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New Square reader accepts Apple Pay, costs $49
Square has revealed its updated mobile card reader with support for contactless payments and transactions from mobile payment platforms. The new reader is an NFC-equipped device that supports Apple Pay, Android Pay, and other similar payment platforms, as well as allowing retailers to offer payment via credit and debit cards equipped with 'Chip and PIN' (EMV) security, giving retailers two new ways to accept payment for goods and services.
Report claims Apple considering a service for payments between individuals
Apple is allegedly considering a move into person-to-person payments, and is said to be in discussions with banks and financial institutions in the United States over the potential service, according to a report. The rumored service could theoretically extend Apple Pay to allow for personal payments between individuals conducted via iPhones, and would pit Apple directly against other similar payment processors, including Venmo and Square Cash.
First US store to offer loyalty card integration with Apple Pay
Walgreens has become the first major retailer in the United States to integrate its customer loyalty scheme with Apple Pay. The announcement means that members of the Balance Rewards program can now participate in the scheme, having their rewards card accepted as part of the same contactless payment transaction used for Apple Pay itself, without requiring a second scan or presenting the membership card to store staff.
Five markets to get Apple Pay earlier via partnership with American Express
Apple is expanding the number of countries Apple Pay will operate within, via a partnership with a credit card company. Advised as part of today's earnings call, Apple Pay will be usable in Australia and Canada for American Express customers before the end of this year, with American Express users in Spain, Singapore, and Hong Kong also expected to be able to use the payment service when it becomes available next year.
Pilot programs to support direct Apple Pay payments starting later this year
Apple VP of Apple Pay Jennifer Bailey announced at the Code/Mobile conference on Thursday that direct Apple Pay payments would begin to be supported at Starbucks and other restaurant chains such as KFC and Chili's in pilot programs beginning later this year, with a full rollout for all 7,500 of Starbucks' company-owned stores happening across 2016. The coffee chain, which has supported online Apple Pay for reloading its virtual loyalty card app but not direct payment, will now be able to take Apple Pay without a loyalty card or app if desired.
Last major UK bank will support Apple Pay months after launch
One of the last major financial institutions in the United Kingdom that currently does not support for Apple Pay in the country will be offering it to customers, though later than expected. Barclays will be joining the roster of UK banks, including Lloyds, HSBC, Natwest, and Santander, in allowing owners of iPhones and the Apple Watch to make payments using their devices, but apparently this will not take place until early next year.
Card reader includes contactless support for Apple Pay, Android Pay
PayPal is bringing out its Here card reader accessory to the United States, following releases in the United Kingdom and Australia over the last two years. The Here Chip Card Reader will allow small retailers to accept card payments via their smartphone or tablet, but this version includes support for EMV chip card transactions and contactless payments, as well as the traditional magnetic stripe system most US-based card transactions use.
Contactless payments transaction limit increased in United Kingdom
The limit for contactless payments in the United Kingdom has increased. The new limit of £30 ($46) per transaction, up from £20 ($30), applies to payments using contactless cards as well as Apple Pay, though some retailers may have to update their terminals before being able to use the new transaction cap. Trade organization the UK Cards Association now claims the limit increase is more than the average supermarket spend of £25 ($38), reports the BBC, potentially allowing the number of contactless transactions to increase.
Square launches service, iPhone app for client booking management
Payment firm Square has introduced a new service and iOS-only app, both called Appointments, that is aimed at businesses that rely on client bookings, such as (for example) a cleaning service or landscaping firm. The iOS app is free, but the service costs $30 per month for one user, $50 per month for two- to five-person teams, and $90 a month for unlimited employees or owners. For those who use Square Register to accept credit-card payments, the service connects to that automatically.
Transaction fee collection said to be sticking point with major Australian banks
Apple Pay's entry into Australia may face delays, as negotiations with financial institutions are allegedly stalling over money. Major banks are pushing back over how much of the interchange fees, charges paid by merchants to use a card payment platform, will end up being handed over to Apple, as apparently the fees collected by Australian banks are far less than those collected by platforms operating in the United States.
Card reader accessories said to be easily turned into card skimmers
Security researchers have come up with a way to turn the Square Reader into a tool for stealing data from credit cards. A group of recent graduates of Boston University will be speaking out about how they can modify the smartphone accessory, used to facilitate card payments via Square's service, to allow any other app to intercept the data and use the card owner's payment information for other, presumably illegal, uses.
Major banks add support two weeks after Apple Pay UK launch
Two more banks have started to accept Apple Pay transactions in the United Kingdom, two weeks after it launched in the country. HSBC and First Direct have joined the growing roster of UK financial institutions supporting Apple Pay, with their customers now able to make contactless payments in stores using the Apple Watch or iPhone 6, though there are still a few notable gaps in the collection of banks.
London Underground users risk penalty fares if devices lose power
Passengers of the London Underground are being warned to make sure they have enough power in their iPhones and Apple Watches to complete the journey when using Apple Pay. Transport for London (TfL) has issued a notice advising users of potential pitfalls when using Apple Pay on the UK capital's transit system, including the possibility of double charging, penalty fares, and being unable to pass through gates.
Payment app experiment uses smartphone camera for facial recognition
MasterCard is testing out an unusual method to verify the identity of a credit or debit card holder, by using photographs as an authentication method. The app is said to require the user to take a self portrait at the time of purchase in order to prove who they are, as MasterCard explores alternative ways for users to make mobile payments without having to provide a fingerprint or remember a PIN or password each time.
New bPay wristband, key fob, sticker provides contactless payments in UK
Barclaycard is expanding the number of ways people in the United Kingdom can make contactless payments, by offering more NFC-equipped items. A bPay sticker, along with a key fob and a wristband, will be going on sale in the country soon, allowing customers to make the contactless payments quickly without having to carry an NFC-equipped smartphone or go through prompts in an accompanying smartphone app.
Up4 fitness tracker with NFC can perform American Express payments
Jawbone has launched two new fitness wearables, with one hinted at by a report yesterday. The Up2 is the successor to the Up24, taking the form of a more modest fitness tracker compared to the delayed Up3, while the Up4 is a more advanced device that will be able to make payments in retail stores via a partnership with American Express and an NFC chip.
Report claims Jawbone wearable will perform American Express payments in future
Yet another wearable device will be offering alternative payments in the future, according to a report. According to the Wall Street Journal, American Express and Jawbone are planning to announce a new system that will allow AmEx card owners to use the manufacturer's fitness bands to make payments at a number of retailers in the United States.
Patients can use iPhone 6 line for doctor's offices, hospitals; iPhone 5 and later for online
Apple Pay, the iPhone maker's mobile payment technology, has added another supporting payment network in the form of InstaMed. The company has announced that it will implement support for Apple Pay at the medical facilities it supports, including hospitals, doctor's offices and other medical businesses. InstaMed will support both iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch-based payments, along with in-app payments on any Touch ID-capable iOS device.
Disrupting industries is the new black, great apps and fair app prices, bad jokes
The MacNN Podcast episode seven is now available, and this week we looked at the rumor that Apple is preparing to revamp the Apple TV and sweeten the pot with an optional package of channel offerings that don't require a cable subscription; Google's entry into the MVNO space; the recent Microsoft announcements about Windows 10; Facebook getting into inter-site payments; the return of Launcher to the App Store, and the removal of so-called "anti-virus" iOS apps; our latest "Living With" column; and our favorite apps of the week.
Rollout of money-sending service in Facebook Messenger app can take months
Facebook has launched its rumored money transfer service, rolling it out in its Messenger app for iOS and Android, as well as for desktop users. The new feature will allow users to make payments to other Facebook members directly from within the app, with the financial transfers said to be completely free for all parties involved, and with payments claimed to take between one and three days to complete.
Square allegedly working on Android hardware, Google trials Plaso
Square and Google are both said to be working on new payment systems in order to take on Apple Pay and the payments market in general, according to a report. Building upon its existing knowledge of payment hardware, Square is said to be working on its own tablet, while Google is allegedly testing a new payment processing method called "Plaso."
Local eateries leverage mobile app, mobile payment to grow business
Restaurant app maker ChowNow, which supplies restaurants with an integrated system to tie customized mobile apps and social media to make take-out or delivery ordering easier, has added Apple Pay capability to the apps of its nearly 700 restaurant clients. The effort to add Apple Pay has been ongoing for nearly two months, with a recent flurry of activity to bring the convenient e-payments system to most of its clients.
Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Softcard, other NFC-based systems, EMV cards and more
Call it the omni-terminal: point-of-sale terminal maker Verifone has unveiled a new model, the PAYware Mobile e355, which the company says is compatible with all forms of mobile and traditional card payments, from simple magnetic stripe (currently widely used in the US) to chip-and-PIN EMV cards coming this year, and all forms of NFC-based payment systems utilizing iOS, Android or Windows Phone -- including Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Softcard and others.
Whole Foods, McDonald's, Walgreens seeing biggest jump in usage
A study by research firm ITG suggest that Apple Pay -- introduced in October -- is already accounting for one percent of all digital payments - for comparison purposes, the three-plus-year-old Google Wallet system holds about four percent of digital payments. The firm also noted that those using Apple Pay increased spending using mobile payments, and tended to use the technology frequently -- resulting in a jump in sales at top merchants that accepted Apple Pay, such as Walgreens, Whole Foods and McDonald's.
Walgreens, others say Apple payment system is now most popular NFC payment method
Just a month after its debut, Apple Pay appears to be dominating NFC payment systems where it is available, according to reports, with the public quickly accepting the new checkout method due to its ease of use and speed. McDonald's recently noted that 50 percent of its contactless payments are now coming from Apple Pay, while Walgreens reports similar figures -- saying that the number of mobile transactions it has processed since Apple Pay's debut has doubled.
Zwipe, MasterCard team up to combine fingerprint authentication, contactless payments
At a press event last week, MasterCard and Zwipe announced a new type of payment card dubbed the Zwipe MasterCard. Where the new card is different from the the standard credit or debit card is in the payment process, looking to biometrics to approve purchases. The Zwipe MasterCard uses authentication via fingerprint for MasterCard contactless payment terminals, while retaining Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) chips on cards.
BPCE, Twitter preparing to launch money transfers via tweets
Twitter users in France will soon be able to send money to other users by tweeting, according to a report. Groupe BPCE, the second-largest bank in France based on customer numbers, will apparently start providing simple person-to-person transfers of funds within the country, with the sender able to pass funds along to other people without knowing any of the recipient's bank information.
Jack Dorsey encouraged by Apple Pay, does not see it as competition to Square
Square's next generation of payment terminal could allow retailers to accept payments from Bitcoin and Apple Pay, the company head has suggested. In an interview, CEO Jack Dorsey explained that a future version of its cash register system will be able to accept a number of different payment types, on top of the current credit card payments it currently works with.
Coin extends card replacement beta to more users, removes extra cost
Digital credit card replacement start-up Coin has changed the requirements for its extended beta trial, as part of an apology for its heavily-delayed release. A message to backers advises it is extending the beta from 10,000 backers to 15,000 backers, and by making it available at no cost, it is also effectively removing the $30 "fee" for taking part in the trial.
Coin asks backers to test card before public launch
Payment startup Coin is expanding its base of testers for its digital credit card replacement from 1,000 to 11,000 people. The crowd-funded project, which consists of a plastic card with a screen capable of storing various payment card details and can be swiped at ATMs and payment terminals, is attempting to fix as many issues as possible before it makes the card publicly available.
Subscription via Amazon payment platform intensifies competition with PayPal
Amazon is expanding the reach of its payment platform, by providing subscription-based payment options to customers, claims a report. Keen to take on PayPal, the retailer is said to be launching the service later today, which will let start-ups and other companies charge a monthly fee, such as a mobile phone bill or music subscription, to cards stored to a customer's Amazon account.
Irish regulatory approval could be granted to Facebook within weeks
Facebook is working to provide financial services, such as allowing users to send money to each other, according to a report. The social network is said to be applying to regulators in Ireland to begin offering money storage and transmissions, something which could receive approval within weeks, and would directly place Facebook in competition with PayPal, Google Wallet, and other similar services.
Systems consisting of Kindle Fire tablet, card reader could head to stores this summer
A pair of reports claim that Amazon is moving further into the payments market, from two different directions. One plan involves offering retail stores a point-of-sale system using Kindle tablets, while another involves the creation of a system for person-to-person payments, in a similar service to that currently offered by payment processing competitor PayPal.
Trial in April follows change in UK banking legislation
Banks and building societies in the United Kingdom are considering allowing customers to pay in checks using smartphones, the UK Treasury has announced. The change, which would involve bank customers to photograph a check using a smartphone instead of taking it to branch, could be implemented as part of a new Check 21 law, with the first trial of the system set to begin in April.
Channel 4 on-demand video service reaches Roku, Now TV streaming devices
4oD, the on-demand video service from British broadcaster Channel 4 is now available to use on the Roku and the Now TV streaming set-top boxes in the United Kingdom. The on-demand offering from Channel 4 accompanies similar services such as the BBC iPlayer and Demand 5 on the devices, as well as Sky's own Now TV prepaid Internet-based satellite television service.
Visa takes on PayPal, Google Wallet with online payments system
Visa has launched its online digital wallet in parts of Europe, one it initially announced in April last year, as the company tries to take on PayPal and Google Wallet. V.me by Visa is able to store payment details for multiple cards, which can then be used to make payments with retailers online instead of providing debit or credit card details.
Buyout to bolster PayPal capabilities
eBay has agreed to acquire Braintree, a company that specializes in payment systems, for approximately $800 million in cash. The startup will initially operate as a separate division under eBay's PayPal division, which has served as a dominant competitor in the payment-services market.
Developer kit to allow Card.io-based credit card scanning
Payment service PayPal has launched a new software development kit for Android. Following on from the iOS version launched in March, the Android SDK will allow developers to integrate PayPal payments into their apps, providing them with an alternative payment processing system to Google Play, and the option to pay for in-app items or services by credit or debit card.
Google Wallet Card could have acted as credit card proxy
Google is dropping its proposals to augment its Google Wallet payment system with a physical card, ahead of changes expected to be announced at Google I/O, according to reports. The news comes at the same time as the head of Google Wallet itself, Osama Bedier, will be leaving the company to pursue "other opportunities."
Initial roll-out in UK uses new Chip & Pin device
PayPal is rolling out a new version of its Here mobile payments system for Europe. Starting in the UK, the payments service will be providing businesses a pocket-sized device that will offer Chip & PIN protection for payments through a retailer's mobile phone, instead of the triangular attachment used in the United States.
Mobile payments deemed 'fundamentally unprofitable'
Payment processor VeriFone is withdrawing from the mobile card payments market, citing "razor-thin margins." The decision to shutter Square-competitor Sail came to light during a quarterly conference call, with CEO Doug Bergeron calling the market for low-volume merchant processing as "fundamentally unprofitable."
Mobile payment system increases by five times in one year
Mobile payments system Square has reached a total of $10 billion in payments for the year. The company has increased its rate of payments from $5 billion in the sprint, and is up from the $8 billion figure two months ago. At this time last year, Square was passing just $2 billion in payments per year.


