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PITTSBURGH, PA — February 1, 21 —PCNA is excited to announce their partnership with Moop, a Pittsburgh-based, small batch bag brand. The company is first to market with this brand in the promotional products industry.
“We’re really excited to be partnering with Moop, a female-owned and locally-based small business which is a combination not commonly found in the promotional products market,” said Isaac Ward, Category Manager for PCNA. “Small business has been disproportionality affected as a result of the pandemic and it’s important that local communities rally around these small businesses to help in whatever way they can,” Ward continues. “Not only can we provide our customers with a meaningful gift idea but also do our part to help our own community in the process and that’s what makes this partnership truly special.”
Designed and manufactured out of their studio in downtown Pittsburgh, PA, Moop prides itself on being a hands-on, small batch manufacturer of premium quality product. They will be the first small batch brand in promo, but one that is much needed according to Ward. “Mindful consumption is a key theme to come out of the pandemic. People want to know that they are buying a product that will last and be useful in their day-to-day life and Moop is exactly that,” says Ward.
When asked about the partnership, Wendy Downs, Owner of Moop states, “We are so excited to bring our small batch, local manufacturing ethics to the promotional products industry. We have been building high quality bags for 14 years and have worked to develop a product line that meets the expectations for this industry at a price point that supports our ability to continue to provide good jobs in downtown Pittsburgh. We know that PCNA will represent our product well and look forward to exposing our brand to a broader audience as a result of this partnership.”
PCNA brings to market four Moop tote styles, all available with decoration: the Stanwix, Carson, Grandview and Porter. All styles are currently available to order through PCNA.com.
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PCNA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Polyconcept, the world’s leading promotional products supplier. With headquarters near Pittsburgh, Pa., PCNA operates Trimark, Leed’s, Bullet, JournalBooks and ETS Express, offering customers the industry’s biggest and most diverse collection of products. To learn more, go to .
Moop bags are designed and small batch manufactured, start to finish, in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. They are a multi-faceted lifestyle brand with a direct to consumer collection as well as a business to business line. Moop bags are synonymous with high quality materials, ethical manufacturing and on trend lifestyle products. Their bags are designed for, and hold up to, daily wear and tear.


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While doing some summer reading, I stumbled scross articles such as Are power companies taking over your thermostat? and Your thermostat may adjust itself and noticed a theme. Overheated residents are discovering that their thermostats are changing settings on their own—alarming! Utility customers are reporting being duped into signing up for energy-management programs in exchange for a sweepstakes entry or a free smart thermostat. Demand-response (DR) programs have been around for years, so why are so many customers being taken by surprise?
Technology has made it much easier for administrators to run DR programs, yet there’s a greater burden to make sure customers know what they’re signing up for. In the past, when a customer opted in to an air-conditioner cycling program, someone had to physically install a switch at the customer’s home. There was no mistaking that they were opting in to the program in that case.
Even though all types of DR programs result in the same end goal, there’s something entirely less intrusive about a piece of equipment outside occasionally cycling the air conditioner. As soon as DR crossed the threshold into people’s homes, their sentiment changed. Customers are wary of their privacy being violated, even for the noble causes of energy efficiency or ensuring that the grid doesn’t fail. In fact, according to data from the E Source 2020 Smart Home Consumer Survey, 34% of US respondents reported concern about their data being sold to a third party (figure 1).
Three trust-building communication strategies
So how can utilities overcome these Big Brother perceptions? Here are three tips to maintain customer trust.
Be clear and upfront in messaging. We’ve seen many examples of utility marketing campaigns that lead with freebies (smart thermostats are a popular giveaway) while glossing over the fact that accepting the equipment automatically enrolls the customer in a DR program. Don’t make your customers do the work of understanding how your program works. It’s your responsibility as a utility marketer to make sure that even your least sophisticated customers don’t think they’re getting something for nothing.
Address privacy concerns head-on. As marketers, we often like to sugarcoat things. After all, it’s a lot easier to sell a free smart thermostat than to wade through the intricacies of a DR program. But customers are getting smarter and want to know exactly how much control they’re giving up. Every smart thermostat DR program should clearly describe exactly how it works, what the utility can and can’t do, and whether data is being collected. That means a postcard or Facebook ad shouldn’t be the only thing a customer sees before signing up. Seasonal reminders of program participation are also a good strategy to maintain awareness.
Communicate during cycling events. Many air-conditioning DR program participants complain that they never received any kind of warning that a cycling event was coming. While they knew the forecast predicted warm temperatures, they never knew exactly when the utility was going to start cycling their air conditioners until it became uncomfortably warm in their homes. Instead of leaving them in the dark, consider giving customers a heads-up via text, email, or another kind of mobile alert. This will help you avoid bad press about customers’ thermostats running amok.
Good communication is key to customer satisfaction
Utility communicators shouldn’t underestimate their value in maintaining trust and ensuring that customers have a positive experience. As smart home technologies continue to grow, these types of DR programs will inevitably grow with them. Now is a good time to audit those communications and make sure your strategy is built on a solid foundation.

domain: news


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President Donald Trump announced last week that he would be imposing tariffs on foreign steel, at 25 percent, and aluminum, and 10 percent, from the nations of the European Union, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico. Following this, Mexico has said that it will impose up to a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on unprocessed U.S. pork, a move that will hurt Virginia’s agricultural industry.
In 2017, Virginia exported nearly $70 million of pork products to Mexico. According to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), roughly one quarter of the U.S. pork exports, based on value, go to Mexico every year. The Mexican tariff on U.S. pork comes after China also slapped a 25 percent tariff on hog products earlier this year.
Including the smallest family farms, there are over 1,200 hog farms in Virginia, adding to the agribusiness that is Virginia’s top private industry. Considering many of the tariffs levied on the U.S. in the past few months are focused on the agriculture industry, Virginians are now unable to compete in the international market.
“A 20 percent tariff eliminates our ability to compete effectively in Mexico. This is devastating to my family and pork producing families across the United States,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, who is a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio.
According to a report from the Daily Press, there are two types of pig industries in Virginia. In the first, farmers with large facilities are given contracts to grow pigs, with some having sows to produce pigs, primarily for Smithfield Foods, which was bought out by the China-based WH Group in 2013.
The second is the small generational farm niche market that sells locally, including to farmers markets and to other area families.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census of Agriculture, Hampton Roads has five percent of the hog farms in the state, but 30 percent, in volume, of farm pigs and hogs in Virginia.
Although the tariffs make it so that Virginia pork prices could decrease, which is a good thing for domestic consumers, it means that pork producers cannot compete as well in the international market, especially with NAFTA partner Mexico. While a majority of the brunt will be shared by large wholesalers, small farmers and producers will hurt economically.
Tom Hall, associate professor of economics and finance at Christopher Newport University, says that reduced profitability for pork manufacturers means that if lower-priced pork makes it into stores, that can make it harder for the small “mom-and-pop” businesses to compete over the short term.
“It’s not going to be catastrophic, but it is going to affect things marginally,” Hall said. “In the end, it creates a level of uncertainty for investors, and there’s a diplomatic cost.”
Due to this, Mexico’s pork consumers are likely to forgo American pork for its tariff-laden prices and buy from Brazil or European countries.
Furthermore, Mexico is also imposing tariffs ranging from 15 to 25 percent on U.S. apples, potatoes, cheeses, bourbon, inboard motor boats, and some flat steel and tubes.


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The best store signs on Abbot Kinney’s shopping stretch in LA
Forget “I Want My MTV”! H&M and Moschino fans are now chanting: “I Want My Moschino [tv]! “
Taking Street Art to the next level
The renovation hell story heard around the fashion retail world
Christmas just came early!
Is JCPenney one step closer to a turnaround?
Giving breast cancer a TKO
Is this the new wave of retail?
28 art students create giant public art sculptures on Madison Avenue inspired by luxury accessories
How to translate online reviews and ratings into a brick-and-mortar format.
STORY focuses on originality with newest story How Original
Is your store serving the growing trend for Halloween fun?
Fostering a culture of innovation
Fifth Avenue loses yet another iconic retail flagship
“The Carousel allows Bloomingdale’s to regularly offer up new product, new brands and an original immersive experience, all tied to a timely and engaging theme.”
10 Corso Como is a “virtual 3D magazine” with a curated mix of cultural mediums in a single place.
A tribute to Mexican culture and style, both expected and surprising
“We have found more success in our real estate projects when we add more surprises — brands shoppers can’t find anywhere else.”
Households are planning to spend more than double in-store compared to online.
“We are a technology company at our core.”


