text: Marriott International Inc.'s shares MAR, -1.99% slid 1.6% in premarket trade Tuesday, after the hotel chain said it has been informed by the UK Information Commissioner's Office that it plans to fine Marriott 99.2 million pounds ($123.6 million) over the Starwood reservation database breach reported in Nov. of 2018. "We are disappointed with this notice of intent from the ICO, which we will contest," Marriott Chief Executive Arne Sorenson said in a statement. "Marriott has been cooperating with the ICO throughout its investigation into the incident, which involved a criminal attack against the Starwood guest reservation database." The company said the database in question is no longer in use for business operations. Shares have gained 30.2% in 2019, while the S&P 500 SPX, -0.49% has gained 18.7%.


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NEW DELHI: Reliance Jio
Infocomm is working with partners to bring in affordable large screen smartphones that can cater to large mass of customers who aspire to upgrade from feature phones to own such a 4G device, a top company executive said.
“We are trying to work with partners who can bring in affordable large screen smartphones for a large mass of customers who are yet to make a shift to a 4G smartphone, so that they can experience the right kind of connectivity as well as the right kind of content on devices
which are affordable,” Sunil Dutt
, head sales, channel development at Reliance Jio
, told ET.
“We will keep coming out with something new in every few months,” said Dutt, when asked about the future device launches.
ET recently reported that Jio is in talks with US contract manufacturer Flex for locally producing about 100 million smartphones as the Mukesh Ambani-owned telco seeks to rapidly enhance its market share by signing on a majority of those now using feature phones.
Jio also works with multiple handset brand partners including top players such as Apple, Samsung
, Oppo to give offers to bring down the effective cost of a smartphone to make it affordable for first time buyers. This, in a bid to target most of India’s 500 million feature phone users who would switch to smartphones if the effective price points for the service and handsets were attractive.
“Wherever we feel there are gaps in the market which the people are not able to address or not able to take a risk about because they have their own priorities at times, those are the markets that we will then want to address,” Dutt said.
The telco has been making rapid subscriber market share gains as compared with losses of its rivals owing to expansion in the rural areas and tier-3 towns on the back of its 4G VoLTE feature phone — JioPhone.
“There are billions of people who are on devices which do not support good data experience or rich content experience, for them we introduced JioPhone to start experiencing more content services of Jio like television, cinema, music, even YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp,” said Dutt.

domain: news


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New research has found that 70% of gamers in the UK, France, Germany and Spain aren’t interested in video game streaming services.
According to data from market research firm Ipsos MORI, published on GamesIndustry.biz, just 15% of gamers (anyone playing games on any device) surveyed across the four countries said they were interested in services like xCloud and Stadia.
31% of surveyed gamers agreed they preferred buying packaged games to streaming, 22% agreed a subscription service would offer good value for money, and 41% agreed not having to wait for updates before playing was an advantage of streaming games.
The dominant model for streaming services is subscription-based, and 50% of survey respondents said they live in a household with at least one subscription service. 21% said they live in a household with two or more subscriptions, and 7% said they live in a household with three or more subscriptions.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently questioned why video games companies would want to enter the subscription market, suggesting the way in which players consume games is different to how they watch films and TV shows, with many only interested in buying several titles each year.
“I think the average American household wants to subscribe to two to three entertainment properties at a time, of all sorts,” he said. “There will be no winner takes all, and a bunch of losers, in linear programming as well as interactive.”


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The iPhone X went on sale in 13 more countries today, bringing the total worldwide availability to more than 70 different markets.
Countries added today include Albania, Bosnia, Cambodia, Kosovo, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey.
Of these markets, the most notable from an Apple watchers’ perspective is South Korea, home to Apple’s chief competitor Samsung. Yesterday, on the eve of the iPhone X launch, authorities in South Korea raided Apple’s offices in Seoul.
The move raised about whether the South Korean government may be trying to hurt Apple prior to the release of one of its most sought-after products in years. Somewhat suspiciously, it came following reports that the handset had experienced a massive surge of orders from customers, with all the pre–order handsets selling out within minutes.
The iPhone X looks set to be one of Apple’s biggest hits in years, and potentially the device which drives the company over the fabled $1 trillion market cap. In addition to good reviews, it has also been surprisingly readily available — with most handsets shipping within a couple of weeks.
Have you bought the iPhone X yet? If not, do you have any plans to? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.


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Milk & Honey PR has been appointed by Morse Micro, an Australian semiconductor company focused on reinventing Wi-Fi for the Internet of Things.
Managing Director, Caroline Addy, met the Morse Micro founders in 2017 through the Cisco ANZ Innovation Hub. Since then, the start-up has brought together the brightest engineers from around the globe to build a new generation of wireless chips that reach farther, are lower power and truly secure. The company is on track to launch its Wi-Fi HaLow chip this year, enabling billions more smart devices to connect wirelessly.
Starting immediately, Milk & Honey will be responsible for implementing a people-focused social and digital campaign to support Morse Micro’s growth. Enhancing brand identity, developing narrative-driven content and increasing discoverability amongst a hyper-relevant audience, Milk & Honey will help expand its global, 70-strong technology development teams.
Michael de Nil, co-founder at Morse Micro, said, “This is going to be a monumental year for Morse Micro, so having Milk & Honey as an extension of our team in invaluable. Our industry is very technical and jargon-heavy, which is one of the reasons we chose them. Milk & Honey’s track-record working with B2B technology companies enables them to understand our world and put a storytelling lens over everything we do. I’m looking forward to taking our communications to the next level with the guidance of the team.”
Caroline Addy [pictured], managing director at Milk & Honey, added, “Morse Micro is set to bring its long-range Wi-Fi chip to market this year, so it’s an incredible time to be working with such a game-changing innovator. The company has grown at a phenomenal rate in just a few years; with several international offices and significant funding from heavyweight investors. The team’s ambition to grow and dominate, without compromising on values, makes Morse Micro a perfect fit for Milk & Honey.”
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In this guest post, Hulsbosch’s creative director Marcel Wijnen, casts his design eye over what truly makes a brand and says it’s all about being true and essential… To do simple – and to be original – is a truly tough task. Not impossible, but not easy. Naturally, we can get lost in ‘striving for simplicity’ […]
Seven Victorian charities are uniting for a month-long virtual fundraising challenge - Power Up 2021 - between 28th February and 28th March. There’s no denying that 2020 affected everyone, but small charities experienced a huge drop in much needed donations and it is hoped the Power Up campaign will bring fundraising back to life.
South Australia’s largest independent supermarket chain, Foodland – with its unforgettable jingle “Foodland, the mighty South Aussies, yeah” – will launch a new campaign on 7th March. The campaign coincides with the chain’s $251m expansion program to open twenty-five new stores, revamp fourty-seven and create 2,500 new jobs over the next five years. Agency KWP! […]
A-listers turned out to Klarna's Sydney party last night. It did move significantly down the alphabet on B&T's arrival.
On Thursday, Quantcast held their Virtual NOVA event, discussing the current state of the advertising industry, the end of third-party cookies, the open internet vs walled gardens, and data privacy and consent. The event coincided with the launch of their new Quantcast Platform. It is an intelligent audience platform powered by the company’s patented AI […]


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One of the largest gambling operators in the UK – William Hill – managed to escape possible punishment from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), after a complaint about a company’s advert was filed.
The complainant, who was a William Hill customer, challenged a TV ad of the brand, seen on July 8th, 2018, saying that part of it could be misleading to players. The voice-over stated that “two extra bet boosts” were available on all matches of the World Cup’s schedule. The complainant, however, claimed that customers had stopped receiving such bonuses only after nine days of the largest football competition.
The company responded to the accusations and explained that in this very case, the circumstances related to the complained occurred as the complainant was restricted from receiving any promotions. William Hill further shared that the customer had abused the number of bonuses they were set to receive over the lifetime of the account, so that was the reason why the operator’s Trading department had decided to restrict them. As revealed by WHG, a total of 478 bonuses were received by the customer over the lifetime of the account, with their overall amount being estimated to £1,639.28, while the customer had deposited only £60.
In addition, William Hill explained that the operator contacted the customer and informed them about the restriction on June 23rd, 2018, which was prior to the TV advert being aired. So, at the time when the bonuses in question were available, the player was already aware of the restriction. The gambling operator further noted that it made sure that the advert did not state that all William Hill customers were eligible to get the promotional offer.
No Further Action Needed in Terms of the WHG TV Advert
The ASA investigated the circumstances and found that the TV ad in question included a superimposed text which stated that certain player, country and currency restrictions and terms applied. In addition, the Advertising Standards Authority found that the ad did not state in any way that all William Hill customers were eligible to get the bet boosts. Based on these two facts, the ASA did not find that it was likely to give the false impression that the offer was available to everyone.
Apart from that, the advertising regulatory body took into account the fact that there were individual circumstances related to the case, because of which the complainant had had their account restricted – a decision of the WHG’s Trading Department of which they had been informed.
Regulators like the @ASA_UK are tasked with ensuring online advertising doesn’t mislead, harm or offend. But how do you effectively police social media in a world where we’re so fractured and divided by opinion? Senior ASA officer, Matt Wilson, tells all: https://t.co/nGq35Y6ADV pic.twitter.com/tCUcCb1EcM
— Social Chain (@TheSocialChain) October 26, 2018
The William Hill TV advert was investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority under BCAP Code rules 3.1 regarding Misleading advertising, 3.9 regarding Substantiation, and 3.10 and 3.11 regarding Qualification. However, after carefully measuring the facts and taking the individual circumstances into account, the advertising regulator found there was no breach of the BCAP Code rules and concluded that the ad was unlikely to be misleading to customers.
The ASA said that no further actions were necessary in terms of the ad.


