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Excitement is building for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S23 series, with fans eagerly anticipating the phone’s specs and performance. Recent leaks have provided insight into what we can expect from the device, including 8GB of RAM, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and Android 13. But how does the Galaxy S23 compare to Apple’s latest iPhone 14 Pro, which boasts the A16 Bionic chip?
Early Benchmark Scores: Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The first benchmark results for the Samsung Galaxy S23 are in, and the numbers look promising. According to Geekbench scores, the device appears to perform well compared to Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, which scores 1727 and 4553, respectively. The Galaxy S23, on the other hand, has a score of 1800 for single-core and 5100 for multi-core. However, the Galaxy S23 falls behind the iPhone 14 Pro’s A16 Bionic chip, which scores 1891 and 5469 on Tom’s Guide’s tests.
|Category||Samsung Galaxy S23 (Expected)||Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Expected)|
|Operating System||Android 12||iOS 16|
|Display||6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz||6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 120Hz|
|Processor||Exynos 2200 (Global) or Snapdragon||A16 Bionic (Apple-designed), 5nm chip|
|Memory||8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage||6GB RAM, 128/256/512GB storage|
|Rear Camera||Quad camera: 108MP wide, 12MP||Triple camera: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide,|
|periscope telephoto, 10MP||12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom|
|ultrawide, TOF 3D camera|
|Front Camera||40MP||12MP front-facing camera with Face ID|
|Video||8K@60fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@240fps||4K@60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps,|
|Battery||5,000mAh with 65W fast charging||3,095mAh with 25W fast charging|
|Wireless Charging||Yes, 45W||Yes, MagSafe up to 15W|
|Biometric Security||In-display fingerprint scanner,||In-display fingerprint scanner,|
|facial recognition||facial recognition|
|Water Resistance||IP68 rating||IP68 rating|
|Price||Expected starting price of $999-$1099||Expected starting price of $999-$1099|
While the Galaxy S23’s benchmark scores may seem insignificant compared to Apple’s fastest chip, it’s important to remember that there’s still time for software optimization before the device’s release. Samsung is renowned for its ongoing software updates, which could significantly improve the Galaxy S23’s performance.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Processor: A Game-Changer for Samsung?
One potential game-changer for Samsung is the Galaxy S23’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. According to Anshel Sag, a technology analyst, “The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a significant upgrade over last year’s chip, offering improved graphics, machine learning, and power efficiency. With this processor, Samsung has the potential to deliver a flagship device that’s on par with the best smartphones on the market.”
Samsung Galaxy S23
– 6.1" FHD+ sAMOLED, 120Hz
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC
– Rear Cam: 50MP (OIS) + 12MP (UW) + 10MP (Tele)
– Front Cam: 10MP
– 8GB RAM
– 128/256GB storage
– Android 13, OneUI 5
– 3,900mAh battery, 25W wired, 15W wireless charging
— Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) October 18, 2022
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is expected to provide faster, more efficient performance than its predecessor and could help the Galaxy S23 compete with other flagship devices. With Samsung’s ongoing software optimization, the device could become a serious contender in the smartphone market.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro: Which Device is Right for You?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Apple iPhone 14 Pro are highly anticipated devices with unique features and advantages. The Galaxy S23 is expected to have a larger screen and more advanced camera features, while the iPhone 14 Pro is known for its sleek design and high-quality display.
Ultimately, the decision between the two devices will come from personal preference and priorities. If you’re a Samsung fan looking for a powerful device with cutting-edge features, the Galaxy S23 is worth considering. However, if you’re an Apple enthusiast who values design and display quality, the iPhone 14 Pro may be the better choice.
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is shaping to be a highly competitive device with impressive benchmark scores and a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. While the device may not compare to the iPhone 14 Pro’s A16 Bionic chip, Samsung’s ongoing software optimization and the potential of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip make the Galaxy S23 a device to watch out for.


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Silver fell more than 5% on Tuesday as a GameStop-style buying spree among small investors that took prices to a near eight-year peak appeared to fizzle out following a margin hike by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Spot silver fell 4.6% to $27.64 an ounce by 1127 GMT. On Monday it jumped 7.3% to its highest since February 2013 in the latest leg of a retail-driven buying frenzy in heavily shorted assets such as U.S. video game retailer GameStop.
CME Group raised maintenance margins on Comex 5000 Silver Futures by 17.9% on Monday, and posts on the WallStreetBets Reddit forum at the centre of the past week’s action argued for traders to steer clear of the metal.
“The CME move is taking some froth off the market,” said StoneX analyst Rhona O’Connell. The correction was inevitable and in technical terms, silver is still overbought, she added, with recent moves not driven by fundamentals.
Raising the margins investors must post to trade is a familiar move by CME, the world’s biggest futures and commodities-centric market, when it aims to head off unusual market stress and volatility.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs said in a note that a silver short squeeze is “unattainable”.
“A co-ordinated surge in investment by retail traders into the silver market would simply raise volatility and generate small regional dislocations in supply-demand dynamics,” analysts at the bank said.
The retail frenzy that started last week has left global dealers scrambling for bars and coins to meet demand, while also pushing the U.S. Commodities regulator to monitor the market.
Spot gold, meanwhile, fell 0.7% to $1,847.11 per ounce. U.S. gold futures shed 0.7% to $1,850.60.
“The silver market also cannot be looked at in isolation,” HSBC analyst James Steel said in a note, and the metal may weaken if gold does not move higher.
The current gold/silver ratio is “well below historical averages, and investors may recognize this level as straying too far from historical norms”.
Platinum declined 2.1% to $1,104.18, while palladium rose 0.9% to $2,264.94.
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

domain: news


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Meanwhile, new Pro 7 images have leaked, showing the device in its full glory.
The second screen will enable Pro 7 users to take selfies with the rear cameras as well as play games. The phone will be made official on July 26.
Since they no longer use the front camera, why didn't they maximize the screen size just like what the S8 and Mi Mix did?
Ugliness is ugliness doesn't matter logo. iPhones have no design at all after 4s. Acceptable but nothing more. Why? Almost everyone use cases, hiding this "undesign". But Meizu made extra ugly phone. Even slight rounding of the corners could make a b...


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Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sport assures to promote Buddhist Tourism and two-way Tourism exchanges
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism and Sport, Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of Thailand on 19th December 2023.
Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol warmly welcomed Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, and Ambassador congratulated the newly appointed Minister.
Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol assured her fullest support and cooperation for strengthening Thai-Sri Lanka relations in the field of Tourism, especially to enhance Buddhist Religious Tourism, and two-way Tourism exchanges.
Ambassador also requested Ministry of Tourism and Sport of Thailand to encourage Thai investors to invest in the hospitality and tourism sectors in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador further highlighted that the Government of Sri Lanka has recently waived off the visa fee for Thai Nationalities in order to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for Thai tourists.
The invitation extended by the Ambassador Chaminda Colonne to Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol to visit Sri Lanka at a convenient time in the near future, was warmly accepted.
Head of Chancery, A.W.S. Samanmali and the First Secretary (Commercial), Vireshika Bandara accompanied the Ambassador for the discussion.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
22 December 2023


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You may find more results for this query on our sister sites: GenomeWeb and Precision Oncology News.
The company said that in the second half of 2020, its core business, excluding COVID-19 clinical reagents and testing revenues, remained resilient despite lockdowns.
The firm now expects 2020 revenues to grow approximately 22 percent year over year and adjusted earnings per share of $2.13 to $2.14.
The company now expects organic revenues to grow 40 percent year over year in Q4, driven by its base business and sales related to the COVID-19 response.
The Temple City, California-based firm has raised its full-year guidance for the third time this year and now expects 2020 revenues of $300 million.
The company has been relentless in scaling its capabilities to offer COVID-19 testing solutions in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The company's system revenues were up 28 percent to $19.5 million and consumables revenues dropped 12 percent to $11.8 million.
Product revenues increased 39 percent year over year to $93.3 million, while license and other revenues were down 56 percent to $4.9 million.
The company said that its Diagnostics and Genomics segment posted 18 percent growth driven by sales of RNAscope RNA in situ hybridization detection products.
The firm's molecular solutions revenues increased 79 percent to $31.7 million due to COVID-19 testing demand.
The firm said that its molecular diagnostics revenues grew almost fivefold year over year, based on strong global demand for its SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays.


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Wolfe’s South Bend Auto Auction, which bears a deep family legacy and operations dating to 1960, has been acquired by Great Lakes Auto Auction, said Wolfe’s Auto Auctions founder R. Tony Wolfe, in announcing the purchase on Nov. 18.
Great Lakes Auto Auction is headed by principals Ryan Clark, president, and Chad Anderson, vice president, who are long-time operators of Greater Rockford Auto Auction in Rockford, Illinois.
Founded in 1960, the South Bend facility was bought by the Wolfe family in 2003, which also operates Wolfe’s Evansville and Wolfe’s Terre Haute Auto Auctions in Indiana. Tony Wolfe, the family patriarch and long-time industry leader, served as president of the National Auto Auction Association in 1991 and was named an Industry Pioneer in 2021. Wolfe Auction operations are headed by Tony Wolfe’s sons Jeff and Dan Wolfe, who are joined by 13 members of the Wolfe family representing four generations and are all involved in the auction enterprise.
Earlier in the year, the Wolfe family made a strategic decision to focus on its two southern Indiana locations and engaged TPC Management Company to evaluate options for the South Bend operation.
“We have watched their success at Greater Rockford over their many years there and know that both the auction and its customers are in great and capable hands,” Dan Wolfe said of Clark and Anderson.
Wolfe noted that his family will continue to operate Wolfe’s Evansville and Wolfe’s Terre Haute facilities, as they have for more than 50 years. “The Wolfe family established a legacy of service and integrity that is known throughout the auto auction industry," Clark said. "We look to build on the foundation the Wolfes cultivated in South Bend during their 20-year tenure.” Clark said the South Bend auction will be renamed Great Lakes Auto Auction and will continue holding weekly sales on Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
All members of the auction staff, led by general manager Brandon Kieffer, will remain and services will continue seamlessly as the auction continues to provide a superior level of service to auto dealers and commercial accounts in the Great Lakes region.
Like its affiliate Greater Rockford Auto Auction, Great Lakes Auto Auction will become a member of the ServNet auction group. “It is not lost on all of us that corporate and private equity-backed consolidations are common in the auto auction industry today,” said Pierre Pons, president of TPC Management. “Yet, we are delighted to note that this transaction maintains the auction as an Independent, family-run operation. From the start this has been an incredibly smooth transition, and we look forward to the Greater Rockford team continuing a strong presence in this market area.”


