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Kanye West and Bianca Censori have come under fire for their choice of outfits during a recent Sunday service. The controversial musician and his companion attended the religious gathering in attire that many deemed inappropriate and ungodly. West donned a bold red jumpsuit while Censori wore a revealing black ensemble, both outfits deviating from the traditional modesty associated with religious services.
Ye & Bianca today in LA pic.twitter.com/K2LKetyEZr— Donda Times (@dondatimes) June 4, 2023
Critics argue that the couple’s fashion choices were disrespectful and undermined the sanctity of the occasion. The backlash intensified as images of the outfits circulated on social media, with many expressing disappointment and disapproval. Some accused West of using the Sunday service as a platform for self-promotion and disregarding the solemnity of the event.
Defending their fashion choices, West and Censori emphasized their creative expression and asserted that their outfits were a reflection of their personal style. They argued that religious worship should not be limited by rigid dress codes. However, this response further fueled the controversy, with detractors contending that respect for religious traditions and cultural norms should take precedence over individual expression.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the intersection of fashion, religion, and celebrity culture. While some argue in favor of artistic freedom and individuality, others stress the importance of honoring religious customs and demonstrating sensitivity towards sacred spaces. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether West and Censori’s controversial attire will have lasting implications on the perception of their Sunday services and the role of fashion within religious contexts.


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A gem of a tie-up: miner and precious stone maker Gemfields snaps up Faberge the jeweller for £89m
Precious stone miner Gemfields has poached bejewelled egg maker Faberge for £89million, less than ten times the record auction price fetched by one of its famous pieces.
Gemfields, which mines coloured stones such as emeralds and rubies, hopes the tie-up will make it less vulnerable to the changing appetites of its customers.
‘We didn’t want to be at the whim of fashion designers, we wanted to take more control,’ said boss Ian Harebottle.
He pointed out that owning Faberge will give the firm more certainty over demand for certain stones.
Dazzling deal: Bejewelled egg maker Faberge has been bought by Gemfields
Gemfields also stands to benefit
from a greater interest in where precious stones come from, as wealthy
buyers seek to avoid buying conflict minerals.
‘I used to think this focus on ethics was the domain of the West,’ said Harebottle.
‘But around the world, consumers want to understand where it comes from and that it’s not involved in something strange.’
The deal will reduce the stake held by its largest shareholder to 49 per cent, which Gemfields sees as a prelude to moving from the junior AIM stock market to a Footsie listing.
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Credit Suisse eyes $2b capital hike increase
Tesla has cut starter prices for its Model 3 and Model Y cars by as much as 9 per cent in China, reversing a trend of increases across the industry amid signs of softening demand in the world’s largest auto market.
The price cuts, posted in listings on the electric vehicle (EV) giant’s China website on Monday, are the first by Tesla in China in 2022, and come after Tesla began offering limited incentives to buyers who opted for its insurance last month.
Shares of the Austin, Texas-based firm were down 3.3 per cent at $207.36 in trading before the bell. The price cuts also follows Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk’s comment last week that “a recession of sorts” was under way in China and Europe, and Tesla said it would miss its vehicle delivery target this year. Musk told analysts last week that demand was strong in the current quarter and that he expected Tesla to be “recession-resilient”.
China Merchants Bank International (CMBI) said Tesla’s price cuts underlined the growing competitive risk for EV makers in China, with industry-wide sales projected to slow into 2023.
“The price cuts underscore the possible price war which we have been emphasising since August,” said Shi Ji, an analyst with CMBI.
CMBI analysts warned last week that 2023 would bring more competition to the EV sector, saying it expected to see sales growth for EVs and hybrids on a combined basis to drop below 50 per cent.
Tesla had cut prices in China last year in an effort to be more competitive in the country, while in the United States, its largest market, the EV maker has raised prices over the past year on higher cost of raw materials. Data on Monday showed retail sales in China grew 2.5 per cent in September, below the expected 3.3 per cent rise and less than half of August’s 5.4 per cent growth.
The US automaker and several Chinese rivals have hiked prices several times since last year amid rising raw material costs. But Tesla has regularly adjusted prices of its cars in China, including reductions, reflecting government subsidies.


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The White County Sheriff's Department says it has seized a record amount of meth ingredients. Deputies say they found more than 8,800 pills at a flea market in north White County.
At the Country Side Flea Market, they offer everything from tools to antiques. But the White County Sheriff's Office says it's what owner James Albert Rasco Jr. isn't advertising that got him into trouble.
Sheriff Pat Garrett says, "You can't very well put up a sign that says, ‘I'm selling meth out of my store here,’ but word does travel." And that's how deputies got their search warrant.
Deputies say Rasco cooperated and walked them through his property and business. Lt. Greg Williams with the Narcotics Division says "As long as I've been working the narcotics team, this is the largest amount of pills I have found used in the manufacturing of meth. There were approximately 8,840 pills that were found, 38 pounds."
Williams says many of them are diet pills and aren't typically used to make meth. But, he says the state's new law requiring many cold medicines to be sold behind the counter may have meth cookers looking for new alternatives.
"But I noticed on the container that the pills contained ephedrine alkaloids, so I called the chemist to see if these kinds of pills can be used to make meth and he researched and said yes they could," he explains.
Deputies did find some meth and two guns. They also took Rasco's computer because he was allegedly using it to store meth recipes and to order the pills online.
Although deputies had probable cause, Lt. Williams says Rasco was not arrested on the spot because they do not feel he's a flight risk. They plan to make their arrest after the evidence is processed.


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The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Informa Markets to host COSMOPROF CBE ASEAN (CCA 2020), the first world-class beauty trade fair in Southeast Asia, to support Thai entrepreneurs and enhance their competitiveness on the world stage.
The signing of this MoU is a sign of cooperation on driving the Thai beauty business sector, especially SMEs, to be able to compete in international markets by using the CCA 2020, the world-class beauty trade fair, held for the first time in Southeast Asia, as a platform for showing the potential of new products and innovations from Thai entrepreneurs.
FTI Chairman Suphan Mongkolsuthi said the event will be held from December 14 – 16 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani. He expressed his confidence that it will help attract foreign investors, support Thai SME entrepreneurs with opportunities for business networking, expand the Thai beauty business to the world market and promote Thailand’s strength as a hub for the health and beauty industries in ASEAN. (NNT)


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Austin, TX April 11, 2013
ShopRTO.com’s launch coincides with the recent and growing media attention of the “sharing economy”. The transformation of American rental culture in recent years has turned the notion of America as an ownership economy on its head. The trend, still in its infancy, has been termed the “sharing” economy, one that gives access to home furnishings without the obligation to own it or, at least, the option to own as with the rent to own transaction.
Though to many, renting the basics is still about making ends meet, a shinier, more affluent cadre of renters has also emerged, and they are shifting mainstream thinking about the ideals of ownership and what we want out of the dollars we spend, according to a recent The Economist article.
In some ways, rentals offer a need for a busier, more crowded world: environmentally friendly car-sharing schemes, cloud-based apps and software to maintain and upgrade myriad home gadgets (refrigerators that alert when milk is needed, thermostats that track energy use, alarm systems that send video of the home). Those attributes save money, and parts of the economy grow as these new sharing-oriented business models are created.
A rush into rentals isn’t unusual during recessions. People tend to switch from buying to renting essentials like home furniture, refrigerators and televisions when wallets are thin and credit is tight. So do corporations, which rely more on rented office space, temporary workers and rented machinery. Usually this is a temporary shift that lasts only until a recovery begins. But coming out of the Great Recession, there are signs that rentership is becoming more of a lifestyle choice.
The migration to more-flexible living has seeped into all facets of life. Which is why rent to own has seen such a surge in use in past years. No other transaction allows the flexibility than rent to own as the renter never incurs debt and can return the furnishing at any time without penalty. But, only rent to own, still gives that renter the option to own.
The trend reflects banks’ tightening lending standards, especially for home loans, as well as consumers’ fearing for their financial future. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index–a measure of Americans’ perceptions of the economy, their personal finances and whether it’s a good time to buy goods and services–which was already negative, has fallen 41.5 points since 2007.
The age of austerity has coincided with the Facebook age, one that prioritizes impermanence and immediacy, which also breeds a renter mentality. It seems though most Americans now have less to spend, they haven’t lowered their expectations. They still want nice things for their homes. This makes this idea of renting and rent to own suddenly seem more urgent and doable.
Younger consumers are also more educated, better traveled and more physically active, which heightens the appeal of spending precious dollars on new experiences rather than ownership of things, according to market studies.
The bottom line: there are rewards to reap from the rental economy, both economic and social, but they depend on how it is used. Rent to own has come a long way in its pricing and payment options. It’s now, though, that consumer perception about renting has caught up. And that’s where ShopRTO.com comes in to make sure consumers make the most of their renting experience.
It’s easy to envision a rental culture that recasts the value of ownership, empowering consumers to share more, waste less and cherish the things they do commit to own.
ShopRTO.com provides affordable home furnishings and living tips for Americans, and when rent-to-own may be right for their home shopping choices.


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CHINGONA Soles – Stiletto Art Exhibit – Auction closes on March 3rd!
THE CHINGONA EVENT OF THE YEAR IS BACK
Torres Multicultural is proud to announce the return of their annual Chingona Soles stiletto art and fashion show at Luna Culture Lab. Chingona Soles celebrates women trailblazers in a unique and artistic manner. Local artists, celebrities, designers, community and business leaders get the opportunity to transform a black stiletto into a piece of artwork to be auctioned off. Luna Culture Lab is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Proceeds from this year’s auction will benefit the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
Bidding runs from Feb. 3, 2023 @ 6:00 PM MST to Mar 3, 2023 @ 10:00 PM MST
“La Virgencita” Stiletto, created by artist Patrick Murillo, was gifted to Dolores at the 2014 CHINGONA Soles Stiletto Art Exhibit!


