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Posts Tagged ‘tablets’
As the 2012 Olympic Games in London are just a few days away. The athletes aren’t the only ones expected to perform at their best, despite the rigorous 24/7 schedule. With an expected 4.9B viewers across the globe, 1 in 3 of whom own at least 3 connected devices, our TVs, phones and tablets will likely be just as busy during the coming three week period absorbing as much Olympic content as possible.
It’s been two years since our last taste of the Olympics in 2010 and even longer since Beijing in 2008. As we’ve all experienced first-hand, a couple years is a long, long time in the tech world. Take for example the 456% growth from the paltry 19M smartphones floating around the US back in ’08. Not to mention the tablet, as we know it, was barely born with the original iPad in 2010!
Now, just a few years later, both NBC and BBC are set to stream every waking minute of the Olympic Games (over 5,500 hours!) to PCs and handheld devices around the world. And recent studies show more than 1 in 4 plan to watch the games on their smartphone—nearly 1 in 3 on their tablet.
We’ve come a long way since 2008 and there’s plenty of reason to dub this year’s event the first mobile Olympics, but have the companies and organizations surrounding this event truly taken to mobile?
We thought it’d be interesting to check out some of the major Olympic related websites, including the 11 major Olympic sponsors, and see how they stacked up on mobile devices. By our count below, we’re still at a mere 60% optimization—meaning 40% of companies are missing out. While some are clearly making great strides in mobile optimization, others continue to put themselves in a poor mobile position.
The idea for the event grew out of a lack of satisfaction around most industry conferences. Instead, of the usual talking heads giving presentations on recent industry data or pay-to-play panels of people trying to pitch their services by way of sharing information, we wanted to create a forum around education and information with some of our peers in mobile. This invite only event pulled together mobile executives from brands, media companies and solutions providers for a series of round-table discussions covering all facets of mobile strategy.
Welcome to the fourth installment of our 2011: A Mobile Year in Review Q&A style blog series that features the thoughts and insights of mobile industry luminaries, media executives and brand marketers.
In this post, we interview Ethan Alexander, VP of Mobile for LivePerson, Inc (@LivePerson) and leading industry figure for over 15 years. Ethan shares why it’s difficult to choose only one great mobile innovation this year, why LivePerson’s clients are so interested in advancing their mobile initiatives and why mobile chat is essential to the customer experience. Lastly, Ethan compares mobile growth to the early days of the internet and decides what he thinks 2012 will bring.
Ethan Alexander is the VP of Mobile for LivePerson, Inc., which provides online engagement solutions that facilitate real-time assistance and advice. The company’s hosted platform supports and manages real-time online interactions for businesses and independent experts. With its B2B services, chat, voice/click-to-call, email, self-service/knowledgebase and now mobile interactions are managed from a single agent desktop. Ethan spearheads the company’s efforts to extend real-time, intelligent interactions beyond the browser to anywhere with mobile service. Previous to LivePerson, Ethan was a part of the mobile leadership team at Salesforce.com where he helped develop their mobile platform and business strategy from the ground up after the 2006 purchase of Sendia, where he ran business development and partner efforts. Through the years, Ethan has worked closely with leading device manufacturers, various network operators and mobile integration and app development partners.


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Givaudan has judged its performance over the last financial year ‘solid’. The flavor and fragrances producer reported sales of CHF4.7 billion for FY 2016, up 4.2 percent on a like-for-like basis, or 6.1 percent in Swiss francs.
The fragrance division put in the strongest show, with sales up 5.6 percent like-for-like to CHF 2,230 million, compared to a 3.0 percent rise for the flavors unit. Within the fragrance division, fine fragrance was buoyant, with sales up 7.2 percent, driven by growth in Latin America and the Middle East, while Consumer Products delivered a solid uplift in sales to the tune of 6.1 percent. Sales for the active beauty and fragrance ingredients sector remained flat – up 1 percent.
However, the markets reacted negatively to the news that the Swiss firm missed expectations on net profit – up 3.1 percent to CHF644 million – with shares down 4 percent yesterday following the announcement. However, CEO Gilles Andrier was undeterred, claiming in an interview with CNBC that the company’s 2016 performance was on track with 2020 guidance.

domain: news


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With a pair of pre-war French classics each selling for more than $3 million, RM Sotheby’s fourth Ville Erba sale on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como posted more than $28.5 million in sales Saturday.
With a pair of pre-war French classics each selling for more than $3 million, RM Sotheby’s fourth Ville Erba sale on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como posted more than $28.5 million in sales Saturday. Forty-one of the 66 cars and motorcycles were sold, for a 62 percent sell-through rate.
“It’s great to see that the demand for special pre-war cars is stronger than ever, and we continue to see rare, low-production supercars with excellent provenance, performing very strongly,” Augustin Sabatie-Garat, RM Sotheby’s car specialist and Villa Erba auction manager, said in a news release.
“Our track record selling rare Porsches for record-setting prices continues,” he added, ”and to have sold eight cars for over €1,000,000 ($1.12 million) demonstrates that the market is still strong.”
Topping the sale, held in conjunction with the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, were a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS “Goutte d’Eau” coupe that sold for €3,360,000 ($3.78 million) and a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype that brought €3,024,000 ($3.402 million). Prices include buyer’s premium.
The Talbot-Lago wears “teardrop” bodywork by Figoni et Falaschi.
The price paid for the Bugatti was a record for a non-S Type 57 model. The car is one of only three such prototypes, was delivered to its original owner with a specially tuned engine, and was sold having been driven only 26,000 kilometers since new.
Third on the auction’s top-10 results list was a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 showing a mere 10 kilometers on its odometer and thus not only was an original car but was presented in “as-delivered” condition. Wearing special-order Polar Silver paint over a Guards Red leather interior, the car sold for a record €2,016,000 ($2.268 million).
Also cracking into the top-5 list was another Porsche, the only 2015 918 “Weissach” Spyder produced in historic PTS Arrow Blue colors. The car sold for €1,456,000 ($1.638 million).
Five vehicles bid to more than one-million euros were not hammered sold, including a 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde that didn’t sell after someone offered as much as €5,050,000 ($5.68 million).
RM Sotheby’s pointed proudly to a 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 roadster with period racing history in Africa and Portugal that brought €582,400 ($655,200). The auction house noted that the price was a world auction record for an E-type that wasn’t a factory competition model.
The sale also included motorcycles. A 1954 BMW RS 54, one of only 24 produced that year, sold for €143,325 ($161,240).
Top 10 sales, RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017:
- 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goute d’Eau’ Coupé, €3,360,000 ($3.78 million)
- 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante prototype, €3,024,000 ($3.402 million)
- 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8, €2,016,000 ($2.268 million)
- 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina, €1,792,000 ($2.016 million)
- 2015 Porsche 918 ‘Weissach’ Spyder, €1,456,000 ($1.638 million)
- 1964 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Lusso’ €1,428,000, $1.6065 million)
- 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet, €1,120,000 ($1.26 million)
- 1990 Ferrari F40, €1,064,000 ($1.197 million)
- 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder, €840,000 ($945,000) 1975
- Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio,’ €817,600 ($919,800)
(Prices include buyer’s premium.)
RM Sotheby’s next sale is scheduled June 24 in Santa Monica, California.


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Paytm's board games
Paytm, which plans to go public in a few months, has agreed to give its founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma the right to appoint...
Millennials make 25,000% returns on new crypto that blends gaming
The gaming token launched in November 2020 has gained over 25,000 per cent ...
Climbing out of the abyss: Nine game changers in the next decade for the Indian automotive industry
Auto OEMs have to embrace efficiencies and cost reduction measures to improve their financial health. But such measures should be followed by new schemes to lure more and more buyers into replacing or buying their first vehicles and by gearing up for the important opportunities and trends across the automotive value chain.
Two games, six decades apart: The 1964 Olympics proclaimed a new Japan, there’s less to cheer this time
This time around, Japan is a mature, affluent nation. But its economy has been stagnant for much of the past three decades, leaving growing numbers of people behind; 1 in 7 children live in poverty, and many workers are in contract or part-time jobs that lack stability and pay few benefits.
Industry groupings seek major changes in draft ecommerce rules
Delete clauses defining related parties, service providers as ecommerce entities, those banning flash sales, say bodies
Amid talk about CM Yediyurappa's exit, guessing game on successor gains traction
B S Yediyurappa, who is completing two years in office on July 26, had dismissed reports in some quarters that the party's central leadership is actively mulling to replace him.
Netflix users will get video games in existing subscription plans at no extra cost
The streamer didn't say when that service will launch or what kind of games will be developed.
Tencent to buy British video game company Sumo in $1.3 billion deal
Sumo's shareholders will get 513 pence in cash per share, Tencent said. The offer is at 43% premium to the Sumo's last closing price of 358 pence. The share has risen multifold since its listing on LSE's junior market AIM in 2017 at 100 pence.
To catch teenage gamers, Chinese company deploys facial recognition
“Children, put your phones away and go to sleep,” Tencent said in a statement Tuesday when it officially introduced the new features called “Midnight Patrol.”
China regulator blocks Tencent's $5.3 billion video games merger
Tencent first announced plans to merge Huya and DouYu last year in a tie-up designed to streamline its stakes in the firms, which control 80% of a more than $3-billion market.
Skill or chance? Definitions haunt gaming
As gaming grows by leaps and bounds in India and attracts private equity and other investments from across the world, the issue has finally boiled down to one simple question — is gaming based on ‘skill’, or it is governed by ‘chance’?
Mobile Premier League is all set to start its US innings
Mobile Premier League (MPL), a Sequoia India-backed online gaming startup seeks to stand out in the US market by becoming a ‘super app’—a unified gaming platform with multiple offerings.
India’s esports industry set to quadruple in size by 2025: EY report
India’s esports industry is set to quadruple in size to Rs 1,100 crore by 2025 from Rs 250 crore at present—clocking a compounded annual growth rate of 46%, according to an EY report.
Crypto’s top venture capitalist is playing the long game
Katie Haun, who created the first federal cryptocurrency task force as a prosecutor in the Justice Department, will co-chair a $2.2 billion crypto fund that Andreessen Horowitz announced this past week.
Game streaming platform Loco raises $9 million from Krafton, Lumikai
Following the fundraise, Loco will be spun off as a separate entity from Pocket Aces. Founders Anirudh Pandita and Ashwin Suresh will lead Loco going forward, while co-founder Aditi Shrivastava will continue to lead Pocket Aces.
SIDBI ties up with GAME to help MSMEs revive
Some of focus areas of the partnership will be scaling up Udyam Registration as a unique ID for a MSME to access schemes across the entire MSME universe, leveraging SIDBI's financial schemes to further formalise enterprises, among others.
37% mobile gamers keen to shift to PC gaming: HP study
The HP India Gaming Landscape Report 2021 revealed that 89% respondents believe that a PC offers a better gaming experience than a smartphone