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The famous Florentine luxury retailer has finalized the sale of a 40% stake to Italian investment fund Style Capital. Founder Andrea Panconesi, has retained his role as president, while Alessandra Rossi has become CEO.
Italian fashion group OTB has joined a consortium formed by luxury goods heavyweights LVMH, Prada and Cartier that uses blockchain technology to trace the origin of high-end products to fight counterfeiting.
Following Sacai's Chitose Abe, it's the Belgian designer's turn to take charge of Haute Couture at Jean Paul Gaultier for a season. His collection will be unveiled at the brand's Parisian headquarters in January 2022.
Renzo Rosso’s fashion group has recently appointed Marita Spera as chief public affairs and corporate communication officer. The Italian executive, formerly with YNAP, has a wealth of international experience.


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This is a welcome step towards the re-opening of the US market, closed since the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak in the 1990s.
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said: "I welcome this move as a sign of recognition for our comprehensive and effective measures to eradicate BSE in Europe. I hope the US will now act expeditiously to extend the approval to all imports from the EU and I call on the remaining EU partners who still maintain restrictive measures to fully adopt recognised international standards."
"In times when we are working hard to build a new partnership for trade and investment, keeping old unnecessary obstacles makes no sense. I am glad we are going in the right direction in this respect and hope that the Dutch beef producers will be able to benefit from the new market opportunities very soon," said EU Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström.
"Opening the US market to Dutch beef provides a further export outlet for our high quality EU product. Unlocking technical barriers to exports is part of our diplomatic offensive to drive exports and find new markets for EU producers," said EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan.
After Ireland and Lithuania, the Netherlands is the third EU country to gain access to the US market since the BSE-related ban. The opening of the US market to Dutch beef sends a positive signal to producers in other parts of the EU that are still waiting for the end of the disproportionately strict and lasting US trade restrictions.
The US market has been closed to EU beef since January 1998, when the US introduced import restrictions on beef, as well as sheep, goats and their products, on the basis of BSE concerns.
These measures went beyond the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) according to which deboned beef, for instance, is safe and can be freely traded from all countries regardless of its BSE status.
In addition, according to the OIE evaluation of BSE risk in the EU Member States – based on standards established in 2005 -, almost all of them presented not more, and sometimes less risk than most countries in the world. In other words, EU beef is safe.
The EU guarantees a high level of food safety for consumers both in the EU and abroad, based on international standards and solid science. The agriculture and food sectors should be able to capitalise on this achievement.


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The leading flagship digital currency, Bitcoin (BTC), has seen a substantial increase in value in the last year despite the asset’s recent price.
According to Finbold’s Bitcoin ROI tracker, which compares the return on investment of Bitcoin to that of other assets, the flagship digital currency is up 62.43% in the last year, as of December 30, 2021.
Despite Bitcoin’s high rate of return on investment, two well-known equities have outperformed the digital currency during the same period of time on the stock market. Those two companies will be addressed in more depth below, as well as a summary of the reasons why they have generated such impressive returns.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock
Bitcoin ROI is down 28.83% against Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) in the last year. Despite the fact that Nvidia is such a large company, the firm posted amazing growth rates during its most recent quarter. In the third quarter, sales increased by 50% to $7.1 billion, bringing the company’s 12-month revenue total to $24.3 billion.
The gross margin of a hardware manufacturer is an incredible 65% enabling the firm to generate large sums of cash since it has more than enough funds to fulfill its operating expenditures. It is also worth highlighting that the company banked on chip demand amid turbulent logistics caused by the pandemic.
Furthermore, a total of 18% of Nvidia’s revenues were transformed into free cash flow, adding to the company’s already massive $19.3 billion cash reserve.
As predicted by 26 Wall Street experts who have provided their 12-month price forecasts. The average price goal is $360.17, representing a 20.05 percent increase over the stock’s most recent closing price of $300.01. The highest price target is $400, while the lowest is
Noteworthy is that the company now has a consensus recommendation of “Strong Buy,” with 24 of the 26 analysts recommending that investors ‘Buy‘ the stock. The other two analysts suggested to ‘Hold‘ the stock.
Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA)
In a similar vein, US-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) has outperformed Bitcoin by 32.71% over the last year; despite the fact that the pharmaceutical company hasn’t been operating well lately, it has nevertheless generated a higher return on investment than Bitcoin over the past year.
Moderna is now on its longest losing run in more than two years, having seen its share price plummet by half since reaching a record high in August.
Since that time, the company’s market value has fallen by around $98 billion while the Omicron variant is still at large; Moderna’s stock has been under pressure since coronavirus medicines developed by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and Merck & Co., Inc. recently got FDA approval.
Based on the analysis of 15 Wall Street analysts that have provided 12-month price goals for MRNA, the average price is $311.83, or a 25.8% increase over the stock’s current price of $247.88. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the highest price estimate is $468, and the lowest is $135.
Interestingly, opinion on the stock is split among the experts, with six of the 15 analysts recommending to ‘Buy’ six suggesting to ‘Hold,’ and three opined to ‘Sell,’ resulting in an average recommendation of ‘Hold’ for MRNA.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.


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GM to cut production of pickup trucks next month
Disappointing economic data seems to be rolling in more frequently these days. The U.S. economy grew "a meager 1 percent" from April through July (a downgrade from an earlier 1.3 percent estimate), and unemployment numbers show no signs of improving (here's a cartoon of people looking for work in downtown Portland).
Now, news of cuts in production at GM.
From the Associated Press:
General Motors is cutting its production of pickup trucks next month, a sign that truck sales aren't as robust as the company had hoped. A GM spokesman says the company cancelled five scheduled overtime shifts on Saturdays in September and October. He didn't know how many vehicles would be involved, but the Flint, Mich., plant where the pickups are made can produce 900 trucks per day. Full-size pickup truck sales were up 9 percent for the year through July in the U.S., compared with a year earlier, according to Autodata Corp. But that increase was smaller than the industry saw as a whole. Continuing weakness in the housing and construction sectors has dampened demand for trucks. Sales of the Chevrolet Silverado, GM's best-selling truck, were up 7 percent.


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It is the first device to receive the October 2020 Android security patch.
According to new data from Omdia, Apple and Samsung were the most popular smartphones in 2019. Check out which models are in the top.
The Samsung Galaxy A50 is coming to the U.S., accompanied by the more modest Galaxy A20 and Galaxy A10e. Check out the details!
Samsung officially introduced its new Galaxy A-series phones for 2019. It's the mid-ranger Galaxy A50, and its slower sibling, the A30.
A recent leak outlines the upcoming specifications of Samsung's A-series phones, consisting of the Galaxy A50, A30, and A10.
A new report talks about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A50, and mentions a rather large 4,000mAh battery, and a 24MP shooter.


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The Federal Trade Commission's Response about Checks from the Government
Protect yourself against scammers taking advantage of the government check announcement.
Posted in Coronavirus on Monday, March 23, 2020
As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, there are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. The details are still being worked out, but there are a few essential things to know.
- The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. There will be no fees or charges.
- The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.
- These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
Normally, we’d wait to know what the payment plan looks like before we put out a message like this. But these aren’t normal times, and we want to get ahead of the scammers who will no doubt be taking advantage of this.
Remember: No matter what this payment window looks like, only scammers will ask you to pay to access these funds. If you spot one of these scams, please notify the Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint.
Stay current with other potential Coronavirus-related scams at ftc.gov/coronavirus or by signing up to receive consumer alerts.


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Ramtron's FRAM technology will make auto airbags smart
Ramtron International has announced that Hyundai Autonet of Korea has selected its non-volatile FRAM memory technology for smart airbags and occupant sensors in Hyundai automobiles among others. FRAM’s unparalleled write endurance along with its fast data collection capability makes it an ideal non-volatile memory technology for today’s sophisticated airbag systems.“O
To date, Ramtron FRAM products have been designed into smart airbag systems for eight different car manufacturers across the United States, Asia, Japan and Europe. The company anticipates volume FRAM memory shipments into smart airbag systems to exceed two-million units by the end of 2006. Ramtron’s 16Kbit FM25C160 is a popular choice among airbag users due its 5-volt operating power and SPI interface.
Today’s smart airbags are designed to increase or decrease deployment force based on accident event parameters such as the severity of the crash, the weight of the occupant, and the interaction with other safety systems within the car. The parametric data that is sent to the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) is generated by sensors throughout the interior. In newer safety systems, sensors built into the seats send data to the ECU so the airbag can deploy “intelligently”. As more and more sensors are added to cars, more data needs to be collected. FRAM allows automotive manufacturers to collect more data at higher frequencies enabling the car’s systems to store and act on the timeliest information available.


