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Laptops and desktops with Advanced Micro Devices' A-series chips will become available from PC makers this quarter, the company's CEO said on Monday.
The Lenovo H320 is a slim rig that greatly resembles the rest of the budget desktop pack. But although it's lacking a little in ports and graphics support, it brings a lot to the table -- including 6GB of RAM, a Blu-ray combo drive, and excellent per...
I like to think that most of us who use computers are reasonably bright and responsible. So I get really irritated by the mindset of some technology vendors who insist that treating us like children is not only okay, but also the responsible thing fo...
Dell on Wednesday said it will start reaching out directly to affected customers to replace motherboards in PCs with Intel's flawed Sandy Bridge chipset.
Half the notebook computers and a growing number of desktops shipped in 2011 will run on graphics-enabled microprocessors as designers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) increase competition for the units that raise multimedia speeds without add-...
Sales of Apple's iPad battered Acer's netbooks and notebooks sales so badly that Dell was able to regain its second-place position in the global PC market.
Laptops and desktops from Lenovo with the upgraded Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) will become available starting in early April, with Hewlett-Packard planning shipments of business PCs soon after, the companies said.
If you feel you are a lost cause at setting up and operating the latest tablets and smartphones, you aren't alone.
Acer today announced that it will launch a new media centre PC in April. The Acer Revo 100 includes a combination touchpad and touch keyboard that slots inside the PC's case when not in use.
Mozilla has urged users to update their graphics cards' drivers if they want to take advantage of Firefox 4's hardware acceleration.
Gartner on Thursday lowered its growth forecast for worldwide PC shipments in 2011, joining a growing number of analysts who believe Apple's iPad 2 will bridge the remaining gap between laptops and tablets this year.
Remember when Apple thought different? They wanted us to see them as being like us, their customers. They wanted us to believe we had similar values, goals and aspirations. They wanted to convince us that, with their help, computers would be differen...
A new wave of Web-connected printers from the likes of HP and Lexmark are changing the way we dole out documents. Instead of dumb single-purpose devices, a modern multifunction cloud printer can print any document from nearly any device, anywhere you...
Apple's release on Thursday of a developer preview of the next Mac OS X version showcases a range of ideas and features adopted from the iOS-based iPad tablet.
An intriguing report on German news site Heise.de on Monday unveiled a cheap monitor that includes built-in PC functionality. The Acer DX241H is an otherwise standard 1920x1080 pixel HDMI monitor, but it also features an operating system running on t...
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- Viacom18, MTV Staying Alive Foundation collaborate to roll out MTV Nishedh
The initiative will focus on fostering healthier attitudes and behaviours and removing the stigma surrounding several health-related issues...
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iOS 11 Compatibility: The first name that comes to our mind whenever we think of smartphones and other electronic gadgets is Apple. The US-based brand has become a household name for more than almost a decade now since its first inception into the market by its founder. And since then it has taken giants towards establishing itself as one of the leading brands in the world of electronic gadgets.
These days more often not we find Apple on the headlines of the news related to the world of technology. And here we are once again back with all the probabilities and possibilities regarding the latest operating system that is going to come out around sometime during the year 2017.
It involves the upcoming iOS 11 which the experts believe is going to be incredible as far as its features are concerned. The event kicked off on June 5 and lasted until June 9, but it was on the opening day itself on which Apple announced the iOS 11 and all its features. But what people across the world are concerned with is which Apple device is going to be compatible with the new operating system. So here is our full list of iOS 11 Compatible devices.
iOS 11 Compatibility for iPhones
The latest update of the software being rolled for in the month of September this year, it will take a while for the iOS 11 to come out. The new iOS 11 is not due to come out before September, and it might even be brought out alongside the upcoming iPhone 8. However, it is the older models that we are mostly worried about. As always, not all previous Apple devices will be compatible with the new operating system. So while the iOS 11 will be downloadable on multiple Apple devices besides the anniversary edition iPhone (which will launch with the latest OS itself), only a select few models will be able to support the new platform.The problem is that at this moment, we do not quite know for sure which previous iOS-based devices will be avail the iOS 11 download. But one can always speculate, and based on that, we have made a few deductions.
The users could update their gadgets to iOS without much of a problem. But many of the users, particularly those who are using Apple iPhone versions lower than that of the Apple iPhone 5S will definitely face a bit of trouble while updating because their smartphones might not be compatible with the upcoming software update from Apple. The Apple iOS 11 operating system will probably be made available to the users of iPhone 5S and its successors. The list of Apple iPhones which will be compatible with the iOS 11 is as follows:
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone 7 Plus
iOS 11 Compatibility for iPads
All the users of the Apple iPads will also not be able to update their tabs to the latest upcoming software update from Apple. As of now it is predicted that both the 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch versions of the Apple iPad Pro are going to be compatible with the iOS 11. The upcoming Apple iPad Pro 2 will also be among those devices which can be upgraded to iOS 11 along with other devices like the iPad Mini 3 and 4, iPad Air and Air 2. Here is the list of all the iPads that will be compatible with the iOS 11 software update. So these are the devices which would pass the iOS 11 Compatibility Test with flying colors
iPad Mini 3
iPad Mini 4
iPad 4th Generation
iPad Air 2
iPad Pro 2
The Apple iOS 10 update was only available to the iPod 6th Generation. And the way things stand now, it is highly unlikely that the trend will change and the iPod 6th Generation is going to be the only iPod that will be compatible with the latest iOS 11 update of the operating system.
So this is how it stands for the time being. Alongside this, we are expecting the upcoming iPhone devices and the iPads will come with the iOS 11 operating system right out of the box. The Apple iPhone 8 is definitely going to be one of those. However, it remains to be seen whether the upcoming version of the iPhones will come with iOS 11 compatibility or not because of the fact that the release of the iPhone 8 might take place ahead of the official release of the iOS 11 operating system. But other than that the list of devices provided above is going to be the one that will be compatible with the iOS 11 operating system


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As transparent as GLASS!
Google have recently announced the latest developments of their GLASS technology, a heads up display and more for the individual. Whilst not matching the capabilities of Jordi ‘s visor (Star Trek, The Next generation) it does not the less have some remarkable capabilities.
The product was first unveiled as part of a demo at a Google launch event lat year where developers were offered early access to the device for $1,500, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin was recently spotted on New York’s subway testing the device.
Glass can be used to take pictures and record video, as well as share content directly via email or social networks. Voice commands such as “OK, Glass, take a picture” are used to control the device.
Other features appeared to include Skype-like video chats, and other related information such as weather reports and map directions and all of this information appears in a small, translucent square in the top right of the wearer’s field of vision (see photo). It seems all menu functions are preceded with the prompt “Ok, Glass.” For example, let’s say you’re wearing the glasses. Want to take a photo of your son while you’re spinning him around in the back yard? Say “Okay, Glass, take a picture.” Want to know how to say “half pound” in Chinese while you’re pricing bok choy at a market in Shanghai? Simply say the prompt and ask “Google half pound in Chinese” and wait for the translation, which also includes audio. Want to live stream yourself on a flying trapeze? Or search photos of tiger heads before carving your ice sculpture? You get the picture. It’ll all be superimposed in the upper-right-hand-corner and it’s all just a voice command away.
Wearable technology is seen as a major growth area for hardware makers in 2013 and beyond.
In 2008, Apple patented a laser-based “head mounted display system” that it suggested could stream video from its iPod, among other features. Other patents obtained by Sony and Microsoft allow for creation of miniature displays to go over users’ eyes.
Oakley recently launched Airwave – ski goggles with built-in sensors which provide information on an in-built screen about an owner’s speed, the size of their jumps and what music they are listening to.
So all good stuff …. And just around the corner. What’s the bet this stuff will be on the shelves in time for Christmas 2013?


