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Alexa's Android arrival comes via the dedicated Amazon Shopping app. The app's Google Play Store listing indicates it was updated on July 19, though there's no official mention of Alexa integration in the description, so it could be updated again when Alexa officially arrives.
Just as it does on iOS, Alexa in the Android app works much the same as it does on Echo.
It can perform tasks like check the weather, traffic and news, tell jokes, stream music, track past Amazon orders, and even control smart home gadgets. Alexa on Android can also perform various skills, like launch the Netflix app and order you Starbucks.
Alexa inside the Amazon shopping app on Android looks to be slowly making its way out to users.
While it may not be feature-full enough or, you know, natively built-in, to convince you to wholly switch from Siri or Google Assistant, slipping Alexa into the major mobile ecosystems is a smart way for Amazon to expose its assistant to more people.
While there is a dedicated Alexa app, it has between 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 installs on Android, compared to the Amazon Shopping app's 100,000,000 - 500,000,000 installs. Yeah, we can see what Amazon's thinking here.
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Michelle was previously a news editor at TechRadar, leading consumer tech news and reviews. Michelle is now a Content Strategist at Facebook. A versatile, highly effective content writer and skilled editor with a keen eye for detail, Michelle is a collaborative problem solver and covered everything from smartwatches and microprocessors to VR and self-driving cars.


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In celebration of 16 years of business, here are 16 of our favorite, and some of the most popular, articles and recipes. My personal favourite article is “What do Nutrition Geeks (aka Dietitians) Feed Their Family?” since this is a question I’m often asked. You may be surprised to hear our answer! …READ MORE
Tell me about the new study that was just released about worldwide obesity statistics? According to a new study in the Lancet* the number of overweight or obese individuals worldwide increased from 29% to 37% for men and 30% to 38% for women from 1980 to 2013.

domain: news


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Your total photography experience starts here
ePHOTOzine brings you a daily round up of all the latest photography news including camera news, exhibitions, events, special offers, industry news, digital photography news, announcements and launches.
Cyber-shot RX100 from Sony with the world’s first 1.0-type 20.2 effective megapixel sensor and bright f/1.8 lens.
Sony launch the 2nd generation model of the RX100.
The EISA awards have been announced and here's a quick round-up of the winners in the photo category.
HTC has announced a new smartphone with a camera designed for optimum image quality with an UltraPixel sensor.
A clever photo of a family inside small boxes has helped a Nottingham photographer pick up his first national award.
Nikon today introduces Nikon 1, a revolutionary digital camera system built from scratch to offer still image and movie recording without compromise.
Sony introduce a series of small cameras which they say will give a 'big performance'.
Corel add 75 new features to the latest version of their PaintShop Pro software.
Following Jessops' plans to axe 81 of its shops as announced last Thursday, the photographic retail giant have unveiled exactly which stores it plans to close down.
Sony has shown a future lens roadmap at Photokina 2014, including details on four new FE Full-frame lenses.
ePHOTOzine has now published reviews of all Panasonic Lumix G lenses for the Micro Four Thirds camera system.
Lee Filters holder for Nikon's 14-24mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens
Canon have launched three design focused PIXMA printers, the iP7250, the MG5450 and the MG6350.
Affordable camera from the masters of gadget world
A new digital camera as well as a DVD recorder join the existing line-up.
Fujifilm has announced the launch of a new tele-conversion lens for the X100/X100s cameras plus other accessories for the X-T1.
Audrey Hepburn's sons lend the National Portrait Gallery a collection of personal portraits of their mother to be featured in an exhibition.
There's a new firmware update for the Nikon D750 over on the Nikon US site.
Adobe has announced it's discontinuing Photoshop Touch and introducing a new way for users to retouch images on mobiles.
The photography articles you shouldn't go without reading this week are here.
Panasonic are developing 4K and 8K video technology, for use in future cameras, which can be used to generate 8 megapixel and 33 megapixel images.
Nikon has launched summer cashback on its 1 series cameras, the S1, J3 and V2.
Intro 2020 have launched a new range of products from Phottix.
Subscribe to the news RSS feed and get instant updates.
Subscribe to News RSS Feed
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
View May's Photo Month Calendar
Search for all the latest photography gear and services in our dedicated photography directories.
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Hello Optimist People!
We are back again with KaMIST! Every week on Thursday we’re going to give you an insight about marketing.
Apple has just announced the brand new iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. But there’s one noteworthy distinction between 2018’s iPhone XS and 2019’s iPhone. 2017’s iPhone X started at $1,000, as did 2018’s iPhone XS – but the iPhone 11 starts at just $700.
It may seem like a big price cut, but it’s just a trick of marketing. In reality, the $700 iPhone 11 has a smaller cut than it appears. The name “iPhone 11” makes it sound as if it’s the new flagship, but it’s not.
According to Business Insider, the type of the screen and the size are the same. The iPhone 11 camera has two sensors, compared with the iPhone 11 Pro’s three; the iPhone XR featured a single camera sensor compared with the iPhone XS’s dual-sensor setup.
Also, the iPhone 11 is made of glass and aluminum, just like the iPhone XR was, while the iPhone 11 Pro is made of stainless steel, just like the iPhone XS was.
There’s no new version of the iPhone XR in particular, because the iPhone 11 is exactly that, although without the “budget” branding the iPhone XR carried. It’s a brilliant move for Apple that repositions its budget phone as its flagship.
Wanna get more insight on marketing? Tune in every Thursday for more KaMIST!
Source: Business Insider
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TBWABucharest signs a new campaign for McDonald’s in Romania, offering urban tips in 4 commercials, in which The Geekster, Florence, BumBum and P – Jay are the 4 heroes that promote the permanent price platform “Super-savings every day”.
The 4 McTipsters offer consumers the coolest tips on fashion, parties, music or food.
Campaign’s ads bring to the public The Geekster – www-s discoverer and gadgets inventor, Florence – fashion diva and group’s artist, BumBum – skater that listens to ska, psychobilly, juju or post punk and P Jay – McTipsters’ leader and the one that goes to the coolest parties.
[youtube 1M34_kcbQwA nolink]
[youtube sYPXS5OnkKc&feature=related nolink]
[youtube DdDoX3_qcE8 nolink]
[youtube hcDWxRF8aFU&feature=related nolink]
The campaign is also promoted with an app on McDonald’s Romania Facebook page.
TBWA team involved in thecampaign includes Alin Marghidanu – Creative Director, Seba Romano & Elena Negrescu – copywriters, Ruxandra Matache – Art Director, Simona Stefanescu – Account Director, Oana Dumitriu & Laura Sinca – Account Managers and Delia Birsan – Account Executive.
In December 2011, McDonald’s Romania announced TBWA Bucharest will manage its creative account in Romania, following a pitch.
TBWABucharest is the local bureau of the multinational advertising network TBWA, one of the most renown and powerful communication companies that are part of Omnicom.


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Better double-check your PB&J! Multiple state departments of health -- including Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts -- have released warnings citing Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter -- as well as the company's other peanut butter products -- as possible culprits behind a Salmonella S. Bredeny outbreak. So far, 29 illnesses -- potentially linked to the PB -- have been reported nationwide. That includes at least two in Pennsylvania, three in Massachusetts, and one each in New York, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Definitely disconcerting news if you purchase your PB from Trader Joe's!
The good news: The state departments of health are each working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to pinpoint the cause of the illnesses.
As for what you can do in the meantime ...
Thankfully, Trader Joe's has voluntarily removed the product from its stores, but they're warning consumers who have it on their shelves to discard it. Another issue making matters a bit more complicated: The PB in question is sold online through other retail outlets. So, of course, officials are warning consumers to use caution if you bought it or plan to buy it online.
More from The Stir: School Ban on Peanut Butter Brings Out the Crazy in Selfish Parents
Trader Joe's shares that the SKU# on the worrisome PB is 97111. According to Rhode Island officials, the jars show "use by" dates between May 23, 2013 and June 28, 2013. Yeesh! I really hope that doesn't mean these affected containers of PB end up hanging around, because retailers other than Trader Joe's and consumers they're just fine and dandy!
Hopefully, being that this is the second Trader Joe's product recall in the past three months, the company will consider whether or not they might need a more rigorous inspection process for their foods. I know other peanut butter brands have fallen victim to Salmonella contamination. But Joe's is an grocery chain geared toward health-conscious consumers. The last thing they need is to worry that their "better-for-you" Trader Joe's goodies are actually going to make them sick.
Do you shop at Trader Joe's? Does this recall concern you?
Image via Christian Cable/Flickr


text: North Korea announced on Friday the introduction of the Stalinist country's first credit card, but just how it would work was unclear. "The North East Asia Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has introduced (an) IC credit card ... in order to modernise its settlement business," the official Korean Central News Agency reported. "The IC card ensures the safety of the data registered in it. And it is impossible to counterfeit it so as to prevent money from being lost," KCNA said. "Six kinds of currencies can be deposited in a card at a time. With this card, one can exchange money instantly without going to a money exchange booth. A card can be shared by several persons (family members, relatives, friends, etc.)," it said. It appeared that, whatever currencies the carrier held, the card would only deliver cash in the local won currency. There was no word of an international tie-in nor any suggestion that the card -- IC stands for integrated circuit -- could be used beyond the borders of North Korea, a police state which allows only a tiny percentage of its population to travel abroad. North Korea's centrally planned economy has never recovered from the collapse of the Soviet Union, which brought an end to decades of barter trade with the Communist bloc. Forced to pay market prices for imports, the economy faltered. Years of natural disasters in the 1990s then brought widespread famine, and Pyongyang was forced to go cap in hand to the international community for emergency food aid. Tentative economic reforms along the lines of those begun by its key ally, China, in the late 1970s were introduced but there has been little sign of a clear turnaround. Strapped for foreign currency, authorities have had to rely on cash contributions from Japan's large pro-Pyongyang Korean community. Many foreign governments accuse the North of illicitly raising more money abroad through currency counterfeiting and drug smuggling.


