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Usually when you think of the Linux Foundation you think open source software. After all, in addition to its namesake Linux, the foundation is the home to some of the most well-known software on the planet. Indeed, the cloud probably wouldn't exist as we know it without the help of the foundation, which hosts everything from Kubernetes (though it's Cloud Native Computing Foundation) to Cloud Foundry to containerd and more.
The Linux Foundation isn't stopping at software however. On Tuesday the foundation announced it has entered into "a joint collaboration agreement" with the RISC-V Foundation "to accelerate open source development and adoption of the RISC-V" instruction set architecture.
The RISC-V foundation is the home of the RISC-V project which maintains and develops the open source reduced instruction set CPU by the same name.
Although there obviously isn't any source code when it comes to hardware, open source hardware attempts to provide the same mindset to hardware development as open source software does to software development. This means that the plans for building RISC-V silicon chips are readily available, and after being built developers are free to market them or to include them in the design of devices they're bringing to market.
Device makers find the chips attractive because they allow them to affordably design, customize, and manufacture chips designed to match their needs instead of having to shoehorn one-size-fits-all products from Intel, AMD, or ARM chip makers. They also sip power, in many cases even when compared with ARM processors, making them idea for use in battery-powered devices or in edge data centers where power is an issue.
How affordable is it to bring a RISC-V chip to market? In April I talked to Naveed Sherwani, CEO of RISC-V-based SiFive, for our sister site, Data Center Knowledge. His company designs RISC-V template chips, and holds customers' hands has they go though the process of customizing them to suit their needs and then through the manufacturing process. He said that with RISC-V the cost of building a prototype is about 10 percent of what it would be using conventional methods.
"If the current system produces a prototype for $1 million, we are going to bring it down to $100,000," he said. "If it is $7.5 million, as in the case of certain technologies, we have already stated publicly that we want to bring it down to to $750,000. When you bring down the cost of the prototyping, it allows many more people to participate and try it out, and then get it to the customers and see if this product is going to be successful or not."
Interest in RISC-V can easily be seen by looking at the list of companies sponsoring the first ever RISC-V Summit which will be held next week in Santa Clara. Industry leaders spending money to support the event include the likes of Microsemi, Qualcomm, Rambus, and Western Digital. Western Digital, the top level "headline sponsor," earlier this year became an investor in SiFive and announced it's shifting its entire product line, currently about a billion chips a year, to RISC-V.
[The RISC-V Summit will feature four days of presentations on RISC-V ISA architecture, commercial and open-source implementations, software and silicon, vectors and security, applications and accelerators, simulation infrastructure and more. Get your ticket now.]
Although the Linux Foundation stops short of giving RISC-V official project status, it's offering the project many of the same benefits that are enjoyed by foundation projects such as CNCF. "In addition to neutral governance and best practices for open source development, the Linux Foundation will also provide an influx of resources for the RISC-V ecosystem, such as training programs, infrastructure tools, as well as community outreach, marketing and legal expertise," the foundation said in the announcement.
To get the ball rolling, the Linux Foundation and RISC-V communities have been collaborating on two "getting started" guides for running Linux and Zepher, a small open source real-time operating system designed for connected and resource constrained devices, on RISC-V-based platforms. The guides will be unveiled at the RISC-V Summit.
Disclosure: ITPro Today is part of KNect365, which has partnered with RISC-V on its event.


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Streaming music service Pandora has recorded more than 150 million users, the company announced yesterday.
The service, which floated on the New York Stock Exchange last year, is increasingly competing against new streaming services such as Spotify.
Pandora announced about 52 million of its users are active, and that last month they streamed over one billion hours of music, up by 87% from the same time last year.
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Chief executive Joe Kennedy said at a conference this week that 70% of music streamed to users was listened to on mobile devices.
Much like other streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora’s services are not yet available in Australia.

domain: news


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India’s First Android One Hindi Smartphone
Google launched the first Android One Hindi Smartphone in India on Wednesday in Lucknow with an aim to offer the phone at affordable prices. The phone was launched in association with Spice Mobiles. Both the companies Google and Spice Mobiles were delighted on launching the first Hindi Smartphone in India targeting the major population of Northern states who speak Hindi.
The smartphone Spice Dream Uno H mainly focuses on Hindi speaking population. It is a Hindi version of Android One which was recently unveiled by Google with a complete Hindi keyboard. The voice inputs can be done in Hindi for renowned products of Google like Chrome, YouTube, Search and Google Maps amongst other popular applications.
Google stated that the phone was specially designed for Hindi speaking population in Northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The smartphone is a dual SIM device. It has 1.3 GHz Quad core processor, 1 GB RAM, 5-megapixel rear camera with LED Flash, 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 1700mAh battery. It runs on Android KitKat OS and will acquire latest Android updates such as Android Lollipop. The phone is prices at Rs.6,499 and can be available online and offline through major retail stores in India.
Image Courtesy: ND TV


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In this video interview, our own Puneet Gupta joins Alan Shimel from TechStrong.tv to discuss the recent announcement of native integrations and expanded support for generative AI services.
Some highlights from the conversation include:
- Puneet’s background and the founding of Amberflo
- Lessons learned at AWS as a GM in the early days of cloud computing
- Massive opportunity around usage-based pricing in SaaS, especially as product-led growth becomes mainstream
- Excitement and hype around generative AI
- Amberflo’s recent announcement of native integrations and support to help businesses monetize customer-facing generative AI services
- What disruption AI will bring about to how businesses are run
- Summary of the Amberflo platform and offering
To watch the full interview from TechStrong.tv, click here.


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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Beer and movies tend to be a stay-at-home sort of occasion. For South Bay beer drinkers and moviegoers, the second annual CineBrew Mart — happening at downtown San Jose’s Camera 12 Cinemas this Saturday, April 25 — blends the best of both words into a hybrid film and beer festival.
From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the second and third floor of Camera 12 will be dedicated to featuring eight breweries and local food vendors. For $25 (advance, $30 at the door), attendees will be given all-day admission to movies, unlimited beer pours, access to artisan food vendors and a souvenir six ounce beer glass.
Local breweries, Almanac Beer Co., Faultline Brewing, Gordon Biersch, Hermitage, Santa Clara Valley Brewing, Tied House, and Uncommon Brewers will be pouring beers from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the event, and food vendors will be offering bites during that time.
“We’ve all been to beer festivals before, we’ve all gone to the movies, and we’ve all tried locally produced foods at farmers markets and such, but having the three together as a package deal is such a fun way to spend a Saturday,” said Carolyn Hopkins-Vasquez, director of marketing at Hermitage, and one of the organizers of the event.
The event is a collaboration between San Jose Made, Camera Cinemas and Hermitage, aimed at featuring the South Bay food and beer scene. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bay Brewers Guild, a non-profit that promotes beer brewed in the Bay Area.
In addition to mainstream movies, festivalgoers will also be treated to indie short movies. The idea was developed by Marie Millares, founder and CEO of SJ Made — a company that organizes retail and event pop-up space to showcase San Jose businesses.
“By programming a block of short films, we’re allowing CineBrew attendees to “browse” and “taste” the local films just as they browse and taste artisan foods and microbrews,” said Alejandro Adams of Camera 12 Cinemas.
“Sure, there are certain theaters where you can get beer and wine, but CineBrew is an outdoor festival dropped onto a film festival,” said Adams. “You can get a beer sample, head into the theater for a couple of short films, then go back to the lobby and get a different beer.”
Foodies will find their sweet appetites met with local flavors such as Sweetdragon Baking Company, Franci Cakes and IDreamOfCookies.com. For those looking for the ultimate pairing, Millares says she’s looking forward to “Back Porch Bakery pretzel buns, a cold Peralta Porter by Santa Clara Valley Brewing, and a pandan waffle from IDreamOfCookies.com.”
Tickets are available online and at the door.


