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Omnicom-owned agency Integer has launched an e-commerce consultancy to help brands leverage Amazon as the e-commerce giant launches in Australia today.
Integer, which launched globally in 2008, is rolling out the 'Digitail' consultancy offering which aims to educate Australian brands on the Amazon ecosystem and help establish market plans to meet the full needs of the channel.
Integer, which forms part of the TBWA Group, is led out of Sydney by general manager Wylie Fowler.
Fowler says the disruption Amazon represents could be seen as either a threat or an opportunity for local brands and retailers.
"We see it very much as an opportunity. By tapping into our global experience and decade of learnings, we are excited to help Australian brands and retailers thrive in what will be a new retail paradigm in our market,” Fowler says.
Representing more than 110 brands in 27 languages and producing more than 18,000 e-commerce assets per year for e-tailers globally, Integer’s Digitail offering is available in Colorado, Hamburg, Germany, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and now Sydney, to service clients worldwide.
As a result of its work, Integer has been recognised as "one of very few" Amazon Trusted Creative Partners.
Fowler adds: “Its more than online shopping, Amazon will force us to re-think content, media spend, digital and programmatic, customer service, and even our relationships with Australian retailers. There is a difference between selling on Amazon and being successful on Amazon – we offer the solutions and expertise to deliver the latter.”
Integer Group Digitail executive VP and global operation leader Morgan McAlenney says it's about "turning shoppers into buyers" on Amazon and beyond.
"We are set up to help brands and retailers find success on platforms including Amazon and international platforms such as Walmart.com, Tesco, GPA, Carrefour and many more," McAlenney says.
Amazon officially launched today after months of speculation. So far Australian brands Bonds, Wittner and Cancer Council have signed up. Read more here.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at firstname.lastname@example.org


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on the release
of the retail giant’s fiscal second-quarter financial results
Networking equipment and software provider Cisco Systems
(CSCO) reported largely in-line results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended July 28, 2018
. First-quarter guidance was also as expected. The company notched its third-consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth and investors are rewarding the consistency.
Shares of The Home Depot
(HD) moved slightly higher
world's largest home-improvement retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter
(ended July 29th) results.
The top line increased 8.4% from a year earlier, to $30.463 billion, a bit ahead of our $30.350 billion forecast.
and Dow-30 component The Walt Disney Company
issued third-quarter results
after Tuesday’s closing bell. The stock
was little changed
despite the media company’s improved operating results
of DowDuPont slip modestly
of the diversified chemicals manufacturer’s second-quarter financial performance
Dow-component Apple are being bid up by investors
, to a fresh 52-week high, after the tech behemoth posted better-than-expected results
for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 (year ends September 29th) and provided an upbeat view of its near-term prospects. For the period, earnings came in at $2.34 a share, nicely ahead of our $2.18 estimate and an impressive 40% above the year-earlier tally.
New York-based drugmaker and Dow-30 component Pfizer
(PFE) reported second-quarter earnings of $0.65 a share
, versus $0.51 in the comparable period of 2017. The year-over-year improvement was driven primarily by reduced taxes (-12%) and higher revenues (+4%), partially offset by increased costs tied to production (+10%) and SG&A (+3%).
to Procter and Gamble’s June-quarter financial results
, as the stock price didn’t move much
. The earnings report
, however, was largely in line with
Shares of Caterpillar
(CAT) held relatively flat after the heavy equipment manufacturer reported surprisingly strong second-quarter results
. Sales of $14.01 billion rose 24% over the year-ago period and beat our $13.28 billion call, as the company benefited from favorable conditions in most end markets.
Petroleum industry leader Chevron
(CVX) has turned in improved
, but somewhat less than expected
, second-quarter profits
. Earnings per share of $1.78 more than doubled versus the prior year, as higher crude oil prices helped the bottom line notably.

domain: news


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Dynasty Auto Wholesale Inc. and Mohamad Reza Javadbin fined $36,000 for Drive Clean violations
NEWMARKET-- Dynasty Auto Wholesale Inc. has been fined $28,000 plus a victim fine surcharge, and Mohamad Reza Javadbin has been fined $8,000 plus a victim fine surcharge, after being convicted on September 16, 2008 of Drive Clean violations, including submitting false information to the ministry, distributing a false Drive Clean certificate, and permitting the operation of a vehicle that did not comply with emissions standards. The parties were given 90 days to pay the fines.
The Court heard that Dynasty Auto Wholesale Inc. operates a used vehicle dealership in Toronto. Mohamad Reza Javadbin is a corporate director of Dynasty Auto Wholesale Inc., which is not an accredited Drive Clean facility. Dynasty Auto Wholesale Inc. sold a 1999 Volkswagen which did not meet emissions standards. Mr. Javadbin attended a Ministry of Transportation office and used a false Drive Clean certificate to transfer the vehicle registration to the purchaser. Mr. Javadbin then provided the false certificate to the purchaser of the vehicle.
Dynasty Auto Wholesale Inc. and Mohamad Reza Javadbin were charged following an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment's Investigations and Enforcement Branch.


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In the early hours of this morning, Huawei held a live streamed press conference to make an important announcement.
No, the Chinese firm was not debuting a new foldable phone, but rather confirmed that it would be taking legal action against the United States government regarding the recent restrictions and allegations it has made against the company, and labelling it a security threat.
The lawsuit has already been filed in a federal court located in the Eastern District of Texas. According to current chairman, Guo Ping, who addressed media during the press conference, Huawei has left with no choice after the actions of the US Congress, noting that their restrictions harmed both the United States and China.
“The U.S. Congress has repeatedly failed to produce any evidence to support its restrictions on Huawei products. We are compelled to take this legal action as a proper and last resort,” said Ping.
“This ban not only is unlawful, but also restricts Huawei from engaging in fair competition, ultimately harming U.S. consumers. We look forward to the court’s verdict, and trust that it will benefit both Huawei and the American people,” he added.
Much of the US government’s behaviour is down to the fact that they believe Huawei’s hardware is potentially compromised and could be hacked in order to surreptitiously collect data by any Chinese state-sponsored agents. Huawei has patently denied any such allegations, with Ping adding that the company, “has not, and will never implant any backdoors…and will not allow anyone else to do so.”
Furthermore the Chinese company also claims that the US government has hacked its servers and stolen emails, while still not having any concrete evidence to support its allegations. Added to this, Huawei says their recent actions have limited the firm’s ability to effectively complete in the burgeoning 5G market.
At the time of writing there has been no official comment or response from the United States, but needless to say this saga is far from over.
As it currently stands, Huawei’s plans to rollout 5G technologies to other regions in the world appear to be going relatively smoothly. In South Africa for example, they’ve already announced a partnership with local service provider Rain, to deliver a commercial 5G network by the middle of the year.
If you want to see the full press conference, hit plat on the video after the break.


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Home Tags Retail theft charges
Tag: retail theft charges
Breaking News in the Industry: January 10, 2019
New card fraud scam targets EMV chips A new warning is coming from the Better Business Bureau about a different method crooks are using to...
Download our 34-page special report: Violence in the Retail Workplace


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At first glance, The Entertainer and Thomas Cook would seem to be on a very different page as regards the importance of stores in multichannel retail. But when almost two-thirds of UK holidays are being bought online, Thomas Cook’s decision to close 21 stores seems a very moderate one.
After these stores are closed the travel company will still have more than twice as many stores (566) as The Entertainer (163 plus the 80 concessions that it will have in Mothercare). It seems that the right number of shops for the UK retailer of the future may well lie somewhere between the two, although this will vary depending on the category. Fashion-to-homewares retailer Next this week projected forward 15 years to deduce that it’s likely to have around 270 stores – of which around 120 may well be loss-making. It makes sense, it says, to accept those losses as a cost of doing business in an age of connected retail when stores will act as collection points as much as somewhere to store stock. Ultimately, it judges, shoppers will be more likely to buy from the retailer that can deliver the most convenient service. After all, says Next chief executive Simon Wolfson in those figures, “No one knows what the High Street will look like in ten years, but one thing is certain: the people walking down it will be wearing clothes. And hundreds of thousands of people will be employed in the design, manufacture, distribution, marketing and fulfilment of that product.” His conclusion is that retailers “cannot decide how our customers will shop; our job is to adapt and serve them in whatever way they most want.”
Asda and Sainsbury’s, meanwhile, are also focusing on customer convenience with the plan to open Argos stores within branches of Asda – as its owner Sainsbury’s has done – as it looks to cut costs if a merger between the two wins CMA approval. Argos stores, presumably, would close if that went ahead.
Debenhams, in the news today as it continues to fight to survive, is also working out what will encourage its shoppers into store. In other words, it’s working out how the department store can stay relevant to shoppers in a digital age. Debenhams currently has around 165 stores in the UK but it’s likely that around 50 of those will close through its transformation plan, if the retailer survives. Even though the latest retail sales figures from the ONS suggest shoppers were willing to venture out to visit shops in an unseasonably warm February, growth remains lacklustre in the department store sector. How department stores can stay relevant is an active discussion for retailers well beyond Debenhams.
Today’s guest comment comes from Don Brenchley of Llamasoft, who ponders how retailers must now adapt to the way that younger shoppers, Generation Z, want to buy. It seems even greater change lies ahead for those retailers now considering how to transform their businesses.


