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Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the demand for cheaper and older iPhones, why Apple is struggling to include 5G, the return of TouchID, concept images of a folding iPhone, the latest iPad and iPad mini leaks, and why The Rolling Stones are teaching a new wave of musicians on the iPhone.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).
Consumers Turning Away From Expensive iPhones
Apple’s current generation of handsets are priced at premium levels and they have not been well received. While there are other circumstances, the broad sweep of selling more phones at a higher price has not been a successful strategy. Apple’s COO Jeff Williams acknowledged that the company is aware of issues around the high price of the latest iPhones this week and while he didn’t offer any salve to consumers wallets, the issue has now been publicly acknowledged, reports Killian Bell:
“It’s something we’re very aware of,” Williams said during a question and answer session at Elon University on February 22. “We do not want to be an elitist company … We want to be an egalitarian company, and we’ve got a lot of work going on in developing markets.”
Of course Apple’s latest handsets are the pricey ones, consumers have other options and the share of those handsets is growing. That’s reflected in the news that analysts are raising their unit sales expectations for the second quarter, but only on the strength of more sales of the older and cheaper iPhones:
While this is good news in regards to higher than projected sales, the breakdown of which units are popular with customers is going to make for uncomfortable reading. The new iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR handsets are expected to be shunned for the older and cheaper models – namely the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 families.
…That’s going to lower Apple’s average selling price per handset, and limit the use of ‘gee-whizz’ technologies such as FaceID which are not present on the older models. And while iOS does offer support to older devices, there’s nothing the software can do to replicate newer technology that can pull the platform forwards and match up to the latest offerings from Android-focused manufacturers
More on those numbers here.
Can iPhone Live Without 5G?
More details on Apple’s new handsets for 2019 – the presumptively named iPhone 11 family – are coming out, and the slow pace of adoption of innovative technology continues. While the Android world pushes ahead with true 5G, the iPhone’s move to 5G is not happening in 2019, and may not even be ready for 2020. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports on the findings of Barclays’ latest research note:
…Barclays explains that the modem design for 2020 iPhones “needs to be set now,” and Intel’s race to ship its first 5G smartphone modem in late 2019 “does not work with Apple’s timeline.
Compounding this is Apple’s legal fight with Qualcomm. The chip giant is the obvious alternative and its 5G modems are commercially ready. Unfortunately, the two companies are engaged in a ferocious legal battle and Barclays states that time “seems to be running out” for Apple to patch up differences with Qualcomm to plug its Intel-shaped gap.
It also seems Apple has exhausted all alternative avenues.
More here on Forbes.
TouchID Set For A Laser-Like Return
Apple is also working on new display technology that could see the return of TouchID alongside FaceID in future iPhones. A patent published this week describes the use of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) to read deformations on a screen, such as the pressure from a finger. Gordon Kelly reports:
its integration into Apple’s work on in-display Touch ID seems a better fit. This is technology which has multiple breadcrumb trails over the last year and ties in with Apple’s ambition of iPhones replacing passport and ID documents, something which would gain credibility from the added security dual biometrics bring.
With Samsung’s Galaxy S10 about to hit the market with the world’s first Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader (hugely impressive technology which creates 3D models of fingertips from acoustic vibration), the pressure is also mounting here to respond.
More here on Forbes.
Will Apple’s Foldable Phone Look Like This?
Even further ahead, what is Apple planning to do with the folding screen meme that it flooding the luxury smartphone market at MWC this week? While the answer could be as simple as ‘income from patents’, what would a folding iPhone look like? Gordon Kelly looks at the latest concept design built around the latest leaks and published patent applications:
Earlier this week Apple revealed patents covering its plans for creating a folding iPhone. The illustrations show screen orientation, hinge design and structural integrity, and now Dutch industrial designer Roy Gilsing has fleshed them out.
Working with Foldable News, Gilsing has demonstrated how the application of Apple’s design aesthetic on this form factor has the potential to create a truly transformative device. Most notable for many with be the laptop-style keyboard integration, something which is similar to Nokia’s popular Communicator range which had a loyal following for over 10 years.
More discussion on the iPhone X Fold here.
More iPad And iPad Mini Details
Although not yet confirmed, Apple is expected to be holding a press event by the end of March. There are a lot of angles it could take – last year focused on education – and Tim Cook will likely want to push heavily on software and services. But there are more signs that new iPads and iPad Minis are ready for launch, and the end of March is historically the time that Apple announces new tablets. Rik Henderson reports:
Both the Apple iPad and iPad mini 5 have popped up on a certification document posted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website.
It lists two model numbers, A2124 and A2133, thought to refer to the new devices. Their appearance at this stage suggests release has been approved in India and they are surely soon to be launched. The listing, spotted by MySmartPrice, follows similar certification details seen on the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) website at the end of January. The exact same model numbers appeared there too.
More at Pocket Lint.
AirPods Ready To Be Replaced
When you have a new product rumored to be ready, you need to decide if it will sit alongside an old product, or replace the former star. In the case of Apple’s in-ear headphones, it looks like the latter will be the case. BGR’s Chris Smith:
…a fresh report offers us an actual launch date for AirPods 2, and that’s March 29th, the first Friday that would follow Apple’s rumored keynote… A source familiar with Apple plans have told Spanish-launguage blog AppleSfera that the first-gen AirPods will reach end of life on March 28th
And if the first generation AirPods are reaching end of life on March 28th, then the second generation AirPods need to be ready to go on March 29th.
Turns out that a lot of people learning to play guitar are biasing towards The Rolling Stones. Fender Play is a smartphone-based learning app for budding guitarists and bassists (with a dash of ukulele as well) from the iconic manufacturer. As a number of new songs are rolled out into the app, I had a chance to ask the team about the song choices by the users.
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones is the most popular song to learn on Fender Play, and The Rolling Stones are the most-popular band among our users.
More at the Fender Play website.
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.


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The Maison is delighted to announce the opening of its new boutique in Seoul, Korea, to expand its world of beauty and craftsmanship in the Hyundai COEX.
This new setting pays tribute to the Maison’s jewelry creations, including pieces from the emblematic Alhambra and Perlée collections. Timepieces sparkle through the rounded showcases to enjoy the timeless beauty of over a century of elegance.
The new boutique welcomes visitors from 11th of October, 2019.
Van Cleef & Arpels – Hyundai COEX boutique
1F Hyundai Department store, 517, Teheran-ro,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06164
Tel: (+82) 2 34 67 63 60
Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

domain: news


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Posted on Aug 31
While there are plenty of pretenders but only one king of the hill, there is no denial that the world is flatter than ever and that great startups can sprout from anywhere.
China has been long seen as a potential technology haven, but while Zhong...
Posted on Aug 26
The New York Times was present at our Demo Day and a very thoughtful piece came out of it, featuring HAXLR8R and a few startups on the way.
Posted on Aug 22
Sounds like our original HAXLR8R website did two things to its visitors: you either thought it was original or a totally un-usable piece of garbage.
While we still like it very much, HAXLR8R has now a new skin which will permit you to...
Posted on Aug 18
Good thing to wake up and see:
1/ The Nomiku crew having their faces plastered all over the Wall Street Journal
2/ Having a mention there!
Here is how the front page looks like yesterday:
And the print today
Read the article and check out the...
Posted on Jul 01
We'll be back sometime in August, with some more crazy things ahead of course!
Posted on Jun 20
We were all super pumped having CNET at HAXLR8R Day, but pictures... err video, are worth thousand words:
Posted on Jun 19
I guess we are all exhausted by what was an amazing moment of our lives!
Audience, flying from all parts of the world, are getting ready... yes it's Mitch on the right ;-)
Very luck to have Melanie helping us that night... thanks!
Posted on Jun 05
There are plenty of activities this year and we all had a great time at the Shenzhen Maker Faire, organized by Seeed Studio and a few others. With makers coming from all over the world, this event was a success and simply giving a kick in the butt...
Posted on May 29
It's not everyday that you cross a legend of the hardware scene in Shenzhen, even though he is a HAXLR8R mentor, so we jump on the occasion to have Mitch tell us about his life-long experience of hacking electronics and more...
Needless to say we...
Posted on May 28
This is it! Rendez-vous at Autodesk on June 18th for a world's first!


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The New England and Canada fall color cruise season is coming soon. Come explore our cruise search highlighting 44 different sailings across nine different cruise lines.
Uniworld debuts a fabulous new luxury river cruise ship to sail the Mekong to visit Vietnam and Cambodia: the S.S. Mekong.
Does Melatonin work as a preventative against jet lag? Let’s see what the folks at Mayo Clinic have to say on the matter.
There are 19 key sailing regions around the world, and for 2019, these companies are the largest operators by region when it comes to the luxury cruise market.
The Roaming Boomers Travel Services team has just put together another month of record sales with great expectations for the future. Come learn more.
Explore these last-minute 2019 5-star luxury small group travel offers from Luxury Gold. Italy, Ireland, England, Canada, and more. Prices start at $3,120/person.
Six remarkable Viking Ocean Cruises Flash Sale offerings. All with FREE Air. Come peek.
Enjoy complimentary VIP perks and a Free Night at these five luxury hotels.


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200,000 bhp descends on Birmingham for the 2020 Performance & Tuning Car Show.
If you are a fan of highly tuned cars and supercars, you're in luck as you can now purchase your advanced tickets for the 2020 Performance &...
Motorsport to kick off 2020 at Autosport International: August early-bird ticket offer launched
Still reminiscing about the recent record-breaking British Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton's sixth home win? Don’t worry, the 2020 season lau...
Champion Stars and British Touring Cars all in one place at Autosport International
The 2019 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season will started revving up at Autosport International in January, with a hos...
Silverstone Auctions announced as new auction partner of Autosport International
The 2019 classic car auction season began with a new partnership following the signing of a deal between specialist auction house Silverston...