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A quarter of the S&P 500 companies report earnings next week, and that could buffet the market as investors await the July Fed meeting.Market Insiderread more
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said the British tanker, Stena Impero, failed to follow international maritime rules.World Newsread more
Amazon hires Trump-allied lobbyist Jeff Miller as battle for Pentagon contract heats up.Politicsread more
In a series of tweets, the president addressed an unusual controversy stemming from a speech delivered Thursday by New York Fed President John Williams.Marketsread more
"You need to understand that we're about to embark on the busiest week of the year for industrial earnings," CNBC's Jim Cramer says.Mad Money with Jim Cramerread more
Boston Federal Reserve President Eric Rosengren is lining up against an apparent push to cut interest rates, telling CNBC in an interview Friday that the central bank can...The Fedread more
The MTA reported that the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 trains are all facing delays due to a network communications issue impacting service in both directions, NBC New York reports.Transportationread more
Companies aren't waiting for the U.S.-China trade war to be resolved, says the head of the world's biggest money manager.Investingread more
US officials including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow will host a meeting at the White House on Monday of semiconductor and...Technologyread more
Trump's constant berating of the Fed and its actions does not influence the central bank's decisions, Boston Fed's Eric Rosengren says.The Fedread more
The lawsuits allege J&J's talc-based baby powder contained asbestos and caused ovarian and other cancers.Health and Scienceread more
NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are taking a bet on millennial-focused financial technology app, Acorns.
The companies announced an equity investment in the start-up on Monday that includes a strategic partnership with Comcast-owned CNBC to produce original content with Acorns. The two will team up on articles, videos and eventually live conferences with the aim of increasing financial literacy, the companies said.
The investment was part of Acorns' latest $105 million funding round, which puts its valuation at $860 million. BlackRock, Bain Capital Ventures, TPG's Rise Fund, DST and Michael Dell's MSD Capital also took part in the Series E round. NBCUniversal, which is now Acorns' biggest shareholder, will also receive a seat on the start-up's board. It will be filled by CNBC Chairman Mark Hoffman.
"This partnership with Acorns builds on CNBC's 30-year commitment to democratizing the financial markets helping generations invest for their future," Hoffman said in a statement. "We are excited to bring together two brands with this shared social purpose to drive value to our viewers, users and customers."
The Irvine, California-based start-up tries to facilitate smart investing by consumers through various services and education offerings. One of its most popular offerings allows customers to automatically invest the spare change from debit or credit card purchases. For example, if an Acorns user bought a cup of coffee for $2.75, the mobile app would round up to the nearest dollar and put that remaining 25 cents into an Acorns investment account. That money is then put to work in professionally managed index funds.
Its automated retirement account service "Acorns Later" has ushered in 350,000 investors who have invested $40 million to date, according to the company.
The 6-year-old start-up already produces its own educational content through its site "Grow. " CNBC is bringing on a team of about 20 people to expand that effort, which Acorns CEO Noah Kerner said will "take things to the next level" and get useful investing content in front of its 4.5 million customers.
"We're trying to put the tools of wealth-making in everyone's hands," Kerner told CNBC. "We have an imperative to educate people and make them smarter with their money so that they can make the right financial decisions."
Kerner told CNBC the cash injection should help the start-up expand its product offering and team. Its last publicly disclosed deal was a $50 million investment from BlackRock and inside capital in May, according to Pitchbook. In addition to Monday's investment from NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures, the venture capital arm of NBCUniversal's parent company, Acorns has also attracted minority investments from PayPal Holdings and Greycroft, among others, according to Pitchbook.
A key opportunity, Kerner said, is to educate people right when they go to make a financial decision. A relevant video or article on investing, produced by CNBC, may spring up on the Acorns app as a user goes to try a new product.
"We want to educate at the moment of decision-making and have that knowledge right there in the product," Kerner said. "That education should happen side by side."
He describes Acorns as a "financial wellness system," instead of an investing, savings or fintech app. Other automated investing and trading start-ups like Wealthfront, Betterment and Robinhood have made major inroads in the past decade. Their popularity has been linked to the rise of mobile phones, low-cost technology that makes them leaner than Wall Street incumbents and a lingering distrust in traditional banking after the financial crisis.
The average Acorns customer is around 32 years old with an income of $50,000 to $60,000. The CNBC partnership is designed to reach an "up-and-coming" financial audience that is younger or less financially savvy.
"This is all about broadening access," Kerner said. "We think it's a good move to work with a company that's been democratizing investing for generations."
Disclosure: Comcast owns CNBC's parent company, NBCUniversal.


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- Legacy car players, including Volkswagen, Audi, General Motors are quickly turning their fleets electric.
- As per the IEA, demand for battery metals is anticipated to rise by more than 30 times in 2050.
- The higher demand for battery metals pushed miners to commence strip mining.
Global electric vehicle (EV) sales more than doubled to 6.6 million units in 2021, as per the International Energy Agency (IEA). Though Tesla remains the king of the electric car market with 14% of the overall EV market, several new automotive players have also entered the market.
At the same time, legacy car players including Volkswagen, Audi, General Motors are quickly turning their entire fleet electric with an aim to become fully electric by the end of this decade.
With a sharp rise in EV sales, demand for battery minerals is also anticipated to grow in tandem. Most of the batteries used in EVs are lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which require lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, manganese and other minerals.
Source: © Malpetr | Megapixl.com
The IEA foresees the demand for battery metals and electric vehicles to multiply by more than 30 times to 12.7Mt in 2050 against their 2020 levels, based on the agency’s Sustainable Development Scenario. Furthermore, the miners need to ensure that the extraction of these minerals is done in an eco-friendly manner so that it can fulfil zero-carbon targets.
Are EVs environment-friendly?
While electric cars and trucks go mainstream, they have consistently faced a challenge: Are they really eco-friendly as advertised? The entire objective of switching to EVs is to save the planet from adverse effects of burning fossil fuels and curb greenhouse emissions. But various research studies found that the extraction of battery minerals used to manufacture batteries is not eco-friendly and could affect the environment severely in the long term.
Recently, a research study conducted by an aerial photographer in South America has revealed vivid hues of lithium fields caused by varying concentrations of lithium carbonate. The study found that the extraction of lithium harms the soil and causes air contamination.
Likewise, few other studies indicate that deep-sea mining of minerals required to power LIBs could potentially cause irreversible damage to aquatic life. The mining of deep-sea beds could destroy species that are yet to be known by mankind.
Strip mining and loss of biodiversity
Higher demand for battery metals pushed miners to commence strip mining, a technique in which overlying vegetation, rock, and soil are removed to extract underlying minerals. The practice is very harmful because it may significantly affect the biodiversity of a particular region.
Source: © Martinleber | Megapixl.com
As per a recent study, fishermen in Indonesia's Obi Island have recorded a significant decline in the number of fish in the region due to rising nickel mining and smelting industries. Researchers found that the pollution has turned coastal waters into a “mud puddle” due to high levels of heavy metal contamination.
The rising demand for electric vehicles, as a part of the road to attaining net neutrality, has pushed demand for battery metals. At the same time, various studies indicate that inappropriate mining practices can significantly affect the environment. Proper extraction of minerals is critical for the energy transition.


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SEATTLE — LendingTree will “buy the clicks” previously pointing to Google Compare, now that the search giant is shuttering the service, a top LendingTree official said. Nikul Patel, the chief operating officer and chief product officer of LendingTree, said last week at Bank Innovation 2016 here that the purchasing ofRead More
Post Tagged with: "Google Compare"
A small move from Google has apparently caused big trouble for Bankrate. Google, now a subsidiary of Alphabet, announced this week that it was shuttering Compare, its service for users deciding between various mortgage, insurance, and credit card offers. You’d think this would be good news for Bankrate, a siteRead More


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Bloomberg reports that "Tesco Plc is expanding its experiment with stores where customers can walk straight out with their shopping instead of visiting a checkout counter. The only catch is, this time there will be traditional cashiers on offer as well.
Three new GetGo stores in London and Birmingham will follow a 'hybrid format' designed to avoid alienating customers who have been put off by cashierless technology.
"Tesco followed Amazon.com Inc. last year by opening its first cashierless store in London’s High Holborn, allowing customers to check in with the Tesco app, pick up groceries and leave thanks to a network of cameras tracking what they buy.
"The three new stores will use the same technology, but shoppers who don’t want to use the app will still be able to use self-service tills or have their goods scanned by a person."
- KC's View:
I'm sure this decision is a reaction to consumer demand, but it seems to me that this is chickening out a bit. If you're going to lead, lead. Don't prevaricate.


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Sunday trading restrictions eased
The Government of Samoa have extended the States of Emergency Orders (S.O.E.) for another four weeks with a new amendment made to the opening hours for small shops on Sunday.
Govt. reveals electric car strategy
A car that runs on electricity and is Samoa’s first fully electric SUV was unveiled in Savai’i on Thursday with the Government heralding its impact in promoting sustainable energy use.
Opposition goes negative before by-elections
The Opposition party is not proposing any major campaign strategy in preparations for the upcoming seven crucial by-elections which will take place on the last week of November.
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Cars News Page 213
An IDx concept celebrates its putting into production, according to the vice president of the company.
It has been announced that F-150 Tremor truck from Ford will stop production this year as the new model is about to be introduced.
Bugatti has officially announced production cancelling of two of its models: boosted Veyron and Galibier sedan.
Development stage is still in progress for 2-Series Active Tourer from BMW, as a spy camera caught the car conditioning itself to the cold in the Arctic Circle region.
Impressive 290 hp present Golf R as a powerful vehicle embracing driver’s comfort.
A concept car called Allroad Shooting Brake is a sports hybrid oriented more at output than at effective fuel consumption. But it main merit implies provision of the potential look of Audi TT, both in terms of interior and exterior.
A Chinese website became the host of the first official appearance of this year’s Porsche advancing the debut in Detroit by several hours.
GMC has held the presentation of 2015 Canyon in Detroit.
Chrysler 200 has been officially presented, and now the brand is seriously reconsidering its marketing strategy and moves to luring design and technological advances in order to attract new categories of customers.
The release of Stryker Green option for Viper has been announced by SRT along with Grand Touring set, both to be presented at today’s international auto show in Detroit.
Beetle Dune concept was shown off by Volkswagen before the official presentation at this year’s auto show in Detroit.
A powerful Q50 concept from Infinity was rid of the veil of intrigue before the official Detroit premiere.
A couple of images of 2015 Mercedes leaked in the internet several days before the official presentation in Detroit.
Modified Honda Fit has not reached the U.S. market yet, but domestic tuners have clearly shown their interest.
A whole range of upgraded concepts of Levorg has been introduced. Among them is STI presented in Tokyo, the next wagon from Subaru.
The range of the standard and long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Ghosts has been enriched by V-Specification, which is claimed to be a comfortable vehicle with custom-designed coachline and wheels 21 inches in diameter. The distinguishing features of the model also include a unique clock, steel decorations and the model’s motif in the interior.
Consumer Electronics Show 2014 became a perfect stage for Toyota to boast its fuel-cell concept and show the ways the car can serve a source of home power.
The great increase in sales in 2013 makes Nissan very optimistic concerning Leaf in the current year.
The first image of Audi Q3 has been made public.