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The evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the Watches and Wonders Geneva Exhibitor Committee to rethink the format of the Salon and the committee is being as creative as it gets.
Watches and Wonders Geneva 2021 will be held in two phases in April 2021 both online and offline. More than 40 leading brands will be present, April 7-13, on the newly enhanced watchesandwonders.com digital platform.
This digital gathering will be followed a few days later, by the Watches and Wonders Shanghai physical Salon, where some 15 exhibiting brands will present their latest timepieces. In other words, a single event that unites the watch industry’s leading names in digital and physical format.
Watches and Wonders Geneva, welcoming the great names in watchmaking All the brands that confirmed their presence at the physical Salon, including Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hermès, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Tudor and Ulysse Nardin, will be joined by new arrivals, among which are Bulgari, Carl F. Bücherer, Hublot, Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Zenith. This will be the first time that so many of the most prestigious names in watchmaking have united around this initiative
Depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves, more Watches and Wonders physical events may be added, to provide professionals and enthusiasts with an opportunity to discover the new releases for 2021 along with a hands-on experience.
For 2022, the leading names in the watch industry are looking forward to gathering, in person, at the next Watches and Wonders Geneva, which will be the biggest watch Salon ever held in Geneva. This already highly anticipated event will take place in spring 2022 at Palexpo.
The watch fairs are not dead and we just have to be a little more patient before we can all meet again in Geneva.


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In spring, 2015, American farmers started to spread the word that John Deere claimed that a notorious copyright law gave the company exclusive dominion over repairs to Deere farm-equipment, making it a felony (punishable by 5 years in prison and a $500K fine for a first offense) to fix your own tractor.
Farmers asked the US Copyright Office to grant an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act -- the law that bans breaking DRM, even when you're not infringing copyright. This is part of a wider trend in which agribusiness is using technology laws to extract rents from farmers, even from farm equipment that the farmer owns free and clear (for example, Deere uses its DRM system to lock farmers into using seed from partners like Monsanto in combination with the soil-density data gathered by their own tractors).
Now, Modern Farmer takes up the case against John Deere and for the right to repair (in so doing, Modern Farmer is bucking the trend; other farm magazines have been known to fire long-running contributors for daring to criticize Deere).
Not everyone is on the farmers’ side here; some, according to the Associated Press, are concerned that the move would reduce revenue to tractor manufacturers, potentially landing them in trouble. But the tractor owners disagree, annoyed that their tractors are treated differently from their cars and trucks, which can be serviced by any independent shop.
Activists for the Nebraska Fair Repair Bill, which was rejected by the state senate last year but will probably be reintroduced next year, have set up a few resources to check out if you’re curious about just how frustrating it can be to be denied the right to repair your own dang tractor.
Farmers Demand Right to Fix Their Own Dang Tractors
[Dan Nosowitz/Modern Farmer]
Five years ago, we won an unprecedented victory: spurred on by blackouts of more than 50,000 sites, more than 8 million Americans called Congress to object to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), a brutal internet censorship bill that would have been a stake through the heart of the open net. SOPA, which had been […]
Sean Bonner’s posted his share of viral images over the years, but the most recent time was a little different: he tweeted a picture of an anti-Trump political sticker he spotted in Tokyo, created by street artist 281_Anti nuke.
Vince Weaver is reimplementing Portal — “the cake acquisition simulator released in 2007” — to the Apple II series of computers, bit by bit — inspired by the fact that the Apple II hires mode has “the perfect Aperture Science orange and blue colors.” He’s released a disc image of the game in Apple Basic, […]
Using my iPhone while it’s charging is always a hassle. With tucked-away outlets and the meager length of included lightning cables, comfortable scrolling while plugged in is annoying. These 10-Ft MFi-Certified Lightning Cables are super convenient and probably the best iPhone accessory purchase I’ve made.At over three times the length of normal cables, these reach anywhere you […]
With countless applications for modern life, artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most in-demand fields of study in tech. Beyond modelling human decision making processes and learning abilities, AI can be used to analyze massive volumes of data and create complex interactive systems.This Machine Learning & AI for Business Bundle made mastering these concepts possible for […]
Computer hacking isn’t just something happening to the DNC. Major software companies need white-hat hackers to ensure the security of their products and users, and I came across a Computer Hacker Professional Certification Package that conveniently teaches those advanced IT techniques online.This course package will prepare you for various computer security certification exams with over 60 hours […]


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More Americans plan to travel this year than in 2022, and even as revenge travel has slowed down, and despite inflation, a potential recession, nationwide mass layoffs, and disastrous travel delays, more people are flocking to airports than in recent years.
In fact, an overwhelming 85% of Americans said they planned to travel during the summer, with more than 54% saying they would travel by plane, according to a survey by The Vacationer.
As airline travel continues to surge, a new report published by AirAdvisor revealed which popular airlines flyers should flock to and which ones they might want to avoid. The research looked at nearly one million reviews and more than five million flights to discern the reliability, safety, cost, customer reputation, and other factors that make some airlines better than others.
Of those ranked, Delta came in as the top airline, followed by Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines, all three of which were noted as the best options to travel with your furry friend.
So, if you’re planning to jet set off on your next vacation this summer, check out these airlines to find out which ones to avoid.


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The Independent independent.co.uk (RelaxNews - French-Europe) - Jan 26, 2011
Social media fashion index: mass beats class
A look at the top fashion brands on Facebook according to brand ranking sites Stylophane.com and Famecount.com on January 25.
Mass retailers including Victoria's Secret, Zara, H&M, and Forever21 are ousting high-fashion labels like Burberry from their top ten positions on Famecount.
Meanwhile, shoe brands are still leading the pack on Stylophane's Facebook fashion index, with Converse, Adidas, and Nike occupying all three top spots.
The top ten brands in terms of "fans today" under the category "fashion" according to www.stylophane.com and www.famecount.com are:
Stylophane / fashion *
03. Nike Football
08. DC Shoes
Famecount / fashion **
01. Victoria's Secret
02. Victoria's Secret Pink
04. Adidas Originals
09. DC Shoes
All data recorded Tuesday, January 25.
*Stylophane (www.stylophane.com) ranks brands under several categories including fashion, retailers and footwear. The website provides daily updates on brands' total number of fans.
**Famecount (www.famecount.com) ranks brands, celebrities and politicians according to the number of daily/monthly/total Facebook and/or Twitter fans/followers each receives.
To view Stylophane's Facebook Fashion Index: http://stylophane.com/fbi


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The metaverse lead at Polygon Studios, Brian Trunzo, has made a bold claim about the future of NFTs. Last year NFTs exploded into the mainstream, and now many companies are exploring how to use them in their business. Speaking at ETHDenver, Brian Trunzo said, “I think anything that can become an NFT will become an NFT.”
After initial scepticism by the mainstream, companies like Nike, Disney and others are finding ways to integrate NFTs into their business. These companies are exploring the concept of ‘metaverse’ and how to move forward in the new digital age.
Although NFTs were first made famous through art, it is clear that NFTs have many uses. Furthermore, they will play a vital role in the future across multiple industries, including fashion, music, patents and more.
Polygon Studios also believes that the fashion industry will benefit from NFTs in a way that is not even comprehendible currently. “The fashion world is a $2 trillion economy. And many thinkers, myself included, believe that digital fashion will dwarf that someday”, Trunzo said.
Finally, fashion and the metaverse are intrinsically linked. Think about games like Fortnite, where users buy skins for their characters. NFTs will enable this to happen across the entire metaverse, and you will have top fashion houses to clothe yourself in the digital world. This is already happening in the space. Meanwhile, in recent months, Nike brought RTFKT Studios, a digital art studio that focuses on sneaker NFT drops. Polygon Studios want to stay ahead of the pack.
All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFTevening.com are not recommendations.
This article is educational material.
As always, make your own research prior to making any kind of investment.


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LANGLEY, British Columbia, Canada — The ECCO Group announced the creation of the ECCO Sales and Distribution business unit and the appointment of Ray Newstead to head the Canadian division as division vice president.
“I am confident that with the addition of Ray to our team of exceptional leaders, we will continue building and ultimately executing ECCO’s goal to be the top choice for HVAC supplies and building products for our customers and vendor partners,” said Bill Davis, vice president and general manager of The ECCO Group. “We are a fast growing company and are better positioned for the future with the changes we are making.”
Ray joins ECCO as a senior executive, with many years of building products and HVAC industry experience, most recently in the role of CEO and prior to that in the roles of vice president of operations and chief financial officer. He will be responsible for the oversight of Canadian operations that includes ECCO Supply and the National Accounts sales team.
“I’m very excited to join ECCO at this transformative time,” said Ray Newstead. “It’s my pleasure to lead this new division that includes ECCO Supply, already an established leader in the Western Canadian HVAC wholesale market. We look forward to building on our strengths to better help our customers succeed with the best products and service and winning together in the weeks and months ahead.”