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On her last visit to New Delhi, Annick Jordi had lunch at Hauz Khas village, an area she loves for its “Boho vibe”. The 41-year-old Swiss entrepreneur and jewellery designer was on a routine business visit to the country of yoga and Lord Krishna, her favourite Hindu deity. An Indophile and businesswoman, Jordi has over the past decade hunted out top-quality gems in Jaipur which she uses in her fine jewellery. She also sources cashmere from Srinagar. In addition, with the help of Indian artisans, Jordi has developed a technique for digital printing on fine silk, which she then combines with pashmina to create one-of-a-kind shawls for sale in Europe. Her jewellery pieces and scarves are designed for European buyers and sold mostly through her company’s website and trade shows in Las Vegas and Hong Kong.
“We love the way Indian craftsmen make gold jewellery look rich and ethnic,” affirms Jordi, co-owner of Geneva-based Bahina Sarl. She is planning to scale up operations in Kashmir, while continuing with her jewellery manufacturing in Rajasthan and Delhi.
Jordi’s enterprise involves local talent in no small measure, and could be what EMS Natchiappan, Union minister of state for commerce and industry, was referring to in his address as chief guest at the Second India Luxury Summit 2014, held last month in Delhi, when he said, “We have got a huge number of artisans who can adapt to any situation and bring out any type of designs, with respect to various patterns of different countries, owing to their inherent capabilities,” adding that all that was required was international exposure.
The luxury industry is growing 30 per cent annually in India, says a KPMG report. With India’s fast-rising count of High Networth Individuals (HNIs)—the country’s dollar billionaires grew from nine in 2004 to 55 in 2013—the luxury industry has shown no sign of a slowdown. Currently pegged at $8.5 billion, India’s luxury market is expected to touch $14 billion in just two years, driven by increased spending on high-end apparel, fashion accessories, jewellery, fine dining, home decor, spas, concierge services, hotels and assets such as yachts, art and private jets. This last segment grew 25 per cent in 2012, despite an overall slump of 10 per cent in car sales across India.
According to the KPMG report, it is not just the super-rich who make high-value purchases; the growing number of urban ‘upper-middle-class aspirers’, who see luxury goods as symbols of having ‘arrived’, will soon form the bulk of the consumer base. So, in 2013, when BMW launched a new entry-level automobile at Rs 21 lakh and Moet Hennessy launched its first Indian-made wine, it was these buyers they had in mind. The rapid emergence of this customer group also accounts for an uptrend in footfalls recorded by luxury malls such as Palladium in Mumbai, DLF Emporio in Delhi and UB City in Bengaluru, even as more such malls come up in Ludhiana and Chennai.
It’s not only the big names in Indian fashion such as Ritu Kumar, JJ Valaya, Rohit Bal and Sabyasachi Mukherjee who stand to gain. Bag-maker Judith Leiber— who makes the glittering little metal clutches seen in the hands of US First Ladies on Inauguration Day—had a field day in Indore where a trunk show sold over a record 60 pieces in a day, with average prices well over Rs 1 lakh.
So it is perhaps not surprising that the number of global luxury brands coming to India has grown exponentially over the past few years. Last week, a delegation of senior executives from American luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue arrived in India for talks with the Aditya Birla Group, which owns the Collective chain of multi-brand luxury stores that have recently begun retailing the work of fashion doyenne Vivienne Westwood and Savile-Row suit-makers Hardy Amies, among others. Other multi-brand retail chains include Kitsch, owned by TSG’s Charu Sachdev who retails Alexander McQueen and Diane von Furstenberg; Genesis Luxury, which retails Jimmy Choo and Armani; and Ethos Group, which retails the world’s top watch brands such as Breguet, Carl F Bucherer and Jaeger leCoultre across India.
All the consumer frenzy translates to increased employment in the sector. Brands need trained staff for retail services, concierges, marketing, brand management and customer care; luxury consultancy firm Luxury Connect has estimated that this segment alone will need roughly 1.76 million employees by 2022. To tap this ‘people market’, the firm has an education wing that conducts programmes on luxury brand management, luxury retail operations and luxury visual merchandising in collaboration with the SDA Bocconi School of Management, based in Italy.
Tourism, too, stands to benefit substantially. Luxury hotel majors such as ITC, Taj, Oberoi, Leela and the Lalit Group have been expanding operations across the country, and foreign chains such as JW Marriott, Lebua, Dusit Devrana and Ritz-Carlton too have made Indian forays in the past few years. The Luxury Trains, a consolidated entity that serves as the general sales agent for Palace on Wheels and Deccan Odyssey trains, among others, has also recently gone tied up with Rocky Mountaineer in Canada and set up sales offices in the US and Switzerland besides India to cater to foreign tourists looking for authentic Indian luxury.
Yoga and spa retreats are also going luxe—besides Ananda in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Bengaluru offers several such getaways for wellbeing tourism—Dr Mathai’s Soukya, Jindal’s Naturecure and the Shreyas retreat being a few high-end examples.
With greater consumer focus on personal grooming, Indian entrepreneurs have also spotted opportunity in the luxury beauty segment, coming up with brands like Kama Ayurveda and Forest Essentials, both of which retail only at upmarket malls and markets.
The wedding industry is another burgeoning space for entrepreneurs; from event décor, photographers, florists to banquet facilities, and even magazines, the wedding market—expected to grow at over 25 per cent per year—has plenty of room for new talent and revenue generation. An important part of this industry, jewellery is also on a roll. According to an AT Kearney study last year, the domestic gems and jewellery industry is likely to double by 2018 due to growing demand, outperforming the growth in textiles and apparel production.
The importance of an industry that is unaffected by downturns in the rest of the economy cannot be overstated. By luring investors, it keeps commerce humming in assorted ancilliary industries and service sectors; even as other sectors suffer a payroll crunch, job opportunities in the luxury industry continue to expand.
Marie Antoinette may not have foreseen any such ripple effect when she made her “let them eat cake” remark, but in India at this point in history, sweet indulgences spell quick bucks for all—from the flour supplier and baker to the packager and delivery boy. Bon appétit.


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New Tesla cars will start getting a big update in mid-December.
Cars purchased after October 19 came with new hardware that will eventually improve Autopilot's capabilities, renaming the system Enhanced Autopilot or Autopilot 8.1.
However, the cars were stripped of several first-generation Autopilot features — including blind spot detection, auto emergency braking, and park assist — as Tesla calibrates the new sensors.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted on Friday that the cars will get those first generation Autopilot features back in mid-December. From there, Autopilot 8.1 features will begin rolling out incrementally on a monthly basis.
Here's our breakdown of Autopilot 8.1:
Tesla cars on the road today have Tesla's first-generation Autopilot system that allows the cars to automatically steer, change lanes, and merge onto highways. Convenience features built into the first-generation Autopilot also allow the cars to park themselves, both in perpendicular and parallel fashions.
Enhanced Autopilot, or Autopilot 8.1, allows the car to match speed to traffic conditions, automatically change lanes without driver input, merge on and off highways, and park itself. It can also maneuver around objects in a more complex environment than it could before to find you when you summon it.
Tesla's full self-driving system will cost you $8,000 at the time of purchase and will include all the features of Enhanced Autopilot. However, it is unclear when all of the autonomous features for the self-driving system will become available. Tesla says it will depend on software validation and regulatory approval.
The update comes while Tesla's first-generation Autopilot system is still under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following a fatal accident in a Model S that had Autopilot activated.
"The foundation has been laid for fully autonomous. It's twice as safe as a human, maybe better," Musk said on an Oct. 19 call with journalists. "It's basically a supercomputer in the car."
Correction: A previous version of this article said Autopilot 8.1 will start being released in mid-December.
Get the latest Tesla stock price here.


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SAN DIEGO — The popular Chevrolet Equinox, part of a growing segment of "plus-size" crossovers, will receive a mild freshening for the 2016 model year, Edmunds has learned.
The updated Equinox is expected to arrive in Chevrolet showrooms sometime next year.
The crossover's exterior and interior have been untouched since the current-generation Equinox debuted for the 2010 model year.
Chevrolet Car and Crossover Marketing Manager Steve Majoros told Edmunds the 2016 Equinox will be unveiled "within a couple of months. It is an important product for us."
He did not reveal the changes that are planned for the crossover.
However, other Chevrolet sources who did not want to be identified, said the Equinox will get several tweaks. The most notable exterior change will be a deeper, wider grille with horizontal chrome inserts, adopting styling cues seen on the grilles of the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Traverse.
The Equinox's front fascia will be restyled and the interior will get an update, possibly with new seating materials. A full redesign is slated for 2017, at the earliest, sources said.
The Equinox is one of Chevrolet's success stories. Chevrolet sold a little over 238,000 Equinox models last year. Through November, Chevrolet sold nearly 221,000 Equinoxes.
Edmunds says: Car shoppers in this ultra-crowded segment should be aware that some modest changes are on tap for the 2016 Equinox.