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Last week, Strategy Analytics stated that the first quarter of 2014 saw a record 285 million smartphone shipments around the world, while today Canalys announced a slightly lower number at 279.4 million for the same period. Regardless, it’s a huge amount, increasing by about 30% over last year.
Canalys’s report noted that shipments were mainly powered by Google’s Android OS at 81%, with iOS and Windows Phone clocking in at 16% and 3% respectively. As for specific manufacturers, Samsung is still the king, representing 31% of shipments, followed by Apple at 16%. Unfortunately, BlackBerry didn’t even make the cut.
At one time the term ‘phablet’ was humorous, but now is the norm. According to the release, smartphones with a 5-inch display or higher — such as the Note 3, Nexus 5, Xperia Z2, HTC One M8 — grew 369% over last year and represented 34% of total shipments.
The chart above shows that many devices are still below the 5-inch mark, mainly Apple’s iPhone with a 4-inch display. Canalys said that “Apple plainly needs a larger-screen smart phone to remain competitive, and it will look to address this in the coming months.” Apple is heavily rumoured to launch the iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch display this fall.


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This story was updated at 5:48 p.m. with new information from Volkswagen.
Volkswagen said its current-generation diesel engine doesn't have software designed to cheat on emissions tests, meaning its global recall of as many as 11 million cars won't need to be even bigger, according to Bloomberg.
Diesel cars with EA 288 motors meet legal and environmental requirements, the Wolfsburg, Germany-based company saidThursday in an e-mailed statement. The EA 288 replaced the EA 189 class of engines implicated in the emissions scandal.
Volkswagen had said earlier Thursday that it was examining whether other diesel engines have software that cheated emissions tests by turning on full pollution filters only when cars were being tested.
PREVIOUS STORY FOLLOWS:
German automaker Volkswagen says it is trying to determine whether even more of its cars may have been fitted with software that was used to cheat on U.S. emissions tests.
The company had previously said that the software was installed on cars with variants of the EA 189 diesel engine built to the "Euro 5" emissions standard.
Spokesman Pietro Zollino confirmed to the AP today a report from the dpa press agency that the company is now checking whether models with the EA 288 diesel motor built to the same emissions standard may also have the software.
Newer cars built to the "Euro 6" standard are said not to be affected.
Zollino didn't say how many cars are being checked. VW previously said 11 million cars worldwide were affected.


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The continent's social, economic and cultural growth have created a buzz as one of the most promising continents in the world. More sophisticated cities will emerge...
14 Apr 2016
Finalists range from a lodge set in the Ethiopian Highlands to a beach safety organisation - who will take the top spot this year?
5 Apr 2016
Marking the third phase of Bahrain's new visa policy, it has introduced eVisas to visitors from eleven African countries which allows nationals from...
17 Feb 2016
The Rezidor Hotel Group's Global Director of Sales and Marketing tells us about destination marketing, the first five-star hotel in Sierra Leone, and the challenges of marketing to/in Africa compared to the rest of the world...
Leigh Andrews 15 Apr 2015
The alliance between Massinga Beach and Castelo do Mar along with further developments by co-owner Darin D'Oliveira, will soon open up and boost Inhambane in Mozambique as a destination of choice, benefitting other lodges in the area.
22 Oct 2013
Auditing firm PwC on Thursday (13 June) projected total room revenue in SA would grow at a compound annual rate of 9.2% between now and 2017 after overall spending on rooms in all categories rose by 13.4% in 2012 to R15.2bn‚ reflecting an increase in stay-unit nights and a 5.3% rise in the average room rate.
Helmo Preuss 14 Jun 2013
Improving safety‚ cutting fuel taxes and liberalising regulation to allow for greater connectivity between African countries are some of the key issues that must be tackled to boost aviation on the continent‚ International Air Transport Association's chief executive Tony Tyler said on Tuesday, (4 June)
Nicky Smith 5 Jun 2013
WASHINGTON USA: President Barack Obama will leave on a first African tour next month, visiting Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa, but his itinerary released on Monday (20 May) bypasses Kenya, an ancestral homeland.
21 May 2013
Hilton Worldwide has expanded its product offering in SA over the past six months and the US-based group intends to increase its presence in Africa‚ according to vice-president of operations for Africa and the Indian Ocean‚ Jan van der Putten.
16 May 2013
The South African Tourism Indaba should expand its platform by attracting even more exhibitors and buyers from the African continent, Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said on Sunday (12 May).
14 May 2013
Transnet Engineering (TE), a unit of the state-owned freight and logistics company, is exploring new narrow-gauge markets in Latin America, South-east Asia and Australia in a bid to meet its growth targets, according to strategy and marketing general manager Thoba Majoka.
Nicky Smith 6 May 2013
Economies in sub-Saharan Africa will ride out the bumpy global recovery in the next few years to post growth rates not seen outside Asia, the IMF said in its latest economic forecasts Tuesday (16 April).
17 Apr 2013


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The Switch, the new food hall in the Blackstone District, is one of the more anticipated openings since the beginning of the pandemic. The hall, which will open June 22, has precautions in place to make dining in (or taking out) safe.
General manager Miranda McQuillan said the hall and its large outdoor patio will be set up so customers can practice social distancing. Customers will be able to order from their phones inside the space as a contactless ordering option.
She said the hall also anticipates its vendors will do a brisk takeout business.
To order, customers can call each restaurant directly, or visit theswitchblackstone.com to order online. The online ordering will be live next week.
Here’s the details on all six restaurants, plus the central bar.
→ Ansel’s Pastrami and Bagels will move its now-closed former Blackstone restaurant, which was near 40th and Farnam Streets, into the hall. Owners Joel and Krystin Marsh also run Blackstone’s Noli’s Pizzeria. Until the food hall space opens, Ansel’s is serving a limited menu out of Noli’s, including Pastrami sandwich meal kits, at 36th and Farnam Streets.
The new Ansel’s will still serve homemade bagels and sandwiches, but plans to introduce a dinner menu including meatballs, croquettes and charcuterie. Later in the year, the restaurant will open for breakfast.
→ The Bubbly Tart is from pastry chef Chelsie Schroeder. She’s been running the business out of the Kitchen Council restaurant accelerator space in Council Bluffs since 2019. Her menu will include cookies, “cake sickles” (pictured above in unicorn form), Parisian flan and snickerdoodle sandwiches, among other creative offerings. She’ll also take orders for custom cakes.
→ The El Arepon food truck is opening a brick-and-mortar space in the hall. The restaurant will serve from-scratch Venezuelan food, including arepas, homemade corn flower patties topped with meat, cheese, eggs, salsa and other toppings.
→ M Squared will offer six types of juices. Owner Monika Kunwar is also co-owner of Darbar Indian Cuisine, up Farnam street from the food hall and also in the Blackstone neighborhood.
→ Piatto di Pasta is a new Italian spot from chef Nils Gjoca, and will serve a fast casual take on classics like chicken Parmesan, cheese tortellini alla vodka, ravioli, stuffed pasta and the classic tiramisu. Gjoca also owns and runs Sofra Creperie inside the Inner Rail food hall in Aksarben Village.
→ A group of new restauranteurs are running Red Lantern, and cooking their family’s Vietnamese staples. Owners Matthew, Nu and Tony Tran will serve pho, banh mi sandwiches, bubble tea, appetizers and rotating specials. It will also be the first Vietnamese concept in the neighborhood.
→ Local beer legend Bill Baburek will run the food hall’s central bar, serving Infusion Brewing Co. beer, wine and cocktails. He’ll continue to run the Crescent Moon and its sister bars across the street from the food hall, too.


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(Adds details on company's business model, profit forecasts, and analyst's comment.)
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Retailer ITAT Group Ltd. plans to raise US$1 billion from a Hong Kong initial public offering, possibly late this year, people familiar with the situation said Friday.
A Morgan Stanley unit, MS China 5 Ltd., has a stake in ITAT, which is based in Shenzhen and incorporated in Hong Kong. MS China 5, Blue Ridge China Partners L.P. and Citadel MT Trading Ltd. have a strategic investment of US$70 million in the company, the retailer said in March.
The retailer said on its Web site it expects its net profit to grow to CNY1.04 billion this year from CNY70 million last year on an expansion of its retail network to over 1,000 stores. ITAT also forecast its net profit to be CNY2.98 billion in 2008 and CNY5.6 billion in 2009.
ITAT now has 343 stores and eight hyperstores in 25 provinces and municipalities in China, including 12 stores in Beijing. It plans to increase its network to over 1,600 stores next year.
But analysts said ITAT's business model will make it difficult for the company to improve its net margin, which is at a stable 10%, after deducting taxes and other miscellaneous expenses.
ITAT shares revenue with its suppliers and landlords, with suppliers earning a fixed 60% of total revenue, landlords 13% and employees 6%.
A consumer analyst, who declined to be named, said that while the business model eliminates cost pressures of fixed costs, the retailer may lose out on potential gains from the economies of scale.
"With the company's rapid expansion plan, it can easily command a much higher bargaining power when it comes to discussing rental and cost of goods. But because all costs are set at a fixed percentage, it can't capture more potential gains," he said.


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BRUSSELS – Belgian authorities have searched the home of a member of one of France's wealthiest families in what local media reports is an investigation into suspected tax fraud and money laundering.
Assistant prosecutor Frederic Bariseau told The Associated Press on Wednesday that "the search took place at the residence of Patrick Mulliez."
The Mulliez family runs an empire worth tens of billions of dollars, with brands including supermarket group Auchan, sporting goods retailer Decathlon and home improvement chain Leroy Merlin.
Bariseau said no one was arrested during Tuesday's search, which was done of the basis of an international arrest warrant, but that material had been seized. He declined to provide details.
Muilliez's home is in Nechin, just across the border from Roubaix in France, where the Muillez group has its headquarters.


