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Godfrey Chevrolet Buick, which opened in 1980, is located in Cadillac. Photo via fb.com
A car dealer in the region has expanded its footprint by acquiring another dealership in the state.
Muskegon-based Betten Baker Auto Group has acquired Godfrey Chevrolet Buick in Cadillac and will begin taking over operations immediately.
The dealership is Betten Baker’s 14th location.
“We’re most excited to connect with the people in Cadillac and surrounding communities,” said Bryan Betten, co-owner, Betten Baker Auto Group. “We are ready to serve them with all of their automotive needs.”
Godfrey Chevrolet will be re-branded under the Betten Baker name.
The new owners will retain all current staff and leadership, including Evan Godfrey, who will serve as general manager for the dealership.
“We’re excited to hit the ground running with the existing Godfrey team in Cadillac,” said Chris Baker, co-owner, Betten Baker Auto Group.
Betten Baker Auto Group has more than 600 employees and 14 locations, including in Allegan, Muskegon, Coopersville, Lowell and Grandville.
The company recently celebrated its 34th anniversary.


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Central Banks have become big players in the gold market and now control 10% of the total market demand. Now, this wasn’t always the case. Just ten years ago, the Central Banks were the main suppliers via their policy of dumping gold into the market. However, the Central Bank's strategy to sell gold into the market to depress the price had quite the opposite effect.
For example, Central Banks dumped over 2,600 metric tons of gold into the market between 2003 and 2007, according to data from the World Gold Council. So, what kind of impact on price did the sale of 84 million oz of Central Bank gold have on the market during that period? The price of gold nearly doubled from $363 in 2003 to $695 in 2007.
The last year Central Banks sold gold into the market was in 2009. However, it was only 34 metric tons. Since 2010, Central Banks have been net purchases of gold. Between 2010 and 2017, Central Banks purchased nearly 3,700 metric tons (mt) or a stunning 119 million oz of gold.
And Central Bank gold purchases don’t seem to be slowing. The World Gold Council (WGC) just released yesterday in their Market Update: Central Bank buying activity, that official gold purchases are now 10% of the total market.
Using data from the WGC Demand Trends, Central Banks purchased 193 mt of gold in the first half of 2018, representing 10% of the total global demand:
The majority of the official gold purchases during the 1H of 2018 came from Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan. Now, what a difference from just a little more than a decade ago when Central Banks were selling rather than buying gold.
In the first half of 2007, official gold sales equaled 217 mt and represented 14% of the total market:
Now, with the recent turmoil in Turkey impacting its Lira, some are concerned that if the country decides to start selling its gold to stabilize its currency, then that could be negative on the gold price. Well, I highly doubt it. If the dumping of 2,600 mt of gold into the market between 2003 and 2007 didn’t impact the gold price negatively (actually it nearly doubled), then why would it do so today?
If Central Banks are smart, they will hold onto their gold reserves as they will need it during the coming financial meltdown. We must remember, DEBTS like U.S. Treasuries, aren’t ASSETS.
About the Author:
Independent researcher Steve St. Angelo started to invest in precious metals in 2002. In 2008, he began researching areas of the gold and silver market that the majority of the precious metal analyst community has left unexplored. These areas include how energy and the falling EROI – Energy Returned On Invested – stand to impact the mining industry, precious metals, paper assets, and the overall economy.

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Wincanton has won an eFulfiment contract with Homebase to provide what it describes as “a fully managed customer delivery service”. The deal is part of Wincanton’s eFulfilment proposition. It involves the provision of a carrier management service, which is the result of collaboration between Wincanton and software company Sorted. The service will go live in July 2019, and it is estimated will involve more than 300,000 customer deliveries from Homebase DCs during its first year of operation. Read more Wincanton […]
LPG supplier AvantiGas has extended its partnership with Wincanton, extending its contract by five years in a £30m deal. Wincanton runs a 40-vehicle fleet, from seven sites across the UK for AvantiGas, distributing LPG to commercial and domestic consumers. Driver numbers ranging from 56 during peak winter months to between 30 and 40 during the summer. Chris Kingshott, MD, manufacturing, at Wincanton, says the redeployment of assets and drivers to other Wincanton contracts with seasonal demands ensures that AvantiGas distribution […]
Aggregate Industries and Eddie Stobart Logistics partnership brought to abrupt halt; Wincanton to take over the work
Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) is to be replaced by Wincanton as logistics partner for Aggregate Industries’ Concrete Products division just over two years into a five-year contract, Motortransport.co.uk has learnt.
A very quiet week on the Stock Exchange for transport-related shares – ahead of City Link’s numbers tomorrow (15 March). All eyes will be on Rentokil’s parcels arm to see if it posts a full-year profit. But it hasn’t stopped a rather telling trend in the past week…


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The Gridserve Electric Highway charging network is being equipped with ABB’s Ultrafast DC and Fast DC electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The network will include coverage for 85 per cent of the UK’s motorway network, plus additional towns and cities across the country.
Increase in registrations
The EV market in the UK has witnessed a three-fold increase in registrations in the UK from 2019 to 2020, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Gridserve is aiming to transform the experience of using electric vehicles, by delivering a UK-wide, sustainable energy powered network of convenient, customer-focused electric forecourts. It is also designed to help make using electric vehicles cost less than petrol or diesel combustion engine cars.
This multi-million pound investment will be supported by ABB’s Ultrafast DC 350 kW chargers at 50 of the new electric charging hubs, with each site having between six- and 12 charging units. A further 300 Fast DC 60 kW chargers will provide enhanced reliability to upgrade 150 existing sites that Gridserve has acquired from Ecotricity.
ABB will support Gridserve’s Autocharge, a new feature for most UK EV drivers that recognises the unique identity of cars and initiates automatic charging power and payments. It will also support 10 new electric Gridserve hubs planned to be in service before the end of 2021.
“Gridserve’s purpose is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change. We’ve chosen to use ABB EV chargers as they have the technology and capability to help deliver our ambitious plans for the Gridserve Electric Highway network, and provide the best possible charging experience for EV drivers.”
“Gridserve’s purpose is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change”
This latest project builds on ABB’s experience of delivering EV chargers for Gridserve’s inaugural Electric Forecourt in Braintree, Essex. The forecourt is part of the company’s ‘sun-to-wheel’ infrastructure built to deliver low cost, net zero carbon energy to every vehicle that uses one of Gridserve’s chargers.
They use power generated by solar canopies above the chargers together with a network of hybrid solar farms. The focus is to make EV ownership practical and realistic for thousands of drivers who don’t have access to private chargers.
Since entering the e-mobility market in 2010, ABB claims to have sold more than 400,000 electric vehicle chargers across more than 85 markets, including 20,000 fast chargers.


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As part of the presentation that saw Windows 11 revealed to the world this week, Microsoft also outlined a series of updates and changes for its digital storefront. In addition to an updated interface, curation, and Android app support, Microsoft also announced that they would begin to allow developers to use third-party commerce systems to collect payments from customers. When using a third-party payment processor (or their own), developers would no longer be required to share revenue with Microsoft. The company further clarified the policy today, explaining that games would be excluded from this new policy.
In a blog post from Microsoft yesterday, various new features slated for its digital store were outlined. One of the sections explained the new policy that would allow developers to keep all of the revenue from sales processed outside of the Microsoft Store payment system. The wording on the blog implied that this policy applied to anything on the Microsoft Store, but this is not the case for games, according to a statement that Microsoft gave to The Verge.
Microsoft says it wants developers to bring Win32, Progressive Web App, or Universal Windows Platform apps to the Windows Store. And while there's a MS commerce engine, in a shot at Apple, Microsoft notes devs can use the own payment systems and keep 100% of earnings pic.twitter.com/HFYytYGfm6— Liliputing (@liliputingnews) June 24, 2021
The ability of developers to use their own payment processing systems (or those provided by a third party) has been one of the points of contention in the ongoing legal battle between Apple and Epic Games. News out of this week’s Windows 11 announcement appeared to go in favor of Epic’s side of the argument, but today’s clarification from Microsoft will likely lead to further scrutiny moving forward. The company previously announced that the revenue share for PC games sold through its storefront would be dropping from 30 percent to twelve percent in August.


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With E3 comes the release of official Assassin's Creed 3 gameplay!
Watch as Connor traverses the vast Frontier on a mission to assassinate an enemy who infringes upon his people's freedom and liberty.
Assassin's Creed III Frontier Gameplay
Follow MLWGames' Mark Willis on Twitter.
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By Nauman Farooq
Detroit, Mi. was once the most prosperous city in America. Back in the 1960’s it was home to the Motown record label, and of course it was home to the three largest car companies in the world.
Times sure have moved on, all the major record labels are now based in California, and while General Motors, Ford and Chrysler still call Detroit their home, these companies are no longer known as “The Big Three.”
Last year was especially tough for these companies, as sales of their trucks and SUV’s, which were once the lifeline for these companies, suffered tremendously, thanks to crude oil prices going as high as $147 a barrel (currently its back down to a more reasonable $40 a barrel).
The price of gas and the overall meltdown of the U.S. financial system lead to thousands of people losing their jobs and homes. Some are saying that this is the worst recession America has ever faced, even worse than the great depression of the 1930’s.
This had hit the American auto manufacturers hard and as a result they have cut down production on several models and closed down most of their plants for a month, if not more. If it wasn’t for the last minute government bail-out fund, these companies would have had to file for bankruptcy and thus would not have been at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (N.A.I.A.S.) held every January at the Cobo Hall in Detroit.
Thankfully the bailout was approved and they all made it to the show, but the question on everyone’s lips was, with several car companies bailing out of this year auto show, and the troubling times with domestic manufacturers, what will be the state of the motor show in the motor city?
To my surprise, I am glad to say, it is still an amazing auto show. The companies that didn’t show up (those are, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Suzuki, Nissan, Infiniti, Land Rover and Porsche), they are fools for not taking advantage by being at such a great show.
The companies that are here, they did put their best foot forward. The displays looked amazing, the cars really are the stars of this show, and the models (of the two-legged variety) were prettier than ever before.
Also thanks to the efforts of some dedicated Michigan dealers, some makes made a return to the N.A.I.A.S. even if it was in a smaller capacity. These include Aston Martin, Lotus and Bugatti.
The Italian design house Bertoni is here too, showing its spaceship-esque B.A.T. 11 concept car (for those wondering, B.A.T. stands for Berlineta Aerodynamica Techinca).
So for all those who come to the auto show to look at dream cars, this years show certainly won’t disappoint.
Thanks to the efforts of new car companies like Fisker and Revenge designs, you will also see some cars before anyone else on the planet.
Over the last few years, some Chinese car firms have been showing their stuff at the N.A.I.A.S. and this year is no exception. You might have to wait a few years before you can buy a BYD or a Brilliance in North America, but you eventually will, and you know something, their products are getting better and better each year.
So if you have been toiling with the idea of going to this years N.A.I.A.S., I hope this would be enough to convince you to go, trust me, you’ll have a great time. You can send me thank you letters for recommending the show later.