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[Tokyo/Stockholm] SoftBank Group Corp. (“SBG”) and Exeger Operations AB (“Exeger”) today announced entry into a definitive agreement under which SBG invests $10 million in Exeger. In a related development, SB Energy Corp. (“SB Energy”), a Japanese subsidiary of SBG, and Exeger entered into a strategic partnership agreement to accelerate the global rollout of the Exeger technology.
The Exeger solar cell works efficiently in ambient light conditions, in both artificial and natural light, with the potential to enable self-powered devices. Exeger intends to change the perception of available energy by integrating the solar cell into mass market products. It is the only solar cell that can be printed in free-form and different colors, allowing it to seamlessly enhance any product with endless power.
SBG has the right to nominate a director for appointment to Exeger’s board of directors. SB Energy intends to partner with Exeger to accelerate the global launch of this ultra-thin, flexible solar cell and open up a wider array of new Exeger powered products within the SoftBank group ecosystem.
“The development of this innovative technology, which can convert any light into energy that can be used in any way, will dramatically transform people’s lifestyles and behaviours,” said Shigeki Miwa, General Manager of CEO Project Office and Representative Director & CEO of SB Energy Corp. “The SoftBank Group is extremely happy to be able to collaborate with Exeger, which has this amazing technology, to promote the fusion of energy and technology and help realize a more convenient and comfortable society.”
“I am extremely proud that the boldest visionary in the world has identified Exeger as a global key enabling technology company. SBG, with its global reach and vast resources, is the perfect partner to fully exploit the potential of our technology. Together we will change people’s perception of available energy now that any surface exposed to light can be power generating. We will use this initial SBG investment to accelerate commercialization across multiple markets.” says Exeger’s Founder & CEO Giovanni Fili.
Exeger manufactures the world’s best solar cells. It seamlessly enhances any product in both natural and artificial light. Exeger’s vision is of a better world where any surface can be power generating through ambient light. The company’s goal is to change the perception of available energy by integrating self-power into everyday devices, the brighter the better. Effortless and endless energy will drive global change into a new age of innovation and sustainability.


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Stadium Goods, a sneaker and streetwear marketplace, said Wednesday that it has partnered with Nordstrom Inc.
to bring rare sneakers and top brands like Air Max 1s and Yeezy Boosts to the floor of the retailer's new Manhattan men's store. "Sneakers are the fastest growing category in men's footwear," according to a statement from Kristin Frossmo, executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes at Nordstrom. "Sneakers have disrupted fashion and are now being mixed with everyday looks from desk to dinner," Frossmo said. Nordstrom shares are down 2.7% in premarket trading after news that the company ended talks to go private. Shares are up 18% for the past year while the S&P 500 index
is up 16% for the period.


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Kitsumon published a blog post to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Swipelux, a fiat on-ramp expert. The partnership between Kitsumon and Swipelux allows Kitsumon to onboard more users by allowing them to buy tokens and NFTs through bank cards like Visa and Mastercard.
The partnership aims to connect more users to Web3, especially in the gaming sector. Enabling them to use the fiat system to purchase Web3 digital assets is a smart move to make sure that users feel comfortable and do not hesitate in the virtual space.
James Kirby, the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Kitsumon, reiterated the aspiration of the platform by saying that it wanted to become the leader in bridging the difference between traditional gamers and Web3 while promoting inclusivity across the globe.
James Kirby added that the partnership with Swipelux allows Kitsumon to bring more users to their token utilization and gaming section.
The move is expected to benefit everyone in the ecosystem – partners and users.
Filip Kollert, the Chief Operating Officer & Founder of Swipelux, responded by adding that both partners share a common belief in bringing more users into the crypto market by simplifying the onboarding process.
Swipelux has developed a Top-Up Module that enables users to purchase digital assets through their bank cards – Visa and Mastercard. Its operations are licensed in Estonia, and Swipelux features a fully automated KYC process along with card processing chargeback protection and offering liquidity.
Kitsumon is an online multiplayer game where players can engage in buying and owning Kitsu for the collection & creation of exciting items. Players can also participate in online challenges and battles.
Characters serve as NFTs, and they must be adored as pets. Players collect, breed, and care for their virtual pets. The virtual ecosystem has professions for players where they can indulge in fishing, farming, and crafting, to mention a few.
Some other activities that keep players busy in the virtual space are:-
- Battle Arena (MOBA)
- Earn Royalties
- Leaderboard & Achievements
KMC is the native token that is exclusively available for the users of Kitsumon. KMC allows players to purchase and trade in-game digital assets like tokens and non-fungible tokens. $KMC further allows players to get their hands on KANDY, primarily used as an in-game currency.
Players are also rewarded after they purchase KANDY.
The NFT marketplace of Kitsumon offers a space for buyers and sellers to strike a deal and secure the best interest in the process. It maximizes the sale opportunities for traders to ensure the best value for money.
According to the roadmap drawn by Kitsumon, it is all set to launch breeding in the second quarter of 2022. This will be coupled with NFT Farming and Breeding Launch. The third quarter of 2022 will see Kitsumon launching the land sale and developing game UI.


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When Apple launched its controversial redesign of the MacBook Pro in 2016, the company might not know it was ready to be sued-but not only was it a class-action lawsuit against their infamous butterfly keyboard, but it also looked likely. It became the second one because of its well-known fragile display cable. Judge Edward Davila has decided to let the “flexgate” litigation continue, ruling that Apple should have known that they would fail, but would continue to sell them anyway.
The judge wrote: “The court found that the combination of allegations of pre-release testing and a large number of customer complaints is sufficient to show that Apple has proprietary knowledge of the so-called flaws.” Law 360 with 9to5Mac). You can read all orders at the bottom of this article.
To see what the problem looks like, just look at the picture at the top of this article; it is sometimes referred to as a “stage light”
Part of the Flexgate controversy revolved around how Apple resolved the issue when it was first made public at the end of 2018-first by quietly swapping a new, slightly longer cable into a newer MacBook, and only after 15,000 users used it for a few months. Open one of its typical free maintenance plans. Signed a petition and was called in the press. Since then, the company has responded more quickly to problems, such as providing a free battery replacement program for a small number of MacBook Pro laptops that no longer charge in 2016 and 2017.
Unlike the butterfly keyboard lawsuit, the flexgate lawsuit does not appear to be a certified class action. However, in this case, there are currently 9 different plaintiffs, and the judge is inviting them to file a new amended complaint. We will watch it go from there.


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The gemstone mining company’s “Celebration Sapphires” collection has launched in India.
Baselworld’s Future Uncertain as Exhibitors Revolt Over Refund Policy
Brands are threatening to leave the show en masse unless they get their money back for 2020.
Basel, Switzerland—Baselworld has drawn the ire of exhibitors once again, this time for the amount of money it’s keeping after canceling the 2020 show and shifting the 2021 dates to January.
Last week, Baselworld organizer MCH Group emailed exhibitors giving them what one exhibitor, who asked not to be named, described as two “take-it-or-leave it” options.
The first is for Baselworld to take 85 percent of an exhibitor’s booth fees for 2020 and apply them to 2021, with the remaining 15 percent going to MCH to offset the costs the company incurred for the 2020 show that didn’t happen.
With the second option, exhibitors are being offered a 30 percent cash refund. Of the remaining 70 percent, 40 percent of that will be carried forward to 2021 while 30 percent remains with MCH for incurred costs.
There is no option for exhibitors that are unable to attend the 2021 show, which has moved from April to January.
In a press release circulated Friday, Baselworld organizers cited the “substantial financial commitments” already made for the 2020 show, which was called off just two months before opening day due to the spread of the coronavirus.
“By the time the crisis began to unfold, Baselworld was just a few days before setting up the fairgrounds and the major portion of the expenditures in preparation for Baselworld 2020 had already been made,” the release states.
Show organizers explained further in an email sent Thursday to National Jeweler.
“The proposal to carry forward 85 percent of the fees to the next fair in January 2021 is already very generous … If all exhibitors accepted this option, at most a third of the accumulated costs of around CHF 18 million would be covered. This means that Baselworld itself would also have to bear a large loss,” they said.
So, MCH came up with the two options, the second of which “not only allows our customers to lose a minimum of money but also secures the future of Baselworld.”
“In addition, if a large majority [of exhibitors] choose option 1, this will enable us to support smaller exhibitors in difficulty in order to ensure their participation in 2021,” show organizers said.
Some of the show’s watch and jewelry exhibitors see it differently.
To them, it’s new show management but the same “arrogant” attitude, the unnamed exhibitor said in an interview with National Jeweler, an adjective’s that’s been
“They’re [MCH Group] trying to make it seem like they’re doing a good deed, but this is obviously not how all the exhibitors feel,” he said.
Many jewelry and gem exhibitors, he said, think the refund policy is unfair, particularly given the change in dates.
Baselworld 2020 was supposed to take place April 30-May 5, but the 2021 edition is set for Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, which puts it right after VicenzaOro and The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, and right before the Tucson gem shows.
“These dates don’t work for us,” the exhibitor said, noting that brands were not consulted about the date change. “I’m not going to drop Tucson to go to a dying Basel show.”
Exhibitors want MCH Group to either issue a 100 percent refund to anyone who can’t do the 2021 show or move the show back to April.
Also angering exhibitors: Baselworld has given them only until April 30 to choose one of these two options, a deadline the exhibitor described as “insensitive and untimely” in light of the circumstances.
“If they don’t submit to exhibitor demands, they’re going to lose a lot of exhibitors,” he said.
A similar, and more ominous, prediction came from Hubert J. du Plessix, president of the Baselworld Exhibitors Committee and an executive with arguably the most powerful watch company in the world.
Du Plessix is the chief investment officer at Rolex.
According to Singapore-based journalist Jiaxian Su, founder of the blog Watches by SJX, du Plessix sent a letter to MCH Group that Jiaxian described as “quietly scathing.”
In the letter, du Plessix, in his capacity as president of the Exhibitors’ Committee, asks for full refunds of fees paid for Baselworld 2020.
“Otherwise,” the missive states, “we fear that this will be the end, pure and simple, of Baselworld, especially since the dates chosen in January 2021 are not suitable for the jewellery, gemstones and pearls sector, and that coordination with Watches & Wonders (SIHH) no longer exists.”
Show director Michel Loris-Melikoff said in an email to National Jeweler that it is “impossible” to pay back the full amount because it would “jeopardize Baselworld.”
He also said the dates were “discussed extensively” with the show’s Advisory Committee, in which the watches, jewelry/gems and technical sectors are represented, and that the watch industry was the sector pushing to have the show “much earlier” than April.
Baselworld 2020 was slated to begin immediately after Watches & Wonders Geneva (formerly SIHH), which was canceled as well.
Watches & Wonders Geneva has not officially announced the dates for its 2021 show and did not respond when asked about them Wednesday, but it seems that the two shows won’t be held together.
Loris-Melikoff said in an interview with Swiss newspaper Le Temps that Watches & Wonders Geneva 2021 will take place in April.
When asked about 2021 dates, Loris-Melikoff told National Jeweler this: “[Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie Chair and Managing Director] Fabienne Lupo and I seem to have a different reading of the exchanges we had in February.
“But no matter, the situation is as it is. Our choice of January is only for 2021. We still believe that coordination must be restored as soon as possible.”
Loris-Melikoff also noted that he’s begun talks with the Baselworld Exhibitors’ Committee in an effort to “find a common path.”
“If new solutions emerge in the discussion that are right for both sides, I won’t close my mind to them,” he said.
The auction house sold all 11 “MoonSwatch Moonshine Gold” suitcases, donating the proceeds to eye care nonprofit Orbis International.
Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.
The WaxJet 400, recognized as the world's fastest wax printer, is bringing in a new era of precision and efficiency to industry.
Ukrainian jewelry designer Valeriya Guzema’s charitable “Freedom” collection is inspired by hope for the country’s future.
Set to be held in Venice, it’s a look through the maison’s history.
Sebastian Clarke and Katherine van Dell, frequent appraisers on “Antiques Roadshow,” will join the new office.
Sherry Smith dishes on the month’s highs and lows and the two categories consumers were loving ahead of Valentine’s Day.
Gorman was an industry trailblazer, serving as the first female treasurer of Jewelers of America.
The movement of the 18-karat gold and diamond “Tennessee Torque” necklace is subtle.
Industry veteran Gina D’Onofrio has rejoined the auction house.