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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
General Motors signals improving financial situation with bigger investments
Tuesday's announcement by General Motors of more than a billion dollars in increased investment in its European operations could be a signal that the worst is over for U.S. automakers in the global economic slowdown. GM said it would pump the additional money into its ailing Opel operation in Germany and its Vauxhall subsidiary in Great Britain, according to the New York Times. The added investment more than triples the automaker's previously announced investment in the European brands, and appears designed to leverage promised subsidies from European governments. GM has asked for $2 billion in loan guarantees in addition to a $2.7 billion package of subsidies from Britain, France, Spain and other countries with Opel factories, the Times said. Those governments and unions in Europe had demanded that GM pay for 50 percent of the cost of restructuring its operations, the Times said. The United States government has paid billions of dollars to rescue General Motors, once the world's largest automaker and still the largest in the United States, and will own half of the legendary U.S. automaker when it emerges from bankruptcy reorganization. GM released a statement calling the increased investment “a vote of confidence in Opel/Vauxhall’s long-term business strength.” But the head of Opel/Vauxhall's European works council, Klaus Franz, said the new money meets the demands of the countries and unions in Europe. "They saw we were running out of cash and running out of time," Franz said. "I think they saw that there was no alternative if they wanted to get aid from European governments." British business minister Ian Lucas and Kurt Beck, premier of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, welcomed GM's announcement. "After a long period of uncertainty, it's high time to offer the Opel factories and employees reliable prospects for the future," Lucas and Beck said in a joint statement. GM's increased investment actually was signaled Monday by Nick Reilly, the president of GM Europe, who said in Geneva that GM believed it could not continue to be a global automaker without a major presence in Europe. Reilly said that was the explanation for GM's decision in November to back out of a deal to sell a majority of Opel to Magna International, a Canadian-Austrian auto parts company, and a Russian partner. Opel still plans to close a factory in Belgium and to cut 8,300 jobs in Europe, the Times said.

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Amazon Fire News
October 17, 2014 - FierceWireless reported yesterday (Oct. 16) that basically nobody is buying Amazon's new Fire smartphone. Click through for details.
July 24, 2014 - When Amazon announced the Fire Phone last month, it didn't seem all that revolutionary. Early reviews are confirming that. Click through for details.


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When Pee Cee decided to try her luck in Hollywood, she proved successful in her career taking up the shows like Quantico. The actress has remained a huge star in Bollywood and she was lucky enough to get a good break in Hollywood. Earlier she also got her first Hollywood project as a voice actor in Planes the Disney’s animated film. While in 2015, she bagged the lead role in ABC’s Quantico. Since then it was no looking back for the diva.
As per the recent buzz, she has bagged an exorbitant budget venture with Amazon. The lady has now signed a two year multimillion-dollar venture. It is a TV series, which will be the first venture of Amazon with the lady. Talking about the same, The Sky Is Pink actress said that she opted this venture as she wanted to be the part of some storytelling venture. Since it was offered by Amazon which happens to be a huge brand, she signed the deal with them.
She said she can be part of different language based series with the group. Earlier the lady had signed two shows at Amazon called Citadel and Sangeet. She is co-producing the former with her hubby Nick. The show is all about the pre-wedding rituals found in her home country India. While the latter is helmed by the Captain America: Civil War fame directors Anthony and Joe Russo. It will have Richard Maddenand thus remains an important venture. On the other side, the head of Amazon Studios, Jennifer Salke said that Pee Cee was impressed with the original content the show will have, which made her sign this deal.