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Clipper Corp., which carries the Viking license for housewares, is tapping into the consumer desire for the “Viking lifestyle.” The company will debut new cookware and bakeware in the line and will expand the brand into complementary kitchenware and housewares products.
Lagostina, a subsidiary of Groupe SEB, has rolled out its Giada Dutch oven, which is now available for purchase at Macy’s and Crate & Barrel.
Mauviel 1830 is opening In Situ 1830, a culinary laboratory, and a store within the campus of the company’s factory.
All-Clad has officially launched its c4 copper cookware collection, which has debuted online at Williams-Sonoma.com.
Building on its Anolon Nouvelle line of cookware, Meyer Corp. is adding the Anolon Nouvelle Copper Luxe cookware line to the assortment.
Clipper Corp.’s licensed Viking brand has unveiled a new line of 3-ply copper clad mirror cookware. The line combines a layer of aluminum sandwiched between a copper exterior and a heavy-gauge stainless steel interior.
Mauviel 1830 and Jacques Pépin have teamed up on a new copper cookware line, which has debuted at Sur La Table.
Kataplanas, a copper cookware company, is launching a new introduction, the Cataplana, on Kickstarter.
Lagostina has launched the Martellata Hammered Collection of cookware. The cookware features a rustic hammered finish and is available in…
West Elm Market has debuted tri-ply copper cookware, created exclusively for the retailer by British designer Aaron Probyn. The new…


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The ripple effect of a prolonged bear market seeped into the bitcoin (BTC) ATM ecosystem as in September 2022 there was a decrease (or negative growth) in global net install for the first time in history, driven primarily by a slowdown in the United States.
The total number of installed Bitcoin ATMs over time fell to 37,980 in September from an all-time high of 38,776 ATMs in August.resulting in a drop of -2.05%, as evidenced by data from CoinATMRadar.
Data on crypto ATM installation net changes confirms that in September, 796 cryptocurrency ATMs were removed from the world wide web. Only in the United States there was a reduction of 825 ATMs. Nevertheless, Europe, Canada and some other jurisdictions cushioned the decline with new installations locally.
Despite the setback, data based on 60 days suggests that almost 14 cryptocurrency ATMs are being installed every day around the worldand that Genesis Coin accounts for a 40.3% share of ATMs among other manufacturers. Other popular cryptocurrency ATM manufacturers are General Bytes and BitAccess.
The sudden reduction in cryptocurrency ATM installation can be attributed to geopolitical tensions among other factors, including a lack of regulatory clarity and market uncertainties..
Although the installation of crypto ATMs has taken a temporary hit due to external factors, countries continue to show interest in having functional cryptocurrency ATMs within their borders.
Recently, Japan decided to reintroduce cryptocurrency ATMs after 2014, led by local crypto exchange Gaia Co. Initially, new ATMs will be installed in Tokyo and Osaka. The firm plans to establish 50 BTMs across the country by August 2023.
As Cointelegraph reported, Gaia became the first locally registered cryptocurrency company to install crypto ATMs in Japan.
Clarification: The information and/or opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views or editorial line of Cointelegraph. The information set forth herein should not be taken as financial advice or investment recommendation. All investment and commercial movement involve risks and it is the responsibility of each person to do their due research before making an investment decision.
Investments in crypto assets are not regulated. They may not be suitable for retail investors and the full amount invested may be lost. The services or products offered are not aimed at or accessible to investors in Spain.


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CBS attempted to crack down on inappropriate outfits at this year’s Grammy Awards with a new dress code that outlined in excruciating detail what would be allowed. The code specifically banned "sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples" and requested that "the genital region is adequately covered so that there is no visible 'puffy' bare skin exposure." They also asked that celebrities "avoid commercial identification of actual brand name products on T-shirts."
Keep clicking to see which stars completely ignored the dress code and donned wild, skin-baring outfits instead. —XFINITY Entertainment Staff
(Photos by Getty Images)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.


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The second breakfast session of academic year 2018-2019 took place at the Nyenrode premises on the Keizersgracht in the heart of Amsterdam. The theme of the session was focused on creating impact through virtual reality for business and included a keynote speech by tech entrepreneur Adriaan Rijkens, Co-Founder & CTO of Warp and Nyenrode MSc Alumnus.
Rijkens kicked-off the session with an introduction to his life as a tech entrepreneur after graduating from Nyenrode and Warp
the virtual reality company he co-founded. Warp provides a unique way for companies to train their employees. Creating real impact by using Virtual Reality for training.
The impact of VR learning
The advent of new technologies also gave rise to virtual reality and reports indicate that the size of the global virtual reality market is expected to grow to 55 billion dollars by 2024. Virtual reality has already transformed various industries for good as it is helping architects to virtually asses their structural designs and it is training doctors to train for complex surgeries. Compared to traditional methods VR learning has proven to be more effective in knowledge retention.
According to Rijkens VR learning can positively impact companies as it allows their employees to train for real-life challenging situations in an engaging way. Furthermore VR training can be used across various locations and time zones at ease. Cutting down training costs, with no operational downtime and at the convenience of both the company and the employees. Rijkens also highlighted the impact VR can have on our own world and shared his dream of ‘saving lifes with VR’. For example: allowing people to safely exit a building in case of a fire because they learned how to do so with VR training.
From start-up to scale-up
As one of their first clients, KLM cooperated with Warp to develop a new virtual reality training for their maintenance staff at Schiphol Airport to replace its less engaging PowerPoint presentations. The 360 videos emerge staff into real-life situations while answering on-screen questions allows them to show whether they know the related safety instructions. In two years time more brands have found their way to Warp and Rijkens mentioned that they now cooperate with companies in different sectors. During the session students, faculty and the business community worked on how Warp can grow from a start-up to scale-up.
Ideas presented focused on how to expand the company with limited resources and ranged from serving international clients directly to setting up new offices in new target countries with similar sectors. The ideas presented by the participants further sparked Rijkens enthusiasm for creating more impact with VR and growing his company Warp. Rijkens promised to share all pitches with his colleagues at Warp and to report back to the participants of the breakfast sessions with their future results.
Four times per academic year Nyenrode in Amsterdam organizes inspiring breakfast session. The mission of Nyenrode is to contribute to society by developing responsible leaders and the breakfast sessions provide a platform for students to be inspired by responsible leaders and to discuss amongst each other what responsible leadership means to them and how they want to fulfill this as a future leader.
For participating companies these sessions provide an open platform for them to share their personal story and experience. Furthermore it offers a unique opportunity for companies to present their business challenge to our (inter)national top students and get advice and ideas in a short time. The feedback received on these recommendations show that the companies who participated are always positively surprised about the outcomes of these short but powerful morning sessions.
While enjoying a nice breakfast, the Breakfast Sessions at Nyenrode lead to surprising meetings and interesting conversations between students and business leaders. The connection between the LES values (Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Stewardship) of Nyenrode is central here. There is limited space (5 to 7 people from business and 15 students from Bachelor, Master and MBA programs). For more information please send an email to email@example.com


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NDTV's Prannoy Roy discusses the top 10 trends of global economy in 2021 with global investor and author Ruchir Sharma. According to Mr Sharma, this year, inflation and interest rates could rise, it might just be the best time to invest in property, and developing countries will make a comeback.Here are the highlights from Dr Roy's show:How does 2020 crisis compare to 2008 and 2001Prannoy Roy:
This has been a traumatic year, complete shock out of the blue. How does this crisis compare with 2008, 2001, is this worse than that or about the same or better - not as bad?Ruchir Sharma:
Right, I think that to put this in perspective in terms of the sheer economic effect because we're discussing that on the show primarily - the contraction that the global economy saw this in 2020 of minus four percent was the worst contraction in seventy-five years. So definitely the economic consequences and the economic effect of this has been the worst that we've had in post-World War II history.
Now Time Magazine went to the extent of calling this the worst year ever. I'm not sure I would go to such an extreme because I think that history is better remembered than its lived - the Great Depression, the World Wars, even the 1970s when we had stagflation, Vietnam War, riots and even in places like India..the Emergency - we have had some very difficult periods - but yeah, this ranks right up there in terms of obviously the number of people who have died because of the pandemic and in terms of economic contraction that's the one data which will stand out that this has been the worst economic contraction in seventy-five years.
But again, as your favourite expression is - it all depends who you ask because if you ask people who have been involved with the stock market and in the financial community, they have had a very different view, I think, because 2020 ended up being a pretty good year..if you are a financial investor and almost did nothing and sat through this crisis.Trend 1: Surging Economy, Sluggish Stock MarketThe stock market boomIndia's economy plummeted, stock markets boomedIndia's low fiscal stimulus, high monetary stimulusEconomy up, stock market downOn the economy, Ruchir Sharma says the stock market will not be negative but would not be as buoyant as well this year.
"I'm trying to say that the very factors that propel the stock market to do so well in 2020 in the midst of the devastating pandemic - those very factors now go into reverse. So unless something else happens which we don't anticipate at this juncture, to expect that in 2021 the economy will surge back and the stock market will keep doing well I think is a bit of a disconnect. So I do think that the fact is that interest rates will also go up or the liquidity conditions may not be that abundant - something that we will discuss in our next segments of the show. But I think that it's very important to analyze why did the stock market do what it did in 2020 and how those factors will not play out in 2021," Mr Sharma says.Trend 2: Inflation to riseThe "Four Ds" threaten to revive inflation
The Top 10 Trends Of 2021 | "Economic consequences and effect has been the worst that we have had in post world war 2 history": Ruchir Sharma, Global Investor and Author
"In 2020, despite such a horrible economic contraction that we got in the global economy, inflation did not fall that much": Ruchir Sharma, Global Investor and Author
Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma on COVID19 vaccineIndia's Inflation Getting WorseDr Roy:
Lets also look at India but you talked about inflation coming back to India. And yes, India's inflation is likely to get worse. First of all, already is worse, global ranking of India's inflation is worrying. Upto 2010, we were 88th worst in the world. Upto 2010 and now we're 140th. That's almost like the bottom of the worst record of inflation that India has gotten around the world. And you're saying that could carry on.Ruchir Sharma:
Yeah, I think that this is a very worrying sign for India - that why is our inflation so sticky - that yes inflation today is not as high as it was five-seven years ago when we had double-digit inflation, so that has been brought under control. But remember, globally inflation is very low. India's inflation rate continues to be about three-four percentage points higher than the global average.Trend 3: Interest Rates Could RiseRise in inflation means interest rates may riseShare Prices Boom Over With Higher Interest Rates
"The stimulus effects will begin to fade in 2021": Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma to NDTV
Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma on government's involvement in economy
"Seeds are being sown for inflation...": Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma to NDTVTrend 4: Best Time To Buy PropertyHomes most affordable this year in IndiaTrend 5: Decline of the US dollarUS dollar may lose dominanceIs Bitcoin a possible investment?
"If inflation begins to inch higher, as I have suggested, that's another reason to buy property": Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma to NDTV
"The older people dismissed Bitcoin as some speculative tech investment, the young are much more passionate about it": Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma to NDTV
"In many ways, Bitcoin is emerging as the new gold for many investors": Global Investor and Author Ruchir Sharma to NDTVIs Bitcoin the final answer?Ruchir Sharma:
I'm not sure that Bitcoin is the final answer but something is coming up to tell you that there is growing distrust in the traditional currencies such as the US dollar and also I think that why Bitcoin is doing well is because its supply is limited, it is decentralised. There's nobody out there to completely control it. Its supply is limited, which is what makes it a store of value.Trend 6: The Commodity RevivalCommodity price to rise this year
It could be a better time for commodities in the years ahead with a weaker dollar propelling commodity prices higher - Ruchir SharmaTrend 7: The Comeback For Developing CountriesIndia attracted 23 billion dollars of foreign investor flows last year
I felt quite fascinating that like even in India there is such a big disconnect between how foreigners and domestic businesses perceive the country that in the last year, India attracted 23 billion dollars of foreign investor flows and that was the second highest for any emerging market after China - Ruchir SharmaTrend 8: Spread Of Digital RevolutionChina leading the way in digital revolutionA look at previous revolutionsTrend 9: Rise of New ChallengersCurrent top 10Why the giants stumbleTrend 10: The End Of TV... Except IndiaDecline in US TV ViewershipNo Decline in TV Viewing in IndiaOn accelerated trends during the pandemic
What the pandemic has done in many ways is that it has accelerated many trends that were already underway. That's been for me the one feature of this pandemic. So much more to streaming even theatrical viewing has been declining in America very significantly over the last 20 years - Ruchir SharmaOn OTT taking over TV in India
In places like India too I think that TV viewing is just about holding up but my suspicion is that very soon in India, the same is likely to play itself out given the extremely sharp rise we are seeing now in OTT platforms - Ruchir Sharma


