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Following the ban imposed on manufactruing and use of plastic bags in the state, the Plastic Bag Manufacturers Association of India (PBMAI) today urged the government to provide a seven-year moratorium period to exit the industry.
The association claimed the ban will put its members' investments in jeopardy and make nearly 3 lakh people jobless.
The state government on March 23 had banned the manufacture, use, storage, distribution, sale, import and transportation of all kinds of plastic items. The ban covers a wide range of items made of plastic and thermocol, including, bags, dishes, cups, glasses, bowls, forks, spoon, straw, containers, small PET bottles and decoration items.
"We have urged the state government to provide a seven-year moratorium before we exit the industry. The Rs 15,000-crore platic bag manufacturing industry has nearly 2,500 manufacturers, who have made an investment ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 crore each and obtained loans from private as well as public sector banks to set up units in the state," PBMAI general secretary Neemit Punamiya told reporters here.
"Many units are on the verge of closure in the absence of basic packaging material - plastic bags - and we fear that nearly 300,000 people employed may become jobless. We have urged the Maharashtra government to come out with a solution to save the industry," he said.
Punamiya also informed that the association members met and petitioned the state minister for environment, Ramdas Kadam, and sought waiver on packaging material till alternatives are identified and made available.
Meanwhile, another association Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to treat food grains and all food items including fruits and vegetables at par with milk and extend the repository (50 paisa per bag) scheme on them.
In Mumbai alone over 680,000 readymade garments pieces for exports are stuck on account of non-availability of transparent plastic bags for packing, according to the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


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‘Captain America: Civil War,” Walt Disney Co.’s latest Marvel Studios superhero film, will blast into theaters on Friday, kick-starting the summer blockbuster battle for box-office dollars.
The highly competitive summer moviegoing season looks to be particularly volatile this year, with at least four films projected to break the $200 million mark in domestic box office as rival studios strive to put viewers in theater seats amid an increasingly challenging entertainment marketplace.
Disney has a running start heading into the summer, leading all studios in 2016 takings. Advance sales suggest “Civil War” is on track to have the biggest opening of any Marvel movie yet, allowing Disney to stretch its lead.
“Expectations are high in terms of continued growth both at the theaters and in merchandise sales,” said Michael Erstad, a senior consumer analyst at ITG Investment Research Inc. in New York.
This year’s summer season is kicking off early and will stretch through August, allowing studios an opportunity to surpass last year’s huge $4.5 billion season – the second highest ever in box-office history behind 2013’s total of $4.7 billion.
Summer 2015: Part 2
Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World” led the charge last summer with a record-breaking opening weekend that led to a total of $652 million at the global box office. Disney and Universal alone took 60 percent of last summer’s box-office receipts.
This year, the other major studios are more than eager to share in the blockbuster box-office wealth, and they’re willing to crowd together in the coveted July calendar to do so.
Disney currently holds the largest percentage of the market share of domestic box-office receipts, thanks in no small part to the astronomical success of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the Disney Animation record-breaking giant “Zootopia,” and Jon Favreau’s live-action revival of “The Jungle Book.”
But 20th Century Fox follows closely behind, largely thanks to its own superhero runaway hit, “Deadpool” – which alone has grossed more than $361 million domestically.
This summer’s cinematic shootout is all about familiar characters – and safe bets for the studios – across all genres. While Disney looks to hold its lead in the box-office race ahead of Fox and Warner Bros., it might be Paramount that has the most to gain or lose. Chief Executive Philippe Dauman at Viacom, parent company of the iconic Hollywood studio, announced in February that it would likely sell a majority stake by next month.
Pinning down Paramount’s valuation has been hard – estimates range from $4 billion to $10 billion – but a strong summer showing would certainly offer a boost. It has lagged far behind the other major studios so far this year in revenue, however, and would need to make a splash this summer with sequels in the “Star Trek” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchises and its remake of the sword-and-sandal classic “Ben-Hur.”
Meanwhile, Universal, trying to play catch-up from its current fifth spot among the studios in box-office receipts this year, has big expectations for its animated “The Secret Life of Pets” as well as video-game adaptation “Warcraft” and the eponymous return of secret agent “Jason Bourne.”
While superheroes battle for box-office supremacy, a single fish could swim in and steal the show.
Fandango, a West L.A. digital movie ticket network, reported that 60 percent of moviegoers plan to see more films this summer than last year based on its latest survey. While “Captain America” was voted the most anticipated title overall by Fandango customers, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s “Ghostbusters” reboot and “Finding Dory,” a sequel to “Finding Nemo” from Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios, were selected as the top choices by fans in the comedy and family genres, respectively.
“We think ‘Captain America: Civil War’ can have a spectacular opening of $200 million based on early critical praise and a relatively clear calendar in the release schedule,” said Daniel Loria, editorial director at Boxofficepro.com. “‘Finding Dory’ should be Disney’s other big earner for the summer, while its other summer titles such as ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass,’ ‘BFG,’ and ‘Pete’s Dragon’ should all be steady earners despite not having that $200 million-plus potential during their respective theatrical runs.”
“Civil War” was released in 15 international markets last week and opened at No. 1 in each one, giving Disney a great start to the summer.
The feud will heat up when Warner releases the much anticipated “Suicide Squad” on Aug. 5, which Loria said would likely be its big hit of the summer as the only title on its summer slate that can top $200 million domestically. Produced by “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” director Zack Snyder, the film features an all-star cast, including Will Smith, Jared Leto, and Margot Robbie.
Fox’s returning superheroes in “X-Men: Apocalypse” are not expected to prove as strong competitors in the crowded space.
So who is Sony gonna call to get back in the box-office game? The “Ghostbusters,” of course.
“It’s expected to be a big domestic hit, with the potential of hitting $200 million,” said Loria of the all-female revival, led by Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, of the 1984 blockbuster hit comedy.
A side show to the box-office earnings battle will be the competition among toy tie-ins.
Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, who reports directly to Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger, would like to sustain the momentum gained by the overwhelming global box-office success of “Jungle Book” with strong earnings from the start of summer for its fiscal third quarter, which began on April 3.
The December release of “Force Awakens” helped Disney deliver earnings of $2.9 billion for the quarter that ended Jan. 2, its highest quarterly earnings ever, according to Iger. ITG is forecasting an estimated $1.39 billion in revenue growth for the studio’s consumer products and interactive media segment in the second quarter ended April 2. Disney will report its earnings for the quarter on May 10.
Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for a reported $4 billion, and the superhero stable has been one of its most lucrative media acquisitions yet, driving sales in comic books, games, and other consumer products. The 2012 acquisition for a similar sum of “Star Wars” production company Lucasfilm has also been paying off big.
Mattel Inc. which licensed the toys for Warner’s “Batman v Superman,” launched a multiverse line in January, as did the Lego Group to support that film’s March release.
Largely out of toy tie-in game this summer, Paramount is looking to future possibilities in that space and recently announced a new partnership with Hasbro to work on upcoming film projects.
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domain: news


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Tech giant Microsoft is reportedly in process of getting a patent for a foldable display device. The company recently filed for patent with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The foldable display device will make use of a free-stop 360-degree hinge mechanism.
Microsoft Foldable Display Device Andromeda
This is what the Microsoft’s patent filing states:
“Dual-display devices are becoming more popular. With a dual-display device, the mobile phone or tablet can include an open, expanded position where both displays are flush so that the user feels like there is a single integrated display. In a closed, condensed position, both displays are face-to-face so as to protect the displays. In a fully-open position, the dual displays can sit back-to-back so the user needs to flip the device to view the opposing display.”
The device by Microsoft will be called ‘Andromeda’ and will come with dual-displays, suggests the filing. To justify its patent, Microsoft stated that consumers are now opting for smartphones with a thin-bezel design and larger screen size. However, as increasing the display size leads to larger phones, Microsoft reiterated the need for a foldable dual-display design is their solution for it.
It’s being said that Microsoft’s foldable display device Andromeda could work in a phone and a tablet mode. The patent further explains how the free-hinge mechanism works. CLICK to view the patent drawings here.


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MapleStory – Developer Team Behind the Scenes
The MapleStory team are proud of their upcoming summer content, and though the Pathfinder class is coming on June 26th, pre-creation does start today. They want their fans to get a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at what went into the Pathfinder class, along with other aspects of this update. That includes events and themed areas. The behind-the-scenes video will also let you get to know the MapleStory development team a bit, and what it takes to make a global hit MMO.
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26 (Xinhua) -- ZeroWaste Store Namibia, in Windhoek, the southwestern African country's capital, is transforming the shopping habits of locals to promote environmentally sustainable practices ... which you cannot do at other shops," Khristian said.
Namibia’s win over Tunisia in the Africa CupNations was the shock of the tournament so far ... There was a shop which sold the food we had in Namibia, though when I ate the school food that was a big change ... Manchester was much busier than Namibia.
Namibia, and NGOs and coffee shops in South Africa... In April 2020, Panama introduced a gender-based lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in which women and men were assigned alternate days to do essential shopping.
Even as oil giants like Shell and TotalEnergies set up shop in Namibia and Angola, a wealth of recent research has demonstrated that Africa also has immense, largely untapped potential for renewable energy.
With online shopping booming in Namibia and the rest of the world, Amunyela established her brand on social media and used her digital marketing skills to market her business which has grown exponentially in just a few years.
The money will be invested in marketing and R&D ... This 20-year-old Odisha boy is changing the game for small-scale shops; Know how. Cheetahs brought from Namibia savour their first meal in India, appear playful ... .
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China's weeks-long mid-year online shopping event got off to a steady start amid business resumption and pro-growth policy incentives, which analysts believe can help boost consumption as COVID-19 impacts wear thin.
Germany, already addicted to Russian gas, has started shopping for green hydrogen far and wide, making arrangements with countries such as Chile, Morocco and Namibia, unconcerned about going to places located even further than Russia to buy energy.