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A robust supply chain for the future despite near-term shortages
● Measures in place minimize impact of near-term molybdenum-99 shortage
● More than ten years of Mo-99 supply chain resilience
● Cooperation, investment, and facility upgrades for the benefit of patients
In response to the shortage of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) that the nuclear medicine community faces in November 2022, the world’s major processing facilities and reactors confirm the details of their plans to continue serve the 40 million patients a year who undergo technetium-99m (Tc-99m) based SPECT scans to diagnose life-critical diseases. This shortage will also impact Xe-133, and to some extent I-131.
Despite the industry’s robust supply chain security programs in place, the shortage in November is a result of planned outages and unscheduled maintenance programs at individual facilities that unfortunately have overlapped in November. To address this anticipated shortage, a number of measures are underway at processing facilities and reactors to ensure a minimum of disruption to patients, including:
● NTP, currently irradiating targets at the SAFARI reactor, has increased its capacity to push production to its maximum level. Moreover, the SAFARI reactor has postponed its scheduled maintenance in November by a week
● ANSTO, with the OPAL reactor restarted as planned on 5th November 2022 will maximize its weekly output towards the end of week 45
● The LVR-15 reactor, currently undergoing maintenance, will restart 10 days early, on November 18, with an extended cycle
● The HFR reactor, currently undergoing maintenance, is scheduled to restart 24th November and is looking into opportunities to restart a few days earlier
● The BR2 reactor in Belgium has experienced a mechanical failure, and ongoing investigations have delayed the reactor’s restart date until 17th November at the earliest
Reliability of Supply Initiatives
The reactors the nuclear medicine community relies on for production of medical radionuclides and Mo-99 processors meet regularly under the flag of Nuclear Medicine Europe in order to align planning of reactor schedules. While this scheduling ensures the best possible coverage for the reliable production of these radionuclides, it cannot predict unplanned outages. This scheduling also helps to keep reserve capacity available throughout the year.
This shortage of Mo-99 follows more than ten years of Mo-99 supply chain resilience with longer-term initiatives in place and investments to ensure a reliable supply of Mo-99 for hospitals and nuclear pharmacies – ultimately serving the patients awaiting diagnosis. These initiatives include:
● In recent years, approximately €400 million has been invested in upgrading existing nuclear research reactor facilities in Europe, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina, including installing new equipment to irradiate Mo-99 targets
● Significant upgrades/ reliability programs have been and are being implemented yearly at each reactor and in each molybdenum production facility, via planned and coordinated maintenance programs, ensuring:
● Current shortage is evidence of this approach, with MARIA, HFR and LVR-15 undergoing major upgrade programs in the coming weeks – the structural redundancies built into the supply chain could not be activated in this very specific instance.
A History of Mo-99 Supply Reliability
These longer-term initiatives have contributed to a robust supply chain and reliable supply of Mo-99 over the past ten years, as evidenced by:
● The transition from HEU (High Enriched Uranium) to LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) targets is close to completion for all Mo-99 processors, and has not impacted supply/capacity, despite lower yields
● Mo-99 has been successfully shipped to all main Tc-99m generator manufacturers throughout the COVID crisis – even during Q2-Q3 2020 – despite the significant limitations and decreased in airfreight capacity
● Reactors have been irradiating uranium targets at uptimes (in number of days of active vs. planned operation) > 95% as well, i.e. with no material impact of unscheduled stops
● Throughout this period of ten years, Mo-99 supply reliability has been well above 95%
Additional Planned Reactor Capacity
Current industry players are in a strong position to reliably supply the needs of patients over the long-term, despite the anticipated supply issues in the next few weeks. Resilience of the current Mo-99 supply chain is further evidenced by additional reactor capacity that will emerge in coming years, creating significant reserve capacity:● New reactors are expected to come online in Germany (FRM II) and France (JHR):
● Up to an additional €3.5-4 billion in additional investment is either planned or under consideration to construct new nuclear research reactors in the Netherlands (PALLAS) and Belgium (MYRRAH) over the coming 10-15 years:
- The Netherlands has committed to finance PALLAS (Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is reserving €30 million for the project this year and €129 million per year from next year/ over the coming 10 years) as replacement reactor for HFR
- Belgium has already mobilized €558m for the MYRRAH reactor
● South Africa plans to build a new reactor in the next 10 years
Despite the near-term shortage of Mo-99, a supply chain with proven resilience demonstrated over the past ten years, additional planned reactor capacity coming online, and measures in place ensure a minimum of disruption to patients together demonstrate the commitment of the world’s major processing facilities and reactors in delivering Mo-99 for the benefit of patients.


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We’ve been waiting for a while, and now, the next big thing from Square Enix final fantasy game. Although it has been in development for some time, final fantasy 16 It was announced back in September 2020 for PlayStation 5 only. Since then, Square Enix has deliberately kept quiet about the game, lest it “speak half-finished and cause speculation about the title of the game.” Smart move.
Today, however, things have changed. During Sony’s State of Play livestream, the developer released a new trailer on the world that showed more of the mysterious, highly fantasy game.
The trailer embedded below shows what we’ll see as the new summons or rulers that will be introduced to the game. Named and listed are Ramuh, Ifrit, Odin, Shiva, Bahamut, Phoenix, Garuda and many more. We see battles between divine entities that take up the entire screen – and have fighting game-like health bars in the scene. Um.
This is the start of more Final Fantasy 16 trailers from Square Enix as it gets ready to ramp up its hype for the game. After all, back in April, we heard that Final Fantasy XVI was in the “final stages of development.” Even better, the game’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, bluntly points out that this is a game made for players who crave the previous era of Final Fantasy games.
“For those of you who have grown up and realized that reality is against you, and moved away from Final Fantasy, we want Final Fantasy 16 to be a game that brings back the passion you once had for the series,” he said.
The game is set in the land of Valistea, where six factions have come to a near-conflict point due to a spreading disease called blight. Expect tensions, warring factions, summons, crystals, and chocobos. Indeed, it’s all Final Fantasy. In addition to the names of the main characters, Clive and Joshua.
So far, Final Fantasy 16 has only been confirmed for the PS5 – although there is some speculation that it will be coming to PC six months after the PS5 and other consoles a year later. This latest trailer confirms PlayStation’s “Summer 2023” release date.


