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Cheap as chips: Google’s new Nexus 5 could cost less than £200
The new Google phone packs impressive specs into rumoured $299 pricetag
The new “Google phone”, the Nexus 5, will cost just $299 (£185), according to unconfirmed rumours reverberating around the Internet – making it hundreds of dollars cheaper than almost every other high-end Android smartphone on the market, not to mention Apple’s new “budget” iPhone 5C.
Considering what we know about the specs – which were leaked on Monday – this price is very impressive, meaning that Android fans may well have an easy choice to make in the run-up to Christmas.
Smartphone news blog PhoneArena has quoted an unnamed source, which claims that the basic model of the Nexus 5, to be manufactured by LG, will cost the same at launch as the Nexus 4 did last year. As revealed on Monday, it’ll have 16GB in storage and a 2,300mAh battery.
There will also be a more powerful $399 (£250) model available, with double the storage, and a larger 3,000 mAh battery to boot.
Both models will ship with a 5-inch, 1080p HD display, a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel camera and another 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera. They’ll be built around the Android KitKat 4.4 operating system.
Rumour has it that the Nexus 5 will be announced later in October, with its release to follow shortly after. Whether the price points will be the same when the phone is launched in the UK remains to be seen.
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Sportsman’s Warehouse holds Grand Opening in Rib Mountain
WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - A popular sports retailer has already seen big success in Racine, and now it’s hoping to have that same success in Rib Mountain.
Sportsman’s Warehouse has moved in at Rib Mountain and is celebrating their grand opening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The store has been open for a week already, and a lot of hard work has been going on behind the scenes to get ready.
“I think every day we had probably 60 to 70 people every day for eight straight days, and even now during soft opening, we still have 25 to 30 people a day getting ready for grand opening,” said Store Manager John Shafer.
Thursday will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. They are expecting 300 to 400 people for the first part of the day, and 800 throughout the day. There will be a drawing for a new 2023 GMC Sierra, gift cards, and other cool prizes. They will also be having in-store drawings all weekend.
“That type of atmosphere when they come in, be able to come in, feel good, get your products and you can leave that time and be able to go and do what you need to do at that same time”, said Shafer.
He says the economy will flourish with the new location.
“You’re going to have a lot of those travelers that traveled from Chicago to go up north who are going to stop here and want to do their shopping before they go fishing before they go hunting. Because it’s a very centralized location. I think it’ll help the community,” said John.
He says employees are still needed and you can apply online.
“I have hunted and fished my entire life, fishing for 45 years and hunting for 35. And now I just get to give back to everybody else,” said Shafer.
The first 200 customers in line each day of the grand opening will receive a free gift card.
Sportsman’s Warehouse is at 226601 Rib Mountain Dr. in Rib Mountain.
Copyright 2023 WSAW. All rights reserved.

domain: news


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Samsung must not sell the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany because it looks too much like Apple’s iPad 2, the district court in Düsseldorf ruled on Friday.
Samsung will appeal the decision in the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, a spokesman said.
“We are disappointed with this ruling and believe it severely limits consumer choice in Germany,” he said via email.
Apple had filed a lawsuit claiming that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringes on the design of the iPad 2, which is registered with the E.U.’s Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market.
“By imposing an injunction based on this very generic design right, this ruling restricts design innovation and progress in the industry,” the Samsung spokesman said, adding that the decision is inconsistent with the Aug. 24 ruling by a Dutch court on a separate case involving the two companies, which found the designs of Samsung’s Galaxy products don’t violate Apple’s design right.
The global legal battle between the two companies even made its presence felt during the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) consumer electronics show in Berlin, where Samsung removed from its stand all traces of the Galaxy Tab 7.7, the 10.1’s smaller brother, just two days after launching the product there. That device is the subject of a separate injunction from the lower court. Samsung can still challenge that ruling in the lower court.
However, in Japan, the CEO of mobile operator NTT DoCoMo said on Thursday that his company’s launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab next month will not be affected by a patent-infringement lawsuit Apple has filed there against Samsung.
Meanwhile, Samsung has vowed to keep up its legal counter-offensive. “We will take all available legal options including continuing to aggressively pursue Apple for its ongoing violation of Samsung’s wireless technology patents around the world,” the Samsung spokesman said.


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Mobile phone vendors and online ticket scalpers have been notified in B Legislation on Tuesday that their profits are about to be considered.
During the throne a speech by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, the province, is committed to "taking action to improve the transparency of billing" for mobile phone users.
Austin said the province also plans to introduce rules to ban mass robots buying tickets so they can be resold with great profit.
After the speech, B. Prime Minister Horgan told reporters that we want to make sure that the mobile phone providers here in B are open and transparent for the packages they offer. This is a significant cost to families and significant costs, especially for young people.
"We want to make sure we can do everything we can, as a province, to make sure that the treaties and issues that underlie rising costs are transparent, open and well understood by the public. I think the federal government shares this concern and we want to work with them to make sure that the BC. can lead to a reduction in the cost of cell coverage. "
According to Austin, Canadian mobile phone and data costs are among the highest in the world. This is partly due to the extensive geography of the country. The three major mobile phone providers in Canada are Telus, Bell and Rogers and they are watched by Canada's Radio and Television Commission. However, CRTC does not regulate prices.
The process is expected to begin with legislative review and consultation.
Austin added that the government would "provide consumers with the tools they need to get the cheapest possible service, and encourage the federal government to provide people with more affordable mobile phone opportunities."
The issue of ticket bids was brought to the attention of the public during the tragic hip fare tour in the summer of 2016, when the tickets were sold out within seconds in order to turn into resale sites for significantly higher prices .
Since then, the Alberta government has introduced regulations to protect consumers from ticketing tickets and from BCs. the government is helping public consultations.
The new rules proposed by the BC. the government for selling live tickets includes a ban on mass ticket purchase and more transparency for all companies selling live tickets.
with files from Rob Shaw


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ComicScene – a dedicated magazine to comics and comic culture – relaunches tomorrow, Saturday 22nd December – and will be on sale in selected WHSmith, McColls and all good comic shops across the UK.
Available from 1000 locations in the UK and Ireland, the first new issue leads with interviews with comic creators Brian Michael Bendis and Dave Gibbons and film director and producer Richard Donner about Superman at 80 and 40 years of Superman the Movie.
Writer Grant Morrison also talks about Klaus and the Crying Snowman, and of course features in the magazine’s celebration of DC Thomson’s SF title Starblazer, written by our very own Colin Noble. Grant was an early contributor to the long-running title that’s sadly ni longer published but 40 years on since its launch, is still fondly remembered.
Clearly in celebratory mood, ComicScene’s features also include “40 years of Star Lord” and “40 Years of Star Wars Weekly” (the latter written by Fantha Tracks contributor Mark Newbold), a run down of the best Christmas comics – and former Roy of the Rovers editor and book author Barrie Tomlinson brings you his ‘Perfect Annual’.
But there’s much more over 64 full colour pages! John McShane investigates the (Old) Fake News that led to curbs on comics in the 1950s, comics editor and writer John Freeman talks about the future of comics in 2019 is discussed,Fred McNamara talks to the team from digital comics distributor Comichaus, plus there’s material on Aquaman, Spider-Man, Stan Lee, Fight Club, Ian Wheeler looks at the launch of Doctor Who‘s Thirteenth Doctor in comics, Thunderbolt, The Rivers of London, Marvel UK’s Death’s Head, Whakoman, the Comic Price Guide, Alex Thomas looks at the Top 25 Small Press and Indie Comics of 2018… and 2000AD‘s Pat Mills reveals how to get work in comics today.
“ComicScene UK are very excited to be able to promote new, classic, indie, small press and all aspects of comic culture on newsstands across the UK, enthuses publisher Tony Foster. “We are starting afresh as we become accessible to potential new readers beyond subscribers and comic shops, so it is a good jumping on point for everyone.
“We never expected to be on the shelves of WHSmith or in comic shops less than a year after launch,” he continues. “The response to the magazine has been fantastic. We now have an opportunity to shout out loud what’s available for creators and comic publishers beyond our fan base.
“Hopefully the magazine will help pick up more casual readers and drive footfall into specialist shops, comic conventions and events, too,” says Tony.
“We hope all comic fans, comic shops and advertisers will continue to get behind the magazine and help ensure it has a successful future.”
• ComicScene Volume 2 Issue 0 is on sale from Saturday 22nd December 2018 price £5.99 and is an ideal jumping on point for all readers | Click here for a full list of stockist across the UK and Ireland
• Comic Scene Issue 1 is out 20th February 2019 and monthly thereafter
• Why not subscribe to ComicScene? There are some fantastic subscription offers at www.comicscene.tictail.com A six month subscription costs £5.83 a copy | 12 month subscription £5.50 a copy | 12 month digital subscription £2.50 a copy


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Publisher-built digital advertising platform Ozone has launched a carbon emission measurement tool to calculate the carbon footprint of campaigns.
As part of the business’ fifth birthday celebrations and its plan for carbon net zero campaign delivery by 2030, ECOzone will calculate the carbon footprint of campaigns delivered through the platform’s managed service capability.
“We’re excited to launch ECOzone to provide a more granular, robust and transparent view of the carbon footprint of Ozone’s managed service campaigns,” said Dora Michail-Clendinnen, Chief Strategy Officer at Ozone. “We have deliberately focused on the element of campaign delivery that we have direct control over, to provide advertisers with the reassurance that campaign delivery is as carbon efficient as possible across the premium web.”
ECOzone works using emissions data collected from Ozone’s cloud partners. A weekly average figure based on the amount of CO2 used to deliver publisher impressions to advertisers is calculated from a dataset verified by independent environmental consultancy Green Element. Each campaign is then factored by this amount to provide a bespoke CO2 measurement for that activity.
The metrics will be included in every managed service post-campaign analysis delivered by Ozone, with a staggered rollout across Q3 2023.
“Creating a more sustainable advertising ecosystem has always been core to Ozone’s existence, and we have long believed that working more directly with publishers or publisher-owned platforms like our own is key to that,” added Michail-Clendinnen. “We are proud to offer advertisers and agencies a more direct way to reach audiences – responsibly and sustainably – across the premium web, and we believe ECOzone represents a great first step towards a transparent and real-world measure that works for both conscious brands and premium publishers.”