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RIM is expected to let up to 3,000 people go today. Yesterday — Sunday — Google said it will cut 20 percent of Motorola Mobility’s workforce and close a third of its 94 offices worldwide.
One-third of the Motorola cuts will be in the United States. Among the drivers of Google’s decision: a desire to exit unprofitable markets, stop making low-end phones and focus on a few smartphones rather than the 27 it has now.
Dennis Woodside, Motorola’s new chief executive, told the New York Times that the changes are part of Google’s efforts to move into mobile. It acquisition of Motorola Mobility — and its 17,000 patients — was thought to be a way of defending itself against challenges to Android. Clearly, however, it wants to get into the hardware business as well. But just as Microsoft has been reminded, that can really irk your hardware partners.
Google’s hired new senior management at Motorola Mobility and let go 40 percent of its vice presidents. The company plans to shrink operations in Asia and India and center research and development Sunnyvale, Calif., Beijing and Chicago, where it just signed a 15-year lease for a new headquarters downtown.
Google reportedly has been preparing to sell off Motorola’s cable assets as well.
At RIM, only employees working on its next operating system, BlackBerry 10, are saidto be safe from the ax.
However, BGR has confirmed that the 3,000 cuts are part of the June 28 announcement that 5,000 positions would be eliminated. At the time, RIM again delayed release of BlackBerry 10 until the first quarter of 2013. It had been expected to debut in the first quarter of this year. The delay came because of CEO Thorsten Heins’s insistence on delivering the most polished BlackBerry experience yet, instead of launching something half-baked. Unfortunately, the continued delays mean RIM will come late to a crowded party.
- Motorola Set for Big Cuts as Google Reinvents It [NY Times]
- Source: RIM will lay off 3000 on August 13th [cantech letter]
- RIM to lay off 3,000 employees starting next week [BGR]


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By Deborah M. Todd
(Reuters) - Sharp growth in its commercial cloud computing business helped lift Microsoft Corp's <MSFT.O> quarterly revenue above Wall Street's expectations, sending the technology company's shares up more than 4 percent in after-hours trading.
The new and growing cloud business - essentially selling computing services and storage in its data centers to corporate customers - is one of the priorities for Chief Executive Satya Nadella, who took the helm of the world's largest software company in early 2014
Nadella has refocused the company on cloud and mobile in the face of stagnation in its traditional PC-based Windows business.
"Only two companies are setting the tone of enterprise computing, Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS," said Trip Chowdhry, managing director of Global Equities Research, referring to Amazon.com Inc's <AMZN.O> web services unit.
"These are the only two initiators in the whole enterprise space that are going to see growth in excess of 80 percent year-over-year for at least two or three years.”
Microsoft's revenue in what it calls its "intelligent cloud" businesses, which includes the Azure cloud platform and server software, rose 7 percent to $6.7 billion.
Revenue for Azure - which customers can use to host their website, apps or data - grew 102 percent, but Microsoft did not say what the actual revenue figure was.
That makes an annual "run rate" of $12.1 billion for cloud-related revenue, up sharply from over $8 billion a year ago. Microsoft calculates run rate by multiplying revenue in the final month of the quarter for its cloud businesses by 12.
Despite the surge in revenue, Microsoft is still struggling to increase profit in the capital-intensive cloud business. It said operating profit in its intelligent cloud businesses fell 17 percent to $2.19 billion in the quarter.
Microsoft said the drop was mainly due to higher research, development, sales and marketing costs, as it makes investments and acquisitions to "drive cloud sales capacity and innovation."
COMING OUT OF DIP
Overall, Microsoft posted revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter ended June 30, adjusted for some one-time items, of $22.6 billion, up 2 percent from a year ago. That beat Wall Street's average forecast of $22.1 billion.
It reported net income of $3.1 billion, or 39 cents per share, compared with a loss of $3.2 billion, or 40 cents per share, a year earlier. In the year-ago quarter it took a $7.5 billion charge to write down the value of its purchase of Nokia's handset business.
Excluding one-time items in the latest quarter, Microsoft reported earnings of 69 cents per share. That was ahead of analysts' average forecast of 58 cents.
Sanford Bernstein analyst Mark Moerdler said Microsoft is finally making headway shifting Microsoft Office software clients onto subscription-based cloud services. Office consumer products and cloud services were up 19 percent and Office 365 increased subscribers to 23.1 million during the quarter.
"People looked at Office as a product that was going to be in decline," said Moerdler. "We saw a dip, last quarter we came out of that dip, and now we're accelerating out of the dip."
Nadella, who announced the company's largest-ever deal last month, striking a deal to pay $26.2 billion for LinkedIn Corp <LNKD.N>, has staked Microsoft's future on mobile and the cloud.
So far his plan has been well received by investors. Microsoft shares are up 64 percent since his predecessor as CEO Steve Ballmer announced his plan to retire, in August 2013. The S&P 500 is up 31 percent in the same time.
Microsoft shares were up 4.35 percent at $55.40 in extended trading on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Rishika Sadam and Narottam Medhora in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Bill Rigby)


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Environment Minister Owen Paterson officially opened Grocontinental’s £5m frozen goods warehouse at its Whitchurch, Shropshire HQ last week. The 4,000m² warehouse boosts the company’s storage capacity by 13,000 pallets taking total storage capacity to 143,000 pallets. “As the biggest employer in a predominantly rural area, the company makes a major contribution to the local economy,” said Paterson, who is also MP for North Shropshire (pictured centre). “In the last 15 years, the company has implemented a substantial development plan which […]
Lenham Storage walked away from nonviable business last year rather than compromise its service standards, but the operator’s MD has warned that there has been no let-up in rate pressure since.
The GMB union has held a protest outside a Marks and Spencer retail store over the rates of pay awarded to agency staff at the retailer’s Swindon DC, which was operated until January by Wincanton and is now run by DHL Supply Chain.