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Hiscox increases its 2018 interim dividend by 5%
Hiscox 2018 interim results
· Strong growth in gross premiums written of 21%, with all segments contributing.
· Good underwriting drives improved combined ratio of 88%.
· Profit before tax up by 27% to $164 million with Hiscox Retail contributing over half.
· Reducing loss estimates for 2017 catastrophes drive increase in reserve releases to $154 million, reflecting our prudent approach to reserving.
· On track to exceed one million retail customers in 2018.
· We continue to see strong demand for our ILS funds and now have assets under management of $1.6 billion.
· Interim dividend up 5% to 13.25 cents.
Bronek Masojada, Chief Executive Officer, Hiscox Ltd, commented:
"It has been a good start to the year. Our investment across the business is driving strong profitable growth in all segments. We are on track to exceed one million retail customers in 2018."
Ashstead 2019 full-year resultsRead more
Shoe Zone 2018 final results
Workspace 2019 interim resultsRead more
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NEW ORLEANS—Fidesic Corp. and Captura Inc. have teamed up to make the promise of Web services a reality in the electronic invoicing and payment arena using technology from Microsoft Corp.
Bellevue, Wash.-based Fidesic Corp., a Bellevue, Wash., company that develops electronic invoicing and payment (EIP) systems, and Captura Inc., a Kirkland, Wash., provider of Web-based expense management services, on Tuesday announced they will integrate the Fidesic ePayments platform into Capturas flagship service, Captura Expense.
The companies said the integrated product enables Capturas customers to automatically complete the last leg of the expense management process by using Fidesics ePayments platform to move funds directly into the bank accounts of their employees. The combined solution will make the transfer of electronic funds a natural extension of Capturas existing capabilities in expense management and allocation, and bring the benefits of further cost-savings, security, reliability, convenience and integrated data reconciliation, the companies said.
In addition, the companies said that because Fidesics ePayments platform was built as a set of Web services, Captura will incorporate Fidesics ePayments service without expensive integration and customization costs.
Microsoft, of Redmond, Wash., will highlight this integrated Web services approach at its TechEd developer conference here.


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Don’t Let the Paper Shortage Get You Down!
As we move from the pandemic to the endemic phase of COVID-19, the U.S. economy has been surprisingly resilient. Sales have rebounded, and businesses and consumers are spending. But the supply chain hasn't recovered as quickly as demand, and shoppers often find limited supplies of everything from consumer electronics to toys. These disruptions have affected [...]


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Currently, smart cards account for only 1.5 percent of the city's meter revenue, or $192,000 of $12.3 million over the last nine months.
About 9,500 of the $20 cards have been sold since October. More than 22,000 free cards, worth $5 each, also were distributed to promote the program.
Dickson said sales have been low because the Parking Authority curtailed marketing efforts when users complained of problems.
The first problem arose shortly after the program began when more than 700 cards mailed to customers were damaged by Postal Service stamping machines. Those cards failed to work when inserted in meter heads.
Dickson said that problem has been solved. Smart cards now mailed to customers are presorted and coded internally at the Parking Authority, eliminating the need for machine processing by the Postal Service.
A second problem developed when customers were unable to insert smart cards at some meters. A defect in the face plates on about 1,000 of the city's 14,500 meters prevented insertion of the cards. The diagonal card slot was too narrow to accept the cards.
Dickson said an Arkansas contractor, Duncan Parking Technologies, which two years ago sold the Parking Authority new electronic meter heads, has agreed to supply new face plates for all meters. He said that would correct the problem of the tight slots.
Despite the problems, Parking Authority officials are convinced that the public eventually will love smart cards.
Philadelphia is the first big city in America to implement a citywide smart card program for parking.
In Miami Beach, where similar cards were introduced in 2000, Saul Frances, director of the city Parking Department, said people do love them.
"People have really taken to the program," said Frances. "It's been growing for four years now."
Even so, Frances said smart cards account for only about 9 percent of Miami Beach's parking meter revenue.
Dickson said the Philadelphia Parking Authority sponsored focus groups this spring to hear from people who had tried smart cards here. Reports from those sessions concluded that people liked the convenience of the cards.
"It's like E-ZPass," said Sara Cucinotta, a graphic designer who participated in one focus group. "Every time I use it in Center City, people come up and say, 'What are you doing? Is that a credit card?' "
Cucinotta said the Parking Authority should advertise smart cards more widely, sell them in bigger denominations, and offer them in retail locations as well as online.
She said she ordered a smart card online (at www.philapark.org) last year as soon as the cards went on sale and promptly discovered that it didn't work. The Parking Authority issued her a new one. The second card worked better, but Cucinotta said she still had trouble inserting the card at many meters.
Even when both card and meter are working, some users have had trouble figuring out which end of the card goes into the slot and which side goes up.
But Dickson said most people who have had problems with smart cards have not given up.
"Less than a dozen wanted their money back," he said. "Everybody else wanted a card that worked."
Contact staff writer L. Stuart Ditzen at 215-854-2431 or firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Exotic sports cars were at the center of this week’s most popular automotive news stories. Continue Reading...
lamborghini veneno NewsAll News
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One of the rarest vehicles in the world could be yours for a cool $7.4 million. Continue Reading...
Far more than just special edition models, Lamborghini has made headlines over the past few years by launching extremely limited edition versions of wild supercars. Like the Veneno and Sesto Elemento, there will be more hypercars to come confirms company R&D boss Maurizio Reggiani. Continue Reading...
Automotive enthusiasts that attended the Super Trofeo World Final at the Vallelunga Circuit near Rome were in for a treat. Continue Reading...
The extreme Lamborghini Veneno, which debuted earlier this year at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, will be getting a convertible variant in an extremely limited production run the automaker has revealed. Continue Reading...
Each year the Geneva Motor Show is known for its debuts of exotic sports cars from iconic Italian brands to ones you’ve never heard of (and probably never will again). But this year will be one for the record books. Continue Reading...
The Lamborghini Veneno, arguably the most extreme looking hypercar ever made, was revealed today at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Continue Reading...
Can’t get enough of Lamborghini’s newest supercar? Of course you can’t. Luckily, a third set of images have just leaked showcasing the ultra-fast and ultra-expensive Italian machine from all angles. ***UPDATE*** Get Official Lambo Veneno Details Here. *** UPDATE*** Continue Reading...
After a lone image surfaced earlier today, several more pictures have leaked out of the most powerful and most expensive Lamborghini ever made. Continue Reading...


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Actress, singer and entertainer Jennifer Lopez is once again linking up with the fashion house that gave us the iconic dress that is still talked about today. Lopez and Kendall Jenner are the faces of Versace‘s futuristic Spring/Summer 2020 campaign.
“In terms of my career, the Jungle dress really marked a moment in time. To me, Versace represents empowerment and putting something beautiful out into the world,” said Lopez. “It’s a dream to collaborate with my friend Donatella again on this gorgeous campaign and to create something new and fresh out of a piece of iconic fashion history.” Donatella Versace was similarly excited about the opportunity to rejoin J.Lo: “I am so proud Google Images was invented after Jennifer wore that dress. Today, we celebrate that moment that was possible thanks to this incredible woman!”