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New car share company aiming to launch in Calgary in the spring
CALGARY -- Quebec-based car share company Communauto has its sights set on Calgary’s streets and it could make the move into the city by spring.
Communauto, which launched in 1994 and is operating in 13 Canadian cities and in Paris, has been eyeing Calgary since Car2Go exited the city in October. Car2Go cited a ‘highly volatile’ transportation market when it announced it would leave Calgary and several other North American cities in September.
“We really felt the impact of the loss of Car2Go and I know a lot of Calgarians are hoping to see another car share company come to the city,” said councillor Druh Farrell.
Officials with Communauto were at Calgary’s transportation and transit committee meeting Wednesday, when councillors recommended changes to the city’s car share parking policy.
Among the proposed changes is a tiered pricing structure for car share companies and a relaxation in parking time limits.
There’s also a provision to reduce parking fees by 50 per cent for car share companies using fully electric vehicles. Communauto boasts it has the largest electric car share fleet in the country.
“Our goal is to build a sustainable local mobility service that compliments collective transportation and active mobility,” said Marco Viviani, the vice-president of the Communauto group.
“The cars are meant to complement other transportation options in the city,” he told the committee.
Viviani said the company hasn’t yet determined how many cars they will start out with in Calgary, but Toronto’s launch included 200 vehicles. He added it isn’t likely the company will have any fully electric cars when it first comes to Calgary.
The city issued a press release Wednesday afternoon, describing the proposed tiered pricing structure as a "win-win" for both city administration and for city residents.
"Overall our policies are well set up to support carsharing in Calgary," said the city's senior transportation engineer Eric McNaughton. "Based on discussions with other cities and several carshare companies, we have identified several adjustments that ensure we are keeping up with best practices.
The committee’s recommendations will still have to be approved by council in February.


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The Federal Government is moving to provide subsidies to Australian businesses to keep the nation’s workers employed.
David Littleproud, Agriculture Minister, said this job keeper payment will protect lives and livelihoods at a time of crisis.
“In particular, it will give great comfort to those in regional and rural Australia where businesses have been hit hard and their workers are worried about their future,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Those that earn their crust in the agricultural sector will have security in knowing that the Government has their employers’ back.
“Local ag supply stores that have experienced a 30 per cent business downturn will be eligible for the wage subsidy.
“Wineries that have lost out because of the big tourism drop-off will be able to keep their workers on.
“We will emerge from this crisis unified and stronger as a result of the security this announcement will give employees and employers.
“The $130 billion package spread over the next 6 months is being committed to keep Australian businesses ticking over and keep money in their workers’ wallets.
“Those eligible businesses can back date their claims to March 1, 2020.
“The Federal Government will remain calm in this COVID-19 crisis and continue to build that bridge to recovery,” Mr Littleproud said.
To register: https://www.ato.gov.au/general/gen/JobKeeper-payment/?fbclid=IwAR1wTlerObzNh0fVd4js8bUEmjbdnc6eeHW3bZ5Cl0GYGiZk0zPYiPGbMT0


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(Englewood, CO, August 13, 2021) – iLending, a national leader in automotive refinancing, announced today that it has raised an additional $35 million through a transaction led by First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC. This new capital follows iLending’s announcement in May that J.C. Flowers & Co. has taken a majority stake in the company.
“This new capital, on top of our recent investment from J.C. Flowers, is a strong signal of confidence in our proven business model, strong balance sheet and leadership team,” said Tom Holgate, CEO of iLending. “We have already begun building out both our management and sales teams, and we will remain vigilant for opportunities to grow the business.”
iLending’s auto refinancing platform, available in all 50 states and Washington, DC., handles the entire loan process, including finding the best rates, paying off the previous lender and re-titling the vehicle. iLending saves consumers an average of $144 a month on their car payments through direct relationships with credit unions and other lending institutions that ensure consumers have access to the best available rates.
Mr. Holgate added, ““We estimate that one in four auto loans are overpriced, meaning consumers are often paying more in interest than they should be based on their current credit profile. This presents a tremendous market opportunity for iLending. With our network of lenders, the Company is well positioned to lead the market and help consumers refinance their loans and save money.”
The Company has substantially ramped up hiring to help support its growth, including hiring additional senior-level executives, expanding its Austin, Texas office, and developing near shore partnerships. iLending also plans to open a new office location this fall.
Renee D. Brown, Chief Marketing Officer


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You could be driving a supercar for less than you think; those are the findings of our 'supercheap supercars' feature, published in today's magazine.
We conducted a special investigation including Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes and Porsche dealers. At all of them we met the same conclusion - that serious buyers shouldn't be deterred by six-figure forecourt tags.
Our results show that, at every stop we made, there are startlingly affordable real-world purchasing options to be had. Among them was the Mercedes SL500 pictured; a £71,500 car available for the price of a compact executive saloon and a new suit every month.
To find out how much ownership of other dream metal really costs, Ferrari's 360 Modena, Lamborghini's Gallardo and Bentley's Continental GT included, get this week's Autocar.


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Kendhikulhudhoo in Noonu Atoll has been promoted as a tourist destination at the HaaToSeenu Travel Fair held in Hulhumale'.
The fair was organised by Play Day World Maldives. The two-day event was a platform for interested real estate developers and investors to explore new venture opportunities in Kendhikulhudhoo.
Speaking to PSM News, President of Kendhikulhudhoo Island Council Mohamed Rauf said that there is no guest house business on the island but there are many people who want to start the business. He said the island was not planned to provide tourism services before but various opportunities are being sought now with the preparation of the land use plan of the island. He said world-class luxury brands are running resorts in Noonu Atoll and there is a demand from tourists due to the international airport. Therefore, he said there is hope to make Kendhilkulhadhoo a prominent tourist destination.
The event was held to promote Kendhikulhadhoo as a tourist destination for locals and foreigners. The customs and culture of the island were shown and a 3D model of the island was showcased to the visitors.


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Pattie's Blog: Canadians love local
Published Monday, April 16, 2012 1:52PM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, June 7, 2012 1:00PM EDT
Small businesses are essential to the Canadian economy. As of December 2009, they accounted for 98 per cent of all businesses and employed approximately 5 million people or 48 per cent of the total labour force in the private sector. They are the engines of the economy, and according to a new survey, Canadians are only to happy to fuel that engine. 89 per cent of us actively support small businesses in our communities.
More attentive, personal and friendly service topped the list. Almost as important were a personal relationship with the business owner, better quality or unique products, and a faster shopping experience.
- Do you have a question for Pattie? Email her at firstname.lastname@example.org or find her on Twitter at @askpattiectv or on Facebook. You can also call in live, toll-free, between 8 and 8:45 p.m. ET at (855) 969-9898.
This support is not taken for granted by business owners. They say they get a lot of satisfaction from the personal connection with their customers; their businesses give them a sense of pride and accomplishment and allow them to donate their time and money to charities, sports teams or cultural events.
But first and foremost, a small business is a way to earn a living. No one quits their job, mortgages their home, and steps into the unknown just to scrape by. That sets the bar too low. The real goal is to succeed; to become the next Jim Balsillie or Ted Rogers. In fact, rapid growth companies can be found right across Canada. More importantly, fast growing companies are distributed evenly across every major sector of the economy.
Successful small and medium-sized business are the ones that get the basics right. That ranges from strong management skills, employing skilled labour, good marketing, high-quality customer service, flexibility to customer needs and product quality. Excelling in these areas is essential for survival. What about companies that meet these benchmarks and go the extra mile? The truly successful companies tend to be more productive and innovative. They do more research and development, access new markets, adopt new technologies and are more innovative with their products.
It's a well established belief that American companies tend to beat Canadian ones in terms of productivity. You might think it's because of the fact that a greater share of the Canadian economy is comprised of small businesses. Those small businesses lack the scale and money to invest in R&D. But it isn't so black and white. According to analysis by Industry Canada, the share of small- and medium-sized companies in Canada doing R&D was 1.1 per cent and 10.3 per cent in 2002. That's more than the 1 per cent and 6.1 per cent that the U.S. could muster. R&D intensity by Canadian companies was less than their U.S. counterparts, but the greatest difference was among large firms; not small- or medium-sized companies. Smaller firms tend to be both productive and nimble. The best ones constantly strive to introduce product and process innovations, as well as evolve their business model.
It may not feel like the best time to invest capital and pursue innovations during an economic slowdown. But the picture isn't as grim as one might think. Interest rates may rise, but many economists believe they could remain quite low for longer. The effective tax rate on capital has also fallen in recent years. Strong bank balance sheets suggest that the supply of credit should be available to meet a business' needs. And the Canadian dollar is also expected to remain close to parity, limiting the cost of imported machinery and equipment.
It seems clear to me that Canadians love small businesses. It's no wonder we're proud of the success stories. The data clearly shows that many Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses strive to innovate and invest in new technologies. Many of these firms are more productive and more innovative than larger, better funded companies. It's the underdogs that are taking the leadership role and driving the economy forward. As more and more business owners become aware of the importance of innovation, they will open the door to greater growth and prosperity, for all Canadians.
Pattie Lovett-Reid is the host of the Pattie Lovett-Reid Show which airs on CTV News Channel from 8 to 8:30 p.m. ET and on ctv.ca/askpattie from 8:30 to 9 p.m. ET.


