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Archive for August, 2008
One universal trait among the Earthkeepers we know is a genuine love of the outdoors – and one of the best ways we know to ensure a growing breed of Earthkeepers is to pass that love on to the next generation.
While that sounds fairly intuitive, a Kaiser Family Foundation study reveals that the average American child spends more than 6 hours a day staring at some sort of electronic screen (think TV, computers, video games). As they become more connected to modern technology, our children are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature.
Fortunately, organizations like the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Outdoor Foundation have created campaigns to fight “nature deficit disorder” and reinforce the importance of outdoor experiences in the lives of our children:
- The Outdoor Foundation’s “I Will” campaign asks supporters to pledge to take at least two kids outside to experience an outdoor activity over the course of the next year. The campaign launched earlier this month when more than 2,500 members of the Outdoor Industry Association took the pledge during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, and is now open to the general public.
- The NWF’s “Green Hour” program suggests a greater commitment – an hour a day for kids to experience unstructured play and interaction with the natural world – but recognizes that even a few minutes a day is an improvement in the life of a child who has lots of “screen time” but no “green time.”
The impact of global warming won’t end with our generation – and efforts to combat it can’t end here, either. Take the I Will pledge, find a green hour, get out – and take a budding Earthkeeper with you. You’ll both be glad you did.
So you’re not big on tree planting, can’t figure out carbon offsetting and aren’t ready to retire your current vehicle for a bicycle or hybrid. Let go of the guilt and remember – even small steps can help to save the world.
Take, for example, reusable shopping bags – they’ve never been more accessible (most grocery stores display them conveniently close to the check-out counters) or affordable (many places charge a buck a bag and some even discount your grocery bill if you use them). We like the fact that they’re sturdy and hold about twice as much as a standard plastic grocery bag, which means less trips between the car and the kitchen … plus when they’re not doing grocery duty, the reusable bags are great for hauling everything from beach towels and bug spray to snacks and sweatshirts.
If you’re still not sold on the virtues of reusable shopping bags, you might read this award-winning article from Best Life magazine about the Pacific Ocean’s “Eastern Garbage Patch” – a stew of plastic trash twice the size of Texas that endangers sea life and humans alike. Or, check out Squawkfox’s list of 50 Reasons to Go Green with Reusable Shopping Bags.
Here’s to making the question “paper or plastic?” obsolete.
Alarming graph comparison of plastic resin production vs. percentage of plastic recycled, courtesy of Best Life magazine.
One more reason to love America’s favorite pastime:
Major League Baseball is joining forces with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to support and coordinate environmental stewardship efforts in virtually every Major League Baseball club across the US. Under the collaborative “Team Greening Program,” Major League clubs will be able to share best environmental practices and information on everything from offsetting carbon emissions from team travel to establishing recycling programs and incorporating environmental language into contracts and purchasing policies.
Our own Earthkeeper Heroes on the Big Green Bus took time out from their cross-country tour to talk with Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist for the NRDC, about the Major League Baseball partnership … and the incredible potential for environmental education and impact that lives within our nation’s greatest ballparks.
Click here to read Big Green Bus blogger Andrew Zabel’s reflections on the inspiring conversation … and visit the NRDC Greening Advisor™ website for more information about how your favorite team is working to go green.
- eco-village (also known as the place Reverb does some of its best work)
- carbon footprint (calculate yours here)
- food miles (as in, the fewer food miles between your dinner’s origin and your kitchen, the better)
The fact that environmental terms like these are working their way into mainstream culture and language is a positive sign; awareness begets action … and action creates impact.
If the Chambers dictionary editors are open to suggestions for the 12th edition, we’ve got one: it’s a 12-letter word that starts with “E” and means, “keepers of the earth” …
A few weeks ago, we posted about the need for less “stuff” in our world (and in our landfills … and in our closets) and making sure the stuff we do have is more durable than disposable.
It’s a great premise … but eventually we outgrow some of even the most durable stuff and then what? Are you destined to have a garage full of old toys, electronics, chipped plates and dusty lamps because you don’t want to add them to the dump pile?
Not by a long shot. The online recycling community is growing every day – and just as one person’s trash is another’s treasure, there’s an online swap site for virtually everything you need (or, need to get rid of). Freecycle is perhaps one of the best-known and most widespread online recycling networks, with an estimated 5 ½ million members and more than 4,000 “communities” across the globe, and many other “mainstream” options exist, including:
- Craigslist.org (most items are for sale but there is a free section)
In addition, there are specialty swap sites for everything from college textbooks (socialbib.com) to children’s toys and gear (zwaggle.com) to music, DVDs and video games (swaptree.com). We even found one where you can swap that gift card you received for the store you never shop at for another gift card you might actually use (swapagift.com).
Swapping puts your used stuff where it can do the most good – in the hands of someone who needs it – rather than in a landfill. (Plus, it makes space in your house for the 3 things you find on Freecycle that you suddenly can’t live without.)
Our thanks to the Lean Green Family for inspiring this post and reminding us that it’s better to give than to throw away.
The Olympic spirit is alive and well in Qingdao … but six weeks ago, it was uncertain whether this coastal city in east China would in fact be clean enough to serve as the official sailing venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
At the end of June, Qingdao was suffering from an outbreak of thick algae that affected 5,000 square miles along the city’s coastline – too thick even for boats to cut through. Experts say the “algal bloom” is likely the result of recent heavy rains, pollution and climate change.
Algae on the coastine of Qingdao. AP photograph.
Here’s the bright side to the story: Agent 350 (our own Earthkeeper Hero), was in China to witness the algae outbreak – as well as the subsequent cleanup effort by more than ten thousand local residents. You can read Agent 350’s account of the experience here.
Chinese fishing boats have cleared 100,000 tons of algae. EPA photograph.
Whether the Qingdao cleanup effort came about as the result of Olympic pride (or shame), or because of government mandate or Olympic committee pressure – one thing’s for certain: the result is a testament to the limitless power and potential of engaged citizens. An estimated one thousand fishing boats helped to remove more than 100,000 tons of algae from Qingdao’s waters … restoring the city’s harbor in time for the Olympic fleets to safely sail.
While our own Earthkeeper heroes Reverb are hard at work this summer greening concert tours and educating music fans across the US about environmental sustainability, similar efforts to green the music scene are creating a positive impact in other parts of the world.
In recent years, event planners have gone to great lengths to make the popular music festival less environmentally-impactful by encouraging attendees to recycle their waste and personal belongings traditionally abandoned at the end of the 4-day event (over 1,600 sleeping bags were donated to the homeless after a recent Roskilde Festival) and by offering additional incentives in the form of a cash refund for cups, cardboard and drink containers returned to collection stands. It is estimated that an astounding 97% of cups used at Roskilde’s concession stands are brought back for recycling … and many attendees have recouped the cost of their ticket while helping to keep the environment clean.


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It was just last week that we were here discussing the newly-announced Wii U Virtual Console release of Mega Man Battle Network (aka Rockman.EXE) 4: Blue Moon and Red Sun in Japan, as well as Europe having a slight lead on North America when it comes to the Mega Man Zero series.
As it so happens, that gap is about to get just a little bit wider, as Nintendo Life (by way of a tip from Vhyper1985) has revealed that among the many other Nintendo eShop releases coming to Europe this Thursday, the third installment of the Mega Man Zero series is among them.
Mega Man Zero 3 (Capcom, €6.99 / £6.29) - In the third chapter of the Mega Man Zero series, the robotic hero must again come to the aid of Neo Arcadia; this time when danger looms in the shape of a new, giant Reploid: Omega! Fortunately, Zero's arsenal is now even more powerful. New customisation chips replace the previous Form system, allowing you to combine chips to adapt to any situation, and the Cyber Elf system has also been overhauled. We'll bring you a review soon.
So good news for our fellow fans in Europe. Meanwhile, those of us across the pond are left to wonder when we'll see some new releases in our version of the Nintendo eShop. While most aren't usually announced until they actually happen, Capcom USA is often pretty good about hyping this sort of thing up. And with April just a week away, one is left to wonder if they're planning a Mega May to follow...