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Tokyo, May 2, 2016 – NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO., LTD. (President and Representative Director, CEO: Koki Ando) is pleased to announce that NISSIN FOODS Groups’ market-leading brand, “Cup Noodles,” has now reached over 40 billion units consumed worldwide since it launched.
Like Chicken Ramen, Cup Noodles, also invented by Momofuku Ando in 1971 in Japan, has grown to become a symbolic global brand from Japan, sold in over 80 countries throughout the U.S.A., Latin America, China, Southeast Asia and Europe. As the result, the NISSIN FOODS Group is the world’s No.1 cup-type instant noodles seller*. On March 2016, the year of its 45th anniversary, Cup Noodles achieved the landmark 40 billion units consumed worldwide.
Aiming to become a beloved, hundred-year-old company, the NISSIN FOODS Group will continue to create great products for people all over the world.
* Source Euromonitor International Limited; 2016 Packaged Food edition, retail sales values as per instant noodle cups category, all retail channels, 2015


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Google Play has updated its service for self-published authors and is now insisting that all authors and publishers must have a direct account with Google.
Many indie authors have published on Google Play by using ebook distributors such as Draft2digital and the new policy has caused problems with using the third-party distribution route.
Google Play has told Draft2Digital that it can continue to manage direct accounts on behalf of authors but D2D says the time-consuming process this would require means it is temporarily suspending all new title distribution to Google while it investigates and discusses solutions to Google’s requirement.
D2D reveals that it has 60,000 clients and says distribution to Google Play would take up more of its resources and would also prevent it from offering authors its full suite of services on the Google Play platform.
The firm is urging authors to email email@example.com to request that D2D should be made an exception to this policy.
However, another ebook distributor — PublishDrive — says after making some logistical adjustments it has distribution to Google Play up and running.
PublishDrive says that to remain compliant with Google’s updated policies it has made some changes and that some preliminary tasks now need to be completed by users:
- Fill out a form in the PublishDrive dashboard to be invited to the Google Play Books Program.
- Once you receive an invitation from Google, sign up for a Google Play account.
- Assign PublishDrive as the Service Provider for the account.
The company points out that these tasks may have a lead time of weeks.
It seems to me that it’s rather pointless to actually assign a distributor once you’ve signed up direct with Google Play but I suppose it can be handy to have all your accounts in one basket.
Google Play has never been easily accessible for indie authors and actually ‘temporarily’ suspended new publisher accounts in 2015 so the only route for indies was through ebook distributors. This latest move is puzzling but Google Play has such a small share of the ebook market (estimated to be the smallest player with around 1%) that it probably won’t affect many authors a great deal, although some indie writers say they have had decent sales through the platform.


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Norton AntiVirus rewarded for perfection
Customers of Norton AntiVirus will be pleased to hear that the product was one of only three to receive a perfect score when tested by Virus Bulletin for virus detection.
Corporate and personal computer users can rest assured that the fight against viruses is in reliable hands with three products receiving a VB 100% award from Virus Bulletin.
One such product out of the 18 reviewed, Norton AntiVirus 2000, received the award for the tenth time. The VB 100% award is given to products that detect 100% of all ‘In the Wild’ viruses, as tracked by the WildList Organisation, during extensive Virus Bulletin testing.
“Receiving a 10th VB 100% award secures Norton AntiVirus’ position as an industry leader in providing the most powerful and reliable anti-virus solutions available today,” said Ron Moritz, chief technical officer, Symantec Corporation, who own Norton AntiVirus.
“As the virus threat is continually changing, it is more impotant than ever to be protected from these malicious attacks.”


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Volkswagen Design Employee Claims Atlas Styling Boring, Old, Domestic
There’s no doubt Volkswagen needs its new midsize Atlas to be a home run (or, at least, a ground rule double) to keep its American dealers appeased following the now-year-long diesel emissions scandal. Even before the scandal, Volkswagen USA could neither create a product mix befitting American sensibilities nor price its ill-marketed product at price points palatable to the American public.
Yet, Atlas — Volkswagen’s crossover slotting between the compact Tiguan and upmarket Touareg — wears sheetmetal penned by Ativan-popping designers, and one of Volkswagen’s design employees agrees.
The 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport Offers Poised Belligerence
The already handsome Genesis G80 will enter the 2018 model year with a meaner-looking, performance-oriented twin-turbo option for upscale sedan buyers to enjoy. It’s just the right amount of attitude for everyday aggression.
2017 Kia Soul Turbo - Boosting the Box
Korea’s second largest automaker knows that the Soul is getting a little long in the tooth. So, to hold the public’s interest, they’ve subtly revamped the styling and added an optional turbocharged engine that makes the previous offerings seem paltry.
Jaguar I-Pace Concept: Electric Cat to Slink Onto Roads in 2018
Jaguar has pulled the wraps off its I-Pace Concept SUV ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show, but this prototype isn’t just a one-off piece of vaporware, never to be seen again.
The automaker’s first electric vehicle is a go, and is expected to hit the road in 2018 to challenge Tesla’s Model X in the fledgling premium electric SUV segment.
Alfa Romeo SUV Will Arrive in America With Baggage
Honda Civic Si Gets New Motor for LA Debut
To say that details on the next-generation Honda Civic Si have been limited would be a massive understatement. Honda fanboys — and even normal people — have been hungry for even the barest scraps of information.
Well, we finally have a scrap. The Los Angeles Auto Show recently let loose in a press release that Honda will introduce the tenth generation Civic Si at their expo in November. They also ended some of the speculation on what type of engine we can expect.
Los Angeles Fakers: TTAC Heads To L.A. So Here's Your Auto Show Primer
Like Randy Newman, automakers love Los Angeles this week as the industry descends on Southern California for two days (really, one-and-a-half days) to showcase their latest and greatest.
Automakers are lining up to show off their wares Wednesday (Cadillac is a lone exception for Thursday) so we’ll reuse our tuxes without dry cleaning for two days, we guess. We’re animals.
We’ll be on the floor live Wednesday to cover everything we can, but in the meantime, here’s a primer to whet your appetites for the show.
Shifting Becomes Variable For 2015 Subaru WRX
While those who opt for the upcoming 2015 Subaru WRX STi can still row their own, those who prefer to let the transmission do the work may (or may not) be disappointed to find a CVT in their new WRX.
VW Plays a Round of E-Golf Before LA Auto Show
Much like the Kia Soul EV, Volkswagen has added a compliance-only EV to their lineup and dressed it up to resemble her diesel brothers and gasoline sisters. Behold the 2015 e-Golf, set to make its official debut at the LA Auto Show next week.
Volkswagen up! With Hybrids in LA, Tokyo
For anyone who admires the Volkswagen XL1 attributes but desires a less Teutonic, more cute vehicle, the fun will be doubled when the Twin up! debuts at both the LA and Tokyo auto shows later this month.
2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe to Debut at LA Auto Show
For those of us who love the Jaguar’s F-Type’s zazz but would prefer to keep the wind out of our hair (along with the rain, sleet and snow) on a more permanent basis, Jaguar now has an option for you.
Smart Is Winging It In LA
Smart asked fashion designer Jeremy Scott to come up with a special version of the smart fortwo electric car. Much to the horror of Daimler engineers who were used to fashion designers submitting patches of interior materials and color schemes, Jeremy Scott did put his trademark on the car: Wings, sprouting on both sides, and likely wreaking havoc with the CW coefficient.
Porsche Brings New Small Sports Car To LA
At the auto show in Los Angeles, next to Stuttgart basically home turf for Porsche, the company will have a small surprise for a big country: Porsche will unveil a “new compact sports car” at the show. Mum’s the word.
LA Auto Show: The Undercovered Bits
You’ve no doubt read Alex’s coverage of the Cadillac XTS, Mazda CX-5 and others on TTAC all day, but there’s a lot that goes on at auto shows besides just new car introductions. I’m here to fill in the gaps.