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With 10 billion compatible connected devices, 1.7B addressable consumers through 30 Distribution channels (B2C &B2B), and over 55 countries, Blacknut provides key figures and a comprehensive update on growth, partnerships, and upcoming updates in 2023 Fall recap.
The Blacknut Offer & Player Profiles
Blacknut Cloud Gaming, the leading pure player cloud gaming service dedicated to the general public saw phenomenal growth in 2023; from welcoming new publishers, launching with new manufacturer partners worldwide, and opening accessibility to new countries across the globe, Blacknut continues to encourage players to discover the future of gaming through their innovative cloud infrastructure and gaming offerings.
Blacknut has a complete range of solutions for both direct to consumers subscriptions and B2B partners needs, including opportunities to create white label gaming platforms, integrate built out SDK solutions, or Blacknut Brand distribution.
The content service utilizes a unique public-private cloud infrastructure to assure optimal gaming experience for all users. The Blacknut Cloud Gaming experience allows for the creation of up to five simultaneously-accessible player profiles, with the options to activate a pin-protected profile for parental controls and open access to a range of child and YA-friendly titles. The Blacknut library comprises over 700+ premium, curated video games which are cloud-streamed for play with no additional hardware or purchases required. Additionally, Blacknut players can play together thanks to multi-connectivity capabilities on controllers allowing users to sync up to 4 bluetooth gamepads at once for unlimited gameplay on co-op, party games, and multi-local content. The entirety of the Blacknut catalog is playable on most connected devices; including Smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, and PC computers.
As of fall of 2023, Blacknut is present in over 55 countries and features accessibility on Android mobile and TV, Windows, MacOS, AndroidTV, Tizen (Samsung), WebApp for iOS - Safari and Chrome, Amazon FireOS, and LG webOS. The cloud gaming service had the pleasure to welcome top publishers All In!, Team17, Konami, Greenman Gaming, and more in 2023 and now boasts over 150 signed partnerships in licensing. Thanks to this dynamic, the 700+ strong Blacknut library consistently saw an addition of an average of 10 news games per month in 2023 with 223 new releases in total added to the catalog in the last twelve months and available before the end of this year. For Blacknut players, these new additions and the existing catalog saw Racing maintain itself as the number one game genre in 2023, followed by FPS, Action, Simulation, and Sport taking the top spots respectively.
Blacknut players demographic also saw a shift this year, now showing a new, larger and homogeneous age distribution for players 18-44 compared to 2022’s 25-35 age majority breakdown, meaning players of all ages are enjoying all Blacknut has to offer. Gender details shows a steady 60% Male vs 40% Female users split, with as the top center of interest: Media & Entertainment-Animations fans, Shoppers, or Technology & Mobile enthusiasts1.
Players are taking advantage of Blacknut’s exclusive subprofile capabilities with over 26% of Blacknut accounts hosting subprofiles; a testament to Blacknut’s choice to provide the best -value offering for families.Furthermore, when using the parental controls feature to manage junior subprofiles, the service saw kids’ age distribution division as follows: 38% pre teen, 34% kids, 28% Teen. Blacknut’s gamers completely enjoy the choice of device to play, as 40% of the sessions globally were played on TVs, with the remaining 60% divided equally between mobile devices and computers. Blacknut’s strong presence for TV audiences was further supported through additional partnerships with both the LG and the Samsung Gaming Hub. This breakdown interestingly can be locally different, for example Blacknut’s players in South-Asia showing over 70% of gameplay occurring on mobile devices. Finally it wasn’t only Blacknut player characteristics that showed a shift this year, but also how they played. 2023 saw a significant increase in player frequency (x2 versus 2022).
R&D, Distribution Reach, Territories
2023 was rich for Blacknut’s R&D team who embarked on new opportunities in innovation and challenges. Blacknut supported Ericsson last February to demonstrate the power of Quality service on Demand (QoD) through new 5G networks showcased at MWC22 Barcelona with Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone demos. Blacknut also launched a new premium cloud gaming service platform for game publishers expanding to Japan thanks to a tri-pronged partnership between Blacknut, Oracle, and No.1 Digital Solutions Corporation. Another growing demand is adding new screens to existing partnerships as seen in Thailand with leading carrier AIS; as part of its ongoing relationship with Gameloft, Blacknut, AIS, and Gameloft launched a service expansion to bring cloud gaming to television set-top boxes and fiber audiences. Finally the platform continues to invest strongly on the qualitative experience of TV screens, adding to FireTV stick and Android TV, the launch of the partnership with Samsung Electronics on Tizen environment and additional expansion to the LG-Blacknut partnership on WebOS, cementing Blacknut’s audience in Smart TVs. Additionally the range of Blacknut’s reach is planned to expand to new types of devices, as for example with the Samsung Gaming Hub expansion strategy to smart monitors and the new Samsung Freestyle projector.
Blacknut saw significant B2B distribution partnership growth in 2023 and now 40+ B2B carriers & manufacturers signed partnerships built through Blacknut Business solutions.
The latest partnerships for 2023 will include inaugural activities in Hong Kong with CSL, Telecall in Brazil, and Mobifone in Vietnam. The latest used Blacknut’s SDK Solution, thanks to which the leading Vietnamese telecommunication operator MobiFone was able to launch Mobigame, a new gaming portal, this October. The kit, which allows businesses to integrate cloud gaming offering into existing content services, utilizing the existing Blacknut infrastructure and catalog in accordance with partnership needs, allowed for Mobifone to add gaming capabilities without the need to develop or maintain a custom gaming application.
In addition to supplying its cutting-edge cloud gaming technology, Blacknut supported MobiFone in its content acquisition to create a turnkey catalog for Vietnam specific regulations , sourced on the extensive and growing Blacknut catalog and will continue to support the operator in growing their gaming offering.
Geographical expansion was also supported by Saudi Telecom Company (stc Group) entering into a long term strategic partnership with Blacknut to promote the Cloud Gaming solution across the MENA region. Building on the 2022 launch of Blacknut’s Cloud Gaming Service on mobile devices, Blacknut and Macau based-partner CTM added cloud gaming to CTM Home Media (TV Box), allowing its customers to enjoy streaming video games directly from the interface they are accustomed to and fully available in Chinese. These partnerships were all supported by Blacknut’s longtime and ongoing partnership with infrastructure provider Radian Arc, who's powered by AMD technologies and Supermicro-built GPU Edge aid in ensuring the optimal functionality of Blacknut’s unique hybrid infrastructure capabilities.
Overall, 2023 for Blacknut is estimated to reach 1.7 billion addressable consumers across 10 billion possible compatible devices–all before the end of the new year.
1 Data sourced and estimated through Google Analytics Services, 2023


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THE BRAND new PJs range has hit the Primark stores – but according to some, there’s a huge wardrobe malfunction you should be aware of.
There’s no better feeling than getting home after a long day and changing into comfy pyjamas – and if you’re on the lookout for a new set, you’ll be delighted to hear that the discount store Primark have launched a new collection.
According to the high-street retailer, shoppers can now get their hands on a number of new sleepwear designs – whether you’re more into dainty prints or neutral colours, there’s one for every style.
One such adorable design, their Cardiff-based branch proudly showed off in a video on TikTok, is called Pointelle and it comes with mini shorts (£8), wide leg bottoms (£12), as well as a cropped vest to complete the look with.
However, if you’re feeling a bit chilly and need something warmer, you can also pick up the same garment with long sleeves and a ruched detailing below the bust area – this little number retails for a tenner.
Other new designs to hit the shelves include blue ribbed pyjamas with figure-hugging bottoms, shorts, a long sleeve top, as well as a longer vest that you can also lounge in whilst catching up on the latest drama on Love Island, All Stars.
If you’re heading to the nearest branch this week or the weekend, you’ll also spot more basic – yet still stylish – sleepwear sets in light grey and adorable baby peach colour.
”New natures reflection nightwear now in store, how cute is the blue flower Pointelle sets?” the brand wrote in the caption of the video.
However, the new collection has left the shoppers totally divided – and for a couple of reasons.
Not only did some reckoned the prices were too high, others also warned fellow shoppers about the poor quality.
One fashionista said: ”I don’t have enough money for this.”
Another was lost for words, exclaiming in sheer horror: ”£8 FOR SHORTS?!”
”THERE SEE-THROUGH THO,” someone else claimed.
Others, meanwhile, said their local branch looked slightly different, writing: ”My Primark is just Mickey Mouse.”
However, most TikTok users and style lovers seemed to be totally obsessed with the adorable range of pyjamas, tagging their friends and family in the comments.
”Just take my money,” wrote one super fan of the store.
”So pretty,” another couldn’t get over the flower design.
”Omg, these are so aesthetic,” a third chimed in.
”PRIMARK ON ANOTHER LEVEL,” a shopper said.
Dashing to the store this weekend? Don’t forget to have a look at their homeware section.
According to fans, there is a £3 buy that is making their ”inner child” scream – and we can’t wait to get our hands on it.
That’s right, the Printed Lunch Bag in Strawberry Print is the bargain find we didn’t know we needed – and the item has already become a hit amongst shoppers.
Also available in a marble print and a darker green one, the medium-sized bag features carry handles, as well as a shoulder strap for extra comfort.
No more carrying your food around in a plastic bag or praying that the leftover dinner hasn’t spilled inside your purse – this £3 bargain is lets you lunch in style, the brand wrote in the description.
”Lunch is one of our fave meals so make sure yours is kept fresh whilst looking as stylish as you!” Primark chuckled.


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Right here’s what occurred this week in Bitcoin.
Crypto markets suffered a critical drop this week. Bitcoin led the market downwards, because it slipped under its assist degree of $10,000. Bitcoin’s falling dominance is maybe a results of stablecoins holding regular throughout this market decline.
Binance.US, the American arm of cryptocurrency change large Binance, has announced it's beginning buying and selling fiat-crypto and crypto-to-crypto buying and selling pairs this week. The buying and selling platform lists seven cryptocurrencies instantly upon launch; together with Bitcoin, Binance coin (BNB), ethereum, XRP, bitcoin money, litecoin and Tether. Customers who have already got deposits with Binance.com won't see their funds mechanically transferred to the U.S. platform.
The Bakkt Futures change, providing futures contracts backed 1:1 with BTC, lastly launched final week after a lot delay. Establishments could now commerce Bitcoin on Bakkt, an change operated by the identical firm that runs the New York Inventory Change. 165 BTC have been traded on Bakkt to this point.
It was reported that by the top of March 2020, over 25,000 French shops will probably be becoming a member of these already accepting Bitcoin. These 30 manufacturers embody main worldwide franchises like Foot Locker. The retailers are partnering with EasyWallet and Easy2Play Cost to supply Bitcoin purchases, with all crypto obtained immediately transformed to Euros.
The Digital Change of the Stuttgart Inventory Change now offers Bitcoin buying and selling. Preliminary buying and selling will probably be restricted to some chosen individuals, with plans to broaden it to institutional traders.
That’s what occurred this week in Bitcoin. See you subsequent week.