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|By PR Newswire||
|January 16, 2014 08:00 AM EST||
SAN JOSE, Calif. and SOMERSET, N.J., Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Flextronics (NASDAQ: FLEX) and Powermat Technologies today announced a strategic agreement aimed at bringing state-of-the-art wireless power to electronics of all kinds, and to consumers worldwide.
As a pioneer and leader of the fast-growing wireless power industry, Powermat technologies have already been adopted by major global players including AT&T General Motors, Procter & Gamble, and Starbucks. The Power Matters Alliance (PMA) – the world's fastest growing wireless power standard and ecosystem – has also incorporated Powermat's technology as a basis for its own open standard.
Flextronics is one of the most respected global providers of end-to-end supply chain solutions for electronics; designing and manufacturing devices used by billions of consumers. Its power supply division, Flextronics Power, is a leader in the mobile charging industry and will fully leverage their expertise in research, development, manufacturing and IP to enable innovative wireless power for smartphones, tablets, wearable electronics, notebooks and other applications.
"We have concluded that wireless power is the next big wave in mobility. Starting with smart phones and tablets, this new technology will eventually transform how people charge electronics of all kinds," said Chris Cook, president of Flextronics Power. "We plan to bring our unmatched scale and know how to ensure PMA technology is ramped-up, costed-down, and rolled out in a way that brings excellent value to both customers and end users."
The companies plan to rapidly leverage the synergies across their organizations, driving miniaturization, cost-reduction, efficiency and integration into both existing and new product platforms.
"Flextronics is the technology and market-share leader for wired mobile chargers. Powermat enjoys a similar leadership position in the fast-growing, but currently fragmented, wireless charging space," said Stuart Robinson, Director of the Strategy Analytics Handset Component Technologies service. "This alliance may be exactly what is needed to finally bring standardised wireless power benefits to billions of products and customers."
Under the terms of the agreement, Flextronics has made a strategic investment in Powermat, and the parties will collaborate closely on the design, manufacturing and go-to-market of wireless charging solutions for mobile OEMs.
"Staying powered is the number one concern for mobile consumers, and the data shows that wireless power resolves this at home, in the car and while refreshing at popular coffee shops and restaurants," said Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat Technologies. "The next stage is to deliver this technology to OEMs and through them to consumers at scale, and this is exactly what our partnership with Flextronics promises to do. There is no one better placed to migrate the world's mobile chargers from wired to wireless!"
Flextronics is a leading end-to-end supply chain solutions company that delivers design, engineering, manufacturing and logistics services to a range of industries and end-markets, including data networking, telecom, enterprise computing and storage, industrial, capital equipment, appliances, automation, medical, automotive, aerospace and defense, energy, mobile, computing and other electronic product categories. Flextronics is an industry leader with $24 billion in sales, generated from helping its customers' design, build, ship, and service their products through an unparalleled network of facilities in more than 30 countries and across four continents. For more information, visit www.flextronics.com or follow us on Twitter @flextronics.
About Flextronics Power
Flextronics Power is part of Flextronics and develops innovative technologies and transforms them into valuable solutions that power the mobile revolution across many growing product segments including smartphone, tablet, notebook, server, storage and networking applications. For more information, visit www.flextronics.com or follow us on Twitter @flextronics.
About Powermat Technologies
Powermat is the pioneer and leader of the wireless power industry. Enjoyed by millions of consumers worldwide, Powermat's technology was formally adopted by the PMA, and is the platform of choice for such global leaders as Duracell, General Motors, AT&T and Starbucks. Please find out more at www.powermat.com.
Contact: Powermat Technologies
SOURCE Powermat Technologies
IoT is rapidly changing the way enterprises are using data to improve business decision-making. In order to derive business value, organizations must unlock insights from the data gathered and then act on these. In their session at @ThingsExpo, Eric Hoffman, Vice President at EastBanc Technologies, and Peter Shashkin, Head of Development Department at EastBanc Technologies, discussed how one organization leveraged IoT, cloud technology and data analysis to improve customer experiences and effi...
Jul. 24, 2016 10:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,940
The Internet of Things will challenge the status quo of how IT and development organizations operate. Or will it? Certainly the fog layer of IoT requires special insights about data ontology, security and transactional integrity. But the developmental challenges are the same: People, Process and Platform and how we integrate our thinking to solve complicated problems. In his session at 19th Cloud Expo, Craig Sproule, CEO of Metavine, will demonstrate how to move beyond today's coding paradigm ...
Jul. 24, 2016 09:45 PM EDT Reads: 2,116
Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place November 1-3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, is co-located with the 19th International Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world and ThingsExpo Silicon Valley Call for Papers is now open.
Jul. 24, 2016 09:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,456
Big Data engines are powering a lot of service businesses right now. Data is collected from users from wearable technologies, web behaviors, purchase behavior as well as several arbitrary data points we’d never think of. The demand for faster and bigger engines to crunch and serve up the data to services is growing exponentially. You see a LOT of correlation between “Cloud” and “Big Data” but on Big Data and “Hybrid,” where hybrid hosting is the sanest approach to the Big Data Infrastructure pro...
Jul. 24, 2016 07:45 PM EDT Reads: 1,845
"My role is working with customers, helping them go through this digital transformation. I spend a lot of time talking to banks, big industries, manufacturers working through how they are integrating and transforming their IT platforms and moving them forward," explained William Morrish, General Manager Product Sales at Interoute, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 18th Cloud Expo, held June 7-9, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY.
Jul. 24, 2016 07:30 PM EDT Reads: 2,048
A critical component of any IoT project is what to do with all the data being generated. This data needs to be captured, processed, structured, and stored in a way to facilitate different kinds of queries. Traditional data warehouse and analytical systems are mature technologies that can be used to handle certain kinds of queries, but they are not always well suited to many problems, particularly when there is a need for real-time insights.
Jul. 24, 2016 07:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,687
With 15% of enterprises adopting a hybrid IT strategy, you need to set a plan to integrate hybrid cloud throughout your infrastructure. In his session at 18th Cloud Expo, Steven Dreher, Director of Solutions Architecture at Green House Data, discussed how to plan for shifting resource requirements, overcome challenges, and implement hybrid IT alongside your existing data center assets. Highlights included anticipating workload, cost and resource calculations, integrating services on both sides...
Jul. 24, 2016 07:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,926
"We are a well-established player in the application life cycle management market and we also have a very strong version control product," stated Flint Brenton, CEO of CollabNet,, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 18th Cloud Expo, held June 7-9, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY.
Jul. 24, 2016 06:45 PM EDT Reads: 1,756
Unless your company can spend a lot of money on new technology, re-engineering your environment and hiring a comprehensive cybersecurity team, you will most likely move to the cloud or seek external service partnerships. In his session at 18th Cloud Expo, Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security, revealed what you need to know when it comes to encryption in the cloud.
Jul. 24, 2016 05:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,351
We're entering the post-smartphone era, where wearable gadgets from watches and fitness bands to glasses and health aids will power the next technological revolution. With mass adoption of wearable devices comes a new data ecosystem that must be protected. Wearables open new pathways that facilitate the tracking, sharing and storing of consumers’ personal health, location and daily activity data. Consumers have some idea of the data these devices capture, but most don’t realize how revealing and...
Jul. 24, 2016 05:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,025
What are the successful IoT innovations from emerging markets? What are the unique challenges and opportunities from these markets? How did the constraints in connectivity among others lead to groundbreaking insights? In her session at @ThingsExpo, Carmen Feliciano, a Principal at AMDG, will answer all these questions and share how you can apply IoT best practices and frameworks from the emerging markets to your own business.
Jul. 24, 2016 04:15 PM EDT Reads: 1,546
Ask someone to architect an Internet of Things (IoT) solution and you are guaranteed to see a reference to the cloud. This would lead you to believe that IoT requires the cloud to exist. However, there are many IoT use cases where the cloud is not feasible or desirable. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Dave McCarthy, Director of Products at Bsquare Corporation, will discuss the strategies that exist to extend intelligence directly to IoT devices and sensors, freeing them from the constraints of ...
Jul. 24, 2016 03:45 PM EDT Reads: 1,724
You think you know what’s in your data. But do you? Most organizations are now aware of the business intelligence represented by their data. Data science stands to take this to a level you never thought of – literally. The techniques of data science, when used with the capabilities of Big Data technologies, can make connections you had not yet imagined, helping you discover new insights and ask new questions of your data. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Sarbjit Sarkaria, data science team lead ...
Jul. 24, 2016 03:30 PM EDT Reads: 900
Extracting business value from Internet of Things (IoT) data doesn’t happen overnight. There are several requirements that must be satisfied, including IoT device enablement, data analysis, real-time detection of complex events and automated orchestration of actions. Unfortunately, too many companies fall short in achieving their business goals by implementing incomplete solutions or not focusing on tangible use cases. In his general session at @ThingsExpo, Dave McCarthy, Director of Products...
Jul. 24, 2016 03:15 PM EDT Reads: 1,672
Traditional IT, great for stable systems of record, is struggling to cope with newer, agile systems of engagement requirements coming straight from the business. In his session at 18th Cloud Expo, William Morrish, General Manager of Product Sales at Interoute, outlined ways of exploiting new architectures to enable both systems and building them to support your existing platforms, with an eye for the future. Technologies such as Docker and the hyper-convergence of computing, networking and sto...
Jul. 24, 2016 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,010
WebRTC is bringing significant change to the communications landscape that will bridge the worlds of web and telephony, making the Internet the new standard for communications. Cloud9 took the road less traveled and used WebRTC to create a downloadable enterprise-grade communications platform that is changing the communication dynamic in the financial sector. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Leo Papadopoulos, CTO of Cloud9, discussed the importance of WebRTC and how it enables companies to focus...
Jul. 24, 2016 02:30 PM EDT Reads: 774
With an estimated 50 billion devices connected to the Internet by 2020, several industries will begin to expand their capabilities for retaining end point data at the edge to better utilize the range of data types and sheer volume of M2M data generated by the Internet of Things. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Don DeLoach, CEO and President of Infobright, discussed the infrastructures businesses will need to implement to handle this explosion of data by providing specific use cases for filterin...
Jul. 24, 2016 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,191
IoT generates lots of temporal data. But how do you unlock its value? You need to discover patterns that are repeatable in vast quantities of data, understand their meaning, and implement scalable monitoring across multiple data streams in order to monetize the discoveries and insights. Motif discovery and deep learning platforms are emerging to visualize sensor data, to search for patterns and to build application that can monitor real time streams efficiently. In his session at @ThingsExpo, ...
Jul. 24, 2016 01:30 PM EDT Reads: 817
Internet of @ThingsExpo has announced today that Chris Matthieu has been named tech chair of Internet of @ThingsExpo 2016 Silicon Valley. The 6thInternet of @ThingsExpo will take place on November 1–3, 2016, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Jul. 24, 2016 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,892
Early adopters of IoT viewed it mainly as a different term for machine-to-machine connectivity or M2M. This is understandable since a prerequisite for any IoT solution is the ability to collect and aggregate device data, which is most often presented in a dashboard. The problem is that viewing data in a dashboard requires a human to interpret the results and take manual action, which doesn’t scale to the needs of IoT.
Jul. 24, 2016 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,884


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Ava, the artificial intelligence (AI) who recently catfished Tinder users during South by Southwest, is not only looking for love but now you can hire her on LinkedIn.
A24 Films, the company behind sci-fi movie Ex Machina, are continuing its marketing campaign for the upcoming sci-fi thriller. Not only has Ava punked Tinder users, she has extended her off-screen antic through a partnership with A.I.-driven personal assistant startup x.ai.
The company offers users a personal assistant named Amy—who’s actually an AI, but can schedule meetings like she’s a real human. When you’re emailing with someone and you want to schedule a meeting with them, you just cc: firstname.lastname@example.org, and she takes it from there.
Now, Ex Machina character Ava is joining Amy as the company’s second AI personal assistant. Just copy email@example.com, and she’ll schedule the meetings for you. She’s even got her own LinkedIn page. Her gig with x.ai is temporary, her assistance will stop April 30.
The brainchild of co-founders Gina Williams-Folau (main photo) and Greer Bland, the talent agency Liquorice was born out of a desire to make things easier for brand managers. Liquorice offers social talent for brands wanting to hit the sweet spot with Kiwi audiences. Launching with a roster of big names on board including Millie Elder-Holmes, Athena […]
9000 Western Australians experiencing homelessness are about to face cold winter nights. To call for donations to the 2021 Winter Appeal, Anglicare WA has released a chilling video with renowned actor Liam Graham, best known for his starring roles in Greenfield and The Heights, experiencing mild hypothermia after spending one hour in a commercial freezer. […]
Blackmagic Design has shared how its products were used to shoot the latest commercial campaign for Chris Hemsworth’s fitness training app, Centr. The new campaign, which promotes the progressive 10 week workout plan ‘Power’ replicates the same protocols used to prepare the actor for his latest appearance in the upcoming Marvel franchise film, Thor: Love […]
Airtasker has chosen leading independent digital growth consultancy, Webprofits as a strategic partner to help them expand to new markets. Following a successful IPO in early 2021, Airtasker set its sights on the next strategic objective — expansion and growth in the UK market. After careful review, they partnered with the growth marketing specialists at […]
Cresta Awards has announced that despite having a few more weeks before entries close, this year’s Cresta Awards has surpassed its entries for the whole 2019 Season. Cresta sees this as evidence, not just of evolution in its own awards but of a wider measure of industry confidence and resilience in many markets. The awards […]


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More than a decade after the Affordable Care Act, there are still plenty of house decor options that will appeal to both home and office types.
But there are some key differences to keep in mind when choosing which styles to consider, according to a new study from consulting firm IBI Intelligence.
The study, which surveyed more than 500 home decor and design professionals from across the country, found that the most common styles are: light and airy, and minimalistic.
But the study also found that a significant number of designers and decorators prefer medium-to-large-sized houses, and more people are now opting for smaller homes.
The study also revealed that people are much more likely to opt for smaller-scale homes when they want to create a unique look, as opposed to a traditional house.
Here are the most popular styles of home decor in 2018:The study also concluded that the more space you give your home, the better, as you’re likely to get a sense of style and feel when you walk through your house.
It also suggests that the number of doors that you can put open to get people to enter your home is more important than the number in the house itself.
The average size of the main entrance door in a small house was 3 feet by 3 feet, and it usually takes about two to three people to get into the house, according the study.
The average size for the main door in an 8,000-square-foot house was 1,000 square feet.
For a 2,000 sq. foot house, the average size was 2,200 square feet, the study said.
The report also found the average width of a kitchen is now about 2 feet, with most kitchens being around 4 feet wide.
For an 8-foot kitchen, the width is 3 feet wide, the report said.
The same goes for an 8-, 10-, and 12-foot kitchens.
The most popular house styles in 2018 are:Traditional house style, which is very simple and minimal, can be seen in smaller, medium-sized and large-size houses.
The new study also noted that the biggest differences in the style of a house is in the color scheme.
In the study, people who chose an open kitchen, for example, chose a blue or yellow color scheme, while those who chose a dark, subdued kitchen style, chose orange or black.
“A lot of the changes in the new year are not only in design, but also in color scheme,” said Kristin Kline, president and CEO of IBI’s American Design Research and Advisory.
“People are much happier and more confident in their home decor.”
The study found that people who live in small- and medium-size homes tend to have a more conservative style, and people who have a larger house tend to be more creative and creative with their home.
The main reason for this is that smaller houses tend to offer a more comfortable, comfortable, and inviting environment, while larger houses tend not to provide the same kind of comfort or spaciousness, Kline said.