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Mom's the word for Labor Day rush at mallsBusiness | Kate Lin 3 May 2016
Labor Day weekend sales at malls of Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016) were better than last year, as many people started shopping early for Mother's Day on Sunday.
SHKP's nine primary malls including Landmark North, Mikiki and East Point City recorded a cumulative 6 percent rise in tenant sales to HK$180 million compared with last year.
Excluding Park Central, which is under renovations, turnover at shops in the eight malls rose 7 percent from a year earlier.
Fiona Chung Sau-lin, general manager of SHKP's leasing department, noted the festive atmosphere drives sales in restaurants in the period leading up to Mother's Day. Warm weather also boosted sales of clothing and apparel retailers.
The malls saw more local and mainland visitors during the three-day holiday, also known as Golden Week, she added.
Meanwhile, a slump in luxury spending has compelled many local malls to open pop-up stores as they adapt to changes in the consumption pattern.
Landmark North, a mall near Lo Wu port, has opened eight short-term outlets to provide more options to shoppers. Chung said earlier that some potential tenants even have to queue to move their shops into the Sheung Shui mall. Tenants are mainly cosmetics brands, fashion and jewelry retailers. The mall also holds promotional campaigns to attract customers.
Another SHKP mall apm said that about six pop-up stores will be launched for the first time. The shops, sized between 100 and 300 square feet, will be leased for less than six months.
Meanwhile, high-end shopping mall Pacific Place, owned by Swire Properties (1972), has also adopted the short-term leasing tactic.


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SEMA 2013: Manny Galvan’s 1,000 horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 Widebody
If there was a competition to see what Ford Mustang made the most horsepower at SEMA, Manny Galvan’s 2013 Shelby GT500 would easily come in first place by a significant margin. The stock supercharger has been removed from the 5.8L V8, and in its place a Kenne Bell 3.6L liquid-cooled twin-screw good for 906 horsepower and 889 lb-ft torque at the rear wheels. That’s well over 1,000 horsepower at the flywheel.
Galvan’s GT500 has plenty of other cool goodies as well, including a Shelby widebody kit, numerous carbon fiber body components from Seibon and a set of black HRE 590RS wheels to give it a sinister look. A roll cage has been installed in the interior, as well as a full suede headliner, piano black trim pieces and a full JL audio system to go along with the stock Recaro seats.
You can get a closer look at Galvan’s 1000 horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 Widebody in our photo gallery below.
Photos © 2013 MustangsDaily.com
- SEMA 2012: 2013 Ford Mustang Build Powered by Women
- SEMA Preview: MagnaCharger to debut new supercharger system for the 2011 Mustang
- SEMA 2013: Creations n' Chrome debuts Top Notch Mustang v2.0
- Ford Racing officially announces TracKey is 50-state legal, available starting today
- SEMA 2014: Mountune 2015 Ford Mustang 'MRX450'
- SEMA 2013: Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords' Hypersilver Mustang
- Ford Mustang named hottest car for 2012 SEMA show
- SEMA 2010: Raceskinz 2011 Mustang GT
- SEMA 2010: Galpin Auto Sports builds a one-off convertible hardtop 2011 Mustang
- SEMA 2012: Johnny Sparks returns with revised "Reversion" Mustang


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An Oct. 2013 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report by researcher John Anderson notes, “The rise of virtual and new retail banking and the growth of Fringe Financial Institutions in Canada show that the traditional financial banking sector is not meeting all the needs of Canadians. Millions of Canadians have opened accounts in or are using the services of these new institutions; but, although they operate in a similar fashion to traditional banks, they tend to be concentrated in urban areas and are not available in many parts of the country.” Nearly two million Canadians a year use payday-lending services.
Additionally, the report highlights, “In Northern and rural Canada, on Aboriginal reserves, and in the three Northern territories, there have always been fewer banks and credit unions than are needed.” In fact, thousands of small communities do not have a bank. And the report notes, “Some 3% to 8% of Canadians [about a million people] do not have a bank account.”
As such, the report argues, “A new Canada-wide financial institution could offer products and services that challenge the existing patterns. The ability to offer competition for existing fees would be helped by the fact that banking services would be delivered through existing premises and staff. Use of the e-post system, as well as existing Canada Post delivery services, could help keep costs low. Clearly, offering postal financial services would allow the millions of Canadians without local bank branches or easy access to banking the access they need.”
Canada Post already provides some financial services such as postal money orders, domestic and international money transfers, bill payment and financial transaction and payment notices, and prepaid Visa cards. The new services it could offer would include access by all bank and credit union customers to their accounts to deposit or withdraw cash, savings accounts and low-fee chequing accounts, low-interest credit cards; and prepaid debit cards. It could also eventually include mortgages, small-business loans and agricultural loans, insurance products, mutual funds and stocks, and special new products for low-income and Aboriginal peoples.
Postal banking operations exist around the world, including in Japan, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand. And, as the CCPA report points out, “Postal banking is not something new to Canada. For over 100 years after Confederation, Canada had a postal savings system.” And CUPW notes, “Our post office used to have a national saving bank up until 1968 – and there is no reason we shouldn’t have one today.”
CUPW says, “Canada needs a postal bank. Thousands of rural towns and villages in our country do not have a bank, but many of them have a post office that could provide financial services. As well, nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Send your MP a message in support of postal banking.”
To tell your Member of Parliament to support postal banking, please click here. When you do so, you will send a message that calls on Judy M. Foote, the Minister Responsible for Canada Post, to establish a task force to determine how to deliver new financial and banking services through our public postal service.
The Council of Canadians is also supporting a new campaign by The Leap Manifesto/This Changes Everything, Friends of Public Services and CUPW on this issue. More on that soon!
Barlow condemns Canada Post cuts (Dec. 11, 2013)
Postal workers ask why Canada Post not protected in CETA (Feb. 6, 2012)


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Vodafone Germany suffers insider hack, two million customers hit
The European mobile giant said personal details of more than two million of its German customer base have been stolen by a hacker.
Twitter (finally) files to float on the stock exchange
After many months of rumors (and years in the making), Twitter files confidential paperwork to float publicly on the stock exchange. The microblogging site announced the move in a single tweet, no less.
Read more: It's official: Twitter has filed an IPO
Dell shareholders vote to take the PC maker private for $24.9B
Dell shareholders have voted to take the company off the stock market for $24.9 billion — a modest increase in price from the initial pitch — in one of the largest privatization deals in modern technology history.
Related: Dell, Silver Lake raise offer to $24.9B, reach last minute deal | Icahn: I'm done with Dell; Michael can have it | Dell committee rejects Icahn's bid as 'inconsistent' | Worldwide PC shipments expected to plunge by 10 percent


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Shot to cost fan $22K in taxes
With a half-court hook shot, Michael Drysch has gone from an average computer technician in the Midwest to a viral Internet sensation.
The 50-year-old from McHenry, Ill., swished a shot Friday night at the Miami Heat game as part of a promotion with lip balm brand Carmex and the LeBron James Family Foundation. He won $75,000 for himself and the Boys & Girls Club of America.
Drysch got tackled by James after the shot went in, but the government also will tackle his $75,000 prize.
Read full story


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Travel Industry Reacts to England Reopening for Fully Vaccinated Tourists From US, EU
The United Kingdom’s transport minister announced Wednesday that fully vaccinated visitors from the European Union and United States would be allowed to skip COVID-related quarantine when visiting England.
According to Reuters.com, Transport Minister Grant Shapps revealed that travelers who received a full vaccination from an approved brand would no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival in England, starting on August 2.
Shapps said the reopening of England to international tourists would likely be followed by the rest of the United Kingdom welcoming travelers in the coming weeks, which would be another huge boost for the airlines and travel companies impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Travel & Tourism sector – and the UK economy – will get a huge boost following news that fully-vaccinated US and EU visitors will at last be able to travel quarantine-free to England,” WTTC Acting CEO Virginia Messina said.
“The cruise industry will breathe a sigh of relief that the crucial relaunch of international cruise departures from England has been given the green light, giving hope to a sector which has struggled to stay afloat,” Messina continued.
While quarantine restrictions have been lifted, travelers from the EU and U.S. will still need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before departure and soon after arrival in England.
Reports surfaced earlier this week that the U.S. will not lift any existing travel restrictions in the foreseeable future due to concerns regarding the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant.
“British government leaders have made a wise decision in reopening England to vaccinated travelers from the United States,” U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes said.
“It’s time for U.S. leaders to do the same and set a timeline to reopen our national borders—and we encourage them to start with vaccinated travelers from the U.K., E.U. and Canada,” Barnes continued. “The reality is there’s no difference between a vaccinated American and those vaccinated in the U.K., the E.U. and Canada.”
Despite the White House not reopening to international arrivals, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday he is discussing a travel corridor with the U.S., which would mean the restart of non-essential transatlantic tourism.
“Following news that fully vaccinated EU and US citizens arriving into the UK will no longer be required to self-isolate, we stand ready to work with Government to ensure new rules are smoothly implemented at pace, supporting the reopening of the Transatlantic corridor,” Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said.
“Recent proof-of-concept trial between Virgin Atlantic, Heathrow and British Airways has demonstrated our readiness to rapidly operationalize an expanded Amber policy, with 99% of customers’ vaccine credentials authenticated at the point of departure,” Weiss continued.