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The rate hike of 0.25 per cent announced on Friday by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — the 12th successive hike since January 2010 — is likely to depress industrial growth, say voices representing industry in Karnataka. “Ironically, the RBI move, ostensibly aimed at taming inflation, is unlikely to result in either lower inflation or promote growth,” said J.R. Bangera, president of the Federation of the Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).
The serial hikes in the base rate — the rate at which the central bank lends money to banks — have resulted in the floor rate of interest increasing by a whopping five percentage points within a span of 18 months. Although the situation is still far from a full-blown recession, a slowdown is already evident, Mr. Bangera told The Hindu.
To make matters worse, the overhang of expectation that further rate hikes are imminent — the next RBI review of rates due in October — has cast a shadow on fresh investments. There are fears that the festive season that commences shortly, which is normally a time when there is a spike in demand for a range of goods, may not be as profitable this year.
Industry sees the rate hike as only one of three blows delivered against it since Thursday evening. The petrol price hike, announced on the eve of the RBI announcement, was the first blow. And, the curtailment of the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme, which was also announced on Friday, is seen as being a deterrent against exports. “This is actually a triple-strike against industry,” a leading city-based industrialist told The Hindu.
S. Chandrasekhar, Chairman, CII Karnataka and Managing Director, Bhoruka Power Corporation Ltd. said: “The cost of doing business has increased considerably in recent months.” The higher costs cannot be entirely passed on to consumers because demand is flagging, he added.
Industry sources identify several sectors that are immediately vulnerable. Demand for automobiles, particularly cars, and to a lesser extent, two-wheelers, is likely to be lower because of the sharp increase in the cost of finance for purchasing them. The fuel price hike is likely to dampen demand further, said Mr. Bangera. Industry sources fear that the demand for consumer durables such as consumer electronics and white goods are likely to be impacted.
Real estate is likely to be affected by the steep increase in the cost of housing finance in the past year. The sharp increase in the cost of raw materials such as cement, steel and bricks are an additional burden.
Mr. Chandrasekhar said calibrated withdrawal of the DEPB scheme, which is to commence from October 1 “could not have been more ill-timed”. It may be recalled that additional incentives were introduced after the onset of the global meltdown as part of the Union Government's “stimulus package” for exports. The withdrawal of the incentives is due to commence even as the main export markets are entering a phase of heightened uncertainty because of the debt crisis in Europe and elsewhere, said Mr. Chandrasekhar. “Sectors such as auto components and textiles are likely to be more severely affected,” he added.
Asked if the festive season may be spoilt by a slowdown, Mr. Chandrasekhar said: “The only silver lining so far has been the good monsoon which may boost rural income.” He said demand for basic consumer articles such as soaps and detergents may not suffer as a result.
“The picture is certainly not gung-ho among the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Most of them have put expansion plans on hold, and conserving cash for the more difficult days that lie ahead,” he said.


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Doosan Bobcat, West Fargo, North Dakota, partnered with two organizations to address critical needs in the communities where its customers, dealers and employees live and work. The global compact equipment leader launched projects with Wounded Warrior Project and Bombas, as well as debuted new products, at the Conexpo-Con/Agg 2020 show in Las Vegas from March 10-14, 2020.
In addition, as an extension of its recognition of U.S. military service members, Doosan Bobcat selected a military veteran to receive a new T76 R-series track loader, valued at $75,000. The veteran will be named later this year.
“Our service men and women put their lives on the line for our country every day, and they deserve support long after they return from active duty,” says Mike Ballweber, North American president of Doosan Bobcat. “Donating one of our machines is just one way we can thank someone who has given so much to our country.”
Doosan Bobcat is honored to partner with WWP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving injured veterans and their families. Conexpo-Con/Agg attendees were able to purchase a limited edition scale model of a T76 camouflage-wrapped loader on display at Doosan Bobcat’s booth. The model was available for $40 and included free shipping and delivery after the show. Gross sales of 2,000 units sold (up to $80,000) were to be donated to WWP on behalf of Doosan Bobcat.
“We are proud to work with Wounded Warrior Project to give a voice to our veterans and raise awareness for this great organization,” says Ballweber.
Attendees were also able to support injured veterans by purchasing WWP-branded apparel and gifts at a pop-up store located in Doosan Bobcat’s booth during the show.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Doosan Bobcat’s passion for serving injured veterans and their families,” says Gary Corless, WWP chief development officer. “Their support will help us honor and empower warriors and provide life-changing programs and services free of charge.”
Doosan Bobcat also partnered with Bombas, an e-commerce sock and apparel company with a mission to help those in need, to raise additional awareness for the homeless needs of veterans. The partnership is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to empower people and support communities. Doosan Bobcat purchased 5,000 pairs of Bombas’ new, high-performance boot socks to give away at its booth throughout the show.
For every item purchased, Bombas donated a specially designed item to someone in need. Through this partnership, Doosan Bobcat donated 5,000 pairs of socks to the shelters and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to benefit at-risk veterans.“We are happy to work with Doosan Bobcat and donate 5,000 pairs of socks to veterans in need,” says Alex Cohen, associate director of corporate sales at Bombas. “Our hope is to create a longer, lasting impact that raises awareness about homelessness and the importance of giving back within our local communities.”


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#1 NYC Mayor: Spent NYPD Range Shell Casings Cannot Be Sold to Ammo Manufacturers
04-24-2014, 06:47 AM
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
As part of his commitment "to public safety," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will no longer allow ammunition manufacturers to enter bids for spent New York City Police Department (NYPD) shell casings.
According to the New York Times, Georgia Arms won the auction for the shell casings in 2012 with a bid of $67,680.
NYT reports that "Georgia Arms routinely buys once-fired shell casings, reloads them with bullets and sells a bag of 50 for $15 to the public." Their winning bid in 2012 netted them "28,000 pounds of shell casings."
New York's Department of Citywide Administrative Services is holding an auction for the first time since Georgia Arms bought the shell casings in 2012. The prize is "67,200 pounds...of spent brass casings," enough to be converted "into millions of bullets." Mayor de Blasio has made it clear that the bidding is open only to "recyclers or their representatives."
In other words, Georgia Arms need not apply.
De Blasio press secretary Phil Walzak explained:
As a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Mayor de Blasio has pledged to protect our people and support the national movement for common sense gun control. Limiting the sell of bullet shell casings and lead to metal recyclers supports our overall commitment to public safety.
04-24-2014, 09:49 AM
There really ought to be a 30% surcharge on all weapon and ammunition sales to NYC and Kalifornistan law enforcement agencies and government bodies. It would never actually happen in a free market, of course, someone would always sell it to them at the market rate.
04-24-2014, 11:43 AM
Wait. 50 for $15? And that's supposed to be a bargain? I can buy a brand new box of 9mm for $17.
Mayor de Blasio has made it clear that the bidding is open only to "recyclers or their representatives."Deplorably Proud To Be An American
04-24-2014, 01:23 PM
During ammunition shortages that is not a bad price. Some places in the United States it's still very difficult to buy ammunition. Not all ammo is created equally either.
|« Previous Thread | Next Thread »|


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The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is set to become available this December. Before its launching, let's check out its amazing specs and features. It is expected to offer better processor and clearer camera. Now, here's the latest round-up of update about Samsung Galaxy A7 2017.
After GFXBench, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) has now been spotted on AnTuTu benchmarking site, hinting that it will be released in the market soon. The phone's AnTuTu listing shows it will be powered by Exynos 7870 chipset clocked at 1.8 GHz, as per report from GSM Arena. Plus, it will be equipped with Mali-T830 GPU and 3GB of RAM.
For comparison, the outgoing Galaxy A7 only offers Exynos 7580 SoC, whereas the new version is fueled by Exynos 7870. According to experts, the new processor will the help the new Galaxy A7 to run memory-heavy applications.
Speaking of upgrades, buyers will definitely love the new cameras of 2017 Galaxy A7. Its front and rear snapper would be upgraded. From 13-MP , it will be equipped with 16-MP rear snapper. In addition, its 5-MP front-facing camera will be upgraded to 16-MP shooter. The upgrade in front camera is certainly good news for gadget lovers who love to take selfies.
Of course, the new model will offer standard camera features like auto-focus, face detection and touch focus.
Software-wise, it will come with pre-installed Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow right out the box. The phone may also be updated to Android 7.0 Nougat next year. For connectivity options, new Galaxy A7 will offer 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.1, USB 2.0 and dual-SIM support.
To keep the lights on, the handset is armed with 3,300mAh battery.
As we mentioned earlier, the appearance of Galaxy A7 2017 at AnTuTu tells a lot about its release date. It means that the device has entered testing stage, and will soon end up at Federal Communications Commission for certification.
It could take two months before the Galaxy A7 becomes available in the market. So expect the December 2016 announcement of the smartphone.
Interestingly, Galaxy A7 is not the only handset from Samsung's A-series that will be released this year. Latest reports claim Galaxy A3 will also have refreshed version on December. In a GFXBench listing, it shows the new Galaxy A3 will have 1.5 GHz octa-core processor, 1.8 of RAM and ARM Mali-T830 GPU.
Stick with is for more info on Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 and Samsung Galaxy A3 2017.