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Smart2PayTM has recently increased its payment offering to merchants on existing markets. Various real time bank transfers and the prepaid method Ukash have been added. Scheduled live date is April 2010.
For Norway, Sweden and Denmark, Smart2PayTM has increased the offering to its merchants, by adding payments via real time bank transfer.
Also worldwide prepaid provider Ukash has been added; Ukash is a cash payment method available in the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa, Australia, South America, North America and most recently China for those who wish to shop online but do not have a bank account. Currently available in 27 countries worldwide with 320,000 physical issuing points, Ukash is the largest global prepaid cash collection network in the world.
Smart2PayTM was already providing various prepaid methods and local bank transfers with intraday reporting in Norway, Sweden and Denmark but has now gone one step further in these countries.
Dan Carja, Product Manager at Smart2PayTM:
We are pleased to announce that the payment options offered by Smart2PayTM have increased again, and using these options our merchants will be able to continue the expansion plans they have together with Smart2PayTM.
Smart2PayTM is offering local payment services to international merchants since 2002, covering more than 60 countries worldwide! By adding local payment methods to your ecommerce site, you will boost your sales significantly, by offering the preferred local method of payment to your customers!


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DOUBLE DUTY: Cara Delevingne is the new face of Dior Joaillerie, starting with the Rose des Vents campaign, WWD has exclusively learned. The actress and model is already entrenched in the maison’s stable as a beauty face, where she fronts both Dior Addict Stellar Shine lipstick and Dior Capture Youth line.
Delevingne has walked catwalks for numerous fashion houses and has been on the cover of many magazines worldwide, but recently has been picking up steam for her acting credits, appearing in films such as “Suicide Squad,” “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” and “Her Smell.” Delevingne stars in the Amazon prime show “Carnival Row,” which premiered in August.
Rose des Vents translates to “wind rose.” The fine-jewelry collection, designed by Victoire de Castellane, is inspired by Christian Dior’s travels around the world incorporating the star motif and his favorite flower, the rose. It launched in 2015.
The campaign was photographed by Alasdair McLellan and filmed by Caroline Gaimari and will be unveiled Oct. 1. A global campaign in digital and print, images will premiere in several publications, including in Tatler Hong Kong, Vogue Arabia, Harper’s Bazaar Jewelry (China) and Elle U.S., with a short film unveiled in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport on Nov. 1.
Next up for Delevingne and the French house: the Oui collection, with images to be unveiled later this year.


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Family Night’s Featured Shop Fullerton Bicycles keeps it simple: IT’S ABOUT FUN & FAMILY.
Mike Franze, FB’s owner says, ” A Bike is simple…no matter what kind, it boils down to a memory, that we all have as a kid…FUN and FREEDOM.”
This Week Fullerton Bicycles gives away a bike to a kid’s race winner, that will be announced at the Linked Cycling Club tent post-kid’s race.
The bike is valued at 450 bucks and the winner can get what ever size and color he or she would like and we can even put the $$ of that bike towards anything they choose
Mike is more than just a bike owner, drop in as Mike Tells the Fullerton Bicycles story :


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- Is that Rosa Parks in random Twitter user’s baby photo? Tuesday 8:24 PM
- Syracuse students say white supremacist manifesto was AirDropped to them Tuesday 7:44 PM
- Florida woman gets prison time for throwing slushie at Matt Gaetz Tuesday 6:28 PM
- Marie Kondo’s online store slammed for selling clutter-worthy products Tuesday 5:34 PM
- People are rallying against toxic masculinity on International Men’s Day Tuesday 4:42 PM
- Reddit wants to stop its pro-Trump forum from outing the alleged whistleblower Tuesday 3:38 PM
- White woman calls cops on man who said he was visiting aunt with his kids Tuesday 3:12 PM
- ‘The Stranded’ is a flawed yet addictive blend of ‘Degrassi’ and ‘Lost’ Tuesday 2:45 PM
- The ‘gonna tell my kids’ meme is revisionist history at its most absurd Tuesday 2:24 PM
- Redditor asks former burglars to give home security tips Tuesday 2:18 PM
- Facebook-Breitbart partnership under fire in wake of new Stephen Miller emails Tuesday 2:00 PM
- John Krasinski under fire after praising the CIA Tuesday 1:46 PM
- Conservatives melt down after Chick-fil-A says it will stop donating to anti-LGBTQ orgs Tuesday 1:33 PM
- ‘Honey Boy’ is an experimental look at channeling trauma Tuesday 1:28 PM
- Disney+ now allows users to resume and restart content Tuesday 11:42 AM
Motorola is toying with ideas on fixing passwords, like pills and tattoos
Motorola has some pretty nutty ideas for future online authentication systems.
Passwords are a total pain in the butt: Usually they’re either too hard for you to remember, or too easy for hackers to figure out. Now that everyone’s going cuckoo bananas over the Heartbleed bug, passwords are once again at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Over at Motorola, however, a team of researchers are working around the clock to figure out a way to do away with traditional online passwords entirely. And they’ve come up with a few rather unorthodox (re: wackadoodle) alternatives: tattoos and once-a-day pills that would be used to authenticate users before they logged onto sites.
According to former DARPA head and Motorola head researcher Regina Dugan, Motorola is working on a temporary, electronic tattoo that could be used for authentication purposes. The tattoo has antenna and sensors built into it, so it’d basically be like a bar code for your arm (or leg, or butt, or wherever your nasty self wants to put it).
If the concept of an identifying tattoo isn’t creepy and Brave New World-esque enough for you, Dugan says Motorola is also working on a freaking pill that you can swallow once a day to turn your entire body into an “authentication token.” The pill has a small chip inside of it with a switch and a battery that’s activated by the acids in your stomach. The switch goes on and off, emitting a unique signal in your body that authenticates you for your log-in systems.
“I really want this superpower,” Dugan said in an interview at the D11 conference last week. “It means that my arms are like wires, my hands are like alligator clips. When I touch my phone, my computer, my door, my car, I’m authenticated in.”
Although Motorola is careful to note that none of this technology is going to be widely available anytime soon, the implications of a tech company giving you a pill to allow you to use their product every day are… unsettling, to say the least. Still, it’s kind of cool to think of a future where we’re all giant battery-powered robot creatures with wires for arms and alligator clips for hands (though how would we all have sex? These are the important questions Motorola should be asking itself).
H/T Time | Photo by Janet Calcaterra/Flickr (CC BY – ND 2.0)
EJ Dickson is a writer and editor who primarily covers sex, dating, and relationships, with a special focus on the intersection of intimacy and technology. She served as the Daily Dot’s IRL editor from January 2014 to July 2015. Her work has since appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Mic, Bustle, Romper, and Men’s Health.


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It’s no secret that health care in America is not the most consumer-friendly industry and a new survey from Change Healthcare reveals that most consumers agree.
In a survey of nearly 2,000 consumers, 62 percent said the health care system feels like it’s designed to be confusing. More than 60 percent reported their bills feel more complex than a mortgage payment. Two-thirds said they are asked to manage so many care-related tasks that they “feel like a general contractor” when it comes to addressing their healthcare needs. More than half avoid care because they don’t know what it will cost.
“When half of consumers say they’re avoiding care because the system is too hard to deal with, it has become clear that the effort required to find, access, and pay for care is a social determinant of health,” stated William Krause, vice president of Connected Consumer Health at Change Healthcare.
The survey asked consumers to rate the ease or difficulty required to find, access, and pay for care across 29 tasks, using an index of 1 to 200, with 200 being the “hardest” effort, 1 being “effortless,” and anything above 100 being “difficult.” Not a single activity was rated as effortless—and the average was 117.
One potential positive to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is a more consumer-friendly health care system. More than 80 percent believe the pandemic will speed digital adoption and 80 percent say COVID has made telehealth “an indispensable part of the health care system.”
“This is in fact what their customers—health consumers—this is what they want. In every other area of our economy, people have what they want 24/7 digitally. That trend has accelerated dramatically in health care. This is an opportunity for them to truly become consumer directed,” Livongo CEO Glen Tullman recently told Health Evolution.