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Blackberry Messenger app will now come preinstalled on select LG smartphones
It’s no secret that Blackberry is struggling big-time, especially when it comes to BB10 and its smartphone hardware. Despite these struggles, there is one bright spot for the company: Blackberry Messenger has managed to gain a lot of attention and many new users since debuting on Android and iOS.
Hoping to further ride this wave of success, Blackberry has now officially announced that they are partnering up with LG to include Blackberry Messenger pre-loaded on select LG handsets starting with the G Pro Lite.
Of course the news really isn’t that much of a surprise considering, especially since Blackberry had just announced last month that they were planning to work with several major Android OEMs to pre-load BBM onto select handsets in emerging markets throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
For those wondering whether the LG BBM app will be any different from what’s available for free from Google Play, the answer appears to be no. Basically the idea here is that pre-loading it doesn’t change their Google Play plans, instead it means more folks will give the app a try when they see it’s already on their handset.
It’s still uncertain what Blackberry’s future holds, and whether or not spinning off key apps like BBM over to other platforms will be enough to plug up the holes in Blackberry’s sinking ship. Still, we have to admit that BBM has gotten a fair amount of attention and positive praise — even if the app is far from perfect.
What do you think of Black Messenger? Can Blackberry survive at least as a 3rd party app maker, or are its days numbered?


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A Gloucester business man, mentor and community worker says assumed judgements of communities need to change in Gloucester.
The shop Candy Cravers which is owned by Mark Taylor is located on Barton High Street has been a huge success for nearly two years.
Mr Taylor from Gloucester specifically chose the High Street to home his sweet shop business in a bid to be able to bring a change to the negative profile the area has had.
The shop sells American, Japanese and Indian sweets and drinks and is a hit with locals and customers from further afield.
He feels Barton and Tredworth despite having a previously bad reputation, he says ‘it is not a bad area.’
Mr Taylor said: “We have the shop on the High Street. If you want to make a change you have to be part of the change.
“It is not a bad area. It is rubbish people say that.
“Loads of people come here and there is no trouble, but people turn their nose up at the area.
“You treat people how you want to be treated. Respect gives respect.”
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Mr Taylor says that people find the area intimidating.
He said: “You could go anywhere like places like Charlton Kings and be called names. That person could maybe not even be from that area but the person can assume they are and think badly of the place.
“A lot of the judgements on this areas who come from people who are not from that area. It is easy to criticise things from the outside.
“We have people come from all over visit the shop. Customers travel from Cheltenham, Quedgeley, Dursley and further.
“People come to the High Street for the Caribbean food, my shop, the hairdressers.
“The barbers here is a busy shop because it is a good shop.”
Mr Taylor does not understand why people are intimidated by people of colour.
He said: “Yes there is a liquor shop and people stand there. It is clear people find it intimidating.
“There is a prejudgement and it is an outdated stereotype, a bit like the person in the 1990’s wearing a hoodie.
“Stereotypes affect people in the area.
“I do not understand why people are intimidated by people of colour.
“People need to remember most of the shops on the High Street do not open till midday. Then is when it starts to get busy.
“People are seen talking on the street, it could be a woman and her sister talking outside while a meal is cooking.
“It could be men coming home from work picking up their groceries and having a drink before they go home.
“So when people on there way back home and drive through the High Street and it is busy and people make a judgement about the area.”
Mr Taylor says the future of the High Street needs planning and gaps on the High Street to be filled.
He said: “We need to be planning for the long term.
“I was looking at the beginning to open a Vape shop with small American sweet shop, but went for a full sweet shop as there are schools around and we want to send the right message. Now we have good regular customers in at the shop.”


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YouTube has indeed revolutionized the digital and online video industry. It started from a mere video sharing service and now has become a platform for serious-money making industry.
Since YouTube’s launched in 2005, YouTube’s influence on pop culture can’t be put aside because it’s the platform that propelled the music careers of many well-known celebrities, such as Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber. Through the years, YouTube has also become a place for the next generation of internet celebrities and influencers. The platform has become the ultimate path for stardom globally for its ability to reach hundreds of millions of viewers and tens of millions of followers daily.
As YouTube celebrities become more well-known online, they have turned their vlogs and brands into multi-million dollar business. In fact, Forbes opened the public’s eyes on how much YouTubers earn when they release a list of wealthiest YouTubers in 2015. While the earnings of YouTubers fluctuate, it’s no secret that the YouTube’s most famous influencers are using new ways of earning money beyond sponsored videos and advertising, Some of these stars market their personal merchandise, some even capitalized their success through sold-out live tours, and other have snagged television shows and movies.
If you’re curious to know who tops the list of highest paid YouTubers today, continue reading this article. The list below starts from the controversial Logan Paul and ends with the innocent Ryan of Ryan’s ToysReview. The earnings mentioned in this article are pretax, meaning no fees for agents, lawyers and managers were deducted. This list is based on the Forbes top list of highest-paid YouTubers in the world from June 1, 2017, through June 1, 2018.
10. The Controversial Logan Paul ($14.5 million)
Have you heard or seen the Aokigahara suicide video that sparked worldwide controversy? If yes, then you probably know the 10th YouTube star in our list, Logan Paul. At 10, Paul started creating content videos at a YouTube Channel called Zoosh but he first gained popularity through the internet video sharing service Vine. When the platform shutdown, he moved to Facebook and YouTube.
Currently, he has more than 18 million subscribers at his vlog channel. While Logan Paul continues his million-dollar path through YouTube, his journey wasn’t always a smooth one. He faced controversies and lawsuits that threatened to put off his career. One of these controversies was the Aokigahara vlog uploaded on December 31, 2017. The video featured a recent apparent suicide hanging from a tree. Due to this scandal, he was kicked off YouTube’s Google preferred program. He apologized after three weeks through his vlog channel and had a one month long hiatus. Despite all of Logan Paul’s shortcomings, his earnings have increased based on Forbes reports. His net worth is approximately $14.5 million.


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Paxful, the P2P finance platform, is powering the Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Convention 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria, to assist spur native startups within the crypto ecosystem.
Cryptocurrency and its underlying blockchain know-how have made a significant influence on the lives of individuals from everywhere in the world. Whereas these in Europe, Asia, and North America have loved the advantages of decentralized cryptocurrencies, equivalent to Bitcoin, it’s locations like Africa the place the results might be really life-changing. To assist extra individuals be capable of climb aboard the Bitcoin practice, Paxful, the P2P finance platform, is powering the upcoming Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Convention 2018 that’s being held in Lagos, Nigeria, on Could 19th and 20th.
Bringing Blockchain to the Individuals
The recognition of Bitcoin in Nigeria has been rising steadily for a while. Nigerians have been excited to take financial freedom into their very own arms by harnessing the ability and alternatives provided by blockchain know-how and cryptocurrencies. This reputation is well proven by the truth that Nigeria is the second largest nation by buying and selling quantity on Paxful, the peer-to-peer cryptocurrency change, lagging solely behind america.
To deliver such new technological improvements to extra individuals in Nigeria, Paxful is partnering with the Blockchain Training Community Nigeria and the Blockchain Nigeria Person Group to host the Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Convention 2018. This vital convention will likely be held on the Civic Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, on Could 19th and 20th.
General, that is the fourth instructional and financial empowerment convention placed on by the Blockchain Nigeria Person Group. The main target for the Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Convention 2018 is to determine the alternatives that this know-how brings to Nigeria, in addition to truthfully discussing the challenges that must be overcome to unlock the complete potential of cryptocurrency and blockchain know-how for the area.
Selling Native Entrepreneurship
The Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Convention 2018 is a vital occasion for selling Bitcoin in Nigeria and all of the accompany advantages of the digital foreign money. Paxful is aware of how very important blockchain and cryptocurrency is in Africa, and the peer-to-peer cryptocurrency change has been on the forefront of selling this revolutionary new know-how throughout the continent, particularly in Nigeria.
Ray Youssef, CEO of Paxful, notes:
We’re extraordinarily excited to work with the Blockchain Training Community Nigeria and the Blockchain Nigeria Person Group in bringing the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Convention 2018 to fruition. One of many targets we’re striving for with this occasion is to spur a wave of native startups within the blockchain and digital foreign money ecosystem. This convention will likely be an eye-opening occasion for many who are desperate to embrace this new tech and leverage the digital foreign money revolution as a substitute hedge in an financial system struggling to get out of recession. Paxful has helped sponsor an identical convention earlier this yr within the Nigerian capital of Abuja, however we’re particularly thrilled with this occasion because it additionally serves because the prelude to the launch of our Incubation Hub in Lagos, the primary ever such hub in Africa.
Registration is free for the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Convention 2018, however entry to day 2 (Could 20th) of the convention is just gained via the acquisition of a ticket. It’s on day 2 that attendees can dig deep into the P2P finance sphere and discover its potentialities via varied workshops and coaching periods.