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As a hair stylist, Mareli Santiago noticed a gap in the salon services offered in Ypsilanti.
"There are a lot of Hispanic people in Ypsilanti, but there aren't a lot of hair salon [employees] that speak Spanish," Santiago says. "Some people will go all the way to Detroit to find one."
Soon, they won't have to. Santiago plans to open her own salon in the Ypsilanti Town Center
building now under development on Ecorse Rd. As her parent already owns a small market nearby that is patronized by many Hispanic customers, it seemed like the perfect location for her niche market and beyond.
"We'll probably have more Hispanic people come in, but anyone is welcome," says Santiago.
Though she's currently undecided on a name for the studio, Santiago is leaning toward Studio M as a possibility. Renovations are now underway, and she hopes to open around mid-September. Initially, she plans to offer hair services only, but may expand to nails in the future. She and two other stylists will work at the salon.
Source: Mareli Santiago, Salon Owner
Writer: Natalie Burg


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Swissport International’s cargo volumes increased by five per cent to 2.3 million tonnes in the first half of 2018 while cargo revenue was up 7.3 per cent to €0.26 billion.
The company’s overall revenue climbed 4.1 per cent to €1.43 billion while EBITDA reached €116.3 million up 35.5 per cent compared to the same six months last year and the ground handling business posted revenue of €1.17 billion up 3.4 per cent.
Swissport said in the first half of 2018 it continued its trajectory of profitable growth and the positive development can be attributed to organic growth, with most regions profiting from increased global economic activity while it was boosted by the contribution of Aerocare following the company’s acquisition in March 2018.
Swissport group president and chief executive officer, Eric Born said: “Swissport continues to deliver value by focusing on profitable growth.
“A mix of organic growth, our acquisition of Aerocare, the disciplined restructuring of underperforming operations and the exit from continuously loss-making activities, contributed to the favorable results.”


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Noisy buskers could be told to pipe down, following complaints that they are driving shoppers away.
Council officials in Glasgow have received a string of complains about pan pipers, electric guitar players and banjoists playing on the streets.
And now, politicians and angry retailers are calling for a clamp down on noisy buskers.
“No-go zones” and time curfews could be just a few of the restrictions put in place if retailers have their way.
Glasgow City Council said that they have been so inundated with complaints that a public consultation on street nuisance will be launched this summer.
The complaints from retailers and shoppers state that begging, loud music and fundraising can ruin the shopping experience.
According to the complaints, “shockingly” loud music can distract staff and has forced shoppers to abandon the shops all together.
And it is not Glaswegian buskers who are causing concern for worried retailers.
Shop-owners in Inverness and Edinburgh have also complained about loud musicians.
Busking is not a licensed activity in Scotland, meaning it is unregulated.
Police have powers however to stop buskers and seize equipment if causing “annoyance” but such enforcement rarely happens.
David Meikle, a Tory councillor in Glasgow, said he regularly received complaints about fundraisers and loud music in the city centre.
“I think we need to look at some sort of control over loud music, perhaps limiting it to certain locations and certain days and times.”
Stephen McCranor, director of communications at Greaves Sports, said they have had several complaints in their store due to loud street music.
“As a shopping destination,Glasgow city centre has so much more to offer than the out-of-town malls, but we do need to be wary of nuisance factors potentially putting people off making the trip,” he said.
“We’ve been in regular dialogue with Glasgow city council, they are addressing the issues but there’s still a long way to go.”
David Hass, who managesInvernesscity centre, said retailers and shoppers regularly complain about noise.
“There are occasional complaints when buskers turn up the volume.”
Meanwhile, a ban on bag-pipers was recently lifted in Vancouver, Canada during a visit by the Scottish culture secretary.
Mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson said he would “certainly” not support the restriction through efforts to regulate noise levels.
The ban was overturned during a visit to the city by Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish culture and external affairs secretary.
She said: “I welcome the fact that common sense has prevailed. The mayor has acted decisively and that bagpipes will once again be heard on the streets ofVancouver.
“Mayor Robertson and I both recognise that bagpipes are part of the cultural heritage shared byScotlandandVancouver.”


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Ethiopia's Ambassador to Russia, Cham Ugala Uriat, has made an announcement regarding the country's plans to manufacture Russian Lada cars specifically for the African market.
According to Uriat, Avtovaz, the state-owned Russian automaker, has entered into a partnership with an Ethiopian company to establish Lada car production in Ethiopia.
Lada cars manufactured in Ethiopia have the potential to be exported to other African countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. Although the exact commencement date for production remains uncertain, it is speculated to be in the near future. Additionally, there are reports indicating the interest of other Russian car manufacturers in investing in Ethiopia's car assembly sector. Two Russian automakers are engaged in discussions with the Ethiopian government to explore this possibility.
Source: TASS – Russian News Agency


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2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 power leaked -- and it's huge!
Things may get awkward at Chevrolet HQ.
When the 2017 Camaro ZL1 was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in April, the folks at Chevy said its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 would have at least 640 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque when it went on sale late this year.
Well, it looks like they were right about the “at least” part.
A leaked order guide for the 2017 Camaro lineup -- acquired and posted by fan forum Camaro6.com -- lists the ZL1 engine’s output at 650 hp and 650 lb-ft, which Chevrolet has not yet officially confirmed.
The problem -- if you can call it that -- is that those are the same specs as the similar engine used in the Corvette Z06, which is currently Chevy’s top performance model and the most powerful car in the company’s history. The latter a title it will now have to share.
The ZL1 does have the Z06 beat outright on at least one count, however: Along with its standard 6-speed manual transmission, it’ll be able to put all that power down through Chevy’s first 10-speed automatic. The Z06 has to make do with just eight.
Don’t feel bad for the Corvette, though. It’s still lighter than the new trimmed-down ZL1, and there have been several recent sightings of what are likely more powerful, and possibly mid-engine versions under development.
So don’t expect this sibling rivalry to end in a tie.
Test Drive: Chevrolet Corvette Z06:


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Fast-growing San Francisco cleaning service startup Homejoy is the latest Bay Area company to be hit with a labor lawsuit about its business practice using independent contractors.
Both Uber and Lyft are battling similar lawsuits in California courtrooms. The issue was a Business Times subject of a cover story which explored why such litigation could be a game changer for sharing economy businesses.
There are two Homejoy lawsuits, according to the Recorder legal newspaper. One is a lawsuit that aims to become a employee class action. The second alleges Homejoy fails to pay its workers minimum wage, overtime and requires house cleaners to pay their own business-related expenses, among other things.
Homejoy officials couldn't be reached for comment, the Recorder said.
The lawsuits argues "cleaners are an integral part of Homejoy's business of providing cleaning services, among other services, to its customers."
However, Homejoy's terms of service say it "is not a cleaning service provider," but merely a "venue" or a "platform" that connects consumers to cleaners in their area, the Recorder says.


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Taxi hailing firm Uber in Kenya has partnered with 10 organisations to launch Uber Rewards, a platform that provides drivers with exclusive perks for vital services.
Uber said its Rewards initiative brings together all companies partnering with Uber to help driver-partners reduce costs and reward them for the time they dedicate to driving using the app.
It is housed at Uber’s Greenlight Hub – the office space that serves Uber’s driver-partners as a resource centre as well as providing technical support to drivers using the app.
Uber Kenya’s Greenlight hub manager, Emmah Mutunga said the technology firm is committed to supporting women and men who drive on the Uber app to achieve their investment and business goals.
“We listened closely to thousands of driver-partners and from their feedback we were able to identify the benefits they mostly want access to, giving birth to Uber Rewards,” Ms Mutunga.
Uber in Kenya has struck partnerships with various companies to provide tools and offers for driver-partners.
The taxi hailing firm said it uses the partnerships to offer a dynamic rewards programme that is ultimately designed to help driver-partners stay healthy, grow their businesses and reduce overall operating costs.
The list of partner organisations with a booth at Uber’s GLH includes the National Transport and Safety Authority, MP Shah, Flare, Toyotsu, Huawei, Essilor, Kingsway, and Telkom Kenya.
About 350 driver-partners and their families attended the Uber Rewards launch and got free medical checkups for diabetes, blood pressure and vision as well as BMI screenings. Driver-partners also benefited from mobile phone and telco discounts and giveaways.
Uber Rewards programme aims to provide driver-partners access to a variety of partner discounts and deals.


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Naples Tops Luxury Market Growth
Luxury home prices are on the rise across much of the nation, with the Naples area topping much of that growth. According to industry reports, US luxury home prices surged sharply during the first few months of the year, spurred in part by a shortage of available luxury housing in places such as Naples.
That’s only helped to push prices up even more, and even faster than the rest of the housing market. Considered the top five-percent of all home sales, the luxury home market is growing the fastest in areas such as Collier County, and inventory is moving just as fast.
Demand is especially strong in Southwest Florida, home to two of the fastest growing luxury communities in the nation: Sarasota and Naples. While luxury home prices are up nearly 16-percent in Naples year-over-year, the change tops 19-percent in Sarasota. As luxury prices recently crossed $1 million in Sarasota, they already top $1.6 million in Naples.
Luxury homes in the two cities are also sitting on the market for fewer days. Some point to buyers from Northern states helping to push the market. While the luxury market is up in Southwest Florida, luxury home prices in some northern cities have actually declined. Even so, when looking nationwide, the average luxury home price is up nearly eight-percent.
As for Naples, the luxury market typically suggests properties listed upwards of $2 million, many of which offer up incredible water views. From championship golf courses to private beach clubs, the luxury homes of Naples have it all.
You’ll also find luxury communities with tennis and sports clubs, plus some new construction communities with an array of added desirable features and finishes. When it comes to luxury homes in an impressive setting, you cannot go wrong with the upscale homes of Naples, Florida.