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|Filed Under:||Technology / Hardware|
|Posts on Regator:||13774|
|Posts / Week:||31.5|
|Archived Since:||March 5, 2008|
Zotac is putting the final touches on two compact GeForce GTX 1060 Mini and AMP Edition graphics cards.
Due to popular demand, personal curiosity and a convenient sale, here comes a tear-down of one of those “Pure Sine Wave” models from CyberPower, the CP1000PFCLCD.
We take a stiff drink of the latest storage news. Shaken, not stirred.
VR Mag Docks offer a magnetic charging solution that could save your USB port. The stands also keep the controllers off of your desk, which could save the sensors, too.
PlayStation's vice president of third party relations and the Developer Technology Group is stepping down after four years.
Today we conclude our coverage of the Samsung SM961 NVMe, the fastest consumer SSD on the market today. The two mid-capacity products arrived after our initial coverage, and in this review we compare the 512GB and 256GB to the 950 Pro and other NVMe SSDs.
The action-packed racing of Codemaster’s "Dirt Rally" is about to get a whole lot more real. Next week, the rallycross racing game will be updated with official VR support. Dirt will also be available on the Oculus Home store.
The PvP-focused version of "Elite: Dangerous" is free to play (and own) until Monday at 10 a.m. PDT.
We spotted a new and unannounced 4 TB Samsung 850 Evo for sale on an online retailer, and further investigation revealed a detailed Samsung data sheet.
AMD released a new driver to address some of the power and current issues we discovered in our Radeon RX 480 measurements. Is the problem now solved?
Gigabyte announced that it will have the GTX 1060 G1 Gaming ready to launch alongside Nvidia’s Founder’s Edition card. The company also revealed two additional options in its GTX 1070 lineup.
After a year on the market, the game is evolving into a free-to-play title with numerous gameplay improvements and changes.
Asus revealed that it will launch three GTX 1060 graphics cards.
Inno3D announced that it will release two overclocked GTX 1060 models later this month. Gaming OC and iChill series cards will launch side by side.
Samsung unveiled its new UFS devices, which are designed to offer a blazing 530 MB/s of throughput and 40,000 random write IOPS for mobile devices.
The moderately priced Cougar Attack X3 looks to attract potential buyers with simplicity and low cost as opposed to a long string of features.
Nvidia announced that its GeForce GTX 1060, which offers more performance than a GTX 980, will launch later this month. The graphics card will take advantage of a new GPU core codenamed “GP106” that is based on the company’s new Pascal architecture.
Virtuix announced a partnership with Chinese game publisher and eSports company Hero Entertainment. The collaborative effort will convert China’s most popular mobile FPS game, "Crisis Action," into an active VR experience for the Chinese and U.S. markets.
Competitive Mode for "Team Fortress 2" is coming soon, and Valve provided more information about how it works.
Asus announced that its ZenBook Flip UX360CA, which has been available for some time in Asian markets, is now for sale in the U.S.


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In a Pawtucket gym, instead of stacks of kettlebells and jump ropes, sat a collection of tables and folding chairs. Governor Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, and more than a dozen small businesses and community partners all gathered at Bileau Built and told personal stories about how they used a state-backed Small Business Assistance program to further their businesses and advance their dreams as small business owners. To date, 30 loans have been administered through the program.
Throughout the 90 minute discussion, there was great feedback on how the program is working, and just as importantly, what can be improved upon. Many of these businesses could not receive funding through traditional lending sources, so the Governor’s plan of putting $5.45 million “on the street” to be distributed through community lenders proved extremely beneficial. This is thought to be the first state backed loan program in R.I. history.
Throughout the discussion, business owners shared their personal stories of how the program helped. In one instance, this loan program allowed the business owner to attend a trade show which netted a huge business win. In another, the loan allowed the business owner to quit their previous job and concentrate on their passion full-time. The company has now tripled in size. And despite the varied industries around the table, most of the problems these small businesses encountered were virtually identical, which made for useful feedback.
Small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy and Governor Raimondo and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation have made this initiative a priority. Through the Small Business Assistance Program – now with 30 loans administered – and several other programs like the Innovation Vouchers program (43 awards announced) and Start-Up Assistance, we are making a difference for these important businesses throughout the state. And to quote the Governor, “We’re just getting started.”
To learn about more Small Business successes, click here.Categories: Innovation, News, Resources Tags: manufacturing, networking, small business


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Geronimo +61 (02) 9126 3433 firstname.lastname@example.org 157 Walker St, North Sydney, NSW 2060
A new digital arms race has emerged from Facebook, Google and Twitter to take advantage of bringing digital experiences to consumers mobile devices the world over. In an ironic twist this new battleground isn’t on the web, it’s in the physical world, well sort of.
This week Facebook announced it will be giving away free Facebook Beacons to small businesses in the US so they can begin leveraging Place Tips from Facebook to serve location rich content to people’s smartphones when they are “near” these Facebook Beacon enabled businesses.
Twitter recently invested an undisclosed sum in Beacon platform, Swirl who looks to enable various retail stores with their Beacons so they can serve up hyper context rich content to shopper’s smartphones who are inside or near these stores.
Google is working on their physical web project that looks to hand out Beacons to various developers and businesses that bring connectivity to environments so they can push content to consumer’s smartphones when they are in specific locations or context. Google also announced last week at Google I/O, Project Jacquard which aims to bring connectivity to materials and fabrics so clothing can become “smart”.
This new battleground isn’t restricted by the boundaries of the web, it’s the physical world that we as humans live in and the vision of weaving seamless digital experiences into our surroundings in a way that is natural and intuitive, with the mobile device acting as the conduit between these two worlds.
This sudden transition of physical to web experiences compliments existing media technology business models and facilitates new layers of engagement with people as well as valuable data streams about consumer’s physical behavior that can add further value to their core ad products.
Let’s use Facebook as an example. Facebook are giving away Beacons to businesses for free in the hope that they can quickly build out a large physical footprint of Beacon enabled businesses. This allows Facebook to analyse physical consumer behavior on a completely new level that previously didn’t exist. Think of it like a physical network of “things” (stores) that are suddenly online.
Facebook will know what coffee shop you are visiting, how often you are visiting, what you are doing within that session on Facebook and then use this data to funnel into its various ad products. This creates more hyper targeting capabilities for brands and in turn commands higher prices for their ad products. This type of Beacon approach exists today but the critical thing for Facebook vs. others in the space is Facebook has 1B people using their app so the issue of requiring people to download an app to interface with Beacons goes away when it’s Facebook vs. a brand. The downside for brands is they will only be allowed to operate within the walls of Facebook (that’s why the Beacons are free).
Tapit see the battleground extending far beyond Beacons in the physical world – we’re thinking of it more as the first act. The second and we believe larger act will be where brands look to make all their products, packaging, retail marketing and other billions of “things” connected and intelligent to the cloud via a platform like Tapit.
Imagine a brand that has enabled their millions of product packaging with Tapit and people are tapping on these packages creating a huge stream of new data for marketers to understand how people are interacting with their brand In a physical context?! Where are they interacting, what are they interacting with, how many times did they interact, what device did they interact with, etc.
We’re fairly certain Facebook, Google and Twitter among others are going to find that immensely powerful to leverage and add further value to their physical world ambitions.
The first act is coming to a close; the second act is coming……get ready.


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Focus Is on Business at China Expo / Products, not politics, are headliners
Strained political relations between the United States and China don't seem to be deterring their growing business ties, judging by a Shanghai trade expo that opened in San Francisco yesterday.
The mayors of San Francisco and Shanghai officially opened the expo, where Shanghai businesses showed off their wares for sale in the United States.
Exhibitors included the Shanghai Animal By-Products Import & Export Corp., which sells fur garments and leather wallets; the Shanghai Prosper Import and Export Corp., which sells jackets with huge Marlboro logos on the front; the Shanghai Duchess High Quality Underwear Co., Ltd., whose garments would have made Chairman Mao blush; and the Shanghai Worldbest Import & Export Corp., which does it all.
Booths displayed products resembling the offerings of a Kmart: bicycles, kitchen pots, tennis shoes and polyester clothes. At the far end, rock music blared from a catwalk where Chinese models in high-slit dresses opened the show with a fashion presentation attended by all the dignitaries.
The fair, which runs through Friday at Herbst Pavilion in Fort Mason, is part of Shanghai Week festivities.
On Sunday, demonstrators at the kickoff ceremonies for the sister-city celebration at Justin Herman Plaza chanted "Free Harry Wu," in reference to the Bay Area human rights activist imprisoned on espionage charges June 19 as he tried to enter China.
But only a hint of politics intruded on yesterday's expo opening. Protesters were nowhere in evidence as Shanghai Mayor Xu Kuangdi welcomed about 200 suited businessmen to the trade show.
Mayor Frank Jordan mentioned politics briefly, saying he shared the concerns of human rights groups. But he added, "We should not allow the special relationship which has developed over 15 years between our cities to (be harmed) by an issue which neither mayor can resolve."
Business representatives at the Shanghai trade show tried their best to wish away the ugly political mood in Washington and Beijing as they touted the two countries' common interests.
"I'm just here to make business," said one executive from a large Chinese manufacturing group who asked not to be named. "I don't think trade will be interfered with because China is a very big potential market. The United States needs the China market and China needs the U.S. market and U.S. technology."
Political relations between the two countries have been rocky since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, when Chinese troops shot peaceful pro- democracy protesters in Beijing.
More recently, Washington has been annoyed by Wu's arrest, ongoing intellectual property disputes, China's resumption of nuclear testing and its apparent sale of guided missile technology to Pakistan and Iran. Some of China's critics in Congress have called for ending its most-favored-nation status and raising tariffs on its goods.
China, in turn, was aggrieved by Washington's recent decision to let Taiwan President Lee Teng- hui visit the United States, contrary to assurances from the State Department that such a trip would never be allowed.
One U.S. State Department official at the trade fair, who closely monitors business conditions in China, said the spat between Washington and Beijing has had "no effect on business, at least not in Shanghai. Political relations between the two countries have gotten a strong jolt. But Shanghai's focus is on commerce and U.S.-China business interests are becoming ever more closely linked."
Frank Sheeman, who runs Tandem Computer's division in Shanghai, said, "Shanghai is 2,000 miles from Beijing and Harry Wu. We don't see human rights problems there. We are of the attitude that trade is the way to open up places like China; by being engaged there we can make a difference."
Shanghai, a city of between 13 million and 16 million people (depending on whether you believe official or unofficial statistics), has nearly $1 billion in private direct investment from the United States. U.S. companies have the second largest foreign stake there, after Hong Kong.
For the last three years, the Shanghai metropolitan economy has been growing more than 14 percent annually. At that rate, its output will double every five years. Last year its customs house processed imports and exports with a combined value of more than $36 billion.