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Sprint, the 3rd largest mobile carrier in the U.S., will start selling the iPhone 5 when it launches in mid-October according to The Wall Street Journal. The new iPhone 5 is expected to be available simultaneously for the first time on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint networks.
Sprint Nextel Corp. will begin selling the iPhone 5 in mid-October, people familiar with the matter said, closing a huge hole in the No. 3 U.S. carrier’s lineup and giving Apple Inc. another channel for selling its popular phone.
The timing, however, indicates Apple’s new iPhone will hit the market later than expected and too late to contribute to sales in the company’s fiscal fourth quarter, which ends in September. Most observers had expected the device to arrive next month.
Up until earlier this year, when Apple made the iPhone 4 available to Verizon customers, AT&T was the sole and exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S.
This current rumor has been circulating for some time, with analysts reporting in July that the iPhone 5 would be available on Sprint, as well as Apple job postings that pointed towards the new iPhone being available on the Sprint network.


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By Lisa Johnston
New products on display at the American International Toy Fair, held in N
High-end PC maker Velocity Micro has introduced a new level of customer care modeled after the attention guests receive at an upscale hotel.
The Concierge Service gives all Velocity Micro customers a personal advocate who will help see them through any problem that arises from technical support to billing, a company spokesperson said. The service is free with the purchase of one of the company's computers.
To properly staff and manage the new program, Velocity Micro has expanded its customer care facility and increased the starting pay for its support staffers by 25 percent. In addition, the company has hired Brent Stanton as operations VP. Stanton will oversee production and customer care and is tasked with implementing strict quality control and efficiency measures, the company said. Previously, Stanton worked at Dell.
This TWICE webinar, hosted by senior editor Alan Wolf, will take a look at what may be the hottest CE products at retail that will be sold during the all-important fourth quarter. Top technologies, market strategies and industry trends will be discussed with industry analysts and executives.


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Samsung's New Galaxy A-series smartphones were introduced last month in China, but they were always expected to be made available elsewhere. That seems to have started to happen now, with reports indicating that a number of devices in the lineup are available for pre-order in at least two countries in Western Europe, which is a pretty clear indication that Samsung is indeed looking to expand the market for these mid-range handsets. While the second-generation Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 have been put up for pre-order on UK-based online retailer, MobileFun, German retailer Idealo doesn't seem to have gotten their hands on the Galaxy A7 just as yet, seeing as the device was conspicuous by its absence on the website at press time. The A5 and the A3 are, however, being offered by the online retailer.
While the 2016 Galaxy A lineup has not been officially launched by Samsung outside of China per se, the listing on popular websites in the UK and Germany does indicate that wider availability for the 2016 Galaxy A-series is only a matter of time. For those wondering about the pricing, the Galaxy A3 has been listed at £269 on MobileFun in the UK and at â‚¬306.31 on Idealo in Germany. As for the Galaxy A5, the handset can be pre-ordered for £319 in the UK, while those in Germany will have to shell out â‚¬396.17 for the privilege of owning one. The Galaxy A7, meanwhile, is currently not listed on the website of the German online retailer, but over at the UK, MobileFun is asking for £399 for those wanting to get their hands on the upper mid-range smartphone from Samsung.
The 2016 Galaxy A-series lineup was launched by Samsung last month in China, as mentioned already. Each of the three devices come with metallic build, and features Super AMOLED displays, something Samsung has started doing even with its more modestly-priced Galaxy J range, as was evident from the entry-level Galaxy J3 smartphone that was launched on Boost and Virgin just last week. It remains to be seen what kind of response Samsung gets for its refreshed Galaxy A lineup, but the company badly needs to infuse some life into its mid-range lineup to lift sagging sales and diminishing market share in the segment.


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Vaccinated Los Angeles County residents now have access to a digital vaccine card on their Android phones through a new alliance with Google.
The tool, launched Wednesday, is the latest in a chain of private and public efforts to help vaccinated people log when and where they got the shot. And it may soon be available in other cities.
The feature only works for residents vaccinated at Healthvana-supported clinics and pop-up sites. iPhone users in L.A. have had access to this feature since December, when the county partnered with Healthvana on releasing the tech.
But it's not the only way to access proof of vaccination in your phone. California put out its own platform two weeks ago. After filling out an online form with personal information, the system locates each patient's vaccine history and delivers it to the user via QR code.
As of Wednesday afternoon, over a million people have used the state's tool to save their COVID-19 vaccine records, according to California Department of Public Health spokesperson Sami Gallegos.
You'll know if you were vaccinated at a Healthvana location after receiving an email from Healthvana soon after the appointment.
But there's a chance that email might take a while, Healthvana's CEO and founder Ramin Bastani said. If that's the case, he suggests contacting the company directly.
The Android wallet feature will go live in new cities soon, Bastani said, but only where Healthvana was already working with municipalities and healthcare providers.
"It's not like anyone with an Android phone could just upload this onto their phone," Bastani said. "So if it's a state, for example in the Midwest, we need to already be delivering their vaccination records."
This article has been updated with Ramin Bastani's correct title, CEO and founder of Healthvana.


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– New Corporate Identity Reflects Ever-Changing Digital Market and Company’s Continuous Pursuit of Next Game Changer –
TORONTO, September 27, 2018 – Cue Digital, the online advertising sales agency that delivers engagement to the most lucrative consumer audiences in Canada, today announced a corporate rebranding that reflects both 10 years of experience in an ever-changing market and a charge towards the future with a bold new vision for the industry.
Ten years ago, tinder was something you lit a fire with. A lot has changed in 10 years, and so has Cue Digital. The Company first launched as a production company in 2008 with a team of five working out of a 500 sq. ft. space. Over the past decade, Cue Digital has transformed into a digital media company of the future with five divisions offering the best-in-breed influencer data-driven marketing platform, social amplification and branded content production. From their 5,000 sq. ft. business loft in a heritage building in Toronto’s lower east side, Cue Digital now develops innovative integrated advertising solutions that enable global, national and regional brands to reach their audiences in Canada.
“This rebrand marks a significant chapter in our company’s evolution. Cue Digital is riding a wave of momentum right now, making it the perfect opportunity to rethink our brand and show the company’s true soul and culture to all who cross our path,” said David U.K., CEO, Cue Digital. “The brand’s ethos is built on trust and transparency with a serious dose of cool – the new logo, website and tagline exhibit these characteristics perfectly.”
The tagline ‘‘#WDCS, We Do Cool Shit!’ captures the creativity of Cue Digital’s team as much as it communicates the strategy, purpose and mission of the business. CEO David U.K. believes the key to the company’s success has been in hiring the right people to execute the vision and building symbiotic media divisions to provide advertisers with a creative, solution-oriented company that not only develops, but produces and amplifies to Canadian audiences at scale.
The Company will also restructure its sales team to a single sales rep per agency model with reps who handle both premium and programmatic ad buys. The shift signals a renewed focus on building relationships with its partners, delivering clear and comprehensive results, and supplying transparent pricing and data.
“We believe we are building the media company of the future. In a world where many major media companies are declining, merging, or folding, we are growing year-over-year, not only in revenue but in offerings,” said David U.K. “With our fresh new look and a foundation of exceptional people and dynamic partners, Cue Digital is ready to shape the future of digital advertising.”
Cue Digital has just been named to Canadian Business’ Growth 500 list of Canada’s fastest growing companies for the fifth year in a row. With the exclusive rights to represent some of the most recognized, high-profile digital news, sports and entertainment properties in Canada, Cue Digital reaches over 18 million unique Canadians each month, more than 80% of millennials and 65% of all Canadians.
About Cue Digital
Cue Digital is the online advertising sales agency that audience-first publishers trust to deliver cool and cohesive experiences for brands and the consumers who adore them. Their consumer obsessed philosophy has led to the development of innovative in-house products and solutions ̶ from content creation to amplification and distribution ̶ that are transforming the future of digital advertising. Cue Digital reaches over 18 million unique Canadians for premium publishers each month, including more than 80% of millennials. Find more information about how Cue Digital delivers engagement to the most lucrative consumer audiences at www.cuedigitalmedia.com.
For additional information, please contact
Nikki Gentles [email protected] 416-737-6801


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While Ontario is starting to give some businesses the green light to reopen, a new survey has revealed that most foodservice businesses in the province might not have enough cash flow to successfully reopen their doors to diners post-COVID.
Restaurants Canada, which represents the national foodservice industry, is now calling on the provincial government for solutions to help these businesses make it through the pandemic and to support their reopening.
The survey, which was conducted between May 1 and May 5, found that approximately 70% of respondents said they are either “very or extremely worried” that their business won’t have enough liquidity to pay vendors, rent, and other expenses over the next three months.
While the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program might provide some restaurants with relief, rent obligations continue to be a challenge for many.
According to the survey, at least one out of five independent restaurant operators is dealing with a landlord who is not willing to provide rent relief, either through the CECRA program or some other arrangement. At the same time, 14% of independent restaurants haven’t been able to pay rent for April and nearly 20% aren’t able to pay rent for May, despite not having an agreement from their landlord to postpone those payments.
“The resiliency of our industry won’t be enough to ensure Ontario’s 38,000 restaurants remain viable in the face of insufficient cash flow and insurmountable debt,” said James Rilett, Restaurants Canada Vice President, Central Canada. “The province needs to come to the table with a package of solutions to help these mostly small and medium-sized businesses stay afloat as they ramp up their operations.”
Restaurants Canada is now turning to the provincial government for assistance and calling for a broader rent relief program to capture businesses that have experienced a significant decline in sales but do not meet the current qualifying threshold for CECRA. The organization is also asking for help with cash flow, rising debt levels, and assistance with labour costs.
Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario’s $37 billion foodservice industry represented 4% of the province’s GDP and was the province’s fourth-largest private-sector employer, according to Restaurants Canada.
However, if conditions do not improve, the organization says it expects the province’s foodservice sales to drop by as much as $7 billion for the second quarter of 2020. Subsequently, Restaurants Canada says it believes the industry might not be able to recover the more than 300,000 jobs it’s lost due to COVID-19.
Methodology: Restaurants Canada received a total of 890 completed surveys from foodservice operators across Canada, representing 11,965 locations (as many respondents belong to multi-unit businesses). Canada’s commercial foodservice industry is made up of 97,500 establishments, including full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, caterers and drinking places.