domain: news


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Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: ALYI) stock is having a great start to the week. Better still, gains are adding to a more than 7% increase made last Friday. Investors turned bullish after ALYI confirmed it’s on schedule to deliver 2000 of its ReVolt EV motorbikes to the Kenya market later this year. That deal will help the company penetrate the massive African rideshare (boda-boda) market in 2021. Interest in the stock was immediate.
Shares surged more than 19% after a late-day video demonstration of the Retro ReVolt provided a sneak peek of the bike’s innovative design features. More importantly, investors embraced the fact that ALYI said it is on track to deliver its potentially game-changing EV motorcycle to market by July. The video, supported by a product update, sent shares soaring and pushed against its first line of resistance at $0.10 per share. The chart indicates that a move through that level could extend gains back toward its high of $0.20 made in February. Beyond a ReVolt production update, several potential near-term catalysts could make that happen.
In fact, with ALYI advancing several value-creating deals, a surge could come sooner rather than later.
Sneak Peek Of Retro ReVolt
The rally started after investors reacted bullishly to ALYI’s video demonstration showing the stylish Retro Revolt Electric Motorcycle in action. That “sneak peek” came during the mid-day trading session on Friday and sent shares higher by 19% before closing at $0.099. Shares closed by pushing against the first resistance level of $0.10 and successfully breached that mark on Monday, taking out chunks of the second level of resistance at $0.11. Charts show that follow-through buying could clear the ceiling for the stock to trade substantially higher, with $0.17 being the next level of congestion. February highs of $0.20 are also in the crosshairs.
Several catalysts are in focus, and the first could be less than four months away. In what could be the revenue-generating turning point for ALYI, it confirmed last week that it is on track to deliver 2000 electric motorcycles to the Kenya market. Not only would delivery be a game-changer for ALYI, but deployment of those bikes into the African motorcycle taxi (boda boda) market could help ALYI establish a leadership role in the region. As noted, ALYI expects to fill that order in July. More bike orders could follow quickly.
In fact, another catalyst is already in play with ALYI expecting to commence production of a 200 unit order for its EV motorcycle. Pre-orders for the bike quickly met its limit, a signal that buyers appreciate the design. The demonstration video confirmed what is already known. The styling of the broad-framed ReVolt is based on the immensely popular BMW R71. It integrates sleek lines, attractive “retro” features, and a battery design expected to substantially increase the electric motorcycle’s cruising range. And while the demo video concealed some of the bike’s features, what did show is a durable, quick accelerating EV vehicle that fits perfectly within the African boda-boda market ecosystem. In fact, it fits into any market, professional and leisure.
Better yet, from an investment perspective, production and sales of the Retro ReVolt are only a single part of ALYI’s mission. The company is also entrenching itself deeper into the EV market by developing a comprehensive EV Ecosystem that can extend its product and services far beyond being only an EV motorcycle manufacturer.
Partnerships To Develop An EV Ecosystem
A partnership with iQSTEL, Inc. (OTC: IQST) is accelerating that mission. Already, the two are advancing new battery designs that could be technological game-changers in the sector. They are integrating HD thin-film technology in one and industrial hemp in another. Both are innovative and could generate more power, storage, and durability than existing EV batteries.
The team is also working on implementing software and communications technology that integrates geolocation, battery management, theft and accident interfacing with EMS, and remote maintenance management. The comprehensive system will support vehicle body and component leasing management, driver and passenger personal mobile interface, and a rideshare interface to benefit an expanding market. That asset could earn substantial demand in the sector, even from competing companies.
Of course, the value-proposition wouldn’t be complete without mentioning RevoltTOKEN, the company’s financing partner. Recent coverage discusses how RevoltTOKEN can expedite ALYI’s growth. The short version is that it is committing to provide upwards of $100 million in partner financing to ALYI for the specific purpose of building its extensive EV ecosystem. The great news is that the RevoltTOKEN is now available to investors who visit the RVLT website. And dollars invested there benefit ALYI.
Undoubtedly, the success of the RVLT token could transform ALYI overnight. It will also make them a serious long-term contender in the massive African markets. Following a “soft” launch of the token in March, RevoltTOKEN said last week that sales are “picking up steam.”
Being that sales of RevoltTOKEN translate to money in the bank for ALYI, investors should watch for news on that asset’s sales growth.
Year To Date Gain Of 645%
Obviously, investors are liking what they see. Since the start of the year, ALYI shares are currently higher by more than 645%. And the updates, videos included, show that ALYI is closer to delivering on its first of several potential near-term catalysts. Moreover, the value from its deals with IQSTEL, Inc. to create innovative battery designs and plans to host a global EV Symposium to showcase everything EV could contribute to likely gains from a production update. Better yet, while the prospects are good now, they are likely to get better in the coming quarters.
Thus, at $0.08 per share and with at least three near-term catalysts in play, ALYI could be a massive bargain at these levels. Moreover, the stock is bumping against its resistance and chewing up shares at the $0.10 level on heavy volume. Therefore, while longer-term investors enjoy enormous YTD gains, new shareholders could be treated to a more than 100% move if the markets firm. Keep in mind, ALYI is in the EV sector, and it does tend to follow in sympathy with other stocks in the industry. A 3-month comparison chart of Tesla (TSLA) shows the correlation.
Investors have been bullish, and they should be. ALYI is positioned to deliver a powerful catalyst in June with ReVolt production. However, additional ones shouldn’t be far behind, with investment updates from RevoltTOKEN, development progress on its EV ecosystem buildout, and technical advances made through its partnerships all in play during the first half of 2021.
Thus, getting ahead on this trade may be wise.


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M&M's promises new flavors, textures as brand turns 75
The M&M’s candy turned 75 on Thursday. They let USA TODAY take a peak inside their plant in Hackettstown, N.J., which creates half of all the M&M’s sold in the United States.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Changes are in store for the millions of colorful, bite-size chocolates that come pouring off conveyor belts at a factory here every day.
M&M's have been one of America's most recognizable candies for decades, but as the brand turns 75 Thursday, it's rolling out a strategy aimed at keeping the chocolates relevant for a new generation of snackers.
Some will be obvious, like new colors,... read more
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A luxury hotel on the rise in the Garment District, cryptically described by its developers as “an independent boutique property” will open in spring 2014 and room rates will start from $350 a night, the New York Post reported.
The 21-story, 180-room Archer New York will be located at 45 West 38th Street. The room rates far eclipse the area’s surrounding hotels, such as the Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott, which offer shelter in the $200 a night range.
The Peter Poon-designed hotel is owned by LodgeWorks, which scooped up the site in 2011 for $15.6 million. The Wichita, Kan.-based company has developed more than 120 hotels valued at more than $2 billion across the U.S., and is working on a 116-room Hampton Inn in Downtown Brooklyn.
The hotel will have four room types, each with a distinct combination of furnishings and draperies. Glen Coben, who designed the rooms, told the Post that “there is an element of guestroom roulette as travelers will not know which of the four types they will get.” [NYP, 1st item] – Hiten Samtani


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Brian Sampson, left, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, and Michael Durant, New York State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, meet with The Post-Standard editorial board Tuesday to discuss legislative issues affecting small businesses.
(Stephen D. Cannerelli | email@example.com)
Syracuse, NY -- A group that represents small businesses said Tuesday it has "significant" concerns about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed tax-free zones on state college campuses.
Michael Durant, New York state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the organization is worried that the tax-free zones would give businesses that locate in them a competitive advantage over tax-paying businesses outside the zones.
"We'll continue to review the proposal and offer suggestions for the governor and the Legislature, but we're concerned it will put existing businesses at a competitive disadvantage," he told a meeting of The Post-Standard editorial board.
Cuomo wants to create tax-free zones for new businesses that set up shop on and around State University of New York campuses and some private college campuses. Cuomo has pitched his plan as a way to boost the economy in Upstate New York, where the majority of SUNY campuses are located.
Durant said he is concerned that the plan was a "scatter gun" approach that would do little to improve the state's overall business environment, which he said is one of the worst in the nation.
He said it would be better to pass bills that cut the tax and regulatory burden on all businesses in the state.
If Cuomo's tax-free zones proposal is approved by the Legislature, it should include incentives for businesses inside the zones to obtain their supplies and services from businesses outside the zones, Durant said.
Unshackle Upstate, an organization that lobbies for Upstate businesses, has thrown its support behind the governor's proposal. But Brian Sampson, Unshackle Upstate's executive director, told the newspaper's editorial board that the organization shares the NFIB's concerns that the zones could put existing businesses at a disadvantage.
Sampson said his organization supports amending the proposal to include incentives for businesses in the zones to make businesses outside the zones part of their supply chains.
Sampson also called for lawmakers to pass bills easing the tax and regulatory burdens on New York businesses. Without such changes, businesses inside the proposed tax-free zones would likely pick up and leave the state once their tax-free status ends in 10 years, he said.


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New Kraft “it's pasta anytime" loaded with fat & sodium
You don’t have to take the time to boil water to prepare Kraft’s new shelf-stable It’s Pasta Anytime pasta. But you should take the time to read the nutrition labels, according to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which has designated the cheesiest of these microwaveable pasta meals Food Porn for the month of December.
It’s Pasta Anytime’s Rotini with Three Cheese Sauce, Rotini with Mild Cheddar Cheese Sauce, and Fettuccine with Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce average 600 calories, 15 grams of saturated fat, and 2,100 milligrams of sodium. They each consist of a microwave-safe plastic tray of pasta and a plastic pouch of sauce enclosed in a paperboard box.
“Leave it to the good people at Kraft to take what could be a perfectly healthful food—pasta—and weigh it down with three-quarters of a day’s worth of saturated fat and almost a day’s worth of sodium,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. “And as if that weren’t bad enough for your blood pressure, you have to claw your way through an obscene amount of packaging.”
Food Porn is a regular feature on the back page of Nutrition Action Healthletter, which also features a monthly Right Stuff selection. December’s Right Stuff is Bellino’s delicious Bruschetta Tomato Topping, weighing in at only 20 calories per two-tablespoon serving.


