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Huawei talks up own apps with Mate 30 problem to Apple, Samsung At a glitzy launch in the German metropolis of Munich, the Chinese agency mentioned its new Mate 30 Pro and Mate 30 devices had been more compact, their cameras more delicate, and wraparound screens more vivid than those of the most recent Apple iPhone. India tells tech corporations to guard user privacy, stop abuse India’s 1.3 billion individuals and their large consumption of cellular data has turned it right into a key development market for U.S. expertise giants similar to Google, Facebook and Amazon. BBC News has discovered it’s going to instead pre-install the Huawei Mobile Service suite of software on the Mate 30 handset, offering in-house options to Google’s products. Technorati is helpful and hottest technology website on the earth of web which helps bloggers and tech weblog house owners to get extra views on their website and offers a lot of quality expertise guides and news. Apart from this it additionally covers guides associated to android, apple, gadgets and so on. and rather more.
Despite the pressure of the US-China commerce warfare, Huawei pressed on and unveiled its new Mate 30 flagships. And it revealed its plans for a life with out Google.
Instead, Huawei will provide its personal interface that can enable users to access some Google apps. To recall, Apple recently launched three iPhone eleven fashions, two of them with triple rear digicam setup, housing stunning specifications to make you a close to-good photographer. The function will solely be out there to customers with an iPhone X and above because it uses the tech used by the True Depth camera, but any Android or iOS system will be capable of obtain and think about the creations. In this article, I define some challenges posed by formally published open information and discover the pragmatic strategy of London-primarily based know-how company Doorda. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited lawmakers Thursday to debate potential regulation of the tech trade, notably when it comes to the gathering of customers’ private information on their platforms.
Tech insiders say we can not belief companies like Google and Facebook to regulate themselves. Handsets will offer Facebook’s apps through Huawei’s own retailer but aren’t pre-loaded with Google’s.
Mario Kart Tour is designed for iOS and Android, and can formally launch on September 25. The Redmi K20 Pro Exclusive Edition with Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC is scheduled to launch on September 19th.
This is hottest technology information and gadgets related website on the web. Also, it provides useful guides associated to tablets, laptops and mobiles etc. Also, it rates the different type of Smartphone units, mobiles in addition to tablets also. The best thing is that in case you are android lover, then this web site additionally publishes android related news and guides on the web site. APPLE iPhone eleven and iPhone 11 Pro go on sale tomorrow and ID MOBILE is offering the bottom value for Apple preorders.
Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro models provide just a bit bit extra, but some of these options matter lots to excessive cell users and pixel consultants. The newest tech news concerning the world’s greatest (and typically worst) hardware, apps, and far more.
With one hundred new titles out there to play across all the company’s units, the new providing is a serious step for the tech big into the video game trade. Huawei’s founder, Ren Zhengfei, has described his firm as being in “a life or dying disaster” and there has been speculation the Chinese authorities might retaliate by putting restrictions on US technology corporations in flip. Read the latest technology information and fascinating analysis breakthroughs on SciTechDaily. Discover current technology news articles on topics corresponding to Nanotechnology,Â Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology,Â Graphene, Green Tech, Battery Tech, Computer Tech, Engineering, and Fuel-cell Tech that includes analysis out of MIT, Cal Tech, Yale, Georgia Tech, Karlsruhe Tech, Vienna Tech, and Michigan Technological University. Sure, there’s a new iPhone, but Apple’s launch of a new iPod Touch earlier this 12 months got here with laughter from some.
Judgementall Hai Kya Review: Kangana Ranaut Film Is Neither Too Crazy, Nor Too Thrilling
It additionally covers guides associated to music, cars and photography and so forth and sometimes writes concerning the Apple information as properly. Apple’s newest operating techniques for the iPhone and iPad ought to launch sometime this fall (likely September, based mostly on prior launches), however that hasn’t stopped us from digging via theÂ iOS 13 and iPadOS betaÂ to find probably the mostÂ helpful hidden options. Huawei’s new cellphone lacks Google access after US ban The smartphones will be unable to make use of Google Mobile Services to use the Play Store and download apps like Gmail, YouTube or Maps.


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Bhukkad joins the list of recent food chains in Bangalore that claim to serve healthy and affordable food compared to what restaurants offer.
By Uma Haridas
Bhukkad was launched in 2011 by Aruj Garg as a regular college eatery to cater to the desire of having palatable food on campus. But when Aruj was diagnosed with high cholesterol levels after his graduation, he attributed it to eating food outside. This triggered his business idea – to serve healthy food and even deliver it home/hostel/PG. His segment, according to him, is that which wants to consume organic and healthy food but not at rates charged by cafes and restaurants.
His menu avoids preservatives and processed elements. Bhukkad currently serves sandwiches, salads, burgers, beverages, sweet treats and main course meals.
The business works on a hub-and-spoke model where the central kitchen acts as a hub with the final assemblage taking place at small delivery centres before the order is shipped out to the consumer. Technology, Aruj says, will play a huge role in making kitchen operations smoother and faster, bring in consistency to the food and will help track various metrics of operations for optimization.
The team at Bhukkad is small, of about 35 people. Delivery is outsourced to a logistics partner.
The venture’s future plans include evolving into a more meal-based food outlet than a snacking option and spreading across the city by the end of this year. It also intends to keep increasing its offline presence. “So the business will be a combination of offline and online sales channels,” Aruj says.
A number of online food delivery companies and cloud kitchens have sprung up the past year and are changing the dynamics of the food industry. “All online food delivery options are our competitors. However, we have been able to craft a niche for ourselves with our food,” he adds.

domain: news


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Published May 11, 2010Today (May 11) marks the release of Sleigh Bells' much-hyped debut full-length, Treats. But if you're still undecided about whether you're down with their screeching, electro-tinged pop, you can stream the entire new album.
NPR is currently streaming the album and will be for the next seven days. Just click here to listen.
Treats is out now via M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T./Mom + Pop.


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Japanese networking and storage vendor Buffalo Technology has signed up specialist storage VAD CMS Distribution – formerly CMS Peripherals – as it looks to consolidate its position in the network attached storage (NAS) market.
Buffalo has aggressively expanded its NAS portfolio in the past year, adding more than eight new products ranging from SME-centric offerings, such as its 4-16TB TeraStation 5000, through to the enterprise-level TeraStation 7120r.
The firm said it now wanted to tighten its grip still further on the NAS market in the UK, and claimed that CMS Distribution – with extensive experience and knowledge of the sector and an audience of 2,000 potential resellers – was the ideal fit to help out.
“The new partnership will enhance our reputation as a provider of reliable storage solutions within the increasingly competitive NAS market, whilst also helping us boost our sales goals,” explained Buffalo sales director for Northern Europe, Paul Hudson.
“Buffalo has been proactive in designing market-leading, cost-effective NAS devices to meet the bespoke needs of all companies. As the market continues to grow it will present further opportunities for Buffalo, so working with CMS will help more businesses benefit from our expanding market portfolio,” he added.
Image credit: Jupiterimages


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Idea Cellular, one of the leading telecom operators in the country, on Monday announced the largest roll out of VoLTE (Voice over Long Term Evolution) service across nine major markets – Mumbai, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, UP East, UP West, Bihar & Jharkhand and Rajasthan. With this launch, Idea VoLTE is now available across 15 circles.
VoLTE allows voice to become just another app that rides on a data network, brings faster, better voice calls and video chat and supposed to be a bonus for consumers as voice-minutes billing goes away.
Earlier this month, Idea had launched VoLTE in Maharashtra & Goa, MP and Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, AP & Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. As part of the launch offer, Idea will give 30 GB free data to its VoLTE users. Customers will get 10 GB data on making the first VoLTE call, additional 10 GB on giving feedback on the service after 4 weeks, and another 10 GB on giving feedback after 8 weeks.
Idea VoLTE delivers High Definition voice services over 4G/ LTE network which make voice sound more natural as compared to a standard voice call, while eliminating background noise. It also offers faster call connection and better battery utilization.
Idea VoLTE allows subscribers to continue experiencing un-interrupted 4G Internet while simultaneously being on a voice call. Idea VoLTE enables users to automatically be routed to 3G/2G when they move out of 4G network using Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC), thus ensuring continuous call connectivity. Idea users can call all mobile and landline networks using the VoLTE service.
According to Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular, “Idea customers across 15 markets will now be able to experience High Definition voice calls on VoLTE.”
Idea VoLTE is accessible on 4G handsets powered by Idea 4G SIM. Existing Idea customers with compatible 4G handsets are automatically upgraded to Idea VoLTE service.
Idea VoLTE is presently available on Vivo V7 Plus, Honor 5C, Honor 6X, Honor 7X, Honor View10, Honor 9 lite and Honor 9i handsets.
Xiaomi Redmi4, Samsung J7 Pro/A5/A7, One Plus 5/5T/6 and Nokia 3/5 plus devices will start releasing Over the Air (OTA) updates to enable Idea users to experience VoLTE service, soon.