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09/16/2013, 02:09 am
In a recent update to its reference guidelines for third party case manufacturers, Apple added highly detailed schematics for the forthcoming iPhone 5s and 5c, allowing for inferences to be made as to the devices' internal layouts.
09/15/2013, 03:09 pm
Taking a page from its own successful iPod playbook, Apple this year is pushing a new lineup of bright, colorful iPhones as its mass-market smartphone for the fall of 2013.
09/14/2013, 03:09 pm
Pitched as the "most forward thinking" smartphone on the market, Apple's new iPhone 5s is certainly capable of doing a lot of thinking on its own, thanks to a wide array of sensors led by the new Touch ID fingerprint scanner and M7 motion chip.
09/14/2013, 05:09 am
Apple has long been expected to move its A-series chip production from Samsung to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. This wasn't expected to happen before next year, but mounting evidence suggests TSMC may already be building the unprecedented 64-bit A7 inside the iPhone 5s.
09/14/2013, 02:09 am
Apple's Japanese partner carriers on Friday announced price plans for the latest iPhones, with each provider offering the entry level version of the flagship iPhone 5s for free with a two-year contract, a move seemingly sparked by NTT DoCoMo's agreement to sell the device.
09/13/2013, 04:09 pm
While most of the world will have to wait in line to purchase an iPhone 5s on launch day, consumers in Hong Kong and mainland China can take advantage of an advance reservations system beginning Sept. 17.
09/13/2013, 02:09 pm
Microsoft continued its advertising offensive against Apple on Friday as a series of videos mocking the iPhone 5s and 5c appeared on the official Windows Phone YouTube channel.
09/13/2013, 11:09 am
Apple's addition of a biometric sensor to the iPhone 5s may very well have differentiated its new high-end devices from its peers and predecessors, but apparent unit production issues have caused one firm to lower its price target on Apple stock.
09/13/2013, 10:09 am
Nearly seven out of every ten customers who recently defected from NTT's DoCoMo mobile communications unit switched carriers because of the iPhone, according to new research from Japanese firm Kantar.
09/13/2013, 09:09 am
While it won't be available to preorder, the iPhone 5s will hit Apple's online store at 12:01 Pacific next Friday, Sept. 20, while Apple's retail stores will begin selling the device when they open at 8 a.m. local time.
09/12/2013, 11:09 pm
Apple's online storefront went down almost three and a half hours before the company is scheduled to open preorders for the new iPhone 5c that was unveiled on Tuesday.
09/12/2013, 07:09 pm
In an interesting marketing collaboration, Burberry will get early access to the iPhone 5s to take photos and video for its Spring/Summer 2014 fashion show set to take place next week in London.
09/12/2013, 07:09 pm
Tonight at midnight, Pacific time, Apple's lower-cost iPhone 5c will become available for preorder, but figuring out just where to get the colorful new iPhone can be a hassle. AppleInsider has put together a round-up of which carriers and retailers will be opening up access for early-adopting consumers.
09/12/2013, 02:09 pm
Without any of Samsung's embarrassing show stereotypes and circus theatrics, Apple unveiled its "forward thinking" new iPhone 5s as not just "what's next," but "what should be next," advancing mobile devices into the 64-bit computing world for the first time.
09/12/2013, 01:09 pm
Color is a defining feature of the iPhone 5c, but its buttoned-down, upscale iPhone 5s sibling gets color options of its own, paired with a series of custom leather cases.
09/12/2013, 01:09 pm
Revamped internal components in Apple's iPhone 5s have allowed the company to cram in a slightly larger battery, resulting in higher projected usage times — even with the more powerful A7 processor.
09/12/2013, 12:09 pm
The iPhone's long-awaited arrival on Japan's largest carrier could signal big trouble for other smartphone manufacturers, as the carrier has announced that the iPhone 5s and 5c will likely account for 40 percent of its future smartphone contracts.
09/12/2013, 11:09 am
Apple's colorful new iPhone 5c is designed to upgrade existing smartphone users into the A6-class iPhone 5 world, while introducing bright mix-and-match colors borrowed from the iPod mainstream. However, predictions that iPhone 5c would serve a "cheap" or "lite" role were proven wrong.
09/12/2013, 10:09 am
Apple continues to offer the iPhone 4 in China through Apple retail stores, carrier partners, and authorized resellers despite China's status as a launch country for the iPhone 5s and 5c.
09/12/2013, 09:09 am
Those looking to pick up one of Apple's two new iPhones can save some money if they go to Walmart, as the retail giant is offering both devices at a discount from the time they launch.


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Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Market to Register 35% CAGR, Surpassing US$ 152 Billion by 2032
North America to Vanguard Sales in MOOC Market; Asia Pacific to be the Ed-Tech Hotspot for MOOC Providers
The massive open online course (MOOC) market analysis offered by Fact.MR scrutinizes key growth factors that are impacting sales in the market. The report provides in-depth insights covering key factors such as drivers, opportunities, key players' strategies, and demand outlook. In addition to this, the study analyzes latest trends across various segments such as customer category, primary objective, program, course, model, across regions.
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global massive open online course (MOOC) market is valued at US$ 7.55 Billion in 2022, and is expected to reach US$ 152 Billion by 2032. Increasing digitization, high penetration of smartphones, easy access to high-speed internet, and availability of MOOC courses at affordable prices are the key factors driving the market.
Regionally, North America is likely to vanguard sales in the MOOC market, with the U.S. accounting for leading share. In addition to North America, countries in Asia Pacific such as China and India are likely to emerge as key hubs for MOOC during the assessment period (2022-2032).
The shift toward digital learning has accelerated growth of global massive open online course market. Students across the globe have now become comfortable with online mode of learning which has helped in reducing their reluctance.
Further, MOOC providers have also worked on their user interface (UI) to help students in easily accessing and understanding the course material. These factors have led to positive perception among students, and are likely to contribute toward growth of massive open online course (MOOC) market during the assessment period.
For Critical Insights on this Market, Request for More Info at
As per Fact.MR's analysis, concerns related to extended screen time, and ongoing debate on classroom learning vs online learning is a key challenge for massive open online course market. As per a study by Brookings Institution, performance of students taking online classes is not as par with those taking in-person classes. Although massive open online course market players are focusing on addressing these concerns, these factors can affect market growth in short-term.
To Gain In-depth Insights into Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Market, Request Methodology at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RM&rep_id=3077
The massive open online course market is fairly consolidated, as many new companies have entered the market in the recent past. MOOC providers are focusing on mergers & acquisitions, along with expanding into lucrative markets to boost growth.
Key Companies Profiled by Fact.MR
More Valuable Insights on Massive open online course Market
In the latest study, Fact.MR offers a detailed study on global massive open online course market for the forecast period of 2022 to 2032. This study also highlights key drivers promoting the sales of massive open online course with analysis across below segments:
By Customer Category:
By Primary Objective:
Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions
Key Questions Covered in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Market:
Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Technology Domain
e-Learning Apps Market: The global e-Learning apps market is set to grow at 7.1% CAGR during 2022-2032, and reach US$ 476.5 Billion in 2032. North America is likely to be the leading market for e-Learning apps, accounting for 41.3% share in 2021.
Learning Remote Controls Market: The global learning controls market is set to grow at a steady pace during 2022-2032. Universal connectivity of learning remotes and advancements in wireless technology are likely to provide an impetus to market growth.
IoT in Education Market: Growing penetration of IoT and Big Data in education field is likely to create sizeable opportunities for IoT in Education market players during 2022-2032. Leading market players are focusing on providing cutting-edge technologies to boost their share in this growing industry.
Medical Education Market: The growing trend of online education has significantly leveraged market prospects for medical education. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has further augmented its popularity. In the years to come, online education is anticipated to become the new normal
Augmented Reality (AR) in Education Market: Augmented Reality (AR) in Education Market by Product (AR Solutions in Education, Use of AR Hardware in Education, AR Content Management in Education, AR Gaming in Education), by Application (AR in K-12, AR in Primary and Secondary Education), by Region - Global Insights 2031
Check it Out More Reports by Fact.MR on Technology Industry
Fact.MR is a market research and consulting agency with deep expertise in emerging market intelligence. Spanning a wide range – from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare, technology, chemical and materials, to even the most niche categories. We are committed to deliver insights that help businesses gain deeper understanding of their target markets. We understand that making sense of the vast labyrinth of data can be overwhelming for businesses. That's why focus on offering insights that can actually make a difference to bottom-lines.
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The long-awaited construction of the new Hakoah White City development in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs is set to commence following the signing of a construction agreement last week.…read more
Greg Oliver, Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Fitness and Lifestyle Group, has this week been recognised as the inaugural winner of the John Holsinger Lifetime Achievement…read more
After almost two decades meeting supporting clients and operators across the aquatic, fitness, recreation and sport industry, Jonas Leisure Sales Manager Bryn Whales will be retiring as of…read more
Global wellness leader Technogym has launched Biostrength, a new line for strength training that, backed by patented technology that uses artificial intelligence and scientific research,…read more
Leading fitness club owner and operator Viva Leisure has announced that it achieved $10 million in monthly revenue for the first time during May. In the group’s latest market…read more
Les Mills Research Lab has conducted a pilot study comparing exertion and enjoyment levels between a live class in the gym and two digital formats (live-stream and on demand) of the same…read more
Exercise and Sports Science Australia is marking this year’s International Men’s Health Week (13th to 19th June) with an important reminder for males to check in with their…read more
The inaugural Fitness + Wellness Australia exhibition will this week back all in the business of fitness in discovering the latest innovations and equipment in order to maximise the…read more
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Ecommerce giant Amazon is signed up to sell MGM Wireless’ Spacetalk all-in-one kid’s smartphone watch and GPS device in the UK market, with MGM also announcing that it will continue to invest in other online and bricks-and-mortar sales and distribution channels in the country.
Australian-listed MGM Wireless has announced that European media, entertainment and telecommunications giant Sky is selling its all-in-one SPACETALK children’s smartphone, watch and GPS device in the UK.
I agree. Not much new in these devices these days, but there is a big market out there for the[…]
Copying Samsung, which also has a A3x, A5x, A7x, A9x line up at similar price points.
Has Jennifer put the Dud in Dudley-Nicholson?
The problem lies with so-called pundits who are trying to push a particular line and do not bother to verify[…]
If disinformation about the 2016 USA election was bad then the disinformation about the 2020 election was a disaster.The problem[…]


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Posts Tagged ‘ Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 ’
Monday, January 9, 2017
The prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 concluded on Sunday in Las Vegas after introducing several ground-breaking products to the world. Celebrating its golden jubilee year, CES exhibited products by over 3,800 companies this year. It also hosted more than 600 startups at the Eureka Pa...