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Apple defends complying with China over VPNs
Apple boss Tim Cook has defended his company’s decision to comply with the Chinese government’s demand it remove VPN software from the App Store.
Virtual Private Networks are often used to skirt censorship and surveillance in countries with tight restrictions on internet use.
The company has been heavily criticised for removing several VPN apps, and was accused of “aiding Chinese censorship efforts”.
Apple said it disagreed with China’s position but had to comply with the country’s laws.
“We would obviously rather not remove the apps,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said on Tuesday.
“But like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business.
Mr Cook said comparisons to a legal battle in the US last year – in which the firm refused to help the FBI unlock a dead terrorist’s iPhone – were unfair.
“They’re very different,” he said.
“In the case of the US, the law in the US supported us. I was very clear. In the case of China, the law is also very clear there. Like we would if the US changed the law here, we’d have to abide by them in both cases.”


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Tipster @L0vetodream recently claimed that ARM-powered MacBooks could arrive as early as this year, potentially in time for the new A14-powered iPad Pros. Holiday buyers could potentially have trouble choosing between an ARM-powered Apple laptop and an ARM-powered Apple laptop replacement.
A 12in ARM-powered MacBook could be arriving as early as late 2020, as opposed to next year, according to tipster @L0vetodream. In a short post, the tipster stated the following: “ARM Mac this year.”
The rumor mill’s been awash with rumors about an ARM-powered 12in MacBook for quite some time, now.
Read full post here:


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Pirate Life Brewery is set to open a venue in 2020, in conjunction with Western Australian hospitality group, Sneakers & Jeans.
The venue, which will be located at the old Sony building in Perth will be close to Perth Arena and Yagan Square and will be able to accommodate more than 1000 people.
Pirate Life Perth will be spread over three floors, holding an in-house brewery, private dining room, hybrid rooftop beer garden, restaurant, with three bars and an open plan kitchen.
Pirate Life co-founder, Jared Proudfoot, said: “Almost five years since we moved to Adelaide to set up Pirate Life, its bloody exciting to have this opportunity to spend some time back in WA and set up a shiny new brewpub with Andy and his team.
“We will be brewing beers exclusive to the venue and continually be challenging our brewers to pump out regular one-off brews pushing the boundaries of what beer can be.”
Sneakers & Jeans Co-Founder Andy Freeman added: “There is a lot of synergies between Pirate Life and Sneakers & Jeans, so we are excited to be bringing a new bold concept to the market. Carlton & United Breweries introduced me to Red, Jack and his father, MC back in 2018 and we hit it off.
“The conversation about bringing the Pirate Life experience to Perth has been running hot for twelve months and we are now ready to reveal it. Perth and Australia have never seen anything like this; I’m pumped.”
The Pirate Life founders were originally from Perth, however, took the project to Adelaide five years ago, and the new venue is set to open in 2020.


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The emerging online slots developer, Green Jade Games, just proved that it puts players’ engagement first with a new collaboration. Indeed, in order to ramp-up the fun factor in their games they’ve partnered up with CompetitionLabs (CL), the gamification and real-time engagement specialist. As a result, they will now look at adding new gamification elements to their current catalogue of slots as well as new and upcoming releases. These should include features such as missions, tournaments, rewards, and achievements.
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The first game set to launch with these top new features is Hammer of Fortune. As such, the partnership with Green Jade Games will enable new and exciting features. So operators who distribute Green jade slots like Casumo and Mr. Green will benefit from an effective retention tool. And the best of all is that they’ll need minimal in-house resources to enable these amazing option.
Green Jade Games can now totally focus on launching their first run of casino games. The fact that they can now offer tournaments and missions while rewarding players for completing them, adds a new dimension. This means they will be even more exciting to the player and even more entertaining to play. All and all, it will be interesting to see how players respond to the new collaboration. Plus, this partnership comes hot on the heels of receiving a supplier license from the UKGC. So, in other words, it’s the perfect timing.
All and all, the new deal is also very beneficial for CL. Indeed, even if Green Jade is a new game provider, the company shows great promises. And so the agreement means that CL and Green Jade will work together to push boundaries. But in the end, when two companies like this join forces, it’s the players that win. And that’s what matters the most.


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Can a Dacia Duster be compared with a Ford Mustang? It would be difficult to do so as these vehicles compete in different categories and segments, have different price points and different target markets. Moreover, in terms of power and performance, the Duster couldn’t be compared to a Mustang.
Nonetheless, there is one person who believes that Dacia’s budget SUV is similar to the Ford’s legendary pony car. This person is the chief of design for Group Renault -- Laurens van den Acker. Dacia, the Romanian subsidiary of Group Renault, has been building the Duster since 2009, while Ford has been producing the Mustang since 1965. Despite the Duster being just a decade old, van den Acker told Autocar that the SUV is similar to the Mustang in a sense that it is already an iconic model with an identity stronger than the brand.
Group Renault’s design chief believes that the identity of the Duster as a model is already larger than Dacia as a brand. This is similar to the iconic pony car – the Mustang as a model has a stronger identity than Ford as a brand. The Duster is iconic to Dacia just as the Mustang is iconic for Ford.
Yes, in the perspective of people outside of the Dacia brand, the Duster cannot be compared to the Ford Mustang. However, for the Romanian brand, the Duster is a big icon comparable to how the American carmaker treats the Mustang. The Duster sits on top of Dacia’s vehicle offerings and is the brand’s best-selling model. It was first launched in 2009 as the first generation model, with the second generation unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
In 2017, the Duster accounted for more than 30 percent of Dacia’s vehicle sales around the world. In that year, Dacia sold more than 460,000 vehicles globally, 145,682 of which were Duster models. For this year alone, Dacia has already sold 130,885 units of the Duster in the first eight months of 2018, which means that the budget SUV is on its way to surpassing its sales results in 2017.
Dacia has already ruled out creating a new SUV that is larger than the Duster despite the increasing demand for utilities all over the world. This is because model larger than the Duster would be too expensive for Dacia’s low-cost product philosophy. The Duster has a starting price that is equivalent to around $13,000.
The Duster is now effectively Dacia’s most powerful model after a new 1.3-liter TCe engine was recently introduced to its range. This new four-cylinder engine is offered in two versions: 130 hp (96 kW) of output and 240 Nm (177 lb.-ft.) of torque, as well as 150 hp (110 kW) and 250 Nm (184 177 lb.-ft.).


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You’ve probably seen the increased number of legal actions being taken against people distributing illegitimate copies of Microsoft software and probably noticed the mention of Windows Genuine Advantage in many of those reports. Today, Microsoft announced the next wave in the Windows Genuine Advantage where many customers that have non-genuine versions of Microsoft Windows software will receive notifications directly on their desktops instead of only when they validate. Just another step Microsoft is taking to help protect our resellers and consumers of legitimate Microsoft software.
You can read the full press release HERE.
For more information on actions taken against users and distributors of illegal software, be sure to check out:
Thank you and have a wonderful day,
US Senior Manager
Small Business Community Engagement
This posting is provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights


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A restaurant in Florida sits at the top of the weird pizza toppings list after creating The Everglades pizza topped with python, frog's legs and alligator sausage.
The pizza is available at Evan's Neighborhood Pizza where owner Evan Daniell prepares the homemade alligator sausages and tomato sauce for the $45 pizza by hand.
The python pizza, which also comes topped with swamp cabbage, has proved somewhat of a success with those who order it. Daniell also explained to the LA Times how the original idea to use python was inspired by the overpopulation of the species in the Everglades.
Daniell says this is just the beginning, next he's looking to develop a Roadkill pizza using armadillo and raccoon but at the moment he hasn't found the right supplier.
We just wonder what they put in their calzone?
Geranium's Rasmus Kofoed has decided to stop serving meat at the restaurant currently ranked number two on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. But the Danish chef isn't yet willing to go purely plant-based.