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It’s no secret that a business runs smoother when its technology users aren’t confined to the three and a half walls of their cubicles. The mobile workforce trend has been building, with your key talent yearning to roam freely -- or be poached by a company that will allow geographical autonomy. However, with security worries and the new headache of trying to manage mobile devices, CIOs have come to slowly -- and in some cases, grudgingly -- dip a toe into the new mobility.
We feel your pain. There’s a lot of information out there, whether it’s telling you how to manage your legions of smartphones or protect your network from invasion by the mailroom guy’s personal iPad. Here’s our executive summary of the latest and greatest mobility news that you shouldn’t miss.
- Mobile security for tablet devices: Recognizing risk
It doesn’t matter if you bought into the iPad craze or not -- your users are bringing tablet devices into your IT shop, disrupting IT support plans and mobile security practices. Read about the potential risks to your security.
- The mobility megatrend: Embrace the change or get left behind
It’s normal to resist change, but is the reluctance to embrace new technology putting you months or years behind everyone else when it comes to the new mobile workforce? Columnist Niel Nickolaisen has tips for living with and thriving in the new mobility.
- The top 10 free best business iPad apps
You already love your iPad and iPad2, but now you need to justify the cost to the business. We’ve rounded up 10 great iPad apps, and your CFO is going to love the price tag.
- Mobile payments prompt response from PCI DSS Council
There are thousands of app stores and hundreds of thousands of users accepting credit card payments with their mobile devices. But who is watching the store? The PCI DSS Council steps in with an answer.
- CIOs scrambling to adapt mobile device management to a BYOD era
With all of the personal devices connecting to the network, midmarket CIOs are taking a new look at mobile device management. It's time to put the horse back before the cart and figure out what really makes sense.
Let us know what you think about the story; email Wendy Schuchart, Site Editor.


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Accolade Wines ditches IPO plans on back of Brexit woesBy Arabella Mileham
Accolade Wine’s private equity owner has confirmed the long-anticipated IPO offer announced last year is now off the table – but that it may “revisit” it in a year or so.
The news came shortly after an Australian newspaper reported the long-awaited stock market launch was ‘on hold’, although at the time, Accolade did not respond to db’s request for confirmation.
John Haddock, chief executive of Champ PE, which has owned the wine producer since 2011, confirmed the news to Australian newspaper the Australian Financial Review, noting there were a range of factors behind the decision.
“There’s no doubt that the United Kingdom is a changing landscape and we are adjusting to that,” he told the AFR.
“The fall in the pound makes it much harder for exporters selling into the UK, who must sacrifice margins to stay competitive on the shelves of supermarket retailers.”
Haddock indicated that there had been interest from Chinese equity firms and companies involved in the wine business, but was reported as saying there was “a lot going on inside our business” as it continued its ongoing integration of Lion’s fine wine portfolio, which it bought in November.
Until now both Champ PE and Accolade have remained tight-lipped about the impact of the exchange rate on the business, but the company has considerable exposure in the UK market, which accounts for around 55% of its turnover.
Its market leading brands include the biggest selling UK off-trade wine brand Hardy’s, number three brand Echo Falls, as well as leading South African brand Kumala, Banrock Station and Stowells.
Last month rival wine producer Australian Vintage reported the unfavourable exchange rate – primarily the fall in Sterling on the back of the Brexit vote – had cost the business AU$10.5 million in the first six months of the year, with UK/European sales falling 18% as a result, despite a rise in branded sales. Meanwhile Treasury Wine Estates, which has pursued a policy of exiting “unsustainable commercial volume” in the UK and US, saw its half-year profits bolstered by sales to China and the US. However it noted that movements in foreign exchange had lead to higher cost prices for Australian and US imported wine, notably Blossom, and the Brexit impact on customer and consumer demand remained “uncertain”.
Since buying the company in 2011, Champ PE has invested heavily in the Hardy’s and Kumala brands and added to the portfolio with acquisitions such as New Zealand wine brand Mud House, which it grew from 10,000 cases to 380,000 cases in 12 months, and Chilean wine brand, Anakena.
It has recently started to boost its portfolio of premium Australian wines with the acquisition of Lion’s fine wine business in November last year, and exited a bottling deal with rival Treasury after announcing a new AU$40 investment in a new bottling plant and warehouse in Berri, in South Australia’s Riverland region.
The news that the Australian wine giant was mulling listing on the Australian or London Stock Exchange first broke last May, and was confirmed when the company appointed Reunion Capital Partners as corporate advisors to investigate its option, with a view to launching the IPO in the first half of 2017. It later held a roadshow for potential investors in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
In January, the company confirmed its CEO-in-waiting Michael East had taken over the top spot following the departure of Paul Schaafsma who had previously headed up the UK and European business, in September 2016.
Today Accolade UK announced the appointment of Adrian McKeon, interim trading director of Musgrave Retail Partners, as its general manger for the UK and Ireland. He replaces general manager Rob Harrison, who is leaving the company at the end of the financial year. Harrison took on the role in December 2015.


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Mainland panel makers may threaten Taiwan firms
January 16, 2014, 12:10 am TWN
TAIPEI--Taiwanese flat-panel makers could see their position in China threatened by local rivals by 2016, when Chinese firms are expected to begin mass producing next-generation products, a local market researcher predicted Wednesday.
Mass production of panels started at two advanced Chinese plants in the third quarter of 2011, and four others are expected to catch up by 2016, moving China forward in the panel industry, according to Delux Chen, a flat-panel industry analyst at the Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA).
"By that point, Chinese panel makers will be more self-sufficient, so Chinese panel orders to overseas suppliers will drop significantly, meaning a big threat to Taiwan-based panel makers," Chen said during a local industry forum organized by PIDA.
He noted that six of the advanced 8.5th-generation plants in China were set up by Chinese flat-panel makers. China is home to an additional three advanced plants, two of which were built by South Korean firms and the last by Taiwan's AU Optronics Corp. (AUO, 友達光電).
Despite mounting pressure, AUO and Innolux Corp. (群創光電), also of Taiwan, have shifted their focus to new sizes or new technologies rather than expanding their capacity, the analyst added.
According to PIDA data, Taiwan's display panel industry was worth NT$1.654 trillion (US$54.9 billion) in revenue last year, a 3.3-percent annual increase thanks to continued demand for touch panels.
Shipments of 4K Ultra-high Definition TVs to Increase Largely
The number still lagged behind a global growth of 4.7 percent, however, on demand for wider applications such as use in smartphones, tablet PCs and ultra-high definition televisions, the association said.
In a recent research report, market information advisory firm NPD DisplaySearch said shipments of 4K ultra-high definition TVs are expected to hit 12.70 million units in 2014 as prices for the cutting-edge displays falls, an immense increase from the 1.9 million units estimated for 2013.
With rising demand for 4K TVs, Innolux and AUO will serve as the world's largest suppliers of ultra-high definition screens, DisplaySearch projected.
Analysts have forecast that Innolux's 2014 shipments of 4K panels will reach 12 million units to major clients largely in China, while AUO will ship 5 million units this year to clients such as Sony Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and some Chinese TV brands.


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Tesco-Booker deal to face in-depth competition probe
The proposed purchase by supermarket giant Tesco of wholesaler Booker is to be subjected to an in-depth probe, UK competition authorities have said.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says there are concerns over the proposed £3.7bn tie-up.
The CMA said there are 350 areas where there is an overlap between Tesco shops and Booker-supplied independent stores.
It said the deal could be bad for shoppers in those areas because of reduced competition.
The CMA said that if the deal were to go through, potentially, Booker could offer inferior wholesale terms to the stores it currently supplies, "in order to drive customers to their local Tesco".
Last month, Tesco and Booker asked the UK competition regulator to fast-track its investigation of their proposed £3.7bn tie-up, from a basic Phase 1 investigation to a more in-depth Phase 2 inquiry, which has now been confirmed.
The CMA added that other competition concerns had been "raised and considered" during its initial Phase 1 investigation, and would be given greater attention in Phase 2.
The statutory timetable for the in-depth Phase 2 investigation is 24 weeks, which means the final report will be published before Christmas.
The fast-track process has been used in a number of CMA merger investigations previously, including that of telecoms firms BT-EE, as well as during the tie-up of bookmaking firms Ladbrokes and Coral.
Booker is the UK's largest food wholesaler and also owns the Premier, Budgens and Londis store brands.
Despite rising competition from the likes of Aldi and Lidl, Tesco remains Britain's biggest supermarket.
The CMA could force Tesco to sell stores if it believes the deal will harm competition within the industry.
When the takeover was announced, Tesco and Booker said they did not expect it to be completed until late 2017 or early 2018, suggesting both companies expected this closer scrutiny from the watchdog.
In March, one of Tesco's biggest investors, Schroders, warned about the cost of the deal, telling the BBC that the supermarket giant was paying a "premium" and it had "major concerns" about the deal.