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Connected Logistics Market Sales to Expand at 11.99% CAGR Through 2033
Updated · Feb 22, 2023
WHAT WE HAVE ON THIS PAGE
Connected Logistics Market Overview
Published Via 11Press: The connected logistics market is an exciting new area of technology that has the potential to revolutionize and optimize the way in which goods are transported around the world. With advances in both hardware and software, this sector is set to become an integral part of global supply chains. Connected logistic systems utilize real-time data collected from sensors and other sources within vehicles that can be used to monitor performance, identify problems, better manage resources, while also providing a higher level of safety for personnel involved in the transportation process. The potential applications are wide-reaching; from reducing fuel costs and improving delivery times to streamlining operations by providing up-to-date traffic information. By harnessing these advancements it is possible to reap significant rewards both economically and environmentally.
The worldwide connected logistics market size is expected to be worth around USD 81.67 billion by 2033 from valued at USD 26.32 billion in 2023 and it is growing at a registered CAGR of 11.99% from 2023 and 2032, according to a new report study by Market.us.
Request For Sample Report Here: https://market.us/report/connected-logistics-market/request-sample/
Other Market Facts
|Largest Market||North America|
|Fastest Growing Region||Asia Pacific|
The Connected Logistics Market is experiencing significant growth, thanks to the increasing demand for advanced logistics solutions to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce operational costs. Connected logistics solutions involve the integration of multiple technologies, including IoT, AI, and blockchain, to provide real-time data and insights into the entire logistics process, from transportation and warehousing to delivery. The market is also being driven by the rising adoption of e-commerce and the growing need for end-to-end visibility and traceability in logistics operations.
The connected logistics market is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace, with increasing investments in IoT and AI technologies to further enhance logistics operations. The market is also being driven by the growing adoption of autonomous vehicles and drones for last-mile delivery, as well as the increasing use of big data analytics to improve forecasting and inventory management. Furthermore, the rise of smart cities and the increasing focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are expected to further drive the growth of the market in the coming years.
- North America is expected to grow its market during the forecast period. North America earned USD 4.72 billion in 2018 and is expected to earn USD 23.97 million by 2026.
- Rising fuel costs and related environmental issues, such as carbon emissions and pollution, are driving the transition from traditional transportation methods to connected logistics solutions that can be used with loT.
- To maintain high levels of global competitiveness, countries need to lower their logistics costs by standardizing that is comparable with international standards such as the European Union (EU), and ISO standards.
- There is tremendous potential for growth in the global connected logistics market if logistics providers adopt technologies such as IoT and other data-driven solutions like analytics on a larger scale.
- The rising costs of IoT system installation and maintenance are further impacting the market for connected logistics businesses.
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- North America is expected to dominate the connected logistics market due to the presence of key players and the increasing adoption of IoT-enabled solutions.
- Europe is also expected to witness significant growth due to the strict regulations related to transportation and logistics.
- The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by the increasing adoption of e-commerce and the growing need for efficient logistics operations.
- The Middle East and Africa region is also expected to witness significant growth due to the increasing investments in infrastructure and logistics.
Growing Use of IoT-Enabled, Connected Devices to Support Market Growth
- The rising cost of fuel and associated environmental issues like carbon emission and pollution are driving the shift away from traditional transport methods to IoT-enabled connected logistics solutions.
- They use sensors, cloud technology, IoT connectivity, and cloud technology to remotely manage, monitor and control the supply chain operations. The efficiency of the supply chain platform has been improved by the adoption of IoT. It allows for complete visibility and quicker detection of network issues, which aids in timely and effective decision-making. Moreover, improved supply chain visibility can lead to long-term cost savings.
- The demand for IoT-enabled products and services is increasing across all industries, including automotive, transport, and manufacturing.
The Emergence of High-Tech Vehicles To Drive the Growth of the Market
- Many industries are looking for faster delivery times and autonomous trucks and vehicles have many benefits. These vehicles are needed in many industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, to move goods.
- The rising mobility demand has highlighted challenges like volatile oil prices, large investments, and dealing with emission. High tech vehicles are essential for meeting future demands of society and the economy.
- High tech vehicles are used in logistics and supply chain to improve safety and efficiency, as well as environmental sustainability. This is due to the availability of connected drones, which are driving the demand for high-tech vehicles.
No Logistics Standardization
- Due to differences in government policies, business practices, infrastructure, culture, or business customs, logistics standardization may pose many challenges. To maintain a high level global competitiveness, countries must reduce their logistics costs by standardizing logistics comparable to international standards such as the ISO and European Union standards.
- As an example, logistics standardization in China and Korea is much less than that of the U.S. or Europe Union countries. This is due to the inability of the Chinese and Korean governments to enforce standardization and the absence of regional organizations capable of initiating and unifying multi-national logistics standardization efforts.
- These efforts include developing and implementing both national and international standards for logistics equipment, tools and packaging. They also include transportation, loading/unloading, storage, transport, loading/unloading and ICT. These standards are compatible with internationally used logistics standards like ISO standards. Lack of standardization in logistics can increase the costs associated with the entire supply chain, which will hinder the growth of the connected logistic market.
- The main challenges facing the connected logistics market include concerns over data privacy and security, as well as the high costs associated with implementing connected logistics solutions. Additionally, the lack of standardization and interoperability between different systems and technologies can pose a challenge for logistics providers looking to integrate different solutions into their operations.
The Connected Logistics Market presents significant opportunities for companies operating in the logistics industry, including the potential to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the overall customer experience. The market also offers opportunities for companies to leverage emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and blockchain to develop innovative logistics solutions.
The main challenges facing the Connected Logistics Market include the need to ensure data privacy and security, the high costs associated with implementing connected logistics solutions, and the lack of standardization and interoperability between different systems and technologies. Additionally, logistics providers may face resistance from traditional supply chain partners who are hesitant to adopt new technologies.
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- March 2021: The Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing(SCM) offering links shippers’ supply networks with a comprehensive range of cloud-based business applications.
- July 2021: CapitaLand, a Singapore-based logistics company, will launch its second logistics fund to target India’s market. The fund will be approximately $300 million in size and is expected to take advantage of India’s high warehousing demands.
- January 2022: The connected logistics market worldwide is expected to grow because of an increase in high-tech vehicles around the world. Mahindra Electric Mobility has introduced the eAlfa Cargo, a new electric vehicle. It can travel at 25 km/h with a maximum power output of 1.5kW and a top speed of 25 km/h.
- Logistics Management System
- Warehouse Management System
- Security and Monitoring
Key Market Players
- Cisco System
- GT Nexus
- Oracle Corporation
- SAP SE
- Securerf Corporation
- Zebra Technologies
- AT&T Inc.
|Market size value in 2023||USD 26.32 billion|
|Revenue forecast by 2033||USD 81.67 billion|
|Growth Rate||CAGR of 11.99%|
|Regions Covered||North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of the World|
|Short-Term Projection Year||2028|
|Long-Term Projected Year||2032|
Contact Person: Mr. Lawrence John
Market.us (Powered By Prudour Pvt. Ltd.)
Tel: +1 718 618 4351
Send Email: [email protected]
The team behind market.us, marketresearch.biz, market.biz and more. Our purpose is to keep our customers ahead of the game with regard to the markets. They may fluctuate up or down, but we will help you to stay ahead of the curve in these market fluctuations. Our consistent growth and ability to deliver in-depth analyses and market insight has engaged genuine market players. They have faith in us to offer the data and information they require to make balanced and decisive marketing decisions.


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Beijing, China – In a move to demonstrate its commitment to fostering foreign business relationships, China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, on Tuesday. During the meeting, Musk expressed his enthusiasm for further expansion in China, highlighting the country’s immense growth potential and market demand.
Qin, who recently served as China’s ambassador to the United States, emphasized the concept of “Chinese-style modernization,” which leverages the nation’s vast population and promotes “common prosperity.” According to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry, he asserted that China’s electric vehicle market possesses significant prospects for development. Moreover, Qin pledged China’s ongoing efforts to create a favorable, market-oriented, and law-based business environment for foreign companies like Tesla.
In response, Musk lauded the Chinese people and China’s remarkable achievements. The statement from the Chinese foreign ministry affirmed Tesla’s opposition to “decoupling” and its commitment to expanding its business within China.
However, Tesla has yet to officially verify the contents of the Chinese foreign ministry’s statement, as the company has not responded to WaxMia’s request for comment.
This meeting between Musk and Qin occurs against the backdrop of persistent tensions between the United States and China, particularly regarding technological matters. Last year, the U.S. imposed sweeping export restrictions on crucial chips and semiconductor equipment, significantly impacting China’s domestic industry in critical technologies. Recently, Chinese regulators prohibited operators of “critical information infrastructure” from purchasing products from U.S. chipmaker Micron.
Addressing these concerns, the Chinese foreign minister expressed his belief that fostering a “constructive” relationship between the United States and China serves the interests of both nations and the global community.
Meanwhile, Tesla faces intensified competition and a price war within China. The company has been adjusting its car prices in response to the challenging macroeconomic environment in the world’s second-largest economy.
Although the Chinese foreign ministry statement lacked specific details regarding the meeting’s discussions, it is worth noting that China represents Tesla’s second-largest market. Musk has consistently sought to maintain favorable relations with Beijing, pledging investments over the years and commending the country’s technological advancements.
As Tesla’s primary car production facility is located in Shanghai, the Chinese mega-city, the company announced plans in April to construct another local plant dedicated to manufacturing its Megapack energy storage system.
The meeting between Elon Musk and Foreign Minister Qin Gang signifies Tesla’s continued commitment to expanding its presence in China, capitalizing on the country’s immense growth potential and reinforcing the strong partnership between Tesla and the Chinese market. With the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship and the competitive landscape in China’s electric vehicle market, Tesla faces both opportunities and challenges in maintaining its position as a leading player in the industry.


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Finally we have the successor to the super popular gaming console series. The Sony PlayStation 4 nicknamed as the Orbis is about to release in 2013 holiday season. Talking about competitors, Nintendo has publicly announced the release of the new Wii U launching later this year, and Microsoft has been rumored to release two different version of the popular XBOX 360 gaming console.
Kotaku, the popular online tech website has leaked some very interesting facts about the latest PlayStation 4 console named Orbis. The latest PlayStation 4 would feature an awesome MD x64 CPU and AMD Souther Islands GPU which can deliver resolutions upto 4096 x 2160. Talking about resolution, it falls under 4k category and displays on such resolutions are not even available in abundance. This will surely change by 2013.
Users will be able to get new titles by Blu-Ray discs or PSN downloads. Also all gaming titles will be reportedly locked with your PSN account which will put the used-game market to risk. PlayStation 4 release will finally be in mid 2013 according to this report so be prepared and no matter if the nickname Orbis sounds lame but it is going to be big name in the gaming industry that’s for sure.
Also on a technical note considering the number of times the PSN network was hacked by the infamous hacking community Anonymous it will be interesting to see how Sony will be able to convince people about the security of PSN Network if it is used as the sole mode of game tiles.
More details like the Price and availability is not available.