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A promotional image features the Upbit NFT Beta logo. (Dunamu)
Dunamu, the operator of cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, said Tuesday that it has launched a new trading platform for nonfungible tokens, further expanding its footprint in the virtual asset space.
NFTs are blockchain-based digital counterparts of real-world assets, mostly in the areas of visual arts or music.
The blockchain company opened its Upbit NFT Beta service on Upbit’s website, where its users can sell and purchase NFTs at auction.
Using the “Drops” function, users can choose whether to participate in English or Dutch auctions, depending on the art piece. In an English auction, the highest bidder wins, whereas in a Dutch auction, the bidding starts with the highest price and goes lower.
Famous pop artist Jang Koal will make NFT art available for bidding soon.
The platform also plans to showcase NFTs in areas other than fine arts. These include sports, broadcasting, fashion and game illustration, the company said.
Users who bid on NFTs successfully can sell them by using the “Marketplace” function.
A portion of the platform’s commission fees goes to the artists whose works the NFTs are based on.
After the beta test, mobile service will be available soon, the company said.
“NFT is becoming a megatrend in the digital era. We will provide a safe and convenient trading service that will in turn contribute to expanding the domestic NFT market,” a Dunamu official said.
In June, Dunamu forged a partnership with Seoul Auction Blue and ISA Company to enter the NFT business. It recently announced plans to establish a joint NFT corporation with K-pop powerhouses like JYP and Hybe.
By Byun Hye-jin (email@example.com)


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The start of the annual holiday-shopping feeding frenzy is just hours away, and mobile devices are sure to play a larger role than ever. The digital marketing firm IgnitionOne recently estimated that 19 percent of consumers will use their tablets to make purchases over the Thanksgiving weekend and 18 percent will do the same on their smartphones, up from 15 percent and 14 percent respectively last year. And the growing trend of showrooming is sure to get a boost this holiday season as consumers turn to their gadgets to find the best price or negotiate a better price.
Despite all that traction, though, far too many companies continue to make mistakes as they try to cater to those users: They put QR codes in areas they can’t be scanned, they fail to maintain websites that are optimized for mobile or they fail to drive traffic to apps in which they’ve invested heavily. But two major U.S. chains are demonstrating the power of mobile this season by employing two very different strategies.
Macy’s embraces high tech
Perhaps no major U.S. retailer is pursuing mobile initiatives as aggressively as Macy’s is this holiday season. The department store chain is encouraging customers to post photos or videos of themselves mailing letters to Santa from inside its stores, marking those images with a specific hashtag. Customers who do so have a chance to be included in a Macy’s television commercial, giving users an incentive to come through the door and virally market the campaign. And Macy’s uses QR codes to direct leaders to a special microsite where they can access holiday-themed marketing content.
Macy’s also is the first retailer to use Apple’s new iBeacon, as my colleague Kevin Fitchard reported last week, deploying the technology at one store in New York and another in San Francisco. The chain has partnered with Shopkick, a developer of mobile retail apps that recently launched a service that uses iBeacon to enable retailers to track customers and engage with them on their smartphones as they traipse through the store. I discussed a few weeks ago how iBeacon (and some other brands) are starting to use Bluetooth low energy (BLE) to welcome customers as they walk through the doors and present location-specific offers and promotions as they shop. BLE may never become the default technology for mobile payments that some are already predicting it will be, but Macy’s is doing an impressive job of experimenting with it.
Best Buy goes old school with SMS
While Macy’s tinkers with what may be the next big mobile marketing technology, Best Buy is wisely turning to SMS to keep customers engaged as the season ramps up. Customers who opt in to the campaign with a holiday-specific keyword are sent a daily message through the end of the year linking to an offer. The company hopes to entice those customers to remain in its mobile database to receive other marketing missives once the holiday season has passed.
Cutting-edge tools like augmented reality, NFC and BLE often get more hype in the tech-obsessed world of mobile marketing, but SMS is still a powerful weapon. It enables marketers to address a far broader audience than campaigns directed only at smartphones, and to do so cheaply and easily. It also can establish an ongoing dialogue between marketers and consumers, giving advertisers another way to learn what their customers what and to tweak their campaigns accordingly. Advertisers must always be careful to approach only users who have opted to receive their come-ons, and they should never bombard their users with constant messages or unwanted promotions. But when it’s used wisely, SMS can be just as effective as any post-modern mobile marketing strategy.


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Supply Chain Snapshots - News of the Week (September 18, 2023)
NRF Acquires Reverse Logistics Association
(Read more on Supply Chain Dive)
In a move to help its members establish and meet full-circle sustainability goals, The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently announced it had acquired the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA). With the continued growth in consumer demand for a true circular economy and visibility into what happens to goods after return, the NRF says they’re now better positioned than ever to support their members in meeting these demands as well as assisting with the growing issue of returns fraud.
[VIDEO] How the Panama Canal’s Drought Is Threatening Global Supply Chains
(Watch on The Wall Street Journal)
Ongoing drought conditions in the region have led the Panama Canal Authority to impose several layers of restrictions on vessels transiting this crucial sea route. This 10-minute explainer video does a good job of summarizing the situation while introducing additional context and background to ensure viewers are seeing the whole picture.
California’s Senate passes bill to restrict autonomous trucks
(Read more on Trucking Dive)
The California State Senate has passed AB 316, which restricts autonomous vehicle (AV) testing on public roads. As of now, no truck weighing 10,001 pounds or more has been driven autonomously on public roads in the state. The move has drawn support from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for protecting their driver members, and disapproval from the industry organization Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) for hindering technological advancement, with both sides citing public safety as their primary concern.
Port of Long Beach Sees Modest Start to Peak Shipping Season
(Read more on gCaptain)
According to the NRF, 2023 container imports to the U.S. will hit 22.3 million TEUs, down ~12.5% from last year yet up from the 22 million seen in pre-pandemic 2019. Numbers at the Port of Long Beach as we enter peak season seem to support that prediction, seeing 682,312 TEUs last month, a decrease of 15.4% from August 2022, but an increase of 18% over July.
Flexport Launches a Revolution to Democratize Supply Chain for Entrepreneurs
(Read the press release)
This week, Flexport launched a supply chain revolution for entrepreneurs, the first truly all-in-one tool and end-to-end global trade solution powering instant access to financing, freight, fulfillment, and replenishment to all major marketplaces and retail stores. Those who want even more can join Flexport+, a membership program offering exclusive access to industry-leading supply chain financing, priority shipping services, and easy access to supply chain experts for heightened support.
Flexport Revolution: A Q&A With EVP of SMB Product and Technology Parisa Sadrzadeh
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
General Average: Navigating Hidden Maritime Costs and Cargo Delays
5 Key Questions To Ask When Choosing a 3PL Fulfillment Provider


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There was next-to-no news during Microsoft's final keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show on January 9 until the absolute end of CEO Steve Ballmer's hour-plus address.The Kinect for Windows sensor and software development kit which the Softies said late last year would be out in early 2012 is, indeed, on its way. On February 1, both the new Kinect sensor for Windows PCs and the accompanying SDK (under a commercial license, not a hobbyist license) will be available.
From a post on the Kinect for Windows blog:
"Today, we are announcing that the new Kinect for Windows hardware and accompanying software will be available on February 1st, 2012 in 12 countries (United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom), at a suggested retail price of US $249. Kinect for Windows hardware will be available, in limited quantities at first, through a variety of resellers and distributors. The price includes a one-year warranty, access to ongoing software updates for both speech and human tracking, and our continued investment in Kinect for Windows-based software advancements. Later this year, we will offer special academic pricing (planned at US $149) for Qualified Educational Users."
The new sensor also is available for pre-order via Amazon.com.
The Kinect for Windows sensor looks (from pictures) almost identical to the Kinect for Xbox. But it is designed to work at closer range and to work with Windows 7/8 PCs. In addition to making firmware adjustments in the new Windows Kinect sensor, Microsoft also is shortening the USB cable and including of a “small dongle” to improve coexistence with other USB peripherals. The Windows version will modify the Kinect depth camera to see objects that are “as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device” without sacrificing accuracy or precision.
Microsoft execs also said on January 9 that the company has sold 18 million Kinects to date.