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Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has already hinted about releasing new Lumia series of smartphones in its new #MoreLumia event to be held on November 11, and it looks like the two of those new Lumia phones have already made into the web. The two of these Microsoft-branded phones are Lumia 535, a budget smartphone and Lumia 1330, a high-end smartphone.
The leaked pics of these two brand new smartphones have been surfaced online. Although there are many Nokia Lumia Windows Phone handsets are there in the market, what makes these two smartphones different than its predecessors? It’s all about the removal of ‘Nokia’ from the device name. Microsoft will be starting using its own brand name for future Lumia smartphones, and these are the first set of devices to get the Microsoft Lumia brand name. Microsoft acquired Nokia’s mobile business for $7.2 billion.
Analysts expect that the rebranding of Nokia Lumia smartphones might help the software giant in terms of marketing, as the term Microsoft has its own online reputation than any other brands worldwide. Now that the rebranding is official, we are very curious about the next big steps by the company in terms of improving the features and specifications of its Windows Phone lineup.
Microsoft Lumia 535:
As we could guess from the number ‘535,’ Microsoft Lumia 535 could be the affordable Windows Phone smartphone to be announced at the November 11 #MoreLumia event. Although the device is said to be replacing the Lumia 530 series, it would have a rather larger display screen than its predecessors.
The device is rumored to feature a 5-inch display screen with the qHD resolution, which is not par with the current high-end smartphones (thus, an affordable one!). Microsoft Lumia 535 to feature a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, 5 megapixel rear camera with a VGA front camera, 8GB internal storage, 1,900mAh battery, Dual-SIM option and variety of color options as its older siblings had.
Microsoft Lumia 1330:
As of now, only images of Microsoft Lumia 1330 has been leaked online and no details about its features and specifications surfaced online. So, this device is still a mystery for all those Windows Phone lovers out there. From those leaked pics, we can predict a 5.7-inch (or smaller than 6-inch) smartphone. The LED flash of Lumia 1330 is placed above the rear camera, which is a major change in Lumia series, where all other devices boasts the LED flash beside the primary camera. Rumors suggest that Microsoft Lumia 1330 will be a camera-centric smartphone similar to Nokia Lumia 1020, and will be having a dedicated camera button. But, the possibility of incorporating the PureView technology is less likely.
As these are just rumors, we should have to rely on this information until the truth comes out at Microsoft’s #MoreLumia event takes place this Tuesday, November 11. Stay tuned for more updates.


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Microsoft has expanded the availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) to the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.
“Today you can play Game Pass games from the cloud on your Xbox console,” Microsoft vice president Catherine Gluckstein writes in the announcement post. “We’re excited that Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.”
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
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This is exciting for all the obvious reasons, but it’s also a way for those with Xbox One consoles to play some games that were made or optimized for newer consoles too. For example, Xbox Series X|S-specific titles like Recompile, The Medium, and The Riftbreaker are now playable on Xbox One with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. And more games, including Microsoft Flight Simulator, are on the way in early 2022.
Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on these consoles in 25 countries, with Brazil coming soon. And it is perhaps interesting that Microsoft has explicitly revealed that it is on a “journey” to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to more than a billion devices. That worked out well last time.


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Production of the striking Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign has been confirmed, with just 50 units being made.
The limited-run sports car celebrates five decades of both the GT-R nameplate and design house Italdesign and will be ‘virtually unchanged’ in road-going form from the prototype revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
Based on the Nissan GT-R, its 3.8-litre V6 engine has been fettled by the Japanese manufacturer’s performance arm Nismo to produce 710bhp – 209bhp more than its own special variant of the regular car – while Italdesign drew up the new body and is responsible for its production.
The prototype featured a grey and gold paint finish, although customers will be able to choose their own combination for the exterior and interior, with Nissan now showing it off in Bayside Blue, as made iconic by the Skyline R34 GT-R.
Interested? You’ll need deep pockets, with prices starting at 990,000 euros (circa £882,300) – 10 times the price of the regular GT-R. Italdesign is taking orders for the GT-R50 now, with deliveries set to begin in 2019.
The first Nissan GT-R model arrived in 1969 as a performance version of the otherwise ordinary Skyline. It became an icon of Japanese motoring, with R32, R33 and R34 models from the ’90s taking its popularity to a global level.
In 2007, Nissan launched the standalone GT-R, turning it from a performance variant to a full-blown sports car. It has remained in production in a near-identical form, albeit with some revisions, since then.
Italdesign – founded in 1968 and now owned by Lamborghini – has been responsible for famous creations such as the Maserati MC12, Lancia Delta and DeLorean DMC-12.


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The phenomenal success of the iPad lays a major challenge before Microsoft. Can the giant compete? Stuart Johnston reports.
Microsoft has had an embarrassing fall, fending off accusations by competitors and critics that it has been talking big but still hasn’t delivered on CEO Steve Ballmer’s boast last summer that gaining a solid foothold in the evolving market for slate computers is Microsoft’s “job one.”
The company hopes that will start to change in early January when Ballmer is expected to show off a “slew” of new slate devices running Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows 7 during his opening keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, according to a blog entry in the New York Times Monday evening. CES is scheduled for January 6 through 9.
The blog, quoting unnamed sources “familiar with Microsoft’s plans,” said that Ballmer will showcase devices from Samsung and Dell, as well as from other device makers, during his speech.
It’s perhaps a little ironic that Ballmer also showed an HP slate computer he said was running Windows 7 during last year’s CEO keynote.
Read the rest at Enterprise Mobile Today.


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BeReal is becoming more like TikTok, while TikTok is getting rid of a feature that was originally copied from BeReal.
Goodbye to TikTok Now, a feature on the popular social platform that was inspired by BeReal. BeReal is an app that gained a lot of popularity in early 2022. The main idea behind BeReal is that you can only post one photo per day, and only at a specific time.
However, TikTok’s copied feature, Now, is going to be discontinued. This information was noticed by social media expert Matt Navarra, as reported by BGR. However, the previous posts will still be available. You can access them by selecting the Private tab option in the Profile menu.
According to BGR, there is an interesting observation regarding TikTok and BeReal. TikTok is distancing itself from BeReal by removing a particular function, while BeReal has been increasingly resembling TikTok (and Instagram). In recent times, BeReal has introduced several new features that indicate this shift, including a new news feed. This news feed only displays posts from famous individuals like top athletes, artists, and activists.


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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) are seeking views and opinions on EU regulations that allow for some prepacked food products to be exempt from displaying nutrition information in order that the definition of “small quantities” be defined.
From 16 December 2016, EU Regulations will require that most prepacked food products must provide mandatory nutritional information. However, the Regulation does provide a number of exceptions*, (*the full list of the exemptions is available on the FSAI website), one of which is the manufacture of small amounts of foods that are supplied directly by the manufacturer to the consumer or to local retailers.
The FSAI wishes any interested parties to log onto their website and complete the online questionnaire here.
The consultation will close on 22nd August 2016.
The EU has not defined ‘small quantities of products’ or ‘local’ in the legislation and have advised that each have advised that each Member State must provide a definition in their local market. Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI says “We actively encourage all interested parties to submit their views via the online consultation, so that their opinion and position can be taken into consideration when the definition is being formulated.”
“This definition will be ultimately transposed into Irish law and is likely to have an impact on food producers and retailers”.
Read more on the FSAI website


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Friday, December 16, 2011
Way to go Isabell Werth!
Isabell Werth wore a gold helmet to a FEI level Dressage competion to make a statement. You can read the article
I think its awesome that she wore not just a helmet but a gold one and had a jacket that complemented it.
December 30, 2011 at 12:53 AM
Good for her! Great article, thanks for sharing!
Post Comments (Atom)


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Owen Roberts teaches communications at the University of Guelph where he's held the position of director of research communications for more than 25 years. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences.
Blog: www.urbancowboy.ca // Twitter: @TheUrbanCowboy
The pivotal role of retailers as a vital link between farm and fork is skyrocketing.
In June, a new organization called the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity was launched. It’s an arm of Farm and Food Care, mandated to “help expand upon the shared vision of building public trust and confidence in today's food system in Canada.”
The centre is designed to be a resource for the free flow of information about the food we eat, and just as importantly, for information about food’s origins -- that is, about the farms and farmers who produce it.
The US has a similar centre, and it’s garnered a lot of headlines by quantifying how Americans view their food supply, and by trying to counterbalance food myths with food facts.
In Canada, to get the ball rolling, the centre needed to know where Canadians stand in terms of that trust and confidence. So it conducted a survey of more than 2,500 Canadians, asking them questions that would reveal their feelings.
Based on its findings, help is needed pretty well everywhere…and by everyone in the value chain, including retailers.
For example, the research shows more than 90 per cent of Canadians admit to knowing little about farming or food production. That’s more than 31 million people! And it means only one out of every 10 customers you deal with has even some idea of where food comes from, and how it’s produced. And that leaves them wide open to interpretation and misinformation by those who don’t have your best interests or livelihood at heart.
As well, more than half of those surveyed said they don’t really know if the food system is going in the right direction. That’s understandable…if it’s being driven by people whose agendas are based on driving the livestock sector – and everyone associated with it -- out of business, how can consumers be expected to think all’s well with the system?
However, a glimmer of encouragement arose from the survey, too.
The centre's research also shows 60 per cent of Canadians want more information about their food. They haven’t thrown in the towel or abandoned ship in favour of some nutrition fad or food guru. They just want to know what’s going on not only behind the scenes, but in front of their very eyes.
And that’s not only reasonable, it’s good for business. As Farm and Food Care CEO Crystal Mackay says, “the time is now to open up more dialogue and increase opportunities for credible conversations about our food in Canada.”
This all means you have a chance to position yourself as a knowledge broker, an intermediary between farmers and consumers, a source of information for some 20 million Canadians – the 60 per cent who are seeking information about the products you sell.
It increases retailers’ value to customers – they’re looking for information about something they hold dear, yet know little about, and want to learn. As a retailer, you have the knowledge they seek, either in your head or at hand in the form of information from sources such as Ontario Pork or the University of Guelph, when it comes to the likes of livestock production, food safety and quality, animal welfare and nutrition.
Odds are most consumers don’t know a farmer. You are their conduit to basic food production. It seems to me that as a retailer, that’s an amazing opportunity.


