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If you’re looking for the cattiest reporting on fuel economy regulation, you’ve come to the right place. This is the Morning Shift for August 15, 2018.
Remember when South Korea started to freak out because a rash of BMWs started to catch on fire? Yeah, it was only all of 27 cars, but the country is still planning a ban on driving for a good 20,000 cars until they get a recall, as Automotive News Europe reports:
South Korea’s transport ministry said on Tuesday it would ban about 20,000 BMW vehicles from the streets amid mounting public fears about engine fires.
The driving ban comes after 27 engines went up in flames between January and July, which prompted BMW’s Korea unit to apologize last week and order a recall of 106,000 diesel-powered vehicles including the 520d that starts Aug. 20.
Amid public concerns over safety the government order will affect about 20,000 BMW cars that are part of the recall but yet to receive safety checks, according to the transport ministry.
This is less of a ban and more of a banishment, but mostly I appreciate how good of an example this is that in a panic, national governments can do so much to exert pressure on the car industry. Most of the time they don’t, but they have way more power than you normally think. Bring that same energy to emissions regulations meetings, South Korea.
Trump is far from the only strongman in office in the world right now, so it’s little surprise that like is being met with like these days. Erdogan in Turkey recently stated that he’s had enough with American pressure on the Turkish economy and he’s going to set things straight as we have: with punitive tariffs.
The big news going around is that Erdogan called for a boycott of Apple, but it’s the duty on cars that has me interested, as Bloomberg reports:
A calculation by Bloomberg shows the items listed in the decree accounted for $1 billion of imports last year, similar to the amount of Turkish steel and aluminum exports that were subjected to higher tariffs by President Donald Trump last week. The decision shows Turkey giving a proportionate response to American “attacks” on the Turkish economy, Vice President Fuat Oktay said in a Tweet.
Turkey will impose an additional 50 percent tax on U.S. rice, 140 percent on spirits and 120 percent on cars. There are also additional charges on U.S. cosmetics, tobacco and some food products.
The Turkish currency has lost about a quarter of its value since the U.S. sanctioned two ministers in Erdogan’s administration over the continued detention of a U.S. Pastor Andrew Brunson to increase pressure on Ankara for his release. Erdogan has rejected Washington’s pleas, saying that Turkish judiciary won’t take orders from abroad.
Anyway, I’m sure this will all go well.
Remember all the way back to the early days of the Trump administration when Mary Barra was on Trump’s business council? Remember how it seemed so obvious at that time to seemingly everyone but the members of that business council that kissing the ring was going to get you nowhere?
That’s a fun memory.
In any case, GM just announced that it’s asking the Trump government to please exempt its Chinese-made Buick Envision crossovers from the Trump administration’s tariffs, as Automotive News China reports:
General Motors is seeking an exemption to a 25 percent U.S. tariff on its Chinese-made Buick Envision crossover, in a move to prevent the model from becoming a victim of the U.S.-China trade war.
The midsize crossover, priced starting at about $35,000, has become a target for critics of Chinese-made goods, including leaders of the UAW and members in key political swing states such as Michigan and Ohio. The Envision, assembled only in China, last year accounted for about 19 percent of Buick brand sales in the United States.
GM said in a statement that it filed the request on July 30 with the U.S. Trade Representative. An official notice was posted on Thursday on the regulations.gov website, which is tracking requests for exclusions from the so-called Section 301 tariff on certain imported goods from China.
GM further tried to justify itself, saying that it sells 200,000 Envisions in China compared to 41,000 in America, and it has no real choice but to build them in their home market, so to speak. Please, Trump, be nice to us.
The news of this story, as Bloomberg reports it, is that newly-released internal documents show that the EPA doubted Trumps’ utterly nonsensical claim that cutting back fuel economy regulations would save lives. The logic for it was that it’d make new cars cheaper, and people would buy more new cars, and then they’d be safer. This is, uh, not quite how things work, as the EPA assessed, per Bloomberg:
The “proposed standards are detrimental to safety, rather than beneficial,” EPA staff wrote in a June 18 memo.
The EPA asserted that freezing fuel economy standards would lead to an increase in traffic fatalities and boost the overall fatality rate, citing its own analysis, conducted after the agency said it corrected “erroneous and otherwise problematic elements” in a Transportation Department model.
Yes. Duh. This is a surprise to no one. What is interesting is that NHTSA apparently backed up Trump, sealing its reputation as our most inept administration, which is kind of worrying in that they’re the ones that make sure cars are safe:
In the comments, the EPA said NHTSA’s model over-estimated the number of older, less-safe cars that would remain on the road if drivers didn’t buy new cars due to higher prices caused by the Obama-era standards, effectively inflating projected traffic deaths.
In July, NHTSA fired back, countering that EPA’s corrections assumed the size of U.S. vehicle fleet and the number of miles driven would remain constant, rather than changing because of the fuel economy standards — an outcome the agency said “would be much more reasonable to expect.”
So now it’s clear that NHTSA is very much in the Trump camp and the EPA isn’t really holding its own against it. Great.
Tesla has a lot of challenges ahead of it: actually put an affordable Model 3 on sale, start making a semi truck, re-start the Roadster program, get its factory working conditions in shape. These challenges all pale in comparison to the one that Tesla’s board has put in front of itself. They want to get Elon off Twitter, as the New York Times reports:
Members of Tesla’s board are scrambling to control a chief executive who some directors think is out of control.
Elon Musk, the electric-car maker’s co-founder and chief executive, stirred up a public storm by announcing on Twitter last week that he wanted to turn Tesla into a private company. In recent days, according to people familiar with the matter, some of his fellow board members delivered a stern message: Stop tweeting.
Oh man. Ohhhhhhhh man. Good luck, y’all. Here’s the immediately following line from the Times:
Mr. Musk hasn’t heeded that advice.
Ahhhhhh this is so good. Honestly, if the board can get Elon to calm down, pretty much anything is possible. Put me down for a Roadster reservation if he cuts it out.
Reverse: Ford And Edison Went On To Make An Electric Car, But The Shed They Were Working Out Of Mysteriously Burned Down. Fun Story.
Pretty much all great moments in car regulations have been driven by flash decisions made in crises, like Germans freaking out about acid rain in the ‘80s or this BMW recall. What’s your favorite, and what kind of subterfuge do we need to plan to get more done?


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Mecum Auctions rolls into Anaheim, California this weekend for their annual 3-day sale there. This cool 1965 coupe is listed among the Corvettes crossing Mecum’s red carpet. The Nassau Blue on white big block coupe set a class record in 1965 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
If you’ve ever wanted to own one of the most unusual Corvette show cars ever built, we may have found what you’re looking for. Lot S52 of Mecum’s auction in Anaheim, California on November 15, 2014 is the ‘Outer Limits’, an asymmetrical Corvette show car designed and built by noted customizer and car show promoter Ray Farhner.
Mecum Auctions takes their quest to sell every car ever produced west this weekend for their inaugural Anaheim, California event. Around 70 Corvettes are up for adoption this Thursday through Saturday as part of the 800 car docket. You can watch 18 hours of live coverage of the event on Velocity.

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UK AV distributor Midwich has bought out an Australian video and data display companies.
UK distributor Midwich, which sells audio visual, consumer electronics, displays, print and scanning solutions, security, auto ID/barcode and digital imaging products has made a surprise buyout of an Australian display company.
Image Design Technology (IDT) is one of Australia’s top providers of video and data display technology, but no one was away that Midwich was even aware of the company until it announced that it had acquired majority shares of the company.
It is the first time that the UK company has bought anything in the Australia and New Zealand region.
Established in 1998, IDT will continue to be spearheaded by Gerry Wilkins, Founder and Managing Director of the company.
Wilkins said that the acquisition was a major coup as it enables IDT to tap into the resources and expertise of a global company, while still retaining the great local service and strong local investment.
Referring to the buy out as a “partnership” Wilkins claimed that Midwich will allow his company to expand its product offering.
Stephen Fenby, Managing Director of Midwich said thatIDT has a great portfolio of quality brands and a strong reputation with customers serving the AV industry.
It is not clear if the move will have any effect on Midwich’s UK markets.