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Let’s be honest, we all had our fair share of fun playing and watching WWE as kids and while growing up. Although they weren’t the best wrestling simulators, the games brought us a rich roster of memorable characters from the WWE Universe. But that all ends today, we can’t relive those clunky WWE memories as 2K Sports has removed almost all of the WWE 2K Games.
The developer and publisher behind the whole WWE game franchise 2K sports have delisted almost all of its Steam releases with no explanation at all. Is there something brewing up or have they lost copyrights for content used in their previous titles? That could be a plausible explanation.
WWE 2K Games Removed From Steam
To be honest, video games getting removed from the digital marketplace after being available for years isn’t this surprising considering this day and age. But it seems pretty weird for 2K to delist only legacy WWE 2K titles even though it supports a rich variety of sports titles from various categories.
To make matters worse, the company decided it was fit to remove the games without informing the fanbase whether it be through an official announcement or a Reddit post.
Instead of 2K Sports, an old fan of the franchise and the Reddit user Popstasia took notice of the sudden delistings and reported them on social media to inform the user base of what was currently going on.
As of now, players can access only two officially licensed WWE games on Steam. As for players that want to purchase older editions of the series digitally, they outright can’t. But if you want a workaround, then you can go to your nearby GameStop, check our eBay, or even Craigslist to purchase used physical copies of the older editions of WWE.
Longtime fans, speedrunners, and individuals that want to cover the history or make comparisons of the newer titles to older titles cannot do so anymore. With this move, it seems like, 2K games don’t want to preserve older video games and video game history.
Popstasia noted that 2K Sports just left WWE 2K22 and WWE 2K Battlegrounds available for purchase after delisting every other WWE 2K title. Players that still own the delisted entries still can play and access the games but it’s impossible for new players to purchase them in any official capacity.
It seems pretty strange for 2K games to remove even newer additions to the series such as WWE 2K21 and WWE 2K20 that was released no more than 2 and 3 years ago. But this has been common practice in the industry for a while.
Bandai Namco removed Fast and Furious just a few months after it was released globally. But the game wasn’t received well which explains the removal of the game altogether.
But in the case of WWE 2K, a wide fanbase clamors to purchase the game every year and some go as far as to collect the games either physically or digitally.
What makes this unprecedented is the fact that 2K games offered no warning that this would ever happen. The company failed to announce the delistings and we still don’t know why.
This could inevitably force die-hard fans of the franchise to pirate the videogames that have been preserved and uploaded illegally. Either 2K Sports don’t want money or something serious is going on with the WWE 2K Franchise.
Licensing-related videogame removals can certainly create some rather awkward circumstances for everyone involved. Similarly, most of the Forza Motorsport entries got removed from every online store after Forza Motorsport 7 was taken down in 2021.
Fans are expected to wait for the next entry in the series instead of going back to the past and something similar is happening with the WWE 2K franchise too.
And that’s pretty much it for today’s news on Appuals. Tune in next time for more. Till then see you later and goodbye!


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Tesla is Closing its Physical Stores in Favor of Online Sales
Last week, Tesla said that it would be closing almost all of its physical showrooms to cut costs and decrease the price of its Model 3 sedan, despite having announced 11 new store locations across the United States less than three months ago. CEO Elon Musk believes that this change was consistent with the growing online market: “it’s 2019 - people just want to buy things online,” he said during the announcement last Thursday. Despite the lack of a test drive possibility, the change could target technology-loving customers who dislike the process of physically buying a car, including dealing with salespeople and price haggling.
In an email to employees, Musk said that last year, 78 percent of all Model 3 orders were placed online, and 82 percent of customers bought their vehicle without taking a test drive. Those who bought a Model 3 last year, however, were already fans of Tesla and had put down $1,000 deposits months before the car was available. Michelle Krebs, an analyst at Cox Automotive, said that although customers want to buy cars online, they test drive the vehicle, they want to sit in the car and learn the technology. Who’s going to show them that?”
Tesla believes that the lack of test drives will not limit online sales due to its liberal return policy. Musk states that “you can now return a car within 7 days or 1,000 miles for a full refund.” Wanting to return the car, however, might still be inconvenient; customers are likely responsible for nonrefundable sales tax as well as vehicle depreciation.
Cost cutting by closing physical locations will help Tesla bring the price of its Model 3 down to the long-promised $35,000. The company said that by shifting sales online, among other smaller changes, will help reduce the price of all of its cars by an average of 6 percent. Musk expects to make as many as 600,000 cars this year, despite delivering only 245,000 last year and around 103,000 in 2017.


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Google's first-party hardware options may be set to ramp up this year according to a recent report. Based on the details, we might see new product lines as well as refreshes of existing ones. In addition to the already known, upcoming, cheaper Pixel "Lite," Nikkei is reporting that Google plans to release its own wearables (plural), a Google Home refresh, and security cameras this year. Read More
Not long after we here at Android Police revealed that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL Lite will launch this spring through Verizon, a video review of a pre-production version of the Pixel 3 Lite has surfaced, providing us with our best look yet at the device and its specifications. Read More
Speaking to a source familiar with the company's plans, we've learned that Google intends to launch two new Pixel smartphones on Verizon in early spring 2019 - the Pixel 3 and 3 XL "Lite." An exact announcement date and pricing are not yet known. A Pixel 3 Lite prototype was leaked on a Russian tech blog last month, fueling rampant speculation about where the phone would be sold and how it would be positioned in Google's larger smartphone lineup. Later, renders of the 3 Lite and a larger XL variant were released by OnLeaks.
These "Lite" Pixels will be the first phones in the mid-range Google has released since the Nexus 5X, which launched at $379 in the US in 2015. Read More
Rumors about a possible budget Pixel phone have been circulating for months, but last month was the first time pictures of one leaked. The 'Pixel 3 Lite,' as it has been referred to, combines the design aesthetic of the Pixels with a midrange Snapdragon 670 processor. Renders of the phone have now been released, and we're getting our first look at a larger variant. Read More
This is not the first year rumors have suggested a cheaper Pixel phone could happen, but this year we have photographic evidence. Just days after the Sargo device code name appeared in an ARcore update, the device itself leaked. Now, there are more photos of the phone. This time, it's next to some other phones you might recognize to give some idea of the size. Read More
We've heard rumors about a budget Pixel phone — codenamed 'Sargo' — for several months now. The name popped up in an ARCore release last week, signaling that the device could be nearing completion. Russian tech blog Rozetked has posted a hands-on with the unreleased device, calling it the 'Pixel 3 Lite'. Read More


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- Seven technology predictions for 2014
- Hacker-built drone can hunt, hijack other drones
- The week in security: Microsoft fights NSA as shadow IT bites business
- French Treasury accidentally signs SSL certificate for Google.com domains
- Information Commissioner received no eHealth privacy complaints in 2012-13
The latest round of monthly patches from Microsoft illustrates the need for organizations to move from older versions of Microsoft software if they haven't done so already.
Trustwave's SpiderLabs researchers have found a piece of malware that collects data entered into Web-based forms, pretending to be a module for Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) web-hosting software.
A Russian-speaking group is advertising "bulletproof" hosting for cybercriminals from data centers in Syria and Lebanon, an apparent effort to place new services in locales where Western law enforcement has little influence.
The U.S. Defense Department may have found a new way to scan millions of lines of software code for vulnerabilities, namely by turning the practice into a set of video games and puzzles and have volunteers do the work.
Thirteen people, including the creator of Blackhole, a popular exploit tool used to infect computers with malware, were arrested and charged in Russia with creating and participating in a criminal organization.
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Incident handling is a vast topic, but here are a few tips for you to consider in your incident response. I hope you never have to use them, but the odds are at some point you will and I hope being ready saves you pain (or your job!).
- Have an incident response plan.
- Pre-define your incident response team
- Define your approach: watch and learn or contain and recover.
- Pre-distribute call cards.
- Forensic and incident response data capture.
- Get your users on-side.
- Know how to report crimes and engage law enforcement.
- Practice makes perfect.
I’m dating myself, but I remember when holiday shopping involved pouring through ads in the Sunday paper, placing actual phone calls from tethered land lines to research product stock and availability, and actually driving places to pick things up. Now, holiday shoppers can do all of that from a smartphone or tablet in a few seconds, but there are some security pitfalls to be aware of.