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Integral Ad Science (IAS) today announced the launch of “Channel Science”, an industry-leading partnership between Channel Factory and IAS.
The Channel Science solution helps advertisers to leverage both companies’ technologies through a single product to ensure their YouTube campaigns are brand-safe, brand-suitable, and performance-optimized.
More than ever before, advertisers are searching for ways to streamline their media buying and improve efficiencies and performance. IAS’s channel and video level protection combined with Channel Factory’s expert curation of YouTube content and performance-led approach provides marketers with a powerful, one-stop solution for YouTube advertising.
“We are thrilled to jointly announce the world’s first combined brand safety and performance optimization solution for YouTube campaigns in the region. This solution will help advertisers in APAC who are seeking to run their youtube campaigns on brand-safe, brand-suitable content to positively target and engage their consumers,” said IAS SVP APAC Laura Quigley.
As joint YouTube Measurement Partners (YTMP), both IAS and Channel Factory bring unique value in building a solution advertisers can trust. IAS is certified in both Brand Suitability & Contextual Targeting and Brand Safety Reporting. While Channel Factory is certified in Brand Suitability & Contextual Targeting, it is the only YTMP partner that incorporates performance enhancements that can increase the efficiency of YouTube buys up to 30%.
Channel Science provides clients with the following:
● An end-to-end, continually optimized campaign that delivers real outcomes, like increased click-through rates view-through rates, and reduced costs
● One seamless and combined workflow for pre-campaign and reporting solutions to solve multiple needs for your TrueView YouTube targeting
● Increased efficiency by investing in media that performs and minimizes ad waste
● Verification and brand safety monitoring from IAS to validate the campaign
“With the increasing need from clients on visibility and the overall safety in the evolving digital landscape. We are thrilled to announce a collaborative partnership with IAS. Combining leading expertise, innovation, and technology in order to support advertisers with joint products from two of the most trusted YTMP partners. Collectively this will only further help in achieving brand safety, brand suitability, and ROI goals where accuracy matters, “said Channel Factory VP APAC Trent Silins.
Frameplay today announced its first global integration with Magnite to provide advertisers with the ability to buy intrinsic in-game advertising programmatically. The combination of Frameplay’s software developed for in-game advertising and Magnite’s scale and experience in programmatic technology across any format and screen provides advertisers with greater access to engaged audiences. Current RTB programmatic capabilities […]
Advertising spend on e-commerce platforms is set to rise sharply this year despite the global recession, reaching a total of $US58.5bn ($83bn). Advertising investment across e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Tmall and Rakuten, omnichannel retailers such as Walmart and Carrefour, and social commerce on platforms such as Pinduoduo and TikTok is set to increase 18.3 […]
Online insurance comparison website, Compare the Market Australia has appointed Emma Alberici as Chief Strategy, Government Relations and Communications Officer. Previously, Alberici was chief economics correspondent at the ABC, one of many senior positions she held during her 18 years with the organisation. Before this, she was a senior journalist at the Nine Network, where […]
VA Media has announced the launch of new YouTube content ID service for producers, production companies and film & television distributors. VA Media owns and manages some of the world’s largest movie and TV-based YouTube channels, including Movie Central– which boasts an impressive 20M views monthly. The newly announced fee-based service is designed to enable […]


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This week, Google has begun rolling out a game-changing update to how it delivers local search results. According to the official Google blog, Place Search will alter the way search engine results pages display information when the search engine detects you are searching for local information.
Also, according to ReachCast GM Alex Hawkinson, place search will add some complexity to the process of getting found in this new format. “For example, the new Place Search mini-pages make extensive use of rich snippets, a structured data format that enables web pages to be marked up with semantic information (e.g. reviews).”
For more insights into the new Google place search, check out the resources below:
- New Google Place Search Will Shake Up Local SEO
- New Place Search Shows Google’s Commitment To Local
- Google Launches Smart Search for Places
To see a video of some highlights of this new update and how it may impact SEO, check out the video below:
About the Author
Tiffany Monhollon writes about social media, marketing, and small business success as the lead blogger for ReachCast, a ReachLocal service that helps local business owners develop their web presence.


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Digital TV News: Qeo
Home security and home automation opportunity for pay TV operators
Jun 3, 2014 – Home security and home automation represent opportunity for pay TV operators. Nearly 30% of North American households are expected to have a managed smart home automation system installed by 2019, according to ABI Research.
News categories: ABI Research, Sam Rosen, Michael Inouye, Gateway, Market Research, Middleware, Smart Home, Worldwide
Technicolor and NAGRA integrate Qeo communication framework with OpenTV 5
Sep 13, 2013 – Technicolor (Paris: TCH) and NAGRA (SIX:KUD.S) have announced a partnership which will leverage Technicolor's Qeo communication framework to develop innovative applications for OpenTV 5 that enable interoperability with other devices.
News categories: Technicolor, NAGRA, Samir Mehta, Michel Rahier, Digital TV, Gateway, IBC, Middleware, Smart Home
Technicolor unveils Qeo, a software bridging ecosystems to interconnect devices and applications of all brands
Jan 7, 2013 – Technicolor (PARIS: TCH) has announced the release of Qeo, a software framework that allows for seamless interoperability between devices and applications of all brands and ecosystems.
News categories: Technicolor, Qeo, CES2022, Middleware, Smart Home
- Magnite to manage ad placement for Brazil's NetMovies
- Acxiom and Totalplay to provide addressable audiences in Mexico
- Undertone launches CTV ad solution for improved consumer engagement
- More than seventy 8K TVs now certified by the 8K Association
- Ocean Blue Software acquires Advanced Media Group from EKT
- DVB approves commercial requirements for DVB-I over 5G
- V-Nova raises €33 million in series C round
- AT&T premium TV down 473k; Vrio down 239k; HBO up 3.6M video subs in 2Q 2021
- Verizon FIOS consumer video subscribers down 62,000 in 2Q 2021
- Astro launches STB for TV without a satellite dish
- DoubleVerify earns MRC accreditation for CTV solutions
- Freesat 4K STB receives EICS certification with DTG Testing
- Cox Media Group Local Solutions partners with Amazon Advertising
- Samba TV announces global TV viewership dashboard
- Sky Brasil's SKY Connect 4K Android TV DVR powered by Wyplay
- NBCUniversal adopts Ad-ID for its One Platform
- Redbox to expand free live TV content with Wurl
- ThinkAnalytics rebrands its suite as 'Think360'
- Grupo Werthein to buy AT&T's Vrio operations
- ITV and Sky upgrade their commercial partnership


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I had a sense of deja vu on reading reports that a group of workers at an IBM (NYSE: IBM) plant in south China had gone on strike, unhappy about the terms of their transfer to domestic PC giant Lenovo (HKEx: 992) under a recent M&A deal. It seems the workers in the city of Shenzhen were offered similar pay and other terms under the transfer, which came as the result of Lenovo’s pending purchase of IBM’s low-end server business announced in January. But the workers were still unsatisfied, feeling they should get higher pay for agreeing to work at a domestic company rather than the more prestigious IBM.
This kind of strange strike would rarely happen in the US, where most workers realize that M&A and layoffs are normal practice at any company. Such flexibility is a cornerstone of a market economy, and helps companies to maintain their competitive edge in the face of rapidly changing conditions. But Chinese workers, especially older ones who grew up in the socialist era, often feel that guaranteed employment is a given right.
Accordingly, those workers are often shocked when a famous global giant like IBM has the audacity to terminate their jobs or transfer them to another company. I said above that this latest news had a feeling of deja vu, because other big western firms including Motorola and Nokia (Helsinki: NOK1V) have experienced similar headaches when they have laid off or transferred Chinese workers as the result of recent corporate adjustments.
Now that I’ve finished my explanation, let’s look at the latest headlines that have the group of more than 1,000 Chinese workers halting production at the IBM plant this week after being offered jobs at Lenovo. (English article; Chinese article) The deal behind the transfer saw Lenovo pay $2.3 billion for IBM’s low end server business, as the US tech giant slowly offloads its lower-margin hardware businesses to focus on more lucrative IT services. (previous post)
Workers outside the Shenzhen plant said they stopped production early this week, but that IBM’s management is so far ignoring their demands. An IBM spokeswoman said the workers are being offered comparable pay for new positions at Lenovo to what they were getting before, or “equitable severance packages” if they choose to leave. But the workers think they deserve higher pay to work for a Chinese employer, or higher severance packages if they choose to leave.
This kind of strange request and resulting labor action has occurred before. Most recently, hundreds of workers at a Nokia factory in the south city of Dongguan went on strike late last year to protest their transfer to Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), after the former agreed to sell its struggling cellphone business to the latter. (previous post) A year earlier, a group of engineers at a Motorola plant in the east Chinese city of Nanjing also went on strike when their struggling longtime employer laid them off following its purchase by Google. (Nasdaq: GOOG)
In both of those earlier cases, workers were probably shocked when they learned they would be forced to leave their big-name western employers, even though those same workers almost certainly knew their companies were struggling. The same is almost certainly true this time, even though the case isn’t quite as extreme and workers are being offered comparable pay from Lenovo to what they were getting at IBM. At the end of the day, this latest case highlights one of the risks for big multinationals of doing in business in China, boosting their costs and ultimately making the market just a little less attractive.
Bottom line: A strike by Chinese workers being transferred to Lenovo from IBM highlights unrealistic expectations by some Chinese for lifetime jobs when they work at big western firms.


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2022 Midyear Update: Slowing, But Growing
As we enter the second half of the year, the outlook might appear grim at first glance. Covid-19 continues to spread, both here and worldwide. Inflation remains close to 40-year highs, and the Federal Reserve (Fed) is tightening monetary policy to fight rising prices. The war in Ukraine is ongoing, and it threatens to become a long-term conflict. Midterm elections loom in the U.S. Looking at the headlines, you might expect the economy to be in very bad shape.
On the contrary, though, the news is largely good when you look at economic data. Job growth remains strong, and the labor market is still very tight. Consumers are out there shopping despite an erosion of confidence caused by inflation and high gas prices. Businesses, driven by consumer demand and the labor shortage, continue to hire as much as they can, and to invest when they can’t. In other words, despite the headlines, the economy remains not only healthy, but strong.