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New Delhi: GoKwik, India’s largest e-commerce enabler solving complex problems in this space, says that it expects to onboard over 10,000 digital first brands and e-commerce players on its platform in 2023 on the back of several innovative solutions implemented by the company. At present, GoKwik helps over 500 brands to attain 10x growth through its innovative solutions.
GoKwik, a company founded in 2020 by industry veterans Chirag Taneja, Ankush Talwar and Vivek Bajpai, is committed to solving problems that e-commerce brands face throughout the shopping funnel, including enhancing customer experience, abandoned cart recovery, increasing conversions, boosting GMV and reducing return to origin (RTO). Their solutions extend to the pre, during and post purchase journey of the shoppers.
With its robust solutions backed by deep tech and data science models, the startup has so far helped brands reduce RTO by 30% and improve conversion rates by over 35%. RTO happens due to a failed delivery of goods and directly impacts the revenues and profits of a brand. They have also successfully been able to introduce many new and innovative industry-first features which are helping e-commerce brands further increase their profitability while keeping losses at a minimal level. For example, introducing industry’s first RTO enabled payments page, split payments on COD to reduce RTO rate, intent based discounting to enhance prepaid conversions, etc.
GoKwik, which counts well known brands such as Limeroad, Mama Earth, Man Matters, Boat, The Man Company, Neemans, Lenskart, Shoppers Stop, Hopscotch amongst several others, and has over 80 million shoppers in its network. They recently also announced that they have successfully been able to process over $1Bn worth of orders in its network, and have seen a 520% increase in number of transaction YoY.
As the next leg of growth, GoKwik is now aiming to bring over 10000 brands under its network with a vision to create a unified ecommerce ecosystem by supporting small, medium, large and enterprise level brands. GoKwik is specially building efficient models to cater to small merchants. This includes customisable whatsapp commerce, robust address verification systems, easy and insightful dashboard offering uber level analytics, etc. They are also strategically venturing into newer product categories, business segments and partnerships.
Talking about its plans to onboard 10k brands. Chirag Taneja, Co-Founder and CEO of GoKwik said, “ The last two years have been amazing, and we are even more excited for the next leg of our journey. As we grow further, we want to be even more committed to helping merchants realize more GMV, especially in the current macro-economic environment. We want to create products for ecommerce businesses of all sizes and provide solutions across the shopping funnel which can further their growth. From whatsapp commerce, personalized payments stack, conversion optimization solutions to evolved RTO protection models, we want to continue building products that solve ecommerce problem statements end to end. We are excited to take this new, high speed growth highway with them all.”
Talking about their association with GoKwik, Siddharth Dungarwal, Founder and CEO, Snitch said “GoKwik has always shown immense promise and vigour to solve the hard-hitting problems many D2C brands like ours are facing. We have been associated with them for a long time now and have seen their growth up and close. Not only this, we have seen how their solutions add value to our business. We are excited to be a part of their journey forward from here.”


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Amazon (AMZN) and other e-commerce stocks fell Thursday, following a closely watched U.S. Supreme Court decision saying states can collect taxes from retailers that do not have a physical presence there. North Dakota, which held that only those businesses with a physical presence in a state had to collect sales taxes from customers in that state.
"Each year the physical presence rule becomes further removed from economic reality and results in significant revenue losses to the States". Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch joined his opinion.
"The physical presence rule has always been criticized as giving out-of-state sellers an advantage". That's because they typically have a physical store in whatever state the purchase is being shipped to. But the third party sellers on Amazon do not. "South Dakota has a uniquely simple law since it generally taxes all consumer purchases instead of carving out a bunch of exceptions, and online sellers can remit their taxes to the state instead of each and every locality". "The expansion of e-commerce has also increased the revenue shortfall faced by States seeking to collect their sales and use taxes".
Cleveland Cavaliers covet Kevin Love for next season
In his only season at Alabama , Sexton led the Crimson Tide back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012. They were in the draft lottery, not due to their record, but after a trade they made with the Brooklyn Nets .
The legal issue goes back to 1967, when the Supreme Court ruled that a state couldn't require an out-of-state retailer to collect a use tax unless the retailer had enough contacts with the state.
"I feel bad for the New Hampshire-based retailers because they don't have the infrastructure in place to collect sales taxes", said Nancy Kyle, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association, a 900-member organization that didn't take a position on the tax. If consumers don't claim those taxes when filing their returns, that is revenue the state doesn't receive.
For those who tend to patronize the biggest retailers, the ruling may not make much of a difference. "Nor would it be worth the hassle to charge them sales tax up front and then send a refund later if the tax isn't required". Roberts wrote that Congress, not the court, should change the rules if necessary. States were missing out on around 25 percent of the tax from online sales, according to the Government Accountability Office, meaning $13 billion in missed sales.
Not my finest moment - Mickelson issues apology after U.S. Open controversy
I don't think any people who really have this game of golf to heart looked upon that as a really good thing to do. His wife, Amy, was quoted as saying, "You know it's not his finest moment, but hopefully he'll learn from it".
It's clear that the court's decision will mean extra cash for states.
The 5-4 ruling is widely seen as a victory for brick-and-mortar stores, who previously said that online retailers' ability to skirt sales tax collection gave them an advantage.
South Dakota, the subject of Thursday's Supreme Court ruling, passed a law requiring sellers to collect a 4.5 percent sales tax if they had more than $100,000 in annual sales or more than 200 transactions. Alaska, Del., Mont., N.H. and Ore...won't be affected by the Supreme Court's ruling. (It dealt primarily with catalog sales.) The state, which argued it lost $50 million a year in sales tax, was supported by independent retailers such as bookstores that are forced to compete with online companies but whose products end up being more expensive because they must charge sales taxes. Congress could also step in and block retroactivity, Jones said - as well as whether to set thresholds.
Pres. Trump Signs Executive Order Ending Family Separation Policy
At Prime Minister's Questions, she said: "The pictures of children being held in what appear to be cages are deeply disturbing ". The Trump administration has been the target of a growing chorus of criticism as images of migrant children in cages inside U.S.
In 2016, South Dakota enacted legislation that was clearly unconstitutional by Quill standards.


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Romanian national airline TAROM will cease serving complimentary drinks and food and introduce a buy-on-board service for economy class passengers in 2023.
TAROM switch to buy-on-board
TAROM’s CEO Mihăiţă Ursu announced that the Romanian national airline will switch to buy-on-board service in an interview with Financial Intelligence.
Mr Ursu said: “TAROM has completed the preparations that will allow the launch of buy-on-board service starting in 2023.
“Thus, from January 1, we will provide a range of facilities and reintroduce the catering service containing a variety of products, both for business class passengers and – for a cost – for passengers travelling in economy class.”
He also said that economy class passengers will be able to pre-select meals when buying their tickets.
According to Mr Ursu this is the “trend in world civil aviation”, adding that TAROM “must adapt” to it.
The enhancement of the on-board service will hit TAROM economy class passengers the hardest.
In previous years, economy class passengers flying TAROM would get a complimentary drink and a snack on their shorter routes, while passengers flying medium-haul flights would even receive a free hot meal, a drink of choice and tea or coffee.
When it comes to on-board service, TAROM’s economy class will soon be no different from low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air and Ryanair.
Update 02-03-2023: I recently took a TAROM economy class flight from Bucharest to Brussels featuring the new buy-on-board service, so if you are curious about the quality and how it impacted my flight, do read the review.
Passengers flying with TAROM in business class will not be impacted by the switch to buy-on-board service as they will still receive complimentary food and drinks.
However, it is not yet known whether TAROM’s business class product will remain the same as it was previously or whether there might be some enhancements here as well.
As I always found TAROM business class to be a rather poor product in comparison to other European airlines, so I’m quite curious to see if there is any change in quality.
Interestingly, TAROM is one of the few airlines in the world which hasn’t reintroduced their normal on-board service, which was discontinued during the COVID pandemic.
Indeed, on a business class flight from Madrid to Bucharest last year I only got a lousy bottle of water – the same as passengers flying economy.
At the time I already felt that this had much more to do with cost-cutting than with any COVID protocols since almost every other airline in Europe had already resumed their normal service.
This has been confirmed by Mr Ursu, who said that “TAROM has been wanting to resume on-board services for a long time, but only through buy-on-board”.
TAROM follows a Europe-wide trend as more and more legacy carriers are making the switch to buy-on-board.
Lufthansa has been the most prominent airline in Europe to make the switch in recent years from being a full-service airline to buy-on-board on their intra-European flight.
It leaves airlines like Air France and Turkish Airlines as some of the select few in Europe where you can still expect a full in-flight service on board.
TAROM will switch to buy-on-board service for economy class passengers, although business class passengers can reportedly still look forward to complimentary in-flight service.
Although I always found TAROM’s business class product to be extremely lacklustre in comparison to their competitors, I thought it was a nice touch that you would still receive free food and drinks in economy.
Sure, the quality of the food in economy class was by no means anything special, but I appreciated that TAROM was one of the few airlines in Europe to hold on to complimentary in-flight service.
Seeing another airline switching to buy-on-board is always a sad development in my opinion as service cutbacks never translate into lower ticket costs but are just meant for airlines to increase their profits (or in the case of TAROM to mitigate their losses).
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If you want to stay up to date on the latest travel news, make sure to regularly check the Paliparan website.