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To visitors, Sentosa is an island playground with loads of activities and entertainment to choose from.
But for those working on the island, Sentosa is a "living classroom", said Mr Mike Barclay, chief executive of Sentosa Leisure Group.
Employees can start out working in any one of the 200 attractions, retail or food and beverage outlets, and progress to others as they gain experience and new skills.
"As our employees hone their skills in their areas of interest, we want to provide them with further growth opportunities that enable them to harness best industry practices and develop their professional competencies," he said.
This, coupled with the philosophy of employing people with the right attitude for the job, helped the leisure company combat the current labour crunch.
For example, when recruiting front-line workers for the recently opened children's water playground, Port of Lost Wonder, interviewees were put in a room with children to see how they interacted with the young ones.
Mr David Goh, senior divisional director of leisure management, said the company's approach has kept attrition among the 1,300-strong staff at about 15 per cent now, down from 20 per cent in 2008. The attrition rate in other service-oriented industries - such as food and beverage, and tourism - is between 30 per cent and 60 per cent.
More than 90 per cent of Sentosa's employees are locals.
"We are quite proud of our abilities to retain talent," said Mr Goh.
He added that following the opening of the two integrated resorts in 2010, a rethink of the company's recruitment and retention strategy was necessary as there was an increased demand for frontline service workers.


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More U.S.-based carriers are beginning to support LTE-enabled models of the Apple Watch Series 3, giving consumers more choices are far as their cellular service providers.
At launch, the Apple Watch S3 with cellular capabilities was supported by the big four U.S. carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. Now, more regional and smaller carriers are beginning to pick up the wearable.
C-Spire, the largest privately owned and sixth largest overall U.S. carrier, announced that it would begin selling Apple Watch Series 3 models with LTE on Tuesday.
The carrier said that S3 models will be available online or over the phone (both for home delivery or in-store pickup). To promote the S3 availability, C-Spire is also offering a 50 percent discount on S3 models with the purchase of an iPhone.
In addition, Apple has quietly added U.S. Cellular to the list of official Apple Watch S3 carriers. Previously, U.S. Cellular, the fifth largest U.S. regional carrier, only offered GPS variants of the Apple Watch Series 3.
It’s worth noting that, at the time of writing, U.S. Cellular hasn’t officially announced sales of the device — and no LTE-enabled models are currently listed on the company’s website.
Other smaller regional carriers have also added support for Apple Watch models with LTE capabilities in the last few weeks.
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple is largely expected to debut an Apple Watch Series 4 this fall alongside new iPhones and other products. Though details are fairly scarce, the S4 is rumored to sport better battery life, a larger display, and possibly a new “trendy” design.
The Apple Watch S3 with cellular first debuted in 2017 and is currently priced at $399 new. Along with LTE capabilities, the S3 will be upgraded with Walkie Talkie, podcast streaming and other updates in watchOS 5 later this year.


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5 ways to save money on your kid's school supplies
Read: 4 minutes
When Kumiko Love received her son's first-grade supply list last year, she was determined to not let the annual ritual of back-to-school shopping get the best of her budget. She set out to spend no more than $150 on everything, including supplies and clothing.
This was a lofty goal – considering the typical parent spends about $500 per student on back-to-school shopping – but Love managed to come in below her budget. She spent $80 by buying used supplies, waiting for items to go on sale, and being mindful of what she already had. “I was able to knock things off the list before we left the house," says Love, an accredited financial counselor who runs a money tip site called The Budget Mom.
Saving money on school supplies doesn't mean you need to deprive your kids of key items or clip coupons for the rest of the year. Here are five simple steps to keep spending on school supplies in check:
1. Know your student's needs
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is loading up their carts with back-to-school supplies with no clear idea of what their children actually need. "You don't want to spend $30 on binders, only to find your student's teacher doesn't allow them in the classroom," says Felipe Arevalo, community outreach coordinator for the San Diego Financial Literacy Center.
Most elementary school teachers send detailed lists of necessary supplies. For middle school and high school students, you may need to wrangle multiple lists to get to the bottom of what you need to avoid doubling up. Once you have all the information, make a single list — and buy only what's on it.
2. Delay what you can
Many teachers – particularly in grade school – pool supplies from their incoming students. Don't worry if your children don't have their own box of crayons or highlighters the first few days; it will not derail their academic careers. Likewise, teachers are not going to go through dozens of containers of anti-bacterial wipes and boxes of tissue in the first week of school.
“A giant list of school supplies can be daunting to many parents — especially if you have multiple children going back to school," says Cari Andreani, principal of Citizens High School, an accredited online school. “Purchase just what your student needs to get started that month, then purchase the rest little by little throughout the year."
Don't be shy about asking teachers what items are necessary from day one and what can wait. “I knew many of these items would go to the bargain bin the week after school starts," says Love, who scooped up the lunch box her son really wanted for $1.50 just a few days after school started.
3. Reuse last year's supplies
Before you open up your wallet, open up your drawers and closets. Whether you bought in bulk for your own needs or have leftovers from the year before, chances are you already have many of the supplies your child needs.
A great way to save money on next year's school supplies is to be organized when school gets out for the summer. “At the end of the previous year, save the scissors, rulers, and unused notebooks for the next year," says Andreani.
Instead of throwing away everything, as many students and parents do, save anything that is still in good condition and put it in a box or on a shelf for next year.
4. Price shop or buy used big-ticket items
While older children tend to need fewer supplies, their curriculum typically requires graphing calculators and laptops, which can be expensive. It pays to get your kids involved by talking about how much you can afford and incentivizing them to find ways to save.
Have your kids put their digital savvy to work for you by comparison-shopping online to price out new, used, and refurbished options. “It's so much easier to spend 10 minutes online determining how to get the best deal," he Arevalo says. “You don't need to spend the day and half a tank of gas driving around trying to find it."
5. Stock up in the off season
It pays to keep an eye out for good deals all year long, particularly for items that need to be replenished regularly, such as pencils and paper.
Just don't get too carried away. “You make bad financial decisions just because there is a sign showing something is on sale," says Love. She recommends sticking with supplies you know your family will use even if they aren't needed until the next school year. “My son loves to color," she says. “If I see 64-count crayons on sale, I'm on it."
Sarah Max is a Chase News & Stories contributor. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, AARP, and more.


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Monimoto Successfully Secures €400,000 In Total Funding From 392 Investors
As interest in security continues to be a major issue for motorcycle owners, Monimoto – the smart tracker for motorcycles, has successfully secured €400,000 in total funding from 392 investors, including Venture capital funds Open Circle Capital and Iron Wolf Capital (a follow-up investment).
With the funding raised, Monimoto aims to expand its product offering, scale its team and boost the growth of the company to launch into new markets. This total exceeds its target by 130% to help fulfill its mission of stopping motorcycle theft and entering the North America market, giving global access.
Andrius Bruno Rimkūnas, the co-founder of Monimoto, comments: “For the past five years, the rates of motorbike theft in the United Kingdom have been on the rise. With 40,000 thefts a year, a motorcycle owner in England or Wales faces a 3.3% chance their bike will be stolen in the next year*.”
“Since launching our crowdfunding campaign, we’ve raised over €100,000 more than our initial €300,000 goal (130%) with almost 400 investors on board – we’re really excited to have grown our community and be able to take the next step in the growth of our company.”
Monimoto is an affordable, easy-to-use, reliable, smart GPS tracker with a year’s battery-life that cleverly alerts your phone if your motorcycle is moved. Featherlight, and completely wireless, it doesn’t need to be professionally fitted, making it independent from the bike’s own battery and electrics. The tracker is set up in minutes, easily concealed on a bike and offers peace of mind for motorcycle owners. In addition, Monimoto offers full coverage so you can track it wherever you are in the world.
Monimoto is a leader of affordable, effective, and reliable motorcycle trackers. Started by passionate bikers in 2013, they’ve worked hard to develop a range of battery-powered GPS trackers that are simple enough to fit at home, in less than 7 minutes. Their passion is protecting bikes with effective GPS security that is both simple and affordable for everyone.