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After METALCON International 2008 wraps up on October 3, 2008, Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc., a manufacturer of metal panels, will donate its exhibit furniture to the Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Kingspan API, Kingspan ASI, Kingspan Benchmark, and Morin
will all feature products at the metal construction industry’s annual
conference and exhibition held at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The furniture from the divisions’ booth will then be taken to the Chesapeake
Habitat ReStore and sold for a discounted price. All proceeds will benefit
Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that works to rebuild
homes in the Baltimore community. Additionally, recycling the furniture will
have a positive environmental impact.
According to ReStore Manager Chris Council, Kingspan is the
first company to make a donation of this nature since the store opened in April
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Dodge has announced the release of a new Journey model, the 2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad, which will be unveiled next week at the Chicago Auto Show. The new Journey Crossroad gives the crossover a more rugged appearance with new front and rear fascias, side sills and 19-inch aluminum wheels.
This week Chrysler took the wraps off the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 at the Detroit Auto Show, so what does that mean for the Dodge Avenger? Chrysler has reported that it plans to remove duplicate vehicles from its lineup and that means that the Avenger is finally going away.
Dodge is adding the 2014 Dodge Dart to the list of models that are available with its unique Blacktop package. The 2014 Dodge Dart Blacktop package is going to debut next week at the Detroit Auto Show and adds Gloss Black wheels, special exterior paint colors, Gloss Black painted split-crosshair grille with Gloss Black matching grille surround, darkened headlamp bezels, as well as some unique Blacktop interior touches.
Chrysler has unveiled the new 2014 Challenger R/T Shaker and Mopar '14 Challenger at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The 2014 Challenger R/T Shaker is a throwback to the original 1970 Challenger R/T with the Shaker hood.
Chrysler has released an image of its new limited-edition Mopar '14, is based on the Dodge Challenger and will debut at next month's SEMA show in Las Vegas. "Our new Mopar '14 will instantly resonate with enthusiasts," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "This limited-edition ride is for muscle-car fans who love high octane and customizable performance."
Chrysler is going to unveil 20 Mopar-modified Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat and SRT vehicles at the SEMA show next month. Chrysler has released some early sketches of four of the vehicles and in addition, the automaker will highlight Jeep Performance Parts developed by its newly created Mopar Off-Road Division at the show.
Dodge has announced a new advertising campaign for the 2014 Dodge Durango, which also promotes Anchorman 2. The movie's legendary news anchor "Ron Burgundy" is now the new face of the new 2014 Dodge Durango.
Chrysler and Fiat currently only offer one electrified model in the US, the California only Fiat 500e. If you're hoping for more hybrid and electric models from Chrysler, unfortunately it won't happen anytime soon. Bob Lee, head of Fiat and Chrysler global powertrain recently stated that there are no plans to invest in electrified powertrains until consumers are willing to pay for the technology.
The Detroit News is reporting that Chrysler is going to extend the lives of the current Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan and Jeep Wrangler. The new report is a big change from the earlier product plan.
If you're looking for a bit more attitude from the Dodge Dart, Chrysler has announced that the limited-edition 2013 Mopar '13 Dart will arrive this summer, starting at $25,485. The Mopar '13 Dart is painted in Pitch Black with a Mopar blue racing stripe that runs from the nose to the tail. Inside, the seats are covered in Katzkin leather. The driver's seat is Mopar blue with black accents while the rest of the seats are black with blue accents.
Dodge has announced that two new 2013 Dodge Dart "Special Edition" packages and a new Rallye Appearance Group are available. The new packages are available on Dart SXT and Limited models, combine features and content both exclusive to the segment and most frequently ordered by Dart customers.
Dodge has unveiled the updated 2014 Dodge Durango at the New York Auto Show. In addition to updates to its exterior styling, the new Durango also gets a new eight-speed transmission and a long list of new technologies.
Chrysler's SRT brand has announced the introduction of the new 392 appearance package for the Dodge Charger SRT8. The limited edition package adds custom-designed gloss black "392 HEMI" fender badges with a charcoal grey metallic insert, a power bulge hood with the center portion painted in black, a black roof and side mirrors, 20-inch black wheels and a black rear spoiler.
Dodge has released a teaser photo of the new 2014 Dodge Durango ahead of its debut next week in New York. From the single teaser photo its clear that the new Durango will get taillights that are similar to the Dart and Charger models. Dodge also says that the new Durango will "deliver state-of-the-art technology in both form and function."
Chrysler hasn't unveiled the 2014 Dodge Durango, but according to the guys over at Allpar, the refreshed 2014 Durango is going to enter into production in May, with the first units arriving in June.
Dodge Challenger fans will be happy to hear the news that Dodge has added two iconic colors to the list of available colors for the 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T and Challenger SRT8 392 models. Unlocked from the Dodge archive, the return of iconic Plum Crazy and HEMI Orange paint codes answer enthusiasts' desire for the return of more high-impact heritage paint hues. The Challenger R/T and track-ready Challenger SRT8 392 are powered by a HEMI V8 with 375-hp in the Challenger R/T and 470-hp in the Challenger SRT8 392.
Chrysler's SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand is expanding its "Core SRT" vehicle strategy from the Charger SRT8 Super Bee and SRT Viper by offering new 2013 "Core" models of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8. "With exclusive content, including the standard premium 'Ballistic' cloth interior from the new SRT Viper, SRT-tuned sport suspensions and distinctive exterior accents, the new Challenger SRT8 and 300 SRT8 'Core' models are designed and built with the back-to-basics performance driving enthusiast in mind," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO -- SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC.
Chrysler has taken the wraps off the latest version of the Dodge Challenger, the 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline, which is based on the Challenger R/T. It features unique exterior accents, a performance suspension and signature 20-inch Black Chrome wheels with a Redline Red accented lip.
"Building on Challenger's all-time sales record in 2012, the new Challenger R/T Redline fuses our iconic heritage with a one-of-a-kind customized appearance," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO - Dodge Brand. "Featuring unique body-side stripes and black chrome wheels with red accents, the new R/T Redline combines unmatched personalization with the unmistakable performance of the legendary HEMI V-8."
Chrysler has introduced the limited-edition Mopar '13 Dart, which is the fourth special-edition Mopar-badged vehicle created since Chrysler partnered with Fiat in 2009. The Mopar 13' Dodge Dart will debut next week at the Chicago Auto Show. Building on the success of the Mopar '10 Challenger, Mopar '11 Charger and the Mopar '12 300, the limited-edition Mopar '13 Dart will be built and customized with Mopar performance parts and accessories. Production for a limited run of 500 units will begin this spring at the company's assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill.
Although Chrysler has yet to unveil an SRT version of the new Dodge Dart, Chrysler has just unveiled the 2013 Dodge Dart GT, that is powered by a 184-hp 2.4L engine and starts at $20,995. The Dodge Dart GT gets its name from the sporty Dart GT model that originally made its debut in 1963 and offered drivers enhanced performance and style, including a heavy-duty suspension that delivered improved ride and handling characteristics.
Chrysler has announced an industry first navigation system that can be activated by dealers. Buyers that choose to not buy the navigation option at the time they purchase their new Chrysler now have the option of adding it later. Chrysler dealers can activate navigation functions in vehicles equipped with certain Uconnect systems. "Sometimes customers don't realize what they want until they need it," says Marios Zenios, Vice President-Uconnect Systems and Services. "That's fine. We can help. With dealer-activated navigation, we are adopting a 'no-customer-left-behind' attitude."
Winter is upon us and Dodge has just unveiled the 2013 Dodge Charger AWD Sport, which brings all-wheel-drive, more power and unique styling to the Charger lineup. Building on the success of the rear-wheel drive and blacked-out styled Dodge Charger Blacktop, the new 2013 Dodge Charger AWD Sport gets a Gloss Black split-crosshair grille, Gloss Black accented 19-inch aluminum wheels, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters with sport-mode, rear spoiler, sport seats and Beats Audio. The 3.6L V6 also gets more power and for buyers that want even more power, the 5.7L V8 is available as well.
Dodge has announced the introduction of the 2013 Blacktop packages for the Avenger, Challenger R/T and Charger R/T models. The package includes larger, unique Gloss Black wheels, select exterior paint colors, Gloss Black-painted "split-crosshair" grilles with Gloss Black matching grille surround, darkened headlamp bezels and body-color spoilers, as well as some unique Blacktop interior touches.
This year's 2012 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show kicks off in Las Vegas on Oct. 30. Chrysler is bringing 24 custom "Mopar-modified" models to the show. Unique Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT and FIAT brand vehicles outfitted with more than 500 Mopar performance parts and accessories will be on display.
Chrysler has announced the pricing and details for the most fuel-efficient version of the 2013 Dodge Dart, the Dodge Dart Aero. The 2013 Dodge Dart Aero starts at $19,925 and is powered by a 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder with 160 horsepower and gets 41 mpg on the highway when equipped with a six-speed manual (40 MPG with the Dual Dry Clutch Transmission).
Chrysler has released sketches of the Moparized vehicles that it is bringing to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas at the end of next month.
Currently Chrysler offers two minivans, the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country. When Chrysler takes the wraps off its next minivan in the next two years, there will only be one. Chrysler's CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to further differentiate the Chrysler and Dodge brands, so Chrysler will only offer one minivan, the Dodge Grand Caravan.
SRT Motorsports announced today that Dodge will withdraw from NASCAR competition at the conclusion of the 2012 season. Dodge has recorded 215 wins in the Sprint Cup Series, including 55 since 2001, and has been represented in the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup seven of the eight seasons.
"We've spent an intense five months working to identify and evaluate all options for our future involvement in NASCAR," Gilles said. "A number of opportunities emerged, and our team worked diligently to put a structure together to fit our overall business and competitive objectives. While we have been pleased and enthused with the amount of interest from teams and sponsors over that time, in the end, we simply couldn't develop the right structure."
The first 2013 Dodge Dart has rolled off the production line at Chrysler's Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. The 2013 Dart borrows its platform from Alfa Romeo and will be available with 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim options, three engines and three transmission choices. The 2013 Dart starts at $15,995.
The first vehicle off the line was a red Dodge Dart Rallye with a black and red interior, powered by a 1.4-liter engine with manual transmission.
Chrysler has announced that it expects its all-new 2013 Dodge Dart compact sedan to get up to 41 mpg on the highway. The 2013 Dodge Dart will be available with three different powertrains, with the "Aero" model getting the highest fuel economy rating on the highway.
The standard Dodge Dart will get an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, but if Dart buyers want even more, the new Aero package for the 1.4L turbocharged Dart will increase that number to 41 mpg on the highway. Since the Aero package is available with the 1.4L turbo engine, that means Dart drivers will get to also get to enjoy 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque. Chrysler hasn't announced the pricing for the Aero package that will be available in the third quarter of this year.