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April 14, 2015 |
NEW DELHI: Online restaurant guide Zomato on Tuesday announced the acquisition of MaplePOS, a cloud-based point of sale product for restaurants developed by a group of techies from Delhi. Gurgaon based Zomato has already renamed the MaplePOS product to 'Zomato Base'. The amount of deal was not disclosed. Developed by Delhi based MapleGraph, MaplePos offers restaurants features such as menu and inventory management, and has a built-in payment solution...
April 13, 2015 |
MUMBAI: Investors will soon be able to use the stock exchange platform for tendering shares while participating in open offers, buybacks and delisting offers by companies, a move that would subject them to lower tax rates. Sebi on Monday said all offers for which public announcement is made on or after July 1,2015,companies would have the option to follow the stock exchange mechanism or the existing tender offer method. Investment bankers...
April 9, 2015 |
NEW DELHI: Pharma major Cipla today said its UK subsidiary Cipla (EU) will acquire Brazilian firm Duomed Produtos Farmaceuticos for about Rs 2.6 crore. "Cipla (EU) Ltd, UK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cipla, has entered into a definitive agreement for acquisition of 100 per cent stake in Duomed Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltd , for a cash consideration of Brazilian Real (R$) 1,293,600 (about Rs 2.6 crore)," Cipla said in a filing to the BSE. ...
April 8, 2015 |
SEOUL: South Korean steelmaker Hyundai Steel said on Wednesday it has decided to acquire sister company Hyundai Hysco on July 1 "to enhance management efficiency". Hyundai Steel said in a regulatory filing it plans to offer 0.8577607 of its shares for every stock in Hyundai Hysco, which operates overseas steel service centres that supply to automakers like Hyundai Motor.
April 7, 2015 |
MUMBAI: News Corp-backed real estate portal PropTiger-.com has acquired Bengalurubased Out of Box Interaction (OoBI), a startup company that designs digital interactions to help customers visualise products virtually. OoBI, co-founded by IITBombay alumni Atish Patel and Kumar Ahir, counts Tata Consultancy Services , Shapoorji Pallonji, Microsoft , Godrej Properties and Brigade Enterprises among its clients. "OoBI has worked on around 200 property projects, and dealt with 45...


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In an unprecedented move, U.S. officials have given allowances for cannabis research products to cross the border from Canada to the U.S. Could this herald a change in cannabis regulation for medicinal research?
Research has found cannabis users have a higher resting cortical activity compared to non-users, possibly impairing cognitive processes and the ability to make decisions.
N-propane could be on track to provide a cheaper and easier-to-use alternative to carbon dioxide as a solvent for the process of extracting hemp oil from seeds.
With opioid use disorder (OUD) claiming more lives every year in the U.S., research into the possibility of using cannabis as a therapeutic tool to tackle opioid addiction becomes ever more critical.
Bill could provide a major boost for cannabis research as more cultivators are set to receive licensing approval.
In a controversial move, South Africa becomes the third African country to legalize cannabis cultivation and use in the home.
Ginko Bioworks and Cronos partner to facilitate the future production of lab-grown cannabis.
Terpenes are the relatively unresearched molecules present in cannabis products. Unlocking their potential could provide a whole new array of cannabis uses and benefits.


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Green Day, Metallica, Jane's Addiction, more to play Lollapalooza 2022
IDLES release Metallica cover
Phoebe Bridgers releases Metallica cover
Weezer release Metallica cover
Diet Cig release Metallica cover
Listen to Punknews Podcast #549!
OFF! releases Metallica cover, reveals new lineup
Listen to Punknews Podcast #547!
Metallica announce 53-song covers album featuring OFF!, The Chats, Pup, more
Original Misfits to Play Aftershock in October


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Intel picks Greater Columbus for $20 billion semiconductor factory to employ 3,000 workers
Intel has picked Greater Columbus for a new factory that could spark a new industry for the state.
The Silicon Valley semiconductor maker plans to invest $20 billion in a Licking County site that will employ 3,000 workers, a source close to the project told The Dispatch.
The site also will employ thousands of construction workers along with workers from Intel suppliers that will locate at the site as well, the source said.
State and local officials, along with those from the state's economic development agency JobsOhio, have officially declined to comment, but rumors have been rampant for months of a massive economic development project that could include a computer-chip factory coming to 3,190 acres the city of New Albany is annexing from Jersey Township in western Licking County.
Intel did not respond to a request for comment.
Semiconductor factory:Massive computer chip factory eyeing Columbus area
Semiconductor factory:New Albany annexation, development 'transformational' for Jersey Township
The land would be for an expansion of the New Albany International Business Park where tech giants Google, Amazon and Facebook have data centers.
“I can’t confirm or announce economic development projects until they are finalized and I won’t address details in press reports speculating about the possibility of a major semiconductor manufacturing facility being built and operated in Ohio," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement Tuesday.
Beyond the annexation agreement, "Anything else is speculation," New Albany spokesman Scott McAfee said.
“Any potential announcement here could be terrific news, both for the country, as we become more competitive, and obviously especially terrific news for the state of Ohio,” Sen. Sherrod Brown said Friday.
Brown, a Democrat, said he's been working with the governor and fellow Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican, on a number of issues surrounding the project.
While Ohio has been a manufacturing powerhouse, it doesn't have any factories that make chips that are crucial to the U.S. economy.
Intel's investment would be the biggest in state history.
Latest updates on Intel project in Ohio:What we know about Intel factory coming to Columbus area
Manufacturers and policy makers have been eager to bring back production of semiconductor chips to the U.S. as a result of a global supply chain crunch during the pandemic.
Currently, 12% of the world's chips are made in the U.S., down from 37% in the 1990s, according to industry officials. About 80% are made in Asia.
Chips are an integrated circuit or small wafer of semiconductor material embedded with integrated circuitry. They are the brains in thousands of products such as cars, cell phones, appliances, gaming consoles and medical devices.
As a result of the shortage, semiconductor companies have started the long process of developing new U.S. sources of chips. The process could take several years before the plants would be up and running.
Intel has previously announced plans to invest $20 billion to expand its operations in Arizona, and CEO Pat Gelsinger said last summer that the company wants to create what would in essence be a mini-city that could see a total investment approaching $100 billion with multiple chip fabrication factories, called "fabs."
"This would be a very large site, so six to eight fab modules, and at each of those fab modules, between $10 and $15 billion. It's a project over the next decade on the order of $100 billion of capital, 10,000 direct jobs. 100,000 jobs are created as a result of those 10,000, by our experience. So, essentially, we want to build a little city," he told The Washington Post in August.
Intel operates 15 chip manufacturing "fabs" in 10 worldwide locations, according to the company. Four of them – including the Chandler plant – are in the U.S.
How quickly such a development could occur depends in part on Congress, which is debating legislation that would provide incentives to bring chip-making back to the U.S.
The Senate passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act in June that provides $52 billion in federal investments for research, design and manufacturing. The legislation is pending in the House.
"Restoring American leadership as a producer of advanced computer chip technology is critically important in strengthening U.S. supply chain resiliency and addressing our over-reliance on foreign suppliers for components vital to our national defense,” Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, whose district includes the site, said in a statement Friday.
“In addition to its potential for creating good-paying tech jobs, this investment takes a major step toward addressing the national chip shortage and would mark a significant milestone in our efforts to lessen dependence on overseas manufacturers.”
New Albany's council on Jan. 4 voted 6-0 to enter into an annexation agreement with Jersey Township for the property, which is bounded by the Franklin-Licking County line, Green Chapel Road, Mink Street and Jug Street. The factory would dramatically escalate development for the already fast-growing area.
“Jersey Township will never be the same after this, that’s for sure,” said Jersey Township Trustee Dan Wetzel.
Officials have stated publicly that no use for the property has been identified.
Dispatch Reporter Titus Wu and This Week Reporter Gary Seaman contributed to this report.


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Peter Meehan on why he’s really into Chinatown these days: Sichuan hot pot in a bag, tofu, and barbecued parts.
Royal Caribbean cruise line’s newest ship, the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas, will house the first Starbucks outlet at sea.
A recent survey reveals that the reputation of British food among foreigners is improving, nearly everywhere except in France.
A rash of cases involving kids being hospitalized after drinking beverages that combine alcohol and caffeine has highlighted the dangers of such drinks.
Carol Smith has stepped down as the publishing director of Condé Nast’s food group. Paul Jowdy has returned as publisher of Bon Appétit and the Gourmet brand.
McDonald’s will pay $17,500 to an ex-employee who gained 65 pounds while working at the restaurant chain for 12 years.
[NY Daily News]


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Palm has released teaser images and information on the new Palm Treo Pro Smartphone.
According to Crave a few images and presentation videos were posted on the Palm Website earlier this week, then quickly removed... but not before the details were found by key blogs. The blogs have already spread the news all over the internet.
The cynical among us would say that this is no mistake, but rather a way to create a buzz about the Treo Pro before the official release.
Details of the specifications are very slim but the phone will apparently have:
- One-touch Wi-Fi button
- Windows Mobile 6.1 OS
- High-res touchscreen
- MicroUSB connector
- 400MHz processor
These specifications have yet to be confirmed but in any case, Palm is certainly making its smart phones look a lot sleeker than before.
Die-hard Palm fans will be drooling over the latest offering - just as the "accidental" sneak preview intended.


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An app for that: St. John's launches new pay by phone parking plan
Expired meters could become a thing of the past
The search for spare change could be behind people parking in downtown St. John's as there is a new app in town.
While the pilot project won't make finding a spot any less stressful, it will make paying for one easier.
"There are 136 spaces here on the harbour front and they are going to be pay by phone only," said Coun. Debbie Hanlon.
As of June 11 the only way to pay for parking on Harbour Drive will be over the phone. Users can sign up online, download the app or even call it in.
Motorists then plug in the parking spot they find and previously entered banking or credit card information takes care of the payment.
The hope is that it will cut down on the number of parking tickets handed out.
"The excellent thing about this is if you are shopping downtown and you want to stay an extra hour then this app lets you know when your parking is about to expire and it lets you extend it to the maximum time that you can," Hanlon said.
The City of St. John's is employing the services of PayByPhone, a Canadian company already offering its online services in more than 300 cities around the globe.
"No one enjoys the act of the parking," said Megan Smit, PayByPhone's marketing director.
"We want to make it the best possible experience because the reality is, it's not going anywhere."
PayByPhone can boast clients like San Francisco, Saskatoon and Sheffield, England, but it doesn't mind starting with only 136 spaces in St. John's.
"For us it doesn't matter the size of the city," Smit said.
"It should be the same experience, whether you're in the big, bustling city of New York, or in the city of Vancouver or St. John's."
The city has been struggling to keep the tops on its current parking meters. Last month 64 were vandalized. An online service would mean fewer meters to destroy and help the city collect some money.
"I am looking forward to the ease of it," said Hanlon
"I am looking forward to the fact we can start collecting money again downtown and I think that it is going to help everyone."
Hanlon said the move to PayByPhone is a one-year pilot project and if it's successful residents will see the service expand.