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TikTok Announces Nominees For Its First-Ever Awards In Malaysia. Vote For Your Faves!
If you're constantly scrolling on TikTok, you'll be super excited for the upcoming TikTok Awards Malaysia 2023!
In collaboration with TV3 and powered by sponsors HONOR 90 5G, foodpanda, and F&N Dairies, this will mark the first-ever TikTok Awards in Malaysia.
This inaugural event, which will be an annual one from now on, is TikTok's biggest event of the year! Its aim? To celebrate the success of Malaysian creators who have made a huge impact on the platform with their creative, inspiring, and educational stories and talents.
In addition to honouring and recognising these exceptional creators, the awards will also serve as a platform to give them increased visibility, both within TikTok and outside the platform.
The People's Choice nominees for each category were recently announced, and you can vote for your favourite creators on TikTok from 15 to 26 August.
Check out the full list of nominees below:
For a closer look at the nominees, you can view their inspiring personal stories here.
Psst... you can also be part of TikTok Awards Malaysia 2023 by submitting your own entries for the Judge's Pick category!
All you have to do is share your own inspiring stories on TikTok from 30 July to 14 August, and include #RoadtoTikTokAwardsMY to be counted as an entry. Besides potentially winning an award, you'll also be in the running to win an HONOR 90 (12+512GB) smartphone too!
There will be a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on 15 August to announce the nominees for the Judge's Pick category, as well as the exciting lineup of performers, hosts, and judges for the TikTok Awards.
The event will be broadcast LIVE at 8pm on @tiktok_malaysia — so make sure to tune in!
Hurry and submit your entries today, and don't forget to vote for your favourite TikTok creators too!
Hey, SAYS readers. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it loud and clear!
Take this special survey to help us give you the content you love most:
Got some cool brand news to share?


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North Brookfield Savings Bank announced the recent promotion of Rick Egan of Ashburnham to vice president and senior commercial lender of the bank’s Business Center.
“We are so pleased to announce Rick’s promotion and grateful for the valuable knowledge and experience he brings to the bank,” said President and CEO Donna Boulanger. “Rick goes out of his way to assist and support our business customers with their banking needs and he has continually displayed his commitment to the success of the entire Bank and the NBSB Business Center.”
Egan’s new position will include managing and leading the Commercial Lending Team, developing new and existing commercial lending relationships, informing business customers on available lending products and helping borrowers achieve their financial goals.
“North Brookfield Savings Bank makes it a priority to build and cultivate our customer and community relationships so we can tailor a solution to their situation,” Egan said.
Egan, who has more than 25 years of experience in banking, joined North Brookfield Savings Bank’s Business Center in 2012.


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Ulefone has introduced a couple of smartphones last year, like the Ulefone Be One and Be Touch 2, both of which we’ve reviewed. The company has introduced the Be Touch 3 handset at the end of last year, and the Ulefone Power has also been unveiled recently, and it’s not available for pre-order from a number of Chinese resellers. That begin said, we’ve talked about yet another upcoming Ulefone-branded device, the most interesting one this company has ever announced, read on.
Ulefone’s mysterious bezel-less handset surfaced a couple of days ago, along with its specs, and today we have some new info to share with you. The company has actually released an official video on their YouTube channel, providing us with some hands-on time with this smartphone. We now know that the device will be called Ulefone Future, and in case you doubted its bezels-less display, check out the YouTube video down below. You’ll get to see various UI elements shown on this phone’s display, which will prove that the phone does not have any bezel on the sides, that includes black bars.
Now, the company has also confirmed that the device will be fueled by MediaTek’s Helio P10 (MT6755) 64-bit octa-core SoC, and that it will ship with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage on the inside. The Helio P10 will probably be MediaTek’s most used chip in 2016, this is a mid-range processor by the way, we’re still waiting for the company’s Helio X20 flagship SoC to become available. The Ulefone Future will be made out of metal (unibody design), and will ship with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, while the company also said that CyanogenMod will be available for this smartphone as well. Anyhow, we still don’t know when will Ulefone introduce this handset, but its launch date can’t be that far away considering the company has already released some hands-on time with it. Either way, stay tuned, we’ll make sure to report back as soon as Ulefone decides to release some more interesting content for us to check out.


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The besties rang in the new year by wearing matching mini dresses by Maison Valentino. The sparkly numbers were covered in metallic silver sequins and featured sexy cutouts at the sides. Both Gomez, 30, and Peltz, 27, completed their looks with pulled back hairstyles and translucent platform heels. The gal pals had their hair styled in a pulled back ‘do and rocked soft glam.
“Thank you @MaisonValentino for me and my angels [sic] dresses!” Gomez captioned an Instagram carousel posted on Sunday, January 1. “Felt like a fairy!” she continued, praising her makeup artist Isabel Alysa for making her and Peltz “look good.”
In the snaps, the “Wolves” singer and Transformers actress are seen showcasing a number of flirty poses in their glitzy getups. In one shot, Peltz’s husband, Brooklyn Beckham, was photographed capturing their stylish twinning moment.
“I love you my angel forever!!!!” Peltz wrote in the comments section of Gomez’s post. The model uploaded her own photos on Sunday, which showed herself and Gomez frolicking in their designer garbs on a beach. Peltz also included a video of herself and Beckham sharing a midnight smooch.
“Happy New Years,” Peltz captioned the social media post. “Thank you @MaisonValenitno @pppiccioli for our matching dream dresses.”
Peltz shared even more holiday moments on her Instagram Story, revealing that she and Gomez got matching tattoos. The new ink reads “Angel” in cursive on their arms.
Gomez also shared additional photos, showing her cuddled up to Beckham and Peltz. “Fine calls us a throuple,” the “Ice Cream” singer captioned the post, adding that she’s their “#foreverplusone.”
Beckham and Peltz tied the knot in April 2022 after nearly three years together. The couple’s nuptials took place at the Holidate star’s family’s estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
In addition to his famous parents Victoria and David Beckham, the A-list affair was attended by Eva Longoria, Gordon Ramsay and Serena Williams. For her big day, Peltz said “I do” in a dress by Valentino, which featured a square neckline with a lace veil. Brooklyn opted for a classic tuxedo by Dior’s Kim Jones. (There was rumored tension due to Peltz not wearing a design by Victoria, 48, but both Brooklyn and his wife have shut down the speculation about a family feud.)


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Fino Payments Bank that recently launched its operations in 410 branches across 14 states, has announced its partnership with private lender ICICI Bank. The inked agreement includes having ICICI Bank ATMs in the new bank’s branches of Fino Payments Bank.
Further, the Payments Bank will also sell other ICICI group products including home loans, life and general insurance.
“The idea of Fino sprouted in ICICI Bank with the objective of addressing the gap in the banking system in terms of serving unversed individuals.She added that FPB is well positioned to reap the benefit of the mobile revolution that was taking place,” said Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank.
“It has the advantage of getting support from ICICI Bank in terms of infrastructure, knowledge and products. Fino will have access to a wide range of ICICI Bank products like term deposits, retail loans and cross border remittance services,” she added.
“Fino Payments Bank will add 30-40 lakh customers in the first year and increase it to five crore with a deposit base of Rs. 10,000 crore in 5 years,” said Rishi Gupta ,CEO , Fino Payments Bank, while announcing the medium-term and long-term targets of the entity.
“We plan to build a network of over one lakh points and over 1,000 branches. We aim to become the first profitable payments bank following a multi-product, multi-platform and partnership strategy,” said Gupta.
Fino PayTech, the mother brand for Fino Payments Banks has provided a platform for the banks to provide lending services to the unbanked by operating as a business correspondent of banks.
Post the final nod from the Reserve Bank of India, the business correspondent division has been transferred to the bank.
In addition to the 410 branches, FPB has carved a network of 25,000 banking points, of which some are BPCL outlets, to gain access to remote locations of the country.


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Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage president and founder, launched three new anti-aging hand treatments to skincare and spa professionals from across the country at a hands-on training at the Lydia Sarfati Academy in Secaucus, NJ. “We have mastered anti-aging for the face and neck, and with manicure services still on the rise, it made sense to marry the two services,” says Sarfati. “Hands are always out in the open and they can often be a window into our true age. Spa clients want beautiful skin on their face and they want their hands to match.” Repêchage's corporate educator, Lauren Streeter, presented proper Anti-Aging for the Hands techniques, including proper massage, chemical peel and mask application procedures. Featuring the Repêchage Biolight Brightening Glyco-Sea Glycolic Peel, dead skin cells are gently removed to reveal healthy, glowing skin. A fresh, cooling European seaweed mask is then applied to the hands to help rejuvenate, tone, and firm the skin. Upon completion of the course, attendees were awarded with the Diplôme D’ Honneur, a diploma offered at the academy. Spa and salon owners can implement the new anti-aging and anti-hyper pigmentation services just in time for fall skincare repair.
For more information, visit www.repechage.com.