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PAN India,25th May 2023: Kottail Milano, a leading Indian clothing brand committed to providing the latest trends in fashion, is gearing up to expand its retail footprint across the country by opening 40 exclusive stores in 2023. The primary focus of the expansion will be tier 2 cities in northern Indian states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Founded in November 2016 by Mr. Anil Bansal, the New Delhi-based Kottail Milano, has been a pioneer in fashion clothing with key products that include Shirts, Tshirts, Jeans, trousers, Formals, Suits, sweatshirts, Jackets, woolens, and other menswear products. Over the last few years, it has already established its presence in Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand. In April & May 2023, Kottail Milano also opened new stores in Haldwani (Uttarakhand), Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), Jewar (Uttar Pradesh), Faridkot (Punjab), Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh), and Narela (New Delhi).
In fact, across the 7 years of its existence, Kottail Milano has succeeded in opening 100+ brand outlets, while attaining a turnover of INR 50 Crores. The clothing brand is also projected to generate a revenue worth INR 100 Crores for FY 2023-24. On the other hand, the new retail expansion plan targetted across the Indian tier 2 cities, is expected to help stamp its mark in the country even further, through its unique designs and contemporary apparel selections.
Mayank Bansal, Director at Kottail Milano, said, “We, at Kottail Milano, are very excited by the prospect of opening a total of around 50 new stores as part of our expansion policy. We have witnessed a tremendous level of traction in tier 2 cities and the planned retail expansion will be an important milestone in our objective of opening 500 stores in the next 3 years. The latest step will also help us navigate our way into newer categories like womenswear, kidswear, activewear, and footwear.”
Kottail Milano brings the latest fashion trends at unbeatable prices without ever compromising on quality. Their products range across casual wear, and formal wear, as well as an extensive collection that offers something for every taste and occasion. The New Delhi-based clothing brand is one that puts great emphasis on style and comfort in its designs, which are guaranteed to bring forth ultimate value for money.


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Fino Payments Bank IPO allotment tomorrow, investors had oversubscribed by over 2 times
- Fino Payments Bank is likely to announce its share allotment status on November 9.
- The public issue of the Mumbai-based fintech company Fino Payments Bank has been subscribed 2.03 times on the third and final day of the issue on November 2.
- Check out the latest news and updates on Business Insider.
Navi Mumbai-based fintech company Fino Payments Bank is likely to announce the allotment status of its initial public offering (IPO) on November 9.
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The company received good demand from investors, who have oversubscribed the IPO by 2.03 times. The portion reserved for retail investors was oversubscribed by 5.92 times on the last day of the IPO bidding process.
However, demand from non-institutional investors was not that good as the portion reserved for non-institutional investors was subscribed just 0.21 times.
|Qualified institutional investors||1.65 times|
|Non-institutional investors||0.21 times|
|Retail investors||5.92 times|
AdvertisementThe IPO was open for subscription from October 29 to November 2 with a price band of ₹560-577 per share. The company is looking to raise ₹1,200 crore through public listing including ₹900 crore through an offer for sale and ₹300 crore through fresh issue of shares.
The company claims to be the first profitable player in the payments bank space to hit the Indian stock market. Paytm is another payments bank firm in line to get listed soon.
The bank plans to utilise the net proceeds from the fresh issue towards augmenting its tier-I capital base to meet its future capital requirements.
Further, analysts are positive on the fintech industry and believe they are poised to grow in the future.
“Fintech companies' demand is poised for growth on the back of rising internet penetration, higher disposable income, development of technology, low-cost infrastructure, government initiatives like UPI, etc. We believe Fino Bank is one of the key beneficiaries of opportunities in the sector,” said analysts at Religare Broking.
SEE ALSO: Reliance Industries, Tata Motors, Britannia and other hot stocks on November 8 as markets reopen after Diwali
AdvertisementPaytm IPO will open today — here is how to apply via bank and apps like Zerodha, Paytm Money
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FOR failing to file their tax returns after the statutory period, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has stated that it would delist 49,000 registered companies from its register. Indeed, the Commission stated that a large number of registered companies in its database have not fulfilled their statutory regulations in terms of filing of returns while many have refused to state the non-existence of their businesses.
Specifically, the CAC noted that at least 414,000 companies did not file their returnsin 2010 out of about one million registered businesses in the country, thus necessitating the renewed action set to be taken.
Special Adviser to the Registrar General, CAC, Garba Abubakar while speaking at a seminar organized by the Professional Practice Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lagos, yesterday, stated that most businesses registered in the country have no proper structure and have defaulted in their incorporation requirements.
According to him, investigations show that businesses terminate the relationships with their professionals after incorporation while most professionals are found wanting in responsibly advising their clients.
“We observed that 60 per cent of the cost of starting a business goes to professionals as fees, a condition many small businesses have found not to be sustainable. Also, most companies do not have ascertainable capital base unlike what other sectoral regulators prescribe.
“To ease the process, CAC decided to address bottlenecks in the system with a new platform. Although we are experiencing some challenges, we hope to address them in due time”.
President, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello emphasized the need for government to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
According to him, structuring businesses for effective regulatory compliance is significant because many businesses are having compliance issues with the various regulators that oversee their operations.
“We are gradually moving towards a growing formal economy where companies would have no choice but to play according to the rules. Businesses built and run in contravention are often not sustainable in the long run.
“Policy consistency remains a valuable ingredient for a sound regulatory environment. We call for more consultations with the private sector in the formulation of policies and regulations. This will ensure better compliance and consistency irrespective of changes in the leadership of regulatory authorities”, he added.
Chairman of the Professional Practice Group of the LCCI, Abayomi Adebanjo noted that professionals occupy a key position in the implementation of policies in the country and their role should not be ignored especially in the area of policy implementation.
According to him, though lofty in its aspirations, the 24 hours duration for the incorporation of businesses is unrealistic considering the various bottlenecks encountered by businesses in the course of registering a business.
“There is a need for increased stakeholder engagement to aid the implementation of policies. Making declarations on the timeline for business incorporation should be considered alongside other factors as there are other regulators involved in the process. We need structures that are sustainable to engender growth in the country”, he added.
TO CONTACT SITE OWNER for Info or Advert, CALL: 08136125128


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|Summer markets to open with safety in mind posted on 05/01/2020|
Two Mount Hood markets are making cautious plans for
returning during the summer season to offer community members access to locally
farmed foodstuffs and artisan goods produced in the region.
Both the Hoodland Farmers Market and the Mt. Hood Artisan
Market are anticipating shortened seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are
planning on opening with a focus on social distancing and ensuring the safety
of the public and vendors at the markets.
“The Hoodland Farmers Market will continue its mission to
bring fresh, real food and locally made goods to the people of Mt. Hood while
supporting local businesses during these unprecedented times,” said the
market’s manager, Lauren Carusona, in a recent press release.
The Hoodland Farmers Market will delay opening from May to
June this year. The farmers market is deemed an essential business during the
pandemic and will return to its previous home in the El Burro Loco parking lot,
67211 E. Hwy. 26 in Welches every Sunday from noon until 2 p.m. starting June
In response to the pandemic, the farmers market will serve
as a place to pick up pre-ordered items and not a place to gather, browse or
socialize in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Customers can
contact individual vendors and arrange to place prepaid orders for pick up at
the market. Contact information for the vendors will be available on the
farmers market’s social media and in an email newsletter.
Carusona stated the market has been researching safe
distancing protocol used by other farmers markets. No money will be exchanged,
a hand washing and sanitizing station will be provided on site and customers
will be required to maintain appropriate distances while picking up preordered
Carusona highlighted the fact that while the social element
of the market was diminished it was still an opportunity to purchase
nutritious, locally produced food and ensure money being spent was supporting
the local economy.
“The silver lining of this difficult time is that our
community has all that it needs and more and it’s safer,” Carusona said.
The Mt. Hood Artisan Market has six dates planned for the
summer. The first artisan market is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in the
courtyard at the Mt. Hood Village and RV Resort, 65000 E. Hwy 26 in Welches
with a market scheduled every three weeks through September. The schedule is
currently tentative depending on state guidelines over the following months.
“We hope to provide a safe environment for our vendors to
come out and show their wares,” said market organizer Heidi Flanders. “We want
everyone to be safe during these uncertain times and we’ll follow state mandate
and guidelines throughout the summer.”
The artisan market strives to be a starting point for new
artists and craftspeople in the region who haven’t begun to get their art out
to the community.
The markets saw an uptick in interest from vendors and the
public after operating for two years and organizers hope for the potential for
community members to browse and enjoy entertainment including live music,
vendors samples and other activities later this summer if social distancing
guidelines are reduced.
“We’re looking forward to getting back to having more
community involvement,” Carusona said. “At this time we’re working with the
pandemic and making sure we put safety first.”
For more information about the Mt. Hood Artisan Market email
Heidi_flanders@equitylifestyle.com. More information about the Hoodland Farmers
Market can be found on the market’s Facebook page.
By Ben Simpson/MT
[Editor’s note: following publication in our newspaper, it
was announced that the Mt. Hood Artisan Market has been cancelled for this


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- Business Type:
- Service provider
- Industry Type:
- Environmental - Environmental Regulations and Compliance
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Year Founded:
On 22 January 2018, the European Commission published a notice to stakeholders on the impact of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU related to the field of industrial ...
On 19 March 2018, the European Union issued a Regulation implementing article 4 of Regulation 2283/2015 on novel foods. The new regulation concerns the consultation process for the determination of ...
Health Canada issued on 10 February 2018 a proposed rule to require front-of-package (FOP) labeling of prepackaged products under the Food and Drugs Regulations (FDR). Specifically, the Ministry ...
A California court reportedly proposed a ruling on 28 March 2018 that coffee companies operating in California, including Starbucks, Peet`s Coffee & Tea, and Seattle`s Best, among others, must ...