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Construction of Amazon’s first dedicated Australian sort centre is nearing completion with the world’s largest online retailer announcing the Victorian facility will be powered 100% by electricity, including renewable energy sourced from the sprawling rooftop solar PV system.
“As part of Amazon’s commitment to be net-zero carbon across its business by 2040, the building is powered 100% by electricity, avoiding the use of fossil fuels for its heating and hot water systems, and with energy efficiency as a top priority,” the company said.
Amazon Australia said the rooftop installation is the largest solar PV system at an Amazon site in Australia with 3,078 solar panels covering 7,121 square metres of roof atop the purpose-built facility at the new Amaroo Business Park in Craigieburn.
Already operational, the 1.4 MW system is expected to generate 80% of the energy needs of the facility which is in the final stage of internal fit-out and is expected to be opened before the end of the 2022.
As well as the rooftop solar system, the facility also has 12 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in place with the capacity to install 30 in the future, making up 20% of the site’s total car parks.
The Craigieburn sort centre is part of Amazon’s network of 17 sites around Australia and the company said the rooftop solar install will help the company meet its renewable energy goals, including its commitment to reach net zero carbon across its operations by 2040.
“Amazon is on a path to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, reaching 85% in 2021, and is the biggest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world,” the US-headquartered company said.
In Australia, Amazon has signed power purchase agreements (PPA) for a combined 262 MW in clean energy capacity across three utility-scale renewable projects, including the 150 MW Suntop and the 110 MW Gunnedah solar farms developed in regional New South Wales by Canadian Solar. Since purchased by CalEnergy Resources, the solar farms are already delivering clean energy to the grid and Amazon.
Amazon also has a PPA in place to purchase renewable energy from the 96.6 MW Hawkesdale Wind Farm being built by Global Power Generation in Victoria’s Western District.
The three projects are expected to generate a combined 717,000 MWh of renewable energy annually for Amazon with the solar farms to contribute more than half of the amount.
Globally, Amazon has announced 154 utility-scale wind and solar renewable energy projects and 225 on-site solar systems on fulfilment centres and sort centres. Together, these projects total more than 18.5 GW of capacity.
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The NHL and NHLPA have launched a virtual science fair for kids in grades four through eight. The Future Goals Virtual Science Fair will be hosted by the online education platform EverFi.
Students will be asked to submit projects that showcase... Read More
Marvel’s WandaVision will directly set up Doctor Strange 2.
The show stars Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen reprising their MCU roles as Vision and Scarlet Witch respectively, and Olsen’s character will play a key role alongside Benedict... Read More
States with same-day registration:
California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
... Read More
If you’re a frequent or even casual user of Slack, you likely know the basics: how to set a status, pin a message, create a new channel or send a gif of a cute puppy or a disappearing Homer Simpson.But there are less obvious tips and tricks,... Read More
Amazon has added new cities for its full-time, 12-week technology upskilling program, AWS re/Start. Currently, the program has “cohort locations” in 18 cities across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The newest additions in the... Read More
Jon Stewart will return to TV as host of a new current affairs series for Apple TV Plus.
Stewart, who won 20 Emmys as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, has signed a first-look deal with the streaming service.
The new show,... Read More
As cinemas across the world continue to feel the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, US tech company Christie has been granted a patent that enables cinemas to stream films directly into viewers’ homes.
The patented hardware and software package... Read More
By popular demand, Long Island’s only drive-through dinosaur exhibit, “Jurassic Quest,” has extended its stay at Town Park Point Lookout and will now host shows through Oct. 18.
The program was originally to run through Oct.... Read More
After months of working remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft announced on Friday (October 8) that employees will be able to work from home permanently. According to The Verge, Microsoft unveiled guidelines for a new... Read More
MLB has a plan to put fans in Globe Life Park for the NLCS and World Series. Details: pic.twitter.com/VkcqII8geq— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) September 30, 2020
Fans back at the stadium? Major League Baseball has announced that they are... Read More
How can I create a safe lab experience for my students? How will I have time to sanitize everything in my lab before and after each class? Do I have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) at my school? What is the best way to engage my students... Read More
Everybody says that we should drink water. In fact, a lot of it. But, you might be surprised that it’s possible to drink too much water. Though less common, overhydration is a problem just like dehydration.
Overhydration can lead to an... Read More
It appears the TikTok saga is over.
President Trump “supports a deal in principle” allowing TikTok to stay in the US.
Bytedance will still be the majority shareholder of TikTok but Oracle and Walmart can purchase up to a 20% stake in the... Read More
In November 2018, Spotify released an accompanying app for Apple Watch that allows iPhone users to access and control their favorite Spotify music and podcasts from their wrist.
One of the limitations of the app is that it doesn’t allow... Read More
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston is making his TV comeback in a new Showtime crime drama this December, and fans can get a first look at what’s in store in the series’ newly-released full-length trailer.
Your Honor is a new Showtime... Read More


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Feed additive tracker: Is the recent upward price trend of vitamin C broken?
Price risk for most tracked amino acids has turned to the upside during the last four weeks as key manufacturers suddenly reduced production amid strict enforcement of energy and emission policies in North China, says Kemiex.
“For synthetic products such as Dl-Methionine, markets are weighing somewhat stable demand, additional supply from China and higher cost for basic upstream raw materials,” said Stefan Schmidinger, partner at that Swiss API and feed additives trading platform.
Vitamin prices are mostly moving sideways though despite recent corporate announcements affecting supply of intermediates and ingredients, or a moderate delay to BASF’s new Vitamin A 1000 formulation plant, he told us.
Looking at H1 2021 financials of major Chinese vitamins manufacturers, it appears that, in most cases, profitability suffered significantly despite higher sales revenues, added Schmidinger.
Vitamin C: Is the upward price trend of 1H 2021 broken?
The markets have been keeping a close eye on the price of vitamin C, along with its derivatives, since November 2020 when prices doubled, and many end users were unpleasantly surprised by skyrocketing freight and raw material costs ahead of signing their annual contracts, noted Schmidinger.
“Import data from the world’s largest countries suggest that vitamin C may have reached its peak, however, with at least one factory said to offering more competitive prices for 2022 deliveries.
"Considering the record-high transportation charges from China, the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) price levels may stay above those seen in 2020 though.”
On the regulatory side, Kemiex reports that the EU has recently approved a series of nutritional additives:
Market authorization was granted to JARAZ Enterprises for its Vitamin K1. Also seeing approval was Zinpro's manganese chelate of lysine and glutamic acid, the iron citrate chelate of Akeso Biomedical, DSM's muramidase and serine protease, and Beldem's endo-1,4-beta-xylanase.
Kemiex reported that Ningbo seaport terminal and Shanghai PVG airport cargo have resumed operations after more than two weeks of lockdowns and COVID-19 cases.
Regarding disruptions in Vietnam, however, the army has been deployed to enforce restrictions in industrial Binh Duong province, a major manufacturing hub near Ho Chi Minh City.
FBX Freight rate indexes, compiled by Freightos, are stable, or slightly up, on most routes but several carriers have started to announce further, and, in some cases, significant peak season surcharges, which will be effective mid-September or October, reported Kemiex.
Though, freight consultancy Sea-Intelligence, in a recent publication, found no signs of typical capacity reductions and blank sailings ahead of Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and Golden Week, leaving hope of a backlog clearance in congested ports.
Besides the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in mid-September, and Golden Week in early October, Kemiex also tells companies to mark their card over another upcoming event that could temporarily influence market activity: the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which take place in February.


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How your restaurant sales and profits compare to competitors' and what you can do to improve financial performance
Despite higher costs, chains say the industry must be cautious about raising prices.
The movie theater-restaurant chain raised less than it originally planned.
A drop in the concept's comps and traffic is prompting the move.
The Italian chain is apparently looking for a buyer.
The radish—from the Latin word radix or root—is not exactly the youngest vegetable on the chopping block.
Global sales of fortified/functional beverages were projected to reach nearly $40 billion in 2005, according to Euromonitor International.
Bottled water is one of the most profitable items you can sell, yet a growing number of fine-dining restaurants are dropping it from their menus.
A look at the fundamentals of marketing and how they can impact the development of new menu items. Plus: the lifecycle of a new menu item and how to manage it.
Every summer the big quickservice chains expand their frozen drink offerings with cool LTOs and this season is no exception.
One might think that local ingredients are hard to come by during a Massachusetts winter.
These emerging chains are the growth vehicles to watch—the ones poised to be major industry players in the coming years.
Food trends and recipes to keep menus fresh
New restaurants and soon-to-open concepts worth monitoring
RB’s exclusive ranking of the highest-grossing independent restaurants
Peter Romeo highlights the moments restaurateurs miss at their own peril
Ideas from the field you may want to borrow


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Samsung Galaxy S23 series has leaked multiple times in the past. The upcoming flagship smartphone lineup from the South Korean tech brand is believed to include the vanilla Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Now, a new report has surfaced suggesting signature shades of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23 series phones. The vanilla Galaxy S23 is said to get a light gold/pink gold signature shade, while the Galaxy S23+ is tipped to come in a pink shade. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s signature colour could be green. They will be launched in various colour options, but Samsung is expected to highlight the upcoming devices in these colours in its marketing and promotional materials.
A report by Sammobile revealed the signature colour variants of Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. As per the report, the vanilla Galaxy S23’s signature colour will be light gold/pink gold, while the Galaxy S23+ will have pink as its signature shade. Samsung has reportedly chosen green as the signature colour for the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
However, there might be more colour options for all the Galaxy S23 models when the series officially launches. The company is expected to tease the upcoming smartphones in the aforementioned signature shades.
Samsung has not confirmed the launch date of the Galaxy S23 series yet. However, a recent report stated that the non-foldable flagship series will be launched on February 1 during a Galaxy Unpacked event held in the US. They are expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The Galaxy S23 models will succeed the Galaxy S22 variants that went official earlier this year.
Recent Geekbench listings allegedly confirmed the presence of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC on the upcoming Galaxy S23, Galaxy 23, and Galaxy 23 Ultra models. Leaked renders of the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ suggested a triple camera setup at the rear, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra appears to feature a quad rear camera unit. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is tipped to come with a 200-megapixel camera.
Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2023 hub.


