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TOKYO – Hey, want some real games for Kinect? Japanese developers have plenty for you.
Microsoft introduced five new games for its camera-based motion controller at a Tokyo Game Show keynote here Thursday morning. All come from Japanese development studios – and all are aimed squarely at hard-core gamers. Developers such as Grasshopper Manufacture (No More Heroes), Nana On-Sha (PaRappa the Rapper, and From Software (Armored Core) will produce games for Kinect featuring horror gameplay, realistic violence and hard-core play mechanics.
Well, we're making an assumption on that last one. None of the games were actually demonstrated at the keynote. Only trailers were shown.
Kinect, which Microsoft will release Nov. 4 in the United States and Nov. 20 in Japan, uses two cameras to sense the position and movement of a player's body. At E3 Expo this year, Microsoft showed off mostly casual games for the device, many of which were similar to games for Nintendo's Wii.
Hard-core players complained that the $150 device didn't have content for them – Thursday's Tokyo Game Show keynote would seem to be Microsoft's response.
Japanese developers have "fueled the imaginations of players around the world," said Microsoft Game Studios Vice President Phil Spencer, name-checking Shigeru Miyamoto and Toru Iwatani. "The inspirational figures of Japanese game development understood these principles as if it were in their DNA." Five of the six best-selling Xbox Live Arcade games are Japanese, he said.
5 New Kinect Games
Grasshopper showed a trailer for an action game called codename D, which CEO Suda 51 called "hard-core and punky and very casual." From what we could see, the game is about a man who throws flaming baseballs at psychotic masked villains in a decrepit amusement park.
PaRappa creator Masaya Matsuura is stepping out of the rhythm genre to create Haunt, a cartoony game about exploring a haunted house.
"I was shocked and impressed" with Kinect, he said. "What we are trying to create is a horror game. But by utilizing the Kinect environment, it's very innovative and very much fun. A very horrible game is being created," said Matsuura through a translator who would probably phrase that last sentence differently if he had to do it all over again.
Capcom announced that it will partner with From Software to revive the Steel Battalion franchise for Kinect. Ironic, as the original Steel Battalion used the most complicated game controller ever, a $200 monstrosity with 40 buttons.
Producer Keiji Inafune took the stage, wearing a bomber jacket with a giant American flag on the lapel, to set up the story of the game – it's set in 2082 Manhattan, but in a world where all computer chips have been destroyed. So it looks like 1942 Normandy with giant robots.
Two other games were announced: Project Draco, a game from Phantom Dust director Yukio Futatsugi that looks quite a bit like Sega's Panzer Dragoon, and Rise of the Nightmares, a horror game from Sega that looks like its own House of the Dead, but much more unsettling and scary than that game's campy brand of zombie-shooting.
Just two non-Kinect games were announced during Microsoft's presentation. The shoot'em-up kings at Treasure will bring the classic (and rare) Sega Saturn shooter Radiant Silvergun to Xbox Live Arcade, with improved graphics, cooperative play and Xbox Live features including downloadable replays.
Finally, Spike will bring its popular (in Japan) Fire Pro-Wrestling series to Xbox 360, letting you use your avatars as luchadores.
All of the games announced at the show are planned to be released in 2011.


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As a professional journalist, I have been keeping a close eye on the startup scene in Iraq. The country is home to a growing number of innovative and forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are making waves in their respective industries. From tech startups to social enterprises, Iraq is proving to be a fertile ground for startups of all kinds.
Despite the challenges posed by the country’s political and economic instability, startups in Iraq are thriving. The government has been supportive of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing funding and support to innovative companies. Additionally, the proliferation of technology and access to global markets has opened up new opportunities for startups in Iraq to make their mark.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the startup scene in Iraq. We’ll explore the factors that have contributed to the rise of startups, the innovative technologies being developed, the funding and investment opportunities available, and the success stories of some of Iraq’s most promising startups. We’ll also discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist for entrepreneurs in the country.
- Iraq’s startup scene is growing and thriving, despite political and economic challenges.
- The government is supportive of startups and provides funding and support to innovative companies.
- Technology and access to global markets have opened up new opportunities for startups in Iraq.
- Success stories of Iraqi startups showcase the potential for economic growth and progress in the country.
- Challenges faced by startups in Iraq include infrastructure limitations and bureaucratic hurdles, but opportunities exist in various sectors.
The Rise of Startups in Iraq
As I explore the thriving startup scene in Iraq, it is evident that the country is experiencing a significant rise in the number of startups. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in entrepreneurship, and this has been fueled by several factors.
The Iraqi government has been actively promoting entrepreneurship by creating policies and initiatives that support startup growth. In 2016, the government launched the National Investment Commission, which aims to attract foreign investment and increase economic opportunities in the country.
Additionally, the Central Bank of Iraq has established a loan program to support small and medium-sized enterprises, including startups. This has provided access to funding for aspiring entrepreneurs who may not have had the necessary capital to start their businesses.
Access to Technology
Advancements in technology have also played a significant role in the rise of startups in Iraq. With the widespread availability of smartphones and the internet, startups can reach a larger audience with their products and services.
The rise of e-commerce platforms has also enabled startups to conduct business online, further expanding their reach and creating new opportunities for growth.
Growing Entrepreneurial Culture
Finally, there has been a cultural shift in Iraq towards entrepreneurship, with more people viewing it as a viable career path. There is a growing awareness and appreciation of the value that startups can bring to the economy, and this has led to an increase in support and resources for entrepreneurs.
Overall, the combination of government support, access to technology, and a growing entrepreneurial culture has created a favorable environment for startups in Iraq, paving the way for innovation and economic growth.
Innovation and Technology in Iraq
As the startup scene in Iraq continues to grow, innovation and technology are playing a crucial role in driving progress and transforming industries. From fintech to agriculture, startups are leveraging technology to solve pressing challenges and create new opportunities.
One example of this is the startup SmartGreen, which is revolutionizing the agriculture industry in Iraq through its innovative use of technology. SmartGreen has developed a system that allows farmers to remotely monitor and control their irrigation systems, optimizing water usage and increasing crop yields. This technology has the potential to significantly improve food security in Iraq, where water scarcity is a major issue.
Another noteworthy startup is PayMe, a mobile payment platform that is transforming the financial landscape in Iraq. PayMe allows users to make and receive payments using their smartphones, providing a convenient and secure alternative to traditional banking. This technology has the potential to greatly increase financial inclusion in Iraq, where a large portion of the population is unbanked.
Moreover, the Iraqi government has recognized the importance of innovation and technology in driving economic growth and has taken steps to foster a supportive environment for startups. For instance, the creation of the Iraqi Innovators Alliance has provided a platform for startups to showcase their ideas and connect with investors and potential partners.
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs
Innovation and technology are rapidly becoming the backbone of the startup ecosystem in Iraq, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and driving economic growth. With government support, a growing pool of talent, and a culture of innovation, Iraq is poised to become a hub of technological advancement in the region.
Investment and Funding Opportunities in Iraq
One of the biggest challenges for startups in Iraq is achieving the necessary funding to get off the ground. However, despite the difficulties, there are a number of investment and funding opportunities available for entrepreneurs in the country.
Venture capital is becoming an increasingly popular avenue for startups in Iraq to secure funding. In fact, a number of local venture capital firms have emerged in recent years, including Iraqi Angel Investors Network, which has invested in a variety of startups in different sectors.
Angel investors are also another viable funding option for startups in Iraq. These investors are typically high net worth individuals who provide capital in exchange for equity in a company. In addition, the Iraqi government has also established grants and funds to support startups, such as the Iraqi Innovators Program.
|A popular funding option for Iraqi startups, with several local venture capital firms available.
|High net worth individuals who provide capital in exchange for equity in a company.
|Government Grants and Funds
|The Iraqi government has established various programs to support startups, such as the Iraqi Innovators Program.
It’s important to note that funding in Iraq can be difficult to secure, and startups may need to demonstrate significant potential and a solid business plan to attract investors. However, with the rise of startups and increased attention on the Iraqi market, funding opportunities are likely to become more available in the future.
Startups in Iraq also have the advantage of relatively low operating costs, compared to other regional hubs like Dubai or Beirut. This makes it an attractive location for investors looking for high-growth opportunities at a lower cost.
Furthermore, Iraq has vast natural resources and a young population, making it a fertile ground for startups in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Success Story: Lezzoo
“Lezzoo is one of the most successful startups in Iraq, offering a wide range of goods and services through its mobile app. The company has secured funding from various sources, including venture capital firms. In 2018, it was valued at $8 million, making it one of Iraq’s most valuable startups.”
– Muhannad Al-Salhi, Founder of Lezzoo
Lezzoo’s success demonstrates the potential for startups to thrive in Iraq, and highlights the importance of securing adequate funding to support growth and expansion.
Overall, while securing funding may present a challenge for startups in Iraq, there are a number of viable options available, and the potential for growth and success in the Iraqi market is significant.
Success Stories from Iraqi Startups
One of the most inspiring success stories in the Iraqi startup ecosystem is that of Lezzoo, a food delivery platform that has revolutionized the way people order and receive their meals. Founded in 2016, Lezzoo has quickly become one of the fastest-growing startups in Iraq, with a presence in several major cities.
Another significant success story is Click Technology, an e-commerce platform that connects Iraqi consumers with local and international brands. Since its launch in 2017, Click Technology has experienced steady growth and has secured funding from several regional investors.
Lezzoo: A Game-Changer in Iraqi Food Delivery
Lezzoo is a mobile app that allows customers to order food from their favorite restaurants and have it delivered to their doorstep. The platform offers a wide variety of cuisine options, from traditional Iraqi dishes to international favorites, making it a popular choice among customers of all backgrounds.
|Yahya Alkhafaji, Ali Alali, Haider Almosawi
|Number of Employees
Lezzoo has had a significant impact on the Iraqi economy, providing job opportunities for hundreds of delivery drivers and partnering with numerous local restaurants. The startup has also been recognized for its innovative use of technology, including artificial intelligence chatbots that assist customers with their orders.
Click Technology: Empowering Iraqi E-commerce
Click Technology is an online marketplace that enables Iraqi consumers to purchase products from local and international vendors. The platform offers a wide array of products, from electronics to clothing, and boasts a user-friendly interface that simplifies the shopping experience.
|Ahmed Alwan, Mustafa Abdulhadi
|Number of Employees
Click Technology has played a crucial role in fostering e-commerce in Iraq, providing a safe and convenient platform for consumers to shop online. The startup has secured funding from several regional investors, including the Iraqi Technology and Communications Group, and has plans to expand its services to other countries in the region.
These success stories showcase the immense potential of Iraqi startups and the impact that they can have on local communities and industries. By leveraging technology and innovation, startups in Iraq are transforming traditional sectors and driving economic growth, paving the way for a brighter future.
Challenges and Opportunities for Startups in Iraq
Although the startup scene in Iraq is rapidly growing, it is not without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles that startups in Iraq face is the country’s limited infrastructure. This lack of infrastructure can make it difficult for startups to scale their operations and reach a wider audience.
Another challenge facing startups in Iraq is the bureaucratic hurdles they face when trying to launch or expand their businesses. Navigating complex regulations and red tape can be time-consuming and costly, making it difficult for startups to operate efficiently.
Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities for startups in Iraq. One of the most significant opportunities is the country’s growing middle class, which is increasingly interested in innovative products and services. Startups that can tap into this market have the potential to grow quickly and establish themselves as leaders in their respective industries.
Another opportunity for startups in Iraq is the country’s natural resources. With vast reserves of oil and other resources, there is a significant demand for related services and technologies. Startups that can provide innovative solutions in this area have the potential to grow and succeed in the long term.
Overall, startups in Iraq face unique challenges, but they also have access to significant opportunities. By leveraging innovation and technology, startups can overcome challenges and establish themselves as leaders in the country’s growing economy.
Examples of Opportunities for Startups in Iraq
|The Rise of E-Commerce
|The growth of the internet and smartphones has led to an increase in e-commerce in Iraq. Startups that can provide innovative e-commerce solutions have the potential to tap into this rapidly growing market.
|With a growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, startups that can provide innovative energy solutions have immense opportunities in Iraq. Renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, are gaining momentum in the country, providing a significant opportunity for startups in this area.
|With a growing middle class comes an increased demand for quality healthcare services. Startups that can provide affordable and accessible healthcare solutions have the potential to establish themselves as leaders in this industry.
In conclusion, the startup scene in Iraq is rapidly expanding, fueled by a growing entrepreneurial culture, increased access to technology, and government support. Startups in various sectors, from fintech to healthcare, are driving economic growth and creating new opportunities in the country.
The Impact of Innovation and Technology
The groundbreaking innovations and technological advancements in Iraq are transforming industries and solving pressing challenges. Startups are leveraging technology to provide solutions for healthcare, education, and agriculture, among other sectors. The impact of these innovations is visible in the improved quality of services and increased efficiency in these sectors.
Investment and Funding Opportunities
The investment and funding landscape for startups in Iraq is evolving, with venture capital, angel investors, and government grants providing various options for funding. Success stories of startups securing funding are becoming more common, and investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of startup ventures in Iraq.
Challenges and Opportunities
While startups in Iraq face unique challenges, such as infrastructure limitations and bureaucratic hurdles, the opportunities for growth and impact are immense. Startups are overcoming these challenges and driving innovation and progress in the country. As the startup ecosystem in Iraq continues to expand, the potential for transformational change is unprecedented.
Overall, the vibrant startup ecosystem in Iraq presents exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike. As the country continues to prioritize and support startups, the potential for economic growth and progress is limitless.
What is the startup scene like in Iraq?
The startup scene in Iraq is thriving, with a growing number of innovative companies driving economic growth and progress in the country.
What factors have contributed to the rise of startups in Iraq?
The rise of startups in Iraq can be attributed to factors such as government support, increased access to technology, and a growing entrepreneurial culture.
How are startups in Iraq leveraging innovation and technology?
Startups in Iraq are leveraging innovation and technology to solve pressing challenges and create new opportunities in various sectors.
What investment and funding opportunities are available for startups in Iraq?
Startups in Iraq have access to various funding options, including venture capital, angel investors, and government grants. There are several success stories of startups securing funding in the country.
Can you provide some examples of successful startups in Iraq?
Certainly! There are several successful startups in Iraq that have made significant contributions to the local economy. These startups have developed innovative business models and achieved remarkable success in their respective industries.
What are some challenges and opportunities for startups in Iraq?
Startups in Iraq face unique challenges such as infrastructure limitations and bureaucratic hurdles. However, there are also immense opportunities in various sectors that startups can capitalize on to drive economic growth and transformation.
In conclusion, what is the potential of the startup ecosystem in Iraq?
The startup ecosystem in Iraq has tremendous potential. Despite challenges, startups in Iraq are driving economic growth, transforming industries, and showcasing the untapped potential of the country.