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SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Intel Corp.`s Andrew Grove is often heard telling his employees, ``Only the paranoid survive.``
As a corporate philosophy, it has worked well for the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company, which for the last four years has had a monopoly on one of the most lucrative segments of the semiconductor business: microprocessors. Intel`s 80386 and 80486 microprocessors are the brains for many IBM-compatible personal computers, and Intel is in the enviable position of being the only supplier of the products.
Perhaps those years of paranoia will now pay off because for the first time Intel has some competitors on the horizon.
A few companies in California`s Silicon Valley and elsewhere have been quietly developing microprocessors that will be compatible with Intel`s 80386 and 80486 chips. Some of these chips will be ``clones.`` Clones not only run the same software as Intel`s chips but are interchangeable. Others will be just compatible, meaning that they will run the same software but will force computer companies to redesign their products to accommodate them.
- Two startup firms, Integrated Information Technologies Inc. of Santa Clara and Nexgen Microsystems of San Jose, Calif., are working on chips that will be compatible with the 80486 and run all the same software the Intel chips do. Analysts said both companies are expected to have products to show by the end of this year.
- Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Intel`s archrival, is widely reported to be working on an 80386 clone chip, although the company refuses to comment on its plans in this area.
- Other companies, such as Cyrix Corp. in Richardson, Texas, are good bets to enter the 80386 or 80486 compatible market in the future, analysts said.
``We can`t not be concerned about these companies,`` said David House, president of Intel`s microprocessor group. ``The worst thing we can do is to rest on our laurels. If we really thought we had a monopoly, we wouldn`t survive in the market.``
Analysts argue, however, that Intel ``had this coming`` by refusing to authorize alternate sources of parts so crucial to many computer companies, and the company must now be ready to live with these firms carving away a chunk of its business.
Previously, Intel authorized second sources for its microprocessors, and it still has a handful of other companies making the 80286, for example. In the early days of Intel`s business, second sources helped make Intel`s products a standard, but by the time the 80286 was shipping in volume, Intel was tired of seeing companies such as AMD make money from its microprocessor designs. It did not license other companies to make the 80386 and 80486.
Instead of being intimidating, Intel`s market position is tempting, would-be competitors say. The absence of a second source is an irritant to a number of small and medium-size companies, many of which are forced to buy from distributors at much higher prices. Some of these clone makers believe the dissatisfaction with Intel could be sufficient to give them a toehold in the market.
``It`s inevitable that this happened,`` said Michael Slater, editor of the Microprocessor Report in Palo Alto, Calif., just north of Silicon Valley. ``There is no way a standard of this magnitude could remain in the hands of one company. This will cut into Intel`s business to some degree.``
But other analysts believe it is unlikely Intel will suffer financially from this competition, at least in the short term. ``The short-term financial impact on Intel is going to be negligible from this,`` said Drew Peck, an analyst with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. in New York.
``These companies are going to get a lot of visibility, but it is unlikely that they`ll do a lot of damage. Intel`s stock will probably take a pounding the day the products are announced, however.``
Some small personal-computer makers are hoping the new microprocessor players can make a dent in the market. No small computer companies would speak on the record for fear of alienating Intel, but several referred to the recent shortage of 80386 chips as a prime reason there should be more than one supplier. Intel attributes the shortage to an increase in personal-computer demand and not the lack of a second source. In any case, several personal-computer companies said they would be eager to talk to some of the new microprocessor makers.
``There has been a lot of arrogance on Intel`s part,`` Slater said.
``This is a captive market, and to some extent they are abusing it. This may force Intel to pay more attention to keeping its customers happy if they have choices. We may even see somewhat lower prices.``
But these chip companies have a tough road ahead of them to compete with Intel.


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Thousands of people have flocked to London's major shopping strips this weekend before a decision on whether coronavirus restrictions tighten in the capital.
England's current tier system will be reviewed on Wednesday, December 16.
London is on "high alert" in Tier 2. This places restrictions on meeting others outside your household or support bubble, but all non-essential retail is allowed to be open.
The Guardian reports the apparent threshold to move into Tier 3 – "very high alert" – has already been passed in some London boroughs.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
This includes Havering, which has more than twice the England average of 153 cases per 100,000 people, at 379.
Under Tier 3, bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants close - except for delivery and takeaway.
According to Government figures, London alone recorded 17,131 cases in the week from November 29 to December 5, up by 3000 cases on the previous week.
"The risks associated with Christmas are huge, even without this rise," Dr Mike Gill, the former regional director of public health for the southeast region, told the BBC.
"People should take steps to vastly reduce their contact. A Tier 3 lockdown will contribute to this very significantly."
Across the United Kingdom, people will be allowed to form Christmas bubbles from December 23 to December 27, allowing for three households to mix in private homes.
The below photos show crowds on the iconic Regent St in London's West End on Saturday (UK time).


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Over a century after the first official national Labor Day, the holiday remains near and dear to Americans everywhere. Every year in a weekend-long end of summer bash, friends and family celebrate their achievements with a little time off from work. So take some time this fall to unplug and soak up the last rays of summer sun on these magnificent central Oregon golf courses.
Big Meadow to remain open until weather no longer permits Glaze Meadow is closed for the season 2018, but Big Meadow still has some golf left Late October tends to bring a certain calm to Black Butte Ranch. Yes, the sound of a golf club making flush contact with a golf ball can still be heard throughout Big Meadow, but it is often fainter and more infrequent than during the meat of the golf season. At Glaze Meadow, which is now closed for the season, the sound has disappeared altogether, producing a quiet that can only be found during [...]
Big Meadow golf shop to remain open to help you shop for you favorite golfer Black Butte Ranch golf shops loaded with gear and equipment perfect for holidays Even with the recent run of amazing Central Oregon weather, the golf season at Black Butte Ranch is bound to end sometime. But golfers never really stop thinking about the game, even once the winter weather makes it impossible to tee off. For these golfers, there can be no better gift during the holiday season than the gift of golf. But where to shop? Well, Black Butte Ranch’s Big Meadow golf [...]
A run of good weather is great news for Black Butte Ranch golfers Mild fall weather this time of year adds value to the final weeks of the golf season This time of year can feel like stealing for golfers. As the fall wears on, more and more golfers put their clubs into a winter-long hibernation. But those who stick it out are often treated to runs of mild, sunny Central Oregon weather, better- than-par conditions, and vibrant, colorful scenery only possible when the leaves turn. Take the upcoming weekend. High temperatures are forecasted to reach the 60s — [...]
For many, the end of August means the unofficial end of summer. A time when the days get shorter and the temperatures cool. But for golfers — especially those who truly love the fairways and greens of Central Oregon — the best part of the golf season is only now beginning. And Black Butte Ranch is making this pinnacle of the golf season even better with its special fall lodging and unlimited golf package for stays through Sept. 30. For $119 per person, per night, guests will stay in premium accommodations, receive one day of unlimited golf at both [...]


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The Google I/O 2018 is just around the corner, and just before the event, the South Korean electronics giant LG said, Google is planning to roll out a set of cool new features in the Google camera app. According to LG, Google will introduce a physical button just below the volume rockers, which will act as a dedicated button to start Google Lens, and the much loved Google Assistant.
According to LG, tapping the button once will call the Google Assistant, while tapping it two times quickly, will start the Google Lens. By long tapping on the same button, the users will even be able to talk to the Google Assistant. I am sure, this dedicated button will be handy for a number of Android users. This button is similar to the dedicated Bixby button, which was seen in the Samsung flagship of the last year, or S8, and it is even present on the Samsung Galaxy S9.
For users, who don’t know, what exactly Google Lens is all about, it is a service available with Google Photos, and it is helpful to find out and extract more information from the photos, which include recognizing landmarks, animals, book covers, recognize texts and many more. Google announced Google Lens in the last year’s Google I/O developer summit and was made available to Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, in the month of October last year.
Though, there isn’t any confirmation from Google about the introduction of the dedicated multifunctional button, but, LG has confirmed the presence of the dedicated button on the latest flagship of it, the LG G7 ThinQ. There isn’t any confirmation about, whether the button can be remapped, or its functionality will be limited to using the Google service mentioned above. It is not even sure, whether all the upcoming budget devices will come with the dedicated button or not!
Hope the small information was helpful to you! What is your opinion about getting a 4th button after the volume rockers and the button? Let me know about it, in the comment section below.


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The digital-first approach has taken the world by storm. The D2C beauty and personal care brand wasted no time catching up with this wave. Gone are the days when you had to go to the beauty store for your essentials. D2C beauty brands have completely changed the way consumers perceive, choose and shop.
This shift has only helped India’s personal care and beauty industry reach new heights.According to a report by Statista, India’s D2C sector, valued at $33 billion in 2020, will grow by 2025. projected to reach $100 billion in 29% by 2025, according to Avendus Capital.
Backed by robust technology and innovation, D2C brands are setting new benchmarks not only in seamless and personalized shopping experiences, but also in scaling and optimizing business models. The new digital beauty brand has achieved an incredible revenue record that has taken veteran international retail brands decades to achieve.
Today, direct-to-consumer sales and an online-first approach are seen as a necessity, not an option, even by top retailers. According to Avendus Capital, more than 80 of his D2C brands operate in the beauty and personal care sector in India. This number is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years.
Deeper and more meaningful brand connections
Beyond selling products, the D2C model has become a powerful strategy for companies to share their brand stories and build meaningful connections with consumers on a personal level. This approach has made the online shopping experience more authentic, seamless, and convenient for shoppers.
With an explosion of beauty bloggers and product reviewers online, today’s consumers are well aware of harmful ingredients, safer alternatives, and what works for them. and Gen Z lean towards brands that promote clean, sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products.
In response to this trend, D2C’s beauty and personal care websites will explore where and how products are made, what they contain, where they come from, their environmental impact, who is involved in the process, and more. , telling every detail. This establishes a deep and trusted connection with your brand.
There are also brands offering personalized products based on digital diagnostics. We use chatbots, surveys, and more to determine a consumer’s unique needs and deliver accordingly customized solutions to their doorstep. This seamless, personalized consumer experience helps brands build long-term brand loyalty.
Technology-driven approach for D2C brands
The tremendous growth of technology over the last few years has led to the democratization of consumer insights and trends. This was otherwise only available to the larger retailers in the market.
Technology enables D2C brands to directly measure consumer needs and expectations. Personal care brands rely on a variety of technologies and tools that reduce the cost of customer acquisition and retention.
AI-powered CRM technologies such as chatbots and automated conversational channels enable D2C brands to establish fast and relevant interactions with their customers, from understanding their needs to directing them to the relevant support team. Beauty and personal care brands are also investing in new age technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality to give consumers a completely new and personalized online shopping experience.
With the help of advanced data analytics, beauty and personal care brands can predict and determine consumer buying patterns. This allows brands to recognize gaps and opportunities and optimize their marketing efforts to reach the right audience with the most relevant messages at the right time.
Whether it’s setting up small warehouses in specific areas or establishing simpler, leaner supply chains and operations, technology integration and AI-based insights have enabled D2C brands in the beauty and personal care segment to leverage data. You will be making led decisions.
The pandemic has made the environment conducive to D2C brands as internet penetration has increased and customers have shifted from brick-and-mortar stores to online sites. The D2C phenomenon not only helps customers make better choices, but also allows brands to reach out to relevant products. With further technological emergence, it will certainly be fascinating to watch his D2C journey beyond this country.
The above views are those of the author.
end of article