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Social shopping is at the core of Poshmark’s success, says CEO and co-founder Manish Chandra.
The online-only, peer-to-peer shopping marketplace in late 2011 launched with an iOS app-only platform and has grown to an iOS and Android app and a transactional website with 25 million SKUs. Poshmark also has millions of monthly active users and hundreds of millions of dollars in annual gross merchandise value, Chandra tells Internet Retailer.
Poshmark allows consumers to sell their own used or new apparel products for whatever price they choose. The marketplace has 3 million sellers. Shoppers pay in the app, and Poshmark takes a 20% cut of all sales, which is the only way the marketplace generates revenue, Chandra says. Poshmark never touches the inventory as sellers ship products directly to buyers, and customers can’t return a product unless it is was unfairly represented on its product listing.
Poshmark also has a boutique and wholesale section of its marketplace where shoppers can buy new products from brands. Roughly 65% of the items on Poshmark are pre-owned and about 35% are new, Chandra says.
Being “social” is ultimately key to Poshmark’s success, Chandra says. “Everything we do is centered on social,” he says.
If you have deep engagement, growth comes.
Here’s how the platform is social: A shopper can “follow” sellers (which Poshmark calls Seller Stylists) that she likes so that when she opens the app, she can view a feed of products from those sellers. Sellers can also recommend products—their own items or another seller’s products—to shoppers that they think the shopper would like. This way, the seller is more of a “stylist” and not just promoting her own products, Chandra says.
When a shopper opens the app, she can scroll through a feed that features products that are tailored to her interests based on her previous purchases, sellers she follows, products other users share with her and items she has viewed. This feed uses an algorithm to curate the content personalized to that user, much like a social media platform’s feed would, Chandra says. Shoppers also can comment on posts and a customer can send a “love note” to a seller when she is really happy with a product she bought.
This social media-like setup seems to be working, as an average Poshmark member spends 20-25 minutes per day in the app and opens the app seven to nine times per day, Chandra says. Plus, the marketplace went from sellers sharing 200,000 products every day in 2013 (their own products or other sellers’ products) to now sellers sharing 7 million products every day.
Shoppers can still search for products in traditional ways, such as via the search bar or by categories. However, the “social way” of sharing and scrolling through the feed drives 90% of sales on Poshmark, he says.
“If you have deep engagement, growth comes,” Chandra says.
At the end of 2012, about a year after Poshmark launched, the marketplace had fewer than 100,000 users. App engagement, however, remains strong, with shoppers on average spending more than 20 minutes a day in the app and opening it frequently.
And user growth followed. Throughout 2013, the company strengthened the back end of the platform and invested in marketing, such as buying ads on Facebook and Instagram. A large component of Poshmark’s growth came via live events that the marketplace calls “Posh Parties,” which are sales centered on a theme such as scarves or leopard prints. The marketplace held successful virtual posh parties, Chandra says, and then decided to travel the country hosting live events and working with local media to promote them.
Poshmark continued this strategy, growing from one Posh Party a week to four parties a day (mostly virtual), Chandra says.
Poshmark continues to add features to its marketplace to help fuel growth.
In April, Poshmark added a “dressing room” feature, which is supposed to mirror a department store experience, in which a shopper has a personal stylist who sets up a virtual dressing room of products that the shopper might like. A shopper can ask a seller on the platform to give her a virtual dressing room of products, and the shopper can give the seller access to all of her previous Poshmark purchases to give the seller a better idea of the shopper’s style. The seller and shopper can work on the products in the dressing room and negotiate a price for the entire package, or a shopper may buy just a few products from that seller.
Such experiences allow for a richer interaction between members, Chandra says. Although this feature launched only five months ago, roughly 6% of purchases made on the platform today are made via dressing room, he says.
Poshmark also is testing a consignment part of the app, in which it connects sellers with boutique goods and budding brands. This gives sellers access to new products without paying up-front costs they would face using a wholesale model. Lesser-known brands get access to millions of users via a seller with a following and can test products to see what is popular. Poshmark has piloted this service since the start of the year with fewer than a dozen brands. So far, it has been successful, Chandra says, declining to give specifics. He also did not detail how much the seller, brand or Poshmark receives on the sale.
To date, Poshmark has raised $70 million from investors including venture capital firms Mayfield Fund, Menlo Ventures, Inventus Capital Partners, GGV Capital and SoftTech VC and celebrities Rachel Zoe and Ashton Kutcher. Poshmark has been profitable at some points in its history but is not currently profitable, Chandra says.


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Poll: Most Americans support mandatory GMO labeling
Despite efforts in Congress to keep the labeling of genetically modified foods voluntary, a new poll released Wednesday found the majority of Americans support mandatory labeling laws.
The poll commissioned by a number consumer and environmental groups including Just Label It, Food & Water Watch and Friends of the Earth and the Center for Food Safety found that 89 percent of Americans support mandatory GMO labeling, with 88 percent saying they prefer a printed GMO label on the food package rather than the option to use a smartphone app to scan a barcode.
The survey comes as lawmakers are considering adding language to the government-wide 2016 spending bill that blocks states from being able to issue mandatory labelings laws for foods that contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
“This is yet another poll that shows broad and deep support for clear GMO labeling at a time when the issue is more important than ever,” Scott Faber, executive director of Just Label It, said in a news release. “Food manufacturers and lawmakers should work together to give Americans a more transparent food system by crafting a non-judgmental, mandatory GMO labeling system that is easily found on the packaging.”
The Mellman Group, which conducted the poll, surveyed 800 likely general election voters on mobile and landlines from Nov. 16 to Nov. 19. Mark Mellman, president and CEO of the Mellman Group, is a columnist for The Hill.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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It apparently took all hands on deck and some remarkable salvage and logistics work, but Ford's F-150 and Super Duty pickups are returning to production after a "massive" fire brought that to a halt for a week, the OEM said.
The fire hit May 2 at the Eaton Rapids, MI facility of Meridian Magnesium Products, a Ford supplier for the trucks. It's no secret what was at play: the F-150 is and has been the top-selling vehicle in America for years, and as the automaker noted, its earnings and financial results "are dependent on sales of larger, more profitable vehicles, particularly in the United States."
So before the embers were even fully out in Eaton Rapids, "teams removed and remediated safety concerns — including dangling siding — and restored electricity, gaining approval to access the site while debris still smoldered inside," Ford reported.
Ford and Meridian retrieved 19 dies used to cut and shape materials for the pickups from the burnt-out plant, testing and repairing them as necessary. Some were enormous: one of them, Ford said, was an 87,000-lb. tool used to make bolsters for Super Duty trucks.
That had to be shipped about 250 miles south to Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, OH, which "both had the capacity to handle such a large piece of equipment and allowed an Antonov An-124 Russian plane, one of the largest in the world . . . to take off as soon as the equipment was loaded," the automaker noted.
The An-124, a military transport behemoth first flown the year after Ronald Reagan took office as president, was to bring truck tooling to Nottingham, U.K. so it could get cranking out parts at another Meridian facility while the one in Eaton Rapids is brought back up to speed.
While the sheer equipment transport feat Ford reported is quite something, what's even more impressive is the red tape the company managed to cut through. "Under normal circumstances, moving tooling the size of a bolster die would take approximately 10 days just to get the proper import and export approvals," Ford contended.
Somehow, though, the company cleared those hurdles, even securing the green light to touch down in the United Kingdom mid-flight. "The Ford team received a U.K. import license for the die a mere two hours before the plane touched down," the OEM said.
As a result of what sounds like an epic logistics hustle, the F-150 is expected to return to production Friday, May 18 at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant, the company said. Super Duty and F-150 are "targeted" to resume production May 21 at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant, respectively.
Boeing 747 jets will make daily flights to ship parts in from the U.K. until Meridian's Eaton Rapids facility "returns to pre-fire levels," Ford noted. Meanwhile, production of Ford's Expedition, Explorer and Flex and Lincoln Navigator and MKT vehicles, which also was affected by the supplier fire, is anticipated to continue without a blip, according to the OEM.
Ultimately, Ford said it expects to lose $0.12-$0.14 per share in the second quarter this year due to the truck production shutdown, but reaffirmed earnings-per-share guidance for 2018 from $1.45-$1.70.


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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The "breakfast of champions" could soon become the "breakfast of the wealthy." This box of Wheaties costs almost seven dollars and several food manufacturers, including General Mills, which makes Wheaties, plan to raise prices on many of their products.
With five kids to feed, Johnette Funtanilla knows how to be a bargain grocery shopper.
"I come a little bit everyday, just buy a little bit everyday, just so that I don't feel the pain so much, all at one time," Funtanilla said.
Lately, Funtanilla has noticed the family's 300-dollar-a-week food bill creeping higher.
"I walk out spending a lot more, walking out with a lot less," Funtanilla said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that food inflation is on the rise in the final months of this year and will continue to climb the first half of 2011. Consumers will see the biggest hikes in meat, cereal, and dairy products. Pork and beef have gone up three to five percent since last year, and the USDA forecasts overall costs to rise two to three percent next year.
One big reason why food prices are spiking? Demand for meat in places like China and India are driving up grain prices - and that then leads to higher food costs here at home.
Bob's Barbeque in Kalihi has been firing up the grill and dishing out homemade rib specials since 1978. But with the downturn in the economy and higher business costs, they've had to absorb some losses. Now, they're just trying to stabilize their menu prices.
"Overall, we're okay. Our prices are going to actually be finalized for about a year or so, and then, from then on, if it does inflate to a whole lot, where we can't control it, we're going to have to increase it," Bob's BBQ's Clayton Wong said.
Controlling costs will be a challenge. Manufacturers like Sara Lee, Kraft Foods and General Mills all announced product price hikes, and experts say that's bound to trickle down the food aisle.
Look for the trickle down at fast food restaurants, as well. McDonald's, Domino's, and Starbucks have all announced changes to their prices.


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CES 2017: Samsung and others push VR
Oh how times are changing quickly. Remember last decade when the Angry Video Game Nerd mercilessly mocked the Virtual Boy? Towards the end, he pointed out how companies no longer cared about virtual reality.
Fast forward to 2017 and the recent CES convention in Las Vegas proved companies do care about VR. Samsung, in particular, was enthusiastic in showing off their Gear VR 4D Experience near the entrance.
The booth featured four major rides. One of them was called Space Racing. As one can tell from the picture, Space Racing ended up as the most intense of the Samsung VR experiences. Attendees were strapped on something that looked like it belonged on a roller coaster ride.
According to the press release, “The never-before-seen Gyro 4D simulator rotates 360 degrees vertically and horizontally to replicate the motions of a spaceship racing through space.”
One headline on CNET had an accurate description when it noted “not to wear a dress” on the ride.
The second simulator was Boat Racing, and in this VR demo a Sway simulator took “viewers on an exotic dinghy boat adventure through the rough streams of Australia’s Murray River.”
The booth also featured a ride down a skeleton track in Canada, and an airshow from a pilot’s perspective. Besides the rides, Samsung showcased Robot Wars, where attendees using sensors were able to throw items at each other.
But, Samsung was just one major company showcasing the possibilities of a virtual reality headset.
Qualcomm had a Power Rangers VR experience at its booth to promote the Snapdragon 835 processor, and this writer did try the demo. Unfortunately, the headset had trouble focusing (maybe it was not strapped on properly?).
Razer, who dominated headlines with a 3-screen laptop that was stolen, offered a VR headset experience at their booth as well.
Sony displayed a handful of VR games too, while their normal non-headset games were missing.
The entire convention went virtual reality crazy!
Nearly every major company at CES had some kind of virtual reality experience to offer, which means the technology is not going away easily. VR headsets are the future, or at least companies are pushing for it.
Whether the movement becomes successful depends on the same factors that decide whether game consoles succeed: price and content. To become mainstream, a device needs the right price. It also needs compelling software. There is some skepticism, but with Samsung, Sony and others behind it, VR has a chance.