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1 year ago
- Pangaia and Filippa K are the latest to unveil collaborations with circular textile innovators — fueling progress toward closing the loop on fabric waste.
4 years ago
- Prada's new Nat Geo series highlights its Re-Nylon line; while the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Jeans Redesign Guidelines aim to ensure jeans are made better for the environment and the health of garment workers.
6 years ago
- 2017 was a big year for the circular economy, with innovative new products, initiatives and tech tools popping up almost daily, and making it easier than every for corporates and consumers alike to engage in circularity.
An initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, The Circulars are awarded to individuals, companies (from startups to multinationals) and public and social organizations in recognition for their contributions to the circular economy. This year, 43 innovators have been nominated for pushing the circular agenda forward and paving the way for others in their field.


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Is Sharing Really Caring? The Debate Heats Up in Transatlantic Cities
The sharing economy is coming under strict scrutiny from cities, states, and countries in both the United States and Europe as platforms like Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft gain in both popularity and economic importance. Cities by their nature are sharing spaces. Urbanites share limited space with lots of people, must address challenges head on at a community level, and live with tolerance and empathy for other cultures. But what cities are struggling with now is the intensification and commodification of sharing brought on by market shifts. The existing set of rules and regulations are not yet equipped to manage this new reality, and cities are struggling with how to adapt. As the sharing economy becomes more mainstream governments and companies must work together and share the responsibility of creating safe, equitable, and efficient policies for consumers. So far, they are not playing nice with each other, and it is getting ugly. Uber has pulled out of San Antonio and Austin, Texas in the United States in recent months after years of combat with city halls. Airbnb is virtually banned in the city of Berlin, Germany, and the company fears the ruling will go country-wide soon.
When it comes to what lies ahead for the sharing economy, there are a few things that are mostly certain. The first is that it is not going away. The innovative platforms create competitiveness in extremely rigid and at times monopolistic markets. Millennials comprise 40 percent of the sharing economy’s consumers, and most of this group favors the sharing economy according to a recent study. Additionally, city legislation that is aimed at banning companies like Uber or Airbnb could likely create sharing black markets that create illicit flows of activities much more onerous than renting out a pool house to a college student for the weekend. Cities should weigh these unforeseen externalities with the negatives of the sharing economy that are already apparent. Rather, cities should use these recent cleavages with sharing companies as opportunities to adjust rules and regulations to ensure safety, reliability and equity in the new digital reality. This might be tricky for city halls.
Secondly, market forces led by growing demand in sharing will most likely win out over city halls in the end, and some form of compromise will have to be reached between these reticent cities and sharing companies as they grow in popularity. Instead of creating fortresses out of cities for sharing companies, cities should work with sharing platforms to create better policies and frameworks. When Uber was starting up in Poland, the municipality of Warsaw worked with the national government to update their regulatory structures to the digital marketplace. “The transportation laws [in Poland] were written back in the day when we did not even have the internet, so we had to come up with ways that our product was safe and great for the customers,” said Kacper Winiarczyk, general manager for Uber Poland. Albeit slow and sometimes not so steady, many public officials in key European cities like Warsaw and Amsterdam have begun to reexamine their administrative processes, considering the needs of young startups as they begin to bring products to market and create jobs. This will be tricky for city halls.
These embattled sharing companies are not infallible just because sharing is here to stay. As the debate moves forward, city halls have indeed been raising important questions around the safety and equity of their citizens, questions that sharing platforms have not given enough thought about in many instances. Without a doubt, Airbnb is wishing to be the victors of a landmark case as they prepare to sue the city of New York and Mayor Bill de Blasio after a slew of new restrictions and regulations for the company were signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In many meaningful ways, both sides are in the right for different reasons. Without the sharing economy, gaps will be left in many people’s incomes as the ability to use their houses and cars on platforms disappear, and at the same time, consumers will have to pay more for services from traditional businesses like hotels and car services, leaving them with less disposable income. Income volatility is a major concern for the United States and the European Union since the crash of 2008 and 2009, and sharing can at least provide some relief for many sharers using their equity, either a car or a house, as cash flow. The other concern is that special interests like the very powerful hotel lobby in major cities are influencing policy and skewing markets in their favors. “In typical fashion, Albany back-room dealing rewarded a special interest — the price-gouging hotel industry — and ignored the voices of tens of thousands of New Yorkers. A majority of New Yorkers have embraced home sharing, and we will continue to fight for a smart policy solution that works for the people, not the powerful,” Airbnb’s head of New York public policy Josh Meltzer said in an incendiary statement in response to the most recent ruling. This is what sharing companies get right about the scenario.
Without rules, proper taxation, and oversight from city governments on markets, sharing platforms are taking away tax revenues from city governments for services people rely upon in their daily lives. Ever wonder what surcharges are for when you get into a taxi? In many cities, some those charges go to public infrastructure projects for roads, bridges, and transport systems that keep cities moving. In New York, there is a 50-cent Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) State surcharge for all trips that end in New York City or Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties. Uber has continuously fought paying into this system, claiming that they are a platform service and not a transportation company. The city is adamant that Uber and Lyft begin to pay this surcharge, and their platforms operate on the same plane as city taxis, making them part of the overall New York City transportation system and marketplace. This is what city governments get right about the scenario.
Whatever the resolution, both sides will have to learn to play nicer in the coming years, and both sides will have to innovate to find suitable outcomes. City halls will likely begin to adopt policies more conducive to a 21st century economy. People will go where they have opportunities, and if platforms are unavailable in certain places, cities may begin to experience sharing brain drains as citizens wanting or needing to share move to the suburbs or other more sharing-friendly metropolitan areas. Additionally, sharing companies will most likely begin to realize that too much animosity towards governments has its own set of challenges. Apple’s recent fine from the European Union is case-in-point. In the end, cities and companies must share the responsibility.
Photo credit: Raysonho
The views expressed in GMF publications and commentary are the views of the author alone.


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While we're waiting for Sony to announce a cheaper, slimmer PS3 during a press conference later today, K-Mart has this announcement on their front page...now. It looks like we get a new model and price drops on old PS3s. [Kotaku]
K-Mart Confirms PS3 Slim Rumours With Some Subtlety
Trending Stories Right Now
Google has never really had a great strategy for podcasts, leaving Android users to hunt for third-party apps to manage their subscriptions and play new episodes. (Apple's standalone Podcasts app isn't very good either, but at least it exists.) Now, it looks like the search giant finally has some semblance of a solution that should make it easier to listen to podcasts across your Google and Android devices.
The Chromecast - that's a dongle for getting movies and shows and maybe a bit of music up on your big screen, right? Well, yes, but there's much more you can do with your Chromecast. All kinds of apps and games can benefit from the extra screen space - not just Plex and Netflix.


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- Red tourism refers to visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy
- This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China
- During the May Day holiday, online searches for “red tourism” surged about sevenfold
According to a report recently released by online travel booking platform Ctrip and Xinhua Finance, “red tourism” stands out amid the robust recovery of the domestic tourism market following the effective containment of the COVID-19 epidemic in China.
Red tourism, which refers to visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy, has become the top choice of many Chinese tourists this year.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
During the just-concluded May Day holiday, online searches for “red tourism” surged about sevenfold from last month and red tourism orders placed on Ctrip rose 375 percent compared with the same period in 2019.
A recent report on red tourism during the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday in early April and the May Day holiday indicated a general trend of an increasing number of younger individuals among the tourists.
Over 89 percent of the tourists visiting revolutionary sites were aged under 40, with those born in the 1990s and 2000s accounting for more than 40 percent of the total, while those born in the 1980s accounted for over 30 percent.
Before the visitors were mostly elderly people and from the locality, but that picture has gradually shifted to include different age groups, many from different regions.
The rising popularity of red tourism among young people may be partly attributed to the promotion of more creative tourist products, many of which employ new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.