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Online privacy concerns have been at the forefront of public discussion lately, and consumers are right to be concerned about who they entrust with their personal data while online, and what happens to that information. Cable companies – leading providers of broadband – already are subject to strict federal regulations on what they can do with your data. In addition, the cable industry has stated it supports protecting privacy and data across the internet with strategies that provide strong, consistent standards and are applied equally to different technologies, from internet providers to social networks.
Video Advertising Bureau President and CEO Sean Cunningham recently called the data collected by multichannel video programming distributors, including cable, “among the most well-protected data sets in American business.”
In January, internet service providers reiterated their commitment to the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer privacy protections, including not selling their customers’ “sensitive” information without the affirmative, opt-in consent of their subscribers.
Learn more about internet service providers and online privacy in NCTA – The Internet & Television Association’s “Myth vs. Reality on ISP Privacy Claims: Clearing up misconceptions about online privacy.”
Chris Pizzurro, head of business development, sales and marketing for advertising technology firm Canoe Ventures, recently told Cable Fax, “In fact, sometimes cable gets knocked for not being progressive or innovative enough in bringing products to market, and in some of those instances, the reason is because it potentially could harm consumer protections, so cable does not implement until the safeguards are in place.”
One reason cable is concerned about online privacy and safety – cable is the leading broadband provider, with about two-thirds of all high-speed internet subscribers. And more Americans than ever are on the internet:
- In the first quarter of 2017, 89 percent of U.S. households with broadband used Wi-Fi to connect to the internet.
- In each household, consumers connect nearly 15 devices to the internet.
- 77 percent of Americans connect to the internet on a daily basis.
- Nearly 63 percent of Americans in rural regions have a broadband internet connection in their home, up from about 35 percent in 2007.
Leaders in the cable industry have been outspoken recently about their thoughts on what the next steps should be to protect consumers’ data and privacy while online.
Charter Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Rutledge recently published the blog post “Charter Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Protecting Privacy Everywhere on the Internet.” In the blog, Rutledge advocates for several protections, including a “uniform law that provides greater privacy and data security protections and applies the same standard to everybody in the Internet ecosystem, including us.”
“Recent revelations have led to a long-overdue public conversation about what happens to our data online and the vulnerabilities that could develop. Charter is ready to work with Members of Congress, industry partners, consumer groups and other stakeholders to pass a law that makes people feel more safe and confident taking advantage of all that the Internet has to offer.”
NCTA – The Internet & Television Association also has stated industry support of similar protective proposals. President and CEO Michael Powell recently wrote:
“A technology-neutral, federal framework of online consumer protection is a first step to restoring America’s faith in our digital future. When consumers go online, they shouldn’t have to think about what state they are in, and they shouldn’t need an engineering or law degree to understand what privacy requirements apply to different online services and what kind of entity may be engaged in blocking or throttling. They want to know that their personal data is protected, that their choices as consumers are respected, and that practices resulting in unfair discrimination or otherwise violating the spirit of internet openness will be punished swiftly.”
As the conversation continues, what steps can consumers take to protect themselves while online? The Federal Trade Commission offers an extensive list, including these simple suggestions:
- On your internet browser, delete cookies or limit the kinds of cookies that can be placed on your computer.
- Turn on the “private browsing” setting on your internet browser to keep your web activities hidden from other people who use the same computer.
- Limit tracking in or across mobile apps by controlling identifiers that allow ad targeting or collect your location information.
- Use Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps to shield the information on your mobile devices when on a public network.
- Avoid oversharing of personal information in posts you make on your social networks.


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A Grand Theft Auto Bravado Banshee replica has recently been sold on eBay for over $60,000.
The replica is actually a heavily modified 2006 Dodge Viper used by developer Rockstar for means of promoting Grand Theft Auto V – a very cool slice of automotive and gaming memorabilia I think you’ll agree.
According to reports, the 2006 Dodge Viper has seen over $180,000 worth of modifications to transform it into the popular Grand Theft Auto car. The car was supposedly sold for a first time back in 2014 for a whopping $170,000.
The rear-wheel-drive Viper houses an 8.3-litre V10 engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. According to the eBay listing, the one of a kind car has only amassed a fraction over 8,000 miles.
You can view the Bravado Banshee replica complete with outstanding attention to detail in the images below, let us know what you make of it.


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The COVID-19 pandemic has made contact centre agility and security more important than ever
* Amazon Connect users across the globe can now leverage PCI Pal’s secure payments solutions for additional payment security and compliance options *
London, UK: PCI Pal® (LON: PCIP) – the global provider of secure payment solutions – today announced a new integration with Amazon Connect to offer its customers worldwide with additional options for payment security and compliance with PCI Pal omnichannel secure payment solutions.
Thousands of businesses of all sizes are using Amazon Connect to adapt their customer communications for the post-pandemic future. With this integration, PCI Pal will become the first truly global secure payments provider available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalogue that makes it easy for organisations to discover, procure, entitle, provision, and govern third-party software that runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Amazon Connect customers will now have access to PCI Pal’s solutions, including Agent Assist, IVR and Digital products, through an integrated offering allowing for PCI compliance and payment security across their entire omnichannel communications mix.
Users of the services will also benefit from retaining their payment service provider (PSP) as PCI Pal is agnostic to all payment environments.
“This integration enables businesses to minimise their PCI footprint and secure their customers’ most sensitive payment data, while maintaining the best possible customer and agent experience,” says James Barham, CEO at PCI Pal. “Amazon Connect users are able to seamlessly access our secure payment services across all customer engagement channels allowing a focus on service excellence whilst safe in the knowledge that data is protected.”
Customers using Amazon Connect with PCI Pal will be able to reduce contact centre exposure to sensitive cardholder data, descoping their infrastructure from the requirements of PCI DSS. Additionally, Amazon Connect Delivery Partners and AWS Consulting Partners, who help companies build cloud contact centres with Amazon Connect, will now also be able to sell PCI Pal omnichannel payment solutions.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has made contact centre agility and security more important than ever,” continues Barham. “As the leading provider of secure payment solutions to the business communications space globally, this offering ensures that whether working in the office, contact centre, or working remotely from home, Amazon Connect customers will not only be able to set up more agile contact centres in minutes but now, for the first time, will have access to best-in-class payment security solutions.”
Amazon Connect is an easy-to-use omnichannel cloud contact centre used by thousands of businesses of all sizes. Based on Amazon's own customer service system, Amazon Connect enables businesses to set up contact centres in minutes to support millions of customers from the office or virtually. Through this integration with PCI Pal, Amazon Connect customers can access the highest levels of security and compliance whether working from a traditional contact centre or at home.
For more information on PCI Pal visit www.pcipal.com, call +44 207 030 3770 to arrange a demonstration or follow PCI Pal on Twitter.
Notes to Editors:
About PCI Pal:
PCI Pal (LON:PCIP) is a leading provider of SaaS solutions that empower companies to take payments securely, adhere to strict industry governance, and remove their business from the significant risks posed by non-compliance and data loss.
Its mission is to safeguard reputation and trust by providing customers with secure payment solutions for any business communications environment including voice, chat, social, email, and contact centre.
PCI Pal is integrated to, and resold by, some of the worlds' leading business communications vendors, as well as major payment service providers.
The entirety of the product-base is available from its global cloud platform hosted in Amazon Web Services ("AWS"), with regional instances across EMEA, North America, and ANZ. PCI Pal products can be used by any size organisation globally, and it is proud to work with some of the largest and most respected brands in the world.
For more information visit www.pcipal.com or follow the team on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pci-pal/
Peppa Sheridan, Peptalk Communications
+ 44 (0)7725 121189 // firstname.lastname@example.org
This press release was distributed by ResponseSource Press Release Wire on behalf of Peptalk Communications in the following categories: Business & Finance, Computing & Telecoms, for more information visit https://pressreleasewire.responsesource.com/about.


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You are here
Following the decision by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to shut down dine-in operations for restaurants and bars statewide in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Glenview officials are encouraging residents to continue supporting their local eateries.
Residents can support local restaurants in several ways, including ordering for delivery or pick-up and by visiting restaurants that have drive-thrus and curbside pick-up services.
The Glenview Chamber of Commerce is encouraging resident to make Thursday “Takeout Glenview Night” by placing pickup or delivery orders or buying gift cards to use later.