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Sustainability is Out, Responsible Innovation is In!
The word from the fourth annual Copenhagen Fashion Summit held in Denmark this past week is “Sustainability is out and responsible innovation is in.”
So what does that mean for fashion retailers, designers, manufacturers, e-commerce leaders and all of us consumers? Yes, we all love our favorite brands. We want them to respect the environment. We want to use our spending power to purchase responsibly. We want to give back to our communities. We are committed to donating and recycling those fashion purchases we no longer need.
Attended by the fashion industry’s glitterati, this annual summit aims to inspire, start conversation and solve global issues affecting the enormous footprint created by the apparel and footwear industries. Keynote speakers from Patagonia and Nike helped fire up attendees, while a group of young students representing 40 different nations addressed the industry leaders with a list of 7 demands for change. Their ideas are hard hitting and truly inspiring. Read them here.
Here at ATRS, we applaud those fashion brands committing to responsible innovation. We highlight their successes on our social media pages, calling attention to their first-to-market ideas. We are especially excited by retailers like Levi Strauss & Co., H&M and Nordstrom that commit to take-back programs, allowing shoppers to reduce, reuse and recycle right where they shop.
So we’d like to ask: what are your favorite brands? Which ones not only focus on sustainability but also take responsibility for the waste they create? Which ones wow you with creativity and innovation? Which brands lead the way by giving back to the community? We’d like to know.
If you have an idea you’d like to highlight on our blog, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page let us know. Together we can highlight the support the companies that create cleaner, greener communities where we live, work and play. Now that’s good for the planet and for people!


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XTRA Lease says customers now can view copies of their invoices online at www.xtralease.com. This new website feature enables users to securely access invoices and to build an online filing cabinet that makes invoice retrieval fast and easy, according to the company; users also can track their trailers, run equipment reports, check equipment availability and more.
The new feature will enable fleets to store and retrieve invoices for up to two years after being posted to the website. “Our business is designed specifically to provide added value to our customers,” says Kathy O’Leary, vice president of marketing for St. Louis-based XTRA Lease. “We rent and lease trailers, but we do much more. We provide technology tools that enable fleets to cut transaction costs and operate more efficiently.”
To view invoices, customers must be secure account website members of the XTRA Lease website. For more information about becoming a secure website member, customers should contact their nearest XTRA Lease location or call 800-325-1453, ext. 4300.


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Infogain, a provider of digital platform and software engineering services, has made three of its NAVIK artificial intelligence-powered business solutions available on Microsoft’s Azure Marketplace, an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform.
Infogain’s NAVIK is an AI platform that addresses AI solution needs, including data infrastructure, data engineering, and data analytics. NAVIK’s modular components include data integration repositories and pipeline scripts, a library of algorithms built on machine learning models, and pre-built user components.
The following three NAVIK solutions are now available on Azure:
- ASK NAVIK powered by OpenAI on Azure, a generative AI solution with models that are trained on clients’ business data. ASK NAVIK combines OpenAI’s large language models and Azure’s enterprise and supercomputing capabilities into clients’ data estates.
- Infogain NAVIK Sales AI, a platform that generates sales efficiency and uncovers new monetisation strategies.
- Infogain NAVIK Marketing AI, a platform for B2C campaign automation and hyper-personalisation.
“We designed NAVIK to put the power of advanced AI solutions, including machine learning models, directly into the hands of business users, suppressing human bias and enabling better decision making. Azure’s scale, native machine learning operations, and enterprise security capabilities will help us rapidly accelerate this vision,” said Anil Kaul, Chief AI Officer of Infogain.
“We’re pleased to welcome three NAVIK AI solutions from Infogain to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, which gives our partners great exposure to cloud customers around the globe. Azure Marketplace offers world-class quality experiences from global trusted partners with solutions tested to work seamlessly with Azure,” said Jake Zborowski, general manager of the Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft, in a statement.


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Dallas, TX, May 11, 2011 --(PR.com
)-- EXIM Strategies Corporation participated in the US Department of Commerce hosted the Access 2011 conference in Houston. This conference included opportunities in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia Markets.
Key participants included Mr. Suresh Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service at the US Department of Commerce; David Hamod, President & CEO of the National U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC); Hugh Constant, Vice President of the World Trade Center (WTC) in San Diego.
US Embassy delegates from Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Kenya, Jordan, Morocco as well as the African Development Bank, Small Business Administration and Ex-Im Bank met with EXIM Strategies Corporation in support of the National Export Initiative.
As outlined in the Presidential Executive Order for the National Export Initiative, “The National Export Initiative (NEI) shall be an Administration initiative to improve conditions that directly affect the private sector's ability to export. The NEI will help meet my Administration's goal of doubling exports over the next 5 years by working to remove trade barriers abroad, by helping firms -- especially small businesses -- overcome the hurdles to entering new export markets, by assisting with financing, and in general by pursuing a Government-wide approach to export advocacy abroad, among other steps.”
EXIM Strategies Corporation is an Export Management Firm, based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, and representing over 200 North American producers of gourmet/specialty food as well as Health & Beauty Care items.
“Our 100% commitment to the National Export Initiative will benefit our clients, their communities as well as the country overall. By continuing to expand exports, EXIM Strategies Corporation assists in lowering the U.S. trade deficit. This is a responsibility shared by all exporters, manufacturers and multiple other entities in this country. Only by working together and redoubling efforts will we meet the Presidential directive.” Robert Green, Executive Vice President and Director, Board of Directors, EXIM Strategies Corporation.


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The AI Arms Race: A Call for Balance
In an era where technology and artificial intelligence (AI) pervade nearly every aspect of our lives, the ethics, governance, and competitive dynamics of these systems have become a crucial area of concern. The United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently raised an alarm about the potential risks for consumers due to weak competition in the AI sector. This issue underlines the need to maintain equilibrium between technological advancements and consumer trust and protection.
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority wants to prevent AI from being used to undermine consumer trust.
The AI Landscape: A Competitive Overview
In the competitive world of AI, large tech firms have the resources to invest heavily in research and development, effectively monopolizing the market. This lack of competition can lead to a stagnation in innovation, and, as the CMA highlights, potential breaches of consumer trust. Consumer-focused AI applications range from personalized recommendations on streaming platforms to autonomous driving systems, and even mind-reading technologies. In these contexts, trust is paramount.
The Impact of Weak Competition
Weak competition in the AI sector can have several detrimental effects:
Limited Choices for Consumers: When a few companies dominate the market, consumers are left with fewer options. This limited marketplace can hinder the development of diverse, innovative AI solutions tailored to different consumer needs.
Potential Misuse of Data: AI systems rely heavily on data. A lack of competition could potentially lead to misuse of data, with companies exploiting their monopoly to collect and use data in ways that may not be in the best interests of consumers. This concern links directly to the need for safeguarding your identity online.
Undermining Consumer Trust: If consumers feel that AI technologies are being used unethically or that their data is being misused, this can undermine trust in these systems.
Fun Fact: AI has the potential to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, according to PwC.
The Call for Regulatory Measures
The CMA's concerns echo the need for robust regulatory measures to maintain healthy competition in the AI sector. Regulation can help prevent misuse of AI, promote transparency, and ensure that AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly.
For instance, the European Union is already moving towards adopting crypto tax data sharing rules, indicating a progressive stance towards regulating emerging technologies.
The Way Forward: Encouraging Competition and Trust
To ensure that AI serves the best interests of consumers, it's vital to strike a balance between encouraging competition and maintaining trust. This involves not only regulatory measures but also efforts from companies to be transparent about their use of AI and to prioritize ethical considerations in their AI applications.
For a deep dive into the impact of AI on different sectors, check out MindBurst AI, a project by Daniel Aharonoff that explores the latest developments in AI and their practical implications.
In conclusion, as we navigate the AI-driven future, it's essential to foster a competitive landscape that prioritizes consumer trust and ethical considerations, ensuring that the benefits of AI are maximized while minimizing potential harm.