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Epicureanist will debut exclusive owl and octopus inspired wine ice buckets at the upcoming International Home + Housewares Show to be held in Chicago from March 18 to March 21.
According to the company, the buckets are crafted from hand-carved mango wood and feature pewter design elements, along with a removable glass ice bucket for chilling wine.
The company explained that the owl and octopus inspired ice buckets are individually crafted using three materials: Mango wood, glass and pewter.
“We’ve been intent on adding animal inspired design to our wine accessory product offering as it’s both on trend and unique. To ensure the new ice buckets were created in the spirit of the Epicureanist brand, we worked through many variations of design and payed close attention to craftsmanship,” said India Hynes, Epicureanist’s v/p and lead product designer.
Each animal inspired wine ice bucket weighs eight pounds. They have a suggested retail price of $295 each.


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Want to join the conversation?
Insulation and complementary building products installer $IBP said it has acquired Bakersfield, California-based Kern Door Company, which provides garage door systems to commercial and residential customers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
$SBUX launched its annual “Starbucks for Life” competition in the U.S. and Canada. The winner of the competition will receive a credit of one drink or food item per day for a duration of 30 years.
$T shares rose 1.8%, as a big boost for the S&P 500. The company said its new streaming television service DirectTV has so far exceeded expectations.
$TXMD flying high.. anyone here to catch..?
$CMG crashing. There seems to be nothing good to read about this company.


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With China reopening its economy after months of freezing, Apple Inc’s iPhone factories are largely operational. But now that the coronavirus pandemic is spreading around the world, the pressing question is how many buyers there will be for both the current models and the new range of phones expected in the fall.
A senior official at one of Apple’s major contract assemblers said Apple’s quarter ending in March is likely to decline 18% compared to the previous year. Production of new phones that work with next-generation 5G networks has been delayed, this person said, although it is still possible that the 5G phones may launch in the fall as planned. “No one is talking about manpower or material shortage anymore (in China). Now everyone is looking at whether the demand from the US and Europe can keep up,” said the person, who knows the matter directly. “The focus is now on consumer demand in the United States and Europe.”
One of the major display suppliers is preparing for a similar degree of contraction, according to one person who knows the matter. The company expected to supply 70 million iPhone screens this year, but is now considering reducing that target by more than 17% to 58 million units. The company also plans to reduce the workforce at Apple-designated production lines at its Vietnam factory, where displays are mounted before going to China to be put into phones, this person said.
Apple declined to comment on this story. Earlier this month, the company closed stores around the world, even as it reopened stores in China. With much of Europe and the United States closing and unemployment rising worldwide, there is little clarity about when demand could return.
The company may also face further supply chain issues as countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam impose new restrictions to fight the corona virus. “Things are changing day to day due to supply chain disruptions, so it’s difficult to make a meaningful comment about both supply and demand at the moment,” said an official at one supplier in Malaysia.
OUTLOOK OF FOG-ASKED QUESTION In January, Apple revoked its March sales forecast, without giving a new one. Shares have fallen by more than 15% since the beginning of the year.
“Our baseline scenario assumes a shock to demand in the June quarter with steadily improving results” in the second half of the year rather than a “V-shaped” recovery, Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley wrote in a letter to investors 18th of March. Taipei-based technology analyst Arthur Liao of Fubon Research lowered forecasts for iPhone shipping for the first quarter of this year to 35 million units, down 17% from 41 million units a year ago. The company lowered its overall forecast for iPhone shipping for 2020 to 198 million, compared to an earlier forecast of 204 million.
In any case, in the United States, consumers seem unsure whether they will resume spending. In a March 18-20 survey by Civis Analytics on more than 2,600 American adults, more than half of respondents said they planned to spend about the same on consumer electronics as before the virus outbreak, if the situation is mitigated in the coming weeks # But as the situation worsens, respondents were equally divided, with about a third each saying they would spend less, the same, or more on consumer electronics when conditions returned to normal.
Such ambiguity has made it difficult for Apple suppliers to estimate how 2020 will progress. A sensor iPhone manufacturer said the company continues to manufacture and ship parts for Apple devices, and the first quarter ended March was better than last year, and the second quarter is also likely to be higher than it years before.
“We got a prediction for this quarter for the pandemic about a month ago,” said a person familiar with the sensor vendor’s situation last week. & # 39; And now we still produce according to the prediction given to us. & # 39;
(This story has not been edited by staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)


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A small Massachusetts ski area surprised the skiing world this season by opening first in the country, beating out ski resorts in Colorado.
Black Mountain will open this winter after all
Skiers were carving turns on a small strip of man-made snow serviced by a magic carpet for one day on October 22 at the 45-acre Ski Ward in Shrewsbury during its fall festival.
Ski Ward, which opened in 1939, is one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the country. It has a 220-foot vertical drop and nine trails and four lifts, including a triple chair, T-bar, and carpet.
“Shout out to Ski Ward for getting things started for us,” POWDER magazine wrote.
Ski Ward celebrated on Facebook, writing: “First turns of the 2023/24 season at Ski Ward! Give it up for the little guys.”
October skiing was made possible thanks to Ski Ward’s new snow-making machine called Latitude 90, which makes artificial snow in any kind of weather.
Colorado took notice, with The Summit Daily News writing an “unexpected ski area” opened first, noting that Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin, Keystone Resort, and Loveland Ski Area routinely compete for the title.
Alan Henceroth, COO of Arapahoe Basin, otherwise known as A-Basin, wrote the following blog post about the opening:
“Our friends at Unofficial Networks are reporting that Ski Ward, Massachusetts has opened for skiing. With $5 tickets, a couple groomer widths of snow and a carpet, skiers and riders are sliding in New England. Kudos to Ski Ward for offering up some good, slippery fun.”
— Alan Henceroth
Ski Ward said on Instagram that opening first “wasn’t our original goal” after the festival.
The ski area made headlines for making snow over the summer while testing its new all-weather snowmaking machine.
General Manager Stephanie Lacroix told Spectrum News in August that the new snowmaking machine meant a guaranteed opening date in November.
“We know despite weather, we will be able to open the first week of November regardless of whether or not we have conventional snow making temperatures and we’re also hoping for less weather closures during the season,” she told Spectrum News.
Then when it advertised its fall festival, the ski area listed snow among the activities that would be offered alongside pumpkin painting, pony rides, and bounce houses.
Ski Ward is among just a few places in North America that owns a Latitude 90, according to POWDER magazine, which “aren’t capable of covering a long trail from top to bottom in snow, but they provide a valuable boost in coverage to learning areas, terrain parks, and other high-traffic areas like lift lines.”
Private lessons began at Ski Ward on Nov. 1.
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Articles in ads
April 20, 2020
This week, Ritwika Gupta reviews ads by Vodafone, Surf Excel and a public service announcement by the Government of India.
April 13, 2020
Ritwika Gupta reviews marketing initiatives by Amul, Burger King and Manulife.
February 21, 2020
In other news, Spanish football league LaLiga launched its first campaign in India


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Sugar-free drinks which have had low-calorie sweeteners added to them could aid weight loss, according to a new study.
Undertaken by staff at the Centre for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington, the research found that the drinks increased dietary restraint, which is one of the key factors that helps people when they are trying to lose or maintain weight.
Dr Drewnowski, director at the facility, which was founded in 2002 to combat health issues such as obesity, pointed out that the technique should be used in addition to other 'tools' such as exercise and portion control.
'Low-calorie sweeteners and reduced-calorie products are not magic bullets, which means using these products will not result in automatic weight loss,' he said.
The researchers involved in the study also recommended reducing fat intake and consuming fat- and sugar-modified foods as aids to maintaining weight loss.


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Earlier this week, Morgan Stanley and Cowen released updated price targets for Apple at $520 and $530, respectively. Apple’s valuation has risen over the last week with increased production in current iPhone units and the expected release of a new iPhone 12, which many suspect will be 5G enabled. Although Apple has historically relied on the success of its iPhone to drive its valuation, company financials from this past year demonstrate otherwise.
Morgan Stanley’s analysis resulting in Apple’s $520 price target can be heavily attributed to the adjustment of its overall valuation. Apple’s revenue, EPS, & free cash flow have each experienced growth year over year of 6%, 12%, and 24% respectively, while iPhone sales have decreased 1% in the same period. The company’s growth, while phone revenues stalled, demonstrates the shift from Apple being identified as a hardware company to a member of the technology industry. As a technology company, Morgan Stanley was able to use an EV/FCF multiple of 30x as opposed to the 25.5x multiple for a hardware company which helped the price target to rise to $520.
Furthermore, Cowen’s analysts noted that the production of the iPhone units has slightly increased to 43M which exceeded their estimated amount of 40M units. In addition, earnings from Apple's upgrade cycle to its higher hardware has driven the potential for share gains. As a result, Apple’s 31x multiple has remained consistent with other mega-cap tech companies due to their strong revenue and free cash flow. This is good for Apple as the company seems favorable amongst its competitors not only in technology but also in the consumer staples industry.
Although the bulk of the price target hikes can be attributed to valuing Apple as a technology/consumer platform, there were several other factors that led to the increased price targets. Next week, Apple will be executing a 4:1 stock split and they are developing a subscription-based program called Apple One.
The analyst reports also identify potential risks to Apple’s stock price including the Epic Games lawsuit and WeChat’s potential ban due to the Trump Administration’s executive order. However, despite the danger these issues may pose, Morgan Stanley and Cowen still believe that Apple’s new price target should be in the lower $500 range.
Disclosure: At the time of publication, we are long Apple. We wrote this article ourselves, and it expresses our own opinions. We are not receiving compensation for creating this article (other than from TheStreet) and have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.