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AMS launches an international master’s program in Fashion Management
Thanks to the rise of the ‘Antwerp Six’, towards the end of the 80s the city rose to the top of the international fashion world. Thirty years later, Antwerp is still the front-runner. Yet, the fashion industry has changed dramatically.
Economical growth through cooperations between companies and start-ups
Established family businesses have the necessary means and networks to influence the market. However, they do sometimes miss the know-how needed to be sufficiently innovative. Start-ups usually do not lack innovative capacity and are, you could say, innovative per definition.
New Antwerp Management School Alumni Chairperson is a woman, Mimi Lamote
After 8 years of Antwerp Management School Alumni chairmanship, Guido Kestens hands over the torch to Mimi Lamote, CEO of fashion label Mayerline. Mimi has taken over on June 26.
AMS and BZA have joined forces in a four-year applied research program
Society is constantly changing and to be able to guarantee safety, emergency services have to evolve at the same pace. Therefore, the Fire department Zone Antwerp (BZA) invests not only in modern equipment and thoroughly trained workers, but also in research.
International hockey player studying at Antwerp Management School
Shimmins is coming to Belgium to join the Dragons, the Belgian champion in men’s hockey. He can take this program thanks to the collaboration between AMS and the Dragons. The 24-year old has played over 90 games for his country. He is transferred from Pembroke and is a midfielder.


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New Mercury Living Presence Reissue Set – The latest CD reissue set from the audiophile-famed Mercury masters is being released today. Following on the earlier release of 50 Mercury CDs, six selected audiophile vinyl repressings and about 15 mostly three-channel Mercury SACD reissues—which have all sold out—Decca Classics now presents a 55-CD Volume II boxed set of more Mercury Living Presence titles, including some never before issued on CD. They include Antal Dorati’s 1953 recording of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and John Corigliano’s Piano Concerto. The Corigliano comes with a 17-minute interview with the composer. Some of the other conductors represented are Paul Paray, Howard Hanson, Frederick Fennel and Rafael Kubelik, as well as soloists Rafael Puyana, Janos Starker and Hilde Somer. The three- channel masters are mixed down to stereo for these CD reissues.
Digital Downloads of Music Now Surpass Sales of Physical Discs – But CDs and SACDs are not going to disappear either. There will probably be a new format to hold UHD (4K) videos, since the 50GB of Blu-rays is not nearly enough. Vinyl has made an amazing comeback, but for many younger people, their first experience of recorded music is likely to come out of a computer or mobile device rather than via hi-fi components. Harvard Medical School scientists have stored the entire contents of a book on DNA and reproduced it nearly error free. So every piece of music ever composed might be eventually inserted into your body. Well, that’s a ways off, and in the meantime lets hope that people wake up to the limitations of computers and sound cards for digital music and move on to quality DACs, music servers, etc. However, there’s no longer just one way to play all those files—the confusion of formats and codecs is chaotic. At least many people are discovering how bad those MP3 files can sound on decent equipment and are switching to higher-res downloads, which are becoming increasingly popular. Now there’s a need to simplify hi-res surround sound downloading. Apple fans have it a bit easier, but here’s hoping there will be a more universal solution to all this, for both audio and video.
Box Claimed to Turn Any TV Into a Smart TV – The Sungale Generation 2 Cloud TV Box (STB370, $170) is now available and said to be not a typical media streamer, but rather a unit “that can convert a home television into a fully-functioning Smart TV.” It is powered by a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU, with expanded HQ TV channel content, fast Internet surfing, video communication, Facebook & Twitter, email access, over 15,000 Internet radio stations, video games, educational apps, and more.
AudioXperts Expands – Luxury-audio firm AudioXperts, which was founded by industry veteran Eli Harary last year, has added the position of manager of international sales support to their growing staff. The company was launched to meet the underserved luxury-audio market with tabletop audio products, tabletop TV-audio platforms and swivel bases, and lifestyle-oriented component speakers.
Sprint Purchase of Clearwire Wireless Hits a Snag – Clearwire’s largest minority shareholder is opposing the purchase by Sprint Nextel. Sprint wants the wireless carrier to gain control over its spectrum and build on its 4G LTE network. Dish Network has also put in a bid for Clearwire.


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According to GuestMetrics, based on its proprietary database of POS transactions of more than $8 billion dollars in transactions and more than 250 million checks from restaurants and bars across the United States, chicken wings achieved the largest share gain in the food category in 2012.
“In analyzing the 64 percent of sales in table service restaurants and bars that comes from food, the largest share gain in the category was achieved by chicken wings,” says Bill Pecoriello, CEO of GuestMetrics LLC. “While food sales grew almost 1 percent in 2012 compared to the prior year, chicken wing sales grew nearly 11 percent,” continues Pecoriello.
According to GuestMetrics, chicken wings sales in 2012 grew 10.7 percent, the net result of the number of chicken wing orders growing 7.3 percent and chicken wing prices increasing 3.4 percent. As commodity inflation picked up late in the year, the price consumers paid for chicken wings surged 13 percent in recent weeks as restaurant operators passed the higher costs onto consumers. The higher prices did result in a slower order rate which needs to be monitored in the weeks ahead, including during the all-important Super Bowl event.
“In further analyzing the chicken wing category, we see the growth was largely due to strength seen among boneless chicken wings, which accounted for about 14 percent of chicken wing sales in 2012,” says Peter Reidhead, VP of Strategy and Insights at GuestMetrics. “Given the average price of boneless chicken wings is $7.99 versus $6.87 for regular chicken wings, this shift in consumer preferences should prove to be a further positive for restaurants selling chicken wings.”
“In our minds, this underscores the importance of restaurant operators having an up-to-date understanding of the fastest growing food items and to adjust their menus accordingly. Additionally, given the strong growth seen in chicken wings in 2012, this could potentially provide a lift to sales for the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday, which is obviously an important event for many restaurants and bars, particularly given the relatively weak note that 2012 ended on for much of the restaurant sector,” says Brian Barrett, president of GuestMetrics. The one watch out will be if the recent double digit surge in prices mutes what is a strong underlying trend in consumer demand.


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The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar on November 20©TUSEN
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Saturday that World Cup fans could survive without beer for three hours a day after sales were banned around stadiums. “I personally think if you can’t drink beer for three hours a day, you can survive,” he said at his opening press conference in Doha. “The same is true in France, Spain, Scotland.” World Cup leaders on Friday banned the sale of beer around stadiums in Qatar in a stunning reversal, just 48 hours before Sunday’s kick-off.
Alcohol is largely banned in the Muslim nation, but organizers angered fans with their dramatic late decision.
Football’s governing body, FIFA, said after discussions with the hosts that beer would not be sold to fans around any of the eight World Cup stadiums.
It said beer sales would focus on fan zones and licensed venues, “removing beer outlets from the perimeters of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar”.
It gave no reason for the surprise decision, but media reports said there had been an intervention by Qatar’s ruling family.
Dozens of Budweiser beer tents had already been set up on the grounds prior to the first game.
(You can, follow The US Express News staff and is being published Platforms.)
Featured video of the day
BCCI scraps selection committee headed by Chetan Sharma, invites new applications
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Event Set for October 24, 2015 and volunteers are needed!
Residents are invited to recycle their tires, electronics, batteries, boxes, bags & books at our upcoming special material recycling collection. This year's collection will include Freon containing appliances for the first time. This multi-material recycling collection will take place on Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine). The event will be held at the Peoples Natural Gas Field, Home of the Altoon Curve. Residents will enter the VIP parking lot near the ticket booth and exit at the bottom towards Frankstown Road. All materials collected at the event will be recycled!
In an effort to make recycling easier for everyone, the IRC has worked with My-Waste to develop a smartphone app for our area. Exciting features for residents include: the ability to report a missed collection, sign-up for alerts, set a personal recycling calendar, and search for nearby drop-offs. You may use this feature on your desktop or download the mobile app to your smartphone device.


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HMD Global is all set to unveil the all new Nokia smartphones & is teasing about the same on leading social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Nokia phones launch event is scheduled for tomorrow (September 22nd) at 16:00 BST (Indian time 8:30 PM). Latest teaser posted by Nokia Mobile shows three Nokia smartphones which includes Nokia 8.3 5G, probable Nokia 2.4 & Nokia 3.4:
Nokia 8.3 5G is a already announced affordable flagship smartphone so, why Nokia Mobile is teasing this device in the above tweet? It’s probably because #OnlyGadgetYouNeed tag suggests that there will be very special guest present at the launch event (someone from the upcoming 25th James Bond film No Time To Die) & HMD could be planning to re-introduce Nokia 8.3 5G with them:
We were expecting Nokia 6.3 & Nokia 7.3 mid-range smartphones at same event but it looks like they aren’t yet ready for the announcement.
Less than 24 hours are remaining for the launch event. We’ll be covering this whole event for all of you & will give you a link to watch the live stream (once it becomes available), Stay tuned for all updates 🙂


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A new card system may be rolling out across the UK but it is not set to be introduced in the UK until 2021, at the earliest.
A survey of the public’s views on credit card technology found that nearly a third (32%) said they would be unable to use cards in the near future.
This was a rise on the 22% who said they could not use credit in the same timeframe last year.
The survey also found that just under half (48%) of respondents said that they had used credit cards in at least one of the last six months, compared with 41% who had done so in the previous 12 months.
It is not the first time that people have said they will be unable use credit at the start of 2021.
In June this year, it emerged that the new card readers will be deployed in the next year, with the BBC News website reporting that they will enable the UK to “pay your bills online” by the end of 2021, ahead of the UK’s general election.


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Penalty rates fight: Productivity Commission to report
THE Productivity Commission is expected to call for an overhaul of penalty rates in a final report into workplace relations due today.
The report is expected to recommend bringing Sunday penalty rates in some industries in line with time-and-a-half paid on Saturdays, reducing the overall pay.
This would include those in the entertainment, hospitality and retail industry, but not other workers, including emergency workers such as paramedics.
Unions and the Federal Opposition are gearing up for a fight, saying those who are forced to work on Sundays should not have their conditions cut.
But business groups have said the move would help take the pressure off the retail and fast food sectors.