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Google centralises privacy control: (Guardian)
With the new Google Dashboard, the personal data and product settings of different Google products are combined on one side to make it simpler for users to deal with them. The feature, which has just been launched, looks like a console for your personal data. Now you can do what Google can do too, as it links from one place to the data stored on different Google sites. And yes, it does make it easier to manage your personal data. Users can change their privacy settings, delete data on the dashboard, or read the privacy policies from various accounts instead of looking for them everywhere.
(Via QuickLinks Update.)


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Facebook has accused BlackBerry of patent infringment, complaining that the smartphone maker sole its voice-messaging technology for its instant messaging app.
In an 118-page complaint filed in San Francisco earlier this week, Facebook alleges that BlackBerry infringed on its voice messaging technology as well as four other patents, covering areas including the way its messaging app displays graphics, audio and video content, and the tracking and analysis of GPS data.
Facebook has claimed that the infringements have "caused and will continue to cause damage" to both Messenger and WhatsApp, Facebook's main messaging services.
The lawsuit seems to be Facebook's response to a similar case levelled by BlackBerry against the social network back in March. At the time, Paul Grewal, deputy general counsel for Facebook, claimed that "BlackBerry's suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business" and that it was indicative of the company abandoning "its efforts to innovate".
In March, a spokesperson for BlackBerry claimed that "protecting sharehold assets and intellectual property is the job of every CEO" but noted that patent infringement were "not central to BlackBerry's strategy". It remains to be seen if both companies will echo their earlier sentiments now that their positions have been reversed.


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WWDC 2021 will go live on June 8 at 1am Beijing time.It will focus on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, MacOS 12 and more.Currently, a giant poster of WWDC21 is available on Apple's website.On the Apple management page, all the photos of the executives have been replaced with Memoji.
Apple is also expected to unveil a new piece of hardware at the conference, Apple Glass, which is likely to be the much-rumored AR glasses.
As usual, the major update at WWDC will be iOS 15.According to previous reports, iOS 15 is expected to bring a number of changes to the look of the desktop, including a cleaner desktop, as well as changes to the desktop icon. The source said that Apple will redesign the icon to look like a "semi-skeuomographical" look, which is somewhere between a skeuomographical and a flat one, which may be called "mimicry."
In addition to the software system level, Apple is also expected to disclose the parameters of the M2 chip.It's expected to be available for MacBook Pros later this year or early next year.


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Supply balances across the European petrochemical markets in the week of July 19 remain dominated by logistics challenges for both imported and domestic material.
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Following the mass flooding seen in parts of Germany and Belgium, participants in some markets are voicing fears that disruption along the Rhine river will put additional pressure on already tight truck availability in the intra-Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region if barge and railcar transportation is hampered, with potential for truck costs to skyrocket.
Sources in markets without Rhine dependencies enter the week pointing to fewer trucks on the road due to cross-border quarantine regimes and driver summer holidays.
European naphtha market participants are closely tracking supply tightness in the week of July 19, while demand from both petrochemical producers and gasoline blenders will continue to support the complex. Petrochemical producers will likely start seeking to cover their August feedstock shorts, amid unusually high naphtha utilization rates for the season and limited LPG availability.
Activity in Europe's methanol barge market has shifted to August, as tight supply conditions combined with logistics concerns along the Rhine has prompted buyers to seek greater supply security. In the week ahead, market sources will be monitoring further changes in Rhine water levels and weighing the spot price impact of any resulting transit disruption.
Olefins and polymers
In European ethylene, the arbitrage from the US to Europe has shut which could bring tighter conditions for the European market over coming weeks. Derivatives markets in the chain are, meanwhile, eyeing increasingly challenging logistics.
Mono-ethylene glycol, or MEG, truck buyers are expected to return to the market as delays in vessel arrivals limit imports from other regions. MEG spot prices for truck deliveries traded higher in the week to July 16 as vessel delays saw buyers scramble for trucks, sending offers higher amid more balanced supply.
The European polyethylene market outlook is similarly logistics-focused, with softer conditions noted in recent weeks but concern that logistical delays, both by truck and ship, could bring artificially tighter market conditions.
Global import flows are also contributing to mixed sentiment in European PVC. Logistical constraints have prevented arbs from fully opening up with local European consumers sticking to contractual volumes while global supply flows continue to improve with steep spot price decreases seen in Turkey, Asia and the US.
In polypropylene, imported material is helping to improve homo injection grade supply but concerns remain over copolymer availability ahead of the summer holiday period and traditional production slowdown.
In styrenics, the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene market remains tight despite weaker demand from the automotive sector in early July. Market participants have little expectation of a short-term improvement in availability, as freight rates remain a barrier to importers.
Styrene-butadiene-rubber players are also likely to face ongoing logistical challenges in the week of July 19, with a shortage of truck drivers noted in the US and Europe and European spot prices at a new four-year high. The European market is expected to be seasonally quieter over the summer period, which players hope could give the market time to return back to normality.
Demand for recycled polyolefins is expected to remain firm through the week as expectations of an easing due to the summer break appear so far unfounded. Further downward pressure on the equivalent virgin markets has yet to deter recycled buyers and sources expect this to continue through the week.
The recycled-PET market will be weighing up the effect of potential summer slowdowns as recyclers hope some reduction of demand may afford the opportunity to regain some supply balance amid the expectation that bottle bales supply will also begin to increase following warmer weather.
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether, or MTBE, market participants will be on the lookout for any uptick in blending activity as gasoline demand continues to increase in both Northwest Europe and the Mediterranean. Premium unleaded Mediterranean gasoline prices flipped from a discount to a premium over their Northwest European counterparts in the week to July 16, with MTBE likely to see more demand in the Mediterranean as a result.
Market focus in toluene is likely to remain focused on any shift in arbitrage economics between Europe and the US, as bullish gasoline markets in both regions pull components into blending operations.
The European xylenes market is, meanwhile, expected to take its cues from toluene and gasoline demand this week as emergence from lockdown in parts of Europe coincides with the holiday season.


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TikTok’s February deal with the NHL revealed the platform’s willingness to invest more than the norm to increase its audience and drive engagement through sport.
Team is the league's fifth to announce a patch partner
North American sports drink brand BioSteel has signed a three-year sponsorship of the IIHF World Championship in an agreement running until 2024
NHL team strikes agreement with casino company for its home games
Flutter Entertainment has signed a multi-brand sponsorship deal with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) to take advantage of the newly-regulated sports betting and online casino opportunities in…
Mobile phone brand Nokia and kitchen fittings company Puustelli have signed as Official Partners of the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship to be staged in Tampere and Helsinki, Finland, next month
Clutch, the Canadian online used car buying platform, has entered the sports sponsorship space for the first time by securing a multi-year Canadian partnership with the National Hockey League
Work anywhere solutions company Evolve IP has become an Official Partner of the NHL’s New York Rangers in a multi-year sponsorship.
Swiss watchmaker Tissot has renewed its sponsorship of ice hockey’s IIHF World Championship in a new agreement negotiated by the Infront agency.
The National Hockey League's Florida Panthers have secured a partnership with virtual personal training platform FlexIt, which has been designated the franchise's official virtual fitness partner
The NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets has named auto glass company Safelite as the club’s first official jersey sponsor, starting in the 2022-23 season.
The National Hockey League has unveiled a new logo for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, replacing the iconography that has been used for the past 13 seasons. The fonts are inspired by the trophy's history
The National Hockey League's Florida Panthers have appointed United States-based marketing agency Allied Sports to find a new arena naming rights partner and the team's inaugural jersey patch sponsor
Canadian ice hockey equipment manufacturer CCM Hockey and American life insurance company MassMutual have decided to halt marketing initiatives featuring National Hockey League superstar Alex Ovechkin…
The National Hockey League has unveiled its sponsorship activations for the fan festival which precedes the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series between the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay …
The International Ice Hockey Federation has appointed Chinese actor and director Wu Jing as a global ambassador, as it looks to increase the popularity of the sport in China