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Consumers in Estonia switched electricity suppliers at 21,600 points of consumption last year, down from 25,800 in 2016, transmission system operator Elering said, citing data from its Smart Grid data sharing platform.
On average, some 1,800 points of consumption changed their seller per month in 2017, compared with over 2,200 points of consumption in 2016.
Most often, consumers switch suppliers at the beginning of the year. As of Jan. 1 this year, the supplier changed at 6,400 points of consumption, compared with 9,400 at the beginning of 2017.
As of the beginning of 2018, 580,800 points of consumption had a valid contract for buying electricity. Points of consumption across Estonia number 723,300, 3,400 more than at the beginning of 2017, after the number of points of consumption increased by 4,400 in 2016.
Points of consumption without a contract for the purchase of electricity, which receive their electricity as a general service, number 142,500.
The Smart Grid platform began gathering data about natural gas supply agreements at the beginning of 2017. According to the data, an average of 180 points of consumption switch gas suppliers every month, and 54,300 points of consumption have a valid agreement for the purchase of gas, compared with 53,600 a year ago. The number of points of consumption buying natural gas as a general service is about 1,000.
Editor: Aili Vahtla


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Shanghai, China — 12 December 2011 – The world’s biggest gold refiner, South Africa’s Rand Refinery, is considering setting up a refining plant in China within two to three years, joining hands with a local partner on its first such plant abroad.
BDlive reports that Rand Refinery is targeting Asia “’ home to the world’s top two gold consumers, China and India “’ as a key region for future development. It expects to complete a sampling and assaying facility in Singapore by the end of the year.
“During the past year, we have identified one or two possible opportunities to partner for a potential initial refinery footprint in China,” Rand Refinery chief strategy officer Peter Bouwer said on the sidelines of a conference here.
The lack of high-purity gold refining capacity in China posed an opportunity for the company, Bouwer added.
“China already has huge refining capacity, both in a handful of large-scale refiners listed with the LBMA (the international trade association that represents the wholesale market for gold and silver), and a huge number of small-or micro-scale refiners,” he said.
“The challenge facing especially the smaller refineries is the technology and experience to produce high-purity gold,” Bouwer explained.
High-purity gold is keenly sought for use in jewellery, which accounted for two-thirds of China’s gold demand in the first nine months of this year.
China is the world’s largest gold producer.
Rand Refinery’s China refinery would rely on locally sourced scrap and dore, an unrefined alloy of gold with variable quantities of silver and smaller amounts of base metals, Bouwer said.
Rand Refinery, the biggest supplier of bullion to China, is likely to ship about 100t of gold kilo bars into the country this year, similar to last year, the company’s chief executive said last month.
China’s consumer gold demand stood at 576.9t in the first three quarters of the year, down slightly from 580.3t in the same period last year, the World Gold Council revealed.
Bouwer expects China’s gold demand to improve as the country’s economy recovers. “I really have confidence in China’s ability to recover," he said.
Source: BDlive. For more information, click here.


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This past June at CE Week in New York City, Onkyo was one of two manufacturers (the other being Pioneer…now part of Onkyo) who were the first in the industry to announce new Atmos-enabled AV receivers. Atmos, Dolby Labs’ latest surround sound technology that adds innovations such as “height” speakers and sound “objects,” promises to deliver to consumers an all-new, in-home entertainment experience.
But not only did Onkyo succeed in being one of the first manufacturers to introduce the technology to the market in yet-to-be-delivered new products – it went one step further and announced that it would offer owners of certain existing Onkyo A/V receiver models the ability to upgrade to Atmos (Atmos-upgradable models) through a firmware upgrade by the end of the third quarter.
Today, Onkyo announced that they will deliver on their Atmos upgrade promise…
One of the more impressive elements of Onkyo’s Atmos roll-out in June, was their announcement that owners of certain existing models would be able to incorporate a firmware upgrade and get Atmos now…no need to change out hardware. These Atmos-upgradable models include the TX-NR636, TX-NR737, TX-NR838 network A/V receivers.
Today, Onkyo confirmed that they will fully deliver on their promise with a free firmware upgrade scheduled to be available by September 29th. This will make owners of these existing, largely mid-range models, the first kids on the block with an Atmos-enabled surround sound system.
Following right on the heels of the firmware upgrade launch, in mid-October, Onkyo’s new Atmos-included A/V receiver line-up will ship. These new models include the TX-NR1030 and TX-NR3030 network A/V receivers…and the PR-SC5530 Network A/V Controller.
Onkyo will also ship the HT-S7700 Network Home Theater System with Dolby Atmos built-in by the end of September.
Onkyo has launched a website that does a nice job of presenting Atmos…as well as gives more details on their new receiver models. You can visit the Onkyo Atmos website at this link…
For more information on Onkyo and all of its models, visit: www.onkyousa.com.


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Apple’s stock opened at a new all-time high of $138.05 today, eclipsing the company’s previous opening record of $137.59 set on September 2, 2020. However, the share price has since trended downwards slightly in intraday trading.
Apple has seen its stock price rise nearly 150% since opening at a 2020 low of $57.02 in late March, a few weeks after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The company has thrived during the pandemic, seeing strong demand for devices like Macs and iPads as many people work, learn, and socialize from home.
Apple set a September quarter record with $64.7 billion revenue, and its December quarter could be even more impressive, as the entire iPhone 12 lineup launched within the quarter due to pandemic-related delays. In fact, the oft-lucrative holiday quarter could see Apple report all-time high quarterly revenue above $100 billion for the first time ever, according to 27 analyst estimates averaged by Yahoo Finance.
It’s worth noting that Apple announced a four-for-one stock split in August, and split-adjusted trading began at the end of that month.Tag: AAPL
This article, “AAPL Opened at All-Time High, Shares Have Risen Nearly 150% Since Late March” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums


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MacBooks Get Grounded — for Good Reason
The Federal Aviation Administration has banned certain 15-inch MacBook Pros with potentially defective batteries from US flights. The move, which follows Apple’s June recall announcement, is part of a general FAA policy on devices with defective batteries.
“The FAA is aware of the recalled batteries that are used in some Apple MacBook Pro laptops,” FAA spokespeople said in emails to Ars Technica. Under FAA policy, affected MacBook Pros are banned from the passenger cabin and from checked luggage.


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Celebrities have a thing for luxury cars and we love it when we get to see them drive around in their new ride. Kriti Sanon is the latest Bollywood Star who has bought a new car.
The Bollywood actress on Friday was spotted going to filmmaker Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films in her new, blue colour Mercedes Maybach GLS 600.
Recently, Arjun Kapoor also bought the same car. Earlier, many fan pages of the actor shared pictures of Arjun receiving the key to his new Mercedes Maybach GLS 600.
According to a report by GQ, Ranveer Singh and Ayushmann Khurrana also bought the same car in July.
The car is worth ₹2.43 crore, according to a report by News18. The car is also among one of the most ‘luxurious SUVs in the world'.
Kriti’s latest film Mimi released in July. The film was released on OTT due to the ongoing Pandemic.
The film's release was advanced after pirated platforms began streaming bootlegged copies of the film.
Talking about the leak, Kriti told HT, “If it was slated to release theatrically and then got leaked before that, it would’ve been a huge setback. But since it came on OTT, we had a lot more control. It created a lot of buzz because its release was completely unexpected. Everything has a silver lining.”
She has many films in the pipeline including Bhediya with Varun Dhawan. The film is part of Dinesh’s horror universe which also had films like Stree and Roohi. She had shot for the film earlier this year.


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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
High oil prices lifted Exxon Mobil to record quarterly profits, although its results only matched Wall Street expectations for the period.
The company said Thursday it earned net income of $5.8 billion, or 88 cents a share, in the second quarter, up from $4.2 billion, or 62 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. That was in line with forecasts of analysts surveyed by earnings tracker First Call.
The company posted higher net income in the first quarter 2003, but special items lifted results then. The latest earnings were the company's largest quarterly amount excluding special items, Exxon Mobil said. The previous record profit excluding special items came in the first quarter of 2004, when it earned $5.4 billion.
The company announced it would be using some of the strong first-half earnings to buy back its own shares. It increased its share repurchase target for the third quarter to $2.9 billion from the $1.9 billion repurchase level it had for the second quarter.
Revenue rose to $70.7 billion, up from $57.2 billion a year earlier.
Earnings from the exploration and production side of the business was $3.8 billion, up $1.0 billion from year-earlier results due to the higher average crude and natural gas prices. Earnings from the refining and sales side of the business rose to $1.5 billion from $1.1 billion a year earlier. The chemical business earned $607 million, up from $439 million a year earlier, due to wider profit margins and record sales volumes.
Shares of Exxon Mobil (XOM: up $0.07 to $45.88, Research, Estimates), a component of the Dow Jones industrial average, were slightly higher in early trading Thursday.