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Apparel and footwear products do not feature on the proposed list of 1,300 Chinese imports marked for additional US tariffs published by the USTR on Tuesday. Textile machinery, however, is slated for further duties.
The Stockholm-based fashion brand has launched a new "Beacons Project," consisting of creating a new line of shirts made using upcycled plastic salvaged from the ocean by fishermen in the Mediterranean
DSW has announced Drew Domecq joined the company as SVP and CIO. He will oversee DSW's digital platforms, support the company's new loyalty program, and facilitate the acquisition of Canada's Town Shoes Ltd.


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Published on 20 April 2016 by Casino Admin
”We have had a strong start to the year with high growth in revenues, profits and cash flow. In January we released the slot game Guns N Roses, which became our most successful game release so far. The game is part of our new concept NetEnt Rocks, which also includes upcoming games based on music and graphics of Jimi Hendrix and Motörhead. We have an exciting year ahead of us and I am positive about the future.”
– Per Eriksson, President and CEO
Net Entertainments’ quarterly financial report has landed this week, so as NetEnt fans we thought we ought to fill you in on how your favourite provider is doing. Below is a little rundown of the main bits of news. There are significant increases there in profits and a number of new license agreements signed, which means Net Entertainment continue to flourish.
First quarter 2016
- Revenues increased by 33.7% to €258.3 million
- Operating profit rose to €81.8 million, an increase of 56.6%
- Profit after tax amounted to €74.2 million, an increase of 64.1%
- 9 new license agreements were signed, 8 new customers’ casinos were launched
Important events in the first quarter
- License agreement signed and games launched with PokerStars New Jersey
- NetEnt became associated member of World Lottery Association (WLA)
- Guns N Roses slot game was released
- NetEnt won awards at the International Gaming Awards, Gaming Intelligence Awards and EGR Nordic Awards
President Per Eriksson also made special mention of the UK market, where revenues have doubled compared to the same period last year and the income specifically from mobile has increased from 21% to 33%. Brits are obviously getting more keen on playing from their mobiles and tablets!
He also mentioned the success of the new NetEnt Rocks selection of slots, predicting similar success for Jimi Hendrix and the upcoming Motorhead game as was experienced with Guns N’ Roses. They also seem very happy with the awards they’ve received recently, rewarding them for their innovative approach to new game design.
When we compare this quarterly report to the annual report from 2015, the rapid growth experienced this quarter becomes more clear. In total, last year NetEnt signed 11 new license agreements and helped to launch 7 new casinos. This quarter alone has almost matched that for new license agreements and has exceeded the total number of casino launches from 2015. This is definitely a sign of just how rapidly NetEnt and the igaming industry as a whole are continuing to grow.
For other news related to Net Entertainment, their financial reports and new games visit our Net Entertainment news section.


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HUGO BOSS is holding a warehouse sale at Queensborough Landing Shopping Center, from Wednesday, June 19th to Sunday, June 23rd. The sale will have items up to 70% off regular price, so be sure to take advantage of such an amazing discount before time runs out. Everything from men’s smart suits, sports coats, outerwear, casual apparel, footwear and accessories will be marked down. It’s a wardrobe of choices!
HUGO BOSS Vancouver Warehouse Sale – Dates & Times
Wednesday, June 19: Noon to 9pm
Thursday, June 20: 11am to 9pm
Friday, June 21: 11am to 9pm
Saturday, June 22: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, June 23: 10am to 6pm
The warehouse sale will be located at Queensborough Landing Shopping Centre, 805 Boyd Street, New Westminster, BC.
Things to keep in mind
No large bags or strollers will be permitted. ONLY credit and debit will be accepted at the event. No cash.
Posted sale times may change depending on how quickly the inventory goes, so be sure to arrive early and get to all the best deals before everyone else.
For information, updates and more, visit the official Facebook event page, or sign up for the Queensborough Landing email list.
Be sure tag your #FashionFinds on social media, using #QueensboroughSC to be featured!