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US tv channel FOX is taking over Escape Game Austin’s room for the weekend to run their Prison Break escape room. The free event will take place from March 11th – March 12th and fans will have one hour to escape the prison themed room.
For those who aren’t near Austin, Texas – FOX launched a digital escape room on Instagram last week. It’s called One Last Break and participants can explore 5 rooms to find 5 cranes (which represent freedom).
There’s 99, yes – 99 images to search through on Instagram and you’ll need to find the code to escape. For those who want to know what the reward is – it leads to an exclusive clip from the new season of Prison Break which includes Wentworth Miller’s character.
Star Wars: Rogue One
Also at SXSW is Disney’s version of an escape room called Rogue One: Escape From Scarif – which according to The Verge was more like a pop-up maze crossed with a scavenger hunt. Check out their review here.
A/N: Since February has wrapped up, the blog will be changing back to a weekly update on the weekend (Saturday/Sunday). 🙂


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Flipkart, this week announced a tie up with the one of the unions of Mumbai Dabbawalas for last mile delivery of the products ordered through the portal. The company also announced the launch of on-demand logistics service.
Lets have a look at the important developments of the week
Foodpanda became target of a bug which allowed people order free food
Rocket Internet backed FoodPanda had a bug in their system which resulted in IIIT hostel students to place orders worth INR 6 lakhs. This bug was reported by a startup called Brthe. When foodpanda got to know about this, it first shutdown its operations in Hyderabad and later, it limited the shut down to the Gachibowli area where IIIT Hyderabad is located.
Uber Launched Auto booking service, UberAuto
Going beyond its elite image, this week Uber started UberAUTO in Delhi which allows customers to book an auto. The organisation said it’s “a cash-only service for now,” and the fares will be calculated using existing transport regulations. Meanwhile, competitors Ola, had launched auto booking service last year in November, and have over 40,000 autos currently on their platform with 5000 autos alone in Delhi.
Indian Govt. Will not ban Ola, Uber
The govt. has ruled out banning cab-hailing apps including ola and Uber. But further added that will be imposing conditions to make their operations safer. The transport ministry, headed by Nitin Gadkari, is likely to issue an advisory within the next three weeks to all states which will clearly state that these services have to be regulated under the Motor Vehicles Act but there is no case for banning them. The government wants to promote IT-based taxi companies.
Entrepreneurship Evangelist Prajakt Raut Launches Applyifi
Entrepreneurship evangelist and startup mentor Prajakt Raut launched his new venture Applyifi.com, a private platform for startups and early-stage companies to create a comprehensive and elegant online investor pitch deck and get funded.
Myntra To Shut Web Platform On May 1
Online fashion and lifestyle ecommerce player, Myntra, moving ahead on its way to become a mobile-app-based retailer is planning to shutdown its web platform on May 1. Myntra had launched its mobile app in May last year, and has seen an exponential rise in shoppers using its apps on all the platforms be it Android, iOS or Windows.
Quikr To Launch QuikrHomes.com For Real Estate Listings
Online classifieds listing portal Quikr.com plans to launch QuikrHomes.com, a website devoted only to real estate, in the next four to six weeks. The website, consisting of listing for homes, plots and commercial spaces, will aim to cater the $2.5 Bn worth of real estate transactions that are already taking place through quikr.com.
GSF Founder Rajesh Sawhney launched Innerchef
GSF founder, Rajesh Sawhney with four others launched a new venture InnerChef, an online food discovery and delivery platform.
Yes Bank Partnered With Twitter, Users To Receive Tweets via SMS
Yes Bank entered into a partnership with Twitter to help it’s interested customers receive tweets via SMS. Customers, after they have given a missed call to 011-3008-0888, will receive bank’s tweets on news, events and offers through SMS. The step will help bring non-twitter users a step closer to the updates from their banks.
Reliance Jio Infocomm Launched Internet Based Messaging App
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm launched its messaging app named Jio Chat for both iOS and Android mobiles.The app, similar to whatsapp, apart from sending short messages, allows voice and video calling facilities. The messages can be delivered to an unregistered user in an SMS format, but with an SMS cost to the receiver.
Paytm Sets marketing budget of INR 500 Cr. for the year
Paytm, mobile commerce platform, announced the launch of their new brand campaign on IPL. Through this brand film, Paytm aims to reinforce their position as the leader in the mobile commerce space. The outlay for this marketing campaign is in the range of Rs 50 crores, where Paytm is an associate sponsor on Sony and is also the official partner of Mumbai Indians.
Lets have a look at other developments from the startup ecosystem:
Startup Village To Launch Digital Resource Platform
Technology incubator Startup Village announced its plans to launch a digital knowledge resource platform by July to offer mentorship and entrepreneurial advice. The platform has been developed using in-house resources.
Xiaomi Ended Exclusivity Deal With Flipkart
Chinese Tech Giant Xiaomi, ending its exclusivity with Flipkart, tied up with Snapdeal and Amazon.in for selling its products through their platform. Recently, Xiaomi also entered into a partnership with The Mobile Store to sell it’s products through the offline stores as well.
BigBasket To Collaborate With Neighbourhood Stores For Urgent Product Delivery
Online grocery retailer, BigBasket announced its plans of collaborating with neighbourhood stores to deliver products in less than 60 mins. The retailer will partner with about 1800 local stores in the cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune. Over 400 items have been shortlisted as essentials and have been included in the 60mins delivery scheme.As per the arrangement, the store staff will take care of the deliveries, while BigBasket will provide the technology for inventory management.
Indian Railways To Bring New Schemes For Attracting Ecommerce Platforms
Indian Railways announced its plans of bringing in new schemes for attracting ecommerce platforms to transport their parcels. Railway believes that it can reduce the transportation charges significantly compared to those incurred while transporting via roads. The move is expected to increase the earnings of the railways.
Citrus Adds Lend A Hand Feature
Citrus Cash App has launched a new “Lend A Hand” feature. The current version is a wallet app that allows users to ‘Send Money’ to friends and family, ‘Request Money’ when they need it and Split Bills with friends after fun outings.
Lifestyle International To Venture Into Ecommerce
Landmark Group’s Lifestyle International is venturing into ecommerce by launching its website by the first half of the next year for all three formats that it operates in India- Lifestyle, Home Centre and Max. Other competitors in this space have either already launched their eretailing websites or are in the process of getting online soon.
Amazon Set Up Warehouse In Hyderabad
US based ecommerce Giant Amazon’s Indian leg, in its biggest infrastructure related investment, has set up a fulfillment centre at Hyderabad . The FC, to be operational from next month, is a facility spread over 280,000 sq ft and will help the company deliver products faster, at the same time also increasing its storage capacity.
Flipkart To Add Grocery Items To Its List Of Offerings
Homegrown Ecommerce platform Flipkart might soon begin to sell grocery items as well, and that too by the second half of this year. Flipkart began its journey in 2007 as a bookstore and today it offers products in various categories like electronics, apparels, personal care and jewellery besides other products.
BVR Mohan Reddy Joined as Nasscom’s Chairman Of Executive Council
Cyient founder and Executive Chairman BVR Mohan Reddy joined Nasscom on 9 April as Chairman of the Executive Council (its governing body) for 2015-16, to replace Cognizant India Executive Vice Chairman R Chandrasekaran. The Executive Council also elected Tech Mahindra CEO and MD CP Gurnani as Nasscom Vice Chairman for 2015-16.
Amazon Opened Machine Learning Service To All AWS Users
Amazon Web Services announced the launch of Amazon Machine Learning, a tool aimed at helping developers use historical data in detecting problematic transactions, preventing customer churn, and also in improving customer support.The new service, integrated with other AWS services, will allow developers to work with data already stored on their Amazon Cloud.
Uber Partnered With SPI Cinemas, Chennai
Uber and SPI Cinemas partnered to provide users with a better movie watching experience in Chennai. The app which comes as a result of the partnership, allows users to Book tickets, Request an Uber Cab.
Amazon And GreenDust Partnered For BuyBack Program
Amazon.in partnered with GreenDust.com to organise a buy back program for used large appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators & air conditioners in select cities like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Mumbai. Consumers need to log into Amazon’s website, get their product evaluated using GreenDust’s rate calculator, and sell it. Amazon will arrange the pick-up of the product and pay the customer in cash at that time.
Lead Angels Launched Hyderabad Chapter Lead Angels
2013 founded Lead Angels Network launched its Hyderabad Chapter Lead Angels, an alumni focused angel network. The Network ,founded by three IIT Bombay Alumni, has chapters in Mumbai, New Delhi and Ahmedabad and has till date funded 5 companies, including two startups by alumni of IIT Bombay and Delhi respectively.
ThinkVidya Rebranded To Urbanpro, Added Four New Categories
Online Education Marketplace ThinkVidya rebranded itself to UrbanPro, an online marketplace that now connects professionals and consumers across a variety of fields like interior designing, event management, photography and health and wellness services. The service is currently available in all major cities across the country.
YuppTV App Launched On VIZIO Smart TVs
Internet TV provider YuppTV announced the launch of its application with US’ smart TV company VIZIO. The launch of YuppTV app on VIZIO Smart TVs will bring to its users, over 200 channels in 12 South Asian languages available worldwide, as Live TV, and ten days of Catch-up TV and unlimited movies in different genres. YuppTV application on VIZIO Smart TVs will be available for customers in U.S., Canada & Mexico region.
Ola to create 50,000 women driver-entrepreneurs
With its aim to create over 50k women driver entrepreneurs, Ola Signed MoU with Empower Pragati and Automotive Skills Development Council for training, skill development and empowerment of women drivers on its platform.
Shopclues Ties up with Dharavimarket.com
Online marketplace, ShopClues.com has started listing the works of craftsmen and artisans living in Mumbai’s Dharavi on its platform under a tie-up with Dharavimarket.com.


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Live streaming services are pushing the limits of online video and OTT, and live events are still the standards by which the success of the industry are judged. Look here for the latest news on live streaming trends, as well as how-to and technical articles on everything from live production to live linear channels.
HESP: Sub-second Latency, Fast Channel Change and Improved ABR over Standard CDNs
Interview with Ian McDonough, CEO, Blackbird
Blackbird's CEO talks about the appeal of cloud-native production, the importance of sustainability, and 'storycentric' production.
Interview with Philip Radley-Smith, CEO i2i Media
Interview with Oliver Lietz, CEO & Founder, Nanocosmos


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A former HGV driver with Moody Logistics has been promoted to transport logistics planner having gained a Level 5 supply chain management qualification through the Institute of Supply Chain Management. Mark Fisher, who started with the Cramlington-based family firm as a multi-drop driver in 2013, was funded to complete the Open University course by Moody Logistics as part of its approach to encouraging staff to develop their skills and industry knowledge. The 46-year-old was voted by colleagues Driver of the […]
More than 200 drivers and warehouse staff at Indesit UK are to carry out four days of industrial action from the end of next week.
Dawsonrentals Truck & Trailer MD John Fletcher talks bubbles, Brexit, RVs, Chinese trucks and skills shortages with Andy Salter.
The Unite union has threatened The Co-operative Group with nationwide industrial action over the transfer of 50-Midlands based drivers to Eddie Stobart.