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Ken Segall: Apple advertising was always creative and fun, but it was also intelligent and accurate. That’s what made it the industry’s “gold standard” for marketing. That’s why it makes me nervous when I see today’s Apple playing loose...Show More Summary
The iMac is an iconic name for Apple, but before it was finally agreed-upon, Steve Jobs was fixed on a name that was so horrible it would “curdle your blood,” in the words of Ken Segall, the Apple exec who eventually came up with the name iMac. That working name was “MacMan,” and nearly 20 […] (via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)
Ken Segall tells CNET how Steve Jobs wanted to call the iconic computer the "Mac Man".
Ken Segall, in a preface to post headlined “Has Apple Lost Its Simplicity?”: Last week, I wrote an article for The Guardian with the above itle. It was a question, not a conclusion, and I tried to offer a houghtful opinion. Sadly, The Guardian chose to give it a bait-click headline that contradicted my point of view. Show More Summary
Ken Segall is a creative director who has a long history with Apple and NeXT. This is an excerpt from his book "Think Simple," which is out June 7. Leading Apple’s retail group from its inception through more than three hundred Apple...Show More Summary
Writing for The Guardian, longtime Apple marketing guru Ken Segall argues that Apple, in the absence of Steve Jobs, has lost its way. Whereas the company previously harnessed the "power of simplicity" to deliver products and services...Show More Summary
Ken Segall, the former Apple ad consultant who coined the iMac name, wrote the copy for the famous ‘Think different’ campaign and authored the book Insanely Simple, says that Apple is beginning to lose touch with its heritage of simplicity. Show More Summary
Ken Segall is a veteran advertising executive who worked closely with Steve Jobs at Apple for years. But he has written in The Guardian that the modern Apple under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook has created "confusing" products that he finds "bewildering." Segall worked on campaigns such as "Think Different," and also created the name iMac. Show More Summary
Ken Segall, on a stupid new ad campaign: Even more amazing, four companies happily signed up for the effort: Dell, HP, Intel and Lenovo. (Hereafter referred to as “co-conspirators.”) It boggles the mind that at least one person in each of these four PC companies (and likely far more) thought his was a good strategy. Show More Summary
Ken Segall: The truth is, being wrong about Apple’s future often stems from being wrong about Apple’s past. If you can’t appreciate what led o past successes, it’s tough to see the future ones. Evergreen material. ?
Former Apple ad man Ken Segall is always worth reading because he often offers smart criticisms of Apple’s ad campaigns in addition to gleefully slamming some of Microsoft’s most utterly wretched spots. Because of this, it’s notableShow More Summary
Ken Segall says Apple's advertising has become "soft" and "ordinary." Those are harsh words — Segall worked alongside Steve Jobs at Apple in the 1990s in his role as creative director at advertising agency TBWA/Chiat/Day. He put together...Show More Summary
From books to phones, Apple’s named everything with the same “i” moniker since 1998. With the Apple Watch and Apple Pay, however, it looks like that convention is set to change. Cult of Mac reached out to Ken Segall – the former … Read more ›
If you watched the movie Jobs, you may recall Steve recording the words to the “Here’s to the crazy ones” ad, looking at the camera and asking “Is that ok?”. The reality, says Ken Segall, the creative director behind Apple’s famous Think Different campaign, was rather different. Speaking in an interview with MacWorld, he said: Imagine you’re in this […]
Apple won’t come right out and say so, but the iPhone 5c is a (comparative) dud. But why? Legendarly Apple ad man Ken Segall has his theories, and it all comes down to the fact that with the iPhone 5c, … Read more ›
Consumer reception to the iPhone 5c has been on the whole underwhelming to say the least. Now former Apple advertising executive Ken Segall has penned a short autopsy of the iPhone 5c on his blog and comes to the conclusion that Apple’s user base just has no use for cheap-looking plastic phones. Show More Summary
Ken Segall: Of course, we’re talking about Apple here — so there’s no shortage of critics eager to tell us why the commercial fails. Take your pick: it says little about the product, any smartphone can make a movie, or the spot is aShow More Summary
Ken Segall, the ad exec behind Apple’s Think Different campaign, and the man who put the i into iMac, has praised Apple’s new holiday ad, saying that it shows Apple is still thinking differently. This ad is a holiday card from Cupertino. It lines up perfectly with the values Apple has communicated for years. It’s not […]
In a blog post on Friday, former Apple ad consultant Ken Segall reveals Steve Jobs once considered killing off the company's professional product offerings, including the Mac Pro and software like Final Cut Pro.
Ken Segall, the creative director behind the Think Different campaign and author of Insanely Simple, a book about his experiences creating advertising for Apple, writes in a blog post about Apple's "evolving view of 'Pro'" that Steve...Show More Summary


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5 months ago
The Salary Squeeze
How are you coping with “The Salary Squeeze” ???With inflation reaching a 30 year high it estimates that the average UK worker will be around £13,000 pa worse off.We hear from Jon Wilson, the CEO of Total Jobs who confirms that “everyone is feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living”, resulting in more people considering a change of career, just to give themselves more financial security.O...


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...Toyota has brought a fresh look and the latest technology into the mix, making the 2014 Tundra the most appealing full-size pickup on the market today.
Ramsey, N.J. (PRWEB) October 15, 2013
The much-anticipated arrival of the 2014 Toyota Tundra has provided a lot of excitement and energy amongst the staff at Prestige Toyota. The stunning new exterior, refined interior, and reinvigorated power and reliability make the latest full-size pickup a highlight of the 2014 Toyota model lineup.
When the redesigned Tundra first debuted at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, the most noticeable feature was its distinctive, enlarged grille. The rest of the exterior provides chiseled, aggressive lines that exude the toughness and capability that is traditionally associated with the pickup. The largest changes for the truck were inside, with the additions of a 6.1-in. touch-screen and upgraded interior materials.
Versatility and variety are a large part of the Tundra family of trucks. With three available engine choices, five distinct models, and either 4x4 or 4x2 capability, the many combinations of the latest pickup assure that customers can find the right fit for their needs. The 2014 Tundra lineup includes two new grades: the all-new 1794 Edition, a western-themed version with a luxury feel, and Platinum, the pinnacle of the Tundra lineup with a power title/slide moonroof and an urban-themed interior.
“Most people know about the incredible power and durability that come standard when driving a Tundra,” said Steve Reedy, general sales manager at Prestige Toyota. “It towed the Space Shuttle Endeavour. That’s just an incredible feat. Now, Toyota has brought a fresh look and the latest technology into the mix, making the 2014 Tundra the most appealing full-size pickup on the market today.”
Customers can find Tundra lease specials on remaining 2013 models for as low as $299/month for 36 months. Financing is available for the new 2014 Tundra at 1.9% APR for 48 months. Those interested in a new 2013 or 2014 Tundra can contact Prestige by calling (888) 356-2136 or visiting http://prestigetoyota.com.
About Prestige Toyota
Prestige Toyota of Ramsey, New Jersey, is an authorized Toyota dealer that provides the surrounding area with quality Toyota vehicles, service, and parts. Thanks to Prestige Toyota’s friendly and knowledgeable staff, exactly 4,986 shoppers found their best deal at Prestige Toyota in 2012. Prestige Toyota is owned by Prestige, one of the largest automotive dealership entities in the United States.


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ASUS has officially confirmed August 19th to be the day that it will announce the ZenFone 4, its next device in the long-standing ZenFone lineup. In addition to confirming the announcement date, though, it has also posted a number of images relating to the event (which it initially started teasing on July 21st), one of which looks like an official press invite telling attendees to save the date for the time mentioned above. The remaining images are all teasers pointing to the event, listing the ZenFone 4 at the bottom of each image while showcasing two ring-shaped objects layered over the image of some colorful and beautiful landscapes.
While this isn’t a direct confirmation on the feature, it would seem to suggest that the ZenFone 4 will come with a dual rear camera module like some of the rumors leading up to this confirmation have been suggesting for weeks on end. Each image showing the rings is accompanied by its own message that pertains to the camera. In one image ASUS’ messages says it’s “time to be more than one,” which is again seemingly another tease at the dual rear camera module. Another image says it’s time to see more than one, while the last two talk about clarity and seeing more, and appear to be referencing that the ZenFone 4 will have a camera that’s capable of allowing the user to capture photographs which are more clear than other smartphones.
The one image which states it’s time to see more could be signifying that the device will come with some sort of wide-angle camera lens that will be able to grab images that will fit more stuff into one shot. It’s expected that in addition to the ZenFone 4 ASUS will announce two other variants of the phone series, which include the ZenFone 4 Selfie and the ZenFone 4 Pro. None of the images relating to the event hint at different variants, but there have been enough rumors and leaks pointing to these other versions of the ZenFone 4 in the recent past, and it probably wouldn’t make sense for ASUS to hold an event for announcing each one separately. It’s still not clear if more than ZenFone 4 will make an appearance on the 19th of August, but what does seem clear is that ASUS is has focused a lot more on the camera with the new device lineup.