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Square Inc.'s latest earnings announcement appeared to be met with enthusiasm.
The payments company reported a fourth quarter 2016 net loss attributable to common stockholders of $15.2 million, or four cents per share, compared to a net loss of $80.5 million, or 34 cents per share, a year earlier. The S&P Capital IQ consensus normalized EPS for the fourth quarter of 2016 was nine cents per share.
BTIG LLC analyst Mark Palmer said Square had a strong quarter in all of the categories that investors care about. Palmer said the company's margins particularly impressed him. Square maintained pricing, even with larger merchants that typically have more pricing power, he added.
A 17% sequential increase in the line item that includes its small-business lending product, Square Capital; its Caviar food delivery service; and other ancillary services is notable for Square because those higher-margin items are likely drivers of future profitability, Palmer said.
"Even though it is a relatively small number in terms of revenue now, it bodes well for the company's future growth," he added.
Palmer upgraded the stock to "buy" with a $20 price target following the earnings release.
In addition to the upgrade from Palmer, Square's stock jumped more than 14% the day after disclosing earnings results and its 2017 outlook.
In the regulatory space, the SEC published guidance on robo-advisers for financial services investors. The investor bulletin touches on topics like levels of human interaction, as well as fees and charges.
In a proposed budget for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made changes to the New York Banking Law that could give the New York Department of Financial Services more licensing power over online lenders, according to The National Law Review.
Outside of the U.S. fintech space, Bank of Canada senior deputy governor Carolyn Wilkins said the central bank is open to more fintech "experiments" like its blockchain-based payment system, Reuters reported.
Allstate Corp. said it added a capability that allows customers with Amazon's Alexa devices to find their next bill's due date or help them find the closest Allstate agency office.
From February 16 to February 23, the SNL U.S. Financial Technology Index rose 0.96%.


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The signs indicate that home improvement centers will have another good year despite shortages of materials and rising prices. Since last October, inflation fueled by Covid-19 has caused prices to increase 6.2 percent from the previous year, the highest increase since 1990. Merchandise that consumers could purchase for $94 last year now costs them $100.
While the sting of higher prices is most evident at the gas pump, the discomfort can also be felt in the shelter sector that has seen escalating charges for home-related services performed by general contractors and maintenance service providers. According to Mischa Fisher, chief economist for home services website Angi, “The combined demand for both workers and materials has resulted in inflation across almost every category of home improvement services.”
The report forecasts future Growth in Market
In “The Economy of Everything Home Report,” Angi analyzed home services in the U.S. Consumers spent a total of $595 billion and initiated 728.3 million household projects in 2021. Fisher predicts that the market will continue to grow for various reasons. These include; supply shortages, low-interest rates, rising prices, gains in home equity, shifting demographics, and digital migration. Reviewing the total addressable market (TAM), the report segments the $595 billion market into three categories.
- Home improvement market: $376.9 billion and 148.5 million projects
- Home maintenance market: $157.7 billion and 500.3 million projects
- Home energy repair market: $60.6 billion and 79.5 million projects
Homeowners Invest in Home ImprovementsAlthough independent home improvement retailers need to follow trends in the housing market and new construction, the most significant impact on sales will come from households who own older homes. The report notes that nearly 40 percent of the country’s housing stock is more than 50 years old. Fisher says, “141.5 million housing units is a staggering amount of construction and physical material that undergoes constant wear and tear from both occupants and the environment. How old that space is, how it is used, and who lives major drivers determining the people in need of home services. With boomers aging in place and millennials taking on homeownership, we’re likely to see the demand for home services will continue to rise in the years to come.”
Small retailers Thrive in the Home Maintenance Market
Unlike huge kitchen remodels that require hiring contractors, home maintenance and repair are an ongoing necessity for homeowners. Clogged plumbing, leaky faucets, broken screens, painting, and maintaining lawns come with the territory. With so many people working from home, it’s easy for them to hop in the car and take a quick trip to the local hardware store during the week instead of waiting until the weekend to pick up the merchandise for small DIY projects. According to the report, home maintenance generated about half the revenue ($157.7 billion) of home improvements ($376. 9 billion) yet accounted for three times as many projects. While home improvements are more high-profile and photogenic, home repairs and emergency maintenance are equally important since it is less optional and more urgent.
Strong Housing Market Gains Momentum
According to the Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), a report generated by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, the strong growth in home improvement and maintenance feels the 9 percent growth rate achieved in the 4th quarter of 2021 will continue into 2022. “Residential remodeling continues to benefit from a strong housing market with elevated home construction and sales activity and immense house price appreciation in markets across the country,” says Carlos Martin, Project Director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Center.
Abbe Will, Associate Project Director, adds, “With these tailwinds, annual improvement and repair expenditures by homeowners could reach $400 billion by the third quarter of 2022. Yet, several headwinds could still taper the expected growth in remodeling spending including the rising costs of labor and building materials, as well as increasing interest rates.”


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* India corn exports could tumble 40 pct in 2013/14 -traders
* Buyers turn to cheaper grain from Argentina, Brazil
* But domestic prices to slide when summer crop hits market
By Naveen Thukral and Meenakshi Sharma
SINGAPORE/MUMBAI, Aug 16 (Reuters) - India’s corn exports could plummet by around 40 percent in the next marketing year, with buyers turning to cheaper supplies from South America after a rain-damaged crop pushed up Indian prices and shook confidence in the grain.
India’s winter-planted corn was hit by untimely rains during harvest across its eastern crop belt in May, prompting key buyers in Southeast Asia to shift to imports from Argentina and Brazil, which have been aggressively marketing bumper crops.
The setback to Indian shipments comes as global corn stockpiles are set to rebound in 2013/14 after three years of tight supplies. Importers are getting choosy as benchmark U.S. futures hover around their lowest in three years and producers rush to sell their crops.
“It’s a double-whammy, Indian corn is overpriced and consumers for the time being have lost confidence in it because of quality issues,” said a Singapore-based trader who sells feed grain in Asia.
“Where can India sell its corn right now? In my opinion nowhere.”
Corn exports from Asia’s top supplier could drop to under 3 million tonnes in the year to October, 2014 from 4.8 million tonnes in 2012/13, traders said. That is a far steeper decline than the 27-percent fall in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest estimate.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have already covered most of their demand for the grain until December with cargoes from Argentina and Brazil. They paid between $260 and $280 a tonne, including cost and freight (C&F), for Argentine corn compared with Indian cargoes quoted at $310-$315 a tonne.
Feed millers usually take Indian corn only when it has $10-$15 discount to rival South American cargoes.
And competition is set to heat up with the United States, the world’s top exporter, on track for a record harvest and Ukraine offering grain as low as $235 a tonne, C&F, in Asia for November and December shipment.
U.S. new-crop December corn slid to a three-year low this week and has lost almost a quarter of its value in 2013.
“Export demand is weak because the quality of Indian produce is not up to the mark,” said Neelkanth Thakkar, a trader at grains exporter Vijaya Enterprises in Mumbai, referring to the winter-sown crop.
Although any exports from that harvest would be part of the 2012/13 total, fallout in terms of reputational damage will hit hard in the following crop year, traders said.
India produces two corn crops a year with supplies from the winter-sown variety hitting the market in April and May, and harvest for the summer crop starting in mid-September.
Traders in Singapore said there are large volumes of rain-damaged corn still held up in destination markets as feed millers have been unable to use the moisture-laden grain.
With dwindling exports and expectations of a record harvest later in September and October, India will have a corn glut that is likely to weigh on domestic prices. Some estimated prices would fall 20 percent from $300 a tonne quoted free on board in Mumbai.
India is estimated to produce an all-time high crop of 22.5 million tonnes in 2013/14, according to the USDA, up marginally from 22.2 million tonnes a year ago.
But even with lower prices after October, Indian corn exports will continue to struggle, traders said. It will not be able to sell much in its peak marketing months of November and December as buyers have already covered supplies.
In order to reach total exports of 3 million tonnes in 2013/14 it needs to ship 300,000 tonnes a month, which is unlikely as the bigger global surplus means more competition.
“There are going to be a whole lot of restrictions imposed on Indian corn even if it is cheaper,” the Singapore trader said. “Quality issues are going to make it difficult to trade Indian corn.”
Poultry and meat producers, who suffered due to record grain prices last year, are hoping to benefit as the cost of raising animals drops.
“The cost of production in poultry could drop by around 5 percent,” said Sanjeev Chintawar, business manager at the National Egg Coordination Committee in the southern city of Hyderabad. (Reporting by Naveen Thukral; Editing by Joseph Radford)


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Taking vitamins not necessary for health says local health unit
After reports of fraudulent nutrition supplements being sold in major retailers in the U.S, the Simcoe-Muskoka Health Unit is reminding you to make sure you have a balanced diet. Public Health Dietician Lesley McMullin says the news is very concerning. However, it’s an important reminder that it’s worth spending the time and money looking at what you should be eating rather than buying something off the shelf.
There are many misconceptions when it comes to nutrition supplements, one of which, McMullin says is that we need supplements to be healthier.
McMullin says if you’re taking vitamins you should make sure you know and understand why you’re taking them.
If you don’t know, McMullin says you should speak with your health care professional to guide you in the right direction. New York’s attorney general’s office released test results last week stating four out of five herbal supplements sold in major stores like Walmart and Target didn’t contain any of the herds on their labels. Reports say they contained cheap fillers, some of which could be dangerous to people with allergies.


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ActiveHerb today announced that it is introducing a new label design for its Guang Ci Tang® line of Chinese medicine products.
The new label is considered an enhancement to brand image, more contemporary in design, more user-friendly, while meeting FDA regulatory requirements.
Guang Ci Tang has been a leading brand of Chinese medicine in the USA since the mid-1990s, with over 100 formulas in the brand’s product portfolio. Guang Ci Tang products are known for being of the high quality, purity, efficacy, safety, and unbeatable value. For these reasons, Guang Ci Tang is popular among acupuncturists, herbalists and TCM enthusiasts.
Dr. Sheldon Li, Chairman of ActiveHerb, says of the new Guang Ci Tang label design, “Chinese medicine is still a hidden treasure for most Americans. With the new labels, we hope more American consumers will be within the reach of best-in-class Chinese medicine and achieve their goals for better health and a more active lifestyle.”