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- At the Old Florida Cafe Antique Car and Truck Show on Philips Highway, a 1970 Chevelle SS, which Sunshine State Chevelles President Chris Conover helped restore, was among the classics on display.
A similar Chevelle (see screengrab in photo slider or in video below) makes a split second appearance in a promotional video for Chevrolet's Code 130R concept, a car that blends styling cues from the current day Camaro and, if the video is to be believed, classic Chevelles.
That had me wondering. Could the Code130R end up being a next generation Chevelle? Let's take a look.
SLIDESHOW: Old Florida Cafe Antique Car & Truck Show
It holds true to the history of the Chevelle in that it's a rear-wheel drive, two-door coupe that would be a step below the Camaro.
But unlike the top-of-the-line 454 (7.4 liter) Big-Block Cowl Induction Chevelle of 1970, the Code 130R has its eye on fuel economy. It's powered by a mild hybrid set-up with Chevrolet's 1.4 liter Ecotech turbocharged DOHC I-4 with eAssist. Although no zero to 60 times have been quoted, Chevrolet does say you're looking at about 150 horsepower and 40 mpg with a starting price in the low-20s.
Depending on weight, turbocharging could still keep performance somewhat lively. EAssist would shut off the engine at stops, recapture braking energy and smooth torque during acceleration.
According to an interview with GM's Dave Masch on motorauthority.com, the Code 130R would be based on the same platform as the 2013 Cadillac ATS. That being the case, it's reasonable to think handling would be crisp, perhaps like a 1 Series BMW. It's also reasonable to speculate the ATS's 2.0-liter turbo that makes 270 horsepower might make its way into an SS version, although that's pure speculation.
Despite some retro styling cues, the Code 130R is firmly focused on the future.
"This buyer prizes connectivity. Allowing them to stay connected by integrating their personal devices through MyLink and WiFi enabling the vehicle to be their own docking station," said Frank Saucedo, director of the GM North America Advanced Design studio in Los Angeles.
The Code 130R's future is far from guaranteed. Chevrolet is also showing off another concept called the Tru 140S. To my eye, the Tru 140S looks like a next generation Mitsubishi Eclipse. GM is only expected to build one of the two-doors. But that's exactly why I'm betting on the Code 130R. With hints of current generation Camaro and 1970 Chevelle, it's got that modern but yet classic Chevrolet look that still turns heads.
First Coast News


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Alone in the Dark Update
We have more details on Infogrames' just-delayed action-adventure, including info on the new PC developer.
Earlier today it was revealed that Infogrames has officially delayed Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare until the spring of 2001. While the PlayStation and Dreamcast versions of the game have been said to be quite far along, there's been little sign of the PC game since E3. One reason for the slower PC development is now clear, as Infogrames has told GameSpot that a new developer has been brought in to do the PC version. The company now in charge of that project is Spiral House, the developers of the console-style role-playing game, Silver.
Yet, the delay also affects the console versions of the next Alone in the Dark. Explaining why all dates were pushed back, Wiebke Vallentin of Infogrames said, "We want to make sure it's a really fun game that's as finely tuned as possible. When the game's finished, it shouldn't have any frustrating camera angles or AI." Vallentin noted that the developers still need to polish the game's sound and camera control. In addition, a few key elements of the game - some of the puzzles, the auto-aiming system, and the lighting effects - have yet to be implemented.
DarkWorks is still in charge of developing the Dreamcast and PlayStation versions of the game. Development of the Game Boy Color game is in the hands of UK-based Pocket Studio. Infogrames plans to release Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare simultaneously for all platforms next spring.
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email firstname.lastname@example.org


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VisitBritain has today announced that its flagship annual Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)...
New top up to local business grants fund scheme announced and Bounce Back Loan Scheme opens for applications
Round up of latest COVID-19 updates, week ending 1 May
New Bounce Back Loans Scheme for small businesses announced plus further updates on COVID-19
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has opened for applications for businesses who have put staff on...
Announcement on the Chairs for BTA Board and VisitEngland Advisory Board
Our COVID-19 international marketing response featured as one of top five campaigns in the world by Skift
Interim changes to our senior team and our five priorities during the COVID-19 outbreak
VisitEngland has today announced the winners of its 2019 Visitor Attraction Accolades recognising the outstanding...
VisitEngland has announced that its revamped Awards for Excellence 2020 will be held in Hull on Tuesday 16 June.
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ugg mittens sale Tesla is most painful stock for short sellers in 2017
Tesla stock has become a battleground between investors betting CEO Elon Musk will revolutionize the automobile industry and skeptics who question his aggressive production targets.Those conflicting views of the electric car maker have deepened in recent weeks, with short sellers increasing their exposure even as paper losses mount and Tesla’s stock hits new highs.Short bets against Tesla have grown to $10.1 billion from $8.7 billion at the start of April, and during that time short sellers have racked up paper losses of $1.4 billion, according to S3 Partners, a financial analytics firm. Tesla’s stock has climbed 15 percent in the same period and has surged 50 percent so far in 2017.”You have your momentum guys riding this stock up and making a fantastic return, and the fundamental guys holding onto their shorts and building them and saying ‘this can’t continue’ and waiting for the shoe to drop,” said Ihor Dusaniwsky, S3 Partners’ head of research. stock,
according to S3.In Wednesday’s quarterly report, investors will look for an update on Tesla’s plan to launch its mass market Model 3 sedan in the second half of 2017 and quickly increase production to a target of 500,000 cars per year in 2018. Last year it sold 76,230 cars, missing its target of at least 80,000 vehicles.ATTENTION COMMENTERS: Over the last few months, Automotive News has monitored a significant increase in the number of personal attacks and abusive comments on our site. We encourage our readers to voice their opinions and argue their points. We expect disagreement. We do not expect our readers to turn on each other. If we see repeated behavior, we will ban the commenter. Please help us maintain a civil level of discourse.


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Service sector rebound could be just a blip
New figures scream “recovery mode” for the retail and services sector – but these could be a short-term blip.
The latest Bank of New Zealand. Business New Zealand performance or service index (PSI) shows continued improvement in the sector after a long period in the doldrums (see graph).
Although the index shows a slight drop for the month the drop is a minuscule 1.6% on the index – and at least some of this can be put down to the impact of public holidays at the end of the month.
More tellingly, it is the second consecutive month that all the survey sub-groups are in expansion mode, Bank of New Zealand economist Craig Ebert said.
The figures also pointed to higher than anticipated retail sales activity for the fourth quarter, he said – and that would feed into stronger fourth quarter GDP.
The other factor was what effect it would have on Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard’s next review of the official cash rate, due this Thursday.
No one expects Dr Bollard to lift the rate beyond its present 2.5% level but the OCR’s current setting is regarded as "stimulatory" and the growing tide of positive economic data means the need for stimulation from interest rates is dwindling.
However, the important question, as it affects retail and services trade, is to what extent this is “catch up” and also consumers taking advantage of the high New Zealand dollar leading to lower prices for imported consumer goods. (Retail figures are seasonally adjusted so the usual Christmas surge in spending is taken into account).
The one area of the domestic economy which has been in decline recently is house sales.
Loan approval numbers are down 18% on a year ago, Mr Ebert pointed out – and he adds that the figures for a year ago were unusually low.
That shows one of the biggest drivers of higher medium term consumer spending – housing market confidence – just isn’t there.
Which in turn means policymakers should be “a little wary on the outlook for consumer spending,” he said.


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Another claims that Snap-on sold a second franchise to a dealer without informing him of its risks. That former dealer - New York-based Brian Casey, who the lawsuit said was 1998 Snap-on "Rookie Dealer of the Year" - lost his $40,000 initial investment and owes Snap-on $257,000 after being granted the second dealer route, Marks said. The suits also claim Snap-on extended "excessive amounts of credit to dealers, inducing them to purchase more tools than they can resell to their customer base, ultimately causing them to go out of business."
Also, the lawsuits cite an arbitration agreement contained in Snap-on dealer contracts that limits dealers' abilities "to go to court to get back money that was unfairly taken from them."
Snap-on called a press release from Marks about the lawsuits "misleading," noting that Marks has filed similar lawsuits before and that a Superior Court of New Jersey judge found the arguments to be "specious" and stated that the "plaintiff's contentions appear to have little merit and, in some instances, are inherently contradictory." The company said the "vast majority" of its growing number of dealers are happy with their franchises.
"We do all we can to help our dealers because, obviously, Snap-on succeeds when its dealers succeed," according to the company. "That said a franchise is like any other business - there is no guarantee of success."
More than a dozen women have formed a group called Wives Against Snap-on (WASO) and have set up a Web site (wwww.snap-onfranchisefraud.com) to further their cause against the company.


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STORY: Volkswagen stuck to its outlook for the current year on Wednesday (May 4) despite supply chain challenges.
VW, like other global carmakers, has found a scarcity of key components due to the health crisis and the war in Ukraine.
Those two factors have also added to the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.
But VW said its global production network helped it offset supply chain disruptions.
Chief Executive Herbert Diess said this had allowed the auto giant to move parts to those regions and brands that needed them most.
Europe's largest carmaker still saw uncertainty due to the conflict in Ukraine and the health crisis.
It added it could not yet foresee what the full impact on its business would be, should the situation worsen.
VW saw steady sales in the first three months of the year of around $66 billion.
Looking ahead, VW said it expected sales to rise 8 to 13% this year and projected an operating profit margin of 7 to 8.5%.
The automaker also saw chip supply improving in the second half of the year.