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|By Business Wire||
|June 3, 2014 09:18 AM EDT||
Power management company Eaton will showcase its intuitive, intelligent controls solutions from its Cooper Lighting business at the 2014 LIGHTFAIR International conference on June 1 through 5, 2014, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Visitors at Eaton’s booth (#3824) can learn how its Cooper Lighting business is integrating controls systems throughout its portfolio and view high-performing lighting solutions that help deliver new levels of performance, quality and return on investment, including its award-winning WaveStream™ light-emitting diode (LED) technology, as well as the industry’s first Wi-Fi-based lighting control system.
“One of the biggest transitions in the market today is the rapid change from traditional technologies to more energy-efficient LED solutions, as lighting alone accounts for approximately 18 percent of the total energy used in the U.S.,” said Mark Eubanks, president, Eaton’s Cooper Lighting Division. “Our customers, who require reliable lighting performance for their operations, are using our LED and controls products to become more energy efficient, more readily comply with strict and ever-changing energy codes and stem the tide of rising energy costs, as well as to improve the overall ambiance of their environment.”
Highlighting its 100 years of innovation in power management, lighting and control capability, the company’s exhibition booth at LIGHTFAIR International will include a number of products with its patented WaveStream LED technology, serving key commercial, residential, industrial, retail and parking garage/canopy applications. The company will also showcase a new breakthrough Metalux high bay industrial luminaire that sets industry-leading efficiency levels, delivering more than 200 lumens per watt and up to 70,000 delivered lumens. In addition, the company will show Radio Frequency (RF) based lighting controls using the 802.11 Wi-Fi standard, including an industry first battery-operated Wi-Fi occupancy sensor with a 10-year battery life.
The LED products on display at LIGHTFAIR will demonstrate the latest innovations in luminaire design that are specific to customer needs, including individual addressability of fixtures within commercial buildings, energy savings and improved patient experience for healthcare providers and wireless indoor and outdoor controls. With these solutions, Eaton’s customers can further customize controls to maximize energy savings for end users.
To learn more about Eaton’s Cooper Lighting business, please stop by booth #3824 at LIGHTFAIR International or visit www.cooperlighting.com.
Eaton’s Cooper Lighting Division delivers a range of innovative and reliable indoor and outdoor lighting solutions, as well as controls products specifically designed to maximize performance, energy efficiency and cost savings. The Lighting business serves customers in the commercial, industrial, retail, institutional, residential, utility and other markets.
Eaton’s Electrical Sector is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.
Eaton is a power management company with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 101,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
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Australia’s Leading 24/7 Gym to Launch in Asia
One of Australia’s most successful gym chains, Jetts, has well and truly launched in Asia with the opening of four new clubs in Bangkok, creating an unrivalled chain of fitness clubs throughout Thailand.
Jetts successfully pioneered the 24/7, no lock-in contract, customer-centric model in Australia a decade ago, sparking a national fitness revolution. The launch into Thailand will provide members with the same opportunity to work out on their terms as well as well as free reciprocal access to each of Jetts’ 270 clubs across Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands and The United Kingdom.
The move is backed by the ownership of Fitness and Lifestyle Group, Australia’s largest gym and fitness company, which has more than 10 customer facing brands that total over 460 clubs, 750,000 members and 6000 team members.
CEO of FLG, Greg Oliver, said he was confident the ‘workout on your terms’ mantra Jetts is renowned for will help spark a fitness revolution in Thailand, with a further eight clubs to be opened later this year to make a total of 15 clubs by the end of 2018, with 35 clubs in the pipeline across Thailand’s provinces.
“As with the global health and fitness sector, Thailand is experiencing a surge and Jetts will tick all the boxes for health conscious consumers that demand a gym that is simple, affordable and fits into their busy lifestyles,” Mr Oliver said.
“We’re excited to be making fitness available to the population of Thailand and look forward to becoming the number one new player in the local fitness market.”
Jetts Asia Managing Director, Michael David Lamb, said he was confident the simple convenience and member-centric approach that has made Jetts an international success would be warmly welcomed in Thailand.
“Jetts will ultimately inspire more people to live a healthier life by making it easy and affordable for them to get moving, just as it has in Australia for more than a decade,” he said.
“By making the clubs accessible 24/7 by use of a swipe card, everyone from shift workers to busy parents will be able to workout at a time that fits into their busy schedules.”
In addition to 24/7 access and free reciprocal membership to all Jetts gyms, members also have access to one-on-one small group personal training services through in-house trainers, group training programs, including the internationally renowned Les Mills classes and high quality equipment comprising cardio, free weights, pin loaded equipment, functional training zones and suspension training.


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Freeform Injection Molding company AddiFab has announced a $6.3 million investment round and an expansive new headquarters.
Freeform Injection Molding
We’ve been following the AddiFab story since the company emerged from stealth two years ago with a promising tech take. Freeform Injection Molding (FIM) brings together some of the most appealing benefits of 3D printing (e.g., complex geometries, customization) and injection molding (i.e., mass production). Scalable, complex parts created with a truly broad material selection has proven itself: this is something industry wants.
The FIM process is relatively straightforward:
- A 3D model of a desired object is created
- A negative of the 3D model is created — a mold
- The mold is 3D printed using the special AddiFab resin
- The print is then placed in an injection molding machine and hot thermoplastic is pressed into the cavities of the print
- The print/injection combo is placed in a special undescribed solution, where the print dissolves, leaving the completed injection molded part
Previously, AddiFab had raised a significant (but not quantified) investment from Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC)’s US venture capital arm, Diamond Edge Ventures (DEV). That investment further strengthened the working relationship between AddiFab and Mitsubishi. Last year, AddiFab also announced a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (MCAM) that brings FIM services to the market.
MCAM is among the entities excited about the future of FIM — and that future is even more exciting now as today the company announces a major investment in an oversubscribed (“by a factor of 2”) round. The $6.3 million (4.5 million GBP) round was led by West Hill Capital — and completed in just 48 hours.
The investment is set to fuel a notable strengthening in AddiFab’s offerings. This starts with the global availability of the technology, as FIM-as-a-service will be set to expand. First launched for the US, EU, and Japan, AddiFab now says they are “dedicated to further strengthening the presence and momentum of FIM in these and other markets.”
“AddiFab’s Freeform Injection Molding is already the flagship technology featured in MCAM’s global rapid prototyping service,” said MCAM Chief Innovation Officer Randy White. “This investment allows the best prototyping technology in the industry to get even better with faster processing times and added capability to mold larger parts.”
We’ll also be hearing more about all that FIM can do. AddiFab notes several major industries that have put the unique tech to use over the last year and a half, including:
- Medical Devices
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Consumer Electronics
- Personalized Prostheses
- Critical Utility Infrastructure
Of these application areas, AddiFab notes:
“FIM has demonstrated strong capabilities in on-demand low-volume injection molding. And Freeform Injection Molding is emerging as the gateway to prototyping applications for recycled materials and other materials that are not otherwise 3D-printable”
Finally, the company is moving! More business necessitates more space to do business, and so AddiFab “has relocated to new and significantly larger facilities.” The new HQ is more than twice the size of the previous location. The expansion is for good reason, as the company explains:
“The goal is to rapidly triple the number of systems that can be produced, while at the same time dramatically increasing the number of customer evaluation projects that can be carried out.”
Co-Founder and CEO Lasse Staal expands further on the purpose of the floor space location:
“The new headquarters allow us to take this support to an entirely different level. Whether it be extensive feasibility studies, on-site R&D projects or deliveries of larger FIM system packages, we will be able to accommodate customer ambitions”.
AddiFab is certainly growing up. Even as their capabilities scale down (in terms of actually smaller-scale projects, as a little part work makes a big impact), Freeform Injection Molding is scaling up!


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Baby wipes containing MCI/MIT, which are banned in leave-on cosmetics, including wet wipes
Baby wipes lacking the required product notifications that were purchased from retailers in Pasay City
A sales attendant arranges baby wipe products at a retail store in Pasay City
A waste and pollution watch group has again alerted both government regulators and consumers against the proliferation of pre-moistened baby wet wipes that may cause allergic reactions.
“Consumers should steer clear of wet wipes and other leave-on personal care products containing banned MCI/MIT preservatives that can cause itchy red rash on the sensitive skin of babies and children,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
MCI, which stands for methylchloroisothiazolinone, and MIT, which means methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MIT), are preservatives that are not allowed in leave-on cosmetic products, including wet wipes, under the ASEAN and the European Union cosmetic directives as these compounds can bring about allergic contact dermatitis.
“Consumers should carefully read the product labels, avoid wipes containing MCI/MIT and shun those that have not been assessed by health authorities for their quality and safety,” Dizon pointed out.
“We also advise consumers not to flush used wet wipes or throw them on streets or canals as these may block the drainage and sewer systems, clog anti-flood pumping stations, ruin wastewater pumps, and aggravate the plastic pollution of water bodies and the oceans” Dizon added.
In a report submitted today to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the EcoWaste Coalition informed the agency about the illegal sale of unregistered wet wipes in retail establishments in Pasay City.
In test buys conducted last July 14, the group managed to purchase 12 brands of wet wipes marketed for use in cleansing babies’ sensitive skin that have not undergone quality and safety verification by the FDA.
None of these 12 baby wipes, costing P15 to P83.75 per pack, had the required product notifications.
More alarmingly, five of the 12 products listed banned preservatives MCI/MIT as ingredients.
These five products are Aierdan Baby Tender Baby Wipes, Baby Tender Baby Wipes, Dang Yang DY 999 Baby Wipes, Dong Bang Baby Tender Baby Wipes, and Toallitas de Bebe Baby Wipes.
Cosmetic regulators have disallowed MCI/MIT in leave-on cosmetics as “no safe concentrations” of these preservatives have been determined that will not induce allergy.
For children’s health and safety, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the FDA to issue an advisory focusing on baby wet wipes that will warn the public against the purchase and use of unnotified baby wipes.
“The advisory should particularly warn consumers against products containing MCI/MIT that can provoke allergic contact dermatitis to sensitized persons,” the group said.
The group further urged the FDA to conduct law enforcement action to rid both the formal and informal market of unnotified baby wipes with special emphasis on products containing banned MCI/MIT.