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NFIB: Many plan to ‘shop small’
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- Staff Sacramento Business Journal
This week kicks off the holiday shopping season and marks one of the busiest weeks for small businesses. According to a new survey, 67 percent of consumers familiar with "Small Business Saturday" plan to shop small that day, the New Mexico Business Weekly Reports.
Shopping small generally refers to buying goods and services locally. The survey, released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express, also found of 70 percent of consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday in 2011 plan to do so again in 2012. Those 70 percent will spend more or the same amount this year — spending an average of $100.
As the Business Journal reported this week, many smaller retailers skip the gimmicks of Black Friday blitzes -- they don't have the resources. But what they lack in doorbusters, they can make up in unique items or customer service.
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I’ve kicked off a new project, On Software. It’s a weekly newsletter that looks at the state of the art in building and growing software-centric products and companies. Focused, short and sweet.
On May 12th, I delivered the keynote for the Music Business Association’s Music Startup Academy at Music Biz 2015 in Nashville. My talk was on the critical importance of startups understanding their customers and markets before building product.
The music industry is full of fear. Fear of customers as thieves, fear of technology run amok, fear of loss of control. But for the music industry to do more than just survive, fear cannot be the answer.
Endorsee, one of our portfolio companies, had its coming out two weeks ago today at the NAMM show in Anaheim. It was my first NAMM proper, having attended Summer NAMM last year. We spent our time introducing the product to over a dozen music equipment companies in one-on-one meetings. During these meetings and our time on the show floor, I watched, listened and learned a lot from my cofounders, NAMM veterans themselves, and the companies we spoke with.


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Queensland-based distributor Cellnet has refuted claims in Australian Reseller News (ARN) that Synnex Australia was considering acquiring or merging with it.
In the article, Synnex managing director Kee Ong claims Cellnet’s IT distribution business could tie in well with Synnex’s own.
Cellnet New Zealand general manager John Dunbar says he was informed in an internal staff memo that there was no basis to the claims.
“I was advised by our Australian operation that they have no intention of selling Cellnet and are looking to further steer the company to financial success. The rumours seem to be coming from Synnex Australia.”
The ARN article suggests Cellnet’s business accessories (communications) portfolio was also an area Synnex was looking to expand in.
“Put it this way, our strategy is not limited to Cellnet,” Ong reportedly said. “We’re in the middle of doing a study on which distributors we could potentially partner with.”


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New product launches, management, and optimization news for smartphones, tablets, hybrid PCs, and wearable technology. Includes bring your own device (BYOD) trend, M-business, mobile workforce, and communications carriers and providers.
Phone service provider Ooma Inc. has now launched three updates to Ooma Office, improving users’ ability to send faxes, giving them toll-free numbers, and allowing users to manage their own voicemail, call logs,
The investment wing of cloud software vendor Salesforce.com announced a new $100 million fund targeting mobile apps and connected products this week, and Canadian companies could stand to see some of that money,
Updated Sept. 11, 12:01 am EST, to include analyst Christie Christelis' comments. Apple Inc. made a slew of new announcements today, including the launch of the latest iPhone, Apple Pay, its mobile payments
DataWind has announced it’s launching its newest low-cost, sub-$100 tablets, with more processing power than previous versions have had in the past. On Tuesday, the Canadian company known for making budget-friendly tablets rolled
Apple needs to make its iPhones bigger, Pinterest gets the most mobile traffic, Tumblr generates the most revenue, and people would rather share content within closed networks like Apple’s iMessage – all of


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By Tracy Cooley
July 12, 2018 at 5:00 am ET
The safety of prescription drugs has gotten increased attention lately due to the opioid crisis, and rightly so. Prescription drug safety must be the highest priority of anyone who provides medications to Americans.
The high cost of prescription drugs sold in the United States often forces people to choose between their medications and gas, food or their mortgage. Many people, often the elderly with chronic health conditions, are either skipping doses, splitting pills or forgoing medications completely, which creates an unsafe health situation.
People who need medications to treat conditions from asthma to high cholesterol or arthritis pain are at the mercy of drugmakers who can charge “whatever the market will bear.”
In an effort to protect its profits from these high-priced drugs, the pharmaceutical industry seized on the opportunity to connect the devastating impact of illegally obtained opioids to safe and affordable medications that are available through licensed, legitimate online pharmacies in Canada.
Licensed online pharmacies in Canada should not sell narcotics, and in particular opioids. Safety is not up for debate. A drug is either safe, or it is not — it is that simple.
Licensed, legitimate online pharmacies prioritize safety, and millions of Americans have turned to Canada for safe, affordable medications. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration and its Canadian counterpart, Health Canada, have equivalent standards when it comes to prescription medications.
The United States and Canada source prescription drugs from many of the same countries, yet anti-importation advocates would have us believe that they are somehow different.
There are “rogue pharmacies” and other bad actors on the internet, which are not actually pharmacies but websites that sell pills on the internet and, in fact, sell opioids in any quantity on demand without a prescription. It is critical to be vigilant in identifying and shutting down these operations to protect Americans. This is not up for debate as it endangers the lives of Americans.
The pharmaceutical industry and its front groups claim that importing drugs from Canada is a safety risk for Americans; however, it is only unsafe if the medications that they are importing are unsafe. The motivation for claiming that these medications are unsafe stems from their incentive to protect their profits since Americans pay more for prescriptions in the United States compared to any other country in the world.
Personal prescription importation from licensed, legitimate Canadian pharmacies provides considerable savings and prevents serious health outcomes, which have provided a lifeline to many Americans.
We do not believe that the elderly and people living on fixed incomes should be responsible for ensuring that pharmaceutical companies reach and exceed their profit goals. The exorbitantly high cost of prescription medications is an ongoing, serious health crisis for millions of Americans. They are desperate for relief and want the government to act.
While we are pleased to see Congress and others putting forth options to address absurdly high drug prices, most proposals will take years to implement, if they move forward at all. On the other hand, Congress can provide relief today by allowing importation of personal-use medications from credentialed, verified Canadian pharmacies.
Allowing personal prescription importation from Canada is a viable option to provide Americans with reasonable access to safe, affordable prescription medications.
Tracy Cooley is executive director of the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation.
Morning Consult welcomes op-ed submissions on policy, politics and business strategy in our coverage areas. Updated submission guidelines can be found here.


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Buying popular plugins with a large user-base and using it for effortless malicious campaigns have become a new trend for bad actors.
One such incident happened recently when the renowned developer BestWebSoft sold a popular Captcha WordPress plugin to an undisclosed buyer, who then modified the plugin to download and install a hidden backdoor.
In a blog post published on Tuesday, WordFence
Interested in reading the full article.This post first appeared on HackerNews. click here for original article.


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VoxelSensors, a Belgian semiconductor
deep tech start-up, closes its Seed Round with a €3 million in tail investment led by a new
investor SFPIM Relaunch with participation from existing investors Qbic Fund and
finance&invest.brussels. The funding is an extension of the company’s €5.5 million Seed
Round of May 2023, led by Capricorn Digital Growth Fund and Qbic Fund, which now
totals €9.5 million.
The investment will boost VoxelSensors’ international growth, technology advancement,
and customer engagement for its low-power, low-latency Spatial and Empathic
Computing solution for mobile and XR devices. VoxelSensors will also use the funds to
prepare for the Series A round to support the company’s ambitions.
Spatial and Empathic Computing is an emerging field that aims to create technology that
can enhance user perception based on user intentions for unique and personalized
experiences. This technology will enable many applications for consumer electronics and
professional applications on XR devices. VoxelSensors strives to make wearables
more intuitive and user-friendly and foster the mass-market adoption of mobile and XR
XR wearables and mobile spatial and empathic devices are projected to grow at the
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.9% from 2022 to 20271
“We think that Spatial and Empathic Computing is the future of XR and Mobile technology,
and we are happy to be among the pioneers of this field,” said Johannes Peeters, CEO of
VoxelSensors. “We are grateful to have secured this investment. It will allow us to keep
innovating and developing our technologies to meet customer needs. We appreciate the
support of institutional investors who align with our vision and values for the future of
spatial and empathic computing in Brussels, Belgium and of electronic-semiconductor
companies in Europe. Their investment is a recognition of the quality of our business and
the promise of our technology.”
New investor SFPIM Relaunch for the future is a subsidiary of the Federal Holding and
Investment Company (SFPIM), which is Belgium’s Sovereign Wealth Fund. The main
objective of SFPIM Relaunch for the future is anchoring digital technological expertise in
“We are delighted to support and invest in this young and ambitious Belgian tech company
that is making waves in a highly competitive and strategic market. By supporting deep
tech companies like VoxelSensors, SFPIM Relaunch for the future aims to boost Belgium and EU competitiveness in the semiconductors industry, in line with the EU Chip Act objectives that seek to enhance the production and innovation of microelectronics in Europe,” said Céline Vaessen, CEO SFPIM Relaunch.
Qbic Fund is an inter-university venture capital fund that focuses on the transformation
of technological breakthroughs into sustainable businesses. They support spin-offs and
start-ups that valorize research from Qbic’s knowledge partners in the deep tech,
software, biotech, and health tech sectors.
“Qbic is pleased to keep investing in VoxelSensors and further support its Seed Round.
The VoxelSensors team has demonstrated consistent progress since we first invested in
2023, delivering their technology roadmap, management skills as well as market
penetration. We are also glad to support their environmental, social, and governance
(ESG) activities that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), which are in line with our values,” said Steven Leuridan, Partner at Qbic Fund.
finance&invest.brussels is a public limited company that facilitates and completes the
financing chain of value-creating companies in the Brussels region. They provide
financing solutions for start-ups, scale-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
social enterprises, and cooperatives.
“We are happy to reinvest in VoxelSensors, a Brussels deep tech leader in 3D Perception
semiconductors,” said Antoine Kuypers, Investment Manager at finance&invest.brussels.
“Our investment aligns with the Brussels Region’s goals to foster innovation and green
transition. We trust that VoxelSensors and its low-power technology will boost
collaboration, productivity, and sustainability in enterprises.”
“Spatial and empathic computing devices need efficient and reliable perception and
understanding of user and environment for widespread adoption. This requires a new
sensing and algorithmic paradigm,” said Ward van der Tempel, CTO of VoxelSensors.
“VoxelSensors’ unique SPAES (Single Photon Active Event Sensor) technology enables
low-power and low-latency sensors that combine into a multimodal perception system to
connect user gaze and gesture to its environment. This synergy is the heart of successful
spatial and empathic computing in XR systems.”