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Any visit to TechCrunch, VentureBeat, or even the Wall Street Journal will leave the average reader with a sense that AI is taking over a different part of the economy every week. There are an almost endless number of funding press releases and pitch recaps that read “Company XYZ is using AI and machine learning to automate repetitive tasks in the [insert name] industry.”
Within the constant stream of stories on AI, though, one task or function seems to stand out as a particularly frequent target – customer service. A number of early stage companies have set out to eliminate or greatly reduce human involvement in the customer service process using text chat bots, email scripts, and, in more recent years, increasingly lifelike voice assistants.
The reasons for the amount of attention by AI specialists and founders on customer service are varied but straightforward. First, customer service is a fairly large cost center within most consumer-facing businesses, so the value proposition for AI solutions is often a simple cost reduction discussion. Second, most company executives are willing to try new, innovative approaches to customer service based on the fact that consumer complaints rarely stop – essentially, there is a common mindset that things can always be better. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, many customer service interactions can be similar in nature from consumer to consumer or fall into specific categories (e.g. process refunds or exchanges, handle questions about product details, etc.), which give companies confidence that automated solutions, even those with rudimentary AI, can improve customer satisfaction. A simple example of the latter is the fact that so many people will use the ATM machine at their branch bank to withdraw funds, even when the bank is open, and tellers are available.
While continued innovation and improvements to customer service AI are expected, and the implementation of these technologies will radically alter certain industries, our team at Forté Ventures is betting that the human element of customer service is not going away any time soon. In fact, we’re betting that, as AI solutions continue to be adopted, the role and importance of human customer service professionals will change and become an increasingly important source of differentiation for companies.
The first thing we looked at in taking this position was history. The various reasons that make customer service a ripe target for AI solutions above are not new. In fact, they have been true for several decades and have been the driving factors behind past innovation, namely phone menus and pre-recorded responses. Thus, there’s a clear precedent for automation, albeit different levels of automation than are possible today, falling short of replicating the personal touch necessary to turn a bad ordering process into a great one (here is an entertaining read on Amazon’s quest to tackle one of Alexa’s biggest struggles – small talk). Efforts by companies to reduce the level of human involvement in their customer process have consistently been met in the past by increased time spent by consumers screaming “Operator!” into their phones.
The second thing that we examined was the future of consumer preferences. As consumers spend less and less time making in-person purchasing decisions, whether that be in brick and mortar stores for retail goods or in bank branches for financial products, brands are having to find new ways to differentiate themselves from competitors. One approach to this problem is to create a highly customized customer service experience in which consumers interact with both AI-generated content (e.g., data-driven product recommendations) and expert product advisors, both before and after a purchase. Brands like Warby Parker and Bonobos have perfected this by offering a blend of light-touch online shopping and heavy-touch in-store or over-the-phone experiences. In this scenario, as brands like Warby Parker do the vast majority of their business online, a customer service agent might be the only human point of contact a customer has with the company, and therefore one of its more important points of differentiation – relative to the levels of customer support provided in years gone by.
A more extreme example of the above ways in which online-first retailers are deploying customer service is Amazon. Prior to their acquisition of Whole Foods and the opening of certain concept book stores and bodegas in recent months, Amazon was a pure online retailer, and an enormous one at that. How did this online behemoth handle what Jeff Bezos called “defects” in his online shopping customer journey? Several thousand customer agents responding to customer complaints via phone, text, and video chat. Amazon has had to deploy a “small army,” as The Seattle Times put it, of front-line customer service professionals to keep its customers happy, and there is no reason to believe that they will be the last to do so in this age of online everything.
Our belief in the increasing value of customer service was a major factor in our decision to invest in Jordy Leiser and his team at StellaService. StellaService started as a company that enabled their customers of all shapes and sizes to measure the performance of their customer service organizations against industry benchmarks through mystery shopping and traditional survey mechanisms. Over the past two years, the company’s current offering, Stella Connect, has created a more direct feedback loop that engages consumers and gathers meaningful, actionable information on their interactions with individual customer service professionals. The information provided is helpful for customers, customer service professionals, managers of customer service teams and the companies they work for, as it has been shown to improve performance, reduce churn, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. In short, Stella Connect helps companies run happier and higher performing customer service teams.
On speaking to some of the companies that StellaService has helped in recent years, which fall into a number of industries, from direct-to-consumer e-commerce to financial services to telecommunications, and which, collectively, employ thousands of customer service professionals, the positive changes that they say were enabled by Stella Connect have been impressive. Some companies say that, with Stella Connect, customer service professionals are less likely to burn out and change roles based on more consistent positive feedback gathered from customers. Others cite that managers are able to more effectively train and encourage ongoing improvement of their team members based on specific comments from customers, as opposed to generic survey scores. All companies stated that Stella Connect had improved ongoing engagement with their customers.
As the role of customer service professionals continues to evolve into the handling of more complex tasks that are beyond the current scope of AI (or not an appropriate application of the technology), it will be increasingly challenging to appropriately train and retain talent in this area. We believe that StellaService can play a critical role in helping companies meet that objective.


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Twenty years of computer viruses
It is 20 years since the release of the world's first PC virus, according to antivirus firm F-Secure. 'Brain' was a boot sector virus created by two brothers, Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, to protect a game they had written.
[ Read more ]
By subscribing to our early morning news update, you will receive a daily digest of the latest security news published on Help Net Security.
With over 500 issues so far, reading our newsletter every Monday morning will keep you up-to-date with security risks out there.


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The revival in India’s financial system is clear as quite a lot of headline indicators confirmed a sudden uptick in current months. GST collections and car gross sales are among the many indicators, which supposedly indicated a crest within the financial exercise. However, there’s a caveat. It remains to be unsure how exactly these indicators replicate the expansion.
Although GST collections within the month of October 2020 rose 10 per cent on-year and look promising, the taxes are paid each by wholesalers and retailers, SBI Research mentioned within the newest Ecowrap report. There is a risk that the products have been bought by wholesalers, however haven’t been despatched to retailers. Hence the extent of restoration can solely be gauged after trying on the stock figures, when the GDP knowledge is launched.
Automobile gross sales on a bumpy rise
Auto gross sales The rise in auto gross sales is one other incident establishing the identical truth. The wholesale gross sales knowledge exhibits that passenger automobile gross sales grew at 14 per cent, 26 per cent, and 14 per cent on-year in August, September and October 2020, respectively. However, the retail gross sales knowledge exhibits fluctuations; August gross sales fell 7 per cent, September gross sales rose 10 per cent, and October gross sales once more fell 9 per cent on-year.
Moreover, throughout May-October 2019, the retail-to-wholesale gross sales ratio was 99.5 per cent, which fell to 83.eight per cent in May-October 2020. There are considerations that extra stock on account of tepid gross sales would possibly elevate extra issues for sellers, the SBI analysis report added.
The silver lining
However, regardless of the considerations, SBI analysis has raised the projections for India’s development within the second quarter of the present fiscal 12 months. It mentioned that GDP in Q2 could have contracted by 10.7 per cent, which was earlier estimated to shrink by 12.5 per cent. SBI mentioned that the estimates of a relatively higher outcome are aligned with the financial development seen by varied economies within the quarter. Meanwhile, different businesses resembling Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Moody’s, ICRA, and Barclays, have additionally estimated an improved development determine for the Indian financial system.