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Hyundai is the latest automaker to release its Super Bowl ad online ahead of the game. However, many people might miss it because the spot is only playing is Canada during the game. The mix of propulsive music and stylistic shots of the Genesis is one of the more visceral commercials for the event, so far.
Nissan is now running a 90-second Super Bowl ad, instead of 60 seconds. The first 10 seconds of it are available now as a teaser, but the brand is holding the full premiere until the actual game. To make it even more potentially exciting, there are two surprise product cameos from the company in the commercial.
Domain name registration company GoDaddy made the decision to pull its planned 2015 Super Bowl ad after the commercial caused outrage among animal lovers when it was posted online. The spot is about a very cute puppy making his way home, only to encounter an unexpected twist...
Mercedes-Benz is taking a whimsical approach for its Super Bowl ad this year. The German luxury brand is updating Aesop's classic fable of the race between the tortoise and the hare with help from the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S.
Pierce Brosnan puts on a little of his former James Bond persona for Kia's humorous and action-packed Super Bowl ad for the 2016 Sorento. The extended cut of the commercial might be one of the best automotive spots from this year's game released so far.


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BRAINTREE (CBS) – When the going gets tough, some might not want to get going.
“The thought of taking 2 to 3 hours out of the day to drive to the gym, to fight for the treadmill, and then to drive back and unwind, it’s difficult,” said Greg Monaco, the owner of Mobile Fitness Systems.
So, for those who can’t find the time to get to the gym, a South Shore trainer is now bringing the gym to you.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Ben Parker reports.
“It came about because I was frustrated not being able to get my clients the results that they wanted. Part of it was because they couldn’t get to the gym for whatever reason,” said Monaco. “I had the idea of taking the workouts directly to them.”
Monaco came up with the idea to turn his truck into a mobile gym of sorts.
“The truck itself became a training apparatus and an opportunity for me to take my workouts and my programs and my ideas directly to my clients,” said Monaco. “I’m set up with the gym and everything you would need in your driveway.”
The weather in New England is not always cooperative, especially in the winter, so Monaco was forced to find an indoor facility, too.
“If it rains out, most of my sessions are taken right over to this indoor space. It’s kind of a tough sell to get people training in 25-degree weather, so as soon as the weather’s not conducive to it, we’ll just take the workouts inside,” said Monaco.
He hopes his idea catches on, just like pizza delivery once did.
“It’s my hopes that a fitness facility that attempts to provide that convenient solution to their clients is able to say that ‘If you can’t get to the gym, no worries, we’ll take a trainer and one of our mobile fitness systems right out to your driveway,'” said Monaco.


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Carmine Minardi, Sara Jones, Beth Minardi and Ron Krassin, president of Zotos International.
The Joico K-Pak ReconstRx VaporIron launch and the beauty industry introduction of the Minardi Color Perfect Lighting System, each held at the Minardi Salon in New York City.
THE DETAILS: Beth and Carmine Minardi held two special events at their salon introducing Joico's K-Pak VaporIron (Beth is the Vero K-Pak Color spokesperson) and the Minardi Color Perfect Lighting System to more than 100 salon professionals and beauty editors. Among those in attendance were: Sara Jones, senior vice president and general manager of Joico; Patrick O'Keefe, director of communications; and celebrity hairstylists George Papanikolas, Michael Kriston, Marco Pelusi, Salvatore Minardi and Michael and Geri-Anne Dipaolo of Masello Salon Services of New England. The events included product demonstrations and tours of the salon.
A SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT: Senior hair colorist Tohmas Elmlund, who is also a painter (tohmase.com), prepared 12 large canvases to exhibit at the events. This special exhibit will be on display at the salon through July (minardinyc.com).
THE LAST WORD: "Each event was so perfect," said Beth Minardi. "They were fun, festive, with wonderful guests, dear industry friends, and all kinds of beautiful people. Carmine and I loved sharing time with salon professionals who share our passion about the professional salon business."
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.


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SiriusXM Third-Quarter Earnings: Broadcaster Pays Less, Makes More from Each Customer
In a statement on his company's third-quarter earnings, SiriusXM CEO Jim Mayer wrote yesterday that the satellite radio broadcaster "grew self-pay subscribers by 385,000 and turned in record quarterly high levels of revenue and adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, we attained our highest-ever ARPU and adjusted EBITDA margin and lowest-ever SAC per installation."
Let's break those down.
"Self-pay subscribers" is the metric SiriusXM uses for customers who elect to subscribe to the service as opposed to receiving it bundled with the purchase of a car or other device -- a useful metric for gauging consumer interest in the product. SiriusXM's net self-pay additions were 345,000 over the quarter, or 115,000 per month. (Those numbers are down sharply year-over-year due to a substantial increase in promotional subscribers in 2015.)
An an apples-to-oranges comparison, Spotify added about 1.66 million users a month between March and September of this year -- globally, for a service that moves between phone and tablet and car and desk. SiriusXM's 64,000 per month, in the U.S. and Canada only, were signing up for a service umbilically linked to specific hardware.
SiriusXM pays out roughly 21.35 percent of total revenues in royalties and exclusive content fees. However, SiriusXM benefits substantially from grandfathered discounts afforded it in 1998 when the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was passed; as such it has been able to negotiate with regulators for a below-market royalty rate for music licensing. Those rates are in the process of ratcheting up, from 10.5 percent of gross revenues (paid to SoundExchange) this year to 11 percent in 2017. (Pandora pays about 67 percent of its revenues to content acquisition costs, which include direct licensing deals. Spotify pays about 83 percent. Bear in mind that these aren't direct comparisons -- but are still stark differences.)
Those "high levels of revenue" were $1.27 billion in earnings over the quarter, over $100 million above the corresponding period a year early. EBITDA -- earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amortization_(business) -- stands at $492 million. (EBITDA is a measure of earnings that gives investors and analysts a way to compare earnings between similar businesses -- in SiriusXM's case there sort of... aren't any -- because it removes from the books currency fluctuations, varying tax rates, debt and loans.)
Average revenue per user, or ARPU, in an extremely important metric for any media business, and especially subscription content providers, derived by taking total revenue ($1.27 billion) and dividing it by the number total subscribers (30.9 million) -- SiriusXM's rose year-over-year from $12.67 to $13.04. Complimenting that figure is the decrease in SAC, or subscriber acquisition costs, that SiriusXM saw over the quarter, having dropped from $34 to $28. Essentially, the broadcaster is making more from each customer, and paying less to do so.
Updated, 12:57pm, Oct. 31: A more detailed breakdown of SiriusXM's royalty payments was added to this article.


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The ascent of the Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur is emblematic of the rapid creation of wealth in the fast-moving world of digital currencies.
“Don’t worry about rankings. Focus on how many people you can help,” he wrote.
Zhao launched Binance in 2017, gradually building it into one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges.
After studying computer science at McGill University, he worked on trading software for the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Bloomberg.
“He then learned about bitcoin in 2013 during a game of poker, after which he decided to go all-in on crypto by dedicating his life to it,” according to Binance. “He even sold his apartment to buy bitcoin.”
“More regulations are, in fact, positive signs that an industry is maturing,” he added. “Because this sets the foundation for a broader population to feel safe to participate in crypto.”


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Search results1 – 10 of 26
JAPAN: Exporters face a deeper manufacturing downturn
Relative 'winners' from Sino-US trade conflict.
CHINA: The coronavirus will cut early 2020 car sales
Oil demand dynamics.
INTERNATIONAL: The auto sector will need fewer people
JAPAN: Weak world trade outweighs signs of rerouting


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Industry urged to emulate Amazon-style model
A $US375 billion ($484 billion) revenue prize awaits insurers worldwide if they adapt their business models to be more customer-centric and fluid, according to Accenture.
Insurance Lead Australia and New Zealand Ravi Malhotra says Australian insurers have made huge efforts to increase competiveness, including collaborating with insurtechs.
But they are still nowhere close to the “living business” model that Accenture believes is necessary to grab a share of the $US375 billion pot.
US online giant Amazon exemplifies the way a “living business” functions, Mr Malhotra says,
“Becoming a living business may be a daunting challenge, but there is little doubt the future of insurance will belong to those companies that make this shift,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.
“Living businesses are customer-centric and adopt fluid models and flexible platforms and talent. They have a profound understanding of their customers and adapt and innovate constantly, at speed and scale, to remain hyper-relevant.
“They strive for flexibility, adaptability and simplicity, rather than worrying about ‘being right’ 100% of the time.”
The $US375 billion windfall, available in the period to 2022, includes about $US117 billion ($151 billion) in new revenue streams for personal lines insurers. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, the revenue potential is about $US140 billion ($181 billion), Accenture says.


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Last week, several video game companies began announcing that they would suspend services and sales in Russia after Ukraine invaded parts of the country. Now, Sony has officially confirmed that it is suspending digital sales and product shipments to Russia for the time being.
Sony has already made the decision before silently caesar the sale of Gran Turismo 7 in Russia last Friday, but now it has announced that the measures will be extended to all its products until the end of the attack on Ukraine.
“Sony Interactive Entertainment is part of the global community calling for peace in Ukraine,” the company said in a statement. “We have suspended all hardware and software shipments, the launch of Gran Turismo 7, and PlayStation Store operations in Russia.”
Sony added that it will also send humanitarian aid to Ukraine with a two million dollar donation.