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Android 2.1 aka Eclair is eclipsing other flavors of the Google-designed operating system to become the dominant version on Android phones.
50 percent of Android phones now run Android 2.1, compared to about 37 percent a month ago and 27 percent in April. The rest of Android devices are split between almost evenly between Android 1.5, aka Cupcake, and Android 1.6, or Donut.
The data comes from Android Developers, the official Android developers’ community website, and is based on operating system data reported by devices accessing the Android Market during a 2-week period ending June 16.
The rapid rise of the Android 2.1 indicates that the fractured nature of the platform--a major concern among Android developers and users--may no longer be an issue by the end of the year. In the 16 months since the first Android phone hit the market, Google has made four major upgrades to the operating system.
So far,smartphone makers seemed to be unable to keep up with that pace. Android smartphones running different versions of the OS also make it more expensive for developers to create apps since they have to ensure it runs on multiple versions.
But in the last few months, companies such as Motorola and HTC have been steadily updating the operating systems on their older phones. For instance, HTC confirmed Thursday that it will upgrade the Android 1.5-powered HTC Hero to 2.1 by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Google Nexus One, Motorola Droid and HTC Incredible users among others can look forward to the next Android update called Android 2.2 or FroYo. FroYo updates will flow this summer.
- Sprint, HTC Unveil First 4G Android Phone
- Android Fragmentation Declines, But Older Versions Still Rule
- Android Comes of Age at Google Developer Conference
- Independent App Stores Take On Google's Android Market
Data: Android Developers


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A brand new 'gaming' cafe is set to open tomorrow as the final touches are being put in place.
Geek Retreat will be opening in the former Midco Toys shop in High Street, in Burton town centre, at 10am tomorrow, Saturday, February 5.
The new signs are all up and there is activity inside as its boss Jermaine Yip prepares to open his new business.
Staffordshire Live previously revealed that customers will be able to enjoy a hotdog or a burger and milkshakes while playing game of table top cards such as Pokemon or Magic, or the hugely popular war game Warhammer when they visit.
Geek Retreat is a franchise business which began in Glasgow and now has dozens of cafes across the UK, with the nearest ones to Burton in Stafford, Nottingham and Leicester.
The Burton cafe franchise will be run by Mr Yip, who is from the town. He says he became immersed in the world of table top gaming as way to escape bullying he experienced as a schoolboy.
His career is coming 'full circle' as he spent time working at Midco Toys when it was based in High Street and helped run a table top gaming session upstairs.
He also did similar sessions vat Spirit Games when it was based in High Street.
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A lawsuit aimed at forcing Taco Bell to stop calling the meat it serves “beef” has been withdrawn.
In January, an Alabama law firm filed a suit against the fast-food chain for false advertising, saying Taco Bell’s taco meat filling was only 36 percent of beef, made up of mostly chemicals, starches and powders.
Taco Bell, based in Irvine, Calif., said Monday the allegations were “absolutely wrong” and the lawsuit was voluntarily withdrawn by the firm that filed.
Taco Bell had spent nearly $4 million in advertising to counter the accusations of mystery meat, taking out full-page ads in at least nine major newspapers, and launching a television and online campaign that proclaimed its tacos were 88 — not 36 — percent beef.
Taco Bell said the other 12 percent was their “signature recipe,” comprised of water, spices, garlic powder, cocoa powder, sugar, citric acid, yeast, and “other ingredients.”
On their website, Taco Bell calls those other ingredients “tongue twisters,” and though they claim it’s easy to see a complete recipe list, it takes more than a little digging to find words like ‘maltodextrin’ and ‘soy lethicin.’
Taco Bell said it would not change any of its products or advertising. However, the firm that withdrew the lawsuit said Taco Bell already had made changes to its marketing and product disclosure.


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Holding the CFPB Accountable
The CFPB’s current ideological agenda and unlawful actions will ultimately hurt consumers, businesses, and our economy. To protect the choice of American consumers, the CFPB needs to be held accountable.
Under the leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s newest director, Rohit Chopra, the agency is trying to radically reshape the American financial services sector by breaking time-tested bipartisan norms and skirting the agency’s legal authority.
By attempting to change rules without accountability, the CFPB is creating uncertainty that will harm consumers by causing financial companies to adjust the types of mortgages, car loans, and personal credit they can offer.
The current ideological agenda and unlawful actions will hurt consumers, businesses, and our economy. The CFPB needs to be held accountable.
The CFPB Needs to Be Held Accountable
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is trying to radically reshape the nature of America's financial services sector by breaking time-tested bipartisan norms and skirting the agency’s legal authority.
The CFPB is...
- Changing rules without accountabilityThrough fly-by-night changes to the agency’s supervision and examination manual, and new rules created without public input, companies are finding themselves subject to onerous and expensive expectations imposed without proper notice or review.
- Interfering with choiceIn willfully mischaracterizing the state of competition in the market, the CFPB is laying the groundwork to force the financial services sector to comport with its vision of the appropriate size of companies, what products and services should be offered, and under what conditions.
- Trying to ban products and restructure the industryDirector Chopra has stated his intention to outright ban some products and restructure the industry, which would only mean fewer choices for American families.
- Taking unlawful actionsThe CFPB has wrongfully claimed that state attorneys general have authority to enforce consumer financial laws far beyond any authority Congress granted and is attempting to deprive companies of their constitutional right to a fair day in court.
Taking the reins
Congress should continue to use its oversight and legislative tools to ensure that the CFPB only acts within the mandate they have granted it. The Chamber highlights numerous legislative reforms in its 2018 report, “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Working Towards Fundamental Reform,” that remain more relevant than ever.
Congress should enact legislation to:
- Establish a bipartisan commission to run the CFPB.
- Subject the CFPB to proper budget oversight via the appropriations process.
- Create an independent inspector general for the CFPB, instead of depending on the Federal Reserve’s IG.
- Provide companies right of removal to federal court from the CFPB’s administrative adjudication forum.
- Remove the CFPB Director from the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and replace this position with an independent board member.
Timeline of Agency Engagement
- April 2022The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other associations sent a letter to the CFPB objecting to new powers claimed by the Director to influence administrative adjudication.
- October 2021The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sends a letter to Director Chopra expressing our desire to continue our longstanding relationship with the agency to advance consumer protection.
- June 2020Congress and the White House use the Congressional Review Act to void guidance that would regulate indirect lending via automotive dealers.
- May 2018Congress and the White House use the Congressional Review Act to void guidance that would regulate indirect lending via automotive dealers.
- July 2017Congress and the White House use the Congressional Review Act to void regulation issued by the CFPB to prohibit the use of arbitration clauses
- September 2017The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues the CFPB for its unlawful regulation of arbitration clauses.
- September 2009The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issues a report, “The Impact of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency on Small Businesses,” expressing concern with the lack of checks and balances that would be imposed on the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports H.J.Res.122/S.J. Res.70, a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to nullify the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Final Rule on Credit Card Penalty Fees.
The Supreme Court has an opportunity to rein in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
U.S. Chamber statement responding to an announcement from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at a White House roundtable.
75% of credit card users pay their bills on time. The CFPB’s new proposed rule would punish those who pay on time by raising their costs to cover for those who don’t.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announces the hiring of Nina Frant as Vice President for Consumer Policy.
Arbitration doesn’t pose a risk to consumers. It benefits them. Why is the CFPB trying to ban it?
Bill Hulse, vice president of the U.S. Chamber's Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness issued the following statement today regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rule amending credit card issuers’ late fee regulations.


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US to block palm oil shipments from Malaysian producer, cites forced labor, child workers
A United States order went into effect Wednesday banning shipments of palm oil from a major Malaysian producer that supplies many U.S. food and cosmetic companies, citing instances of forced labor and child workers, as well as physical and sexual abuse.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Trade placed the order against FGV Holdings Berhad, according to The Associated Press. The Malaysian palm oil company supplies several American and multinational companies, such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle, L’Oreal and Unilever.
“We would urge the U.S. importing community again to do their due diligence,” Brenda Smith, the trade office’s executive assistant commissioner, told the AP. “We would also encourage U.S. consumers to ask questions about where their products come from.”
The announcement was influenced by a petition filed last year by nonprofit organizations and comes a week after the AP published an investigation into Malaysia’s palm oil industry.
Through interviews with more than 130 former and current workers at about two dozen palm oil companies across eight countries, the AP reported multiple cases of unpaid labor, allegations of sexual assault and the trafficking of Rohingya Muslims to perform forced labor for FGV.
Smith told the AP that the Office of Trade conducted its own yearlong investigation while also drawing on the reporting from the AP and nonprofit organizations.
Smith said the agency was able to find instances of abusive working and living conditions, withholding of wages and allegations of forced child labor.
In response to the U.S. ban, FGV said these claims “have been the subject of public discourse since 2015 and FGV has taken several steps to correct the situation.”
“FGV is disappointed that such decision has been made when FGV has been taking concrete steps over the past several years in demonstrating its commitment to respect human rights and to uphold labor standards,” the company said in a statement, according to the AP.
Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation aimed at cracking down on goods made in forced labor camps by a Muslim ethnic minority group in China’s Xinjiang region. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would “prevent certain imports from Xinjiang and imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations from the region.”