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Dacia has officially announced the introduction of an automatic transmission on its models. It will be an automated manual transmission called Easy-R and will be launched next month. Dacia will introduce an automatic transmission option in its range. The first Dacia models sold in Europe that will have an automatic transmission called Easy-R will be … Read more
After the launch in Geneva, Dacia presented the first official videos of the Lodgy.
The French site, Worldscoop forum, specialized in spy photos has published the first photo of the interior of the Dacia Lodgy. The photos were made in a winter landscape, during the recent tests made by the Dacia engineers. More details on www.dacialodgympv.com
After Logan, Sandero and Duster, the Lodgy will be the next model produced by Dacia starting next spring. The name of the new Romanian MPV is atypical and comes from the English word "lodge", synonymous with house, sensing its potential as a practical MPV. The Dacia Lodgy will be the future MPV model of the … Read more


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Developed in Europe, this innovative system offers a safety management solution for swimming pools that checks individual swimmers via their wristband - monitoring their depth and time. Sensors…read more
Tourism boost creates 2,000 jobs in Western Australia
The Tourism Council of Western Australia estimates the tourism industry has created over 2,000 jobs following a major boost in domestic tourism.
The just released National Visitor Survey from Tourism Research Australia shows that domestic overnight visitors increased by 9.1% for the year ending March 2014. These visitors spent an additional $451 million in the state economy and creating new jobs across the state.
Based on these figures, Tourism Council WA estimates that tourism now creates 93,000 jobs in WA.
Tourism Council WA Chief Executive Evan Halls explains “a mini boom in domestic tourism has injected nearly half a $ billion in the state economy and created at least 2,000 new jobs in the process.
“The boost comes from local leisure tourists, interstate visitors staying with family and friends and a rebound in business travel.
“Better state marketing, cheaper Perth hotels and affordable interstate flights are all contributing to strong growth in domestic tourism.
“The State Government’s investment in tourism marketing is starting to pay off and new attractions such as the stadium will drive future growth.
“Tourism growth will drive job creation over the next few years as the resource sector tapers off.
“These results show state investment in marketing WA can bring back tourist dollars to WA.
“Now is the time for the government to invest the promised tourism funding and deliver a further economic boost across WA.
“Tourism Council WA are looking for steady and constant funding to promote WA’s extraordinary tourism regions.”
For more information visit the Tourism Council WA website at www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au
10th October 2013 - TOURISM IDENTIFIED AS VITAL TO AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE PROSPERITY
9th August 2013 - WA TOURISM FUNDING U-TURN TO HIT JOBS
15th July 2012 - INDUSTRY STAFF SHORTAGE LOOMS AS WORKERS HEAD TO MINES
8th September 2011 - TOURISM NEEDS LABOUR AND SKILLS
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Les Mills Asia Pacific Les Mills Asia Pacific have been setting the benchmark for providing professional fitness solutions across Australia and South East Asia since 1996. Our world renowned…read more
Ausfit began in 1992, providing software services to the health and fitness sector including ClubWise, a fully hosted web-based product which combines state of the art club management software,…read more
Regupol Australia Pty Ltd offers a comprehensive range of recycled rubber fitness and leisure flooring surfaces. Their range of products include everroll rubber flooring, Regupol elastic…read more
iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…read more
At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…read more
JASSTECH Solutions are distibutors for the JAYLED LED lighting range of products, developed specifically for harsh Australian environments. Delivering the highest quality performance of any…read more
Pacific Attractions Pty Limited distributes a range of specialist products to amusement facilities, attractions, bowling centres, clubs, entertainment venue, events, FECs, theatres and theme parks.…read more
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NEW YORK (TheStreet) - SodaStream International (SODA) is surging 13% after an Israeli publication said Starbucks (SBUX) was in "advanced talks" to acquire a 10% stake in the at-home cold carbonated beverage maker.
According to Globes, the stake would value SodaStream at $1.1 billion. The article cited SodaStream's market cap at $850 million, with Starbucks' offer reflecting a 30% premium. SodaStream's market cap is currently upwards of $950 million due to the stock surge.
The Globes sources said an announcement of a deal will be made soon. SodaStream is based in Airport City, Israel.
Shares of SodaStream were rising 12.6% to $45.54 following the report, while Starbucks shares were falling 0.79% to $70.59.
In February, Coca-Cola (KO) announced it had acquired a 10% stake for $1.25 billion in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), the maker of the single-serve Keurig machine, in order to collaborate on rolling out the forthcoming Keurig Cold machine likely sent SodaStream into a tailspin.
The Globes report states that SodaStream has been seeking a partner, according to "market sources" similar to the Coca-Cola and Green Mountain deal. Pepsi (PEP), Dr. Pepper Snapple (DPS) and Starbucks have been previously named as potential investors.
Despite European popularity, SodaStream's machines are only in 1% of American homes, compared to 25% of homes in Europe. A collaboration with Starbucks could open up a larger distribution platform and marketing incentives, "such as sales campaigns and special flavors for Starbucks customers," the article says.
At the time of the Coca-Cola and Green Mountain deal, Wall Street had pondered whether a Starbucks and SodaStream combination wouldn't be so far-fetched, given Starbuck's experimentation into "handcrafted cold carbonated beverages, which should be rolled out to one-third of its stores this summer," according to a February research note by Wells Fargo Securities analyst Bonnie Herzog.
Starbucks declined to comment when TheStreet asked for comment. SodaStream declined to comment on the rumor according to Globes.
--Written by Laurie Kulikowski in New York.


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Whether a spender or a saver, we can all use some help in getting our finances in order.
What’s the NZ economy been up to lately? Our Economists examine the trends of the past 3 months.
As employees, what are they like to manage? Are the stereotypes reflective of the reality?
Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden reflects on 25 years of being a trusted part of NZ banking.
Westpac recently hosted a symposium to promote inclusion and diversity in supply chains.
Financial support available for Westpac NZ customers affected by Otago and Canterbury flooding
Canstar declares Westpac as NZ’s Bank of the Year – Everyday Banking for the second year in a row.
Applications now open to SMEs who have plans to grow and keen to take the next step.
A Westpac initiative that lets people get coins out of its ATMs is proving a winner.
Some skills rarely make it onto our resumes even though they can be extremely important.


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BMW is preparing its return to the legendary 24 Hrs of Le Mans in 2018 with a series of safety cars which led the track parade this year. The BMW M2 Safety Car came only briefly during the course of the race, which was marked by an incredible turn of events in the LMP1 and GTE Pro category.
Toyota was once again out of luck and, despite a strong performance in qualifying, had to leave France again without a reward. Porsche won the victory with the 919 Hybrid, which already celebrates its third victory in a row and again benefited from problems with the competition’s cars. In the GTE Pro, Aston Martin was able to win against Corvette in a gripping final lap. Starting in 2018, the BMW M8 GTE will also have a word for the win.
The fleet of safety cars consisted of a total of 26 high-performance cars, from safety cars, medical car and extrication cars, to emergency cars for track officials.
In addition to the BMW M2 Safety Car, various BMW X5 M, BMW M3 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe were also used for other racing tasks. The BMW M models were used, among other things, as a track car and a medical car to support the 24-hour race of Le Mans 2017.


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Galaxy SIV is the fourth generation Galaxy from Samsung and the first smartphone to feature a Flexible OLED display. It will be the successor to latest flagship, Samsung Galaxy S3. The Flexible OLED display certainly has some advantages over current display. First, it is unbreakable because it uses a type of plastic called polyamide instead of glass. It is also very thin, lightweight, rugged and most importantly energy efficient. The Flexible OLED display uses three times less battery than today’s AMOLED display. On the hardware side, Galaxy SIV will feature a 5-inch flexible OLED display with resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (350 ppi pixel density). The Galaxy SIV is rumored to be powered by 1.8GHz 8 core Exynos 5 Octa processor and 2GB RAM. For multimedia, Galaxy S IV will feature a 13 Mega Pixel rear camera capable of shooting 1080p videos. For connectivity, it will support Bluetooth 4.0, Wifi 802.11 b/g/n, NFC technology and LTE mobile connections. The Galaxy S IV will come pre-installed with Google’s latest Android 4.2. The battery life on Galaxy S IV will be significantly higher because of its flexible OLED display. There is no further information available on the next flagship device but rumours are that it will be launched during Q2 of 2013. Samsung Galaxy S IV will compete against other flagship smartphones like Apple iPhone 5S, HTC M7 and Sony Xperia Z. Stay tuned for more updates or follow @harrym20 on Twitter.
Update : New reports suggest that next generation Galaxy S IV will be unveiled at MWC in Barcelona next year (Feb 2013). According to korea times Samsung will launch next flagship handset by the end of Q1 of 2013. This rumor just can’t be true because Samsung launched its flagship Galaxy S3 in May this year and will be definitely looking to launch next generation product in or after May 2013.
Update : Samsung is also working on a 5.5-inch phablet featuring Flexible OLED display. Samsung Galaxy Q will be launched during Q2 of 2013 and will feature flexible dual displays.
Update : Samsung has confirmed that next flagship smartphone Galaxy S IV will be launched at a Samsung press event on March 14th. The next flagship is rumored to feature a new eye tracking technology that will be used for touch free scrolling.