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Network officials also said voters should expect more of a Koch focus on grassroots activism throughout the 2020 election cycle.Politicsread more
In a room full of avowed capitalists, policies that sound to some like socialism are bound not to go over well.Delivering Alpharead more
GM's usage of temporary workers, potential closure of plants and health care contributions remain major sticking points, according to people familiar with the talks.Autosread more
Republicans and Democrats have long since separated themselves by ideology, leaving each more uniformly conservative or liberal than ever. And now a new data analysis by the...Politicsread more
A Missouri man died of vaping-related illness, officials announced Thursday.Health and Scienceread more
At least in terms of monetary policy, Pence says should be taking after other regions who keep their benchmark interest rates near zero.Delivering Alpharead more
AT&T isn't focused on selling or divesting DirecTV, despite pressure from stakeholder Elliott Management, sources tell CNBC.Technologyread more
Patrick Shyu, a former tech lead at Google, has posted a series of videos making fun of Facebook, where he worked as a software engineer until last month.Technologyread more
The measure to keep the government running through Nov. 21 now heads to the Senate, where McConnell has signaled he will back a temporary spending plan.Politicsread more
Amazon's purchase comes as part of its plan to convert its delivery fleet to 100% renewable energy by 2030. The e-commerce retailer already runs 40% of its fleet on renewable...Autosread more
As part of the plan, Amazon has agreed to purchase 100,000 electric delivery vans from vehicle manufacturer Rivian.Technologyread more
A Chicago start-up wants to ride the trendy eye-wear movement — with luxury spectacles designed and assembled in the U.S.A.
State Optical, co-founded by Scott Shapiro, Jerry Wolowicz, Marc Franchi and Jason Stanley, launched in early 2016 to tap into what they saw as a growing demand for domestic products.
"We thought the market was different than it was 20 years ago, not because of patriotism, but because of craft culture and the craft movement," CEO Shapiro told CNBC.
Smartly dressed with a pair of his own State frames in gray, Shapiro said the company set up in Chicago to tell an authentic brand story. The brand heavily promotes the city's iconography, and features the Chicago skyline on its presentation boxes.
"Chicago fits the unique balance of fashion and sophistication and blue collar," said Shapiro. "It's about the work and it's about the craft."
Indeed, frame designs are all named after streets in Chicago, such as Armitage and Ravenswood. Each frame has 21 precision drilled holes set in the temples, a homage to Illinois being the 21st state of America.
The frames, which retail for $320 to $420, bear a "Made in the USA" stamp on the inside.
While some of the materials are still sourced from overseas (Italian acetate and hinges from Germany), all the manufacturing is done in the U.S.
According to Shapiro, that created some difficulties: Many American craftsmen had not seen a frame being made before. "Fundamentally it's going to be more difficult and expensive to manufacture in the U.S.," said Shapiro. "The cost of labor is higher even now between the U.S. and China."
Still, Shapiro insisted domestic manufacturing gives State an advantage in the quality of its eyewear. By producing the frames in the U.S., Shapiro said, the company can spot quality or production issues and correct them early.
The stakes are high in the fiercely competitive eyewear market, which is expected to grow to nearly $130 billion worldwide as demand increases for prescription eyeglasses. The U.S. market is dominated by Essilor and Luxottica with 19 percent and 13 percent, respectively, according to data from Euromonitor. Earlier this year, the companies announced a merger to consolidate every part of their eyewear manufacturing businesses.
Being an upstart also means needing to develop brand awareness very quickly, experts say, especially if the company hopes to become relevant overseas.
"There are local companies that have large market shares already," said Ayako Homma, senior analyst at Euromonitor International.
Homma said Warby Parker jump-started awareness of its own U.S.-based brand through convenience by letting customers choose several frames online and shipping them to their homes to try before buying.
Shapiro, however, remained optimistic about State.
"We know that most people don't associate 'Made in the U.S.A.' with luxury," said Shapiro. "When [the customers] put that frame on, that almost likely will be the first time they will try on a frame made in the United States."
Correction: An earlier version had an incorrect retail price for the top of the range. It's $420.


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Companies have big demand for language skills, survey says, with shift seen towards Mandarin and Arabic
European languages remain in high demand from British firms, but there are signs of a shift towards languages such as Mandarin and Arabic, according to research due to be published next month.
The survey by Britain’s leading business group will show a move to learn languages used in the world’s fastest growing markets.
Fast growing: There are signs of a shft towards languages such as Mandarin and Arabic, but demand for European languages remains high.
Nearly two-thirds of companies identified a need for foreign language skills in the annual Education and Skills Survey by publisher Pearson and the Confederation of British Industry.
Around two fifths (41 per cent) of firms said knowledge of a foreign language could be beneficial to their business, while just over a quarter (28 per cent) said it was helpful in building relationships with contacts abroad.
The most popular language picked by businesses responding to the survey was French (chosen by 50 per cent), followed by German (49 per cent) and Spanish (44 per cent).
Just under a third (31 per cent) rated Mandarin as useful, up from 25 per cent in 2012 while 23 per cent said they thought Arabic was useful up from 19 per cent in 2012.
CBI deputy director general Katja Hall said: ‘With the EU still our largest export market, it's no surprise to see German, French and Spanish language skills so highly prized by companies. But with China and Latin America seeing solid growth, ambitious firms want the language skills that can smooth the path into new markets.
‘It has been a worry to see foreign language study in our schools under pressure with one in five schools having a persistently low take-up of languages. The jury remains out as to whether recent government initiatives can help spur a resurgence in language learning.
‘Young people considering their future subject choices should be made more aware of the benefits to their careers that can come from studying a foreign language,’ she added.
A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘This government is overseeing a languages revival after a decade of damaging decline. From this September, languages will be compulsory from the age of seven, rather than 11 at the moment.’
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Motorola's Personal Communications Sector (PCS) division has signed a licensing agreement with Opera Software ASA to use the Oslo company's browser on its phones.
Motorola has not announced which phones will incorporate Opera, but the most likely models are those based on the Linux and Symbian operating systems, Lars Boilesen, Opera's executive vice president sales and distribution said Wednesday. However, "it's a cross-platform agreement so if they want us to port the software to other platforms, we'll do so," he said.
A Motorola spokeswoman confirmed the agreement had been reached but said she was not immediately able to comment further.
The Opera browser's code is small enough to fit on a mobile phone, Boilesen said. "So you can go to any site on the Internet and browse it. Small-screen rendering technology reformats the content on the fly so that it fits. There's no horizontal scrolling, just up and down," he said.
The licensing agreement also allows Motorola to offer the Opera Platform to telecommunications carriers. The platform is designed to integrate online content with a device's own applications, allowing an operator to update the content on the screen of a user's handset.
The companies announced last week that they are working together to combine the WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) software stack from a browser developed by Motorola's Global Software Group with Opera's HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) browser software. That will allow phones to access the many WAP-based sites and services that have already been developed, the companies said.


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Starbucks Coffee has opened a LEED Silver-certified roasting plant in Calhoun County, South Carolina. About 20 percent of the building was made from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled.
The plant features efficient lighting and water fixtures, drought tolerant landscape and will use wind energy to power a portion of the plant’s operations.
The company says many of the green design elements utilized for the project are also being integrated into the company’s other roasting plants and retail stores.
Starbucks has committed to LEED certification for all new company-operated stores by the end of 2010. The company has previously received LEED Gold certification for Seattle’s Starbucks Center.
Last year, Starbucks was criticized for its wasteful water policy. In response, the company introduced an “interim operational procedure” with instructions to switch off the dipper well tap and wash spoons after use.


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Launching exclusively with GVC brands, Lightning Box has announced a new online slot game for players to enjoy. Jackaroo Jack is the latest title released by the slot developer, offering players a 4×5 reel slot with an Australian outback theme. The game first launched on October 24th with GVC brands only, set to be exclusive for a three-month time frame until a general release on January 23rd.
Jackaroo Jack has a unique theme, taking players straight to the Australian Outback. Try to lasso horses in the wild as well as find raging bulls and kookaburras on the reels. Horn wilds can be found as well along with five options for extra games while spinning the reels.
According to European Gaming…
Co-founder and managing director of Lightning Box, Peter Causley, commented on the new slot by stating: “We’re very happy to be unveiling our latest game Jackaroo Jack, which combines vivid graphics, a catchy Western soundtrack, and the chance of scooping a 40x multiplier.”
According to Mr. Causely, the new game is being offered exclusively to online brands that are part of the large portfolio of GVC, for a three-month time frame. The company is hoping that the players of GVC brans enjoy the new Australian theme.
Joining Astro Pug:
Jackaroo Jack was released just over a month after Lightning Box announced the new online slot game Astro Pug. The new slot takes advantage of the patented Reelfecta reels, which helps to create a more unique experience for players. This reel type is only available via Casumo, a portal based in Malta. The new feature allows players to turn a small win into a much bigger one with the middle reel able to multiply wins by including 16 mini reels.


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Update: A Yahoo spokesperson sent TechRadar the following statement:
"As we ensure that Yahoo is on a path of sustainable growth, we're looking at ways to achieve greater efficiency, collaboration and innovation across our business. To this effect, we're making some changes to the way we operate in Bangalore leading to consolidation of certain teams into fewer offices. Yahoo will continue to have a presence in India and Bangalore remains an important office."
So while the company refuses to confirm any details at this time, it's clear that something is going on in Bangalore.
Original story below…
Yahoo could be about to lay off as many as 2,000 employees at its Software Development Center in India.
An unsubstantiated report from NextBigWhat says that of Yahoo SDC's 2,250 employees, only 250 will remain after November 7.
However an update added to the site's report after publication claims that the number of employees being laid off might actually be as low as 600.
We've asked Yahoo to clarify and give an official statement, and we'll update when we know more.
Quite a commitment
The original report says that Yahoo's Bangalore SDC might simply be a victim of Yahoo's desire to consolidate its development centers.
Axed employees will reportedly receive five to ten months of severance pay.
Oddly, as the site points out, Yahoo bought Indian startup Bookpad in September and used the opportunity to emphasize its commitment to the country.
"Yahoo will continue to have a presence in India and Bangalore remains an important office," a Yahoo statement given at the time said.
If that's changed, hopefully we'll find out soon.


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Consumers report being threatened with arrest
The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) has received reports of fraudulent and aggressive collection calls targeting area consumers. In some cases, consumers have been threatened with arrest if they don’t pay off alleged debts immediately.
“People need to be aware that these calls are occurring and they need to know what to do if they receive a call like this,” said Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “The threat of arrest is a dastardly tactic, and it’s important to know what your rights are.”