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Florida-based breakfast and lunch restaurant chain First Watch Restaurants Inc. has acquired the Good Egg, a breakfast and lunch restaurant company based in Scottsdale.
The acquisition includes the Good Egg’s 20 restaurants, brand, concept and intellectual property. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Good Egg debuted in Scottsdale in 1987. It grew to include 15 restaurants in the greater Phoenix area and five in Southern Arizona.
The deal will broaden First Watch’s reach in the Southwest, Ken Pendery, president and CEO of the Bradenton, Fla.-based company, said in a written statement.


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We can always rely on Samsung to make the kernel files for its smartphones and tablets available for the masses, sometimes even before the device hits the market. The latest source codes for a trio of Galaxy devices have now been uploaded on Samsung’s Open Source website.
Two weeks ago, we saw the international 3G variant of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (GT-P7300) finally got their Android 4.0 package signed, sealed, and delivered. If you own the device on AT&T (SGH-i957), we’re happy to report that the Ice Cream Sandwich update is now available for your tab.
Though Samsung is hard at work on Jelly Bean upgrades for several phones and tablets, people still waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich should not give up all hope.
AT&T has announced plans to offer customers a $100 discount on any tablet purchase but there’s a catch. A two-year catch: they’d have to be willing to commit to a new two-year data agreement with the carrier.
There’s been a lot of talk over how slowly Jelly Bean updates are rolling out to Samsung’s top tier Android devices, but one thing that seems to have slipped people’s minds is that Sammy still has some loose ends to tie up from ICS software leaps.
Eight months into the year, Ice Cream Sandwich is still as elusive as it has always been for some Rogers subscribers. The good news is the Canadian carrier has just posted the latest OS upgrade timeline for many of its devices.
Owners of Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 may want to read the news sitting down, for Telus has once again bailed out on its initial words to bring Android 4.0 ICS to the two tablets. The carrier has just updated the ICS upgrade schedule for the umpteenth time, bringing along the not so thrilling news.
Now that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean has been officially released, it’s only natural to expect phones and tablets to take the leap to the latest OS. However, the Android 4.0 ICS roll out process... has been frustratingly slow, and there are still a lot of high-end devices lacking Ice Cream Sandwich.
A bunch of these devices should finally get ICS over the next couple of months in Canada, a...
Samsung Galaxy Tab owners will be thrilled to hear that the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade they’ve been waiting for so many months will start rolling out... next month. The update will be available for various Galaxy Tab models, including the Galaxy Tab 10.1, 8.9, 7.7 and 7.0 Plus. In fact, here’s the complete list of Galaxy Tab tablet models that will g...
Are you at your wit’s end waiting for that seemingly never-going-to-happen Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade for your Android devices on Telus Mobility? Well, here’s a little ray of... sunshine to brighten your days. As reported a while back, Samsung Galaxy S2 X owners have been given their ICS treat. Now Telus has updated its website with a new ICS timeline to let customers know wh...


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Frog Hollow Outdoors owner Banks Dixons first experience with daily deals was disastrous.
The Durham-based outdoor adventure service provider sold about 800 deals but was inundated with customers who waited until the end of the deal period to redeem them.
It was kind of ridiculous, Dixon said. It was too hard on everybody.
Dixon, who concedes that some of the challenges were due to his lack of foresight and planning, took lessons learned from that experience to make his latest daily deal campaigns more successful.
I started to turn it back around, Dixon said.
Daily deal companies, including The News & Observers DealSaver, Cary-based Twongo, Amazons Gold Box, Plum District, LivingSocial and Groupon, provide opportunities for small businesses to promote their brand, reach new customers and raise capital.
Nearly one-sixth of Americans 12 and older are registered users of at least one daily deal service, according to a 2012 Edison Research and Arbitron survey.
A 2012 Rice University study examined the performance of daily deals and found that the percentage of small and midsize businesses that made money from the deals increased with experience.
According to the study, Less than half of the businesses running their first daily deal report profitable promotions, whereas more than three-quarters of those running seven or more deals do so.
The study also found that 33.9 percent of customers spent beyond the value of the deal and 20.1 percent became repeat customers. Despite those numbers, daily deals carry a risk of losing money, taxing employees and alienating customers.
There are negatives and there are positives, said Jeremy Sisk, president of Xperience4Higher, a Durham marketing firm that focuses on small businesses.
Bad experiences, Sisk said, often occur for two reasons: a poorly structured deal and failure to do a return-on-investment analysis.
For example, a London bakery lost almost $20,000 after becoming overwhelmed by 102,000 cupcake orders that were placed through a daily deal.
By not putting an upper limit on the deal, as well as going ahead and constructing a deal that was going to be a loss leader, they really set themselves in a hole, Sisk said.
Lets give this a shot
Frog Hollow signed up for its first daily deal, a four-month promotion, in June 2011.
It was Lets give this a shot, Dixon said. I had no idea of what I was getting into.
Frog Hollow and LivingSocial split the revenue 50-50, and Dixon was responsible for credit card fees. LivingSocial paid Dixon after the deal closed.
The challenges, Dixon said, started with the deals imprecise language, which was confusing to some customers who then asked for different services than the ones offered.
Time was also a challenge. Dixon had anticipated that customers would redeem the coupons throughout the four-month deal period. However, the majority of customers waited until close to the deals expiration date to schedule the kayak and paddle tours they had purchased.
Regardless, Dixon honored the requests. But to do so, he added sessions, extended the deals time period by a month, doubled up tours, asked staff to take on additional hours and watched employees struggle to accommodate customers scheduling needs.
It felt like a scramble on our end, Dixon said. There was a lot of frustration.
The deal didnt make money, Dixon said, and it is impossible to measure how many customers were gained or lost in the hectic process.
Whats the purpose?
A successful daily deal requires business owners to determine the deals purpose, evaluate the rewards and risks, and prepare for the execution, Sisk said.
If the intent of the deal is to increase brand awareness, turn to big hitters, Sisk said.
With those companies, typically the cuts are going to be anywhere between 30 and 50 percent of each sale, Sisk said.
Owners who are trying a deal for the first time or are interested in a targeted market should turn to the smaller daily deal companies.
Before signing up, owners need to calculate the financial impact of the deal.
You have to really take into consideration how much it costs you to offer that product or service that you are offering in the deal, and how big of a loss that would create if you sold out, Sisk said.
If the goal is to make money, establish a profit margin before negotiating with a daily deal company.
That way, when you go into that room, you know the bottom-line price you can offer that deal for, Sisk said.
Business owners also should know how much they are willing to spend if they are planning a loss leader.
If you are a new business, a struggling business with some capital, or an established business with a new product, a loss leader may be appropriate. However, if funds are tight, the loss could push you out of business, Sisk said.
Owners should plan for the highest-volume scenarios over the life of the deal and consider including language such as valid while supplies last, or require an appointment by a certain date.
A better deal
Dixon decided to try another daily deal promotion in March after receiving sales calls from Groupon. With that deal, he chose new services and dates in which business needed a boost, used tiered expiration dates and straightforward language, and was able to get Groupon to cover credit card fees.
The deal made some money but met the ultimate goal of building repeat business, Dixon said.
It worked out well, he said.
Dixon eventually did two more Groupon deals, and also worked with Plum District, which offered a more favorable revenue split.
Dixon is now working on another deal with LivingSocial.
Lets try it again, he said. It all worked out in the end.


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Levi Strauss is expected to begin trading on Thursday. The move comes as its next closest U.S. competitors, VF Corp and Gap Inc., plan corporate shake-ups of their own and customers shift their shopping habits. » Read More
By: Sarah Whitten
Music publishers are suing Peloton after the maker of video-streaming exercise bikes allegedly used more than 1,000 musical works without permission. » Read More
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Tuesday sent a memo to Calvin Scovel, inspector general of the department, formalizing the request. » Read More
By: Lauren Thomas
There's new and staggering data that support the fact that retailers should increasingly be scared of Amazon dominating e-commerce. » Read More
Jim Cramer reveals how Ulta Beauty is profiting off of its partnership with the billionaire mogul and how it could benefit your portfolio.
Atlassian is seeking to make some money from some free users of Trello, its task-management app.
Jim Cramer talks with Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Frank Del Rio about the company's plans to add more ships to its line and going after its fastest-growing customer base.
Jim Cramer says all of the rising on the market is not justified, but investors have some breathing room.
Zulresso is an IV injection used to treat the sometimes life-threatening condition of postpartum depression, which is a major depressive episode that occurs following or leading up to childbirth.
A U.S. jury on Tuesday found Bayer AG's glyphosate-based weed killer to be a "substantial factor" in causing a man's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, allowing the trial to proceed into a second phase on liability and damages.
Meditation and sleep apps have raised hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital, hinting at the start of a new lifestyle business.
Insta360 sells cameras that are able to film 360-degree video. The company raised $30 million and its CEO, JK Liu, told CNBC that it is now looking ahead to an initial public offering in 2020.
House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson wrote to the CEOs of Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft requesting a briefing.
The State Department on Tuesday announced the U.S. signed an agreement that would allow American rocket companies to operate from Brazil.
FedEx issued weak full-year 2019 earnings guidance, the second time it has slashed its outlook since December.
The nomination would come amid intense scrutiny over the FAA's approval of the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft involved in two fatal crashes.
For the first time in more than three decades, investors can buy shares of Levi Strauss & Co., the world's biggest jeans seller.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's dispute with federal regulators is making investors nervous.
Disney released its first official trailer for "Toy Story 4" Tuesday, teasing a life-changing journey for Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the toy gang.
Keurig Dr Pepper and Anheuser-Busch InBev are moving forward with their Drinkworks joint venture intended to boost sales as both companies see their own falter.