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Palo Alto (CA) – Hewlett-Packard (HP) today delivered a strong fiscal Q1 2007 result. Driven by a surge in notebook sales, the company reported an increase of 11% in sales, which came in at $25.1 billion – about 5% below of IBM’s $26.3 billion.
Hewlett-Packard continues to delight the financial community with double-digit growth in revenues and earnings. Compared to fiscal Q1 2006, net profit made a 31% jump from $1.4 to $1.8 billion. For several quarters, HP has been closing the revenue gap to IBM and may be able, if growth percentages at HP and IBM remain stable throughout the year, to compete with IBM over the title of the world’s largest IT company.
IBM recently reported Q4 revenues of $26.3 billion on 7% annual growth. Total revenue for the year topped $91.4 billion. HP today said that it estimates its 2007 revenue to land between $98 and $99 billion – or about the same range that is estimated for IBM. However, while HP may be able to match revenues, IBM has a clear lead in profitability. Compared to HP’s profits of $1.8 billion, IBM was able to rake in more than $3.5 billion in its most recent quarter.
HP’s fiscal Q1 was driven by a solid performance of the personal systems group, which accounts for 34% of the firm’s revenues. HP said that notebook sales were up 40% year over year; units were up 57%. Desktop computer revenues declined by 1% on 3% higher units.
HP’s printer group achieved 28% of HP’s total revenue and reported an 18% increase in shipments. HP services accounted for 16% of HP’s sales and the company’s server group for 18%.
HP stock lost about $0.43 or about 1% in after hour trading on Tuesday.


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Preparations are underway for this year's San Francisco Association of REALTORS® EXPO on Thursday, October 3 at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway. Last year more than 900 SFAR members attended the event and heard from industry-leading speakers, mingled at networking sessions, and interacted with more than 30 sponsors showcasing real estate-specific products and services.
Sponsors are a very important part of the EXPO.
Here is a link to the 2019 SFAR EXPO Sponsorship & Exhibitor brochure. It details the sponsorship levels and benefits companies can secure. As you know, EXPO is an incredible way for real estate-focused businesses to get exposure to hundreds of REALTORS® from across San Francisco.
Please forward this brochure to contacts at companies you think might like to be 2019 EXPO sponsors. Note: the deadline to secure sponsorships is Friday, September 6.
Let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help potential sponsors select the right level for their business needs.
Looking forward to another successful EXPO on October 3!


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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KBRC) – A newer Downtown Abilene event space, Nora Hall, is closing its doors after opening in 2021.
In a Facebook post, Nora Hall announced the closure Tuesday, “Unfortunately, Nora Hall is no longer open as an event center.”
The event space did not cite a reason for closure.
In July, KTAB/KRBC met up with the owners of Nora Hall in July of 2022 for a look into how they were revamping the old Paxton Building.
Located at the corner of North 2nd and Cypress streets, the Paxton Building was built in 1923 by Citizens National Bank’s then president, George L. Paxton. Since then, it’s been a hardware store, Mexican food restaurant, home to the Well Church, and most recently, event space, Nora Hall.
In the post, Nora Hall wrote, “There are so many other event centers to enjoy in Abilene, so I am sure you will find a perfect space!“


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September 20, 2000
CHICAGO (AP) - Many over-the-counter calcium supplements that millions take to keep bones strong contain small amounts of lead that could be a health risk if recommended doses are exceeded, new research suggests.
Though manufacturers have reduced the lead content since the debate first surfaced several years ago, the authors say they re-examined the issue because doctors are increasingly recommending calcium supplements to menopausal women and other patients to prevent osteoporosis.
About 5 percent of the U.S. population takes the supplements, including a sizable number of menopausal women, who face an increased risk of osteoporosis as their bodies stop producing estrogen. About 10 million Americans suffer from the bone-thinning disease.
Calcium is often mined from ancient seabeds that also may contain lead, which in high doses can damage the nerves, blood cells and digestive system, causing such problems as irritability, fatigue, vomiting, convulsions and permanent brain damage.
However, the authors say their findings suggest supplements are generally safe and beneficial unless taken in larger-than-recommended doses for many years.
The authors tested 23 products in March; their results appear in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.
The authors found no detectable level of lead in 15 of the supplements. The remainder had from 1.74 micrograms to 3.43 micrograms per 1,500 milligrams of calcium. The dose generally recommended to help prevent osteoporosis is about 1,200 milligrams to 1,500 milligrams daily.
Experts have suggested that the body's total daily exposure to lead should not exceed 6 micrograms, said Dr. Edward Ross, a University of Florida nephrologist who conducted the study with toxicology experts at the school's Gainesville campus.
An editorial in the same issue, by a medical consultant for many calcium suppliers, says the industry has made great strides in getting lead out of supplements and criticizes the authors for sounding an unnecessary alarm.
"A backlash against calcium supplements - evoked by a lead scare - would unquestionably do far more harm ... than would continued ingestion of current supplements," Dr. Robert Heaney of Creighton University said in the editorial.
Heaney also is a spokesman for the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an advocacy group that seeks to reduce the prevalence of osteoporosis. The foundation promotes the use of calcium supplements when food intake of the mineral is inadequate.
Though the issue prompted a widely publicized 1997 California lawsuit that forced one manufacturer to reduce the lead in its products, many consumers remain unaware of the potential exposure.
"I'm just taking this because I'm old and I was told to for my bones and osteoporosis," said Eilene Boothby, 53, of Nevada City, Calif. "Now I have to go home and look on the back of my bottle."
Makers of the dietary supplements are not required to list lead content, and Ross said some advertise their products as being lead-free even when they contain small amounts of lead.
Ross said the findings should prod manufacturers into either further reducing lead content or listing the amount on the label.
A spokeswoman for Leiner Health Products Group, the manufacturer involved in the California case, said she hadn't seen the study and would not comment.
The lead amounts that Ross detected are substantially lower than those that prompted the California case, said Dr. Gina Solomon, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group that filed the California lawsuit.
Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.


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In Hong Kong, COVID-19 had a major influence on the definition of a 'good' customer experience. Consumers, even those who previously used few digital channels, now expect brands to enhance their online capabilities and deliver a consistent, seamless experience across all channels.
As people become more digitallysavvy, they are also more concerned about their personal data, and they want to know that organizations are storing (and using) it ethically. COVID-19 and general economic uncertainty has increased instances of fraud in the market and this is weighing on consumers' minds. For customers in Hong Kong, trust and security is critical as they expect organizations to prioritize their digital security and protection of personal information. As a result, we observe an increased expectation that organizations will continue to enhance their capabilities, while managing increased amounts of customer data to offer seamless experiences, often across a wider ecosystem of businesses. For instance, for sectors such as banking, digitalization is now the norm as they continue to invest in their digital capability enhancements, gravitating towards seamless and hyperpersonalized experiences leveraging customer data.
Hong Kong's customers are also looking to brands that give them that sense of community and trust. This is also well represented by financial services performance in this year's study as ultimately, customers value organizations that can provide transparency as well as operating in good faith when engaging with customers across the entire customer lifecycle. Banking has also been front and center of the customer's mind as they are looking for financial security and protection in the light of COVID-19. Similarly, insurance has increased in importance as customers search for health and wealth protection for themselves and their families. Across the board, financial services companies have accelerated digital investment, for example, providing digital and video enabled onboarding and servicing. There is a recognition that ways of working and interacting are unlikely to ever be the same again.
COVID-19 has also left its mark on other sectors in Hong Kong, as customers have shied away from 'luxury' products and have instead focused their spending on essential products such as groceries. This shift in buying behavior is also reflected in the customer experience results, with the grocery retail sector leading the rankings in 2020, replacing logistics which topped the rankings in 2019. For instance, some grocery shops received much customer praise at the height of COVID-19 by introducing a per-customer quota system for facemasks, helping to reduce panic-buying and long queues.
Other brands started introducing sustainable initiatives such as 'plastic free' trials in select stores, and conservation of power by fitting kitchens with electrical appliances to keep the temperatures low and reduce overall energy usage. In the wider retail sector, sportswear retailer brands performed similarly well in this year's study and scored highly in the pillar of Integrity. Brands such as Nike performed well overall as shoppers appreciate the premium customer experience provided by both the product and in-store and online service.
Similarly, Adidas performed well, especially in the pillar of Integrity where it was a regional top performer — recognizing the effort that the brand has been placing into social and sustainability initiatives.
Overall, it is clear that COVID-19 and economic uncertainty has impacted consumer behaviors and preferences during the period. This is reflected in the sectors that are front of mind and also comes through in consumers' desire for value, integrity and a sense of community. And no doubt it is even more important for brands to provide a seamless cross channel experience that is digitally enabled, thus, providing customers with the right choices and accessibility as COVID-19 continues to unfold.
“The world has changed this year in a way we could not imagine. Society and social purpose will significantly influence consumers, and this — alongside the need to go and be digital — will play a critical role in the brands customers choose to buy from." ”
Strategy and Performance Partner
KPMG in Hong Kong (SAR), China
Leading CX brands in Hong Kong (SAR), China
Hang Seng Insurance
Note: Brands are listed in alphabetical order.