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Spy shots showing a white Volkswagen Up! testing on Chinese roads. The Up! will be launched on the China car market sometime in 2014. The Up! will initially be imported into China but Volkswagen is seriously considering local production. They should. Thanks to China’s sky high import taxes the imported Up! will become as expensive as a Polo.
That means the market for the Up! will be limited too young ‘n hip people who desperately want to try something different. Like drinking imported orange juice, or listening to jazz. That market however ain’t very big, and especially not since the Up! is a dressed down cheap car, unlike a Fiat 500 for example, which is more dressed up. Local production thus would make a lotta sense for bringing the Up! to a much wider market.


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Check RVs and Boats At Exit 10 Show in Seffner This Weekend
Several makers of outdoor toys, such as RVs and boats, will line up their goods at the first Exit 10 RV and Toy Show in Seffner this weekend. Lazydays, Gator Ford, Harley-Davidson, Performance Honda, Rivard Buick GMC and Marine Max will be among the companies showing off their products. The Seffner-based company will host the event across its 35-acre property just off of I-4 at Exit 10 on the corner of Sligh Avenue and County Road 579 from 9 a.m. to 5 p .m on Saturday and Sunday. The Exit 10 Show will include various outdoor activities for all ages, including golf carts, trucks, ATVs and more than 20 vendors. There will be also be driver education courses and seminars on site. Admission and parking to the event is free and open to the public.


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Here's a look at Apple News Plus, the company's new subscription news service
- On Monday, Apple announced Apple News Plus, a subscription service that offers users access through its news app to leading newspapers, digital publications, and more than 300 magazine titles.
- We signed up for a free trial of Apple News Plus to see how it worked and what it included.
- Below is a look inside the new Apple News Plus.
What can you expect from Apple News Plus, the new subscription news service from the maker of the iPhone?We signed up for a free trial to find out. We found an attractive, easy-to-use service with access to a great selection of magazines.Advertisement
Apple announced the new service, which costs $9.99 a month, at its press event Monday. Apple News Plus does not include access to stories from The New York Times or The Washington Post. But it does offer a lot of other things, including stories from The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, National Geographic Magazine, and People Magazine, among other publications.
Here's how to use and what to expect from Apple News Plus:
Before trying out Apple News Plus, you'll need to update your iPhone to iOS 12.2.
After opening the News app, tap on the new "News+" icon at the bottom and then on "Try It Free" to get started.Advertisement
Magazines get top billing in Apple News Plus.
You can browse the app's catalog of more than 300 magazines alphabetically.Advertisement
Alternatively, you can browse magazines in particularly categories, including "business and finance" and "featured."
Apple News Plus keeps tabs on magazines you've read or like, keeping them in a section called "My Magazines."Advertisement
If you scroll down the app's home screen, you'll find articles from magazines it knows you follow.
When you tap on a headline or photo promoting an article, you'll instantly be able to read it within the Apple News app.Advertisement
The full-magazine view lists the articles found inside; you can read them by simply tapping the headlines.
On the News Plus home screen, Apple also touts its major news partners, including The Wall Street Journal.Advertisement
Within the Apple News app, though, it's not easy to tell which articles the Journal or other providers are leaving off the service.
Despite the presence of the Journal and other newspapers, magazines seem to be the main focus of News Plus.Advertisement
For National Geographic, the issue's table of contents in the News app featured not just headlines, but thumbnail photos from each article.
The "My Magazines" section of the app highlights the issue you were reading most recently.Advertisement
Downloading magazines is useful when you're traveling or don't have an internet connection.
You can also find things to read by scrolling down the app's home screen; it collects articles in categories including politics, sports, and entertainment.Advertisement
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Gun Makers: Free Land Up For Grabs in Missouri
In Howell County, Mo., three pieces of land are being made available free of charge for gun manufacturers looking to move from unfriendly territory.
EAA Appeal .22 Long Rifle
The EAA Appeal is well named as it is a standout in crowded field of traditional-style semi-automatic rimfire rifles.
Birchwood Casey GroundStrike Jacks Targets
The GroundStrike Jacks Target bounces when hit, creating challenging shooting opportunities for additional shots. (5/21/2013)
Bushnell Outdoors PowerSync
The Bushnell Outdoors PowerSync line features nine, lightweight and portable devices to provide electronic device power anywhere. (5/17/2013)
AGI: Customizing the AR-15
The American Gunsmithing Institute has developed a DVD course teaching how to work on and customize the AR-15 rifle. (5/15/2013)
SureFire E2D LED Defender Ultra
The SureFire E2D LED Defender Ultra puts out 500 lumens of light on its high setting. (5/14/2013)
5.11 Tactical to Launch UTE Sweepstakes
Consumers that spend $35 or more on 5.11 Tactical gear from May 11 to June 22, 2013 will have the chance to win the Ultimate Tactical Experience prize package.
Former NRA Publications Photography Director Dies
Talmadge Rutledge, former director of the NRA Publications Photography Department, died at his home after a battle with multiple systems atrophy.
Buck Knives Boy Scouts of America Pocket Knife
Buck Knives has entered into a partnership with the Boy Scouts to produce officially licensed pocket knives for Eagle Scouts and their supporters. (5/7/2013)
LaserLyte MBS-1 Bore Sight
The LaserLyte Bore Sight makes sighting-in faster and much easier on calibers ranging from .22 up to .50 cal. (5/6/2013)
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Lego pro bringing 'first-of-its-kind' business to Woodfield
A new business described as "a first-of-its-kind experiential concept" blending a museum, high-tech interactive adventure and retail store is coming to Woodfield Mall in May, officials announced Tuesday.
Blocks to Bricks, the brainchild of Arlington Heights native Adam Reed Tucker, will highlight nearly 150 years of construction toys, with more than 6,000 rare and unique artifacts, including an original Lincoln Log set created by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The business will operate out of a 13,000-square-foot space on the middle-level mezzanine, overlooking the mall's Grand Court. It will include 13 walk-through zones, tracing the evolution of creative materials from stone through wood, metal, paper and plastic.
The largest section is dedicated to Legos and will feature oversized creations by Tucker and other Lego artists, a black-light room, and a display of every Lego piece and minifigure ever made.
"If Willy Wonka made toys instead of candy, I expect this is what his factory would have looked like," Tucker said in an announcement of the new mall tenant. "I wanted to create an environment in which visitors of all ages could embrace their personal passion for design and creativity. For some, Blocks to Bricks will be a stroll down memory lane; for others, the inspiration to become the builders of tomorrow."
Tucker is one of only 16 Lego Certified Professionals in the world, and his Brick by Brick exhibit had an extended two-year stay at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Visitors to Blocks to Bricks also will be able to watch Lego artisans at work in their model shop or meet with Tucker behind the vaulted door of his private, on-site design studio.
The retail store will offer items not available anywhere else in the area, including brand-exclusive and one-of-a-kind pieces, vintage sets and limited editions, officials said. Patrons will be able to make Lego creations and take them home at a per-ounce price.
"We're delighted Adam and his team chose Woodfield Mall as the site for this exciting undertaking," mall General Manager Kurt Webb said in a news release.
Mall officials also announced Tuesday that ASHA SalonSpa is moving from its current location on Martingale Road in Schaumburg to a 7,952-square-foot space in the lower level Sears wing, underneath the dining pavilion scheduled to open this summer. The salon will have its own exterior entrance.


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Donating in the new year, great way to declutter living space
PALM COAST — Whether you’re looking to purge your living space of items you no longer use or you want to find a new home for that appliance you received two of for Christmas, donating is a popular option this time of year.
“We’ve received a lot of donations this past week,” said Chelsea Dalrymple, manager at Hammock Thrift and Gift Shop, located in Palm Coast. “I would say more so just because it’s the new year and a lot of people are going through and getting rid of things. Since Christmas has come and gone they’re getting rid of the things that they don't use.”
Hammock Thrift and Gift Shop is at 5404 N Ocean Shore Blvd. The thrift shop, a nonprofit, opened in August 2015.
The shop donates to the Disabled American Veterans in Flagler County, Flagler Free Clinic and the Hammock Community Food Pantry.
Goodwill Industries has also noticed an increase in donations.
“We serve 14 counties, Gainesville through Palm Coast, up to Jacksonville out to Lake City,” said David Rey, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries, Northeast region. “This is our busiest time of the year, in terms of receiving gently used items from the community."
The store is an array of new and used items.
“We accept furniture, home decor, clothes, jewelry, kitchenware glassware,” said Dalrymple. “We don't accept toys, electronics, ceiling fans, kids clothes. We do accept books but we have a lot right now so she's [owner] not really accepting them right now. It's hit or miss on that.”
Items must be in good condition.
“We like to accept things in good conditions,” said Dalrymple. “If you wouldn’t buy it yourself you probably shouldn’t donate it. If something has a little hole that somebody missed or a missing button, we'll put it out for free giveaway. Some people don't notice that or miss it, which is fine because we like our free rack and so does everybody else.”
Rey said there's an extensive list of items the Goodwill will accept with open arms.
“We take darn near everything,” said Rey. “We take light appliances, like waffle makers, to lava lamps, cups, dishes, the boombox with the cassette tapes from the '80s, funny looking art, good art, I guess the opinion's in the eye of the beholder, but you know, whatever it is, we take it. We don't take large household items. The large home appliances and like mattresses, those are the things we typically don't take.”
Rey said every item that comes in gets sold.
“We rotate items through our system,” said Rey, “so they'll get sold at a store. If they make it through a number of stores, then they can get sold at something we call a pound store. So, it's lower priced. The items are sold by the pound, so you get more of them for less.”
Rey said every effort is made to ensure that each item is sold.
“For example, clothing gets used,” said Rey. “It doesn't end up in the trash. Clothing gets sold or utilized somewhere, somehow. In fact, in the last few years we’ve diverted about 20 million pounds of clothing and linens from ending up in landfills.”
Dalrymple said the pandemic hasn’t really had an impact on their donation process.
“We’re pretty much doing the same thing as before,” said Dalrymple. “We wash things that need to be washed.”
For Nancy Swinderman, owner of Hammock Thrift and Gift Shop, being in this line of work is all about the thrill of the hunt.
“We've had things donated that are worth a lot,” said Swinderman. “We look things up all the time on eBay. We also sell things on eBay. Someone brought in this wooden handle knife. That's really different, I thought. The handle says it’s made in Japan and there’s this inscription in Japanese writing. So I looked it up on eBay and they’re priced for over $200. If it's the exact same thing we try to sell it for less of course. I priced it at $75.”