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Ever wondered what the + in Apple TV+ stands for? According to Jon Stewart, it means you can go into an Apple Store and find him and other Apple TV+ stars working at the Genius Bar.
Watch this clip to see the former host of The Daily Show utterly failing to provide tech support.
Jon Stewart may be a genius but he’s no Apple Genius
Of course, Stewart isn’t really moonlighting at an Apple retail store. He’s in a skit for Jimmy Kimmel Live!
— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) September 30, 2022
Stewart is there to plug the second season of The Problem With Jon Stewart, which premieres October 7 on Apple TV+. The biweekly, one-hour, single-issue series explores topics that are currently part of the national conversation.
“Stewart still does a lot of what he did on The Daily Show,” wrote Cult of Mac‘s Scout Tafoya when reviewing the show’s first season. “He tees up clips to point out the hypocrisy of most people in charge of either a particular branch of government or the members of the press who spin the politicians’ work for them week after week. But he also goes deeper in the new Apple TV+ show.”
Season one covered the economy, climate change, the stock market and more. A list of topics for season two has yet to be announced.


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“The devil…the prowde spirit…cannot endure to be mocked.” – Saint Thomas More
Ridicule is a terror weapon. Making your enemy look ridiculous can be more effective than a bullet between the eyes. For one thing, it deters others from following in his path. For another, it energizes your side by reminding them that public-spirited activism isn’t all marches, placards, and speeches.
And so when something like this comes along:
Culper Precision, a Provo-based company that creates customized firearms, has come under criticism for offering customers a Glock handgun encased in Lego blocks.
According to a post on the company’s website, the custom firearm — nicknamed ‘Block19’ — was built to “create an opportunity to talk about the enjoyment of the shooting sports and the joy that can only be found in marksmanship practice and training.”
It’s virtually mandatory that it be celebrated and disseminated widely. Sadly, the humorless and firearm-averse have already leaped on it:
However, the weapon’s similarity to a child’s toy has caused controversy online, and the webpage for the firearm has been taken down.
In a statement to CBSNews, the Lego company wrote that they contacted Culper Precision and that the custom-firearm company agreed to remove the product from its website and will not sell anything like it in the future.
The motif of a gun carved out of soap and painted black with shoe polish has been used by several dramatists as a method of escape from prison. I wonder what they could do with this?
(PS: Ask the good people of South Africa how they feel about the right to keep and bear arms just now. I’ll bet they have something to say.)


text: If your bid to acquire a company is being questioned by the FTC for “anticompetitive” reasons, you have to love when another high-profile company decides to enter the very same space. So for Google, Apple’s decision to launch its mobile advertising platform, dubbed iAd, could not have come at a better time. Google’s $750 million bid for mobile ad leader AdMob, who currently serves up a third of all mobile adverts, has been under serious scrutiny by the FTC. Antitrust regulators are citing concerns about the amount of money, or lack thereof, the users — mostly developers — of services like AdMob are paid. Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt commented on Apple’s new presence in the mobile ad space by saying it is: “evidence of a highly competitive market.” We thought he might say that. Will iAd, with its one platform target, really be enough to sway the FTC into green-lighting the AdMob acquisition? Only time will tell.


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THE Metro Exodus rocked the market when, weeks before the launch of Steam in February last year, Deep Silver confirmed that the game would be exclusive to the Epic Games Store. This exclusivity, however, ended recently, and according to Deep Silver’s parent company, Embracer Group, performed very well on Steam at launch.
During the company’s recent earnings conference, CEO Lars Wingefors also provided some sales figures, discovered by PC Gamer. Apparently, just five days after its launch on Steam, the 4A Games game has sold more than 200,000 copies on Valve’s digital store and appears to perform surprisingly well in China.
“I was happy to see him doing well, selling about 200,000 copies,” said Wingefors, “and it was surprising to see a large country in Asia, the largest country, buying the product.”
Metro Exodus also sold very well at the Epic Games Store at launch last year. His second (and final) DLC, Sam’s Story, came out recently.


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OmniSky Corporation (Nasdaq: OMNY), the award-winning provider of branded wireless e-mail and Internet services for users of mobile devices, and 2Roam, Inc., a leading global wireless software and service provider, today announced a strategic alliance intended to expand the availability of optimized Internet content and corporate data on wireless devices. As part of the agreement, OmniSky and 2Roam will cross-market their respective technologies and services.
"2Roam has been extremely successful in helping businesses expand distribution of their content to the wireless medium and realize a return on their investment from these new applications," said Matthew Sohn, vice president of business development, 2Roam. "Our partnership with OmniSky will provide our customers an active audience on the wireless Web’s leading service."
The 2Roam comprehensive suite of applications, tools, and services enables companies to quickly and easily extend their existing content and workforce applications to any wireless device. As part of 2Roam’s agreement with OmniSky, these companies will have the option of distributing their wireless content over the OmniSky service. In addition, OmniSky–which provides mobile professionals fast access to one of the largest collections of optimized wireless content–will market the 2Roam Wireless SolutionÔ to content providers interested in delivering their content and services to mobile customers, as well as enterprises that want to empower their workforce through mobilization of sales force automation, customer relationship management, intranet data, and other internal applications.
"Content providers and corporations increasingly recognize that wireless devices represent a strategic new opportunity to reach mobile professionals who are early adopters of technology and represent an attractive demographic. These companies are demanding a complete solution to extend their content and services to the wireless world," said Mike Dolbec, senior vice president of business development at OmniSky. "With the 2Roam Wireless Solution, we will enable businesses to generate revenue from their wireless sites with value-added services such as m-commerce, advertising and alerts, as well as allow enterprises to deliver content to an increasingly mobile workforce."
2Roam and OmniSky plan to extend this relationship to European markets as well, starting in the UK. Yesterday, OmniSky International announced the launch of its European service with a three-month beta program. 2Roam and OmniSky International have been actively working with their mutual customers, such as eBay, to deploy their wireless sites on this service.
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Read the latest business and community news from Central Texas.
Four new shopping options open at Domain Northside in North Austin
New retailers have opened in Domain Northside, with several new storefronts opening for business in the weeks following Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order allowing retailers to resume in-store operations.
Long-awaited French restaurant to open in Dripping Springs on Aug. 7
Le Vacher, a new French-inspired restaurant that announced last year it was developing a location in Dripping Springs, will officially open Aug. 7.
San Marcos BBQ to open a second location in August
San Marcos BBQ, the barbecue joint located at 2601 Hunter Road, San Marcos, will be opening a second location at 1701 S. I-35, San Marcos. Owners of the barbecue joint expect to open the new location the first or second week of August, according to a July 18 social media post.
Some breweries may qualify to operate as restaurants under new TABC guidelines
Some breweries across the state may now reopen as restaurants after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on July 24 released new guidelines. Those new guidelines state all alcohol sales to distributors and to-go alcohol sales will not be included in a business’s 51% calculation.
In Texas, if an establishment makes more than 51% of its gross receipts from alcohol, it is considered a bar. Under Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders, bars statewide must remain closed as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Evelin Garcia, Iain Oldman, Nicholas Cicale


text: On March 11, 2016, a WTO panel issued a report in a dispute concerning a complaint against anti-dumping and countervailing duties the U.S. had imposed on imported washing machines from Korea, ruling for the first time on the practice of zeroing in targeted dumping investigations. According to a news report, the controversy began in 2011 when a U.S. corporation complained to the U.S. Department of Commerce, arguing that imported Korean-made washing machines were sold below their fair value price, which constitutes dumping, and was made possible because the producers and exporters were benefitting from unfair state aid. By 2013, the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission had determined that the imports were in fact materially injuring a U.S. industry and thus called for the imposition of duties, a practice the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) allows member states in those circumstances. Member states are further permitted to apply duties to another member’s subsidized imports, which hurt the domestic economy under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM). The panel ruled that the U.S practice of zeroing in investigations of targeted dumping was inconsistent with its obligations under the WTO regime. Zeroing refers to a practice by which dumping margins, the difference between the export price and normal value, is calculated ignoring certain data which indicates that in some circumstances the good is sold at a higher price in the U.S. than in the domestic market of the exporter. Targeted dumping refers to dumping that is targeted to specific purchasers, regions, or time periods. The panel stressed that investigations of alleged targeted dumping must take into account the entire pricing behavior, without ignoring instances of above average prices.