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Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2022
Today, Amazon’s free streaming service announced a rebrand to Amazon Freevee, the new name for IMDb TV, beginning April 27. Over the last two years, the ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) service experienced rapid growth—tripling monthly active users—driven by rapid distribution across living ro
Source Elements' Rebekah Wilson and Robert Marshall Featured Speakers at AES 2021 European Spring Show - Global Resonance - Streamcast May 23-25
Wednesday, May. 26, 2021
Source Elements’ Co-Founders Rebekah Wilson and Robert Marshall will participate in a series of inspiring and information-packed sessions AES 2021 Europe.
Writer/Director Lee Farber of Wondros Collective Drives “Expedition: Back To The Future” Series For Discovery
Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021
Emmy® Award-winning Writer & Director Lee Farber of Wondros Collective wrote & directed the new series “Expedition: Back To The Future” for the Discovery Channel, which had its debut Monday, March 15th on discovery+.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021
The Discovery Networks product creative team had an enormous challenge in front of them. In just a few short months, they had to develop the entire user experience design for the discovery+ streaming platform, as well as over 1,000 show titles.
Thursday, Jul. 23, 2020
iSpot.tv, the always-on TV ad measurement and attribution company, today announced the release of its latest report — Streaming Service Ads Explode in First Half of 2020.
Saturday, Mar. 7, 2020
Directors Guild of America President Thomas Schlamme announced that the DGA National Board, in a special meeting, voted unanimously to approve and recommend for ratification a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019
Looking to launch its innovative new streaming app, Sinclair Broadcast Group called on Miami-based 2C Creative to STIRR things up… literally.
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018
Netflix, the world's leading entertainment service, announced the Korean series Memories of the Alhambra, launching globally starting from December 1st.
Hulu Surges Past 20 Million U.S. Subscribers and Announces Plans to Offer Advertising in Live TV This Quarter
Wednesday, May. 2, 2018
Today, during the Hulu 18 Presentation at the newly-named Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, executives took the stage to reveal the company’s rapid growth, announce multiple original programming and exclusive acquisition deals that expand Hulu’s content offering, and unveil new product and m
Monday, Jul. 25, 2016
Netflix and 20th Century Fox Television Distribution today announced their first global SVOD licensing agreement. Netflix will be the exclusive global streaming home for FX’s hit, American Crime Story.


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One of the highlights of Microsoft's shift to Windows as a Service (WaaS) with Windows 10 is that it now ships more frequent feature updates. Unfortunately, these updates often come with some fairly long install times, which can be disruptive if you need to get back to work. Fortunately, Microsoft appears to be pushing to find ways to reduce the time required to install updates in the future.
Responding to a query on Twitter, Windows Insider chief Dona Sarkar said that she is pushing the dev team on ways to reduce the upgrade timeframe. From Sarkar:
The update process is an area Microsoft has already been working to make more convenient for some time. In 2016, Microsoft debuted the Unified Update Platform as a way to reduce download sizes with targeted updates. That move ended up reducing download sizes by around 35 percent. Last week, Microsoft revealed that it is working on further improvements with a new system that will allow you to resume Windows update downloads from where you left off if your connection is severed.
In terms of the push to speed up the upgrade timeframe, Sarkar doesn't provide any specifics. However, any reduction would likely be welcomed by Windows 10 users across the board.
Microsoft Flight Simulator VR finally has a release date (and a surprise)
Microsoft Flight Simulator's long-awaited VR mode is finally being released in the very near future and it comes with one huge surprise, too!
Check out they new HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 gaming headset
This new headset from HyperX complements its Cloud Revolver lineup. It's a high-end option with virtual 7.1 surround sound and robust audio.
Review: Twin Mirror, the first self-published game from Dontnod, is a miss
Twin Mirror follows the standard Dontnod formula with some twists, but it ultimately fails because of its lackluster and selfish lead character.
These are the best PC sticks for when you're on the move
Instant computer, just add a screen! That’s the general idea of the ultra-portable PC Compute Sticks, but it can be hard to know which one you want. Relax, we’ve got you covered.


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In an industry packed with early-adopters and technophiles, I’m surprised that integrators have not been flocking to the wellness tech category in greater droves. According to a recent McKinsey Survey, the global wellness market represents more than $1.5 trillion dollars.
Also mentioned is the fact that consumers expect to increase their purchases of both wellness products and services over the next year, and McKinsey expects a greater shift toward services. This leaves a huge opportunity for the home technology market to provide wellness services to consumers.
But, according to CE Pro’s Wellness Deep Dive survey published in July of this year, integrators admit that just 8% of their projects over the past 12 months actually included wellness technologies, whether that be human-centric lighting (HCL), indoor air quality (IAQ), water quality management, natural soundscaping, motorized shades tied to an astronomic clock, smart sleep tech, digital art, immersive fitness solutions and more.
But integrators are optimistic about the potential opportunities, with respondents reporting that they expect the percentage of their wellness-tech installations to nearly double over the next 12 months to 15.5% of all jobs.
How Do Integrators Capitalize on the Growing Wellness Market?
So where do we go from here? There is clear interest, but the starting point is less obvious. And if it is not clear to technology experts where to start, imagine how homeowners feel as they try to figure out which tech products can actually improve their lives.
If we look at The American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey , the demand for home-based fitness and yoga spaces has jumped from 23 to 39%. This may be the easiest entry point for integrators of all: helping a homeowner set up their home gym with fantastic audio and the ability to watch their favorite program while they run on the treadmill. And yet, this is not something I often hear integrators talk about when it comes to projects.
The appetite for solutions is there and it’s high time integrators delivered on that consumer demand. To that end, CEDIA is gathering the best SMEs in wellness to present WellCon, a virtual well-tech conference with content specifically curated for the integrator community, focusing on wellness tech and how integrators can incorporate it into their businesses.
Understanding how this type of project plays into your overall business model is an important consideration. Maybe it’s a seed for growing your roster of clients and projects, or perhaps it’s an opportunity to reach out to your current clients with something new.
CEDIA’s WellCon is free to attend and will be hosted virtually November 16 -17. Registration is open now.
Another version of this article originally appeared on CE Pro.


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LAS VEGAS, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cantor Gaming® announced today that it has released lines for the first 16 weeks of the NFL season, allowing customers to place bets on football teams and games before the season begins. Cantor Gaming is the only Nevada-based sports book that has offered lines on every game, every week, for the first 16 weeks of the NFL season for four consecutive years.
Lee M. Amaitis, President and CEO of Cantor Gaming, said: "We are passionate about enhancing the sports betting experience for our customers and providing them with fresh and alternative approaches to sports wagering." He continued: "Offering an early NFL season betting line is popular among sports wagering fans, especially those who visit Las Vegas from out-of-state and can conveniently place bets on the upcoming football season while they are visiting."
Cantor Gaming's early NFL season lines are available at all of Cantor Gaming's race and sports books across Las Vegas, located at: the M Resort Spa Casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the Tropicana Las Vegas, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sands' The Palazzo Lagasse's Stadium and The Venetian Las Vegas, and Palms Casino Resort. The lines are first available on May 9 and will remain open until the first game of the season.
About Cantor Gaming
At Cantor Gaming, we have built upon Cantor Fitzgerald's legacy of integrity and excellence and its unmatched financial technology to create an innovative and unique gaming system that we believe is revolutionizing the gaming experience in Las Vegas. Cantor Gaming is the first company licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission to manufacture, distribute and operate a mobile gaming system in the state. We operate race and sports books across seven Las Vegas resorts, providing our patrons with an array of over the counter and account-based race and sports wagering at betting carrels and on mobile phones and tablets, as well as casino-style mobile gaming. Cantor Gaming offers casinos the convenience of complete mobile gaming and race and sports book solutions, including proprietary wireless gaming and sports book system, full back-office infrastructure and a portfolio of casino games and wagering products. We are passionate about applying technology to transform gaming and we are continuously using innovations in the operation of our race and sports books, and enhancing our products and technology, to offer customers a unique and memorable gaming experience.
Cantor Gaming is an affiliate of the global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which has over 65 years experience and unparalleled expertise of highly secure, real-time financial transaction processing, management, and execution. Known globally for superior financial technology and real-time and secure execution of financial transactions, Cantor's clients include the world's leading banks and trading firms. Cantor's technology drives over $500 billion in transactions for the world's capital markets every day.
SOURCE Cantor Gaming


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Mobile gaming is a big industry on its own – there’s no denying the fact. Sony has been a major player in the console gaming market, and a job listing posted by the new Head of Mobile at PlayStation Studios in April hinted at their incline toward mobile gaming in the future. Now, the fact has been further confirmed by the latest developments in Sony’s Corporate Strategy meeting. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO, Jim Ryan has confirmed that Sony is going to bring official PlayStation franchises to the mobile platform.
Sony has a large catalog of successful game titles waiting to spill to the mobile platform. According to Jim, they have been closely monitoring the ways in which gamers enjoy their content.
They have had success in their early experimentation phase with mobile games and apps. Now Sony aims to go mainstream with millions of gamers waiting eagerly to experience it on their mobile devices.
Already the Japanese multinational giant has first-party IP, ready to make the transition to smartphones. They are developing mobile versions of the AAA games on the PlayStation and we could soon see some of them released in the near future.
This strategy is akin to Nintendo’s strategy to bring its most popular games to the Android and iOS ecosystem. Gamers will be excited by this development – as they always longed for an official version of titles.
Till now, some of the famous PS titles have made it to the phones via emulators or APKs, so the demand is actually high. This development brings another reason for mobile gamers to rejoice – just as mobile gaming is another way to go through the dubious pandemic hit times.