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Origin Materials, a California-based company, is expected to complete construction, commissioning, and start-up of its new $130 million plant this summer. The facility, called “Origin 1”, is located at the Arlanxeo site on Vidal Street in Sarnia and will employ about 50 workers. It is the company’s first commercial manufacturing facility and will be used to turn biomass, such as wood residues and cardboard, into building-block chemicals for making plastic, textiles, car parts, and other products.
In 2017, Sarnia-based Bioindustrial Innovation Canada invested $250,000 in Origin Materials as part of the Centre for Commercialization of Sustainable Chemistry Innovation (COMM SCI) to fund future economic development in the region and develop a bio-hybrid chemistry cluster.
In 2022, the company was awarded Alternative Fuels and Chemicals Coalition Global Bio-based Economic Performance Award for “advancing science and contributing to the production and commercialization of industrial biotechnology products.”
Photo by Origin Materials
Click on the image(s) below to expand.


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Victoria Beckham (Victoria Beckham) seems to be a fitness queen, because she shows off her toned body in black gym clothes in the latest photos.
The former Spice Girls member designed h
November 13th-Jamestown University women's volleyball senior Megan Gaffaney (Megan Gaffaney) accumulated 35 assists, 14 Nuggets and 1 aces, because the Jimmy team swept Dakota Wesleyan and Dorn, Im
The best early Lululemon deals on Black Friday, including men's and women's clothing deals
Early Black Friday lululemon trading is underway. Compare the best discounts on sportswear, sports
Lycra announced the launch of the Lycra ONE online customer portal to provide digital transformation for the apparel industry.
To develop innovative solutions for the apparel and personal car
When Joe Kudla, founder of Encinitas-based sportswear brand Vuori, had the opportunity to sit down with representatives of start-up investor SoftBank, he didn't really want to raise funds. He think
Brunch and evening make women wonder what to wear throughout the day. The see-through top makes a fuss in the fashion world because of its stylish see-through appearance, adding drama to the existi
We earn commissions for products purchased through certain links in this article.
As the temperature starts to drop, this is the best shopping gear we picked
Autumn may be just
The combination of sweatshirts and sweatpants, which many of us cherish, has truly become the mainstay of every day in our weekend casual wear wardrobe. This is good news, because the office has be


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The price of the precious metal is increasing today as investors are looking toward upcoming economic data out of the U.S. for hints as to when the Fed will hike interest rates, MarketWatch reports.
"The chances of a U.S. interest-rate rise in June are extremely slim, and I also think that there is the potential for gold to continue advancing in the short term if tomorrow's U.S. retail sales report continues to highlight that consumers are not spending," and puts further downward pressure on the dollar," Jameel Ahmad, chief market analyst at FXTM said in a note, MarketWatch added.
Gold for August delivery is rising by 0.71% to $1,185.90 per ounce on the COMEX this afternoon.
Separately, TheStreet Ratings team rates GOLD FIELDS LTD as a Sell with a ratings score of D. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:
"We rate GOLD FIELDS LTD (GFI) a SELL. This is driven by some concerns, which we believe should have a greater impact than any strengths, and could make it more difficult for investors to achieve positive results compared to most of the stocks we cover. The company's weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its unimpressive growth in net income, poor profit margins and weak operating cash flow."


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Founded by a Brooklyn Businesswoman and mother in need of an affordable workspace, Prosper Gowork offers 24-hour, seven-day access to a functional space for on-the-go professionals
New Yorkers pay too much for large, inflexible office and coworking space – and Prosper Gowork wants to change that by providing small, affordable, conveniently located workspaces ideal for quick meetings and short work sessions. Catering to professionals ‘on the go,’ the company opened its first location today in Bedford Stuyvesant.
“We offer everything you need, and nothing you don’t, which helps keep the price very affordable,” said Prosper Gowork founder Elena Drakos.
For just $99 per month, the company offers 24-hour, seven-day access to a beautifully designed, functional space. The idea behind Prosper Gowork was born out of Drakos’ own frustrations with traditional offices, noisy coffee shops and big coworking spaces. Drakos, who worked in sales for over ten years, often struggled to find space professional enough for meetings. After her experiences with a home office – which was too distracting and unprofessional, – an expensive coworking space and too busy coffee shops, she found the market needed an affordable, reliable, flexible workspace solution.
“I’m a business owner and a mom. I have short windows of time to get things done,” said Drakos. “I don’t want to sign a long-term lease for a traditional office, but working from home is distracting and I certainly don’t need themed yoga classes and margarita parties. Neither do the mobile professionals I work with.“
Prosper Gowork designs its spaces to specifically address these challenges with soundproof phone booths, meeting rooms and quiet reading nooks, as well as collaborative workspaces. And while the company just opened its first location today, Drakos is already planning to expand throughout Brooklyn. By transforming street-level retail sites into workspaces, the company aims to support the city’s huge community of freelancers and mobile professionals.
“Our mission is to help mobile professionals be more successful,” said Drakos. “We want to keep it simple so our members can focus on closing that extra deal, landing that big client or getting more funding.”


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Ford Motor Company, Argo AI, and Walmart are launching a multi-city autonomous vehicle delivery service. The last-mile program will use Ford self-driving test vehicles equipped with Argo's self-driving system to deliver Walmart orders to customers in Austin, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
Expected to debut later this year in "defined service areas" (which have not yet been defined to the public) and expand over time, the service promises door-to-door autonomous delivery of groceries and other items purchased online.
"Our focus on the testing and development of self-driving technology that operates in urban areas where customer demand is high really comes to life with this collaboration," Argo AI CEO Bryan Salesky said in a statement. "We're showing the potential for autonomous vehicle delivery services at scale."
Autonomous vehicle technology platform Argo will integrate its cloud-based infrastructure with Walmart's online ordering system, to route orders and schedule package deliveries by Ford's self-driving cars.
"This collaboration will further our mission to get products to the homes of our customers with unparalleled speed and ease," according to Tom Ward, senior vice president of last-mile delivery for Walmart. "And in turn, will continue to pave the way for autonomous delivery."
Ford and Walmart are no strangers to self-driving deliveries. The firms partnered with Postmates in 2018 to pilot autonomous vehicle deliveries in Miami; Walmart ran a similar program two years ago in Arizona. Argo and Ford, meanwhile, have been operating in Miami and Washington, D.C., since 2018 and in Austin since 2019, as well as testing self-driving technology in California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
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The software maker releases an update that adds an improved version of Internet Explorer 7 and other features.
Monday's release is intended to be the start of a wave of monthly updates to the Community Technology Preview (CTP), which Microsoft uses to gather feedback more quickly than would be possible from using only a traditional beta program. The update includes a number of new features, including improved printing from within Internet Explorer 7, as well as a new Mobility Center, that groups together a host of laptop options, including new power management settings.
"There are a lot of changes," Mike Burk, a Microsoft product manager for Windows Vista, said. "What we are trying to do is make sure that we are steadily progressing."
Monday's release also includes, for the first time:
• a "Network Center," that acts as a central spot for managing network connections, replacing the "My Network Places" and "Network Neighborhood" from Windows XP
• tools for authoring and digitally signing documents in the new XML Paper Specification (XPS) format, code-named Metro
• an early version of Windows Media Player 11
• new network and PC diagnostic tools that can, for example, detect when a disk is likely to fail, warn users and prompt them with ways to back up their data.
"One of things we're trying to do is make sure that PCs are able to fix themselves in a way that they haven't been able to in the past," Burk said.
Microsoft cautioned that "many of the features included in the October CTP are still being developed and do not yet represent their final functionality or design."
In particular, the company called out several features that "will undergo significant changes before the final version of Windows Vista ships," including a new migration wizard, the Power Management Center, Windows AntiSpyware, Windows Calendar and Windows Media Player 11.
Microsoft has used CTPs in the past to gather feedback, but Vista marks the first time the company has done so with its operating system. In a traditional beta program, the company often releases only one or two test versions before hitting the near-final-release candidate stage. With a CTP, testers get their hands on more frequent updates, allowing the opportunity for more feedback.
The move has helped the company be more timely and relevant, Burk said, noting that in the past it was hard to get feedback early enough to make changes in time for a product's release.
"This process has kind of helped us close that gap," Burk said.
The company offered up the first CTP version at last month's Professional Developer Conference in Los Angeles. The Beta 1 release was issued in July.
As with those earlier test versions, Microsoft is cautioning that Monday's release is aimed at developers and technology professionals. The company said that consumers interested in giving Vista a test drive should wait for Beta 2.
Microsoft has not given an exact date for Beta 2, but has promised a final version of the OS will ship in the second half of next year, in time to be included in PCs that sell during the 2006 holiday shopping season.
Burk did not say when the more full-featured second beta would come, but did say the company is planning on an updated CTP version for next month.
The latest test version is being made available to about half a million people, including a pool of technical testers as well as members of Microsoft's MSDN and TechNet developer programs.