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Lured by the fast-growing market for juvenile books, Time Warner Inc. said yesterday that it would start the country's first book club for children, offering a monthly selection of reading for everyone from toddlers to young teen-agers.
Kelso F. Sutton, chief executive of Time Inc. Books, said in an interview that the new venture, named Children's Book-of-the-Month, will begin operating in June. He said he expected the club to attain 200,000 members within five years.
In a generally gloomy publishing climate, juvenile books have stood out over the last year for their rapid growth. According to preliminary figures from the Association of American Publishers, store sales of juvenile hardcover books grew 19.1 percent last year, to $665.1 million, compared with a paltry 1.8 percent growth in adult hardcover book sales, to $1.7 billion.
Move by Doubleday
In a sign of the growing importance of this sector, a spokeswoman for the Doubleday Book and Music Clubs, the main competitor to the Time Warner book clubs, said yesterday that it was also testing a children's book club and was satisfied with early results. A national introduction was under consideration, she added.
''Children's books are definitely the most dynamic area of the market,'' said James Mercer, the president of Book-of-the-Month Club Inc., the Time Warner division that will manage the children's club. He added that he expected juvenile book sales of the division to rise to $40 million within five years, from the current level of $10 million. Investments this year in the new venture and in children's books generally would be more than $6 million, he said.Continue reading the main story
Analyst attribute the popularity of juvenile books to the increasing number of children aged 12 and younger, which is expected to rise to 50 million by 1995 from 46 million.
The Book-of-the-Month Club has current sales of more than $200 million. Total sales of the Time Inc. book company last year were $1.1 billion, or 10.1 percent of Time Warner revenues of $10.8 billion.
Success of Another Venture
The decision to start Children's Book-of-the-Month stemmed partly from the success of the company's Books of My Very Own, a form of club that offers children preselected packages of books. Its membership has doubled every year since its 1986 introduction to a current level of 85,000. Such preselected book mailings have been the only form of children's book club until now.
The new club will offer a monthly color magazine featuring a main selection book and 45 alternate books for all ages, including one classified as ''babies and toddlers.'' The books will sell for an average discount of 30 percent off the publisher's price.
Mr. Sutton also said Little, Brown & Company, a publishing house owned by Time Warner, would introduce another children's book venture this year consisting of a series of books called ''Sports Illustrated for Kids Books.'' The books will draw on ''Sports Illustrated for Kids,'' a magazine started by Time Warner last year.Continue reading the main story


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Once considered untouchable, social gaming giant, Zynga, seem to be in hot water after declaring a net loss of $22 Million alongside a drop of 40% in its share prices.
Sensing foul play, nosey law firms such as Levi & Korsinsky have begun focusing in on Zynga based on “concerns that Zynga misrepresented and/or failed to disclose materially adverse facts about its business and financial condition”.
This is due to several insiders reportedly selling off their stock before the company’s value began to drop, suggesting that Zynga chose to not disclose facts about the business it should had.
But this isn’t the only issue facing the social gaming giant at the moment. In a call to investors, Zynga cite ‘short term challenges’ going forward’ as well as lowering the companies expectations for the rest of the year due to “delays in launching new games, a faster decline in existing web games due in part to a more challenging environment on the Facebook web platform, and reduced expectations for Draw Something.”
Maybe they shouldn’t have scooped up five-minute hit wonder Draw Something.
What would happen if Zynga were to go under, collapsing in unto itself? What would all those housewives and FaceBook gamers do then?


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VW, Google cooperate on quantum computing in tech push
Volkswagen AG plans three research projects on a Google quantum computer as part of the German automaker’s push to develop new digital features for cars and broaden its technological heft beyond manufacturing and selling vehicles.
The projects include refining traffic-management systems, simulating the structure of electric-car batteries and other materials as well as artificial intelligence for autonomous driving, Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen said Tuesday in a statement.
“Quantum computer technology opens new dimensions for us,” Chief Information Officer Martin Hofmann said in the statement. “We from Volkswagen want to be among the first to use quantum computing as a company as soon as this technology is commercially available.”
The world’s largest automaker has stepped up spending on electric vehicles and new digital services like ride hailing as part of a comprehensive overhaul in the wake of its diesel-emissions scandal. The strategy is part of seismic shift across the auto industry to virtually connected, battery-powered cars that can drive themselves.
Google will be providing access to powerful devices that use the principles of quantum mechanics to process information in a wider variety of ways than a conventional computer, which uses just a binary system to identify data. VW started its first quantum-computing project in March in China to optimize traffic for 10,000 taxis in Beijing, using another technology supplier.
“We’re looking forward to explore together how quantum computing could change and bring forward the automobile industry,” Hartmut Neven, development head at Google Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, said in the statement.


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Wal-mart has apologized for a Back To School Campaign featuring guns. There was a banner situated at the top of the display that read “Own the school year like a hero” and of course it disturb many confused shoppers. The incident took place in Evansville, Ind.
This is how Walmart, America's biggest store chain, is selling its guns to schoolchildren. pic.twitter.com/DEu9tJo2iA
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 10, 2017
Wal-Mart responded via Twitter with their apologies and acknowledged that it was taken down.
That it was truly awful. 😞 We immediately removed the sign from the display as soon as we found out the store location. -Vik
— Walmart (@Walmart) August 9, 2017


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Ferscha: Market has voted for choice, innovation and enhanced services
Path clear for Eurex and The Clearing Corporation equity partnership
Following approval by shareholders of The Clearing Corporation of a corporate restructuring plan, Eurex, the world's largest derivatives exchange, welcomed the outcome of the vote that clears the way for The Clearing Corporation to clear trades for its U.S.-regulated and U.S.-based exchange, Eurex US. The Clearing Corporation shareholders overwhelmingly approved the corporate and capital alignment of the company that will establish a new Guaranty Fund and separate ownership in the company from access to the clearing organization.
"Today the market has voted for choice, innovation and enhanced services," said Rudolf Ferscha, CEO of Eurex. "Our partnership with The Clearing Corporation will give the U.S. market access to a global range of products. This deal is a crucial milestone in the forging of our partnership with the participants in the U.S. financial markets."
Walter Allwicher/Candice Adam
+1-212-888-6115 ext. 222


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Tess Holliday was told she "would never model" high fashion clothing by a member of her own team.
The 33-year-old American plus-size poser made history last month by becoming the first ever size 22 model to grace the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, however, the rising star revealed she fired "someone in her team" at the start of the year when she set out that one of her goals for 2018 was "to do high fashion" and got the reply that her ambition was "impossible".
Speaking in a video for Cosmopolitan.com, Tess said: "Someone on my team, at the beginning of this year, emailed me and asked me what my goals were for 2018, and I said I wanted to do high fashion. They responded with saying that it was impossible, and that if the designers aren't making clothing in my size, then there's no point in asking the designers."
"Since I've fired them, I've done two high fashion shoots. I've shot two major covers, I am continuing to do even cooler stuff in the high fashion world, and basically prove them in like, four months.
"When I prove people wrong that said I could never do high fashion or my critics that don't believe in me, it feels really damn good."
Tess is the creator of the #effyourbeautystandards Instagram campaign that encourages body positivity among her 1.6 million followers on the social media platform.
Tess was always put down by "people in her life" who told her she was "crazy" for pursuing modelling and she is so proud of herself for proving the haters wrong.
Tess added: "There were a lot of people in my life who thought that I was crazy for going after my dreams. I was told that I would never model in the first place. I couldn't get an agent, no one was interested in representing me, no one was interested in hiring me."


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Nissan’s NV200 is already being used as a taxi in cities like New York, but for the London edition it’s received a visual makeover. Nissan has just revealed its new take on the classic London taxi — also known as a Hackney carriage — which is based on the NV200, but with a new look to “make it instantly recognizable as one of the capital’s iconic black cabs,” according to the company.
We Love Fine Wednesday still has AVENGERS FEVER!!!
Reblog this post between now and Monday and you’re entered to WIN one of our rad honorable mention tees from the Marvel/Avengers Design Contest! (pictured). Mens AND womens styles available! Good luck!