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Just two years after launching its online lottery ticket program, the Pennsylvania Online Lotto has set a new record, and now paces the American “iLotto” market with more than $1 billion in sales to date.
In a press release issued by Scientific Games – the backend technology provider that the Pennsylvania Lottery partnered with in May of 2018 – the Keystone State’s iLotto launch is “the most commercially successful iLottery online/mobile launch in North America to date.”
The press release also included the following comments from Pennsylvania Lottery executive director Drew Svitko, who celebrated iLotto’s historic ascent over the last two years:
Our goal in offering our players the option for online / mobile play in May 2018 was simply to meet players where they are, which is online, and it has ben exceptionally well-received.
“Our goal in offering our players the option for online/mobile play in May 2018 was simply to meet players where they are, which is online, and it has been exceptionally well-received.
During this unprecedented time, we are reminding Lottery players that they have the option to take advantage of playing PA Lottery online games at pailottery.com. This is the only place where PA Lottery players can buy their Powerball® and Mega Millions® tickets without having to leave their homes.
This is also another way people can support older Pennsylvanians during this challenging time.”
Instant Games Help to Fuel Pennsylvania iLotto’s Meteoric Rise
Of the 46 states where lottery tickets are sold legally, only 13 allow traditional draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions to be purchased over the internet.
But in enacting a gambling expansion law passed in 2017, the Pennsylvania Lottery became just the seventh in America to offer “instant” games which can be played at a player’s leisure a la scratch-off cards.
Back in August of 2018, a coalition of brick and mortar casinos in the state filed a lawsuit against the Lottery. Per that lawsuit, which never gained traction in the courts, the casinos claimed that several instant iLotto offerings closely resembled slot machines and other games covered by exclusivity compacts.
According to the casinos, instant iLotto games like Volcano Eruption Reveal, Robin Hood, Super Gems, Big Foot, and Monster Wins – available to 18-year old players despite the state’s casino gambling age of 21 – aren’t legal under Pennsylvania law.
In the statement, Pat McHugh – who serves as group chief executive of lottery for Scientific Games – pointed to instant games as a primary driver of Pennsylvania iLotto’s growth:
“Many states will look to Pennsylvania’s program to modernize lottery products online and at retail.
Pennsylvania has effectively managed high-performing retail and digital instant games creating benefits for players, retailers and the Commonwealth’s programs supporting older Pennsylvanians.”
Coronavirus Quarantine Drives Players to Explore iLotto Options
Per the Lottery’s press release, reaching the $1 billion plateau in two years is far from the peak for iLotto – which Scientific Games expects to generate $1 billion in sales annually going forward.
One reason for the program’s popularity of late is the ongoing coronavirus crisis, which has left many longtime lotto players in search of outlets that don’t require point of sales contact.
The Lottery and Scientific Games confirmed that, when compared to the weeks before coronavirus quarantines became the norm, iLotto has experienced an 80 percent spike in sales and revenue. The rate of first-time players purchasing draw tickets or instant games has increased by 200 percent compared to the pre-coronavirus era.
The Lottery also set a new single-day record with $4.2 million in iLotto sales, while averaging $3 million per day as the coronavirus outbreak gripped the East Coast.
According to McHugh, the presence of an iLotto program allowed Pennsylvania to weather the proverbial storm by catering to players who preferred to stay home:
“What’s encouraging to states looking to launch online/mobile lottery sales is that when the COVID crisis happened, Pennsylvania had a partnership and program in place to protect vital funding – including effective management of the combined retail and digital game portfolio, an iLottery platform and services to attract and retain players, integrated to support retailers while continuing the strategic management of traditional lottery products sold in stores.”


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A new case report details how a teenage girl had to undergo emergency surgery after she swallowed pieces of a broken fidget spinner.
Tag Archives: Fidget Spinners
A case report highlights two incidents where children swallowed batteries from fidget spinners and suffered internal injuries, raising questions as to whether the popular toys should have stronger label warnings.
Some fidget spinners sold at Target tested positive for extremely high levels of lead, but the retailer refuses to recall them, claiming fidget spinners are not toys for young children.
The CPSC is warning that fidget spinners can sometimes present a choking hazard to small children, and some battery-powered units have been linked to fires.
More Top Stories
A Wegovy gastroparesis lawsuit blames the weight loss drug for a stomach paralysis problems which left a woman with permanent injuries.
The new federal judge overseeing all talcum powder lawsuits has called for a Science Day to educate the court ahead of planned Daubert hearings which could decide if bellwether test trials can move forward.
Plaintiffs filing Tepezza hearing loss lawsuits claim Horizon Therapeutics, the manufacturer, knew for years that the thyroid eye disease was linked to widespread reports of hearing problems.


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SPRINGFIELD,Mass. (WWLP)- It’s expected that this Thursday marijuana will be legal for recreational use in Massachusetts, but it comes with a lot of questions.
If all goes according to plan, the Secretary of State’s office will have results of the ballot question ready for the Governor’s Council Certification Wednesday. So starting Thursday, December 15th it will be legal for adults 21 or older to possess an ounce of marijuana outside the home and up to ten ounces inside the home. They can also grow up to 12 pot plants per household.
You will be able to gift up to one ounce of marijuana to someone else, but you can NOT sell it. It will take at least a year until you can purchase marijuana from pot shops that are licensed and regulated. A Cannabis Control Commission must first be established. Medical marijuana patients will still be able to get weed from designated dispensaries.
Teresa Williams, of Springfield said, “They are going to make a killing. The state going to make good money. There is a lot of money in marijuana.”
The initial proposal read that retail marijuana would be subject to the states 6.25 sales tax, a 3.75 excise tax, and cities and towns can add up to a 2 percent tax. State lawmakers are the estimated 12% tax total when compared to other states where tax rates are 25% and above.
“I think it’s no worse then alcohol honestly and I think if the state has a chance to make money off of it I think it’s a good thing. I don’t see a problem with it honestly,” Danielle Hines, of Chicopee said.
The penalties for impaired driving remain in place as it is currently for alcohol and other drugs.
Marijuana is still illegal under the federal law, so the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration can still enforce it.


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Diageo ‘not walking away’ from Masters of WhiskyBy Annie Hayes
Diageo is “not walking away” from its ambassador programme, and is “simply revising [its] approach” by launching a new on-premise education resource, according to Reserve brands president Stephen Rust.
Following recent reports that Diageo is planning to discontinue its long-running Masters of Whisky education and mentoring scheme in the US at the end of September, Rust has released a statement outlining the future of the firm’s ambassador programme.
By partnering with Enthuse – the agency tasked with creating a new on-premise education programme – Rust says Diageo intends to “provide a more customised and beneficial resource” that will “drive accounts’ business needs, create additional resources and increase awareness of products”.
In the statement, Rust confirms that Diageo will meet with brand ambassadors to “provide greater clarity” on the new approach, which he says will help ensure the firm is “setting brands up for success” in the future.
The full statement reads as follows:
“In light of recent reports around Diageo’s revised approach to its Reserve brands in the on-premise and our ambassador program, I wanted to reach out to provide clarity about the recent changes.
“The ambassador programme, including the Masters of Whisk(e)y and Tequila ambassadors, is near and dear to many of Diageo’s former and current employees, including myself. It has allowed us to reach countless consumers, media and members of the trade, and has elevated brands across all categories. It has also laid a foundation of education unparalleled in our industry and that is a direct result of all the passion from those involved throughout the years.
“Through our partnership with Enthuse, we are not walking away from this programme. We’re simply revising our approach to ensure we’re meeting the needs of on-premise accounts and other key stakeholders. We’ll do this by working with a team of experienced men and women with deep category expertise and a continued focus on mentorship and education.
“As the future of the industry changes, we must adapt to ensure we’re setting our portfolio of brands up for success. We feel confident this new approach will allow us to increase our coverage in accounts, creating customised business solutions and providing additional resources in the on-premise.
“We are not moving away from education. This new structure will allow us to provide a more customised and beneficial resource that will drive accounts’ business needs, create additional resources for them to utilise and increase awareness of and knowledge base around our products.
“As we continue to support our distilleries and the incredible people who create our spirits, we look forward to working with Enthuse and their team of National Educators and Reserve Account Experts to help on-premise accounts utilise our brands and build their business. In partnership with Enthuse, we will meet with all current ambassadors in the next week to provide greater clarity on this new model as we hope many of them join us in this new journey.
“If anyone has questions or would like additional details on this revised approach, please don’t hesitate to let me know.


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The minimum cost of the PlayStation 5 console can be $ 470. This information was disclosed to Bloomberg by sources close to the production chain.
Insiders said that the cost of the new Sony console will be about $ 450. According to them, in order for the PlayStation 5 to be profitable, the device needs to be sold for at least $ 470, or almost 30 thousand rubles. The cost of the PlayStation 4 released in 2013 was $ 381, the console was sold for $ 399.
Damian Thong, a Macquarie Capital analyst, said it would be difficult for Sony to explain to consumers the pricing of the new set-top box, as they rely on the cost of the console at the PlayStation 4 or 4 Pro level. Companies will have to focus on the cost of the Xbox Series X, so in theory, Sony could reduce the price of the PlayStation and sell the device at a loss. According to sources, the Japanese corporation expects Microsoft to announce the price of its new set-top box.
The agency noted that manufacturers of consoles often sell gadgets with minimal margins or go at a loss, providing a profit by selling games and subscribing to services. According to experts, the additional income Sony can provide sales of old games that will support the PlayStation 5.
Sources familiar with the production of the set-top box said that Sony is having problems acquiring DRAM and NAND memory. Unstable equipment supplies are explained by the fact that these memory formats are in high demand among smartphone manufacturers. The company has not yet decided how many PlayStation 5 units will be released before the end of 2020.
On December 13, Microsoft unveiled its next-generation console. The Xbox Series X, which will receive a processor based on AMD Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA, GDDR6 video memory and support for 8K games, is due out in late 2020. Game reporters expect Microsoft to introduce two models – a flagship and more affordable console designed for cloud gaming.