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Card issuers battle OFT ruling
FIFTEEN credit card providers have failed to slash their default charges despite the Office of Fair Trading ordering them to be reduced.
The majority of lenders have fallen into line with the OFT's ruling by cutting charges for late payments or exceeded credit balances from around £25 to £12.
According to financial data service Moneyfacts, 45 of the 60 card providers listed on its service have cut their fees in line with the OFT guidance.
However, some providers, including Egg and Capital One, have failed to reduce their charges and have given no indication of whether they will follow competitors.
The OFT has given the companies until September 1 to justify why they haven't cut their charges. If they can't give an answer, the OFT could launch action against them.
Moneyfacts personal finance analyst Andy Britchford said: 'The 15 providers, including major players such as Citi and Capital One Bank, have simply not announced their decision yet and are still perfectly within their rights.
'Morgan Stanley has suggested to the OFT that it requires more time to implement these charges to all its credit card arms, while Coutts & Co does not apply any default fees at the moment.'
Other issuers that haven't cut fees include the Bank of Ireland in mainland Britain and Northern Ireland, Clydesdale, John Lewis, Yorkshire Bank, Saga, Liverpool Victoria and Northern Bank.
Goldfish and Leeds Building Society has joined Morgan Stanley in asking the OFT for more time to comply with the changes.
The OFT told card issuers that their default charges were too high in April following a lengthy investigation into the market. It is estimated that card issuers rake in around £300m a year from the charges.
However, Moneyfacts believes lenders should do more to prevent customers from incurring charges in the first instance. Britchford said: 'Lenders should be more proactive, providing early support, advice and information.
'A longer term, more responsible approach to lending, with particular focus at the initial application stage, could perhaps reduce some of the massive bad debts many face. Surely it is better to prevent these charges and unmanageable levels of indebtedness rather than just reduce the consequential fees.'
Lenders have also been criticised for hitting customers with higher interest rates to cover the drop in income. Barclaycard, for example, has increased its APRs by between 2% and 5% for a proportion of its customer base, while First Direct has introduced a £5 fee for unpaid direct debits and cheques.
• If you want to name and shame your credit card company, have your say in Reader Comments below (we only need your email for verification - we won't use it!) or start a discussion in our special bank charges message board
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Travelport has signed a new partnership with the Global Travel & Tourism Partnership (GTTP), an educational programme designed to introduce students to careers in the travel and tourism industry.
The partnership sees Gordon Wilson, Traveport’s President & CEO, and Dirk Vande Beek, the company’s Senior Vice President of Corporate & Government Affairs, join the GTTP advisory board.
“Travelport is delighted to partner with GTTP to introduce students to career opportunities within the travel and tourism industry,” said Wilson. “We recognise that in order to support the continued growth of the travel sector and its critical role in the global economy, it is vital to expose students, their parents and their teachers to the industry. Through this partnership, we can encourage students to look at the industry as a source of worthwhile and rewarding careers.”
To date, more than 1.5 million students in 12 countries have joined the GTTP programme.


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ebay's PayPal agrees to acquire mobile-wallet startup Paydiant
[SAN FRANCISCO] EBay's PayPal, the digital-payments unit being spun off from the Internet marketplace later this year, agreed to acquire startup Paydiant to broaden its mobile offerings for merchants.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Paydiant, founded in 2010 and based near Boston, helps retailers such as Subway and Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. develop mobile-payment options and customer-loyalty programs in their own applications. The transaction is expected to close this month or next, PayPal said Monday in a statement.
The acquisition will let PayPal's customers develop their own branded mobile wallets to increase the use of payments through wireless devices like smartphones, the San Jose, California-based company said. PayPal has been under pressure as rivals such as Apple and Google push into the market with their own mobile-payment apps.
PayPal is paying about US$280 million for Paydiant, Re/code reported earlier Monday. Investors in Paydiant include venture capital firms North Bridge Venture Partners, General Catalyst Partners and Stage 1 Ventures.


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Nissan has revealed the production version of its Ariya electric vehicle (EV), a 5-door SUV with an intended range of 300 miles. Nissan claims the Ariya will go on sale in Japan next year, with U.S. and Canadian sales beginning before the end of 2021 at a $40,000 starting price. The Ariya Concept made its debut at the 2019 Tokyo Auto show, and the production version is similar in size, configuration and range to the upcoming Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID4.
According to Nissan’s COO Ashwani Gupta, the Ariya is key in Nissan’s plan to roll out 10 new models in 20 months, and demonstrates the company’s commitment to meeting customer demand for SUVs. “The company expects sales of its EVs and e-POWER electrified models to be more than 1 million units a year by the end of fiscal 2023,” Gupta said. “The Ariya will play a significant role in attaining that goal.”
The 2-row, 5-passenger SUV will be available in single-motor FWD (215 hp/160 kW; 221 lb-ft/300 Nm), or dual-motor AWD (389 hp/290 kW; 443 lb-ft/600 Nm) versions, and employs the Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi alliance’s new CMF-EV platform. Two battery packs will be offered: 63 or 87 kWh. The Ariya will provide Level-2 charging up to 7.2 kW but will shun CHAdeMO in favor of the new CCS DC fast-charging standard, at voltages up to 130 kW.
Nissan claims the Ariya will feature the most advanced application yet of its driver-assist technology. It includes the next generation of its ProPILOT Assist 2.0, which uses driver attention monitoring to enable hands-off highway driving. The Ariya will also feature e-Pedal, which permits “one-pedal” driving by enabling the driver to start, accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator.
The Ariya SUV will take advantage of its battery-pack platform to provide a flat load floor, and Nissan claims interior space was improved by using its thin-profile Zero Gravity seats and new compact climate-control components. Nissan noted that the Ariya’s HMI will permit owners to use natural speech to adjust car settings, and that upgrades to the system and vehicle functionality will be enabled by over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.Continue reading »


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Yahoo! will begin requiring a Yahoo! login to access its products soon. Starting with NCAA college basketball service ‘Yahoo! Sports Tourney Pick’Em‘, users will no longer be able to use Facebook or Google IDs to sign in. Eventually, the Facebook and Google sign-in buttons will disappear from all Yahoo! sites.
According to Reuters, Yahoo! says this change “will allow us to offer the best personalized experience to everyone.” However, it is a reversal of their recent strategy of adding Facebook and Google logins to its services. From Yahoo! Mail to Finance and Flickr, you’ll soon need a Yahoo! account to access them.
Yahoo! is the fourth biggest site in the US (and the world), with YouTube, Google and Facebook ahead of it. It has a long history of providing several core services, such as Web search, a comprehensive Web directory, and its popular mail product. It’s the only one of the four that currently lets you sign in to its services with an ID from another company. While the process has already started, Yahoo! gave no indication of how fast the change will be implemented.