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- Amazon closed its $8.5 billion deal to buy MGM, combining the fabled movie maker behind “Rocky” and “James Bond” with the online retailing giant.
- Its decision to close comes after a deadline passed for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to challenge the deal.
- MGM bolsters Amazon Prime Video’s offering with more than 4,000 film titles.
The Amazon tech giant has closed its $8.5 billion deal to acquire MGM, the home of the Bond franchise and one of the most iconic movie studios in Hollywood history. The move looks to bolster the company’s position in the entertainment world while giving its streaming service, Amazon Prime Video, even more content to fill its already extensive library. This should help Amazon challenge rivals such as Netflix and Disney+ in the hyper-competitive streaming market.
In a statement, Amazon said it would welcome all MGM employees to the company and work with the studio’s leadership, indicating there would not be layoffs. Its decision to close comes after a deadline passed for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to challenge the deal. The European Commission approved the deal, with no conditions.
Amazon Closes $8.5B MGM Acquisition
The Company praised the deal in a blog post, saying MGM has more than 4,000 film titles, 17,000 TV episodes, and awards that “will complement Prime Video and Amazon Studios’ work in delivering a diverse offering of entertainment choices to customers.”Amazon plans to draw on the vast MGM library, with famous characters such as Rocky, RoboCop, and Pink Panther, to create new movies and shows.
The deal close came after the window for U.S. regulators to challenge it closed, though the Biden administration has warned companies that it reserves the right to challenge some deals even after they are completed. European regulators signed off on the merger earlier this week, writing in their approval that the deal “would not significantly reduce competition” and that “the overlaps between Amazon and MGM are limited.”
In the U.S., some labor groups had asked the FTC to challenge the acquisition, arguing that Amazon’s status as a producer and distributor of content, as well as of devices like the Amazon Fire products, would give it unwarranted market share and pricing power.
Thanks for Reading!!


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We’ve had the advantage of learning from our manufacturers in Asia and have been planning extensive risk-mitigation protocols against the impact of COVID-19 on our operations for weeks.
MONTREAL, Quebec (PRWEB) March 16, 2020
The company operates a direct to consumer business model, allowing clients to purchase mini split air conditioners and large HVAC appliances through its e-commerce channels, including Amazon, eBay, and Wayfair.
Having worked closely with its manufacturers in China over the past few months, and the lessons learned from their operations, Senville has been able to create a functional risk-mitigation plan. By implementing protocols and procedures outlined in this plan, the company hopes to prevent interruptions of service and protect the safety of its client, operations and staff.
Senville, headquartered in Montreal, Canada, also operates warehouses throughout North America, including Calgary, Atlanta, Los Angeles, El Paso, and Chicago.
Here are some of the steps that have been implemented by Senville’s teams:
- Educating teams and staff members about the virus, as well as the sharing of resources on how to maintain a clean workplace
- Encouraging team members to use good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing
- Reinforcing education and hygiene with regular workplace communications and reminders
- Sanitizing our warehouse equipment with wipes regularly
- Encouraging team members to closely monitor their health and seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms
- Any team member who reports or displays flu-like symptoms will be asked to stay home
- Moving office staff to a remote-work policy, while maintaining strict protocols for warehouse operations.
Senville is also working closely with its shipping partners to ensure that protocols are also being implements by them, to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Some of these carriers include FedEx, FedEx Freight, Canada Post, and UPS. For the time being, Senville will only offer delivery options, and has temporarily stopped local pick-ups of orders, to protect its warehouse staff.
Fawzi Karout, the Director of Marketing, for Senville, stated “We’ve had the advantage of learning from our manufacturers in Asia and have been planning extensive risk-mitigation protocols against the impact of COVID-19 on our operations for weeks. We feel that we are well prepared for the situation, and we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our clients and staff.”
Senville is implementing all necessary measures and safety protocols, as well as extending its sick-leave for up to 14 days for staff impacted or who fall-ill. They have also gone as far as providing an allowance for employees who require work equipment for their home office, including printers, web cameras, and anything else that may be needed.
Senville is a distributor and retailer of mini split air conditioners and heat pumps, headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with operations in the United States, including California, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Vermont. Senville offers an direct-to-consumer e-commerce model, allowing homeowners and businesses to purchase products directly, without the need for a dealer or third-party, disrupting the traditional HVAC model.


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Cigarettes are at the top of health no-no lists, but what about this food? One doctor's group is warning that its just as risky...
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington, D.C., group that promotes preventive medicine recently debuted a billboard near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the message: "Warning: Hot dogs can wreck your health."
The billboard, which features a picture of hot dogs in a cigarette pack complete with a skull and crossbones points out the risk of colorectal cancer and processed meats, like hot dogs. "A hot dog a day could send you to an early grave," said Levin, a registered dietitian. "People think feeding their kids these foods (is) safe, but (it's) not." Past research has linked daily consumption of processed meats (from hot dogs and pepperoni to deli lunch meats) to a 21 percent increase in certain types of cancer. Experts have said that it's the nitrites/nitrates (preservatives) in these meats that may be to blame.
Critics of the billboard say it's too harsh, since a hot dog now and then isn't going to "wreck" anyone's health. But, Americans do eat a lot of hot dogs, so it's a good reminder, in general.
I buy all of my hot dogs and deli meats nitrite/nitrate-free (look for "uncured" hot dogs--which are made with sea salt and brine--they taste just as good!).
Do you watch your hot dog/processed meat consumption?
More Ways to Get Glamour:__


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Shop Local, Win Local This Holiday Season
The Redding Chamber of Commerce and Members 1st Credit Union announce the Shop Local, Win Local contest, November 28–December 21. The contest supports Redding businesses while rewarding patrons who shop locally. The sweepstakes will award eight lucky winners with a $100 gift card each from a local business and enter them for a chance to win $50,000.
Shoppers can participate by searching for the Holiday Bears at eight Redding retailers. Once discovered, participants should take a fun photo with the Holiday Bear and scan a QR code to upload their image to http://www.shoplocalwinlocal.com. Details of the Holiday Bears’ locations will be shared regularly on the Redding Chamber of Commerce and Members 1st Credit Union social media pages. Contestants can participate daily for their chance to win a $100 gift card and $50,000.
“It is a familiar drum beat for the Chamber to remind the community to shop local throughout the year,” says Jake Mangas, President & CEO of the Redding Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to partner with Members 1st Credit Union as it is even more crucial to support local now because many business owners rely on the holiday shopping season to make ends meet.”
Contest winners will be announced at http://www.shoplocalwinlocal.com. Purchases are not necessary to participate.
Josh Markle, Vice President of Marketing with Members 1st Credit Union, comments, “We’re thrilled to partner with the Redding Chamber to advocate for local businesses while adding some excitement to the holiday shopping season. We anticipate this contest will generate a lot of interest and encourage people to shop and buy local.”
For complete contest rules, visit http://www.shoplocalwinlocal.com.
About Members 1st Credit Union
Members 1st Credit Union is a locally owned cooperative dedicated to providing relevant financial services that our members need to achieve their goals and dreams. Members 1st has five branch locations in Redding, Anderson, and Chico. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, owns land, or owns a business within Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama counties. For more information, visit one of our convenient branches, call (530) 222-6060, or visit m1cu.org.
1380 Hilltop Road
Redding, CA 96003
1260 Pine Street
Redding, CA 96001
5020 Rhonda Road, Ste. H
Anderson, CA 96007
550 Salem Street
Chico, CA 95928
969 East Avenue
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 222-6060 x359


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Shop Second Saturday
Saturday, Dec. 12, will be the December Shop Second Saturdays monthly event. This will be the last day to participate in the "Elfie" contest, and winners will be announced the week of Dec. 14. Santa and his elves will also be back on the streets giving out Elf on the Shelf® figurines to families shopping local.
For more information call 859-236-2361 x 110 or visit downtowndanville.com


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Content creators Brooke “BrookeAB” Bond, Jayla “Ninjayla” Thornton and Amanda “AvaGG” Myddleton led a panel discussion, Changemakers, about women in gaming and esports.
Non-profit organization 1,000 Dreams Fund and audio company JBL Quantum were behind the event, rewarding 30 recipients of the JBL Quantum Grant with $1,500 each to help them pursue their personal endeavors.
The panel began with 1,000 Dreams Fund CEO Christie Garton, who introduced the panelists along with Jaden LeBel as the moderator. NBA 2K cover star and WNBA player Candace Parker then congratulated the 30 winners of the JBL Quantum Grant. Parker said she wanted to show that young women can break the glass ceiling.
Challenges, passion and persistence
The Changemakers panel highlighted the challenges that women in gaming face and the importance of representation.
AvaGG noted that streamers are very attached to numbers, and those who wish to pursue streaming must learn to push through that.
Meanwhile, Complexity content creator and Apex Legends streamer Ninjayla said she had considered quitting in the past because she wasn’t sure if she could ever meet the Twitch partner requirements. She added that it was difficult to accept that it’s often about luck and opportunity. However, when she took a month off from streaming, she couldn’t get past wanting to stream again.
“It is something really real to think about—if you’re gonna be able to afford to live the way that you do and grind the way that you do,” Ninjayla said. “‘Cause I was going to school full-time, working full-time and streaming full-time. And so it was really hard for me to balance all those things, and I felt like I had to remove something from my life in order to get some balance.”
BrookeAB put an emphasis on safety. She recalled not being prepared for stalking, threats and name-calling. She hoped that over time, platforms would provide the tools to keep people safe.
Similar to Ninjayla, BrookeAB took some time off from Twitch. During that break, she realized how much she missed streaming and loved doing it as her job.
Additionally, all of the panelists emphasized the need to know one’s worth and look over their contracts when working with brands and companies. This can be done with the help of a friend, or a lawyer in more advanced situations.
Be present, be kind and take care of your mental health
BrookeAB, Ninjayla and AvaGG also provided advice to women and up-and-coming livestreamers.
“Go live when you can, go live as much as you can because you never know when that person’s gonna come in for a follow that’s gonna change your career with a host or [a] raid that’s gonna change your career,” BrookeAB said. “I mean, that’s how I got started. I had someone come into my chat and say, ‘Let’s play a game right now’ and that’s how it took off.”
She added how streamers would be doing a disservice to themselves if they go offline to try again later after seeing that they’re not getting many viewers. “Push through that,” she said. “Because I think you’ll never know what’s going your way.”
Meanwhile, AvaGG highlighted taking care of one’s mental health because streamers often get caught up in the grind and the numbers.
“I feel like that can help contribute to this bad cycle of getting depressed and feeling down ‘cause you’re not going outside, you’re not seeing your friends, you’re not taking time for yourself,” she said. “So, as my stream can attest, I take a lot of mental health days.”
Ninjayla noted the importance of always being at one’s best and putting the best possible content forward. This is because a streamer may not know who is watching.
Like AvaGG, Ninjayla put an emphasis on the mental health aspect of streaming and content creation. In response to a JBL Quantum Grant recipient’s question, she noted that taking care of one’s body is a must, alongside not taking mean comments to heart.
The future of women in gaming and esports
To Ninjayla, the future of the industry involves figuring out the right steps to take as a content creator in order to continue growing. She said that there are now a lot of new streamers who are grinding, so there’s a lot of competition in the field.
Ninjayla also hopes she can showcase representation, make the gaming space more inclusive and inspire people to start gaming, working towards a day when women can be present online without being judged or harassed.
AvaGG observed that gaming has become more inclusive over the past couple of years. She noted seeing more women leads in games and more representation generally.
As for BrookeAB, she advised that doing some branding outside of gaming is an option as well. She recalled attending New York Fashion Week and learning more about lifestyle fashion and makeup. “I think a lot of women are so talented in this industry and can do so much more within gaming and outside.”
For those who didn’t catch the Twitch broadcast, the panel is available on the JBL YouTube channel.