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Bitcoin begins selling off at 10PM EST September 19th before 3 year crash anniversary. September 20th marks the final stages of an 80% sell off from highs in 2017-2018.
Crypto markets pull back over 10% from weekly highs Sunday night carrying into Monday morning. September 20th, 2021, marks the 3rd anniversary of the “cryptocurrency crash” of 2017-2018. What happened in 2018s’ spiral that left crypto markets down 80% from highs?
Markets reached an all time high December 17th, 2017 with Bitcoin touching $19783. Five days after market tops, BTC drops 45% from it peak. The 600B Crypto markets panics; sell offs continue, FUD spreads. January 12th, 2018, news looms of S. Korea’s potential cryptocurrency ban; Bitcoin falls 12% on the news. S. Korea bans anonymous trading not banning Crypto completely. Advertising bans followed by Facebook, Google, and Twitter, for crypto ICO’s and tokens. Investors sell off dropping Bitcoin market cap to under 100B in 2018 at a price of $5,500. September 20th being marked as the end of Bitcoins 2nd greatest crash in history.
The end felt like it was never in site. Cryptocurrency is dead believed to be unable to recover. Cryptocurrency ended up recovering before reaching new highs. Short term market movements remind our team of similar current events. S. Korea announcing 70 exchanges to potentially suspend service recently. The country previously stated they never intend to ban cryptocurrencies in July this year. The suspension looks more like buying time for regulatory framework to be established, protecting investors. Investors feel manipulated as news plummeted market values while worried about maintaining control of their own property.
It’s important to not get caught on an exchange. Large market sell offs cause huge loads of traffic for exchanges. More times than not during large crashes most exchanges go offline. Storing crypto offline on the blockchain with a hardware wallet gives investors full control. Hold your crypto in your own wallet and move it to a functional exchange to sell when you please. Exchanges will be unable to prevent you from sending/receiving your crypto bringing control back to you. Our team strongly suggests checking our post on the Top 3 Hardware Wallets Ranked, September 2021 for doing this.
Headlines prove to be background noise in a blooming crypto ecosystem. Stay up to date on headlines and informed. Investors are to be reminded to zoom out the charts. Remind yourself of the tech blockchain truly has to offer. No markets can exist without growing pains and corrections. Crypto is here to stay. DCA, invest wisely, utilize your resources. This drop shows nothing other than a buying opportunity as policies get set in place. Investors will have to continue to cry into our Bitcoin pillows, while we wait for the next bull run up.
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The Crypto News Wrap is a daily updating article grouping the biggest news in blockchain into one place. Come back daily to stay up to date and ahead of the markets. September 24th, 2021 China bans BTC for 7th time, warns local governments of Evergrande potential failure. Fantom network releases commison free NFT marketplace. Evergrande […]
The Crypto News Wrap is a daily updating article grouping the biggest news in blockchain into one place. Come back daily to stay up to date and ahead of the markets. Our wraps update throughout the day, come back often. September 23rd, 2021 Twitter deploys NFT authentication services as well as bitcoin tipping on IOS […]
The Crypto News Wrap is a daily updating article grouping the biggest news in blockchain into one place. Come back daily to stay up to date and ahead of the markets. Our wraps update throughout the day, so come back often! Our team has a daily goal of bringing you the biggest news in crypto. […]


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Audi officially premiered its e-tron electric SUV at a summit event in San Francisco this week but production has been underway for a couple of weeks already at its plant in Brussels, Belgium, which is making the e-tron for global markets.
The German carmaker confirmed it was employing autonomous technology for the delivery of parts and batteries to the assembly line from onsite facilities. It is also sequencing battery assembly and fitment at Brussels.
“Audi built up numerous competencies in-house for the Audi e-tron and developed both the battery technology and the actual drive system itself. And employees rethought, planned and implemented many stages of production,” said Patrick Danau, MD of Audi Brussels.
According to the carmaker, since the summer of 2016, the plant has extensively rebuilt its body shop, paint shop and assembly line, and has set up its own battery assembly unit in a former logistics unit next to it.
The e-tron’s lithium-ion battery should provide a range of more than 400km and can be charged in 30 minutes at high-power charging stations offering 150kW.
Driverless transport system
Audi said production at the Brussels plant adhered to the principle of digital networking, with a case in point being the tailor-made system of driverless transport system (DTS) it is using to move parts and batteries to the line. The carmaker is operating two types, known as FTF and FTS, which differ in size and application. The carmaker confirmed that Serva Transport Systems was supplying the systems. Audi already uses Serva machines at Ingolstadt for vehicle management and the carmaker won a logistics award for the application of the technology at Ingolstadt from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) last year.
A spokesperson for Audi said that every day, 27 of the electrically powered vehicles navigated routes through the factory halls delivering components, such as the front and rear axles, and the electric motor. The DTS also moves the batteries powering the e-tron between the sequencing store and the section of the assembly line where the battery is installed.
With the help of specific sensor technologies, the DTS reacts and communicates with employees in the different parts of the facility and when the units require recharging they automatically drive to an induction charging station.
“Everything in production has been optimised to achieve completely smooth processes”, said Bertram Günter, project leader of the new system at Audi Brussels.
Audi said the use of such smart factory technology made the increasing complexity and broad spectrum of variants in vehicle production manageable.
“The aim is to streamline the Audi production network, making it more flexible and efficient in order to secure for all of our sites a lasting competitive edge,” said the spokesperson, adding that the company was completely rethinking processes and structures for the smart factory.
The DTS is also used on a new cable sequencing concept that Audi has developed for e-tron production.
Each vehicle requires an individual mix of cables and Audi has come up with a system it calls the IRK Project to manage storage and delivery of the cable sets. The company has created a specific storage area and invented specialised containers into which the cable sets are placed before being put on a conveyor, scanned and cross checked. The data gathered is entered into a central system. This way, employees are able to track every box and the components inside through the delivery to lineside by the DTS. Audi said using DTS here also allowed it to deliver components from the warehouse to the assembly line on demand.
The start of production of the e-tron marks Audi’s entry into in-house battery assembly. The Brussels plant is working with Audi’s High Voltage Competence Centre near Ingolstadt to deliver the battery system, which includes packaging, cooling, fusing and – in collaboration with bodywork developers – integrating it into the vehicle.
The Brussels plant will not focus on the development of battery technology, but will prepare batteries for fitment into vehicle bodies in a fully automated process. Audi said in planning production of the e-tron, it wanted everything as close to the assembly line as possible and transformed a former logistics shop into a battery assembly station.
The complete battery system weighs 700kg, including its housing, which acts as a load-bearing and stiffening part of the vehicle platform and has advantages for vehicle handling and acoustics within the vehicle, according to the carmaker.
“The best ideas are only as good as their ability to be industrialised on a mass-produced scale”, said Bertram Günter, project leader of Audi e-tron production. “The experience garnered from decades of vehicle manufacturing is a huge help. The battery strategy is about teamwork: major parts of the battery housing come from Györ and Neckarsulm. The experience from the high-voltage battery project house in Gaimershaim is obviously part of the mix.”
“One of the things that is completely new in the Audi e-tron is that the battery is fully integrated into the load-bearing structure of the vehicle’s floor,” said Jan Maris, production manager at Audi Brussels. “This means taking a lot of safety precautions during construction and exercising a level of precision in battery assembly which is itself setting new standards.”
The company is planning to recycle used batteries by converting them into stationary energy stores and the concept is being trialled near Ingolstadt. The company said a container for four traction batteries of varying sizes worked in conjunction with a photovoltaic system that could generate up to 20kW of power on sunny days. A second container houses the connection and control equipment, which controls the conversion of direct current from the batteries into alternating current at a constant 400 volts. Once the batteries have dropped to 10% capacity, they are recycled.
The autonomous movement of the batteries to the production line is part of an overall focus on safety and security. Every production step is performed by a robot protected by high security cabins. Direct human interaction is prohibited except in the case of system errors, when only specifically trained employees are allowed to step in. Those staff have collectively been through around 200,000 hours of specific training, according to the company.