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As Nottingham's leading entertainment complex The Cornerhouse is used to attracting thousands of customers through the doors but with some venues yet to reopen after lockdown and the city centre quieter than usually, footfall has been described as "steady and sensible."
Most of the restaurants and attractions have gradually reopened over the last four weeks but it's quieter than it would be normally during the school holidays.
It's a far cry from the record-breaking footfall of 2018 when the latest blockbusters, the heatwave and World Cup all came together leading to an increase of 400,000 customers for the first half of the year.
The centre, in the heart of the city, shut on March 23 when all leisure businesses were ordered to close that night by the Prime Minister. Just a couple of restaurants overlooking Forman Street stayed open for takeaways and delivery.
Now, post-lockdown, the first noticeable change comes at the main entrance, with a one-way entry and exit system in place, and a couple of security men on the door to advise visitors.
With it being a circular building, it's easy to keep to the one-way system inside, and in case anyone forgets there's plenty of floor stickers to serve as a reminder about the direction you should be going, as well as social distancing.
Visitors are expected to wear masks as is the legal requirement unless they're exempted for medical reasons.
There's hand santiser on every floor and evidence of extra cleaning - there's a cleaner mopping the escalator steps when Nottinghamshire Live visits.
Barriers are in place to discourage visitors from using the lifts if they don't need to, leaving them free for those with disabilities or unable to use the escalators.
Genting Casino and nightclub Pom Pom are two of the hardest-hit businesses - still unable to reopen in accordance with Government guidelines.
The casino had been expecting to open on August 1 - but that that was postponed by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson for at least two weeks because of the amount of face-to-face contact. Pushed back until at least August 15, that's just four days away and they're still waiting for the green light.
As for nightclubs, there's still no reopening date in sight.
Italian restaurant Bella Italia is also still closed but centre management hopes it will be welcoming customers once again by the end of the month.
Chiquito, the Tex-Mex chain, however, won't be reopening the Cornerhouse restaurant, after falling victim to a round of closures just four days into lockdown.
All the other restaurants have now reopened - including the latest, Pizza Hut, which started serving again yesterday.
To draw customers back they're all participating in Eat Out to Help Out, giving 50 percent off food and non-alcohol drinks, up to a maximum £10.
Slug and Lettuce, Tamatanga and Turtle Bay were the first restaurants to reopen on July 4. Subway, Revolution, and Wagamama followed.
TGI Friday's is open, having missed out on a planned refurbishment back in March just as lockdown was happening. The revamp is currently on hold.
Nando's opened last Thursday with a new system where chicken lovers order by scanning a QR code rather than standing at the till and payment is now cashless.
Customers can be found enjoying the sunshine along Forman Street, although obviously the outdoor tables are more spaced out than they were previously.
Lost City golf reopened last month and has got enhanced hygiene measures down to a tee. Staff at the family attraction are arriving early each morning to sanitise all the flora, fauna and temple of doom.
Players are encouraged to book but if there's space, walk-ins are allowed.
One of the biggest boosts came when Cineworld reopened its doors on July 31, which saw footfall increase by 66 percent compared to the week before.
The big blockbuster release dates have been put back but movie fans can indulge in a little nostalgia with the cinema this week showing oldies but goodies including Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the Dark Knight and The Shawshank Redemption as well as kids' films for the summer holidays, Sonic the Hedgehog and Bayala - A Magical Adventure.
Again, customers are advised to book but they can walk in. Numbers are limited to spread people out.
Funstation, the amusement arcade on the first floor, has railings outside in case there's a queue since numbers are limited inside. Safety measures mean only one family can gather around a machine at a time and all the equipment is regularly wiped down.
Carl Froch's bar Alto, on the second floor, has implemented changes where customers have to sit at tables rather than stand. Bookings are encouraged but there's a limited number for walk-ins.
The biggest change is a separate entrance in the street (between TGI's and the main doors) where customers must wait.
Centre executive Charlie Truman said: "They have their own set of doors. It's safer to have people queuing outside - we've more space for social distancing and so there is no congestion in the drum if any other customers are around.
"Anybody wanting to go to Alto, whether it's a booking or a walk-in, go to that queue and they radio up to make sure their table is available so people aren't waiting around inside. There is a select number of tables for walk-ins, if they're taken you can't go in."
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Before Covid-19 the bar stayed open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays but the current closing time is midnight.
Top floor bar GinSecco is also asking people to book as it's a small venue. The booth seating makes social distancing simple.
Hair and beauty salon Icon had been looking forward to reinstating facial treatments until Boris Johnson pulled the plug at the 11th hour, meaning recently taken bookings had to be cancelled.
Staff are wearing visors, screens have been installed at the counter, there's a thorough cleaning of work stations after each booking and numbers of customers are limited for social distancing.
Clients are being asked not to take shopping bags to their appointment and the rule of only one person per booking means children, if old enough, have to be unaccompanied.
Construction work on Roxy Ball Room's new £2m bowling alley has been delayed. The new booze and balls attraction, in the former World Cuisine Buffet restaurant, had been due to open in the autumn.
However, the pandemic has set that back with all recent attention focused on reopening existing bars, including the one in Thurland Street.
"It's been steady and sensible - it's not humongous numbers. The businesses have staggered their opening times, and they're slightly shorter as well," said Charlie.
"It's been quite organised. I think people are quite familiar with how the system works now and adhere to the rules and regulations.
"It's nice and easy for customers to know where they stand with everything.
"The majority of venues are bookings or a smaller number of walk-ins. We have not experienced any issues with numbers in the building.
"We have 24-hour security, not that we're open 24 hours, to make sure there's no congestion anywhere. It's part of our Covid policy to make sure we don't have lots of groups of people standing around.
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We are switching to a new system for registering with us and commenting on our stories. The new commenting platform will be a big improvement on our current system and we hope it will enable much better conversations on all our stories.
While we switch everything across, we've had to deactivate commenting for a few days. If you're already registered you may get an email asking you to confirm your account. By the end of next week, we hope it will all be up and running again and we'll have a fresh start to commenting on our site.
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"We are confident in everything we have put in place and have put in every measure we can possibly think of to make it safe for customers and safe for staff and just be as sensible as possible.
"The staff have all been amazing. They've come in and got on with everything. It's really nice to come back to work as it feels really safe."


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- Diesel and Lee launched a four-piece denim capsule collection globally last week, following a preview of the line in Europe and Japan in December, according to a press release.
- The jeanswear line, called Diesel Loves Lee, features straight and boot cuts for men and women, and the limited-edition pieces are made from fabric sourced from the unsold stock of both brands. The jeans cost $350 each and are available in select Diesel and Lee stores and on each brand’s e-commerce sites.
- This release is “the first chapter” in what will be an ongoing program for Diesel “that proposes a more purposeful approach to brand partnerships applying collective creativity to the perennial problem of overproduction,” according to the release. Future partnerships have not yet been announced.
Lee parent company Kontoor Brands, which also owns Wrangler, reported a company-wide Q4 revenue drop of high single digits in its latest earnings report. In particular, Lee dropped 7% and Wrangler fell 10% for the period. However, high-profile partnerships during 2023 helped usher in a Q3 earnings increase for both brands and the company as a whole, and Kontoor may be looking to get the same kind of boost with new collaborations in 2024.
In this capsule, jeans will feature either a Diesel denim front and a Lee denim back, or vice-versa, per the release, which added that every pair is one of a kind. The line has “two fits and four styles playing on the brands’ combined heritage” and will feature custom trim with raw-cut and needle-stitched side seams.
“It’s easier to create something new than it is to repurpose a garment, especially when customers want it to look exactly like they do online,” Glenn Martens, creative director for Diesel and creator of the Dieselloves initiative, said in the release. “The small things you do can go far and deep.”
Martens added that this collaborative effort “is the ideal opening act for our continuous call to action” and that he saw this effort as “[t]wo denim giants, often selling the exact same product with different logos, dropping our weapons and teaming up to address overconsumption and make something good and beautiful.”
Diesel parent company OTB Group reported 1.8 billion euros in net sales for its 2023 fiscal year, or about $1.96 billion at current exchange rates, representing a 9.1% year-over-year increase. The company, which also owns Jil Sander and Maison Margiela, said in its earnings release that Diesel was gaining ground with younger consumers, and that Gen Z represented 35% of the brand’s customer base. Collaborating with Lee could help expand the reach of both brands.
“Lee is proud to be part of this transformative initiative; it’s a reflection of our shared commitment to driving meaningful change by uniting our expertise,” Simon Fisher, managing director of Lee Europe, said in the release. “Through this capsule collection, Lee and Diesel redefine competition by prioritizing innovation. By joining forces, we harness our collective strengths to lead by example, one denim at a time.”