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The trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan therefore marks an important moment. It provides access to an important global market for small business exporters in the UK, one in ten of whom see Japan as a crucial market to be exploited. With more than 130,000 small businesses already exporting to Japan, this should give small businesses that want to grow, stay or start exporting to Japan the security they need for the future. Japan`s initial refusal to „shake up“ the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was encouraged in part by Japan`s desire to further clarify the future trade relationship between the UK and the EU and, on the other hand, by the desire to negotiate something more ambitious by validating the UK`s market access commitments and re-examining certain regulatory issues, which were rejected by the EU during the EPA negotiations between the EU and Japan.  However, over time, Japan has repositioned itself to prioritize „continuity.“ The Japanese economy has come under strong pressure to ensure a smooth transition from the EU-Japan EPA framework to the EU-UK Free Trade Agreement from 1 January 2021. The duty-free for more British products – new, more liberal rules of origin will allow manufacturers of coats, knitwear and biscuits to buy inputs from around the world for their exports to Japan – making it easier and cheaper for them to sell in the Japanese market. Japan also signed on November 15 the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership`s (RECP) massive trade agreement with China and the 10-member ASEAN, which covers nearly a third of the global economy, closing eight years of tough negotiations. The UK is committed in trade negotiations to ensure that all future trade agreements protect our NHS and maintain all existing safeguards for our high standards of food safety and animal welfare. The most modern digital and data rules, which go far beyond the EU-Japan agreement, including the free flow of data, the obligation to respect the principles of net neutrality and the ban on unjustified data location that prevent UK companies from having the additional costs of setting up servers in Japan. Ultimately, trade is a powerful lever for economic growth. The IWC and its members will now work with the government to take full advantage of the opportunities and ensure that the benefits are felt in all regions of the UK.
The UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement is an asset to the UK government in domestic policy. The UK is still on the edge of the cliff when it comes to the future relationship between the EU and the UK and the possibility of a no-deal has increased in recent days. The free trade agreement with the United States, initially presented as a key part of the post-Brexit agenda, seems distant. This is partly due to the uncertainty of the US presidential election, but also to differences of opinion on key areas such as food safety standards for US agricultural products.  Under these conditions, the UK was subjected to political pressure to demonstrate its ability to conclude its first free trade agreement as an „independent“ nation. Therefore, the trade agreement with Japan, the world`s third largest economy and the UK`s 4th largest non-EU export market, as a „historic free trade agreement“ for the UK.   Department of International Trade (2020). United Kingdom-Japan Free Trade Agreement: The UK`s Strategic Approach, May 2020, pp. 28-29.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-approach-to-negotiating-a-free-trade-agreement-with-japan/uk-japan-free-trade-agreement-the-uks-strategic-approach  Morita-Jaeger, M. . . .


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Economists break down why consumer prices are so high right now.
Americans across the country are seeing higher prices at malls, grocery stores and gas pumps, adding new pain to their pocketbooks, just as the holiday shopping season is about to begin.
Inflation has risen at the highest rate in three decades, with data released by the Labor Department earlier this week indicating consumer prices rose 6.2% compared to the same period last year. This is the biggest one-year jump the government’s consumer price index has seen since 1990.
As inflation tightens its grip on the economy, the Federal Reserve has begun to withdraw past assurances that it will be a temporary, post-pandemic blow. Economists at Goldman Sachs warned in a research note last week that inflation is “likely to get worse before it gets better” and could continue well into the next year.
Many Americans are now young enough to remember inflation of the pain and uncertainty that swept the country in the 1970s, a period What economists dub as the “Great Inflation” When wages and prices snowballed and the purchasing power of savings dwindled before a painful recovery that led to the recession and double-digit unemployment rate of the early 1980s.
A generation later and under very different circumstances, prices are again rising rapidly. While economists say policymakers are now better equipped to respond to inflation in the U.S. than last time, consumers are already feeling the pressure – especially with limited means to higher prices for essentials. to absorb.
Here’s what Americans should know about inflation, why it’s so high right now, and when they can expect relief.
What is inflation?
“Basically, inflation measures the rate of increase in consumer prices,” Itte Goldstein, a professor of finance and economics at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, told ABC News. “At the end of the day, it measures the extent to which the cost of living is high.”
Federal Reserve, America’s central banking system, defines Inflation as “the increase in the prices of goods and services over time”.
“Inflation cannot be measured by the increase in the cost of one product or service, or even multiple products or services,” the Fed said. “Rather, inflation is a general increase in the overall price level of goods and services in the economy.”
Policy makers evaluate changes in inflation by monitoring several different price indices. One of the most commonly used barometers of inflation is the Consumer Price Index, which is released each month by the Department of Labor and measures the average change over time in prices paid by consumers for a market basket of goods and services. Is.
According to DoL data, the CPI has increased by 6.2% since last October. Data from the DOL indicated that the so-called “core index”, or measure, for all commodities except the more volatile food and energy indices, rose 4.6% over the past 12 months. This is the biggest one-year increase since August 1991.
“Inflation means your dollar won’t go as far,” Laura Veldkamp, a professor of finance at Columbia Business School, told ABC News. She used Christmas gifts as an example, saying that if you were to buy a sweater as a gift for $100 last year, that price might be closer to $105.
If the prices of some goods and services rise and the prices of others fall, but the aggregate prices paid by consumers for a bundle of goods and services do not increase, it is not referred to as inflation. Is.
What causes inflation, and why is it so high right now?
Inflation is determined by the interaction of aggregate demand (aggregate demand) and aggregate supply (aggregate supply) in the economy. If the total expenditure in the economy exceeds the total amount that the economy can produce, then output cannot increase but prices will rise.
“When your demand is high, the price goes up. When you have less supply, the price goes up too,” Goldstein told ABC News. “At the end of the day, price is a combination of these forces.”
But monetary policies also affect inflation, he said. According to Goldstein, keeping interest rates low and pouring a lot of money into financial markets — the actions the Fed took during the health crisis to help bounce the economy — can also be linked to higher inflation.
Stimulus checks boost aggregate demand, as well as the ability to supply goods and services that have been restricted by the pandemic. Goldstein said the impact of stimulus money on inflation is now waning, but there remain many other factors that create an imbalance between supply and demand.
“People think they have money to spend, they want to spend it on things they haven’t done in the last year,” Goldstein said. “You basically have a limit on supply at the same time you have an increase in demand, and that certainly drives up prices.”
Weldkamp also emphasized the impact of supply chain issues on pushing up prices. Using the Christmas sweater metaphor again, Veldkamp said, “Suppose Christmas sweaters are stuck on a boat somewhere, then some sweaters that are here, many people want them.”
“So, stores may charge more for them, because they are rare,” she explained.
The cost of doing business has also gone up during the pandemic, Veldkamp said, as companies have had to spend more to make it safe to do business while COVID-19 spread.
“Finally, workers are asking for higher wages,” Veldkamp said. “Which may be perfectly reasonable, but it makes the cost of doing business higher. Let’s say if a restaurant waitstaff wants a 5%, 10% increase, those restaurants will pass some of that extra cost to their customers.” have to pay, otherwise they will not make profit.”
An economic phenomenon known as a “wage-price spiral” can develop when prices rise and then workers demand higher wages – which can lead to further increases in the prices of goods and services. wages and so on. In this way, inflation can become a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. This ever-increasing wage-price spiral characterized the US economy in the ’70s, eventually resulting in double-digit inflation.
How does an increase in inflation affect consumers?
If consumers’ wages increase with the rise in prices, they should be able to continue buying the same amount of goods and services as usual. However, this won’t be true for all consumers, which means some people may have difficulty buying what they used to.
“Your dollar doesn’t go that far, so it’s going to be a little harder to buy everything on your list with the same amount,” Veldkamp said. “And that sounds bad, but at the same time, wages are rising, and with inflation comes returns.”
Goldstein reiterated that the effect of inflation on consumers is that “when prices rise, people will have to pay more for whatever they want, and as a result, they can spend less.”
He also cited the wage-price spiral to show how inflation “can get out of control.”
“What can happen is that everyone has to pay more, so they go back and start demanding an increase in wages,” he said. “And if wages start to rise, the whole process can get additional amplification and like a snowball eventually becomes very hard to control – and then it becomes very difficult to bring things back.”
What is the effect of inflation on the stock market?
Stocks are a claim on firms’ future earnings, so in theory, firms should be able to raise their prices in line with inflation so as not to reduce their earnings.
Historically, however, inflation has been linked to negative effects on the stock market. One reason for this is that inflation restricts the ability of the Federal Reserve to act. After harsh policies defeated rising inflation in the US in the early 1980s, the Fed has been able to ease monetary policy following adverse events such as the stock market crash and the global financial crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when inflation is rising, the Fed does not have as much freedom to implement expansionary monetary policy, and when the Fed contracts its expansionary policies, it can reduce stock prices.
Inflation is also often accompanied by uncertainty, which can be bad for the stock market. Investors do not know how long this will last and do not know what to expect from monetary policy, which means they may be less likely to invest in it.
Driven by the price hike, Weldkamp said that in the near term, investors will see higher returns on stocks in times of inflation.
Goldstein warns, however, that once inflation begins to rise, the Fed will have “no choice but to raise rates abruptly.”
“And when that happens, it will have a negative impact on the stock market,” he said.
What can the government do to reduce inflation?
According to Goldstein, the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates and ease pandemic-era expansionary monetary policies, which injected liquidity into financial markets, although he said it is a “tough balance” as the economy is still on a recovery. moving towards.
“On the one hand, you want to provide stimulus to the economy and the markets to recover from the crisis,” he said of the Fed. “But on the other hand, you don’t want to overdo it, so that things don’t overheat and cause inflation.”
Echoing Goldstein’s sentiments, Veldkamp told ABC News, “We’re probably going to see some interest rate hikes.”
“So, if someone hasn’t already refinanced their mortgage, now would be the time to do so,” she said. “We’ll probably see the Federal Reserve raising interest rates, because that’s their primary tool for reducing inflation, and what it does is encourage people to save their money.”
But Goldstein warns that “there isn’t much the government can do” when it comes to inflation.
Policies tried in the past…