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Oklahoma City, OK based 43Vision has published a new article on the effect aging has on a person’s vision. The article was written in response to their comm
The ZAGO seal screw features a custom groove under the head and a rubber Buna O-ring. Graphic courtesy ZAGO Manufacturing
SPIROL makes coiled-spring pins (left) and Press-N-Lok pins. Caption
While it’s possible to build a DIY Raspberry Pi weather station from separate components and sensors, Pimoroni’s Weather HAT makes the process far simpler and easier. As well as on-boar
Detailed market research has been released on “World Metal Stamping Products Market” by Courant Market Research gives comprehensive historical examination (2017-2021) of Metal Stampi
It’s a breakthrough in generative AI that raises some tough ethical questions.
Meta has today unveiled an AI system that generates short videos based on text prompts.
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then your eyewear is the curtain to these said windows — which means the more timeless, the better. Besides being a shield to our eyes and soul, th
Your guide to a better future
You could buy a Meta Quest Pro, or you could buy a ton of other way more interesting things.
Russell Holly is a Managing Editor on the Commerce team at
A very big list of Halloween 2022 events in Pittsburgh
Rivers of Steel gets fired up for the Festival of Combustion at Carrie Blast Furnaces


text: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Checkpoint Software Technologies ckhp on Thursday announced a $225 million acquisition of privately held technology firm Sourcefire and said it expects to earn 31-32 cents a share when it reports its third-quarter net income on Oct. 28. In July, the Redwood City, Calif. company pegged its third-quarter earnigs at 30-33 cents a share. The transaction consideration for Sourcefire includes cash and assumption of the company's stock option plan. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and the stockholders of Sourcefire. Shares of Checkpoint fell 40 cents to $23.70 on Wednesday.


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Google has just shared more details about the requirement for developers to start moving their apps to 64-bit code. According to the latest blog post on the Android Developers Blog, the company shared an updated deadline for developers along with some changes. This updated timetable is made to ensure that developers developing for Android apps have enough time to shift their apps and games to 64-bit code architecture. Also Read - Google Play Games arrives on Windows PCs: Check PC requirements, games listAlso Read - YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium annual plans launched in India, starts at Rs 899
Before we dive into details about the updated time table, the company reiterated the benefits of 64-bit CPUs in smartphones adding that they offer faster and richer experiences to users. Only apps with 64-bit code are able to make use of the performance improvements on the 64-bit CPUs. Also Read - Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel released silently, brings in cross-play and cross-save support
As part of the blog post, the company reiterated that it started supporting 64-bit CPUs from Android 5.0 Lollipop and first announced the plan to move to 64-bit back in 2017. As part of the initial announcement, the company made it mandatory for app makers using native code to provide a 64-bit version app along with 32-bit versions. According to the latest information, starting August 1, 2019, it will be mandatory for all the developers using native code in their apps to provide 64-bit versions of their apps along with the 32-bit versions while publishing any new app or new app update on Google Play Store.
Watch: Vivo NEX Dual Display First Look
The company also added that it is offering an extension of the deadline to game developers for 32-bit only updates for existing games that are based on Unity version 5.6 or anything later. This extension in the enforcement of the rule will be valid until August 1, 2021. After August 1, 2021, Google will stop accepting 32-bit apps and games for 64-bit CPUs and users running 64-bit devices will not be offered 32-bit apps and games (including the ones based on Unity 5.6 or older) from the Play Store.
One thing to note here is that this is not applicable to apps or app bundles that are aimed at devices including Wear OS and Android TV that currently doesn t support 64-bits chips. The post has also provided instructions to developers for moving to 64-bit or developing 64-bit versions of their apps. The reason Google has provided an extension to Unity-based games and their developers is that Unity has just started supporting 64-bit CPUs in version 2017.4 and 2018.2.


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Cause-related marketing offers a meaningful opportunity for community engagement. But before you give, read what our Accountability Standard® says about making an informed investment.
Executive Director, Kris Kewitsch, sat down with Roshini Rajkumar of WCCO News Radio to answer all of your holiday giving questions.
"Meeting all the standards has given the organization, from the board on down, a feeling of confidence that we are doing the right thing. What we’ve been doing is a respectful, ethical way of doing business, and that’s where we want to be. Just knowing that is a plus."
~ Steve Gustafson, Director of Development and Marketing


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Adobe has abruptly and expensively abandoned its much-publicized impending merger with the product design software company Figma.
While the news of the collapse of this deal came as a surprise to some, it seems to have been beset by regulatory hurdles as its chief obstacles.
According to Adobe, the two companies could find “no clear path to receive necessary regulatory approvals” from regulators in both the UK and the European Union.
Business competition regulators in both of these governments had been probing the Figma/Adobe deal out of worries that is might make the product design, illustration and image editing marketplaces for consumers anti-competitive.
Adobe for its part pushed back against taking certain steps to placate the UK Competition and Markets Authority in its worries and just last week argued with the agency that a divestment from the Figma deal would be “wholly disproportionate”.
However, very shortly afterward, Figma and Adobe suddenly issued a statement that they were terminating their merger due largely to regulatory hurdles.
Adobe isn’t coming out of the termination easily though. As part of its merger agreement clauses with Figma, Adobe now has to pay the smaller company a $1 billion termination fee.
According to Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe, “Adobe and Figma strongly disagree with the recent regulatory findings, but we believe it is in our respective best interests to move forward independently,”
Figma’s CEO, Dylan Field also released his own statement on behalf of his company in which he added,
“Figma and Adobe have reached a joint decision to end our pending acquisition. It’s not the outcome we had hoped for, but despite thousands of hours spent with regulators around the world detailing differences between our businesses, our products, and the markets we serve, we no longer see a path toward regulatory approval of the deal.”
Both companies seem very clear and emphatic that it was the European/UK regulators who really spoiled their party and that Adobe and Figma disagree with the regulators’ reasoning.
The EU’s main regulatory agency, the European Commission also published a statement of its own about its objections to the merger. It claimed last month that the deal between Adobe and Figma might “significantly reduce competition in the global markets.”
More specifically, the EU’s competition commissioner, Margethe Vestager, added,
“By combining these two companies, the proposed acquisition would have terminated all current and prevented all future competition between them. Our in-depth investigation showed that this would lead to higher prices, reduced quality or less choice for customers.”
In recent years, EU regulators have taken multiple tough stances on major tech companies (particularly U.S. tech companies) about supposed anti-competitive practices.
Another recent and somewhat related case involved Meta, which only recently gave residents of the European Union access to its new Threads app.
This too happened only after agreements by Meta with EU regulators over what the regulators viewed as certain anti-competitive practices.
Other cases more directly similar to the Adobe/Figma situation include that of Amazon, which received a formal objection from the EU antitrust bureaucrats over its proposed acquisition of Roomba-maker iRobot for $1.7 billion dollars.
Adobe’s bid to acquire Figma was first negotiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, during the surprising tech investment boom that arose around the same time.
The company announced the deal-in-progress in September of 2022 after having valued Figma at close to 50 times its annual revenue.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s proposed “remedies” for the Adobe/Figma merger involved either blocking the deal completely or asking for divestiture of operations that overlap between the two companies.
These would be Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Figma’s Figma Design, the smaller company’s main product.
The reaction to these suggestions from Adobe and Figma had a rather disbelieving tone. Their published response to the UK CMA claimed major legal and factual errors while adding that the regulatory proceedings took “an irrational approach to the gathering and appraisal of evidence.”
Figma and Adobe also underscored that “Requiring a multibillion-dollar global divestment of Photoshop or Illustrator in order to address an uncertain and speculative theory of harm is wholly disproportionate,”
Regardless of the validity of the European regulator’s ambiguous claims, the deal is now in any case off the table.
We’ll see what future customer-oriented collaboration Adobe and Figma do manage to salvage from this outcome, if any.
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
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You Can Now Eat the Death Star for Breakfast
If you’ve ever woken up with an urge to start your day by destroying the Death Star, thanks to ThinkGeek you now can.
The website is now selling a Star Wars-themed waffle maker that makes your breakfast look like the Empire’s ultimate weapon. The appliance costs $39.99 and comes with non-stick, cast aluminum cooking plates that produce the design on both sides of your waffle.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the franchise’s latest movie, is scheduled to come out in theaters on December 18. This is just the latest product cashing in on the hype. Some of the interesting ones include Furbacca (Furby + Chewbacca), a Star Wars edition of the game Risk, and a remote-control droid.
With all of these products, Star Wars is expected to be huge this holiday season. Joel Bines, managing director at consulting firm AlixPartners, told USA Today: “You will not be able to avoid Star Wars merchandise.” The publication reports that Star Wars-themed products are estimated to bring in $3 billion by the end of 2015 and $5 billion with the next year.