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THE GRAND SUMMIT HOTEL
Synonymous with tradition and the classic look and feel of the holiday season, The Grand Summit Hotel has been a part of local residents and their family’s holidays for more than 150 years.
The hotel will begin preparing for Thanksgiving soon, long considered one of its most iconic holiday events. While New York’s annual tree lighting takes place a couple of days into December, the ...
Read More »


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© Tobii Business | March 15, 2018
Tobii & Qualcomm to bring eye tracking to mobile VR/AR HMDs
Eye tracking specialist Tobii is collaborating with Qualcomm to make eye tracking technology available for mobile VR/AR head-mounted displays (HMDs) powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile VR Platform.
As one of the big system on chip (SOC) provider, Qualcomm is positioned as a key technology partner for HMD device makers. For Tobii, the announcement is an important proof point for the significant demand, and substantial benefits, of incorporating eye tracking into VR/AR hardware. As a result of their collaboration, Tobii and Qualcomm are creating a full reference design and development kit for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile VR Platform, which includes Tobii’s EyeCore eye tracking algorithms and hardware design. Tobii will license its eye tracking technologies and system and collaborate with HMD manufacturers on the optical solution for the reference design. “Increased interest in the untethered, mobile VR segment, in conjunction with Qualcomm’s innovation and technology leadership in this space, further strengthens our excitement about the potential of this market opportunity for Tobii eye tracking,” said Oscar Werner, president of Tobii Tech. “At its core, eye tracking fundamentally enables hardware manufacturers to build smarter and more capable devices with greater mobility, that in turn deliver truly immersive and natural experiences to delight users.” “Qualcomm is focused on transforming the way that people use mobile technologies for entertainment and productivity,” said Hiren Bhinde, director of Product Management, XR Technologies, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We added support for Tobii’s eye tracking solution to our new Snapdragon 845 VR development kits to help developers create new experiences using a higher quality of gaze interaction that we think will ultimately provide consumers with more intuitive, visually immersive experiences.”
Singulus Technologies temporarily reduces business operation Against the backdrop of the current situation related to the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting restrictions in private and business lives, Singulus Technologies is implementing short-time work at two of its German sites.
Kyocera to acquire Japan-based Showa Optronics Kyocera Corporation has entered into a share transfer agreement with NEC Corporation on March 25, 2020 to acquire all of NEC’s shares in Showa Optronics Co., Ltd., an optical components manufacturer.
Analog Devices withdraws second quarter outlook The economic and social effects caused by COVID-19 are currently creating supply chain disruption and uncertainty around future demand.
Movement control order restricts production for Renesas in Malaysia Due to a Movement Control Order announced by the Malaysian government, Renesas three production sites located in the country temporarily halted productions from March 18, 2020.
TTI remains operational during COVID-19 pandemic TTI, Inc. says it remains open following the guidelines mandated by local and federal governments during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, with precautions in place to safeguard employees’ health.
Nokia completes acquisition of Elenion Technologies Nokia says it has completed its acquisition of U.S.-based supplier of silicon photonics technology, Elenion Technologies.
Nexperia CEO Frans Scheper retiring On March 24, 2020, Nexperia announced that CEO Frans Scheper has decided to take early retirement and will step down as Nexperia CEO and Management Board Member per March 25, 2020.
Intellitronix seeing interest from Ford Ohio-based Intellitronix Corporation, a subsidiary of US Lighting Group, has been invited by the Ford Motor Company to submit a proposal to design and manufacture an automotive electronics component for one of the automaker’s upcoming vehicles.
NEXT Biometrics receives additional order from government program in India NEXT Biometrics has received an additional order for UIDAI and STQC certified fingerprint biometric readers in India valued at USD 360,000. The customer has provided a 20% upfront payment and the readers have been delivered to the customer.
Elmos is planning short-time work Because of the global corona pandemic, Elmos Semiconductor AG is planning to introduce short-time work of up to 50%.
paragon reacts to production stoppages by carmakers paragon is set to take immediate action in response to moves by automotive manufacturers closing down their plants. The company is now reducing production at its automotive manufacturing sites in Germany to a minimum for the time being.
STMicro to temporarily cut 50% of French production The semiconductor company has reportedly agreed to temporarily reduce its production in France by up to 50% as the company works to stymie the spread of COVID-19.
The Infineon site in Villach is growing Infineon’s investment in a new automated chip factory and a research building at its site in Villach is making progress.
Panasonic eyes multi-use potential for PanaCIM Panasonic, in their push more deeply into smart manufacturing solutions, has partnered with MiR and Inovaxe to develop a handy helper: the PanaCIM Solutions Ecosystem.
Rutronik & Gowin inks distribution agreement for EMEA and NA Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH is expanding its portfolio to include the Gowin Semiconductor Corp. product range.
Autotalks’ global V2X solution passes dual-band Wi-Fi pre-certification V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication solutions provider, Autotalks, has successfully completed Wi-Fi 5 pre-certification for its evaluation kit based on its 2nd generation V2X chipset.
First Sensor names new CFO First Sensor AG has appointed Marcus Resch as the Chief Financial Officer of First Sensor AG effective March 14, 2020, for a period of three years.
TE Connectivity acquires majority share of First Sensor TE Connectivity has completed its public takeover of Berlin-based First Sensor AG. TE now holds 71.87% shares of the German company.
Jenoptik invests in Japan and takes over JV completely Jenoptik acquires the remaining 33.42% of the shares in Jenoptik Japan Co. Ltd. from its joint venture partner Kantum Ushikata Mfg. Co., Ltd. and thus transfers the joint venture to a wholly owned group subsidiary.
Advantech Europe’s office in Milan will remain closed The company says that its Milan office will remain closed as a result of latest developments in Italy; the Advantech IT office is also closed but people are working from home in the interim.Load more news


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The upcoming version of official Twitter app for iOS has leaked in the App Store prior to it’s launch. There seems to be a major glitch in the new App Store of iOS 6 that is some how displaying the details about an unreleased update on the App’s description page. The unannounced version 4.3 of Twitter for iOS is now expected to land for everyone in the coming days. The update brings a new icon for the app among other useful features displaying the new logo and can be considered a major one as it brings several changes to the app. The new update will make viewing tweets from the app a more interactive experience for users, and now users will be able to preview content including photos and videos from within the tweets.
Twitter has also included auto complete improvements to the connect tab, that will be similar to the auto complete search for users the company rolled out for the desktop site. Here is a summerized version of the notes by 9to5Mac, leaked in iOS 6′s App Store.
- More interactive Tweet view experience: content previews, videos, images and more will now be shown within tweets containing links to “partner websites.”
- Tweets about “selected events” will now be highlighted. Twitter will curate the relevant tweets and images
- In the Connect tab, autocomplete improvements will be now be present. Twitter rolled out something similar to their official website last week.
- Major push notifications enhancement: You will now be able to choose to receive push notifications when certain people tweet
- Like in Tweetbot, you will now be able to receive unobtrusive Twitter notifications while you are using the app.
- The Discover tab will now be able to alert users when new content is ready for perusal
- Personalized Trends
- You will now be able to tap a user’s avatar to be taken to their profile page
- Improved performance
- You will now be able to manually input your password when having authentication issues
- Hungarian localization
- Finally: the new Twitter logo will be featured on the icon (our image below is from iOS 6 Twitter integration)
- Also promised is a slew of other tweaks, more polish, and bug fixes
You can learn more about iOS 6′s new App Store app here.
- Twitter 4.3 update now available for download. Brings major changes to iPhone app
- Twitter for iPhone updated to bring new features and improvements
- Twitter app update brings new look and features to iPhone and iPod touch
- How to enable push notifications for tweets from your favorite users in Twitter’s official app [tip]
- Twitter for iOS updated to add new design for iPad and other features


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With a wide range of applications from augmented reality to gesture tracking, photography, and even mapping, 3D-scanning technology is truly one of the next great innovations in the world of digital imaging. A team of Apple researchers in Israel, formerly known as PrimeSense and responsible for developing Microsoft’s Kinect gaming platform, has just filed a patent for a depth-sensing device that appears to be intended for the company’s mapping vans, but also holds far-reaching implications for consumer devices like the upcoming iPhone 8.
The patent filing, reported on by blog Patently Apple, depicts a compact “multi-mirror scanning depth engine” that determines the distance of objects in an environment based on the amount of time light reflecting off those objects takes to reach a sensor. This particular array would most likely be used as part of a light imaging, detection, and ranging device — more commonly known as laser or 3D scanners — that are standard in the geographic mapping industry.
As Apple continues to invest in talent to beef up its own mapping service, it’s not surprising the company might experiment with its latest discoveries in the field before condensing that technology into a smartphone after its been thoroughly battle-tested. Early last year, Apple acquired Emotient, a startup that used artificial intelligence to improve facial recognition. The upcoming iPhone 8 — which may actually be called the iPhone X, according to the latest rumors — has been tipped to include a 3D-sensing camera, where facial recognition is expected to be one of the major applications.
A depth-sensing camera offers clear benefits for iPhone photography as well. One of the iPhone 7 Plus’ most notable and well-received features is its dual-camera system, which combines the standard wide-angle lens on the regular iPhone 7 with an additional telephoto lens to enable optical zoom and deliver stunning depth effects. Bolstered by Apple’s advancements in 3D-scanning hardware, the upcoming flagship iPhone’s camera could be more powerful and versatile than ever before.
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- It looks like the iPhone 16 will get a big design upgrade