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- Netherlands chemicals giant DSM has agreed to buy Norwegian pea protein producer Vestkorn Milling in a deal worth €65 million ($73.7 million).
- The acquisition of Tau-based Vestkorn “is a further step in DSM’s strategy to build an alternative protein business,” the Dutch company said in an announcement.
- “Food and beverage producers around the world are looking to partners who can offer an integrated portfolio of ingredients, expertise, and solutions to help them differentiate and get to market fast,” said Patrick Niels, executive vice president, food and beverage, DSM. “This is especially important in the highly dynamic meat alternatives space, where consumer and societal expectations around authentic taste, texture, and nutritional profile, as well as climate impact, are becoming more and more sophisticated.”
Why it matters:
Vestkorn supplies proteins, fibers, and starches derived from peas and beans to manufacturers of plant-based meat alternatives, pet foods, and animal feed.
According to DSM, the Norwegian company’s portfolio of ingredients is “highly complementary” to its own growing line-up of plant-based offerings, which includes vitamins, algal lipids, texturizing hydrocolloids, yeast extracts, and enzymes.
DSM’s methane-busting cattle feed approved in Brazil, the world’s biggest beef exporter – read more here
“Through the cooperation with DSM we have taken a huge step towards becoming a global leader of pulse-based ingredients,” said Vestkorn Milling CEO Aslak Lie.
The acquisition is expected to close before the end of this year.
International Fresh Produce Association launches 2023 Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator program


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Google Pixel to get dashcam feature
Google obviously wants to implement a new feature in its smartphones. The Pixel devices will be able to be used as dashcams in the future. Owners of a Google Pixel can look forward to another exciting feature and the dashcam manufacturers have to tremble.
Google Pixel becomes a dashcam
More and more often, car, motorcycle, but also bicycle drivers resort to a dashcam. This is to serve as evidence in an emergency. But the practical mini cameras for the road are sometimes associated with a high price. Owners of a Google Pixel can apparently save this expense. After all, the search engine giant wants to install a dashcam feature in its own smartphones. That it will come to implementation, Google apparently did not want to reveal too early. Rather, the experts from 9to5Google found the feature while sifting through a new update. Here they came across the self-explanatory “Dashcam” function. This is supposed to work like a classic dashcam, allowing video as well as audio recording while driving. The difference to the conventional camera app is the fact that “Dashcam” probably runs in the background.
- Newest Google flagship in the test: Google Pixel 7 Pro test: For the “smart” in the phone
This allows you to use the device normally while it records the situation. Here it becomes clear that Google was particularly important in the design of one thing: the application should be uncomplicated and not be an obstacle in the conventional use. By the way, it is really practical that the dashcam can also turn on automatically when you enter the car. All you have to do is set the function to activate when your Google Pixel connects to the car. To prevent the internal memory of your device from filling up within a short time, the app deletes all dashcam videos by itself after three days. If you don’t want that, you can disable this and also just keep the recordings.
- See it already? Google Pixel 7a: All info on the new mid-range smartphone
Great alternative to the traditional dashcam
With this, Google has discovered another field that can be replaced by smartphones. It is exciting to see that, once again, the car is affected. After all, with the emergence of the first smartphones, it was also navigation devices that were slowly but surely replaced by the smart phones. With dashcams, it could now hit the next hardware. However, this makes perfect sense. After all, many don’t even take advantage of the possibilities their smartphone camera offers them. As a dashcam, the camera modules can draw from the full range and certainly provide much better recordings than is the case with conventional dashcams in many cases. Whether the feature will also come to Germany remains to be seen.
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Eurozone problems good for holidaymakers - but quarter of Brits think euro worth more than pound
Almost a quarter of Britons think one euro is worth more than a pound, according to a survey.
Meanwhile some reckon the euro is worth only 40p, while others are unsure which countries are in the eurozone, the poll by Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money showed.
Sainsbury's Bank travel money manager David Barrett said: 'It is surprising that there appears to be so much confusion about the value of the euro and also around which currency is used in a number of countries.
Pound vs euro: Exchange rate is best it's been for two years
'We would urge anyone planning a holiday to swot up on the local currency before they go.'
Of the 2,000 people surveyed, as many as 23 per cent were under the impression that they wouldn't even buy one euro with their pound, with 2.4 per cent valuing the euro at just 40p.
Those polled were five times more likely to believe that Croatia used the euro than the existing currency of the kuna.
Around 20 per cent thought Turkey and Switzerland used the euro, while 2.2 per cent reckoned Spain still used the peseta.
Overall, 23 per cent overestimated the value of other currencies against the pound and thought they were being ripped off.
Weaker euro good for European vacations
The eurozone’s woes are good news for British holidaymakers heading to France, Italy or Spain because the exchange rate with the pound is the best it's been for almost two years.
At £1 to €1.24, an order of €1,000 (£806) today will cost around £100 less than it did this time last year.
Other currencies such as the Turkish lira, Bulgarian lev and Croatian kuna have also weakened against the pound, tempting UK tourists to look farther afield.
Mark Bodega, marketing director at currency specialist HiFX, says: ‘I expect the pound/euro rate to continue its positive momentum and push higher in the months ahead.’
If this is true, British holidaymakers will have nothing to lose by waiting to buy euros. Travelex has a free online rate tracker at travelex.co.uk.
It will send personalised email alerts when the euro, U.S. dollar or any other currency hits a set level. But there remains a high degree of volatility in the market, and waiting to buy currency is risky.
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Summerlin resident Andy Reanrungroch and Centennial Hills resident Bryant Dietz know how to make a gamer’s paradise: late hours, a snack bar, Xbox Ones and PS4s, large monitors, game rentals, a winners’ wall, cash prizes, arcade games, a pool table and themed nights.
Reanrungroch, 36, and Dietz, 26, started Press Start Gaming Center, 4840 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 100, in November, offering a space for teens and adults to play video games.
“We really wanted to make a place that was family-friendly since there’s not too many in Vegas,” Reanrungroch said. “We try not only to cater to the hardcore gamers but also to the casual gamers. We want to give kids something to do other than going to the movies or bowling.”
The center can host about 40 gamers playing simultaneously, though some nights draw crowds of 80 to 100, Reanrungroch said.
“Right now, most of our customers are hardcore gamers because they’re on the (online) groups and forums,” he said. “All we had to do was put a couple posts up, and we had 40 or 50 of them show up. The next week we had 60, and then 80. It’s growing that way because it’s in their community.”
Although 30 Xbox Ones and PS4s are available for rental, customers are welcome to bring in personal consoles and computers.
“Every Saturday people come in and play Pokemon X and Pokemon Y,” said Reanrungroch, “but those kids bring in their (Nintendo) DSs and don’t even use our rentals. We just provide them with the venue.”
The idea of running a gaming lounge wasn’t new, Reanrungroch said. He tried to open a lounge about six years ago but was forced to put the plan on hold when the financial backing fell through.
Reanrungroch was working with Dietz at a local Sprint store when the idea was reignited.
“We came into conversation when we went to lunch one day,” Dietz said. “He said, ‘Oh, I was going to have a gaming lounge at that spot right there.’ It was like a five- to 10-minute conversation, and that was it. Later, I came upon some money, and I asked him again about the idea.”
So like Mario and Luigi battling Bowser or Jak and Daxter saving the world from dark eco, the duo banded together to save Reanrungroch’s business plan and provide a safe hangout for teens and young adults.
“When I was younger, my friends and I would either go to parties and get into trouble or hang out at a gaming lounge until 2 or 3 in the morning. Those were our options,” Dietz said. “Now, we’re reaching out to the young teens and adults who just want something fun to do. At the same time, it’s keeping them out of trouble.”
Reanrungroch said smoking or drinking alcohol inside the venue is prohibited.
“We’ve been asked a lot to start selling alcohol or let people bring in their own, but that’s not what we’re trying to do here,” Reanrungroch said. “We want it to be a place everyone can enjoy.”
The center hosts fighting game nights on Wednesday and Thursday, first-person shooter games on Friday, Pokemons X and Y on Saturday, FIFA 14 every other Sunday and Madden 25 every other Monday.
“We have a winners’ wall that players can get their name on,” Reanrungroch said. “Most of the tournaments that we host have cash prizes, so however many entries there are, that’s how much prize money there is.”
Stephen Dillinger, 17, recently found the gaming center while browsing online for things to do. He said he tries to go at least once a week.
“I just got bored of going to the movies and mall every weekend,” Dillinger said. “At least here I can play whatever game I want and be loud with my friends. It’s really fun, and I get to meet people who like the same games I do.”
Press Start Gaming Center is open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, noon to 3 a.m. Saturday and noon to 2 a.m. Sunday. Monday through Thursday, an hour of play costs $5. Friday through Sunday, an hour is $6. Other prices vary.
An all-day pass is $16.25 or $8 for those bringing their own gaming consoles or computers. Spectators pay $2.
For more information, visit psglv.com or call 702-227-4263.
Contact Southwest/Spring Valley View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at firstname.lastname@example.org or 702-383-0403.