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Bayer files suit against Lupin over plans for generic pill
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German drugmaker Bayer(BAYGn.DE) has filed a suit in the United States against Indian generic drug maker Lupin(LUPN.NS), to prevent it from selling a version of Bayer's birth-control pill Natazia there.
In the lawsuit, filed on November 28, Bayer said that Lupin is preparing to bring a copy of the Natazia pill, also called Qlaira, to U.S. markets even though Bayer's U.S. patent on the pill runs through 2026.
The complaint said Bayer would be entitled to an award of damages and treble damages for any commercial sale of the alleged copied product.
Lupin was not immediately available for comment.
Natazia is approved in the U.S. as a contraceptive and for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Birth-control is one of the most important businesses for Bayer's pharmaceuticals arm, with contraceptive sales of 1.1 billion euros in 2011.
Bayer Pharma AG v Lupin Ltd. and Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Case 1:12-cv-01592-UNA) was filed with the U.S. District Court, District of Delaware.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Marilyn Gerlach; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
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The Nifty will stay in a broad band of 7,800-8,200 with an immediate resistance at around 8,050 levels. One should look to selectively accumulate in sectors such as infrastructure, capital goods, cement, power and metals. The outperforming sectors such as pharma, IT and auto ancillaries could take a breather due to international headwinds, writes Ambareesh Baliga. Full Article
Euro zone risks "relapse into recession" without structural reforms - Draghi. Full Article


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In June, the average Czech’s spending on lunch in a restaurant rose to CZK 137, nine crowns more than before the pandemic broke out, the news site iDNES.cz wrote on Tuesday.
The average sum Czechs spent on lunch in 2019 was over CZK 120.
Spending has risen in all regional cities except Prague and Brno over the past year. Spending in Plzeň is currently the highest, at CZK 143.90, according to data on meal voucher card payments from Edenred.
Current spending on restaurant lunches is on average three percent higher than last June, when the first wave of the pandemic was unleashed.
In three regional cities, the average spending exceeded CZK 140, as stated by data from payments made by more than 250,000 employees who use Edenred’s meal voucher card.
“The three percent year-on-year growth reflects the inflation trend in the Czech Republic. We expect lunch prices and spending levels to continue to rise,” says Edenred CEO Nicolas Eich. Catering businesses are facing higher prices for raw materials and staff shortages. Czechs are also dining out less than in the past.
Edenred recorded 57 percent fewer lunch transactions this June than in the pre-pandemic period. In June 2020, that drop was only 22 percent.
“It turns out that the foodservice crisis is not over with the end of the last coronavirus wave; the declines in food sales are higher than we expected,” Eich says.
According to him, there has not been the wave of euphoria that there was last year during the first rollout when people thought the pandemic was over and went out in droves to support restaurants.
Unlike in previous years, Prague does not dominate in this respect. In the metropolis, the average expenditure has fallen by eight crowns over the past year.
“The capital has the highest proportion of people working in offices and these employees also have the highest food allowances. But because they continue to work largely from home, Prague restaurants have lost a significant proportion of their creditworthy customers,” Eich explains.
A slight decline in spending is also visible in Brno, where the average amount has fallen by less than three crowns over the past year. People spend the least on lunch in restaurants in Olomouc, where they pay an average of about CZK 126.


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Bunge (New York, NY), a leading producer and supplier of oilseed and grain products and ingredients, announced a partnership with BP plc (London, UK), the world’s sixth-largest oil and gas production and distribution company, to form a 50-50 ethanol joint venture in the north and Midwest regions of Brazil.
The net proceeds Bunge will gain from the transaction will be used to reduce the company’s credit facilities debt.
The joint venture, called BP Bunge Bioenergia, will consist of 11 mills with 32 million metric tons of combined crushing capacity per year to produce a mix of ethanol and sugar. The bioenergy company will also generate renewable electricity, fueled by waste biomass from the sugar cane, through its cogeneration facilities to power its sites and sell electricity to the Brazilian power grid. The venture is to be headquartered in Sao Paolo. Mario Lindenhayn (BP) will be the executive chairman and Geovane Consul (Bunge) will be the CEO of the new company. BP and Bunge will have equal representation on the board of directors.
By Akshita Bhatia
Source: Chemical Week
International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) has entered exclusive negotiations with Nippon Soda and made what it said is a “firm and binding offer” to acquire the Japanese group’s offshoot Métaux Spéciaux (MSSA), a sodium metal specialist.
Aligning with the SC’s key initiatives on responsible plastic recycling, Coca‑Cola Middle East’s pilot of 100% rPET bottles marks the first time the packaging will be in circulation at a FIFA World Cup tournament and serves as Coca‑Cola’s debut in locally producing the bottles in the region.
Through the transaction, Neste is acquiring a leading UCO collection and recycling business on the US West Coast, covering the collection, logistics and storage of UCO in California, Oregon and Washington. Together with the previous acquisitions (…) the transaction continues to enhance Neste’s global raw materials sourcing platform.


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Getting ready for spring break? Many families are heading out this weekend for a holiday as schools take their annual April vacation. I remember a year ago, after a long spate of sitting at my desk way too much, I was in dire need of a getaway but feeling conscious of a strict budget because we had some fun summer plans that took higher priority for the family funds.
In trolling around for deals, I realized that a credit card that I had been using exclusively for business expenses had racked up enough points for a week’s accommodations in Florida. With a quick click, we were on our way.
It was such a nice surprise to be able to take that trip without breaking my bank. Apparently I’m not the only one who tends to let those balances accumulate without paying much attention. Almost three in four Americans have forgotten about frequent flier miles or credit card rewards points that they’ve earned.
“For people who don’t take advantage of points, you’re leaving money on the table,” said Brian Kelly, author of “ThePointsGuy.com,” a website dedicated to teaching the ins and outs of maximizing the use of points for travel and other benefits.
Kelly worked with Princeton Survey Research Associates to find out how many people are actually taking advantage of points programs and how many are letting them expire. “I was amazed when I would go into a Starbucks how many people would use debit cards or cash,” he said in an interview. To Kelly, who is able to travel business class internationally because of his prolific use of points and spent just $2.50 on a ticket to Brazil last week, not taking advantage of a rewards program for even the smallest purchases is puzzling. Even if you don’t want to travel, Kelly reasons, “you should at least be getting cash back.”


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Motorola working on rugged, waterproof Android phone
If you thought Motorola i1 was rugged enough, you are wrong according to Motorola. The cell phone maker is planning another rugged as well as waterproof Android phone codenamed as ‘Jordan’.
The phone will be debuting on T-Mobile in November, reported BGR. Jordan will be waterproof to as much as 10 mtr down the water surface.
There is no other information available for the phone right now. We will let you know as soon as we hear it, stay tuned 🙂


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Tickets for this year’s Glastonbury festival have now sold out.
The ticket phone line and online booking opened this morning at 9am, and by 10.45, all regular tickets priced £145 were sold out.
Due to the overwhelming demand, the only online ticket service through seetickets.com was under huge strain. People logging in to their computers little after 8am this morning found that they got ‘server busy’ error messages.
At one point a listing appeared on trading website eBay offering the ‘direct dial telephone number for Glastonbury’ for a mere £9.99. Shame the listing didnt end for a further two days and 29 minutes! The listing was pulled by the end of the morning.
Michael Eavis who organises the festival said the new ticket sales procedure had been a huge success overall.
He said: “We had 250,000 people queueing to get through at any one time. It’s brilliant. We’ve been doing it for 37 years, so we must be getting something right.”
Eavis also said that disappointed fans would be able to try and get a ticket later in the month. Tickets that are not wanted or have not been paid for will go on sale on April 22.
Eavis reckons that “There could be 15,000 to 20,000 of those tickets available.”
To buy tickets for this year’s event taking place from June 22-24, festival goers were required to pre-register their details in an attempt to stamp out ticket touts. Tickets will be issued with the recipients photo and address on them.
Nearly 400,000 applicants were chasing 177,000 tickets, more tickets than in previous years, as Mendip Council recently increased the capacity allowance for Worthy Farm.
The line-up for the festival will be announced in June, though artists that have already confirmed that they will play include Arctic Monkeys, The Who, Dame Shirley Bassey, Babyshambles and Bjork.


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Almost two decades after he took the reigns of Sony's U.S. PlayStation division, Sony Computer Entertainment America chief Jack Tretton is stepping down at the end of the month.
His departure, both parties said, is based on a mutual agreement between SCEA and Tretton.
"I leave knowing that the PlayStation brand has never been stronger, PlayStation 4 momentum continues to accelerate, and the future will only get brighter for our gamers," he wrote in a message(Opens in a new window) on the PlayStation blog.
Tretton joined the party in 1995 at the inception of SCEA; he helped launch all PlayStation platforms in North America, including the original PS console, the PS2, PSP, PS3, PlayStation Network, and PlayStation Vita. Most recently, he led the record-breaking launch of the new PlayStation 4 (pictured), which carries the title of No. 1 next-gen gaming console worldwide.
"Working at SCEA for the past 19 years has been the most rewarding experience of my career," he said in a statement. "Although I will deeply miss the talented team at SCEA and the passion demonstrated every day by our fans, I am very excited about starting the next chapter of my career."
Just what that chapter will contain is unknown; he did not elaborate on what his next move entails.
"I've worked with Jack for nearly two decades and I want to personally thank him for his leadership and the considerable contributions he's made to the SCEA business and PlayStation brand over the years," Sony President and Group CEO Andrew House said in a statement. "I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
Meanwhile, the company wasted no time in naming Tretton's replacement: Shawn Layden, currently COO of Sony Network Entertainment International, will step into the top spot at SCEA, effective April 1.
"As PS4 shows us every day, there has never been a better time to be part of the PlayStation community and I look forward to working with our retail, development, publishing, and network partners to further demonstrate why PlayStation is the best place to play," Layden said in a statement.
House expressed a similar excitement, saying that he has "the utmost confidence" in Layden's leadership abilities."
"His deep knowledge of the gaming industry and commitment to gamers will help keep PlayStation at the forefront of entertainment and innovative gameplay," House added.
Just this week, Sony revealed a whopping 6 million worldwide PS4 console sales, including the 370,000 sold in Japan since its Feb. 22 launch.
For more, see PCMag's review of the Sony PlayStation 4 and the slideshow above.
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TUCSON, Ariz. - In order to avoid food supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA announced in May that it has temporarily relaxed food labeling guidelines. This will allow certain ingredients to be substituted, but the label stays the same.
“There is real confusion about this temporary policy," says Rachel Rabkin Peachman, Consumer Reports Investigative Reporter. "Right after the announcement, parents, individuals and numerous consumer advocacy groups launched a petition, sent letters and posted comments to the FDA demanding more transparency about food labels.”
The FDA states that none of the ingredients being substituted into a food can be one of the top eight food allergens without disclosing it to consumers. But beyond those eight, the guidance is vaguer.
“For other foods that are known to cause allergies, the FDA says manufacturers “should avoid” using them as substitutes. But saying, “should” leaves it up to the manufacturer to decide what’s safe to substitute. And there are many people with allergies or sensitivities to rare ingredients that manufacturers might not know to consider," says Peachman.
If you or a family member has a food intolerance or allergy and you’re worried about eating something, call the manufacturer and confirm that everything on the label is accurate.
And because the FDA has not set an end date for these temporary rules, CR says consumers should be diligent about following up with manufacturers in the coming months so that it doesn’t become something more permanent. It’s also worth noting that no companies have utilized this temporary policy.