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Restaurants around the country are teaming up to get Americans to eat out.
They have dubbed Tuesday “Great American Takeout Day.”
A coalition of restaurants is calling on everyone in the nation to order out.
Some are even offering deals and free delivery.
The coalition includes restaurants like Wayback Burger, Peter Piper Pizza, and Subway, just to name a few.
The push comes as the restaurant industry struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The industry estimates up to seven million people will lose their jobs in the next three months because of the virus’s spread.


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Is what started as an April Fools’ joke about to turn into a real new product for IKEA?
A day after ApartmentTherapy tricked readers into believing IKEA is releasing a cat-proof couch — called, naturally, “The KÄT” — IKEA is learning that people are actually clawing for feline-friendly furniture.
Behold, the IKEA KÄT sofa, which — sadly — is a figment of the imagination. For now. (Photo: Apartment Therapy)
In its April Fools’ Day post, Apartment Therapy trumpeted IKEA’s “announcement” of the KÄT — a sofa with normal cushions and a base of corrugated cardboard that cats can use to sharpen their claws. IKEA was testing the product in Japan, said the spoof article, after a year-long study on how people live with their pets.
Related Story on Yahoo Makers: He’s Not Kitten Around: Cat Lover DIYs Ultimate Feline Home
The post was quickly revealed to be an April Fools’ joke. But judging by the Twitter response, a lot of people out there are ready to take this KÄT home:
IKEA even tweeted a shout-out to the gag (check out Apartment Therapy’s response):
Despite the demand, IKEA tells us that as far as the KÄT couch goes, they’re going to sit on the idea.
“While we do a lot of research on how people live their lives at home around the world, we don’t have any pet-related products in our current range,” IKEA spokesperson Mona Liss tells Yahoo Makers. But she adds: “As for the future, who knows? IKEA is full of surprises.”
So maybe, just maybe, in the far-off future, you’ll see a KÄT couch in an IKEA catalogue. And you’ll be able to ask yourself: “What is this — some kind of joke?”
Also on Yahoo Makers:


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Target chairman and CEO Gregg Steinhafel has resigned following 35 years of service, the company's Board of Directors announced on Monday. A search for his replacement is under way but in the meantime, chief financial officer John Mulligan will serve as president and chief executive officer while board member Roxanne S. Austin has been promoted to non-executive chairwoman.
Although not directly responsible, Steinhafel was at the helm when Target was hit with a massive security breach late last year. Reports have varied in the months since but as many as 70 million customers may have had their names, mailing addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses stolen. What's more, an estimated 40 million credit and debit card accounts were compromised during the attack.
In a letter to the board, Steinhafel said the last several months have tested Target in unprecedented ways. He added that they've already begun taking a number of steps to further enhance data security by putting the right people, processes and systems in place.
Such steps haven't been cheap, however. The company spent at least $61 million to deal with the breach during the fourth quarter alone while banks and credit unions have had to cough up more than $200 million. Furthermore, Target is fast-tracking a plan to transition to PIN-based credit / debit card technology with built-in microchip for all in-house offerings.
It's the same sort of technology that's already been deployed around the world to combat high levels of fraud. In fact, the US is the last major market that requires credit card owners to sign their name to authorize a face-to-face transaction. Both MasterCard and Visa plan to move to the more secure system starting next year.


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Samsung has announced that it will acquire U.S.-based cloud service provider Joyent. The South Korean vendor will leverage Joyent's cloud platform for the Internet of Things, and powering its cloud-based services and software for mobile.
On Joyent's blog, CEO Scott Hammond wrote:
As a result of this acquisition, Samsung will become an anchor tenant for Joyent's Triton and Manta solutions, and will help fuel the growth of our team and the expansion of our worldwide data center footprint.
This acquisition, though, is about more than just adding financial muscle and scale. Joyent and Samsung share a culture of innovation and technical excellence, and bring together a set of highly complementary cloud, big data, mobile and IoT technologies.
Joyent will be a part of Samsung's mobile business unit, but will continue to function as a standalone entity. Scott Hammond, CTO Bryan Cantrill, and VP of product Bill Fine will join Samsung to work on "company-wide cloud initiatives."
Samsung has previously acquired SmartThings for $200 million in 2014, giving it a foothold in the conneceted home segment. The South Korean manufacturer also acquired mobile payments service LoopPay last year, leveraging its patented Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology in Samsung Pay.
In a blog post, Joyent CTO Bryan Cantrill talked about how the acquisition will "supercharge" Joyent's technology.
Samsung to Acquire Joyent, a Leading Public and Private Cloud Provider
Samsung Electronics today announced that it has agreed to acquire Joyent, Inc., a leading public and private cloud provider. With Joyent's superior cloud technology, Samsung will now have access to its own cloud platform capable of supporting its growing lineup of mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based software and services. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.
"Samsung evaluated a wide range of potential companies in the public and private cloud infrastructure space with a focus on leading-edge scalable technology and talent. In Joyent, we saw an experienced management team with deep domain expertise and a robust cloud technology validated by some of the largest Fortune 500 customers," said Injong Rhee, CTO of the Mobile Communications business at Samsung Electronics.
As smartphones and connected-devices have taken hold across the world, cloud computing has become fundamental in providing users with exciting and reliable services and experiences on their devices. With leadership positions in both mobile and IoT, this acquisition represents Samsung's commitment to provide a seamless user experience to millions of customers.
Joyent's technology will strengthen this position, while allowing Samsung to scale its own cloud infrastructure and services as it continues to innovate with new software and technologies. Through this acquisition, Joyent's talented team of technologists, including CEO, Scott Hammond, CTO, Bryan Cantrill, and VP of Product, Bill Fine will join Samsung to work on company-wide cloud initiatives.
"We are excited to join the Samsung family. Samsung brings us the scale we need to grow our cloud and software business, an anchor tenant for our industry leading Triton container-as-a-service platform and Manta object storage technologies, and a partner for innovation in the emerging and fast growing areas of mobile and IoT, including smart homes and connected cars," said Scott Hammond, CEO of Joyent.
In addition, Joyent's unique combination of container-native infrastructure, object storage, server-less computing, and Node.js expertise is perfectly suited to help Samsung meet the needs of its customers. As one of the world's largest consumers of public cloud data and storage, Samsung will immediately benefit from having direct access to Joyent's technology, leadership and talent. Likewise, Joyent will be able to take advantage of Samsung's scale of business, global footprint, financial muscle and its brand power. Joyent will operate as a standalone company under Samsung and continue providing cloud infrastructure and software services to its customers.
Samsung's Global Innovation Center spearheaded this acquisition for Samsung's Mobile Communications business. "We work closely with startups to bring new software and services into Samsung, and one of the ways we do this is by driving strategic acquisitions," said David Eun, President of Samsung's Global Innovation Center. "Joyent is a great example of a leading and disruptive technology company that will make unique contributions to Samsung while benefitting from Samsung's global scale and reach."


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QUEENSBURY — Eugene Serelli is turning 61. He has run The Loft for 15 years, selling ice cream and hamburgers year-round.
His only concession to winter was to have glass instead of screens in the swinging front door of his old red barn.
But he will not be there much longer. He and his business partner, Tony Serelli, have decided to sell.
Visitors have been shocked and dismayed by the news, but the owners are not having second thoughts.
“Change happens,” Eugene said.
Next week, Cumberland Farms will present a design to the Queensbury Planning Board, which involves demolishing the little barn at the corner of Route 9 and Route 149.
The company was one of many that wanted the site.
“We had quite a few people interested,” Serelli said.
He’s not sure if the Planning Board will approve the convenience store. But something new is going in there.
“We were selling the business, and we’re still going to sell it,” he said.
He is not being taxed out and the business is still good, he added. But at his age, he’s ready to relax a bit — perhaps work as someone else’s employee rather than running the whole show, he said.
The Serellis bought The Loft from the original owner, who had run the business for 31 years. Next year will be The Loft’s 47th year.
“It’s been good to us,” Serelli said. “It’s a good little spot.”
But he thinks the Cumberland Farms could be even better. He noted it would employ up to 12 people.
The Planning Board will discuss the plan on Dec. 21. The board is expected to focus on traffic concerns, because a convenience store will bring in much more traffic than The Loft.
An engineering company hired by the applicant has already submitted a 52-page traffic analysis. It recommends that Cumberland Farms get DOT approval to make changes to Route 9 near the site. The company could extend the southbound left-turn lane and stripe the center lane and a two-way left-turn lane near the intersection. Cumberland Farms has already begun preliminary talks with DOT on the proposal.
Town officials agreed that Cumberland Farms must take some action with DOT to get approval. The curb cuts aren’t wide enough to meet the current International Fire Code, according to the fire marshall. Town officials said they would take that seriously.
That’s why Serelli isn’t preparing to close yet, even though Cumberland Farms intends to build its store and open in 2018 if it gets approval.
“We’re waiting to see what happens,” Serelli said.
If the plan is shot down, he said, he has other companies waiting to develop the site.


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Select retailers will begin selling cannabis products to those age 21 or older on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
To date, nine operators have received dual licensure from state officials to engage in both medical and adult-use sales. Sales will initially be limited to 1/4 ounce of cannabis flower, or its equivalent, per transaction. A map of outlets receiving licensure is online.
“A robust, above-ground retail marijuana market is necessary in order to disrupt the unregulated marketplace and to assure that consumers have adequate access to lab-tested, high quality products at competitive prices,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said.
Lawmakers enacted legislation in 2021 legalizing the adult use of marijuana and regulating its commercial production and sale.