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TAGBILARAN CITY, June 25 (PIA)—Loon town spread another “rainbow after the storm” as it inaugurated the first Negosyo Center (NC) outside Tagbilaran, and opened the doors of countless business possibilities for its people, Tuesday June 21.
And for Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez, the new facility would boost job creation and livelihood opportunities for Loonanons even as it further promotes ease of doing business in the town.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director and Boholana Asteria Caberte told the people at the launching of the new facility that would soon become the hub for business especially in facilitating access for micro-small and medium enterprises.
Mandated under the Go Negosyo Act, the NC in Loon is strategically set up in an identified growth areas in Bohol.
Loon has been picked as the hub of a new growth area in Bohol anchored with the setting up of Loon International Cruise Port and the Loon Tourism Enterprise Zone.
These development also triggers the need for a hub that would facilitate business registration assistance, render business advisory services, set up business information and advocacies, monitor and evaluate processes as well as liaise with offices for business facilitation, thus the Negosyo Center, DTI Bohol Provincial Director Maria Soledad Balistoy said.
A facility that would be supervised by the local Small Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council along with DTI, the NC in Loon is strategic, emphasizes Caberte who added that the local MSME can now come to the center and avail of the services of a business counsellor.
“Through the NC, we can sit down and craft development plans,” Caberte, who is also instrumental in the setting up of the DTI Bohol and BIPC Bohol NCs added. “we hope that the NC can be maximized through its services.”
We hope we can help everyone, she intoned.
In his acceptance speech, Mayor Lopez, who would be assuming as the chief legislative, bared that his first legislative agenda would also be streamlining the Business Process and Licensing System (BPLS), to spur businesses.
Himself a witness as to how MSMEs get spooked by 16 documents to comply before getting a business permit, Mayor Lopez hinted how that can be an added burden for a people of a town worst hit by the earthquake.
In several areas too, the circuitous road to the compliance of a business permit has forced several small business to just skip the process and operate, without the necessary permits, losing precious government resources and investor confidence.
Lopez said he would review the existing ordinances and reduce the requirements by half.
He also proposed to pass an ordinance that would allow a new entrepreneur to start business even with only 3-4 requirements passed.
The rest of the requirements however have to be complied within the next 60 days or the business faces closure and revocation of temporary permit, he said.
Also invited at the launching were SMED partners including the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Mayette Gasatan, Maria Fe Dominese who represented Gov Edgar Chatto, DOST, DA, TESDA and DILG. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)


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NAB 2016 is in the books and, for the 103,000 people in attendance, it’s time to pull together notes taken from across the show floor and hopefully be able to answer a simple question from management: what was the big trend at the show this year? As is often the case with simple questions, there is a not-so-simple answer.
The FCC can take several more steps to expedite the TV spectrum repack and increase the likelihood of achieving its aggressive timeline, including authorizing the use of temporary side-mount antennas, says Dan Fallon, senior RF engineer at antenna vendor Dielectric.
During an NAB Show panel, it became apparent that both broadcast and wireless interests see value in sitting down together to plan the post-auction spectrum reorganization, with both sides saying a region-by-region approach looks most efficient. T-Mobile’s Steve Sharkey: “Any chance to get together and try to figure out what the right process is is a positive step forward.” I agree; a summit would get further faster than any other method in bridging the gap between broadcasters and carriers.
The CBS tech exec says he has two big questions over plans to move to the next-gen standard: will viewers lose programming now available on subchannels and what is the business plan?
As the push to move TV broadcasting to the more powerful and versatile ATSC 3.0 transmission standard picks up steam almost daily, this week’s NAB Show let attendees get up close and personal with the new tech. The show featured two 3.0 pavilions (one with broadcast gear, the other with consumer tech); more than 15 vendors, universities, researchers and the NAB’s own initiative demoing different pieces of the 3.0 ecosystem. At the opening of the ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience were: ATSC President Mark Richer (center), flanked by Richard Friedel of Fox Networks (left) and Glenn Reitmeier of NBCUniversal.
The FCC Chairman tells an NAB Show audience: “Hooray for the creative thinking of the broadcast community that brought ATSC 3.0 from an idea into reality. We need to move with dispatch to get that in the public debate.” He says the proposal will be put out for comment by the end of the month. He also says the FCC will announce how much spectrum it wants by the end of the month and reassures broadcasters that he will lead the push to get more money for the post-auction repack if that proves necessary.
At the NAB Show this week, Nugen is introducing a $199 add-on for its Halo upmix software that makes it possible to sleep a bit more soundly for video and […]
FOR-A | Booth C5117 | Website: www.for-a.com FOR-A demonstrated a number of products at the NAB Show. They include: 4K Multi-Viewer Technology The new MV-1200 4K multi-viewer and MFR-16MV multi-viewer […]
Digital Nirvana | Booth SU10410 | Website: www.digital-nirvana.com Digital Nirvana was demonstrating a number of products at the NAB Show. They include: CARTS (for Capture, Analyze, Replay Transport Stream), a […]
Even though the German research institute came out on the losing side of the battle between it and Dolby to be the audio standard for the ATSC 3.0 in the U.S., it’s won over South Korea and is pushing hard elsewhere around the globe.
Wheeler aide Jessica Almond says that it’s possible minority and LPTV owners may sell their spectrum in the upcoming auction, but there are other means available to promote diversity in ownership and programming.
Equipment vendors say that the recent FCC ruling that clears up whether the commission will reimburse TV station owners for relocation expenses before or during the two-part spectrum auction process should mean broadcasters can move forward with engineering studies in advance of the spectrum repack. And those studies can also aid broadcasters in making ATSC 3.0 business decisions.
The station group’s executives spell out how they are bucking the syndication system with their five-year-old strategy to develop home-grown programming like The List and Right This Minute. “Many in the industry thought we were nuts … and five years later, all of our peers are starting their own programming divisions based on the success that we’re having,” said Brian Lawlor, Scripps SVP, broadcast.
Cinegy | Booth SL11116 | Website: https://home.cinegy.com/ Cinegy is highlighting a number of products and services at the NAB Show. They include: “Cinegy as a Service,” a hardware-free way of […]
Vizrt | Booth SL2417 | Website: www.vizrt.com On Monday, Vizrt released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: Augmented reality graphics At NAB, Vizrt will present AR […]
Timecode Systems debuts SyncBac, a tiny timecode generator that fits on the back of GoPro HERO Black and Silver cameras.
Fujinon is displaying 4K Ultra HD camera lenses with new HTEBC coatings and a new barrel design that the company says improves the signal going through the lens.
The ATSC 3.0 Consumer Experience at the 2016 NAB Show offered a look into a future that includes reception of ATSC 3.0 TV signals in next-gen consumer televisions and powered indoor antennas that receive 3.0 signals and retransmit them via Wi-Fi to smart TVs in the home —both next-gen sets and existing HDTVs. Opening the exhibit were (l-r): Mark Richer, ATSC president; Sam Matheny, NAB CTO; and Brian Markwalter, CTA SVP of research and standards.
Sinclair’s top tech, Mark Aitken, says the next-gen TV standard will offer stations a plethora of new business opportunities. “There will come a day shortly where the kinds of services broadcasters are capable of offering” will top those consumers will be able to get anywhere else. “The business opportunities of tomorrow are totally open to the imagination.”
Pliant Technologies | Booth C12719 | Website: www.plianttechnologies.com On Monday, Pliant Technologies, the new professional products division of CoachComm, introduced a new professional wireless intercom product, CrewCom. This is the […]
On Monday, Evertz released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: Artel Video Systems, a provider of innovative IP- and fiber-based media transport solutions supporting global telecommunications, […]
Riedel Communications | Booth C7233 | Website: www.riedel.net On Monday, Riedel Communications released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: The introduction of new ESP-2324 Expansion Smartpanel […]
Amid the massive sprawl of the NAB Show is Sprockit, a cluster of 24 cutting-edge start-ups aimed at enhancing or disrupting traditional broadcasting operations. Kim Wilson, a veteran of Sprockit herself, describes what each is bringing to the table this year.
The two main topics of discussion at the network’s meeting Monday with its Affiliate Board of Governors were addressing problems with ABC’s primetime lineup (particularly at 10 p.m.) and the continuing development of TV Everywhere and OTT plans.
Spectrum sales advocate Preston Padden predicts wireless carriers will bid up to $80 billion for TV broadcasters’ spectrum in the FCC’s incentive auction. While not dismissing Padden’s estimate, wireless attorney Michelle Farquhar thinks bids will end up around $45 billion, driven by consumer demand for mobile video. “Mobile video is getting huge and it’s going to take off,” she said.
TVB chief Steve Lanzano says among this year’s strong local categories are automotive, home furnishings, DIY and health care. On the network side, CBS’s David Poltrack says sales “are up 10% in the first quarter so it’s looking good so far.” He also predicts high advertiser demand for network inventory during the upcoming upfronts.
The veteran producer says broadcast networks are still the programming gold standard. “With broadcast, you may be taking a ton of risk going into it, but you can still potentially create something like The Office or The Biggest Loser, which has huge back-end revenue streams, not just the front-end, commercial upside,” he says.
Broadcast Pix | Booth SL7627 | Website: www.broadcastpix.com Broadcast Pix today announced it intends to acquire ioGates, a cloud-based video production firm with more than a decade’s experience in web-based […]
BroadStream Solutions & Digital Alert Systems | Booths N6315 & N3422, respectively | Websites: http://broadstream.com & http://digitalalertsystems.com On Monday, automated playout specialist, BroadStream Solutions and Digital Alert Systems (DAS) announced a partnership […]
NAB President Gordon Smith decries the commission’s push away from broadcasting to broadband, saying there is no “higher and better use of spectrum than serving diverse audiences with free and local TV programming for all citizens.” Service, availability, ubiquity are just some of what set over-the-air broadcasting apart, he says. “It seems everyone wants what we have — our content and our spectrum — but nobody wants to do what we do — live and vital localism.”
AJA Video Systems | Booth SL2505 | Website: www.aja.com On Monday, AJA Video Systems released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: The introduction of HELO, a […]
Wohler Technologies | Booth N6809 | Website: www.wohler.com On Sunday, Wohler Technologies released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: The release of two new products in […]
ChyronHego | Booth SL1210 | Website: www.chyronhego.com On Sunday, ChyronHego released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: The launch of LyricX, an all-new release of the […]
Evertz | Booth N1502 | Website: www.evertz.com On Sunday, Evertz released a number of announcements at the NAB Show. They include: The introduction of OvertureRT LIVE UHD (OVRT-LIVE-UHD), a UHD […]
Harmonic | Booth SU1210 | Website: www.harmonicinc.com Harmonic made a number of announcements Sunday at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Among them were: Harmonic has launched two new VOS […]
Avid | Booth SU902 | Website: www.avid.com On Sunday, Avid announced a series of innovations for its Avid MediaCentral Platform and its associated modular application suites, delivering further on the key promises […]