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One of the perks of owning an electric vehicle is that you don’t have to buy gas. Taxi Norman, out of Dusseldorf in Germany, knows this and has already put into service a couple of Tesla Model S vehicles. The company is now planning to add 50 Tesla Model 3s to its fleet.
Many people who use Uber or Lyft never really consider taxis, but every major city in the world has a n extensive taxi network — often numerous independent operators. German cities have many small operators.
— Zachary Shahan (@zshahan3) January 5, 2020
Taxi Norman believes that switching from diesel vehicles to electric vehicles will not only be environmentally friendly, but also profitable. One of their older vehicles costs around 6,000 euros per year in gas and maintenance. A Tesla would only cost around 35 euros per vehicle per month (420 euros per year).
Taxi Norman currently has approximately 150 vehicles, only 2 of them being Tesla Model Ss. The 50 Tesla Model 3s planned for purchase should each cost around 45,000 euros.
“The car has only been driving this morning, and the driver has already received a tip of 15 euros because the customer simply thought it was great to drive in an electronic car.” — Erol Norman, Managing Director, Taxi Norman
The fact that Taxi Norman, in German auto country, is integrating electric vehicles into its fleet from an American car company is a strong message to legacy automakers. It is essentially a demand that they need to wake up before they no longer have a spot in this new auto world — an all-electric one.
As of 2012, there were around 233,900 taxi drivers in the United States. This number is no doubt much higher if you include Uber and Lyft drivers as well. Imagine if every taxi company in the United States added 4 Teslas or other electric vehicles to its fleet. Imagine them replacing their entire fleet and going completely electric. I believe that by the time 2029 rolls around, this will either have happened or be happening.
Tens of thousands of Teslas could be sold each year in the US just for use in taxi services. However, the more important thing is that taxis drive a lot of miles and spend a lot of time idling. So, a Tesla taxi cuts a lot more pollution than a Tesla used as a normal consumer car.
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In a few months, Dubai will play host to the first world Expo held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. While bringing a pandemic-hit world together, Expo is striving to be the most sustainable in the 170-year history of the world exposition.
Dina Storey, who drives Expo 2020 Dubai’s sustainability vision, says sustainability has been integrated into the planning, design, construction and operational process.
“When we say the most sustainable Expo in history, we have broken it down into key objectives that include building sustainable infrastructure, finding scalable solutions for future, integrating economic value into sustainability and engaging with the community. All of these are what makes an Expo the most sustainable Expo,” Storey told Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview.
Hence, Sustainability is one its three central themes — the other two being Mobility and Opportunity. The design and infrastructure of the site incorporates ‘the environmental, economic and social dimensions’ of sustainability, and seeks to build awareness about a gamut of issues, including climate change, resources and natural eco-systems.
Sustainability is at the core of all aspects of construction at Expo 2020 Dubai, whether it is using environment-friendly building materials or using energy and water conservation on-site, said Storey.
With innovative building solutions and energy-efficient techniques, the site’s energy consumption will be reduced by more than 30 per cent.
Storey said one of the key elements of the sustainability framework at Expo is leaving a sustainable infrastructure behind.
“All our permanent structures are equipped with photovoltaic plates that reduces our dependence on regular energy. It also provides the legacy of Expo to leave renewable energy footprint.”
The Sustainability Pavilion, which has the highest sustainability certification called LEED, is one the highlights. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the pavilion has redefined eco-friendly building design by achieving net-zero energy in terms of external water and energy consumption.
The 130-metre-wide canopy features more than 1,055 solar panels that use solar energy to generate electricity. The energy trees fitted with solar panels follow the sun. The building’s innovative design can produce water from atmospheric humidity.
“We are trying not just to have clean energy but the design, materials, and buildings we are using are also efficient. This helps reduce our energy consumption by around 33 per cent and that is a massive amount of energy.
“If you look at it monetarily, that is thousands of dirhams saved. Due to the way buildings are designed and maintained, our water footprint is 40 per cent lesser than the standard footprint.”
In 2019 alone, Expo achieved a 52.4 per cent reduction of water demand in their buildings, compared to the water requirement baseline of the Dubai Electric and Water Authority (Dewa). This amounts to 102,835,000 litres per year and is equivalent to roughly 41 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
She said they work with environmentally and socially responsible suppliers to use sustainable materials during construction. For instance, the wood used on-site carry sustainable forestry certification and 90 per cent of key materials used are procured by adhering to sustainable practices.
Turning trash into treasure
Being the most sustainable Expo means setting the best example of how a circular economy works. Storey says recycling and waste management are crucial in reducing the environmental impacts of hosting such a large-scale event.
Expo has created a RISE Operations guidebook that sets clear sustainable strategies, and recycling is a big part of it.
“We have a clear policy that what comes into the site should go out. When comes in include plastic cups, straws, napkins.”
Expo 2020 has also made it mandatory for participating retail outlets to minimise packaging and single-use materials. Packaging refers to any material or container used to wrap or contain food or other products (for example, bags, wrappers and boxes).
Through recycling bins and waste segregation throughout the site, Storey said the idea is to empower visitors to recycle better.
Expo’s waste management partner, Dulsco, is helping turn trash into treasure. Dulsco’s purpose-built Waste2Resource plant will recycle paper and cardboard to produce useful items such as cup holders, seed pots and gift boxes or Expo-branded mementos.
When a massive site is built from scratch, one of the biggest challenges is waste management. Storey says one of the sustainability KPI for Expo is 85 per cent waste diversion to avoid filling up of landfills.
“I can tell you that as of May, our waste diversion from the site is 92 per cent, even though our KPI mandates 85 per cent. This means the waste will not go into the big landfills and that in itself creates a challenge on how we repurpose, reuse all of these different materials.”
As an example, she pointed out that parking lots at Expo are using recycled tires within the asphalt. Similarly, crushed concrete is used to build the walkways.
“There are innovations like waste energy composters that will take away the waste. Our strategy to achieve this is very thorough and we want others to learn from this work with us and expand what we are doing beyond the site and to the rest of the world because I believe it is unique,” said Storey.
Copyright © 2021 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).


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Why Are Used Toyota Tacoma Models so Expensive?
If new trucks are facing low inventories, then it’s a great time to buy a used truck, right? Maybe. But used Toyota Tacoma models almost cost more than the brand new models. Is buying an older Toyota Tacoma model a good decision, or are they currently overpriced?
Is buying a used Toyota Tacoma a good idea?
Generally, it’s a great decision to buy a used Toyota Tacoma. If you can find a Tacoma for the right price, you can trust it as a dependable, long-lasting option. The Tacoma also holds its value pretty well, depending on vehicle history.
But according to a recent iSeeCars.com study, used Tacoma prices are up. The Tacoma is third on their list of 16 vehicles that currently cost more used than new. The new car price is $37,902, but the used Tacoma price is about $39,857. This is a 5.2 percent price increase that comes out to about $1,955 more.
iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer explained that Toyota halted incentives on its new trucks due to a lower supply. Buyers who want these highly sought-after trucks may only be able to find used models.
Toyota has the leanest inventory of all automakers. For example, demand for the Toyota 4Runner has outpaced supply on the new car lot. This sends prospective new vehicle buyers to used models.
Are used Tacomas reliable?
Used Tacomas have low reports of maintenance issues regarding the engine, transmission, body integrity, power equipment, suspension, and more. But the 2018 and 2019 models have more problems reported than other model years.
The 2016 Tacoma is the first model year with the 3.5-liter V6 engine with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. This could be why models after 2015 are much higher in price. Even 2016 and 2017 models with over 100,000 miles are being listed for around $30,000.
While 100,000 miles sounds steep, but the Tacoma will last. Standard vehicles are known for making it to 200,000 miles. But a well-maintained Tacoma can last over 300,000 miles. Some even make it past 400,000 miles. Meanwhile, the Chevy Colorado taps out around 200,000 miles.
Do used Tacomas hold their value?
Typically, a Toyota Tacoma will depreciate but about 28 percent and five years and have a five-year resale value of $27,149. That’s only a few thousand less than what used Tacomas are currently selling for.
Used Toyota Tacomas from 2018 and 2019 are currently the best model years to purchase based on their value. Buying a Tacoma between two to four years old is your best bet based on price, condition, insurance, and predicted maintenance costs.
If you have the Tacoma bug, it’s not crazy to buy a used model right now. Prices are up right now, but this truck proves to hold its value well and lasts for miles. Just be sure to check over the ownership history before making your purchase.


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Jato Dynamics has said that it is “unclear” whether Europe’s new car registrations volumes will return to pre-COVID pandemic levels after the sector’s recovery slowed in June.
Almost 1.27 million units registered in June but the 27% year-on-year increase over 2020 remains 23% down on the 1.47m registrations in H1 2019 and the 1.6 million units registered in 2018.
Jato’s global analyst, Felipe Munoz, said: “The conditions are not yet ideal and far from a total recovery. In the mid-term, it is not clear whether the market will reach pre-COVID levels or not”.
Tesla’s Model 3 electric vehicle (EV) was only beaten to the top of Europe’s new car sales rankings for June by the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, its sales totalling 25,697 versus the VW’s 27,247.
The Model 3 was the top-seller in Austria, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, and hit the top 10 in Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden.
In May AM reported that Volkswagen’s new ID.4 became the first SUV to top Europe’s EV sales rankings as it topped the charts for April, but it finished fourth in June, with 6,315 registrations.
Despite being the only pure EV to make the top 10, Jato reported that the Telsa model’s result came as low emissions cars (BEV and PHEV) continued to perform well in June, recording a new record total market share of 18.5% - up from 8.2% in June 2020.
Pure EV registrations totalled 126,000 units last month, ahead of the 104,000 registered plug-in hybrid (PHEV) units.
Significant increases in the plug-in car market share were posted in Norway (up 24ppts), Sweden (up 24ppts), Denmark (up 21ppts), Ireland (up 17ppts) and Germany (15ppts).
The shift has seen the sales mix for Jeep’s new plug-in models account for 30% of its volume – up from 0.5% in June 2020.
Cupra’s sales of low emissions vehicles jumped from 0% in June 2020 to 58% last month, meanwhile, as EV and PHEV models made up 72% of MG’s total volume.
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TNNS Pro announced that it has partnered with software development company Innowise Group to produce a series of esports games within the VR. The games will all be sports-related and will allow players to link their NFT avatars created in the TNNS NFT marketplace. These new games will also be play-to-earn, giving players the opportunity of winning up to $500 in TNNS tokens after each match.
“We’re elated to be working with Innowise Group on this exciting project,” wrote TNNS Pro in their official announcement of the deal. “Together we will build some of the most amazing play-to-earn sports games in VR and take players on an incredible adventure.”
TNNS Pro has also revealed that a yearly “Champion of Champions” competition will be held in Las Vegas and will see finalists compete against the top-ranked player in live events.
The first game of the series, soon to be available to players, is a VR Tennis play-to-earn game which both companies have promised will be ready by July 2022.
(All information was provided by Digital Journal)


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June 10, 2011 at 11:27 AM ET
Like the idea of syncing your iPhone or iPod's iTunes Library over Wi-Fi, without having to use wires? It's a great concept, no? Greg Hughes thinks so too, and says that's why he developed "Wi-Fi Sync," an app that does just that. According to Hughes, he even offered it to Apple, which rejected it.
But Monday, when Apple unveiled iOS 5, its mobile operating system for iPhones, iPods and iPads, guess what was included? Wi-Fi syncing to iTunes.
Hughes, a computer science student at the University of Birmingham in England, says he submitted his "Wi-Fi Sync" app to Apple's App Store for approval in May 2010. He had already been selling it for $9.99 on Cydia, a website that has iPhone apps that have not been approved by Apple for their devices.
Apple looked at Hughes' app and liked it, he said. He got a call from an App Store representative who told him "Wi-Fi Sync" was excellent but had security issues.
"They did say that the iPhone engineering team had looked at it and were impressed," Hughes told The Register. "They asked for my CV as well.”
So when Apple said it will offer Wi-Fi sync to iTunes, with no more USB hookups required if users choose to go that way, Hughes said he was "completely shocked."
"I'm in the middle of exams so the timing isn't great," he told The Telegraph. "I'd been selling my app with that name and icon for a year. Apple knew about it as I'd submitted it to them, so it was surprising to see that they had pinched it for iOS 5."
We've asked Apple for comment, and will update the story if they respond.
Meanwhile, the third-year student says he's getting some legal advice about what to do.
"At the end of the day, you have to stand up and defend your work," he told The Telegraph.