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Police say two students at Stevenson High School are now facing charges after an investigation into alleged drug sales.
You may not see a lot of shopping activity on the Magnificent Mile these days.
If gift cards are burning a whole in your kid’s pockets, there’s no shortage of after Christmas sales to choose from. Spend that hard earned Christmas cash, gift cards or store credit wisely. Stores are boasting big savings for the new year. According to Google, ecommerce sales from December 26-January 15th in 2011 were higher than they were on Black Friday.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… after holiday sales have begun! Starting the day after Christmas, you can find that most stores holiday merchandise has marked down to nearly 50% off the original pricing…
Many retailers are offering even deeper discounts on this day after Christmas and shoppers were already out early Monday morning, taking advantage of post-Christmas sales.
Are your fingers and keyboards ready? This coming weekend may be a time to stay home to shop online. CBS 2’s Dorothy Tucker explains why deals will be better than they were on Black Friday.
In a surprise twist, despite the poor economy, one of the hottest gifts this holiday season is televisions. Sales are up because prices keep dropping. CBS 2’s Dorothy Tucker explains that the best news is doorbuster deals featuring TV’s are expected to continue until Christmas.
It’s that time of the year again, early birds! Grab a cup of coffee, set the alarm and make a list. This year, you might not even need to go to bed at all. With many retailers staying open on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday is starting earlier than ever. Some retailers are offering deals starting Thursday evening or even earlier online.
Trying to move a motor home, or sell a sewing machine? If you want increase your chances of snagging a buyer, you may want to try video. CBS 2’s Dorothy Tucker reports.
Cashmere sweaters marked down from $100 to $30 are one of the many door-buster deals offered as stores opened as early as 7 a.m. Sunday. That’s what’s necessary to get consumers in the door, but as CBS 2’s Vince Gerasole reports, analysts say what really may have them shopping is pent up demand, after several years of holding back.
If you’re trying to figure out when you’ll be able to get out to buy a fresh Christmas tree this year, a Chicago area-based company says you might want to think about ordering your tree from the Internet.
Stores are offering sales before Black Friday this year, but experts warn you may want to wait for the real thing for top bargains. CBS 2’s Dorothy Tucker reports.


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A new partnership between Neighborly Energy, a boutique solar integrator and renewable energy consulting company, and Vermont solar tracker manufacturer AllEarth Renewables will bring the AllSun Tracker solar electric system to homeowners and businesses throughout New Jersey.
AllEarth's AllSun Trackers use GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production by up to 45% over rooftop installations, according to AllEarth. The ground-mounted solar systems are designed for homes, businesses, nonprofits and commercial-scale installations.
‘New Jersey has one of the best production-based incentives in the country for solar PV,’ says Jonathan Lee, president of Neighborly Energy. ‘Historically, our company has operated through word-of-mouth, but we feel confident about actively promoting dual-axis tracking to anyone in New Jersey who is considering solar energy.’


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Perhaps it’s Crwys Road, Newport Road or maybe Merthyr Road, Central Square or Albany Road.
Whichever your favourite is, wherever you are in Cardiff, you’re only a sausage roll away from your nearest Greggs bakery.
The city has been crowned Greggs capital of Wales - and with 25 of the bakery chain’s stores in the city it’s no surprise.
There are 7.1 of the bakery’s stores for every 100,000 people living in Cardiff, putting it firmly in the top 10 most over-Gregged areas for the whole of Great Britain.
Joint second place is taken by Blaenau Gwent, where there are four branches, and Bridgend, which has eight.
In those areas there are 5.7 stores per 100,000 people.
The average for the whole of Britain was only 2.7.
In total there are 25 Greggs stores in Cardiff, four in Blaenau Gwent and eight in Bridgend.
There are only 35 out of 372 local authorities in Britain which do not have a Greggs.
Cardiff was beaten in the pasty league table by Newcastle, Gateshead, Allerdale in Cumbria, Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and tied for sixth place with Copeland in Cumbria.
Their domination of our high streets, and stomachs, is set to continue.
The chain was seen as being “recession proof” thanks to its continued increase in sales and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. It is expected that on Monday the business will report another jump in like-for-like sales from the period over the last 11 weeks.
But Cardiff has some way to go to become British champion. The City of London has the most Greggs per head with 39.2 for every 100,000 residents and also for the most Greggs per square mile with 4.46.
But it had to be excluded from the study because of the disparity between the number of people who work there and the number who actually live there.


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The roar of car engines and the chants of auctioneers are mixed with the sounds of hammer blows and the rumble of paving equipment as ServNet auctions around the country work to finish expansion projects.
"Working to stay ahead of the market, with the best in auction facilities and cutting edge technology, ServNet auctions are both well-capitalized and well-managed by the most creative and innovative auction owners in the country," says Patty Stanley, ServNet President. "Every year we see ServNet auctions taking advantage of the more dependable weather in the summer season to improve their facilities, anticipating the needs of a growing customer base and meeting the demands of evolving technology."
Missouri Auto Auction is nearing the conclusion of a $1,000,000 expansion project that was begun in March of this year, reports owner and general manager Kevin Brown. On one side of the facility is a new 6,000 square foot check-in arena with three bays, designed to replace the existing single outdoor check-in lane. Providing protection from the weather and heated floors that will be a welcome enhancement for auction employees during the cold Missouri winters, the new facility provides for the efficient movement of vehicles through the check-in process, where condition report writing, equipment verification, computer entry and photo taking can all be handled in a single location.
An additional 6,000 square feet is being added to the auction facility to improve the auction-day experience for the auction's customers, says Brown. The expanded office space includes a new bidder badge area, new payment counter, arbitration and "if" counters, and a new coat and luggage room with lockers for briefcases.
"As much as we will enjoy the added space, the investment we're making in our facility is really for our customers," said Brown, who notes that this year's construction project concludes a five-year vision for Missouri Auto Auction which started in 2010 with the addition of a 10,000 square foot recon center and grew to include the addition of 2 auction lanes in 2013. "As our dealer base grows and our sale volume expands, it's important to make the auction process as convenient and efficient as possible for our customers."
One of ServNet's newer auction facilities, Sparkling City Auto Auction of San Antonio, has experienced a meteoric rise in the San Antonio market since opening in December 2010. To keep pace with increasing volume, the auction has added both space and acreage on an almost continual basis since it opened its doors. The past year saw the opening of a fifth lane on auction day, and, most recently, the auction unveiled a new mechanic garage, detail shop and body shop.
"It is gratifying to see how many customers return to Sparkling City Auto Auction of San Antonio every week, and how many new faces we see at every sale, as word continues to spread about the quality of the consignment and the level of customer service that is found here," said Wade Walker, auction owner. "As we enlarge our facilities to meet the increasing demand, we still focus most on the qualities that have made our auction successful
from the start: our attention to detail and consistent, personal service. Those things will continue to shape our business as we grow."
Carolina Auto Auction has been hard at work with both physical enhancements as well as electronic upgrades at its facility this summer. The auction welcomes customers with a newly-designed lobby, complete with new bidder badge machines and a digital Top 10 Buyers and Sellers Board. The auction also recently completed a new Internet Café, upgraded the facility's wireless systems and made improvements in the restaurant and kitchen to better serve its customers.
Making both "high" and "low" tech enhancements to the auction facility this summer is Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest (DAASW) where, effective August 1st, customers will see significant changes involving Simulcast, the auction's website, mobile technology and the way invoices are handled on the block.
"DAASW is expanding its technology base and converting to Whann Tech auction software," reported Stephanie Gingras, Auction General Manager. "We will be powering our growing Internet buyer base with our newly upgraded Cox Fiber, which will increase our broadband capabilities exponentially and improve the quality of the online stream as we continue to simulcast 100 percent of our sale each week. This process called for an android and IOS flexible operating system, and the outcome is our own proprietary mobile technology that allows us to integrate more dealer friendly aspects into our DAASW.com and sister Hispanic site DAASW.mx, allowing customers to access everything they need to do business with the auction on a Smartphone or iPad, including buying vehicles via Simulcast which is accessible directly through our website."
Gingras notes that other website enhancements at DAASW include a password-protected link to individual account information, allowing customers to review vehicles bought and sold, payments due, and titles received, from a desktop computer or mobile device. In addition, more images and video of units consigned to the sale will be seamlessly uploaded to the auction's online run lists and clearly visible to online buyers prior to sale day. The auction is also doing away with traditional paper invoices, says Gingras, explaining that on the block, dealers will receive a small paper printout of their purchases, and can elect to have their full invoices sent in either text or email formats.
On the flip side, DAASW had been working to solve the Arizona summer environmental problem for its in-lane buyers and has completed a downdraft system to offset the normally blistering 110 degree heat. It is also building an in-house tech training center for dealers and employees.
"Auctions are about both high and low tech enhancements," stated Jim DesRochers, auction vice president
and former NAAA president. "It can be easy to focus on the 25 percent of our business on the Internet and not focusing enough on the 75 percent that is going through our lanes. Our goal is and always will be to have a symbiotic relationship with our overall customer base by integrating both 'push' and 'pull' mobile technology with in-lane enhancements to ensure that state-of-the-art brick and mortar auctions are driven with a high tech backbone."
Meanwhile Brasher's Salt Lake Auto Auction has beentaking advantage of the summer weather by paving an additional 10 acres for vehicle storage and parking. The summer season is also a busy time for State Line Auto Auction's maintenance crew, which has been hard at work patching and maintaining the auction's 76-acre lot using its own eco-friendly pavement recycling equipment. State Line also installed a new, more modern car wash in May, and has plans for additional expansion and construction plans in the coming months.