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Phone fashions come and go. There used to be an old internet joke: when men compared each other’s mobile phones, it was the only time when men would boast about a small size.
If that were ever true, it’s certainly not true these days – as IDC found out last month, one of the fastest growing areas of mobile phone growth was in the phablet market, that awkward cross between the phone and the tablet.
Does that mean that the conventional smartphone market is dying. Not in the least: the latest figures from Gartner, demonstrated strong growth for Samsung in the past year. According to the research company, Samsung’s smartphone sales recorded a double-digit increase (19.3 percent) in the third quarter of 2017. Gartner pointed out that the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8 smartphones had brought back growing demand for Samsung products, achieving quarterly double-digit growth for the first time since 2015.
Will this situation last however? There have already been industry analysts pointing out that this happy state of affairs for Samsung may have a limited timespan and that there’s pressure on the vendor – not from Apple, its more traditional rival in top-end smartphone arena, but from geographically closer to home to the Korean company.
One area that has shaken up the market is the arrival on the scene of the Chinese vendors – or rather their reinvention. A few years ago, it was a different story: if you were offered a Chinese phone, most punters would have shied away. Yes, they’d be cheap but the quality was poor with a camera that was barely the functional and there’d even be the possibility that they didn’t connect to a UK network. And if it all went wrong – there weren’t many options when it came to complaining. Let’s just say that support could be patchy.
That was then, however, it’s quite a different story and the arrival of the Chinese vendors has shaken up the scene. And changed it to such an extent that market share is going to change dramatically.
Just take a look at the introduction of Honor’s newest phones last week. Honor, the mid-range, on-line only, brand from Huawei, unveiled two new models as part of its assault on the European market and talked optimistically of cracking the market over here. It already claims to be the top online brand in China and is hitting the top spot (or very close to it) in other European countries.
And Honor is not a one-off: Huawei itself is obviously making a fair crack at the market. Xiaomi, which is gearing up for an IPO, will have the clout to make headway over here. One Plus and Wiko have also made their presence felt in the UK and there are many others who are beginning to mop up those sales. It could change even more in the future: Oppo and Vivo are major brands in China but have done little in the UK so far.
What has changed to make Chinese phones such an attractive option. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest changes has been the quality of the products – there’s been some considerable investment in smartphone technology and while the phones remain cheap, they’re not far off the quality of the best. Users may well be happy to sacrifice processing power or camera quality for a model that’s several hundred pounds cheaper.
Move away from handset deals
There’s also been a change in the way that people make purchases. As was noted in a GfK survey last month, customers have been shying away from long-term contracts and instead are opting for SIMO deals, where the phone purchase is separated from the mobile contract.
UK sales in particular have been very much based on the idea that the phone purchase is tied up with the contract – the idea that punters can shop around for an appropriate model to complement their SIM card would have been anathema just a few years ago, but it’s increasingly becoming the way to go.
What is there to hold Chinese smartphones back? The perennial problem is that of support, not many Chinese firms have a physical presence here and you may find yourself at the mercy of third-party suppliers. You may also find that Chinese software is not updated as much as some western software is.
A more pressing problem with Chinese is the issue of security. Both One Plus and Wiko were left embarrassed when news broke that their phones were sending hidden data back to China. And, as Wired reported, the back door in One Plus’s software was an open invitation to hackers.
For many people, any such security breaches would be a no-no. Just as for some people, a less than perfect camera would be a no-no. But there are plenty of customers for whom these are a minor issues and the cheapness of the Chinese offerings overshadow everything else.
The Chinese vendors have made their presence felt in so many markets around the world that it seems inevitable that they well make their way into the UK market. We can already see the change in attitude in some customers’ minds. Fashions change in mobile phones and it may be time for the Chinese to be at the forefront of purchasing decisions.


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Takashina said in the note that during his more than six-year tenure at Nikon India, he had visited 114 cities and towns across the country.
From smartphones to projectors, here is a list of six latest gadgets that were recently launched for gadget-lovers to check out.
From smartphones to LED TV, here is a list of the latest gadgets launched this week.
The Japanese camera maker is aiming to take full control of Axis, but hedge fund Elliott Management has complicated the bid after it raised its stake in Axis to 10.01 percent.
The hedge fund proposed that a minority auditor and a special examiner be appointed after its proposal for a dividend to shareholders was rejected
Elliott's stake effectively ruled out a standard squeeze-out procedure in which Canon, once it owns more than 90 percent of Axis shares, could forcibly acquire the rest.
The Japanese camera maker is aiming to take full control of Axis in its 23.6 billion Swedish crowns ($2.73 billion) takeover.
Cannon's profit was 33.93 billion yen ($285.27 million) in January-March, compared with the 53.64 billion yen average estimate of 5 analysts.


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Texas Extending Emergency SNAP Benefits Through DecemberGovernor Greg Abbott announced today that $308 million in emergency food benefits for December authorized by the Biden Administration would be provided to Texans.
Amazon Offers Prime Discount To Those On Government BenefitsOnline leader Amazon is offering a discount on its Prime membership for people who receive government assistance.
Deputies: Man Steals BMW That He Tried To Buy With Food StampsAuthorities have arrested a man they say stole a BMW after trying to buy it with a food stamp debit card.
New Texas Law Allows Drug Offenders To Apply For Food StampsA law that was passed during the Legislative session is about to take effect September 1, it will allow first-time drug felons to apply for food stamps.
Convenience Store Owner, Manager Sentenced In Food Stamp Fraud SchemeTwo North Texas men have been sentenced for their roles in a massive food stamp fraud scheme.
2 North Texas Men Charged With Food Stamp FraudA Dallas convenience store owner and manager are charged in a $1.9 million food stamp scheme.
Working-Age People Make Up Majority Of Food Stamp RecipientsWorking-age people now make up the majority in U.S. households that rely on food stamps -- a switch from a few years ago, when children and the elderly were the main recipients.
Thousands Show Up For Thanksgiving Assistance In Fort WorthFood banks have seen a surge in demand recently since there were recent cuts in food stamp programs, but nothing like the 2200 or more people who showed up on Monday and Tuesday.
Less Money In The Pot For Families On Food StampsStarting November first, people enrolled in the government’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, will see a reduction in monthly benefits.
North Texas Congressman Takes Challenge Of Eating On $4.50 A DayA North Texas Congressman has been going hungry in Washington, D.C. Marc Veasey, who represents parts of Dallas and Tarrant Counties, has only been eating on the amount of money allowed through the SNAP food assistance program.
One-Third Of Texans Eligible For Food Stamps Not Getting HelpAn advocacy group says only two-thirds of Texans who may be eligible for food stamp assistance received the benefits in 2011.
Pet Food Stamp Program Started For Low-Income FamiliesThere is no question that some individuals and families across North Texas and the nation have had to ‘tighten their belts’ during rough economic times. Now one organization is focused on the pets belonging to those people.
Texas Grocer Gets Prison For Food Stamp FraudA North Texas grocer who ran an unlicensed money transmitting business has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for fraud.
Opinion: Romney’s 47% Don't Pay Taxes Remark Is 100% ControversyRomney thought he was talking amongst his teammates in the locker room last May 17 only to find out that there was somebody on the other team hiding behind the lockers. Had he known a member of the other team was lurking back there, he would have chosen his words more carefully and had presented more carefully-chosen data than the data of which he swiftly generalized.
More Older Texans Seek Food Stamp HelpMore older Texans apparently struggling to make ends meet have been turning to food stamps. According to reports published Monday, the state's fastest-growing group receiving food stamps is those ages 60 to 64.


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China’s Food and Drug Administration has announced that from June 2014, China plans to remove its mandatory animal testing requirements for domestically manufactured cosmetic products. “Non-special use cosmetics” such as shampoo or perfume may then have their product safety substantiated in reliance on existing safety data for raw ingredients, or European Union-validated non-animal tests instead of having to submit product samples to the government for testing on rabbits, mice and rats. This is a breakthrough. But importantly CFDA has stated that once the new system has been established, it may be expanded to include imported products and certain “special use” cosmetics as well. This would be a major step towards removing trade barriers between China and the EU, enabling cruelty-free companies worldwide to sell their products on the Chinese mainland without compromising their ‘no animal testing’ policies. Read more here.
See also our post of 25 August for matters taken up by the Panel with the ACCC on marketing claims by cosmetics producers.


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Inscrit le: 15 Mar 2011
Moyenne de points: 1,00
|Posté le: Mar 15 Mar - 03:40 (2011) Sujet du message: E-cigarette Consumer Group Promotes Freedom of Choice in Tim
|E-cigarette Consumer Group Promotes Freedom of Choice in Times Square
A new ad has appeared on the CBS SuperScreen in Times Square telling smokers they have a choice. National Vapers Club has furnished this ad and accompanying website in order to raise awareness about electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). e-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that vaporize a liquid -- similar to that found in fog machines --that sometimes contains nicotine. They are in danger of being banned in many jurisdictions across the country, including in New York.
Spike Babaian, president of National Vapers Club, says “Without access to e-cigarettes, many of our members may return to smoking tobacco cigarettes. Some surveys show that over 80% of e-cigarette users felt that if the product was unavailable they might go back to smoking tobacco.” She also shared “Many of our members quit smoking tobacco because their doctors told them their health depended on it.”Use e liquid to instead of the tobacco cigarette so that you can keep your health.
Thousands of electronic cigarette users across the country purchase e-cigarettes from New York companies every day. These companies pay sales tax and support New York’s struggling economy. In a time when many businesses are failing, these businesses flourish.mono-block rinser filler capper keep your machine clean so that you can use them more convient.
Many doctors and public health experts feel that e-cigarettes are a safer choice. There is no evidence of harm to public health from e-cigarettes, and indeed more and more data is being released every day that suggests little to no harm. “To put the electronic cigarette companies in New York out of business with no valid concern over the safety of the product is senseless.mineral water filling machine will give you much help in your manufacturing. E-cigarettes are being used as a substitute for combustible tobacco cigarettes, which we know kill millions of people. Why would legislators try to ban this product?” asks Josh Gregory of E-liquid Planet, an electronic cigarette distributor in New York.carbonated soft drinks filling machine make your work easier.
In a Federal lawsuit against the FDA, and a subsequent appeal, four judges have agreed that the product posed no immediate health risk to the public. In the original lawsuit, Judge Leon found that “… FDA cites no evidence that those electronic cigarettes have endangered anyone. Nor has FDA cited any evidence that electronic cigarettes are any more an immediate threat to public health and safety than traditional cigarettes, which are readily available to the public.”can filler seamer is your good helper.
National Vapers Club advocates giving adults the choice to use electronic cigarettes if they are unable or unwilling to give up nicotine.beer filling machine allow you to product more efficiently. The group has thousands of members who are former smokers. Nathan Dunn, a National Vapers Club member, says “Our message is simple: Now smokers have a choice.”