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The pandemic – and the associated supply chain crunch – accelerated the speed at which fashion retailers need to push through their digital transformation. Bare virtual shelves and unpredictable backorders have exposed the fact that too many retailers are still using historical data sets to forecast demand, when they should be using real-time intelligence to tame growing volatility. Despite retailers having sophisticated statistical models and advanced tools to forecast demand, the product data that they often use as a key input is often thin, inconsistent, or even inaccurate.
So, can better product attribution data save the day?
The Problem With an Out-of-Sync Supply Chain
The e-commerce share of fashion sales jumped from 16% to 29% during the pandemic, and with recent shifts in buying behavior looking permanent, the forecast continues to be positive. According to a McKinsey survey, 77% of fashion executives said they expected their online business to grow by 20% or more in 2021. The problem is that not enough retailers have the infrastructure to handle the increase in demand or meet the investment required. When the supply chain is out of synch with the front end customer experience, two things can happen:
- Out of Stock: Return rates in fashion retail are already as high as 50%, according to Shopify. But when a customer cannot even order the item they want to begin with, that negative customer experience can be just as costly.
- Overstock: Stock sitting on shelves is bad for business, and not just through high storage costs. When a retailer is too slow to respond to trends and misses the fashion window, the only option to clear the shelves is to mark items down at the end of the season. Bear in mind that just 60% of garments are sold at full price as it is, and the damage to the bottom line can be catastrophic.
Surging Demand Will Continue to Impact E-Commerce
We’ve already established that consumers are shopping more online than ever, particularly since the onset of the pandemic. In the US alone, 33% of retail sales are now through e-commerce, and fashion has earned its share — with the e-commerce fashion market expected to be worth $672 billion by 2023. A staggering 43% of consumers who had never purchased clothing online did so for the first time in 2020, and a significant proportion of those took advantage of disruptive models in retail.
With new ways of shopping come new expectations for delivery. Amazon Prime has set the benchmark for exceptional convenience at unprecedented speed, and the same-day delivery market will be worth $9.6 billion in the U.S. by 2022.
All these trends point to a sector that is evolving at a furious pace. Herein lies the problem. Retailers simply can’t respond with the data they have right now. Most lack the data visibility they need to see how various trends and styles resonate with customers or offer personalization to build customer loyalty and tame the serial returners.
How Granular Product Attributes Make a Difference
By leveraging granular product attributes, retailers can make significant progress in demand forecasting and supply chain optimization. With the data visibility and insight they need, these retailers can accomplish three urgent objectives:
- Replace wholesale pre-orders with a leaner, demand-led, made-to-order model that empowers product development, fueled by AI to launch lines that are guaranteed to sell out fast.
- Reduce assortment complexity, clean up the product catalog, and use data analytics to identify the most profitable SKUs.
- With many brands scaling back the number of seasonal collections a year, data from granular product attributes can help extract more value from those that remain. With better analytics, retailers can lean more towards price optimization and dynamic discounting rather than big end-of-season markdowns. This is of huge value to a retailer’s bottom-line.
Instead of embarking on a futile chase to catch up with historical trends, retailers can use granular product data to pivot to the much-heralded zero-based supply chain management. Crucial to the shift is better visibility of costs, demand, resources and capacity. By unlocking the insights of granular product attributes, retailers can:
- Invest manufacturing and fulfillment budgets in the products that generate the most revenue.
- Improve demand forecasting, particularly around seasonal spikes or emerging trends.
- Gather proxy products, defined through AI-powered computer vision, to accurately forecast demand for brand new product lines.
- Deliver personalized experiences to open up the option of a subscription-forward business model.
- Nurture an engaged, active, and loyal customer base that is more likely to buy new product lines and less likely to return items.
The supply chain is only as robust as the data that feeds into it at the source. In retail, granular product attributes can help reduce mountains of unsold inventory in the warehouse. The more insight the retailer has into their customer’s personal preferences, the better positioned they’ll be to anticipate demand and eliminate the uncertainty that causes overstocking. The future of retail is not off-the-shelf, but rather, on-demand.


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Sprint is in the enviable position of being courted by not one, but two companies for a potential merger. Sprint already agreed to a deal that would give control over the company to Japanese wireless carrier Softbank. This Softbank deal was expected to close this summer, but a sweeter offer from Dish puts that merger at risk. According to a report by CNET, Softbank has give Sprint permission to enter into a nondisclosure agreement with Dish to further discuss the $25.5 million bid.
Sprint has held its cards close to its chest and has not hinted which way it is leaning. The Dish deal gives stockholders a bigger payback, but Softbank is known for its ability to make a struggling carrier successful through agressive pricing. It will be interesting to see what Sprint does with these two offers in the coming weeks.


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New Hilti wearable exoskeleton aims to reduce strain, fatigue
Health & Safety
Tool and fastener maker Hilti Group is making a foray into the nascent market for job site exoskeletons.
Last week, the company unveiled its new EXO-O1, which is currently undergoing real-world testing to help contractors and tradespersons work longer under less strain.
The first iteration of Hilti’s wearable human augmentation device focuses on reducing strain when working overhead and at shoulder height. The company said more developments from the brand are inbound, but the physically intensive area, which often requires holding a tool aloft for extended periods of time, was the best place to start. It has partnered with Ottobock, a leading prosthetics, orthotics and exoskeletons firm, on the technology.
The device is currently undergoing field testing and is expected to hit the market later this year.


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Dozens of corporations and enterprise organisations despatched a letter on Monday to US lawmakers in assist of a invoice that may limit “self-preferencing” by the most important tech corporations.
Massive tech corporations similar to Amazon have been pulling out the stops to fight the bill’s passage.
However the corporations supporting the measure, together with Yelp, Sonos, DuckDuckGo and Spotify, referred to as it a “reasonable and smart invoice aimed squarely at well-documented abuses by the very largest on-line platforms”.
Different organisations signing the letter are the American Booksellers Affiliation, the American Unbiased Enterprise Alliance, the Institute for Native Self-Reliance and Kelkoo Group.
They urged the US Senate to move the invoice, saying it will modernise antitrust legal guidelines and permit smaller companies to compete.
Democractic Senator Amy Klobuchar and lawmakers from each events stated final week that they had the votes to move the laws, with Klobuchar saying she believed she had the 60 Senate votes wanted.
The Senate is anticipated to vote on the invoice as early as late June, and the Home of Representatives is then anticipated to vote on the Senate model.
The invoice specifically targets Amazon, Google father or mother Alphabet, Apple and Fb father or mother Meta, and would forestall them from utilizing their market energy to advertise their very own items and companies.
These corporations have fiercely campaigned towards it, with Amazon arguing it will hurt standard choices such because the Prime subscription service and two-day deliveries.
The Pc & Communications Business Affiliation (CCIA) stated it has spent greater than $10 million (£8.1m) this 12 months shopping for tv commercials that warn the invoice would “break Prime” and “finish assured two-day free supply”.
The invoice would additionally pressure corporations to share sure buyer information with potential rivals, which corporations say would create a danger to customers.
The CCIA stated the invoice, often known as the American Innovation and Alternative On-line Act, would “undermine US competitiveness” and “put US customers in danger”.


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Salesnet, a Boston ASP delivering sales force automation software, has raised $6.1 million in
financing to support its growth.
The backing was led by Prism Venture Partners. Phoenix Investment Partners and Juniper Ventures also participated. Since its founding in 1997, the firm has raised
more than $12 million.
“We are very happy to have secured this round of funding,” said Mike Doyle, Salesnet’s chairman and CEO. “These are the days of tightening venture capital
support and shareholders are extremely cautious and selective with their investments.”
Salesnet’s Web-based software offers a customizable application for managing sales processes, sales contacts, company accounts, and leads in tandem with
calendar scheduling and sharing. Additional features are wireless access, sales reporting and forecasting.
“Salesnet’s focus continues to emphasize the value in educating a sales force to sell successfully,” said David Baum, a general partner at Prism, which was an early
supporter of Salesnet, investing $5 million in May.
Salesnet has partnered with a number of firms to enhance its offerings, including iConverse, a maker of wireless technology, and VerticalNet, a network of
business-to-business commerce sites.
The privately held company, formerly known as mynetsales.com, has customers in 50 countries including the United States, Brazil, India, Hong Kong, Singapore,
and the United Kingdom. It has about 60 employees and plans to double its workforce in the coming year.