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When Henry Ford built the sprawling Rouge River Plant in the 1920s, cargo ships would unload huge blocks of iron ore at one end of the facility, and brand-new Model A Fords would drive out the other end. Of course, it helped that Ford owned forests, mines, ships and even a rubber plantation at the time. The automotive material world has changed a lot in 90+ years, but locking in a supply chain is still key, especially if you’re introducing innovative new materials.
The aluminum-intensive 2015 Ford F-150 shown at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit represents a dramatic gamble that could reset the status quo in the pickup truck market. But while the engineering story is intriguing, so is the supplier/OEM arrangement between Ford and Alcoa.
One Every 41 Seconds
Keep in mind that we’re not talking about a low-volume Jaguar, Land Rover or Audi model – all early adopters of aluminum bodies. Ford sold more than 760,000 F-Series trucks last year. On average, a new F-Series pickup truck is made every 41 seconds. And the F-Series has been America’s best-selling vehicle (not just truck) for 32 years. So any change in the F-Series is big news.
Let’s back up a minute, and consider the potential benefits of a significantly lighter, aluminum-bodied F-Series pickup:
• Improved fuel efficiency. Highway mileage may approach 30 mpg – an astounding figure for a full-size pickup
• Improved handling and vehicle dynamics
• Quicker acceleration
• Shorter stopping distances
• Rust- and corrosion-resistant bodies
As Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally told Time Magazine recently (1/13/14), “Everything becomes more efficient once you take the weight out.” Yes, there are downsides, or at least “unknowns,” such as cost and repairability. But Ford is not about to make a multi-million dollar mistake on the F-Series.
Don’t Think “Aluminum Foil”
Ford is quick to note that they are using “high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy” for the F-Series body. And the fully boxed frame is still steel. In fact, 77% of the frame is made of high-strength 70,000-psi steel to improve durability. And as you would expect, this innovative pickup has been thoroughly torture-tested.
A disguised F-150 competed in the 2013 Baja 1000 off-road race. A fleet of pickups with the new aluminum-alloy beds went into service with a mining company, energy utility and construction firm, covering 300,000 miles in two years.
“We put the truck through some of our testing longer and further than we have ever done before,” notes Ford development manager Peter Frantzeskakis. When the F-150 goes on sale later this year, it will have covered more than 10 million test miles.
Doubling in 10 Years
But back to the supplier/OEM partnership that’s behind this innovative truck. According to the financial services company Motley Fool (1/22/14), Alcoa, the aluminum-alloy supplier to the 2015 F-150, “will be a long-term beneficiary of growth” as the industry moves to greater use of this alloy. “Alcoa is one of Ford’s key partners for the aluminum body,” Motley Fool’s website notes, “and this gives it almost guaranteed growth as Ford’s new pickups go into production.”
Alcoa predicts that demand for aluminum used in light-duty vehicles will nearly double in the next 10 years.
Others To Follow?
Can we expect Chrysler/Ram and GM to follow suit with their own aluminum-bodied trucks? That may not be easy. According to Bloomberg News, the price for spot-market aluminum is skyrocketing. Of course, Ford has a long-term contract, so that’s not an issue. Alcoa’s Marketing Director, Randall Scheps, noted during the recent Autoline Supplier Symposium (1/17/14), “Bring us in early; bring us in 3 years ahead of time.” In short: Materials suppliers need 3 year’s notice in order to meet automakers’ demands.
So while Ford may not have cornered the market on high-grade aluminum-alloy, as Henry Ford tried to do with some suppliers decades earlier, the company has obviously made a very canny move to ensure that no one else can duplicate its efforts for several years.
One Ford official told CarKnack that the new F-Series was “Ford’s moon shot” – that was the scale of this program. They may, indeed, be right in calling the vehicle “the reinvention of America’s favorite truck.”
Now, is there a lesson here for carbon-fiber?


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What you need to know
- Apple has discontinued yet more Mac products.
- This time, it's the 512GB and 1TB version of the 21.5-inch iMac.
- Apple is rumored to be preparing a major overhaul to replace the desktop this year.
Just hours after officially discontinuing the iMac Pro, Apple has also discontinued the 512GB and 1TB SSD configurations of the 4K 21.5-inch iMac.
As MR notes, that means that the 256GB and 1TB Fusion are the only 21.5-inch iMac models available.
Apple is widely expected to debut a brand new iMac later this year, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman saying that next-generation Apple silicon chips (expected to be a feature) could debut as early as the Spring of 2021. Multiple reports indicate the 2021 iMac will be a major design overhaul, expected to look a lot like Apple's Pro Display XDR, with a flat back and thinner bezels compared to the current model. Apple is also expected to include a new sharper mini-LED display for better contrast and quality. Apple is reportedly working on processors with as many as 32 high-performance cores, although the iMac will likely feature something a little less spicy.
Whilst rumors of a release window are not nailed down, Apple discontinuing these latest models could be the clearest sign yet that a release could come sooner rather than later. It comes following Apple's decision to discontinue the iMac Pro in full, with supplies running out across the world over recent days.
Apple's 21.5-inch iMac is still available in 256GB or with a 1TB Fusion drive, as well as on the Apple refurbished store.


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Chinese super-realistic robot Zou Renti at WIRED NextFest exhibition
World renowned WIRED Magazine’s annual WIRED NextFest exhibition kicked off in Los Angeles on Thursday, highlighting a Chinese super-realistic robot. WIRED NextFest is a unique world’s fair-style event that showcases the people, ideas and technologies that will change our world in the coming years. What makes this year’s exhibition unique is the super-realistic robot Zou Renti which attracts throngs of spectators at the three-day exhibition being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The robot resembles Zou Renti, founder of the Xi’an Superman Sculpture Research Council. While the mechanical Zou Renti (named after the inventor) can move its face and speak, its most impressive feature is its skin, which is made of silica gel and looks so lifelike that some expo attendees couldn’t tell the real Zou from his double.
The X PRIZE Foundation announced its largest prize yet to sponsor a 30-million-dollar competition for private lunar explorations. Joined by Google, the foundation will motivate and inspire new generations of inventors and engineers to build and launch a privately-financed human vehicle into space. Google is also offering a second prize of 5 million dollars and bonus prizes of 5 million dollars for teams that meet additional challenges, such as finding lunar ice.


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Maruti Suzuki donates 35 Ertiga and 7 Eeco cars to Haryana police
Maruti Suzuki has donated 35 Ertiga and seven Eeco cars to the Haryana police. Out of these, eight are Ertiga interceptors and rest are for patrolling. All the Eecos are ambulances. All these vehicles have been heavily customised for the police use. The Haryana Police will be deploying these cars for use in Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal, Sonepat and Jhajjar districts.
These Maruti interceptor vehicles have been customised for the Haryana Police
The Maruti Suzuki vehicles given to the Haryana police come equipped with a beacon light, siren, public address system and police stickers. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga cars have interceptors equipped with laser-based traffic speed video systems, printers, roof-mounted day and night all-weather PTZ cameras, LED monitor roof light bars and public address mechanisms. The interceptors are also fitted with breath alcohol analysers to detect drink and drive cases. Additionally, the Maruti Eeco ambulances have been equipped with the necessary first aid devices.
Earlier this year, Maruti Suzuki, had provided 17 vehicles (15 Ertigas and 2 Eeco ambulances) to the Haryana police department. So far, Maruti has donated 52 vehicles to Haryana police this year.
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WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. (PRWEB) January 21, 2020
ForwardLine, a nationwide direct lender providing affordable loans to small businesses, has announced the opening of a new office in Las Vegas, NV. The new office, located in the Summerlin area, will support the organization’s expanding originations and account management teams.
For over 16 years, ForwardLine has been committed to improving the financial health of America’s small businesses. The company has helped over 15,000 businesses thrive by providing more than a half-billion dollars in working capital. Over the last two years, the company has experienced rapid growth fueled by strategic investments in technology, analytical capabilities, and its proprietary direct marketing model. In Q4 2019, ForwardLine increased new customer originations by more than 70% over the prior year. The new office will provide additional resources and talent to support the organization’s growth initiatives in 2020 and beyond.
“Expanding to Las Vegas is a key milestone in our overall strategic growth plan,” said Steve Carlson, ForwardLine’s CEO. “We are thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic community with a diverse talent pool. This expansion will allow us to continue building momentum while meeting the needs of our expanding customer base.”
ForwardLine will hold a grand opening event for their new office on January 22nd.
ForwardLine Financial, a nationwide non-bank lender, has been successfully providing small businesses with fast, convenient financing alternatives to traditional business loans since 2003. ForwardLine combines technology, non-traditional credit algorithms, and a direct sales model to offer attractive pricing and address a market not captured by traditional banks. In addition to loans, the company offers payment processing services to its borrowers in order to further encourage customer loyalty.
For more information, please contact ForwardLine’s marketing department at 866.623.4900, email firstname.lastname@example.org or visit the ForwardLine website at http://www.forwardline.com.