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Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment has joined the growing number of triple-A studios allocating resources to mobile games development.
The studio, which took around five years to develop Alan Wake, will soon release an iPhone and iPad remake of its debut 1996 title Death Rally.
The game has been in development as Remedy’s other team has been creating Alan Wake DLC.
Remedy is one of many independent studios joining the App Store and smartphone games race, where success can yield huge profits from games with relatively small budgets.
Established studios, from Epic Games to LucasArts to the Rockstar staple, have each become converts to the mobile games market.
Studios such as A2M (now named Behaviour) and Jagex are lining up further games for the mobile space.


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Biden Tightens Restrictions on Huawei, ZTE
US President Joe Biden signs a legislation - the Secure Equipment Act - which blocks authorization of equipment licenses of Huawei and ZTE.
Just days before China's leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden are set to hold a virtual meeting, the latter signs a new legislation that imposes further restrictions on Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp.
The new legislation, dubbed the Secure Equipment Act, bans companies that are regarded as "security threats" from obtaining equipment licenses from US regulators. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under the new law, is required to no longer review nor accept any authorization application for equipment that "poses a threat to national security" - namely by Huawei and ZTE.
Brendan Carr, an FCC Commissioner, said that the law "will help to ensure that insecure gear from companies like Huawei and ZTE can no longer be inserted into America’s communications networks."
The Act was passed and accepted by the US Senate on October 28 and by the US House in early November on a 420-4 vote.
Since 2018, some 3,000 authorizations have been passed for Huawei by the FCC.
The ban on tech giant Huawei comes after the announcement of a joint initiative between China and the United States, to deliver enhanced climate action.


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Philosophy is emphasizing its skin-care roots while creating a new charity devoted to well-being.
“Philosophy combines science and inspiration, empowering beauty from the inside out,” said Jill Scalamandre, chief marketing officer of the skin-care division of Coty Inc. Quoting from the brand’s new manifesto, she continued, “We encourage conversation, we embrace generosity, we inspire beautiful skin as well as beautiful days, so you can feel confident that everything is possible.”
While the brand is known for emblazoning its philosophies on all of its products, Scalamandre pointed out that Philosophy was originally a spin-off of Biomedic, founder Cristina Carlino’s first company. Biomedic, which Carlino sold to L’Oréal in 2001, is widely credited with creating the “lunchtime peel,” and when Carlino founded Philosophy, she kept peels as the core of the brand’s skin-care sales. When Coty acquired Philosophy in 2010, it continued that skin-care emphasis, said Scalamandre. “Peels are still at the heart of our line,” said Scalamandre. Scalamandre noted that 58 percent of Philosophy’s sales are done in skin care. Fragrance accounts for 27 percent, she added, with the remainder done in bath and body and miscellaneous products.
No Reason to Hide, the brand’s newest skin-care offering, is a product duo intended to treat a variety of skin imperfections, including blotchiness, darkened and enlarged pores, rough texture, redness, dark spots and acne scars. “We believe it’s the first all-in-one solution proven to treat skin imperfections from any source,” said Scalamandre. No Reason to Hide Multi-Imperfection Transforming Serum, $68 for 1 oz., is a daily treatment designed to be applied under moisturizer or foundation. No Reason to Hide Skin-tone Perfecting Moisturizer, $45 for 1 oz., is an instant skin-tone perfecting moisturizer, said Scalamandre. She noted that the duo is designed to “prevent further imperfections from appearing.”
The key ingredient in both products is brown algae. “In general, brown algae contains superantioxidant powers and is excellent at combating free radical oxidation,” said Scalamandre. “Coty’s exclusive strain of brown algae was selected for its unique ability to follow and interrupt the complete pathway of melanin formation from the very first signals initiated by UV exposure or damage to skin.”
The products will be available in August at philosophy.com and in September in the brand’s full distribution, about 1,800 department and specialty store doors in the U.S. While Scalamandre declined to discuss sales projections, industry sources estimated the duo could do upward of $10 million at retail in its first year on counter.
Next week, the brand will unveil its charity arm, the Hope & Grace Initiative. Philosophy will dedicate 1 percent of all sales to community-based organizations working to empower women through the promotion and treatment of mental health. The program will be launched next week on philosophy.com. Beginning in January, 1 percent of all sales will be devoted to the cause. Scalamandre noted that within five years, the Hope & Grace Initiative is projected to donate more than $10 million. The charity takes its name from Philosophy’s two best-selling products, Hope in a Jar moisturizer and Amazing Grace fragrance. Philosophy will annually give multiple grants of $25,000 to support hundreds of qualified organizations around the world, said Scalamandre.
“More than any other issue, mental well-being is directly connected to the spirit of the Philosophy brand,” she said, pointing out that the brand’s packaging has always carried uplifting messages. “In addition,” she said, “Philosophy becomes the first global skin-care and fragrance brand to make a brand-wide commitment to dedicate at least 1 percent of all sales toward philanthropic efforts — with no product restrictions.”
The first grant is being given to Bring Change 2 Mind, a national antistigma organization cofounded by actress Glenn Close with the mission to raise awareness and work to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.
@tradesy is turning the concept of a showroom upside down with its new space in Santa Monica. Here, the company plans to hold events, art exhibits and a showcase rare fashion pieces like this Louis Vuitton boxing set. Get all the details on Tradesy’s first showroom on WWD.com. #wwdnews
Spotted last night at the @erdem x @hm launch event: Kate Bosworth, Rashida Jones, Kirsten Dunst and Selma Blair. The party, which took place in LA, also marked the opening of their pop-up shop. “I was interested in creating a collection that wasn’t in any way disposable. It was about pieces you’d create and keep forever, things that have a permanence to it,” designer Erdem Moralioglu said. #wwdeye (📷: Katie Jones)
Renee Zellweger in yellow in 2001 and again in 2017. Chosen as one of the 12 @pantone Leading Spring Colors (and dubbed “Meadowlark”), it only makes sense that the bright hue stands the test of time and is making a resurgence this season, seen already on stars like @blakelively and @gigihadid. (📷: Donato Sardello & @rexfeatures) #wwdfashion #tbt
Dior’s 70th anniversary celebration continues with a new exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. “Christian Dior,” which is scheduled to run through March 18, takes a look at the founders tenure from 1947 to 1057 and feature 40 designs. Pictured here is an evening gown from the Ailée, fall 1948-49 haute couture collection. #wwdfashion (📷: Brian Boyle)
As one of the most recognizable models in the world, Christy Turlington Burns has an insider’s view of the fashion industry and the allegations of sexual harassment swirling around it. “I can say that harassment and mistreatment have always been widely known and tolerated in the industry. The industry is surrounded by predators who thrive on the constant rejection and loneliness so many of us have experiences at some point in our careers,” Turlington told WWD, along with her suggestions for how the modeling world should protect younger women and men. Read more on WWD.com. Link in bio. (📷: Tony Palmieri) #wwdnews
@asics America has tapped a new brand ambassador: famed DJ/record producer @steveaoki. This initiative is intended to set the tone for the new brand identity and philosophy and will include partnerships with influencers and in-store and off-line activations that will continue into next year. This is Asics’ most significant marketing effort in two decades, and is expected to attract younger consumers to the brand. #wwdfashion
24-year-old Jean Prounis is redefining the rules of jewelry. Formerly a studio assistant to Jemima Kirke and a design apprentice at Ghuran, she focuses on handcrafted subtleties and ancient goldsmithing techniques. “There was a really sterile feel in the environment and I wanted to have jewelry with character that shapes how you wear it everyday,” Prounis said. Each piece is hand made in New York, either by Prounis or three other jewelers in the district. #wwdfashion
“These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion,” said @tommyhilfiger of his line of adaptive apparel, which launches today. The line consists of 37 men’s and 34 women’s styles based upon the pieces from the spring Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collection. #wwdnews


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"Industries around the world are leveraging big data to their advantage — whether they're lenders in the U.S. considering a user's web browser before offering a loan or they're European insurers using people's email addresses to price rates. So, we asked ourselves, 'Is this happening in the U.S. auto insurance market today? What might that look like?'" says Alyssa Connolly, The Zebra's Director of Market Insights. "Someone's behavior online generates mountains of data that can help companies learn about consumers — the question is: does that help or hurt consumers?"
Consumers: Unfair for Insurers to Use Digital Footprint Info!
The Zebra conducted a nationwide survey, asking consumers to consider whether 30 data points would be fair for insurance companies to use for pricing their policies (underwriting).
Approximately 60% of consumers said they consider the use of every digital footprint factor — things like their web browser activity, their typing habits, and even their private social media activity — that could conceivably be used to price auto insurance as "unfair."
71% of respondents are not OK with insurers tracking their behavior even if they were guaranteed to save money.
More people said it was fair to use a person's race (which is currently illegal) in underwriting than any of the digital footprint factors.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Big Data in Insurance Underwriting
The insurance industry is being reshaped by technology. Big data can improve accuracy and stability in underwriting, reduce consumer costs, and support the 11% of people with little to no credit history, who may be younger or in underserved communities.
Potential drawbacks of leveraging this data for insurance underwriting include the argument that these factors are unfairly discriminatory and irrelevant. Some people are skeptical of the unproven technology, and worry that consumer privacy could be jeopardized. Ultimately, state regulators will be responsible for determining if digital footprint factors are fair for insurers to use.
For the full in-depth report featuring data analysis, consumer survey results, and methodology, please visit https://www.TheZebra.com/research/digital-footprint-car-insurance/.
About The Zebra
The Zebra is the nation's leading auto insurance search engine. With its dynamic, real-time quote comparison tool, drivers can identify insurance companies with the coverage, service level, and pricing to suit their unique needs. The Zebra compares more than 200 car insurance companies and provides agent support and educational resources to ensure drivers are equipped to make the most informed decisions about their car insurance. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, The Zebra has sought to bring transparency and simplicity to insurance shopping since 2012 — it's "insurance in black and white."