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The upcoming FT-86 has always been speculated with a Boxer engine, but Car and Driver has now uncovered even more proof — this logo for the Toyota FT-86 version.
The logo shows a cross section of a boxer engine, featuring one horizontally opposed piston on each side and a number 86 inserted in the center where the crankshaft would be. It also gives an indication that Toyota is planning to use “86″ in the production car’s name in some capacity. [DISCUSSIONS HERE]
With the dearth of Toyota FT-86 and the Subaru version (internally dubbed 216a) information lately, many of us are passing the time by oggling continued renderings of potential looks for the highly anticipated models from both companies. Auto Express has posted its latest rendering of the Subaru 216A by combining the FT-86 with the Impreza Concept.
According to Road and Track, the next generation Lexus IS due in 2014 will be based on a stretched FT-86 platform. As a result, the next gen IS will perform (and likely look) sportier than the current model. As for engines, the IS will continue to be powered by 4, 6 and 8 cylinder motors, unlike the FT-86 which is expected to be powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and/or a 3.6-liter flat-6. Discussions INSIDE.
In anticipation of Gran Turismo 5′s release, Randolph Ramsay, Dan Chiappini, and Derek Fung talk a bit about the Toyota FT-86 G concept car and then take it for a few virtual laps on the Nurburgring track in Gran Turismo 5 at the Sydney Motor Show.
Subaru will be unveiling a new concept car at the LA Autoshow in just a bit over two weeks [Press Release].
By Subaru’s description, this concept car appears to have “green” aspirations, which makes it seem likely that it is Subaru’s version of the FT-86. However, as our users are speculating, could Subaru’s version of the FT-86 possibly have gone hybrid? There were unsubstantiated rumors in the past that the project had been delayed to work on a hybrid option. We shall see in two weeks! Discussions HERE.
Toyota has uncovered the FT-86 G-Sports concept car at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show currently underway in Sydney [Photos]. The FT86G is powered by a turbocharged boxer 4 with a 6-speed Toyota transmission. Although this beautiful concept FT-86 has been photographed before, these are the first undercar photos (showing a mostly covered undercarriage for aerodynamic purposes).
I was on hand last week at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and was able to capture some more undercarriage photos of the car. This is my second occassion seeing the FT-86 concept coupe in person and it was no less exciting or attractive this time. There simply were no other cars at the motor show which matched the FT-86′s size, sporty nature, and potential as a serious sports coupe in its intended price range. Enjoy the photos.
It’s been a while since the last FT-86 G-sport concept sighting, but it has now been spotted in Australia. It has arrived in Australia and will be displayed at the Australian International Motor Show starting Friday, October 15. Stay tuned for photos from the show.


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Google’s TAC, as a percentage of overall ad revenue, ticked up to 23% from 22% a year ago. Pichai and CFO Ruth Porat warned investors that the percentage will continue to rise for the foreseeable future, because mobile search has higher acquisition costs.
But higher TAC isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Google.
When Mozilla released a new Firefox browser last year, for instance, Google replaced Yahoo as its search provider, and it also wrested default search status from Bing for Apple’s Siri and Spotlight searches. Major search distribution deals drive up Google’s TAC rate, but they are also coups for the ad business.
There are important questions that Google still needs to address.
Pichai wouldn’t speculate on GDPR implications and the company’s policy solutions for the EU regulation.
“It’s super important to get it right,” he said. “It’s been a big change for a lot of our partners as well, so we’re working closely with partners and regulators, but it’s too early to tell.”
Pichai likewise wouldn’t comment on potential changes to the Android operating systems after the EU antitrust commission charged Google last week with infringing on other search services by pre-installing services like the Chrome browser and the Play Store on smartphones.
But despite these headwinds, the momentum of Google’s core ad business is powering growth.
And a healthy ad business helps Google continue to massively grow headcount, despite tough competition for talent. The company added more than 13,000 people in the past year, most of them engineers, Pichai said, pushing the total number of employees to 89,058.


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New low-cost alternatives to emergency department and hospital visits could require flexibility from pathology groups and clinical laboratories to provide the best quality care
In response to the rising cost of conventional hospital services, innovative healthcare models such as micro-hospitals, bedless hospitals, and mobile and freestanding emergency rooms (ERs), are attempting to lower costs while maintaining quality of care by providing alternatives to traditional ER visits and hospital stays.
This means new challenges and opportunities for pathology groups and medical laboratories that can adapt to the different needs of these new healthcare delivery models. Each different care model will want clinical lab testing services and the reporting of lab test results to be handled in ways that enable these providers to achieve improved patient outcomes. (more…)
SoloHealth Stations are in 3,200 retail stores nationwide and growing
There’s a hot new consumer health product working its way into pharmacies across the nation. Say goodbye to the ubiquitous self-serve blood pressure stations found next to the pharmacy counter. Say hello to the next generation of consumer self-serve health kiosks.
This trend may open a door for innovative clinical laboratories to add their service offerings to the kiosks in their communities. One example of the fast adoption of these new kiosks is the SoloHealth Station. SoloHealth has already placed its kiosks in 3,200 retail locations nationwide.
Each day, more than 130,000 individuals use them and, on average, each consumer spends 4.5 minutes per session, according to a report issued by Marketwatch.com. (more…)
Price transparency expected to encourage competition among healthcare providers, including medical laboratories
Before consumers visit a clinical laboratory, they can now check the “fair” price of medical laboratory tests. New websites have sprung up that make it easy for consumers to find what experts consider to be fair market prices for each type of lab test, as well as for other medical procedures and healthcare services.
Pathologists should think of the well-known “Kelly Blue Book” that has been the price authority for prices of new and used automobiles for decades. These new medical price websites are easy to use and make it quick for a consumer to find “fair” prices for common clinical laboratory test and medical procedure.
These new web-based companies are organized to serve the needs of consumers who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHP). For an individual, an annual deductible can be as high as $2,500—and as much as $5,000 for a family. Thus, clinical laboratory managers should not be surprised that consumers are actively price-shopping before they visit their laboratory to have a specimen collected.


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Lordstown Motors, the electric vehicle company that bought the former General Motors plant in the US state of Ohio, plans to have its first pick-up truck on the market early next year.
It will be called the Endurance, a double-cab four-wheel drive that starts at US$52,000 (NZ$80,000) and is powered by four in-hub electric motors said to generate 450kW.
The battery-electric model has a reported top speed of 130km/h, a range of 400km, and a payload of 3400kg. Lordstown said it has already taken 14,000 orders. Other than that little is known about Endurance. Nothing about its battery pack, towing capacity, or charging times, for instance.
Lordstown Motors is named after the town in Ohio that housed the GM plant. GM opened it in 1966 to produce the Chevrolet Impala. The factory had been building Chevvy Cruze models before GM shut it down early last year.
President Trump at the time criticised the closure and said GM boss Mary Barra had made a “big mistake.” GM advanced Lordstown Motors US$40m to buy the plant and now its CEO Steve Burns has said the company “is on track with its financing goals.”
It needs around US$450m to reconfigure the plant and get Endurance into production. Lordstown Motors has said it’s pursuing a loan from the same US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) programme that helped put Tesla on the map.
Burns has told US news outlets that he feels Lordstown Motors is “very well-suited” for the loan, but that “by no means is our success contingent on it.”
But the DOE has not given out an ATVM loan in years, and the Trump administration wants to remove it from the 2021 budget altogether. The White House has repeatedly tried to end the federal tax credit for electric vehicles and rolled back regulations that pressure carmakers to make cleaner cars.
An electric version of GM’s Hummer is due late in 2021. Tesla plans to start building its electric Cybertruck around then too. The Ford F-150, the most popular truck in the US, is getting an electric variant in 2022.


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After four years of what Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. President and CEO Jim Morgan calls “foundation building,” the Winston-Salem company is in a position to grow.
And much of its domestic growth strategy focuses on opening small shops in the Southeast at a clip of five to 10 shops per year, plans for which the company outlined Thursday at a Miami investor meeting.
So just how much would it cost an individual franchisee to open a small shop, like the one opening Tuesday in Greenville, S.C., and what’s the return on investment?
Out of pocket investment for a franchisee — including furniture, fixtures and equipment — would cost about $480,000, said Douglas Muir, Krispy Kreme’s chief financial officer.
At 2,300 square feet, the freestanding "retail-only" shops will have the full doughnut-making capability of a full-size Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD) store but will be substantially smaller and less costly, Muir said.
Since the shops cater to retail consumers only, they’re not required to participate in wholesale distribution, which makes the shops much easier to operate.
The shops will feature a new doughnut-making line that factors in a new box that’s smaller than at traditional shops. The company has new equipment with less ingredient waste, and smaller boxes equate to lower building maintenance and utility costs, Muir said.
Assuming the location was a build to suit project, Krispy Kreme estimates that annual rent would be about $140,000, or about $61 per square foot. Muir said the small shops would produce a minimum of about 20 percent return on investment, or about $20,000 per week.
“Meeting our goal could be a major factor in expanding domestic stores,” Muir said.
Domestically, Krispy Kreme is looking to grow from about 240 stores currently to more than 400 stores by fiscal year 2017. Internationally, the retailer is looking to build on momentum of existing and new markets. After hitting 500 international locations last year, Krispy Kreme hopes to grow to 900 international franchise locations by fiscal year 2017.
“Our international growth is both impressive and sustainable,” Morgan said. “We have transitioned from a turnaround story to a company in the early stages of continuous growth, Krispy Kreme is not a story of how far we have come or where we are, it is a story of the vast opportunities that lie ahead.”