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Investors around the world remained on a knife’s edge Wednesday, pushing stock markets down in the U.S., Europe and Asia even as the growing consensus was that the disaster in Japan would have no long-term impact on the luxury market’s rebound.
Still, stores in Japan, some of which have cut back staffing and are coping with rolling blackouts, are expected to suffer as tourists cancel trips to the island nation. It is also unclear how Japanese shoppers — a somewhat weaker though still potent force in the luxury market — will adjust over time.
As some foreigners and families with small children left Tokyo rather than risk contamination from the failing nuclear generators 160 miles away, there was at least some good news from the country’s financial markets. The Nikkei 225 index bounced back 5.7 percent to 9,093.72 Wednesday, though the proxy for shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange remains down 11.3 percent this week. Onward Holdings Co. Ltd. grew 13.7 percent, while Shiseido rose 6.9 percent and Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. gained 5.3 percent.
The rebound failed to spark a broader rally and European and U.S. markets fell after Europe’s energy chief warned lawmakers in Brussels that the situation in Japan could worsen quickly.
The CAC 40 slipped 2.2 percent in Paris while the DAX fell 2 percent in Frankfurt and the FTSE 100 declined 1.7 percent in London. On Wall Street, the S&P Retail Index fell 1.2 percent, or 5.80 points, to 494.83, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 2 percent, or 242.12 points, to 11,613.30.
So far this week, luxury stocks with a presence in the Japanese market have weathered some of the biggest declines, with Tiffany & Co. shares down 11 percent for the week, to $56.27, following their 2.4 percent decline on Wednesday. Coach Inc. is off 9.6 percent for the week, to $50.67, following Wednesday’s 2.6 percent drop; LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has dropped 8.4 percent for the week, to 100.80 euros or $140.59, after its 3.3 percent dip on Wednesday, and Burberry Group is down 6.8 percent, to 10.94 pounds, or $17.60, following a 1.4 percent decline Wednesday. Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. shares were down 1.6 percent Wednesday to $121.18, leaving them off 4.8 percent since last Friday.
Among retailers serving the luxe market, both Saks Inc. and Nordstrom Inc. are down 6.7 percent for the week following Wednesday declines of 2.6 percent and 3.2 percent to $11.83 and $41.50, respectively.
All eyes are now on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was swamped by the tsunami and has released radiation after a series of fires and explosions.
“The gravity of the impact will be determined more so by the developing nuclear situation rather than by the effects of the earthquake and tsunami,” said Armando Branchini, executive director of Italy’s luxury goods association, Altagamma. “Intense crises such as these tend to have very short-term effects on acquisitions, especially when it comes to luxury goods.”
Japan, though, is not the luxury powerhouse it once was.
“As a marketplace, it is certainly less significant than even five years ago: Japan represents around 10 percent of global luxury goods sales currently, down from closer to 18 percent in 2001,” said James Lawson, a director at Ledbury Research in London.
But even as brands have turned their attention to faster-growing economies in China, Brazil and elsewhere, the Japanese luxury consumer is still important. And Lawson said about 40 percent of Japanese luxury spending is done abroad.
“It’s too early to say what the long-term impact will be on the Japanese luxury appetite, but it seems that the market has overreacted,” Lawson said.
“Any brand that has exposure to the Japanese market is likely to be concerned, but that’s different from saying the disaster will have a long-term effect,” said Guy Salter, luxury investor and the deputy chairman of Walpole, the association of British luxury goods.
“The Japanese are by their nature the most discerning luxury consumers in the world,” Salter said. “While this disaster is so appalling on a human level, it’s not going to affect their aesthetic or desire for quality. I’m absolutely convinced of that.”
For now, Japan is still reeling from the disaster, which, according to estimates, could have claimed more than 10,000 lives.
Some train lines into Tokyo were still disrupted Wednesday and there were fewer people than normal on the streets. More families with young children appeared to be leaving the city — although this is also a time when Japanese schools traditionally break between terms. Some foreigners and Tokyoites are relocating to Osaka, Kyoto and the regions surrounding those cities. Hotel rooms in those areas are becoming increasingly hard to find.
“We’ve seen a big increase in Japanese tourists coming from Tokyo over the past two or three days,” said Makiko Oku, who works at the Osaka Visitors’ Information Center inside the station where the bullet train arrives. “The number of foreign tourists has also been on the high end of normal.”
A spokesman for Central Japan Railway Company confirmed that trains from Tokyo heading west to destinations such as Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka have been more crowded than usual in the past couple of days.
Meanwhile, travel to Japan has been disrupted considerably. Lufthansa has rerouted all of its Narita Airport flights to Osaka and Nagoya (via Seoul) until at least the weekend. EVA Airways, based in Taiwan, has canceled flights to and from Sendai, where the earthquake and tsunami caused most damage, until the end of June.
In the past few years, retailers in Japan have been cashing in on Chinese tourists visiting the country and this demographic was helping brands at least partially offset declining demand from locals. That looks set to change — at least for the short term. Chinese travel companies that organize trips to Japan for Mainland tourists said there have been widespread cancellations.
Paul Xia, who works for the Beijing-based Lukintl tour company, said the firm has called off three groups of around 30 travelers each. “After the earthquake all of the groups have canceled immediately,” he said. “No one wanted to go to Japan.”
Coach and Tiffany, two prominent U.S. companies with stores in the country, seem to be faring relatively well, despite pressure on their stock prices.
Coach said: “A very few of our stores — representing well under 10 percent of our Japanese business, which in turn represented 18 percent of sales through our first fiscal half — are in the most affected Sendai region…our Tokyo office facilities are open and we have had no interruption to our systems, while our central inventory and logistics are functioning at capacity.”
Tiffany’s Sendai Mitsukoshi store was “damaged,” but Mark Aaron, vice president of investor relations, said all of the company’s 700-plus employees living in Japan have been accounted for and were doing fine. Some of Tiffany’s 55 stores in Japan were closed or operating on reduced hours.
“Coach is stealing share rapidly, and maybe has a little more cushion,” said Laura Champine, analyst at Cowen & Co.
How well Tiffany weathers the disaster is linked, in part, to how the stock market fares, she said. Overall traffic trends at the upscale jeweler tend to be impacted by the market.
The industry continued to ramp up relief efforts for the country.
• Tod’s Group pledged more than 100 million yen, or $1.3 million at current exchange, to aid Japanese relief efforts.
• Noting the $60 billion in jewelry imported by the Japanese from the U.S., the 47th Street Business Improvement District established a fund to collect $1 per sale from the 2,600 businesses in New York’s Diamond District.
• H&M has donated nearly 100,000 garments to the Red Cross to help victims of the quake.
• Hublot, the watchmaker owned by LVMH, said it was raising money for the Japanese Red Cross, matching donations made through its own Web site.
“These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion,” said @tommyhilfiger of his line of adaptive apparel, which launches today. The line consists of 37 men’s and 34 women’s styles based upon the pieces from the spring Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collection. #wwdnews
“Stranger Things” is getting a new cast member for season 2. Meet @sadiesink_, the 15-year-old who will be joining the Netflix series for its new season. You may recognize her from “The Glass Castle” with Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson, but the Texas native’s next role goes in an entirely different direction. She describes her character, Max, as “a rough and tumble skater girl [who] becomes friends with the boys at school.” The second season debuts on October 27. (📷: @jgreenery) #wwdeye
Amid the Harvey Weinstein controversy, there’s another sector that’s being put under the spotlight for sexual abuse: the modeling industry. While rumors about abuse and sexual harassment of female and male models — and the photographers, agents and others who perpetrated it — have circulated within the fashion world for years, model @cameronrussell started posting stories from models on Instagram last week about abusive situations they’ve encountered — from sexual harassment and molestation to attempted rape. Over 75 have weighed in so far. Read more on WWD.com. Link in bio. #wwdnews
To celebrate its 16th anniversary, @dylanscandybar tapped designers and celebrities to create mosaics out of candy. The mosaics will be auctioned off to support the philanthropic cause of each participant’s choice. Pictured here is the mural created by @aliceandolivia's Stacey Bendet. For a first look at some of the other artwork being unveiled tonight, go to WWD.com. #wwdeye
The annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Pacific Palisades this weekend drew Kate Hudson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laura Dern and more. See pictures of the star-studded event on WWD.com. (📷: @chelsealaurenla) #wwdeye
In his new book “Hollywood Royale,” Andy Warhol’s Protégé Matthew Rolston celebrates the Eighties revival of Hollywood glamour. Featuring more than 100 portraits taken by Rolston from 1977 to 1993, the book contains photos of icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and @drewbarrymore, pictured here in 1991. “Hollywood Royale,” out today, will be accompanied by an exhibition opening at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery on March 1. #wwdeye
"Nowadays when life is not so happy with everything going on in the world, I think people come to me for a little bit of whimsy and color and fun." - Designer Rebecca De Ravenel on her cult-favorite jewelry line. (📸 : @vsteves) #wwd40
“Everyone is talking about how the retail industry is struggling, but I think it’s an incredible time because brands who are doing something different and innovative are setting themselves up for the future,” said @adamgoldston, who founded the luxury athletic brand @apl with his brother @ryangoldsten. The Goldston’s are part of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables. See the rest of the list on WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
@eyeswoon blogger Athena Calderone debuted her first-ever cookbook, “Cook Beautiful,” which is heavily centered on the presentation and visual expression of food. Pictured here are her miso glazed carrots from the book. Get the recipe on WWD.com. (📷: @johnny_miller_) #wwdeye


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Telkom internet users have reported issues connecting to the ISP’s network across the country following Stage 4 loadshedding. Problems connecting to the internet for…
Just a few months ago, BlackBerry sued Facebook (and a number of other companies) for tech infringement. Now, Facebook is suing the Canadian company for the same.
Facebook is accusing the former smartphone giant of swiping its voice messaging technology. In total, Facebook lists six patents.
The case was filed on Tuesday, so expect further developments as it develops. But it’s not the first time BlackBerry has been in the centre of a legal dispute this year.
In March, as mentioned above, the company took aim at Facebook’s Instagram and WhatsApp messengers for coping features that were originally developed within BBM — the company’s messaging app.
A month later it hit Snapchat over a similar infringement.
BlackBerry has yet to issue a statement.
Feature image: Gearburn


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A Miami-headquartered AdTech leveraging artificial intelligence has opened a base in London.
Alfi, a content SaaS platform company powering computer vision with machine learning models, has appointed Kevin Buchler as VP for its UK and Europe operations as the company looks to expand its European footprint.
Alfi has had an office in Belfast since January 2019 and already has a strong and fast-growing client base in the UK which includes Belfast Airport and Value Cabs, one of Northern Ireland’s largest taxi firms.
It has also recently won a contract to deliver its digital advertising technology in multiple kiosks located within one of England’s most prominent shopping centres.
Founded in 2018, the company only listed on Nasdaq in May this year. It targets the advertising and marketing sectors with its technology to support their digital out of home campaigns, enabling them to increase their ROI, deliver more accurate targeting, advanced reporting and detailed performance insights.
It also targets a range of business owners who can deploy its technology in their waiting areas.
“We believe we can offer the media world a state-of-the art artificial intelligence machine learning computer vision proposition,” said Buchler.
“With our new London office we can more effectively tap into one of the world’s most dynamic, biggest and fastest growing advertising and digital communication markets.”
Founder and CEO Dr Paul Pereira added: “This is a great time to further strengthen our UK capabilities.
“UK advertising spend is predicted to reach £27.7 billion this year, a rise of 18.2% on 2020. Furthermore, the digital out of home advertising market is estimated to grow by 43.7% in 2021, and a further 27.1% in 2022.
“Kevin is well-suited to lead our UK and international operations, bringing extensive industry experience to the team. His knowledge, network, and connections put us in a strong position to expand outside of the US.”