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The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the discussions, reported that Bird plans to take on more investors at a $2 billion valuation. In the past, the startup has told potential investors it wanted to raise hundreds of millions of dollars at a much higher valuation. Those plans were altered due to a lack of interest on the part of investors. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported Lime has been telling investors that it is aiming to raise money at a valuation of $2 billion to $3 billion, which is lower than the $4 billion it had been seeking. The paper noted the valuations are still high, given both companies aren’t even two years old as of yet. What’s more, the Wall Street Journal reported the industry still has a lot of investors who are interested.
The paper noted that there are expectations that consolidation could take place in the marketplace, with Uber reportedly mulling a buy and holding talks with Bird and Lime in recent weeks. Bird has said it’s not for sale and isn’t in discussions with Uber, while Lime didn't respond to the WSJs request for comment.
While the market has been booming for the two companies, it has been tougher to operate in than previously thought, noted the WSJ. One problem is that the scooters break down easily because they aren’t made for heavy use. In some cities the scooters have a two-month life cycle, which is often less than it takes to recoup the cost of the scooter. Vandalism is another big problem. The report pointed to Scoot Networks, a small San Francisco operator of electric Vespa-like scooters, which was granted the right in the summer to roll out a fleet of as many as 650 scooters. Within two weeks of its launch in October, more than 200 of its scooters had been stolen or destroyed via vandalism, chief executive Michael Keating told the paper, noting it was much higher than he estimated when starting the business. “Part of our assumption was that if the theft rate is really, really high and the vandalism rate is really, really high, there is no way these other companies would be in the business,” he said. “That ended up being an underestimate.” Scoot Network plans on rolling out a lock that riders will be required to use when placing the bike back on the bike rack. For Bird and Lime’s part, the paper noted they have told investors that the problems are temporary. Both have launched scooters that are much more durable.


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New HP Envy x2 models pack a kickstand and a keyboard that falls off at the drop of a hat.
Juniper Research says tablet gaming should expand quickly in the next few years as the devices' graphics get sharper and as storage and broadband penetration grow.
Some first impressions of the company's new compact, least expensive interchangeable-lens camera.
The Xbox One exclusive receives a massive update that seems to include some future DLC content, whether you want it or not.
The device will likely use a traditional LCD screen but sport a resolution of 2,560x1,600 pixels, according to GSMArena.
The Israel-based company -- which has also partnered with Google on its Project Tango devices -- announces another tablet, with the goal of advancing 3D technology.
Rolled out to fix a critical security issue, the latest update to iOS surges on Chitika's ad network just two days after its debut.
Presenting author information in search results wasn't as useful as Google had expected.
A new ad for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese shows a man and his pregnant wife communicating via their Nokia Lumia phones. What ensues is treachery.
On 3 December, Sony Japan will be launching the DPT-S1: a 13.3-inch E Ink reader for PDFs, aimed at the student market.


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Media and advertising foundation UnLtd has appointed former IAB chief Paul Fisher as its CEO, to lead its continued efforts in undoing youth disadvantage on behalf of the industry.
Fisher was CEO of the IAB for five years from 2008, leaving the industry body in 2012 for an APAC regional role leading Nielsen’s Media business. He is currently consulting to the IAB and serves as a non-executive director with UNICEF Australia.
UnLtd Chair Kerry McCabe said, “UnLtd’s vision is that everybody in our industry – from our most influential leaders to those starting their careers – has a reason and an opportunity to impact this huge social issue using the platform UnLtd has created.
“Paul’s passion for what we stand for, coupled with his commercial nous and network will be invaluable. It takes a rare mix of skills and experience to successfully lead an entity like UnLtd. Our board and staff are ecstatic to have secured a leader as capable, respected and culturally suited,” said Kerry.
“We have a big second half planned for ‘16 with the goal of increasing industry engagement, launching new revenue initiatives and piloting UnLtd One, our technology-enabled social impact platform that leverages the best of crowd sourcing, crowd funding and social media to match industry talent and resources with very specific charity partner needs,” he added.
Speaking on his new role Fisher said, “UnLtd already reaches and supports thousands of young people in need, thanks to its partnership with organisations and individuals in our industry who are driven to make a difference. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead the UnLtd team in unlocking the full potential of our industry to impact valuable young lives.”
Steve Taitoko, contracted in 2015 to lead the organization will move into a pro-bono strategy role with UnLtd at the end of the financial year whilst focusing on his commercial ventures.
“I believe in the unlimited potential of this industry to own this cause and change young lives every day. I will remain closely connected to this incredible organisation, its remarkable charity partners, and the game-changing strategy we have developed over the past six months,” said Taitoko.
Kerry McCabe said, “Steve’s fresh perspective on the industry and UnLtd’s opportunity has allowed us to refocus our efforts on improving contribution-to-impact while embracing the role technology will play in building scale and sustainability.”
Fisher will commence with UnLtd on 4 July.
The Avid Collective MD reveals his life pre-adland. As exciting as it is, it's not international playboy spy & Lothario.
SenateSHJ has launched a new digital, data and insights capability designed to help clients tackle the growing complexity of communication challenges. SenateSHJ Digital, Data and Insights (DDI) will combine the firm’s existing Digital and Insights functions to create a Trans-Tasman capability focused on digital communication, and the generation and use of data to improve communication. […]
Creative technology platform Bonzai has announced the launch of BrandStory – a new premium mobile ad format. BrandStory offers triple the ad space and 2.8 times greater time in view than single scroll ad formats, addressing the surging demand from brands worldwide for more real estate to drive real results by seamlessly intertwining awareness, exploration […]
B&T went through the looking glass this morning, with editor-in-chief David Hovenden (above) appearing on Channel 7’s The Morning Show to get the general public involved in our search for Australia’s Greatest Ad. Hovenden chatted with Kylie Gillies and stand-in host Matt Doran about what makes a great ad and showcasing some of our favourites […]
Two Australian-born technology providers have joined forces to bring more power and choice to marketers in Australia and New Zealand with mobile messaging that is more local, cost-effective, and integrated. It’s a partnership that sees two Australian software companies come together to deliver a world-class mobile-first solution for marketers building data-driven, personalised, omnichannel campaigns. While […]
Zitcha and Broadsign have teamed up to integrate the Broadsign out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform with Zitcha’s retail media platform. The collaboration empowers retailers to maximise and monetise in-store digital display networks and enables advertising partners to easily view and book available in-store inventory and review campaign performance alongside the retailer’s other media channels. With the […]
Today, 7-Eleven has announced a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the popular Sydney-based anti-resort wear label Double Rainbouu. Dropping tomorrow, December 1, just in time for summer, this limited-edition capsule will infuse the fashion brand’s rebellious spirit with a distinctly iconic 7-Eleven flavour. The unisex collection features five must-have styles comprising two signature Hawaiian shirts, a peaked cap, a bucket hat […]


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FSS has established a powerful presence in the payment technologies supplier market place in the GCC, and its options are utilized by more than 40 banks in the area. Representative image
Financial Software and Systems (FSS), a Chennai-primarily based payments technologies business, has announced that it is expanding its footprint to strengthen digital payment capabilities in Saudi Arabia. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is amongst the sophisticated digital payment economies in the GCC, with development fuelled by a mixture of strategic investments in developing digital infrastructure and enabling regulatory policy framework.
KSA has set an ambitious target to obtain 70% non-money transactions by 2030, opening promising income possibilities for established banks as properly as FinTech players. FSS, with its digital assets on the issuance and the acquiring side, plans to enable tier a single banks and processors in Saudi Arabia to accelerate digital transformation initiatives —aligned about Vision 2030, mentioned a release by the business.
Krishnan Srinivasan, worldwide chief income officer, FSS, mentioned: “To deepen digital payments in KSA, it is important for each payment ecosystem player to understand the potential and determine its unique winning approach. That is where FSS as a processor as well as an enterprise-grade payments technology company can make a monumental difference to KSA’s payment vision. We are making significant investments to bring innovative digital payment solutions tailored to the needs of the KSA market as well as building a strong network of local partners to strengthen our delivery and support capabilities in the country.”
FSS has established a powerful presence in the payment technologies supplier market place in the GCC, and its options are utilized by more than 40 banks in the area. In KSA, the business presently performs with major acquirers and has signed bargains with in-nation channel partners to strengthen its go-to- market place tactic.