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Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) was honoured with two World Dairy Innovation Awards at the Global Dairy Congress in London, England.
The “Net Zero by 2050 – We’re In” campaign won in both the CSR/Sustainability Initiative category and the Marketing Campaign category.
“The honours received at the World Dairy Innovation Awards shine the spotlight on the Canadian dairy industry by recognizing its innovations, from the production of milk right up to how we promote it to consumers,” says Pierre Lampron, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada. “These marketing accolades would not be possible without our dairy farmers and their hard work. In blazing a trail for sustainable milk production, they make promoting this hard work all the easier.”
Last year, DFC committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with a mission to spread the word on sustainability. The campaigns recognized at the World Dairy Innovation Awards show how our Canada’s dairy farmers are working hard to reach this objective. Through the “We’re In” and “Mini-Games” campaigns, we’re highlighting new, and innovative practices to show Canadians how dairy farmers are dedicated to a greener future for everyone.
“The awards our team have received reflects the positive commitment of Canadian dairy farmers in tackling sustainability,” said Pamela Nalewajek, Chief Marketing Officer for DFC. “Caring for the environment isn’t just confined to one industry or country – it’s everyone’s responsibility. To win on a global stage like this is another example of Canadian dairy’s leadership on the issue.”
The World Dairy Innovation Awards are a celebration of innovation and excellence across every category of the international dairy industry. The winners were announced during the Global Dairy Congress in a special awards ceremony hosted by FoodBev Media in London, England.


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RELATED • July sales results from Black Box Intelligence also show decline • Full-service restaurant sales recover in June • More restaurant industry finance news Restaurant operators said expectations for the next six months have been soured by declining sales trends in July and August and rising commodity costs that are pressuring results, according to the latest MillerPulse restaurant operator survey. Restaurant industry same-store sales dipped from June to July — ...
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Get the latest Northborough news right on your iPhone.
We're reminding you that Patch has an App. You should get it. The latest news in Northborough can reach you, wherever you are (and it's free). Patch has an iPhone application in the iTunes store, bringing you news at just a tap of your screen. Where can I find it? Just click here! What does it offer? The Front 5: Once you load and open the app for the first time on your phone, "The Front 5" will appear, giving you the latest articles posted and a few upcoming events for the day. To find all the latest news or other sections, simply click on the white picket fence icon in the top left hand corner to bring you to the home screen. News: As always, Patch has the latest and most important news so you can stay informed about what is happening in…
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Taking your new iPhone for a spin? Download the Patch app for quick access to local news and events.
Lucky enough to get a mobile device this holiday season? Let's put it to work learning about your community. Patch has apps for iPhones and Android phones, and also makes it easy for you to upload photos, news and comments from anywhere. Here's a look at a few ways you can connect with Patch through your mobile device. Patch for iPhone Patch for iPhone keeps customers connected to the latest news, weather, local business listings and current events happening in their neighborhood. Patch’s app will keep them engaged and mobile by delivering 24/7 local community coverage. The Patch app's useful features include: Plus, they can save anything from favorite stories to business listings direct to the iPhone for easy offline access. Customer …
Was your favorite gift an electronic one?
Tis the year of the smartphone and tablet. Did your Santa deliver one to you?


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Key Sprint exec sets August departure date
Elfman, who joined Sprint's executive team in May 2008, will depart Aug. 16, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Elfman stepped down as the president of network operations in March. Since then, he led product development and operations for Sprint's devices, services and platforms, including Pinsight Media+ and the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator program for entrepreneurs.
Elfman's departure was announced in March. However, it was anticipated he would leave at year's end. Elfman was one of several execs to announce their departures in March.
Before his tenure at Sprint (NYSE: S), Elfman was executive vice president of Infospace Mobile, a mobile data services company. He also was chief information officer at AT&T Wireless and still serves on the board of the Competitive Carriers Association.
Bobby reports about technology/telecommunications, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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FMS is one of Europe’s leading transport and logistics companies and the market leader in paper and forestry product logistics, with 15 million tonnes of transported forest products a year. While these may be challenging times for transport companies, Heiko Voigt, FMS’s CEO EMEA region and Hans Meulenberg, Senior Vice President, Strategic Account Management, say there is reason to be optimistic about the future.
“We believe technology holds the key to a lot of the capacity- and cost-related challenges that logistics companies such as ours are currently contending with,” says Meulenberg.
FMS transports pulp and paper overland using three different transport solutions: truck, rail and river barge, each of which is facing its own set of challenges.
“In the European trucking market, the principal issue is the shortage of capacity caused by, among other things, a lack of qualified drivers,” explains Voigt, adding that trucks across the continent are standing still as a result. “Truck drivers know there is more demand than supply and they’re asking for more money.”
In combination with already-high fuel prices and the need to comply with ever-stricter legislation, increased pay demands are driving up the total cost of road transport.
The rail segment, meanwhile, is also suffering from its own lack of qualified drivers, as well as from disruptions to services caused by the growing frequency of heavy storms. Extreme weather is also a concern for river barge services, where dry summers have caused water levels on many European rivers to drop.
With so many obstacles blocking the road to establishing a stable logistics chain, how does FMS maintain a positive outlook for the future?
Focus on solutions
“We have to accept that these things are happening,” says Meulenberg, “Instead of trying to make them go away, we believe in finding solutions and, together with our customers, we’re looking for ways to minimise their impact.”
For example, one-way transport is one of the greatest causes of unnecessary waste and losses in the logistics chain.
“When a truck drives from, say, Germany to Spain fully loaded, and then drives back empty, it’s a huge waste of fuel, driver wages and emissions,” continues Voigt. “Using modern IT platforms, truckers can easily look online for available cargo for their return route to make optimal use of the truck and their time.”
A navigation system is another easy-to-use tool which can help truckers avoid traffic jams, thereby reducing the number of paid hours wasted on the road, as well as cutting emissions.
A number of more complex technologies look set to deliver huge efficiency gains to the supply chain in the longer term. Examples include blockchain, where the data from every step in the logistics chain is centrally stored and shared between all those involved, resulting in massive benefits in terms of transparency and productivity; driverless vehicles that will cut costs through increased fuel efficiency and by eliminating the need for a driver; and, last but not least, electrification, with the huge potential cost savings that electric and hybrid vehicles will deliver, once batteries become powerful enough to reduce dependence on diesel.
Looking at the pulp market, prospects are looking up. Compared with just a few years ago, when the segment appeared doomed as paper consumption dwindled, growing global demand for both tissue and packaging spells a positive outlook for pulp. And although the shortage of transport capacity may present an obstacle at the present time and for the next couple of years, there is reason to believe the current situation will see significant changes in the mid-term future.
“A future defined by smart tech, driverless trucks, electric vehicles and increased connectivity will help us optimise the use of different modes of transport, reduce unnecessary waste, and secure a stable logistics chain for the future,” concludes Meulenberg.
Founded in 1897, Fr. Meyer’s Sohn (FMS) is a global, family-owned freight forwarding and logistics company that specialises in the international transportation of bulk goods. The company is the market leader in paper and forestry product logistics and one of the 10 largest sea freight shipping companies in the world. It transports more than 850,000 TEU/year, with the forestry segment accounting for more than 70% of total volumes. (TEU = Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
Text: Isabelle Kliger


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Check out this week’s On Tap column for The Advocate that’s published here.
‘More than just beer’ at the annual Zapp’s International Beer Fest
Saturday marks one of my favorite days of the year. No, it’s not my birthday or any other traditional holiday.
Saturday is the annual Zapp’s International Beer Festival. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. at the LSU Rural Life Museum, and it is undoubtedly the premier beer festival in Baton Rouge.
This year marks the 14th edition of the festival. Although I haven’t made it to all of the past events, once I started making this annual pilgrimage a half-dozen years ago, I vowed I wouldn’t miss another. You’ll make a similar promise after your first visit, too.
All the usual suspects will be in attendance, ranging from national brands down to more than a dozen Louisiana breweries. Overall, you’ll be able to sample more than 200 different offerings.
Source: The Ale Runner
Read the full article here.


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Scams come in many different forms. From phone calls to emails that take over your computer, they've become more sophisticated.
Luckily, the Better Business Bureau is working to become more sophisticated in reporting these scams as well.
The second week of November the BBB rolled out its BBB Scam Tracker program.
"It gives consumers the ability to report scams and things that are going on in our area and we can see that information real time," Monica Horton, President & CEO of BBB North Central Texas said.
All 112 BBB's operating in the U.S. and Canada are now collecting information from consumers and sharing that information with law enforcement agencies.
"Hopefully the people who have the authority to go after these guys will catch up with them eventually if we can get these scams reported," Horton said.
All you have to do to report a scam is head to bbb.org/scamtracker/us. Once you're there click on "report scam", then fill out the online form and click submit.
BBB officials said it should take around 24 hours for the entry to be screened and then put up on the scam tracker map.
"I like the real time delivery, we've always had within our network of Better Business Bureau's. We're familiar with scams and we know what's going on, but I like the real time aspect of this scam tracker program," Horton said.
Residents are thankful something like this is being offered.
"It just seems like now a days most people instead of trying to do good and help others, it's capitalize on others make their wealth," Tory Wherry of Wichita Falls said.
"I think it's a great idea, especially people think that older people aren't computer savvy and that's a great idea for getting the word out so that people can check and see what's going on and protect themselves," Jan Harris of Wichita Falls said.
The free program is up and running, click here to take a look at scams in your neighborhood.