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Chinese and Domestic Curtainwall Companies Continue in Legal Battles
Several Chinese companies are tangled up in litigation with domestic curtainwall companies concerning aluminum extrusions.
The CIT’s Decision
In December 2017, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) upheld a decision that Chinese curtainwall is subject to U.S. tariffs on aluminum extrusions imported from China. The decision marked the potential end of years-long litigation between American and Chinese curtainwall companies.
In the latest case, Shenyang Yuanda Aluminum Industry Engineering Co., Yuanda USA Corp., Jangho Curtain Wall Americas Co., Permasteelisa North America Corp., Permasteelisa South China Factory and Permasteelisa Hong Kong Ltd., challenged the U.S. Department of Commerce’s scope de-termination for the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on aluminum extrusions from China. The scope ruling determined that Yuanda’s unitized curtainwall was within the scope of the AD/CVD orders.
The CIT upheld the department’s determination. The ruling reads that “the orders cover, in pertinent part, ‘aluminum extrusions’ such as ‘parts’ for ‘curtainwalls’ to be ‘assembled after importation.’”
In previous litigation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit sustained a separate commerce scope de-termination that curtainwall units are parts of curtainwalls.
In recent litigation, the Chinese companies argued that curtainwall units imported under a supply contract or a complete curtainwall were partially assembled “subassemblies” of a complete curtainwall, and therefore excluded from the orders as a finished goods kit. The orders define a finished goods kit as a packaged combination of parts that contains, at the time of importation, all the necessary parts to fully assemble a final finished good and requires no further finishing or fabrication. The order excludes subassemblies provided that they are a finished good or “finished goods kit” requiring no further fabrication.
“If they appealed again we’d argue again. We’re confident of success, of course, because we’ve won every step of the way so far,” says David Spooner, partner at law firm Barnes & Thornburg.
Spooner represented American curtainwall companies Architectural Glass & Aluminum Co., Walters & Wolf and Bagatelos Architectural Glass Systems Inc.“Folks should get the message now that Chinese curtainwall is subject to the tariff,” he says. “My clients worked very hard to protect not only themselves, but curtainwall companies across the U.S. from unfair practices. They deserve credit for shouldering the burden.”
John D’Amario, Northwest USA sales manager of the America division of Yuanda USA Corp. told USGlass magazine that the Chinese companies could file an appeal.
“This ruling merely impacts a few of our completed projects from several years ago and has no impact on our current or future U.S. business,” he says. “Nonetheless, we will likely file an appeal for no other reason than to humorously watch the Curtain Wall Coalition post propaganda on their website and plead for donations to continually cover their attorney fees. There are many curtainwall contractors, general contractors, and developers that are strongly against this sort of protection-ism on the part of the CWC. I can’t re-ally blame them for trying to hang on, but in today’s global progressive world, it’s like Custer’s Last Stand.”
AEC Files a New Petition
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), through its Aluminum Extrusions Fair Trade Committee (AEFTC), has filed a new circumvention petition against China Zhongwang Holdings Limited and its network of affiliates. AEC alleges that Chinese aluminum extrusions produced by Zhongwang are converted in Vietnam before being exported to the U.S., and that the extrusions are circumventing the antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duty orders on aluminum extrusions from China.
According to AEC, following the department’s determinations in December 2016 and June 2017 that Zhongwang’s pallets, which had initially been exported to the U.S. to evade AD/CVD duties were subject to the orders, Zhongwang shipped substantial quantities of these pallets to its affiliate in Vietnam, Global Vietnam Aluminum Co. (GVA) to continue to circumvent and evade the orders.
In September 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint against Perfectus Aluminum, an affiliate of Zhongwang, claiming that the company imported more than 2 million bogus aluminum pallets between 2011 and 2014 and stored them at separate warehouses with the intent to melt the pallets into aluminum billet for sale in the U.S.
The AEFTC’s petition provides the organization’s evidence that it says shows GVA in Vietnam is changing the shape and form of these Chinese extrusions and exporting them back to the U.S., claiming their origin is Vietnamese, to circumvent the orders.
According to the petition, 1.7 million tons of aluminum extrusions, worth $5 billion, were amassed by GVA.
“The petition lays out an extensive amount of research, much of which is confidential, of the circumvention scheme,” says Nancy Molenda, director of communications at AEC. “[It’s] a country-wide allegation that would apply to other Vietnamese producers that also convert the circumvented Chinese aluminum extrusions before exporting to the U.S. The evidence indicates that substantial quantities of Chinese aluminum extrusions are being shipped to Vietnam directly from China as well as from various trans-shipment points across the globe for conversion.”
AEC president Jeff Henderson calls the petition an important step for the industry to fight to close transshipment and circumvention points and to have the orders enforced fully.
“These blatant attempts to evade duties and flood the market with unfairly traded Chinese aluminum extrusions must be halted,” he says.
To view the laid-in version of this article in our digital edition, CLICK HERE.


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Pacific Media Associates, a research firm that follows large displays, said it is nearing completion of its annual North American Dealer Survey, and expects to reveal that front projection remains the preferred display for home theater installations.
“Just over 50 percent of dealers indicated that consumers believe front projection is primarily good for a true home theater experience while rear projection and flat panel TVs are more appropriate for mainstream TV programs,” said the firm.
Pacific Media also disclosed what it said were some “surprising results” that debunk “some commonly held myths about front projection in the home.” For example, it reported that only five percent of dealers surveyed said ambient light issues make front projection a hard sell, and that only 15 percent said challenges of installation and room décor make front projection a hard sell. Pacific said some dealers are addressing these issues by opening up concept stores and committing more showroom space to the category.
“Along with the impending rollout of native 1080p and 720p projectors to suit all design tastes and budgets, we expect 2006 will mark a watershed year in consumer front projection,” said the firm.
Meanwhile, Pacific reported that in July, average street prices for LCD fell below those of plasma in the 40-to-44-inch HDTV category for the first time. It also found that LCD now enjoys a 57 percent unit market share in flat panels 30 inches and larger, and a 46 percent unit market share in flat panels from 40 to 44 inches.
“We’ve seen this repeatedly in the past,” said Vice President Rosemary Abowd. “When the price of LCDs match or drop below the prices for plasma HDTVs of the same size, LCDs win. We expect that LCDs will account for the majority of unit sales in the 40-to-44-inch range soon.”
Although unit sales for flat panels were down 10 percent in July over June, they were still up 67 percent over July 2005.


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At the end of last month from the Assembly line at the plant of Volkswagen (VW) in Zwickau (Germany) came down last car with an internal combustion engine. Now it will produce only electric cars. Beginning to believe ID.3, and then over time, the range will be expanded due to new models.
VW started the modernization of the plant in Zwickau last year. And on Monday it was announced that has already started preparing for the transition to EV production plant in Emden (Germany). According to the schedule, the first electric cars are here to go from this line in 2022.
This will be the first VW plant in Lower Saxony, which will begin production of electric vehicles in large volumes. It is reported that the first model, which will here be released, it will be ID.4.
It is expected that it will be a small crossover the size of a Tesla Model Y, with a range of over 250 miles (402 km) and a starting price of about $40 thousand For the company this will also be the first electric car of the next generation produced in the United States where they will begin its production next year.
The VW plant in Emden will continue to produce models of the Passat and Arteon in the next “several years”, but eventually he will fully switch to the production of electric vehicles, with a production capacity of 300,000 units per year.
Under the conversion, the company will build a new factory workshop area of nearly 50,000 m2, which will build only electric vehicles. Only the modernization of the plant will invest about 1 billion euros.