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Ferrari 488 GTB Launched at Rs. 3.88 crore
Ferrari has launched the much talked about 488 GTB in India. Priced at INR 3.88 crore, the 488 is a successor to the iconic 458 Italia and Ferrari’s second turbocharged offering in recent times, post the California T.
Powering the 488 is a twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine which is capable of churning out a total of 661 horses – a crazy 172 bhp per litre of displacement and 99bhp more than the iconic 458. Power from the mighty engine is channeled through a revised 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox derived from the 458. It also features a Variable Torque Management system, which unleashes the massive 760 Nm peak torque linearly and powerfully right across its rev range. With a dry weight of 1370 kilograms, the 488 GTB sprints 0-200 km/h in an unbelievable 8.3 seconds and 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds flat.
There’s a whopping 50 percent more downforce on the 488 over the predecessor – courtesy several special features that've made their way – like the F1 inspired double spoiler in the front, coupled with the aero-pillar which diverts air more quickly and effectively. Most notable is the addition of active aerodynamics at the rear through a ‘blown’ rear spoiler, and the underbody has also been reworked featuring vortex generators.
The name 488 refers to each of the engine’s eight cylinders having 488cc capacity while the GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta (grand tourer with a coupe body-style in Italian).
The Ferrari 488 GTB’s India launch happened at the Ferrari Showroom, Mathura Road in New Delhi in the presence of Aurelien Sauvard, International Sales Director – Ferrari Middle East & Africa – and Yadur Kapur, Director Select Cars Private Limited.
Speaking about the new entrant, Mr. Yadur Kapur, Director, Select Cars Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are delighted to launch the Ferrari 488 GTB in New Delhi. We have many loyal Ferrari owners and fans in Northern India and this new launch allows us to bring them a fantastic new model in our market. We are confident that we will continue to create more value for our ever-increasing customer base with an unprecedented buying experience.”
Watch Launch Video of Ferrari 488 GTB
Recommended Read: Ferrari GTC4Lusso unveiled! Adieu FF!
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China exporter Jatenergy feeds Shanghai Dragon a shipping container of oats
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
China exporter Jatenergy has received its first order from Chinese state-owned enterprise Shanghai Dragon Corporation — for a shipping container of Aussie oats.
The oats will get space in about 4000 stores in China.
“This order represents the tangible commencement of Chinese retail sales for JAT,” said JAT chairman Tony Crimmins.
Jatenergy was one of the best performing ASX stocks small caps early this year, winning ten-bagger status after it joined the infant formula export crew — propelling its shares from 2c as high as 29c.
The shares have since cooled — but were up 5 per cent at 9.5c in early Monday trade.
“A strong Chinese retail presence is the fourth pillar in our FMCG [fast moving consumer goods] strategy, setting us apart from other Australian trading companies selling to Chinese consumers.”
Meanwhile another high-flying milk exporter Bubs Australia (ASX:BUB) fell today after announcing a $40 million capital raising at 75c a share to professional investors. BUB shares were down 8 per cent to 82c.
Under JAT’s new deal, Shanghai Dragon will sell its Australian products and develop JAT’s Cobbitty Country brand in China.
Over the last month JAT has been working on widening its distribution channels.
It’s got a rent-free spot in a Chinese mall owned by one of its directors, and bought 51 per cent of Sunnya, a company that exports Australian milk powder and health products to China, for $3.9 million in cash and scrip.
The directors or Sunnya do not appear to have a pre-existing relationship with JAT.
The company says it has $1.5 million available to pay the initial $3 million cash component, and is seeking to raise $5.8 million from shareholders.
JAT has been contacted for comment.


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For a while now, independent bookmakers have feared dipping their toes into the digital waters.
Some have lacked the confidence to take on the titans of the industry, while others have been deterred by the perceived cost associated with developing and launching an online product. But this approach is starting to put pressure on local bookies as their players migrate to rival operators that offer a multi-channel product and player experience.
That’s not to say that some independent bookmakers haven’t already had a stab at online – they have, but many have made the mistake of using platforms built on the cheap by poor quality suppliers. In this very competitive day and age, that simply isn’t good enough. But that need not be the case; we offer independent firms a best-in-breed sportsbook and casino that can flex its muscles and go toe-to-toe with the big boys.
Combine land-based product with an online offering:
The good news is that the landscape is changing, and independent operators are now able to combine their land-based product with an online offering. We recently launched Northern Irish operator Toals, whose customers were uninspired by their previous website and drifted away when they couldn’t get to the shops. We’re also set to flick the switch elsewhere in Ireland, with operators Tommy French and Bruce Betting.
By partnering with us, we can offer operators in-play, cash-out, great casino games, and all the other gizmos and gadgets the power players like to brag about. We also give them complete control over the front-end, so they can design their sites in line with their retail brand and voice. And that’s the truly frustrating thing about retail operators yet to launch online; they have enviable brand equity and a fiercely loyal player base.
By not offering these players the option to wager online or on their mobile phones, independent operators are effectively encouraging them to play on their rival’s sites. And once they have ventured over to the other side – where online land land-based play is a seamless journey – it is very hard, and expensive, to get them back. By joining forces with us, it is a completely avoidable situation.
Indeed, the rise of mobile has dealt a crippling blow to independent bookmakers – even larger operators such as bwin.party have been severely punished for not getting it right. Here at FSB, however, we can offer them a helping hand through the minefield that is online and mobile gambling, and quickly and efficiently get them to market
By making use of our experience and expertise, independent bookmakers can enter the online betting market in a meaningful way. It will help them retain their current player base, showcase their brand to new potential customers, and open up an additional revenue stream. The betting behemoths only got to where they are today by taking a leap of faith, by jumping straight into the deep end.
It is encouraging that the likes of Toals, Tommy French and Bruce Betting are confident enough in their brand, and our platform, to finally enter the market. In the months and years to come, they will undoubtedly reap the rewards. I just hope other independent bookmakers follow suit because if they don’t, they run the risk of cashing out for good. And that would be a real shame.


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For a coffee drinker, few scents are more enticing than the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. However, for workers in coffee roasting and packaging plants, the aroma may create conditions that could lead to a degenerative lung disease that could cause their deaths.
Roasted coffee produces two chemicals, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, that provides coffee with its buttery richness, but can also cause a disease known as obliterative bronchiolitis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes as “irreversible lung disease.”
The chemicals permanently damage the bronchioles in the lungs, leading to coughs and shortness of breath. The damage can be so severe that it can lead to the need for a lung transplant or death.
A decade or so ago, this disease was observed in workers in microwave popcorn plants causing popcorn lung and killing workers. A recent newspaper investigation has now found similar conditions at coffee roasters, and workers who roast, grind and package coffee are at risk.
CDC is warning workers
An industrial hygienist measured the levels of these chemicals in one roasting plant and found that the concentrations were up to four times the limits for exposure. The CDC is working on tests they ran in multiple roasters around the nation, but they have created a webpage that warns workers of dangers posed by the chemicals.
The CDC is recommending that worker exposure to these chemicals be limited and that they were respirators to minimize inhalation of the chemicals. It also recommends that processes like roasting and grinding be performed in areas that have adequate ventilation or are closed off from workers.
The CDC and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) suggest that real time monitoring is necessary in areas where the beans are processed to ensure that the safeguards are functioning properly. Workers should also be informed of the risks and properly trained in safe handling procedures.


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How Airbnb is transforming Harlem
Airbnb, the home-sharing site, ran into problems New York City and in the cities of the country. But not in Harlem. Increasingly, visitors to our neighborhood are skipping hotels and using Airbnb and similar sharing services to find local apartments to stay in upscale neighborhoods.
A thousand Harlem residents hosted 28,310 Airbnb guests from around the world between August 2012 and July 2013, according to company statistics. They contributed $ 18.1 million in direct spending, making Harlem one of the city’s most popular destinations for the many customers who prefer to stay “off the beaten track.”
Companies like Airbnb, Far from home, OneFineStay and Cloud 9 have been a godsend for all New Yorkers. So-called sharing economy companies emerged several years ago in the midst of a perfect storm of opportunity. The Internet has made it possible to consolidate the supply and demand for temporary and affordable, cheap and easy excavations, serving as an alternative to expensive hotel stays.
This has created a win-win situation for visitors and hosts alike: adventurous tourists with money to spend but not to spend enjoy an “authentic experience” as the growing ranks of New York’s creative class freelancers, entrepreneurs and artists stay afloat. Sixty-two percent of business survey respondents say that accommodation has enabled them to purchase their home.
But as sharing services have become more popular, they have run into some hurdles. Last year, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman cracked down on Airbnb for seeking information on thousands of New York-area hosts to flush out tax frauds that would raise dollars under the table.
“If Airbnb is to be a valuable and legal economic engine for New York, it should support the state’s efforts to recover millions of dollars in unpaid taxes and stop the proliferation of illegal hotels,” said a spokesperson for the Attorney General. “Tens of millions of dollars in unpaid taxes could be spent on valuable services to New Yorkers across the state. ”
[According to the Wall Street Journal, Airbnb had sent a letter sent to Mayor de Blasio in March stating that it was willing to pay more than $21 million in city and state tax.]
Despite this, many hosts feel nervous about the extra scrutiny, but are not discouraged. “I like showing people my city and my neighborhood,” says one of them, a freelance writer who rents a room for $ 75 a night in his large Harlem apartment via Airbnb. He has asked to remain anonymous due to the state’s crackdown, but says the service has helped him survive in an uncertain economy.
“When you stay in a hotel, it’s not the same,” he adds. “You don’t go to the local market. You don’t see the local people.
To view more Airbnb properties available in Harlem, Click here.