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The Apple iPad received top honors in J.D. Power and Associates' first study on tablet satisfaction in the United States. While Samsung has emerged as Apple's primary adversary, it was instead the Amazon Kindle that took second place, while Samsung was rated third with a score below the industry average.
The nearly 2,000 tablet owners in the survey gave Apple a score of 848 out of 1,000 points, for a five-circle rating the firm translates to mean "among the best."
The Amazon tablet scored 841 out of 1,000, for a four-circle "better than most" rating, while Samsung earned an 827 and three circles, indicating it's "about average."
The study considered, in order of importance, performance, ease of operation, styling and design, features and price. It also found the devices to be changing the way people consume digital content.
"As tablet computing, multimedia, display and application offerings continue to evolve, their impact on usage patterns will continue to grow," Uma S. Jha, senior director of mobile devices at J.D. Power and Associates, said in a Sept. 13 statement. "Tablets are a force in the marketplace that offer a great alternative to laptops and netbooks."
The study found that "tablet owners spend 7.5 hours per week browsing the Internet, watching videos, listening to music and reading books on their device, compared with spending 9.6 hours per week on a PC for the same activities."
It also found that the more hours per week that users spent watching video, the more satisfied they said they were with their tablets. Those who watched more than three and half hours of video per week, and so were "highly satisfied" with their devices, were also more likely-90 percent, versus 80 percent-to say they'd purchase another tablet from the same brand. They were also more likely to purchase other electronics from the brand.
Everyone in the study had owned their tablets for less than two years, and more than one-third said they planned to purchase another tablet within the next 12 months.
Three-quarters of respondents said they alone decided which brand to buy, 61 percent said they share their tablet with another person, and 25 percent said they use their tablets for business tasks.
J.D. Power added that tablet owners with smartphones spend 40 percent more time browsing the Internet on their tablets than on their smartphones and 56 percent more time using gaming apps on their tablets than on their phones.
Apple introduced the iPhone 5 Sept. 12, as well as an update to iTunes that will begin shipping in October-when analysts expect that Apple will, for the first time, introduce a smaller iPad.
On Sept. 6, Amazon introduced a new lineup of Kindle Fire HD devices, which included a 7-inch tablet for $199. "We hope people will agree that Kindle Fire HD is the best high-end tablet anywhere, at any price," said Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Samsung currently offers a variety of tablet sizes, and recently shared that it will bring its new Galaxy Note II to the United States later this year. The device features a 5.5-inch display, up from the 5.3 inches on the original Note, and comes with the S Pen, a sort of re-imagined stylus that's the differentiator between Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet line and the Notes, which-despite their size-Samsung considers smartphones.
Samsung recently shared that in a matter of months it sold more than 10 million Galaxy Note devices.
During the second quarter of this year, Apple shipped 17 million tablets, while Samsung shipped 2.4 million, Amazon shipped 1.3 million, Asus shipped 855,000 and Acer shipped well under half a million, according to IDC.
In the J.D. Power study, Samsung was followed by Acer, which received a score of 811; Barnes and Noble, with a score of 803; and Hewlett-Packard, which scored 790. The latter three all received two-circle ratings suggesting they are "about average."


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If you’ve been holding out hope that Cyberpunk 2077 will see its once-promised multiplayer features sometime soon…you might be better off waiting for the game’s sequel. In the hot mess of a saga that is Cyberpunk’s blistering fall and recent redemption arc, CD Projekt Red has had its hands full patching digital potholes in Night City. Thanks to some recent comments from an interview with acting CDPR narrative director and lead quest designer Philipp Weber, we now know why it’s taken so long—and why we’re unlikely to ever see the fabled multiplayer mode for Cyberpunk 2077.
Cyberpunk 2077 released in December of 2020 and, well, you probably know the story by now: With a level of hype rivaled by few other games out there, the release was a technical disaster with unmet promises amid bugs and crashes. But aside from several fixes to the very foundation of the game’s messy engine and code, the game was always expected to receive a multiplayer mode post-launch based on previous comments. Though recent developments have suggested that CDPR is ready to more or less move on from 2077 (though it’s far from done with the Cyberpunk franchise), it’s been anyone’s guess as to what’s going on with multiplayer. But as we know now, the demands of getting 2077 into a playable state—and these days it’s actually quite playable—mean multiplayer has been shelved entirely.
In an interview with Eurogamer’s Robert Purchese, Weber gave some of the most direct comments on Cyberpunk’s multiplayer we’ve heard in some time:
“[Fixing Cyberpunk 2077 after launch] meant that other R&D projects had to go away. With Cyberpunk, we wanted to do many things at the same time, and we just needed to really focus and say, ‘Okay, what’s the important part? Yeah, we will make that part really good.’”
Though all we’ve really had to go on when it comes to guessing what 2077’s multiplayer would be was our own imagination and some clues from datamines, it’s unclear what this mode would’ve delivered. It’s easy to speculate that it would’ve been something similar to GTA Online or even Fallout 76, but that’s all we have: speculation.
Read More: Two Years Later, Cyberpunk 2077 Fans Are Still Trying To Solve The Game’s Biggest Mystery
Moving on from 2077’s original multiplayer plans, Weber said, is a part of CDPR doubling down on its commitment to “single-player, story-driven, triple-A RPGs.” The studio still expects multiplayer to be a part of its games in the future, though.
“What is changing is our long-term approach to online, and by this we mean ensuring we are properly prepared to implement online elements in our games where they make sense. We don’t want to go overboard or lose our single-player DNA. We want to take thoughtful steps to build robust online capabilities,” Weber added to Eurogamer.
So pour one out for 2077’s multiplayer-that-never was. It’s hardly a surprise when you consider Cyberpunk’s struggles. While I love a good multiplayer as much as anyone else, the forever-single-player kinda gamer I tend to be is more than happy to hear CDPR’s priorities will center on narrative, solo outings.


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Travel Agent News
Gerry Benson, (Publisher & Editor Travelbiz) has today announced the sale of Travelbiz to current CEO Don Shearer.
Mauritius experts - John Galligan Travel - have just announced the launch of their 2018 Mauritius programme.
Innstant Travel appeared out of nowhere to agents during Halloween and Peter Jesson and Fergal McPhillips (Innstant Travel) terrified agents into taking their Halloween treats. Fangtastic stuff from the Innstant Travel vamps.
Charlie McNally (TTC) came back from the dead to deliver treats and goodies to agents this Halloween.
Shannon Airport is the Headline Sponsor of the Worldchoice 2017 conference
Atlas Travel Services has won the ‘Best Customer Service’ award at the American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) Partner Network event held in Budapest.
With record numbers of Irish holidaymakers set to head Stateside next year, enticed by new routes and a weak dollar, Cassidy Travel has launched their biggest ever USA brochure
Cirque du Soleil is celebrating the launch of its new travel trade online training program ‘Discover Cirque’ with an exciting chance to win a trip to Las Vegas.
Each month Your Car Hire has a great prize draw for travel agents. Simply make two car hire bookings for travel anytime and you are automatically entered into the draw. The September winner was Tristar Travel who received a €100 One4All voucher.
Flexible Autos has announced the appointment of Diane Risk from TradeConnect as their sales representative in Northern Ireland


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A storm of anti-Chinese protests in Vietnam has forced a slew of Hong Kong-listed manufacturers to temporarily shut down their plants, putting downward pressure on their shares, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reported Thursday.
These companies include Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. (00551.HK), Texhong Textile Group Ltd. (02678.HK), Fittec International Group Ltd. (02662.HK), and Kingmaker Footwear Holdings Ltd. (01170.HK).
A Yue Yuen senior executive said its operations in Vietnam represent one-third of the group’s total capacity.
Texhong and Fittec suspended their shares Wednesday, reporting losses and damage at their plants from the rioters. The shares will resume trading Thursday.
Texhong said it expected its factories will resume operations shortly after the protests end, but Fittec has yet to tally the costs of the damage from fire and burglaries at its plants, the report said, citing stock exchange filings.
Kingmaker also halted output at its factory at Binh Duong, which accounts for one-third of the group’s total footwear production capacity, although no damage was reported.
Li & Fung Ltd. (0049.HK), for whom Vietnam is its second-largest sourcing base, said some suppliers have also put their businesses on hold because of the riots.
Fires also caused damage at textile factories run by the Marjorie Yang-controlled Esquel Group, according to Apple Daily Thursday.
– Contact us at [email protected]


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With voting closing at midnight, now is your last chance to back Pulsate founder Patrick Leddy, who is heading to Korea next week for the World Start-up Competition and to inform the world about Irish start-ups.
Pulsate, which focuses on helping retailers capitalise on new internet of things technologies, such as Apple’s iBeacon, won the Irish leg of a competition to find the country’s best start-up to represent Ireland at the competition on 24 November in Seoul.
The company fought off 34 other Irish start-ups for the honour of representing Ireland in the global contest.
“We hope to build on the growing momentum in the Irish start-up sector to send a message out to the world that Ireland is the land of opportunity for start-ups that want to take on the world,” Leddy said.
Leddy will compete against 40 of the world’s best tech start-ups for a prize fund of US$100,000 at the international final.
Online voting – including votes for Leddy – will account for 20pc of the semi-final scores.
The World Start-up Competition is being run by Korea’s Dream Bank Foundation for young entrepreneurs in conjunction with the Start-up Nations Summit in November.
Leddy will join #StartupIreland CEO Eoin Costello on the journey to Korea. Costello will be addressing the Start-up Nations Summit on the topic of the rapidly emerging start-up ecosystem in Ireland.