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Google in its blog post also said that there will be a couple of new Android One devices that will be unveiled during MWC 2018. “We’re excited about the progress we’ve made with Android One in recent months, and at MWC you’ll see news from our partners about some great new Android One devices,” said the blog post.
Google on Thursday announced the first Android Oreo (Go edition) phones will be launched at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 that is scheduled to begin on February 26 in Barcelona, Spain. The Internet giant said in a blog that the first smartphones running storage efficient Android Oreo (Go edition) platform will be showcased ‘starting next week’ while they will be ‘soon’ available to order. However, Google hasn’t provided the name of the manufacturers of the first Android Oreo (Go edition) phones and what these phones will be commercially called. Besides, Google teased the launch of newer Android One devices at the MWC convention.
The Android Oreo (Go edition) was announced by Google last year in May globally and in December in India where the company unveiled a suite of the toned-down Android apps such as Files Go and Google Go that will be a part of the new friendly operating system suited for smartphones with 1GB of RAM or less. The suite was later joined by other more apps – Maps Go, Gmail Go, Assistant Go – that were released into the Google Play store. While the Android Oreo (Go edition) apps are gradually being available in the Play store, its phones are not available yet. Google has now teased the launch of the first set of Android Oreo (Go edition) devices at the world’s biggest technology convention officially kicking off on February 26.
Earlier this year in January, Micromax was rumoured to be working on the first Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphone dubbed Bharat Go. Later, a new Nokia device called the Nokia 1 surfaced that was speculated to be the first Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphone that HMD Global will launch at its MWC 2018 mega-event, alongside other smartphones that include Nokia 9 (or Nokia 8 Pro/ Sirocco), Nokia 7 Plus, and Nokia 4. The Nokia 1 will be an entry-level smartphone that will come running on Android Oreo (Go edition), according to previous rumours. The specifications of the device include a low-end processor – Snapdragon 212 or a MediaTek processor – coupled with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal memory, which is expandable via microSD card. The previously leaked renders of Nokia 1 reveal that it will look like a pebble and have lower dimensions that Nokia 2.
Google in its blog post also said that there will be a couple of new Android One devices that will be unveiled during MWC 2018. “We’re excited about the progress we’ve made with Android One in recent months, and at MWC you’ll see news from our partners about some great new Android One devices,” said the blog post. The manufacturers and device names are not known currently and will only be revealed at the time of launch. It is worth mentioning that Xiaomi Mi A1 is the latest device that was launched under Google’s Android One programme. According to earlier reports, HMD Global is planning to launch an Android One smartphone at MWC 2018. Evan Blass leaked that Nokia 7 Plus is expected to be one of the Android One devices that will be showcased. However, since Nokia smartphones offer a nearly identical stock Android experience, it will be interesting to see what Nokia 7 Plus will pack under the Android One programme.
Meanwhile, Google has not given any concrete information on the name, launch dates, and manufacturers of the Android One and Android Oreo (Go edition) phones that will be unveiled at MWC 2018. For further details on specifications and pricing, we’ll have to wait for the launch events of the manufacturers where HMD Global is organising its event right ahead of the official commencement of MWC 2018.


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Pandemic: Financial boost for local businesses, nonprofits
(This guest column was originally published in The Chronicle)
In partnership with the Columbia County Economic Team (CCET), Columbia County has distributed $929,274 in small business grants to 159 Columbia County small businesses and nonprofits.
The grants were distributed across eight cities and towns and awarded based on the size of the company – the majority of which were smaller sole proprietorships. The local hospitality industry alone received $258,978.
“Our businesses and communities need this money here,” Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller said. “We were determined not to send a single cent back that would benefit the citizens of Columbia County.”
CCET Executive Director Paul Vogel said the process to take business applications and ensure the distribution of the money was a significant team effort.
“The state had to contract with the county, the county had to contract with an entity to help develop and administer the program and selected us. We had to coordinate with county finance and attorneys to get it all put together in compliance with state and federal guidelines,” Vogel said. “We spent nearly a full day on the phone to make sure all the T’s were crossed and the I’s dotted.”
Columbia County received confirmation and details about its allocation from the state in early December, including the amount it had to work with, and was told that money had to be out the door by Dec. 30. CCET and the county partnered to get the program up and running, materials developed and applications for the grant dollars made available by Dec. 9. This gave businesses 10 days to file them.
Each application was individually checked twice before the awards were made on Dec. 30, according to county officials.
“The thing that really stood out to me in this last round, it was more money, and for a lot of people this was their first time applying,” Vogel said. “They were new recipients. That tells you what you already sense: there’s a whole lot of need out there.”
Vogel said the grant process has been an excellent lens into small business in Columbia County. Those involved feel as though they’ve gotten to know Columbia County companies better than they ever had before, which is beneficial looking forward and building resilience, he said.
This is the third round of emergency small business grants in which CCET has been involved. The first two were funded directly by Business Oregon, with the Columbia County Commissioners providing a match for Round 1. Rounds 1 and 2 were administered jointly by CCET and the Columbia Pacific Economic Development District (Col-Pac).
Even so, small business grants like these are a bit of a new thing, according to Vogel, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis. After an admittedly rough first round for many applicants, Vogel said CCET took some steps to assist businesses in preparing — including workshops to help businesses with basic business preparation that help make them stronger businesses, as well as applicants.
The second round got better, Vogel said, and this round of grant funding went much smoother, although the condensed time crunch created its own challenges.
“It was a bunch of long hours,” Vogel said. “We’ve got a tally — I don’t even know how many hours. You know you’re going to be able to help small businesses and nonprofits, and that’s what keeps you going, the effort to help with that is worthwhile. I feel like I benefited a lot from understanding more of what they’re dealing with in terms of their cost and how they’ve adapted.”
Vogel said Columbia County is faring better than the coast, in some respects, as coastal towns have lower populations and rely on destination foot traffic — and much of the grant funding was based on population. However, Vogel said restaurants, bars and retail are struggling as much in Columbia County as anywhere else.
“We’re not heavy on the hospitality industry, but each of our communities has restaurants, bars, motels and retail that are the soul of the community,” Vogel said. “They’re having a hard time with it. While we’re doing these grants, we’re trying to promote the hell out of these businesses. Our communities are the way they are because of the businesses that are here. Make sure those folks see you darken their doorways and make sure to help those who help our communities remain what they are.”


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You may have been surprised by our recent announcement regarding digital pricing.
We apologize for the confusion and concern surrounding Dark Horse's recent announcement of simultaneous release in print and digital. We want to make it clear that nowhere in our announcement (see below) did we indicate that our same-day digital pricing would be less than that of our physical books. Due to some miscommunication, there has been widespread speculation based on our current pricing model.
To clarify: We have chosen to release all new single-issue comics digitally for the price of $2.99 for the first month, dropping to our standard digital pricing of $1.99 after that. Dark Horse values our retail partners and is grateful for the twenty-five years of business we've done together. We have considered the retail community in all of our digital decisions and look at direct-market shops as crucial to our continued success. With that in mind, Dark Horse will make every effort to keep our comics retailers strong in a changing market. We continue to value everyone who both buys and sells Dark Horse products, and thank you for your support. All of you are the reason we are here today.
DARK HORSE DELIVERS COMICS
DIGITALLY AND IN PRINT SAME DAY
STARTING DECEMBER 14!
November 30, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse’s digital evolution continues after seeing huge success with digital sales. Dark Horse Comics will now make their comics available digitally the same day they are on sale in comic shops.
Beginning December 14, all titles from Dark Horse Comics will be on sale the same day in both print and digital format, allowing new-technology readers to access their favorite comics at the same time as their print-oriented counterparts.
Dark Horse Digital launched its standalone comic-reader app earlier this year and received incredible support from the continuously growing digital-comics fan base, a new type of comics fan eager to adapt to new technologies.
Since then, Dark Horse Digital has grown significantly in numbers and readership with the additions of several key titles to the digital roster, including Star Wars, Buffy, Angel & Faith, and Dollhouse. Dark Horse Digital also provides weekly sales and discounts to its readers, currently offers over eight hundred comics, and continues to increase the digital availability of the Dark Horse back catalog.


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This article is more than 1 year old
Supremes ankle AT&T DSL line-sharing suit
Reject antitrust pleas for lower pricing
On AT&T's high-speed internet pipes, it's AT&T's ballgame, the US Supreme Court has ruled.
The top court on Wednesday unanimously rejected accusations that AT&T's Pacific Bell Telephone unit was engaged in an illegal "price squeeze" designed to drive away smaller DSL internet providers using the carrier's infrastructure.
The justices ruled that AT&T isn't obligated to sell wholesale DSL service to potential competitors, and therefore can charge whatever it wants for use of its pipes.
At issue is the "common carrier" responsibilities required by dominant internet service providers. By law, Pacific Bell is required to indiscriminately sell wholesale access to its telephone network to unaffiliated providers. But in 2005, the Federal Communications Commission eliminated common carrier responsibilities for high-speed internet companies.
In 2003, PacBell was sued by a group of ISPs, lead by Linkline Communications, who claimed the telecom is abusing monopoly rights by offering wholesale prices that are out of line with its retail internet offerings. They accused the telecom giant of setting the wholesale price for DSL transport high and the retail price low to "exclude and unreasonably impede competition," thus allowing it to "preserve and maintain its monopoly control of DSL access to the internet."
The top court ruled that AT&T's pricing regime isn't a violation of the US's Sherman Antitrust Act:
"If AT&T had simply stopped providing DSL transport service to the plaintiff, it would not have run afoul of the Sherman Act," the decision stated. "Under these circumstances, AT&T was not required to offer this service at the wholesale prices the plaintiffs would have preferred."
The court also tossed out the price-squeezing complaint, calling the charges "nothing more than an amalgamation of meritless claims." AT&T can sell its retail DSL service at a low price so long as it's not engaged in predatory pricing, the justices ruled, and the wholesale price ain't nobody's business but AT&T's.
"If there is no duty to deal at the wholesale level and no predatory pricing at the retail level, then the firm is certainly not required to price both of these services in a manner that preserves its rivals' profit margins," the court stated.
The Supreme Court decision overturns a US appeals court in San Francisco that ruled AT&T is setting its wholesale prices too high for smaller ISPs to compete.
But the top court says the ISPs need to go back to the drawing board for their arguments if they want to take the case back to the lower courts.
"For if AT&T can bankrupt the plaintiffs by refusing to deal altogether, the plaintiffs must demonstrate why the law prevents AT&T from putting them out of business by pricing them out of the market."
A copy of the opinion, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, is available here (PDF). ®