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Chrysler and the NHTSA have issued a recall on almost 68,000 Jeep Wranglers made in 2010 due to a possible fire hazard. The reason for the possible fire hazard is due to the Wrangler’s skid plate protecting the transmission. Apparently the recall is only for the 2010 Jeep Wranglers equipped with an automatic transmission.
The NHTSA investigation found that debris can collect in between the skid plate and automatic transmission housing. Possibly resulting in said debris catching fire due to coming in contact with the catalytic converter. Chrysler/Jeep has already started notifying affected owners. If you have any questions about this recall you can contact Chrysler directly at: 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s recall number for this event is M22.


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NEW YORK, March 19 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hispanic Internet Users* are avid downloaders of digital content, according to consumer and media research firm Scarborough Research. This is one of many findings on Hispanic Internet usage trends in a new complimentary report from Scarborough, available for download at http://www.scarborough.com/freestudies.php.
Scarborough’s analysis finds that Hispanic Internet Users are 21% more likely to download digital content** than the average adult online. Forty-two percent of Hispanic Internet Users have downloaded some form of digital content during the past 30 days, compared to 35% of the total Internet population. Music is the top download category for both Hispanics and the total Internet population. Almost one-third (32%) of Hispanic Internet Users and almost one-quarter (24%) of all Internet users have downloaded music during the past month.
Hispanics have been taking advantage of the national expansion of broadband, and their rate of adoption has mirrored that of the total U.S. population. Currently, 68% of Hispanic Internet Users* have a broadband*** connection in their household. Broadband penetration rates have grown from 13% in 2002 — an increase of more than five-fold. This is roughly the same pace of broadband adoption of adult Internet users overall. Seventy-one percent of U.S. Internet users currently have broadband at home, growing from just 15% in 2002.
“Increased high-speed Internet access among Hispanics is opening the door for online businesses to establish brand loyalty with this consumer group,” said Gary Meo, senior vice president of digital media services, Scarborough Research. “Offering Hispanics new and creative ways to interact with a brand online — particularly via downloaded digital content — could go a long way in successfully marketing to the Hispanic adult.”
Given the growth of broadband and content downloading in this consumer group, it is no surprise that Hispanic Internet Usage overall has reached a critical mass. The majority (54%) of Hispanics are now online. In fact, Internet access among Hispanic adults has increased 13% since 2004. By contrast, Internet access by all consumers nationally grew eight percent during this time period.
As a part of their complimentary study, Scarborough examined 13 local markets with higher-than-average concentrations of Hispanic adults and found distinctive Internet usage patterns and local variations. For example, Miami is the top Hispanic market for broadband penetration. Seventy-six percent of Hispanic Internet Users in Miami have broadband at home. By contrast, El Paso, Dallas, Fresno, CA, and Harlingen, TX, are the markets in which Hispanic residents are least likely to have a broadband connection.
Phoenix is the leading local market for Hispanics who download digital content. Sixty percent of Phoenix’s Hispanic Internet Users downloaded digital content during the past month. El Paso, Miami and Dallas are the markets where Hispanic Internet Users are least likely to download digital content.
Scarborough’s full report on the Hispanic Internet User can be found online at http://www.scarborough.com/freestudies.php. In addition to further details about broadband usage and downloading patterns, it contains details on Internet spending, mobile device usage, and overall Internet usage among Hispanics. It also compares and contrasts Internet users across 13 Hispanic local markets. The data in the report is from Scarborough’s USA+ study, as well as select local market studies.
Additional information about Hispanic Internet Usage, including data that drills-down to specific cities or zip code aggregates, is available for purchase. Please email firstname.lastname@example.org for more information.
* Hispanic Internet Users are those Hispanics who access the Internet
** “Download” refers to the download of any of the following content during the past month: podcasts, video games, music, other audio clips, television programs, or other video
*** Broadband connection is defined as having a cable modem or DSL Internet connection in the household
About Scarborough Research
Scarborough Research (http://www.scarborough.com, email@example.com) measures the lifestyle and shopping patterns, media behaviors and demographics of American consumers, and is considered the authority on local market research. Scarborough’s core syndicated consumer insight studies in 81 Top-Tier Markets, its Multi-Market Study and its national USA+ Study are Media Rating Council (MRC) accredited. Other products and services include Scarborough Mid-Tier Local Market Studies, Hispanic Studies and Custom Research Solutions. Scarborough measures 2,000 consumer categories and serves a broad client base that includes marketers, advertising agencies, print and electronic media (broadcast and cable television, radio stations), sports teams and leagues and out-of-home media companies. Surveying more than 220,000 adults annually, Scarborough is a joint venture between Arbitron Inc. (http://www.arbitron.com) and The Nielsen Company (http://www.nielsen.com).
SOURCE Scarborough Research


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Visionary approaches to the world of work: The motto “Rethinking work” clearly sets the tone for this year's ORGATEC. Taking place in Cologne from 23. to 27. October, this leading international trade fair for modern working showcases future-oriented ideas for future-oriented workplaces. The kind of places where future-oriented lighting plays a major role. Zumtobel will be making an appearance on two stands this time around: the special “Work to go” exhibition and a shared stand with the EasternGraphics software company.
The future of work – Zumtobel as a partner for the special “Work to go” exhibition
“Work to go” will be shown for the first time this year at ORGATEC. The interdisciplinary project was kicked off by the German architecture journal AIT-Dialog in cooperation with the Academy of Architecture, Fashion and Design (AMD or Hochschule für Architektur, Mode und Design) in Hamburg and the brandherm + krumrey interior architecture studio from Cologne. Zumtobel is one of a select group of specialist companies to support this initiative and help promote the development of innovative spatial and working concepts. “Work to go” is all about modern working. That means flexible working – in terms of time and location. What could this approach actually look like? The answer lies somewhere on the 400-square-metre stand, where intriguing views on autonomous and location-independent working from the perspective of the younger generation will be brought to life.
A semester project gave 24 students the opportunity to devise visions and concepts for the future implementation of location-independent occupations. The results of these undertakings will now be realised with the help of key partners on stand E010/F011 in hall 10.1. Zumtobel is set to showcase innovative ideas for modern office applications that incorporate tunableWhite technology and acoustic benefits. The trade fair itself is supported by a comprehensive programme of seminars and events. Aimed especially at architects, planners and experts in office equipment, the schedule includes guided tours, workshops, impulse lectures, keynote talks and podium discussions. Eminent companies such as Bolia, Microsoft, Sodexo, Steelcase and Viccarbe have joined Zumtobel in this intriguing initiative, so information and inspiration are certainly guaranteed.
“The “Work to go” project is an exciting cooperation with varied partners who are committed to thinking about the future of working and how to support innovative spatial concepts," confirmed Manfred Petschulat, Marketing Director Germany at the Zumtobel Group. “We are proud that Zumtobel is part of this project and that we can make a real contribution to the ground-breaking nature of this event.”
“Office worlds and light”: a joint presentation from Zumtobel and EasternGraphics
The planning processes for core elements like furniture, acoustics and light are becoming ever more closely linked. Now EasternGraphics, one of the top international providers of graphical 3D planning and configuration solutions, is set to use their ORGATEC stand to put the focus firmly on the key issue of light. Zumtobel will present the central theme of “office worlds and light”. As well as providing light for the entire exhibition stand, the Austrian lighting specialist will use its own section of the booth to introduce new product and system solutions. Visitors can control the innovative TEELA
pendant fitting, part of the editions
, special collection that Zumtobel launched in 2016, using Bluetooth and tunableWhite technology via the basicDIMwireless
app from Zumtobel Group Services (ZGS)
. Or they can experience at first hand the impressive lighting comfort of the LINETIK
free-standing LED luminaire. “We value EasternGraphics
as an important partner in the office furniture sector. The various shared touch points and synergies have laid the foundations for a successful long-standing partnership,” explained Bert Junghans, Head of Lighting Solutions & Concepts in Atelier of Light at the Zumtobel Group. “This cooperation is taking place at various levels.” EasternGraphics and Zumtobel are currently working together to develop software packages that actively support lighting design and project processes.
The EasternGraphics data platform already includes information on 140 Zumtobel luminaires. With the help of specially developed lighting simulation software, which is integrated into the EasternGraphics interior design pCon.Planner programme, real-time 3D simulation and virtual reality (VR) tours give customers real added value. And no end of interesting insights. Users can receive live updates with suggestions for furniture and innovative lighting solutions on computers and other networked devices. Thanks to the new mobile apps, visitors to stand C048 in hall 8.1 will get the chance to test the products and incorporate them directly into a spatial design concept. A prototype of a jointly developed graphical configurator will also be previewed at ORGATEC.
Zumtobel. The Light.


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) --Agere Systems Inc. has sued Microsoft Corp. for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets related to voice-over-Internet technology.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania on March 15, Agere claims that Microsoft gathered confidential information during meetings in 2002 and 2003 related to Agere's sound technology used for Internet videoconferencing, because Microsoft was interested in licensing and acquiring that technology.
Just prior to the anticipated signing of a licensing and transfer agreement, however, "Microsoft abruptly terminated the negotiations, proclaiming it had a 'breakthrough' in its own undisclosed development effort," Agere says in the complaint. Agere says the "breakthrough" was made by Microsoft researchers who had reviewed proprietary Agere materials, and was later used by Microsoft to develop its own products.
A Microsoft spokesman said the company has not yet reviewed the suit, and is unable to comment.
Agere spokesman Robert Guenther confirmed details of the complaint, and added that Microsoft may be infringing on related Agere patents as well.
Microsoft has made a number of significant moves recently related to voice-over-Internet, or VoIP technology. The day before Agere's suit was filed, Microsoft announced it will acquire Tellme Networks Inc. to help integrate voice into products including its Internet search service. VoIP technology is also integrated into Microsoft's Vista operating system, released to consumers in January.
Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division, said at the time of the Tellme acquisition he believes in the next three years more than 100 million people will be enabled to automatically make calls through existing software applications.
In its complaint, Agere says it is seeking an injunction against Microsoft's development of products that use its technology, though it does not specify which products those are. Agere is also seeking unspecified damages.
Allentown, Penn.-based Agere, a maker of chips and software, was originally part of Bell Labs, the research lab for the old Bell system, and was later a subsidiary of Lucent Technologies. It was spun off as an independent company in 2001.
Early Thursday, Agere said its shareholders have approved a $3.5 billion acquisition offer from LSI Logic Corp. LSI shareholders have yet to vote on the acquisition.
Agere says in the complaint that the VoIP technology Microsoft allegedly copied was originally developed when its researchers were working for Bell Labs.
"Microsoft had none of the expertise necessary to develop from scratch what Bell Labs had developed with many man-years of effort," Agere
In related news, a U.S. District Court judge in San Diego on Tuesday denied a Microsoft
In February a jury in that same San Diego trial found that Microsoft infringed on those MP3 patents, and handed Alcatel-Lucent a $1.5 billion award.
If the judge had ruled in Microsoft's favor on the defense, it could have placed limitations on the jury's award. A Microsoft spokesman said there is a sixth defense to be considered before Microsoft can seek further relief from the court, and it may appeal the jury's decision.