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(This story has been updated to include pricing information on the new Corvette Stingray.)
“It’s the stuff dreams are made of,” or so the fictional detective Sam Spade might have said, had he been a fan of the Chevrolet Corvette.
For more than 50 years, Chevy has been tinkering with the idea of creating a mid-engine ‘Vette, all the way back to the days of Zora Arkus-Duntov, the man often referred to as the “father” of “America’s sports car.” But, despite working out plans on paper, and even creating a number of prototypes, the concept has never come to fruition. Not until now, however. But with the C8, the mid-engine Corvette is finally set to become a reality.
The car that was revealed during a Standing Room Only event near Los Angeles on Thursday night, is, if anything, just the first step in a roll-out that will be staggered over the coming years. Chevy will start with the launch of the 2020 Corvette Stingray, but plenty of other variants, including familiar upgrades like the Z06 and ZR1 are yet to follow, and sources have told TheDetroitBureau.com that the automaker is even preparing electrified variants that are as dramatic a transformation as the move to a mid-engine layout.
The C8 program very nearly didn’t come to pass. In fact, there was a time, a little more than a decade ago, when it seemed the Corvette, in any form, might vanish.
By the time the new millennium began, it became obvious that some dramatic changes were needed to keep the Corvette competitive. The sports car’s development team convinced Bob Lutz, then the General Motors car czar, to back the shift from front to mid-engine. In turn, he won the approval of former GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner. But then things started to fall apart.
“The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance,” said GM Pres. Reuss.
As the recession hit, GM’s finances began to fall apart and the automaker started to slash product development programs, especially those that didn’t seem critical. Funding for Corvette was halted. It didn’t help. The automaker plunged into Chapter 11, rescued only by a managed bankruptcy process and a massive government bailout.
The shutdown hit during the middle of work on the seventh-generation ‘Vette. “That version almost didn’t happen,” recalled Tom Peters, the chief designer on the seventh-generation sports car. But Peters and much of the rest of the Corvette team refused to give up. Quietly, they kept working on the program in their off hours until GM emerged from Chapter 11 and could free up funding again – something the post-bankruptcy management team came to support once they realized that a Corvette can generate more than $20,000 in profits, even more than the Chevy Silverado pickup.
Ironically, said Tadge Juechter, the chief engineer on both the sports car that came out in 2014 and the new C8, “It was a better car for the delay,” the team having more time – and, eventually, money – to do it right.
But while some had originally hoped the C7 would be the first to go mid-engine, it stuck with the traditional Corvette formula. Major changes would have to wait until the next model, and work began even before the new, 2014 model reached showrooms.
“The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance, necessitating the new layout,” explained GM President Mark Reuss ahead of the C8 unveiling Thursday night. “In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history.”
Visually, there are some familiar cues with the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, like the sculpting of the hood, the taillights, the shape of the doors, that harken back to the C7. But this is a radically different beast. The overall look, with its short nose and long midsection, is likely to trigger comparisons to some of the latest European supercars, such as McLaren.
The new C8 actually grows longer, wider and 366 pounds heavier than the C7, or seventh-generation Corvette. But a driver might not notice, with a hood that almost disappears from view when you’re in the left seat. The seats are now more than 16 inches closer to the front, in fact, since there’s nothing but a small “frunk” in front.
Inside, the Corvette gets a much more driver-oriented layout, with a squared-off steering wheel providing a clear view of the new, reconfigurable instrument cluster. The infotainment system, as well, has been angled towards the driver and provides an array of vehicle performance information, as well as audio and navigation displays. And a number of key controls will line up in a column running along the outer edge of the center console, a layout some might find reminiscent of Porsche.
Buyers, meanwhile, will have the option of three different seating packages, including a Competition Sport package that, Chevy says, uses Napa leather trim and “an all-new durable performance textile inspired by Kevlar vests.”
The heart of the beast is, at least with the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, a new version of Chevrolet’s 6.2-litre Small Block LT2 V-8 engine – the only naturally aspirated eight-banger in the segment, in fact. Engine output is rated at 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, 40 hp and 10 lb-ft more than the outgoing sports car.
The engine is not only more powerful but a treat to look at – so much so that Chevy has put it in clear view, thanks to a 3.2 mm glass cover.
The C8 platform “will last for a long time,” and that means “a lot of variants,” reports veteran journalist Don Sherman.
Among the changes to the LT2 update, there’s a dry sump – the first for a base Corvette – with three scavenge pumps for improved track performance. There’s also a 25% increase in oil cooler capacity.
Notably, this will be the first time since a brief period in 1982 when a Corvette will come to market without a manual gearbox option. The C8 packages an all-new eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. The system will use new algorithms “to sense when you’re doing spirited driving,” according to Chief Engineer Juechter, though paddle shifters will allow manual operation, and a new double-paddle de-clutch feature will allow the driver to decouple the clutch for even greater manual control.
As with the C7, the new Stingray will offer buyers Magnetic Ride Control, which uses a special, magnetically sensitive fluid that allows dampers to be adjusted anywhere from soft to hard in the time it takes to travel two inches at 60 mph. A performance traction management system is also on the option list, but the “base” car features an electronic limited slip differential. And a paired front splitter and open two-piece rear spoiler adds as much as 400 pounds of downforce under aggressive cornering.
Buyers will have the option of all-season Michelin Pilot Sport ALS tires – which Chevy claims can manage nearly 1G cornering – or the Z51 package’s Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Front tires are 245/35ZR19s, with 305/30ZR20s in the rear.
What does all this accomplish? Chevrolet is promising 0 to 60 times of “less than” three seconds, making the C8 both the fastest and most powerful “base” Corvette ever.
But, as with today’s outgoing model, the bowtie brand knows buyers are likely to be asking for more, possible lots more, power. According to Don Sherman, the veteran Detroit auto journalist, who has spent decades tracking the on-off-on progress of the mid-engine Corvette program, the underlying C8 platform “will last for a long time,” and that means “a lot of variants” have been factored into the planning.
For one thing, the initial coupe version of the 2020 Corvette will soon be followed by a convertible.
You also can expect to see some familiar names, like Z06 and ZR1. The latter, currently the ultimate version of the C7 generation, is turning out an impressive 755 horsepower. But in an era when cross-town competitors are nudging that figure with models like the Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat and the Ford Shelby GT500 – and where many extreme machines are pushing into four-figure territory – Chevy seems determined to press well beyond where it is now.
Could a 1,000 horsepower Corvette be in the cards? For one thing, consider this: the new platform has been engineered “to allow a wide variety of powertrains,” a senior member of the program told TheDetroitBureau.com. No, you won’t see a V-12, but electrification is one of the options that the C8 team has reserved for.
“This will get people to give Corvette a new look,” says auto historian Ken Gross.
Precisely what form of battery-drive system? That’s where lips were sealed, but we were told “We would not look stupid” speculating that one likely option would see Corvette go with a mild hybrid system that could add 100 pound-feet or more of torque upon launch, shaving even more launch time. Other likely scenarios include a plug-in hybrid package and an all-wheel-drive system that would have the front axle powered by an electric motor.
That approach, according to journalist Sherman, would be modeled after the current Acura NSX which uses its twin-turbo V-6 to power the rear wheels, two separate motors powering the front wheels, a layout that enhances torque vectoring capabilities.
With the debut of the C8, Chevrolet wants “America’s sports car” to become a true world-beater for the first time.
As to a fully electric package? That is possible, perhaps sharing one of the all-electric drive systems that will be used by Chevy’s sibling Cadillac brand. The problem is that the underlying architecture of the C8 was not designed to have batteries mounted under the floorboard. That could be accomplished, our sources said, but would raise the vehicle’s height.
Whichever approach eventually rolls out, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is destined to just be the first of a much broader line-up of variants coming to showrooms over the next few years. And not just U.S. dealer lots.
There’s no question that GM wants to transform “America’s sports car” into a global competitor. It has won some non-traditional fans with a price tag well below that of competitors like Porsche, never mind Ferrari or McLaren. The ultimate version of today’s ‘Vette, the ZR1, comes in around $120,000, the starting price of the 911.
In a surprise move, GM President Reuss announced that the starting price for the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette will be “under $60,000.” A final figure won’t be available until closer to its upcoming on-sale date, however.
China is certainly one place where GM sees a potentially significant outlet. Buyers there have already embraced Ford’s Mustang. Europe could prove harder. GM sold off its German-based Opel subsidiary several years ago and retains only a modest distribution network for imports like Cadillac and the Corvette on the Continent.
“This will get people to give Corvette a new look,” said author and automotive historian Ken Gross, though he cautioned that Chevrolet doesn’t “have the distribution or the reputation” of key competitors outside the U.S. “It will have to be a truly great car” for the 2020 model to become a truly global icon.
On paper – and now, in person, the C8 certainly looks up to the role it is being given. We’ll have to wait for a chance to drive it, however, to see if it really meets admittedly high expectations.