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Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018|11:44 a.m.
NEW YORK– Nike caused an uproar previously this month with its ad including former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick that debuted just as the football season was about to start. But the shoe maker’s stock is up and sales have actually been consistent.
The furor appears to have mostly died down as the business reports earnings on Tuesday.
While purpose-driven marketing can be a ground mine for some companies, others like Nike have actually found it an useful way to interest their core market and differentiate themselves in an increasingly polarized political landscape.
” I do not think it was a huge gamble. Historically, Nike has actually constantly done this so it was no shock,” stated Antonio S. Williams, who teaches sports marketing at Indiana University. “They’re the king of psychological marketing so whatever they do, they do it with feeling.”
Nike is anticipated to report net income of 63 cents per share on earnings of $9.93 billion for the financial first quarter ended Aug. 31, inning accordance with FactSet. If they hit that target, it would represent an earnings increase of 9 percent from a year back.
The boost isn’t due to the Kaepernick ad, which came out quickly after the quarter ended. Instead, the quarter will likely benefit from the FIFA World Cup of soccer that showcased lots of players and teams using its clothes and shoes, in addition to the “athleisure” trend that continues to be strong.
However Nike has long enhanced its worldwide brand name with edgy visual ads. On Monday, it celebrated another questionable athlete, Tiger Woods, who Nike stuck by throughout a 2009 sex scandal. Its latest campaign, a two-image Instagram ad celebrating Woods’s first PGA Trip win in 5 years, went viral. The very first image reveals his back, with the words, “He’s done.” However a swipe through to the 2nd image shows the front of him giving a fist pump and the words “it once again.”
The Kaepernick project included a print ad that featured a close-up of his face and the words, “Believe in something. Even if it indicates sacrificing everything,” along with a TV advertisement that included numerous Nike professional athletes and a voiceover by Kaepernick in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Nike’s “Simply Do It” tagline. Kaepernick was the very first NFL professional athlete to take a knee throughout the national anthem to protest police cruelty.
Individuals online were divided over the ads. Some burned their Nike socks and threatened boycotts while others saluted the business’s message. In general, revenue hasn’t been dampened and the boycotts seem to have died. Today, in reality, a Rhode Island town council that had authorized a nonbinding resolution to boycott Nike products < a href="
https://apnews.com/4c2b5b2f7df5429a8dac9531633d9034/Town-council-withdraws-Nike-boycott-following-criticism” > reversed course. Taking a political or social stand is anathema to many brand names, who aim to attract the broadest quantity of people possible in order to get them to part with their dollars. They don’t always work out. For instance, Etsy, the craft-centric e-commerce company, rose to prominence as a B Corp., a kind of for-profit company that has actually been certified to meet social sustainability and ecological performance requirements. But once Etsy went public, its board voted to give up its B Corp. status to keep its business structure.
In another case, an 84 Lumber Super Bowl advertisement in 2017 that aimed to tackle immigration stumbled upon as extremely made complex and tone deaf. Similarly, a 2017 Airbnb Super Bowl advertisement that aimed to commemorate diversity ended up accidentally echoing Airbnb’s own issue with combating discrimination by some hosts.
However if it fits with the brand name, a social position can work. Outside clothes company Patagonia has actually had success deciding on environmental issues because that resonates with its primary clients: buyers of high-end outdoor clothing equipment. And as opposition swelled against the Trump administration policy to different migrant households, American Airlines and United Airlines, as well as other providers, released statements that stated they did not want to use their flights to carry migrant children to temporary shelters.
When it comes to Nike, “they strike it from the park with the Kaepernick advertisement,” said Bob Phibbs, CEO of New York-based consultancy the Retail Medical professional. “This ad is completely in line with who Nike is and what they mean. That authenticity resonated and will continue to resonate with their consumers.”


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Shortly after posting the item on Tesla Motors I was contacted this morning regarding a noteworthy related event. This Wednesday Janunary 12th the 425 Mass Apartments is holding a press conference to announce that they will be opening the FIRST residential electric vehicle charging station in the District of Columbia.
Benefits of electric cars include reduced fuel costs and lower fuel consumption, not to mention the concept at its core is dedicated to a sustainable environment and an economically strong, energy-independent America. Policymakers have recognized electric vehicles as a vital factor of environment and national security policies, encouraging adoption of this cutting-edge technology by providing tax credits and other financial incentives. By teaming up with Car Charging Group, Inc. to provide the first car charging station to DC residents, 425 Mass hopes to encourage the technology, as well.
Tesla Motors has agreed to provide a couple of Tesla Roadster cars at Wednesday’s event for the purpose of demonstrating how the charging station and electric cars work together.


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The price to insure an electric car in France is set to jump in 2024. The principal reasons for this are the end of tax benefits for electric vehicles and their higher repair costs.
Electric vehicles (EV) will no longer be exempt from a tax on insurance agreements (TSCA) from 1 January 2024.
The tax benefit was introduced for electric vehicle insurance with the 2021 Finance Act. However it is only scheduled until December 31 2023 and there are no plans to extend it in the 2024 budget bill.
The loss of TSCA exemption will increase costs for EV owners as it offers savings of 20-25% on third-party insurance and 12-15% on comprehensive insurance.
The second factor that could increase the amount of car insurance for electric vehicles is a high cost of repairs. Electric vehicles use a lot of aluminium which is more expensive and can be more complex to repair than steel.
In addition, replacing a battery in an electric car may not be economically viable, as it can account for up to 50% of the cost of a car.
New incentives to be introduced
The French government is aiming to introduce new incentives next year to persuade people to switch to electric vehicles despite these increasing costs.
The Economy Minister suggested a “social leasing” offer in which households will have the opportunity to rent an electric car with an option to buy it.
It is also suggested that the 2024 Finance Bill will support the installation of home charging stations for individuals via a tax credit to a maximum amount of €500.
The Economy Ministry has also just extended the ecological bonus for the purchase of a vehicle to private individuals – a subsidy which favours vehicles with a low carbon footprint such as electric cars.
If the vehicle is manufactured within Europe aid can be as high as €5,000.
Pros and cons of electric vehicles
The main arguments in favour of going electric are that it is better for the environment, and as such they can be driven without cost in low-emission zones. EVs could also be cheaper to run depending on the regular recharge costs.
However EVs can still be expensive to buy and insure compared to many petrol or diesel vehicles, even with government aid.
In addition the distance an EV can travel before requiring a recharge is still less than that of a petrol or diesel car.
Things to consider before going electric
Before making any big decisions about switching to an electric vehicle, points to consider include:
Do the ecological benefits outweigh the environmental impacts?
How much battery life do you need for your typical journey lengths?
Are there charging points where you will need them?
Are you able to install a charger at home?
What financial aid are you entitled to?


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Hearst Corp. announced that it has formed a new digital product development group to create mobile apps for the company’s magazines, newspapers and television stations. As the company’s audience has become increasingly digital and mobile, with on average 50 percent of the audience visiting on mobile devices, the pressure is on it to make sure the products and the revenue keep up. Overseeing the group is Phil Wiser, Hearst’s chief technology officer since 2012, who said the company has made progress on mobile, but it has much more to do.
What’s this team going to do for Hearst?
It’s part of a broader strategy to build more technical skills into the company. It was a recognition that being a media company in the future means being a media company and a technology company. Some of it’s through recruitment, partnership and acquisition. We have a sense of urgency. Our audience is very much a digital audience today and has migrated to mobile very quickly. We are 50 percent mobile on average every week. We are not just a digital company; we are a mobile company.
How would you rate Hearst’s products now?
I would give us a good mark to date. We’ve updated our products so they’re mobile-friendly. We just did a redesign of our newspaper products that drove a significant increase in engagement. But we have many more to do. So we need more scale.
Hearst just launched CosmoBody, an online subscription video service, at a relatively high cost of $9.95 a month. Is that the model you’ll be looking to replicate?
That’s one element of the strategy. We’ll be looking at free businesses, but we want to develop products people are willing to pay for. We know we have to go deeper in our thinking of our service to consumers if we want them to pay for it.
You formed this group with the acquisition of the professional networking startup BranchOut. Its own app didn’t really work out, though, and the company pivoted. What did Hearst see in them?
There were several elements. They had a messaging company that we thought was well received. They also had expertise in utilizing the social graph. That combination of mobile and social attracted us. They’re a very strong technical team. [Their app] was an explosive hit. Facebook changed the rules so they couldn’t operate as they were, and that limited their growth.
Lots of apps get downloaded, only to be quickly forgotten. How are you approaching these?
Our view is that an app needs to be an experience that’s a daily habit. If you’re not accomplishing that, you don’t necessarily need to have an app. In some of our properties, the majority of engagement is still on mobile Web. In news, the consumers in those markets interact with us everyday. The application drives the deepest level of engagement. This is a different relationship than a headline or “have you seen the latest person do someone silly on Facebook.” It’s not that we haven’t been guilty of doing apps that people downloaded once. But we have a clearer view of where a native application fits into our digital ecosystem.
How will you make money from all this?
We’re experimenting with many different approaches. Subscription is always going to be part of our strategy. We’ll also experiment with a la carte offerings, as we just did with The Falling Man and Esquire, with really strong results.
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‘We cannot risk a second wave in our borough’: Shoppers urged to stay safe as Newham retailers reopen
- Credit: Archant
The council has urged people to follow social distancing and hygiene guidance when shopping to help avoid a “disastrous” second wave of coronavirus.
Many shops, market stalls, and non-essential retailers have reopened this week as lockdown restrictions are adjusted, but people visiting these businesses are asked to be patient, stay safe and keep the threat of the virus in mind.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “Newham has painfully endured one of the worst mortality rates from coronavirus of anywhere in the country.
“We cannot risk a second wave in our borough, which would be disastrous for all Newham residents.
“The lifting of lockdown restrictions to return to shops classed as non-essential is something we have been eagerly awaiting – but we are all concerned about ensuring that the easing of lockdown restrictions is done in a way that reflects and responds to the local context.”
The council has worked with high streets and businesses to ensure they are reopening in line with social distancing and hygiene guidelines.
Retailers must demonstrate they have completed a coronavirus risk assessment and are complying with the guidance.
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Ms Fiaz said: “The way we shop is going to be different for a while and visits might take longer than usual.
“Please do not give up your resolve. Continue to practise social distancing and hygiene measures.
“Let’s not risk slipping back and allowing the virus another chance.
“Please stay safe and protect the fragile recovery we have worked so hard to achieve.”
Customers can expect to wait in queues outside shops because many of them will have limits on how many customers can be inside.
People should keep two metres apart while in queues.
Those queuing on the street should stand to the side of the pavement to allow other users to pass with a two-metre gap.
People are encouraged to wear a face covering, which is now mandatory on all forms of public transport, and use hand sanitiser regularly when they are out.
It’s advised to walk or cycle if possible because there is reduced capacity on all public transport.