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There is growing attention on crypto due to the Bitcoin halving in 2024 and BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF application. Analysts are monitoring BTC, ADA, and ROE from Borroe Finance.
This article discusses Bitcoin halving, the potential market expansion facilitated by BlackRock’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) application, and the outlook for BTC, ADA, and ROE.
Buy Borroe Finance presale
Understanding Bitcoin halving
Bitcoin is deflationary because its supply is limited to 21 million BTC. This sets it apart from fiat currencies that have unlimited supplies.
Bitcoin halving happens roughly every four years, where the supply of new bitcoins entering circulation is halved. This means miners’ rewards for confirming transactions are halved.
This mechanism balances supply and demand and often impacts Bitcoin prices.
BlackRock’s ETF application
BlackRock recently applied for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). This would be a milestone for the cryptocurrency market if approved.
A spot Bitcoin ETF would offer a regulated and convenient investment opportunity for conventional investors, leading to more capital being invested in the crypto industry.
If BlackRock’s ETF application is accepted, it could significantly impact market sentiment and pave the way for institutional adoption of digital currencies.
Bitcoin’s prospects bullish
Presently, Bitcoin is attracting attention from both retail and institutional investors.
Experts are optimistic about Bitcoin with the upcoming halving event. Those who understand market forces could see benefits from the decrease in supply. Bitcoin’s acceptance as a store of value and mainstream adoption also contribute to its growth potential.
Cardano aims to fast-track crypto development and implementation.
Its focus on scalability, sustainability, and security makes it a popular project in web3.
The network’s technology and partnerships could also boost ADA prices before Bitcoin halves, given Cardano’s focus on web3.
Borroe Finance: shaping finance with AI, NFT, and blockchain
Borroe is a project powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. It aims to empower businesses, content creators, and web3 market participants by providing a marketplace to sell future earnings from subscriptions, royalties, and invoices.
Businesses gain access to instant funding from supportive communities through the minting of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) representing these earnings.
The concept behind Borroe perfectly aligns with the principles of web3, emphasizing fair value distribution between creators and users.
Experts predict ROE prices to surge in the days ahead. ROE has a limited supply of 1,000,000,000, minted on Polygon.
Buy Borroe Finance presale
ROE, the native crypto of the Borroe ecosystem, can be considered by investors.
Borroe has established a safe and uncomplicated fundraising process through AI risk assessment, blockchain technology, and efficient payment solutions.
This approach fosters a peer-to-peer ecosystem where buyers can easily trade discounted invoice non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on secondary markets.
The platform’s automatic repayment feature enhances buyer convenience, reinforcing web3’s user empowerment and ownership goal.
Investors can expect outsized returns on investment in the long run as the AI boom gains traction worldwide, attracting capital towards digital assets of AI and blockchain-powered projects like Borroe.
Explore the Borroe presale:
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. crypto.news does not endorse any product mentioned on this page. Users must do their own research before taking any actions related to the company.
#Ahead #Bitcoin #halving #experts #bullish #BTC #ROE #ADA


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Sony and Bethesda have reached an agreement on mod support for the PS4. Both the upcoming Skyrim Enhanced Edition and Fallout 4 will support mods in the future, while Skyrim will offer a native 4K resolution option on the PS4 Pro.
Sony’s new PlayStation 4 Slim cuts power consumption and drops an audio port, but doesn’t change much else. HDR upgrades are coming for all platforms, however, which should improve visuals if your TV supports the feature.
It looks like Sony is building a new PS4 Slim to replace its current PlayStation 4, while simultaneously launching the new, upgraded, PS4 Neo. Will consumers bite on both platforms, or will they flock mostly to the new high-end hardware?
Microsoft, Sony, and many other manufacturers slap on these stickers to prevent customers from servicing their own hardware. The practice is flatly illegal according to the FTC and US law — but that hasn’t stopped anyone.


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The U.S. Secret Service have arrested five individuals and seized multiple bank accounts related to a $6 billion money laundering scheme being described by authorities as “staggering” and the largest ever case of international money-laundering.
In a statement, Secret Service officials said authorities in Spain, Costa Rica and New York arrested five people on Friday and seized bank accounts and Internet domains associated with the company Liberty Reserve – a Costa Rica-based website that deals in digital currency and allows transnational online payments and money transfers.
Digital currency is a form of online currency made up of transferable units that can be exchanged with cash, and has exploded in popularity in the last decade with the increasing use of Bitcoin, the most widely used form of digital currency. Liberty Reserve’s currency was not connected with Bitcoin.
Charging a low one percent fee on transactions, Liberty Reserve allowed users to open accounts using fictitious names, including “Russian Hacker” and “Hacker Account,” and to redeem the currency for cash in any part of the world using the third-party exchange companies.
Aditya Sood, a computer science doctoral candidate at Michigan State University who has studied the underground economy, described Liberty Reserve as a no-questions-asked alternative to the global banking system, with little more than a valid email needed to open an account and start moving money across borders.
“You don’t need to provide your full details, or personal information, or things like that,” Sood said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press. “There’s no way to trace an account. That’s the beauty of the system.”
Arthur Budovsky, the founder of Liberty Reserve, was one of the individuals arrested, while a defendant identified as Budovsky’s partner, Vladimir Kats, was in custody in New York.
According to the statement from the Secret Service, Liberty Reserve had approximately one million users worldwide with more than 200,000 users in the United States. Overall, the company processed an estimated 55 million separate financial transactions and is believed to have laundered more than $6 billion in criminal proceeds.
“The scope of the defendants’ unlawful conduct is staggering,” said an indictment unsealed in federal court in Manhattan.
The indictment described the network as “one of the principal means by which cyber criminals around the world distribute, store and launder proceeds of their illegal activity … including credit card fraud, identity theft, investment fraud, computer hacking…and narcotics trafficking.”
Read more: FOX NEWS


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After spending several years in prison for his crimes, Anthony Weiner started his own glass business in Brooklyn, New York. The company, which is called IceStone, creates glass countertops using pieces of broken glass, according to the New York Post. “One of the amazing things about IceStone countertops, is that since people throw away all kinds of glass, there is almost an unlimited array of different colors we can use in our recycled glass creations,” said Weiner of the product. It seems the gig started for the former politician in 2020.
Come 2021, his time with the company had come to a close. According to the Daily Mail, the company runs as a worker’s cooperative. This means that the role of a CEO isn’t necessary. Weiner took to LinkedIn to share that the company would be owned by the workers and he was no longer involved in the operation. In the post, he shared, “Being a worker’s cooperative is exactly how it sounds -– a company that is managed from the factory floor up and not the top down. It gives each employee a voice in policy and practices; a stake in the progress; and a share of the gains.”
For now, the company is being managed by its owners, Dal LaMagna and Lisa Bowen, who shared that Weiner was brought in to help them. It seems he did what he was there to do and stepped down when the job was done.


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A new laundry product is revolutionizing the way we wash our clothes by providing an eco-friendly solution to the big plastic pollution problem we all face.
Happi is a certified organic laundry liquid that comes in paper pouches with a stainless steel refillable bottle to replace the unnecessary plastic and chemicals commonly used in most laundry products.
By re-using the same bottle and refilling with pouches made from 99% paper, every Happi purchase eliminates 13 plastic laundry bottles from our environment per household, every year
The new Happi Earth Movement is shining a light on the problem caused by big name laundry brands by uncovering the truth about what’s really in their products.
Did you know that most mainstream laundry products contain 90% water? That’s right.
For as long as we’ve known, companies have been manufacturing and shipping thousands of large plastic laundry bottles around the world, causing unnecessary harm to our environment, all for the sake of perception marketing.
Bigger bottles give the buyer the perception that they are receiving more value for money, when in actual fact, it turns out we are just paying for more water.
The revolutionary Happi formula is making a stand with a 100% concentrate, made from powerful natural ingredients.
As it’s a concentrate, just one 1L Happi refill pouch will last 400 washes.
You can now get an entire year’s supply of laundry liquid in the one purchase and help put an end to unnecessary plastic pollution that is causing devastating effects to our oceans and land.
But it’s not just the environmental perks that make this product one of a kind.
The Happi formula has been proven to outperform most common big name laundry brands by 61%, across 8 independent tests.
Unlike most common washing liquids the ingredients of Happi are all-natural and certified-organic with no hidden, harmful nasties.
By washing with Happi, you can also cut your laundry liquid costs by up to 60% every year.
And just when you thought laundry liquid couldn’t get any more interesting…
As a part of the Happi Earth Movement, the Australian enterprise have taken ownership of a mangrove forest in Myanmar, where they plan to plant over one billion mangrove trees to provide more benefits to humans and the environment.
With every purchase of a Happi Laundry Liquid, you will get your own mangrove tree planted in the ‘Happi Forest’, helping to give back to our earth in the Happiest way.
Is your laundry liquid as Happi as it can be?