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'Hoverboards' banned from NSW footpaths
By Wade O’Leary, Advocacy & Community Content Manager
This is not April Fools’ Day half a year late: hoverboards have officially been banned from NSW roads and footpaths.
But we’re not talking about the floating device from Back to the Future 2: the ‘hoverboards’ in question are self-balancing scooters – like Segways without handlebars – offering motorised propulsion in response to bodily movements.
They are on sale in shops and markets around the world and have featured on US late-night talk shows, but residents of NSW will only be allowed to ride theirs on private property.
The vehicles are also banned in the ACT, with the exception of tours around Lake Burley Griffin and other selected tourist attractions.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay warned Christmas shoppers to “keep safety front of mind” when considering the scooters as gifts.
“I don’t want to be the Christmas Grinch, but I want people to know and send a message that these new toys have real safety concerns,” he said.
“For starters, they are motorised and can travel at speeds up to 26km/h yet require no training to use them.
“They don’t have adequate brakes and don’t have lights or warning indicators, meaning they can’t interact safely with other road users like pedestrians.
“What’s more, riders endanger themselves because they’re unprotected around other vehicles like cars and trucks.”
Mr Gay said the Centre for Road Safety was working with interstate counterparts on national laws and safety standards that would govern their use.
But any moves will meet resistance in Queensland, where self-balancing scooters are classified as personal mobility devices which can be used on footpaths, bike paths and shared paths.
The Sunshine State is also home to online retailers who sell the scooters, including OzziRippers.com.au.
“In Queensland, they view it as a pedestrian vehicle – so why don’t they in NSW?” a spokeswoman asked when contacted by the NRMA.
“Is it because it doesn’t have indicators? That’s ridiculous.
“Why do they have the power to decide whether you can have it for Christmas? It’s a toy, it’s never been seen as something to be used on a road.
“It comes down to the responsibility of the rider, just like for cyclists and pedestrians.”
The spokeswoman said her pre-teen son had mastered the vehicle, which she claimed has a top speed of little more than 10km/h, in two minutes – “you lean forward to go forward, backwards to go back, it’s not like it’s dangerous” – and was expecting their busiest week of trade as customers placed their orders in time for Christmas delivery.
“It seems as if someone was bored and wanted to get a law in before the end of the year,” she said.
“People are buying these all over the world, we had trouble bringing it into the country initially and now this – the rest of the world can enjoy this but Australians can’t.
“This is where the future is taking us: if you can ride it between your bus or train and the office to save time, why not?”
A significant reason NSW residents wouldn’t ride the scooters in public areas is the fines: $319 if used on footpaths and $637 if on roads.
This will be of particular interest to Sydney man Kane Vato, who told the Huffington Post he was fined $637 for riding his scooter on a footpath in Surry Hills earlier this year after initially being threatened with a $2100 penalty for driving an uninsured and unlicensed vehicle.
Public use of self-balancing scooters is also banned in Victoria and Western Australia and the local situation is similar to that in the United Kingdom – where the Crown Prosecution Service passed a law last month restricting their use to private property – and Canada, where provinces regulate motorised vehicles and public use of so-called hoverboards is banned everywhere except Ontario.
Self-balancing scooters are sold and used publicly throughout Asia, the United States and Mexico with little regulation and their use is widespread in Europe but under widely varying regulatory regimes, including the Swiss system where they are allowed only on roads with licence plates and indicators affixed.
The system most similar to Queensland's regime can be found in New Zealand, where self-balancing scooters are classified as mobility devices that can be used on footpaths and crossings, although priority must be given to pedestrians.
UPDATE: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a warning about hoverboards after overseas reports of the devices igniting while being recharged.
The ACCC warns that consumers should only purchase hoverboards that have the Australian Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM), which is a tick surrounded by a triangle.
Devices not marked could be running on batteries that are incompatible with local electricity networks and therefore be vulnerable to ignition.
Do you think ‘hoverboards’ should be banned from footpaths and roads? Let us know your thoughts below.
For more NRMA Advocacy content, click here


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February 2, 1994
Simint Seeks U.S. Partner for A/X Armani
MILAN -- With A/X Armani turning in a six-month loss of more than $8 million, Simint SpA, the Modena-based company behind the U.S. retail chain, is seeking an American partner to help carry the project forward.The development came to light...
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Renowned Entrepreneurs and Industry Professionals Join Forces to Build Tequila Avion into an Iconic Brand
Defining A New Standard of Quality and Taste in Ultra Premium Tequila
New York, NY – Avion Tequila LLC was formed by a group of entrepreneurs and beverage industry professionals with the sole purpose of creating and developing a tequila that defines a new standard of quality and taste. The announcement was made by Ken Austin, Founder and Chairman of Tequila Avion.
Ken Austin, an integral part of the executive management team at Marquis Jet since 2001, and currently one of the Company’s Executive Vice Chairmen, has had a consuming passion for the beverage industry since early in his business career when he worked in senior management positions at E&J Gallo and The Seagram Beverage Company. Mr. Austin has been a tequila lover for nearly two decades, searching for the ideal tequila, and formed Tequila Avion with Kenny Dichter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Marquis Jet and Chairman of MGX Lab.


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With the current Elantra set to turn six years old next year, Hyundai is hard at work on a brand-new replacement for its small sedan.
Camouflaged prototypes have been spotted undergoing cold-weather testing in Germany, where Hyundai's European product development centre is located.
The camo obscures most details, but the roofline suggests the current car's sleek silhouette will stay.
Expect the rest of the bodywork to channel Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0" design language, which was first employed by the current Genesis sedan.
The styling should be bolder and less organic than the current model, and project a more businesslike appearance.
And like the Genesis, industry pundits expect the new Elantra to come with a more premium look and feel. That means a more sober interior with higher levels of equipment, as well as an increase in material quality.
The engine line-up will also be revised, though don't expect anything more exotic than a 1.8 litre direct-injected petrol motor for Australia - or potentially a 'big block' 2.0 litre petrol to sit alongside the i30 SR.
Other markets may get turbo-diesel and small-displacement turbo petrol options, and a hybrid may eventuate for North America.
Expect to see the new Elantra shed its camouflage later this year before going on sale overseas as a 2016 model. A replacement timeline for the Australian-market Elantra has yet to be announced.
MORE: Hyundai News and Reviews
- Interested in buying HYUNDAI ELANTRA? Visit our HYUNDAI ELANTRA showroom for more information.


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The smart move is to not worry about such categories and focus instead, as always, on risk management.
Even as the Bureau of Economic Analysis released its preliminary GDP growth estimate for the second quarter—down at an annualized rate of 0.9%, which is better than the -1.6% in Q1—the takes came in hot as befits a world struggling with climate change.
“There absolutely is not a recession yet,” came from some quarters, while others noted that, no way to know yet, but maybe one has already started.
It’s the economic equivalent of the “who’s on top?” guessing game in politics. And the trigger is the incorrect notion that two quarters of declining GDP growth is the definition of a recession, which it isn’t. That assumption was put into motion on Sunday, December 1, 1974 in a New York Times op-ed by Julius Shiskin, a commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who offered the concept as a “rough translation” of how the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which makes the official call on U.S. recessions, undertakes its qualitative analysis of the economy.
But the call is more difficult. Was the first quarter’s drop really all that it seemed? “The first quarter was marred by a widening trade deficit due a surge in imports,” said Cornerstone Wealth chief investment officer Cliff Hodge in an emailed note. “This quarter a slowdown in inventory accumulation tipped GDP growth into the red. Neither of these readings provide much of an indication to the strength in the underlying economy.”
And Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial, wrote, “Consumer spending was too strong to raise any recession signals. Given the solid demand for imports last quarter, total trade subtracted 1.4 percentage points off the headline growth estimate. Consumers shifted from buying goods to buying services and after adjusting for inflation, real consumer spending rose 1% annualized from last quarter.”
Then again, J.P. Morgan Asset Management chief global strategist David Kelly wrote, “This morning’s second quarter GDP report was a significant disappointment with real output falling.” Noting that the NBER has a complex view of what recessions are, which includes declines in employment, which haven’t happened, Kelly added, “However, today’s report is further evidence that the U.S. economy is quickly losing momentum and increases the likelihood that even the broadest definition of recession will be met before the end of the year.”
The most effective approach in any industry is to focus not on a label but rather on risk management. The Fed increased its baseline interest rate again on Wednesday, adding to the pressure on commercial real estate. Financing keeps getting more expensive and so buyers want a discount as a result.
Interest rates are also rising on consumer credit cards, which is “leading to substantially higher costs for anyone with credit card debt,” according to CreditCards.com senior industry analyst Ted Rossman.
Beyond the “how much did consumers spend last quarter” rubric—an important question as almost 70% of GDP depends on the answer—consumer confidence, as measured by the Conference Board, has fallen the last three months. Perhaps they know something about their own circumstances that the experts don’t.
Forget the recession title for a moment, as any given one doesn’t necessarily affect all sectors equally. There are many factors pushing and pulling CRE. That happens both directly, like financing costs, and indirectly, with the question of whether consumers might start softening spending, which would affect businesses and, so, office and retail and industrial property types.
Risk management and mitigation are foundations of any business. Across industries, many larger companies have already focused on aspects of this. “For the first time in a decade, the 1000 largest public companies in the U.S. improved performance of all three major working capital components last year – they managed inventory more effectively, collected from customers faster, and took longer to pay suppliers,” according to The Hackett Group.
Especially with the impact rising interest rates can have on the viability of CRE projects, now is a good time for investors, owners, operators, and developers to look at cash management, overhead efficiencies, and other aspects of business that might help make whatever comes to be more easily borne.
Source: “Recession: Will It or Won’t It?“