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Xbox 360 Crashes and Freezes Reported
Posted on November 27, 2005
By now everyone has heard about the Xbox 360 being sold out in stores and about the high bids for Xbox 360's on eBay. But reports are trickling in that some of the Xbox 360s are not working properly. Extreme Tech even asks in an article "Is there enough evidence to shout 'recall'?"
But those who actually got the system in hand are breathing easy and living it up, right?
Some of them are. But others are posting a plethora of problems with their brand-new 360s, from game crashes to hard drives that simply don't work.
One reasonable gamer lays it out like this: "Between my friends and I, we bought six machines at the Zero Hour event. Of the six, my machine has a dead hard drive, another machine is working but is rather flaky (seen some strange behavior-the drive may also be scratching discs, as my friend's copy of Condemned is now unplayably scratched, but we don't know if the drive caused it-the machine has also had problems booting games and being turned off...), one seems to be good, and I haven't heard yet about the status of the other three."
These stories make you want to shout "Tech Support!" But Microsoft has tried to stop the bad press with a statement downplaying the Xbox 360 troubles. Betadot reports that Microsoft issued the following statement:
A fraction of the Xbox 360's that are being sold have problems which could cause graphical errors, freezing or even corruption of the Xbox's drive. Some of the consoles are uncapable of playing any games, and just shut off or show graphical messes when they are used.
Microsoft's report said that these bugs are in a "very minor fraction" of the Xbox's sold. Microsoft expects to have sold up to 3 million Xbox 360's before the end of the year, while Sony doesn't intend on releasing their Playstation 3 for almost another year.
"We are making sure that the people that are having problems are getting their issues resolved quickly," said a spokesperson from Microsoft�s Xbox department.
For a game system that costs $400 with the more expensive model those are some serious issues even if it is only a fraction of the Xbox 360 units that are suffering from problems. An article in the Edmonton Sun says Microsoft has yet to provide data that shows these Xbox 360 problems are isolated.
But many gamers were furious that they didn't get their Xbox 360s this week, despite preordering months in advance or waiting in line outside stores all night. And a small but very vocal percentage of new owners are flooding gaming websites with reports of overheating hardware and crashing consoles.
Few things suck more than getting your new toy home and finding out it's already broken. But every recent console launch has been plagued with technical problems - disc read errors on the Xbox, overheating circuit boards on the PS2, random resets on the Dreamcast and original PlayStations that would only work properly while upside down.
Microsoft claims the Xbox 360 failure rate is on par with any other piece of complex consumer electronics, but since we don't have access to their figures, we have no way to tell.
Whatever the case, the company is offering free repairs or replacements to those whose issues can't be resolved with a call to customer support at 1-800-4MY-XBOX.
Microsoft probably won't be happy with coverage like Forbes article entitled, Xbox 360 Has Nothing On Atari 2600 or blog posts like Joystiq's post about how careful you have to be with Xbox 360 disks. Meanwhile, Kotaku is taking a poll to find out the truth about the Xbox 360 problems. Kotaku does say, "Here at Kotaku we want to know if these crashes are just an extremely vocal minority or if it's something consumers should be concerned with. Our inbox hasn't been "stuffed" with crash stories, but we've gotten a pretty decent number of complaints."
- Game Developers Conference Postponed Due to Coronavirus
- Google Launches Wimbledon Tennis Game
- The Sims Resource Offers Free Downloads, Content Tools and Forums
- First Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Trailer Released
- Google Maps Launches Snake Game for April Fool's Day


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Exports from China's key processing hub weaken in 2015
Exports from China’s primary seafood processing region sagged in 2015 with a slump in frozen filet shipments and improved EU purchases cancelled out by softer demand from Japan which devalued the Yen. Exports from the port city and leading processing hub of Dalian in the first 11 months of 2015 totalled 625,000 tons, down 4.2 percent on the same period last year according to local customs documents. In value terms exports were worth CNY 14.98 billion yuan, down 2.3 percent. However the average export price of CNY 24,000 per ton rose 1.9 percent.
Export data for Dalian tallies with data for the province of which the city is part: seafood shipments from Liaoning province at 653,000 tons and USD 2.435 billion fell by 3.7 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively, on the first 11 months of 2014. Imports of seafood at 810,000 tons were worth USD 1.356 billion, down 7.3 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.
Exports from Dalian’s processing factories at 332,000 tons fell 6.2 percent, accounting for 53.1 percent of total exports whereas non-processed (classed as ‘general trade’) seafood exports at 203,000 tons, decreased by 8.4 percent, accounting for 32.4 percent of overall exports.
A slow-down in demand from Dalian’s main export markets seems to be sharpest in Asia, with depreciation of Japan’s currency appearing a problem. Exports to Japan at 112,000 tons fell by 6.8 percent whereas exports to the EU rose 7.6 percent year on year to 106,000 tons. Exports to South Korea at 105,000 tons were down 9.7 percent while US-bound exports at 103,000 tons dropped by 3.7 percent on the same period last year.
The signs look ominous for China’s seafood processing sector, which has been slowing for some time. According to the latest customs data for Dalian there has been a decrease in frozen filets which dropped five percent to a still-substantial 369,000 tons (nearly 70 percent of overall shipments). The “low-tech” and “low-scale” nature of some 178 local processing firms licensed to export is blamed by Dalian fishery authorities in a bleak assessment of the outlook for the sector. The local Ocean and Fisheries Bureau points to persistent problems with antibiotics residues in local aquaculture products while “low ecological consciousness” and a poor record on innovation are restricting the ability of firms to come up with new, higher-value products for export.
Ongoing reform of China’s state sector – with firms backing out of non-core businesses – appears to be taking effect. State-owned enterprises exported 65,000 tons of seafood from Dalian in the first 11 months of 2015, down 48.5 percent and accounting for 10.5 percent of overall shipments whereas private firms shipped 398,000 tons, an increase of 8.8 percent and accounting for 63.7 percent of total exports of seafood through Dalian. Interestingly, foreign-invested enterprises exported 161,000 tons, an increase of 1.4 percent, accounting 25.8 of volumes shipped.
Dalian authorities are also blaming weak global economic growth for weaker export demand. But they’re also pointing to increased competition from Vietnam: lower labour costs and membership of the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) give the country “competitive advantages” over Chinese seafood exporters, notes a document from the Dalian Ocean and Fisheries Bureau.
Dalian exports fluctuated sharply over the 11 month period last year, with January exports of 78,000 tons the highest monthly figure since February 2014. Exports fell to 4.4 million tonnes in March., since March 2014 Dalian Customs District water seafood in a single month export lowest point. November exports at 60,000 tons were down 21.4 percent year on year but up 12 percent on October. The average price of 26,000 yuan per ton rose 12.4 percent year on year but down 6.7 percent month-on-month.


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The social media boom has taken the world by storm over the last decade, with the biggest player, Facebook, boasting over 1.2 billion worldwide accounts.
As more and more people log on to these websites to interact with friends and family, upload photos, read news and share content, new social networking ideas are being introduced on a regular basis. One idea which has turned out to be a particular hit is YummyPets, an online network catering specifically for pet owners and their animals.
Since the website first launched in France in 2012, it has attracted over 150,000 users and being a nation of animal lovers, the UK’s launch is expected to be equally as successful.
YummyPets is exclusive to pets and their masters, making it possible for people with similar animal-related interests to communicate with ease. The easy-to-use platform appeals to all ages and over 500 pets are joining the website every day in France. In a press release, founder ‘Leo the cat’ said:
“I thought that the great pets of Great Britain should have the chance to join the social media world and interact as part of a community that knows them best.”
A number of useful features are bundled into this unique social network, including classified advertisements, where pet owners can sell and purchase pet-related products. Additionally, users can communicate on the discussion forums, instant message other pet owners in their area, create notices for missing pets and launch memorial pages to honour their furry friends.
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Microsoft could be looking to launch a gaming handheld according to a massive set of leaks from the FTC.
Currently, as spotted by Overkill.wtf, the console doesn’t have a name or any kind of release date. It’s also possible the Xbox handheld could very well be a streaming device similar to the Sony PlayStation Portal, although there’s some information that counters that.
In the image below you can see the handheld alongside a treasure trove of leaks that include a new Series S and Series X console, a new mainline controller, a one-handed controller, and a mobile controller.
What sticks out to me is the unannounced streaming box next to the handheld. There’s been talk of Microsoft releasing a console designed purely for Game Pass for years, so this could be that. Interestingly, the Game Pass streaming box is listed next to the Xbox handheld. Does that mean the Xbox handheld will be a streaming device or – as it’s situated between the streaming box and the main Xbox consoles – a bridge between the two?
Given the popularity of the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, it would make sense for Microsoft to launch a dedicated gaming handheld. Conversely, launching a new piece of hardware takes a lot of resources to reach mass appeal. And let’s be realistic, you won’t get Series X performance in handheld form for a few years to come. A handheld with Series S specs, though? That’s possible.
A New Game Pass Handheld?
In all likelihood, the Xbox handheld is almost sure to be a Game Pass device of some sort. That would keep the costs low and would be a much less risky move for the third most popular gaming company. Microsoft has also previously praised both the Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally – the latter of which has a deal where new purchases come with three months of Game Pass for free. Would Microsoft be happy to step on other company’s toes if it were to launch its own high-end PC handheld? It’s not outside of the realm of possibility, but it’s still unlikely.
Microsoft’s biggest draw at the moment, aside from Starfield, is Game Pass and bringing Game Pass to as many people as possible. A Game Pass handheld, then, would be perfect for those who don’t want to shell out the high cost associated with current-gen consoles. The PlayStation Portal, for example, comes in at $199 and is considered an affordable option for those looking to stream PS5 games.
The flip side of that is the Game Pass console wouldn’t even need an Xbox to play Xbox games. Just hook it up to an Internet connection, grab a subscription, and you’re good to play a selection of Xbox games.
Of course, this is all speculation as of right now, so pinch of salt, yeah? Still, if Microsoft is looking to get into the handheld market, more choice for consumers is always a good thing.