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Medicinal marijuana grower, Aphria, has issued a voluntary recall of some of its product.
Twenty orders of dried pot grown at the Leamington facility were recalled because of a labelling issue that indicated there was a higher concentration of THC than was actually in the pot, according to a statement from the Government of Canada.
The products were said to contain 22.3 per cent THC, instead of 21.1 per cent.
Exposure to the product is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences.
"Health Canada has not received any adverse reaction reports for products sold by Aphria," according to the statement.
Anyone affected should stop using the recalled product immediately and to contact Aphria at 1-844-427-4742.


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Last week Sony announced a duo of brand new PlayStation 4 consoles: The PS4 Slim (or simply PS4) which retained many of the same great features… Read More »PlayStation 4, PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro – Spec & Price Comparison
Following a troubled release, Rocksteady and WB Games have given a new date for Batman: Return to Arkham – a remastered HD collection of Arkham… Read More »Batman: Return to Arkham Finally Set for October 18th Release
Today is that magical day in the technology calendar that we all refer to iPhone Day! Yes it’s that time of the year where the… Read More »EE launches handy iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5s and 5C comparison tool!
Double the cameras, 20% more metal and a raft of new software and features: is HTC’s best effort better than last year’s?
Samsung’s new flagship phone isn’t anything out of the blue, but is it a worthy upgrade if you already have a Galaxy S4?
Today’s news feed may well be taken up with the millions of US gamers who are receiving their brand new Sony PS4 consoles, but at… Read More »Xbox One Call Of Duty: Ghosts – Received, pictured and compared
At long last, the iPad Mini has the Retina display which it deserved to have from the start, but what else is different? Get the lowdown…
Apple’s new iPad warrants a whole new name, but what’s actually different about the fifth generation iPad?
So Apple announced two completely different smartphones at once for the first time ever, but what’s the difference?
Samsung’s new miniature flagship hits Gadget Helpline HQ, promptly gets fondled…
Nokia’s latest Windows Phone; what is it like and what has it got that the Lumia 920 doesn’t?


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Teardown time for the Google Nexus 10 and its outrageous display
0. phoneArena 17 Nov 2012, 13:19 posted on
The Google Nexus 10 is arguably the first Android tablet that can compete with the third and fourth-generation Apple iPad and its Retina display; with a mouth watering 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 300ppi pixel density, let's see what the tablet looks like when it is broken down...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here


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Starbucks created the coffee industry, but there's room for new business models to compete against it, says Ed Schultz of Honolulu Coffee.» Read More
Stocks rallied Tuesday as the euro gained against the dollar after a number of successful European debt auctions eased investor concerns about the euro zone's solvency crisis. Techs and industrials led the advance.
Stocks rallied Tuesday as the euro gained against the dollar after a number of successful European debt auctions eased investor concerns about the euro-zone's solvency crisis. Techs and industrials led the advance.
Many coffee shops try to discourage people from buying a cup of coffee and then lingering for hours to use the free Internet access. Starbucks will soon encourage them to stay as long as they want. The NYT reports.
Stocks opened higher Tuesday, after finishing lower in the prior session as Moody's downgraded Greece's credit rating to junk status.
In the absence of congressional action on climate change, the Senate is heading toward a much-watched vote on whether the Obama administration should be allowed to go ahead with regulations curtailing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other major polluters.
Karen Katz has just been named president and chief executive officer of The Neiman Marcus Group, a title she insisted she wasn't after when she started with the luxury retailer in 1985. Katz talks about her career and the outlook for luxury retail.
It was McDonald’s that put the “fast” in fast food, and its speed continues to be a big factor in the iconic restaurant chain’s continued profits.
Stocks had their best three-day run in 10 months Wednesday as Spain got the market off to a good start, promising tough austerity measures, and tech stocks rallied after some encouraging reports from Intel and IBM. Gold soared.
McDonald's is testing oatmeal in about 600 stores in the Northeast. If the test goes well, the company may roll out oatmeal to more than 13,000 restaurants nationwide.
How much do you know about the most successful fast food company of all time? Take our McDonald's quiz.
Stocks advanced Wednesday after Spain promised to take wide austerity measures and Intel said it expects earnings growth to double. Techs and industrials led the way. Gold surged.
Stocks advanced Wednesday after Spain promised to take wide austerity measures and Intel said it expects earnings growth to double.
U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open Wednesday as fears of contagion from the European debt crisis eased as Spain vowed to slash its public deficit.
The Lightning Round is extended in this CNBC.com exclusive feature.
A few years ago, when Ann Marie Coughlin, a New York dominatrix also known as Domina M., donated her brushed-steel bondage machine to be shown at the Museum of Sex, many people benefited.
What started as a narrow movement by proponents of natural and organic foods has morphed into a swell of mainstream opposition, thanks in large part to tools of modern activism like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter and movies like “Food, Inc.” and “King Corn.”
Better corporate profits and economic news could keep the market humming, as long as the slow fuse on the Greek debt situation doesn't end with a bang.
Following are the week’s biggest winners and losers. Find out why shares of Starbucks and Chipotle popped while Qualcomm and Ebay dropped.
Stocks pulled off a gain Thursday as comments from a European official offered some relief on the Greece front. Consumer-discretionary stocks were the day's best performer, along with materials and industrials.
Coffee retail giant Starbucks appears to be out of its three-year slump and focus more heavily on its global expansion in the near future, CEO Howard Schultz told CNBC Thursday.


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Trump's tariffs on aluminum and steel will raise production costs on beer brewers, and raise prices for beer drinkers.
Trump's reckless choice to single-handedly launch an international trade war is about to make your beer more expensive.
According to an analysis by the Beer Institute, Trump's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum will increase the annual cost of beer production in the U.S. by $347.7 million per year.
Those extra costs are very likely to be passed on to consumers — and beer producers accuse Trump of effectively imposing a new "tax" on beer.
"These tariffs on aluminum and on steel, we estimate, amount to a $350 million-dollar tax on beer brewers in the United States," Beer Institute President and CEO Jim McGreevy noted Monday on MSNBC.
These added costs will be felt industry-wide, "from the largest brewers to the smallest brewers," McGreevy said — and all of them will "have to figure out a way to incorporate those added costs in their production."
McGreevy added that the 2.2 million jobs supported by the beer industry are also under threat thanks to Trump's trade war.
Trump's sudden decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports prompted top U.S. trading partners to respond in kind, increasing the costs of those materials.
The added cost for materials amounts to a tax on the American businesses that depend on those materials.
In all likelihood, the beer industry will follow a pattern similar to soda companies like Coca-Cola, which recently announced that it would raise prices to compensate for the tariffs.
Once again, Trump's bad decisions have left American consumers holding the bag.
American taxpayers are also stuck financing Trump's ill-advised $12 billion bailout for farmers who have been caught in the trade war's crossfire.
And Trump shouldn't be surprised that his trade war is hurting the economy.
A secret, internal White House study concluded that American business would, in fact, suffer from Trump's tariffs and the response to them.
These conclusions are in stark contrast with Trump's political rhetoric. He has said that "trade wars are good, and easy to win."
And when Americans have to reach deeper into their pockets to buy a six-pack, they will see firsthand just how wrong Trump was.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


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The lazy days of summer are quickly winding down and soon the laid back, slower pace will give way to the hectic start of the school year.
Posts about Marketing Communications:
I think we all can agree on one thing; customer service isn’t what it used to be. Think hard about the last time you actually were impressed with a company’s customer service given to you as a customer. I know, it’s not very often.
If 60 is the new 30, Thread Marketing Group is helping their newest intern turn 50 into the new 25. Thread decided to look beyond age and bring on a non-traditional intern to work with the Toledo Jeep Fest project this summer.
People don’t like ads. They never did. Consumers avoid ads in video content with ad blockers, or by skipping ahead and sometimes even paying a premium to avoid video ads completely.
As the second week of the new year comes to a close, so does intern Sofia Szymanski’s first week at Thread. Since beginning her internship last Monday, Sofia has worked on multiple projects, all of which have given her a deeper understanding of the professional world of marketing.
As new digital opportunities emerge, marketers and agencies will look to how they can adapt and improve their messaging. Livestreaming has been around for years - YouTube Live (2006), Twitch (2011), Periscope (2015), Facebook Watch (2016) - but livestreaming was often limited to the platform where the livestream broadcast was offered and the technical ability of the content creator.
We have all dabbled with online meeting software through the course of the recent pandemic – using platforms like Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams.
Healthcare marketers have their work cut out for them in 2021 with the many changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. With healthcare top-of-mind, both locally and nationally, healthcare marketers continue to walk a path fraught with tremendous uncertainty, economic instability and patient anxiety.
People use their phones and social platforms nonstop. The preferred usage patterns that match these devices and their most common format and display calls for brief, concise, and global language. Hashtags and emoji are popular on social media and phones because they are simple, universal, and effective ways to communicate.
Thread Marketing Group is excited to be providing public relations and marketing support for Buff City Soap’s Holland location, which has had a successful and impressive first year of business.
Buff City Soap focuses on creating and selling handmade products that avoid harsh ingredients and are full of nourishing plant-based minerals that satisfy their customers and their skin. Ranging from hand soap to shampoo bars, from bath bombs to facial cleansers, from lotions to laundry soap – their products are guaranteed to make you feel and smell clean.
If you had asked me last fall what my plans were for the summer before my junior year, they would not have included dealing with a global pandemic and learning through a remote internship. My name is Ansley Carr, and I am from the Atlanta area. I am entering my junior year at the University of Alabama pursuing a dual degree with a B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship and a B.A. in Dance. As a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Riptide Dance Crew, and the Alabama football fanbase (roll tide!), and more, I am very involved on campus.
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