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iVooMi brand is gearing up to launch new smartphones (iVooMi i1 and iVooMi i1s) that will be a value for money product, the company has released a teaser video and the hashtag is #IsmeSabKuchHai. This new iVooMi handset in a new series is expected to launch in early January 2018.
Xiaomi is yet to launch the Redmi Note 5 but the specs and the handset render have already been leaked and now the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is also listed on Oppomart website with a price tag of $199 (approx Rs. 12,900).
As an when additional info about the upcoming OnePlus 5T (that presumably be called) is unveiled, it gets more convincing. Well the latest leak by Evan Blass reveals the first press render of the front top part of the OnePlus 5T.
The next handset in the Redmi Note series the Redmi Note 5 details have been leaked thanks to TENAA. It showed up on TENAA site with most details. Though the handset name was not mentioned it is presumed to be the next Redmi Note handset.
There is a lot of buzz on the net about the next OnePlus handset that probably will be called the OnePlus 5T. This new handset (still a rumor) may use the same hardware as seen on the OnePlus 5 handset with some big changes.
It has been officially confirmed by Xiaomi that the company will be launching the Redmi Note 5A on 21st August in China. Xiaomi may launch two 5A variants the Redmi Note 5A and the Redmi Note 5A Prime / Pro.
Redmi 4 is the current hot selling smartphone in India, and now the Redmi 5 specs has been unveiled along with leaked images, don’t worry the Redmi 5 will take time to reach India may be in Q3 or Q4 of 2017.
As per the latest leak Motorola is gearing up to launch series of Moto handsets in 2017. Evan via a tweet has shared a slide that to some extent gives an idea about what you can expect from Motorola, this year.
There is a lot of buzz about the next Xiaomi handset named the Xiaomi Mi S. The company might launch this handset soon. Mi S will be a powerful handset using snapdragon 821 chipset but it will come with a smaller screen of 4.6 inches.
Elephone is gearing up to launch the Elephone Max with dual cameras on the back and it will come in gorgeous burgundy color. The full specifications are not yet revealed but we do have some info about the Max.
The next premium handset from Lenovo called the ZUK Edge will be officially launched in China this month on 20th December 2016. Key highlight about the Edge is the U-Touch finger print sensor that is invisible and the narrow bezel.
The next product from Asus will come with dual cameras, it will be called the Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom following the Zenfone 3 design pattern. Zenfone 3 Zoom recently got TENAA certification in China. Specifications have also been revealed.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sets of spoon and fork sets are being pulled from shelves.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns the Edoche Cubetensils sets of children's eating utensils have handles which can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.
Each set consists of a spoon and a matching fork with stainless steel heads and plastic handles.
They were sold nationwide from May 2012 through November 2013 for about eight dollars a set.
Find out full details about this recall by clicking on the link.


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You won’t believe how Angie’s parenting is affected by her crazy obsessions: exercise, shopping — and blood!
The public already knows that Angelina Jolie is “eccentric,” but a new report from In Touch literally portrays her as “crazy” — at least in terms of her parenting habits. And her former assistant Ana Charlotiaux, who filed a wrongful dismissal suit against Angie and Brad Pitt, is just one of the ex-staffers spilling the Hollywood mom’s darkest secrets.
She’s fascinated by blood: “When Angelina’s kids get cuts and scrapes, she saves their discarded bandages in a large jar,” a friend tells the mag. “She thinks she’s being edgy and artistic.”
She’s an online shopaholic: The friend also reveals that Angie is known to spend hours at a time shopping online for “thousands of dollars worth of clothes and jewelry.”
She hides in the basement: “No one is to bother her” while she’s exercising in her basement, an employee reveals. “She locks herself [down there] every day and exercises for hours.” The employee adds that Angie uses her excessive regimen as an escape from her family.
She leaves the kids alone: While on a recent trip to London, Angie and Brad reportedly left their entire brood locked up in their hotel room — with supervision — and went out drinking. A second report claims the Jolie-Pitt kids stayed on an entirely separate floor from their parents during their stay in Budapest.
Wow! HollyMoms, which of Angie’s obsessions do YOU think is craziest?


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Samsung just announced a quantum dot curved monitor that was built especially for gamers. The curved monitor appears to target Mac designers are users because of its design. This monitor comes in two sizes, 27-inch and 31.5-inch. It also has 2,560 x 1,440 resolution with a 1,800R curvature.
In order to make it easier for its users, Samsung designed the cables hidden in the stand so that the monitor can be flipped to a vertical position. This is not the first time Samsung uses the quantum dot technology. This tech is similar to the OLED tech.
The quantum dot technology has been used by Samsung in TVs for some time now. Despite this, the tech hasn’t been used for monitors until recently. Some models have been unveiled at IFA 2016 just a few months ago.
Tech experts are debating between these two technologies OLED which is used by LG and quantum dot which is used by Samsung. A quantum dot is considered to be better for gaming because it doesn’t have lag issues like OLED. This is why many experts think that this one is better for curved monitors.
Many experts also agree that a curved monitor makes more sense than a curved TV because users are much closer to the monitor than the TV. Samsung announced that this technology is better for curved monitors and that is why they started to produce them.
This technology has more vibrant colors than the OLED tech and it has a great graphic too. It is a great development for Samsung which just announced that they are going to produce robotic vacuums that will be connected to Alexa with the help of Amazon Echo speakers.
This has been a great year for Samsung and 2017 is going to be the same, apparently. They are staying ahead of the game in order to keep their place on the market. The curved monitor is going to be unveiled at CES 2017 just like the robotic vacuum.
The availability and the price of these two products remain unknown for now. We are going to find out those details in a few days when they are unveiled. We’ll just have to wait a little longer before we can enjoy these products.
Image source: Wikipedia


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The ad tech flotilla has become a fixture of Cannes — and the growing presence of ad tech. Whether it is a sign of health or dubious spending is up for some debate. One ad tech firm founder, when asked why he isn’t getting a yacht, told me it was a “dick-measuring contest.” Another CEO who did have a yacht perhaps summed it up best: “I’m not a fan of the concept, but sales wanted to do it.”
Over 20 ad tech firms have yachts this year, including Nielsen Marketing Cloud, Teads and AppNexus. Even Rubicon Project, which has gone through painful cuts, is sporting a boat. Ad tech impresario and content marketing master Terry Kawaja hustled to the marina to gin up a handy ad tech map based on his (in)famous Lumascape industry charts.
— Terence Kawaja (@tkawaja) June 18, 2017
There is a rough hierarchy in the ad tech flotilla. Some, like Nielsen and Teads, have their own yachts. But many ad tech firms share a boat, in a rare instance of competitors joining together for the greater good — or at least to make sure this sales boondoggle is within reason. Gabbcon, an ad tech conference series, is host to no less than four ad tech firms aboard the Princess AVK. Here’s a look inside:
The case for the ad tech yacht is that several team members end up staying on board, and it becomes a place for nonstop meetings and, mais oui, the occasional cocktail party or even a full-blown party. (Nielsen is throwing a bash tonight on board its yacht.) Teads is setting up shop on the 131-foot yacht named Thumper and is having acoustic music sessions the first three evenings of the week.
Ad tech is not alone in the harbor. The Wall Street Journal has a boat, as do VaynerMedia, Accenture Interactive and FCB. But a good 75 percent of the marina is ad tech of some form or fashion.
The problem, like all ad tech, is lack of differentiation. When everyone has a yacht, your yacht is not that unique. Mobile demand-side platform TabMo has a tugboat instead. Slow and steady often wins the race.
- Creative shop Circus Maximus is on the health kick with morning yoga at 7:30 a.m. and afternoon bodyweight exercises at 6 p.m. Sweat out the rosé.
- Bistrot Casanova on Rue Hoche is a great place to escape the crowds for a bit and tuck into a good pizza. Don’t forget how close Italy is.
- Expect to hear a lot about brand safety. P&G CMO Marc Pritchard, Lenovo CMO David Roman and Tommy Hilfiger chief brand officer Avery Baker are talking about that very topic at The Economist’s beach at 10:30 a.m.
- “This American Life” creator Ira Glass shares seven things he’s learned at the Palais at 1 p.m.
- Get mental with mentalist Keith Barry, who is speaking at the Palais at 4 p.m.
- HuffPost’s new star editor-in-chief Lydia Polgreen — and Digiday Changemaker — will try to break down the future of news and advertising with Unilever and Airbnb at the Majestic rooftop at 6 p.m.
Quote of the day
“[Facebook] thinks they can engineer themselves out of the [brand-safety] problem that they engineered themselves into.” — Jesse Angelo, CEO and publisher, New York Post
Digiday Podcast (Cannes edition)
Amy Emmerich, chief content officer at Refinery29, swung by Digiday Cannes headquarters to talk about how everyone is in everyone’s business in media these days. Key quotes:
- “I joined the company two and a half years ago to build the video business. They weren’t really doing video. They were publishing. The moment we started to build that, we became a media company.”
- “TV sucked when it first came out. It took 50 years to hit its prime. As you try to change habits of the audience to move place to place, those are cultural habits, and that takes time to change.”
The Digiday Cannes Translator
Cannes has its own language. Here’s what people really mean.
“I’ll definitely stop by.”
Meaning: You won’t see me there.
Meaning: I don’t want to see you.
“Let’s meet back home.”
Meaning: I never want to see you again.
“I’m running late.”
Meaning: I will show up in two hours, maybe; no promises.
“Sorry, I couldn’t get on Wi-Fi.”
Meaning: I’m avoiding you.
“My meeting is running long.”
Meaning: I regret agreeing to meet you.
“Can we push our meeting back?”
Meaning: I subsequently found someone more important to meet.
“Sorry, I have to run to a meeting.”
Meaning: You’re not important to me.
“Who are you with again?”
Meaning: I don’t want to talk to you.
“I’m stuck in a meeting.”
Meaning: I’m at the beach.
About last night
The Cannes party scene kicked off in full force last night. Some highlights:
- CNN and Turner threw its Great Big Cocktail at its beachside cabana. Many of the heavyweights, including Turner president David Levy, president of Turner Ad Sales Donna Speciale and Turner Entertainment chief creative officer Kevin Reilly were there.
- At the IAB kickoff cocktail, the conversation was around whether agencies should fear publisher content studios (unlikely). Guests included Little Things president Gretchen Tibbits, ad tech legend Quentin George, 360i founder Bryan Wiener.
Cannes after dark
- DJ Mick is playing the Nielsen yacht party, 9 p.m.
Reminder: Follow us on Instagram @digiday
We are creating a story each day with a special focus on the absurdities of Cannes.
More in Marketing
TikTok has officially launched its new e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, earlier this month on August 1. Using the new e-commerce platform, brands and creators can sell products directly on the platform, potentially creating new revenue streams, and tap into the short-form video platform’s growing popularity.
‘The influencer industry can be really vile’: Confessions of an influencer marketer on the industry’s unfair hiring practices
While the influencer industry might sound exciting and like it’s full of opportunities, one marketer can vouch for the horrific scenarios that still take place behind the scenes.
After a tumultuous 12 months, marketers are getting a clear picture of how they really did during a time of true uncertainty. And, as it turns out, it wasn’t all that bad.
Ad position: web_bfu


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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — A new Publix opened in Winston-Salem this week.
The Publix at West Edge is located at 5525 Robin Lark Circle.
The store opened at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and employs around 130 workers.
The store features a:
- produce department
- wine department
- meat department
- seafood department
- pharmacy with drive-thru
The Publix is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.