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Facebook to expand through translation?
- Facebook to expand through translation?
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Facebook is working to make its rabidly popular social-networking site available in languages other than English. It’s been known for quite some time that translation has been on the company’s radar as it expands beyond its U.S. roots–executives have mentioned it amorphously in speeches and panels–so there is very little “real news” here other than the fact that the Financial Times story indicates that there may be evidence that this translation project is a major priority.
Nevertheless, Facebook has been unclear about timing, and has not released any kind of official “coming soon” teaser like it has with the advent of custom profiles.
Read more: Facebook


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The Chinese lunar probe, Lunya, recently failed to send back data from its intended orbit, raising suspicion among some scientists that it may have been deliberately destroyed. Some conspiracy theorists are pointing to the fact that Lunya was built by a Chinese company as proof that Beijing is responsible for the probe's demise. However, there's no definitive proof that Lunya was made in China and analysts say the lack of data doesn't provide any definitive answer.
Is Lunya Made in China? #
There's been some speculation on social media that Lunya, a popular luxury sleepwear brand, may be made in China. This has caused concern for some customers, as Chinese-made products have been known to be of low quality.
Lunya has not yet confirmed or denied whether their products are made in China. However, they have stated that their manufacturing process is "closely guarded."
Some customers are skeptical and believe that Lunya must be made in China, as the company is based in Los Angeles but their prices are much lower than other luxury sleepwear brands.
Others are willing to give Lunya the benefit of the doubt and believe that they may be using a manufacturing process that allows them to keep their prices low while still producing high-quality products.
In conclusion, while it is difficult to definitively say whether Lunya is made in China, the evidence suggests that it is likely. Considering the cost of the items and the lack of transparency on Lunya's part, it seems probable that the company is sourcing its products from Chinese manufacturers. This raises some concerns, as Chinese-made products may not meet the same quality standards as those made in other parts of the world.
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Body Beautiful is an exhibition being held at the National Museum of Scotland that celebrates all different types of diversity on the catwalk specifically: disability, size, age, LGBTQIA+ and race.
The display was put together by the museums senior curator of modern art and fashion Georgina Ripley. This came about when they were looking for something fashion related yet meaningful at the end of 2018.
Inspiration sparked after Edward Enninfull became the first black editor in chief of British Vogue and the fall 2017 shows were the most diverse we have seen in history. It was a new age for representation in fashion and the National Museum of Scotland portrayed this.
Georgina Ripley told Vogue
“It’s not really an exhibition about fashion; it’s about something so much bigger. It’s about culture, social history. In terms of building an audience, hopefully it has a bigger scope of interest to encourage people to come see it. There are five themes—race, age, disability, gender and sexuality, and size—and we’re aiming for four to five designers within each [theme].”
The fashion industry often faces backlash over the misrepresentation of society on a whole, so it’s refreshing to see a showcase that focuses on how far representation has come.
The exhibition features pieces from Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood and Glasgow born Charles Jeffrey. Brought to life through photography, film and of course fashion.
An aspect that stood out, focussed on Irish writer and disability activist Sinéad Burke who was behind the TED talk “Why design should include everyone”.
Burke has come to light after speaking up for people who are neglected by mainstream designers. Her bespoke Burberry trench coat and Christopher Kane dress are on display at the exhibition.
In the documentary shown at the exhibition Burke said,
“Inclusivity in fashion needs to evolve from just being a moment to a movement”.
It’s a powerful and thought provoking display of diversity. The exhibition is open until October 20, 2019 at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers street and admission is free.
Film Media and Journalism student at the University of Stirling. Editor in Chief at Brig Newspaper. Edinburgh / Stirling
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The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) hosted the fifth edition of the Auto Retail Conclave, focusing on the theme “Collaborate-Innovate-Accelerate” immediately after the 59th AGM. The conclave witnessed the presence of prominent figures automobile industry, alongside participation from over 500 dealer members representing various regions of the country.
The Conclave was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari, the honorable Union Minister of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. Also present on the occasion were Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President SIAM, Ms. Shradha Suri Marwah, President ACMA, along with Mr. Manish Raj Singhania, President FADA and Mr. C S Vigneshwar, Vice President FADA.
Hon’ble Chief Guest, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the esteemed Union Minister of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, at the event stated that, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the automobile industry for India becoming the third largest automobile manufacturers in the world. However, our aspirations reach even higher—we aim to position ourselves as the world’s leading auto manufacturing hub, and this ambition will require a collaborative effort, uniting India’s strengths with global brands. The automobile sector holds a pivotal role, contributing a substantial 40% to India’s manufacturing GDP.
Furthermore, our initiatives in recycling materials such as Aluminium, Copper, Steel, Rubber, and Plastic components are poised to reduce automobile component prices by a significant margin of 25-30%. To strengthen our industry’s competitiveness, we’ve set up scrapping centres, welcoming dealerships to participate and even establish training centres. The scrappage policy promises to have a profound impact on our manufacturing costs, making us more globally competitive.”
Shri Nitin Gadkari further added, I would encourage dealers to take in initiating scrapping centres, fitness centres, and driving training centres. This proactive step not only rejuvenates businesses but also aligns with our broader mission of promoting green mobility. Also, the government is committed to providing all necessary support for these initiatives.
Furthermore, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated dealer fraternity for their unwavering commitment to serving customers and urge OEMs to work closely with dealers to enhance revenue generation, recognizing them as integral components of automobile ecosystem. As our industry evolves and adapts to rapid changes, let us move forward together, with dealers, OEMs, and component suppliers working all together to achieve our goals going forward”.
Welcoming all the members from the entire automotive ecosystem at the Auto Retail Conclave, Mr. Manish Raj Singhania said, “Today, as we gather for the 5th Auto Retail Conclave, it marks a moment for collective aspiration. Our recent 59th Annual General Meeting allowed us to evaluate our growth trajectory. I extend a heartfelt salute to our esteemed minister, Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, for his visionary initiatives that have transformed India’s highways into world-class expressways, sparking a surge in vehicle sales. As stewards of road safety, we’ve launched our ‘Buckle Up Campaign’ to remind our customers of the crucial importance of safety on the roads.
He further added, Automobile 2Wheeler industry is an important part of the mobility ecosystem, and hence urge the government to reduce the GST rate from 28% to 18% for entry-level 2-wheelers in the 100-125 cc range. This change isn’t just a policy adjustment; it’s a catalyst for socio-economic progress.
“Mr. Singhania urged the Presidents of SIAM and ACMA to present a unified front for a joint meeting involving SIAM, ACMA, and FADA to discuss issues that require collective attention. The time has arrived for all of us to adopt a more collaborative approach to innovate and accelerate toward a more resilient future.”
Auto retail encompasses more than the sale of vehicles; it encompasses road safety, employment, and sustainability. The Indian Auto Retail isn’t merely recovering; it’s thriving! In the last fiscal year, we witnessed a resurgence, achieving a record-breaking 21% growth rate with 22.1 million vehicles leaving our showrooms. Two-wheelers surged by 19%, three-wheelers by a staggering 84%, passenger vehicles by 23%, and commercial vehicles by an incredible 33%. Despite this remarkable progress, the 2-wheeler segment remains 20% below pre-Covid levels. In the last five months Auto sales have grown by 7%.
The conclave witnessed the unveiling of the Auto Dealers Day Logo, which is to be celebrated on the 19th of September. Alongside, a solemn road safety pledge with the honorable ministers underscored the importance of safety on our roads. Further enhancing the significance of the occasion was the launch of a coffee table book titled ‘Golden Dealerships in Auto Retail Business.
FADA felicitated HCIL for signing this New Dealer Agreement in accordance with FADA’s MDA, emphasizing the industry’s collaborative and forward-thinking approach. Honda Cars India Ltd. has exemplified its commitment to industry best practices by aligning its new dealership agreement in sync with FADA’s Modern Dealership Act draft. This proactive step, recognized and celebrated at the conclave, underscores HCIL’s dedication to robust dealer partnerships.
The conclave witnessed a series of sessions with industry abled leadership sharing their views & vision for the sector & its challenges. The key Power Panel discussion were on strengths and opportunities in 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers, followed by strengths and opportunities in Passenger Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles.
Panel 1: DSS’23 Strengths & Opportunities in 2-Wheelers and 3-Wheelers
The panel at DSS’23, “Strengths & Opportunities in 2-Wheelers and 3-Wheelers,” will discuss the key strengths and emerging opportunities in these industries. This includes affordability, urban mobility solutions, electric and autonomous technologies, and changing consumer preferences. The efficient panelist gave insights into the future potentials of these sectors.
The group business editor of Autocar India and Autocar Professional, Mr. Ketan Thakkar, moderated the panel, which includes Dr Amitabh Saran, CEO, Altigreen Propulsion Labs, Mr. Diego Graffi, Chairman, CEO & Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited, Mr. Ravneet S Phokela, CBO, Ather Energy, Mr. Dharma Teja, Director, Ninestar Motorcycles Bangalore Pt Ltd
MOVE WITH META : Lead Generation Solutions for dealers session, led by industry experts Ms. Geetika Vig and Ms. Sharanbir Kaur from Meta, offers insights and strategies to empower dealers with effective lead generation in the digital age, enriching the conclave with cutting-edge expertise. Following this, there will be another session on “Turbocharge Your Business ROI with Google” led by Ms. Deepti Matai, Head of Industry, Auto, Google.
MoU signing ceremony between FADA and Lawyered
The MoU signing between FADA and Lawyered, in presence of association members and Mr. Himanshu Gupta, Founder and CEO, Lawyered and Mr. Gautam Saraf, Chief Strategy Partner , Lawyered, empowering customers with necessary resources and knowledge to make well informed decisions in regard to issues related to Challans and Vehicle Seizures.
MoU signing ceremony between FADA and Onsurity
The MoU signing between FADA and Onsurity, in presence of association members and Mr. Yogesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, Onsurity and Mr. Kulin Shah, Co-Founder & COO, Onsurity signifying a crucial step in their collaborative efforts to bring innovative solutions to the automotive sector and its stakeholders.
Panel 2: DSS’23 Strengths & Opportunities in Passenger Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles
The panel discussion was on strengths and opportunities for both the Passenger Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles sectors. The experts will explore the unique qualities and growth prospects in these segments, shedding light on the factors that drive their success in today’s dynamic automotive industry.
The panel will be moderated by Mr. Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India and leading industry expert such as Mr. Amandeep Singh, President LCV, International Operations, Defence, Power Solution Business, Ashok Leyland, Mr. HO Suri, MD & CEO, IFFCO TOKIO General Insurance Co. Ltd, Mr. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Division, Mahindra Group, Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Vice President, Tata Motors Ltd – CVBU, Mr. Tarun Garg, Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, Mr Vikas Pandey, Sr. Executive Vice President HDFC Bank and Mr. Sachin Shah, Director, Sutaria Auto Centre.
With over 4.5 lakh employees in the dealership industry, FADA aims to strengthen the automotive sector’s workforce through the FADA Academy. Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Chairman of FADA Academy & Research, discussed the academy’s future plans.
Dealer Satisfaction Study 2023 Presentation of Awards
An award ceremony was conducted to honor the winners of FADA’s 2023 Dealer Satisfaction Study, conducted with PremonAsia, a Singapore-based consumer-insight consultancy. The survey spanned diverse industries and regions in India, acknowledging top-performing OEMs in 2W, CV, PV (Mass), PV (Luxury), and elite categories. Also, the conclave featured the prestigious Golden Dealer Award presentation alongside felicitation of partners.