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Dave the Diver has attracted a lot of players since its release on Steam on June 28. The new game has sold more than a million copies on the Valve platform. This casual, cozy and unique indie game tells the story of a sushi restaurant owner named Dave as he embarks on an adventurous journey with strange friends and discovers the secrets hidden deep under the seabed. A healthy community of players is growing by the day and the quality of Dave the Diver is a contributing factor to the game’s success.
With countless positive reviews currently on Steam, Dave the Diver not only hit the million player mark, but also scored 89 on Metacritic and OpenCritic. On Valve’s platform alone, more than 28,000 players have left detailed feedback about how they became Dave and why the game is so engaging. Dave the Diver has been on the best seller list since its release.
Game Director Jaeho Hwang responded to all of the player feedback so far, saying, “I appreciate the positive feedback from the community, as well as everyone’s important feedback.” The developers have consistently stuck to the pixel game since its release, providing a number of bug fixes to ensure quality is maintained. Dave the Diver also attracted over 98,000 concurrent players 3 days ago.
Dave the Diver is the debut product of the Korean studio MintRocket, a subsidiary of the Nexon publisher. MintRocket is currently working on a Switch version of the game, set to release later this year. This pixel game has also been verified by Steam Deck.


text: Shares of Synchronoss Technologies Inc. /zigman2/quotes/203882576/composite SNCR +2.01% sank 15% in premarket trade Tuesday, after its largest shareholder, Siris Capital Group, disclosed that it was no longer interested in pursuing an all-cash buyout of the mobile cloud solutions company. Siris still owns about 6 million Synchronoss shares, or 13% of the shares outstanding, and said it is prepared to consider other forms of a potential transaction. Synchronoss said it remains in "active discussions" with Siris and other interested parties in a potential deal. "The Synchronoss board is committed to enhancing value for all shareholders and continues to explore a full range of strategic, operational and financial alternatives, which may include a sale of the company or other transactions," the company said in a statement. The stock had run up 56% over the past three months through Monday, but was still down 56% year to date, while the S&P 500 /zigman2/quotes/210599714/realtime SPX -0.12% has gained 12% so far this year.


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There's always plenty of shifting happening inside the guts of the Murphy Arts Center, but this week's move is a big one. Pending inspections (which fall after press time), the MOKB Presents/DO317 team will close the doors to the DO317 Lounge on the second floor and open the doors to their new venue, The Hi-Fi.
"We like the neighborhood and we like the people around us," Josh Baker, co-owner and operator of MOKB Presents and DO317, says. "Craig [Von Deylen] and Larry [Jones] that run the Murphy have been really supportive of us, so when the opportunity came up to get that space, we jumped on it."
That space he's talking about was previously occupied by a vintage shop IndySwank; it's a Virginia Street-facing storefront snuggled between iMOCA and Pure Eatery that Baker describes as "bigger, but not by much" than the Lounge. Baker owns the Hi-Fi alongs with business partner Craig "Dodge" Lile; Spencer Hooks is the Hi-Fi's general manager and RJ Wall has been named bar manager. "It's still the same team," Baker says, "just moving downstairs."
Local designer Brian Presnell build and designed the space. "A lot of folks go with these super high end designers but we trust our vision to Brian who makes magic happen on a small budget," Baker says. "From an art standpoint he's one of the most overlooked artists in the local scene."
For right now, they'll continue to serve beer and wine, but they're perusing a liquor license that will allow them to serve hard liquor as well, with a goal to secure that by mid-June. The Hi-Fi, like the Lounge, will only be open only to those 21 and older. Baker acknowledged that, although he is interested in the idea of more all-ages spaces in Indianapolis, it's just not possible for The Hi-Fi.
"It's not feasible from a business standpoint. We can't sell enough water to keep it open," Baker says. "We all want more all-ages venues. I applaud people like the Hoosier Dome because they're doing it with no other incomes."
Baker and Lile will use The Hi-Fi as a space to grow bands new to Indianapolis, and give locals a space to play.
"For us, it's like a place where we can bring all of our newer bands who can't do the business at a bigger club," Baker says. "It's a good chance to get them in the market early, and then we grow them into a larger room."


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Sinclair’s Hotels & Resorts has announced their distribution partnership with STAAH, the New Zealand-based global hospitality solutions provider. Sinclairs Hotels and Resorts owns and operates nine properties in India at Burdwan, Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Dooars in West Bengal, Gangtok and Yangang in Sikkim, Ooty in South India and Port Blair in the Andamans.
The Partnership will see STAAH helping Sinclair properties to manage their online distribution at ease. The technological expertise of STAAH will empower the group with tools like Channel Manager — that helps hotels to list and manage their inventory across online booking channels, Review Minder — a reputation management tool, and Rates Talk Services — a competitor rate checker tool, to drive more business and boost revenues.
“We were looking for a Channel Management Partner to efficiently handle and manage rates pro-actively in various online platforms. We decided to on-board with STAAH as they seemed to provide the perfect solution to our needs” says, Swajib Chatterjee, Chief Operating Officer, Sinclair Hotels Ltd.
Commenting on the partnership, Shoaib Ali, National Sales Head, India for STAAH Ltd says, “STAAH is a platform which assists hotels in managing their online distribution and maximize the revenue. By automating certain task, the platform allows Sinclair Hotels to devote more attention to providing a comfortable and detailed experience for Modern Travelers. Essentially, STAAH’s technology will be streamlining certain processes, freeing up time and resources for Sinclair to focus on enhancing other aspects of their services. We look forward to further fuelling their growth and success.”
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2014 has been an incredible year for a number of startups in the UK but what lies ahead? Here, with the help of a number of experts, we take a stab at what’s likely to happen in 2015.
1. Wearables takeoff
Google Glass has seen limited success this year, with the internet search giant announcing this month that it plans to close all of its Basecamp stores around the world. However, with the Apple Watch coming in early 2015, that could all change.
Duncan Spencer, MD at Insurance2Go, said: “We see a continuation with the fascination of wearable tech with loads of products being launched but not many becoming mass market products. We feel an application that really captures the imagination is yet to arrive. However, interest in watches that link back to the consumers phone will continue to grow.”
Some employees may be alarmed to hear that Chris Babel, CEO at online privacy management services provider, Truste, believes that businesses will implement wearables to track employee’s locations, wellness programme participation and more.
“The benefits are clear for employers, but I predict there will be a significant backlash from employees concerning their privacy,” he said. “Will they want their employers knowing information about their health and where they go on weekends during non-work hours? This practice may feel intrusive to employees and they may feel undermined rather than supported as a result."
2. The rise of the young entrepreneur
Despite what you might think, many of 2014’s startup co-founders were over the age of 55. This is set to change, according to Paul Lawton, general manager of SMB for O2 Business.
“2014 has been the year of the ‘oldepreneur’ with research we conducted earlier in the year showing a distinct rise in over 55s starting businesses,” he said. "The economic climate created a hot bed of entrepreneurialism, but with the graduate job market being more competitive than ever, the digital skills that today’s teenage and twenty-somethings have grown up with will really start to pay off. From ten year-olds setting up loom band businesses in their bedrooms to Nick D’Aloiso selling his mobile news app to Yahoo for $30 million, I predict we’ll see many more of these ‘youngerpreneurs’ emerging in 2015.”
3. Sharing economy boom
The licensced taxi drivers and the hotel chains of the world don’t like the competition they present but the end users love the convenience and what is often a better overall service.
The UK government is currently undertaking a review into the sharing economy in a bid to understand the economic potential and social issues that are generated when people share products and services over the internet.
BT 'futureologist', Dr Nicola Millard, said she expects the sharing economy to grow as the companies profiting from it continue to harnesses the power of the social, local and mobile web to allow people to share their assets.
“From cars to cleaners, driveways to dogs and hotel rooms to handbags, all can be rented by the hour,” she said. “Companies like AirBnB, ZipCar, Task Rabbit and the, now notorious, Uber are all starting to gain in popularity with consumers. However, they aren’t winning friends amongst the companies whose business models are being challenged – see taxi companies’ reactions to Uber, for example.”
4. IPOs, valuations, mergers and acquisitions
Technology companies in the UK raised hundreds of millions of pounds in 2014 and some even went public in the process. But not everyone believes the fun will continue.
Paul Cooper, partner at Clarity, a corporate finance advisory firm that specialises in technology and media deals, said: "The flood of UK IPOs expected in Q1 2015 will be a washout because of domestic election fears and bigger worries about the global economy. Global IPOs outside the Uber-sized opportunities will struggle for the same macroeconomic reasons.
He added: "M&A will accelerate with corporates desperate to buy growth and innovation. The buying spree will be fuelled by cash-rich corporates and private equity firms.
"Startups will continue to get funding but investors will be more choosy. However, the ready availability of investment capital will ensure good businesses will continue to command good valuations in later stage series A rounds."
5. Tech bubble
Some believe we're in the midst of another tech bubble that could pop at any moment.
Raju Vegesna, evangelist at Zoho, which builds cloud based business software, said: “No one knows how long this party will last. Will it end in 2015? My guess is as good as anyone’s. But one thing is for sure, when it ends, it won’t end well. We have seen this before in 2000. Let's just hope things don't get even more insane than they already are.
“Not a lot of SaaS companies are profitable today. Even the well-known ones with huge valuations have been losing money. This is a trend to keep a close eye on. If this trend doesn't change, this could get ugly.
“The valuations will come down, especially when there are lots of unprofitable companies. Profitability is something several companies ignored during the past few years. Profitable companies, will be valued at a premium."