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A woman has been arrested on more than two dozen counts of fraud and other charges after using a stolen credit card over the course of about two weeks.
Susan J. Hancock, 53, was arrested on 25 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, 25 counts of computer tampering, fraudulent schemes, theft of a credit card, forgery and criminal impersonation.
The investigation by the Sierra Vista Police Department began after a report made on Nov. 27 by a resident in the 300 block of North Colombo Avenue.
At some point in September or November of last year, Hancock is thought to have taken a credit card belonging to the victim from a shared mailbox at their residence, according to a probable cause statement submitted by police to the Sierra Vista Justice Court.
The first purchase made with the card occurred on or about Nov. 4 and continued through Nov. 20 at local restaurants, convenience stores and various Internet web sites, according to the statement.
Investigators also said they have seen store security footage showing Hancock signing for purchases made with the card.
A total of 25 documented charges were made on the card, totaling $1,014.19, the statement reads.
Hancock was booked into the county jail.
News Source : Om RATHORE


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Last week, Zurich acquired ANZ’s Australian retail life insurance business for $2.1bn, making Zurich the number one player in the Australian retail life insurance sector. The deal gives the insurance behemoth the right to sell its policies via ANZ’s network of 680 bank branches for the next 20 years.
Bancassurance has always been a popular distribution model but has been difficult to monetise effectively given the different interests, skills, experience and incentives of bank branch staff from insurance agents / intermediaries. Bank staff, for example, need support to advise on, and sell, complex insurance products yet the tools at their disposal historically have often been at best limited. The insurance industry needs to continue to take inspiration from the technology and retail sectors where digital customer experience is most advanced. A lot is happening in this space but there is still more to do.
Zurich will be able to sell its products via ANZ’s 680 bank branches for the next 20 years.


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Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow with moderate demand in Kansas and Nebraska through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Live prices were steady in Kansas at $123-$124/cwt., but $1 lower in Nebraska at $124. Dressed trade in Nebraska was $2 lower at $198.
Trade was limited on light demand in other regions. A light test brought steady money of $124 in the Texas Panhandle. Live sales in the western Corn Belt last week were $123-$124; dressed sales were $196-$200.
Higher outside markets and potential positioning ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report helped lift Cattle futures Wednesday.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.09 higher (87¢ to $1.27 higher) except for 5¢ lower in spot Sep.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.02 higher (65¢ to $1.30 higher).
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.54 lower Wednesday afternoon at $307.83/cwt. Select was $2.51 lower at $275.50.
Corn futures closed 7¢ to 8¢ higher through new-crop contracts and then mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher.
Soybean futures closed 6¢ to 9¢ higher through the front six contracts and then mostly 1¢ to 4¢ higher.
Major U.S. financial indices rallied back Wednesday.
The Federal Reserve seemed to soothe some investor worries with its statement Wednesday, acknowledging progress in domestic economic recovery — and the likelihood of tapering its bond buying program soon — while holding interest rates steady and reiterating it will do so until maximum employment is achieved and inflation rises to 2% and moderately exceeds that level for some time.
“With progress on vaccinations and strong policy support, indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen,” according to the statement. “The sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic have improved in recent months, but the rise in COVID-19 cases has slowed their recovery. Inflation is elevated, largely reflecting transitory factors. Overall financial conditions remain accommodative, in part reflecting policy measures to support the economy and the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses.”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 338 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 41 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 150 points.
USDA’s latest monthly Cold Storage report continues to reflect strong red meat demand.
Total pounds of beef in freezers Aug. 31 were 4% more than the previous month but 8% less year over year.
Frozen pork supplies were up 4% from the previous month but down 1% percent from the same time last year.
Total red meat supplies in freezers were 4% more than the previous month but 6% less than a year earlier.
Total frozen poultry supplies were down 3% from the previous month and down 20% from a year ago.


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Marketing diva Bozoma Saint John has a daunting task in her new role as the chief marketing officer at Endeavor Global Marketing—helping Papa John’s pizza navigate its current public relations nightmare.
According to CNN, the beleaguered pizza chain hired the marketing agency after the board pressured founder, chairman, and former CEO John Schnatter to step down.
Schnatter, who appeared in just about every Papa John’s TV commercial, was the face of the brand, yet, he’s been a controversial figure.
“This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago…Like many sponsors, we’re in touch with the NFL. Once the issue is resolved, we’re optimistic the NFL’s best years are ahead,” are some of the comments he is reported to have said.
Soon after, Papa John’s sales declined with Schnatter blaming the fall on the NFL protests. The NFL dropped Papa John’s as the “official pizza” of the National Football League and replaced it with Pizza Hut.
Yet, the final straw for Papa John’s board members was when news came to light that Schnatter had dropped the ‘n-word’ during a conference call designed as a role-playing exercise in an effort to prevent future public-relations snafus for the CEO. Forbes reported that on the call Schnatter said “Colonel Sanders called blacks n—–s,” and complained that Sanders never faced public backlash. The board accepted his resignation almost immediately after the news broke.
Now, the pizza delivery chain is struggling to regain customers and repair its image. Adweek reports that Saint John led the effort to acquire Papa John’s business.
“This is a really pivotal moment not just for Papa John’s, but for all corporate businesses and all brands that service a larger group of people,” Saint John told Adweek. “Our culture has become even more sensitive to anything we feel is outside of our moral compass, and as a brand we acknowledge that.”
Saint John, a marketing guru who rose through the corporate ranks at Pepsi and Apple, began working as Uber’s chief brand officer on June 12, 2017. She was hired by ousted Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. At the time, she told Black Enterprise that she was anxious to help rebrand the company’s image. “People like me jump right into the deep end, head first. I’m already going. The practical and logistical things will catch up.”
During her tenure, Saint John took steps to improve Uber’s embattled image, even going as far as to personally work as a driver to better serve customers. Yet, despite her efforts and the shift in company leadership, Uber was riddled with scandals and controversy in 2017 and made little progress in diversifying its workforce. She left after a year.
—Selena Hill contributed to this report


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According to Elon Musk, the Tesla Cyberquad ATV will be the safest electric ATV ever.
(Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com) According to Elon Musk, the Tesla Cyberquad ATV will be the safest electric ATV ever. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the new Tesla Cyberquad ATV is the safest ATV ever produced. Elon Musk made the first mention about the Tesla Cyberquad ATV during the launch of the electric ATV with the Cybertruck back in 2019.
On the Cyberquad ATV, Elon Musk
According to Engadget, the CEO stated that it will be the safest ATV in the world. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had a little “one more thing” moment on stage when they really brought out the Tesla Cyberquad when they had introduced the Cybertruck back in 2019.
The Cyberquad ATV was brought out to demonstrate the Cybertruck’s total payload capacity. At the time, it was unclear whether Tesla intended to make the electric ATV available. Elon Musk also announced that people interested in purchasing a Cybertruck would be able to do so.
Mentions in the Cyberquad
Apart from a few appearances at events, there hasn’t been much publicity about the Cyberquad since then. According to Hypebeast, Hot Wheels has worked with Tesla to create a toy replica of the automobile.
Elon Musk made the first comments about the electric ATV in years during Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting today. Elon Musk stated that the Cybertruck will undoubtedly be produced, as will the ATV. Learn why Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y costs are increasing by $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
On the Electric ATV, Elon Musk
The ATV was said to be a fun design challenge because ATVs are notoriously risky, and they wanted to create the safest ATV possible. Elon Musk went on to say more about Tesla’s ambitions to make it happen.
The Cyberquad would have a very low center of gravity due to the battery pack being placed low on the vehicle, according to the statement. It was mentioned that he believes they can modify the suspension to make it more difficult to roll the ATV.
Also see: Is Rivian Stealing Tesla’s FSD? Elon Musk Reacts to New Autonomous Driving FilingsCyberquad ATV Prototype News from Brinkwire in a nutshell.