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Michelle Gass, Chief of retail chain Kohl’s, is venturing down from her job right on time one month from now and will turn into the Leader of Levi Strauss and Co.
The denim monster Levi’s expressed that Gass will begin on January 2, and the top managerial staff has gotten going a progression plan for her to succeed Chip Bergh as President and Chief in the following year and a half. She is supposed to join the top managerial staff on that date.
Gass, who joined Kohl’s in June 2013 as Head Promoting and Client Official, became President in May 2018.
Bergh joined Levi Strauss’ steerage in September 2011, playing served in top parts at Procter and Bet during his 21-year residency.
In a different delivery by Kohl’s, it expressed that Gass plans to step down on December 2 and Tom Kingsbury, a board chief, will act as the break President.
The moves come as Kohl’s has been feeling the squeeze from extremist financial backers to stir up administration in the midst of feeble deals.
Kohl’s declared fundamental figures for its second from last quarter period which said that equivalent store deals will be down 6.9 percent, while net deals will be down 7.2 percent contrasted with the year-prior period.
Kohl’s battled with deals before the pandemic, which alongside the benefits bounced back in 2021, yet the retail chain is presently engaging greater expenses and a pullback from its cost cognizant customers who are more careful of their spending notwithstanding rising costs for gas, food, and so on.
Besides, in July, Kohl’s canceled buyout chats with Establishment Gathering, the proprietor of Nutrient Shoppe, refering to financial circumstances and in August, the Menomonee, Wisconsin, chain sliced its deals and benefit assumptions for the year in the wake of being compelled to reduce costs to shed undesirable product.
“It is obvious that Michelle Gass is to give up her job as President, this will be viewed as a conciliatory proposing to financial backers, who have long pushed for broad change in the administration suite,” said Neil Saunders, Overseeing Chief, GlobalData Retail.
Saunders added that notwithstanding managing deals declines, Gass further developed style collections and directed a vital organization with Sephora, which is carrying out shops at Kohl’s stores. That organization has drawn in more youthful customers who are purchasing different things at the store.
She additionally directed the organization with Amazon where clients can return things bought at the internet based retailer at its store areas. So Saunders accepts her inheritance ought to be seen well.
Saunders further added that Kohl’s requirements to find a long-lasting substitution as fast as conceivable as retailers face a difficult year.
Ancora claims 2.5 percent of extraordinary offers in Kohl’s and had pushed for the expulsion of Gass and Administrator Peter Boneparth, it expressed that it was satisfied Kohl’s had designated retail area veteran Kingsbury, selected by its investor bunch in 2021, as its break President. Its other board chosen one Margaret Jenkins will be important for the new panel entrusted with distinguishing the right long-lasting pioneer for the business.
“Ancora has been a drawn out investor of Kohl’s and accepts that under the right initiative, the organization can be a wellspring of colossal incentive for financial backers, clients, providers and workers,” said Fredrick D. DiSanto, Executive and Chief, Ancora, and James Chadwick, President, Ancora Choices LLC.


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Ford Bronco is the rugged, off-road capable but yet a stylish SUV and is ruling the hearts of many SUV enthusiasts. Ford Bronco was revealed earlier this month. But the SUV is scheduled to launch in 2021.
Recently, according to the figures released by Ford, the Ford Bronco surpasses 1,50,000 reservations. The reservation amount allows booking the vehicle as soon as it hits the market. Ford Bronco’s reservation can be done against a token amount of $100. While the amount remains refundable.
The Ford Bronco with its retro design is available with a 2-door and a 4-door variant. With a ground clearance of 294mm and a wading capacity of 851mm making the car surely a beast. The Ford gets six trims on offer. The variants are the base Bronco, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Wildtrak, and the Badlands.
Many other technical features such as a pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitor, forward collision warning, and a rearview camera come as a standard.
Powered by two different engines according to the variant. The base variant comes with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder Ecoboost engine which can produce around 181 HP and 257 Nm of torque while the higher variants are powered by 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Ecoboost engine which produces 245 HP and 372 Nm of torque. Both get an 8-speed automatic unit.
The modes are off-road-oriented and known as GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain), which includes the Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand modes.
Ford Bronco is already getting a massive response for their retro looks as well as the ruggedness. However, its rival, the massive Tesla Cybertruck which is yet to arrive in the market gives Ford Bronco a tough competition.
Ford Bronco is not coming to India anytime soon.
Price starts at $28,155 onwards.


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27 Oct 2022
Industrial laser giant confirms record-breaking sales and orders, but CEO admits to feeling pensive about geopolitical tensions.
Trumpf CEO Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller says that she is sensing signs of “growing restraint” in demand, following a record-breaking financial year for the industrial laser firm.
The Ditzingen, Germany, headquartered company has just confirmed sharp increases in both sales and orders for the year ending June 2022, alongside a solid improvement to its profit margin.
But Leibinger-Kammüller said that the combination of supply chain bottlenecks, high inflation, rising material and energy prices, and transportation costs were all impacting market sentiment - not to mention Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and increased tension between the US and China.
Rising to multiple challenges
At €4.2 billion, Trumpf’s total sales - largely lasers and machine tools - were up 20 per cent on the prior year, as the company had announced in its preliminary results in July.
Trumpf’s laser technology division contributed €1.61 billion to that total, up 22 per cent year-on-year, with sales into semiconductor manufacturing equipment leading the way and expected to maintain strong growth into next year.
Total company orders rose even faster, jumping by more than 40 per cent to hit €5.6 billion, while the company’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) figure of €468 million was up by 27 per cent year-on-year.
Leibinger-Kammüller hailed Trumpf’s management of the effects of both the war and the pandemic, as well as the ensuing supply-chain bottleneck, writing in the firm’s latest annual report:
“Like many other companies, Trumpf reacted with extreme rigor to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and suspended all business.
“Despite the direct and indirect consequences this had on our business, alongside ongoing supply chain bottlenecks and the coronavirus flare-ups in China, we managed to close the year successfully. This was an immense feat on the part of our entire workforce.”
Nevertheless, the CEO indicated some understandable concern about the outcome in the financial year now underway.
“There remains considerable uncertainty for the coming months as to how the supply chain bottlenecks, high inflation, rising material and energy prices and transportation costs will impact our business,” she said.
“Also making me pensive with regard to the overall economic trend are the geopolitical uncertainties; the war in Ukraine, for example, and also the tensions between the US and China. We're sensing growing restraint in demand in many markets.”
And although Trumpf is not a major user of natural gas, and has invested heavily in renewable energy to power its operations, the company will inevitably feel some negative impact from the recent price hikes across Europe.
“Trumpf is not a gas-intensive company and primarily requires gas locally for heating its production and office buildings,” says the firm, pointing out that energy costs of €42 million in the latest financial year represented only 1 per cent of sales.
A significant increase is inevitable in the current year, but Trumpf’s management has enacted measures including the installation of new heat pumps, reduced system running times, dehumidification of its air-conditioning systems, and lower office temperature settings to help minimize any impact.
“In addition to increasing energy efficiency at locations worldwide, thereby saving 1.5 per cent electricity and 3 per cent natural gas and heating oil annually, the focus is on increasing energy efficiency in the company's own production by using process waste heat from production for heating,” stated the firm, adding that further measures were now being considered for the coming winter.
EUV export controls
As the company had previously revealed, its number-one sales geography is now The Netherlands, thanks almost entirely to sales of ultra-high-power carbon dioxide lasers used to produce extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light in ASML’s state-of-the-art semiconductor lithography tools, used by the world’s largest chip manufacturers.
However, among the geopolitical tensions noted by Leibinger-Kammüller is that between the US and China - something that has seen the sale of ASML’s EUV equipment to customers in China outlawed by US export controls.
Happily for Trumpf, ASML said last week that the latest US restrictions, which also affect employees of Chinese firms, were not expected to have a major impact on its overall business, with plenty of demand from the rest of the world as the US and Europe in particular look to establish greater technological sovereignty in advanced semiconductor production.
That appears to be borne out by Trumpf’s huge figure for order intake in the latest financial year, which included €1.8 billion directly related to laser technology, with EUV applications alone accounting for just over €1 billion.