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Mr. Seed, the foul-mouthed lead character, is voiced by comedian Pete Holmes.
The Clif Bar Family Foundation supported the video production through their Seed Matters initiative, which was formed in 2009 to advocate for the protection and improvement of organic seed.
Krotz says “the video uses unrealistic imagery to promote an organic agenda.”
The Butler Brothers, who created Mr. Seed, call him a “foul-mouthed messenger of food truth justice.”
The 4:46-minute youtube video had 33,480 views as of June 15. It opens with a happy song of feeding the world and transitions to what we discover is an organic seed asking, “is that what America wants?”
“The main purpose of the video is supposedly taking a stance on biotech and its ability to feed the world,” Krotz said. “The mark really couldn't have been further missed.
“At a time when we should be united for the common good of feeding the world, we are fighting instead, using unethical and non-factual propaganda as the weapon,” he said. “Food companies are using junk science driving people away from sustainable practices like GMOs to manipulate consumers for the sole purpose of market gain.”
"With Mr. Seed, we hope to raise interest and awareness in organic seed and increase conversations about changing our chemically dependent food system," says Matthew Dillon, director of the Seed Matters campaign, in an article in AdWeek. "We want to show people that there are alternatives, that they have a choice and a role to play in the solution."
Mr. Seed wants you to take a stand against the agrichemical industry – treehugger – The video clip is edgy and a bit shocking, taking the viewer through Mr. Seed’s breakfast smoothie to his evening reading his favorite breeding tips.
The latest reason why the organic industry should disgust you – Forbes – Organic industry misinformation has gone too far once again.
Can a trash-talking seed get people to care about consolidation in agriculture – Civil Eats – Only six companies control more than half the world’s seeds. That number could shrink to three.


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City Prepper's Guide, October 29, 2018
Enviro-Log products are widely available in the U.S. and Canada.
View a listing of stores where our products are sold.


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Natt GarunUS Editor
Natt Garun is the former US Editor at The Next Web, managing the North American team on content, events, features and reviews coverage. She Natt Garun is the former US Editor at The Next Web, managing the North American team on content, events, features and reviews coverage. She previously wrote for Digital Trends, Business Insider, and Gizmodo. Facebook | Twitter | Google+
Having just shipped the first few rounds of the Apple Watch last month, the company is now amping up more news around its latest device. Apple’s senior vice president of operations Jeff Williams today confirmed that a preview of a native Apple Watch app development kit will be released at its Worldwide Developer Conference on June 8.
Speaking at the Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Williams says the kit will allow developers direct access to the Watch’s sensors, digital crown and microphone, among other hardware information.
At the moment, most Apple Watch apps are ported over from their iOS versions. This means they also run on the iPhone in order to transmit content for the Watch to download.
With the native Watch SDK, developers will finally be able to build apps that actually run on the Apple Watch so users can continue running them even if their paired iPhone is out of range or runs out of battery. This should also improve app performance as it will no longer need to communicate between two devices.
The native Watch SDK preview is expected to launch at WWDC, with a full kit coming this fall. The news comes after Apple updated its own Watch app ahead of its big event.
Read next: 11 things I learned during two weeks with an Apple Watch
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PUBG: Mobile Duos Cash Series announced by ACGL
If you are a fan of PUBG: Mobile and have a duos partner, then we’ve got some exciting news to share. South African tournament organizer African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL) has announced a PUBG: Mobile Duos Cash Series kicking off this month. Here are the important details South African gamers need to know about this new event.
PUBG: Mobile Duos Cash Series details
Three qualifiers for the PUBG: Mobile Duos Cash Series finals will take place throughout the month of June on Thursdays. The top 16 duos teams from each qualifier will qualify for the Cash Finals which is scheduled to take place on 1 July 2021.
At the PUBG: Mobile Duos Finals, there will be a prize pool of R2,000 to fight for. Despite this nice prize pool, registration for the qualifiers are completely free.
Prize pool distribution:
- 1st Place – R1,000
- 2nd Place – R500
- 3rd Place – R300
- 4th Place – R200
- 10 June at 19:00 SAST – Qualifier 1
- 17 June at 19:00 SAST – Qualifier 2
- 24 June at 19:00 SAST – Qualifier 3
- 1 July at 19:00 SAST – Finals
What are you waiting for? Go grab your duos partner and join the PUBG: Mobile Duos Cash Series from ACGL. You can join all three qualifiers, so teams have three chances to make it to the Finals on 1 July 2021.
Header image via PUBG Corporation.


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Käuferportal has been honoured for its business success at an exclusive event held at the British Embassy in Berlin for The European Business Awards. Along with 43 other companies, Käuferportal was chosen as a ‘National Champion’ for Germany by a panel of independent judges, including senior businesses and academic leaders, in the prestigious Europe-wide competition sponsored by RSM.
Berlin, 15 February 2016 – At the event, attended by 80 senior representatives from Germany’s most successful companies, attendees had the chance to speak to leading businesses in their field and hear from guest speakers including British Ambassador, Sir Sebastian Wood. The Berlin event was the tenth in a series of events for The European Business Awards that have taken place across Europe to celebrate the 678 National Champions from 32 different countries.
The Berlin based online service Käuferportal connects consumers with local retailers and helps them find the best offer for an upscale purchase like windows, a stair lift or a new kitchen. Robin Behlau and Mario Kohle started the company in 2008 as students from their living room. Today they connect online customers to thousands of local businesses and facilitate products for one billion euros per year. Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said: “Germany is home to some truly exciting and entrepreneurial businesses, which we are delighted to champion and support. We wish Käuferportal and all the National Champions every success for their businesses in the future.”
The European Business Awards engaged with over 32,000 companies from 33 countries this year, a 33% increase from last year, and a record-breaking number for the competition now in its ninth year. The competition was created to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. Additional sponsors and partners of the Awards include ELITE and PR Newswire.
For further information please contact:
Käuferportal: Sebastian Manthey at firstname.lastname@example.org
European Business Awards: Vanessa Wood at email@example.com or call 0044 (0) 796 666 6657
RSM: Gillian Hawkes at firstname.lastname@example.org


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'Last Click Attribution' is being removed from Google Analytics, and replaced with 'Google Attribution'. What does this mean for advertisers?
Your Google AdWords campaigns can now spend double their daily budget to ‘help you reach your advertising goals’, such as generating more conversions.
Google is launching Dashboards, a new customisable solution for AdWords advertisers to easily see their most important data and KPIs in one place.
Apple announces the release of Intelligent Tracking Prevention, a new feature to limit the tracking of user activity. How will this affect ad targeting?
Facebook has announced that it will be opening branded content capabilities to more Page owners, as well as adding a 'Paid' label to branded content.
As more UK and US brands pull their Google and YouTube advertising due to ads appearing next to extremist content, Google publicly apologises and promises to make improvements.
Pinterest has introduced Search Ads with eBay, Garnier, and other brand partners, and announced a new partnership with Kenshoo.
Has Google updated the Penguin algorithm? Theories point to a recent update that's targeting Private Blog Networks and 'spammy' links...
When is the final deadline for expanded text ads? Plus, Google has released a new guide to using Customer Match and remarketing lists for search ads in AdWords...


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Home Tags NAFED
Over the last two weeks, wholesale and retail prices have more than doubled in several markets across India, including the largest wholesale onion market in Nashik.
The government had nearly doubled its buffer stock target to 1 lakh metric tonnes after last year’s price rise, but so far, it has only procured 45,000 MT.
Excess monsoon destroyed the kharif onion crop, but there was much administrative failure that led to the prices crossing Rs 150 per kg.
Onion prices have surged across India again, ranging from Rs 90 per kilo to Rs 200 per kilo.
NAFED stored its buffer stock of 57,372 MT onions using traditional methods as opposed to cold storage. Over half of it got destroyed due to moisture & rain.
On average each day in October, only 3,200 metric tonnes of apples came from Kashmir to Azadpur Mandi compared to 18,250 metric tonnes in the same period last year.
Minister Ram Vilas Paswan says govt reluctant to impose stock limit as it could severely hit income of farmers in Maharashtra by bringing down prices.