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Bitcoin may be resetting to its Q1 marketJune 9, 2021
- The bitcoin price is now back at levels from late January 2021, the time that large, new bitcoin investors started to sell after their rapid acquisition of 1.1 million bitcoin from late September propelled the bitcoin price from $11k to as high as $43k. Were prices above $50k since then supported by more than hype?
- Realized losses since 10 May have been limited, at $2 billion for investors acquiring in the last 3 months and $10 billion for services (primarily exchanges), while being minimal for other investor groups in aggregate. So overall, investors appear to be holding, even if they are not buying much, suggesting conviction in bitcoin from earlier in the year continues.
- However, outflows from crypto-to-fiat exchanges to self-hosted wallets declined from mid-March. So when prices were at their highest, investor accumulation was at its lowest. This suggests the price in April was driven by an illiquid market and a lot of hype, rather than institutional buying.


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Sunday, June 11 marked a milestone Xbox E3 Briefing as Microsoft Corp. unveiled the world’s most powerful console, Xbox One X and its largest and most diverse games line up in E3 history.
Xbox showcased a record 42 games in its briefing. Coming to all Xbox One markets starting Nov. 7, Xbox One X will retail for $499.
The console was designed to be the best console to create and play games on, putting the greatest graphic fidelity in the hands of the world’s best game creators to create true 4K games. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer underscored that every game will play great across the Xbox One family, and Xbox One X also makes your existing library even better, with better textures, smoother framerates and faster load times.
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Apparel makers are witnessing a renewal of hope as the festive season makes a comeback
It’s after two years that festivals will be celebrated in their characteristic happy and joyous mode with a lot of pomp and show, all of which was missing during the lockdown. Garment manufacturers now have a golden chance to cash in on the situation even though it is not a cakewalk
Neil Banerjee September 22, 2022
MORE IN Features
The festive season is just around the corner and the garment manufacturers and traders are eagerly waiting for their sales to ramp up. Preparations are afoot and garment shop owners are chalking out their plans of action. Due to the cutthroat competition in this sector, the garment shop owners are heavily relying on the uniqueness and quality of their products. From the Chikankari embroidery artists of Lucknow to the Kanjivaram weavers of Tamil Nadu, the local artisans throughout the country are eagerly looking forward to the festive season.
“Chikankari embroidery has been the USP of Lucknow’s garment industry since ages. People like to wear it as it is very comfortable and elegant. In recent times, the sales have declined a bit, but I am hopeful that they will surge this time,” says Prakash Sharma, owner of the Lucknow Chikankari Shop.
Come October and festivities will be in the air. Starting from Navratri and leading up to Diwali and bringing new hope to the retailers who can finally cash in on these opportunities after incurring heavy losses and a market freeze during the lockdowns all over the country. Although the sales are yet to reach the heights of the pre-COVID levels, things are looking up.
“We are expecting a good turnout this year. With no COVID restrictions this time, the sales will zoom. But there is still a looming question about whether the industry will be able to revert to the pre-COVID scenario,” says Nitesh Lobo, owner of LOBO Tailors, Lucknow.
A look at the current state of affairs
“Every shop owner hopes for a good response. During Ganesh Chaturthi, we experienced a 25 per cent increase in customer footfalls and sales. But this is nowhere near what it was before COVID struck,” says Kanti Gala, owner of Manav Studio, an apparel and tailoring shop in Mumbai.
The garment and textile industries were the sectors that bore the brunt of the pandemic. Many shops had to shut down as their owners couldn’t survive under their escalating debts. Also, having to pump in money into a sector which they had lost hope in seemed to be a huge gamble. The ones who stood their ground are trying to make a comeback.
“Shops were completely shut during the lockdown. People tried to make a comeback with their businesses, but the second wave robbed them of any remaining hopes. I’ve myself seen multiple clothing businesses shut down in front of my eyes. It’s a sad state of affairs but that is what reality is; it hits hard,” Sharma points out.
“Not just us, but every business was hit severely during the pandemic. The prices increased, everything became expensive and there wasn’t any money coming in, rather it was only moving out. Since there are a lot of people depending on you, you have to stop investing at some point and wait and watch,” asserts Parth Khanna, former owner of a clothing shop in Lucknow.
The surviving lot have their hopes high. They are expecting to do a roaring business in the upcoming festive season as the fear of contracting the corona virus has abated significantly amongst the general population.
What’s in stock?
“We have to keep a large amount of stock as the customers always want to look out for a bit more. Some might like their clothes plain and some might like them shiny. A well-stocked store attracts scores of customers,” Gala tells us.
The wedding season is also approaching, and the retailers have to be on their toes to deliver to their customers. The stores must offer their customers the best suits and designs possible and for that they must go above and beyond to meet their expectations.
“The selection of materials requires work and a lot of attention. We have to keep various fabrics in stock to offer the customers a wide variety and range to choose from. To acquire certain fabrics also gets difficult sometimes as they run out of stock in a short time,” Lobo informs us.
The people who come late to the party often have to resort to frenzy buying. They run out of patience if they have to wait for their chosen products. This leads to the retailers having to explain their situation to them and hoping that these customers would be able to comprehend their limitations. “The customers always want their clothes to be delivered in the quickest time possible, and that’s difficult. You see, stitching is a complicated process; it takes time as there are minute details that need to be in place and precise cutting that must be done perfectly. Although we do try to deliver the stitched clothes as early as possible, sometimes it’s just not possible” Lobo points out.
The buzzing bazaars and the glittering shops displaying garments for sale are a lovely sight for the shoppers. The retailers too depute many of their employees to handle the hordes of customers and attend to their demands. Understanding the customers’ requirements and their specific needs is no mean job. “We attend to around 40-50 customers on an average every day. This gets to 150-200 and sometimes even more when the festive season is at its peak. Attending to the customers and keeping a cool head is necessary while dealing with them,” says Prakash Gurnani, an employee at the Shri Harivansh textile store in Jaipur.
New strategies amid the hike in MRP’s
“Everything has become expensive, from the fabrics to their transportation to the affordability rates of the workers. There is a lot of inflation in the market. On an average, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that there has been a 40 per cent hike in the prices of luxurious items such as clothing,” says Gala.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left the retailers, traders and manufacturers with not only massive business losses but has also burnt a hole in their pockets. The prices of the base materials like fabrics, wools, silk, embroidery items, etc. have all increased, which in turn has driven up the cost of the final product.
The price hike will tighten the customers’ purse strings as well, but the retailers are helpless as they have no other options left. Some retailers are planning to counter this situation by moving online to grab more eyeballs and attract more customers. “A tuxedo used to cost Rs 8,000, including the fabric and stitching costs. Now, the same tuxedo costs Rs 8,500. The price hike may seem like a let-down to the customers, but we have a digital plan prepared. We are going to attract customers by reaching out to more people through social media marketing and online ads,” Lobo tells us.
This strategy may play out well by attracting the younger demographic which spends the most time online. It will also help the players in this arena to transform their enterprises by utilising this opportunity to take their businesses online. The first step in the digitalisation process is the most important one. We have to wait and watch to find out if this sector seizes this opportunity and makes its presence felt in the digital arena.
Loss of business but the birth of a new hope
”I’ve lost many of my wholesale customers. They’re now buying the same amount of clothing items and fabrics from other nearby countries. They mostly have resorted to buying from merchants in Bangladesh due to the cheaper prices there. Although there is still a little space where we have maintained our foothold. There is still hope that we can reach the foreign customers through better advertising and creative marketing techniques and strategies,” Gala elaborates.
Indian textiles and handloom items are really sought after and quite famous among a certain set of people abroad. The garment business owners should pounce on this opportunity to expand their businesses. It can help them to carve out a market of their own. Just like Indian food items are a rage in the western markets, Indian apparel too can achieve the same status and popularity there if it is properly advertised and marketed. The GI tagged handloom and textile products like Banarsi sarees, Bagru hand block sarees, Kanjivaram silk and sarees, etc. are creating a market of their own by certifying their authenticity and properly managing and marketing their brand value and image.
The participation of online shoppers during the festive week has doubled from 18 per cent in CY18 to a projected 38 per cent in CY22 i.e., the number of people who shop during the festive season has doubled from 2018.
According to the Retail Business Survey by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), India reported a growth of 18 per cent in retail business sales as compared to the pre-pandemic levels of July 2019.
Turning the festive fervour in their favour
There is both excitement and anxiety amongst the retailers regarding the upcoming festivals. They have their plans in place and have stocked up well as they usher in the festive season. Some sellers are also adopting new age technology and are planning to move their businesses online. From acquiring online platforms and posting online ads to selling their items online via sites like Amazon and Flipkart, they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to ramp up their sales. The small enterprises should definitely focus on the online space as it will help them to reach a larger audience.
“We plan to take our business online. We have been planning it for a long time now and we think that this is the right time to do it. There are going to be bottlenecks for a while, but I think that by the time that the festivals reach a crescendo, we can manage to sort the major problems out,” says Jayesh Kamal of the Gujarat textile store in Gandhinagar.
The market is still sluggish and stagnant but working in the right manner can help increase the sales. The production of raw materials has also slowed due to the factories being closed for two years during the pandemic. The demand is surplus, but the production is still lagging. These are some of the factors that are holding this sector back, but things are slowly but steadily getting better.
Sporting new outfits during festivals is one way of showcasing one’s festive fervour and celebratory mood, as well as signifying one’s zest for life. Therefore, the garment manufacturers have a golden opportunity to turn this celebratory mood in their favour as these festivities make a much-awaited comeback after two long years.