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Phoenix Point, the upcoming title from the creator of the original X-COM series, has a new teaser video available.
When we say teaser, we're not exaggerating: it's only 41 seconds long.
In development since March 2016, information on the game is still rather scarce, but we do know factions will choose sides in battle; there's a horror element present; and it features procedural enemies.
Fans of the original X-COM game might be pleased to know its composer, John Broomhall, is creating the score and Jonas Kyratzes, who has numerous writing gigs on his resume including The Talos Principle, is penning the script.
A release date for the game is currently unknown.


text:
Amazon is going to start paying sales tax in Mass. Congratulations are in order, I guess.
Online retailer Amazon.com has agreed to begin collecting sales tax in Massachusetts starting next fall, Governor Patrick’s office announced on Tuesday.
The money has to go a little further this year. Here are some of our favorite sites to visit for deals on Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season.
Father’s Day is fast approaching. But don’t fret; CBS Local did the browsing for you. Find dad-friendly gifts for any budget.
A Massachusetts coalition of small businesses, elected officials and labor unions has called on the state to force online giant Amazon.com Inc. to collect sales tax on purchases. The Massachusetts Main Street Fairness Coalition penned a letter to Amy Pitter, the state’s Department of Revenue Commissioner, demanding action in correcting what they say is a “disparity in state sales tax collection.”
Spend Mother’s Day appreciating mom, but don’t forget the gift! Check out this online gift guide for options to make her holiday unforgettable.
The head of the Massachusetts Retailers Association, Jon Hurst, says it’s time for online companies to compete fairly.
With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to think about that shopping list. Here are a few gift ideas for those creative types.
Uncovering worthy gifts for the adventurous world traveler can be difficult. From a travel diary to a language course to a tricked-out Nikon camera, presents that are both fun and useful are the way to go.
Major websites including Foursquare and Reddit crashed or suffered slowdowns Thursday after technical problems rattled Amazon.com’s widely used Web servers, frustrating millions of people who couldn’t access their favorite sites.


text:
After a decade of working 10-hour days as a manicurist, Patty Paredes decided to take a risk and pursue her dream: to become her own boss.
She wiped out her savings, and with the financial help of her mother, Paredes collected $95,000 to open her own nail salon, Nails & Spa 4U, which she inaugurated in March.
Today Paredes works more days and more hours per week than she did at her previous job—and has other things to worry about as a business owner, such as paying rent for her 900-square-foot nail salon. But for the 30-year-old, the extra work and sacrifice pays off, because for her, entrepreneurship is the only viable path for prosperity.
"I know this is a big risk, but it's an investment," said Paredes, who employs three manicurists at her salon in Brooklyn, NY. "All the work I put in is for myself."
Like Paredes, millions of minorities take on entrepreneurship in search of financial independence and success. Minority businesses make up almost 15 percent of the 28 million small businesses and employ 5.9 million workers in the United States.
Minorities include people in any category other than non-Hispanic white, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Business ownership among minorities has been on the rise in recent years. Between 2002 and 2007, minority-owned businesses increased 46 percent, while nonminority-owned businesses grew 10 percent during that same period, according to Minority Business Development Agency.
Read More Facebook wants to 'friend' small business
In 2007, Asians owned 1.6 million businesses, African-Americans owned 1.9 million, Hispanics owned 2.3 million, and Native American/Pacific Islander owned 0.3 million, according to the most recent data from the Small Business Administration.
And the growth trend is expected to grow.
"Minorities are going to become the majority in the next 5 to 10 years in terms of small businesses," Rohit Arora, CEO of Biz2Credit, an online site that connects small-business owners with financing. "They will keep contributing in starting, buying and growing businesses."
What's driving the growth?
There are several factors contributing to the increase in minority entrepreneurship, including minorities buying businesses from baby boomers seeking to retire as the economy improves—a trend Arora has noticed in the past year.
Other factors include growth of the minority labor force, overall population growth and increased immigration.
According to a study by Kauffman in 2013, immigrants were nearly twice as likely as native-born to start businesses each month.
"In a lot of cases, especially low-skilled, low-educated immigrants, entrepreneurship often provides a more economically viable path," explained Dane Stangler, vice president of Research & Policy at Kauffman.
Hispanics, the largest minority group in the nation, is also the fastest-growing group of business owners in the U.S. From 2002 to 2007, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew from 1.5 million to more than 2.2 million, according to a joint report by The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the country's largest Hispanic business organization; and Geoscape, an analytics and market intelligence company.
"Many times Hispanics find the need to create their own businesses because they might not have access to corporate network jobs that are out there," said César Melgoza, founder and CEO of Geoscape, explaining that this was especially true among immigrants. "The path to entrepreneurship is almost enforced upon them."
Minority businesses are a big boost to the small-business economy, Melgoza added.
In Chicago, for example, Hispanics, 29 percent of the city's population, own about 22,000 businesses, or almost 9 percent of all businesses, and employ 77,000 people, according to the city's data.
"I see up close the vital contributions immigrants make to our economy," wrote Rahm Emanuel, Chicago's mayor and former White House chief of staff, in a column. "In Chicago, one half of all new businesses every year are started by immigrants."
Between 2002 and 2007, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the state of Illinois grew 43 percent, compared to 16 percent of all others during the same period, according to a report by the Center for Hispanic Entrepreneurship and DePaul's College of Business.
And the number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States could rise even more if an immigration reform is passed and legal status is granted to the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country.
"It's going to result in an infusion of entrepreneurship and more business growth," said Melgoza.
Although minority businesses are on the rise, they also face challenges—access to capital is one of them.
"There's empirical evidence that they have been disproportionately denied access to capital when they apply for it," said Christine Kymn, an economist at SBA Office of Advocacy, adding that Hispanics and African-Americans are the minorities most affected.
Read More How a dorm blog snared $79 million in VC funding
Experts note that minorities, especially immigrants, don't have established relationships with banks and many times don't have the financial education on how to access and build credit and a credit score—crucial factors for banks when determining to lend money.
Access to capital is a problem for all small business in general, not just minorities, explained Mac Wilcox, president and CEO of Savoy Bank, a New York bank that specializes in small businesses.
He said that operating history—the length of time a business has been running—is often a reason small businesses are denied loans.
That was the case for black entrepreneur Psyche Terry, who was denied a bank loan when she wanted to launch Urban Intimates, a lingerie line for curvy women.
"We only had a concept and no orders—just a business name. … It just wasn't enough for a bank to partner with us," said the 32-year-old entrepreneur who lives in Dallas.
But for Terry the loan denial was not an impediment. She turned to her 401(k) and maxed seven credit cards to get the $150,000 she needed for her business.
Terry's risk is now paying off. Her lingerie line, two years young, is being sold at major retailers such as Macy's and jcpenney.com.
Other challenges that minority businesses face is profitability and survival rate. About 50 percent of all small businesses survive five years or more, and only one-third survive 10 years or more. And according to an SBA report, "Women and minority-owned firms tend to be smaller and less profitable … and they carry lower survival rates than their male or nonminority counterparts."
"Smaller loan sizes seem to be linked to higher failure rates. Access to credit is a big barrier," Lisa D. Cook, an associate professor of economics at Michigan State University and a former member of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers. "Most of minority-owned businesses are located in their local communities, and if their local communities are poorer than other communities, they're going to have a lot less growth potential."
Another challenge that could hamper business growth among blacks and Hispanics is the lingering effect of the housing crisis, Cook said.
"A lot of their wealth for 2008 was tied up in housing," she explained. "It's not easy to get a mortgage anymore. ... Home-equity loans can't be counted on as they were before to finance start-ups."
A study found that minority homeowners were disproportionately affected by the foreclosure crisis.
Home ownership often serves as collateral for those who want to start their business and can also help decrease the probability of loan denials.
"Home equity can serve as a relatively low-cost financing alternative," the SBA says. "Absence of home ownership may also serve as a barrier to entry for prospective women and minority entrepreneurs."
Read More What global warming means for your grocery bill
Another challenge Cook sees among blacks and Hispanics—whose businesses are mostly in the service and manufacturing industries—is their lack of representation in the innovative economy, or science and technology economy, which she says is the fastest growing economy.
Asians, however, fare well in the STEM (science, technology,engineering) industry holding 15 percent of all stem jobs, according to the Census.
Blacks held 6 percent of STEM jobs, while Hispanics held 7 percent.
The Obama administration hopes to alleviate some of the hurdles small-business owners face—in particular, among minority—with the appointment of the new SBA administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet, who was born in Mexico.
Despite the challenges minority small-business owners face, there are various resources and organizations that serve as a support system to network and expand their businesses, such as:
National Black Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
National Association of Women Business Owners
"If you join these organizations and get involved and meet people, you'll find lots of mentors," said Carmen Rad, founder and president of CR&A Custom, a 20-year-old digital printer and outdoor advertising company in Los Angeles that employs 40 people, with annual revenue of $5.6 million. "That is crucial for your business."
Rad, of Puerto Rico, is an active member of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce.
"These organizations are willing to help. They want to see you succeed," she said.


text:
Dillard’s Louisiana department stores won a partial victory in its appeal of a lower court ruling in favor of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. The case goes back to a 1997 LDR imposition of a use tax against Dillard’s for catalogues printed by an out-of-state company and mailed directly to Dillard’s credit card holders in Louisiana as well as to Dillard’s department stores in the state. The bill, including interest, totalled more than $153,000, which the company paid under protest on Dec. 22, 1997, the day before it filed an appeal in the case.
A lower court last year granted LDR a summary judgement in the case. However, citing Louisiana tax law precedent, the First Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge ruled that the use tax applies only to the catalogues distributed in Dillard’s department stores, not to the catalogues mailed to the credit card holders. (It’s unclear, as the First Circuit ruling indicates, what percentage of catalogues were mailed to credit card holders; those figures were not submitted as evidence in the appeal.) The First Circuit remanded the case back to the lower court for a recalculation of Dillard’s tax liability.
Dillard’s Louisiana operates 15 stores in the state.
David Calhoun and Elizabeth “EB” Brooks are the first two employees of Lafayette Central Park Inc., the nonprofit charged with turning Lafayette Consolidated Government’s 100-acre Johnston Street Horse Farm property into a passive public park. Calhoun was named executive director, and Brooks is director of planning and design.
Is it a crime for citizens to photograph, video, or take notes of a police officer in the line of duty, or a right protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? Locally, such activity, as witnessed recently, will at the very least result in a night spent behind bars.
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.