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Horizon Sales, a leading manufacturers’ representative corporation, specializing in the sales and marketing of premier electronics assembly equipment, announces that Rebecca Kleefisch, Lt. Governor of the State of Wisconsin, was the keynote speaker at the Wisconsin SMTA Expo and Tech Forum. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Airport on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. Due to another scheduled speaking engagement, Lt. Governor Kleefisch only had time to visit a few booths and the Horizon booth was one that caught her attention.
“After a warm handshake and some small talk, Lt. Governor Kleefisch quickly got down to business and asked what Horizon Sales was and if we were from Wisconsin,” commented Dave Trail, President of Horizon Sales. “I explained that we were from the great State of Michigan and were exhibiting some new and interesting products from companies around the world that would help Wisconsin and other Midwestern manufacturers improve their processes, increase quality and competiveness. I showed her some of the Juki product literature and explained how Juki is able to automate the entire PCB assembly process and, thus, make us much more competitive in the world economy. She seemed to take a keen interest in all of the literature that we had on display and thanked us very much for our interest in Wisconsin’s manufacturing competitiveness.”
Lt. Governor Kleefisch is a former small business owner and news reporter. She is the 44th Lt. Governor of Wisconsin and is widely credited with the phrase “Wisconsin Is Open for Business!” Lt. Governor Kleefisch heads the Governors Small Business Summit and serves on the Manufacturers & STEM Committees of the Aerospace States Association.
Located in Brighton, MI and Lockport, IL, Horizon manages and sells to the Midwestern states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Western Pennsylvania, and recently added Illinois, Eastern Iowa and Wisconsin. In business for more than 20 years, Horizon has supplied equipment and supplies to some of the most well-known names in the industry. For more information about Horizon Sales, visit www.horizonsales.com.


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Over the last few years, there has been a rising trend in ecommerce and online stores. However, the events of the last year have acted as a catalyst for driving the growth of ecommerce.
According to McKinsey, consumers spent 30% more on online purchases during the first six months of 2020.
A recent eMarketer’s 2020 report stated that: “due to COVID-19, ecommerce will increase to 16% of all sales globally, which is an increase from the previous years.”
In response to this, online payment systems have had to undergo a digital transformation, and many businesses are looking for new and improved payment solutions.
With this rise in ecommerce, it’s important to understand the trends and things you should look out for when it comes to the payment platform that you use for your ecommerce needs.
Why is it important to understand ecommerce payment trends?
There is a massive opportunity for growth in the world of online trading. Though, the world of ecommerce is becoming increasingly competitive, and a smooth payment process can make or break your sale.
According to a study by Accenture, 87% of online shoppers will abandon their carts if a checkout process is too complex or complicated.
Consumers want simple and frictionless processes, and as an ecommerce provider you need to provide them with this in order to take advantage of the spike in online shopping.
The 2021 ecommerce payment trends that you need to know about
We know why the trends are important, but what exactly are the trends this year and going forward?
Here are some of the most notable trends that your business needs to be aware of:
- Omnichannel payment solutions are more important than ever
- Global ecommerce is on the rise
- Increase in mobile phone payments
- A need for an embedded payment process
Let’s explore each of these in a little more detail:
Omnichannel payment solutions are more important than ever
The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst, with IBM suggesting that the: “pandemic has accelerated the shift away from physical stores to digital shopping by roughly five years.”
While the shift towards omnichannel shopping had already begun, the pandemic has forced retailers to move at a much faster rate and pushed businesses to quickly expand the need for omnichannel commerce.
Due to this, retail businesses are having to invest in payment solutions that offer a unified omnichannel experience.
This ensures that your customers have a consistent payment solution across multiple shopping channels, and it allows them to shop and pay in a way that best suits them.
The solution: You need an all-inclusive payment solution that can support your business across multiple channels including online and in-store so that your customers can choose the one that suits them best.
Global ecommerce is on the rise
Online retail does not have the same restrictions that traditional retail faces. There are no opening or closing times, no staffing requirements or days off. You can be in your house in your pyjamas and shopping for goods halfway across the world without any difficulty.
A study by Whistl suggests that around 15% of shoppers make an online purchase from an overseas retailer at least once a week.
This presents a huge opportunity for ecommerce businesses and it also highlights the need for a seamless payment process, regardless of the location of the buyer.
The solution: use an ecommerce payment solution that seamlessly accepts international payments, and makes instant pay-outs to help with business cash flow.
Increase in mobile phone payments
One of the most notable payment trends in 2021, is the increased use of mobile phones worldwide.
The increase in mobile phone usage has also in part driven the rise of online sales, as people use their mobile phones to research before making a purchase.
However, desktop website visits still result in higher conversion rates.
This highlights the need to improve the ecommerce experience for mobile phone customers, which is a huge trend that businesses need to take advantage of.
Not only do you need to make sure that your websites are optimised for use in general, but you also need to make sure that your payment process is optimised for mobile checkout.
This will make your online checkout easier, and more accessible for a larger global audience.
The solution: use an online payment solution that is optimised for mobile phone use and check-out.
A need for embedded payment process
The final trend is the need for the integration of seamless payment solutions so that it isn’t a sticking point in the check-out process.
Google Pay says that: “when a consumer makes a purchase, they no longer expect the payment to be a separate action, but rather deeply embedded in the experience.”
Fintech can be used behind the scenes in order to deliver a seamless payment experience.
There is an opportunity for online retailers to improve the buyer experience via a one-click payment option. According to a study by Assist, online stores can increase their turnover by 20% by introducing a one-click payment option for their customers.
The solution: use an ecommerce payment solution that embeds the payment into the buying process seamlessly and gives the customer multiple payment options for a smooth transaction.
What is the best payment solution for your ecommerce website?
While driven by a seismic global event, it’s likely that these new ecommerce payment trends are here to stay. And if businesses want to continue to grow, they will need to adapt their online platforms around these trends.
One of the things that you will need to consider is what payment solution you use for ecommerce, and whether it is the best option for your business.
So, what is the best option?
The best payment platform will depend on your exact business. However, you’ll likely need an online payment solution that can adapt to the current – and future – trends and challenges facing ecommerce businesses.
PayPugs offers an all in one payment solution that can be used for your ecommerce business. Plus, it overcomes the challenges facing many online payment platforms, and easily integrates to offer solutions for the current trends.
The reason why PayPugs is great for any ecommerce business is that it’s not just an online payment solution, but a business banking partner—offering a personal service.
Ready to get started with PayPugs?
Need help understanding how to choose the best payment solution for your retail business?
To find out more about how PayPugs can help you easily set up ecommerce payments take a look at our website.


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UK Wine and Spirit Trade Association
George Osborne must think he can walk into any pub in the UK today and be treated to a free pint....
The debate around minimum pricing in the UK is starting to feel more than ever like a can of worms. I'm not quite sure, however, who has got...
After nearly 20 years of working in the beer and spirits categories, Andrew Carter pitched up at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) last year charged with leading the group's Europe, Middle East and Asia region. Travel Retail also falls under his remit. So, how's he finding the challenge? just-drinks' deputy editor, James Wilmore, caught up with him at ProWein in late-March.
Last week, the UK government published a consultation document which many believe to be the prelude to tighter legislation on alcoholic drinks. In this month’s Just the Answer interview, Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the UK’s Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), takes the opportunity to put the industry’s case for the retention of self-regulatory control, and suggests the Government is basing its position on flawed analysis.
Sparkling wine continues to be the star performer in the UK off- and on-trade in 2014, while the flavoured vodka category has endured mixed fortunes, according to latest figures.
The Wine and Spirits Trade Association has dismissed fresh calls for minimum unit pricing (MUP) in the UK after a new report claimed a floor price would be far more effective than the Government's current policy.
Flavoured and spiced rums saw impressive growth in the UK off-trade over the early summer, while imported whiskies also performed strongly, latest figures show.
The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has revamped its website, allowing members to search its database of checklists and guidance for the UK market.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has branded as “fundamentally flawed” an investigation from senior doctors that claims the UK government was “subverted” by the drinks industry over a U-turn on minimum pricing.
Global Wine Market: News and Events December 2013
The report provides a review of the latest news and key events in the global wine market during December 2013. Summary Using this report, marketers will effectively gain an insight into the latest ha...
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Synopsis The report provides a review of the latest news and key events in the global wine market during March 2014. Summary Using this report, marketers will effectively gain an insight into the lat...
Online Beer, Wine and Spirits (BWS) Retail Trends Q3 2013
New, unique analysis of the online sales of beer, wines and spirits (“BWS”) in the UK market, based on actual ePOS data from 11 leading online retailers. No modelling, no guesswork....
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KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): ACE Market-bound gold jewellery wholesaler and manufacturer YX Precious Metals Bhd (YXPM) is seeking to raise RM31.26 million from its initial public offering (IPO).
Notably, YXPM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tomei Consolidated.
YXPM managing director Ng Sheau Chyn said the group saw a huge demand for gold jewellery during the pandemic and it intends to increase its product range and establish more business-to-business (B2B) opportunities in the future.
“In terms of market share, currently we are less than 10% and are at approximately 6%.
“I still see we have big opportunities within the local market. So we would like to focus on the lower hanging fruit efforts and getting a higher margin,” she said during the group’s prospectus launch on Monday (May 30).
YXPM mainly serves the Malaysian market as well as exports its products to countries which include Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar and Singapore.
Its customers are mainly trade customers or intermediaries, such as retailers and wholesalers, as well as jewellery manufacturers.
According to the group, the IPO exercise entails the public issue of 111.65 million new ordinary shares in YXPM, of which Public Investment Bank Bhd has agreed to underwrite 48.38 million shares.
Meanwhile, 18.61 million shares will be made available to the Malaysia public, 11.16 million shares to eligible directors and employees and 18.61 million shares to all entitled shareholders of Tomei.
Of the remaining shares, 16.75 million shares will be privately placed with selected investors and 46.52 million shares will be privately placed to selected Bumiputera investors.
On proceeds from the IPO exercise, a total of RM20.86 million or 66.73% will be allocated for working capital, specifically to purchase raw materials.
RM4.4 million or 14.08% will be earmarked for purchase of new machinery and equipment for expansion of hollow gold jewellery range while RM3.5 million or 11.2% will be used to fund its listing expense.
The remaining RM2.5 million or 7.99% will be utilised for expansion and upgrading of operational facilities.
For the financial year end 2021 (FY21), the group reported a 24.18% decline in its net profit to RM7.1 million from RM9.37 million a year earlier while annual revenue rose by 51.1% to RM265.38 million compared to RM175.63 million previously.
YXPM is principally involved in wholesaling, design and manufacturing of gold jewellery. Its other related products and services include sales of scrap and pure gold bars, manufacture of silver chains, and provision of refining services for precious metals.
The group is slated to make its debut on June 23.
At the IPO price of 28 sen per share, YXPM would have a market capitalisation of RM104.2 million.
Public Investment Bank is the principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for YXPM’s IPO.