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- CATEGORY FOCUS
- BEVERAGE R&D
Fireman’s Brew, a Los Angeles-based craft brewery founded by two firefighters, announced partnerships with three Ohio-based distributors — Beverage Distributors Inc., Tramonte Distributing and Classic Brands — to distribute its beers throughout the state. Ohio marks the brand’s 14th distribution state, joining California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York and Hawaii.
GuestMetrics LLC and Restaurant Sciences LLC have merged to form GuestSciences, effective as of Feb. 24.
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR), Waterbury, Vt., announced the closing of the previously announced private placement of GMCR common stock to The Coca-Cola Co. for total gross proceeds of approximately $1.25 billion.
Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co.’s Diet Coke brand is moving into the frozen beverage segment with its new Diet Coke Frost beverage. The low-calorie, cherry-flavored, frozen carbonated soft drink (CSD) marks the brand’s first foray into the frozen beverage segment in its 31-year history, the company says.
Crown Imports LLC, a Chicago-based division of Constellation Brands, announced that its Corona Light brand will expand on draft in more than 35 U.S. markets, and its Corona Extra brand will make its debut on draft in three test markets.
Earlier this month, Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Limited unveiled its new “Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future” initiative, which will hold its global operations and suppliers for Bacardi rum to high sustainability standards.
As the 65-and-older demographic increases in size and spending power, retailers, brand marketers and service providers have opportunities to better support the health and well-being of aging consumers, according to new findings from Nielsen, New York.
Although retailers have historically used the “multichannel” approach to reach consumers, the rapidly growing focus on the consumer and integrated, customer-focused technology has paved the way for a “total retail” experience, according to New York-based PwC’s report “Achieving Total Retail: Consumer Expectations Driving the Next Retail Business Model.” Based on a survey of more than 15,000 online shoppers globally, the study reveals eight consumer expectations that call upon retailers to create a total retail business model transformation.
The Skinnygirl brand has entered another new beverage segment with the announcement of its new, low-calorie Skinnygirl Water Enhancers.
Epicurex LLC, North Miami Beach, Fla., has joined forces with Hialeah, Fla.-based Sedano’s Supermarkets to retail its Cocozia 100 percent organic coconut water. Sedano’s Supermarkets is expected to sell the entire Cocozia lineup, including original, coffee, pineapple, mango and chocolate varieties, at its 34 stores in Florida.
Brunswick’s Buffalo Grove and Tavern ‘45 host special guests at its VIP Preview Event on Oct. 14, 2013. The complimentary charity event benefited Clearbrook and the Special Olympics of Illinois. (Photos by Jennifer Haderspeck)
Available On Demand Learn how to reduce costs and energy use by enabling high oil load emulsions, eliminating the need for weighting agents like brominated vegetable oil (BVO).
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This book addresses the principles of cleaning operations, water supply issues and the science of detergents and disinfectants.


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ON a balmy Saturday evening last summer in the Dhoby Ghaut neighborhood of Singapore, a few hundred people — residents and in-the-know tourists — stood or sat in rows of plastic chairs taking swigs of Tiger Beer retrieved from an ice-filled inflatable kid’s pool.
The crowd had assembled to see 10 local artists — photographers, a painter, a fashion designer, a filmmaker — present their work, with a white wall standing in for a projector screen.
The biannual gathering, named Rojak for the inventive Singaporean-Malaysian salad, is one aspect of a recent effort to raise Singapore’s cultural profile. While the government is luring international artists and architects to Singapore, local gallery owners, artists and entrepreneurs are finding innovative ways to nourish homegrown art and fashion and, at the same time, challenge the image of a buttoned-up Singapore, better known for its sparkling high-rises and mall culture than an independent arts scene.
Called a “cultural desert” too many times to count, the Lion City has never been associated with the thriving art and design scenes of places like Jakarta or Bangkok. Rather, it’s seen as a bastion of sanitized, chewing-gum-free efficiency, admired for its modernity and order in otherwise chaotic Southeast Asia. It’s a place where creative expression hasn’t been cultivated. In efforts to protect its power, the People’s Action Party, which has dominated politics since the republic’s establishment in 1965, has enforced strict speech laws that affect everything from freedom of the press to performance art.
Such entrenched stodginess, critics say, has come at the price of authenticity. The Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas infamously used Singapore to illustrate his term the “generic city” in a 1996 Wired interview, and even Lee Kuan Yew, the former prime minister, said that a Singaporean culture was unlikely to emerge anytime soon, according to an article in The Straits Times in 2006.
A decade ago, visitors interested in art and design were, for the most part, limited to contemporary-art-shy commercial galleries and exhibitions at foreign cultural centers like the Goethe-Institut or Alliance Française. There were — and still are — institutional options like the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Philatelic Museum and the Singapore Art Museum, which became the city-state’s first visual arts center when it opened in 1996 (and will remain as such until the National Art Gallery, Singapore opens in two years). As for local fashion design, it barely existed; most people shopped at brand-obsessed malls.
True to its hands-on, centralized nature, the government believes it can change this image. With the stated goal of turning Singapore into a “global arts city” by 2015, it has invested more than a billion dollars over the last 20 years in new museums and cultural institutions like the $487 million performing arts center, Esplanade and SAM at 8Q, a space dedicated to cutting-edge work at the Singapore Art Museum. It has lured starchitects like Moshe Safdie and Norman Foster to build glittering new hotels like the Marina Bay Sands and the Capella Singapore, and recruited the art world icon Lorenzo Rudolf to organize Art Stage Singapore, an Art Basel-like event that debuted in January. Some 32,000 visitors showed up to see works by artists including Anish Kapoor, David LaChapelle and Takashi Murakami.
Meanwhile, many of those involved in the independent cultural scene — including Rojak’s 34-year-old founder, the architect Torrance Goh — are working on a grassroots level to create an authentic cultural identity for the city-state.
“Many Singaporeans are playing with new ways of examining themselves, and I wanted to create a platform for that,” said Mr. Goh. “The system doesn’t allow for spontaneity, so we are bypassing the patronage network and doing it ourselves in overlooked, public spaces.” Other recent locations of the six-year-old event have included the offices of an ad agency and a backstreet in the Little India neighborhood.
Chun Kaifeng, 29, an artist whose intricately assembled installations of mundane domestic scenes earned him the Singapore Art Exhibition Prize in 2009, recently participated in a group show organized by Valentine Willie Fine Art entitled “Beyond LKY,” which examined life after Mr. Lee, Singapore’s most powerful figure. Organized by the Valentine Willie gallery, one of several contemporary art spaces that have recently popped up in a warehouse in the Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the exhibition featured works by 20 Singaporean artists, both emerging and midcareer. Paintings, drawings, installations and photographs explored controversial topics like the death penalty, immigration and national identity, subject matter that can incur fines and prosecution by the government.
“I was waiting for the Media Development Authority to show up,” said the gallery owner, Valentine Willie, referring to the government agency that oversees public content. “But no one came.”
The gallery anchors Singapore’s newest arts area, which has grown to include about a half-dozen galleries in the last few years, including Ikkan Art International and Light Editions, which displays regional photography. Housed in a bustling warehouse that serves the neighboring container port but is only ten minutes by taxi from the central business district, the unadorned space with its freight elevators and exposed pipes certainly looks right for the part of avant-garde art hub. Visitors can easily spend a few hours looking at art that ranges from work by young regional artists to aboriginal masters before slurping down a bowl of the famed, pungent bak kut teh (pork-rib soup) at the Outram Park Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha coffee shop, a five-minute walk away.
Visual art isn’t the only cultural realm that is expanding. A cadre of young Singaporeans is striking out on its own to begin independent boutiques and fashion labels to prove that there is a distinct Singaporean identity, far from the malls.
“In Singapore, creativity is no longer frowned upon,” said Kenny Leck, who became one of the movement’s pioneers when he abandoned a career as an accountant and opened BooksActually in 2005 with Karen Wai, his business partner. Filled with the pair’s collection of vintage typewriters, cameras, accordions and toys, the shop is the kind of place that can’t keep magazines like Monocle and Granta on the shelves. With the goal of fostering a salon-type atmosphere, BooksActually regularly invites emerging artists, authors and playwrights to hold events and readings at the shop, recognizing that many of them have nowhere else to go. Events are advertised on the store’s Facebook page and blog, hellobooksactually.blogspot.com. Bolstered by its slow but steady success, the store recently moved to Yong Siak Street in the up-and-coming residential neighborhood of Tiong Bahru, also home to the White Canvas art gallery, whose exhibitions are accompanied by artist-led talks and dinners, and Strangelets, a quirky design shop where you can pick up ice crystal-inspired lamps and MP3-friendly retro-style radios made of wood.
BooksActually’s story inspired Mike Foo and Shannon Ong to open Woods in the Books, a whimsical children’s bookstore stocked with pop-up books and graphic novels, in Chinatown’s trendy Ann Siang Hill area. This is one of Singapore’s hippest neighborhoods for shopping and drinking, with places like the wine bar Le Carillon de l’Angelus; Style:Nordic, a Scandinavian design boutique; Asylum Shop, which carries cutting-edge European labels, and the Patissier, a Singaporean-run take-away bakery housed in a historic shophouse fronted by floral tiles. Pick up a slice of the pavlova-inspired passion fruit meringue to accompany an espresso at the newly opened Shots, a cafe run by a photographer who displays works by his contemporaries on the walls.
Local fashion designers are also trying to create a following, no small feat given Singapore’s more than 200 shopping malls, most of which focus on international labels like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
With its batik shops and head-scarf-clad women, the Malay neighborhood of Kampong Glam would seem an unlikely match for couture — but reasonable rents and a prime location have turned the vibrant enclave into a small-scale center for up-and-coming designers. Blackmarket, in a century-old shophouse on Jalan Pisang, is an essential first stop. Among exposed brick walls, dangling telephones and a chandelier fashioned out of Orangina bottles, the boutique stocks more than 30 Singaporean labels, from promising newcomers to current stars, including the house brand FrüFrü & TigerLily, whose recent designs include black dresses with a Star Trek-like satin stripe and miniskirts with extended, triangular pockets. The shop was such a hit a second location was opened on Orchard Road in December.
“We see ourselves as curators,” said Jasmine Tuan, an owner who started Blackmarket with five friends two years ago. “Everything in here is a piece of art, and that’s the mind-set we’re pushing toward.”
Three blocks away is Haji Lane, known for its vintage shops, hookah cafes that spill onto the sidewalk and boutiques stocked with local fashion. Try White Room for striped skinny ties, seersucker shorts and jackets by Drifters; Know It Nothing for Sifr’s well-tailored men’s basics; and girly Soon Lee for ruffled blouses and handmade bags and jewelry.
Nearby, Newcomer Bar Stories and Café Fables, above a vintage-reproduction furniture shop, A Thousand Tales, is a charming spot for an afternoon coffee or evening cocktail.
A handful of young Singaporean labels are even going international, like Jo Soh’s Hansel, which caused a minor news media frenzy last year when Katy Perry donned one of her bustier-inspired, polka-dot dresses after visiting Singapore. Not only is Ms. Soh selling her vintage-chic 1930s- and ’40s-inspired dresses, blouses and skirts in the United States, Japan and Malaysia, but because of an increasing homegrown clientele, she also recently opened her own boutique on Orchard Street.
“People are now buying local and realizing that what makes Singapore special is what Singaporeans make and create,” Ms. Soh, 35, said. “When I’m 60 and look back on this time, I will see that I was part of a pioneering group that helped to change society. That is what keeps me going.”
IF YOU GO
WHERE TO SEE ART
Light Editions, 39 Keppel Road; (65) 6223-1102 (by appointment); lighteditions.com.sg
Ikkan Art International, 39 Keppel Road; (65) 9088-7056; ikkan-art.com
Rojak: Information at farm.sg.
Valentine Willie Fine Art, 39 Keppel Road; (65) 8133-1760; vwfa.net.
White Canvas, 78 Guan Chuan Street; (65) 6220-8723; whitecanvas-gallery.com.
WHERE TO SHOP
Blackmarket, 19 Jalan Pisang, (65) 6296-8512, and Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Roa; (65) 6634-5201; theblackmarket.sg.
BooksActually, 9 Yong Siak Street, (65) 6222-9195; booksactually.com.
Hansel Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road.; (65) 6337-0992; ilovehansel.com.
Know it Nothing, 51 Haji Lane; (65) 6392-5475; knowitnothing.com.
Soon Lee, 73 Haji Lane; (65) 6297-0198; soonlee.sg.
White Room, 37 Haji Lane; (65) 6297-1280; atwhiteroom.com.
Woods in the Books, 58 Club Street; (65) 6222-9980; woodsinthebooks.sg.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Bar Stories and Café Fables, 57A Haji Lane; (65) 6298-0838.
Outram Park Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha, 7 Keppel Road; (65) 6222-9610.
The Patissier, 18 Ann Siang Road; (65) 6220-5565; thepatissier.com.
Shots, 8 Ann Siang Road; (65) 6224-8502; shots.com.sg.