text:
|Suite 802, Shentian International Building, No.46 Shentian Road, 361003 Xiamen, China|
The ocean carrier is determined to keep the container spot freight rate at a high level for as long as possible, hoping to lock in annual contract customers at a rate of 100% or higher.
Those cargo owners who hope that the freight rate can be adjusted after the Spring Festival, now have to bite the bullet and agree to a higher contract price instead of continuing to risk in the spot market.
Although there is a shortage of transportation due to the quarantine of domestic tow truck drivers before the Spring Festival, the transportation company obviously still has a large amount of previous backlogs to clean up before starting to chase orders.
A British freight forwarder recently stated indignantly that the "2M" alliance cancelled the MSC Erica's Sunday sailing plan at the last minute, "it is more to keep the capacity tight, not to improve the reliability of the shipping schedule."
In addition, according to FBX data, spot prices from Asia to Eastern Mediterranean ports rose by 3% this week to $7,893 per 40 feet, a 270% increase from 12 months ago. On February 19, the single-day freight rate reached US$7,969.
FBX said that after several weeks of stagnation, the spot freight rate from Asia to the West Coast of the United States set a new record of $4,654 per 40 feet last week, an increase of 7% from the previous week. On February 19, the single-day freight rate reached a record high of US$4,709.
After a brief decline, East Coast ports also began to rebound, reaching USD 5,703 per 40 feet (week) in the past week – an increase of 8.0% from the previous week; on February 19, the single-day freight rate reached USD 5,960.
"Continued peaks and congestion have caused some US retailers to worry that Easter-related goods will not arrive in time, and shipping companies report that all ships are fully booked by the end of the month," said Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos.
Contact Person: Mr. Sam


text:
Do or Die: BlackBerry-Maker RIM's Stock at 8 Year Low as BB10 Nears
May 4, 2012 1:06 PM
comment(s) - last by
(Source: Jason Mick/DailyTech LLC)
BlackBerry 10 is perhaps RIM's last hope
It's always unfortunate when a competitor operates under a "win or go home" ultimatum, but that's precisely the scenario Waterloo, Ontario-based phonemaker Research in Motion, ltd. (
) is staring in the face.
I. Financials Paint a Troubling Picture For Canada's Top Phonemaker
, RIM's stock this week hit its lowest level in eight years. Today the stock hit a new low of $11.63 USD/share, before rebounding slightly to the current trading level of around $11.90 USD/share.
This dismal performance and its effect on RIM's once-strong market cap stand in startling contrast with rival Cupertino, Calif.-based smartphone maker Apple, Inc. (
). Apple, maker of the iconic iPhone, is about $80 USD off
, but that mini-slump/profit-taking contraction hardly takes away from the fact that Apple's shares recently hit $644 USD/share -- by far the highest value in history.
To be fair Apple may be a bit over-valued. The world's most valuable tech company is worth approximately a third more in market cap than Exxon Mobil Corp. (
) -- the world's second most valuable company. While Apple is narrowly the world's most profitable company (
posting $11.6B USD
in the most recent quarter), Exxon Mobil is close behind with $9.45B USD in profit -- only 22 percent behind. But the slight difference in profitability vs. market cap surely bakes in Apple's meteoric rise in sales.
Many believe Apple may be the first trillion-dollar corporation in world history.
By contrast RIM has suffered an epic fall in share prices and profitability. The company recently posted
its first quarterly loss
, flipping from years of strong profits.
BlackBerry Bold 9900
A key concern is that despite the long string of profits, RIM only has $7B USD in cash and assets [
], a stockpile that recent quarters have eaten away. This contrasts with some
other struggling players like Nokia
) who has over $22B USD in assets hoarded away [
]. In other words, RIM has much less of a cushion to weather a prolonged maelstrom of depressed sales.
Many financial experts believe RIM is destined to become the smartphone industry's highest profile casualty yet.
II. BB10: Do-Or-Die
Thus it's likely do-or-die for the company's latest smartphone operating system release. At its peak in 2009 nearly one in two smartphones sold was a BlackBerry. Today that number is around
one in twenty
last and best hope
to keep from fading completely out of the sales picture is its new QNX-based operating smartphone operating system BlackBerry 10 (BB10).
The unfortunate news for RIM is that BB10 -- expected to launch this spring -- has
been delayed months
on the grounds of RIM's inability to find acceptably power-efficient mobile chipsets -- a problem that does not appear to be stopping LTE-empowered
Windows Phone-makers like Nokia
or Android LTE-phonemakers like Samsung Electronics Comp., Ltd. (
The good news is that the company's recent launch of alpha builds of BB10 on development devices showed something RIM has long lacked -- a modern smartphone operating system. BB10 in its semi-early form resembles a cross between
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
PlayBook 2.0 OS
-- the also QNX-based operating system design found on
RIM's titular tablet
BB10 is likely RIM's last shot at a turnaround. [Image Source: BGR]
Despite that promising show, new more sensible executive leadership, and RIM's
with respect to its newfound feelings of superiority over Apple, et al., success is anything but certain for the Canadian phonemaker. Many analysts believe BB10 is too little too late. RIM may yet prove them wrong, but the company's record lows in share prices -- while partly a measure of the mini-slump the tech market has been in, in recent weeks, also serve as a telling sign just how little leeway RIM has in its quest to
avoid a sale
Rivals like Samsung, Microsoft Corp. (
), Apple are
at RIM's rich patent portfolio and the company's renowned proprietary physical keyboard designs. But despite its bitter slump RIM is not dead -- not yet.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
RE: Go Short
5/4/2012 2:56:04 PM
How is a OS revamping similar to a new Os release? It's nothing similar to Window Phone.
RIM desperately needs to score with its BB10, Microsoft would only feel a little less pennies in his pocket if Windows Phone failed...which, by the way, it hasn't, it's still growing and getting more and more attention.
RE: Go Short
5/4/2012 8:33:22 PM
BB10 is actually a totally new OS, everything is different from the kernel up. The apps aren't cross-compatible either.
RE: Go Short
5/4/2012 8:44:57 PM
"RIM desperately needs to score with its BB10"
RIM needs to have started 3 years earlier than it did. As it is they started developing QNX 2 1/2 years ago, and still dont have a released phone. They not only sat on their assets and did nothing for 3 years after the iPhone was released, they finally started to move and moved way too slow. You cant take a good OS like QNX and take 2 1/2 to 3 years to get a phone on the market. It's just too slow of a product cycle to compete. RIM is over. I really believe at this point, they are just trying to hype up OS10 to make it look like they are getting somewhere in an effort keep their potential sale price as high as possible while they look for a buyer.
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text:
If you’re looking to increase your social media presence this year, you’re not alone. According to a poll courtesy of Effie Worldwide and Mashable, 70 percent of marketers plan to increase their social media budget by more than 10 percent.
With the marketing world shifting dramatically toward online social media, it’s no wonder that businesses like Bank of America, Colgate-Palmolive and Mini USA are looking to amp up their Facebook and Twitter presence. In fact, the primary marketing goal for most businesses was to increase the number of their Facebook “likes.”
So if your business needs a marketing facelift, we have a suggestion for you: get social, take advantage of social media. You’ll join the ranks of social-media elite like Old Spice, Pepsi, Starbucks and Ford. But then, you’ve probably never heard of them.
Headline: Planning Socially
Publisher: NeONBRAND https://neonbrand.com


text:
Maybe this Obama meme isn’t so far off the mark, after all. Here’s another example worth looking hard at. The UK is privatizing its heretofore government-run Royal Mail service, selling a majority stake to the private market.
Royal Mail’s history dates back to 1516 when King Henry VIII ordered the creation of the first national post service. In recent years, however, the company has battled with the rise of the Internet and email, leading to losses in five of the last 12 years and the loss of more than 50,000 jobs. It now handles about 58 million letters and parcels per day, down from 84 million five years ago.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said the privatization would allow the Royal Mail to continue operating for six days a week, with a “one-price-goes-anywhere” service.
Does any of that sound familiar?
The UK isn’t alone in this, either.
Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands have all privatized their postal services in part or fully. In June, Belgium’s postal service Bpost raised €2.9 billion ($3.7 billion) in an IPO. By contrast, the US Postal Service is still government-owned.
And the USPS still is losing money hand over fist.


text:
And another app for the Vita is losing support and going away. Sony announced today that all support for the Facebook app on the PS Vita, PS TV and the PS3 is ending in January 2016.
The Facebook app now joins YouTube and Maps as applications that have had their support dropped. Of course both Facebook and YouTube can still be accessed through the Vita via the built in browser even if the user experience isn’t as smooth. It’s also worth noting that the Facebook app was one of the few that made the transition over to the PlayStation TV, but unfortunately it’s tenure proved to not be that long.
To facilitate in the shutting down of the app, PlayStation will be removing the app from the PSN Store, and it will no longer be available to download effective today, September 15. It is still available through the Vita, so if your desperate to try it out, download it now before it’s too late.