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Ukraine’s Ministry for Digital Transformation has launched an NFT collection to help fund its military. The project was first announced in early March, but the NFT collection, called “ Meta History Museum of War,” is now live. The collection is meant to be an “NFT museum” documenting the history of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The collection is currently comprised of 54 NFTs documenting the events of the first three days of the war. The illustrations were done by Ukrainian and international artists, and each one references a tweet documenting some aspect of the invasion and the world’s response to it.
“The formula of each NFT is clear and simple: each token is a real news piece from an official source and an illustration from artists, both Ukrainian and international,” Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation writes on its Meta History Museum of War website. “The NFT’s will be created in chronological order, according to the events so the true history will be saved and cherished.”
The NFT Project is the latest way Ukraine has turned to digital assets to fund its defence. The country has collected more than $100 million in cryptocurrency donations since the start of the war, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently signed a bill officially legalizing the crypto industry.
Solar Orbiter’s latest images shows the full Sun in unprecedented detail. They were taken on 7 March, when the spacecraft was crossing directly between the Earth and Sun. One of the images, taken by the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) is the highest resolution image of the Sun’s full disc and outer atmosphere, the corona, ever taken.
Another image, taken by the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) instrument represents the first full Sun image of its kind in 50 years, and by far the best one, taken at the Lyman-beta wavelength of ultraviolet light that is emitted by hydrogen gas.
In total, the final image contains more than 83 million pixels in a 9148 x 9112 pixel grid. For comparison, this image has a resolution that is ten times better than what a 4K TV screen can display.
The message that Starlink users in the US and Canada found in their email inboxes in the past few hours may have surprised many – negatively. The email announced a price increase for satellite internet operated by Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX. Starlink gave the “excessively increased inflation” as the reason. Musk had already complained on Twitter in mid-March about the corresponding price pressure for raw materials and logistics costs. Recently, Tesla prices had risen. So now it’s Starlink’s turn.
According to the e-mail that some users shared on the short message service Twitter, SpaceX will in future charge 110 US dollars a month instead of 99 US dollars for its Internet offer. The Starlink kit with dish, cables and router will soon be $599 – a price increase of $100. Anyone who has already paid a deposit of $499 will have to pay an additional $50. If you want to get out because of the price increase, you get money back for the hardware, but only $200. Unless you cancel within the first 30 days.
But not only in the USA and Canada (increase from 129 to 140 Canadian dollars) it is becoming more expensive for Starlink users. In Germany and Austria, too, one has to reckon with higher costs for satellite Internet. According to Starlink, 629 euros plus 73 euros shipping costs are currently incurred in Germany. In October, Starlink still asked for 500 euros plus 59 euros on shipping. Austrians currently have to pay 634 euros plus 85 euros for shipping. The monthly fees for Germany and Austria are still 99 euros. However, there should also be an increase of ten euros or more here coming soon.
Google is finally bringing the ability to delete the last 15 minutes of your search history to its Android app, the company confirmed to The Verge.
“We’re currently rolling this feature out on the Google app for Android and expect it to be available to everyone using the app in the next few weeks,” Google spokesperson Ned Adriance said in a statement to The Verge. “We’re continuing to explore ways to bring this helpful feature to other surfaces.”
This feature has taken some time to make its way to the Android app. Google first announced the feature at Google I/O in May, and it came to Google’s iOS app in July. At that time, Google said it would arrive on the Android version of the app later in 2021, but for some reason, the company missed that deadline. It’s unclear if Google plans to bring the feature to desktop — in its May announcement post, the company didn’t specify which platforms it would be available on, and in July, Google only said that the feature was coming to the iOS and Android apps.
The feature was first spotted by former XDA Developers editor-in-chief Mishaal Rahman, who said he was tipped about the feature seemingly rolling out, and a Verge editor has spotted the feature on their phone. To check and see if you have it, open Google’s Android app, tap your profile picture, and look for the “Delete last 15 min” option.


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For example, FedEx.com uses the API to query its more than 50,000 retail locations and IRIS creates applications for utilities to track underground pipelines.
FedEx IT manager Pat Doyle explained further in a separate blog post how the API ties in with other Google services, such as Google Street View and driving directions.
By hosting attributes, such as street addresses, opening hours, holiday schedules and local pick-up times on Maps Engine, we can update details for nearly 50,000 retail touchpoints in real-time and share this information to FedEx.com visitors within minutes. This helped us replace a patchwork of region-bound store locators with a single, global site.
Interested developers and existing Google Maps Engine customers can contact the Google sales team now about signing up for access to the API.


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Apple is using an unexpected argument to protest its Colombian ban, claiming its human rights have been violated.
Apple and Ericsson are locked in a legal battle over 5G patents. Apple stopped paying Ericsson’s licensing fees, claiming the company’s patents should fall under friendly, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Ericsson won a major victory in Colombia, with the country banning Apple’s 5G iPhones and iPads, despite the country not having a 5G network.
Apple is now resorting to an unusual argument, saying that the Colombian ruling violates its human rights, according to FOSS Patents. Apple claims the ruling violates its rights under Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
“Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.”
Apple is seeking emergency relief from:
- Its Colombian law firm (OlarteMoure)
- Carlos R. Olarte (a name partner of that firm and Ericsson’s lead counsel in the Colombian case)
- Civil Court No. 43 of the Bogotá Circuit
Apple filed an emergency motion in the Eastern District of Texas in an effort to recoup its losses in Colombia, but Judge Rodney S. Gilstrap had a stark warning (via FOSS Patents) for the iPhone maker.
“Emergency motions are to be filed only in truly extenuating circumstances and should not be used as a means to secure an expedited briefing schedule and hearing before the Court,” Judge Gilstrap writes, and “finds that Apple has misused and misapplied the rules for emergency motion practice in this Court.”
Judge Gilstrap put Apple “on notice that further such conduct will warrant, and likely result in, sanctions against it.”
What’s more, Judge Gilstrap declined to interfere in the Colombian court’s decision.
“Here, Apple invites this Court to inject itself into an ongoing proceeding in Colombia. The Court declines Apple’s invitation,” reads his ruling.
Apple Is Running the Epic Games Playbook
The fact remains that Apple intentionally stopped paying Ericsson’s licensing fees because it felt they were too expensive and then cried foul when it suffered a legal and financial setback as a result. The situation is very similar to the one Epic Games created when it decided to circumvent Apple’s App Store commission and then sued over the financial losses it suffered when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store.
As the judge in that case commented, a company can’t knowingly take action that is contrary to applicable agreements and/or laws and then cry foul and ask for emergency relief when it suffers the results of its own actions.
“In my view you cannot have irreparable harm when you create a harm yourself,” U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said in that case.
Apple, of all companies, should no better after having the very same tactic used against it by Epic. Just as the judge in that case admonished Epic, Apple should have abided by the agreement while taking their case to court. Had they won, they could have been awarded damages.
Instead, because of the way it has handled the case, Apple comes across as looking like a bully that is grasping for straws when it hasn’t been able to get its way.


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Reuters reported that prices of rare earth elements are expected to drop further as new supply hit the market and weak demand in China pushes exports higher.
As quoted in the market news:
The market has steadied in recent months, but new output from U.S. Molycorp (MCP.N) and Australia’s Lynas Corp (LYC.AX) is likely to pressure prices, especially those of “light” rare earths which are not as scarce as their “heavy” cousins.
Weaker economic growth in China is also weighing on the market since the world’s second largest economy not only produces over 90 percent of global rare earths, but is the biggest consumer of the materials.
Get Our Expert Guide to Rare Earth Investing FREE!Download this FREE Special Report, Rare Earth News and Rare Earth Metals Prices: What you Need to Know.


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The Microsoft Surface Duo, the dual-screen smartphone unveiled last October, has brought good news and bad news for eager fans in a recent blog post. The good news is it will ship September 10. The bad news is it’s very expensive.
Microsoft will be charging US$1,399 for the base configuration of its dual-screen Duo with 128GB of storage (add $100 for 256GB). You’re not getting much for your money other than the pleasure of being first.
It has last year’s top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, just 6GB of RAM, a relatively small 3577mAh battery, and a single 11MP camera. It’s also quite heavy at 250 grams, and not all that pocketable at 145.2mm x 93.3mm x 9.9mm (versus 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1mm for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra). It’s more like a tiny touch-screen laptop than a phone, though you can use it to make calls.
But with Android 10 onboard rather than Windows—even a heavily skinned and specified version—the Surface Duo's competition will be the latest luxury Android phones. On that note, the Duo costs more than the just-released $1,299 Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, even though it has less-powerful specs.
The Surface Slim Pen, which seems central to the experience, costs extra and can't be stored on the device. The Duo also doesn’t support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, nor will it have an NFC chip for contactless payments. To start it will be limited to United States customers on AT&T and T-Mobile at launch.
Its design is certainly interesting, though. Rather than a true folding display, the Surface Duo opens to a pair of 1350x1800 AMOLED displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Together, they total 8.1 inches of screen space and work more like a multi-monitor desktop set-up than a single screen. For example, when you tap a link on one side, it’ll open on the other screen. It supports a variety of unique dual-screen features, including drag-and-drop and split-screen multitasking.
Structurally, the Surface Duo lacks an outer screen like the Galaxy Z, so you’ll need to open it up to use it. There’s a 360-degree hinge for folding it back like a Chromebook.
The folding future
While its concept might have seemed novel last year, the Surface Duo joins a growing lineup of folding phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip, and Motorola Razr. Additionally, the LG Velvet has a Dual Screen accessory that turns it into a Surface Duo-like device with a second screen when opened.
However, Microsoft isn’t trying to compete with the folding Android phones of the world. Calling it “the next wave of mobile productivity,” Microsoft is touting the Surface Duo’s ability to switch between Android apps and Microsoft 365, as well as its strong security—the company says it wrote and reviewed “every line of firmware code in house”—as integral to the experience.
In an enterprise-oriented blog post, Microsoft also pointed out the Duo’s ability to integrate with Microsoft Intune for managing multiple devices through the cloud.
But even as an enterprise device, the Surface Duo has a steep mountain to climb. Considering you can get a Surface Pro 7 for under a thousand bucks, the Surface Duo is a pricey boutique device that doesn’t seem to be all that convenient.
Even if you can fit it in your pocket, you’ll need to open it to use it or even see who's calling. Its size and lack of an outer screen will make simple things like taking pictures more difficult than other phones. And it remains to be seen how well the Duo will process photos and videos compared to other Android phones, even single-camera ones like the Google Pixel 4a.
Microsoft has built a device that plays by its own rules, but it's breaking many of the conventions we take for granted along with way. 5G isn't a necessity yet, but it will be in a couple of years. In a post-Covid-19 world, not being able to use your phone to make payments is going to feel antiquated. And the lack of wireless charging in a $1,399 phone is a major bummer.
But one thing is clear: Microsoft is finally back in the phone game with the Surface Duo, and Windows and Android fans alike should take notice. Even if they don’t buy one right away.