent company, Honasa Consumer has acquired a majority stake in skincare brand Dr. Sheth’s at a valuation of INR 28 Cr.
The fresh capital will be used to scale Dr. Sheth’s business and also, strengthen the leadership of Honasa Consumer. Honasa Consumer will further deploy funds to expand its product offerings.
Also, the acquisition will help Honasa Consumer strengthen its position in the personal care segment. Honasa Consumer further aims to make Dr. Sheth’s into an INR 100 Cr run rate brand in two years.
As a part of the deal, Dr. Aneesh Sheth will continue to lead the business and product innovation space of Dr. Sheth’s.
The latest development comes after Mamaearth has allotted 136 Mn equity shares as bonus shares to its 12 investors, including founders in the ratio of 1:12,899. The total worth of the allotted bonus shares is estimated to be $17.4 Mn (INR 136.03 Cr).
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Aneesh Sheth, Dr. Sheth’s is a skincare brand that creates products primarily for the Indian demographic. The brand is led by three generations namely Dr. Sharat C. Desai, Dr. Rekha Sheth and Dr. Aneesh Sheth. It claims to sell products through its D2C website and various other ecommerce marketplaces.
As per the website, Dr. Sheth’s creates skin products to resolve skin problems such as acne, pigmentation, dry skin, aging and blackheads. It also sells products according to the consumers’ skin type.
Founded in 2016 by Ghazal Alagh and Varun Alagh, Honasa Consumer leads various consumer brands such as Mamaearth, The Derma Co., Aqualogica and Ayuga. It counts
Sequoia Capital India, Sofina SA, Fireside Ventures, and Stellaris Venture Partners as its investors. In February this year, Honasa Consumer acquired hair colour brand, BBLUNT for around INR 134 Cr. Under this deal, Honasa planned to acquire all salons of BBLUNT operated under the name, ‘Bhabani Blunt Hair Dressing’.
Further, in December this year, Mamaearth acquired an online content community for mothers, Momspresso along with influencer platform Momspresso MyMoney for an undisclosed amount.
During the same time frame, Honasa Consumer entered the unicorn club after securing over $37 Mn as part of its Series F funding round. Following this , its post-money valuation reached over $1.07 Bn.
As per the regulatory filing, Honasa allotted a total of 839 Series F compulsory convertible preference shares to Sequoia Capital for INR 284 Cr.
In July this year, Honasa Consumer reportedly raised $50 Mn in a funding round led by Sofina Ventures SA. The round saw participation from existing investor, Sequoia Capital India.
As per an Inc42 report, the Indian beauty and personal care market is estimated to touch $37.5 Bn by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 12.5%.
The segment has witnessed a slew of activities in recent times. In April this year, ecommerce giant Nykaa, which is operated by FSN E-commerce, acquired stake in three D2C brands – Earth Rhythm, Kica, and Nudge Wellness for an undisclosed amount.
As per the deal, Nykaa would acquire an 18.5% stake in Gurugram-based skincare and haircare brand, Earth Rhythm for INR 41.65 Cr.
In January this year, Good Glamm Group picked up a majority stake in beauty and personal care startup, Organic Harvest. The deal would entail a capital infusion of INR 75 Cr in the beauty startup.


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In his inaugural address, Nigeria’s new president Bola Tinubu said the fuel subsidy was “gone.”
Sometimes a cheap price can be rather costly.
Nigeria’s Gas Prices
While Nigeria is an oil producer, it lacks refining capacity. As a result, it has to import pricey processed products. Last year, the government bridged the gap between the elevated import expense and subsidized consumer prices, by spending 4.3 trn naira ($9.3bn; £7.5bn).
But now, knowing that fuel prices will soar once the subsidy is lifted, Nigerians have been lining up at petrol stations. Predictably, the price of fuel has doubled at some stations while others have closed altogether. At the same time, the private bus companies that transport most people are having difficulty filling their tanks.
As you might expect, Nigeria is trying to expand its own refining capacity. Whereas its state-owned refineries have underproduced, a new, privately owned complex in the Lagos economic hub will begin production during July. One of the world’s largest refineries, its projected output could be as much as 650,000 barrels a day.
The World’s Gasoline Prices
With Venezuela the cheapest and Hong Kong the most expensive, last week’s world gasoline prices ranged from $0.016 a gallon to $11.228. The 13th cheapest in the world, Nigeria’s regulated price was close to $2.08 a gallon.
Below, you can compare the US dollar price of a liter of Octane 95 gasoline (or a close equivalent) in 168 countries as of May 29, 2023:
We should note that affordability does not necessarily mean availability. In Venezuela’s central region, consumers report having to stand in line for hours and even for days to purchase some fuel. They say that, with 100 cars ahead of them, stations close before they get close to the pump. Repeated outages at Venezuela’s largest refinery is one reason for the shortages.
Our Bottom Line: What a Graph Can Say
As economists, we can graph all that is unfolding in Nigeria’s fuel markets.
First, displaying a price below equilibrium, we can draw a subsidy:
But then, reflecting how the new Nigerian President changed the future expectations demand determinant, Nigerians shifted their fuel demand curve to the right. However, I suspect that supply will decrease until the future is more predictable (and the new refinery is online). So you see that price is up and quantity down from the subsidy price and quantity:
Returning to where we began, we can see that the new Nigerian President stimulated a cascade of supply and demand changes. And he showed us the downside of cheap gas.
My sources and more: Because the BBC is ideal for world news, it was my destination for facts about Nigeria’s petroleum subsidy. Then, for global petrol prices, this website has it all. And finally, I needed to go to Reuters for the Venezuela story.