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Start the conversation
Sears Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: SHLD) announced a $900 million deal to sell its iconic Craftsman brand to rival tool maker Stanley Black & Decker earlier this week, leading many investors to wonder if it's time to pony up for a rebound or just hang on.
Sears is still the most dangerous stock on Wall Street, and if you own it, you're gonna get hosed... if you haven't been already.
Clicks and Mortar, Not Bricks and Mortar
On Jan. 23, 2015, I called Sears one of the "five scariest stocks on Wall Street" and urged you to give it a wide berth or short it outright.
It's dropped more than 73.64% since I recommended shorting it and is trading at a stunning 5% of its stock price exactly 10 years ago.
I know Sears is an iconic brand, but these days that's not enough.
The company is hemorrhaging red ink.
...sales are in decline and have been for years. Things are so bad that Sears lost $1.6 billion during the first three quarters of last year, which is triple the loss a year earlier in 2015. Gross margins have fallen another 2.5% even as operating expenses continue to rise. Comparable sales are plummeting.
...the company has closed more than 2,500 stores over the past six years and recently announced plans to shutter another 150 Kmart and Sears stores. As of November 2016, Sears had 550 stores with leases expiring within the next few years, according to CFO Jason Hollar in a Fortune interview. Every one of them is on the chopping block.
...Sears is dogged by persistent bankruptcy rumors, based on - among other things - a staggering $4.46 billion debt load.
It's only a matter of time before Sears goes the "way of the dodo."
The dodo's last recognized sighting was in 1662, when it had been hunted literally to extinction. Fat, clumsy, and unable to fly, the only known remains are a head and some tissue brought to Europe in the early 17th century and dissected at the Oxford University Museum in the 19th century.
The reason I'm bringing this up is that Sears is a lot like the proverbial dodo.
The once iconic American retailer badly misjudged the shift to online shopping and away from traditional retailing that had been its domain almost exclusively since 1893, when it was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in Chicago. Executives continued to believe that Sears was something special when, in fact, consumers gave up that notion years ago and viewed it as just another place to shop... and not a very good one at that.
CEO Eddie Lampert, a Wall Street financier once rumored to be the next Warren Buffett, took the helm at Sears in January 2013. He's rumored to have lent the company at least $1 billion in successive attempts to resurrect the brand and turn it into an "asset-light comp…
About the Author
Keith is a seasoned market analyst and professional trader with more than 37 years of global experience. He is one of very few experts to correctly see both the dot.bomb crisis and the ongoing financial crisis coming ahead of time - and one of even fewer to help millions of investors around the world successfully navigate them both. Forbes hailed him as a "Market Visionary." He is a regular on FOX Business News and Yahoo! Finance, and his observations have been featured in Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and MarketWatch. Keith previously led The Money Map Report, Money Map's flagship newsletter, as Chief Investment Strategist, from 20007 to 2020. Keith holds a BS in management and finance from Skidmore College and an MS in international finance (with a focus on Japanese business science) from Chaminade University. He regularly travels the world in search of investment opportunities others don't yet see or understand.


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So Delicious Unveils New Line of Decadent Flip Cup Vegan Yogurts
So Delicious, a leading plant-based brand for over 30 years offering dairy-free yogurts, ice creams and milks that truly live up to their name has just unveiled a line of flip-cup yogurts with mix-in toppings on one side, and creamy, coconut-based yogurt on the other. The flavors of their new Pairings Coconutmilk Yogurt Alternatives, inspired by desserts, include four indulgent offerings such as Key Lime Pie, Spiced Blueberry, Coco Almond Crunch and Salted Caramel Cluster.
With these four flavors, So Delicious is proving that you can have your dessert-- and reap the vegan probiotic benefits from it too! Priced at an SRP of $2.29 each, these 5.3-ounce yogurt containers boast mix-ins like graham-cracker crumbles and white chocolate (Key Lime Pie), blueberry granola and cardamom-ginger almonds (Spiced Blueberry), caramel pretzels and dark chocolate nibs (Salted Caramel Cluster) and coconut with almond slices and chocolate (Coco Almond Crunch).
Available on shelves nationwide, this is the most recent expansion of So Delicious' dairy-free lines in the 2020 year. Just a few weeks ago, the brand announced that they were unveiling new flavors of their beloved vegan oat milk ice cream.
In a press release, So Delicious' brand manager for plant-based yogurt Joshua Cook says, "At So Delicious, we're passionate about delighting consumers with mind-blowing food experiences made with quality ingredients. Our new So Delicious Pairings come in four indulgent, artisan flavors of smooth coconut yogurt alternative paired with carefully selected toppings perfect for a delicious plant-based snack."


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To fight fake news around Covid-19, a French project raises awareness for false information regarding the pandemic.
To increase job opportunities for experts in advertising and PR, an existing expert portfolio will be opened to non-members to help them to find work.
The biggest Hackathon ever helped to develop digital solutions for more than 800 challenges and thus tackle the secondary effects of Covid-19.
The FT Innovative Lawyers Global Legal Hackathon was launched to identify and create new products and services that address the most pressing legal challenges post-Covid-19.
To decrease human interactions of health workers, drones were used to transport medical supplies.
The Greek Ministry of Digital Governance initiated the provision of free or low-cost digital services and products by operators, individuals and businesses.
The government of Ontario started an initiative to empower citizens to help fight coronavirus. Citizens can offer emergency products and innovative solutions or volunteer to support the government’s response to Covid-19.


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The government is constructing 80 warehouses with the capacity to store up to 80,000 metric tonnes (MT) of food items aimed at ensuring food security in the country.
Each warehouse would have the capacity to store up to 1,000 MT of food items and expected to be ready by June, this year.
Speaking at a media briefing to update the public on food security situation, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, said Government had targeted to construct a total of 200,000 warehousing capacity to safeguard the country’s food security efforts.
Government would distribute the management of the 80 warehouses upon completion, to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Ghana Stock Exchange, private sector organizations and the sector Ministry for efficient operation.
Dr Afriyie Akoto said since the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the Ministry was engaging input distributors, importers, development partners and Ghana Commodity Exchange to craft remedial measures to respond to the pandemic.
So far, he said, government had made available funding available to the NAFCO to mop up strategic food stocks to ensure food security, and also provide regular update on food situation in the country.
The Minister gave the assurance that the nation had adequate food stock to meet the needs of Ghanaians due to the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs and other modules like Planting for Export and Rural Development and Rearing for Food and Jobs.
He said the nation produced 650,000 metric tonnes of rice and three million metric tonnes of maize last year, and exported 19 different food items to the West African Sub-region.
The Minister underscored the need to ramp up credit facility to players in the agriculture value chain to increase production and sustain their businesses.
Dr Afriyie Akoto refuted claims that prices of food items were still high even after the lifting of the three-week partial lockdown.
He however, admitted that though there was slight increment in food items at the eve of the lockdown due to panic buying prices of food items had returned to normalcy after the lifting of the restriction of movements in COVID-19 hotspots areas.
Meanwhile, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has made available $20 million to Ghana Government to support agriculture expansion programmme following the Covid-19 pandemic.


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Many businesses are majorly overspending on cloud services, potentially wasting millions of dollars every year, new research has claimed.
Couchbase found that with a typical enterprise spending more than $33 million a year on cloud services, and spending 35% more than what’s necessary, many are losing more than $8.75 million that could be saved or spent elsewhere
The company spoke to 650 senior IT decision makers about their experience with cloud storage and cloud adoption, and chalked down the excess in costs to a whole range of factors.
What’s driving overspending?
These included not having enough insight into spend or ways to optimize costs, the need to improve security and compliance functionality, and inflexible pricing plans that don’t give enterprises what they need in a single package.
In addition, Couchbase pointed the finger towards management tools that don’t give the control needed; data not being stored where needed to meet regulatory or performance requirements; and vendor lock-in, meaning enterprises cannot use the specific cloud infrastructure they want.
The research also highlighted issues with cloud computing more generally.
More than one third (36%) of enterprises said cloud services adopted in the last three years had not met expectations, while 56% said past cloud decisions had made digital transformation projects more difficult in 2021, and 48% more expensive.
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Enterprises are struggling against service limitations according to Couchbase.
The majority - 61% - of enterprises have had to restrict their digital transformation ambitions because of challenges with cloud services, while 58% choose cloud services that did not give the ability to scale the business to meet demand.
Asked to identify their top concerns around new cloud infrastructure, security of data was identified by 43% of respondents, followed by managing data in the cloud (33%) and future-proofing to meet future digital needs (31%), while 30% are concerned about keeping costs under control in the future.
However, despite this issues, 95% of enterprises surveyed said that increased movement of infrastructure to the cloud is “inevitable.”
By 2025, enterprises want 58% of their IT spend to be in the public cloud and said that they are currently more than halfway (56%) towards meeting that goal.
Will McCurdy has been writing about technology for over five years. He has a wide range of specialities including cybersecurity, fintech, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, cloud computing, payments, artificial intelligence, retail technology, and venture capital investment. He has previously written for AltFi, FStech, Retail Systems, and National Technology News and is an experienced podcast and webinar host, as well as an avid long-form feature writer.


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Small businesses struggling to recover after the protracted lockdowns triggered by the COVID Delta variant can continue to negotiate rent reductions with their landlords until after the new year, the NSW government has announced.
The rent relief provisions under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 aim to provide ongoing support for small businesses with a turnover of less than $5 million over the Christmas and new year period.
Under the scheme, landlords must offer a small reduction in rent that matches the decline in turnover of their eligible small commercial and retail tenants. At least 50 per cent of the reduced rent must be offered in the form of a waiver, with the remaining amount deferred.
Small commercial and retail tenants that would have continued to qualify for JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant after 30 November 2021, will remain eligible for rent relief negotiations with their landlords, the NSW government explained.
To support landlords, the NSW government also rolled out the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund, providing small commercial or retail landlords with up to $3,000 each month for every property they provide rent relief on.
However, landlords will still be required to negotiate rent relief with eligible commercial and retail tenants that are seeing a turnover decline of 30 per cent or more.
Landlords can also access discounts on land tax, if they have lowered their tenants’ rent between 1 July and 31 December 2021.
Commenting on the current business climate post-lockdowns, Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said: “Lockdown may be over but there are still small businesses, particularly in our CBDs, that are facing a slower recovery and are continuing to do it tough.”
“As the state continues to transition out of lockdown, 97 per cent of NSW businesses will retain access to COVID-19 rent relief provisions if they continue to experience a significant decline in turnover.”
The rent relief scheme was first introduced on 24 April 2020, as a response to the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on the economy. In the wake of the Delta coronavirus outbreak, the program was extended until August this year.
In response to Sydney’s prolonged lockdown, the NSW government decided to extend the scheme again, allowing businesses to claim reductions in rent until 13 January 2022.