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Facebook fastest to hit US$250B, beating Google by six years
Facebook set an all-time high today, closing at $88.86 per share, valuing the company at just under $250 billion.
The giant social network’s 2.4 percent rise to a record close on Monday, a little more than three years after its IPO, made it the first company in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to break that market cap so quickly. According to Bloomberg, the previous record holder was Google Inc., which took about eight years.
Facebook’s quick rising may demonstrate investor confidence that the company will continue to grow mobile advertising sales on its application and others. To some degree, the increase also reflects froth in tech stocks; the Nasdaq Internet Index has almost doubled since Facebook went public.
“Its share trades at 87 times profit margin, almost five times the average in the S&P 500. Companies in the Nasdaq Internet Index trade at a price-earnings ratio of 27”.
“When you see stocks with these high multiples, it proves to you the market’s comfort in the longer term growth story,” said Paul Sweeney, an expert at Bloomberg Intelligence. “Investors think Facebook is more valuable than the average NASDAQ stock.”
The company’s rapid rise to $90.10 a share on Monday is even more perfect because the stock lost more than a large portion of its worth in the four months after its IPO in May 2012.
Facebook had a market value of $104.2 billion at its IPO, so the company didn’t have to climb in the same way as some other companies did to reach $250 billion.
With a market value of $253 billion, Facebook is currently the ninth-biggest company in the S&P 500 – bigger than Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co., which took decades to grow as valuable like Facebook.
Facebook’s income comes from advertising – which the company gets more than 90 percent of its revenues – increased 46 percent to $3.32 billion in the first quarter from a year earlier.
More than 66% of that originated from mobile advertisement sales. Analysts estimate that the Facebook business increased 37 percent in the second quarter, according to the information reported by Bloomberg.
Longer-term, the company plans to serve advertising on other applications and websites and to profit from its rapidly growing Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger applications.
Facebook also is betting on its $2 billion buy of Oculus VR Inc a year ago, a “virtual-reality headset maker”, and plans to expand Internet connections in developing countries like Africa.


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The early uptake of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) chargers in the UK will be set back by policies designed to flatten the daily price variations in electricity. If such policies remain in place, or propagate across Europe, R&D companies like Indra will have to shift their focus to either smart charging or a vehicle-to-home offering.
The policies in question stem from Ofgem’s Targeted Charging Review (TCR), which will run for at least two years from April 2021. The consultation aimed to address the uncertainty in forward-looking charges for electricity on the country’s national grid, as well as ‘residual charges,’ which are essentially non-consumer related sunk costs. Any changes implemented, according to Ofgem, were to be “designed to remove any unintended distortions and improve fairness in a practical and proportional way.”
Ofgem’s outcome landed on introducing a fixed charge for transmission and distribution for all consumers. Domestic customers will be allocated a single residual charge, while non-domestic customers will be charged based on their specific band of operation. The consultation has also introduced a ‘partial reform’ to the use of balancing mechanisms within local electricity supply. Under the new scheme, demand will be assessed by its gross value, neglecting any smaller distributed generators or the opportunity for exporting electricity.
While this will theoretically see households paying less, at the expense of industry, the way that Ofgem has approached this will make it much more challenging for large companies to find an economically viable way of reducing emissions. Companies that are aiming to use onsite generation or onsite storage, including through V2G, will now find it difficult to generate value from these assets, and will similarly struggle to achieve load shifting.
To protect the average consumer, whose demand profile peaks solidly in the morning (around 8am) and in the evening (around 8pm) when prices are high, these proposals will see prices during peak demand fall, while they rise throughout the rest of the day. This means that daily variations in price will be lower, and the business case for V2G around buying electricity overnight when it is cheap and selling it when it is expensive in the morning will be significantly dented.
In conversation with Indra Renewable Technologies, which worked on Project Sciurus to deploy 1,000 V2G units across the UK, the company identified that as much as 70% of the customer savings from a V2G charging point could be lost. While the revenues from load shifting and selling electricity to the grid could have potentially brought £500 to the customer each year in the previous system, the figure is now below £200. The cost of installation of a V2G charger is normally in the range of £4,000 to £5,000, so the payback time of over 20 years is no longer an attractive pitch to consumers.
This is most probably the reason behind Nissan’s decision to move from the CHAdeMO protocol for charging, which facilitates the use of bidirectional flow of electricity, to CCS, which doesn’t, for its Ariya SUV. But the more infrastructure that’s built around one-directional charging, the smaller the near-term market becomes for V2G.
The market for V2G will still exist if price variations return in two years once the timeline for Ofgem’s measures expire, providing they aren’t extended, nor propagate into other European markets. But it’s important that the developers of the technology survive through a period where order volumes will be low.
For Indra, what this means is shifting towards smart charging, where rather than selling electricity back to the grid, the system purely selects the optimum time to charge the electric vehicles. While the new regulations still diminish margins, it is possible that consumers will still benefit from around £60 per year of savings. With smart chargers costing only around £500 to install, a payback time of 8 years is comparable to what customers are used to in sectors like residential solar.
Then there’s what Indra is calling Vehicle-to-Home charging, a way for the company to keep its keep its V2G technology going on the back burner. In Vehicle-to-Home charging, the EV battery effectively serves the same purposes as a residential storage system, by providing backup power and reducing grid demand at peak prices. Through utilizing the “Tesla Powerwall mindset,” where customers want to become self-reliant on clean energy, consumers can currently save up to £200 per year, which Indra estimates rise to £700 per year as the market develops.4


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Google has been fined more than $21 million in India for “search bias” and abuse of its dominant position, competition regulators said Thursday.
The Competition Commission of India found that Google had deliberately steered flight-related queries towards its own specialised flight search page rather than to competing websites, pocketing additional commission payments as a result.
It also ruled that Google had acted unfairly with regard to companies that incorporate its search engine in their own websites, by restricting their usage of competing services.
The ruling late on Thursday came eight months after Google was fined €2.42bn by the European Commission for giving “an illegal advantage” to its comparison shopping service
“(The Commission) finds it appropriate to impose a penalty on Google at the rate of 5% of their average total revenue generated from India operations from different business segments for the financial years 2013, 2014 and 2015.”
The order said the company had 60 days to pay the fine for “for infringing anti-trust conduct”.
In response to Thursday’s CCI order, Google said: “The Competition Commission of India has confirmed that, on the majority of issues it examined, our conduct complies with Indian competition laws.
We are reviewing the narrow concerns identified by the Commission and will assess our next steps.” The complaint against Google was originally brought by Matrimony.com, an online matchmaking site, and the Consumer Unity & Trust Society, a pressure group.
The former had accused Google of abusing its position to maximise revenue, by allowing rival matchmaking sites to use its trademarked terms as key words for their advertising — a submission rejected by the CCI, which said that Google’s approach enabled better search results for users.
“The CCI has . . . exercised restraint recognising the dynamic nature of online markets,” Naval Chopra, a partner at law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, who represented Matrimony.com, said in an emailed statement. But the move was hailed as a landmark decision by some in the Indian technology industry.
“Sending billions of tax free $ out of India and blocking Indian startups to build solutions for India. That’s Google for you!” Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytm, India’s leading financial technology start-up, wrote on Twitter. “Competition Commission gives a great judgement.”


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A looks and review of Sony's E3 2010 press event
by Thomas G June 28, 2010
A retrospective look at the franchise on the back of debunked rumors about a PS3 Twisted Metal.
by Mike Haseloff June 03, 2010
Good Old Games finally updates the cult road combat classic for modern PCs.
by Bob Mackey February 18, 2010
The last 2.5 decades of my life have all led up to this moment.
by Andrew Mann January 27, 2010
Burn rubber and man the canons! It's time to twist some metal!
by Mike Haseloff June 10, 2009


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As can be seen from the most current figures, the US GDP growth is already declining. After declining by 1.6% in the first three months of the year, the US gross domestic product decreased by an annualized 0.9% in the second quarter.
As of now, the National Bureau of Economic Research’s analysts does not consider the US to be in a recession but many economists, analysts, and research experts are of the view that if not at present, the US may witness a recessionary scenario soon. Fed rate hikes are going to continue till inflation gets controlled which is likely to bring more pain to the economic conditions in the US.
Here is what Zacks Investment Research has to state about recession considering the corporate earnings that reflect the consumer demand across the sectors.
The overall corporate profitability picture emerging from the Q2 earnings season, with nearly all the results in, showed stability and resilience in key earnings drivers like consumer and business spending.
While this stability and resilience run contrary to worries of an imminent economic slowdown or even a recession, there are nevertheless early signs of weakness in both consumer and business spending.
The market appreciated Walmart’s results, but the favorable market reaction likely had more to do with fears created by its earlier pre-announcement. The inventory overhang at Walmart, Target, and other retailers was mostly due to shifting consumer preferences. But part of the problem could be attributed to weakness in lower-income households as a result of inflationary pressures.
It makes intuitive sense for this consumer segment to be feeling some squeeze, as we heard from companies in a variety of industries, including AT&T. Other households seem to be doing just fine, as we heard from banks, credit card operators and beyond.
With respect to business spending, we have started seeing a squeeze on advertising budgets and hiring plans, but Microsoft and others didn’t see anything disconcerting with respect to spending on software and other services. That said, it is reasonable to expect some moderation in demand trends going forward as the full extent of the Fed’s tightening cycle permeates through the broader economy.
A slowdown has gotten underway, but there is nothing in the earnings data, management commentary or guidance that would suggest the U.S. economy heading into a major economic downturn.
That said, estimates have started coming down, with the overall revisions trend turning negative even after accounting for the persistent favorable revisions trend enjoyed by the Energy sector.
If we look at the evolution of Q3 earnings growth expectations on an ex-Energy basis, the expected growth rate has dropped from +2.1% on July 6th to -5% today. A big part of this year’s growth is thanks to the strong momentum in the Energy sector whose earnings are on track to grow +137.6% this year.
Excluding this extraordinary Energy sector contribution, earnings growth for the rest of the index would be up only +0.3%. There is a rising degree of uncertainty about the outlook, reflecting a lack of macroeconomic visibility in a backdrop of Fed monetary policy tightening. The evolving earnings revisions trend will reflect this macro backdrop.