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CEO Demoted to Couch SurferRyan Tate · 02/25/10 07:42PM
Palm Now Officially the Anti-AppleRyan Tate · 06/10/09 07:18PM
Palm Makes Gadget Reviewers Look, Not TouchOwen Thomas · 04/02/09 06:37PM
Palm poaches another Apple executiveOwen Thomas · 03/27/08 10:36PM
Jon Rubinstein, the chairman of Palm, is once again striking former boss Steve Jobs where it hurts — Apple's talent. The latest hire: Lynn Fox, the head of Mac PR, joined Palm earlier this month. For a PR person, she's made the move surprisingly quietly; her name has yet to appear on any press releases. As with Mike Bell, the Apple veteran who now heads Palm's product development, Rubinstein is likely trying to keep things quiet. Relations between Palm and Apple, whose iPhone is walloping Palm's Treo, are tense enough as it is.


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|Among the 18 sectors attracting FDI, manufacturing-processing lured the highest amount at $6.98 billion, accounting for 45.7 per cent of the total investment. — VNA/VNS Photo|
HÀ NỘI — Foreign investors have poured US$15.27 billion into Việt Nam so far this year, equivalent to 97.4 per cent of the amount recorded in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).
The ministry reported that as of June 20, $9.55 billion had been injected into 804 newly-licensed projects, up 13.2 per cent year on year.
Meanwhile, $4.12 billion had been added into 460 underway projects, a year on year rise of 10.6 per cent. Foreign investors also poured $1.61 billion in share purchase deals in Việt Nam, according to the ministry.
Meanwhile, the disbursement of FDI in the period rose 6.8 per cent year on year to $9.24 billion.
Among the 18 sectors attracting FDI, manufacturing-processing lured the highest amount at $6.98 billion, accounting for 45.7 per cent of the total investment, followed by power production and distribution with $5.34 billion, making up nearly 35 per cent of the total investment.
Singapore leads the 80 countries and territories investing in Việt Nam with an investment of $5.64 billion, followed by Japan with $2.44 billion, and the Republic of Korea with $2.05 billion.
As of June 20, the country had hosted 33,787 FDI projects worth $397.89 billion in total, of which $241.1 billion, or 60 per cent, had been disbursed.
The export revenue of the foreign-invested sector has continued to rise at 32.2 per cent to $116 billion (including crude oil), accounting for 74.1 per cent of the country’s total export revenue. The sector’s revenue excluding crude oil reached $115.3 billion, up 32.6 per cent year on year.
The sector imported $102.6 billion worth of goods in the period, up 38.7 per cent year on year. As a result, in the first half of this year, it enjoyed a trade surplus of $13.4 billion including revenue from crude oil
The MPI also reported a trade deficit of $14.9 billion by domestic businesses.
The Vietnamese economy has fared better than most during the COVID-19 pandemic and is well placed to capture renewed FDI interest, according to an article posted on the UK website lexology.com on June 23.
The article said in recent years, the Vietnamese Government has focused on opening its market while also boosting its international trade ties. After joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2007 and many regional conventional trade agreement with the US, China, Europe, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and most of the significant economies in the world, the country has become a member of the “new era” global free trade agreements that form the biggest trading blocs of the world today such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as well as free trade agreements with the European Union, Japan and the RoK.
It noted that Việt Nam’s position in the World Bank’s annual ease of doing business ratings has climbed from 91 out of 183 countries in 2010 to 70 out of 190 countries in 2019, adding that the country has also begun to look beyond low-tech manufacturing to high value added and high tech sectors of the new economy, industry 4.0 and digital transformation.
Aware of the ability to hold on to its competitive edge in the cheap manufacturing space is very limited, Việt Nam has thrown its weight behind high-value industries such as electronics and software engineering, positioning itself to capitalise upon the fourth industrial revolution.
The electronics industry is one of the country’s fastest-growing. The value of its electronics exports rose from $47.3 billion in 2015 to $96 billion in 2020, accounting for a third of national exports. In the global ranking of electronics exporters, Việt Nam has climbed from 47th place in 2001 to 12th place in 2019.
The article cited statistics of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade data which showed that FDI firms accounted for 95 per cent of electronics export revenue in the first quarter of 2021. It affirmed that there is little reason to suspect that this trend will change in the coming years.
Việt Nam has committed to climbing the manufacturing value chain through FDI and has been working for years to upskill its population in preparation. The Vietnamese government’s economic and regulatory efforts will help drive FDI towards the Southeast Asian nation in the coming years, wrote the article. — VNS


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Yes, you read that headline correct. San Francisco’s Market Street will become car-less in 2020.
As reported from The Examiner this past October, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors passed the Better Market Street Plan. “It is bold, it is transformative,” SFMTA board director Amanda Eaken told the public at City Hall shortly before the vote.
In 2020, you won’t be seeing a single Prius, Uber, Lyft, or Camry making wrong, illegal, or dangerous maneuvers from Embarcadero to Octavia Street. Cars will, however, be allowed from Octavia onward into Castro. Though some argue a much more dangerous set of streets than it’s first 20 blocks, cars can still drive up into Twin Peaks. “This will not just be a better Market Street, this will be a magnificent Market Street,” Malcolm Heinicke, SFMTA board chair told the public. “We will have the above-ground subway for our bus lines. We will have a similar priority for our bikes and our taxis.” But critics of the bill have strongly voiced their opposition of the Bicycle Coalition’s appeal in this, “The so called bicycle coalition fails to mention the [redacted] cyclists that blow through red lights and cut vehicles off unsafely to make illegal turns off Market St.”
As the Examiner reports, “The $603.7 million Better Market Street Project has been more than a decade in the making. Under Mayor Gavin Newsom, SFMTA briefly piloted a car-free Market Street, and Third through Eighth streets now have turn restrictions that nudge many vehicles off Market.”
Some of the elements of the plan are already in place, but the city hopes to have a complete overhaul of Market Street done by 2022. Market Street’s sidewalks will be widened to make the street safer for its 500,000 daily walkers to cross, with more street furniture installed to make Market resemble a public plaza. Bike lanes will be protected from traffic to keep more than 4,000 daily cyclists safe. And the 200 buses that run down Market Street every hour will move faster, delivering more reliable transit for Muni riders across The City. And yes, Uber and Lyft vehicles are also subject to the car ban. Cars will still be able to cross Market Street at intersections, but drivers who turn on the street will risk a moving violation, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
“Market Street is at the heart of our city, and we need to do everything we can to make it a safer, more livable, and more vibrant place for our residents, workers, and visitors,” Mayor London Breed said in a statement. “Last year, there were 123 injury collisions on Market Street and the majority involved people walking and biking. Better Market Street and the project’s near-term improvements are critical to achieve our Vision Zero goals and ensure everyone can feel safe on our most traveled street.”
Cyclist Paul Valdez bicycles Market Street daily. During public comment, he told the SFMTA board he often fears for his life because Market Street does not have protective barriers now to protect bicyclists. “I used to have a silent mantra that said ‘Market Street will be the end of me,’” he said.
Though on a revolving laundry list of the cities priorities, we’re skeptic as to how the city will enforce a no-car Market Street in an already congested climate? More cops on street perhaps? Muni officers lining the sidewalks? And to Uber, who’s headquarters lines Market Street. Might we suggest, for our city residents, ditch your cars and go only public transport?
// Have an opinion about this article? Send it our way. Photography by Scott Szarapka


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Novellus Systems Inc. NVLS, -2.10% late Monday reported its third-quarter profit fell to $23.4 million, or 17 cents a share, from $64.7 million, or 45 cents, a year ago. Revenue slid 18.5% to $338.9 million as chip manufacturers placed fewer orders for equipment. The results missed Wall Street's per-share estimate of 21 cents but topped the revenue estimate of $321 million, according to Thomson First Call. Based in San Jose, Calif., Novellus Systems supplies equipment used to make chips for consumer electronic devices.
Novellus Systems net income falls 64%


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CHICAGO — In one of the largest settlements involving a sex toy manufacturer, Standard Innovation Inc. this week agreed to pay about $3.75 million to resolve privacy claims involving its We-Vibe Classic and Rave by We-Vibe products.
Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit alleged that the vibes, designed to be used by couples, transmitted customer data and breached their privacy. Both products, according to the suit, allowed partners to control the devices via Bluetooth and a smartphone app.
Each of the plaintiffs in the suit who purchased the devices before September could receive payouts of up to $10,000 per device.
The suit alleged Standard Innovation used the app to harvest data, including temperature and intensity settings, about how customers used the vibrators.
The class settlement creates several ways for customers to collect — those who used the app to control the vibes will get up to $10,000 and those who purchased a connected device will receive up to $199.
Standard Innovation, in court papers, said that it “denied and continues to deny each and every allegation of wrongdoing and liability” and that it was prepared for a vigorous court battle. But the company also said that it didn’t want litigation to be long and drawn out.
“[Standard Innovation] maintains that it has strong, meritorious defenses to the claims alleged in the action, including without limitation that plaintiffs consented to the conduct alleged and that it would have succeeded in defeating class certification,” Standard Innovation counsel wrote in court papers.
“Nonetheless, taking into account the uncertainty and risks inherent in any litigation, [Standard Innovation] has concluded that further defense of the action would be protracted, risky, burdensome, and expensive, and that it is desirable and beneficial to it that the action be fully and finally settled.”