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Compared to the equivalent period of 2019 and 2018, nearly one-third fewer candidates are looking for seasonal jobs, which could have a significant impact on Christmas consumers.
As of October 1, 2021, the percentage of job seekers searching for seasonal roles decreased by 27% compared to 2019, dropping to 33 levels in 2018, according to an analysis by job information giant Indeed. % Is below.The numbers sound the overall trends and chimes revealed by National Bureau of Statistics earlier this week.. According to the latest ONS labor force survey, the number of job openings in July-September 2021 reached a record high of 1,102,000, an increase of 318,000 from pre-pandemic (January-March 2020) levels. It is the second consecutive month that the three-month average has exceeded one million. Indeed, candidates’ interest in Christmas jobs has risen 11% compared to the numbers seen in October 2020, but last year’s numbers were the number one pandemic forced to shut down most of the economy. It was kept very low by the two waves. This year’s seasonal vacancy surge usually peaks in October and November, but is slower than usual. Indeed, face-to-face workers such as sales assistants and food servers account for 45% of seasonal vacancies, while warehouse staff and drivers have a high percentage of vacancies last year. This figure shows that retailers and hospitality companies are facing the dual pain of logistics and shipping issues, coupled with a seasonal shortage of staff.
Christmas supply problems can be exacerbated by a lack of seasonal labor
Source link Christmas supply problems can be exacerbated by a lack of seasonal labor


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Oracle has released its Big Data Appliance, which it announced last year at Oracle OpenWorld. With no release date promised, the industry was surprised by its relative speed to market.
Less surprising was Oracle’s enlistment ofCloudera — the leading provider of Hadoop system management tools — to provide an Apache Hadoop distribution and tools for the appliance. With Cloudera’s established track record and relatively large install base, partnering with the company was almost a no-brainer.
Assembling the Pieces
Oracle Big Data Appliance incorporates Cloudera’s distribution, including Apache Hadoop and Cloudera Manager; an open source distribution of R; Oracle NoSQL Database Community Edition; Oracle HotSpot Java Virtual Machine; and Oracle Linux running on Oracle’s Sun servers.
“This is a unique offering in the market,” Ed Albanese, head of business development for Cloudera, told the E-Commerce Times. “It is a purpose-built appliance that contains a sophisticated high-end software configuration with a good combination of software.”
The chief element of the software is the open source distribution of Apache Hadoop — CDH.
The partnership gives Oracle users the benefit of a new product, Albanese said. Apache Hadoop’s users get the benefit of a tighter combo of hardware and software.
“Oracle has a very large ecosystem of all sorts of vendors, and we anticipate that there will be a much larger number of services and tech products available that will be easier to integrate,” Albanese said.
Oracle also announced Oracle Big Data Connectors, a portfolio of software products aimed at integrated data stored in the CDH Hadoop distributed file system or Oracle NoSQL database with Oracle Database 11g.
New Computational Model
The partnership also holds interesting implications for Oracle’s future direction, John Busch, founder and CTO of Schooner, told the E-Commerce Times.
“Certainly, Hadoop has a strong level of adoption, and I am sure that played part of a role in Oracle’s decision to partner with it,” he said. “Hadoop is also a new computation model that applies very well for big data.”
In short, it is different from Oracle’s traditional relational database approach.
“The idea of bundling Hadoop computational model with Oracle’s hardware and developing appliances is very interesting,” Busch continued.
However, the execution of this partnership may be more difficult than the industry expects.
“I read somewhere that something like 40 percent of computer PhDs are working on Hadoop projects, sometimes unsuccessfully,” Busch noted. “It can be a very complex process, so I don’t know if bundling it with hardware will be easy as one-two-three.”
The market may not be interested in the appliance, suggested Quantivo Senior Director of Products Jim Chiang.
“Businesses and users are demanding cost-effective analytics, with infinite flexibility and a pay-as-you-go model,” he told the E-Commerce Times. “You just can’t get that with yet another hardware product to add to your data center.”
A Defensive Move
It was inevitable that Oracle would produce something like this appliance, Ken Bado, CEO of MarkLogic, told the E-Commerce Times.
It is a defensive move, as more organizations abandon relational technology — Oracle’s core competency — for new approaches to modern data problems, he said.
“Oracle’s model is to drive revenue stream by joining forces with open source in order to maintain product viability. It’s really a block on any customer who is thinking about transitioning from Oracle,” Bado continued.
“Hadoop was built for commodity hardware and batch processing, and this partnership is taking Hadoop out of its comfort zone,” he explained. “Today’s big data solutions need to address a few major points — they must scale out on commodity hardware, provide real-time and ad-hoc access to data, and go beyond analytics to provide enterprise-class big data applications.”


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‘Snotgirl’ Will Make Your Nose Run
Snotgirl from New York Times bestselling writer Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim) and artist Leslie Hung will be hitting comic book shelves this July.
Snotgirl was first announced at Image Expo and was recently teased in the inaugural issue of Image+ Magazine. It will tell the story of Lottie Person, a gorgeous, fun-loving social media star with a seemingly perfect life – but deep down is she really just a gross, allergy-ridden mess? In Snotgirl you will enter a world of snot, blood, and tears.
“Lottie Person is an extreme example of someone whose online persona is a calculated performance. She’s gorgeous, she has great hair and clothes, she has the perfect apartment in downtown Los Angeles,” said O’Malley of the main character in a recent interview in Image+ Magazine. “By all appearances she’s flawless, but she’s an introverted weirdo on the inside.”
Hung incorporated current brands and fashion elements into the story and said of her art strategy: “It was important to pay attention to brands, but also to the people who wear those brands in day-to-day life… All the characters
Snotgirl #1 will feature two covers,the first by Hung (Diamond Code MAY160544) and the second by O’Malley (Diamond Code MAY160545). The book will hit comic book shelves on Wednesday, July 20th. The final order cutoff is Monday, June 27th.
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Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing markets, and as such many high-end businesses are looking forward to eating a piece of this pie. Recently, AMD and IBM announced a multi-year partnership targeting the growing Computing cloud sector.
Chips from AMD’s rival, Intel Corporation, are already employed in this sector. However, AMD and IBM plan to develop solutions in overcoming the last hurdle in adopting cloud computing by companies mindful of their data security.
Data security for cloud computing has three sub-areas. When the data is stored, when it is being transferred, and when it is being processed. Ensuring storage and share security is vital as cloud users have often expressed concerns about when this data is being processed.
When processing is taking place, standard security processes such as encryption need to be removed. It results in information that is present in a processor’s memory being vulnerable to malicious access.
AMD and IBM’s partnership will focus on open-source software, standards, and architecture. Their collaboration also targets HPC accelerators, encryption, and virtualization. They aim to solve data security during processing by implementing hardware-based Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs). It cannot be accessed by the operating system and is encrypted.
AMD’s Epyc processors feature Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEVto generate encrypted keys for data protection. Google also announced that it would use AMD’s second-generation Epyc processors for its Confidential Virtual Machines.
The involved party cannot view the keys in virtual computing. When using AMD chips, corporations do not have to tweak their workloads to work with SEV.
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It’s game time, ladies and gentlemen: Valentine’s Day fast approaches. This is the holiday where you get to show someone you love them by paying $12 for a card they’ll never read again, buying jewelry they won’t even like and paying hundreds for a dinner that’s probably so-so. Ah, the joys of love — get ready to dig into your coffers.
Or don’t. Because apparently, we’re not all as materialistic as you might think.
No gifts please
New YouGov Omnibus data indicates that 33% of Americans “would not like to receive anything for Valentine’s Day.” Among men, that number spikes to 41%, while women are a little more into gifting — only one in four says she’s not interested in being on the receiving end on V-day.
And for those who do want a little somethin’ somethin’ to brighten up their Feb. 14, it seems clichés still reign supreme: 22% of people — 28% of women and 16% of men — would like some chocolate or other candy, and 17% — 5% of men and 27% of women — are into flowers.
Also, Hallmark has obviously done a number on us: 23% of Americans want a card for Valentine’s Day, presumably dripping with all the sappy feelings we keep bottled up the rest of the year. So we are all sentimentalists in the end. Or maybe we just like bedazzled paper.
For those hoping for candy or cards this February, there’s good news: 26% of Americans plan to give sweet treats to their Valentines, and 27% intend to (hopefully) write a few words to their loves (please don’t just lean on the pre-written sentiment — that’s the very definition of laziness). Then, 7% are planning to gift jewelry, and aren’t their cuddle buddies lucky?
Love don’t cost a thing
But Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break the bank to be romantic. A majority of Americans (53%) who plan to give V-day gifts say they’re likely to spend between $1 and $49.99 on the holiday in its entirety, and only 4% say they’ll spend $200 or more. Even on a special night, there are still bills to pay the next morning.
Plus, if you’ve got a real keeper, it won’t matter if you get them anything for Valentine’s Day — though, you know, some flowers are always a nice touch.