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Fintech Bank Ltd (FBL), a Labuan-based commercial bank licensed by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA), has commenced operations to serve domestic and international clientele. The bank is said to be the first seamless business and fintech industry-friendly commercial bank in Asia.
FBL said in a statement it offers a wide range of global banking solutions to satisfy its clients’ needs on a 24/7 basis.
Adopting Temenos, the world’s no.1 banking system in their services, FBL allows customers to open a personal or a business bank account online efficiently and securely. New bank account applications can be approved within five minutes in total privacy via authenticated facial recognition technology in full compliance with AML/KYC/CFT protocols.
The process becomes a fully digital onboarding experience with zero physical bank branch visits required.
According to FBL, companies from all jurisdictions and individuals can set up a bank account with zero monthly maintenance fee and no minimum account balance, fast customer wire transfers, and enjoy its global banking solutions and transactions.
Apart from an efficient online onboarding, FBL connects the digital assets and fintech industry with fiat currencies by offering clearing and settlement solutions for institutions, companies, investors, and retail users worldwide.
The goal is to bring simplicity and efficiency to every digital asset transaction.
FBL is a strategic partnership between Ho Wah Genting Investment Bank (Labuan) PLC and Hamilton Reserve Bank, a fully regulated global bank providing services in 10 different currencies across 150 countries, that serves the needs of the fintech industry in a wider capacity.
The financial institution first commenced its operations as a new commercial bank licensed by the LFSA in April 2021 and is headquartered at the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (IBFC).
Regulated by the LFSA, Labuan IBFC is home to more than 16,000 registered companies and more than 800 licensed entities operating regionally, presenting a perfect financial opportunity for businesses seeking to connect with Asia’s economies and beyond.
“Fintech Bank is entering an exciting phase where we can work with customers and companies globally. We look forward to providing banking solutions for onshore and offshore entities, making transactions easy, efficient, and secure across the world.
“We aim to onboard one million customers online who place their trust in our financial services in the next 12 months. As our institution grows, we also plan to scale up our operations and continuously provide better offerings for customers.” said Gavin Lim, FBL director.
More information can be found at: https://www.fibank.com.


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ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH)—An auto shop received more than 800 phone calls in two days after its phone number was used for a spoofing scam, and state police said other spoofing calls have recently been reported in southern Indiana.
Spoofing, a technique often used by scammers, is when a caller hides their own phone number and gets someone else’s number to show up on caller IDs.
Jeff Parker, owner of T and J Tire in Anderson, said he’s received more than 1,000 phone calls over the past week.
He said it all started on Thursday, when someone called asking if he’d like to buy some insurance.
Parker said “no thanks,” and then he said the calls started rolling in.
People called from across the country saying they got a call from his auto shop. Some asked why Parker called them, some told him they don’t want to buy insurance.
He eventually stopped picking up calls from non-local numbers.
“We started having to explain to people our phone was hacked,” Parker said. “I lost sleep over the weekend worrying about this. That, come Monday morning, it’s going to start over.”
Parker came back Monday and, sure enough, the phone kept ringing.
He said the calls have tapered off since last week, however, and he’s now getting less than ten a day.
“I was worried some of the calls I was ignoring might have been legitimate customers,” he said.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Jerry Goodin said there is no way for Parker or other business owners to prevent someone from spoofing their number.
Goodin said police are investigating a string of other calls in the Scott County area.
According to police, numerous people received calls from someone saying they’re with Duke Energy. The caller is asking for credit card information and threatening to shut off the customer’s power.
Police advise anyone suspicious of a Duke Energy phone call to hang up the phone, look up the company’s number, and call them back to check on your account.


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CMA CGM Group Reorganizes Transpacific Trade Focusing APL on US Flag
Shipping giant the CMA CGM Group is reorganizing its transpacific operations consolidating under one brand and expanding its use of Singapore as a hub for its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. In the process, the commercial operations of APL, one of the most storied names in American shipping history, are largely being phased out as the brand focuses on service to the U.S. Government.
“The reorganization of our transpacific trade will keep our global network more efficient and diversified,” said Stéphane Courquin, head of CMA CGM Asia Pacific. “The creation of a new Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore demonstrates our dedication to serve the region as we take supply chain efficiency to the next level, leveraging our expertise in shipping and logistics.”
Effective October 1, 2020, CMA CGM will become the sole commercial carrier of the group for transpacific operations. APL, which had continued its operations following the 2016 merger of Neptune Orient into CMA CGM will transition its express services to CMA CGM. APL will now focus on servicing the United States Government, providing its U.S. flag service, and continuing its service to the Guam-Pacific trade, which the company says directly benefits the people of Guam and Saipan.
“We are leveraging the very best of CMA CGM and APL, two major carriers in the U.S., to bring our customers an even more focused and streamlined customer experience,” said Ed Aldridge, President of CMA CGM and APL in the United States. “This simplification fortifies the Group’s number-one position in the country while enabling us to build upon APL’s rich heritage of U.S. flag-ship operations and service to the United States Government.”
Also as part of the reorganization of operations, the current CMA CGM regional office and NOL Limited will become a regional hub known as CMA CGM Asia Pacific Limited. The Singapore-based hub will drive CMA CGM’s development in the Asia-Pacific region and focus on delivering end-to-end shipping and logistics solutions and providing intra-Asia short-sea services through CNC. ANL Container Line Pty. Limited will become a subsidiary of CMA CGM Asia Pacific Limited providing Oceania routes.
In announcing these steps, the company said these steps would help the group to more effectively serve its customers and focus on delivering complete, tailored solutions in the transpacific market. The CMA CGM Group said that its strategy would allow the group to adapt to the economic and trade environment. The group will optimize its cost base and be positioned to achieve superior growth.


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* Date : 2017-09-22
JN's Tech is a company that has developed hydrogen water purifier which can get rid of reactive oxygen species that accelerate aging. Based on the advanced technologies that can produce hydrogen water, the company has achieved a lot of patents and certificates. Also, along with the establishment of the R&D Center, it has focused on promoting eco-friendly businesses, improving the designs of the products and diversifying the distribution channels. We introduce JN's Tech, a global manufacturer of hydrogen water purifier which is expected to start exports to Japan and broaden its businesses in the Vietnamese market as well.
Mand.ro is a company that has manufactured electronic prosthetic hands based on the 3D printing, scanning and designing technologies that are one of the major parts of the fourth industrial revolution. The company has developed its own circuit-type sensor that can effectively detect the muscle movements of people. Also, the electronic prosthetic hand can be charged with a USB port, just like charging smartphones. And such an advanced charging method has been introduced for the first time in the global market. Mand.ro has been participated in the project that provides electronic prosthetic hands to the refugees in troubled areas like Syria and Jordan by cooperating with KOICA. We look into Mand.ro, a company that has expanded the supply and demand for the 3D printing technologies by developing electronic prosthetic hands and has given new lives for people with mutilated hand injuries.


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Words: Maddy Matheson
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) has announced that the 15th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) has moved to an online only event this year, in order to prioritise the safety of participating individuals and communities against the recent Covid-19 outbreaks across Australia. The online fair will run from Friday 6 August through to Wednesday 11 August.
“It was a heartbreaking decision as we had hoped to bring the national community together on Larrakia Country this year,” says DAAFF Executive Director Claire Summers. “We know, however, this is the right approach as it was based on the advice we have received from relevant authorities and feedback from our Art Centre participants. As always, safety is paramount.”
Last year DAAF presented its first digital fair, reaching its largest ever global audience. This year the digital format returns, this time with further enhancements in usability and interactivity for audiences. This digital pivot is expected to deliver yet another record-breaking event. The aim of the fair remains the same, connecting art enthusiasts globally with remote communities, Art Centres and artists across Australia.
The online fair will be presented on the DAAF website where audiences can peruse and purchase original artworks directly from Art Centres as they would at the physical fair. The online fair will be open to the public from 10am ACST on Friday 6 August to 5pm ACST on Wednesday 11 August. To gain exclusive early access to the online fair, register through the DAAF website here.
Art Collector is producing its much-loved DAAF special edition to accompany the online fair. This special edition is free and will be posted free of charge to the first 500 collectors who register their interest in receiving it on the Art Collector website here. Hurry! Preorder ends Tuesday 6 July.
Image: Mary Dhapalany, Woven mat, 2020. Pandanus and natural dyes, 170 x 130cm. Photo: Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation. Courtesy: the artist and DAAF, Darwin.


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Cold ironing clash may throw a spanner in west coast port contract talks
Contract negotiations at US west coast terminals appear to be in danger of being disrupted ...
Between them, Thatcher and Reagan were praised for “smashing the unions”. But they also engendered a market mindset of mass consolidation. And, according to this fascinating read from Kim Moody in The Conversation, in so doing they may have laid the groundwork for workers to again leverage employers for better standards and higher remuneration. It seems logistics clusters are particularly vulnerable to worker disruption. As Mr Moody notes, striking warehouse workers could close production up and down a supply chain, and inflict “huge damage” on a business’s reputation for reliability.
“It is one of the great ironies of modern capitalism that we are now seeing the massive concentrations of manual workers that business leaders once sought to escape,” he adds. “We have not yet seen unions trying to take advantage of these situations, partly perhaps after decades on the backfoot and partly because the likes of warehouse workers tend not to unionise.”