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BitPay, the bitcoin processor that allows online retailers to accept bitcoin but get local currency almost instantly into their local bank accounts, has just announced what promises to be a major leap forward in identity management and internet security - BitAuth.
BitAuth is a technology that allows you to keep your web site password securely stored on your local computer and prevents the login in process from being attacked by computers listening in on the Internet inbetween using bitcoin technology. The winner of what effectively was a "crowdingfunding platform" prize was announced - Lighthouse. Moreover, when Lighthouse is released it will be open-source. In other words, it will be free for anybody to use, not necessarily with bitcoin.


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RCR Wireless News
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands—There’s always a first shot at everything; first to the moon, first to summit Mount Everest, first to end homelessness. It may not be as altruistic as the latter, but Universal Music Group International and Nokia Corp. now have the distinction of being the first companies in their respective industries to map out a model for free access to music.
Earlier this month, the world’s largest mobile phone company and the world’s largest music company announced “Comes with Music,” a service that gives Nokia device owners free access to Universal Music’s entire catalog of 2 million tracks. There are plenty of caveats surrounding the deal, as with anything precluded by “free,” but the price consumers pay for their compatible Nokia devices will include the licensing costs associated with access to that music for one year.
“All music to everybody, anywhere, all the time. That’s been the quest for music service for Nokia,” Anssi Vanjoki, executive VP and GM of multimedia for Nokia, said in his opening keynote address at Nokia World. “This is not a streaming service, but all the songs and albums are there for you to own and keep.”
Once the stars are aligned—specifically if a consumer lives in a region where the service is available and owns a compatible device—music lovers will have access to as many tracks as their ears can handle.
Once the 12 months are up, the consumer can purchase a new device and with it comes another license for 12 months of use. Regardless, whatever music the user downloads within that 12-month period is theirs to keep forever, whether it be on a memory card inside their device or a PC, which users will be allowed to transfer their downloads to for further use.
Nokia’s music store is only available in the United Kingdom at the moment, but the Finnish company says it’s planning an aggressive rollout that will bring the service to users across the globe as soon as possible.
“There is no comparable service where the music can be kept by the consumers, even if their subscription lapses,” Universal Music Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge told a perplexed audience.
“It’s certainly a ground-breaking moment for Universal Music,” he said.
“We believe that mobile is inevitably one of the keys to our future growth,” Grainge said. “Music on the move is what people want. No one stands still anymore.”
Ted Cohen, chair of the Mobile Entertainment Forum Americas and a veteran in the music industry, believes the deal instantly becomes the leading model for music in mobile. “I think that the ability to get unlimited access to music while you’re on the go is a much better proposition than an a la carte model,” he said in an interview with RCR Wireless News.
“You want what you want at your finger tips and your mobile phone is there 24/7. It’s a great reason to decide on a Nokia device over a Samsung or an LG or a Motorola. So as much become more important on the go, it’s a deal-closer,” he said.
The tracks downloaded from Comes with Music will be locked by digital rights management and won’t allow users to burn tracks to a CD unless an upgrade of some sort is purchased. Nokia and Universal Music have been tight-lipped about the minutiae since the deal was announced, but Cohen says most consumers could care less.
“If you’re getting the music, you know, if it feels like it’s free and there’s some service charges for services outside of access … that transcends access into ownership,” Cohen said.
“One is ephemeral access and the other is tangible ownership,” he said. “If I can access anything I want, I don’t want to own it. I would trade the square footage that’s being taken up by CD cabinets right now (Cohen has a collection of more than 6,000 CDs) for access to all that and more.”
When it comes down to it, music can still be appreciated and the artists, producers, record labels and everyone else in the food chain get paid, he continued.
There will always be albums that hardcore fans are going to want to “own and hold close,” Cohen said, but that doesn’t negate the 20% drop in CD sales that the industry is experiencing year over year.
Recurring revenue stream
“It’s not a devaluation of music, it’s a revaluation,” he said. The entire industry stands to profit much more if it can convince most music fans to pay even as little as to a month for access to music rather than relying on the everdepleting few who still buy CDs. “It’s not the same per user, but it’s never going to be,” he added.
“In a model like Nokia and Universal Music Group have come up with, it’s a recurring revenue scheme,” Cohen said. “The music labels have never had a recurring revenue scheme.”
Back at Nokia World, Rob Wells, senior VP of Universal Music’s digital business, tried to elaborate and fill in some of the blanks on this first-of-its-kind deal.
“Music is probably the most evocative art form,” he began. “It’s very unlikely that there’s anyone on the planet that can actually claim to hate music.”
The problem is “not everybody loves to pay for it,” he continued. “Piracy is the single biggest factor in the decline of music sales over the last 10 years.”
But digital sales are helping to ebb that flow. In 2005, digital music accounted for 3% of overall music business sales, a number that in 2006 jumped to at least 7%. For 2007, forecasts are putting the number closer to 14%, Wells said.
“We’ve made history today,” he said. “I believe definitely the digital music industry will never be the same again.”
He reminded attendees that the label and its artists will continue to get their share. “The building blocks of our industry remain unchanged,” Wells said. “Our revenues will come from the sale of the device.”
This despite the fact that there will be no download limits over the 12-month period. However, Wells pointed out that the 2 million tracks currently available on the service would take at least five years to download and more than four years to listen to in their entirety.
“There is no catch,” Wells said. “The concept of ownership disappears. Consumers will naturally gravitate towards this model and away from the pay-per-track model.”
Ed Averdieck, who runs Nokia’s music business, told RCR Wireless News that the announcement is the latest shift in a years-long strategy undertaken by Nokia.
First it embedded music players in most of its devices, then it enabled consumers to purchase music directly on their device—and now it has closed the loop on what consumers’ really want: Music for close to free.
Because of that, Nokia decidedly went against developing business models that would require consumers to pay for a subscription service after 12 months. It would rather drive users back to the store to purchase a new device.
“We want to create a sustainable business,” Averdieck said. Indeed, it’s arguable that no other service could possibly draw people into buying a new device after 12 months in as compelling a fashion.
“We want this to be as simple as possible,” he said.
“This is a good way of re-engaging them in the music business,” Averdieck said of the millions of young music fans that haven’t purchased an album for years.
Nokia’s Comes with Music service is currently compatible with its N81, N82 and the N95 8GB models. All future N-Series devices coming down the pike will be compatible as well.
Nokia says it’s also in serious discussions with the other major music labels and plans to expand the magnitude of the offering for many years to come.


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HELENA, Mont. – The Department of Commerce on Friday will continue its winter tourism marketing campaign with a Facebook Live event to be shot in 360-degree video for the first time ever.
Whitefish native and Olympic hopeful Maggie Voisin will host the downhill skiing-focused event, which will be shot in partnership with Explore Whitefish at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The 360-degree video technology gives viewers full control of the camera while the video is playing, allowing them to explore the slopes from any angle.
“Montana has been at the cutting edge of tourism marketing and a leader in social media for more than a decade,” said Commerce Director Pam Haxby-Cote. “Now we’re charting new territory again, and we couldn’t be more excited to have a Montana-born ambassador help us to show off some of the best skiing in the world.”
At 15, Voisin was the youngest member of Team USA selected to compete at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Now 19, she’s vying for a spot in women’s slopestyle at the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang.
Commerce has been a leader in using new Facebook technologies. Earlier this year it used the “Canvas” ad tool to provide users with a full-screen immersive Montana experience within the Facebook platform.
Friday’s event is part of a larger campaign in which video has been used to inspire travelers to visit Montana. Earlier this fall, Commerce released four winter-themed episodes for the “Discover Your #MontanaMoment” video series at VisitMT.com.
The live event starts at 8 a.m. at the Visit Montana Facebook page: facebook.com/visitmontana. The video will be available to watch after the live event as well.