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China's centuries old bathhouse culture is to come under two new standards to prevent the trade falling into disrepute.
Both standards were expected to be implemented in the first half of this year, said Luo Jizhen of the China National Spa Association (CSPA).
The Ministry of Commerce is to issue new operating standards for the bath trade while the CSPA is to implement a five-tier star rating system for bathhouses.
Five-star bathhouses should have at least 20 single massage rooms and provide services such as depositories for valuables and travel bookings.
Luo said the CSPA would give a star-rating to each bathhouse that complied with the ministry standard later this year.
The operating standards would require bathhouses to display signs detailing health and hygiene procedures and rules, while cleaners should be responsible for the disinfection of facilities. Tea sets, towels, washcloths, bathrobes and slippers should be replaced or disinfected before each use.
Wardrobes should be disinfected at least twice a week, and bathing pools and other equipment should all be disinfected every day. Bath water must be replaced promptly. Tubs should be disinfected for each customer.
The standards also require operators to clearly display service items and fees, sanitation standards, business hours and safety instructions.
They cover all businesses providing showers, baths, pools and medicated baths, saunas, springs, spas and related services such as massages, pedicures and catering.
In June last year, the ministries of commerce and health issued a sanitary standard for bathhouses, but Luo said the new standards had more detailed operating requirements.
Tian Kun, a lawyer with the CSPA committee of experts, said, "False advertising and unfair competition have been creeping into the trade in the past few years."
The pursuit of profits sometimes drove operators to ignore laws and regulations, he said.
The new standards were not mandatory, but they should better regulate the industry, Tian said. The CSPA would offer operators professional training in the standards this year.
"We have no details of the new standards, but we always maintain sanitation levels in our bathrooms," said a worker at the Yihai International Chamber of Commerce, which offers bathing facilities in Beijing.
A Beijing worker with the Da Lang Tao Sha company, which runs a nationwide chain of bathhouses, declined to comment on the new standards.
China's bath culture dates back more than 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty, when bathing was required before important events like enthronements and sacrifices.
In the Han (206B.C.-220A.D.) and Tang (618-906) dynasties, steam baths, hot springs and medicated baths were popular with the upper classes. Chinese doctors began to prescribe baths for the treatment of different ailments.
For most of the 20th century, many Chinese bathed at public baths, until the development of plumbing and drainage systems brought bathrooms to most homes.
However, more than 150,000 public bathhouses, employing more than 10 million people, still exist and provide a range of social activities.


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Who doesn't like free stuff? Sony's getting the big picture: we like free content downloads. As reported by develop
, SCE Worldwide Studios VP Michael Denny states, "All games, whether they are launched on disc or electronically, need to create a community and have active community websites and extra content."
One of PSP's launch titles, Wipeout Pure
, featured tons of downloadable content after release. In fact, the various packs released over the months following release doubled the amount of content available in the game. It was free for the consumer, and undoubtedly boosted sales. "Downloadable content helped keep the game on the shelf and encouraged people to not trade the game in," explains development director Clemens Wangerin. The game also delivered more than 800,000 downloads and became the first PSP title to reach Platinum status.
While speaking about Wipeout
, it looks like Sony accidentally revealed that sequels were being made for both the PSP and PS3 platforms. If you haven't figured it out, the next iterations of Wipeout
will also deliver even more downloadable content. Hopefully, it will still retain the nice price that Pure set: free.
Killzone Liberation online beta coming soon


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Brits not materialistic when it comes to treasured possessions
What would you save from a fire?
The history of the hybrid car
From the 19th century to today's roads.
Are electric cars getting cheaper?
Various experts have predicted that prices will fall in the next few years.
The environmental pros and cons of electric cars
What's stopping you from going green?
The five cheapest hybrid and electric cars to insure
Don't let the cost of insurance put you off going green.
British motorists are more eco-conscious than ever before
46% of drivers are concerned that their car is damaging the environment.
Behind the wheel: Nissan Leaf
Can the world's most popular electric vehicle continue its reign?


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Aussie Christmas spending to hit $23.9b in 2021
This festive season, people plan to fork out on the usual suspects –gifts, booze and travel – but some are worried supply chain issues could prompt panic buying.
Aussies are set to shell out a whopping $23.9 billion on Christmas this year, with the average person expected to spend $1232, according to new research.
Gifts are the top of the spending list, with Aussies expected to fork out $374 each on presents – however this is down from $391 in 2020, comparison website Finder found.
Women, on average, will spend around 39 per cent more on presents than men, splurging $434 compared to $313.
However, supply chain disruptions have nearly one-third of Australians concerned their purchases will not arrive on time, a survey by software provider Emarsys found.
Additionally, two-fifths wished for more time to think about selecting and purchasing presents this holiday season, with 14 per cent worried they will end up panic buying.
Australian Retail Association CEO Paul Zahra has warned shoppers they should steel themselves for heftier price tags as supply chain pressures – including shipping bottlenecks and international flight restrictions – boost expenses and limit the amount of product arriving in the country, forcing businesses to pump up prices.
Adding to the bill is a rolling staff shortage that is putting pressure on bosses to lift employees’ wages.
However, Sarah Megginson, senior editor of money at Finder, said this year’s Christmas is different to most, with millions of Australians coming out of lockdowns with stashed savings and pent up demand.
“We’re keen to see our families and loved ones so travelling is going to be high on the agenda,” she said.
“Aussies have started their shopping earlier this year thanks to irresistible Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals which will help to alleviate supply chain setbacks and shipping delays.”
As freedoms increase heading into December, Australians plan on spending $269 each on travel over the holiday season.
Finder’s research shows some Australians will also be having a boozy Christmas, spending $107 per person on alcohol over the silly season – a collective $2 billion across Australia.
Consumers are expected to spend $308 each on food, and $174 on eating/drinking out.
But Ms Megginson urged consumers to avoid going into debt.
“Christmas can be costly, so it’s important that households prepare accordingly and don’t blow their budgets,” she said.
More Coverage‘Keeps on growing’: Is this the ultimate Christmas gift?How to give kids a $150,000 Christmas present
“Try to offset higher spending with savings in other areas, such as switching car insurance for a better deal or refinancing to a cheaper home loan to reduce monthly repayments. You may even be able to get a new home loan with a cashback offer to give your savings a boost.
“If you aren’t cashed up this Christmas, families could replace gifts with things like acts of service or experiences, like a picnic at the beach.”