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Nasdaq is looking for new ways to calculate its data to give vendors and users more information, but it has no plans to sell its data directly to end users.
It is currently pulling together focus groups to discuss what types of data will add value for its customers. Adena Friedman, executive vice president of data products, says Nasdaq does not intend the new calculated data products to compete with what vendors already offer. Instead, it is looking for new ways to aggregate the data to help
Anthony and James talk about how regulators in the US are falling behind other nations' regulators, the lack of talk about Reg AT, and an SRO for cryptocurrencies.Subscribe to Weekly Wrap emails


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One of the biggest Nintendo Switch games lined up for this year is Super Mario Maker 2, the follow up to the DIY platformer for the Wii U that won so many hearts. Super Mario Maker 2 was announced during the February Nintendo Direct, and it was announced with a surprisingly close release window of June.
Now, we know exactly when in June. Today, Nintendo confirmed on Twitter that Super Mario Maker 2 will launch on June 28; which is literally the last possible day they could have launched it in June, and still have it be in line with their traditional Friday releases. It is also two weeks later than the June 14 release date that was rumored for it.
It kind of sucks, but this also seems to fall in line with the reports of a cheaper Switch model launching in June—launching it alongside a mass-market friendly game like Super Mario Maker 2 w
Let’s-a go! Let your imagination run wild as you make and play the Super Mario courses of your dreams when #SuperMarioMaker2 launches for #NintendoSwitch on 6/28! https://t.co/TnK9rQwRJi pic.twitter.com/eSJfb7JSPj
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 24, 2019
ould maximize its impact for sure.


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San Mateo, Calif. — Sony may have beaten Apple to the punch on delivering a long-rumored new TV-viewing paradigm.
The electronics and movie giant introduced Thursday a Cloud-based TV service that lets users watch live TV and on-demand content without a cable or satellite service. Rumors have circulated for the past several years that Apple was working on a similar concept for an “Apple TV,” which has yet to materialize.
Sony’s service, which is a collaboration between the Sony Network Entertainment International and Sony Computer Entertainment divisions of the corporate megalith, will be available in beta form to select PlayStation4 and PlayStation3 owners this month, Sony said. A commercial launch is planned for early 2015.
PlayStationVue is designed for access by the gaming consoles, and eventually iPads and Sony tablets, without the need of extra equipment.
The service combines live, on-demand and catch-up TV with a PlayStation user interface that works with a DualShock controller.
Similar to Dish Network’s Primetime Anytime system, the service will make the past three days of popular programming available without the need to schedule recordings.
In Dish’s case, programs from major networks are available for seven days, but Sony’s service will let viewers save favorite shows to the Cloud without storage restrictions or scheduling conflicts, the company said.
Once viewers tag a favorite show, they will automatically have access to episodes of that show for 28 days.
Sony’s service also offers a powerful programming recommendation system that suggests movies and shows based on viewing habits of the user as well as what’s trending with other viewers.
The PlayStation Vue’s Search feature narrows down results quickly and intuitively, while an Explore function allows viewers to filter the entire catalog of live and on-demand content by type of program, genre, ratings, popularity, length and more, Sony said.
“Everyday TV is about to become extraordinary with our new Cloud-based TV service, PlayStation Vue,” stated Andrew House, Sony Computer Entertainment president and group executive in charge of the Network Entertainment Business. “PlayStationVue reinvents the traditional viewing experience so your programming effortlessly finds you, enabling you to watch much more of what you want and search a lot less. PlayStationVue brings the best of live TV and a robust catalog of the latest content, always keeping you connected to what’s popular, new and trending. Today’s announcement builds on the historic success of PlayStation4 and demonstrates what our company is capable of when we embrace disruption and stay true to gamers.”
During the beta trial, Sony said it will give invited users access to 75 channels per market, including local broadcast stations.
Current network partners include:
- CBS-owned and -operated TV stations in select leading markets, in addition to on-demand prime-time programming;
- Discovery Communications channels, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Family Channel and 11 more brands;
- Fox Networks Group’s national entertainment programming services, including Fox O&O stations, FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild; Fox Sports’ national and regional programming services, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, BTN, Fox’s regional sports networks, including YES Network and Prime Ticket;
- NBCUniversal channels, including all local offerings from NBC, Telemundo and regional sports networks, as well as Bravo, CNBC, E, NBCSN, Oxygen, Sprout, Syfy, USA Network and more;
- Scripps Networks Interactive channels, including HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Cooking Channel.; and
- Viacom channels, including BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Palladia, Spike, VH1 and more.
Sony said pricing and packaging details will be revealed at commercial launch, “but PlayStationVue is changing the rules for how people pay for subscription TV,” explaining that viewers pay for what they watch at fair and competitive prices with no hidden fees or charges.
Sony added the service will also not require contracts and will be offered on a month-to-month basis without any penalty or customer-service hassles for cancellation.
Users need only have a PlayStation3 or PlayStation4 console to receive the service, without the need of extra equipment. No additional equipment rental fees will be required.
The invite-only beta launch will begin this month, Sony said, with a phased rollout starting in New York followed later by Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
The service will also become available on iPads shortly thereafter, and later on more Sony and non-Sony devices.
The PlayStationVue commercial launch is slated for the first quarter of 2015.