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In the heart of Finland is a technological design company that is helping to build the office of the future. Framery designs and builds sound proofed booths that work as quiet rooms and meetings rooms within offices. They are moveable and are being snapped up across the world by Fortune 500 companies. Its customers include Microsoft, Deloitte and SAP as well as tech start ups Uber, Cloudera, Yelp and Atlassian. By the end of 2016 they had exported the booths to 44 countries.
Its growth has been remarkable with revenues climbing from €5 million in 2015, to €18 million in 2016 and expected to reach €56 million in 2017. Samu Hällfors, co-founder of Framery, in February 2017 said: “We made 2800 phone booths in 2016, and the goal for 2017 is 8000 booths. We plan to hire 100 new colleagues this year.”
The booths provide quiet, flexible meeting spaces of silenced work areas inside the modern open plan office. Research by the University of Sydney found 50% of employees in open plan offices cite the lack of sound privacy as their biggest frustration. The inspiration for Framery came when the founders Samu Hällfors and Vesa-Matti Marjamäki noted the habit of their then boss walking around the office talking loudly on his mobile.
Solving the problem of growth
When the firm was founded as a small startup they used Tradegecko another cloud ERP solution. However, as the company expanded they found they needed a more sophisticated and internationalised solution to cope with their growing needs.
The leadership team looked for a new solution and selected NetSuite. They wanted a solution that was cloud-based, could scale and was able to meet the international growth requirements they had.
Enterprise Times caught up with Veikko Lindberg, IT Manager, Framery at Suiteworld 17. He joined the company in January and was attending SuiteWorld: “to learn more about NetSuite, and how we can benefit from the platform. It’s a good platform and what we can do with it”.
Was the implementation successful
We asked Lindberg this question and while he was impressed with the final business outcome it was not without struggles. We asked what the key challenges were. He responded
“Internal resourcing, there were not enough people to work on the master data, both manufacturing and financial”.
Despite this the data migration went smoothly although the process was done manually. At the moment Framery processes ten orders per day and that number is growing rapidly.
Framery worked with a Finnish channel partner Accountor Enterprise OY to implement the software. It also developed a mobile app that is used during the manufacturing process. That process sees the assembly of the booths from pre-cut parts using Finnish timber. There are currently around 50 users using the solution. That rises to 80 when the mobile app is included. For a manufacturing company of only 100 people that is quite a high proportion and shows how intrinsic NetSuite is to the operation.
Lindberg explained that Accountor were vital to the implementation. One of the issues with NetSuite is that the accounting system is US focused and the Finnish localisation was not complete. Accountor helps bridge the gap, developing the appropriate reporting requirements.
Ultimately though Lindberg was impressed. From the first day Framery was able to process orders through its complete lifecycle from supply to sales order to manufacturing. That was something that had never been possible before and significantly reduced the delays that were inherent in the original processes. When the system went live they used NetSuite core and advanced manufacturing.
Framery is now looking to grow its operations internationally. With the majority of its market in the US, it plans to open a sales office there soon. There are future plans to add warehousing and potentially another manufacturing plant. The decision to go with NetSuite will significantly ease that process. Setting up multi-national subsidiaries is quick and with a single source of data the management team will be able to keep a close track on the operation.
That is not the only change planned. According to Lindberg the next step is to implement CRM. This will enable customers to benefit directly from the NetSuite implementation as they intend to implement the extranet portal functionality.
Framery are an interesting company and one to watch. Its booths are already appearing at conferences, though unfortunately none at SuiteWorld. However, for companies looking to fit out flexible work spaces across the world its booths provide small sound proofed work spaces that fulfil many requirements. This is a product that is likely to become increasingly visible in new offices.
They are also a classic NetSuite customer. A startup experiencing rapid growth, both in terms of size and internationalisation requirements. With the recent investment into development announced at SuiteWorld they should find any other localisation requirements rapidly resolved within the core NetSuite offering as well. Lindberg will have been pleased to hear that NetSuite are investing massively in the Nordics and they should see the benefit of continual improvements on localisation in the region.


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Who do the world’s most powerful CEOs turn to when they need advice? Dominique Turpin would be high on the list.
From 2010 until 2016, Turpin served as president of Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development (IMD), whose MBA program regularly ranks among the world’s best. The French-born—“OK, nobody’s perfect,” he shrugs—consultant and management educator has worked with many of the world’s top companies, including Coca-Cola, Danone, Jardine Matheson, Nestlé, Novo Nordisk, Philips and Uponor.
In September 2022, Turpin accepted a new post as president of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), based in Shanghai. For Turpin, it’s a welcome return to a continent that has long fascinated him; he earned a doctorate in economics from Sophia University in Tokyo in 1986 and has written several books on Japanese business culture.
CEIBS was established in 1994 as a joint venture between the Chinese government and E.U. to foster business ties and understanding between Asia and Europe. Yet in recent years geopolitics and the pandemic have rendered that laudable mission statement even more challenging. TIME sat down with Turpin in Singapore to talk about his goals for the school, frictions between the East and West, the health of China’s economy, and the future of marketing.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
You’ve just returned from the U.S. where you met with the deans of Harvard, Wharton, and MIT among several other top schools. What were your aims and takeaways from that trip?
We used to have good connections with U.S. schools [before the pandemic]. Our students would have one module in Africa, one in Europe, and one in the U.S. So we want to rebuild that. But what was interesting [was] when I talked to some of these deans in the United States, one of them said, ‘you know, we're under pressure from the American government to reduce activities in China. But we're not going to do that. On the contrary, when you have this tension, it's our role to bring more mutual understanding.’ So I think this is a role that business has to play.
You taught at IMD for 30 years. How does its mission statement differ from your role at CEIBS?
IMD was started by industry to serve industry. At CEIBS, what I think we can offer to the world is a different perspective. What is interesting is that when I was in the United States last week, compared with when I visited a private bank a few days ago in Geneva, or here [in Singapore], you get a different perspective on China. And I was amazed by the very negative feeling toward China in the United States. But when you're in China, and you hear different arguments, such as: how many military bases do the Americans have around the world? So we must try to have a better balance.
I imagine that CEIBS is not just about teaching Chinese executives Western business strategy. Presumably there’s lots that American executives can also learn from their Chinese peers?
There are a lot of interesting things happening in China, even though there is a rebalancing to the public sector from the private sector. I've met a lot of super interesting companies with great global growth potential. For example, I was in Shenzhen last month and visited a company called Hofan. To me, this is the ultimate marketing company. Because the purpose of marketing is to create, communicate, and deliver value to customers. And you do this by solving problems. Now, this company goes on social media and reads all the comments by consumers. They take this feedback to some Chinese company and say, ‘hey, you need to solve this problem.’ They even have a venture capital firm to help the company fund the development and then they market these products. To me, this is your ultimate marketing machine. So when it comes to understanding customer needs, yes, as a marketing professor there's some interesting things to look at [in China].
Is it fair to say that Chinese companies are more paternalistic, more top down, and don't take advice as much from outside? For instance, they’re more reluctant to bring in consultants like PWC or Deloitte compared with American firms.
This part of the world is driven by Confucian values. I went to Japan for the very first time in 1978 and the economic development of China is not very different from what we have seen in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. There is a certain pattern moving from low value, adding products and services to [higher-value]. The difference with China is scale.
China is facing some economic turbulence right now. How concerned are you?
The big issue right now is unemployment and also the real estate issue. And what is interesting is that the Chinese middle class sacrifice a lot to do two things: to buy an apartment, because it's a kind of safety net, and to educate their children. This phenomenon is quite worrying because … as long as the economy goes well people are less inclined to speak politics. But if it doesn’t, this could be very worrying for China. At the same time, 2022 was the best year ever for Chinese exports. So you have to put everything into perspective.
CEIBS is a joint venture between the E.U. and the Chinese government. But in 2019 the E.U. declared China a “systemic rival.” That must make your job harder?
For me, ‘Europe’ does not exist. Germany has bet heavily on both China and Russia. If you look at a company like BMW, or Volkswagen, I think [33% in fiscal year 2022] of BMW’s global sales were in China. If you look at the French, they are less dependent on China. And this is why Europe is somewhat divided—because the German Chancellor is saying, ‘let's not be too hard on the Chinese,’ because they have their own interests. The French sell wines and cosmetics and Louis Vuitton bags, but they are less dependent on the Chinese market than the Germans.
The other thing, of course, is that China represents 40% of global trade. So imagine, a slowdown on the Chinese economy today will have repercussions on Africa, for example, because they are buying raw materials. You know, 5% of the growth of Africa today is coming from trade with China. So, China is important to the world.
When you first came to CEIBS you talked about opening a U.S. campus. Is that still the plan?
Well, it’s sensitive. Because it's a [joint-venture] I cannot take a decision alone. And the Chinese tend to be very prudent, want a low profile. It’s political. If you follow what happened in Hungary, where [Fudan] University wanted to open a campus, it went into the newspapers, and then the citizens [protested]. Losing face could be another factor.
Your specialty is marketing. But how do businesses stay ahead when digital marketing—like the recent advances by AI and TikTok—evolve so quickly? At the same time, you've got marketing professors teaching the same lectures year after year. It seems like the value of the business school is almost diminished?
You have a point. When I was at IMD, Coca-Cola got in touch about creating a chair and some research on digital marketing. In Lausanne, Switzerland, I'm 500 miles away from Philip Morris International quarters and 10 km away from Nestle. So I went to see the global CMO of Nestle and the CEO of Philip Morris. They laughed at me and said, “you guys are too slow! By the time you do your research and you polish your papers” [because things have moved on]. So the ones who are eating our lunch are the consultants when you look at digital transformation.
On the other hand, the mission of marketing has not changed: create value for customers. Marketing professors really don't talk so much about the needs and wants of customers, because in modern economies people don't know what they want. Nobody wrote an email to Steve Jobs [saying]: “I want an iPhone or an iPad.” The word I personally use is: what are your customers' headaches? The world is not short of headaches, but what has changed dramatically are the [marketing] tools.
What are some business challenges that might not get sufficient attention?
I was talking to a top guy at Nestle about diversity, which is another big buzzword these days. And he said there is one element of diversity that is critical to us but nobody talks about: the age pyramid. Today, 20-year-olds when they join Nestle go straight into the job. I mean, 20 years ago you would send them to sell ice cream in Brazil for six months. Today, you have a 20-year-old who is highly specialized in all these digital tools. And you won't find the global chief marketing officer in a big corporation who is under 45—and we want to push for later retirements! So how do you bring all these generations of people in the company together? That’s another challenge.
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MOD Pizza Will Open Its Second South Florida Location In Coral Springs
MOD Pizza fans will soon be able to grab a slice in Coral Springs.
The brand’s second South Florida location will open at noon on Feb. 6, and will be offering a free artisan-style pizza to the first 52 guests that attend the opening. After that, 100 percent of all pizza sales on opening day will be donated to the Coral Springs Museum of Art.
The 3,000-square-foot space, located in The Walk, includes an outdoor patio, original artwork and a hand painted mural by local artist Jay Bellichi.
Want the inside scoop on new restaurant openings, the best parties in Fort Lauderdale and more? Sign up to receive our Insider's Guide, a weekly newsletter delivered to your email every Thursday morning with a list of the must-attend events in the area. Interested in a print subscription? Click here.
MOD allows customers to create their own pizzas and salads, using any combination of over 30 toppings. Patrons can also choose from a menu of MOD classics.
Other menu items besides pizza and salad include hand spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades and iced teas and local craft beers and wines.
MOD will be open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. To learn more about the franchise or the new location, visit modpizza.com.
2702 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; modpizza.com
Photo courtesy of MOD Pizza