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To catch a glimpse into the future of the transportation industry within an expanding realm of technological and cognitive abilities, on May 12, 2021, I moderated a panel of cross-industry leaders including the horizontal leader, Daimler Trucks and the vertical leader, Otis. We discussed how within this ever-evolving market environment success requires, as our subject matter expert, Rafi Ezry, Managing Partner for IBM’s US Industrial, puts it “strong identity and culture, a maniacal focus on a client, and DNA of innovation.”
President of Otis Americas Jim Cramer says that as the world becomes more digitized, smart technology is leaving people with an increased need for connection. The focus of the company, as he states, is on “connected technologies” and listening to their customers—a combination through which they create unprecedented experiences centered around what customers want. Otis’s elevators shift the focus from the destination to the journey, leveraging technology to connect people across all corners of the operation. The company puts their “mechanics in charge with apps” and “customers in charge with smartphones” to service them in a more personalized, data-driven way.
John O’Leary, President and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, shares that the company’s successful presence in the industry, holding approximately 40% market share of the Class 6-8 commercial vehicle market, is achieved by “listening to our customers” first and foremost. The company, who likes to cite the old adage that “nothing moves without a truck,” understands that the 200,000 trucks they put on the road annually are not only vehicles for making money, but a part of everyday lives. That being said, a key component of their success is the time devoted to, as O'Leary shares, “getting into the minds of our customers, the relationships we have with them, and the co-creation that goes into place whenever we’re putting a new model on the drawing board.” The co-creation aspect lies within the company’s customer and dealer councils, whom they regularly consult throughout the process of drawing up new models or large option changes. And a recent example of this can be found in the company’s Freightliner-branded all-electric Class 8 eCascadia, which the company is extensively field testing with customers and fine tuning based on customer feedback.
Rafi, reflecting on Daimler Trucks' unique customer-oriented model driving innovation, summarizes the company as “having a brain trust that encompasses their entire value chain from suppliers to channels to customers, working together to shape the future.”
In addition to listening to their customers, O’Leary asserts that to drive innovation requires “people in your organization who bring that skill set.” As vehicles transition from diesel engines to electrification and concepts like autonomous driving and connected services, the profile of employees being hired must transition to fit this new atmosphere of programming and software. In a corporate world fueled by “innovate or die,” O’Leary shares that “you have to be an organization that attracts the kind of talent that brings in a whole new way of running a business.”
Cramer furthers the notion that it requires a combination of technology and talent to “provide these value added services and interactive experiences for customers.” At the heart of the company’s innovation is a diverse team who thrive in a culture where all voices are heard. In fact, Otis has taken an active role within its industry on social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion signing the Paradigm for Parity gender parity pledge and launching what they call “Our Commitment to Change,” a framework for their DE&I inclusion model. Additionally with more than 2 million elevators under service globally Otis can track and use real-world experiences to ideate and innovate the type of real-world building experiences people want in their lives. As an example, he spoke of the company’s IOT platform, Otis ONE. With Otis ONE, they’re able to “collect and analyze data in real time.” Their clients have the ability to track the status of their elevators in a single building or across multiple campuses with the Otis ONE customer portal, and their mechanics can access the information on their smartphones. Rafi reinforced this further explaining, “ an elastic talent model, access to on-demand skill set mix, and enterprise agility have never been more important.”
During the pandemic crisis, in which crowding in tight spaces was not advised, Cramer notes the company’s innovative usage of AI and robotics to not only satisfy, but elevate the customer experience. Cramer shares that Otis can now connect wirelessly with robots to automatically call the elevator, enter a destination, and exit. This opens new doors for introducing robots and AI in our working and living environments, from contactless delivery and goods and services within a building, to delivering meals in busy office buildings, to distributing medicine in hospitals. Within hotels, as Cramer shares, “autonomous robots are being used for more efficient cleaning and food deliveries, allowing them to spend more time with guests.” Rafi further emphasized, “The pandemic has been an accelerator not only for innovation but for innovation adoption.”
At Daimler Trucks, robotics and technology are being used to foster what O’Leary calls “connected factories.” With new models of trucks requiring more technology to be built in, the company needed to develop a new environment to manufacture 300 trucks daily. Daimler Trucks demonstrates that with the right combination of high tech robotics and employees who are knowledgeable and fit the climate, connectivity and production flourish.
Otis’s partnership with Related Companies at 30 Hudson Yards is a key example of how the company uses API and their newly released eCall Pro app to architect a cohesive community through seamless passenger movement between buildings. Using this technology, passengers are able to walk into Hudson Yards, wave their hand over the turnstile for a biometric reading that sends their credentials to the Otis Compass dispatcher, and automatically assigns the elevator to their floor based on their credentials. As passengers move through the building, beacons in Otis’s fixtures communicate with their smartphone to allow for what Cramer defines as “a seamless experience.”
Another Otis partnership, with Silverstein Properties on the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles, will integrate the eCall app with the Bank Tower’s Inspire app to allow for easier customer access to the building’s services. This conveys, as Rafi emphasizes, a key factor of future innovation, in which companies must be able to “connect experience with intelligent workflows that not only work within the systems and the applications that they own, but across the entire mobility ecosystem in a seamless way, focused on customer experience.”
Sharing the goal of elevating customer experience, O’Leary reveals that the future of Daimler Trucks is “service related.” If a driver, as O’Leary explains, experiences some sort of problem, the ECUs, or electronic control units, in the truck can now send a signal to the driver. But “more importantly,” he adds, “it can send a signal to our backend system which will then notify a dealership of the problematic truck coming their way.” Next an appointment for that driver would be electronically scheduled at not necessarily the closest dealership, but the one potentially 14 miles down the road with a bay open and a technician who’s free. All of these features are available under the company’s in-house components and connectivity brand, Detroit. “For us to be able to support our customers from a technological standpoint,” said O’Leary, “can cut days out of what was previously a pretty onerous service.”
Rafi’s final remarks regarding his perception of AI’s role in future innovation in the manufacturing process, summarizing the three themes of innovation: “Deliver differentiated valuable experiences, powered by intelligent workflows, and architecting virtual enterprises operating in digital ecosystems across platforms and hybrid open environments.”


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Like the prior Cortex-A77, the Cortex-A78 will consist of what ARM calls its big.LITTLE octacore architecture, with four high-performance A78 cores and four A55 cores optimized for long battery life. ARM said that a Cortex-A78 core running at 3GHz would deliver 20 percent more sustained, single-core performance than the Cortex-A77 core running at 2.6GHz, assuming 1 watt per core. The performance is based on simulated estimates. Alternatively, a phone maker could clock the A78 to consume half the power at the same performance as the A77, Williamson said. ARM believes that the octacore Cortex-A78 layout will require 15 percent less die space than the Cortex-A77, leading to smaller phones.
Semiconductor and software design company Arm is doubling down on edge AI hardware, a market that's expected to be worth $1.15 billion by 2023. It today announced two new AI-capable processors -- the Arm Cortex-M55 and Ethos-U55, a neural processing unit (NPU) -- designed for internet of things (IoT) endpoint devices, alongside supporting software libraries, toolchains, and models. The company claims that the two chips, which are expected to arrive in market in early 2021, together will deliver an uplift of up to 480 times in machine learning performance in certain voice and vision scenarios. "[Machine learning] processing on low-power endpoint devices is critical to realizing the full potential of AI for IoT," wrote the company in press materials. "An extended range of advanced hardware capabilities is required to enable innovation and scale."
Arm has announced details of its latest processors designed for artificial intelligence and machine learning, the Arm Cortex-M55, as well as the first microNPU (Neural Processing Unit), the Ethos-U55 which offer a combined 480x machine learning improvement for microcontrollers. Cortex-M based processors are already powering a vast range of AI products with over 50 billion chips shipped to partners. Arm claims that its latest Cortex-M55 is its most capable AI processor yet and is the company's first Cortex-M processor to be based on the Armv8.1-M Equipped with Arm Helium vector processing technology, the Cortex-M55 offers significantly enhanced energy-efficient, 5x digital signal processing (DSP) performance improvement and 15x machine learning (ML) performance compared to previous Cortex-M generations. In addition, custom instructions will be added to improve processor performance for specific workloads, which is a new feature for Cortex-M series processors.
Arm has unveiled two new IP cores designed to power machine learning in endpoint devices, IoT devices and other low-power, cost-sensitive applications. The Cortex-M55 microcontroller core is the first to use Arm's Helium vector processing technology, while the Ethos-U55 machine learning accelerator is a micro-version of the company's existing Ethos NPU (neural processing unit) family. The two cores are designed to be used together, though they can also be used separately. Enabling AI and machine learning applications on microcontrollers and other cost-sensitive, low-power resource-constrained devices is known as the tinyML sector. With the rise of 5G initiating a trend for more intelligence in endpoint devices, tinyML is expected to grow exponentially into a market that encompasses billions of consumer and industrial systems.
Edge AI is one of the biggest trends in chip technology. These are chips that run AI processing on the edge -- or, in other words, on a device without a cloud connection. Apple recently bought a company that specializes in it, Google's Coral initiative is meant to make it easier, and chipmaker ARM has already been working on it for years. Now, ARM is expanding its efforts in the field with two new chip designs: the Arm Cortex-M55 and the Ethos-U55, a neural processing unit meant to pair with the Cortex-M55 for more demanding use cases. The benefits of edge AI are clear: running AI processing on a device itself, instead of in a remote server, offers big benefits to privacy and speed when it comes to handling these requests.


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TONI&GUY hosted the
unprecedented product re-launch for its hair care series at Mannings
President Theather on 12 March. TONI&GUY professional hairdressers
demonstrated their talents to create DIY salon-influenced hairstyles with
celebrities Ella (官恩娜),
and Vin (蔡淇浚)
using TONI&GUY products.
MC Kay (何基佑),
invited Ms. Maria Norrman, CEO of DNA Beaute – sole distributor of TONI&GUY
products in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, Mr. Gregrory De Bock, Business
Development Manager of TONI&GUY products from UK and Mannings high level
executives to kick off the event with a lighting ceremony. The hairstyling
demonstration started with the first curly hair demonstration by JJ and
Patrick, the founder and art director of TONY&GUY salon. Patrick cleverly
used the PINK color series of TONI&GUY product specially designed for curly
hair type to create a sexy and lustrous curly look for JJ. Second session
was a straight hair demonstration by Ella and Angus, art director of
TONY&GUY salon. Angus tactfully created a wild and disheveled hairstyle for
Ella by using AQUA color line for straight hair. Last but not least, Vin and
Fernando, art director of TONI&GUY, to demonstrate the unique product of RED
texture series, delivering a sleek, clean and charismatic hairstyle for Vin.
This unprecedented hairstyling demonstration attracted hordes of onlookers
to the store. All TONI&GUY products are available exclusively at all
Mannings store in Hong Kong.


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LVMH brands including Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior are already involved in the platform.
The consortium says the system, known as Aura, is designed to “serve the entire luxury industry with powerful product tracking and tracing services.”
LVMH brands including Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior are already involved in the project — and discussions are underway to extend Aura to other high-end names within the group. The news release added:
“AURA makes it possible for consumers to access the product history and proof of authenticity of luxury goods — from raw materials to the point of sale, all the way to second-hand markets.”
The technology sees unique information about every product stored on a shared ledger. Customers are then able to use a brand’s official app to obtain a certificate offering details about its provenance.
According to the group, Aura — which is based on the Ethereum blockchain and utilizes Microsoft Azure — will also offer ethical and environmental information, instructions for product care and warranty services.
The team behind Aura hope it will eventually be used by rival luxury brands too, enabling them to offer a tailor-made service or strengthen customer loyalty. Ken Timsit, managing director of ConsenSys Solutions, added:
“AURA is a ground-breaking innovation for the luxury industry. ConsenSys is proud to contribute and to work with LVMH on an initiative that will serve the entire luxury industry, protecting the interests, integrity, and privacy of each brand.”
Reports that AURA was in the works first emerged in March.
High-end brands are increasingly turning to blockchain to confirm the provenance of their products. Recently, reports suggested that premium liquor brand Ailsa Bay was planning to release a scotch whisky tracked with a blockchain-based system.
Source: , CoinTelegraph
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