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Will JetBlue still be able to boast having ‘the most legroom in coach’?
JetBlue is rolling out new coach seats in a major overhaul of its 16-year-old cabin design, and yes, you’ve heard that news before: as far back as 2013, the airline has been hinting at big changes on its all-coach Airbus A320 fleet. More than a year ago, JetBlue announced that it would add 15 seats to the current 150 on each plane. But now that the changeover is really happening—JetBlue will begin phasing in the new “core” product over the next three years—is there anything big left to announce?
In short, yes. The carrier is adding 12, not 15, seats to its cabins, and it’s also adding living space by relocating galleys that take up less room. Like today’s layouts, there will be some rows with more legroom—these are currently known as “even more space” seats and cost an additional fee—and some with less. The seat pitch will range from 32″ to 33″ in standard rows, and JetBlue is still claiming that it will have the most legroom in coach, “based on average fleet-wide seat pitch.” But a lot will ride on the most subjective of factors: customer perception.
To that end, JetBlue is ramping up the inflight connectivity and entertainment features to the point where you might not even care about the comfort of the seat you’re strapped into. And while the airline already has free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the flight on much of its fleet, a lot will be different, such as new 10-inch, high-definition touch screens (up from the 6.5-inch screens today); in-flight streaming entertainment built on the Google Android platform, which lets you connect your personal device to the seatback screen, and more TV than any couch potato could manage—think 100 DirecTV channels, up from the current 36. Fliers can also begin streaming and downloading content even before the flight departs, from JetBlue’s content portal, The Hub, with access to Amazon video, The Wall Street Journal, and other sources. Each seat will have a power port outlet.
So will passengers feel jammed in a la Spirit Air? That’s not likely, given the fact that 162 seats is what JetBlue started out with when it debuted. But will people miss those genuine leather seats—which was a major selling point when the airline debuted in 2000 with the admittedly implausible goal of “bringing humanity back to travel”? It turns out that JetBlue has already been quietly road-testing the new coach seat on its Airbus A321s, which are larger and also feature the carrier’s premium class, Mint, on some transcontinental flights. “We’ve seen a fantastic uptick in customer satisfaction with the new seats,” said Jamie Perry, the company’s vice president brand and product development. “Some of these earlier seats are 16 years old,” he added, “and it is time for a change.” Perry admitted thatthe introduction of the Mint class had somewhat stolen the thunder from the much larger coach overhaul. “Seat technology has advanced,” he said, claiming that the new versions—they’re covered in “e-leather,” which is made from actual leather scraps but lighter than the real thing—are “safer, lighter, and more comfortable.” It’s also worth noting that even with lower jet fuel prices, the saving in weight—about a thousand pounds per aircraft—is an enormous benefit to the bottom line.


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The eighth edition of the Connect Nigeria Business Fair, Africa’s largest business event, was held in August 2020. It was the first virtual edition of the fair; this border-defying setting allowed attendees from across the world to access the conference and exhibitions on multiple digital channels.
Read more about Business
In two days, seasoned speakers from across the world of business shared their best insights and tips for enterprise success. These experts, comprising top executives and renowned growth hackers, drew from decades of experience in Nigeria’s peculiar commercial environment and left the audience more well-informed about the routes to winning in their operating environments.
Not surprisingly, much of the talk during the fair was about coping (and thriving) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the businesspeople on the panels and masterclasses had helpful ideas for getting ahead during the crisis.
Here, we recall some of the top lessons from this year’s edition of the Connect Nigeria Business Fair.
Lessons About Striving Through Tough Times
Owolabi Salami, COO at Allianz Nigeria Insurance, was one of the panellists at the fair. While going over the challenges faced by businesses during the pandemic, he shared some principles that they could follow to survive the hard times.
“Preserve the core of your business– the key competitive advantages your business has that you can’t afford to lose,” he said. “Ensure your assets to limit the losses you will incur from this year.”
Sketching The Profile Of The Future Employee
Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, CEO, CreditRegistry, spoke about the attributes that the employee of the future would need to have to succeed in tomorrow’s world. According to her, these characteristics include proactivity, integrity, agility, communication skills, and leadership by influence.
She pointed out that while these traits would be sought after in the future, the more forward-looking employers already expected their team members to exhibit them. And employees with foresight were presently imbibing them as well.
“The mindset of the worker has to change, realizing that we now have more opportunities than less if you take on some of these attributes,”
Resilience In The Face Of A Pandemic
In a thoroughly relatable presentation, Nelly Agbogu, founder of Nellies Nigeria, shared about her company’s strategy for beating the economic effects of the pandemic. She put its success at navigating the crisis to one thing: resilience.
“I was very resilient. I knew I could fight this pandemic, and it would not take over my business.”
Find our comprehensive listings of businesses in Nigeria here
In practice, she and her team manifested this resilience in their innovative use of the business’s social media handles and website, as well as through cross-selling and upselling strategies.
The late Ubong King, the founder of the Ubong King Foundation, caught the audience’s attention with his impassioned talk. Speaking around the theme ‘No Excuses’, Mr King said that entrepreneurs were capable of getting through tough times if they had a laser-focus on the right things– their product, customers, and opportunities to sell.
He advocated an active approach to connecting with customers and advised businesspeople to seek out their clients wherever they may be found (instead of waiting for potential clients to come their way).
“Identify the ways to get through to them,”
“See them as a target, and determine how you will get their attention.”
For Agatha Amata, the key to pushing past the COVID-19 pandemic and its limitations on business was to get beyond providing one’s regular offerings to a localized audience. The focus for businesses has to be about expanding their customer base by reaching into media that they had not previously utilized (or had not used well enough).
As she learned with her Rave TV and Trend FM (her company’s TV and radio station), the key to achieving this was leveraging online platforms.
“If you want to go global during COVID and after, you have to adapt to the new normal,” she said. “You cannot afford to not be online today.”
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$RRGB said sensitivity of the company's EPS to a 1% change in guest counts for FY16 is estimated to be $0.34 on annualized basis. Also, 10 basis point change in restaurant-level operating profit margin is expected to impact EPS by about $0.09, and change of about $143,000 in pre-tax income or expense is equivalent to about $0.01.
$NFLX a monster move, going up. Expect making some money on Monday.
$AMD down more than 6% even after posting above consensus third quarter results.
$MCD stock rose more than 2% after it posted better than expected 3Q16 results, driven by global same-store sales growth. Meanwhile, earnings and revenue were lower than last year, hurt by refranchising efforts.


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News: Reads from WWW
Monday, 11 Jul 2011
HTC Desire owners will rejoice at this news update - the Taiwanese company is projecting a Gingerbread roll-out for its first Desire device by the end of July.
ABI Research has torn apart the Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone, and found that it's packed with the latest technology.
Friday, 8 Jul 2011
Panasonic is opening up its Viera Connect cloud-based TV service for developers to create IPTV applications for the worldwide platform.
Google and Yahoo has met up with bankers for Hulu. Under a new owner, Hulu will also stand to gain capital to acquire more films and TV shows, upsetting competitors like NetFlix.
According to a Nielsen study, the average iPhone owner spends twice the amount of time playing mobile games compared to other mobile platforms.
The new Microsoft home page design has now been ported to the Microsoft Download Center website.
More small and medium enterprises are adopting Google Apps to reduce costs as well as to bridge productivity gaps using the cloud.
A supposed Googler made a comment in Android Open Source Project Issue 16992 which hinted of a possible Android 3.2 update to the Motorola Xoom.
Thursday, 7 Jul 2011
Canon might just launch a mirrorless camera model, with consumers seeking to upgrade from their compact cameras while still wanting portability.
Google+, as most tech geeks know, started out as a limited-invites-only social experiment. The invite option was opened for a short while to people already with an account, but was temporarily suspended due to the insane demand. Has Google decided to allow invites again, in lieu of Facebook's recent Skype-related revelation?