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MILAN — Europeans will be able to slather on creams with more confidence come Thursday.
That’s when new legislation goes into effect across the European Union, ushering in more stringent safety requirements and detailed labeling.
Highlights of the new regulation include the introduction of “responsible persons,” who will be listed with contact information on all cosmetic product labels. These people are charged with ensuring product compliance and maintaining up-to-date safety assessments on file.
Additionally, manufacturers must respect more precise guidelines on how to evaluate a cosmetic product’s safety before introducing it on the market, and all items sold are to be submitted to a centralized European electronic notification system that’s been in place since January 2012.
All nanomaterials — molecules or particles tiny enough to remain for a long time on skin — must be explicitly listed on cosmetics packaging, with the word “nano” in brackets following substance names, and have to be authorized in the regulation’s annexes.
Called the Cosmetics Regulation, it replaces the existing Cosmetics Directive and its 67 amendments, which impose certain standards on all EU countries but give member states leeway in implementing the rules and enforcing them. By contrast, the new regulation functions as a single law and has an expanded reach, eliminating “ambiguities that may occur among the member states” during transposition, said a spokesman for the European Commission’s department of health and consumers.
The current EU Cosmetics Directive already states that “labeling, marketing and advertising of cosmetic products, texts, names, trademarks, pictures and figurative or other signs cannot be used to imply that these products have characteristics or functions which they do not have.” However, Article 20 of the Cosmetics Regulation takes this requirement one step further by introducing six common criteria — “legal compliance, truthfulness, evidential support, honesty, fairness and informed decision making” — to justify claims made about cosmetics.
The new regulation “notably strengthens the safety of cosmetic products for consumers, streamlines the framework for all actors and simplifies procedures,” said a European Commission department of health and consumers spokesman. “It will also contribute to more informed consumer decision making.”
Cosmetics Europe has been “very involved” in working with the commission on the new framework, said Virginia Lee, the personal care trade association’s director of communication and public affairs.
“We really welcome [the regulation],” she added. “There is going to be a simplification of procedures and terminology, which helps everybody.”
Lee noted the changes have been under way since 2010 but are solely applicable on Thursday.
The requirement to label nanomaterials should not alarm consumers about their safety, according to Lee.
“It doesn’t change the product. We’ve been using nanomaterials for years,” she said. “It’s about informing the consumer…and this isn’t something directed specifically at the cosmetics industry.”
Nanomaterials are present in a wide range of consumer products.
Daniela Sacerdote, chief executive officer of Italian cosmetics brand Collistar, believes the new regulation eliminates red tape and facilitates free trade.
She explained if formerly a cosmetics product had to be registered (or “notified,” in EU jargon) in one country, then again in the various countries where a company chose to export — with different systems and administrative obligations — “the new [centralized] notification system makes everything faster and more fluid. The advantages for companies that rely heavily on exports are obvious.”
The legislative modifications on cosmetics are ongoing. As previously reported, the ban forbidding the import and sale of animal-tested cosmetics products and ingredients in the EU went into effect on March 11.
The Commission spokesman said enforcing the animal testing ban is a major goal going forward.
Nick Palmer, head of policy at the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments, agreed implementation is complex, with some EU countries more proactive than others.
“The main potential risk is that companies ‘forget’ to mention animal tests done in other countries and are not specifically asked about it,” he said. “We’d like to see all EU members have their trading standards bodies inspect the product information files whenever they check cosmetics.…To only look at specific complaints is insufficient, since it is not an obvious issue that will necessarily get reported.”
Meanwhile, by 2014, the EU Commission will publish a complete catalogue of nanomaterials used in cosmetics and thereafter release annual status reports on these ingredients. And by Jan. 11, 2015, it will review rules pertaining to the use of endocrine disruptors.
EXCLUSIVE: @tomford is opening its first-ever beauty store. The boutique, which opens November 20 in London’s Covent Gardens, was designed with the over-the-top glam Ford is known for. Read the full story on WWD.com, link in bio. #wwdbeauty #wwdnews (📷: Simon Wagner) #TomFordBeauty
New York-based DJ @harleyvnewton threw a party to celebrate the holiday collection of her dress and pajama line @hvn at the Ladurée Beverly Hills. It Girls @katebosworth, @rashidajones and more joined in on the fun, which included cocktails, croque monsieur sandwiches and a photo booth. #wwdfashion (📷: Owen Kolasinski/BFA.com)
For the holidays, @Burberry partnered with 20-year-old artist @blondeymccoy on a series of three outdoor murals in downtown Manhattan. The murals are McCoy’s interpretation of a Christmas eve party, the idea of charity and the spirit of family. His third mural, pictured here, is the most personal. The image depicts McCoy’s grandparents and father in London’s Trafalgar Square in the Seventies. “My work often features lots of sentimental objects.” #wwdeye
For spring 2018, designers applied bold colors and cartoonish motifs on everything from sneakers and belts to key chains. See all the top men’s accessories trends on WWD.com. #wwdtrends (📷: George Chinsee; Prop Styling by @rnasti; Market Editor: @luiscampuzano)
The @dior-sponsored @guggenheim international gala pre-party has a history of drawing cool-girl musical acts to serenade the crowd –– and last night was no exception. @haimtheband performed songs both new and old, and lured a star-studded audience with the likes of Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Mamoudou Athie and more. #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)
In a partnership between the @metopera and the @englishnationalopera, “Marnie” was born. The opera, with costumes sponsored by @mrporterlive, is an adaptation of the 1961 thriller by Winston Graham. Arianne Phillips, who created the costumes, is no rookie: She’s styled Madonna for her tours and created costumes for a myriad of films in the past. Read WWD’s interview with Phillips, where she talks about her inspiration for the opera’s costumes on WWD.com #wwdfashion
@barneysnyc took a different approach to their holiday windows this year. Instead of Christmas decor, Barneys tapped @thehaasbrothers to tell a story of positivity, gratitude and inclusivity via heartwarming silliness and humor. “It’s about kids and it’s about coming together and being family and loving each other,” said Simon Haas. #wwdfashion (📷: @joshuascottphoto)
Beauty influencer @kandeejohnson makes her foray into hair care with a collaboration with @ogx_beauty — making it the first time that OGX has teamed up for a product creation. The collab includes shampoos and conditioners in three scents. At 39 and a mom, Johnson is a different profile than the emerging social media stars, but is considered one of the pioneers of the digital beauty influencer world. Read WWD’s interview with her on wwd.com, including the strangest beauty product she’s ever tried #wwdbeauty


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* U.S. consumer confidence hits highest since October 2007
* Best Buy tumbles after results, DSW rises
* Dow up 0.3 pct; S&P 500 up 0.2 pct; Nasdaq up 0.3 pct (Updates to early afternoon, changes byline)
By Chuck Mikolajczak
NEW YORK, Aug 26 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks advanced modestly on Tuesday as both the Dow and S&P 500 backed off after hitting fresh intraday records on the heels of strong consumer data, which suggested that the market's long-running rally could keep going.
Energy shares, which closely track the pace of growth, led the day's gain. The S&P energy index rose 0.8 percent.
The S&P 500 popped back above 2,000, which it had breached for the first time on Monday. With Tuesday's move, both the Dow and the S&P 500 have risen in 10 of the past 13 sessions, while the Nasdaq is up for 11 of the past 13 sessions.
However, much of the market's recent gains have come on low volume, suggesting that many traders may be reluctant to jump in at current levels.
"From an activity standpoint, it's relatively quiet. We broke through 2,000 so psychologically now it's going to tease with that a little bit," said Ken Polcari, director of the NYSE floor division at O'Neil Securities in New York.
U.S. consumer confidence rose more than expected in August, climbing to its highest since October 2007, according to the Conference Board, an industry group. The Commerce Department reported that U.S. durable goods orders jumped 22.6 percent in July, the biggest gain on record, though the number was skewed by strong international demand for aircraft.
"For the most part the data is starting to come in more consistently, at least to the positive side, we are not getting as many hiccups. Although it's slow, it is not necessarily as fast as people would like but maybe that is a good thing because there will be more control over it." Polcari said.
The market's trend higher is still seen as intact and the S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio is within historical norms, leading many analysts to believe stocks are not overvalued. Nonetheless, pronounced further gains may be a challenge amid potential headwinds such as a reduction in Federal Reserve stimulus and a simmering conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 52.63 points or 0.31 percent, to 17,129.50. The S&P 500 gained 4.26 points or 0.21 percent, to 2,002.18. The Nasdaq Composite added 14.57 points or 0.32 percent, to 4,571.92.
Best Buy Co Inc slid 6.4 percent to $29.95 after the electronics retailer reported second-quarter revenue that missed expectations and forecast a drop in same-store sales in the second half of the year. But DSW Inc jumped 8.5 percent to $30.79 after the shoe and accessory retailer's adjusted quarterly earnings topped forecasts.
Digital Ally Inc extended its meteoric rise, climbing another 8.8 percent to $13.61 on heavy volume. The recent fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Missouri has fueled interest in the company's wearable camera, and the stock's price has nearly quadrupled this month alone.
Amazon.com Inc agreed late Monday to buy live-streaming gaming network Twitch Interactive for about $970 million in cash. Amazon's stock rose 2.7 percent to $342.98 and gave the biggest boost to the Nasdaq 100 index. (Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; Editing by Jan Paschal)


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Waterstone quits Hamleys fight
THE battle for control of toy store Hamleys has ended after retail entrepreneur Tim Waterstone pulled out of the running.
Waterstone threw in the towel after he and his backers Rhone Capital decided they could not better a 245p-a-share offer from Icelandic retailer Baugur, which is backing a management team through a vehicle called Soldier.
Hamleys' independent directors have restored their recommendation to the Baugur bid, which values the Regent Street-based company at £58.7m. The Hamleys board had withdrawn its initial support for Soldier's bid after the counter-offer from Waterstone.
Jim Hodkinson, chairman of the committee of independent directors said, the Baugur offer represented a premium of 100% to the company's share price before the announcement of bid talks on 17 March. 'Hamleys last traded at this level in June 1998,' he added.
However, there was concern the bid war had pushed the price up too high. One analyst described the price as 'barmy'. Soldier's first offer was 205p, valuing Hamleys at some £47m. Soldier raised it to 226p before being trumped by a 230p shot from Waterstone, who runs the Daisy & Tom chain of shops selling kids' clothes, books and toys.
After the 245p bid from Soldier, Waterstone would have had to raise his offer to 268p to have a chance of winning.
The shares fell 6p to 252p.
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