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A colleague recently sent me a copy of the 2009 Metlife Study of the American Dream. In reviewing the report, I was immediately struck with how dramatically Americans have altered their expectations in response to our changing economy. And, because the survey has been conducted every year for the last three years, the researchers were able to analyze and document this rapid and unprecedented shift in priorities.
For example, the inaugural American Dream survey conducted in 2007 revealed an insatiable hunger for more and better material possessions. In addition, the bar was continually rising for what was considered “basic necessities.” However, across all social strata, the financial crisis has been a loud wake-up call. Respondents to the 2009 survey reported they are eating at home more often, shopping more at big box discount stores, spending less on movies, and moving away from brand-name products to generics.
The study also revealed that 4 in 10 Americans are feeling “buyer’s remorse” about past purchases, and wish they had spent less and saved more over the years. In fact, many now feel freed from the pressures of “keeping up with the Joneses,” and view the economic crisis as “permission” to change their behavior.
Amazingly, 75 percent of the study participants still believe they will achieve the American dream in their lifetimes. In light of this finding, the researchers concluded that this hope is fueled, in part, by Americans’ ability to adjust their definition: “As credit remains in short supply and investments deteriorate, Americans have replaced (at least temporarily) their desire for a better financial future with the pragmatic goal of staying afloat and focusing on relationships with family and friends.”
Marriage also figures a more central role—27 percent of Americans now identify marriage as synonymous with the dream, up from 17 percent just one year ago. Generation Y, in particular, views wedlock as a prerequisite, with 32 percent of young Americans defining the dream in terms of marriage and a committed relationship.
In addition, they are making significant lifestyle changes. Nearly 40 percent reported a greater focus on healthy living, such as exercising and making better food choices, and 59 percent indicated they are spending more time thinking about personal life goals.
These results should give financial planners tremendous insight into the current mindset of their clients and prospective clients. I believe those practitioners who have developed a life-centered, values-based approach to developing client relationships are well poised to respond to this change, and will likely demonstrate a keen competitive edge in the marketplace.


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[Thanks to Jdevy for the tip]
Note that this post is discussing a game model that has not officially been announced; As it is on test, it may change significantly from what you see here, or it may never reach production.
We occasionally hear about new games popping up on Christmas week, and today’s news helps contribute that to the trend. As the headline has already spoiled it, there’s a new version of Raw Thrills’ Halo: Fireteam Raven that’s been spotted out there, so we’ll present that then talk more. This photo was posted to the Facebook page for an FEC in Illinois called In The Game Hollywood Park back on November 26th:
First released in a giant 4-player Super Deluxe model back in 2018, Halo was also released as a 2-player sit-down deluxe cab in 2019. After that, we assumed that would be the end of it as far as model options go, since the last time that Raw Thrills had released anything as you see above was back in 2013 with Aliens Armageddon (well, barring Big Buck Hunter, but that’s in a class of its own).
While it’s the only pic we’ve got of it, it is clear that the design reuses the Aliens Armageddon cabinet, with the guns, gun holsters, and plastic control panel mold using the same design – just with different colors. One major difference this brings to the game is the guns – the other version use mounted cannons, while this gives the player free movement.
I reached out to Raw Thrills and there’s no comment from their end, so this is what it is for now. I recall seeing some standard versions of Jurassic Park that were also testing out in IL back in the day that never came along so my guess is as good as yours as to the possibility of it reaching production. It all depends on how well it earns over the course of testing.
That said, I do think that this model would be a great option to have – while my Aliens does well, I’ve considered a Halo, just as I’ve also been considering a 2-player Mission: Impossible – this makes things more enticing on Halo’s side as I really don’t have the space for another environmental cab.
Having these options for smaller locations is quite welcome, especially right now. It also helps arcade games find their way back into smaller, not-exactly-traditional locations that don’t have the space or the budget for the huge FEC stuff but may have space for something smaller. Of course, this game isn’t exactly the size of a 1980s/90s upright cab, but it’s a step in that kind of direction.
What do you think about this from the little we know about it so far?


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Joining the ranks of automakers a little late to the hybrid party, Hyundai just announced plans to offer a plug-in hybrid by 2013. An unnamed company official told Reuters this weekend that Hyundai “plan[s] to launch a plug-in hybrid model which is in the same segment as the Prius in 2013.”
The new hybrid’s design would likely be based on the Sonata, which has been selling well. “We’re seeing terrific demand for it,” Hyundai Motor America president and CEO John Krafcik said earlier this month. A Prius-fighter? Well, maybe. But when it makes its way to the U.S. market the new Hyundai is more likely to steal sales from Kia’s upcoming Optima Hybrid, which will likely be closer to it in size and efficiency.
Via Left Lane News


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$4.50, maybe $4.25.
That’s how low a regular gallon of gasoline could cost in California by the end of the year, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which tracks price trends.
The safer bet is $4.50, he said, but $4.25 is not out of the question. An average that low would likely mean “thousands of stations below $4,” he said.
On Tuesday, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $5.06 in California, still well above the nationwide average of $3.53.
According to AAA’s readings, average prices for regular gasoline were below the state average in Fresno, Madera and Merced counties Tuesday:
$4.87 per gallon in Fresno County
$5 per gallon in Madera County
$5 per gallon in Merced County
Fresno and Madera counties prices already dipped well below the $4.50 mark at some locations as early as yesterday. GasBuddy on Tuesday showed prices as low as $4.05 in Fresno County and $4.23 in Madera County. In Merced County, the low price was $4.49.
Overall, Fresno metropolitan area’s average price was down about 7 cents from one week ago, according to AAA, and down 49 cents from one month ago. In the Madera-Chowchilla area, the average price dropped about 5 cents from one week ago, and about 25 cents from one month ago. The Merced area saw an average price decrease of about 8 cents from last week, and about 58 cents from last month.
Nationally, De Haan saw the price falling below $3 this winter. Gasoline prices tend to fall this time of year.
“Demand from drivers has fallen and we are seeing the impact of winter blend being introduced earlier than previous years. There are also signs of a slowing economy that is affecting overall demand,” said Gokce Soydemir, Foster Farms endowed professor of business economics at California State University, Stanislaus.
The Federal Energy Information Administration saw consumer demand dropping to its lowest level in two decades.
“U.S. motorists are driving less because they aren’t commuting to work every day, newer gasoline-fueled vehicles are more efficient, and there are more electric vehicles on the road,” said EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis in a press release.
“Put those trends together with high gasoline prices and high inflation, and we find that U.S. motorists are using less gasoline,” he said.
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Where is the cheapest gas in Fresno, Madera and Merced counties?
The average price of a gallon of gas has dropped sharply in Fresno in recent weeks.
According to GasBuddy data, local prices peaked at the beginning of October with an average of about $5.73 per gallon. Since then, gas prices have dropped one dollar to $4.73 per gallon on Tuesday. Because GasBuddy’s data is based off of user-reported prices, it can vary from other gas price tracking numbers, such as AAA’s. Reported prices are also updated frequently on GasBuddy.
There were several options for gas under $5 per gallon in Fresno, Madera and Merced counties on Tuesday.
Costco in the cities of Fresno and Clovis offered prices of between $4.15 and $4.17. But if you aren’t a Costco member, here are the other five least expensive gas stations in Fresno County, according to GasBuddy:
Fastrip Gasoline, 2290 W. Tahoe Ave., Caruthers: $4.05
E-Z Trip, 6639 N Parkway Dr., Fresno: $4.15
ARCO, 2801 W. Clinton Ave., Fresno: $4.19
United Food & Gas, 1930 W. Clinton Ave., Fresno: $4.23
Sinclair, 1919 W. Clinton Ave., Fresno: $4.25
The five cheapest gas stations in Madera County, according to GasBuddy, were:
E-Z Trip, 1451 S. Madera Ave., Madera: $4.23
Sinclair, 41440 Avenue 10 1/2, Madera: $4.29
ARCO, 10512 CA-41, Madera: $4.29
PJ Express Mart, 16988 Road 26, Madera: $4.33
Love’s Travel Stop, 3174 Avenue 17, Madera: $4.35
The lowest prices GasBuddy showed for Merced County – not including Costco – on Tuesday were:
Quik Stop, 401 Joseph Gallo Dr., Livingston: $4.48
Great American Gas & Food Mart, 1312 Court St., Livingston: $4.51
Kwik Serve, 1405 Davis St., Livingston: $4.52
76 & 7-Eleven, 9510 Stephens St., Delhi: $4.53
Love’s Travel Stop, 29025 Plaza Dr., Santa Nella: $4.59
Why do gas prices drop?
In California, the prices are affected by the switch to the less expensive winter product, a transition that occurred somewhat earlier this year. That helped send prices down.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 27 directed the state Air Resources Board to “take whatever steps are necessary to allow for an early transition to winter-blend gasoline to be manufactured, imported, distributed, and sold in California.”
Prices have fallen dramatically in recent weeks — a month ago the state average was $5.64 — and more drops appear on the way. Soydemir saw prices tumbling until the end of this year and if the economy slows, perhaps the first quarter of next year.
The Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rates 11 times in the last 20 months to stem rising prices. But that also tends to slow demand and economic growth.
California’s gasoline prices are traditionally higher for several reasons. One is its motor fuel taxes, which are higher than in other states.
Its refineries produce a cleaner product to meet state environmental standards, and California does not have as much access as other states to interstate pipelines that can bring supplies to the state.
There are risks to the gasoline price forecast.
Notably, the economy could grow at a more brisk pace than expected. It grew at a surprisingly strong 4.9% annual rate this fall. In California, the UCLA Anderson forecast said the state’s economy is growing faster than the nation’s.
But, it warned, “the risks to the forecast are political and geopolitical,” particularly if interest rates remain at current levels.
De Haan thought the lower gasoline prices were a harbinger of a slowdown. He saw demand for motor fuel declining more than usual this time of year.
“That could be a sign things are slowing down,” he said.
Soydemir saw severe weather and the geopolitical situation as potential risks.
So far, the Israel-Hamas war has had no discernible effect on oil prices. But as De Haan said, “Iran could come out of left field,” and the politics of oil could tighten supplies.
And, said the Energy Information Administration in its outlook last week, “Risks of supply disruptions and price volatility are heightened amid potential conflict spreading in the Middle East.”