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Google looks set to get back into the TV game, with an Android powered Nexus TV set-top box tipped for release in 2014.
A device that looks set to be similar to Apple TV, only with Android at its core,
Again in a similar vein to Apple’s own set-top unit, the newly teased Nexus TV offering is said to not support live broadcasts, instead making use of connected capabilities to bring online content to your home’s biggest screen.
Reportedly shown off behind closed doors by Google’s Andy Rubin at CES 2013 last January, it has been suggested that the Nexus TV box was originally intended to be launched at Google I/O this summer before being replaced by the HDMI wireless streaming dongle, the Google Chromecast.
Now tipped for an early 2014 arrival, the Google Nexus TV box will reportedly tackle the wider home entertainment market, with an integrated camera and motion sensor bringing the likes of Skype to the set-top box.
Gadget blog TheInformation has cited “people who have seen the device or were told about it” in suggesting that the Nexus-branded set-top box will launch “in the first half of next year.”
Read More: Google Nexus 10 review


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A recent feature in The Washington Post placed vegan-friendly options at the helm of the evolution of “diner culture”—in which customers often search for affordable satisfying comfort food. In addition to three soon-to-open area diners, the feature highlighted the anticipated opening of Fare Well—a vegan diner concept founded by vegan bakery Sticky Fingers’ owner Doron Petersan. Fare Well will serve a curated menu of diner favorites including burgers and pastas and Petersan’s acclaimed pastries, and will utilize vegan cheeses made from cashews, almonds, or coconut. Regarding the local diner scene, Petersan said, “DC for a lot of reasons has never had a lot of things that are associated with blue-collar culture,” and pointed out that customers are searching for “a richer culture in food and entertainment.”
Wedding bells! You’re going to fall in love with VeganWeddings.com — a new website from the editors of VegNews.


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- Apple and Samsung are the leading players in mobile phone exports from India.
- Apple overtook Samsung to become the leading mobile phone exporter in November.
- Apple achieved $1 billion mobile phone exports in December.
- iPhone is the “Apple of India’s eye”.
Apple iPhone exports reach $1 billion in India


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APT strengthens relationship with Sabre via renewed agreement
Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, today announced that it has renewed a strategic agreement with APT Group. The long-term commitment includes customised Sabre solutions to help the luxury travel specialist scale its regional business.
APT’s Customer Service team is currently leveraging the online booking engine, Sabre Explore, which is adapted to meet their specific content, booking and fulfilment needs. The result is greater efficiency, reduced errors and an enhanced customer service experience. The renewed agreement now means Sabre will continue to strengthen APT’s workflows with the latest digital tools.
David Cox, executive general manager said, “The bespoke work undertaken by Sabre has made a fundamental difference to our business. We have renewed our agreement with Sabre because they have proven to be an innovative partner that works with us to find the best solutions to our business challenges.”
“Until recently, the Australia and New Zealand travel industry didn’t have this specific technology to support the local needs of tour operators, wholesale agents and agents with reservation call centres. We are proud to have addressed this gap in the market and with a custom solution for APT. Adoption is high and climbing which is great because it translates into new revenue opportunities for our partners,” said Richard Morgan, regional director for Sabre Travel Network, South Pacific.
Sabre Explore is a locally developed white label leisure online booking tool that connects APT reservation agents to over 400 airlines. Sabre Explore is available to all travel agents, tour operators and wholesale agents across Australia and New Zealand.


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Robin Kamal is ahead of the times. That is what sets him apart. He’s also a realist and something of a battler.
As the founder of WatchHub he has spent three years building up a business that is taking a steadily increasing share of the e-tail spend on watches, despite the many hurdles in his way.
“In spring of last year a piece I wrote for WatchPro talked about how the big brands would be gunning for the online discounters,” recalls Robin. “I’m not sure everyone saw that coming but it’s happening now.”
He continues to talk about how the brands are taking more control than ever before, how every brand from the high end to the fashion level is looking to sell only alongside suitable adjacencies. “The danger is that eventually all retailers will have similar offers,” he argues. “If that trend develops to a point where the retail watch offer is more or less homogenised wherever you look, then that will have a big impact on the best ways to retail watches.”
He says that for starters there will be no way to win on price. All the other retail factors will become more important, like imagination and personality – two areas that WatchHub majors on.
“It’s good news for us because we can differentiate ourselves but if the big companies are sweeping the industry with a big brush then we may lose some of the smaller guys.” For now, Robin is happy to keep on pushing his non-corporate business forward.
In six months time, WatchHub will be rebranded. “We’ve made a lot of mistakes in our growing period,” says Robin, exhibiting typical candour. “The rebrand is our opportunity to put all those things right.” Like invigorating the store with new SKUs on a more regular basis and even revisiting the logo.
He notes too that the site will be more interactive. “That’s all I can say about it at the moment because as far as I know ours will be the only site in our industry to use this feature.” Once again Robin, and his ever-evolving business is forging ahead of the herd.
The Retail Titans category was sponsored by Bremont.
To see the full version of WatchPro Hot 100 2013, click here.


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In the wake of the news that Nintendo Switch sales in Japan will be affected by the coronavirus outbreak, Nintendo of America has confirmed that the company doesn’t believe there will be any impact on product sales in North America and Europe.
Nintendo previously issued an apology for “inevitable” production and shipment delays of Nintendo Switch consoles and accessories, along with copies of Ring-Fit Adventure, saying that coronavirus was affecting production.
It has now been confirmed that these delays are only affecting products produced in China and sold in Japan. Speaking to Kotaku, a spokesperson for Nintendo of America issued the following statement:
We can confirm that the manufacturing of some Nintendo products for the Japanese market has been delayed due to the impact of 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak. Nintendo does not anticipate a significant impact on our broader global supply chain for systems and accessories at this time, and product sales in North America and Europe, including preorders, are not affected. We would like to express our concern and support for all those affected by the coronavirus during this challenging time.
While the pre-order date for the new Animal Crossing: New Horizons themed Switch in Japan has been pushed back, pre-orders for the console in the West are unaffected.
The Switch isn’t the only thing suffering from production issues due to the coronavirus outbreak – Facebook has stated that it expects delays in Oculus Quest production because of the virus.
The Outer Worlds has also seen its Switch port pushed back indefinitely thanks to coronavirus affecting the offices of the Virtuos team working on the game. Publisher Private Division has confirmed that the team is okay, but the offices have been closed because of the risk from the outbreak.
Remember that you can help prevent yourself catching certain illnesses by using safe hygiene practices. These include things like frequently washing your hands with soap and water, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and immediately sanitising your hands after, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and ensuring you cook all your food properly prior to consumption.


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Dell CEO Michael Dell said AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) will launch Dell's Streak mobile Internet device later this summer, but declined to provide any more details. The announcement represents a
Verizon Wireless' (NYSE:VZ) planned tablet running Google's Android platform raises a lot of questions, especially because both Verizon and Google have been scant with the details so far. Google is
A second iPhone 4 prototype appears to have slipped from Apple's care, prompting serious questions about the company's internal security. The new prototype found its
This week Nokia executives swapped offices again, while HTC fired back at Apple in the courts. With its smartphone market share in freefall, Nokia’s
Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) said it will launch its first 3G/4G smartphone, the HTC Evo 4G, June 4. The carrier, beset by postpaid subscriber defections, is hoping the high-end device will lure customers
Taiwanese handset vendor HTC has countersued Apple for patent infringement, asking US trade regulators to block the sale of Apple devices in the US. HTC’s reque
HTC fired back at Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the patent infringement dispute between the two smartphone makers, alleging Apple is infringing on five of HTC's patents. The Taiwanese company asked the U.S.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is trying to brush aside a report from earlier this week that showed Google's Android platform beating out the iPhone for the No. 2 spot in terms of U.S. smartphone market share.
There is not enough Apple rumor mongering. The iPhone 4G is just weeks away yet minutes pass with nary a blurry image appearing on the Web. Hours pass sans stories about a missing prototype.
Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) plans to launch a tablet based on Google's Android platform, and a host of other connected devices, in a bid to catch up with rival AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) on the tablet


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The news cycle is complicated and that’s not news at all. But Headliner: Novi News will give you an insider’s perspective to the industry with the job of a newspaper headliner. The news is in your hands.
Chorus Worldwide has announced two Nintendo Switch physical releases for the Japanese market.
Unbound Creations has announced a new release date for news editor simulator Headliner: NoviNews.
Hot off the press: Unbound Creations’ acclaimed news editor sim Headliner: NoviNews is coming to Nintendo Switch in Summer 2019.


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Apple released iOS 12.5 for older iPhone models today, bringing support for COVID-19 upgrades. This is a major change, as it extends contact footprints to iPhones that don’t support iOS 14, including devices like the hugely popular iPhone 6 series.
Here’s what Apple has to say about the release of iOS 12.5:
iOS 12.5 allows you to choose the COVID-19 Exposure Notifications system for your iPhone. System availability depends on support from your local public health authority. For more information see covid19.apple.com/contacttracing
Apple also adds that iOS 12.5 includes additional “security updates” and that the release is recommended to all users. Apple also released watchOS 6.3 for older Apple Watch models today, bringing “major security updates” for users.
How does COVID-19 notification work?
When a user enables the feature, the device will regularly send a beacon with Bluetooth, which includes a random Bluetooth ID. When two people are close to each other, their phones will exchange and record these Bluetooth IDs.
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, they can voluntarily report the positive test to the Exposure Notification application for their region. The Exhibition Notification API will also download a list of the keys for the signposts confirmed as belonging to people confirmed positive for COVID-19, and will check against that list. If there is a match, the user can be notified and advised on the following steps.
Privacy is a temptation of the Exposure Notification API. Perhaps the biggest privacy protection in Google’s API and Exposure Notification API is that local data doesn’t play as well as it works. The two companies say these apps should collect as little data as possible, and local data is not needed for this Bluetooth-based access.
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