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The 15th annual Eastern Truck & Accessories (ETA) Open House & Customer Appreciation Day is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20 in Norfolk, Virginia. ETA is accepting product donations for an auction being held at the event, with 100 percent of the proceeds raised going to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“No items are too small or too large,” ETA stated in a news release. “Along with shout outs on social media leading up to the event you’re products will be on display during the event and each item will be promoted at the time of (the) auction.
Other event activities will include the show-n-shine contest, a BBQ lunch, live music and radio station remotes, 4x4 how-to classes, a Jeep giveaway and more than $25,000 in auction prizes
“Last year we broke our previous record by raising $39,500 from this one-day event and we hope to outdo it again,” ETA stated.
Free vendor spots are available for the ETA Open House. Contact ETA’s Randy Bookholt for more information: 757-461-2600 Ext.2 or email email@example.com.


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BRP US recalls snowmobiles
BRP US Inc. of Sturtevant is voluntarily recalling about 37 BRP Ski-Doo snowmobiles that sold for between $8,000 and $9,000 because of a fire hazard.
According to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, friction between the fuel hose and the electronic control unit can cause the fuel hose to wear and leak fuel, posing a fire hazard. The recall affects model year 2010 Expedition TUV 1200 and model year 2010 Expedition TUV SE 1200.
BRP has received six reports of fuel leaks, three of which resulted in vehicle fires. One of the incidents involved a rider suffering superficial burns.
The snowmobiles, manufactured by BRP Finland Oy in Finland and imported by BRP US Inc., were sold at Ski-Doo dealers nationwide from March 2009 through April 2010. For more information, consumers can contact BRP at (800) 366-6992 or visit www.brp.com.
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Nov 21, 2011
Happy? Who said anything about being happy? (Photo by Getty Images)
Seattleites are known for being well read and poorly dressed — but are they happy?
A survey from the The Happiness Initiative aimed to find that out just how contented the city’s citizens consider themselves. Basically, Seattle’s Happiness Report Card revealed two things: The people who live in this city have a high sense of psychological well-being, but they’re not doing so well when it comes to managing and balancing the way they use their time.
What's not nice about this super-forced enthusiasm from Microsoft store employees? (Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com)
Well, isn’t this nice? Seattle is just packed full of companies that Santa put on his “nice” list this year.
Uh, wait — not Santa Claus. I meant Consumer Reports. Darn, I always get those two mixed up.
The magazine released its 2011 Naughty & Nice Holiday List which judges the holiday-shopping policies of well-known companies and then says whether they’re getting mountains of presents or a lump of coal — just like the real Santa. (Almost.)
REI made the “nice” list for its no-questions-asked return policy that allows customers to bring back merchandise for any reason. And Microsoft is “nice” for allowing returns on installed software.
Amazon.com also made the “nice” list for its hard stance against wasteful and hard-to-open product packaging, and so did Costco for offering free tech support for some electronic products.
So, who’s on the “naughty” list?
If you’ve ever traveled out of the Seattle-Tacoma-International Airport, you’ve heard Carolyn Hopkins’ voice. She’s the soothing, innocuous woman speaking to you through the airport’s loudspeaker, telling you to watch out for unattended luggage or that your flight has been delayed.
Hopkins, who records the messages out of her small office in Maine, is the voice of more than 200 airports around the world.
Eco-shame or needed convenience? The Seattle City Council will consider a proposal to ban plastic bags. Photo: Getty Images.
After Seattle waged war on phone books last year, the latest target to land in the crosshairs of the City Council is a bird-menacing, sea-fouling thing you’ve probably used a lot of.
That’s right, plastic bags. You might as well be clubbing sea turtles and other marine cuties every time you carry out your groceries in one of them.
Many Seattleites already consider plastic bags uncool and bring their own reusable bags. But the Council decided that that wasn’t enough and has proposed a ban on all plastic shopping bags.
And not just plastic bags from grocery stores, where the whole “paper, plastic or nothing” question still feels like a morality quiz. No, the Council has proposed outlawing plastic bags from drug stores, department stores, home-improvement stores and restaurants. (But you’d be able to buy a paper bag for 5 cents).
Already, the proposal has drawn the usual nanny-state alarmists and liberal-agenda haters panicked at any government attempt that forces them to ride a bike, take the bus, or lug around canvas bags as if they were big weights around the neck. Continue reading
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder with Carrie Brownstein of "Portlandia" in the upcoming season. (IFC photo)
“Portlandia” is bringing a little bit of Portland to Seattle.
The IFC show’s creators are taking “Portlandia” on a six-city tour, stopping in Seattle on December 28 at the Showbox at the Market. Fred Armisen of “Saturday Night Live” and Sleater Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, along with “Portlandia” writers, will talk about creating the show and air clips of its upcoming second season.
First “Portlandia” steals Seattle’s Eddie Vedder, and now it’s invading the city? What next — a Sealandia spin-off show?


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Governor Jay Nixon vetoed a bill Monday that would have prevented e-cigarettes from being taxed and regulated as a tobacco product. The law would have banned the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and would have subjected e-cigarette companies to local and state sales taxes, but Nixon saw holes in the bill.
“The FDA is already moving forward to ban the sale of these products to minors. Until more is known about the health effects of these products, letting tobacco companies off the hook with special loopholes would pose a real threat to Missourians’ health now and in the future,” Nixon said in a statement.
The American Cancer Society and a number of other health organizations have called for a veto, saying that e-cigarettes have not been thoroughly tested and that it’s unclear whether they’re safe.
E-cigarettes work by using power from a battery to heat a liquid infused with flavorings and nicotine, vaporizing it into a cloud of cool mist that is then inhaled. However, the vapor from e-cigarettes does not contain tar, considered the deadliest component of cigarette smoke.
As tobacco users addicted to nicotine search for a way to quit smoking or to satisfy their cravings without the health risks of tar, e-cigarette sales nationwide have increased 50 percent per year, according to Citibank’s investment banking branch.


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Google develops real-time hand-tracking technology
Researchers at Google have developed a technology that allows high-fidelity hand and finder tracking by using machine learning. Currently, approaches to hand perception rely primarily on desktop environments for inference. Google’s new approach is described as achieving real-time performance on a mobile phone and even scaling to multiple hands. The technology is based on several machine learning models working together: a palm detector model operating on the full image, a hand landmark model operating on the image region defined by the palm detector and generate 3D hand key points, and a gesture recogniser that classifies the previously computed key point configuration into a set of gestures. Google chose to make its new technology available to the research and development community. While the company will continue to work on improving the mechanisms to allow more robust and stable hand tracking, it hopes that other researchers will come up with creative use cases, including in sign language understanding.