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Eugene's Clay Fest 2020 much more than utilitarian pottery
What’s the easiest way to get kids engaged in education? Why creating clay monsters, of course.
“It's just this little party that happens,” Monster Monster sculptor James DeRosso said. “Teachers joke with me that when I leave, they have 27 kids climbing the walls.”
DeRosso is one of about 42 artists showing an array of kiln-fired goods at Clay Fest 2020. Previously scheduled Friday through Sunday at the Lane Events Center, this year the show will offer its wares — from traditional utilitarian pottery to sculptures from tiny tea sets to pygmy creatures to mini monsters — online only beginning Oct. 9 at clayfestonline.com.
This digital experience replaces a live show. For artists, the show is a key income generator and marketing tool to woo new audiences. For showgoers, the exhibition’s variety offers a chance to explore diverse cultures and wander through new perspectives.
In 2019, Clay Fest had 68 potters showing their work with more than 5,000 people in attendance, purchasing more than $100,000 in ceramics with $88,000 going to Oregon potters.
When the pandemic hit, coordinators decided to build a website to reconnect ceramic artists and customers separated by quarantine.
“We needed a grassroots way to help,” Clay Fest organizer, treasurer and ceramic potter Robin Russell Sanchez said in an email. “We'll keep doing (the website) through Christmas. There may or may not be a Holiday Market, and it's going to be a really long winter for a lot of us.”
“I thought it would be a way to salvage this year,” Sanchez said about the website. “We are not charging anything for the potters to be listed or asking for any percentage of their sales. We know our supporters miss us and want to help. We are doing this for free to help our ceramic community.”
Though the many labor hours are unaccounted for, Clay Fest has managed to put the exposition online for about $200. Each display links to personal websites where crafters can sell wares via payments made electronically, by phone or email. While plenty of pottery will be available, sculpture occupies a large space in the festival. DeRosso, for example, found his monsters 20 years ago when he was majoring in graphic design at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, after four years in the Navy.
“I was trying to be a potter, I was trying to make bowls and plates and mugs, but I just never took to the wheel,” DeRosso said. “They looked like Fred Flintstone mugs. And I wasn't selling those, either. I’d done a couple of little shows where I just sat there with people politely coming in and leaving.”
Even after moving to closer to his hometown, The Dalles, for a graphic design job in Portland, DeRosso seemed to always instead find himself doing ceramics instead of plugging away in front of a screen. When firing his work, DeRosso mounted a little guardian angel gargoyle on the kiln to watch over the conflagration.
“And those start accumulating and getting fired just from the heat coming from the kiln,” DeRosso said. “My friend started sneaking away with them and then requesting more. Once I had a collection, I put a few of them in my booth (at a Portland show) and they were gone immediately.”
DeRosso created a stable living from selling his monsters at shows throughout the year in eventual combination with teaching gigs. COVID-19 killed that second income flow, though, so he was forced to focus on online sales.
“I'd always entertained the idea of having an online store, but once again, that's plunking on the computer, and I was avoiding it,” DeRosso said.
With the help of his partner, also a middle school teacher, DeRosso built an online presence, which has gone well over the course of four batch releases, reaching customers as far away as Japan and Finland.
Ceramics certainly seems to be a particularly insistent calling for clientele as well as hands-on artists. Case in point: Eugene’s Shelly Fredenberg hadn’t touched clay in 20 years. After ceramics classes in college, Fredenberg took a traditional path of getting married, having children and working a 12-year career in social services, launching and running housing programs for low-income populations.
“Then my mom died and that just shook me to the core,” Fredenberg said. “So I joined the Amazon Community Center’s open studio, trying to find something to help with the sadness. And that was clay.”
What emerged out of the ether were little porcelain woodland animals and assorted flora that reflected the time Fredenberg spent in nature. When her friends encouraged her to begin selling them, Fredenberg sold an initial 20 pieces at Maude Kerns Art Center's Art in the Vineyard.
“Pretty quickly, it was evident I had to do one job or the other because they both took all of my heart,” Fredenberg said. “Social services is not something you can put part of your attention into. And I would argue that ceramics is the same. So I quit my job and jumped into doing shows full time and it’s supported my life and my kids.”
Clay Fest should bring in some income, but quarantine and other health safety measures have cut Fredenberg’s income to about a quarter of what it was pre-pandemic. This aligns with DeRosso, who’s at about 35% of last year’s sales. This doesn’t deter these artists from producing what they hope is evocative work that captures a nostalgic joy, though.
“My preconception was that people would come because they liked pretty objects," Fredenberg said. "I didn't realize the transformative power ceramics have for people."
She relates that a few guests during each show will have an emotional reaction to her work. Last year, a gentleman in his 80s was having a moment with one of Fredenberg’s ceramic birds and asked her about a 1950s California artist she was not aware of.
“He said, ‘My dad used to buy my mom a bird for every anniversary from this artist. Your work evokes that. My anniversary is coming up and I'm going to buy this for my wife,’” Fredenberg said. “And I was in tears.”
These unexpected interpersonal intersections are what she longs for most.
“That was something that I never anticipated. I really miss that personal connection. My work lives in those places,” Fredenberg said.


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AllSaints have been given an exclusive glimpse into the Kings of Leon affiliated label Serpents & Snakes.
Kings of Leon have always been proud of their roots. Based in Nashville, the Followills spoke lovingly of a city which remained out of the East Coast / West Coast bias.
Now, though, the world is coming round to their point of view. Nashville is bustling with new groups, as the city fosters a rare generation of artistic activity which is based on collaboration and co-operation.
Earlier this year, AllSaints flew out to Nashville to investigate the scene for themselves. Focussing on Kings of Leon's label Serpents & Snakes, the brand sought out new talent in the run up to SXSW.
The results are now online. 'New Music City' is a loving, evocative portrait of a city which is turning expectations on their head, one which is retaining its inherent character while adjusting to the 21st century.
Featuring a raft of new groups, exciting songwriters and fresh music, this is a must see. Watch it HERE.
Check out ClashMusic's full preview of 'New Music City' HERE.


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Blog: At last a decision on Sri Lanka’s GSP+
Leonie Barrie | 18 December 2009
Having lived for the past couple of months with the threat of the EU’s withdrawal of its GSP+ trade benefits, at least Sri Lanka’s apparel makers now know where they stand.
While the decision may not have been the one they hoped for, some degree of uncertainty has at least been lifted after the EC this week made the – not entirely unexpected – recommendation to take away the country’s duty-free concessions.
The judgement was in retaliation for alleged human rights abuses during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war, but was also exacerbated by the government’s stubborn refusal to cooperate with the Commission’s subsequent investigation.
The decision will clearly come as a blow to the local industry. Apparel exporters have already admitted that business has moved away from the Indian Ocean island on the basis of uncertainty alone, while international buyers who continue to source there are asking local factories to absorb the cost of the new duties at a time when margins are already wafer-thin.
Some estimates suggest this could amount to tens of millions of euros, since most garments will revert back to 9.6% duties when landed in Europe.
But it is not all doom and gloom. Sri Lanka’s strengths lie in garments like bras, on which the EU will charge duty of just 5.2%. And around a third of the garments it sends to Europe don’t qualify for duty-free entry at all.
The EU won’t remove GSP+ duty-free concessions until June 2010 at the earliest – so no garments currently in production or under negotiation will have their duty concession withdrawn.
And there’s even a slim chance that the EU Member Council, which has two months to vote on the EC’s proposal, might decide to throw the recommendation out after all.
Intriguingly, the wording of the EC’s decision document also stresses the “temporary” nature of the withdrawal. Which seems to offer a glimmer of hope that the decision might even be reviewed at some point in the current beneficiary period, which runs until 31 December 2011.
And according to local reports the Sri Lankan authorities have indicated their willingness to cooperate with the EU on retaining the scheme.
Which begs the question: why didn’t they agree to this in the first place to avoid all the subsequent heartache? Maybe fears ahead of the presidential elections on 26 January were the catalyst that’s needed.
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